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forgotten that they were warriors.
Most of the old people, women, and children were assembling near the outskirts
of the town. The Rhylachans were too near Bird Creek; if the men fell, nothing would
remain to stop the Enemies from taking the town. A few warriors from the other towns
would escort them up to Corn Grows Tall, where they would at least be out of
immediate danger. A handful of old men and childless women were remaining behind to
look after the crops. It was hoped that the season was far enough along that they would
be able to tend the fields without too much effort. If not, there would be hunger come
winter. A na was among those staying, despite any number of dark looks and angry
gestures from No Tongue.
As the ghost eater approached the warriors, he saw Stands-in-Smoke among
them, a rifle balanced casually on her hip. She had a sober look on her face, very unlike
the rash, angry woman he had met only a few moons ago. Her rage had run out of her
somewhere along the path they had walked, leaving behind someone who perhaps
could truly lead her people. If she ever sees them again.
You re coming with us, he said when he drew near. It was not a question,
because he had expected as much.
She shrugged. I m needed. And I can fire a gun. She paused, then shook her
head. I never though I d miss an Outlander, but I wish Gwendith was here.
It hurt. So do I.
Jilhe strode up to the gathering, the gray in his hair looking more pronounced
than ever. The men had begun to defer to him because of his years and his talent with
weapons, so it fell to him to lead as much as anyone ever led Ahkan it, anyway. He
began to speak, his voice rolling out over the crowd, telling them of courage and
strength, and the honors to be gained through bravery. The ghost eater ignored him,
instead searching for faces he had known all his life. He wondered how many more
would be lost to him before the next moon.
And then they were off, shuffling into a single-file line going up the path leading
away from the town. Some of the younger men began singing a strident war-song, and
soon everyone but the ghost eaters and Stands-in-Smoke had joined in. At the verge of
the forest, the ghost eater looked back over his shoulder. But the taller men behind him
blocked his view, so he made no farewell to Bird Creek Town.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
The Ahkan i warriors crouched at the edge of a ravine. They had stationed
themselves all along the steep slopes, hidden by thickets of rhododendron and
blueberries. A great silence hung over the mountains, as if even the birds and squirrels
paused to see what would happen.
The ghost eater took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. The other ghost
eaters were spread out so that their initial attack would come from many directions,
rather than just one. Scouts claimed that the Rhylachans had already entered the lower
end of the ravine, seeking the easier path up the mountain that it seemed to offer. They
were slowed by their supply wagons and animals, and by their overweening confidence
that told them they could simply stroll into the mountains and do whatever they pleased.
Today, they would learn a different lesson. Today they would have their ghosts
eaten or sent to the Darkening Land.
If only that were all that would take place here. But he already knew that today he
would see people he had known and loved his entire life die as well. The thought was
paralyzing. He had already lost Gwendith. How could he bear losing anyone else?
The only thing more frightening was that their sacrifice might not be enough. If
they didn t stop the Rhylachans here and now& who would? And what devastation
would take place in the interim?
We will win, he told himself fiercely. We must.
The faint sound of voices echoed up the ravine. The ghost eater s muscles
tensed, and he leaned forward to catch the first gleam of sunlight on the soldiers bright
buttons. A squad of men marched boldly into sight& and then another& and
another& and another& .
The sun seemed to lose her warmth. Someone nearby made a sound of
disbelief. The ghost eater closed his eyes and felt despair settle into his bones. Kani,
help us. There were too many of them. At least three Rhylachan soldiers for every
Ahkan i warrior, with almost a fourth of them mounted on horses. Their guns showed
black in the early light, death made manifest.
The foremost squad of cavalry stopped, and the rest of the column ground to a
halt behind them. A man mounted on a white horse glanced around at the sides of the
ravine. Although the ghost eater couldn t make out his face at this distance, there was
cold arrogance in his bearing.
That s Colonel Ebrim, Johann whispered. The one who wanted to haul you off
after Talys caught you.
I know you re there! Ebrim shouted, his words echoing off the mountainside. A
flock of ravens exploded from the trees, startled by the sound.
The ghost eater stiffened. How Ebrim could have known about the ambush, he
couldn t guess. Perhaps someone in the ranks had a far-watching Way like Gwendith s.
But the sheer arrogance of the man, to march knowingly into a trap& he wasn t certain if
it was laughable or frightening.
Ebrim knew all right. He knew that he had them outnumbered, knew that he had
guns and they didn t. But he did not understand.
I wish to speak with your chief! Ebrim continued.
Chief? Translate his words for the others, the ghost eater ordered Johann.
Johann quickly did so. Several rifles swung in their direction as his words rang out.
I speak for the Ahkan it today, Jilhe called back. More rifles turned his way.
Johann translated once again. Leave this place at once! It is not meant for you.
These mountains are ours. The Wizards promised us complete dominion over
this world it s our destiny. But we haven t come here to hurt you or your people. We ve
come to help.
Stands-in-Smoke hissed an oath that earned her shocked looks from the men
nearby.
You will help us most by leaving, Jilhe replied calmly.
Ebrim traded glances with the aides mounted near him. We can t do that. You
know about the undead miners. Tell us how to defeat them, and we ll let you go back to
your homes.
And you will leave?
We can talk about that later. We ll send someone over to your village to talk to
you about setting up trade. We have things you ll want guns, whiskey, horses. If you
tell us what we need to know right now, we ll give you all those things and more.
Surely that isn t all you want.
Ebrim chuckled. You re canny, I can see that. We ll trade you all those things in
exchange for the fire-rock we ve been mining. Think of it guns to help you get game,
pretty things for your wives, whiskey to liven up your evenings all that, in exchange for
some rocks!
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