Post by Griffin on Oct 6, 2007 14:37:57 GMT -5
Think I forgot? No, I've been (lazily) working and reviewing this and I hope to actaully finish.
The Five Gods were said to have walked the land we live on now. Each god claimed a portion of this land and granted unique bounties upon their followers. The earth goddess, Melendris, took to the north and named the forested kingdom Teralis. Martol, the goddess of life and light, went east, and named her sparkling kingdom Delaris. Nayak then followed, moving west. The god of death and ice took the windswept wasteland of Ozern as his own. The goddess of mystery and beauty went south. Ariae acquired Venras, the mountain kingdom. All that remained was the area in the center of all those, which was taken in Volcra’s name. The god of war and fire was named chief of the Five Gods long ago. It was only right that his kingdom of Caradon be the central of them all. The people, however, had different thoughts.
Using their bounties, they forged weapons and recruited armies to invade and conquer each other. Citizens were killed, villages were burned, and the gods were ashamed. They intervened and reestablish order. Their bounties were still there, but only for those who showed tremendous faith for their gods. The people also wised up. Leaders met and established union against raiders and bandits.
This peace lasted for centuries. The rule of King Decius Mazus of Caradon was the high point of this peace. King Mazus has ruled for decades and is the only king in his people thoughts. His swordsmanship is flawless. His management skills are suburb. His influence is unmatched. He puts all credit to his success in Volcra, but he knows the gods can’t do everything for him. Decius Mazus learns this the hard way.
It’s late. The king paced the royal red carpet of his quarters. His old bones creaked softly as he walked. The knock he awaited came. He called for the person to enter. A pale, short man with political aura about him entered. Mazus addressed him, “Ah, Aulus. I’m glad you came.”
Aulus Cunis has been head of the king’s council almost as long as Mazus has been king. Cunis is all politics. He cares not for the people, but for the kingdom. He’s made some major cases that benefited Caradon greatly, but when he does well for his kingdom, he sometimes forgets the people.
Cunis bowed slightly, “Any time, my liege.”
Mazus offered him a seat. Aulus sat across from the king. The king pulled a bottle of wine from storage, poured himself a glass, and then offered a glass to Cunis. He took it, raised the glass, and bowed his head lightly. They toasted to Volcra (Cunis reluctantly) and got to business. The king addressed the pale man in a serious tone, “Aulus, you’ve benefited the kingdom greatly across the years. I wanted to discuss my heir with you, seeing as you are the most experienced.”
Cunis ears twitched. If he was most experienced, was his king implying that he would be the one to rule after him?
“I’m old Aulus. I have no family left and no woman to call my wife. I want to put the best person for the position in charge. I want you, Aulus...”
This was it, Cunis thought. This was his moment.
“...to designate Cassius as my heir.”
Cunis’s jaw dropped. He stuttered, “Cassius? Cassius Beran?”
“The very same. I know you were expecting me to choose you, Aulus. However,” Mazus paused, “I fear war. Cassius has the war expertise we need. Ozern has become strangely aggressive as of late. Spies show they are mobilizing. As Nayak is Volcra’s natural opposite, I only fear that we are the target. Cassius’s faith in Volcra will also be a vital asset to our defense.” He paused and registered the councilman’s shock. “I know you’re disappointed Aulus. You are still head of he council and as long as you don’t do anything to upset Cassius you will stay there.”
The councilman was dumbfounded. How could Mazus not choose him? And worse still, choose the supreme commander? Sure, Beran held plenty of power, but he would still rule better than a war lover. And his faith...does he not have faith in his kingdom? His thoughts quickly turned to Ozern. An attack? Preposterous! Ozern would never attack the chief kingdom. Finally, he spoke, trying not to sound shaken, “I understand fully, my liege. I will inform Cassius upon your death.”
The king smiled and toasted once more. Cunis followed suit. “I trust you, Aulus. Keep Cassius under control. He can tend to be a little reckless.”
Aulus downed the rest of his wine in one gulp. He got up and left the king’s quarters. The name of Cassius Beran raged in his thoughts. He would get the position of king, whatever it took.
