Clan and Crown

"Ah." Mad Bear looked again. There was one missing. "Where is Tenado, my son?"

"He turned his back on a dead Ironshirt," Hinuta said simply.

"Aiiiy." But this was no time for lament.

"I have brought the Ironshirt's hair. You may offer it to the gods," Hinuta said. He handed over a bloody bundle.

"You have my thanks," Mad Bear said. He looked around the valley. "The Ironshirts are worthy fighters. They die well."

"Many of them have not died at all," Hinuta said. "And many of the Red Cloaks have gone off down the river, where they hold the small hills near the trees."

"Ah."

"Let us gather our people and go join the battle against them. Tens of tens of tens would follow Mad Bear-"

"Nay." Mad Bear shook his head and pointed to the southern ridge covered with the horses and ba

"Those have not died either, and their chief of the golden hat rides among them. Kill him and the others will flee," Mad Bear said. He rode over to be near Hinuta. The loss of Tenado ate at his heart, but he could never show that. Instead he clapped Hinuta on the shoulder. "It is a great day!"

"A great day for the Warrior," Hinuta agreed. He eyed the encamped Ironshirts and gri

"Their horses will go mad. If the Horse People can fight as one, then we will send them all to the Warrior," Mad Bear completed. "Despite their wizard-fire." They both had seen the Mountain Walkers struck down by the wizards' thunder. "Go among the Horse People, and say that Mad Bear will lead them against the Ironshirts, as many as will follow."

Only the oath-bound warriors of his band had to obey; but many had heard of the deeds of Mad Bear, and many would come, would follow him. Soon there would be tens of tens of tens. Mad Bear would lead them toward the Ironshirts, then pretend to retreat. The Ironshirts would charge as they always did, and this battle would end.

And that would be well.

They had to fight their way into Point Blue One. It took four rounds from the 106 and a full belt from the LMG before the last of the Westmen were driven out. Mason shouted orders and the troops began setting up a perimeter, leaving Art to deal with what had been the headquarters area.

The balloon crew was dead. Flyboys and ground crew, all bristled with arrows, the airmen lying huddled in the bottom of their wicker basket. Near the wagon was Ski, big scar and all, with a dozen arrows just for him, and his scalp and ears cut away as well. The Tamaerthan and Drantos riggers had been hacked with swords, and the acolytes of Yatar literally dismembered. Art looked at the bloody scene and grimaced.

Just like the king said, Mason thought. A roving band. Something. Christ, who'd have thought they could get past all of us? Or that there'd be so many of the little mothers- One of the piles of dead began to move. Mason had the safety off the.45 when Beazeley's bloody face popped out of the heap of bodies.

"I'll be dipped in shit! Welcome back, buddy," Mason said.

"Feel more welcome if you'd point a different way," Beazeley said.

"Guess you would." Mason didn't holster the weapon. "Know.where the Romans went?"

"Last report they were over that way." He pointed off to the north.."But about then we had other things to worry about."

"When'd you duck?"

"I was about the last one," Beazeley said. "Figured there was no point in standing up, so I dove in, with my friend here in my mouth just in case…" He showed his pistol, then looked at the hacked and mutilated bodies of Ski and the priests and shuddered.

"Okay," Mason said. "Back to the line. Wait." He took out a flask. "Have a belt."

"Thanks. Ah, McCleve's finest. Must be a month old. Good stuff." He drank again.

Mason sca

"Holy shit!" Beazeley yelled.

Mason looked around. Another band of Westmen were coming across the ridge to his left.

Dien Bien Phu, hell, Mason thought. It looks more like Little Big Horn.

31

Ganton felt reassured when he had completed his inspection of the army. Camithon had arrayed the host well. The men were dismounted to rest the horses. Above every approach to the hill stood a band of cross-bowmen protected by the shields of men at arms. Behind them were walking wounded to reload, and dismounted knights taking their ease. From this height a bolt could slay a Westman's horse before his own arrow could pierce armor, and a Westman on foot was no fair match for a Drantos warrior.

Ganton wasn't worried about a fair match. He wanted the Westmen dead, or at least driven from his land. If he could have slain them all with his Browning, he would have done so.

"Hah. And what of your love of battle?" Morrone said. "Glory for your bheromen. What of that?"

"I had not realized I was speaking aloud," Ganton said. "And there is precious little glory here…" He used his binoculars to look across the valley. Mason had retreated to where the balloon had been tethered and hauled it down. There was still no sign of the Romans. Had they taken a defensive position somewhere out of sight, or had they left the battle entirely?

If they had run away, then Ganton's army would never leave this valley.

He moved on toward the end of the ridge, and now arrows fell more thickly around him. As he drew near to Camithon's ba

Ganton dismounted. He had to scramble along the ridge to reach Camithon, who stood partially protected by Guardsmen's shields.

"Majesty, this is no safe place for you!"

"It is no more dangerous for me than for you, my lord general. Now-what is your counsel?" When the Westmen first struck and the Drantos horses began to tire, Ganton had not objected when Camithon brought the troops to this hill and set them in a defensive perimeter. Doubtless the general had a plan in mind. Now, though, it was time to learn it. "We are safe and in good order for the moment, but we are not eagles to make our homes here."

Camithon gri

"Ah." Ganton lifted his binoculars to hand them to Camithon. "First, though-" he said. He swept them along the riverbank, then up to where Mason's ba

A ru

"I am Panilos, senior acolyte, Majesty," one said. He couldn't have been more than fourteen years old; the others were even younger.

"Take these, lad," Ganton said. He handed over his binoculars, noting that Panilos had no difficulty in using them. "Read me that signal from the Lord Mason."