tg.stone of tears-第86部分

快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！


in　this　fight？’　A　united　cheer　went　up。　‘So　be　it。　I　wish　I　did　not　have　to　call　upon　you　men　to　do　this；　but　there　is　no　one　else　to　ask。　My　heart　weeps　for　those　of　you　who　will　die。　Know　that　none　of　those　who　live　will　ever　forget　the　sacrifice　you　make　for　them　and　the　people　of　the　Midlands。’
　
　From　the　corner　of　her　eye；　she　watched　the　sixty…seven　men　moving　among　the　wagons；　taking　the　supplies　they　thought　they　would　need。　And　now；　to　what　must　be　done。’
　
　Slowly；　she　shook　her　head。　‘You　men　must　understand　what　it　is　I　call　upon　you　to　do。　It　is　no　glorious　battle；　as　you　think；　where　you　move　like　pieces　on　a　game　board。　No　tactics　to　outwit　an　opponent　in　a　grand　engagement。　We　will　not　face　them　in　the　field　of　battle；　but　kill　them　in　every　other　way。’
　
　‘But　Mother　Confessor；’　someone　near　the　front　timidly　called　out；　‘it’s　the　code　of　honor　for　soldiers　to　face　one　another　in　battle；　to　best　him　in　a　fair　fight。’
　
　There　is　nothing　fair　about　having　to　fight　in　war。　The　only　fair　thing　would　be　to　live　in　peace。　The　purpose　of　war　is　singular：　to　kill。
　
　‘You　must　all　understand　this；　for　it’s　central　to　your　survival。　There　is　no　honor　in　killing；　no　matter　the　method。　Dead　is　dead。　Killing　your　enemy　in　war　is　done　to　protect　the　lives　of　those　for　whom　you　fight。　Their　lives　are　no　better　protected　by　killing　your　enemy　sword　to　sword　than　by　slaying　him　while　he　sleeps；　but　only　put　at　risk　by　it。
　
　There　is　no　glory　in　this　task。　It’s　an　onerous　deed。　We　do　not　intend　to　give　them　a　chance　to　engage　in　pitched　battle；　to　see　who　is　the　better　at　the　game。　Our　chore　is　simply　to　kill　them。
　
　‘If　you　have　difficulty　seeing　the　right　of　this；　then　I　call　upon　you　to　consider　the　honor　of　the　soldiers　you　are　up　against。　Consider　them　as　they　stood　waiting　in　gangs　to　rape　your　mothers　and　sisters。　Consider　what　your　mothers　and　sisters　in　Ebinissia　thought　of　honor　as　they　were　tortured　and　raped　and　slaughtered。’
　
　The　chill　of　her　words　sent　visible　shudders　through　the　stone…silent　men。　Kahlan　had　to　restrain　herself　from　bringing　any　more　horror　to　their　eyes；　but　before　her　still　floated　the　vision　of　the　young　women　in　the　palace。
　
　‘If　the　enemy　is　looking　the　other　way；　so　much　the　better；　because　they　will　not　thrust　a　knife　into　you。　If　it　is　from　a　distance；　with　an　arrow；　so　much　the　better；　because　they　will　not　have　a　chance　to　impale　you　on　an　argon。　If　it　is　while　they　have　food　in　their　mouths；　so　much　the　better；　because　they　will　not　be　able　to　raise　an　alarm。　If　it　is　while　they　are　sleeping；　so　much　the　better；　because　they　will　not　have　a　chance　to　cleave　you　with　their　sword。
　
　‘Last　night；　my　horse　crushed　the　head　of　one　of　the　D’Haran　manders。　There　was　no　glory　in　that；　no　honor；　only　the　knowledge　that　perhaps　that　deed　will　prevent　some　of　you　from　dying　by　his　hand　and　wits。　In　that；　my　heart　sings　with　joy。　Joy　that　maybe　it　has　saved　some　of　your　precious　lives。
