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Description
Legend of the Seeker
Ch II

Cara was wary of the newcomer but that did not make her hesitate. She met him head on.
His blades were twirling fans with the grace Verin used them. Cara jabbed and swung. Both hits were deflected. She redoubled her assault, pressing hard, swinging and thrusting her ageil. She seemed to be gaining an advantage as she drove the other back. With every step she took forwards, he gave more ground. But only a fool would fall for such a ruse.
Cara knew she had no such advantage; it was an illusion. Verin was deflecting or outright dodging her attacks far too easily. She had never met a combatant with the skill that this man possessed. She got the distinct feeling he was just toying with her. But why?
'Fight me!' she growled as she relented for a moment. Why wouldn't he just attack!
'Why fight you?' the corner of his lips twitched upwards into a small smirk. 'You are not my target, and you are no threat. You do not meet my criteria, therefore you are not worth my time.' Cara's blood boiled and she practically roared as she charged him again.
This time he did not give ground.
She thrust at his head with one of her batons. He batted it to the side and twirled on the spot, bringing his body lower and arcing one of his weapons overhead to slice the forearm of her second incoming ageil. Her attack faltered and she withdrew her bleeding arm. Before anything else could happen, the point of his second weapon was racing for her throat.
Cara was an experienced fighter. She'd seen more battle than almost anyone else. So even though she skillfully maneuvered to avoid the blow, she knew she was finished. She wasn't fast enough for him. But even as she prepared for her imminant demise, she couldn't help but admire him. He was simply...impressive.
At the last second his blade diverged to the side and only lightly cut her neck. They both froze, their eyes locked. Cara did not fear death, so she felt no overwhelming relief. However she couldn't help but smirk at him. 'Still not up to your criteria?'
'What can I say...my blade is picky.' In a smooth gliding motion he locked his swords together at the ends of the hilts.
Suddenly Richard, whom Cara had momentarily forgotten about, barreled in from the side. Verin had apparently been expecting this. He turned on his heel and swung his now-free palm towards the other man. Cara felt the same sensation of all the sound being drawn out of the air, the very voice being sucked out of her chest, a vacuum of deafening silence. And just as Richard started to swing his sword downwards, his entire body was flung back by some invisible force. The Sword of Truth flew from his grasp and he hit the ground hard. Instantly he clasped his hands to his ears and rolled to his elbows and knees. Slowly the sound started to return to Cara's ears. Verin was focused on Richard now. He lowered his palm and confidently walked over to the disarmed man, flipping his weapon in one hand. He looked down at Richard.
'It's nothing personal,' he assured him, even though Richard couldn't hear anything through his nearly-burst eardrums. He raised his blade, one point aimed at Richard's arched back. 'But it's you or me.'
His eyes went wide and his mouth opened in a voiceless scream. After a few moments he fell to his knees and his weapon dropped to his side. Cara was behind him, both ageil firmly pressed against the small of his back. She drew them back and Verin fell forward with a grunt, breathing hard. Cara kicked the unique double-blade away from him as she walked around his side, looking smugly down at him.
She smiled, 'And here I thought I wasn't a threat.' He started to rise to his hands and knees, and she slammed the butt of an ageil into his back, sending him back down. When she was sure he had blacked out, she sheathed her weapons and went to tend to Richard, who seemed to be recovering from the sound blast a little at a time.

