[Fan] A History of Grisima: The Tale of Haradin the Great and Nieda the Gangin (M)

I r rightin a buk! u want to reed it? [/stupid_crap]

this book, as the title suggests fallows the tale of Haradin the Great and Nieda of Gangula, oh what fun they have together =D enjoy! This is the first in a series of books entitled "A History of Grisima" there are 7 books planed so I have lots to do . anyway enjoy the prologue of the first book.

Prologue

Screaming. Screaming, screaming, and screaming. The dark room, crammed with people echoed with the sounds of the women in the corner. She continued to scream, as if she was being tortured, and in a way she was. She was a lovely lady her skin white as the rock of Gagul pass, hair black as the Forest of Hophna at night. She screamed some more, her exposed vagina began to part little by little; her child’s head began to crown, the baby was coming.

“Hurdan, hurdan,” the man in front of her exclaimed, “hurdan jod ladig nadva, furdigern hurdan jod ladig nadva.”

“Jess AHHHHHH, fi nint, fi NINT,” the women screamed, in her native tongue, that all the Alzians spoke, Alcifet, “fi nint furdigern, fi nint furdigern hurd,” her head dripping with sweat, her hair soaked, face red, an image of pain permanently burned on to her face, she screamed again.

“Jetigan,” the man said, “jetigan ked bandi nint kuger, joda bandi nint lert nadgafirg, lert nadgafirg, lert nego, pluck nint fubort nego,” he asked, while cleaning the baby girl with rags, after cleaning her off a little he took the cord in his hand and bit it in half, quickly tying both ends. He took a purple blanket from the corner, discarding the green one that lay on top; he wrapped the little girl in it and handed her to her mother.

“Nieda,” she responded after taking a bit of time to think about it, “fubort nego nint Nieda, plesh nint Domrik, alt nad, bour dagofi gent bourt advagort.”

“Nieda,” the group that had been watching her give birth said in unison, random people could be heard making comments such as, “A fine girl, when will you give Domrik a son, a princess for the empire, beautiful young girl, a very nice birth, what a fine name,” and so on could be heard for at least five more minutes, by then people had started to file out of the room. The Queen of Gangula finally arouse from the ground where she had given birth, her baby Nieda in hand, she exited the room, to look for her husband, King Domrik, who had been on campaign in Hurculus, she knew that he was fighting for little more than honor and perhaps a little bit of land, but she accepted this and waited for his return.

In the war with Hurculus Domrik had been the aggressor, so he had to be sure his line held over the winter months, Veccurum and Lardikum even the first half of Hurulum was still nippy enough to call winter. He needed to protect the line because they had been pushed back to the boarder by King Gusto’s, king of Hurculus, elite horseman and if he entered Gangula he would, by the customs of war, burn cities and kill the people living in Gangula, whether they be Gangin, Hurculian, or even Oritan, though few Oritans or even Hurculians lived in Gangula anyway.

Gusto launched his surprise offensive 35th of Lardikum, two days from the New Year. He smash up the Gangin lines, crushing them into powder and leaving almost nothing left. Gusto caught Domrik, and after a short battle King to King Domrik surrendered, knowing that his child, who would be born soon would never know the pleasures of a younger sibling, the punishment for a King surrendering were harsh indeed. Domrik was held down, his trousers removed. Gusto looked at Domrik, laying on the ground until he finally said the words Domrik was dreading.

“fi nint ceri, Cushtni Domrik,” Gusto began, “jod neane ked virk popi ga dagoni ga fi don, it is with much regret friend, that I must castrate you,” he raised his sword, “move the penis out of the way,” it was done, and Gusto’s sword came down, Domrik let out a blood curdling scream, after a minute it subsided to just crying and whimpering, he knew the punishment was not yet over though, he had been castrated but still they needed to return to his body, how this was done was up to the conqueror, in this case Gusto.

“How,” Domrik asked sniveling and attempting to get on his feet, “how will you finish the punishment? The same way my father did to my grandfather?”

“No Domrik, you will eat them,” Gusto replied, “you will eat them tonight at a feast to honor my victory today, you will sit next to me and before you are severed anything worth eating, you will be made to eat this,” he shoved the scrotum and its contents in Domrik’s face so he could see for sure that he had lost what was once attached.

“You are cruel Gusto, that is cruel,” Domrik said calmly, knowing that he had to be as nice as possible, knowing that any belligerents called for his death after he was made to eat it, if he was nice enough, considering what just happened to him, he would be let go and allowed to rule his empire unimpeded, though the war would still be going on. He was given time to get away from the opposing King.

A Famous case of this was when King Lourko of Oritus and King Vinar of Gangula were at war, this was back when Hophna was still under Gangin control, before King Furdinand took it nearly forty years ago, Vinar had taken Lourko captive and castrated him just as the code required, though Vinar was a reasonable man, Lourko was nothing but trouble and would not stop yelling and caring on. On their way to drop Lourko off in Oritus, because they had reach a peace agreement and Vinar had not returned them to Lourko’s body yet, Vinar got fed up with Lourko and thrust his sword into his belly it is not known for sure but it is said that Vinar at this point said ‘now I return them to you’ and he tossed them into the gaping wound, Lourko died and Vinar road back to Gangula having fulfilled tradition.

Mostly the Kings just manned up for the event and acted appropriately afterwards. Just so they could have the chance to do to the enemy king what had happened to them.

Gusto ordered that Domrik be tied up, villagers from the local village were invited to come see their tied up king, the battle had started in Hurculus but ended in Gangula giving the name to the battle The Trans-Boarder Battle, soldiers of Gangula joined in the party for the victory, none, however attempted to free their king, because they knew that either Gusto or Domrik would have them killed in a cruel way because it was after all the Code of War, a worse punishment that was even more of a deterrent, the soldiers might be castrated as well.

The festivities drew on for hours people hooting and hollering all over the place, people most enjoyed the brief interlude where there was no fighting, ”six months,” one Gangin soldier said, “yeah six months, almost to the day, it’s been 214 days,” he said looking at a book of notes he had been writing, “and six times thirty-six is 216.”

Gusto stood up and took a look around at everyone, he motioned to a soldier behind him, as he was told, the soldier brought Domrik to the table and forced him to sit next to Gusto. “Everyone,” Gusto yelled with his great booming voice, “we celebrate one night, a night of peace, from the day my armies came out in victory, while sadly Domrik lost something important to him today, ,” he paused and looked around, an evil grin lined his face, he looked behind and motioned to a man holding a plate to bring the plate up, “what do you all say we give it back to him, eh?”

The crowd jeered, clapped and much laughter was exchange, even by the Gangin soldiers joined in the jeering and laughter, everyone knew what was about to happen. The plate was set down, fired and served with greens and drink. Domrik began to cry but regained his composure, he had a steel façade, no one could tell what he was feeling inside.

“Domrik,” Gusto began, “you will eat your scrotum and testacals, according to ancient traditions of the warrior, I have snipped them off, now I have to let them become a part of you once again so, EAT UP,” he exclaimed and then began to laugh, the crowd fallowed suite.

Domrik stood up Scrotum in hand, without batting an eye he stuffed it in his mouth and began to chew, after he swallowed he picked up the other part of his main course, these he just popped in and swallowed, as he did so he cried and hoped that his wife had given birth to a son, otherwise his line would end with him, what he hoped more that the baby had survived and was still alive.

“Very good Domrik, I now absolve you of your debt and you are free to go,” Gusto said. However Domrik did not leave, he laughed and smiled and enjoyed the night, as promised Gusto put a plate of proper food in front of him, various meats and assorted greens. He had no fear from Gusto until tomorrow when the sun is at its highest, then either of them was free game to the other, and if Domrik surrendered again, he would be killed on the spot, nothing would save him after the first punishment.

After the night Domrik and the other Gangin Soldiers took to horse back and road off in the direction of Geldis Galhem, partly because the sun was getting high and partly because he did not want to be around to see the city they had camped out during the night burned to the ground, some of its citizens had left last night and other left with them this morning. Sure enough half an hour, twenty minutes, later from the north smoke began to rise, Minitus was gone and now Domrik needed to ride right to his capital city, Geldis Galhem, to gather troops and to check on his wife and to see it the baby had been born yet.

The arrival in Geldis Galhem was cold and rainy. Everyone looked at Domrik and knew what had happened, news told by those that had left Minitus the night before the Hurculians attacked and sacked it a week and a half ago, had been spreading the news.

Domrik marched his way through the city headed to his palace, the bath houses on his left looked sludgy and grimy, oh his right the meat market, he saw a prostitute there one time when he was younger, he was hoping she would bared him a son, soon he would find out. He rushed to the Great Palace of Gangula, he left his horse at the station just outside the palace’s 360 steps, one for each day of the year, in addition there were ten pillars out front, representing the number of months in the year, the building its self was made of white marble from Gagul pass in the Barrang Range, that had once been owned by Gangula, but when they lost Hophna they lost all their holdings in Barrang as well.

After climbing the steps and entering the Palace Domrik rushed to find his wife, servants and all kept telling him a mix of ‘congratulations’ and ‘I’m sorry’, he knew the baby had come but he did not yet know the sex of the baby, finally in the throne room, Domrik came face to face with his wife and their child, he walked up, she did not say a word, the baby was wrapped in white, he could not tell by the colors if the baby was a boy or girl. He tore back the blanket and immediately fell to his knees, a girl.

“My line ends with me then,” he said, he began to weep and sob uncontrollably, putting his hands over his face and even whipping away tears of a bad start to this New Year.

“What do you mean,” his wife finally said after a few minutes of him crying, “what do you mean your line ends with you?”

