Chapter Twenty-Four
That evening, in The Camp of Spirit, The Old Fox emerged from
his tent, and summoned Gray Dove. "Get your fighting people
ready," he said, "tomorrow this field will be red with
blood. They will come with the first light, hoping to take us
unaware while we sleep."
2 Gray Dove nodded. "We will be ready, Lord," and he
hirriedly left to gather his people.
3 Come the dawn of the next day, the leader of the temple guard
brought his forces to the peninsula where The Camp of Spirit was
set up. "This is perfect," he boasted, "one group
will form a line and stay back. They will make sure none escape.
The rest of us will attack the camp, but do not be concerned.
When the fight is over we will share in the spoils equally. The
High Priest has said kill everyone, but that is foolish. The fair
women, the young girls and boys are valuable. Take them captive.
The old women and small babes are of no use. Kill them. At the
end of this day we shall all be rich men! Make no noise, until we
are well within arrow-range, then we will launch two or three
flights of arrows into their tents and charge."
4 All agreeed, and silently, surely, the band of murderers
approached the encampment. When they were well within arrow
range, they let fly their first volley, and then it began.
Suddenly, the sides of the first row of tents dropped away,
revealing archers behind their shields. The air was suddenly full
of arrows coming in the opposite direction! A trumpet sounded and
the ground before the encampment exploded. Impaling spikes rose
out of the ground as if by magic. And worse, yet, holes suddenly
opened and the fighting people of Spirit poured out. They were on
the attackers while they were still reeling from the flights of
arrows.
5 In moments they had driven a wedge through their middle,
breaking their ranks, splitting them into two separate groups.
"Fight, you fools!" screamed the leader of the temple
guard, "Fight! We still outnumber them."
6 The group left to prevent any escape were bewildered, and did
not know what to do. Should they hold their ground or join their
embattled comrades?
7 Suddenly the decision was made for them. Several men cried out
as arrows pierced their hearts and others fell silent with shafts
through their throats. The attackers turned in time for several
of them to get throwing spears through the chest! The fighters of
Spirit were behind them! They quickly fled to join their
comrades. Few survived the short journey.
8 In the midst of the battle Gray Dove led his people. They were
fighting well but the surprise was wearing off, and the attackers
were regaining their courage, pressing on them from both sides,
trying to regroup.
9 Gray Dove fell one attacker, then two. Several more withdrew,
wounded, from his blows. Suddenly, two spearmen pressed him. He
dispatched one to his gods, but as he turned to meet the other,
he tripped over a dead attacker and fell backwards. The spearman,
seeing his opportunity, lunged forward, but Loyal Dog appeared
out of nowhere, deflecting the weapon with his club. The spear
drove deep, into his own thigh. Seizing the weapon with his
shield hand, he killed the attacker with his club.
10 As Gray Dove gained his feet, another attacker rushed Loyal
Dog from the opposite side, but before he could reach his goal. a
club took him between the eyes and he fell dead. Thorn Blossom
Fox shielded her comrade from the other side.
11 "Withdraw!" cried Gray Dove, "Withdraw! Form
ranks behind the defenses! Withdraw!" With perfect precision
his people obeyed, the able-bodied holding ground while the
wounded were pulled clear. But the attackers were in no mood to
press. They fell back in the opposite direction, leaving their
wounded behind.
12 Gray Dove quickly had his people in ranks, their spearmen
forward and ready to receive the attack, as the enemy regrouped.
He watched as Loyal Dog was carried off, the broken shaft of the
spear still protruding from his body.
13 It was then that a new sound was heard....the high, shrill
call of trumpets. From the direction of the city three groups of
The King's soldiers appeared, led by The King's guard. The
trumpets sounded again, and the soldiers quickly spread out. In a
few minutes they were on three sides of the attackers with The
Children of Spirit on the fourth side. The attackers had no place
to go.
14 The King's guard, with The King at their lead, came forward.
The fighters of Spirit brought up their shields and spears, but
Gray Dove saw that The King's weapon was at his side, and his
shield in the hand of a bearer. Gray Dove told his people to take
the position of rest.
15 When The King was before them, he asked, "Who leads these
people?"
16 Gray Dove stepped forward. "I do," he cried.
17 The King turned and looked at the body ladened battlefield.
"And damn well," he praised, "damn well,
indeed!" He took his shield from a bearer and lifted his
weapon. "Bring your leaders," he ordered, "and
follow me."
18 Gray Dove nodded to Thorn Blossom and another companion and
they marched off, behind The King. When they were about half way
to the attackers, The King stopped and nodded to the trumpeter.
The man blew 'Stand and Parley.'
19 In a few moments three men approached from the attackers; a
temple guard, one of The King's soldiers, and a man not in
uniform. It was the temple guard who spoke. "Your pleasure,
Your Majesty," he stammered.
20 "You're not the leader of the temple guard," shouted
The King. "Where is he?"
21 "Dead, Your Majesty," the guardsman answered.
"SHE killed him." He pointed to Thorn Blossom Fox.
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