would have died if we had taken this city any
other way. The hundreds that were lost were just a small token of those
that would have perished to hunger and disease if it had been a long
siege.
178 And what pity did your people show those of Ze? Men who would do
such things to prisoners have little complaint what is done to people
in fair combat. I will have pity. I seize your gold and silver, but all
else I leave your people; your blankets, your carpets, your pots, your
pans, what food you have left, and we will give you tents and see that
you do not go hungry. Aside from that, we will do nothing. Your city is
destroyed, and the dead you have suffered is enough."
179 The Chieftain went away weeping, and tearing his garments. The Hawk
looked into the ruined city. "Damn!" he cursed, "Why did
their King flee to their old capitol, Epi? I wanted to end it here,
once and for all. Now I dare not march into these foothills and forests
with an enemy on my flanks. We must leave a garrison here and march
south, subdue those cities, before we dare march on the capitol."
180 So it was, two-thirds of the army marched south to do battle at El.
Here the enemy met them in force, but after three days was driven from
the field, fleeing east towards Epo. Early that evening they waited on
the side of the city away from the great river. They were about to send
up their kites when the city gates opened, and men with white flags and
torches emerged.
181 The Hawk approached them. "What do you want?" he asked.
182 "You are about to make magic, aren't you?" one of them said, "Bring
down fire from the sky and destroy our city like you destroyed Epon?"
183 "That is our intent," agreed The Hawk.