Terrible Swift Sword Read Free Page B

shadows he saw a galley riding low, and then ever so slowly roll over on its side, going down at the bow. Suzdalian rowers and the refugees on board spilled out into the surf.
    Another galley appeared out of the darkness, swinging in close. Maybe Drisila is on another ship, he thought, even as the coldness within screamed at him not to dream. Few of the ships had even touched land, their captains holding back from the crush. As far as he could tell, his was the only one to get back out.
    "Hamilcar?" The cry came from the closing ship.
    "He's safe!" Githra shouted. "We run back for Suzdal!"
    He wanted to protest, yet he knew that his voice would break with sobs, and so said nothing.
    Azreul came up to his side, whimpering, and he gathered the child into his arms, crushing him tight against his chest as if he could blot out the memory his five-year-old mind would forever carry.
    "Where's Mama?"
    "She'll be with us later," he choked, looking over at Elazar, as if his old friend could somehow still work a miracle.
    "She's a smart girl, young and strong," Elazar whispered. "I know her, she wouldn't stay with the mob. She'll most likely swim out and come back in to shore when it's safe."
    Already the cries on the beach were growing more distant. Knowing what he would have to order, he looked up at Githra.
    "We got a late start in, as is," Githra said softly. "We have to run—their air machines will be up before dawn, and there'll be no wind this morning. If we order any ships to swing back in they'll get mobbed by the people in the water, and the Merki guns will tear them apart."
    Numbly he nodded, unable to voice the commands.
    If peace was brewing between the Merki and Bantag he had to get word back to Keane, for this would change the balance against them even further. He saw Yuri sitting in the middle of the ship, eyes closed as if lost in serene thought. He was tempted to run the bastard through, so he looked away.
    There is no hope left here, he realized, his heart tight, a bitter bile burning his throat.
    When all of this was done the Cartha people would be but a memory, for whether the Merki won or lost would not matter for the Cartha people— they would be used in the war until all were dead. Even if he went back to them, his death offering would not change a thing. Keane was right in that: This would be a war to the finish between the Hordes and all humans on this world. But why did it have to be here? Could it not all have waited until after the Hordes had passed, letting some other people pay the price?
    "Take us home," Hamilcar whispered.
    Githra looked at him curiously, the single word sounding so strange. Hamilcar looked up at the man.
    "To Suzdal."

    Tayang, Qar Qarth of the Bantag Horde, leaned back upon his throne and smiled.
    "There has not been a moment such as this since the forgotten grandsires of our grandsires met two hundred circlings ago, to divide between us our paths across the everlasting steppe."
    Muzta, Qar Qarth of the tattered remnants of the Tugar Horde, sat in silence, looking over at the third Qar Qarth here this morning.
    Jubadi gazed upon Tayang with barely concealed hatred.
    "Yet you and I met less than two years before,"
    Jubadi finally replied, as if each word tasted of bitterness, "and you violated the blood pledge of protection and tried to kill me."
    "You knew what you were doing," Tayang retorted. "Your Vushka Umen slaughtered ten thousand of mine in reply. How do I know that they will not strike even now?"
    "Each of us has an umen here," Muzta interjected. "Ten thousand of our finest. A circle, for three days' ride in every direction on this border between Merki and Bantag lands, is cleared of all living things— Tugar, Merki, Bantag, and even cattle. No one will kill another today."
    Muzta looked from one to the other. Both had approached him, offering threats and promises, if only he would order his umen to swing over and aid in the destruction of the other.
    He had been tempted, to