“Look,” he took his armor off, then his trousers, reveling the lack of some of his parts, “you see, I can no longer have children, our armies are destroyed and Hurculus will burn Geldis Galhem to the ground, most likely they will kill you, me and the kid.”
“Nieda,” she interjected quickly, “your daughter’s name is Nieda.”

He took Nieda and sat down in his own chair, “I wish I could make all our problems disappear somehow.”

“Remember the meat market where we met my love,” She reminded him, “we were so care free back then, I wish we could go back to that,” she cried.

“I have an idea,” Domrik said with glee. He put his armor back on then ran out of the palace with his daughter in hand, his wife not far behind, screaming ‘where are you going?’ He took to horse back and rode out of Geldis Galhem, heading north.

Not an hour out he found what he was looking for, the Hurculian army. “Gusto King of Hurculus,” he yelled out while on top of the hill, the Hurculians were climbing up, coming to no doubt attack Geldis Galhem ‘just in time’ he thought to himself.

“What is it Domrik,” Gusto yelled back, he put his horse in to a gallop to reach Domrik faster.

When he got close enough Domrik finally said, “I want peace and I think I’ve found a way to do that, that would satisfy both our counties.”

Gusto noticing the baby in Domriks hand as soon as his horse approached, “would it have to do with the baby in your hands, what use for a baby do you think I would have?”

“Well,” Domrik began, “this is a girl, and if you had a boy then she will marry your son, that way you get to expand your kingdom without bloodshed and I get to keep my line going.”

“How do I know that is a girl,” Gusto asked, Domrik removed the blanket and showed Gusto that she was in fact a girl, “how do I know that this is your daughter and the daughter of some random subject of yours?”

“She is mine,” Domrik said coldly, “you can ask my wife.”

Gusto looked at Domrik for a few minutes then finally said, “okay then, I believe you and we have a deal, for now you keep your kingdom, and we will still get it later, plus you will get to live still.”

Domrik had saved Gangula, though just narrowly. He stood up on the hill and looked over the field as the Hurculians retreated, he felt like he had done something for Gangula and he was proud. Domrik rode back to Geldis Galhem, slowly though, taking three hours to get back with his little Nieda. When he got back, he immediately went to the throne room and sat down, his wife next to him, she had a sour and unhappy look on her face.

“Where did you go,” she asked shortly.

“I went to save Gangula and its people,” he said proudly, “unfortunately; I had to give away Nieda to do this.”

“She is clearly right there in your lap, sitting and doing what babies do,” his wife said, “what do you mean you gave her away.”

“When Gusto has a son, she will be married to him,” he said to her without batting an eye, “she and I will be national Hero’s.”

“You gave her away just like that,” she cried with shock and terror, “my little girl is barely a week old and already she is to be married.”

“She saved the Kingdom,” he retorted, “she has already done more than most women; you should be envious of her, instead of damning toward me.”

The sun sat that day, everyone in the court had a bad taste in their mouth having to give so much for peace, but they agreed with Domrik and what he did to keep his people safe. Gusto left Gangula within another two weeks riding time to the boarder; everyone praised him as the savior of Hurculus from Gangula and Domrik, his actions although better than that of his sons, would be over shadowed by them, unfair though it is.

The title of the chapter I got from a song I like

LEGAL BUMP!

Chapter One

Look inside; see what has become of her


Nieda grew up in Geldis Galhem. Her mother made every effort to spend time with her, knowing that one day she would have to leave for Hurculus, married off to a boy that had not been born yet. Her father, King Domrik, grew ever distant he made sure that she knew all the rules and customs of Hurculus, even though she did not want to, for that she resented him but she still loved him, he was her father after all.

One day she saw her father in her room when she was eight, he had a horse satchel, “father,” Nieda began, “what are you doing, am I going somewhere?”

“Yes my dear Nieda,” Domrik smiled, “we, not just you though, you and I are going to the land to the north, do you remember what it was called?”

A sour look and then a frown struck her face when she heard they were going that far north, “yes father, Hurculus,” she answered, “but why do we have to go to Hurculus, I don’t want to go to Hurculus.”

Domrik stopped packing so he could look her in the eyes, “love, you are going to Hurculus with me and you are hopefully going to meet your husband,” he stood back up and continued to pack some of her things.

“What is his name father,” Nieda asked.

“I don’t know,” Domrik retorted, “as far as I know, my love, he has not been born yet, we may even make it in time to watch him being born, would you like that Nieda, you want to see your husband being born?”

“Is he going to look like cousin Vedro when he was born,” she asked, “I don’t want to watch him being born, even if he is my husband.”

“NIEDA,” Domrik yelled, Nieda jumped back, he put the satchel back down turned around and looked Nieda right in the face, “you will come with me and you will watch your husband being born if need be and you will not say a mal-word of any sort, you hear me little girl,” Nieda looked down and began to cry, “NO,” Domrik yell as he slapped her across the face, “you will not cry and you will have a smile on your face while we are in Hurculus.”

“Why do you slap me father,” she asked him, “I have done nothing and you slap me, I love you father, why do you not love me?”

Still bent down, Domrik looked down at the ground, “I did something terrible to you while you were a baby, there is nothing I can do about it, I do love you Nieda, I just wish I hadn’t made the deal I made to save Gangula, I wish someone had stopped me,” Domrik began to cry, he kept thinking of that month, the worst mistakes of his life where made and he would do anything to go back and change that month.

“I forgive you father,” she said, and then gave him a hug, “please don’t cry, I’m sorry for making you cry, please stop.”

He pulled her in and continued to cry, “I love you Nieda and I am sorry for what has happened, most of all I am sorry for hitting you.”

Nieda turned and ran out of the room closing the door behind her, ‘probably going to tell her mother about the trip’ Domrik thought to himself. He continued to pack for the two and a half week trip there and then the return trip of the same length, hence they would need many cloths; food and such would not be a problem, every town in Gangula would give Domrik whatever he demanded, and if Gusto was true to his word they would get their fill for free in Hurculus as well.

Footsteps came from down the hall; the door opened and in came the Queen, “planning a trip Domrik,” she asked in a stern voice, he glance over at her, she was scowling and looked angry at what she was seeing, he went right back to packing.

“Gusto’s wife is about to give birth,” Domrik said, he stuffed more cloths into the satchel, “if it is a boy then that will be Nieda’s future husband--”

“Domrik, you actually plan on going through with our daughter’s marriage to some stranger’s kid,” she asked in a rage, “why do you not just tell Gusto no, he can’t have our daughter for his son?”

“I want to Kalpra, I want to so much,” he sat down on the bed and looked at Kalpra, “I can’t, the people hate me enough as it is, they don’t want war, they are sick of it, if I was to tell Gusto no then he would come down and attack us, so much is riding on this, I hate myself for making that deal, I know you do to.”

She looked at him and knew that he was sincere and she knew that war would come back if they refused to give up Nieda. Domrik began to cry once again Kalpra sat and hugged him, “she will be just north of us the rest of our lives, don’t cry, I don’t hate you, you did what you did and saved many lives.”

The next morning Domrik and Nieda left the palace, down the steps to the station outside the palace. They gave him two horses and a rider as he had requested earlier. The satchels were split equally between the two animals, Nieda rode with her father while the other rider took the other horse, his name was Fritnm, no one liked him, and so they frequently sent him on meaningless remedial errands, but not today Fritnm was riding with the king and his daughter, a great honor he thought, but in reality no other rider wanted to ride with the one that gave away his daughter.

The road to Hurculus was quite hilly, sparsely wooded in places. Several rivers ran through the area as well The Ovah, Rudamish and the longest river in all of Alzio the Jucit, it ran from the barrang range in the east all the way to Kilimash sea in the west. The three best places to cross were at Yiork Village, near the Barrange range, Gorgol City, the one they would they would take, being that it was the one that was most convenient due to it being just a day or so north of Geldis Galhem, and of course Bezleip port which was right on the water at Kilimash, they frequently traded with the Oritans being that that city of Kilimash was so close.

They reached the Rudamish Lake still a few days from the Hurculian boarder; about half the trip had been made. Instead of sleeping outside they stayed in the local Inn in the town of Rokerden.

“King Domrik,” Fritnm asked, while they ate their Olofog Stew, “sir, I have been wanting to say this to you for a long time--”

“Does it have to do with what happened eight years ago,” Domrik responded, “does it have to do with me giving away my daughter to save my people from destruction, “ he yelled, then stood up to hammer his point to everyone in the common area, “because that is what would have happened, how old are you, twenty-three you would have died at fifteen had I not done what I did, I have no regrets about it, now leave me alone,” the whole common area was looking at them, Domrik sat back down and continued his stew, everyone looked at him flabbergasted that he would say such a thing right out in the open.

After a few minutes of shocked starring, Fritnm finally said, “I’m sorry sir but that was not what I meant, I was going to say sacrificing Nieda there for the common people of your kingdom was really brave and selfless, and I respect you for it, even though you don’t respect yourself for having done a great thing.”

“Thank you,” Domrik said under his breath, no one had ever said it was a great thing to sacrifice his daughter for the good of his people, the first year after the hate hill truce, as it came to be known, whenever he would go anywhere people would say things and throw things and make fun of him for what happened at Minitus, his own people hating him for saving them, he never recovered from it and didn’t suppose he ever would.

They finally reached Borius, Domrik had no illusions, the Hurculians would not be nice, and after all just nine years ago he had burned this city right to the ground. He was amazed at how fast it had recovered and rebuilt. People stopped them to say thank you for stopping the war eight years ago telling him that Gusto planed to attack until all of Gangula was under his control. In former enemy land he was being treated how he should have been treated in Gangula, ‘how queer’ he thought.

