No one spoke. No one moved. The wind blew. The sea crashed below.
"Strength is sometimes cruelty," Raven said. "Cruelty toward men. Cruelty toward women. Cruelty toward yourself. Cruelty toward your enemies. That is what strength is. Not justice. Not mercy. Not kindness. Cruelty. The ability to do what needs to be done, to whoever needs it done to them, without hesitation."
He paused. Let the words sink in.
"I claimed women because power requires claiming. If you have a problem with that, you are in the wrong army. Go home. Walk back to your village. Fuck your wife. Die old. No one will remember you."
The silence held.
"But if you stay, if you march with me, if you fight under my command, I will give you something no kind man, no just man, no merciful man can give you. Victory."
He pulled his hands from his pockets. Snapped his fingers.
"Let's go."
