[the phantom]

Sauron threw up his hands in disgust. For the third time that night, his attempt to turn Phantom back into a werewolf had failed.

Phantom was sitting propped up against the tree. He looked exhausted, and somewhat older, but his eyes were shining with defiance. "Looks like your plan to destroy Erbar Telamarth is going extremely well," he said mockingly.

"You are a fool!" returned Sauron. "If I cannot make you a wolf, I will just find other wolves, and kill you! Your village will be destroyed either way! Why not give in and become a wolf again? At least that way you will get to live. Also, I know you must have enjoyed being a werewolf on some level."

Phantom rolled his eyes and sighed. "I'm getting tired of your arguments, Sauron. I've heard them all at least ten times tonight. Go away." Sauron stared silently at Phantom for a moment until Mortakh broke the silence.

"Lord Sauron, it's getting late. If you're going to recruit some wolves you need to do it now, or we'll have to wait another night."

Sauron turned towards Mortakh. "Yes, it is getting late. Take the others back to the camp, get the wolves, and bring them back as quickly as possible. I will call some villagers to meet us."

"Yes, Lord Sauron!" answered Mortakh. "C'mon boys, we're going back to camp to get the wolves!"

The orcs immediately loped towards the trees on the Northern side of the hill, but before entering the forest Mortakh stopped and looked back up at Sauron.

Sauron's hands were stretched to the southeast, towards the village, and he was chanting quietly in some language unknown to Mortakh. Mortakh turned and followed his squad towards the camp. He knew that when he got back he would find three villagers on the hill with Sauron- three villagers whose dark hearts, though hidden from their fellow villagers, could not be hid from the powerful call of Sauron.

(to be continued)