第32节

brothers who later became known as the Plainfolk.

Later, when the delegates to the midnight war council had agreed on a

joint plan of action and returned to their own lines, Mr Snow toured

the M'Call encampment, bringing hope and encouragement to his clanfolk

like Shakespeare's Henry V on the eve of Agincourt.

His last call was upon Blue-Thunder, Rolling-Stone and Boston-Bruin who

sat around one of the many fires with the other leading lights of the

M'Call trade delegation.

As he squatted down and warmed his hands, Rolling-Stone threw some more

wood onto the glowing embers and stared moodily into the leaping

flames. 'So tomorrow's the big day..."

'Yes, when the wheel-boats get here." Mr Snow's voice was racked and

hoarse from countless hours of argument and persuasion.

Blue-Thunder tested the edge of the blade he was sharpening. 'I don't

understand it. The D'Troit must know we know what they're up to. Why

are they waiting?

Why didn't they attack us today?"

'Psychology."

Blue-Thunder frowned at the unfamiliar word.

'They're trying to unnerve us by letting the pressure build up.

Keeping us in suspense. The way the numbers are stacked up they know

we are not going to attack them. In theory, they can strike when and

where they please. But it will be on the beach at dawn tomorrow.

That's what I'm counting on."

'But what makes you so sure?" insisted Blue-Thunder.

'Because it's the dead-faces from the YamaShita family who want to get

even. They'll use the D'Troit and maybe the C'Natti to make the

opening play but they'll be in at the kill. You've seen them at

work.

Chopping people to pieces is what Iron Masters like doing best.

They're not going to come all this way just to watch from the

sidelines."

Doctor-Hook, a M'Call warrior who often acted as a bodyguard to Mr

Snow, approached the fire. 'It is time to leave, Old One."

'Good." Mr Snow rose to his feet. The others followed.

After exchanging farewell handclasps with each of them, he said: 'If

any of you have any questions about who's supposed to be doing what

come the dawn now's the time to ask. We may not see each other

again."

He ran his eyes around the ring of mishapen firelit faces. No one

spoke.

'Good." He turned to go.

'There is one thing,' said Blue-Thunder. 'That stuff in the

bull-ring.

Was it true? Did Cadillac, Clearwater and the cloud-warrior kill

hundreds of dead-faces like Prime-Cut said?"

'They may have done. According to Carnegie-Hall, Cadillac said they

were involved in a big battle in which many died. If it's true then

it's something we should be proud of."

'Yes. But did the sand-burrowers help them win it?"

Mr Snow shrugged. 'Who can say? Talisman moves in mysterious ways."

He drew his dark-hued cloak around his body with a showman's

flourish.

'Now! I suggest those of you who form part of the beach party should

try to get a little sleep. When you wake up you'll find the weather is

to our advantage. Make the most of it because we won't be able to hold

it in place for long." He backed away, his hand raised in a last

farewell. 'And for goodness sake, try to look more cheerful! We're

going to win!" The M'Call elders and the other members of the

She-Kargo war council who shared their misgivings as the small hours

ticked away might have gained some comfort had they known that the

leader