Wall of Spears Read Online Free Page B

magic. Now we have found another with the power to change our lives and we want to give her to our enemies? The elves will kill her to protect their lies and hide the truth. We face a difficult choice that will either save all humans or doom us to centuries more of living in despair. There is magic within us. Rhiannon can find it. She can change everything for us. Give her a moon to find Velsh with magic and it doesn’t matter whether the Forlish, the elves or all of them come for us — we will be able to meet and match them. Think about it — does putting aside your sling, your dogs and your knife make your flock safer from the wolf?’
    He stared around one more time, noting with pleasure how most people were nodding in agreement, before signalling to Rhiannon. They had talked about this the night before and he had worked hard to persuade Rhiannon not to do something terrible to Griff or anyone else who wanted to hand her over to Sumiko, told her they were scared men but not bad men. He hoped she would remember that now and that the anger, which often seemed to be just below the surface with her, did not bubble over.
    As he took his seat and Rhiannon stepped forwards, he crossed his fingers beneath the table. As always, eyes were drawn to Rhiannon and she walked carefully around the table until she was standing behind Griff, forcing him to turn awkwardly to watch her.
    ‘The Magic-weavers don’t want peace with us. They fear more humans have magic. You think sending me to the elves will protect you. All it will do is hand them the power. I have magic, more magic than almost any elf. I can find and teach others, if I am here. If I am dead, then I can do nothing to help you. And there are men, women and children alive here today because of me. Do you want that to be the message from Vales? Help us and we shall give you to our enemies?’
    ‘Wait! We only have your word for it that the elves want to kill you. But all our legends say that elves are good and kind and honourable,’ Griff protested.
    ‘Tell that to the scores of skeletons lying in an unmarked grave west of here, beside a Velsh church to Aroaril that the elves destroyed,’ Rhiannon fired back. ‘You have been given a gift, will you throw it away?’
    Huw glanced around the table and tried to judge the mood of the headmen. Some were nodding at Rhiannon’s words while others appeared unsure. He looked across at the crowd and saw a much better response there. He surged to his feet.
    ‘What do the people think? Should we throw away the greatest gift the Velsh have ever received, sacrifice a young girl who has fought and suffered for us?’ he shouted.
    The roar that came back from the crowd made most of the headmen turn. Rhiannon waved to the people and the noise doubled. Huw knew many of them were dragons but that did not lessen their importance. He stared at the headmen again and felt his confidence grow.
    ‘So who stands with me?’ he challenged them.
    ‘Who wants to see their children grow up free and strong?’ Rhiannon added.
    Llewellyn was the first to his feet, followed by most of those around the table. ‘We shall stand with you. It is a chance worth taking.’
    Griff pushed back his chair and joined them. At first Huw could not believe his eyes, then he saw Griff raise his hands, appealing for quiet. The crowd initially jeered at him but calmed down as he stayed still, arms raised in appeal.
    ‘I can see where this is going to go but I don’t want any part of it. You have many fine words, better than those I can come up with. But I know there is an army of elves and a Forlish army that are looking to come here and take Rhiannon, or get some revenge, or both. Words won’t stop them. I am walking away from Vales and if you have any sense, the rest of you will as well,’ he announced.
    A dozen other headmen stood to join Griff, their faces equally grim.
    ‘We must stand together,’ Huw protested. ‘United we have a chance. Divided they will