tg.stone of tears-第121章

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　He　sighed。　‘I　guess　you’re　right。　If　they　really　can　do　the　job；　it　will　be　a　brilliant　achievement。’
　
　The　galloping　rider　approached　and　leapt　from　his　horse　before　it　came　fully　to　a　stop。　He　gave　a　perfunctory　salute。　‘Mother　Confessor。’　He　gulped　some　air。　‘I’m　Cynric；　with　the　sentries。’
　
　‘What　is　it；　Cynric？’
　
　‘You　said　you　wanted　to　know　about　everything；　so　I　thought　I　better　report。　We　were　just　setting　up　the　sentries　about　an　hour　out；　between　here　and　the　army　of　the　Order；　near　a　road　that　crosses　Jara　Pass；　and　a　coach　came　up　the　crossroad；　from　the　direction　of　Kelton。　We　knew　you　didn’t　want　anything　unusual　going　on；　so　we　stopped　the　coach。　I　thought　I　better　find　out　what　you　wanted　us　to　do。’
　
　‘Who’s　in　the　coach？’
　
　‘An　old　couple。　Wealthy　merchants　of　some　sort；　or　so　they　claim。　Something　about　orchards。’
　
　‘What　did　you　tell　them？　You　didn’t　tell　them　about　us；　did　you？　You　didn’t　tell　them　that　we　have　an　army　out　here；　did　you？’
　
　He　shook　his　head　vehemently。　‘No；　Mother　Confessor。　We　told　them　that　there　were　outlaws　in　the　neighborhood；　and　that　we　were　a　small　patrol　out　looking　for　them。　We　told　them　they　weren’t　allowed　to　pass　until　I　checked　with　my　mander。　I　said　they　had　to　wait　until　I　returned。’
　
　Kahlan　nodded。　That’s　quick　thinking；　Cynric。’
　
　The　driver’s　name　is　Ahern。　He　wanted　to　argue　with　us；　and　thought　to　give　his　team　reins；　until　we　showed　him　some　steel。　Then　the　old　man　came　flying　out　of　the　coach；　accusing　us　of　trying　to　rob　him。　He　started　to　swing　his　cane　around　at　us；　like　he　thought　that　would　drive　us　off　or　something。　Anyway；　we　drew　arrows　on　him；　and　he　decided　he　would　get　back　in　the　coach。’
　
　‘What　is　his　name？’
　
　Cynric　shifted　his　weight　to　the　other　foot　and　scratched　his　eyebrow。　‘Robin；　or　Ruben；　or　something　like　that。　Feisty　old　fellow。　Ruben；　I　think。　Ruben　Rybnik；　I　think　that’s　it。’
　
　Kahlan　sighed　as　she　shook　her　head。　They　don’t　sound　like　spies。　But　if　the　Order　catches　them；　and　they　know　anything；　they　will　tell　it　all　before　the　D’Harans　are　through　with　them。’　She　looked　up。　‘What　are　they　doing　out　here？’
　
　The　old　man　says　his　wife　is　sick；　and　they’re　taking　her　to　healers　in　Nicobarese。　She　didn’t　look　well　to　me。　Her　eyes　looked　to　be　all　rolled　back　in　her　head。’
　
　‘Well；　since　they’re　on　the　road　going　northwest；　going　across　Jara　Pass；　that　shouldn’t　take　them　anywhere　near　the　Order。’　She　pulled　some　of　her　long　hair　back　off　her　face。　‘But　before　I　dare　let　them　go；　I　best　go　speak　with　them。’
　
　Before　she　could　take　three　steps；　Sergeant　Frost　came　running　up　behind。　‘Mother　Confessor！　The　tubs　of　whitewash　are　ready。　The　tents　are　heated。’
　
　Kahlan　let　out　a　noisy　breath。　She　looked　from　Sergeant　Frost；　to　sentry　Cynric；　to　other　men　waiting　patiently　to　talk　with　her　or　ask　instructions。　She　let　out　another　breath。　‘Look；　Cynric；　I　don’t　have　the　hour　to　ride　out　there；　and　another　to　ride　back。　I’m　sorry；　but　I　just　don’t　have　the　time。’
　
　He　nodded。　‘Yes；　Mother　Confessor。　I　understand。　What　do　you　wish　done？’
　
　She　steeled　herself　to　the　orders。　‘Kill　them。’
　
　‘Mother　Confessor？’
　
　‘Kill　them。　We　can’t　be　sure　of　the　truth　of　who　they　are；　and　this　is　too　important　to　worry　about　strangers　running　around　loose。　We　can’t　take　the　risk。　Make　it　quick；　so　they　don’t　suffer。’
　
　She　turned　away　toward　Sergeant　Frost。
　
　‘But　Mother　Confessor　。。。’
　
　She　looked　over　her　shoulder。
　
　Cynric　gathered　up　a　length　of　reins。　The　driver；　Ahern；　he　has　a　royal　pass。’
　
　Kahlan　turned　back　and　frowned。　‘A　what？’
