Redeeming Kahlan

In the heart of Silverbrook, amidst the towering cliffs and ancient forests, and among the hallowed halls of Silverbrook's grandest of palaces, destiny was about to trade places. "Your Grace, I have come before you with a proposal that would be mutually beneficial," Pyrlig said. His voice was measured and cunning. "My stepdaughter, Kahlan, is a beauty beyond compare. She has strong blood, is from good stock, and has everything you'll ever need in a wife." Pyrlig continued. "I offer her to be your bride, a breeder to bear you a son and secure your lineage. She'll bear good and strong sons, that I can assure you." Pyrlig finished, his eyes firmly on the Alpha King. Uhtred, the Alpha King, reciprocated the stare icily. "A bride, you say? The last thing I need right now is another pawn in this deadly game of power. I am very okay with the ones I have," he said, waving his hand dismissively. "I have little use for such arrangements. You said she'd produce me an heir?" Uhtred asked sarcastically. The next moment, he was laughing derisively. "Why? The same way the seven wives I had prior to this produced me heirs?" He asked, the color suddenly gone from his cheek and the cold returning to his voice. "This is different, my Lord!" Pyrlig protested. Lowering his voice, he added, "It was from the moon goddess her mother asked of her. Whatever curse is on you, the seed in her will override it." Uhtred was taken aback for a while. He pondered for a couple of minutes and then asked, "What do you want?" "I do not understand you, my lord," Pyrlig stuttered. "I said, 'What do you want?!'" Uhtred snapped, stamping his fist on the chair he was seated on. "Oh yes, my lord. In exchange for Kahlan, I ask three things," Pyrlig said, barely recovering from the shock of Uhtred's temper. Intrigued, the Alpha King asked, "Speak in clearer terms. What are your demands?" "First of all, I request the vast expanse of fertile land adjacent to your dominion," Pyrlig said more confidently. "Eastanglia, you mean?" Uhtred asked. "Exactly. It would greatly expand my influence and secure my place among the ranks of the seven." Pyrlig concurred. Nodding, the Alpha King said, "Continue." "Most definitely. Secondly, I desire a prominent position within your council. I want to be third in command to you," Pyrlig said, looking for visible changes in his mood. When he couldn't find any, he continued. "I wish to wield power and have a say in important matters concerning your rule." Uhtred put a hand to his chin and then contemplated for a while. After what seemed like an eternity, he responded, "A seat in my council could be arranged. What is your third demand?" "Lastly, I ask for two luxurious estates in the heart of Silverbrook. The one to the east side of Caelum, and the one just off Evermore." Pyrlig said it with glee. "I want to live in the opulence and splendor befitting my new stature as an in-law to you," Pyrlig finished. The Alpha King stared at him with a hint of amusement, his first genuine emotion of the conversation. "You are a very ambitious man, and this is reflected in your requests," Uhtred started. "But your requests are attainable, and I accept your proposal. Kahlan will be my bride, and you shall be granted your request," the Alpha King finished, his gaze fixated on Pyrlig. Pyrlig broke into a triumphant grin. "Excellent! Your Grace, this deal will bring prosperity and power to both of us. I can assure you of that." "Do not forget; your stepdaughter will serve her purpose and nothing more. I repeat. Your stepdaughter will only serve her purpose. Do you understand?" The Alpha King asked forcefully, his cold glare having returned. "Of course, Your Grace. I understand the terms." Pyrlig said, feeling all fly. He had done it. ***** Kahlan I could only manage to stutter with a trembling voice, "Father, what have you done? Why would you marry me off to the Alpha King without my consent?" My stepfather only gave me a cruel smirk while polishing his blade. "My dear Kahlan," he said sarcastically, "I did what was necessary for my gain. 'You use what you have to get what you want'... That's how they say it, right?." I replied teary-eyed, "But I'm your stepdaughter, Pyrlig. How could you betray me like this?" Pyrlig just looked at me mockingly and said, "Stepdaughter?" He moved closer and looked me in the eye. "Listen to me and listen well. You were in my way; you always have been." "Marrying you off to the Alpha King was the perfect solution to further my ambitions. It's a win-win situation for both of us," Pyrlig said, drawing away. At this moment, I was near my breaking point. "I thought family was supposed to love and protect each other. I thought you loved me. How could you be so heartless?" I cried out. My stepfather looked me in the eye, and I couldn't see any warmth or feeling. His next words rattled me to the core. "Love is a weakness, Kahlan. And in this world, weakness gets you nowhere. You were merely a burden to me, a rather unpleasant reminder of your mother's existence." He looked at me for a few more moments before moving away. I struggled to choke back the tears. "I loved my mother, and I loved you as my stepfather. I trusted you." I cried out. His tone took on a mocking air: "Trust is for the naive. I used your trust to manipulate you to get what I wanted." Looking intently into my eyes, he said with a queer smile, "Now, you belong to the Alpha King, and his lands and properties and a seat on his cabinet belong to me." I could barely whisper, "I belong to anyone. I am not some object to be traded." "Oh, but you are," he said, smirking. "You belong to the Alpha King now, bound by a marriage sealed by me, and you will do as he commands." "He'll do with you as he pleases, Kahlan. Your fate is in his hands now," he finished with a cruel chuckle. "I never wanted this. My mother never wanted this," I said, sobbing. "Your wants and desires are insignificant. Your mother is dead anyway. I've risen to power now, and that's all that matters." "You've destroyed my life,my dreams, and my aspirations all for your selfish ambitions? I hope you're happy now." Pyrlig grinned triumphantly, "Oh yes, I am happy. You were always in my way. Now that you're married to the Alpha King, that is no longer my problem." "I don't know how I'll survive this, but take this from me," I said defiantly. "You won't break me." "Good luck with that, Kahlan," he said in a mocking tone. "You'll need it." I stood there helpless, devastated, and betrayed. I couldn't help but wonder why my life had taken such a tragic turn. And then, just then, the cruel reality of my situation sank in. My life was over.