第35节

'We'll also be done for if we don't get across the channel onto the

upper sandbar before that wheel-boat reaches us,' grunted

Rolling-Stone.

They all looked at the boat. Dark-Star, a M'Waukee summoner who had

been given the task of aiding the 'strategic withdrawal' asked the

question that was in everyone's minds: 'Can we outrun it?"

'Not if we stand here arguing,' said Rolling-Stone. 'I propose we

move. En masse. Now. All those in favour?"

The motion was carried by eleven to four.

Rolling-Stone turned to Dark-Star. 'Besides yourself, how many

summoners do we have who can raise stones?"

'I know of at least thirty. There could be more."

'Good. Pick nine of the best and spread yourselves out so as we've got

the full width of the sand-bar covered.

Position yourselves two hundred paces behind the front rank. The

signal to withdraw will be three blasts on the buffalo horns - repeated

twice. When you hear that, the front line will fall back towards you,

and as they reach you ' 'We hit the beach..."

'With everything you've got. Raise a wall of shit that will slow them

down and give us a head start." Rolling-Stone patted Dark-Star on the

shoulder. 'Take a group of your own clansmen to guard you and as soon

as you've got lift-off, pull back but keep the magic flowing for as

long as you can. Our second line will cover you."

Dark-Star eyed the old mute sceptically. 'What with?"

Rolling-Stone gave him a comradely slap on the back.

'Have faith, brother. Talisman looks after his own."

Yeahhh. Tell me something new...

When Rolling-Stone called for the bull-horus to be sounded, the

diverted wheel-boat was about four miles from the mouth of the channel

between the sandbars.

The eerie sound drifted across the water to reach the ear of

Samurai-Major Akido Mitsunari and Captain Umigami. Mitsunari was the

commander of the military force now assembled on the through-deck

below: a combined force of cavalry and infantry, ready to charge down

the gangways as soon as the boat reached the shore.

Umigami was Master of the vessel but when carrying troops he was

obliged by tradition, to follow the orders of their commander. As in

ancient Japan, the army took precedence over the navy. Umigami, an

officer in the merchant marine, ranked even lower in the pecking

order.

Mitsunari swept his powerful spyglass over the thousands of Mutes that

seemed to be milling about aimlessly along the lower sand-bar.

Although vastly outnumbered, his tiny force would make mince-meat of

them. No discipline!

he lamented inwardly. No organization!

As this judgement passed through his mind, the lines of She-Kargo

warriors positioned nearest to the D'Troit wilted then fell back

rapidly, opening up a wide gap between the opposing factions. The open

stretch of beach erupted with explosive force and an instant later

Mitsunari became aware of a high keening sound.

Through his spyglass he saw sand, stones, grass and gravel being sucked

up into moving funnels of air which then snaked forward at great speed

into the leading ranks of the She-Kargo. Dust devils! A stream of

mini-tornadoes that scythed through the advancing troops, knocking men

off their feet with a vicious hail of rocks and stones and momentarily

blinding others with whirling clouds of sand.

It was amazing. Mitsunari had never seen anything like it before. And

during the two or three minutes this barrage lasted, the entire

She-Kargo army had turned tail and was running towards the channel that

separated the two sandbars.

The next sound Mitsunari heard was an angry roar from seventy thousand