When they arrived at Hessis, the Capital of Hurculus, there was a parade ready, people were happy to see him, he smiled and waved, he told Nieda to do the same. The Palace of King Furdinand looked like a mud brick house compared to the Grand Palace of Gangula. The palace stood on a slanted surface it had no columns to speak of; the façade was a dirty amalgamation of grass green and dirt brown. ‘A disgusting one floor dump rather than a palace’ Domrik said to himself.

“Father,” Nieda said as they approached the pathetic excuse for a palace, “will you really make me live here father. I don’t want to live in such an ugly looking building, please don’t make me live there.”

“Get Gusto’s son to build a new Palace then,” Domrik whispered into her ear, they both laughed.

The inside was not much better than the out. The dirty building was all hallways and rooms, nothing grand or massive to speak of. The throne/’grand’ dining hall was smaller than the slave quarters at the summer palace at Sako Point, just south of the Barrang Range. ‘A dirty and nasty place Hurculus was, and yet they beat the great Gangula in a war’ Domrik thought to himself.

“Welcome to Hessis,” Gusto said as Domrik and Nieda entered the Throne room, “you have come just in time the both of you,” Gusto got up and walked down to see his guests, “the baby is not yet born, but should come within the day,” he bent down and patted Nieda on the head, “you will like it here Nieda,” he stood back up and looked at Domrik, Nieda hid behind her father’s leg, “you are welcome to stay in one of the rooms here in the palace until you wish to go back to Gangula.”

“Thank you Gusto,” Domrik replied, he push Nieda back to his side, “we plan to stay only until the baby is born.”

“Will Nieda be here for an extended visit,” Gusto got back in Nieda face, she backed away again, “she can get acquainted with Hurculian customs.”

“No we are just here for the birth of the baby,” Domrik replied, “I have been schooling her at home about Hurculian customs.”

They walked down the dirty hallway. Assorted trinkets of Hurculian trophies and battles from long ago hang as mementos to the King and in remembrance from whence they came. They arrived at the birthing room, a cold and dark room. Little natural light came from the cracked ceiling above. Oil lamps hung on hooks in each corner of the room giving it an eerie glow, guests were already sitting in the chairs ready to watch the Kings wife, Nikola, give birth she herself was already on the ground in the corner. A priest of Hurculian Paganism knelt before her waiting for the baby to come out. Gusto, Domrik and Nieda each took a seat. They watched as she screamed her way through the birth, but they baby finally came out.

“A boy,” the priest said while biting then tying off the umbilical cord, “it is a boy, and now a name, what will you name him?”

“Hanudin,” Nikola answered, she lay down to catch her breath, “I will name him-”

“Like the domain of Kangi you are naming my son Hanudin,” Gusto stood up and dash to his son, the priest handed the boy to Gusto, “a warrior’s name he will have,” Gusto exclaimed, he looked at his son wrapped in his green blanket, “I will name you Haradin Alerik Hurcule, you will be king one day,” he held Haradin in the air, the people in the room clapped.

Domrik walk to Gusto and Haradin. He looked at Haradin for a few seconds, “so,” Domrik finally said, “this is my son-in-law, Haradin Alerik Hurcule,” Gusto handed Haradin to him.

“Nieda come,” Gusto said as if she was a dog, she looked at Domrik. He nodded at her. She ran over to Gusto, “Nieda,” Gusto said picking her up, “this is your husband Haradin.”

She squirmed and wriggled out of the hold and fell to the ground.

“Here Nieda, hold him,” Domrik bent down and gave Haradin to Nieda. He slipped a little as Nieda was not used to carrying any kind of weight. Gusto bent down and scooped his son up, not wanting him to be harmed in anyway. “Nieda,” Domrik yelled, he bent down and slapped her, “be careful with him, he is a baby after all, do you hear me?”

Nieda looked down and began to cry.

“Don’t cry in front of your husband you stupid girl,” Gusto said.

“Go wait outside the door,” Domrik said, his hand on her shoulder, “I’m sorry,” he whispered, “now get out of the room.”

She ran to the door tears streaming down her face, ‘I will not marry Haradin, and I won’t live in this gross place either’ she thought to herself, ‘I will kill whomever I have to,’ she ran out and closed the door behind her and waited for her father to come out.

The Kings finally came out of the room, Haradin in hand. Gusto looked at Nieda he snubbed her, clearly he was not happy with what had transpired in the last minute she was in the room, and he walked away.

Domrik bent down when Gusto left, “I’m sorry Nieda,” he said, “I did not want to hit you, but these people, they are barbaric like that,” he put his head down, “please forgive me,” he stood up and turned away from her.

“I-I-I will not father,” she put her head down, “I don’t want to marry that baby and I don’t want to move to this dirty place, if you love me at all you will not make me do those things, father.”

Domrik was taken aback. He backed up into the wall behind him and fell to the ground, “Nieda,” he said, “I will always love you, but I can’t stop this, I’m sorry, but this is your duty to your people, you saved them from death by the hands of these barbarians.”

“I don’t want to do this,” she cried, “I don’t want to be here ever again and if I am ever here again I will kill you and I will kill Haradin and I will kill all who try to stop me,” she yelled angrily, “I hate you and will never forgive you Domrik.”

“Fine,” Domrik said he stood up and walked down the one hall to the throne room, Nieda fallowed behind and said nothing more to Domrik.

“Domrik,” Gusto said as Domrik entered the Throne room, “I would like to thank you for coming to my son’s birth.”

“It was nothing,” Domrik responded, “I think Nieda and I will be leaving now, thank you for being such a gracious host to us,” he pushed Nieda to the front so she could say her thank yous as well.

“I’m going to Kill Haradin one day,” she exclaimed in front of the whole court people gasped and spat what they had in their mouths in shock of what the little girl had just said.

“I’m sorry about that,” Domrik said, he grabbed Nieda and ran out of the palace through the one hallway.

They received their mounts from the station outside, Fritnm ran out after them, not wanting to be the only Gangin in a room full of angry Hurculians, that were angry at Gangins.

“Geez Nieda,” Fritnm said, “why-”

“Finish that sentence and I will kill you myself,” Domrik said, “you don’t believe me, just try it,” he drew his sword and pointed it at Fritnm.

“I’m sorry sir.”

The rest of the way home, not a single word was uttered between the three of them. Nieda was mad at Domrik and Domirk was mad at Nieda and no one like Fritnm because he was annoying. Nieda did not speak to Domrik again after the trip even after they returned home.

I tweeked it a bit but the title comes from another song

Chapter 2

Settling a Debt I Wish Never Would Be Paid


Fifteen years had passed. Nieda now twenty-three and Haradin fifteen, the wedding now only three and a half weeks away, Nieda and her father departed from Geldis Galhem heading north to Hurculus where Nieda would be married to Haradin. Nieda shackled and flanked on either side by guards, not for safety but to make certain that she make it to Hessis undeterred, war would not resume between the two Kingdoms if she made it there before the wedding.

When marching through the hamlets, towns, villages and cities of the Gangin country side people saw Nieda and Domrik. They cried for her and tossed things at him, stail bread, bricks, rocks were a big hit, even the lowly tomato became a weapon.

Civil war had been brewing for quite some time now. Domrik had created the Bokeska, the people’s council to try and stave off war, and of course to keep himself in power. One council member told him if he went through with the wedding, the day he came back, he would no longer be king, and that the Bokeska would see to it personally, ‘idle threats’ Domrick thought to himself.

Either way Domrik would lose it seemed though. Nieda gets married, his land goes to the Hurculians, but the Bokeska would fight to claim it as the Republic of Gangula, if they were serious, and if he didn’t the people would never fight for him when the Hurculians come down, a great general would rise and de-throne him, “what a mess,” he whispered to himself.

“What a mess indeed father,” Nieda said as she rode by, Domrik looked up suddenly not thinking anyone heard him, “Grism does not like that you have given me away; he is punishing you. You can still stop this, reject the path that you are walking father, you can still save me and your country,” she smiled, “I can make it happen, all we have to do is go home to Geldis Galhem.”

“There is nothing anyone can do,” he said sadly, “I love you Nieda, and I have made such a mess of things.”

She rode next to him for a minute he looked up and saw her blood thirsty gaze and knew that she was not the woman he had intended her to be.

“I’m so--”

“I do not want to hear it,” she interrupted, “I do not want to hear your lame excuses, I do not want to hear your apologies, I will hate you forever when we get to Hurculus, mother would never forgive if she was still alive, I will kill you.”

“I look forward to that,” Domrik responded, “it is what I deserve, I’ve made such a mess of all this but most importantly I’ve lost--”

“I said I do not want to hear it and I meant it,” Nieda said angerly, “now keep quite old man.”

The first real conversation they have had in years, each left a bad taste in the other’s mouth, ‘such a mess’ Domrik thought to himself.

The rest of the way to Hessis was marked by silence and nothing more. The soldiers could feel the tension and were too afraid to try to talk amongst themselves, for fear of being yelled at then killed.

They past the rivers, then the lake, then they entered Hurculus, then the farm and hill country that lead to Hessis. Nieda knew now that her freedom depended on her, Domrik had abandoned her.

The tents, tables, chairs and the like were being set up on the Hessin plain just outside of the city. In seven days Nieda would be married to someone she did not love, and her father did not seem to care anymore.

The Gangin group arrived a week before the wedding, so they have six days to prepare for everything. Nieda was stuffed into dress after dress to try and find one that worked well for the Hurculian onlookers who were dedicated to their gods, just as the Gangins were, but the Hurculians believed that women were property and had to cover up, for fear that they would distract the men, any women caught going against this law was flogged for twenty-five minutes then, if they still lived, had salt from the Oramet desert rubbed into their wounds, they screamed out in pain every time. A spectacle that people paid to watch, they would cheer the flogger on as the woman cried in pain and agony. If she still lived after that she was taken to the government farm where she was made to work for a year then she was released in to the general public, hopefully she learned her lesson, wear your cloths properly.

