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It was as close as he would e to a reprimand。 Her face burned； and she was glad he wasn't looking at her to see it。 He didn't know what it was she could do； but he knew she had hesitated。 She had almost made a fatal mistake； had put them all at risk because she hadn't wanted him to see。 He hadn't pressed her when he had the chance； the right； just as now； he put her feelings first。 Her heart felt as if it would break。
The little group stepped onto the platform of the pole building。 The elders stood in the back； the Bird Man between the two of them as they faced the crowd。
The Bird Man regarded her with an intense expression。 〃Are you prepared to do this？〃
〃What do you mean？〃 she asked； suspicious of his tone。
〃I mean that if the two of you want to bee Mud People； then you must do that which is required of Mud People： respect our laws。 Our ways。 〃
〃I alone know what we are up against。 1 expect to die in the quest。 〃 She kept her tone deliberately hard。 〃I have already escaped death more times than anyone has a right to。 What we want is to save your people。 We are sworn on our lives to do so。 What more could be asked of us than our lives？〃
The Bird Man knew she was avoiding the question and didn't let her get away with it。 〃This is not something 1 do lightly。 1 do it because I know you are true in your struggle； that you mean to shield my people from the storm that es。 But 1 must have your help in this。 You must agree to our ways。 Not to please me； but out of respect for my people。 They expect it。 〃
Her mouth was so dry she could hardly swallow。 〃I do not eat meat； 〃 she lied。 〃You know that from when； I have been here before。 〃
〃Though you are a warrior； you are also a woman； therefore it may be excused。 That much is within my power。 Being a Confessor excludes you from the other。 〃 His eyes showed that this was as far as his promise would go。 〃Not the Seeker。 He must do these things。 〃
〃But。 。 。
〃You have 。said you will not choose him as your mate。 If he will call a gathering； it must be as one of us。〃
Kahlan felt trapped。 If she turned him down now； Richard would be furious； for good reason。 They would lose to Rahl。 Being from Westland； Richard was not used to the ways of the different peoples of the Midlands。 He might not willingly go along。 She couldn't take the chance。 Much was at stake。 The Bird Man's eyes waited。
〃We will do what your law requires； 〃 she said； trying not to show what she really thought。
〃Don't you wish to consult the Seeker on his feelings about these things？〃
She looked away； over the heads of the waiting ；crowd。 〃No。〃
He took her chin in his hand and turned her face back to his。
〃Then it will be your responsibility to see to it that he does as required。 By your word。 〃
She could feel the heat of her anger rising。 Richard leaned around the Bird Man。
〃Kahlan； what's going on？ What's wrong'？〃
Her eyes went from Richard back to the Bird Man； and she gave him a nod。 〃Nothing。 It's all right。〃
The Bird Man released her chin and turned to his people； blowing the silent whistle he carried around his neck。 He began talking to them of their history； their ways； why they avoided the influence of outsiders； how they had the right to be a proud people。 As he talked； doves began ing in； landing among the people
Kahlan listened without hearing； standing still on the platform； feeling like a trapped animal。 When she had thought they could win over the Mud People； and have themselves named Mud People； she hadn't contemplated having to agree to these things。 She had thought their initiation to be a mere formality； after which Richard could ask for a gathering。 She hadn't given consideration to events going this way。
Maybe she could simply not tell him some of it。 He wouldn't even know。 After all； he didn't understand their language。 She would just keep quiet。 It was for the best。
But other things； she thought despondently； would be all too obvious。 She could feel her ears turning red； could feel a knot in the pit of her stomach。
Richard sensed that the words of the Bird Man were not yet something he needed to understand and didn't ask for a translation。 The Bird Man finished his introductory remarks； and arrived at the important part。
〃When these two came to us； they were outsiders。 By their actions； they have proved their caring for our people； proved their worth。 From this day forward； let all know that Richard With The Temper and Confessor Kahlan are Mud People。 〃
Kahlan translated； dropping her title； as the crowd cheered。 Smiling； Richard held his hand up to the people； and they cheered ail the more。 Savidlin reached out and gave him a friendly slap on the back。 The Bird Man put a hand on each of their shoulders； giving hers a sympathetic squeeze； trying to relieve the sting of the agreement he had forced upon her。
She took a deep breath； resigning herself to it。 It would be over soon enough； and then they would be gone； on their way to stop Rahl。 That was all that mattered。 Besides； she； of all people； had no right to be upset about it。
〃There is one more thing；〃 The Bird Man went on。 〃These two were not born Mud People。 Kahlan was born a Confessor； a matter of blood； not choosing。 Richard With The Temper was born in Westland； across the boundary； of ways that are a mystery to us。 Both have agreed to be Mud People； to honor our laws and ways from this day on； but we must understand that our ways may be a mystery to them。 We must have patience with them； understand that they are trying for the first time to be Mud People。 We have lived our lives as Mud People； this is their first day。 They are as new children to us。 Give them the understanding you would give our children； and they will do their best。 〃
The crowd buzzed with talk； heads nodding； all agreeing the Bird Man was wise。 Kahlan let out a sigh； the Bird Man had given himself； and the two of them； a sliver of room if things went wrong。 He was indeed wise。 He gave her shoulder another squeeze； and she placed her hand over his； giving her own appreciative squeeze。
Richard didn't waste a second。 He turned to the elders。
〃I am honored to be one of the Mud People。 Wherever I may travel； I will uphold the honor of our people； to make you proud of me。 Right now； there is danger to our people。 I need help so I might protect them。 I request a council of seers。 I request a gathering。〃
Kahlan translated； and each elder in turn nodded his agreement。
〃Granted； 〃 the Bird Man said。 〃It will take three days to prepare for the gathering。 〃
〃Honored elder；〃 Richard said； restraining himself； 〃the danger is great。 I respect your ways； but is there any way it can be done faster？ The lives of our people depend on this。〃
The Bird Man took a deep breath； his long silver hair reflecting the gloomy light。 〃In this special circumstance； we will do our best to help you。 Tonight we will hold the banquet； tomorrow night we will hold the gathering。 This is as fast as it can be done。 There are preparations that must be made for the elders to brid