Yet so, too, did the blades of the Fists of Rakka hew, tabars and scimitars and spears hacking and hewing and piercing. Dwarves fell, men, too, along with Elves cut down, and Tipperton and Beau and Rynna and Linnet wept to see such slaughter, as did Farly and Nix and Alver and Dinly, the Warrows ineffective now that they couldn't loose arrow or bullet at all.
And still the sun-darkened men drove inward, the Allies pressed back and back, some to come in among the gathered horses and ponies of Elf and Dwarf and Warrow. The steeds squealed and milled in fright, though some of the Elven horses lashed out with hoof and laid about with teeth, striking among the enemy, though now and again the one attacked was an ally instead.
"If we can get to ponies," shouted Tipperton, "we can lead steeds across the bridge and out of harm's way."
"You heard him," called Rynna. "Find a pony to ride." Warrows sprang forward and darted and dodged down among milling horses and horselings and fighting men and Dwarves and Elves, and they caught up ponies and leapt astride. But even as the Warrows did so, among the Allies came racing black-robed foe, a wedge of the enemy plunging for the bridge, lit oil lanterns in hand.
"They're going to burn the bridge!" shouted Tipperton, spurring forward, but only Beau and Alver heard him, those two buccen galloping after.
Even as he rode, Tipperton strung an arrow to bow, and he felled one of the Fists of Rakka, as a sling bullet took another in the back of the head, crashing into skull and brain, the black-robed man to tumble, his lantern smashing on the ground, flaming oil bursting outward.
Tipperton loosed a second arrow, and another man fell dead, even as Alver's shaft slammed into the back of yet one more. But, staggering, the arrow-struck man turned and triggered his heavy crossbow-"Alver, look out!" cried Tipperton-the bolt to crash into Alver's chest and knock him over the rear cantle to crash unto the ground, his pony to run on without him.
Tipperton screamed in rage and nocked an arrow, but it was Beau's sling bullet that hammered into the man's eye and slew him.
Now the remaining men hurled their lanterns toward the bridge, some to smash onto wooden platforms, others to crash into Dragonships, still others missing altogether to plummet into the water below.
Though not burning with the intensity of Dwarven liquid fire, still oil was aflame on the span and in two of the boats below, and black-robed men stood athwart the path.
As Tipperton flew another arrow into the Fists of Rakka, from the far shore and westward there came a resonant horn cry, and the buccan turned to see -riders galloping, thousands of riders in the near distance, men and Elves racing along the Sea Road from the west, and in the lead rode Aravan and a redheaded warrior in scarlet-and-gold armor as well as a warrior with a white horsehair gaud flying out behind, and a host coming after.
"Aravan! Linde!" Tipperton cried, and he raised his own black-oxen horn to his lips and blew a ringing blast, and it was answered by Linde's pealing horn. And athwart the bridge the black-robed men quailed back to hear such a sound. And they turned to see the oncoming host, and fled back toward their own.
As Beau dismounted and ran to Alver, Tipperton pursued the fleeing burn squad and felled man after man, and now he was joined in the slaughter by Rynna and Linnet and Farly and Nix and Dinly, all winging arrows into the running men, and not a one survived.
Yet still the battle raged at the fore, Baeron and Fjordlanders and Jutlanders and Elves and Dwarves all crushing and slashing and hacking and piercing and felling black-robed men. But the Fists of Rakka gave as good as they got and slaughtered allies in turn.
But then from beyond the crest of the hills there sounded the cry of rams' horns, and at this signal the enemy struggled to break free, fighting to get clear of the melee. And Silverleaf signalled to Larana, and she blew the call to disengage, and men and Elves backed away in response, though Larana had to sound the call several times ere the Dwarves relinquished the fight.
And even as they disengaged, thundering across the bridge and through the flames came Aravan and Linde and the redheaded man in scarlet and gold, the host riding after.
And still the Fists of Rakka fled the field.
Again the legion flew arrows and bolts into the fleeing enemy, the Warrows' shafts quite deadly, as were the arrows cast from Silverleaf s white-bone bow.
"My Lord High King," cried Silverleaf as Aravan and Linde and the redheaded man came riding nigh, "shall we pursue?"
Tipperton's mouth fell open. So this is King Blaine, at last!
He saw a slender man perhaps in his fifties, his hair flaming red, his eyes a grim steel-blue. He looked to be some six feet tall, though mounted on a horse as he was it was difficult to say. He was accoutered in scarlet-and-gold armor, and a golden griffin was embossed on his crimson shield, and gripped in his hand was a scarlet morning star.
"Nay, Vanidar, for the enemy pacing us on this side of the Ironwater is not far behind."
The enemy on this side? Tipperton looked at Rynna and mouthed [The Southerlings?]
She nodded in agreement.
And still the High King's host thundered across the bridge and through the fire, even as Fjordlanders and Jutes sought to extinguish the flames.
"Then, my lord, we should take up arms and make ready to meet them at last," said Silverleaf.
"Aye, Vanidar, do prepare. And while I deploy the host as it comes across this splendid bridge of yours, send scouts to see to the foe's whereabouts."
"We stand ready, my lord," said Rynna.
Turning to see who had spoken, "Waerlings!" called the King, his eyes widening, seeing the Wee Folk for the first time.
Linde and Aravan turned as well, and Linde said, "Ho, Sir Tipperton, I thought I recognized your horn."
The King's eyes widened again. "Sir Tipperton? The one who aided in the liberation of Mineholt North and delivered the coin to Agron?"
Tipperton nodded but added, "With Beau and Phais and Loric and Bekki, my lord, as well as with a host of others."
"And did you not aid Mage Imongar to slay the Gargon?"
" 'Twas her hand loosed the spear, my lord. I did but little to aid."
The High King smiled and said, " 'Tis not the way she tells it, Sir Tipperton, but regardless, well done." Then his eye took in the other Warrows, and he turned to Silverleaf. "These are your scouts, Lord Vanidar? I could not ask for better."
"Nay, thou couldst not," called a voice, and Tipperton looked up to see Phais and Loric riding nigh. The Dara and Alor leapt down and embraced the wee Warrow, and looked upon Rynna in wonder, for she had been said to be slain.
Yet war has little time for reunions, and ere other than mere greetings could be said "Aye, my lord," replied Silverleaf, "the Waerlinga are indeed worthy scouts, yet in this task I deem swift horses are needed rather than quick ponies."
Nix started to protest, but Rynna silenced him with a glance and said, "Nevertheless, Alor Vanidar, though Hyree and Kistan and Chabba come along the river, still someone needs keep track of the Fists of Rakka, and they fled into the twisting ways of the hills yon, and who better than we Warrows to keep pace with them therein?"
Silverleaf inclined his head. "So be it, Commander Rynna, send thy scouts after. Yet heed: as to thee, I would have thee remain in camp, for should we get the chance ere the foe arrives, a council of captains must needs be called."
Rynna's face fell, yet she nodded her agreement and turned to the other Warrows. "Tipperton, take Linnet with you. Nix, you ride with Dinly. Farly will take- I say, where is Alver?"