Chapter 9

- The Nazgûl

Spark and his second in command, Bret, had been trying to figure out how to take the redwoods all night.

“There is no doubt that every one of those trees has a platform filled with soldiers on it.” Spark said.

“We need a way to sneak past the platforms. But how do we get all our soldiers past them?” Bret asked.

Spark thought for a minute.

“We don’t have to get all of them through. Only thirty.”

Bret had a puzzled look on his face.

“I will take thirty men through the woods. You stay back with everyone else. At dawn, we charge. They won’t expect an attack from behind and we can stop reinforcements from coming from the highlands that way. I will go get the soldiers. You prep everyone for battle. Do not rush in until dawn.” Spark went of to go get his soldiers.

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It was pitch black in the woods. Except for the occasional torch seen at the watch towers. They came about one hundred feet from the watchtower. Spark motioned to Alex. The arrow found its mark. No one would know that the watchmen were killed until it was two late. They continued on. They walked by the main base, careful to stay hidden in the bushes. Finally, after what seemed like forever, the small band of soldiers had snuck past. When they reached the edge of the redwoods, the looked towards the highlands. The were not too many troops, but if they made it to the highlands, it would all be over. They ate a small meal. Lighting campfires on the ridge would be easily visible from the highlands.

“What do you think we will do when this is all over?” Alex asked Spark.

“I don’t know. I always thought I would always be fighting. It’s all I’ve ever done. What about you?” He asked.

“Jennifer always said that we would live like we used to. No fighting. Just living a peaceful life on the shore.” She answered.

“That doesn’t sound that bad.” Spark said.

“It all seems just too boring for me. But if you want to I am sure our parents wouldn’t mind having another mouth to feed. But then again, I guess we don’t know if we will even win the war.” Alex said.

“We will. And you will see you parents again. I promise. The sun’s coming up. We better go.” Spark said.

As they charged through the forest, they heard shouting from the redwoods base. The fighting had started. The battle for the redwoods had begun.