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.
LoversPeace truly came, but for now one person, the current hero of this part of the story, wasn’t at peace. That person sat alone, on the futon, cross-legged in the elegant room.Thoughts raced through Lady Amalia’s ever working mind. Constant ideas of greatness flooded her every waking moment, even more she liked that, that grand feeling of satisfaction. Detail plans, every step precise, every move calculated, without flaw. If only she had courage to do it. She wasn’t a brave woman, and yet again depending from what angle looked, she had a certain type of courage.There is no doubt that she is a pretty woman with diamond-shaped face, full lips, a straight perfect nose, deep sapphire eyes. Her long raven hair fell in waves down her richly decorated robes. A large crest, a jade dragon and the symbol of yin and yang behind, was proudly placed on her ornate golden belt. She was more than proud of the crest.
I Arthada, the border with the Velesar. Two armies readied themselves for one final assault. Victory or defeat, there is nothing else, there is no middle ground. King Hirtan and King Reta, where at each other's throats for months, finally, it's time to decide the victor. King Reta and King Hirtan have the same number of men, 20, 000-strong. The commanders gave the signal; the army was divided into smaller groups. They waited, for the horn to blow. Their nerves were on edge, Finally, the horn blows, they charge. The battle is even, for now, both sides have severed heavy loses, if the battle continues, they will lose the numbers they have. King Hirtan, himself has decided that it's time to finish the battle. “Your Grace, you must hurry!” the general shouted behind the king. “I won't leave them!” the king turned to the general; half of his face was covered in dried blood. “Your face…” “It's nothing, just a flesh wo
IIIThe professor was writing in his study; he didn't care what was happening out side. His notes were much important that some parade. They were scattered everywhere. He found a few of them that were important and started arraigning them in on a single piece of paper. He was doing his second edition of the Great Sieges; he always liked the leave notes behind his book. People liked to read them. The only thing that was bothering was which note to place first; he decided on the elven days of the week.Days in a week: Meversizin Returdin Tuerdus Wesard Frieldas Xerdes ZesturdNote: the names are used from the elven language; the tradition at that time was to use a lot of elven names. So, t
VThe professor stopped, read everything again, after that he decided to continue to write. Maybe, it's time to change the wrongs he made in the first edition.My background as a historian the Irith University is truly shown here, I think. I always liked sieges; ever since I was a small boy, I would always sit and listen to stories that the retired soldiers told. Recently, I started writing my book the Great Sieges. While I was gathering material for my book, I found out that I didn't anything about the Revendir battle, or as someone likes to call the Battle of Revendir. I only knew that the battle was fought sometime in the early years of the Gurtal Age; that was all I knew. In the royal court things have changed, I became the royal historian. My first thing on this new position was to find something about this battle. At that time I never knew that King Arthar gave reinforcement to the Wolf clan. I was so pleased. I showed my findin
VIThe throne room was empty that day, nobody entered, and nobody exits. Lord Iritain and Lord Gertan looked at the throne, an uncomfortable wooden chair. That chair was used as a throne for three generations. There must be secret to why it is used.“I still don't get it, why they use this chair?” Lord Iritain looked at the arm rests, they were ordinary arm rests. They was nothing strange about them.“It keeps them focused on the speaker.” Lord Gertan said behind him.Iritain turned. He greeted him with a discussed look on his face. Gertain was that type of a character that would do anything to save himself. On the other hand, Iritain admired him, for his never-ending struggle for power.“How?”“if the chair is comfortable one than the king would fall asleep, this way he's constantly focused on the speaker.”“You mean to say, that they are focused by
VIIIThe sorcerer was already asleep, when the king entered. The king stopped for a moment, looking deeply into the sorcerer's eyes, they were widely opened. The king made a silly face, waived his hand in front of the sorcerer, there was no reply. What else could he do? The sorcerer was asleep, no, he was sleeping like a log. The king took one feather from his hat, and started tickling the sorcerer.“Very funny, Your Grace.” the sorcerer said.“You're awake!” the king said.“Yes.”“I need your help.”“What kind of help? A spell or two? Something complex?”“Yes.”“Leave it to me.”“I want you to scare someone.”“Easy.”The sorcerer entered the circle, looked at his sides, and started speaking the magical words. A layer of black smoke appeared around the circle. The sorcerer continued.
XIritian entered the room, hoping to find Abigail. The room was empty, no, the whole house was empty. Everything that was important, she has taken with her.In the middle of the room there stood a table. It was strange for him to see that table there. On the table there stood a letter. He opened the letter and read what was written inside:My lord,I have talked to Lady Joanna. You must know that all is well and she is in love with the king. She waits the king's move. I hope that you are well. We are all, only pawns in the king's game. I bet, that you already know this. Watch yourself, there are people that will kill for you position in the king's court. You have played you part, I will now, play mine.I hope, that I will see you soon.Yours truly,AbigailIritian left the house with a smile, the first one in three years since his wife has left him for
XIIThe samurai walked down the path. Olgierd looked at him. That man was strange. His hair was strangely placed on the top of his head. He carried two swords, the long one was on his back while the normal one was around his waist. Both of the swords were made in the same pattern. The long was twice the size of the normal one. Olgierd betted that the samurai's second sword was lighter than his. The shape and the curve meant that the sword-man was extremely fast. He heard stories about them, unlike most people, Olgierd believed in stories.Three hooligans went on the opposite side of the road. They saw the samurai and immediately stated attacking him. The samurai pulled out his sword, he made a fast vertical attack. The closest hooligan fell on his knees. Blood soaked his red tunic that could only mean, that the cut was deep. He tried to get up. Blood gushed in streams. His lifeless body fell to the ground. The samurai lunged at them the r