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‘Tonight； under cover of darkness； we will slip into their camp and make a quick strike。 This is to be a disciplined action； not random killing。 We will have a list of objectives。 Our aim is to weaken the bull。 I have already partially blinded him by eliminating the wizard。
The sentries and lookouts will be taken first。 We will dress as many men as we can in their clothes。 Those men will go into their camp and locate our targets。
‘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’s no need to waste time killing them； breaking their legs is sufficient。 We need to destroy their food。 We’re an army small enough to be able to get food by hunting； foraging； and buying 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 lances and pikes。 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。 Burn their tents； to expose them to the cold； burn their wagons so they will lose supplies。
‘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。
‘If any of you can think of anything else that will weaken them； bring the ideas to me or Captain Ryan； or the other officers。 The object tonight is not primarily to kill soldiers； there are too many。 Our object is to disable them； make them weak； slow； to make them less sure of themselves。
‘Most of all； our object is to put fear into their minds。 These men aren’t used to being afraid。 When men are afraid； they make mistakes。 Those mistakes allow us to kill them。 I intend to terrify them。 Later； I will tell you how。
‘You have a few hours to get everything ready； and then we start moving。 I want the sentries at double distance。 Beyond them； I want lookouts and I want scouts to keep in contact with the Order。 I want to know where they are at all times。 I want constant reports。 I don’t want to be surprised by anything。 I want to know of anything that you see or encounter； no matter how innocent it seems。 If a rabbit jumps too high； I want to know about it。 Just as we intend to trick them； I don’t want them tricking us。 Take nothing for granted。
‘May the good spirits be with you。 Now get started。’
The men all began moving； the air ing to life with the sound of feet and talking。 One of the two lieutenants stood near； unbuttoning his coat； giving orders to some men around him。
‘Lieutenant Sloan。’ He looked up as the men he had instructed went to their tasks。 ‘See to the sentries and lookouts at once。 I want any of your men who know how to make white paint or whitewash to assemble the supplies they need。 We will need large tubs of some sort。 I want rocks heated； to warm the insides of tents。’
He didn’t question her strange instructions。 ‘Yes； Mother Confessor。’
‘See that the small wagons with the ale and food are prepared； but hold them until I give the order to let them go。’
He put his fist to his heart without ment and marched off to see to it。
Kahlan’s legs felt as if they would give out at any second。 She was so tired from having had no sleep； and from riding the better part of the night； to say nothing of the work she had done and the heart…pounding fright； that she could hardly focus her eyes anymore。 Her shoulder hurt where the lance had been couched when it was shattered。 The muscles in her left leg jittered with the effort of keeping her standing。
She was also mentally exhausted。 Anxiety； over not only the enormity of her decision to take it upon herself to call all the Midlands into war； but also over her impassioned plea for these men to lay down their lives on her word； eroded her strength further。 Despite the unusual warmth of the day； she shivered inside her fur mantle。
Captain Ryan stepped over to her。 Chandalen； Prindin； and Tossidin were standing by the rear of the wagon； watching。
Captain Ryan gave her a sly smile。 ‘I like it。’
He jumped down and held his hand out for her。 She ignored the hand and jumped down as he had done； and by luck more than anything； stayed on her feet。 She could not accept his offer of help； not now； not with what she was about to do。
‘And now； Captain； I must give you an order you are not going to like。’ She looked to his blue eyes。 ‘I want you to send men after Mosle and those who went with him。 Send enough to be sure to acplish the deed。’
‘Deed？’
They must be killed。 Send a force with instructions that they are to pretend to join with Mosle’s men； so they don’t scatter when your men approach。 Send your cavalry behind； but out of sight； in case they’re able to take to the woods。 When they are surrounded； kill them。 There are seventy…six。 Count the bodies to make sure they are all dead。 I will be very displeased if even one escapes。’
His eyes were wide。 ‘But Mother Confessor 。。。’
‘I take no pleasure in this； Captain。 You have your orders。’ She turned to the three Mud People。 ‘Prindin； go with the men he picks。 Make sure those who departed are killed to a man。’
Prindin gave her a grim nod。 He understood the unpleasant necessity of what she was doing。
Captain Ryan tensed in near panic。 ‘Mother Confessor 。。。 I know those men。 They’ve been with us a long time。 You said they were