all but three to ashes. Those three continued to
scout.
16 Finally, the weary columns marched by one of the fortresses and ox
carts were brought for their captured goods and for the women and
children. Cheering crowds met them at every village, for word had come
of the damage they did to the enemy.
17 When the second wave of The Black Death had approached Hope, they
had found it a roaring inferno, so they had turned away and attacked the larger villages around it.
Soon, three of them were also in flames, and two heavily damaged. It
had been the same at Faith, only there eight villages were destroyed.
18 But the greatest news of all was the word from the Secret Service,
that they had killed The Priest of Priests. They had brought his temple
down on top of him, killing many of his aides and councilmen, too. The
Oneness was enraged, and throwing themselves into attacks everywhere;
but being repelled on every line.
19 The raid had been a success beyond belief. Many villages having lost
people, welcomed The Goatherders and their flocks. They became good
neighbors, and never did The Children of Spirit ever regret their
coming, especially a young Glider Pilot who brought a beautiful Healer
back to his village.
20 Their courtship had not taken long, and their children did many
wonders for The Lords, though some of them burned incense at the alter
of The Goat God, no one ever complained. The Goat God, like Spirit, was
a gentle Being.
21 In the south Bold Fox was again and again hitting the enemy's ports.
Time after time they retreated with a city and its villages in flames.
22 To the north, another raid was being planned. The Epons, now knowing
they were exposed, had tried to launch attacks from their homeland, but
the Zoans