　
　‘What　we　do　is　done　to　save　the　lives　of　men　and　women　yet　alive　and　yet　unborn。　You　saw　what　was　done　to　the　people　in　Ebinissia。　Remember　the　faces　of　those　dead。　Remember　the　way　they　died；　and　the　horror　they　suffered　before　they　did。　Remember　those　soldiers　captured；　and　beheaded。
　
　‘It　is　up　to　us　to　prevent　that　from　happening　to　any　more　people。　To　do　that；　we　must　kill　these　men。　There　is　no　glory　in　the　doing。　Only　survival。’
　
　In　the　back；　two　men　gestured　obscenely　to　those　around　them　and　walked　off　to　join　with　Mosle’s　men。　Sixty…nine。　But　the　rest　stood　in　firm　resolution　to　take　up　the　fight。
　
　The　time　had　e。　She　had　dissuaded　them　from　their　raw　thoughts　of　glorious　battle；　and　told　them　of　the　true　nature　of　their　task。　She　had　brought　most　to　an　understanding　of　the　larger　temper　of　the　battle　ahead。　She　had　told　them　some　of　what　must　be　done。　She　had　brought　them　to　a　more　focused　understanding　of　their　importance　in　the　scheme　of　this　struggle。
　
　The　time　had　e　to　charge　them　irreversibly　to　the　burden；　to　forge　them　into　an　instrument　of　retribution　that　could　annihilate　the　threat。
　
　Kahlan　opened　her　arms　to　the　men　before　her；　her　blood　soaked　mantle　hanging　limp。
　
　‘I　am　dead；’　she　called　to　the　gray　sky。　Frowning；　they　all　leaned　in　a　little。　‘What　has　happened　to　my　countrymen；　my　countrywomen　…　my　fathers；　sons；　mothers；　and　daughters　…has　slain　me。　The　agony　of　their　slaughter　has　mortally　wounded　my　heart。’
　
　Her　arms　spread　wider　as　her　voice　rose　in　wrath。
　
　‘Only　vengeance　can　restore　me！　Only　victory　can　return　my　life　to　me！’
　
　She　gazed　into　all　the　wide　eyes　staring　back。　‘I　am　the　Mother　Confessor　of　the　Midlands。　I　am　your　mothers；　your　sisters；　your　daughters　yet　unborn。　I　call　upon　you　to　die　with　me；　and　live　again　only　by　avenging　me。’
　
　Kahlan　swept　a　hand　out。　Those　of　you　who　join　with　me　in　this　are　dead　with　me。　Our　lives　can　be　returned　only　through　vengeance。　As　long　as　one　of　our　enemy　lives；　we　are　dead。　We　have　no　life　to　lose　in　this　battle；　for　our　lives　are　already　lost；　here；　today；　now。　Only　when　every　one　of　the　destroyers　of　Ebinissia　is　slain　may　we　live　once　again。　Until　then　we　have　no　life。’
　
　She　looked　out　at　the　solemn　faces　of　the　men　gathered　before　her；　watching；　waiting　for　her　next　words。　On　a　warm　breeze；　the　bloody　wolf　fur　rustled　against　her　cheek。　Kahlan　pulled　free　her　knife　and　held　it　up　in　her　fist　for　all　to　see。　She　laid　the　weapon　over　her　heart。
　
　‘An　oath　then；　to　the　good　people　of　Ebinissia　who　are　now　with　the　spirits；　and　to　the　good　people　of　the　Midlands！’
　
　Almost　all　the　men　followed　her　example；　holding　their　knives　over　their　hearts。　Seven　did　not；　but；　grumbling　curses；　rose　to　join　with　Mosle。　Seventy…six。
　
　‘Vengeance　without　mercy　before　our　lives　are　returned　to　us！’she　pledged。
　
　The　sober　voice　of　every　man　before　her　repeated　the　oath；　joining　with　every　other　in　unflinching　unity。
　
