The Trees And The Night (Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

comrades. His only thought was keeping the Hackles at bay. The prince gave up all hope of defending the slope. There were too many for that. He backed against the wall, using his long staff to keep the Ulrog and their short cleavers from coming too close.
    It was only a matter of time now. The Ulrog sensed victory, but none of the Hackles wanted to sacrifice themselves for the glory of the others. Granu narrowed his eyes and studied his opponents as he hammered and thrust, forcing them back. They would rush him shortly, but knowing when became key.
    Who would initiate the attack? All units, whether they be a Keltaran hammer or an Ulrog pack, develop an internal hierarchy regardless of actual rank. All men defer to the most feared fighter among them, whether he is a general or a private. The six Ulrog who stood about him were no different. They were all well aware of the strongest fighter amongst them. That fighter would be the Hackle to make the first attack. He would feel the pressure of his reputation as the seconds dragged by. The others would wait for his lead.
    The trick for Granu was to assess which of these Hackles held that reputation. This would afford him the best reaction to their attack. The largest Hackle stood to Granu’s left and appeared to be the logical choice, but this Ulrog’s eyes nervously darted to a smaller comrade with black claws beside him. Granu focused his attention there and waited for their rush.
     
    Vieri’s mind raced. Which of the Ulrog should she encounter first? She shifted her weight to the right. If she could force one of the two over the ledge, she might have a chance.
    A roar of desperation erupted behind her. Her head pivoted to see a rock encrusted claw slowly slipping from the edge of the precipice. The other clung desperately to the fringe of her cape. The girl’s eyes widened with terror.
    In an instant the claws disappeared, the cape went taut and ripped Vieri from her feet, launching her over the ledge into the chasm below.
     
     “NOOOOOOO!” screamed Cefiz in his head.
    The Guardsman staggered forward toward the ledge. Spasms of pain ripped through his chest but he fought them off. The charging Ulrog halted for a moment in confusion, unaware of how their enemy was defeated. They moved upward and glanced over the ledge to the shadows below.
    Sorrow swept over Cefiz. Then anger. He released a cry of hatred then stumbled toward the Ulrog, raising his saber. The pair turned and snarled, exposing their broken, stony teeth. Their smiles were full of satisfaction.
    They faltered. Their hesitation confused Cefiz. The Ulrog’s expressions turned from one of satisfaction to a contortion of abject fear. They stepped back and their eyes widened as a huge gray figure knocked Cefiz aside and descended upon them. The weak Guardsman tumbled to the ground. The gray robes of the Delvin order flowed past.
     
    Black Claws shifted his cleaver to his right hand.
    “So he will attack my left,” thought Granu. “He fears the chasm and wishes to force me against the wall to protect his own hide.”
    Granu readied himself. If he could block Black Claw’s cleaver, he could quickly turn on the two Ulrog standing closest to the slope. With enough force, they would be the first to fall.
    A weaponless Ulrog crashed down the slope into the circle of Hackles surrounding Granu. The creature lay immobile. His head twisted at a sickening angle from his shoulders. A guttural roar echoed from the slope above and the huge form of Nostr moved down toward the group. The largest Ulrog stepped backward and again glanced to Black Claws for direction. Black Claws snarled and spat. He turned and loped down the slope away from the advancing scribe. Immediately, the entire circle ran after their leader. Granu remained rigid and braced against the wall, his staff extended.
    Nostr strode past the giant without glancing at him. The Delvin priest shouted and howled in the tongue of the Ulrog. The Hackles fled before