The True - Told Tale of Hallin , Pt . 2 Content . So Queen Ojwa took the venerable Hallin at his word and forthwith ordered her people to march west toward Alik ' r , while daily drilling from the Book of Circles . But Queen Ojwa did more : as she was a wise queen she was an Owl - Friend , and had decreed that all owls were to bthe queen did call the Father of Owls , and asked him toe honored and none slain . And in return the owls did many a favor for her . So the queen did call the Father of Owls , and asked him to bide in Ojwambu and observe Hallin ' s defense . " For I would learn , " she said , " how one man shall defend a city entire . " Even as the last of the people of Ojwambu departed from her gates to take the secret ways to Alik ' r , the scouts of the tusk - folk appeared in the east , where they were noted by Hallin , for though he was old , his eyes were keen . Then Hallin spake , though there was none to hear but the Father of Owls , saying , " As the snake sheds its skin , so shall the Ansei rise anew from the husks of the past . " He raised his sword and cried , " Sisters ! Brothers ! I summon you to the succor of your people , for time folds upon itself , and then - time is now . " And he gestured with his blade to the left , and all along the battlements to the north there was a rustling as of snakeskins , and lo : there arose along the parapets the shadows of a legion . And there stood the semblances of all the female Ansei who ever were , and they turned to Hallin and saluted . So Hallin gestured likewise to the right , and along the battlements to the south there was a rustling , and lo : there arose the semblances of all the male Ansei who ever were . And they likewise saluted Hallin , and then all , north and south , drew their bright blades , and stood on the battlements awaiting . The scouts of the tusk - folk stopped forthwith to observe the defenses of Ojwambu . Surprised were they to see the battlements lined with goodly warriors , for they had been told that the folk of the city had forgot the Way of the Sword . So they did consult among themselves as to who would carry this news to Warlord Mahzgoor , and quarrel and quibble , for they feared the bearer of such news would have his head struck off . But finally the smallest , with many blows , was made to carry the report back to the Warlord . So the scout reported to Mahzgoor that , unaccountably , the walls of Ojwambu were lined with many goodly defenders . Of an instant the Rockhand struck off the scout ' s head , but then he took thought , for he was possessed of both slyness and sinew . And his thoughts were , " What matter ? We are as numberless as the sand in the dunes . We shall surround this Ojwambu , leaving neither entry nor egress . We shall despoil their fields of its provender , and stop up the streams of their flow , until no one within shall have to eat or to drink . And thus the city shall fall . " So Mahzgoor ordered , and so it came to pass . The tusk - folk took their leisure among the spoils of the outworks , casting jeers and taunts at the defenders on the walls . But the defenders replied naught . So Mahzgoor and his army waited , amusing themselves most abominably at the expense of their prisoners , secure that in time the defenders of Ojwambu must wither and dwindle . But it was not so . Even long after when the Warlord ' s bone - counters calculated there must be no more to eat or to drink within the city , the defenders stood still stalwart and saying naught . So Mahzgoor summoned his shamans , saying , " Shamans ! Have we been befooled by the perfidious Redguard s ? Are these goodly warriors we see lining the battlements , or are they but shadows ? " So the shamans cast the portents , and sacrificed twin infants , and sent a scullion to the East Gate whom Hallin did spear from above . And they returned and said , " Nay , mighty Mahzgoor , we are not befooled , for these are goodly warriors we see lining the battlements . But how they may stand when they have not to eat or to drink , this we cannot tell . " Of an instant Mahzgoor struck off the shamans ' heads , then raised bloody Bone - Hewer and cried , " To arms ! Form ranks ! For tonight we drink the blood of the defenders of Ojwambu ! " Of that battle , no living Redguard survived to tell the tale . But nonetheless did wise Queen Ojwa hear of it in full , for the Father of Owls did bear the tale to her ear . He told of how Hallin and his Ansei withstood the assault , yea , for seventeen days . But though they were goodly warriors , over time the Ansei did dwindle , though each left behind only a husk like unto a snakeskin . Finally only Hallin stood at the East Gate , which was burst open by Warlord Mahzgoor with Bone - Hewer held high . And Hallin did seem to grow to match him in size , and the two met sword to sword . Long and long their blades clashed , until finally as the moons rose the Rockhand smote Hallin such a blow that he was struck to the ground . But even as he fell Hallin , who knew the cuts and thrusts of the Book of Circles , yea , each and every one , swung his sword and struck off the head of the Warlord Mahzgoor . Then both were dead , but in death only one was smiling and serene . Queen Ojwa nodded to hear this news , and said , " It is well . " And she turned to her mighty army of Redguard warriors , each of which knew the cuts and thrusts of the Book of Circles , yea , each and every one , and said , " Redguards ! March we now to retake our lands from the tusk - folk . And when we have regained our splendid city once more , we shall rename it Hallin ' s Stand . And so it shall be . " And so it has been , ever after .