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A mass of barbarians formed a kilometer from the camp. They were strung out in a vast semicircle between
MacKi
“This going to be it, Colonel? “the big sergeant asked.
“Possibly. Let’s see if we can get out of this camp. They figure to hit us as soon as there are enough outside the gates to make it worthwhile.” MacKi
MacKi
MacKi
A charge of the barbarians struck the center of the triangle directly in front of the camp gates. The shield wall held, but gradually fell back, stretching thi
“Now!” MacKi
MacKi
The field in front of the gate was covered with blood. Barbarians pressed closer and closer together as the shield wall, bristling with pikes, closed in on them. Temple archers continued the rain of arrows into the helpless enemy, too crowded together even to use their weapons properly, the i
The remaining enemy outside the trap attempted to aid their fellows, to be stopped by shieldsmen facing outward slowly moving back as the i
The slaughter continued until midafternoon. At the end, hapless groups of the enemy threw themselves on the spears or clawed their way up the ramparts to be impaled by the swordsmen at the top, screaming desperately, their courage melted by the faceless mass of swords and the rain of arrows. As the pikemen passed over the dead, camp followers slit each throat and removed the arrows, passing them back to be fired again. Captive beasts were led through the lines into the camp to be tethered with the commissary oxen. The lines came closer together, closer, then touched. There were no more enemies in the trap.
“What do you propose for tomorrow?” Sumbavu asked the council clustered around MacKi
“No.” MacKi
“It is not their grain, but ours!” Sumbavu snapped. “You ca
“You forget, there are many more of the enemy than we have killed,” MacKi
“I forbid this,” Sumbavu said quietly. “We must take these stores of grain to the city. You will not burn them.”
“Then I suggest you take them yourself, Your Worship,” MacKi
“So be it. We set forth immediately.”
“At night, Your Worship?” MacKi
“Wiser than being caught by them in the daytime. I see that you will not escort me with your army, though it would involve only a day’s march. I will so report to the council.”
“Two days’ march, Father,” MacKi
“What need to drive them away, now that we have means to gather provisions?” Sumbavu snapped. “We could return, and our Temple officers learn to command the soldiers, then set forth again. It would not be so great for you and your outlanders, would it? You must win yourself, for what purpose I do not know. But I tell you again, I know you do not have the good of the Temple first in your heart, soldier of the south. Were I not guarded by the faithful of the Temple, I do not think I would return from this march alive.” He stalked off into the night, his bodyguard following him closely.
“Go pick the most useless slaves of your group,” MacKi
She studied him closely. “I’d almost think that’s why you brought all that useless junk. And you added that group of convicts to my picked men … Did you expect this?”
“Freelady, just get them moving,” Stark said. “The colonel’s got enough problems.” He guided her to the granaries, then set men to loading the wagons which were to go back to the city.