In the pre-dawn darkness, I hid sixty of my men and women—the bulk of my forces—in the forest three hundred meters north of the town. xnx In the pre-dawn light, I could just barely make out men, women, and children exiting their homes and moving towards the square. ——————
Kelly watched as the shaman finished his sermon and turned towards her. The main road into town ran from its northern end to the square, so I could see the whole show. He held the wickedly curved knife flat to his chest with both hands. Blood rose in Kelly’s throat, turning a scream into a choking cough, speckling her previously pristine chest with blood. She was shaking badly now. Sigurd had recommended a night attack, but I decided against it. Her legs had lost all their strength and only the ropes holding her arms kept her upright.