There was one woman this happened to Frina Dorno. She was caught the first time, back when they were more lenient and she was let off with a warning, she came back and did the same thing again and she was flogged, salted then sent to the farms. When she returned she committed the same offence and was again flogged, salted then sent to the farms, again she came back and again she broke the same law. The High Priest ordered that she be taken to the mines in the Barrang Range and was made to work there for the rest of her life. She escaped came back to Hessis and committed the same offence again. She was flogged and salted then she was brought in front of high priest but instead of hearing the case one of the guards walked up and stabbed her several times until she fell dead, she was tossed into the desert and he was hailed as a hero ‘how barbaric’ Domrik said when he first heard the story ‘punishing someone for the clothes they wear’ he knew Nieda would hate it here.

Preparations for the wedding continued for the next five days. People poking, prodding and dressing, undressing Nieda, by the end of it all she did not know which ways was up and did not care anyway. Her thoughts were on the day itself and how much for the first time in her life she might enjoy herself.

“Nieda,” a voice said, it made Nieda jump, she tossed something on the ground then turned around, it was her father Domrik, “listen, I,” he paused for a while not sure what he would say or even could say anything, the relationship with his daughter was not good and it could not get better, but even so he still loved her, Nieda stared at him intently waiting for him to tell his lies and swear up and down the halls to Grism that he was sorry for what he had done, “I hope you like Hurculus, tomorrow it will be your new home after all.”

“That’s it,” she asked, she looked at him with disgust, “get out of here, I never want to see you for as long as I live unless it is the day I kill you,” Domrik walked out and knew that nothing short of stopping the wedding would have their relationship.

The day had finally come. The day that the two Kingdoms of Gangula and Hurculus would finally be united under the Hurculian flag. Domrick had hoped to unite the two kingdoms twenty-four years ago, but under the Gangin flag, Hurculus was backward and intolerant compared to Gangula who had mastered iron working just ten years ago.

The day finally came. Trumpets blared all around. Animals roamed the grounds feeding off the grasses available. Trumpets sound a few more times, then the moment came, Nieda walked down the aisle. Haradin before her and chairs on either side of her, and some Gangin soldiers behind her to make sure she walked in the correct direction. She looked out amongst the audience and walked forward. Plenty of people, the kings of Gangula and Hurculus of course, but the King of Oritus, Degan, and his son, prince Phaomir, then scores and scores of Hurculian, Gangin and Oritan leaders, and lastly poor people that came to watch and get free food after the ceremony was over.

Nieda finished the march to the front of this whole ordeal, the soldiers at her back walked to a seat near her to make sure there was no funny business. The rest backed off after she made it there. The high priest Valavader walked to the spot in front of them and reached for a book in his pocket, the soldier was on alert.

“Haradin Alerik Hurcule,” the priest said, “so you agree to all the terms of marriage, including defense of your property and protection of it no matter what the cost?”

“I agree,” he retorted, he looked at his father who had his thumb and pinky up, a sign of a job well done to the Hurculians.

“I now pronounce you both--”

“Wait,” Nieda interrupted, “I am person and I have rights,” the Hurculians in the crowd began to laugh, even the Hurculian women, “I will show you then,” she took out a dagger and jumped at the priest, the symbol of their backwardness, she stabbed him in the head several times. He fell to the ground, dead. “Come here Haradin,” she inched toward the defenseless boy; the crowed was too shocked to even think to get up and save the boy from death, the soldier did not do anything either. Haradin fell down, Domrik realized what was happening and ran over. Nieda held her dagger in the air, “good bye Haradin,” an evil look of prime satisfaction was unmistakable on her face, and her dagger fell aimed right for the young boy’s heart. The clinking of metal against metal radiated out hurting many people’s ears.

Nieda frowned, she did not kill Haradin, she looked over to see who had saved his life, “Domrik,” Nieda said the evil smile returned to her face, “time for you to go,” she took her dagger and thrust it into Domriks neck, though he had plenty of time, Domrik did not block the blow. Nieda looked around, the people were still in shock, She turned to Haradin, “I’ll take care of you later,” down the aisle she ran, the soldier just sat there and did nothing, later he would be accused of taking a bribe from Nieda, nothing was ever confirmed, and he was eventually let go after years of mine work.

The crowd was still focused on Domrik, now squirming, unable to stop the bleeding, unable to fix the wound, and unable to hold on to life, Domrik finally fell silent Kangum thirty-three and with that his contract with Gusto about Nieda and Haradin was broken.

Peace for his people and his daughter’s freedom, the last two things he wished for, and when he died they both became true, though he would never know the satisfaction of it. Domrik’s body was burned by Gusto and Degan and he was given the last rights of the warrior called Kangoni.

Haradin walk to his father and Degan as they watched the final ashes cool, “father where is that mean girl that is supposed to be my wife?”

“It must have run to Gangula,” Gusto replied, looking in that direction, “a thought Degan.”

“What is it Gusto,” Degan asked, he could hardly stand Gusto, just like Domrik.

“How about we take Gangula, there is no male to rule,” Gusto exclaimed, “this means they will need capable male leaders.”

“No,” Degan replied, “Women can rule, while my father died and before my sixteenth birthday my mother held the throne of Oritus.”

“No they are inferior to men and should not be allowed to rule,” Gusto said, he got in Degan’s face, “if I had been on the throne during that time you can be sure that Oritus would be under the Hurculian flag right now, and you are old Degan, your first son should take the throne soon.”

“I am getting up in years,” Degan admitted, he was born sixty years before Haradin and had three daughters and the one son, Phaomir, “I’m not sure about Phaomir, he is a is a little slow after all, I think I will give ruling control of Oritus to Fiira.”

“I hope for her sake she can with stand the power and prowess of my armies,” Gutso said, he looked Degan right in the eyes, “when you die, I will invade Oritus if a man is not on the throne.”

“Then let Fiira take you down to a low point, she will hold out as long as you are King,” Degan said, a sword fight was about to break out, the tension could be felt, by Haradin and all others that were close enough to hear this dangerous argument.

“Where is Phaomir,” Haradin asked suddenly, breaking the tension, “I wanna play a game with him, it is easy to trick him you know.”

“PHAOMIR,” Degan yelled, he looked all over employing the people that had stuck around to look with him, “where is Phaomir?”

Finally after hours of looking a guard at the eastern gate came up to them, “I know where your son is,” he said sadly, “Nieda took him after she Killed her father and the priest, I saw her as she ran past, a little boy ran behind her, she had him by the arm, I’m sorry to report that your son has been kidnapped by Nieda the insane.”

Degan fell to the ground, “no, no, no,” he said with increasing anger, “NO, I’m going to organize an army and I am going to get my son back.”

“I am going to organize an army and put a male at the head of Gangula,” Gusto replied happily.

Degan ran and packed his things hurriedly stuffing his things into his ridding satchel.

“Use your head Degan,” Gusto said as he walked in, “the sand and forest raiders will cut you up, you feeble old man, you cannot possibly leave tonight, stay the night, you are no good to your son dead,” wise words if they had been sincere, Gusto wanted to delay Degan, there were no sand or forest raiders of any kind in one hundred years, Gusto wanted Gangula all to himself. Degan, in the emotional state he was, fell for the delay and stayed the night. The next day he rode off to Oritus to gather his armies so he could save his son, Phaomir, ‘even if he is slow, he is still my son,’ he thought to himself.

Gusto sent out riders to gather men and horses who came to Hessis and food, which was sent to Borius, since they did not need the food at the moment, or even until they got down to the boarder land. One of the first families to arrive was the leaders of Moutown and its outlying regions, Mekosha Heellos was the lord that would battle with Gusto.

Haradin sat on his horse watching the people pour into the city. He looked around and saw his father talking with Mekosha, his family behind him. That’s when he saw her, Vespira Heellos, daughter of Mekosha. A beautiful girl nineteen years old, curly brown hair, brown eyes, and a smile that was as bright as Grism. When Haradin saw her he immediately he knew that he had to have her for the rest of his life. He dismounted and walked over, she saw that he was looking at her so she faced him and bowed.

“Prince Haradin,” she said, “how do you do?”

“I am well,” he replied, his words came out nervous and sacred; he never had to date before because Nieda was supposed to be the one he married, the concepts of talking to woman he had a romantic interest in were as foreign to him as Gangin to Hurculus.

“I heard about what happened with your wife Nieda,” she said concernedly, “are you ok, she didn’t hurt you did she,” she asked, her hand on his arm rubbing it.

“No ma’am, I am just fine,” he said with confidence a smile overcame his face, “I escaped unharmed, I did watch her father, Domrik, die right in front of me, in fact if it had not been for him, I probably would have died too.”

“Haradin,” Gusto yelled, he stormed over, “what are you doing, Nieda will be your wife, leave this object alone, you stupid boy.”

“I like her much more then Nieda,” he said defiantly, “plus she has never tried to kill me. I will be with her father, even if I must kill Nieda myself.”

Gusto stood back to assess his son. After a minute he finally said, “ok then Haradin, you don’t have to marry Nieda,” Gusto turned to look at Mekosha, “Mekosha your daughter is now with my son, disagree and I will have your family killed.”

Mekosha looked at Gusto, then his daughter and Haradin, “Oh really,” he asked walking over to Haradin and Vespira, “is this true Vespera, you are going with Haradin, Prince of our great country?”

“Yes father,” she said quickly she looked down, trying to keep from seeing her father’s eyes, “I very much like him.”

“Very good,” Mekosha exclaimed, “I am very happy, one day my daughter will be Queen,” he looked back at his wife, “woman, our creation will be queen one day, congratulate her, else I will have you flogged.”

She walked over and looked at her daughter, “congratulations Vespira, I am quite happy for you, get married soon,” she said as if she did not care.

