Chapter Eight
The enemy made camp as best they could, but The Hawk had given them
little room for comfort. The road through the swamp was about the only
place they could camp, and this was not safe because The Hawk's men
constantly appeared and disappeared out of the swamp in their fast
little boats, harassing the enemy.
2 Unfortunately, the plants above the water were dry from the early
summer sun, so the enemy burned them off. Without cover The Hawk's men were forced to retreat.
3 "Oh, well," announced The Hawk, "we can still use the boats to
evacuate our wounded and prisoners, as we planned."
4 The enemy took two more days to gather his strength, apparently he had
enough provisions to last for awhile.
5 Now, The Children of The Lords and The Zoans were outnumbered, six to
one, and some of their people didn't even have swords or armor, but carried
only clubs and lengths of rope. But they would serve an important part
in the battle to come.
6 Early one morning the enemy formed ranks, the spearmen forward,
shields tight, he advanced.
7 "Damn!" cried Bright Star, "By now the wind should be brisk, but
there's barely a whisper! If it doesn't pick up soon, we've got big
trouble!"
8 "By the time their ranks reach us," answered The Hawk, "it will be
brisk."
9 "I believe in your confidence," continued Bright Star, but how do you
know for sure?"
10 "Because if the wind doesn't pick up," answered The Hawk, "we're
finished, and The Lords would never permit that. So the wind WILL pick
up!"
11 Bright Star nodded. "Sounds reasonable to me!" he laughed with a big
grin. Just before the enemy ranks came within reach of their arrows, their banners fluttered
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