even more! They'll think we're attacking the
cities and draw in their troops, leaving the villages unprotected!
Yes, an excellent suggestion!"
80 So the great fleet was readied. Though they did not like being
separated, it was decided Thundering Dove would go to Fr and lead that
element.
Hardly had he arrived when news came that the enemy had launched an
attack of his own. Two great fleets had attacked Ls and Frs on the
upper island. The defenders were in trouble! Thundering Dove did not
hesitate. His fleet was already ready. He jumped aboard the command
ship and set sail.
81 The enemy had never expected such a sudden response! When Thundering
Dove appeared, most of his seamen were ashore fighting. His men-of-war
were taken hardly without a struggle. Trapped on shore, without
supplies, the attackers weren't forced to surrender. A vast fleet was
captured and many prisoners taken with very little effort. Suddenly
things weren't going well for The Oneness.
82 Thundering Dove sent word to Bay Blossom. "Attack as scheduled. We
will leave from here. Good speed." So Bay Blossom sat sail, but no
sooner was her fleet on the water, than a terrible storm struck them!
Try as they may, they couldn't make headway. Finally, in
desperation, she signaled the other ships. "Break formation. Ride the
wind. Try to keep in sight"
83 For days they were driven south and the constant fear rose that they
would run out of lake before they ran out of storm. But finally the sky
lightened, and the wind died. And as the water calmed, the sick
fighting people began to feel alive again. As the ships began
to pull back together.
84 Bay Blossom looked about her strangely. Turning to one of her aides
she remarked, "Do some