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 battle of the Tukholians against the Mongols is an uneven match. Force will break even straw no matter what may be said for its toughness.”

“Listen Boyarin, there are also ways to curb force,” Maxim contended.

“Oh yes! I have seen their contrivance! My daughter is a hot-head. You have bewitched her, that’s certain. She has taught them how to make trebuchets. We shall get a hailstorm of stones here tomorrow, but not such a very damaging one, for they did not know how to plait good strong ropes for the sling.”

“Besides these trebuchets, you think they have no other means?”

“I do not know. It seems they have not. But we haven’t long to wait, we’ll see what happens in the morning. My worst worry is Burunda, he’s annoying me, insisting that I find a way to lead them out of here tomorrow morning without battle or loss of time. And here the Tukholians are acting like wild bucks determined to stand with their horns lowered against us. Now what am I going to do? If I can’t do anything, then I can’t, that’s all there is to it!”

“No, Boyarin, you shouldn’t be so easily discouraged. For the time being you’re in Mongolian hands just as I am. Therefore you have to do what they command.”

“But how am I to accomplish it?”

“Perhaps I could be of service, Boyarin. I’m grateful to you for the kindness you have shown me today. If you wish, I will try to help you.”

“You? Will help me?” cried the boyar, astonished. “What can you do to help me?”

“I know of a safe and secret path that will lead us out of this valley, about which no one in Tukhlia knows outside of my father and myself. This path is unguarded. Over it a troop of Mongols can be led to the top to surround the trail