“Thank you mother,” Vespira said happily then turned to her father, “I get to go on the campaign, right? I am the woman of one of the campaigners after all.”

“Your man will make that choice for you,” Gusto yelled, pulling out his sword and pointing it at Mekosha.

“Yes,” Mekosha said in agreement, “your man will choose to let you come or not.” Gusto reholstered his weapon, satisfied with the answer.

She turned to Haradin, “well,” she said in a way that made Haradin forget that he did not want her anywhere near the battles that would be fought in Gangula.

“Of course you can come, Vespira,” he said without realizing, she began to clap and cheer, Haradin did not have the heart to tell her otherwise, so Vespira would come campaign to Gangula.

“She is your woman Haradin,” Mekosha said, “she will sleep in your tent, the whole campaign; even if you decide you don’t like her anymore, she comes nowhere near my tent got it? In fact I’m going to sleep at the opposite end of camp, just so she can’t sneak in to my tent at night.”

Waiting for all the thirty-thousand troops took two months the war camp slowly expanded outside Hessis for that amount of time. Haradin and Vespira took the time to get to know each other better, they became inseparable, unless Haradin was in training with the army and even then Vespira was watching him. When they did leave Haradin was assigned officer level one, or Gunter, by his father. He was serving under Mekosha, who was assigned officer level two, or tengster. Haradin commanded one hundred men, while Mekosha commanded those one hundred plus nine-hundred others. Mekosha was commanded by one of the three yootengsters, who commanded ten thousand men. The king himself took command over the three yootengsters who told his commands to the rest of the troops. Whenever possible he rode into battles spear heading the attack, which would happen soon, now that all the men were there they had to move south first and stop at Borius to gather their food, then they would be ready to ride against Gangula and it’s woman ruler.

The road to Borius is long and takes a week and a half to make riding, walking it takes more than a month. There was a river in their way, the Rhilga, longest and widest in all of Hurculus, but it was not much of a problem, there was a fairy at the town of Sekna, to cross everyone took a week and they were off again. Finally a month and three weeks after they left Hessis, Borius came into view, all the stored food waiting for them and just south not more than an hour of walking and you would find yourself in Gangula.

The night before the invasion Gusto stood up so all his warriors and their families could see him, “sleep well tonight,” he began, “for tomorrow we begin taking Gangula, and then if we are lucky the Oritans will fall to us as well,” he smiled and the crowd cheered.

Haradin and Vespira left for their tent, “Haradin,” Vespira said, “tomorrow if there is a battle, be careful”, she said with genuine concern, “please be careful, I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“I will be careful,” he replied, and then he kissed her, “I don’t want anything bad to happen to you either love.”

That night a priest that traveled with the war column was seen entering the tent of Haradin and Vespira. An hour and a half later he was seen leaving it, no one knows for sure but it is commonly believed that Haradin and Vespira were married that night. No one cared though, the people were more focused on the war that was only hours away, and they expected it to be over quickly, because the Gangins were not expecting the attack, Hurculus, they believed, had the upper hand.

Hurdan, hurdan hurdan jod ladig nadva, furdigern hurdan jod ladig nadva fi nint, fi NINT fi nint furdigern, fi nint furdigern hurd Jetigan jetigan ked bandi nint kuger, joda bandi nint lert nadgafirg, lert nadgafirg, lert nego, pluck nint fubort nego fubort nego nint Nieda, plesh nint Domrik, alt nad, bour dagofi gent bourt advagort.

uhh.. german?

no DX not at all, that part is unimportant, just ignore the text, it will turn to english soon.

Chapter 3

Give Me the Strength to Face Them

While Gusto gathered men mounts and food and just generally prepared for his invasion of Gangula, Degan rode back to Oritus, the men he had rode with still miles behind him because he pushed his mount hard, ‘I must save poor Phaomir’ he kept telling himself, as he push his mount harder and harder. Degan was old and lucky enough to have seen several wars, failed insurrections, all out war between Hurculus, back when Gusto’s father, Lucika, was king, and Gangula, with Domrik’s father Grago and then one with Domrik himself, just before the war Domrik had with Hurculus that set these events into motion, and now it would seem as though he would go to war against Domrik’s daughter, three generations of Gangules, ‘land and power hungry people’ Degan said to himself.

When Degan finally arrived at Otivon a week had passed, an unheard of amount of time to travel between Otivon and Hessis. The ride there had taken him and all his companions, including his son, two weeks to complete.

The city of Otivon was built on and around a hill called Oross, it did not have a steep incline and from the years of people moving the dirt and when King Phaothorn ordered the hill leveled, which was never finished because the king died and the people lost interesting in destroying the hill upon which they lived, it could barely be called a hill anymore. The death of Phaothorn lead to one of the countries annual festivals, Orsos, when every city in Oritus would take some dirt to the middle of their city and build a little hill, if the hill remind despite all the walking and shaking of the ground and kids wanting to touch it, then that city was said to have a lucky year.

The Palace of the Oritan, as it was called, was at the north end of the city and was just near all the shops so that food could be prepared for the king and his court easily and freshly, because most meats needed to be imported the freshness of it was a big concern of the one who had to eat it like the king and important people in government.

He entered the city from the East Gate, also called the Gate of Kradom, one of the great Kings of Oritus. He rushed past the elevated Flatho Commons, one of the residential districts, the poorest one at that, past Flatho square here a few shops sold clothes and food both cooked and uncooked, in the middle of the square stood a fountain with a statue of Flatho made out of marble, he was one of the first kings of Oritus and the one who made the capital Otivon, where it had once been Kilimash. He entered the market district, and saw at the end of the endless parade of shops the Palace of the Oritan. As fast as his mount would take them, they rode, knocking people over in the process, but he was not concerned at the safety of the people. He ran up the ten steps, the guards opened the doors without question. Degan went straight to the throne room, his daughters, Fiira (32), Oda (22), and Pokna(18), sitting on the thrones laughing and joking.

“Your brother’s been kidnapped,” Degan said as he walked toward the three, ladies of Oritus.

“Father, who has taken poor little Phaomir,” Oda asked, “Where is he being held? What is the ransom?”

“Nieda, the ♥♥♥♥♥ of Gangula, has taken him from us, but we will get him back,” his tone changed suddenly, “Fiira, you know what to do, gather the armies we meet at Kilimash in a month and a week.”

“Yes father,” Fiira said. She ran out of the room to pass the orders of her father to the Generals and other commanders who would send out riders to the various cities of Oritus.

“Father,” asked Pokna, the youngest daughter, “why has Phaomir been taken?”

“I don’t know but I will fight until he is back and safe in Oritus, of that you can be assured my daughter,” Degan patted her on the head, then moved on to his military strategy.

“Father you are too old to campaign, it will kill you,” Oda pleaded, “please let Fiira take care of those stupid Gangins.”

“I can’t I must help save my son,” he replied, “I need to save my son, it is bad enough that he will not rule Oritus at all during his life, but he will be free and able to wander all of Oritus if he chooses, I will not, as long as Grisim will allow, let my son suffer at the hands of any Gangin, especially one that would kill her own father.”

“I see,” she sighed, “good luck then father, I hope you, Firra and Phaomir, most of all, come back safely.”

“Yes father, please stay alive,” Pokna chimed in, “and get little Phaomir back”.

“Very good my daughters,” he said proudly, “you are appointed ruler until I or Fiira’s return, Veciko Sucnan,” Degan sat down, tired after his marathon ride to Otivon, “if neither of us return, Oda gets the throne when she is thirty.”

“The Kingdom is in good hands sir,” Veciko said, “I will make sure everything runs as smooth as usual, and if it is your wish that I give it up in eight years I shall, you need not worry sir.”

Degan went to bed that night worrying about Phaomir but knowing that everything would be fine, after all his highly capable daughter was going to help him get Phaomir back and that his greatest advisor would rule the Kingdom in his and his daughter’s absence.

The month and week flew by. Degan and Fiira left for Kilimash two weeks before the departure date and arrived a mire week before that. Men, mounts and supplies flooded the city and the ships from the cities of Tamos and Lundok arrived supplementing the eight ships that occupied the port. Gangin ships happened to be at the port at the time of Degans arrival, he ordered them to be taken and the boats be converted for military use, The Oritans did so and were able to take three of the four ships the last one tried to escape, but it did not go far, the ORS Kangi made sure no ship went to warn the main Gangin trade port of Bezleip, and the target of their first attack, that anything was amiss.

After the week was up Degan called together his generals and put them each on a boat with raw untrained men and told them they had a week and a half trip to Bezleip to train their men.

“Father, you cannot do this our armies need time to train,” Fiira said trying to shove some sense into her father, “I love bother too but you cannot expect what seem to be farmers and villagers to be able to war against the professional armies of Gangula, though the Hurculians beat them, they have had over twenty years to recover from that, do not be a fool Degan, you are old you do not get that way by being a fool.”

“The Hurculians are attacking too Fiira,” Degan said with a smile, “so ou--”

“Degan,” Fiira yelled with anger, “we have twenty-five thousand men, untrained and ill equipped, if you love Phaomir at all and have any sense left in your brain you will train our armies, for Kangi’s sake we have Bronze weapons, the Gangins are using iron.”

Degan looked over the side of the war ship and looked at his army, rag tag and undisciplined, he knew she was right, the invasion would have to be postponed in order to train properly, but that would take at least a month, time which Phaomir could have untold horrors visited upon him by the sadistic woman that Nieda had become.

