deadland

The air is still, and frost has settled on the deadland, and on the winter-gray trees to their right, well out beyond the deadland.

The Magi'i Of Cyador Modesitt, L. E. 2000

Lorn looks to his left, along the line of the second squad lancers riding the deadland inside the perimeter road.

The Magi'i Of Cyador Modesitt, L. E. 2000

The wind has filled in the depressions in the deadland with loose salty soil and carried away the sawdust.

The Magi'i Of Cyador Modesitt, L. E. 2000

To Lorn's right, the two squads of lancers are spread in a long line abreast, searching the deadland for signs of Forest activity beyond the ward-wall.

The Magi'i Of Cyador Modesitt, L. E. 2000

Lorn turns the gelding across the dampened but not yet muddy earth of the deadland, and he and the first squad cross soil that smells vaguely of a harbor, and more so with each hoof that strikes it.

The Magi'i Of Cyador Modesitt, L. E. 2000

Lorn wonders if the rain will reach the deadland where they ride and if they will have to wait through a storm for the Engineers and then ride through mud to reach Eastend.

The Magi'i Of Cyador Modesitt, L. E. 2000

Each patrol day ends with uniforms soaked in sweat, and the soil of the deadland is powder under the hoofs of the patrol mounts, rising and infiltrating boots and uniforms, and leaving every lancer's skin dry and itchy from salt and sweat and dust.

The Magi'i Of Cyador Modesitt, L. E. 2000

"With our luck, a cubit of it will fall on the deadland."

The Magi'i Of Cyador Modesitt, L. E. 2000

They have not permitted any wild creatures to escape despite another fallen trunk, but that is due to luck, and to the renewed tendency of the creatures to attack the lancers, rather than to attempt to escape beyond the deadland.

The Magi'i Of Cyador Modesitt, L. E. 2000

He studies the Forest for a time longer, until the sun begins to rise above the deadland and fields to his left, but the silent presence and lack of overt threat does not change.

The Magi'i Of Cyador Modesitt, L. E. 2000