13 "When this is over," cursed The Hawk, "we will
have to thank them for their ingenuity. The Worm is finished as an
effective weapon!"
14 They built a huge battering ram, and using part of The Worm to cover
it, attacked the main gate. But after they broke through, they found
the passage beyond had been stoned up with big enough stones that they
couldn't tunnel through! They fell back again.
15 "There is just no way around it," grumbled The Hawk. "We will have
to fill in this rough ground, build siege towers high enough to reach
the tops of the walls. That is going to take time."
16 While they were doing all this, The Mus came up behind them with a
great army and attacked. For two weeks they fought viciously until they
finally withdrew. Again The Hawk had to send his wounded back and order
replacements. It was already getting late in the season. If he did not
take at least one city, and secure it before spring, they might have to
withdraw.
17 Their towers were ready....huge things that took thousands of men to
move them. As they approached, flight after flight of fire arrows
greeted them, but stubbornly they kept the towers soaked with water,
and moved them forward. The catapults pelted them, but still they came
closer. As the first men climbed the ladders and the gates were ready
to drop, The Hawk knew they would take the walls. They did, but not
without a terrible struggle. And even then the city was not subdued.
18 Not one house was surrendered without a struggle. Not one warehouse
was yielded. Day after day they fought until finally the last prisoner
was taken. Not one man surrendered, and not one woman was taken. For
there was not one woman in the city,