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CHAPTER 2

A series of battles takes place. Lamanites defeated and attacked by Nephites. Zelph demonstrates his great warrior skills by rallying the Lamanites and taking Desolation. Lamanites rape and pillage Desolation. Nephites regroup and push the Lamanites back to their lands. Zelph suspects there is no weapon of mass destruction. Becomes disillusioned with war, promises to fight no more. [Between 361 and 364 A.D.]

1. And it came to pass that we commenced our assault on the Nephite city of Desolation, even me and the army of Mighty Curelom.

2. And it came to pass that the army of Mighty Curelom did haveth only twenty and four men, which thing doth make our assault exceedingly like unto a suicide mission. Nevertheless, it was the law of the land that all must follow the orders of their superiors, yea, even exceedingly bad orders.

3. And we did assault the Nephite forces, and the Nephite forces did number in the thousands, and the battle did last an exceedingly short time, yea, even less than five minutes, for our forces, even twenty and two of our men, were hewn down by the multitude of Nephites, and three did survive, and did turn back and flee to the Lamanite army.

4. And it came to pass that I did survive the initial assault, even was I one of the three survivors, for my magic loin cloth doth protect me. And Howling Coyote spake unto us, even did he laugh, and he did say: Verily behold, thou art exceeding cowards, yea, even exceedingly bad soldiers, for our first assault hath failed, even hath it failed exceedingly.

5. And I spake at Howling Coyote, even did I speak much anger: Yea, Howling Coyote, thou did plan not a goodly plan for defeating the Nephites. For thou did send us against a multitude of forces, yea, even were we outnumbered exceedingly. Wherefore, the assault doth fail because of thee.

6. And after the manner in which I spake these things unto Howling Coyote, behold, the other Lamanites did agree with my words. And many did murmur against the tactics of Howling Coyote, and they desired to send large forces into battle.

7. And Howling Coyote listened to our pleas, and did plan a larger assault, and he did send in a force of hundreds against the Nephite force of thousands, and the fight did last longer, even the space of almost an hour, but yea, the Lamanites were hewn down again.

8. And Howling Coyote continually sent small forces of Lamanites against the multitude of Nephites whom did defend the city of Desolation. And all assaults did fail. And after the space of many days, yea, we did retreat back to our homes, for we did make no progress against the Nephites, and they did beat us as if we be girls.

9. Nevertheless, I was exceedingly grateful to be home, for Tiger Lilly hath grown exceedingly large with child, yea, even did she grow from the seed I placed within her loins. And after the space of a few more months, yea, Melph was born, and he was a goodly baby boy, and he was dark and delightsome, like unto his mother.

10. And it came to pass that a few months after the birth of Melph, yea, the King of the Lamanites did send an epistle to all men and boys, yea, and he did command all men and boys to travel to the narrow neck of land, for a second assault on the Nephites shall commence shortly, yea, even a year after the first assault.

11. And I did gather my handcart of plates, and did kiss Tiger Lilly and Melph goodbye, and did promsie them I shall die not, for I shall put my warrior skills to good use, even shall I wear my magic loin cloth which thing doth protect me from danger, even from the arrows and swords of the Nephites.

12. And I traveled with my handcart of plates to the narrow neck of land. And Howling Coyote did change his strategy, for this time he desired to send one large force against the Nephites.

13. And Howling Coyote ordered all the Lamanite soldiers to attack the city of Desolation, and a large and bloody battle ensued, and a great many were killed on both sides. And the battle did last many days, and after the space of many days, yea, we took not the city, for we were driven back, for the Nephites did fortify their cities, yea, even with goodly fortifications.

14. And it came to pass that the Nephites did throw our dead into the sea, and did boast exceedingly of their strength, and they did mock us as we fled, and did call us dark and loathsome, yea, even did they call us a filthy race of savages. And they did say white is right, and their god rules.

15. And we retreateth back to the narrow neck of land, and did pitch our tents. And it was that our forces were depleted, and we did think to return home.

16. And it came to pass that Howling Coyote did order us to retreat not home, for reinforcements shall arrive soon, after which we shall attack the Nephites again, for it must needs be that we stop them, for they shall soon unleash their secret weapon of mass destruction.

17. And it came to pass that we did await reinforcements for the space of many days, yea, even many months, but they came not. Wherefore, we thinketh to return home, but yea, the Nephites did instead attack us from the city Desolation, yea, even a surprise attack, yea, even did they turn from defense to offense. And the Nephites attacked our camp, and did slay a multitude of Lamanite soldiers.

18. And because I did fear the records shall fall into their hands, yea, I did fight exceedingly well, for I desired to defend the records, even the precious plates, for my father did puttest me in charge of them, and I desired not to disappoint him, for he shall be exceedingly angry if I doth lose the records, yea, even shall he chastise me exceedingly.

19. And it came to pass that I did slay tens of Nephites, yea, even hundreds of Nephites fell by my steel sword, yea even thousands of Nephites did I slay. For I havest exceedingly great fighting skills, and also the gift of magic and sorcery, and even doth my magic loin cloth protect my from harm. And the Nephites shall be no match for me when they take me on in hand to hand combat.