“Tell them to train fast Fiira,” Degan said he disembarked and walked to the old palace, formerly known as the Palace of Teirmos, it was the first and most basic government head quarters in all of Alzio, though back when Teirmos was King, he was not King of Oritus, but an independent kingdom called Kilimash after the city it’s self, the unification of Oritus happened much the same way and near the same time as the unifications of Hurculus and Gangula. It was just one room with smaller side rooms for storage, sleeping quarters and a kitchen. There he stayed for most of the month while Fiira reported on the progress of the men and the mounts. The news was promising and Degan was happy and moved to his flag ship, the ORS Teirmos.

The ships were loaded. The men, more army like in their efficacy when loading the ships, ‘we can do this’ Degan thought to himself. He looked out from the deck of the Teirmos and he smiled. “Oritans,” he called out; the people looked up to see what Degan had to say, “this war I promise will not last long, we are just going to get Phaomir back and we will leave the backward Hurculians to do with Gangula as they see fit or the Gangins to do with Hurculus as they see fit, depending on who win between the two, Oritus will remain natural, for the most part.”

The people clapped and went back to their work, tomorrow they would set sail for Gangula and, they hoped, their lost son, Prince Phaomir Orton.

The armada of twenty-five thousand men and thirty Galleys set sail from Kilimash, a week and a half from Gangula, ‘who knows how long until Phaomir would be back safely in Oritus’ Fiira thought to herself ‘he may never come home’ she added.

The days flew by until Bezleip came into sight. The land warriors disembarked just before the city, Fiira at the lead, Degan stayed on the ship. War ships of Gangula left the city. The Battle of Bezleip was a battle on land and at sea and was about to begin.

Fiira had her men ford the river near the bridge, which was too narrow to bring across enough troops at once, luckily this was a shallow and narrow part of the river. Bezleip defenses were forming up just on the outskirts of the city.

“General Diaha, take your cavalry and hit them,” she yelled at the men on mounts, “General Gradigern let’s see how they like arrows for rain, General Pitna you are with me, let’s go men.” Diaha’s men hit them quick and often, in between raids on the enemy lines, Gradigern had his men rain arrows on them killing several hundred. Fiira and Pitna moved their men, pushing them as hard and as fast as they would go, Fiira wanted her brother back as much as her father, wanted his son back.

In Bezleip bay seventy galleys went head to head attempting to sink one another. The Gangin ships had early luck by taking out six boats, but had also suffered several casualties. Archers with flame arrows pelted every boat, some caught fire others just blew out and continued to fight. The more popular weapon was the ram, at full power if it hit a ship it was said to completely bifurcate it. Few if any believed such a tail to have merit of any kind, but it was an interesting story to tell. The luck of the Oritan army quickly turned with the sinking of three enemy ships while losing seven themselves.

Back on land Fiira finally reached the Bezleip soldiers. The cavalry at this point had been taken out of the battle when Gangins set themselves into infantry squares, the mounts were far too frightened to come close to the men, let alone attack them. Archers still fired on them from across the field raining deadly arrows on the enemy and coming ever closer to friendly fire. Hand to hand combat ensued and the cavalry attacked once more, the four thousand soldiers of Gangula had no chance. Bronze swords fell on iron, and when the Bronze broke the Oritans over whelmed them in numbers forcing them to the city walls where they were killed with their own iron weapons. Three hundred seventy-nine Gangins surrendered, as was customary of the times half were killed, the others were disarmed and made to bury the dead a huge nine thousand killed. Gangula killed more but the numbers the Oritans had allowed them to carry the day on land. After the burial and the last rights of the warrior, the rest of the men were made slaves and forced to carry the supplies for the army.

While the ground battle was being won, the sea battle was almost lost, many galleys slipped beneath the waves. Degan jumped up at the sight of his ships sinking.

“General Demce,” Degan said angrily, “command better,” the sight of another galley sent Degan into a rage, he pointed at the sinking ship, “LOOK! That was once my ship, if you cannot command properly then you will not live,” Degan took out his short sword and thrust the blade into Demce’s back, “worthless scum!” He looked around, “you toss this useless pile of flesh and bone over the side.”

Degan took personal command of the navel forces, even sending his own into the battle, a very risky move. From a fight of forty to thirty in t he beginning to thirty-one to thirteen before Degan took command to zero to four, ending with Oritan victory. Degan looked at his four ships, the Taiko, the Kangi, the Lardikom, and his own ship the Teirmos, they had won the day.

The ships entered the harbor and the ground forces broke the front gate and poured into the city. Under no circumstances were they to pillage, plunder or raze the city, orders that came directly from Degan with Fiira’s influence of course. The soldiers marched through the city to the government building, Gangin citizens looked on in amazement as they Oritans, who they thought were Hurculians, only marched and did not attempt to loot. The governor of Bezleip stood to meet the conquerors of the city outside of the government building. A grey old man that was going balled and was wearing a green shirt with a purple cape and black pants.

“Hurculus, the city of Bezleip surrenders to you,” the old man said, “please I have ruled this city since I was twenty don’t burn it to the ground, I’ve heard of Minitus and I don’t want that to be my poor Bezleip.”

“We are of Oritus good old man,” Fiira replied.

“That would make more sense seeing as how the Hurculians would never allow a woman in their ranks, brutish those men of the north are,” he retorted, “it also makes less sense because you are from Oritus and you are attacking our city.”

“Indeed,” Fiira said, “now your city, we will not burn it to the ground but we will need to take all of your weapons, especially the ones that are made of iron, get your men on it now.”

“Velgo,” the man said suddenly, “to the armory and bring with you all the weapons back.”

“I will do so sir,” he saluted the Gangin way.

“Idiot, we are not part of Gangula anymore, this city will fly and Oritan flag,” he smacked Velgo a few times and looked back at Fiira, “I’m sorry my mistress.”

“It is nothing,” she looked back at the captured men, “slaves help that man, if any of you raise a weapon against us,” she paused and looked at the governor, “we will burn the city, got it?”

The men quickly ran after Velgo. Fearing their home, families and their city, not one man took arms against the Oritans. The Oritans became more prepared with every iron sword, shield and spear that was taken and given to an Oritan.

Degan walked up to Fiira and the governor with a big smile on his face.

“Who might you be good sir,” the governor asked, “please if you would just wait in your house the news--”

Degan laughed, “as if I would live in such a place where the royalty kidnaps member of other royal families,” Degan said, “I am Degan Orton King of Oritus and, with a lot of luck I might say, capturer of Bezleip, nice to meet you,” he turned to his men who were getting the feel for their new arms, “kill him.”

“Father!” Fiira yelled, her troops moved forward, the governor stepped back, “stay back men,” she directed and they did so, “let talk inside before we decide what to do, ok Degan?”

“Fine,” Degan replied, “guards you come with us, Taffers supervise our slaves as they repair our ships, the rest of you relax in the city until you are called to move out,” Fiira glared at Degan, “oh and don’t hurt the native population.”

Fiira, Degan, the governor and the guards walked up the stairs to talk of what would become of Bezleip.

As Bezleip was being captured by the Oritans, the war machine of the Hurculians was moving south to Geldis Galhem. Gusto did not intend to keep it as a city, ‘Raze it to the ground’ he told one of his commanders ‘loot and pillage in the name of Hurculus’ he added. They swept through country side raping and killing at will when they took Minitus. They raped and killed one of the women there a small girl ran and cried at her side, the men took the girl, tied her to a post and shot arrows at her, Vespira saw it happen in front of her and she was disgusted. A woman we was pregnant was trying to get away but the soldiers quickly caught her, one of the commanders saw this happening, “you animals, she is pregnant leave her alone,” his attention caught by another little girl near her dead mom, “take her,” the soldiers looked and began walking toward her, they grabbed her by the arms and started toward the post.

“Hey,” Vespira yelled out, “that’s my sister, leave her alone.”

“A Gangin women with some scrot,” one of the men said laughing, “they are a pittance a pound here, aren’t they boys?” His group laughed and they raised their swords.

Haradin saw what was happening, he was also shamed in the manner his countrymen were acting to the civilians, “don’t you lay a hand on my wife, or I shall have your penises removed,” he yelled at them, “then you will look just like the woman you are.”

“She is your wife,” they asked, “so sorry sir, please forgive us,” they dropped the girl who fell to her knees and cried. Vespira and Haradin walked over to her.

“Are you ok,” Vespira asked, she knelt down, “what is your name?” She wiped the tears from the little girl’s eyes.

“Cartica,” she replied tears still streaming down her face, “those mean men killed my mommy and you are dressed like the mean men, are you mean too? If you are I’m going to run away.”

“No,” Haradin said while patting the girl on the head, “we will keep you safe Cartica, you will be our princess. Would you like that?”

“Haradin, we couldn’t--”

“If we leave her she will not live,” he said to Vespira, “we didn’t just save her life to let her die, I won’t allow it, I just won’t. She is coming with us, and that is the final word I will hear on the matter.”

“Fine,” Vespira replied happily, she rocked the child in her arms, “you get to come with us, is that ok with you Cartica?”

“Yes,” she replied, “I am hungry.” They took her back to the camp and fed her all the food she could stuff into her mouth, meats, cheeses and all manner of green food.

The great sweep into Gangula brought them to the doorstep of Geldis Galhem in just a few weeks. Nieda saw them coming and received daily reports of death and devastation in the wake of the Hurculus advance. She gathered ever man she could and set up defenses in the city and prepared for the attack she knew would be coming as soon as the Hurculians laid eyes on the city. She was nearly right they rested a day and then attacked the city the following day.

The lines of men equaled no less than sixty thousand in all. When the battle began, Haradin and Mekosha attacked forward, their area was hit the hardest by arrows raining down of the wall of Geldis Galhem, but the bowman of Hurculus fired back with increasing ferocity and thinned out the Gangin archers numbers. A stray arrow, shot by an archer on the walls of Geldis Galhem who was shot by an archer behind the Hurculian lines, flew in to the Hurculian camp. Haradin was momentarily distracted and nearly had his leg taken off, but regained himself in time and continued to fight, first by take off the head of the man that had tried to take off his leg, after he moved on to the next person.

