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HeBellereth righted hi The battle turned into a rout Pieces of armor and pieces of swordsmen flew in all directions

What was left of the swords their line of retreat blocked by the raging red-scale, waded into the trees, only to be pulled under by drakes--or a crocodile or two that smelled blood in the river and decided to take an easy meal courtesy of warfare

The Copper spottedwar machines that looked like oversize crossboard the bank of the river and hurried toward HeBellereth But Nivohty dragon, to take cover behind the trees at the riverbank HeBellereth, his blood flath to fly a few dragonlengths to reach a thicker section of trees

The catapults on the other side of the river sent a rain of stones, but they fell somewhat short of the bank A drake or taded into the river to roar defiance at the retreatingat the bodies scattered on the hillside

"This is news our Tyr ish to hear," Nivoht with triuiven them a shock," the Copper said "Now it’s tiood Fire They’ll send are their dead"

Nilrasha appeared at his side with her usual stealth "The bigger the army the better," she said "More mouths to feed Let them sit behind their burned-out walls and starve; we’ll cut off their flocks and take their wagons"

The Copper half expected Nivouments Nivom just said, "We’ve traded blood for blood; it’s tie a peace They ree to stay on the north side of the river froht, a win, and a peace will please him," Nilrasha said "Honors all around"

Nivom, for all his brains, had little experience with hoht They designed deals only to get what they wanted for a otten They had to be onhood, and tuck their squalling broods in at night with tales of fiery vengeance falling froet a lasting peace unless you’re negotiating froth," the Copper said Nilrasha chirped agree him now that his blood was up

"‘Settle terround,’" Nilrasha quoted, using one of NoSohoth’s briefer maxims

"The Upholder would just as soon end this war quickly," Nivom said "In his Uphold, NiThonius speaks with the Tyr’s voice"

The Copper tried to count the warriors left in the towers, his blood cooling and the wisdo his scale "A few days behind those stone walls and they’ll ive in fast enough if there were nothing between thehter tribes but a pile of rubble If only we could bring the as the Ghi men But I saw fire slide off the stones like rain," Nilrasha said

"War hters build sohed "Not to match the Ghi men’s They’re cleverer when it comes to such contraptions, and they have better steel and wood than the bleached-out timber under this sun around here Their projectiles can always fly higher and farther…

Nivoave a little choke, and the Copper wondered if he was having an attack of some kind Had a poisoned arrow pierced hiaard! I think we can do it Yes, I’athered, each on their own bank of the river According to the blighters so settleht safety for their families behind the thick stone walls of the town Boats soon crowded the riverside below the town, and herds sheltered at night beneath the city walls

The blighters gathered too, but soht at the rew bored and wandered away Even the king himself cauarding the river crossings, which set the blighters all to groveling and celebrating as they heaped the few re captured weapons at his feet

Meanwhile, Nivoon recovered fro rainy-season-fat Bant cattle and gazelles, though he so watched HeBellereth’s endless flights and practice drops with the stones, and then ordered his people to assist the dragons with their strong backs