41 The men with the ladders
covered by bow people would take the back balcony. The chances are this
is where many of the captives were. Their job would be to find
them and protect them while the others dealt with The Hoods. The
rest would split into two parties, one group rushing the two stairways,
while the others cleared out the lower part of the house. From
the trees, Gray Deer could see the yard was full of tents.
42 "How many do you figure are in there?"
asked Bright Sword.
43 "If the information was right, and there's
two-hundred Hood leaders in there, and each has two body guards at
least, and perhaps servants, there's at least six-hundred of them, and
only about five-hundred of us! And all of us can't go on the
attack." answered Gray Deer.
44 It's going to take at least one-hundred of
us to surround the walls, and make sure none of them escape. We could
cut that down to maybe seventy-five, but that would stretch them
thin! I want them placed in easy bow range so they can cut down
anyone coming over the wall."
45 "I've picked most of the women for that,"
Bright Sword advised him.
46 Just then one of their fighting people ran
up. "Lord," the man gasped, out of breath, "there's a Warlock and about
one-hundred-and-fifty fighting people entering the woods in a broad
line behind us!"
47 "Stay here," Gray Deer ordered Bright
Sword. He rushed back through the woods and nearly ran over the
Warlock. The man was about twice his age but lean, all muscle.
48 "Who in the hell are you?" the man manged.
49 Gray Deer lifted his hood. "Gray Deer," he
announced, "Southern City.
50 "What are you doing here?" The Warlock
demanded.
51 "Hunting Hoods," Gray Deer told him.
"There's about six-hundred of them, maybe more, in that estate through
the trees. We intend to take them."
52 "I'm the district Warlock," the man
announced, "Bleeding Boar. Gray Hawk!" a young man ran up. "Is this
Gray Deer? You said you know him."
53 "Yes, sir. I've been to The Southern City
twice, and seen him speak in The Temple."
54 The Warlock drew his sword and laid it
across his heart, then brought it out in front of him. "With my
heart," he pledged, "and with my hand I fight for thee! But I and
my men, sir, have suffered greatly by the hands of The Hoods, and this
is our land. We will take whatever place you give us, but it
should be our right to lead the charge."
55 "And that right," answered Gray Deer,
"shall be yours. Take your men to join mine. Each of my leaders
will explain to your leaders their mission and they may lead the attack
on all quarters."
56 The Warlock dressed his sword. "You
heard him, men! Forward! I'll be at their command
point. Obey your leaders. Fight well, and may The Lords be with
you, each and every one!"
57 They all returned to their waiting places
and that was the hardest part of any battle, waiting for it to begin.
The longer the wait, the worse it was. People began to think of
loved ones at home, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, mates
and lovers they might never see again.
58 From beyond the gate they could hear the
sound of music and laughter and occasionally, a frightened
scream. The sun grew higher and higher.
59 Bright Sword came over to Gray Deer.
"The sun's high!" she commented. "Every moment we wait lessens
our chances."
60 "Give him a few more moments," counseled
Gray Deer.
61 A few more minutes they waited, and then
from behind the gate came the sudden sounds of a struggle, the clash of
weapons, and the screams of dying men. Then, there was silence.
62 Slowly, one-half of the great gate swung
open, the young man pushing it with one hand, holding his stomach with
the other. "Come on!" he cried, "Come on! Someone must've heard
that racket!"
63 As Gray Deer and his people charged down
the hill, the young man crossed to the other half of the gate, and
began to push it open. He had it about half way, when a Hood
charged up behind him, sword raised. But he never got to strike a
blow. The air was filled with the hiss of arrows and The Hood hit the
ground looking like a tailor's pin cushion.
64 By now the gate was open wide, and the
fighting people were pouring through. Breaking into four elements
they rushed the house, driving through those who survived, before them.
65 Gray Deer, however, stayed by the gate and
helped the young man to the ground. "Healer!" he cried. A
man quickly appeared, opened the youth's robes, and looked up at Gray
Deer with a sickened expression.