wilbursmith_warlock-第90章

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he　flames　along　the　bottom　of　the　fence。　They　caught　instantly；　rising　in　a　towering　wall　of　awful　crimson　flame　and　dark　smoke。
　　
　　Nefer　saw　the　wall　of　flame　rise　ahead　of　them；　and　though　he　had　anticipated　it；　still　his　spirits　quailed　and　he　feared　for　the　horses；　for　they　had　already　endured　so　much。　He　watched　Krus'　ears　and　saw　them　switching　back　and　forth　with　alarm　as　he　smelt　the　smoke　and　watched　the　flames　leap　and　tumble　on　the　wind。
　　
　　Not　far　behind　them　he　heard　Daimios'　derisive　jeers：　'Take　the　long　road；　Nefer　Seti。　The　fire　is　too　hot　for　your　tender　skin。'
　　
　　Nefer　ignored　him　and　studied　the　wall　of　fire　as　they　bore　down　on　it。　There　was　no　weak　place　that　he　could　see；　but　the　nearest　end　had　been　lit　first　and　the　flames　burned　faster　and　more　furiously。　As　he　watched；　a　heavy　bundle　of　the　dried　grass　fell　out　of　the　wall　and　left　a　narrow　gap　through　which　he　could　make　out　the　wavering　heat…obscured　outline　of　the　bridgehead　beyond。
　　
　　He　steered　for　the　gap　and　told　Meren　beside　him；　'Cover　your　head！'　They　wound　headcloths　over　their　heads　and　splashed　water　from　the　skin　over　themselves；　drenching　their　head　clothes　and　chitons。
　　
　　'Have　the　blindfolds　ready；'　Nefer　told　Meren。
　　
　　They　were　so　close　now　that　they　felt　the　heat　blazing　out　to　meet　them；　and　Krus　broke　step　and　began　to　balk　at　the　barrier　of　leaping　flame　that　confronted　him。
　　
　　'Mount　up！'　Nefer　ordered；　and　still　at　the　gallop　they　ran　out　along　the　shaft　between　the　horses　and　swung　up　on　to　their　backs；　riding　astride。　Nefer　stretched　out　along　Krus'　neck　and　spoke　to　him　calmly。　'It's　all　right；　my　darling。　You　know　the　blindfold。　You　know　I　will　not　hurt　you。　Trust　me；　Krus！　Trust　me！'　And　he　covered　his　eyes　with　the　thick　woollen　cloth；　and　steered　him　with　his　knees　at　the　narrow　gap　in　the　burning　wall。　The　heat　poured　over　them　in　a　wave。　Their　wet　clothing　steamed　and　Nefer　felt　the　skin　on　the　back　of　his　hands　blistering。　The　tips　of　Krus'　mane　blackened　and　crisped。　But　both　horses　ran　on　strongly。
　　
　　They　struck　the　wall　of　blazing　grass；　and　it　exploded　around　them。　Nefer　felt　his　eyes　frying　in　his　head　and　he　closed　them　tightly　and　urged　Krus　on。　They　burst　out　of　the　far　side；　trailing　sparks　and　fire。
　　
　　Nefer　looked　back　under　his　arm　and　saw　Daimios　aiming　his　chariot　at　the　gap　they　had　broached　in　the　burning　wall。　Daimios　horses　were　not　blindfolded；　and　they　saw　the　flames　and　shied　off　the　line　and　began　to　rear　and　plunge；　fighting　to　avoid　the　horror　they　saw　ahead　of　them。
　　
　　'Daimios'　horses　have　refused！'　Nefer　shouted　across　at　Meren　on　Dov's　back。　'We　have　a　chance　now。'
　　
　　They　charged　up　to　the　bridgehead；　reined　the　horses　down　and　halted　them　just　short。
　　
　　'Keep　them　blindfolded！'　Nefer　ordered。　'Don't　let　them　see　the　drop。'
　　
　　The　catwalk　of　the　bridge　had　been　built　deliberately　too　narrow　for　a　chariot　to　drive　across；　and　it　would　not　carry　the　weight。　They　would　have　to　break　the　vehicle　down　and　carry　it　across　piecemeal。　While　Meren　unbuckled　the　harness　and　hobbled　the　horses；　Nefer　seized　the　mallet　and　knocked　the　bronze　retaining　pins　out　of　the　hubs。　Then　he　pulled　off　the　wheels。　He　picked　up　one　of　them　and　Meren　took　the　other。　They　ran　to　the　head　of　the　bridge。
　　
　　The　bridge　swung　gently　and　undulated　to　the　impulse　of　the　wind。　It　was　not　wide　enough　for　the　two　of　them　to　cross　shoulder　to　shoulder。　Nefer　did　not　hesitate　but　ran　out　on　to　the　narrow　way；　and　Meren　followed　close　behind　him。　The　bridge　moved　under　their　feet　like　the　deck　of　a　ship　at　sea；　but　they　balanced　the　motion　and　fixed　their　eyes　on　the　far　bank；　never　looked　down　at　the　terrible　void　beneath　them　and　the　gut　of　the　gorge　lined　with　jagged　rock。
