for a long time were still full of fight. But how
could he get beyond that gate?
37 As they sat by the fire, the man that had been with him told the
others what they had seen. "They're building new barracks, too. It
looks like they're getting ready to bring in more slaves, and open
another shaft. It doesn't look good!"
38 Another man coming to the fire, spoke as he sat down. "That must be
the caravan we saw on the road; about twenty-five fighting people and
perhaps one-hundred slaves. Oneers, looks like, and none of them looks
too happy. I wouldn't be, either, spending the rest of my life in that
stink-hole!"
39 The Hawk stared up to the darkening sky. "Thank you, Lords!" he
cried, "Thank you! The women stay here, guard the treasure. The rest of
you come with me. We've got our way in!"
40 Quickly they slipped from their hiding place, made their way to the
road, and surrounded the caravan. The Frn soldiers were just
finishing their supper and their leader sat by his fire. "Shall we feed
this trash?" asked one of his men.
41 "Don't waste your time cooking anything," answered The War Leader,
"just give them water and trail biscuits. If it's one thing I hate,
it's transporting miserable slaves! At least these haven't tried to
escape twenty times, like the ones we had last year!"
42 The War Leader heard the call of a night bird, and saw about a dozen
men walking out of the darkness towards them. Thinking they were a
patrol from the fortress he rose to greet them, then, he saw they had
their swords drawn. he called to his aide, but as he looked around, he
found other figures coming out of the darkness, at least two on every
one of his men!
43 "I," explained the leader of the group, "am The Hawk, Warlock of
Spirit. We do not want your lives.