we need reinforcements , '' she stammered `` the gate is about to fall ' '' giraldi grimaced , and as she watched , his face fell , the lines in it deepening , making him look as though he had aged years in the space of a breath `` does n't matter , '' he said , and jerked his chin toward the field below the fortress `` look `` amara looked , and when she did , the strength went out of her legs she leaned hard against the battlements , her head swimming , her heart pounding in light , irregular beats `` no , '' she breathed `` no it 's not fair `` out on the plain , beyond the savage horde of marat below , there had come another horde , every bit as large as the first .