24 The Frns gathered what belongings they could
carry, every bit of food that could be found, every water skin. Finally
at dusk, the column moved out. Only three men remained; one man who was
dying and couldn't be moved, and two others. At midnight they would set
the mine ablaze and follow the others by a shorter route.
25 Through the darkness The Hawk's people moved until they hid just
above the fortress on the mine road. At midnight the sky up the road
grew bright. In the distance fire could be seen. The fortress
became a sudden hive of activity, within half an hour, almost the
entire garrison was rushing up the road.
26 The handful of men left behind was no match for The Hawk and his
people, as they simply walked in the gate, overpowered them, and
cleared the way so the rest of the group could pass.
27 Now, they traveled at night, and sometimes into the day, sleeping
through the worst of the heat. Twice they met Frn patrols but quickly
captured or killed them.
28 Finally they were in the desert and the blazing sun was their only
enemy. First, the food gave out, then for two days they had no water.
Then one evening, as they marched on, men on dogs rode up. When The
Hawk told them who they were, they did not believe, but within an hour
they were back with food and water.
29 By high sun of the next day, there were ox carts for their treasure
and for the women and children to ride in, and plenty of food and
water. The captives didn't need guards. Most had already been promised
labor by those they marched with. Some of The Hawk's people had already
laid claims to some of the widows.
30 They stopped at an outpost's Temple to mourn their dead. Two more
Frns and three of The Hawk's people had died on the march, but the rest
had gotten through.