tg.stone of tears-第80部分

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　He　drew　himself　up　tall　and　straight　as　he　looked　with　resolve　into　her　eyes。　‘We’re　not　doing　this　for　glory；　Mother　Confessor。　We　know　it’s　a　suicide　mission。　But　we’re　all　single；　we　have　no　families　to　leave　without　fathers。　We’re　doing　it　because　those　men　will　go　on　to　another　city　and　do　to　them　what　they　did　in　Ebinissia。　We’re　doing　this　to　stop　them；　if　we　can。
　
　‘Our　lives　are　sworn　to　protect　our　people。　We　cannot　shirk　our　responsibility。　We　must　attack　and　try　to　stop　these　men　before　they　kill　any　more　innocent　people。　I　pray　to　the　good　spirits　that　you　succeed　in　Aydindril；　but　still；　that　will　take　too　long。　How　many　more　cities　will　be　plundered　before　you　can　bring　the　Midlands　to　bear　on　these　men？　One　city　is　too　many。　We’re　the　only　ones　in　contact　with　these　killers。　Our　lives　are　all　that　stand　between　them　and　their　next　victims。
　
　‘When　I　took　the　oath　to　serve；　I　swore　that　no　matter　the　choices；　no　matter　the　orders；　I　would　always　put　the　protection　of　my　people　first。　That’s　why　I　must　disobey　your　orders；　Mother　Confessor　…　not　for　glory；　but　to　protect　the　defenseless。　I　wish　to　have　your　blessing　in　this；　but　I　will　try　to　stop　those　men　with　your　blessing；　or　without　it。’
　
　She　sank　to　sit　on　the　log　again；　and　stared　off　into　the　distance；　pondering　the　three　soldiers。　The　six　men　waited　in　silence。　Children　indeed。　They　were　older　than　she　had　thought。　And　they　were　right。
　
　It　would　still　take　her　some　time　to　get　to　Aydindril　and　more　time　yet　to　raise　armies　to　hunt　down　these　killers。　In　the　meantime　they　would　go　on　killing。　How　many　would　have　to　die　waiting　for　help　from　the　Central　Council？
　
　She　wished　she　could　be　anyone　right　now　but　who　she　was。　The　Mother　Confessor。　She　disregarded　her　feelings　and　considered　the　problem　as　the　Mother　Confessor　must；　she　weighed　lives；　those　spent；　and　those　spared。
　
　Kahlan　stood　and　turned　to　Chandalen。　‘We　must　help　these　men。’
　
　Chandalen　pushed　his　hands　farther　up　on　his　spear　and　leaned　toward　her。　‘Mother　Confessor；　these　men　are　foolish　children；　and　they　are　going　to　die。　If　we　stay　with　them　they　will　bring　a　storm　of　killing　around　us。　We　will　be　killed　with　them。　They　will　die　just　the　same；　and　you　will　not　reach　Aydindril。’
　
　‘Chandalen；　these　boys　are　like　the　Mud　People。　They　are　chasing　their　Jocopo。　If　we　don’t　help　them；　then　more　will　die　like　we　saw　back　in　the　city。’
　
　Prindin　leaned　in。　‘Mother　Confessor；　we　will　do　whatever　you　wish；　but　there　is　no　way　to　help　these　boys。　We　are　only　four。’
　
　Tossidin　nodded。　‘And　then　you　would　fail　in　your　duty　to　reach　Aydindril。　Is　that　not　important？’
　
　‘Of　course　it　is。’　She　pulled　some　hair　back　off　her　face。　‘But　what　if　the　army　who　killed　everyone　in　that　city　were　going　next　to　the　Mud　People？　Would　you　not　want　me　to　help　if　it　were　your　people　they　would　murder　next？’
　
