Temple 25

**Chapter 25**

We're back with Kahlan, the Dominatrices, and the Aryan Boys, where we learn that Richard and Berdine stayed up all night studying, and yes, I know how that sounds but I'm not sure Terry Goodkind did. As a result, Berdine is tired, and her lover Raina is grumpy about it. There's a pointless bit where Kahlan commandeers a tea tray from a servant, and then takes it into Richard's office. She tries to sneak in, to prove that he can't just magically tell it's her when she walks into a room, but he greets her without turning around. Silly Kahlan; Richard can do anything Terry Goodkind wants him to be able to do.

I'll note that Richard's Kahlan-detection ability is being built up because it is a plot point later in this book. I'll further note that nothing we have seen about Richard in any previous book has hinted at any such ability, and it will never be relevant again. In fact, it becomes a plot *hole* in the next book.

We learn that there have been riots over the red moon, and the Privileged Elite take a moment to congratulate themselves on being more sensible than the dumb, savage commoners. We get a brief infodump on Kolo's journal, which I hope you remember from previously as I'm not explaining it again.

Richard has learned that the Ancient Wizards successfully banished the Temple of the Winds, but neither he nor Kahlan have any idea what that means. However, shortly after, the moon turned red, which was taken as a sign that the Temple-banishing team had betrayed them, and are to stand trial. There's some talk about how words can have multiple meanings in High D'Haran, all of them relevant, and Richard thinks that the word "winds" was used as shorthand for "Temple of the Winds." In other words, the Temple itself is hunting him, per Jagang's prophecy. He also thinks the Temple of the Winds is self-aware, that it turned the moon red as a warning, and that it did so as a result of something violating its shields.

Kahlan, who is a mindrapist, and who lives in a world full of magical people, magical creatures, magical artifacts, and random weird-ass magical effects, finds the concept of a sentient Temple of be wholly inconceivable. This seems pretty arbitrary to me, but given how inconsistent Terry Goodkind's magic system is - to pick just one example, the Sword of the Homicidal Hobo has been repeatedly referred to as if it was a sentient being capable of making decisions - I don't suppose I should complain about Kahlan's random skepticism. \~/

There's a knock at the door, and a General Kerson wants to talk with Richard. It turns out Richard's magic formula of quench oak bark, garlic and blueberries has cured his army. I have no idea where he found enough of that for a hundred thousand men (remember, he started with 300,000 men, sent 100,000 after Kahlan and kept the remaining two-thirds around Aydindril, and half his army was sick), but apparently he did, and apparently every single one of them is now 100% healthy.

Kerson also tells Richard that a whore was killed in a particularly horrifying manner last night. This is relevant because it was Drefan who found her, and when questioned as to why he was in a brothel, he said he didn't have to explain himself. This makes Richard angry - come to think of it, most things seem to make Richard angry - and he prepares to stride off dramatically to talk with Drefan.

Kahlan stops him, telling him privately that representatives of some of the nations of the Midlands want to talk with him. Richard blows them off, telling Kahlan to handle it. She informs him that they're terrified of him, to which he says *"I wouldn't hurt them."*

Sure you wouldn't, Richard. That's why you disarmed them and are holding them hostage. That's why you demanded the immediate, unconditional surrender of all their nations. That's why you threatened bloody annihilation to anyone who dares to oppose you. That's why you slaughtered the previous Midlands council without hesitation or remorse. That's why you decorated your palace with lizardman corpses. You're a real freakin' Gandhi. \~/

To my mild surprise, Kahlan reminds Richard that he essentially threatened everyone and demanded their compliance. She says she can handle most of the representatives in her position as Mother Mindrapist and High Empress of the Midlands, but Tristan Bashkar of Jaria, and Leonora and Walter Cholbane of Grennidon, control huge armies and are tough negotiators. They'll expect to meet Richard personally, as a gesture of respect. Richard reminds us he has no respect for anyone, he expects everyone's unconditional surrender, and for Kahlan to deal with it.

There's some more useless chatter, and the chapter ends.

Drinks: 2

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