The other voice. 'Let my people carry the load.'
'Who, Grandmother?' Duwan asked.
'I know not. Farewell.'
With the coming of the light, he gathered them, Drinkers and ex-slaves, and he stood on a rise and looked at them, seeing masses of rags, gauntness, only a few with weapons. They were whispering among themselves. He raised his right hand and there was silence, only the luffing breeze and the stir of the leaf organs of the nearby tall brothers breaking it.
'We are of a people,' he said quietly, but his voice carried well. 'Today we march to the south.' A cheer went up and he waited for it to quiet.
'Today I give you a choice, for no longer can the Drinkers of the valley carry your load. Now you are free, as we are free. Do you value this freedom?'
A roar was his answer.
'Then here is what you must do,' he said, his voice rising. 'This is the law of Du. There is one Du and you will honor him, and obey his laws. You will live in brotherhood with all things, except the Enemy, who has dishonored Du and usurped his lands and his people. You will not take a brother's all, but will share only that of his substance that will not cause him harm. You will honor and obey those chosen by Du to lead you and instruct you, although you are free. You will eat of the green, growing brothers, and drink of Du and honor him by exposing your hides to his goodness.'
He paused. There was a gentle murmur of sound from the assembled people. 'Mark those laws well. You are a member of the Army of Du, and the breaking of Du's laws will bring punishment. If you choose not to abide by these laws, then now is the time to state so, and leave. You are free to go. Now. If you choose to leave us you will not be punished, nor condemned. Go, if that is your choice.'
Again he paused. A growing sound of voices came to him. He watched, half expecting the crowd to melt away in front of him. Instead, they pressed closer, until he could smell them.
'So be it,' he said. 'Now, there are also rules of common sense. A clean body is a healthy body. Water washes away the sweat and soil of the day, and a scouring with sand cleanses all. Water also takes the stench from your garments, and does not harm them. When we march to the south I do not want to smell you.'
Laughter.
'Nor do I want an enemy, downwind, to scent out our presence,' he said, smiling, hearing more laughter.
'I want all bowmen to join my father there,' he said, pointing. 'You will be our shock force. You will have first crack at the enemy. Work hard, my friends. Hone your skills so that not a single arrow is wasted. Swordsmen, there,' he pointed to another area. 'This will be a day of practice, for you will finish what the bowmen start. The coming battles are yours. Will you be prepared?'
A roar told him of their eagerness, but he was still doubtful. He kept that doubt until, wearing freshly washed rags and smelling only of fresh sweat, pong bowmen cut down all exposed enemy, after approaching the settlement in the cover of the stream's swath, and pong swordsmen, with few losses, cleared the settlement of surviving enemies.
Night. Flickering firelight. Duwan sat, a robe over his shoulders, gazing into the fire. Jai and his mother were preparing food. His father and Dagner, who seemed to grow younger, rather than older, sat on either side of him.
'They fought well, my warriors,' Dagner said. 'And we recovered all but five arrows.'
'They are in high spirits,' Duwan the Elder said.
'Yes,' Duwan agreed. 'We move with the light.'
'I will fight with them next time,' Dagner said.
'No,' Duwan told him.
'There is a garrison of soldiers at the next place,' Dagner said.
'Conscripts,' Duwan said.
'But well armed.' Dagner pointed out.
'The conscripts have not much more training than our most experienced troops,' Duwan said. 'No, this is their