　　
　　They　reached　the　far　side；　dropped　the　wheels　and　ran　back。　At　the　burning　fence；　the　flames　were　still　too　high　and　fierce　to　let　Daimios　pass；　though　they　saw　him　flogging　his　team　and　screaming　abuse　at　them。
　　
　　They　discarded　the　waterskin；　the　last　of　the　arrows　and　every　other　piece　of　redundant　equipment；　and　picked　up　the　chassis　of　the　chariot　between　them。　They　carried　it　out　on　to　the　bridge；　where　the　wind　caught　their　hair　braids　on　the　ends　of　the　long　staffs　and　whipped　them　jubilantly。　Each　careful　step　they　took　seemed　to　take　a　lifetime；　but　at　last　they　reached　the　far　side；　dropped　the　chassis　and　ran　back。　Nefer　picked　up　the　shaft　and　balanced　its　weight　across　his　shoulders。　Meren　carried　the　harness　and　the　swords　and　they　crossed　again。　Now　only　the　horses　remained　to　bring　over。
　　
　　When　they　started　back　they　saw　that　the　flames　were　dying；　but　where　the　fence　had　collapsed　it　had　formed　a　thick　bed　of　ash　that　still　glowed　with　oven…like　heat。　Rastafa；　one　of　the　pursuers；　forced　his　horses　into　it　with　whip　and　threatening　shouts；　but　within　a　few　paces　the　hide　was　burned　from　their　legs　and　the　raw　red　flesh　showed　through。　They　turned　back　despite　their　driver；　screaming　and　kicking　at　the　pain。
　　
　　Nefer　led　Meren　back　at　a　run　with　the　bridge　swaying　under　them。　They　reached　the　horses。　Dov　and　Krus　stood　patiently；　hobbled　and　blindfolded。　They　unbuckled　the　knee　hobbles。
　　
　　Take　Dov　across　first；'　Nefer　ordered。　'She　is　the　steady　one。'
　　
　　While　Nefer　waited　on　the　near　side；　with　his　arm　around　Krus'　neck；　Meren　led　Dov　out　on　to　the　catwalk　of　the　bridge。　She　felt　it　move　under　her；　lifted　her　head　and　snorted　with　alarm。　Meren　talked　softly　to　her。　Gingerly　she　took　another　pace　and　stopped　again。
　　
　　'Don't　rush　her；'　Nefer　called。　'Let　her　set　her　own　pace。'　A　step　at　a　time　Dov　moved　out　on　to　the　high　bridge。　When　she　reached　the　middle　she　froze；　and　stood　with　all　four　legs　splayed　and　trembling。　Meren　stroked　her　forehead　and　whispered　to　her　and　she　went　on。　She　reached　the　far　side；　stepped　off　the　catwalk；　felt　the　solid　earth　under　her　hoofs；　whinnied　and　shook　her　head　with　relief。
　　
　　Still　blocked　by　the　burning　barrier　Daimios　shouted；　They　have　got　one　of　their　team　across。　We　have　to　stop　them　now。　Rastafa；　give　me　your　horses。　They　are　crippled　already。　I　will　ride　them　through；　even　if　it　kills　them。'
　　
　　Nefer　glanced　back　and　saw　Daimios　ride　into　the　glowing　bed　of　ash。　It　reached　as　high　as　his　mount's　knees；　and　the　maimed　animal　stumbled　and　almost　fell　but　Daimios　drove　it　on　in　a　torrent　of　sparks　and　the　stench　of　burning　hair　and　flesh。　The　terribly　injured　creature　carried　him　through　then　collapsed　as　soon　as　it　reached　open　ground。　Daimios　jumped　from　its　back；　drew　his　sword　and　rushed　towards　Nefer。
　　
　　Nefer　drew　his　own　sword；　and　called　to　Meren　across　the　chasm；　'e　back　and　take　Krus　over。　I　will　hold　this　bastard　in　play。'　He　stepped　forward　to　meet　Daimios　as　he　charged　in。　He　met　his　cut　high　in　the　natural　line；　and　the　blades　jarred　and　scraped　their　full　length。　Daimios　reversed　and　cut　again　at　his　head。　Nefer　caught　the　stroke；　then　riposted；　forcing　him　to　jump　back。
　　
　　Nefer　had　one　moment　to　glance　back　and　saw　that　Meren　was　already　leading　Krus　out　on　to　the　swaying　catwalk。　Krus　felt　it　move　under　his　hoofs；　tossed　his　head　and　tried　to　back　away。
　　
　　'e　away；　Krus！'　Nefer　shouted　at　him　sternly；　and　at　the　sound　of　his　voice　the　colt　steadied　and　stepped　gingerly　on　to　the　planking。
　　