　‘Vengeance　without　mercy　before　our　lives　are　returned　to　us！’　The　roar　of　their　words　drifted　away　on　the　morning　air。
　
　Kahlan　watched　William　Mosle　cast　a　glance　over　his　shoulder　at　her　before　following　his　men　away；　back　up　the　pass。
　
　She　returned　her　attention　to　those　before　her。　‘You　are　all　sworn　in　oath；　then。　Tonight；　we　begin　the　killing　of　the　men　of　the　Order。　Let　it　be　without　quarter。　We　take　no　prisoners。’
　
　No　cheer　went　up　this　time。　The　men　listened　in　grim　attention。
　
　‘We　must　no　longer　travel　as　you　have　been；　with　wagons　to　carry　your　needs　and　supplies。　We　must　take　only　what　we　can　carry。　We　need　to　be　able　to　travel　the　woods；　the　small　passes；　so　we　can　outmaneuver　the　men　we　hunt。　I　intend　to　sweep　in　at　them　from　all　directions　and　at　will；　like　wolves　at　hunt。　And　like　wolves；　who　hunt　with　coordination；　we　will　control　and　direct　them；　as　wolves　control　and　direct　their　prey。
　
　‘You　are　men　of　this　land。　You　know　the　woods　and　mountains　around　us。　You　have　hunted　them　since　you　were　children。　We　will　use　your　knowledge。　The　enemy　is　in　strange　territory；　and　keeps　to　the　wide　passes　with　their　wagons　and　great　numbers。　We　will　no　longer　be　impeded　as　they。　We　will　move　through　the　country　around　them　as　do　the　wolves。
　
　‘You　must　divide　up　what　you　have　in　the　wagons；　and　place　what　you　can　carry　in　your　packs。　Leave　the　heavy　armor；　it　takes　too　much　effort　to　carry；　and　we　are　not　going　to　fight　that　way。　Take　only　light　armor　you　can　wear　at　a　forced　march。　Take　what　food　you　can。
　
　‘You　are　to　take　no　liquor　or　ale。　When　you　have　avenged　the　people　of　Ebinissia；　you　may　drink　all　you　want。　Until　then；　you　will　not。　I　want　everyone　alert　at　all　times。　We　do　not　ever　relax　until　our　enemy　is　dead　to　a　man。
　
　‘Some　of　the　food　that’s　left　is　to　be　packed　into　a　few　of　the　smaller　wagons；　without　any　arms　or　armor。　We　will　need　volunteers　to　give　it　to　the　enemy。’
　
　The　men　mumbled　in　surprise　and　confusion。
　
　‘The　road　divides　ahead。　When　they　are　past　the　fork；　and　on　their　way　to　Cellion；　the　wagons　with　the　food　and　all　the　ale　are　to　take　the　other　road；　and　then　the　smaller　routes；　to　get　ahead　of　them。　You　will　lie　in　wait　with　these　wagons　until　their　advance　guard　nears；　and　then　cross　their　path　so　they　can　see　you。　When　their　forward　column　spots　you　and　gives　chase；　you　are　to　abandon　the　wagons　and　escape。　Let　them　have　the　food　and　drink。
　
　‘The　Imperial　Order　is　nearly　out　of　ale；　and　tonight　they　will　celebrate　their　luck。　I　expect　they　will　get　drunk。　I　want　them　to　be　drunk　when　we　attack　them。’
　
　The　men　cheered　with　that　news。
　
　‘Know　this：　we’re　as　a　wolf　pack；　trying　to　bring　down　a　bull。　Though　we　are　not　strong　enough　to　do　it　with　one　dispatching　strike；　we　will　harry　him　to　exhaustion；　drag　him　to　the　ground；　and　kill　him。　This　will　not　be　a　single　battle；　but　a　constant　nipping　at　his　hide；　taking　small　chunks　of　him　at　a　time；　wounding；　weakening；　and　bleeding　him　all　the　while；　until　finally　we　have　the　advantage　and　can　kill　the　beast。
　
