Just the previous night, an expedition of men had marched to the gates of Fornost, also known as Dead Man's Dike, and assaulted the guards in an attempt to dispatch the front lines of the enemy host. But the orcs knew of the attack, and countered the surprise, slaying many and taking several more captive, only to be tortured and help captive until death. Among those taken was their captain, a man of Trestlebridge called Captain Trotter. Brengeth and Thrundrid had ventured with the company, and now vowed to retrieve all those captured. All the survivors of the horrific skirmish had retreated to their camp in the Greenway for safety during the night. As dawn broke and the sun peaked over the hills to the East, Brengeth woke the warriors for a briefing... whether they wanted to be or not. "Greetings warriors of Trestlebridge! You may be thinking that last night's battle was but a mere nightmare, but I remind you that it was all too real. Your captain is being held captive, along with many of your brothers, sisters, and allies. The enemy cannot be allowed to claim more of your town's lives! Muster to ME, and I will be your captain. I will reclaim the lost, and wipe the North Downs clean of the tainted orcs and dead!" "I'm never going back there, sir! My brother was slain before my eyes! You cannot take me back there!", a young soldier exclaimed. Suddenly, several other voices rang out in resistance. It wouldn't be easy to get these men to quiet down and fight for the common good. "I cannot promise your friends back, but you must at least try!", responded Brengeth. "It is by your own free will that you follow your allies and myself back to the fortress of Fornost, but is it not worth attacking the... ... middle of paper ... ...red everywhere, as the chaos came to an end, and the triumphant mortal men stood upon the bodies of the enemy, without even a single loss of life on their own side. Pouring into the next courtyards and up stairs, they dispatched their foes so fast, not a single alarm could be sounded. Bows twanged as straight shafts were launched through the backs of those retreating. Both minstrel and captain could not believe their scheme to claim the first gate and courtyard had gone so well! But it was not finished yet, and they would have to push even deeper into the city, where their friends had been taken to rot in cells. However, their foes would grow in power, and when no orcs reported in later that night, suspicion would rise, and the generals of the Enemy would know... there was an assualt coming... they would be ready... and they would not let their fortress fall...
They become part of the regiment proudly known as General Barlow’s Boys. The war turned out to be nothing like they expected. All ...
This story brings back some harsh truths about warfare, and explains why so many naïve young men joined up, only to suffer deaths well before their time.
But the other men, who were like hook-clawed, beak-bent vultures,/ descending from the mountains to pounce upon the lesser birds;/ and these on the plain, shrinking away from the clouds, speed off,/ but the vultures plunge on them and destroy them, nor is there any/ defense, nor any escape, and men are glad for the hunting;/ so these men, sweeping about the palace, struck down/ the suitors, one man after another; the floor was smoking/ with blood, and the horrible cries rose up as their heads were broken.
The soldiers endured a lack of adequate leadership, which contributed to the author’s reasoning for his dislike towards the war. Disrespect from soldiers to their leaders was apparent, but was expected when the same respect was not being given back in return. Taking advantage of his job, Reno, a squad leader in charge of O’brien, awakens him ten minutes earlier and causes a mistrust and lack of respect to be instantly built.
Julianna Claire, an award winning poet once said, “War makes men act like fools, and makes fools pretend to be brave.” War is a very difficult and dangerous game. There must be a just cause to fight for, supporters on either side of the war, and clear plan on what the war ought to look like. Though, as much as countries plan their strategies and perfect their tactics, war never seems to go how people think it should. War creates heartache, makes countries question their governments, and changes the lives of the soldiers who fight in them. One such story that address the damages of war, is Ambush, by Tim O’Brien (1946). In this short story, Tim O’Brien tells a story of a young man fighting in Vietnam who kills a member of the Vietnam army. Robin Silbergleid, a neurosurgeon in Seattle, Washington, who minored in
"I made my first visit to them as chaplain on Sunday morning. The scene beggars all description. Some of them were comparatively young men. But they made the fatal mistake. They had only twenty-four hours to live.... Here was a wife to say farewell to a husband forever. Here a mother to take the last look at her ruined son, and then a sister who had come to embrace for the last time the brother who had brought disgrace upon the very name she bore by his treason to his country."