~~

Night had fallen and doused the land in darkness. The four had a fire going; Cara had just returned from her perimeter check to see that Verin was still not awake.
'For so much talk, he sure can't take a hit...' she muttered as she sat by the fire. Her arm was bandaged. Richard was on the opposite side of the fire; he had fully recovered, but his ears were still ringing.
'Where did he come from?' Kahlan wondered, directing her question at Zedd. The old man seemed to have an answer for everything.
It was Richard, rather than Zedd, who spoke, 'He has some sort of connection with the Keeper.'
'How do you know?' Kahlan asked him.
'Well...he didn't deny it when I mentioned it,' he replied. 'Besides, where else could he have come from? He has magic which not even Zedd can explain, and his skill in combat is beyond human.' Cara remained silent through the exchange, simply staring into the crackling flames.
'His sword and armor are enchanted,' the wizard finally spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. 'There is great magic emanating from them. But it's...foreign. I don't recognize it, and I certainly have never seen it.' Cara looked over to Verin. Her eyes narrowed.
Richard asked, 'Do you think they're what give him his power?'
'Why don't you ask him yourself?' Cara's eyes were glued to Verin's still form. 'He's awake – only pretending.'
The silent figure slowly rose to a sitting position. His hands were bound behind his back and his ankles were similarly tied. He laughed lightly. 'Your girl's got a good eye.'
Cara's hands balled into fists. Kahlan went for a knife, but didn't unsheath it yet. '"Their girl" is the one who put you in this situation,' Cara stated calmly. 'Somehow I don't think this was part of your plan.'
Verin shrugged casually and leaned back against the tree he was under. 'I don't make plans,' he answered simply.
'Oh? Then what is it you do?'
'I improvise.'
'Enough,' Richard interjected. 'Tell me why you're here. Why do you want me dead; did the Keeper send you?'
Verin's eyes remained locked on Cara for a while. It was an appreciative look. It didn't seem to bother him at all that he was in such a predicament. Finally he answered the Seeker, 'Maybe, eventually, He was planning to send me after you. But I don't think he counted on me defecting.'
'Defecting?' Kahlan repeated. 'Who did you defect to?'
Verin looked at her with a mock quizzical expression. 'I need a side to defect to?'
'You still haven't answered my question,' Richard pressed.
Verin glanced at each of the four in turn, then over to his blade which was set by Zedd. The wizard caught this and also glanced at the double-blade. What did the weapon have to do with all of this? 'I told you...because it's you, or me.'
'Why? What are you after?'
'It's not what I'm after,' he sighed and leaned his head back to stare up at the canopy of fluttering leaves above, sillhouetted by moonlight. 'It's what's after me.' The camp site was quiet for a while. Everyone waited for Verin to go on, but he said no more. In fact it seemed like he had fallen asleep; his eyes were closed.
Richard was about to get angry but Zedd put a hand on his shoulder as he looked at all of them. 'I suggest we get some rest. We can question him further tomorrow.'
'All right,' the Seeker agreed, surrendering with a sigh and a nod. 'We'll take turns at watch, like always, but now we have a guest to keep a close eye on.'
'I'll take first watch,' Cara volunteered.

The other three were in their bedrolls, asleep after an hour. Cara wandered the perimeter, but drew nearer and nearer to the smoldering firepit with every round. Now she was back in the main site, checking to make sure Verin hadn't gone anywhere. He was still leaning against the tree, face upwards, eyes closed. He hadn't budged an inch since their conversation.
Satisfied he was still "comfortable" she started to leave to make her rounds again.
'What's your name?' Verin's voice was loud in the darkness. She stopped, considering the question. Then she turned around to face him. He was looking right at her.
'I think you already know my name. You knew who Richard is.'
'True, Cara...but how else was I going to stop you from leaving?'
Cara arched an eyebrow. 'Now why would you want to do that?'
He grinned. 'So that you can bear witness.'
'Witness?' her amused look faded. 'Witness to...' Her words faltered and she started for the bound man. Only he wasn't bound anymore.
He swung his arms up and leapt to his feet. She was too late; he dove for his weapon and sliced the bonds at his ankles. She drew her ageil but to her surprise he didn't attack. He simply stood there, regarding her. Now he was the one who was amused.
'Wake up!' she firmly raised her voice. But no one stirred. Her eyes briefly flickered away from Verin to see her sleeping companions.
'They won't hear you,' Verin told her. He raised a hand and tapped his ear twice. 'This is the only place your voice is going.' He lowered his hand. 'And vice versa.' He enjoyed her look of slight frustration that she tried to hide from him. He couldn't use any kind of offensive magic against her, but she couldn't do anything about where the sound of her voice was being directed.
'Okay. It's just me and you. What do you do now?'
'Now, I take my leave,' he bowed shortly. 'Unless, of course, you want to try to stop me.'
'I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't,' she smiled.
Verin nodded slowly, as if he were thinking about it. 'Yes...and, I suppose, I'll just attack Rahl again in the future. You ought to stop me here and now.' He shrugged and offered her a helpless look. 'What choice do you have?'
Cara's smile remained. 'What choice do I have?'
Verin took off running. Cara was already in hot pursuit.