Prologue: The Pale Councilman
The Five Gods were said to have walked the land we live on now. Each god claimed a portion of this land and granted unique bounties upon their followers. The earth goddess, Melendris, took to the north and named the forested kingdom Teralis. Martol, the goddess of life and light, went east, and named her sparkling kingdom Delaris. Nayak then followed, moving west. The god of death and ice took the windswept wasteland of Ozern as his own. The goddess of mystery and beauty went south. Ariae acquired Venras, the mountain kingdom. All that remained was the area in the center of all those, which was taken in Volcra’s name. The god of war and fire was named chief of the Five Gods long ago. It was only right that his kingdom of Caradon be the central of them all. The people, however, had different thoughts.
Using their bounties, they forged weapons and recruited armies to invade and conquer each other. Citizens were killed, villages were burned, and the gods were ashamed. They intervened and reestablish order. Their bounties were still there, but only for those who showed tremendous faith for their gods. The people also wised up. Leaders met and established union against raiders and bandits.
This peace lasted for centuries. The rule of King Decius Mazus of Caradon was the high point of this peace. King Mazus has ruled for decades and is the only king in his people thoughts. His swordsmanship is flawless. His management skills are suburb. His influence is unmatched. He puts all credit to his success in Volcra, but he knows the gods can’t do everything for him. Decius Mazus learns this the hard way.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It’s late. The king paced the royal red carpet of his quarters. His old bones creaked softly as he walked. The knock he awaited came. He called for the person to enter. A pale, short man with political aura about him entered. Mazus addressed him, “Ah, Aulus. I’m glad you came.”
Aulus Cunis has been head of the king’s council almost as long as Mazus has been king. Cunis is all politics. He cares not for the people, but for the kingdom. He’s made some major cases that benefited Caradon greatly, but when he does well for his kingdom, he sometimes forgets the people.
Cunis bowed slightly, “Any time, my liege.”
Mazus offered him a seat. Aulus sat across from the king. The king pulled a bottle of wine from storage, poured himself a glass, and then offered a glass to Cunis. He took it, raised the glass, and bowed his head lightly. They toasted to Volcra (Cunis reluctantly) and got to business. The king addressed the pale man in a serious tone, “Aulus, you’ve benefited the kingdom greatly across the years. I wanted to discuss my heir with you, seeing as you are the most experienced.”
Cunis ears twitched. If he was most experienced, was his king implying that he would be the one to rule after him?
“I’m old Aulus. I have no family left and no woman to call my wife. I want to put the best person for the position in charge. I want you, Aulus...”
This was it, Cunis thought. This was his moment.
“...to designate Cassius as my heir.”
Cunis’s jaw dropped. He stuttered, “Cassius? Cassius Beran?”
“The very same. I know you were expecting me to choose you, Aulus. However,” Mazus paused, “I fear war. Cassius has the war expertise we need. Ozern has become strangely aggressive as of late. Spies show they are mobilizing. As Nayak is Volcra’s natural opposite, I only fear that we are the target. Cassius’s faith in Volcra will also be a vital asset to our defense.” He paused and registered the councilman’s shock. “I know you’re disappointed Aulus. You are still head of he council and as long as you don’t do anything to upset Cassius you will stay there.”
The councilman was dumbfounded. How could Mazus not choose him? And worse still, choose the supreme commander? Sure, Beran held plenty of power, but he would still rule better than a war lover. And his faith...does he not have faith in his kingdom? His thoughts quickly turned to Ozern. An attack? Preposterous! Ozern would never attack the chief kingdom. Finally, he spoke, trying not to sound shaken, “I understand fully, my liege. I will inform Cassius upon your death.”
The king smiled and toasted once more. Cunis followed suit. “I trust you, Aulus. Keep Cassius under control. He can tend to be a little reckless.”
Aulus downed the rest of his wine in one gulp. He got up and left the king’s quarters. The name of Cassius Beran raged in his thoughts. He would get the position of king, whatever it took.
And thank you!