A decade of planning culminates in a nearly bloodless coup in the Kingdom of Aleghor. King Benedict takes the throne with the intention of eradicating the corruption which was synonymous with the rule and name of his predecessor, King Atomas. It is a task that proves to be harder than overthrowing the kingdom itself and while Benedict sometimes compromises his values while acting with the best intentions, his actions will take their toll on himself and those who support him. When loyalties start to fall into question and control starts to slip away from Benedict, how far will he go to ensure the survival of his dream to eradicate the corruption and bring peace to all men in the kingdom? How far and long will the loyalty and love of his supporters last? This fantasy is set in a city against the backdrop of a city similar to Pompeii and the volcano, Vesuvius. A character similar to Samson in the bible helps to create an epic fantasy story including romance and tragedy while fundamentally following a storyline inspired by Cold Play's song of the same name. With the events similar to the life of Samson described in this novel, do not expect this story to be religious. It isn't. It is also only one part of the overall story. It is also not a retelling of the end of Pompeii.
View MoreThe city of Kyrshom was never the same. The lava had destroyed much of the city and it would never be rebuilt. The walls that had been built naturally from past eruptions were destroyed and partially covered by the new lava flow. They could no longer serve as natural protective walls. The lava had flowed through the city all the way down to the cliff where it had poured over the edge and buried the harbour. The ramp that had previously been built was partially destroyed and could no longer serve as an access to the city without considerable repairs which would take a long time. Many residents moved away and the life and culture of Kyrshom seemed to have left with them. People feared another eruption of Mt Almall and did not wish to lose what little they had left. Hope sparked briefly for the revival of Kyrshom as the lava cooled. People discovered Alymcyte in the cooled lava and there was a brief “Alymcyte rush” before the price offered for Alymcyte fell through the floor. It was so
Eesa seemed to consider then replied in a hushed voice. “Thank you for your kindness sir. I am new and I am particularly interested in meeting men if you understand?”Breeger smiled. “I do indeed understand Eesa. But perhaps you would prefer to meet only one man if he makes it worth your while?”Eesa looked at Breeger in disbelief. “You would like that? You can do that?”Breeger smiled. “I assure you that I can.”“Then let us discuss it further somewhere more private. Perhaps tomorrow after your party?”“Perhaps tonight after my party?” Breeger pressed.“As you wish,” Eesa replied.Breeger explained to Eesa where his villa was and he left, very happy at the prospect of seeing Eesa again.After the party that evening Breeger took Eesa back to her home and she invited him in.Breeger was keen to start his new affair with Eesa and did not sa
Firing continued strategically but damage was much less now as the attackers had moved out of the path of the catapult. The fires in the small trenches were doused and the attackers advanced further only to be stopped by new fires in new trenches. A co-ordinated retreat was being made by the army. They would ultimately retreat to within sight of the palace where another large trench had been dug and would be fed by oil from two sides to keep the fire burning. One army advanced and the other retreated. Neither side noticed the sky lighten with the approaching day. Then, just before dawn, a new quake struck. It was brief and violent. It was as if the earth heaved and men were thrown to the ground as the quake increased in strength. Then it finally subsided and all was quiet for a brief moment. In hindsight that moment seemed to last forever. Then an explosion tore through the predawn air and the earth shook knocking everyone to the ground. People screamed and shouted looking around des
Samnom knew that no-one in this compound was his friend and he treated them all as the enemy as he wandered through the compound calling out Gelyn’s name.Two more encounters with guards in the compound left the remaining guards assured that they were little or no match for Samnom. One guard stepped forward to meet Samnom.“We do not know where Breeger or Gelyn are. They went to the King’s ball and never returned. Breeger is wanted and the king’s men have searched the compound already for Breeger. He must be hiding somewhere else.”Samnom thanked the soldier and left. He made his way to the palace where he was stopped at the gates.“I seek no fight. I simply wish to see the lady Gelyn. My name is Samnom.”The guards looked concerned and conferred with each other a short distance away. Then one walked off towards the palace while the other returned and asked Samnom to wait.A while later the guard ret
