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could almost wish you luck, Carl. You ve been a gallant foe, and I would we had been friends.
The Lann stood waiting on either side of the cleared space, row on row of tensed and breathless
men, still shaken by the thunder of the bombs. The defenders went outside their own barricade to watch.
Go get him, Carl! shouted Owl.
Carl crossed blades with Lenard. Are you ready? he asked.
Yes, said the northerner. Let s go!
His saber slithered free and lifted for a downward sweep. Carl struck first, holding his shield up as he
battered against Lenard s. The prince s blade rasped across that shield and slewed about toward Carl s
thigh. The boy smote downward, beating the enemy weapon aside, and skipped back. Lenard rushed at
him, blade howling. It crashed mightily against Carl s shield. The boy planted himself firm, and his lighter,
straight weapon clashed against the saber.
Then they were at it, ducking and dodging, weaving around, and steel banging on steel. Carl s
flickering blade sprang past Lenard s guard to slash the man s cheek. Lenard s saber answered, ringing
on the Dales-man s helmet, bouncing from his shield. It struck the rim of that bullhide defense with a fury
that dragged Carl s arm down. The Lann warrior grunted, thrusting forward, but his curved edge slid off
the armored shoulder beyond. Carl hacked at the calf of his en-emy s leg and felt his weapon bite
through leather and flesh. The Dalesmen whooped.
Lenard growled and bored in, a sudden whirring, clamoring blur of attack. The blows hailed and
thundered, shivering in Carl s muscles and bones. He tried to parry, and his sword was hammered aside.
Lenard drove forward relentlessly. Carl stepped back, panting.
Whooo bang! Carl s head reeled with the shock. Stars danced before his eyes. Lenard hewed at
his ankles, drawing blood. Carl slashed at the barbarian s arm. The cut was deep, but the blunted edge
would not bite well. Lenard grinned in fury and his snake s-tongue saber blazed against the boy s
defense. A ragged hole opened in the Dale shield, carved away by shrieking steel. Carl met the saber in
mid-sweep, sparks and rattling. He ran backward as Lenard par-ried. The saber howled by his ear and
raked down his sword arm.
He was fighting desperately now, against an older, heavier, more experienced warrior. The shock
and thunder of blows was loud in his ears. He crossed blades and his own was hurled aside almost
wrenched from his hand. The frame of his shield gave away, a splinter stabbing his left arm. He threw the
thing off, hurling it under Lenard s feet. The northerner tripped over it and crashed to the ground. Carl
hacked at him, but the enemy shield turned his blow and Lenard scrambled up again.
Well done! he cried.
His saber whistled against Carl s now unshielded left. The boy retreated, weaving a barrier of flying
metal to guard himself. The Lann army tightened and cheered, seeing him outclassed.
He couldn t go any farther. The wall of a building opposite the vault was suddenly against his back.
Carl planted his legs firm and struck two-handed at Lenard, letting the northerner s blade smash at his
own armored side. The straight sword whined against
Lenard s incautiously exposed head. Blood ran free and Lenard s helmet rolled off. Carl had cut its
chin strap but done little other harm. Lenard shook his head, bull-like, briefly dazed, and gave Carl a
chance to slip back into the open.
Yelling, Lenard rushed him. Carl twisted his body sideways, holding his left arm out of danger. He
thrust against the attacking barbarian, reaching for the eyes. Lenard nearly spitted himself, but he danced
aside in time. Carl drilled in, pulling his dagger out with his left hand. Sword caught on sword, and Carl
stabbed with the knife.
His thrust, awkwardly made, did little harm. Lenard broke free and crashed his shield-rim down on
Carl s wrist. Numbed, the boy dropped the dagger. Lenard thrust close, sword spitting from behind his
shield. Carl clinched again. Lenard thrust a sudden foot be-hind Carl s ankles and shoved. The boy went
over on his back. Lenard sprang at him. Carl kicked with both feet. The kick thudded against Lenard s
shield, driv-ing him back. Carl rolled free and regained his stance, panting.
Lenard s blade sang against Carl s helmet. The Dalesman staggered, and the watching Lann cheered
afresh. Carl lurched back, Lenard hammering his defense.
Carl, Carl, groaned Owl.
Wildly, the boy held firm and battled. His breath was sobbing now. A wave of dizziness went through
him and his knees shook. He was not afraid. There wasn t time for fear. But his body wouldn t obey; it
was too tired.
He sent a mighty blow against Lenard s bare head. The shield came up to catch it, and the saber
chopped for his neck. Carl ducked, letting the sweep ring on his helmet. He yanked his sword free and
stabbed two-handed against Lenard s shield. The bullhide gave but only a little, and Carl had to leap
away before he was cut down.
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