cities and had its capitol cut off. The lake was
full of their ships.
17 The Oneness could not sail up to aid their capitol. They could make
their way along the coast, but the roads were bad, and the journey
would take them many days.
18 With a fourth of the army Singing Hawk held the pass while the rest
marched on Faith. All along the coast The Frns harassed the enemy. Their
passage north would not be easy. The Children of Spirit, however,
marched through village after village with virtually no resistance.
19 There will be an easy battle," boasted The First Speaker.
20 "No," cautioned Gray Goat, "they withdraw their strength, abandon
their villages, to put all their strength into their last desperate
effort.
There will be no lightning this time, or, surprise. They will
have every possible type of defense. Here is where our skill in battle
will be proven."
21 When they reached the city, they found it ringed in earthworks dug
deep on one side, and heaped up on the other. Two lines like this faced
them. There was little doubt there were troops everywhere, and even the
river was denied them. Huge logs with metal barbs bobbed in the water.
They'd get no ships in to cross the earthworks. There was only one way
to take them, and that's the way they did it.
22 The fight lasted for three days, and the death on both sides, was
high. But finally the second ring fell in four places, and now only the
walls of the city remained as an obstacle. They could prepare siege
towers quickly enough, but the walls were high. With what it had
already cost them, Gray Goat was hesitant.