Naked Empire   ::   Goodkind Terry

Through all that happened, you were always first in his mind and heart. His love for you moved him to act to change his entire empire for the better."

She seemed to be overwhelmed by it all, and by his words.

"Lord Rahl came to us and did something more important than saving us all," Owen told Marilee. "Lord Rahl gave me the courage to come and fight for you, to fight to save you-for all of us to fight for our own lives and the lives of those we love."

Beaming, Marilee leaned in and kissed Richard on the cheek. "Thank you, Lord Rahl. I never knew my Owen could do such things."

"Believe me," Cara said, "we had our doubts about him, too." She clapped Owen on the back of the shoulder. "But he did well."

"I, too, have come to understand the value of what he has done,"

Marilee said to Richard, "of the things you seem to have taught our people."

Richard smiled at the two of them, but then he could no longer hold back the coughing that so hurt him. The mood of joyous liberation suddenly changed. People rushed in around them, helping to hold him up. Kahlan saw blood running down his chin.

"Richard," she cried. "No…"

They eased him to the ground. He clutched at Kahlan's sleeve, wanting to have her close. Kahlan saw tears running down Cara's cheek.

It seemed that he had spent all the strength he had left. He was slipping into the fatal grasp of the poison, and there was nothing they could do for him.

"Owen," Richard said, panting to catch his breath when the spell of coughing stopped. "How far to your town?" His voice was getting hoarse.

"Not far-only hours, if we hurry."

"The man who made the poison and the antidote… he lived there?"

"Yes. His place is still there."

"Take me there."

Owen looked puzzled, but he nodded eagerly. "Of course."

"Hurry," Richard added, trying to get up. He couldn't.

Tom appeared in the crowd. Jennsen was there, too.

"Get some poles!" Tom commanded. "And some canvas, or blankets. We'll make a litter. Four men at a time can carry him. We can run and get him there quickly."

Men rushed to the buildings, searching for what they would need to make a litter.



CHAPTER 65

Kahlan hurriedly pulled the tin off the shelf and opened the lid. The tin contained a yellowish powder. It was the right color. She leaned down and showed it to Richard as he lay in the litter. He reached in and took a pinch.

He smelled it. He put his tongue to it and then nodded.