　
　‘A　royal　pass　medallion。　It’s　a　medallion　that　was　given　to　him　by　Queen　Cyrilla　herself。　It　says　he　was　a　hero　to　the　people　of　Ebimssia　in　the　siege；　and　in　honor　of　his　service　he　is　to　be　given　unhindered　pass　anywhere　in　Galea。’
　
　The　queen　herself　gave　this　pass？’
　
　Cynric　nodded。　‘I’ll　do　what　you　mand；　Mother　Confessor；　but　with　this　medallion　the　queen　has　promised　him　her　protection。’
　
　Kahlan　rubbed　her　forehead　with　her　fingertips。　She　was　so　tired　she　could　hardly　focus　her　mind　to　think。　‘Since　he　has　a　pass　given　by　the　queen；　we　must　honor　it。’　She　pointed　a　finger　to　the　sentry。　‘But　you　tell　him　that　he　must　be　clear　of　the　area　immediately。　Repeat　what　you　told　him　about　there　being　outlaws　in　the　neighborhood。　Tell　him　that　you’re　hunting　these　outlaws；　and　that　if　you　catch　Ahern　and　his　coach　around　here　again；　you’re　ordered　to　assume　they　are　in　with　the　outlaws；　and　you’re　to　execute　them　on　the　spot。　The　road　to　Nicobarese　goes　northeast。　Tell　them　to　keep　to　it　and　not　to　stop　before　they’re　a　good　long　distance　from　here。’
　
　Cynric　clapped　a　fist　to　his　heart　as　she　turned　to　take　Captain　Ryan’s　arm　and　lead　him　toward　the　tents　with　the　whitewash。　Behind；　she　heard　the　sentry　gallop　off　toward　the　coach　he　had　found。　The　other　men　took　the　hint　that　they　weren’t　to　e；　and　went　about　other　business。
　
　She　loosened　the　thong　holding　her　mantle　closed。　The　temperature　had　climbed　above　freezing；　and　the　clouds　had　lowered　nearly　to　the　ground。　The　air　felt　wringing　wet。
　
　‘Fog　will　move　in　by　this　afternoon；’　he　observed。　This　whole　valley　pass　will　be　thick　with　it　tonight。’　He　glanced　to　her　questioning　frown。　‘I’ve　lived　in　these　mountains　my　whole　life。　When　it　takes　a　thaw　like　this　in　winter；　the　fog　settles　into　the　passes　for　at　least　a　couple　of　days。’
　
　Kahlan　surveyed　the　mountain　sides　ascending　into　the　gray　clouds。　That　will　serve　us　well。　Especially　for　what　I　have　in　mind。　It　will　be　an　aid　to　us　in　bringing　terror　to　the　enemy。’
　
　‘So；　are　you　ready　to　tell　me　what　we’re　to　paint？’
　
　Kahlan　let　out　a　tired　sigh。　‘We’ve　devised　a　number　of　plans　to　strike　targets　that　must　be　destroyed。　Tonight　will　be　our　best　chance　of　acplishing　those　things；　because　they　will　be　surprised。　We　will　not　have　a　chance　of　surprise　like　this　again。　After　tonight；　they　will　be　expecting　our　next　attacks。’
　
　‘I　understand。　The　men；　too；　know　the　importance　of　this。　They　will　do　well。’
　
　‘We　must　also　not　lose　sight　of　our　intent。　Our　intent　is　to　kill　these　men。　Tonight；　we　will　have　the　chance　to　do　that　as　perhaps　at　no　other　time。　We　must　take　that　opportunity。
　
　‘How　many　swordsmen　do　we　have？’
　
　He　was　silent　a　moment　as　he　tallied　the　numbers　in　his　head。　‘Nearly　two　thousand　are　swordsmen。　Not　quite　another　eight　hundred　archers；　and　the　rest　divided　up　among　pikemen；　lancers；　and　cavalry　among　others；　including　the　rest　of　what　an　army　needs；　from　drivers　to　fletchers　to　blacksmiths。’
　
　Kahlan　nodded　to　herself。　‘I　want　you　to　select　about　a　thousand　swordsmen。　Pick　the　strongest；　the　fiercest；　the　most　eager　for　the　fight。’
　
　‘And　what　are　we　going　to　do　with　these　men？’
　
　‘The　men　dressed　in　the　uniforms　of　the　sentries　we　kill　will　make　an　exploration　of　the　enemy　camp；　and　e　back　and　give　us　the　locations　of　our　objectives。　We　have　enough　men　to　do　the　tasks　we　have　assigned　for　those　objectives。
　
　‘The　swordsmen　are　for　beginning　our　prime　objective。　Killing　the　enemy。　They　will　first　see　to　the　enemy　manders；　just　in　case　they　weren’t　poisoned；　and　then　after　that；　they　will　kill　as　many　men　as　they　can　in　the　shortest　possible　time。’
　
