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When Kahlan had first seen the bone knives； when they had left the Mud People village； she had thought they were ceremonial。 With terrible certainty； she now knew they were not。 They were real weapons： spirit weapons。
‘What are the feathers？’
He stroked the glossy black feathers on the one at his right shoulder。 The Bird Man we had then； when this was made； placed these。’ He touched the ones on his left shoulder。 The Bird Man we have now placed these。 They are raven。’
The raven was a powerful spirit to the Mud People。 Its image invoked death。 While she thought the idea of wearing a knife made from your grandfather and father’s arm bone was gruesome； she knew it was an honor to Chandalen； and so didn’t say anything to insult his beliefs。 ‘It brings me honor； Chandalen； that you would bring the spirits of your ancestors to protect me。’
He didn’t look happy。 The Bird Man says you are Mud People； too； and must be protected； so I wear these。 It is my duty。’
He stroked his grandfather’s bone again。 ‘My grandfather taught my father； and my uncle； Toffalar； the man you killed； to be protectors of our people。’ He touched his father’s bone。 ‘My father taught me。 I will teach my son； when he es； and someday he will carry my spirit with him as he protects our people。
‘Since the time we killed the Jocopo； we have not let many e onto our land。 Our ancestors’ spirits teach us that to invite others to e as they wish is to invite death。 The spirits speak true。 You brought Richard With The Temper to us； and because of him； Darken Rahl came and killed many of our people。’
So it came down to this。 Chandalen was supposed to be a protector of his people； but they had been killed and he hadn’t been able to stop it。 The ancestors’ spirits helped us to save the Mud People； Chandalen； and countless others。 They saw that Richard’s heart was true； that he was risking his life； the same as you； to save others who did not want war。’
‘He stayed in the spirit house while Darken Rahl killed our people。 He did not try to stop him。 He did not fight。 He let our people die。’
‘Do you know why？’ She waited as he stood stone…faced； but when he didn’t reply； she resumed。 The spirits told him that if he went out to fight Darken Rahl； he would be fighting the way Darken Rahl fought； and Richard would die； never to help anyone。 They told him that if he wanted to defeat Darken Rahl and save the rest of the Mud People； he must not fight the way Darken Rahl did； but wait and fight his own way； later； just as the spirits told your grandfather。’
He regarded her skeptically。 This is his story。’
‘I was there； Chandalen。 I heard them say this。 Richard wanted to fight。 He wept with frustration when the spirits told him he must not。 There was nothing that could have been done to stop Rahl just then。 It was not Richard’s fault； nor was it yours。 You could have done nothing to stop it； the same as Richard could have done nothing。 If he had tried； he would be dead； and Darken Rahl would have won。’
He leaned a little closer。 If you had not brought him； it would not have happened。 Darken Rahl would not have e looking for him。’
She drew herself up straight。 ‘Chandalen； do you know what I do？ What my specialty is？’
‘Yes。 Like all Confessors； you make people afraid of you； so you may tell them what to do； and because they are afraid； they will do as you say。’
‘In a way。 I lead the Council of the Midlands。 I represent all the people and protect their rights。 I make it possible for those like the Mud People to live as they wish。’
‘We protect ourselves。’
She gave him a sober nod。 ‘You think so？ For every one of the Mud People； there were five Jocopo。 Your grandfather was brave； and defeated an enemy that outnumbered him。 But for every man； woman； and child of the Mud People； there are over a hundred dead soldiers here； and this is only one city of this land。 They were defeated as if they were nothing。 One hundred fighting men for every Mud Person； and they fought bravely； you said so。 What chance do you think you would have against an army that could defeat this many？ Against an army half that size？’
Chandalen shifted his weight without answering。
There are lands； Chandalen； that have no say； like the Mud People； and the Bantak。 They are not represented on the council。 The larger lands； like this one； and the one that defeated them； are very powerful； yet Darken Rahl conquered them。 I speak for the lands that have no voice on the council。 I protect your wish to be left alone； and forbid others to e onto your land。
‘Without me to make them afraid； and tell them what to do； they would take your land for themselves。 You have seen the country we have traveled through。 Much of it is difficult to plant。 People would take your land for farms； and to raise animals。 Your sacred grasslands would be burned and tilled and planted with crops to trade for gold。
‘As brave and strong as you are； you would not be able to protect your people。 These outsiders would blacken your land with their numbers。 Just because you are brave； and strong； does not mean you will win。 The soldiers here were brave； and strong； and a hundred times your number； and look what happened to them。 And this is only one city。 There are many larger。
‘Being brave does not mean you have to be stupid； Chandalen。 You saw what was done here。 How long do you think you could fight against an army like that which did this？ Even if every one of your men killed fifty； they would hardly notice。 You would be like the Jocopo； gone。 Every last one of you。’
Kahlan jabbed a finger at her own chest。 ‘I am the one who tells them they may not。 They do not fear you； but they fear me； and the alliance I represent。 There are good people in the Midlands； people who are willing to fight to protect others who are less powerful。 The dead here are one of those peoples。 They are one that has always backed me when I said no land may attack another to gain land。
‘I head the Council of the Midlands and hold together the lands that want peace。 Under me they would fight any who would make war on others。 Yes； I make people afraid； so they will do what I say。 But not to have the glory of power。 I hold power to keep the people of the Midlands … including the Mud People … free of oppression。 These people here have fought before to keep all the people of the Midlands free to live as they wished。 They have fought for you； for your rights； though you have never known of the blood they have shed on your behalf。’
She clutched her mantle more tightly。 ‘You have never before had to fight for them； until Darken Rahl threatened all。 I came to the Mud People； with Richard； to seek help。 Your ancestors’ spirits saw the truth of our struggle； and they helped us so that the Mud People； and all others； could live free。 For the first time； Mud People had to shed blood for the Midlands。 Your ancestors’ spirits saw the truth of this； and they helped us。
‘The people of the Midlands owe the Mud People a debt for their sacrifice； but you also owe them。
‘