Creed shouted up, “We’ve finished!”
“Stay there,” Tal said. He hurried down the ladder. “Here’s what I want you to do. Take a dozen of your men and horses and hold them back at the east wall. Be ready to ride. I want your other men behind that building there”—he pointed to the first building on the right, as one entered the gate—“out of sight when the gates come down. I want Raven to think he’s got a rout in progress, and I pray he comes riding in mad as hell and doesn’t realize it’s not just a bunch of Orodon hillmen he’s facing.’’
“What are you going to do?’’
“I’m going to be on the wall with as many of the Orodon as will go up there with me.’’
“Man, you’re going to burn.’’
“Not if I get off in time.’’
Creed shrugged. “Well, what’s the signal?’’
“No chance of a signal from me. It’s going to be too noisy. Tell whoever you think is best able to lead to just start shooting from up on the south wall when most of Raven’s company is inside the compound, then yell down to the men you’ve got behind that building to rush them from the rear. When you think it’s right, come riding hard, and we’ll roll them up.’’
“Captain, it’s crazy. We’ve only got a dozen men and Raven’s got a hundred and twenty or more.’’
“The odds will be less by the time you hit them. And he won’t know how many riders you’ve got. Try to make as much noise as you can: he won’t be able to see much with all the smoke.’’
“Smoke?”
Tal pointed to where the villagers were busy putting everything that could burn around the catapults.
Creed shook his head. “Man comes to burn this place to the ground, and you’re going to do it for him?’’
Tal laughed. “These people can always rebuild, but they’ve got to be alive to do it.” He thought for a moment. He had thirty mercenary fighters and another twenty-five adult Orodon warriors, as well as some boys who could be pressed into service, as well as about thirty fit women who would fight if it came down to it. “If I can knock Raven’s force down below seventy by the time you come riding out, we can throw equal numbers at them.’’
“It’ll be a slaughter,” said Creed.
“’These people are fighting for their lives, John. What are Raven’s men fighting for?’’
“Gold, but they’re hard, practiced men, and . . .” Creed shook his head in resignation. “You’re the captain, and I’m damned if I have a better plan, so we’ll do it your way.’’
A shout from the wall told Tal the second bridge was across the second trench. He said, “Pick your best dozen horsemen, John, and may the gods be with us all.” Then he turned and ran to the ladder, climbed quickly to the wall, and started passing the word to the men as to what he wanted next.
The mercenaries all left, some going to the south wall, others moving behind the building as ordered. To Jasquenel, Tal said, “I need brave men who will stay here with me and shoot arrows at Raven’s men once they’re inside the compound.”
“All of our men will stay if you wish.’’
“I need just ten,” said Tal. “Five on this side of the gate with me, and five more on the other side. Make it your best hunters. But they must make the invaders think there are many more of us on the walls, so tell them to yell, and move back and forth.’’
“It will be done.’’
“Tell the others to go to that building below us”—he pointed to the building opposite the one where Creed was placing the eighteen mercenaries—“and wait behind it. When you see the men I brought attack from behind that building over there, attack the enemy with everyone who can fight.” He paused. “And tell the women to start screaming, as if they are watching their children being murdered, when I set the fire over there.” He pointed to the catapults. “Make it sound as if all is lost, but I want them all armed and ready to defend the children.”
“They will be, Talon of the Silver Hawk,” said Jasquenel with a bow of his head. “No matter what occurs this night, the Orodon will sing your name, Last of the Orosini.’’
Tal gripped his arm and said, “May our ancestors watch us and smile upon us tonight.’’
“May it be so,” replied the old chieftain, and he started passing orders.
Looking down from his vantage, Tal saw that the turtle was almost up to the wall. Arrows stuck out of the wood like quills on a porcupine, while others bounced off harmlessly. He shouted, “Save your arrows!’’
The turtle remained below the gate for nearly half an hour. Tal wondered what they were doing, and then the men below started to withdraw. Glancing down, he saw something nestled against the gate, though in the darkness, he couldn’t make out what it was. He hurried down and made his way through the village to where Creed waiting, and described what he had seen.