Madoc Comadrin

Author: Kyria d'Oreyn

General

Madoc Comadrin was a great general who lived some six hundred years before Artur Hawkwing's time. He wrote a book about soldiering called "Fog and Steel" (LoC, Ch. 5; KoD, Ch. 26).

Mat remembers meeting Comadrin after losing a battle to him (LoC, Ch. 5).

Mat remembers having read his book several times, although he doubts a copy still exists anywhere (LoC, Ch. 5). Later, when Talmanes quotes Comadrin, he tells Mat that King Roedran has two copies of "Fog and Steel" in his library and made another print for Talmanes (KoD, Ch. 26).

King Roedran believes that "Fog and Steel" will make him a great captain (KoD, Ch. 26).

When discussing soldiering, Mat seems to have taken on a liking for quoting Comadrin (KoD, Ch. 37).

Quotes

"Attack on ground where your enemy believes you will not, from an unexpected direction at an unexpected time. Defend where your enemy believes you are not, and when he believes you will run. Surprise is the key to victory, and speed is the key to surprise. For the soldier, speed is life." (Mat quoting from Comadrin's book "Fog and Steel"; Lord of Chaos, Chapter 5)

"The sweetness of victory and the bitterness of defeat are alike a knife of dreams." (From "Fog and Steel"; Knife of Dreams, Header)

"Smother your enemy with arrows at every opportunity. It is always better to kill your enemies far off than close at hand." (Talmanes quoting from Comadrin's book "Fog and Steel"; Knife of Dreams, Chapter 26)

"A general who draws his sword has put aside his baton and become a common soldier."

He was only quoting Comadrin again...he seemed to do that a lot when discussing soldiering, but then, the man had known just about everything there was to know about the craft.

(Mat quoting from Comadrin's book "Fog and Steel" to Musenge; Knife of Dreams, Chapter 37)