01 The Elder Gods by Eddings David

Author:Eddings, David [David, Eddings,]
Format: epub
Published: 2010-04-10T10:58:31.605000+00:00

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There was a bend in the river at the bottom of the ravine just below the enemy fort, which may have had something to do with the positioning of the imitation village. Ox came striding around the bend on the north bench, and Keselo noted that the Maags trooping along behind them were probably the biggest men in Sorgans army and they were all armed with twenty-foot-long spears. There was a certain logic there, but Keselo wasnt really certain that the servants of the Vlagh would even notice the size of the men theyd been ordered to attack. He looked quickly at the enemy fort, but there werent any enemies in sight. He was certain that they were watching, but they werent making any moves as yet. Whats keeping them? Rabbit demanded tensely. Theyre probably holding back until there are more Maags just below them, Keselo replied. They wouldnt want too many of Hook-Beaks soldiers to escape. Then Keselo saw some movement back in the shadows under the overhanging rock ledge that concealed the enemy fort. I think theyre coming out, he said. Well, its about time, Rabbit replied. Then a thunderous roar echoed out from the shadows at the back of the fort, and a mass of small, hooded enemies burst out of the shadows, spilled through the ancient ruins, and began to pour through the breaks in the front wall to charge down the steep side of the ravine toward the bench. Longbow! Rabbit shouted. I see them, Longbow replied, rising to his feet. Shoot! Not quite yet. We want as many of them out in the open as possible. Rabbit muttered a few curses. He does that every time, he told Keselo. Sometimes I think hes got ice-water for blood. Longbow waited, intently watching the charge of the hooded enemies. That should do, he said, raising his curled horn to his lips. The single note from his horn seemed to have mellow quality as it echoed back from the far side of the ravine. Then, almost as one man, the archers raised their bows, drew them back, and then waited as the echo from Longbows horn faded down the ravine. Then Longbow sounded a sharper note, and the bowmen released their arrows in unison. The sheet of arrows rose up to meet the sheet coming from Ham-Hands position on the other side of the village. Then the arrows fell down upon the enemy force, and a vast sigh rose from the ravine as hundreds of hooded enemies let out their final breath and rolled limply down the steep slope. Longbows archers loosed arrows by the hundreds, shooting as fast as they could, even as the Dhralls on Ham-Hands side of the village matched them arrow for arrow. The deadly rain falling on the slope swept the enemy force, and so far as Keselo could determine, there were almost no survivors. The enemies rushing out of the village, however, did not even hesitate, but continued their charge down through the rain of arrows.

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