Chapter 1: Union, Locks and the Price of Peace

Union

The Union slowly grew in power, starting from a small, small nation in the most Northern part of Yoistu. The neighboring countries didn't even try to conquer it, not even once, in its long and boring history. Famous people came and went, the Union, with its strictly know hierarchy, remained the same. So, it was for years, until like everyone else, they, too, started to change. Even faster than their economic progress, was the growth of their ambitions. If ambitions were a thing to trade, they would be the richest state in Yoistu. With the recent change in the administration, the new leader, Hokun, prepares for a speech:

"Not a bad one, I'm sure."

"Truly," the head minister said. "You are right, indeed."

"Tell me, how long does this act go on?" Hokun turned.

"What do you mean?" the head minister wasn't pleased.

"I mean, when will the truth be revealed to the people?"

"All in due time, there is always time."

"So, by the locks of it, never?"

"I didn't say that."

"No, you didn't, but you meant it."

"The only thing, I meant there is time."

"Maybe for you, you are still here, the rest of us come and go, but the head minister stays."

 "I'm just a hard-worker."

"Maybe, but there is always something else, but what, I don't know?"

"Everything is a game of wits."

"Easy for you to say, you are very good at that."

"True. Some of us are born to lead, while others are born to guide."

"What are you?"

"Am I a leader?"

Hokun didn't answer, there was no use answering, and it was already known. Hokun, even with the information that he was elected by the people, was nothing more than puppet of the head minister and men similar to him. What else could he do? For now nothing, there will a time. The first thing, he had to do, was to ensure peace. He exits the room, slowly looks up and tallest building. It was time for a speech.

He went up the platform, watched the gathering crowd:

"I see you, gathered before me, as I once was among you. With you faith in me, I went here."

The crowd was silent.

"I am more than thankful."

The crowd reacted. They cheered.  

"It's you, who we have to thank, for the steady rise in our economy and production."

They cheered.

"I won't lie we have a hard road ahead of us, but with you help we will make a bright future for all of us."

The crowd approved.

"Everyone should contribute as much as they can."

The crowd cheered.

The head minister approved:

"The time of change is coming."

The second in command, a woman named Zarine, slowly walked through the crowd.

Fool, she thought, enjoy your moment of victory, for you will suffer for what you have done to the people, to me and to everyone else that you have cheated and enslaved the reach the high that you have.

Locks

A shadowy figure moved through the burned remains of the wooden hill-fort, which once stood like a beacon in the sea of oaks that dominate the landscape with their enormous height. A large reptilian creature flew down, screeched in a high tone that destroys eardrums and continued on its hunting way, disappearing in the shadow of the grand oaks. Only a screech was heard.

The figure walked down the narrow hallways that lead to the main mead hall, darkness was ever present. A cobweb here, a cobweb there, it was an ideal scene for an old abandoned dungeon filled randomly with monster of all sorts. The figure moved like a shadow to the stone-slab doors. Strong and sturdy, they were after years of battle with the elements, a rear sight in this humid weather. With a loud banking noise the doors latched in their place. They were opened after so many years. Rows of cracked, broken tables adorned the deserted mead hall like strings on a hurdy-gurdy, they were a perfect match.

The figure searched for something. The ground periodically shook, remembering that it should continue to do that, neither weaker nor strong, the same constant shaking. Earthquakes were a common thing in these parts. The figure turned, looked in a distant corner of the mead hall. It found what it searched for. The shaking became stronger, and with it the wind. The figure rushed to get far away from this accursed place. It depends how far one is counting.

High above the figure a storm was gathering on the horizon, clouds black as night moved with a steady pace over the hill-fort. The ground was shaking a lot stronger than before.

Deep underground, in a prison, made from the strongest metals that this world could find and enchanted with the strongest magic, something large, fierce and unknown moved its tail.

Two red eyes shinned in the darkness.

The hinges were starting to loosen.

The Price of Peace

The emperor looked at the surrounding city far below the palace, the development of that same city wasn't a sight to behold. A few recently made houses, a few shop, two or three important buildings joined by old roads that were made with wagons. A servant rushed:

"My Emperor, I have urgent news."

"What news? Good or bad, I wonder?" the emperor turned.

"Neither, Emperor, it depends if they give us a boost."

"True. Then, let's hear them."

"The Union has signed a peace treaty with the neighboring nations in the facility of the two islands."

"What islands?"

"Tal and Estan, Emperor."

"They signed a peace treaty with us."

"How long will it last?"

"I don't know." 

"I hope, as long as it will benefit us, Emperor."

"True."

"They are planing something."

"At least, that is sure."

"Fucking idiots…"

"Idiots or not, they have the upper hand."

"They want alliance."

"There is nothing that we can do but accept."

The time of peace truly came. People danced in the streets, they didn’t care how peace was made or how long will it last. The only thing that mattered was the moment, and the moment was pleasing.