　The　three　men　straightened。　They　twisted　their　spears　while　they　thought；　glancing　over　her　shoulder　occasionally；　to　the　three　soldiers　who　also　stood　silently。
　
　‘What　would　you　do　to　defeat　this　enemy；’　she　asked　as　she　moved　her　gaze　among　the　three；　‘if　you　had　to？’
　
　At　last　Tossidin　leaned　in　again。　‘There　are　too　many。　It　cannot　be　done。’
　
　Chandalen　angrily　backhanded　Tossidin’s　shoulder。　‘We　are　Mud　People　fighters！　We　are　smarter　than　these　men　who　ride　in　wagons　and　murder　women。　Do　you　think　them　better　fighters　than　us？’
　
　The　two　brothers　shuffled　their　feet　as　they　averted　their　eyes。　‘Well；’　Prindin　said；　‘we　know　that　the　way　they　want　to　do　it　will　only　get　them　killed。　There　are　better　ways。’
　
　Chandalen　smiled。　‘Of　course　there　are。　The　spirits　taught　my　grandfather　how　to　do　such　things。　He　taught　my　father　and　my　father　taught　me。　The　numbers　may　be　larger；　but　it　is　the　same　problem。　We　know　better　than　these　men　what　to　do。’　He　looked　Kahlan　in　the　eye。　‘You；　too；　know　better　than　these　men　what　to　do。　You　know　you　must　not　fight　the　way　the　enemy　wants。　That　is　what　these　men　are　about　to　do。’
　
　Kahlan　smiled　at　him　and　nodded。　‘Maybe　we　can　help　these　men　protect　other　innocent　people。’
　
　She　turned　to　Captain　Ryan。　He　had　been　watching　her　speak　in　a　foreign　tongue　with　the　three　strange　men。
　
　‘All　right；　Captain。　We　are　going　to　go　after　this　army。’
　
　He　gripped　her　shoulders。　‘Thank　you；　Mother　Confessor！’　He　jerked　his　hands　back；　realizing　with　a　fright　that　he　had　actually　touched　her。　He　instead　rubbed　his　hands　together。　‘It　will　work。　You’ll　see。　We’ll　have　the　jump　on　them。　We’ll　surprise　them　and　have　them　all　on　a　pike。’
　
　She　leaned　toward　him。　He　backed　away。　‘Surprise　them？　Surprise　them！’　She　grabbed　him　by　his　collar　and　pulled　his　face　close。　‘They　have　a　wizard；　you　idiot！’
　
　The　captain’s　face　paled。　‘A　wizard？’　he　whispered。
　
　She　released　his　collar　with　an　angry　shove。　‘You　were　at　Ebinissia；　didn’t　you　see　the　hole　melted　through　the　wall？’
　
　‘Well　。。。　I　guess　I　didn’t　pay　attention。　I　only　saw　the　dead。’　His　eyes　darted　about；　as　if　seeing　them　now。　They　were　everywhere。’
　
　She　cooled　at　the　pained　expression　on　his　face。　‘I　understand。　They　were　your　friends　and　family。　I　can　understand　why　you　wouldn’t　have　noticed。　But　that　is　no　excuse　for　a　soldier。　A　soldier　must　notice　everything。　Missing　details　can　get　you　killed；　Captain。　This　is　a　good　example　of　a　little　detail　that　would　have　done　you　in。’
　
　He　swallowed　and　then　nodded。　‘Yes；　Mother　Confessor。’
　
　‘Do　you　want　to　kill　the　men　who　destroyed　Ebinissia？’　The　three　soldiers　spoke　up　that　they　did。　Then　I　am　taking　mand　of　this　legion。　If　you　want　to　stop　the　men　who　are　up　there；　then　you　will　do　as　I　say。　And　as　Chandalen；　Prindin；　and　Tossidin　say。
　
　‘You　may　know　about　battle　tactics；　but　we　know　about　killing　people。　This　is　not　a　battle；　Captain；　this　is　killing　people。　We　are　only　going　to　help　you　if　you　really　want　to　stop　those　men。　If　you　are　interested　in　having　a　battle；　then　we　will　leave　you　right　now　so　you　can　get　yourselves　slaughtered。’
