But they were half the size of real wolves, which had been exterminated in this region ages ago. They did not fear men. They were amongst the most common terrors generated by the Instrumentalities of the Night, known wherever men sat round campfires and looked out at the eyes of the Night They were more dangerous in number than as individuals. Any semicompetent hedge wizard could run a singleton off or keep a pack from breaking into the circle of light. Even a normal, unskilled man could handle a singleton if he kept his wits about him.

Powdered wolfbane would chase those spawn of Night Mohkam and Akir came running with the falcon, pushing the carriage. The little brass cannon could be as dangerous to its operators as to its target It had not been fired since its test shots at the foundry where it had been cast. Falcons were new, secret weapons meant to be used only in desperate circumstances. '• "Firepowder!" Else thundered. "Get moving! Bone! You lazy old fart, let's go! Heged! Agban! Where are you? Move it! Come oft. Come on. Get that firepowder loaded. Charge and a half."

They looked at him warily В±›ut did as they were told. Bone arrived with the gravel. "This shit is everywhere when you're trying to sleep on the ground.

But try to find a gallon when you need it."

"Get the chest open. Just silver. Fast. Mix it with the gravel." "Captain! You can't…"

"Bitch about it later. Akir. Prime it. Heged. Agban. Load the; shot. Move. Move." The bogon would not wait.

Seconds later, Agban jumped back. "It's ready."? gL "Get the ram out." "Oh. Yeah."

Else said, "Good. Done with time to spare. Az. Get your ass over here. With the torch."

The wizard sputtered. He was no common soldier. He was a Master of Ghosts. "You're the one who knows when to touch the fire. Get in here and do it." The wolf shapes dared the light, testing the encampment's wards. The bogon towered eighteen feet high and eight wide, hunched forward like an ape. Its eyes had gained definition.