Blood 34

**Chapter 34**

Kahlan sees the Something, which has glowing green eyes and *“prodigious fangs.”* It turns out to be a Fish, and to my surprise, Kahlan rather quickly deduces that it must be Gratch. There follows a scene where Gratch manages to communicate with Kahlan, who then introduces him to the others. It's actually rather well-written, partly because it stars Gratch, and partly because Kahlan behaves like a real person meeting someone her beloved told her was a good friend. It's a pleasant three-page break from the usual shenanigans.

Gratch then delivers the letter from Richard, which Kahlan reads. This pretty much recaps what Richard has been doing: conquering the known world. He informs Kahlan that she has to come to Aydindril to offer her unconditional surrender to him, because again, that's the sort of thing that characterizes a trusting, loving relationship between equals. \~/

Zedd and Kahlan start discussing how Richard is *“ 'a fawn in a bear's den,' ”* only for Adie to point out that Richard seems to be doing pretty well for himself. *“ 'He not be waiting to try reason with [the other nations]. He has simply put a knife to their throats.' ”* Because threats of violence are always better than reasoned discourse, and never foster resentment or hostility. \~/

Kahlan starts angsting \~/ about how  *'He has destroyed me,' ”* and how she'll be the Mother Mindrapist who failed the Midlands. Again, it's not about the consequences *for the Midlands;* it's about how this reflects on *Kahlan.* This is the sort of mature perspective I would expect from a pampered 14-year-old girl, not a head of state with Kahlan's alleged experience and savvy.

Zedd decides that Richard hasn't been worshiped enough in the last few pages, and lays it on good and thick. \~/ He also refers to Richard as  *“ 'the Seeker of Truth,' ”* which is simultaneously good and terrible. It makes sense that the wielder of the Sword of **Truth** would be the Seeker of **Truth,** and it fits the Seeker's alleged role (well, so does “serial rapist,” but bear with me). It makes sense as a role/title for a fantasy hero.

However, we're learning this on page 350 of book 3. This would be like not learning that Aragorn's sword Anduril was in any way special until midway through *The Return of the King.*

For some reason the conversation drifts to Wizard's Keep, and whether or not Richard could get into it if he wanted to. I have no idea why he might want to, but the characters are so adamantly fixated on the idea that I conclude that he will. This is what we call **bad writing.** There is no logical reason, from the current situation, for Richard to want to enter Wizard's Keep, nor for his friends to think that he would, but he clearly will at some point. Thus, the characters have to think of this, no matter how irrational it makes them appear.

Some authors move their characters around on puppet strings; Terry Goodkind prefers to simply reach down and personally wrench them into new positions.

Blah blah, Richard will have no trouble getting into Wizard's Keep because all the barriers are made with Plus Magic, which is helpless against Minus Magic. Counter-intuitively, Zedd fears that some of the dangers of the keep might kill Richard. If his awesome rage-driven magic is so awesomely awesome that not even the strongest Plus Magic wards can keep him out, what have they got in there that could possibly hurt him? If it's Plus Magic, it shouldn't have a chance, and if it's Minus Magic, the Plus Magic wards shouldn't have a chance of keeping it in!

More chatter, and they decide to send Gratch back to Aydindril carrying Zedd, who will use magic to make himself light enough for Gratch to carry.

Drinks: 4

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