Wizard's First Rule - Terry Goodkind [296]
As they approached, everyone but the Queen dropped to a knee in a deep bow. When they stopped, Richard stared openly; he had never seen a queen before. Zedd gave him a sideways kick. He dropped to one knee and, following Zedd’s example, bowed his head. The only two who did not kneel or bow were Kahlan and the Queen. No sooner was he down than everyone was back up, with him coming to his feet last. Richard guessed that the two women must not have to bow to each other.
The Queen stared at Kahlan, who, with her head held high, didn’t break her calm countenance and didn’t even look at the Queen. No one spoke a word.
Kahlan lifted her hand a little, only about a foot away from her body, with her arm held unbending, her hand held limply in place. The Queen’s expression turned darker. Kahlan’s didn’t change. Richard figured that if anyone had blinked, he would have heard it. The Queen turned slightly to the side and handed the little dog to a man in a bright green, sleeved doublet and black tights with red-and-yellow striped pantaloons. There was a whole gaggle of men behind the Queen dressed in similar fashion. The dog growled viciously and bit the man’s hand; he did his best not to notice.
The Queen lowered herself to both knees in front of Kahlan.
A young man in plain black clothes immediately came to the Queen’s side, holding a tray out in front of himself. He bowed, head bent impossibly low, holding the tray out to the Queen. She took a small towel from the tray, dipped it in a silver bowl of water, and used it to wipe her lips. She returned the towel to the tray.
The Queen took the Mother Confessor’s hand lightly in her own, and kissed it with her freshly cleaned lips.
“Fidelity sworn to the Confessors, on my crown, on my land, on my life.”
Richard had heard few people lie as smoothly.
Kahlan at last moved her eyes. She looked down at the Queen’s bowed head. “Rise, my child.”
More than a queen, indeed, Richard thought. He remembered teaching Kahlan to make a snare, to read tracks, to dig roots, and felt himself turning crimson.
Queen Milena laboriously pushed herself to her feet. Her lips smiled. Her eyes didn’t. “We have not requested a Confessor.”
“Nonetheless, I am here.” Kahlan’s voice could have frozen water.
“Yes, well, this is… grand. Simply… grand.” Her face brightened. “We will have a banquet. Yes, a banquet. I will send out runners with invitations immediately. Everyone will come. I’m sure they will be most pleased to dine with the Mother Confessor. This is quite an honor.” She turned, indicating the men in the red-and-yellow pantaloons. “These are my barristers.” The men all bowed deeply again at the introduction. “I don’t remember all their names.” She held her hand out to two men in gold robes. “And this is Silas Tannic, and Brandin Gadding, the chief advisors to the crown.” The two gave a nod. “And my minister of finance, Lord Rondel; my star guide, Lady Kyley.” Richard didn’t see a silver-robed wizard among the Queen’s entourage. The Queen waved her hand at a shabbily dressed man in the back. “And James, my court artist.”
From the corner of his eye, Richard saw Zedd stiffen. James kept his lecherous eyes on Kahlan as he gave a shallow bow. He was missing his right hand at the wrist. The oily smile he gave her made Richard reach for his sword instinctively before he realized what he was doing. Without looking over, Zedd’s hand grabbed his wrist and took the hand away from the sword. Richard glanced around at the other people to see if anyone had noticed. No one had. They were all watching the Mother Confessor.
Kahlan turned to the two of them. “Zeddicus Zorander, cloud reader, trusted advisor to the Mother Confessor.” Zedd bowed dramatically. “And Richard Cypher, the Seeker, protector to the Mother Confessor.” Richard imitated