Chapter 7
There was a great celebration the next day, but The Hawk, his Lady, The
King, and Bright Star spent most of their time discussing their
problem. The Lady Hawk's example had stirred Zoan women. Most had come
forward demanding to be trained.
2 "If we cannot go to the field," they argued, "at least we can defend
our cities. We can shoot arrows from the walls, and push away ladders as
well as any men! This would help, some. It would free more men to go to
the field but it would not help the other problems.
3 There were two cities besieged that could hold out for a while, but
not forever. They were short of trained fighting people, weapons, food,
medicine. The Hawk had not seen or heard of a much worse situation.
4 "We need some edge," he sighed, "some advantage, something. Anything
that will put the enemy at disadvantage, and us to the advantage. But
right now I can think of nothing. Somehow, we have to lift these
sieges, drive the enemy back into his own territories, and keep him
there until we can gain enough strength to finish him. But HOW?"
5 The Lady Hawk looked at the maps. "With all those ships you have in
the harbor," she commented, "I'd put all our fighting people on them,
sail down to this city the enemy's already taken, and retake it. What
have you always taught me? Strike the enemy where he least expects
it. Cut his line of supply, and leave him stranded. When you can avoid
it, never go to him,make HIM come to you!"
6 The Hawk went over and looked at the map. "Can it be done?" he asked.
7 "The only thing stopping us," answered The King, "is the Epon navy.
I'm afraid we're not the water people. I have only a handful of war
ships, and THEY have hundreds!"
8 "Then the ships we have," continued The Hawk,