　They　came　to　the　dozen　tents　set　up　close　together　in　a　half　circle。　Kahlan　checked　inside　them　all　to　be　sure　they　were　equipped　as　she　had　ordered。　Finished　checking；　she　stood　outside　the　largest　and　faced　Captain　Ryan。
　
　‘So；　are　you　going　to　tell　me；　now；　what　it　is　we’re　to　paint？’
　
　Kahlan　nodded。　‘Those　thousand　swordsmen。’
　
　He　stared；　dumfounded。　‘We’re　going　to　paint　the　men？　Why？’
　
　‘It’s　simple。　D’Harans　fear　spirits。　They　fear　the　spirits　of　the　foes　they　kill；　that’s　why　they　drag　the　bodies　of　their　fallen　rades　away　from　a　battle　site；　like　Ebinissia。
　
　‘Tonight；　their　fears　are　going　to　e　to　haunt　them。　They　are　going　to　be　attacked　by　the　thing　they　fear　most：　spirits。’
　
　‘But　they　will　recognize　us　as　soldiers；　simply　with　white　clothes；　not　as　spirits。’
　
　Kahlan　looked　at　Captain　Ryan　from　under　her　eyebrows。　‘They　will　not　be　wearing　clothes。　They　will　have　nothing　but　their　swords；　painted　white；　just　as　are　they。　They　will　remove　their　clothes　just　before　the　attack。’
　
　His　mouth　dropped　open。　‘What？’
　
　‘I　want　you　to　get　the　swordsmen　together；　now；　and　assemble　them　here。　They’re　to　go　into　the　tents；　remove　their　clothes；　and　dip　themselves　in　the　whitewash。　After　dunking　themselves；　they　will　stand　near　the　hot　rocks　until　dry。　It　won’t　take　long。　Then　they　can　put　their　clothes　back　on。　Until　the　attack。’
　
　Captain　Ryan　stood　in　shock。　‘But　it’s　winter。　They’ll　freeze　without　clothes。’
　
　‘We　have　a　break　in　the　bitter　cold。　Besides；　the　cold　will　remind　them　to　rush　in　and　rush　back　out。　I　don’t　want　them　to　stay　in　that　camp　very　long。　The　enemy　will　recover　from　their　shock　in　short　order；　and　set　upon　any　invader。　I　want　our　men　to　attack；　kill　terrified　D’Harans；　and　escape。
　
　‘As　I　said；　D’Harans　fear　spirits。　When　they　see　what　they　will　at　first　think　is　their　worst　fear；　they　will　be　stunned。　Their　first　thought　will　be　to　run；　not　to　fight。　Men　die　as　easily　from　a　sword　through　the　back　as　through　the　front。　Some　will　freeze　in　place；　not　knowing　what　to　do。　Even　those　who　recognize　the　invaders　as　men　painted　white；　and　not　as　spirits；　will　be　confused　for　a　moment。
　
　‘Those　few　seconds　of　confusion；　as　we　e　upon　each　new　group；　are　the　seconds　we　need　to　run　them　through。　In　battle；　the　difference　between　killing；　and　being　killed；　is　often　a　single　moment　of　indecision。
　
　The　swordsmen　are　not　to　engage　in　fights。　If　challenged；　they’re　to　run　on　to　others。　There　are　more　than　enough　to　kill；　it’s　a　mistake　to　waste　time　engaging　in　battle；　if　it　can　be　avoided。　I　simply　want　enemy　soldiers　killed。　After　the　manders　are　dead；　it　doesn’t　matter　which　ones。　I　don’t　want　our　men　fighting　unless　forced　to；　that　only　risks　their　lives　needlessly。
　
　‘Rush　in；　kill　as　many　men　as　possible；　and　rush　out。　Those　are　to　be　the　orders。’
　
　Captain　Ryan　frowned　as　he　considered。　‘I　never　thought　I　would　hear　myself　say　it；　but　I　think　it　sounds　like　it　might　be　an　outlandishly　successful　tactic。　The　men　aren’t　going　to　like　it　at　first；　but　they’ll　follow　orders。　I’ll　explain　it　to　them；　and　then　I　know　they’ll　feel　a　little　better　about　it。
　
　‘I’ve　never　heard　of　such　a　thing；　and　I’m　sure　the　enemy　hasn’t　either。’　He　at　last　smiled　a　sly　smile。　‘It’s　sure　to　surprise　them；　no　doubt　about　that。’
　
　Kahlan　was　relieved　he　had　e　around　to　that　much　of　it。　‘Good。　I’m　pleased　to　have　the　enthusiasm　of　a　captain　in　the　Galean　army。　In　the　Midlands　army。
　
　‘Now；　I　want　you　to　have　my　horse’s　saddle　and　tack　brought　here；　and　dipped　in　the　whitewash。　And　please　post　some　guards　outside　this　tent；　while　I’m　inside。’
　
　His　eyes　widened。　‘Your　saddle？　。。。　You’re　not　。。。　M