excuses you have made, for he wants a son, an
heir to carry his line, and will not do what is right. But Swift Deer
is not a vain man. He is a man of pride and courage, who will not do
wrong merely to please himself."
73 "We are shamed, Lord," the young man admitted, and returned to the
column to discuss what The Hawk had said with their comrades.
74 The winter rains had passed. Everyone thought The Hawk would rest
for a season, regather his strength, and attack the enemy to the south
the following winter. But The Hawk was not one to wait.
75 Barely had he rotated his troops and reprovisioned, than he was
marching on Fr. He had with him in reality, five great armies under the
leadership of his greatest Warlocks; Shining Serpent, Sweet Blossom Of
The Voice, Grey Boar, Running Hawk, and Mad Cat, who had proven himself
in his march up from the desert. Now his bandits and freed slaves were
one of their best armies.
76 The Hawk's plan of attack was this... they would march out of the
desert, leaving two armies hidden in the badlands across from the river
Fin. Under the command of Swift Serpent and Sweet Blossom Of The Voice
he would take the rest of the armies around the badlands and attack
Fin. He would leave Grey Boar here, to besiege the city, and send
Running Hawk up to attack Fm.
77 The Hawk and Mad Cat would put themselves in position about
one-fourth of the way down the road, and wait for the enemy's army. As
soon as they appeared, they would signal Shining Serpent and Sweet
Blossom. Sweet Blossom would attack Fr besieging it. Shining Serpent
would come up on the enemy's rear and capture his supplies. If all went
well, the enemy would be in total confusion. The Frns would be