Blood 36

Chapter 36
Richard and Berdine continue to explore Wizards' Keep, glossing over a bunch of uninteresting rooms and finding a handy-dandy glowing globe. They eventually find a library, but Richard declares that it's not what they're looking for. “I don't know why, but it isn't.” \~/
They come to another door with a magical shield on it, and Richard senses that this one is somehow different. I'm not taking a drink for Richard Just Knows since the force field glows red when he approaches, which, yeah, would tip me off as well. Anyway, Richard hugs Berdine – yes, really – and they shuffle through the force field with no ill effects, entering into a room with small niches in the walls and undescribed objects within said niches. Richard Just Knows \~/ that these objects are dangerous.
Randomly, Berdine decides to start a conversation about their relationship. Just like a woman, amirite, guys?
Guys?
Ahem. Anyway, the gist of the conversation is that Berdine has been teasing Richard about her being his favorite so he wouldn't think she disliked him, and thus perversely decide to fuck her. Given her previous boss, there's a certain logic to that. Richard, of course, would never do such a thing, and Berdine finally believes that after he heroically groped her back to sanity a few chapters back. Berdine, though, feels she hasn't been entirely honest with Richard, and wants to confess that she's in love with someone else, namely, Raina.
This bewilders Richard for a while – after all, girls can't love other girls, unless Berdine means like a sister. But no, Berdine insists that this is not like a sister, and what's more, Raina loves her back. We get a fairly well-written bit where Richard admits that he doesn't understand or approve of Berdine's lesbianism, but ultimately, it's not his place to approve or disapprove. If Berdine and Raina really do love each other, then more power to them. And I must give credit where it's due: Terry Goodkind, whatever his other faults, is not a homophobe, and I rather respect the fact that he decided to have Richard preach tolerance on this particular issue.
So, hats off to you, Terry. This time.
Oh, and we get another Richard Just Knows in mid-conversation there. \~/
Berdine then continues, saying that Richard has been unfair to Cara and Raina because of his justified distrust of Berdine (presumably referring to when he forced them to go topless for him). Richard acknowledges his error, and we get another Richard Just Knows. \~/ However, this time, Richard deduces that, by talking with and distracting him, Berdine has allowed him to be guided by his gift, this explaining why he keeps Just Knowing things he has no business knowing. Be that as it may, I'm still going to be taking drinks for Richard Just Knows, clumsy explanation or no.
Our Heroes find themselves in a large, round tower room with a deep pit at the center, and the chapter ends.
Drinks: 4
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