Raoden nodded with a sigh. The soldier was right: They couldn't keep holding Shaor's men away from Sarene. Though Saolin had grown quite proficient at fighting with his left hand, there just weren't enough warriors left to protect the courtyard. In addition, it seemed that Shaor's men were growing more and more dangerous in their ferocity. They could obviousIy sense that there was food in the courtyard. and the inability to reach it had driven them to an even deeper level of insanity.
Raoden had tried leaving food out for them, but the distraction only worked for a short time. They stuffed their faces, then rushed on, even more furious than before. They were driven by a single-minded, obsessive goal: to reach the carts of food in the courtyard.
If only we had more soldiers! Raoden thought with frustration. He'd lost many of his people to Sarene's handouts, while Shaor's numbers were apparently remaining strong. Raoden and Galladon had both offered to join Saolin's fighters, but the grizzled captain would hear nothing of it.
'Leaders don't fight,' the broken-nosed man had said simply. 'You're too valuable.'
Raoden knew the man was right. Raoden and Galladon were not soldiers; they wouldn't do much besides disorder Saolin's carefully trained troops. They had few choices left, and it appeared Saolin's plan was the best of several bad options.
'All right.' Raoden said. 'Do it.'
'Very good, my lord,' Saolin said with a slight bow. 'I will begin the preparations-we only have a few minutes until the princess arrives.'
Raoden dismissed Saolin with a nod. The soldier's plan was a desperate last-ditch attempt at a trap. Shaor's men tended to take that same path eaeh day before splitting up to try and work their way into the courtyard, and Saolin planned to ambush them as they approached. It was risky, but it was probably their only chance. The soldiers could not continue fighting as they were.
'I suppose we should go. then.' Raoden said.
Galladon nodded. As they turned to walk toward the courtyard, Raoden couldn't help feeling uncomfortable with the decision he'd made. If Saolin lost, then the wildmen would break through. If Saolin won, it would mean the death or incapacitation of dozens of Elantrians-men, on both sides, that Raoden should have been able to protect.
Either way, I'm a failure, Raoden thought.
Sarene could tell something was wrong. but she wasn't sure what it could be. Spirit was nervous, his friendly banter subdued. It wasn't her-it was something else. Perhaps some burden of leadership.
She wanted to ask him what it was. She moved through the now familiar routine of food distribution, Spirit's worry making her nervous. Each time he approached to accept an item from the cart, she looked into his eyes and saw his tension. She couldn't force herself to ask about the problem. She had gone too long feigning coldness, too long rebuffing his attempts at friendship. Just as in Teod, she had locked herself into a role. And, just as before, she cursed herself, not quite knowing how to escape her self-imposed indifference.
Fortunately, Spirit didn't share her same inhibitions. As the noblemen gathered to begin the handouts, Spirit pulled Sarene aside, walking just a short distance from the main group.
She eyed him curiously. 'What?'
Spirit glanced back at the collection of noblemen, and even a few noblewomen, who were waiting for the Elantrians to approach and receive their food. Finally, he turned to Sarene. 'Something might happen today,' he said.
'What?' she asked, frowning.
'Do you remember how I told you that not all Elantrians were as docile as the ones here?'
'Yes,' Sarene said slowly. What's your trick, Spirit? What game are you Aging? He seemed so honest, so earnest. Yet, she couldn't help worrying that he was just toying with her.
'Well, just Spirit said. 'Just be ready. Keep your guards close.'
Sarene frowned. She sensed a new emotion in his eyes-something she hadn't seen in him before. Guilt.
As he turned back toward the food line, leaving his foreboding words ringing in her mind. a part of Sarene was suddenly grateful that she had remained aloof. He was hiding something from her-something big. Her political senses warned her to be wary.
Whatever he had been expecting, however, it didn't come. By the time they had begun handing out food, Spirit had relaxed somewhat. speaking cheerfully. Sarene began to think that he had made a big show out of nothing.
Then the yelling began.
Raoden cursed, dropping his bag of food as he heard the howl. It was close-far too close. A moment later he saw Saolin's beleaguered form appear at the mouth of an alley. The soldier was swinging his sword wildly at four separate opponents. One of the wildmen smashed a cudgel against Saolin's legs, and the soldier fell.
Then Shaor's men were upon them.
They spilled out of every alleyway-nearly two dozen howling madmen. The Elantris City Guards jumped up in surprise, startled from their leisurely idling
near the gate. but they were too slow. Shaor's men leapt toward the group of aristocrats and Elantrians. their mouths open savagely.
Then Eondel appeared. By some fortune of chance, he had chosen to accompany Sarene on the days trip and, as always, he had worn his sword-defying convention in favor of safety. In this instance, his caution was well placed.
Shaor's men weren't expecting resistance, and they stumbled over themselves before the general's swinging bIade. Despite his accumulating years, Eondel fought with spry dexterity, beheading two wildmen in one breath. Eondel's weapon, powered by healthy muscles, easily cut through the Elantrian flesh. His attack slowed the wildmen long enough for the Guards to join the battle, and they formed a line beside him.
Finally realizing that they were in danger, the nobles began to scream. Fortunately, they were only a few steps away from the gate. and they easily fled the chaos. Soon only Raoden and Sarene remained, looking at each other through the battle.
One of Shaor's followers fell at their feet, knocking over a carton of grain mush. The creature's belly was sliced waist to neck. and his arms flailed awkwardly, mixing the white mush paste with the slime of the cobblestones. His lips trembled as he stared upward.
'Food. We only wanted a little food. Food..' the madman said, beginning the mantra of a Hoed.
Sarene looked down at the creature, then took a step back. When she looked back up at Raoden. her eyes shone with the icy rage of betrayal.
'You held food back from them, didn't you?' she demanded.
Raoden nodded slowly, making no excuse. 'I did.'
'You tyrant!' she hissed. 'You heartless despot!'
Raoden turned to look at Shaor's desperate men. In a way, she was right. 'Yes. I am.'
Sarene took another step backward. However, she stumbled against something. Raoden reached out to steady her, but then stopped as he realized what had tripped her. It was a sack of food, one of the overstuffed bags Raoden had prepared for the Hoed. Sarene looked down as well. realization dawning.
'I almost started trusting you,' Sarene said bitterly. Then she was gone, dashing toward the gate as the soldiers fell back. Shaor's men did not follow, instead falling on the bounty that the nobles had abandoned.
Raoden stepped back from the food. Shaor's men didn't even seem to notice him as they tore into the scattered supplies, stuffing their faces with dirty hands. Raoden watched them with tired eyes. It was over. The nobles would not enter Elantris again. At least none of them had been killed.
Then he remembered Saolin. Raoden dashed across the courtyard to kneel beside his friend. The old soldier stared sightlessly into the sky, his head rocking
back and forth as he mumbled, 'Failed my lord. Failed my lord Spirit. Failed. failed, failed..
Raoden moaned. bowing his head in despair. What have I done? he wondered, helplessly cradling the newly made Hoed.
Raoden stayed there, lost in sorrow until long after Shaor's men had taken the last of the food and run off. Eventually, an incongruous sound brought him out of his grief.
The gates of Elantris were opening again.