If one were to try to count all the wars in the history of mankind, they will surely fail. War can do things for better or worse, but one should be asked, “Might [there] have been another way, besides war, to accomplish the same end?” (Collier and Collier 211). Today even now families are separated by infighting and war just like the Meeker family. Since the dawn of humanity different generations have always fought and in times of war the fight is strengthened. Many leaders promote and sell the glory of war to get people to join the fight, but many who believed them soon realize the horrid realities of war. In My Brother Sam is Dead, although both sides of war are shown, author's Collier and Collier ultimately argue that war is futile.
The highest price paid during time of war is the life of an individual. Many do not understand the amount of courage it takes to sacrifice life for the freedom of others. In the movie We Were Soldiers, Colonel Hal Moore when referring to the men who lost th...
...turning back. Once they have been robbed of their innocence, they are unable to revert to their previous selves. War and facing the inevitable reality of death can change a person and disturb them for the rest of their lifetime. Many soldiers are naïve when they decide to serve their country; they plan on becoming a hero like their role models of the past. But when one truly experiences war for themselves, they find it unimaginable how people continue to declare war and urge young men to fight and honor their nation and family. One will remain innocent until he experiences the genuine emotional trauma of war.
"Dear Mom and Dad: The war that has taken my life, and many thousands of others before me, is immoral, unlawful, and an atrocity," (letter of anonymous soldier qtd. In Fussell 653).
After Beah became a speaker for the United Nations, he spoke that he “joined the army to avenge the deaths of (his) family.” (p. 199) Beah soon realized that the revenge he was seeking against the rebels that he believed killed his family would never come to an end. He was in a war within himself and it wasn’t going to end until he came to accept that he was done fighting. The atrocities that Ishmael Beah and the hundreds of thousands of child soldiers around the world have witnessed are memories that will be instilled in their minds forever.
My head is now held high as I walk through the camp, led by two of my own, toward the post. I pull an incognito smile, not because I'm happy but because I realise how closely this resembles a quick cane by Mr Munnings back at Iddelsleigh. I know from then on I'd always protect Tommo, this time proving it was with my life as well. My feet itch to run as I near the post, the firing squad loading their guilty rifles with their damned guilty bullets. I know it's not their fault, they're as deep in sorrow as I am, but still Sergeant Hanley crosses his arms and his smug grin isn't so hidden anymore as I can hear the thoughts floating through my head, "Look who won now...Private Peaceful."
“I have made a mistake and I must live with it. I don’t care how but I will get my revenge. Forward, we must catch them quickly before they spring their trap.” Gashard turned away, urging his men to move faster and shouted, “The enemy is within reach!”
However the conflict arises when James is reluctant to leave and is determined to stay with “the only brothers he has left”, in order to defend a strategic bridge who’s defense is vital in determining the immediate tide of the war. Again, Captain Miller, after already loosing two of his men, decides that Ryan and his fellow soldiers cannot hold the point on their own, and that he and his men will aid the already weakened defenders in hopes of not only defending the bridge from the Germans, but also to save Private Ryan from what would other-wise be his inevitable death.
Fighting for freedom turns out to be an ironic event. It is ironic because freedom is sacrificed to guard it. Many brave men and women give up their daily lives so they can be shipped off to a place where they must follow orders and engage in combat. They drop everything to defend their country and the rights of the people living there, while giving up some of their own in the process. When on the lines, they are not free to wander around as they please, to sleep whenever they want to, or to eat what, where and when, they want. Unfortunately, along with enduring these inconveniences, some of our heroes are forced to give up the greatest thing of all, their life.