Description
Legend of the Seeker
Ch II

Cara was wary of the newcomer but that did not make her hesitate. She met him head on.
His blades were twirling fans with the grace Verin used them. Cara jabbed and swung. Both hits were deflected. She redoubled her assault, pressing hard, swinging and thrusting her ageil. She seemed to be gaining an advantage as she drove the other back. With every step she took forwards, he gave more ground. But only a fool would fall for such a ruse.
Cara knew she had no such advantage; it was an illusion. Verin was deflecting or outright dodging her attacks far too easily. She had never met a combatant with the skill that this man possessed. She got the distinct feeling he was just toying with her. But why?
'Fight me!' she growled as she relented for a moment. Why wouldn't he just attack!
'Why fight you?' the corner of his lips twitched upwards into a small smirk. 'You are not my target, and you are no threat. You do not meet my criteria, therefore you are not worth my time.' Cara's blood boiled and she practically roared as she charged him again.
This time he did not give ground.
She thrust at his head with one of her batons. He batted it to the side and twirled on the spot, bringing his body lower and arcing one of his weapons overhead to slice the forearm of her second incoming ageil. Her attack faltered and she withdrew her bleeding arm. Before anything else could happen, the point of his second weapon was racing for her throat.
Cara was an experienced fighter. She'd seen more battle than almost anyone else. So even though she skillfully maneuvered to avoid the blow, she knew she was finished. She wasn't fast enough for him. But even as she prepared for her imminant demise, she couldn't help but admire him. He was simply...impressive.
At the last second his blade diverged to the side and only lightly cut her neck. They both froze, their eyes locked. Cara did not fear death, so she felt no overwhelming relief. However she couldn't help but smirk at him. 'Still not up to your criteria?'
'What can I say...my blade is picky.' In a smooth gliding motion he locked his swords together at the ends of the hilts.
Suddenly Richard, whom Cara had momentarily forgotten about, barreled in from the side. Verin had apparently been expecting this. He turned on his heel and swung his now-free palm towards the other man. Cara felt the same sensation of all the sound being drawn out of the air, the very voice being sucked out of her chest, a vacuum of deafening silence. And just as Richard started to swing his sword downwards, his entire body was flung back by some invisible force. The Sword of Truth flew from his grasp and he hit the ground hard. Instantly he clasped his hands to his ears and rolled to his elbows and knees. Slowly the sound started to return to Cara's ears. Verin was focused on Richard now. He lowered his palm and confidently walked over to the disarmed man, flipping his weapon in one hand. He looked down at Richard.
'It's nothing personal,' he assured him, even though Richard couldn't hear anything through his nearly-burst eardrums. He raised his blade, one point aimed at Richard's arched back. 'But it's you or me.'
His eyes went wide and his mouth opened in a voiceless scream. After a few moments he fell to his knees and his weapon dropped to his side. Cara was behind him, both ageil firmly pressed against the small of his back. She drew them back and Verin fell forward with a grunt, breathing hard. Cara kicked the unique double-blade away from him as she walked around his side, looking smugly down at him.
She smiled, 'And here I thought I wasn't a threat.' He started to rise to his hands and knees, and she slammed the butt of an ageil into his back, sending him back down. When she was sure he had blacked out, she sheathed her weapons and went to tend to Richard, who seemed to be recovering from the sound blast a little at a time.

