2275886aba47ada09b14b9e37e4a9fff by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

aimed at the encampment of Basraken Imalla. Could it be that the Eyes of Fire were drawn in somefashion to the Imalla, that the true gods stirred themselves among men, even through the Zamoran slut? Achill like the trickle of an icy mountain stream ran down Djinar's spine, and the hairs on the back of hisneck rose. It seemed to him that the ancient gods walked the earth within sight of his eyes. Rocks gratedbehind him; Djinar gasped, and almost fouled himself.

Farouz dropped down beside him on the stony ground.

"Sentries?" Djinar asked finally. He was pleased at the steadiness of his voice.

The other man snorted in contempt. "Ten of them, but all more asleep than awake. They will die easily."

"So many? The soldiers set guards in such numbers, but not hunters."

"I tell you, Djinar, they all but snore. Their eyes are closed."

"A score of eyes," Djinar sighed. "All it takes is one pair to be alert. If the camp is awakened, and wemust ride uphill at them . . ."

"Bah! We should have attacked when first we found them, while they were yet on the march. Or do youstill fear the Brythunian dogs? They are gone long since."

Djinar did not answer. Only because Sharmal had gone off alone to answer a call of nature had theBrythunians been seen, ghosting along the trail of the hunters from Shadizar. There was no great love lostbetween Brythunian and Zamoran, it was true, but either would turn aside from slaying the other to wethis blade with the blood of a hillman. Farouz would have placed them between their two enemies-at leasttwo score of the Brythunians; half again so many Zamorans-without a thought save how many he couldkill.

"If your . . . caution brings us to failure," Farouz muttered, "do not think to shield yourself from BasrakanImalla's wrath by casting blame on others. The truth will be known."

Farouz, Djinar decided, would not survive to return to the Imalla's encampment of the faithful. The oldgods themselves would see the justice of it.

Again boots scrabbled on the rocks behind him, but this time Djinar merely looked over his shoulder.Sharmal, a slender young man with his wispy beard worked into many thin braids, squatted near the twomen. "The Brythunian unbelievers ride yet to the east," the young man said.

"They did not stop at dark?" Djinar demanded, frowning. He did not like behavior out of the ordinary,and men did not travel by night without pressing reason, not in sight of the Kezankians.

"When I turned back at sundown," Sharmal answered, "they still rode east. I . . . I did not wish to missthe fighting."

"If there is to be any," Farouz sneered.

Djinar's teeth ground loudly. "Mount your horses," he commanded. "Surround the camp and advanceslowly. Strike no blow until I call, unless the alarm be given. Well, Farouz? You speak eager words. Canyour arm match them?"

With a snarl Farouz leaped to his feet and dashed down the hill to where their shaggy, mountain-bredhorses waited.

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