Stone of Tears

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 command, 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 come, 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 accomplishing 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?”