The battle ended when the Gangin commander was slain and his sub-commanders surrendered, they knew the punishment that awaited them. Finally the Hurculians had a major victory and they entered the North Gate like they were on top of the world. Nieda was found to have fled the city and had run east taking her main people, and Phaomir.

“We have the city and soon we will have the ♥♥♥♥♥,” Gusto exclaimed after he walked out of the captured Palace, “pillage and rape until your heart is content my brothers, this is your night my men, take it in and live it to the fullest, for tomorrow you may find an arrow in your heart, so celebrate now while you can,” he walked down the stairs, his men fanned out into the city and began to loot and burn everything and everyone.

After the speech Haradin walked back to camp to see his Wife and their adopted daughter, when he arrived at the tent he heard crying, it was Vespira,though he thought it would be Cartica.

“What is wrong Vespira,” he asked while he hugged her, he looked around, “where is Cartica,” he asked, she broke out into more tears, Haradin held her and waited until she claimed down enough to tell him what was wrong.

“Cartica is dead,” she finally said, she continued to cry, Haradin shed a tear and held her.

“Dead,” he asked, more tears began to stream down his face, “how, why, no, it can’t be, what happened to her,” he asked frantically.

“An arrow,” she pushed him away and walked over to the bed and picked up a blood stained arrow, “from your father’s war comes the death of our child, I hope you are happy.” She sat down and began to cry again.

Haradin inspected the arrow, not knowing what to make of it, the battle, war and the death of Cartica was too much to feel or even think about in one day.

“I want a family Haradin,” she yelled at him suddenly, “having that little girl for as little time as we did was the happiest time of my life, mount me, give me a child Haradin, continue your line in me, I beg you take me Haradin, take me.”

Too much on his mind, he could not perform what she wanted and expected of him. She understood and after a while did not push the matter any further. The next day, she found that she was menstruating, if they had had sex last night she could have been pregnant today. Now they might have to wait for years before she is able to have children again.

The Grisimin woman did menstruated erratically, and was taken as a given for all females, one could go a life time without it, and someone else would go a whole year with it. Knowing this it was a big deal for a woman to get pregnant and have a child. That is also the reason men took four wives, to increase the chances of gaining an heir, their first wife could get the most attention but also had the most work to do. However it was looked down upon for a prince to take more than one wife, until he became king that is, then he was encouraged to take as many as he wished or saw fit to take.

Haradin and Vespira watched Geldis Galhem burn. Nieda and Phaomir watched it burn too, before continuing their escape to the east, Phaomir thought it was a game, he laughed and had fun the whole way.

Degan and Fiira saw the smoke rising from the east and decided they would see if Nieda and Phaomir were headed to the southern coastal city of Gangule, which they learned about from maps taken from Bezleip. Bezleip was left in the care of the capable old man, who had ruled it since he was twenty.

Chapter 4

Divide, Break Apart and Divide


Degan and Fiira continued to march their men to Gangule, the city named for the royal family of Gangula. The rulers of early Gangula were unimaginative and just named things after themselves. When the Barrang Range was taken from the hill men by King Barrang of Gangula he just named them after himself. Hophna was named after the goddess of trees and nature when it was captured by King Yolosh, which has since changed hands several times, it is currently claimed by Hurculus after it was captured by Gusto’s Grandfather King Furdinand, the name has not changed since Yolosh was king, because the people felt it was appropriate.

A week pasted after the battle of Galdis Galhem. The city was little more than ash, only a few buildings still stood, and even those ones that were still standing were scorched badly. Most of the native people were dead, the ones that weren’t hid in fear of being raped, killed, or both, sometimes not in that order. Haradin and Vespira held each other in sadness the whole time over the death of Cartica, and did nothing to try and save the Gangins that still occupied the burnt ruins of the city. When Gursto felt they had finished obliterating the city he ordered his armies to move east to the city of Laoprod. Nieda was heading that direction, according the intelligence gathered by torturing any Gangin that was found, man, woman and child, Gusto did not care about age or gender, though as was customary he gave reprieve to the pregnant.

The road to Laoprod took the army a month, but only to make sure that they were safe and not attacked by any Gangin force that might try to stike, none came however. Every night Haradin and Vespira would attack each other, trying desperately to create a new being where there had once been the Gangin child, Cartica, though they tried so hard it was for naught, because Vespira did not get pregnant. Though they both never gave up hope that soon they would have a child of their own that thought kept them going.

The month crept by slowly until they finally arrived at the bridge crossing just north of the city. They waited until night fell, in groups they crossed and set themselves up just beyond the city limits to be sure that no one escaped. Gusto had decided, this city would be taken by siege, but short sightedness plagued them, no catapults had been brought, a consequence of Gusto’s hunger to capture the land before Degan had a chance to move an army by boat in to Gangula.

Each day they would shoot volley after volley of arrows into the city, the craftsman that were required to come on campaign would go out and cut down trees every morning from the nearby forest to make new arrows, to replenish those that had been fire on the previous day, the master craftsmen of the Hurculian army could make more than enough arrows to replenish the stores if they ever got too low.

Five months passed, nearly a year had passed since Domrik died. Gusto grew impatient at the length of time required to take the city. He called together his Yoontangsters, the generals and commanders of his forces, and there were only three.

“The siege is taking too long,” Gusto insisted, “prepare your armies to attack tomorrow, we need to move on, who knows how much land Degan has captured if he has even come to Gangula yet.”

“Sir,” one of the men said.

“Yes Paiko,” Gusto said annoyed, “what do you want, you are annoying you know that, why did I make you a Yoontangster? I should kill you. I think I will kill you, hold still while I draw my sword.”

“Before you do so sir,” he began fearlessly, “I feel I should tell you the condition of your troops, the information I have could be vital to winning this city and any other city in the future in the name of the great country of Hurculus.”

Gusto stoped and thought for a second, he might have to listen to Paiko and even if he was right he could still kill Paiko at any time he wished. Gusto sat back down and looked at Paiko, “fine I will hear you,” Gusto said, his hand on the handle of his captured iron sword, “what is the condition of the man?”

“Not good sir, they have been sitting around for several mon--”

Gusto removed his sword from Paiko’s stomach, “do you two have a problem with the condition of the troops too, I will gladly send you to see Paiko again, you could even say hi to Kangi,” though they put Paiko up to telling about the troop condition, they said they would be ready to go by tomorrow, “guard go and find Mekosha.”

“Yes sir,” the man ran out of the tent.

“How would you like the attack on the city to work sir,” Klint asked.

“Well I was thinking we take our armies that are currently surrounding the city and move them into the city to kill anything that breaths,” Gusto said, clearly he had become, unhappy, snapping at everyone and even killing his most capable of underlings. The siege had taken its toll on him.

The Guard reentered the tent, followed by Mekosha and his second wife Delna, this was not Vespira’s mother, but they treated each other like mother and daughter weather her actual mother was near or not.

Gusto looked over and saw who Mekosha had brought and he flew into a rage, “Mekosha order that thing away, we are talking military strategy here not how to get pregnant or taking care of children, send it away now,” he brought out his sword again, which was still stained with the blood of Paiko.

Mekosha looked at the sword and saw Paiko still squirming a little on the ground, “women leave,” she looked at him and the nearly dead body on the ground then dashed out of the door, “I’m very sorry sir, I was not aware,” he saluted in the Hurculian way then looked over the papers on the table, “what is it you needed my help with though, sir?”

“I’ll tell you Mekosha,” and evil smile came across his face, “I’ve killed Paiko, this means I need someone to command third army, I have been watching you and your work on the battle field, and I have decided you should have the job, so I am officially promoting you to Yoontangst of third army. Much better than the cavalry division is it not Mekosha,” he asked, the evil smile still on his face.

Mekosha was in shock and was not sure what to say, after the other Yoontangters congratulated him he finally found some words of his own, “thank you sir, I will fight for Hurculus until the end of my life, and thank you Klint and Auvore, I will try my best to live up to your expectations.”

“You will do just fine Mekosha,” Gusto said he looked over his maps some more, and shuffled some other papers around.
“What are my orders sir,” Mekosha asked.

“Dammit we have been through this tomorrow we are going to--” he paused and thought for a second, “no, wait I have not told you what is going to happen, I only told those two and the dead one didn’t I? We are going to take the city over there tomorrow and end this silly siege, of which we are not doing any more.”

Mekosha chuckled a little, “I don’t think that is going to go over to well sir.”

Gusto slammed his hands down onto his desk and stood up. The other two Yoontangster backed up and prepared themselves for another of their very good friends was about to die, “what do you mean Mekosha? My men can take any settle meant this side of Borius and beyond, care to say anything?”

“The men aren’t ready for a fight,” he responded, “they are fat lazy and they have lost their drive to kill, the arrows haven’t rained down on the city in months, it is just not good sir, you need to get the people motivated before they will fight effectively again.”

“Really,” Gusto asked, he walked over toward Mekosha, Klint and Auvore took another step back, not wanting to be in the splatter zone for blood or whatever else would come out, “let’s motivate them together Mekosha, we will soon take the city, I will postpone the capturing until you deem them to be ready, but I expect results, and will kill you if I get none.”

“Wait, what,” Auvore asked, “when Paiko tried to tell you that you stabbed and killed him, why should Mekosha be any different sir,” Mekosha gave him a look as if to say ‘really you would wish me dead.’

“That’s a stupid thought,” Paiko said, blood streaming out of his mouth as he struggled to look up at the group of men, “don’t say stupid things like that Auvore, and don’t get Mekosha killed, like the two of you did to me.”