　　Daimios　came　in　again　and　Nefer　had　to　concentrate　everything　on　him。　He　aimed　a　rapid　series　of　thrusts　at　Nefer's　throat　and　chest　and　when　Nefer　blocked　and　parried　he　reversed　and　cut　low　at　his　ankles。　Nefer　jumped　over　the　glittering　circle　of　the　blade　and　went　for　his　exposed　shoulder。　He　touched　him　and　saw　the　blood　spring　brightly　on　the　tanned　and　oiled　muscles。
　　
　　But　Daimios　seemed　not　to　feel　the　shallow　wound。　He　came　on　as　strongly　as　before。　They　exchanged　parry　for　thrust　and　block　for　cut；　then　Daimios　stepped　back　and　circled　to　the　left；　trying　to　move　in　behind　him　and　cut　him　off　from　the　bridgehead；　but　Nefer　went　at　him　again　and　forced　him　to　give　ground。
　　
　　A　moment's　respite　and　Nefer　saw　that　the　flames　had　died　down；　the　grass　fence　burned　almost　entirely　away。　The　other　chasers　had　left　their　chariots　and　were　jumping　over　the　bed　of　glowing　ash　and　running　to　join　the　fight。
　　
　　'Form　a　ring　around　him；　and　cut　him　down！'　Daimios　shouted　to　them　as　they　ran　up。
　　
　　Nefer　glanced　back　and　saw　that　Meren　had　led　Krus　far　out　on　the　catwalk。　The　colt　was　trembling　and　sweating　at　the　sensation　of　the　moving　deck　under　his　hoofs；　but　he　could　not　see　the　terrible　aching　void　below　him。
　　
　　Just　then　the　other　chasers　ran　up；　brandishing　their　blades　and　jeering　at　Nefer：　'Now；　we　will　ram　your　hair　braid　up　your　right　royal　arse。'
　　
　　Nefer　retreated　quickly　on　to　the　head　of　the　bridge。　Now　they　could　e　at　him　only　one　at　a　time；　and　the　jeers　died　away。　They　paused　in　a　group　at　the　head　of　the　catwalk。
　　
　　'He　has　nicked　me；'　said　Daimios。　'Do　you　go　after　him；　Rastafa；　while　I　bind　it　up。'　With　his　teeth　he　tore　a　strip　off　the　hem　of　his　tunic；　and　tied　it　over　the　shallow　flesh　wound。　While　he　was　doing　this　Rastafa　ran　out　on　to　the　bridge。　He　was　bearded　and　swarthy　with　a　dark　and　angry　gaze；　a　big　man　but　quick　as　a　ferret。　He　balanced　easily　on　the　moving　deck　and　thrust　at　Nefer's　throat；　ing　on　so　strongly　that　Nefer　had　to　fall　back　again。
　　
　　Krus　heard　the　clash　of　blades　and　the　shouting　close　behind　him　and　he　reared　up　in　protest。　The　bridge　jumped　and　wobbled　under　him；　and　for　a　terrible　moment　it　seemed　that　the　colt　might　lose　his　balance　and　go　over　the　side；　but　by　some　miraculous　chance　he　came　down　on　all　four　legs；　and　stood　quivering　on　the　wildly　swinging　catwalk。
　　
　　It　was　Rastafa　who　stumbled　and　teetered　on　the　edge。　He　windmilled　his　arms　as　he　fought　to　regain　his　balance。　Nefer　took　one　quick　step　towards　him　and　stabbed　him　under　his　lifted　arm。　The　bronze　blade　slipped　in　between　the　ribs　and　went　in　deeply。　Rastafa　looked　at　him　with　mild　surprise；　and　said；　'It　hurts。　In　the　name　of　Seth；　it　hurts！'
　　
　　Nefer　jerked　the　blade　out　and　Rastafa's　heart…blood　fountained　after　it。　Spouting　crimson；　he　toppled　backwards；　and　went　spinning　into　the　abyss；　arms　and　legs　spread　like　the　spokes　of　a　wheel。　His　voice　was　a　wild　screech；　fading　in　volume　as　he　fell　away；　and　the　sound　was　cut　off　abruptly　as　his　armour　clattered　on　the　rocks　in　the　gut　of　the　gorge。　His　rades　hesitated　at　the　bridgehead；　appalled　by　the　horror　of　that　death　plunge；　suddenly　reluctant　to　step　out　on　to　the　narrow　way。
　　
　　Nefer　seized　that　moment　to　turn　back　and　stroke　Krus'　trembling　haunches；　'Steady；　Krus。　I　am　here；　my　darling。　Walk　on！'　Krus　calmed　to　his　voice；　and　then；　as　the　wild　gyrations　of　the　bridge　eased；　he　took　a　step　forward　and　another。
　　
　　'Walk　on；　Krus；　walk　on。'
　　
　　They　were　almost　halfway　across　when　Meren　shouted　a　warning：　'Behind　you；　brother！'
　　
　　Nefer　whirled　around　just　in　time　to　meet　another　opponent。　Nefer　knew　him　by　reputation。　He　was　a　Libyan　slave；　and　was　righting　for　his　freedom。　Fearlessly；　he　ran　down　the　narrow