midday
It grew , and its hissing , crackling length reached upward to a fine-drawn point that touched the opening above . `` Follow ! '' commanded their leader and went rapidly before them where a passage wound and twisted to bring them at last to the light of day . The flame of the golden clouds was above them in the midday sky , and beneath it were scores of ships that swept in formations through the air . `` Attacking ? '' asked the lieutenant with ill-concealed excitement . `` I fear so .