But the range was too great and only one or two stones bounced off the first treetrunks, most falling in the deserted clearing. “That be a warnin’ and a sample of more to come, y’ child-stealin’ bastards!” snarled a deep voice from the trees and brush which hid the slingers. “We’uns owe yer mistress nothin’, y’ hear? Make a Ehleenee church out’n ever’ house we left, but you come after us ‘n’ our women ‘n’ our kids ‘n’ well kill ever’ last one of you priest-bound boy-buggers!” “That,” whispered the komees amazedly, “was Ehrik Goontehros, the village headman! What in the world could that witless bitch have done to inflame so even-tempered a man to ambush and murder?” Before Vaskos or Hohguhn, who were continuing to watch the source of both stones and voice, could divine his intent, Komees Hari was already swinging up onto Steelsheen and mindspeaking the stallion out into the campsite, even while he stripped off his gauntlets and commenced to unbuckle his helm.
