Stone of Tears (Sword of Truth #2)

by Terry Goodkind

“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.