`` crows , '' whispered one of the legionares beside amara she saw the man reach for his spear , fumble it , and drop it she flinched , hand flashing out and batting the falling weapon away from her giraldi caught it in one scar-knuckled hand `` steady , '' he growled , eyes on amara he passed the spear back to the legionare `` steady , lads `` the horde grew closer the sounds of thousands of feet hitting the ground as they ran rose like far off thunder `` steady , '' giraldi said he looked up and down the line and barked , `` archers ' shields ' '' the legionares stepped up to the battlements in each crenellation stood a man with one of the huge legion wall shields behind each , another legionare , armed with a bow and a thick war-quiver of arrows , strung his bow and took position most of the archers were holders from the valley the marat grew closer , the eerie droning of their horns growing louder , more unnerving a restless shuffle went down the line of shieldmen `` steady , '' giraldi commanded he glanced at the young holder in borrowed armor beside him `` you sure you lads can shoot that far ' '' the holder peeked around the edge of the shield of the burly legionare in front of him `` yes they 're in range `` giraldi nodded `` archers ! ''