[ more silence as he thinks broodily. once he's done with that, he reaches over to his side and drops the blade of his axe heavily into the ground. he holds it in place there with both hands propping up the handle. ]

This is my strength. You ask me for more than I can give, and I'm afraid I can come up with only one solution. [ a beat. ] I can cut down every man and woman here, save for you and Cynthia.