　‘Tonight；　under　cover　of　darkness；　we　will　slip　into　their　camp　and　make　a　quick　strike。　This　is　to　be　a　disciplined　action；　not　random　killing。　We　will　have　a　list　of　objectives。　Our　aim　is　to　weaken　the　bull。　I　have　already　partially　blinded　him　by　eliminating　the　wizard。
　
　The　sentries　and　lookouts　will　be　taken　first。　We　will　dress　as　many　men　as　we　can　in　their　clothes。　Those　men　will　go　into　their　camp　and　locate　our　targets。
　
　‘Our　first　need　is　to　slow　their　ability　to　counterattack。　I　don’t　want　us　run　down　by　cavalry。　We　need　to　bring　ruin　to　their　horses。　There’s　no　need　to　waste　time　killing　them；　breaking　their　legs　is　sufficient。　We　need　to　destroy　their　food。　We’re　an　army　small　enough　to　be　able　to　get　food　by　hunting；　foraging；　and　buying　from　surrounding　farms　and　villages；　but　one　that　size　requires　much。　If　we　destroy　their　food；　they　will　be　weakened。
　
　‘We　need　to　kill　their　arrow　makers　and　fletchers；　bowyers　and　blacksmiths；　all　the　craftsmen　who　can　make　and　repair　bows；　arrows；　and　other　weapons。　They　will　have　sacks　of　goose　wings　for　fletching　arrows。　They　must　be　stolen　or　burned。　Every　arrow　not　made　is　one　that　can’t　kill　us。　Bow　staves　need　to　be　destroyed。　Wreck　their　bugles；　if　you　find　them；　and　the　buglers。　This　will　help　take　away　their　voice　and　coordination。
　
　‘Their　lances；　pikes；　and　argons　will　be　stacked　upright；　together。　Five　seconds　and　a　few　swings　with　an　axe　or　sword　will　destroy　a　great　many　lances　and　pikes。　Heavy　axes　or　hammers　will　at　least　bend　the　argons　and　render　them　useless。　Every　lance　or　spear　broken　is　one　that　can’t　kill　you。　Burn　their　tents；　to　expose　them　to　the　cold；　burn　their　wagons　so　they　will　lose　supplies。
　
　‘Of　most　importance　are　their　officers。　I　would　rather　kill　one　officer　tonight　than　a　thousand　men。　If　we　can　kill　their　officers；　it　will　make　them　dull　and　slow；　and　it　will　be　easier　to　take　this　bull　to　the　ground。
　
　‘If　any　of　you　can　think　of　anything　else　that　will　weaken　them；　bring　the　ideas　to　me　or　Captain　Ryan；　or　the　other　officers。　The　object　tonight　is　not　primarily　to　kill　soldiers；　there　are　too　many。　Our　object　is　to　disable　them；　make　them　weak；　slow；　to　make　them　less　sure　of　themselves。
　
　‘Most　of　all；　our　object　is　to　put　fear　into　their　minds。　These　men　aren’t　used　to　being　afraid。　When　men　are　afraid；　they　make　mistakes。　Those　mistakes　allow　us　to　kill　them。　I　intend　to　terrify　them。　Later；　I　will　tell　you　how。
　
　‘You　have　a　few　hours　to　get　everything　ready；　and　then　we　start　moving。　I　want　the　sentries　at　double　distance。　Beyond　them；　I　want　lookouts　and　I　want　scouts　to　keep　in　contact　with　the　Order。　I　want　to　know　where　they　are　at　all　times。　I　want　constant　reports。　I　don’t　want　to　be　surprised　by　anything。　I　want　to　know　of　anything　that　you　see　or　encounter；　no　matter　how　innocent　it　seems。　If　a　rabbit　jumps　too　high；　I　want　to　know　about　it。　Just　as　we　intend　to　trick　them；　I　don’t　want　them　tricking　us。　Take　nothing　for　granted。
　
　‘May　the　good　spirits　be　with　you。　Now　get　started。’