20. And when the other Lamanites beheld the things that I did, yea, they did gain confidence in their abilities, and they were strengthened exceedingly, and did rally behind me, and we did drive the Nephites back from our camp, and we did drive them back to the city Desolation.

21. And it came to pass that after the manner in which we pushed the Nephite forces back to Desolation, yea, our reinforcements did arrive. And we did unite with our reinforcements, and we drive the Nephites from the city Desolation, and we did take the city.

22. And it came to pass that the Nephites did flee from us, and we did continue pursuing them, and we pursueth them to the Nephite city Teancum.

23. And it came to pass that I desired to attack the Nephites immediately at Teancum, even before they shall fortify the city, but yea, Howling Coyote desired instead to stop at Desolation, even to enjoy the fruits of victory. And he spake to the Lamanites: Yea, behold, we hath conquered Desolation, wherefore, it must needs be we commence the raping and pillaging.

24. And I spake at Howling Coyote that it was an exceedingly bad plan to not attack the Nephite army as they flee, for they are tired, and weary, and the time to attack is now. But yea, Howling Coyote overruled me, and spake that we shall wait to attack Teancum until after the manner in which we doth finish raping and pillaging Desolation, for Howling Coyote doth ask what good is war if thou should not stop to enjoy the spoils of victory? For man is that he might have joy, and joy comes not through war, but through raping and pillaging thy enemies.

25. And it came to pass that the Lamanite army praised Howling Coyote's plan, and desired to do as he commanded, wherefore, they did commence pillaging the Nephite property, and raping the Nephite women and girls, and while the Lamanites did rape and pillage Desolation, yea, the Nephites did fortify the city Teancum, even did they fortify Teancum with exceedingly goodly fortifications. And they did bring in reinforcements to defend the Nephite cities, even Teancum.

26. And after the time of raping and pillaging did end, yea, Howling Coyote did gather the Lamanite forces, even did he prepare us to attack Teancum. And he spake unto us: Behold, Lamanite warriors, the time to resume our attack on the Nephite forces hath come. Wherefore, attack!

27. And we did attack Teancum, and because the Nephites did have good fortifications and exceeding reinforcements, yea, they did defend against our attack. And after the manner in which the Nephites stopped our attack, yea, they did counterattack, yea, even did they push us back to Desolation.

28. And we did attempt to hold Desolation, but yea, the Nephites came with exceeding aggression, and did drive us out of Desolation, even did they drive us from their lands again, and they did mock us as we retreated, and did throw our dead into the sea. And we did return to the head of the narrow neck of land and did pitch our tents.

29. And all did murmur against Howling Coyote for his exceedingly bad leadership. For his attacks doth always fail, and we do lose many men, yea, even many comrades hath fallen by the Nephite sword.

30. And Howling Coyote rebutted the murmurs, and did say we did lose our battles because of our cowardice, even because of our poor fighting skills. For we do smoke much peace pipes, which thing doth maketh us not strong, nor are we goodly fighters, for we are like unto girls, according to Howling Coyote. And Howling Coyote did say that none shall murmur against him unless ye desire to be executed. Wherefore, none did murmur against him again.

31. And because our numbers were depleted, yea, Howling Coyote ordered us to return to our homes, for we shall end our attacks on the Nephites for the season.

32. And because the Nephites shall soon unleash their secret weapon, which thing doth worry me, yea, I spake at Howling Coyote, saying: Behold sire, I seek not to murmur against thee, nevertheless what about the Nephite secret weapon?

33. And Howling Coyote looked upon me with much confusion, and did ask: Yea, what secret weapon?

34. And this did cause much concern unto me, and I replied: Behold, Sire, we fight the Nephites because they havest a secret weapon, yea, even their weapon of mass destruction, for soon they shall unleash it, and all Lamanites shall be smitten down, wherefore, we must execute a preemptive strike, according to our leaders.

35. And Howling Coyote did remember, and he did say: Oh yeah, that secret weapon. Yea, I did almost forget, the leaders do think the Nephites shall not unleash it this year, yea, even shall they unleash it next year. Behold, for that is what thy did say unto me, and I lie not.

36. And Howling Coyote did act exceedingly suspicious, and I did think him to be lying, and I did think the secret weapon was simply an excuse for war, wherefore, I spake at Howling Coyote: Yea, there be no secret weapon, right?

37. And Howling Coyote replied with much anger: Yea, speak no more Zelph, if thou desires not to be executed for treason.

38. And I spake no more, and we did return to our homes, yea, even during the commencement of the year three-hundred and sixty-four. And I desired to fight no more, for much death and hatred did I behold, yea, even much pillaging and raping, which thing doth maketh me exceedingly sorrowful.

39. And it came to pass that I did return home with my handcart of plates, and spake unto Tiger Lilly and Melph, and spake that I desired to retire from being a warrior, and from where the sun now sets I shall fight no more, forever. And Tiger Lilly and Zelph were supportive unto me and my decision.

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