Faith of the Fallen

He gave her a worried look. "The problem right now is that if we're to make it into that valley before the Order can pounce on us, we're going to need more time to do it. The pass is too narrow for wagons. The horses can make it, but not the wagons-they'll have to be dismantled. Most of our equipment is designed to be knocked down so the parts can be portaged, if need be. We'll have to leave a few that aren't. It won't take long to get started, but we're going to need time to funnel all the men and supplies over that narrow pass-especially in the dark."

"Torches will work well enough with a steady line of men," Adie said.

"They must only follow the one in front, and even if the fight be bad, they can do it."

Kahlan remembered the handprint made of glowing dust. "The gifted could lay down a glowing track to guide the men."

"That would help," the general said. "We're still left with our basic problem, though. While our men are trying to break down and move all our equipment and supplies, and waiting their turn to go over the pass, the Order will arrive. We'll find ourselves in a pitched battle trying to defend ourselves while withdrawing at the same time. A withdrawal requires the ability to move faster than the enemy, or at least keep him at bay while pulling back; the pass doesn't provide that."

"We've kept ahead of them before," Verna said. "This isn't the first attack."

"You're right." He pointed to his left. "We could try to withdraw up this valley, instead, but in the dark and with the Order attacking, I think that would be a mistake. Darkness is the problem, this time. They're going to keep coming. In daylight, we could establish defenses and hold them off-not at night."

"We already have defenses set up, here," Cara said. "We could stand where we are and fight them head-on."

General Meiffert chewed his lower lip. "That was my first thought, Cara, and still an option, but I don't like our chances in a head-on, direct confrontation like this, not at night when they can sneak great numbers of men in close. We couldn't use our archers to advantage in the dark. We can't see their numbers or movements accurately, so we wouldn't be able to position our men properly. It's a problem of numbers: theirs are almost unlimited, ours aren't.

"We don't have enough gifted to cover every possibility-and in war it's always what you don't cover that gets hit. The enemy could pour through a gap, get in behind us in the dark, without us even realizing it, and then we're finished."

Everyone was silent as the implications truly sank in.

"I agree," Kahlan said. "The pass is the only chance we have to keep from losing a major battle tonight-along with a huge number of our men. The risk without real benefit of standing and fighting is a poor choice."

The general appraised her eyes. "That still leaves us with the problem of how we're going to get over that pass before they annihilate us."

Kahlan turned to Verna. "We need you to slow the enemy down to give us the time we need to get our army over that pass."

"What do you wish me to do?"

"Use your special glass."

The general screwed up his face. "Her what?"

"A weapon of magic," Cara said. "To blind the enemy troops."

Verna looked thunderstruck. "But I'm not ready. We only made up a small batch. I'm not ready."

Kahlan turned back to the general. "What did the scouts say about how much time we have until the Order is upon us?"

"The Order could be here within an hour, at the soonest, two at the latest. If we don't slow them down, we'll never make it out of this valley with our men and supplies. If we can't find a way to delay them, we can only run for the hills, or stand and fight. Neither is a choice I would make except in desperation."

"If we just run for the hills," Adie said, "we be as good as dead.

Together, we be alive and at least be a threat to the enemy. If we scatter, the Order will take the opportunity to attack and capture cities. If our only choice is to scatter, or stand our ground and fight, then we can only choose to stand and fight. Better to try, than to die one at a time out in the mountains."

Kahlan rubbed her fingers across her brow as she tried to think. Jagang had changed his tactics and decided to engage them in a night battle. He had never done that before because it would be so costly for him, but with his numbers, he apparently wasn't concerned about that. Jagang held life in little regard.

"If we have to fight him, in a full battle, here, now," Kahlan said in resignation, "we will probably lose the war by dawn."

"I agree," the general finally said. "As far as I see it, we have no choice. We have to act quickly and get as many of our men over the pass as we can. We'll lose all those who don't get over before the Order arrives, but we'll manage to preserve some."