　
　Captain　Ryan　fell　to　a　knee。　The　two　lieutenants　followed　his　example。　‘Mother　Confessor；　it　would　be　my　greatest　honor　to　serve　under　you。　You　have　my　life；　and　the　lives　of　every　one　of　my　men。　If　you　know　how　to　stop　those　men　from　murdering　any　more　people；　we　will　do　whatever　you　ask。’
　
　She　nodded　down　to　the　three　men。　This　is　no　war　game；　Captain。　For　us　to　win；　every　man　must　do　as　he　is　ordered。　Anyone　who　doesn’t　do　as　we　order　is　aiding　the　enemy。　That　is　treason。　If　you　want　to　stop　those　men；　then　you　all　are　going　to　have　to　turn　mand　over　to　me；　and　you　can’t　change　your　mind　if　the　task　bees　grim。　Do　you　understand？’
　
　‘Yes；　Mother　Confessor。　I　understand。’
　
　She　looked　to　the　other　two。　‘And　you？’
　
　‘I　am　honored　to　serve　under　you；　Mother　Confessor。’
　
　‘As　am　I；　Mother　Confessor。’
　
　Kahlan　motioned　them　up　and　then　drew　her　fur　mantle　closed。　‘I　must　get　to　Aydindril。　It　is　of　the　utmost　importance；　but　I　will　help　you　begin　this。　We　will　tell　you　what　must　be　done。　I　can　give　you　only　a　day　or　two；　we　will　help　you　begin　the　killing；　and　then　we　must　be　on　our　way。’
　
　‘Mother　Confessor；　what　of　the　wizard？’
　
　Kahlan　looked　at　him　from　under　her　eyebrows。　‘You　leave　the　wizard　to　me。　Do　you　understand？　He　is　mine。　I　will　handle　it。’
　
　‘All　right。　What　do　you　want　us　to　do　first？’
　
　Kahlan　walked　between　the　captain　and　one　of　the　lieutenants。　‘The　first　thing　you　have　to　do　is　get　me　a　horse。’
　
　Chandalen　leapt　forward　and　gripped　her　arm；　slowing　her　as　he　put　his　head　close　to　hers。　His　tone　was　angry　with　suspicion。　‘Why　do　you　want　a　horse？　Where　are　you　going？’
　
　She　came　to　a　halt；　pulling　her　arm　free。　She　took　in　all　six　men。　‘Do　you　have　any　idea　what　it　is　I’m　about　to　do？　I’m　about　to　choose　sides。　I　am　the　Mother　Confessor。　If　I　choose　sides；　I　choose　sides　for　all　the　Midlands。　I　mit　all　the　Midlands　to　war。’　She　met　Chandalen’s　eyes。　‘I　cannot　do　that　on　the　word　of　these　men。’
　
　Chandalen　erupted　in　fury。　‘What　more　proof　do　you　need！　You　saw　what　they　did　back　at　that　city！’
　
　‘What　I　saw　does　not　matter。　I　must　know　why。　I　cannot　simply　declare　war。　I　must　know　who　these　men　are；　for　whom　they　fight。’　She　had　another　reason　to　go；　a　more　important　reason；　but　she　didn’t　speak　it。
　
　They　are　killers！’
　
　‘You’ve　killed　people。　Would　you　not　want　others　to　know　the　reason　before　they　sought　vengeance？’
　
　‘You　foolish　woman！’　Prindin　put　a　cautionary　hand　on　Chandalen’s　arm；　attempting　to　bring　a　little　prudence　to　Chandalen’s　words。　Chandalen　angrily　wrenched　his　arm　away。　‘You　say　these　men　are　foolish；　and　they　have　thousands。　You　are　one！　You　have　no　chance　to　escape　if　they　decide　to　kill　you！’
　
　‘I’m　the　Mother　Confessor。　None　may　lay　a　weapon　to　me。’
　