The air by the East wall was thick with dust as the sun approached the horizon. A clear sign that the army beyond the walls would actually strike at sunrise. Benedict left his chambers and made his way to the East wall. He was greeted by the watch commander whose face was grim. He bowed and greeted Benedict. “Your majesty.” His body language said what he dared not say. They were hopelessly outnumbered. Benedict greeted him and made his way to the edge of the wall. He was right. The army of the Kelnians had approached the walls as near as they dared before daybreak. With the first sun’s rays, their strike would begin. Benedict looked along the top of the wall. Boiling pots of oil stood ready to be poured on the army below. Archers were ready too and Benedict was assured the catapults were ready too although he was not sure if they would be effective since he believed that the Kelnians were now closer than the minimum range of the catapults. As he looked down he saw the arrangement o
She could not tell Alexa for it would alert the men with them. Hester waited until they turned the next corner in the passage. Alexa looked back as always after turning a corner. Hester followed them around the corner and then stopped as soon as Alexa had looked back. She turned and ran back around the corner and into the dark. She had no torch but there was only one path in this passage. If she collided with a wall she just had to find the right way again and then continue on. She prayed for Alexa to forgive her for not saying goodbye.At the next corner Alexa turned and realized Hester was gone.“Hester is gone!”The men in front of her stopped and looked back. “We can’t go back Alexa. It’s too dangerous now. Others will be coming through here soon enough and if she has fallen they will find her.”“But she could be dying!” Alexa insisted.The men looked at each other. One volunteered. “I&rsquo
“You seem to be full of excuses King Benedict but yet have no proof of anything you say. Assassins killed our masters you say but they escaped. Atomas body was not burned you say but you cannot produce his body. Atomas women have left you say but where is the proof? I truly believe that you have lost control of the kingdom King Benedict. In all the time you have been king, you have failed to eradicate the Black Cloaks. I think it is time that we should do your job for you and relieve you of the task of ruling this kingdom.”“I ask you to please reconsider your threat Olnoy. I have come here today in peace. There have been a series of unfortunate events which have happened at this point in time. However, if you will decide to at least try and trust me, I will show you what I say is true.”“I think letting you stand out here and lie to me is enough. Letting you give me the bodies of our masters simply adds insult to injury.”Ben
“He had it coming. Besides, if he had been freed and allowed to voice his opinion, he would not have voiced it in favour of us.“ “Of that much I am sure,” Benedict replied. He would have to explain the death to Talek. There was not much else that could be done. Benedict insisted that they make their way to the mine first before returning the bodies of the masters. Tordor agreed. Melonor had not returned with news from the mine and both Benedict and Tordor suspected that he must have met with misfortune. They instructed the soldiers with the bodies to wait at the East gate for them and rode to the mine with a small number of soldiers. On the ride up they found out why Melonor had not returned from the mine. He lay dead beside the road, killed by an arrow through the heart. Benedict and Tordor surmised that it was an assassin ordered to stop word of the situation at the mine getting back to Benedict. They doubted that anyone would try to stop them now but cautioned the soldiers to
Tordor agreed. He knew it was a war they could not win. He left to order the bodies prepared for burial.Benedict looked over the city. His thoughts turned to Hester and Harbem and Alexa. He called one of the guards and told him to fetch Harbem from the dungeons.Harbem was ushered in some time later. His hands were still chained and Benedict ordered the chains removed. The guard removed them and left. Benedict indicated that Harbem should be seated. He poured two cups of wine and handed Harbem one.“Perhaps we can make a deal Harbem.”“I am prepared to listen your Majesty.”“There are ten thousand men outside the walls of the city. This morning, two of the three masters who led them to the gates, were murdered in audience with me. I have no doubt Breeger is behind it, but that’s beside the point. Those men outside the city will march and wipe out this city. I will need every man to defend it. Perhaps now is the
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