But the fierceness of the kindreds heeded not the fire, nor overmuch
the men who leapt down from the stack before it, but they left all
behind them, faring straight toward the western outgate from the
Market-stead; and Face-of-god still led them on; though by now he was
wholly come to his right mind again, albeit the burden of sorrow yet
lay heavy on his heart. He had broken his axe, and had once more
drawn Dale-warden from his sheath, and many felt his point and edge.
But now, as they chased, came a rush of men upon them again, as
though a new onset were at hand. That saw Face-of-god and Hall-ward
and War-well, and other wise leaders of men, and they bade their folk
forbear the chase, and lock their ranks to meet the onfall of this
new wave of foemen. And they did so, and stood fast as a wall; but
lo! the onrush that drave up against them was but a fleeing shrieking
throng, and no longer an array of warriors, for many had cast away
their weapons, and were rushing they knew not whither; for they were
being thrust on the bitter edges of Face-of-god's companies by the
terror of the fleers from the onset of the men of the Face, the
Sickle, and the Vine, whom Hall-face and Stone-face were leading,
along with Folk-might.
Pages:
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556