" By the time Thorn and the Herons arrived at the harbor front, there were only three of the Magyarans left. They were on their knees, pleading for mercy. The Skandians, who had never been cold-blooded killers, granted it reluctantly. Some of them urged the Magyarans to pick up their weapons and try their luck once more. The pirates might have been cowardly, but they weren’t stupid. They declined the invitation. The Skandians consoled themselves by delivering hearty kicks to their enemies’ backsides, sending them sprawling. "

― John Flanagan , The Invaders (Brotherband Chronicles, #2)