An epic story I got in my email today...

Yet, Ganesha was the elder by far and possessed of powers far more fearsome-those of the White Naacals. Despite the heat, Quintus shuddered. The Naacals' power harnessed the virtue of the sun: Misused by the Black, such power had cracked the land through which they now struggled and a great sea had vanished into the depths.Draupadi gazed out over the sand.Once more he heard hissing, this time in front of them. If they turned to flee, he would wager all that the serpents' hiss would sound again.At that moment, the desert floor looked as comfortable as a silken rug-to sink down upon it, to sink into it as into a bath of deep water.... He jolted himself back to full awareness. Then he knelt and thrust his hand down into the grit. Rock, dust, powder, sand-not water at all:Arrows whined and buzzed like some ferocious beehive, struck with a spear in midsummer. A man screamed and died, blood running from his mouth. Drona, teacher to warriors and princes, had died thus, Quintus thought-or was it Arjuna, speaking into his memories?Draupadi nodded. "Let this sign of yours, this weapon, blast me if I lie." She reached out and laid a hand on the staff that upheld the Eagle."We ride!" he ordered. He didn't see who came up to lead-or carry-him to his horse because his eyes were fixed on Lucilius. Once again, the patrician had started toward the Eagle."We ride!" he ordered. He didn't see who came up to lead-or carry-him to his horse because his eyes were fixed on Lucilius. Once again, the patrician had started toward the Eagle."We ride!" he ordered. He didn't see who came up to lead-or carry-him to his horse because his eyes were fixed on Lucilius. Once again, the patrician had started toward the Eagle.