　She　knew　it　was　an　absurd　pretext；　but　she　had　to　do　this；　and　could　think　of　no　other　justification　to　allay　his　fears。　Chandalen　was　too　angry　to　speak。　He　finally　turned　away　with　a　growl。　She　knew　that　in　the　past　he　would　have　been　angry　because　if　she　were　killed　he　couldn’t　return　home；　she　thought　that　perhaps　now　he　was　genuinely　afraid　for　her。
　
　She　didn’t　like　the　idea　either；　but　had　no　choice。　She　was　the　Mother　Confessor。　She　had　a　duty　to　the　Midlands。
　
　‘Lieutenant　Hobson；　please　get　me　a　horse。　A　white　or　gray　if　you　have　one。’　He　nodded　and　ran　off　to　do　as　asked。　‘Captain；　I　want　you　to　get　all　your　men　together　and　tell　them　what’s　happening。’
　
　Chandalen　stood　with　his　back　to　her。　She　stroked　a　hand　down　the　white　fur　over　his　shoulder；　over　his　father’s　bone　knife。　‘You　are　fighting　for　the　Midlands　now；　not　just　the　Mud　People。’　He　let　out　an　angry　grunt。　‘While　I’m　gone；　I　want　you　three　to　start　explaining　to　these　men　what　must　be　done。　I　hope　to　be　back　before　dawn。’
　
　When　she　saw　Hobson　returning　with　the　horse；　her　knees　tried　to　buckle。　Dear　spirits；　what　had　she　gotten　herself　into？
　
　She　turned　to　face　Captain　Ryan。　‘If　I’m　。。。　If　anything　。。。’　She　took　a　breath　and　started　again。　‘If　I　get　lost　and　can’t　find　my　way　back；　you’re　to　take　your　orders　from　Chandalen。　Do　you　understand？　You’re　to　do　as　he　says。’
　
　‘Yes；　Mother　Confessor；’　he　said　in　a　quiet　tone　as　he　put　his　fist　to　his　heart　in　salute。　‘May　the　good　spirits　be　with　you。’
　
　‘From　my　experience；　I’ll　take　a　fast　horse　instead。’
　
　Then　you　have　your　wish；’　Lieutenant　Hobson　said。　‘Nick　is　fast；　and　he’s　fierce。　He　won’t　let　you　down。’
　
　The　Captain　cupped　his　hands；　giving　her　a　boost　up　onto　the　big　warhorse。　She　looked　down　at　the　men　as　she　gave　the　gray　an　introductory　pat　on　his　neck。　Nick　snorted　and　tossed　his　head。　Before　she　lost　her　nerve；　she　pulled　the　big　stallion　around　and　urged　him　toward　the　slopes；　toward　a　trail　that　would　circle　her　around　to　e　into　the　enemy　camp　from　the　other　side。
　
　
　CHAPTER　38
　
　The　snow…crusted　trees　loomed　all　about　her　in　the　eerie　light。　The　moon　would　be　down　soon；　but　for　the　time　being　it　gave　the　snow　a　luminescence　that　made　the　way　easy　to　see。　As　she　trotted　her　horse　into　the　open　valley；　she　was　almost　glad　to　be　free　of　the　pressing　trees　that　could　hide　anyone　intent　on　ambush。　She　made　no　attempt　to　conceal　her　approach；　and　the　sentries　saw　her；　but　they　made　no　move　to　stop　a　lone　rider。
　
　Ahead；　the　army’s　camp　was　alive　with　fires；　men；　and　noise。　As　large　as　a　small　city；　it　could　be　spotted　easily　and　heard　from　miles　away。　Confident　in　their　numbers；　they　feared　no　attack。
　
　With　the　hood　of　her　fur　mantle　pulled　up　and　drawn　close　around　her　face；　Kahlan　walked　Nick　among　the　confusion　of　men；　wagons；　horses；　mules；　tents；　gear；　and　roaring　fires。　She　sat　tall　on　her　horse；　and　above　the　din　she　could　almost　hear　her　heart　thumping。　The　strong　aroma　of　roasting　meat　and　woodsmoke　filled　the　still　air。　The　snow　had　been　trampled　and　packed　flat　by　tens　of　thousands　of　feet；　both　man　and　beast；　and　by　wagons　of　every　sort。
　
