"Vance Moore - Magic The Gathering - Masquerade Cycle 03 - Prophecy" - читать интересную книгу автора (Moore Vance)

hand, and Haddad realized the stupidity of saying anything
aloud.
Soldiers picked over the battlefield, and Haddad
realized he was seeing the enemy for the first time. From
this distance, and with the sun behind them, it was
difficult to make out details. The soldiers seemed very
large compared to the League bodies scattered over the
field, but perhaps the dead looked smaller when compared
to the living. The figures were odd in proportions, and he
could hear their voices, deep and guttural as they turned
over and searched the pockets and wallets of the dead.
Haddad grasped his launcher more tightly and wished he had
the longer ranged war rocket load instead of Natal's web
round. He looked to the sergeant for orders, but Atul
stared beyond the debris below and farther on. Haddad
followed Atul's gaze and saw the raiders' camp. Even from
this distance, he could see League prisoners gathered
under Keldon guard. There were huge machines of some type
and only a few men with mounts of horses or camels. There
were far fewer men than Haddad would have thought possible
to overcome the League men and machines. Atul motioned
everyone to withdraw. They slid down the slope, each
trying to be silent and cringing at the odd word or oxen
low from the supply group.
The sergeant whispered instructions even as Corporal
Vanosh raced back up the line of wagons to start the
retreat.
"The Keldons must be out looking for other League
forces-there are just too few otherwise." He turned and
addressed Haddad and Natal. "When we withdraw you two will
keep your attention to the rear. Be prepared to sound the
alarm, but stay quiet unless you clearly spot the enemy
and he spots you. No unnecessary noise." Sergeant Atul
gestured emphatically even as his voice remained at a
whisper. But even as he attempted to salvage the
situation, a loud cry of alarm sounded up the line.
"Raiders, Sergeant!" The corporal was coming back from
the rear at a run. Drivers were on the ground and
preparing for battle.
Sergeant Atul cursed. "Come on men! We'll see them
off!" He grabbed two drivers. "Get water bags and
blankets," he whispered. "We'll run if we can." The
drivers dived into the rear of the wagons and began
slinging out water bottles for after the fight. Haddad and
Natal followed Atul as he reached the last wagon. They
followed someone who knew what he was doing even as they
left one point of the column exposed to attack. The
corporal was up in a driver's seat, moving the wagon to
the side to start a wall. One other driver was also moving
his team, but the Keldons were advancing, a troop on