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.Out of breath he told him what he had seen.Without hesitation theytoo started to climb the main hill, from the other side.At the top of the hill, Grunwell and Jerruth had heard the racketmade by clashing swords and the cries of mortally wounded men.Grunwell had drawn his sword.Jerruth, all blood drained from hisface, looked around as if trying to decide from where the dangerwould come. Bonds of Fear 491 Your highness, you stay here while I go investigate.The menknow they should gather here.Soon some of them will get here.Ifnobody has come within the next minutes you do as we agreed.Rundown the hill and get out of here.Don t look back.Wait for nobody.Save yourself. Jerruth hesitated. No, he said finally, I m coming with you. He drew his sword as well. Your highness, no, please, do as we agreed. It sounded pleading. We didn t agree anything, Grunwell.I m coming with you.I llfeel safer, I ll be safer with you. Grunwell looked deeply unhappy. Your highness, please, I would really feel more at ease knowingyou had gotten away unseen. He got no answer. Please, Jerruth, he whispered. No, Grunwell, I m not leaving you. He smiled faintly. Don tmake me order you, he added softly.The big Tribesman saw the boy wouldn t budge from his decision. Very well, but stay a few feet behind me. Looking right and left they slowly descended the hill.They hadalmost reached the small patch of trees, when seven Black Shieldsappeared from between the woodworks.One of them, his sword stillin his hand, took a few steps in their direction. Good afternoon, he said. I am Gerrubald, Baron Damydas,captain of the Black Shields.By appointment of his Glorious Majesty,Tenaxos I, High King of Ximerion, I am also authorized to call myself 492 Andrew AshlingAutarch of the Northern Marches. He paused, then broke out in a charming smile and looked atJerruth. His Highness, Prince Anaxantis, I presume. Jerruth took one look into the eyes of the baron and knew thathe had lived. Bonds of Fear 493 494 Andrew AshlingChapter 14:What Makes a PrinceTwo groups stood in formation to attack each other, blocking theNorthern Highway.The remaining twenty one Black Shields, although outnumberedby now, were too disciplined to show any sign of concern, let alonefear.The Tribesmen of Mekthona on the other hand, although bynow with twenty seven survivors in the majority, seemed to havesome difficulty to keep their horses standing still.Emelasuntha addressed several men individually.One by onethey lined up in front of the group, seven next to each other.Xirull looked with attention at his opponent. What is she doing? Is she preparing another attack or just puttingher men at ease? And what is happening over there? He called one of his men. Your eyes are better than mine, he said. Are some of themleaving their formation? The man squinted his eyes. In all appearance some of them are leaving the road, sergeant.They re behind the bushes on the side now. Bonds of Fear 495 The terrain doesn t permit fast riding.There is a creek that s fartoo wide to cross easily.Why? Why are they leaving the road? He signaled another man. You, dismount and go look whether they are crossing the creek, he ordered. She can t be foolish enough to think I would let them pass. It took a while for the Black Shield to return. Sergeant, five have crossed the creek, and I saw one crossing it,wading through it, leading his horse.I could at least see four of themwaiting their turn. Damn that woman.She can see as well as I do that the terrain istoo hard on the horses.Does she think that we won t be able to crossthe creek in time to stop them? She has five men on the other bankalready.That could be enough to prevent our men from climbing outof the creek. That witch is trying to steal a march on us, before our very eyes, he shouted. Cross the creek as quick as possible.If her men get therebefore we do, we ll be stuck on this side.They only need a few mento keep us from climbing the other bank.The rest could be going theGods know where. He ordered five men to stay to ford off any possible attack by theseven Tribesmen that were still blocking the road.He was the thirdto jump into the creek.Emelasuntha and Sobrathi were waiting behind the bushes.TenTribesmen had crossed the creek and were making their way in thedirection of the Black Shields, who in their turn were crossing thewater in groups of three.One of the Tribesmen turned around andmade a sign.He held his left arm before his breast and raised hisright hand, fingers spread. 496 Andrew Ashling Five have crossed, Sobrathi whispered.The Tribesman made a fist and spread his fingers again. And another five
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