~~

Night had fallen and doused the land in darkness. The four had a fire going; Cara had just returned from her perimeter check to see that Verin was still not awake.
'For so much talk, he sure can't take a hit...' she muttered as she sat by the fire. Her arm was bandaged. Richard was on the opposite side of the fire; he had fully recovered, but his ears were still ringing.
'Where did he come from?' Kahlan wondered, directing her question at Zedd. The old man seemed to have an answer for everything.
It was Richard, rather than Zedd, who spoke, 'He has some sort of connection with the Keeper.'
'How do you know?' Kahlan asked him.
'Well...he didn't deny it when I mentioned it,' he replied. 'Besides, where else could he have come from? He has magic which not even Zedd can explain, and his skill in combat is beyond human.' Cara remained silent through the exchange, simply staring into the crackling flames.
'His sword and armor are enchanted,' the wizard finally spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. 'There is great magic emanating from them. But it's...foreign. I don't recognize it, and I certainly have never seen it.' Cara looked over to Verin. Her eyes narrowed.
Richard asked, 'Do you think they're what give him his power?'
'Why don't you ask him yourself?' Cara's eyes were glued to Verin's still form. 'He's awake – only pretending.'
The silent figure slowly rose to a sitting position. His hands were bound behind his back and his ankles were similarly tied. He laughed lightly. 'Your girl's got a good eye.'
Cara's hands balled into fists. Kahlan went for a knife, but didn't unsheath it yet. '"Their girl" is the one who put you in this situation,' Cara stated calmly. 'Somehow I don't think this was part of your plan.'
Verin shrugged casually and leaned back against the tree he was under. 'I don't make plans,' he answered simply.
'Oh? Then what is it you do?'
'I improvise.'
'Enough,' Richard interjected. 'Tell me why you're here. Why do you want me dead; did the Keeper send you?'
Verin's eyes remained locked on Cara for a while. It was an appreciative look. It didn't seem to bother him at all that he was in such a predicament. Finally he answered the Seeker, 'Maybe, eventually, He was planning to send me after you. But I don't think he counted on me defecting.'
'Defecting?' Kahlan repeated. 'Who did you defect to?'
Verin looked at her with a mock quizzical expression. 'I need a side to defect to?'
'You still haven't answered my question,' Richard pressed.
Verin glanced at each of the four in turn, then over to his blade which was set by Zedd. The wizard caught this and also glanced at the double-blade. What did the weapon have to do with all of this? 'I told you...because it's you, or me.'
'Why? What are you after?'
'It's not what I'm after,' he sighed and leaned his head back to stare up at the canopy of fluttering leaves above, sillhouetted by moonlight. 'It's what's after me.' The camp site was quiet for a while. Everyone waited for Verin to go on, but he said no more. In fact it seemed like he had fallen asleep; his eyes were closed.
Richard was about to get angry but Zedd put a hand on his shoulder as he looked at all of them. 'I suggest we get some rest. We can question him further tomorrow.'
'All right,' the Seeker agreed, surrendering with a sigh and a nod. 'We'll take turns at watch, like always, but now we have a guest to keep a close eye on.'
'I'll take first watch,' Cara volunteered.

The other three were in their bedrolls, asleep after an hour. Cara wandered the perimeter, but drew nearer and nearer to the smoldering firepit with every round. Now she was back in the main site, checking to make sure Verin hadn't gone anywhere. He was still leaning against the tree, face upwards, eyes closed. He hadn't budged an inch since their conversation.
Satisfied he was still "comfortable" she started to leave to make her rounds again.
'What's your name?' Verin's voice was loud in the darkness. She stopped, considering the question. Then she turned around to face him. He was looking right at her.
'I think you already know my name. You knew who Richard is.'
'True, Cara...but how else was I going to stop you from leaving?'
Cara arched an eyebrow. 'Now why would you want to do that?'
He grinned. 'So that you can bear witness.'
'Witness?' her amused look faded. 'Witness to...' Her words faltered and she started for the bound man. Only he wasn't bound anymore.
He swung his arms up and leapt to his feet. She was too late; he dove for his weapon and sliced the bonds at his ankles. She drew her ageil but to her surprise he didn't attack. He simply stood there, regarding her. Now he was the one who was amused.
'Wake up!' she firmly raised her voice. But no one stirred. Her eyes briefly flickered away from Verin to see her sleeping companions.
'They won't hear you,' Verin told her. He raised a hand and tapped his ear twice. 'This is the only place your voice is going.' He lowered his hand. 'And vice versa.' He enjoyed her look of slight frustration that she tried to hide from him. He couldn't use any kind of offensive magic against her, but she couldn't do anything about where the sound of her voice was being directed.
'Okay. It's just me and you. What do you do now?'
'Now, I take my leave,' he bowed shortly. 'Unless, of course, you want to try to stop me.'
'I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't,' she smiled.
Verin nodded slowly, as if he were thinking about it. 'Yes...and, I suppose, I'll just attack Rahl again in the future. You ought to stop me here and now.' He shrugged and offered her a helpless look. 'What choice do you have?'
Cara's smile remained. 'What choice do I have?'
Verin took off running. Cara was already in hot pursuit.