“That’s what I thought,” Richard said. “But the problem is that the combinations of cause and effect that result in me being the one to save life, or to end it, are so complex, and there are so many variables, that I don’t know how what she said is supposed to do me any good.”
Zedd made a sound of agreement deep in his throat. “What about the third part? Did that shed any light on it?”
“Not really. The third emblem said, Know that you have within you what you need to survive. Use it. Seek the truth. Know that our hearts are with you. Make your own destiny and make it true, for life hangs in the balance. We leave you a reminder to keep with you, of all that is important.
“Magda Searus and Wizard Merritt wanted me to have this ring as a reminder of what we all fight for.”
Zedd considered the words in silence.
“Do you have any idea what I should do?” Richard finally asked.
Zedd’s face turned away to stare off into the darkness. “As a matter of fact, my boy, I do.”
CHAPTER
47
Richard frowned over at his grandfather, his face shadowed by the light of the campfire. “Really? You know what I need to do?”
Zedd grunted with a nod. “I do. As a matter of fact, that is what I wanted to talk to you about. It’s why I came out here to speak with you alone. The message from Magda and Merritt only confirms my thoughts.”
Richard rubbed the creases in his forehead. He stopped when he realized that he was trying to rub away the distant sounds of screams deep in his own mind. He focused instead on the buzz and chirp of night insects. Silhouetted against the faint light of the sky, he could see bats from time to time as they silently swooped by on erratic courses to catch flying bugs.
“I could use some advice about now, Zedd,” Richard said in a quiet voice. “I’m about at my wits’ end. Everyone is depending on me.”
Zedd looked over at him. In the hard angles of the old man’s face, Richard could see that it was one of those troubled looks that told him this was as serious as Zedd got.
“My boy, after we get to the citadel and remove that poison from you, I think that you should quit.”
Richard stared for a moment, not sure he had heard correctly. “What are you talking about, quit? What do you mean?”
“Just what I said. Quit. Give it all up.”
Richard frowned, trying to understand. “Give what up?”
“Everything and everyone. It’s time you and Kahlan lived your lives for each other. You’ve both sacrificed your lives together and given up everything you could have with each other in order to fight on behalf of everyone else. I think the time has come for you both to give up everything else and go live for yourselves, for your own happiness. You have done enough, Richard. You have done more than enough.”
Richard was stunned. Richard knew by his grandfather’s tone of voice that he was deadly serious.
“I don’t understand, Zedd. How can I possibly do such a thing when everyone is depending on me?”
Zedd let out a sigh. “Richard, the world was getting by for a very long time before you ever came along. How many times throughout history has disaster been right around the corner? How many times has the world of life been threatened and on the brink? Such things have been going on since long before you ever came along to save the day.”
“Yes, but this is one of those threats that even the people back in the great war warned about, and they identified me as the only one who would have a chance to stop it. This is the time when I’m the one meant to step in and act.”
Zedd thought about his answer for a moment. “Since the dawn of man, there have always been people bent on harming others. There have been periods of peace and enlightenment, and there have been dark times, but through it all, mankind survived. That cycle has repeated itself over and over. It wasn’t always easy, and despite those who would have it otherwise, life went on.”
Richard let out a sigh of his own. “It seems like people would learn from that, and let others live their lives.”
Zedd shrugged. “I personally believe that it’s a basic flaw in mankind’s makeup.”
“What do you mean? What sort of flaw?”
“Hate. I believe it is a fundamental defect in mankind. While other creatures live to nurture and live their lives, only some of mankind lives that way.”
“Sure, there are both good and bad people. I don’t understand what you mean by a flaw, though.”
“Well, revulsion—hate—is a fundamental function of nature. Hate is a judgment, and judgment is necessary to life. Mice hate owls, so they hide. Rabbits hate wolves. That judgment makes them always ready to run.