looked like they could hold for many months. In
The Land of Spirit, itself, things had not gone so well. The enemy had
swept north, taken Canal, after a vicious battle, but most of its
defenders escaped in boats and sailed up to Western.
68 The enemy marched on Western, itself, but at the river crossing they
were met by Sweet Blossom of The Voice. Outnumbered three to one she
held her ground. Three times the enemy poured across the river. Three
times she drove them back.
69 Finally the enemy dug in and two sets of earthworks faced each other
on either side of the river. To the east, the enemy swept by Southern,
and besieged it. Again it was a river crossing that foiled them.
70 The City Warlock of Eastern, Tall Beggar, and his forces, had had
ample time to fortify the ford. Though they were bitterly outnumbered
they had the high ground, and the enemy could not dislodge them. This
is how things stood when The Hawk returned; Southern besieged, Western
and Eastern threatened.
71 If the enemy could pass the rivers, the other cities might be
threatened. But so far they were being held. The Hawk knew he
must break the stalemate in one city or, the other, but which way
should he move first? And, where could he get the fighting people he
needed?
72 He didn't dare bring home the troops from Zo. The Zoans could not
defend themselves without his help. He barely had enough people left in
Northern to hold it if it became besieged. Did he dare leave it
defenseless, and try to drive south? He wasn't sure which way to move.
73 To make matters worse, he received two pieces of tragic news from
Zo. Shortly after he left, Wandering Fox took a fever. It didn't seem
serious,