　Men　were　gathered　around　fires；　drinking　and　eating　and　singing。　Pikes　were　stacked　upright　in　circles；　leaning　in；　with　their　heads　all　resting　together　in　bristling　cones。　Lances　were　everywhere；　sticking　up　from　snowbanks；　looking　like　forests　of　stripped　saplings。　Tents　sprouted　all　about　without　any　order　to　their　layout。
　
　Men　roamed　far　and　near；　stumbling　from　one　fire　to　another　to　try　the　food；　to　join　in　song　around　men　with　flutes；　to　gamble　at　dice；　or　to　share　the　drink。　Sharing　the　drink　seemed　to　be　what　occupied　most　of　them。
　
　No　one　paid　any　attention　to　her。　They　seemed　too　preoccupied　to　notice　her。　She　kept　her　horse　at　a　trot；　and　passed　the　ones　who　did　stare　up　before　they　had　a　chance　to　wonder　at；　or　confirm；　what　they　had　seen。　The　whole　place　seemed　to　be　in　an　uproar　of　activity。　Her　warhorse　didn’t　so　much　as　flinch　at　the　pandemonium　all　about。
　
　From　some　of　the　tents　in　the　distance　she　heard　the　screams　of　women；　followed　by　the　raucous　laughter　of　men。　Despite　her　attempt　to　stop　it；　a　shiver　ran　down　her　spine。
　
　Kahlan　knew　that　armies　like　this　one　were　acpanied　by　prostitutes　who　rode　along　in　the　supply　wagons　with　other　camp　followers。　She　also　knew　that　armies　like　this　one　took　women　as　part　of　their　plunder；　considering　them　a　simple　privilege　of　victory；　much　as　taking　a　ring　from　a　dead　man；　and　worth　little　more。　Whatever　the　reasons　for　the　screams；　feigned　delight　or　true　terror；　she　knew　she　could　do　nothing　about　it；　and　so　tried　not　to　hear　them；　turning　her　attention　instead　to　the　men　she　passed。
　
　At　first　she　saw　only　D’Haran　troops。　She　knew　their　leather　and　mail　and　armored　uniforms　all　too　well。　Each　of　the　breastplates　bore　an　ornate；　embossed　letter　R；　for　the　House　of　Rahl。　Soon　though；　she　was　able　to　pick　out　Kel…tans　among　the　D’Harans。　She　saw　one　group　of　a　dozen　men　from　Westland；　each　with　an　arm　around　the　next　fellow’s　shoulders　as　they　danced　in　a　circle　and　at　the　same　time　drank　from　mugs。　She　saw　men　of　other　lands；　too；　a　few　from　Nicobarese；　some　Sandarians；　and　to　her　horror；　a　handful　of　Galeans。　Maybe；　she　thought；　they　were　simply　D’Harans　in　the　uniforms　of　men　they　had　killed。　Somehow；　she　didn’t　believe　that。
　
　Sporadic　quarrels　were　going　on　throughout　the　camp。　Men　argued　over　a　lay　of　the　dice；　food；　casks；　or　even　bottles　of　drink。　Some　of　the　disputes　erupted　into　fights　with　fists　and　knives。　She　saw　one　man　stabbed　in　the　gut；　to　the　uproarious　laughter　of　onlookers。
　
　At　last　she　spotted　what　she　was　looking　for：　the　tents　belonging　to　the　manders。　Though　they　hadn’t　bothered　to　put　up　their　flags；　she　knew　by　their　size　what　they　were。　Outside　the　largest；　a　small　table　had　been　set　up　next　to　a　roaring　fire　with　spitted　meat　over　it。　Lanterns　on　poles　surrounded　the　group　of　men　gathered　there。
　
　As　she　approached；　a　huge　man　who　sat　with　his　feet　up　on　the　table　was　yelling；　‘。。。　and　I　mean　right　now；　or　I’ll　have　your　head！　A　full　one！　You　bring　a　full　cask　or　I’ll　have　your　head　on　a　pike！’