The dry land between the ditch and the flooded basin was only about thirty paces wide, about the same as the width of the ditch. Those two distances, taken together, would give them more than enough room to op-erate. Esk kar knew that they were thinking it shouldn’t be too difficult to surround the village and attack from many points at the same time.
Gatus strolled up to where Esk kar stared at the Alur Meriki. “Well, Captain, what do you think? Should we have flooded the ditch or not?” He said it seriously, without any hint of second — guessing his leader.
“It’s too late, now, Gatus. If I’m wrong, you’ll probably not get a chance to tell me so.” If the enemy came in full strength against many parts of the wall, the village might fall. Esk kar swore again, worried that he had guessed wrong about the first attack.
“Looks like a little disagreement out there,” Gatus commented, shading his eyes. “Maybe they’re already arguing over the spoils.”
One chief did look a little angry, his horse moving restlessly as its master gesticulated, at one point slapping his breast to emphasize some point.
Esk kar wondered what they could be quarrelling about, even before the first attack? Put yourself in their place. His mind went over the possibilities. One situation seemed likely-that the fourth standard belonged to the war chief, and that he wanted to wait before attacking. The more excited warrior probably wanted to attack at once. Esk kar couldn’t be sure, but… if you decide something, be firm about it. Mistakes can be overcome, but never moments of indecision.
“Where’s Mitrac? Mitrac! Come here,” Esk kar shouted. In a moment the young man approached, having followed his captain’s travels along the wall. Esk kar pointed to the chiefs. “You see that chief that’s arguing out there? Can you see who he’s arguing with? That’s the war leader, and he’s the chief you’ll go after when the time is right. Always look for him, but not in the first fight. Don’t try to kill him yet.”
Mitrac studied the distant horsemen. “Yes, Captain, I think you’re right. From the tower, we saw each of the three speak to him in turn. He says little, just seems to listen. It’s the others who talk the most. His horse is that bay, the one with the white spot on the shoulder.”
Esk kar cursed his eyesight again. He couldn’t distinguish any mark-ings on the horse, but the chief appeared to be wearing something white around his neck. “Good, good. Now, you see the one doing all the arguing?
I don’t want him killed either.”
Mitrac turned to stare into Esk kar’s eyes. “But, why… I mean
… why not shoot at either of them?”
“Because the loud one is probably the war chief who’ll lead the first attack, and he wants all the glory for taking the village by himself. I think the other chief is the one in charge. He’s probably the smartest one they have, while the other is the most reckless and ambitious. For the first attack we want the reckless one in charge, not dead by some lucky arrow fired at long range. After the attack fails, then you can kill him. And after today, you try and kill the other man every chance you get. Understand?”
“Why, yes… yes, I understand. I think I understand.” Mitrac eyes had gone wide in awe of Esk kar’s reasoning. “I’ll go tell my father,” he added, anticipating Esk kar’s next command.
“Good, and make sure he understands why. Off you go.”
When the boy trotted off, Gatus came over, shaking his head but smiling at the same time.
“Well, old man, what are you laughing at?”
“By sundown the story will be all over Orak. How Esk kar picked out the war chiefs and figured out their plans.” He smiled again and lowered his voice. “If I didn’t know you better, I’d almost believe you know what you’re doing.”
“If I knew what I was doing, I wouldn’t be standing here with you behind this puny wall. But it’s better to be lucky than smart, so let’s hope our luck holds out.”
Voices rippled along the wall and Esk kar turned back to watch the riders. They’d started to move, not returning the way they came, but moving toward the north. He watched them ride, graceful on their wiry horses, so much at home as they rode across the burnt — out stubble of what had been, until a few days ago, a grassy plain. He glanced up at the sun and saw noon approached. They’d watched the horsemen for almost two hours.
“Gatus, do whatever else you need to strengthen this corner of the wall. Make sure that the whole length from here down to the river is ready.
No matter what that eager war chief decides, there will be some attacks down this side.”
“We’ll be ready. Now you go and talk to Trella. She’s waiting down there for you.”
Esk kar looked down into the village. He picked her out at once, surrounded by half a dozen women and her two bodyguards. Esk kar recognized the burly Klexor standing behind her.
Walking along the wall until he could descend, Esk kar strode across the open space toward the house that shaded Trella and her party. He greeted everyone as they moved aside.
“Good morning, husband. I’ve some food and water for you.” Trella carried a small basket under her arm.
She looked serene and confident, not a trace of last night’s frightened girl. She wore her poorest shift, the one she had on that fi rst night. Today she carried the dagger Esk kar had taken from Drigo’s dead hand. He felt glad that she’d been trained in its use.
They sat on the ground, their backs against the wall, while the others moved away to give them some privacy. “You seem much better today, wife. Did you sleep well?” Esk kar ignored the smiles that appeared on some of the nearby faces. He wondered whether they knew everything that went on in his bedchamber, including how often and how well he made love to his woman.
“Yes, I slept very well. Now eat and drink. You may not get a chance later.” She handed him a piece of bread. “Will they attack today?”
“In a few hours. They’re waiting for the great chief and more men, just in case the first attack is successful.” He told her what he’d seen from the wall and his thoughts on what the barbarians would do.
“You know how they think, Esk kar. More important, the rest of the villagers feel secure when you act confidently.” She put the basket between them. “Finish your food while you can.”
Her agreement made him feel surer of himself and he took pleasure in that. He fell to work on the slices of bread and chicken, the meat still warm. Though he’d eaten breakfast only a few hours ago, he found himself hungry again, and the heat of the day had already given him a thirst.
Esk kar almost drained the water skin before he remembered to offer her some.
She finished the water. “Give the rest of the chicken to Gatus. I must return to my duties. The old men grow nervous and quarrelsome if I’m not there to reassure them.”
“Be careful,” he warned her. “Don’t stand where a stray arrow can fi nd you. And don’t…”
She stood and smiled at him. “Yes, master, I will obey, and you don’t need to repeat yourself a dozen times.” He must have looked crestfallen, for she leaned down and kissed his cheek. “Good fortune to you today, husband.” And she walked off, her followers trailing behind, some of the women looking back at him and giggling.
He hadn’t adjusted yet to that new experience, the constant stares and giggles from the women, who acted as if they knew all the intimate details of his personal life. Before Trella, no woman had dared to laugh at him. Barbarian customs had much to recommend them, he decided once again.
He walked back to the wall, carrying the basket. He found Gatus underneath the parapet, swearing at two of his men for some infraction.
“Trella sends you some chicken for lunch, so I suppose you’ll have to eat it.” He pushed the basket into his hands. “Get some rest.” When the man started to protest, Esk kar held up his hand. “You won’t have time later.” He turned to one of the ever — present Hawk Clan bodyguard. “Bring water for Gatus, and make sure you men get something to eat and drink as well.”
Esk kar spent the next hour pacing the wall, making sure everyone stayed alert and that the archers knew their roles, places, and orders. He had to be careful where he stepped-the top of the parapet creaked under the weight of stones piled upon it. Any more and there would be no room for his archers.
Satisfied with the preparations, he reviewed the signals that would allow him and his men to communicate through the chaos of battle. He even found time to talk with some of the villagers, those who stood ready to use short spears, axes, and forked sticks.
Three hours past midday shouts went up from those manning the wall.
Esk kar ran lightly up the steps to the position he had selected to defend, about fifty paces from the
