Stone of Tears

“No,” Kahlan whispered. “I tried last night, but it didn’t come. It’s difficult to explain to you, but I believe that because I invoked this special magic on behalf of Richard, it will not work except to protect him. I’m sorry.”

Chandalen unfolded his arms. “Then how did you kill so many?”

Kahlan patted his arm where the bone knife was. The same way as your grandfather taught your father, and he you. I did not do as they expected. I did not fight their way.” The two brothers leaned in intently as she spoke. “They like to drink, and when they’re drunk, they don’t think so well, and they are slow.”

Tossidin pointed behind with a thumb. “These men, too, like to have drink at night. They have a wagon of it among their supplies. We would not let them have any. Some were angry. They said it was their right.”

Kahlan shook her head. “These boys also thought it would be right to march right up to an enemy who outnumbers them ten to one and have a battle in broad daylight. We must help them in this. We must teach them what to do.”

“They do not like to listen.” Prindin glanced back over his shoulder, at the men he had been trying to teach. “They wish always to argue. They say “This is the way it is done” and “We must do it so.” They are filled only with the way they were taught, and do not like to be told another way.”

“Yet that’s what we must do,” Kahlan said. “We must lead them in the way that will work. That’s why I need you three. I need you to help me in this, or many people, including, eventually, the Mud People, will die. I need your help in this. I must lead them into battle.”

Chandalen stood mute and unmoving. The two brothers pushed snow with their feet, considering. Prindin finally looked up.

“We will help. My brother and I will do as you ask.”

“Thank you, Prindin, but it’s not you who must decide. Chandalen must be the one who agrees. It is for him to decide.”

The two brothers took sidelong glances at him as he stood glaring at her. At last he let out an exasperated breath.

“You are a stubborn woman. You are so stubborn you will get killed if we three are not there to bring some reason to your head. We go with you to kill these evil men.”

Kahlan sighed with relief. “Thank you, Chandalen.” She bent and took up a handful of snow, using it to scrub the dried blood from her face. “Now I must go and tell these boys what they must do.” She shook the snow from her hands when she had finished with her face. “did you three get any sleep last night?”

“Some,” Chandalen said.

“Good. After I speak with them, I need to get a few hours” sleep. You can begin showing them how to travel without their wagons. We must teach them to be strong, like you. We will begin the killing tonight?”

Chandalen gave a grim nod. “Tonight.”

Chapter 40

Kahlan climbed atop a wagon before the assembled men. They stood in brown wool coats, packed tightly together before her in the gray morning light. Captain Ryan, with his two lieutenants flanking him, stood at the front of the men. He leaned an arm on the wagon wheel, waiting.

Kahlan looked out at all the young faces. Boys. She was about to ask boys to die. But what choice did she have?

Dear mother, she wondered, is this the reason you chose Wyborn as my father? To teach me what I am about to do?

“I’m afraid I have only one bit of good news for you,” she began in a quiet voice that carried through the cold air, out over the faces all watching her, “and so I will give you that first, to give you courage for the other things I have to tell you.”

Kahlan took a deep breath. “Your queen was not killed in Ebinissia, nor did the men who attacked the city find or capture her. Either she was away when the attack came, or she escaped.

“Queen Cyrilla lives.”

The boys seemed to take a deep breath, as if hoping she wouldn’t add anything more, and then they erupted in wild cheering. They threw their arms in the air, shaking their fists at the sky. They yelled and hooted with joy and relief.

Kahlan stood in her blood-soaked wolf mantle, her hands at her sides, letting them have their time of celebration and hope. Some of the boys, forgetting for the moment that they were soldiers, hugged each other. She watched tears of happiness run down many a cheek as men leapt and shouted.

Kahlan stood feeling small and insignificant as the mob of boys poured out their adoration for her half sister. She couldn’t bring herself to halt their rejoicing.

At last Captain Ryan climbed up onto the wagon next to her. He held his arms up, calling for silence.

“All right! All right! Hold it down! Stop acting like a bunch of children in front of the Mother Confessor! Show her what men you be!”

The cheering finally died out, to be replaced by grins and bright eyes. Captain Ryan clasped his hands together and cast her a somewhat sheepish look before taking a couple of steps away atop the wagon, to give her room.

The people of Ebinissia,” she went on, in the same quiet tone, “were not so fortunate.”