Stone of Tears (Sword of Truth #2)

by Terry Goodkind

Only a fool walks into the future backwards.”

“You men must understand what it is I call upon you to do. It is no glorious battle like 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 is 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 is 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 is 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.

“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 is no need to waste time killing them; breaking their legs is sufficient. We need to destroy their food. We are an army small enough to be able to get food by hunting, foraging, and bought 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. 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. We want to burn their tents, to expose them to the cold, burn their wagons so they will lose supplies of every kind. “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.

“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 accomplish 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 are 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.”

“Live in peace with others who would live in peace with you, but continue to practice with the blades so you may protect yourselves.”

Be proud you made the right choices, Richard, the choices that allowed to happen what came about, but do not call arrogance to your heart by believing that all that happened was your doing.