　
　The　men　all　began　moving；　the　air　ing　to　life　with　the　sound　of　feet　and　talking。　One　of　the　two　lieutenants　stood　near；　unbuttoning　his　coat；　giving　orders　to　some　men　around　him。
　
　‘Lieutenant　Sloan。’　He　looked　up　as　the　men　he　had　instructed　went　to　their　tasks。　‘See　to　the　sentries　and　lookouts　at　once。　I　want　any　of　your　men　who　know　how　to　make　white　paint　or　whitewash　to　assemble　the　supplies　they　need。　We　will　need　large　tubs　of　some　sort。　I　want　rocks　heated；　to　warm　the　insides　of　tents。’
　
　He　didn’t　question　her　strange　instructions。　‘Yes；　Mother　Confessor。’
　
　‘See　that　the　small　wagons　with　the　ale　and　food　are　prepared；　but　hold　them　until　I　give　the　order　to　let　them　go。’
　
　He　put　his　fist　to　his　heart　without　ment　and　marched　off　to　see　to　it。
　
　Kahlan’s　legs　felt　as　if　they　would　give　out　at　any　second。　She　was　so　tired　from　having　had　no　sleep；　and　from　riding　the　better　part　of　the　night；　to　say　nothing　of　the　work　she　had　done　and　the　heart…pounding　fright；　that　she　could　hardly　focus　her　eyes　anymore。　Her　shoulder　hurt　where　the　lance　had　been　couched　when　it　was　shattered。　The　muscles　in　her　left　leg　jittered　with　the　effort　of　keeping　her　standing。
　
　She　was　also　mentally　exhausted。　Anxiety；　over　not　only　the　enormity　of　her　decision　to　take　it　upon　herself　to　call　all　the　Midlands　into　war；　but　also　over　her　impassioned　plea　for　these　men　to　lay　down　their　lives　on　her　word；　eroded　her　strength　further。　Despite　the　unusual　warmth　of　the　day；　she　shivered　inside　her　fur　mantle。
　
　Captain　Ryan　stepped　over　to　her。　Chandalen；　Prindin；　and　Tossidin　were　standing　by　the　rear　of　the　wagon；　watching。
　
　Captain　Ryan　gave　her　a　sly　smile。　‘I　like　it。’
　
　He　jumped　down　and　held　his　hand　out　for　her。　She　ignored　the　hand　and　jumped　down　as　he　had　done；　and　by　luck　more　than　anything；　stayed　on　her　feet。　She　could　not　accept　his　offer　of　help；　not　now；　not　with　what　she　was　about　to　do。
　
　‘And　now；　Captain；　I　must　give　you　an　order　you　are　not　going　to　like。’　She　looked　to　his　blue　eyes。　‘I　want　you　to　send　men　after　Mosle　and　those　who　went　with　him。　Send　enough　to　be　sure　to　acplish　the　deed。’
　
　‘Deed？’
　
　They　must　be　killed。　Send　a　force　with　instructions　that　they　are　to　pretend　to　join　with　Mosle’s　men；　so　they　don’t　scatter　when　your　men　approach。　Send　your　cavalry　behind；　but　out　of　sight；　in　case　they’re　able　to　take　to　the　woods。　When　they　are　surrounded；　kill　them。　There　are　seventy…six。　Count　the　bodies　to　make　sure　they　are　all　dead。　I　will　be　very　displeased　if　even　one　escapes。’
　
　His　eyes　were　wide。　‘But　Mother　Confessor　。。。’
　
　‘I　take　no　pleasure　in　this；　Captain。　You　have　your　orders。’　She　turned　to　the　three　Mud　People。　‘Prindin；　go　with　the　men　he　picks。　Make　sure　those　who　departed　are　killed　to　a　man。’
　
　Prindin　gave　her　a　grim　nod。　He　understood　the　unpleasant　necessity　of　what　she　was　doing。
　
　Captain　Ryan　tensed　in　near　panic。　‘Mother　Confessor　。。。　I　know　those　men。　They’ve　been　with　us　a　long　time。　You　said　they　were