Everyone in the room jumped back, as they were not expecting Paiko to say anything after assuming that he had already left for the land of Kangi and the great mix it’s self. Gusto took out his sword, still bloody fromstabbing Paiko earlier, he looked Paiko in the eyes, “I’m sorry Paiko, I should have listened to you, I will therefore be merciful and kill you so you feel no more pain I wish you much luck in Kangi and the great mix,” he held his sword over Paiko’s head after a second or two he let go, while still looking at Paiko he said “so get the troops ready Mekosha, good luck,” Gusto went back to his table and papers. Not looking up he said, “oh guard clean my sword and take out the body, thank you, don’t give him the last rights, he did not deserve them.”

“Sir I must warn, Grism will not be pleased you did not give him the last rights of the warrior,” Klint said warningly.

Gusto looked up from his papers, “I am greater than Grism and all the other gods combined; let them try to beat me,” He went back to his papers and ignore the warnings of Klint, “guard, the sword and body, I want it done now.”

The guard did as he was told and took the sword and body from the tent. Mekosha and the other discussed strategy for a while longer, the guard came back in with Gusto’s sword, he placed it on the table and left. When Mekosha and the others left there was a mound next to the tent with a little sign, it said, ‘Here lies Paiko Roteso/Greatest of the Yoontensgters of the Gusto-Gangin Wars/Fought 1914- ’.

Mekosha stopped to read it before he made his way back to his own tent, “Guard, make a note to come back here when the war is over so we can at least finish that sign post for Paiko.”

“Yes sir, Mekosha Yoontenster commander of the third army of Gusto, King and ruler of Hurculus,” the guard declared.

“I think you may have far too much time on your hands noble guard,” Mekosha replaied, “keep up the good work though, good luck defending against Grism,” Mekosha said jokingly, he and the guard shared a quick chuckled, then he began to walk away.

“Yes sir, thank you sir, the gods will parish by my hand,” the guard said and they laughed again.

When Mekosha arrived at his tent the sun began to set and Delna was still awake, waiting for Mekosha to return. When he did she jumped up and gave him a big hug and kiss like they had been away for a great long while, though it had been less than two hours.

“I was worried for you Mekosha,” she cried, “I kept thinking of that man’s body lying on the ground, and when it took so long for you to return I thought for sure that your spirit had joined his in the great mix.”

“I shall not go to the great mix, for quite some time, and even so being killed by another human lessens the time I would have to spend there, which means I would come back sooner,” he told her, she began to laugh and smile again.

“I know how it works, I am a temple priest Mekosha, don’t you remember,” she asked.

“I know but I usually have to explain everything about the mix to everyone,” he laughed, “I have just become used to it.”

The next morning Mekosha and Haradin walked around the defensive area around the city, the laziness appalled them both, but Mekosha had devised a way to get them into shape again, he would make them dig a large ring around the city, ten feet deep and twenty feet thick, then they would fill it back up to put the discipline back into them. The Archers were exempt from such work, as long as they killed an enemy soldier each day, if they hadn’t by hour fourteen, they were sent to the trenches for a day and made to dig, and those that did kill one, refused to stop firing fearing that they might be sent to the trenches to dig if they tried to relax. Those that refused were beaten and tied up for the whole day, by order of Gusto himself. They began to beg for the land of Kangi and the great mix. After the first week, no one was beat, because no one refused to work, and digging began and went on smoothly from then on. After one and a half more weeks the ring was dug to Mekosha’s specifications. When the men learned that they would be filling the ring back in too, grumbling of over throwing Mekosha began to spread but quickly withered. After filling the ring in, everyone assumed they were finished, but Mekosha ordered the ring be dug again. People drew their swords and prepared to kill Mekosha but this is what he was looking for, blood thirsty men, and a weakened city. Mekosha stood on a rock in the middle of camp and looked at everyone in the crowd all had swords drawn and ready for action. A lust for blood was evident they did not care what but they wanted to kill and Mekosha was there and had made them work hard.

“Soldiers of Hurculus,” Mekosha began, “I am not sorry that you had to work, you were all lazy slobs, unbefitting a great nation such as Hurculus, but I ask you, taking this out on me, what does it get you?”

Everyone looked at each other, unsure of what the answer would be. They looked back at Mekosha, who began to speak again.

“Nothing that is what,” he said shortly, “now you see that city behind you, taking your aggression out on it will gain us another city and less time in the terrible country, what do you say men?”

They didn’t look at each other. They just turned their weapons around and invaded the city. The gates could not keep them out, the half starved and weaken army inside was completely decimated.

While the men searched and searched for hours, there was no sign of Nidea or anyone in her company of people who escaped Geldis Galhem.

A man came screaming and running out of one of the houses, all of the Hurculians in the area ran after him, wanting him dead. After capturing him, one man held him down while another cut his head off. Later that Night they had a party to celebrate the capture of the city.

“A great performance men,” Gusto toasted, he sat down and began to eat his food. Auvore stood up.

“Sir,” he began, “the men have the head of a whiling man that they killed and they wanted to present it to you as a gift.”

The crowd clapped and the head was brought out. Gutso smiled and looked down ‘how nice of them’ he thought to himself, but when he saw the head his smile turned into a frown.

“Who killed this man,” he said in disbelief.

“Thafjor and Danzik,” Auvore announced, the men stood up from their tables, thinking that the man was some sort of high ranking official.

“Do you realize what you two have done,” Gusto yelled, “you idiots killed Prince Phaomir of Oritus, Degan, if he has not yet dead, will declare war on us, this is ok alright then, you two go back to Geldis Galhem and find out if they have arrived in Gangula and if they have gone anywhere or done anything, then you will go to the Oritans and you will tell Degan or Fiira, depending on which is running things in that crazy country, that you two killed Phaomir, leave now,” the two men sat back dow to enjoy the party before they had to leave on the quest that had been assigned, “right now,” Degan yelled.

The two men did as they were told and left north ward to cross the bridge, then west to Geldis Galhem, not happy of the prospect of having to tell the Oritans that they have killed the person they came to save.

Haradin and the Hurculian forces continued to chase after Nieda. She ran to Olsgalm, the city was captured and burned completely to the ground. She ran back to what was left of Laoprod, the Hurculians razed it again for good measure. They spent two months chasing her like this before she finally decided to go back to Geldis Galhem, more men joined her ranks after seeing the brutally of the Hurculian army.

While the two men made the trip to Geldis Galhem in two weeks after they were dispatched. Gangin people were camped outside Geldis Galhem while they rebuild the burnt out ruins. Charitable people had come from Bezleip and other surrounding areas, to help rebuild from them the men learned of their plan to attack all of the south territories and they left immediately for the former capital of Gangule, people said they were staying there to rest for a while.

The journey south to the old Capital was not difficult as it was mostly flat with a few trees here and there and a river called Marosa. In three weeks they reached the Oritan forces but were refused in to see the sickly and ageing King, Fiira however was able to them right when they arrived in the city.

“I understand that you have news of my brother Phaomir Ordon,” Fiira said directly.

“Yes we do ma’am,” Thafjord said.

“Well don’t just sit there with your heads up your asses tell me where my brother is,” she demanded.

“This is what happened princess Fiira,” Danzik said nervously, “Nieda had taken him hostage and she took him wherever she was, as you might have--”

“Yeah I could have guessed that, though my father was convinced that she stowed him down here somewhere, he is getting too old for command, but we have very nicely captured most of the south territories.”

“Oh how great for you guys, we spent half a year siegeing a city in the east, anyway now she was in a tight spot in that very city by the way and had nowhere to run,” Danzik paused, “and she sent your brother out as a distraction so we wouldn’t notice her slipping away, so we captured him and--”

A smile quickly came over her face, “then the Hurculians have Phaomir,” she asked excitedly.

“Well kind of,” Thafjord said, “we have his body, but Phaomir Ordon is dead.”

She quickly went from a smile to a frown and drew her sword, “she killed Phaomir?”

“No we did, me and him, cut his head clean off,” Thafjord replied, Danzik stared at Thafjord, his mouth and eyes opened wide.

“Why would you say that,” Danzik asked, “she thought Nieda did it, why wouldn’t you just let he believe Nieda killed him, you are an idiot why didn’t me and a smart person kill Phaomir, oh because a smart person doesn’t kill Royalty of another nation.”
“Well, Gusto ordered us to tell Fiira or Degan that we --”

“What did that barbarian say,” Degan asked as he walked in, he walked over and sat down next to Fiira, “hello Fiira now, what do you gentlemen want? My guards tell me that you came by from Hurculian ranks to tell me some information of Phaomir.”
“Don’t you say a word,” Fiira told the men.

“Non-sense, Fiira,” Degan said, “these young people have come all this way to tell me something the Barbarian said and they have news of our dear phaomir, let them talk, you have to learn to let others talk if you wish to be leader Fiira.”

“Yes father,” she agreed, “fine you two tell him what you have to say.”

“We killed your son Phaomir,” Thafjord said quickly.

Degan looked at Thafjord for a while, and then at Danzik for confirmation, he nodded. Degan grabbed his chest and began to breathe hard until he could no longer catch his breath at all and fell over. Degan Ordon King of Oritus died at age seventy-six after hearing his son was killed by Hurculian soldiers. Fiira went to his side, but could do nothing, he was already gone, and tears began to stream down her face.

She turned quickly the two men sat there and looked at her blankly. “You two killed my brother and now you killed my father, what problem do you have with Oritus, what in the name of Kangi did we ever do to you?” She leaped over the table and grabbed Thafjord by the hair and cut his head off, Danzik jumped up and backed away, knowing that if he tried to run the soldiers outside would quickly cut him down.

“Please don’t kill me he is the one that killed your brother, I just held him down, and he killed your father by telling him about your brother,” Danzik begged, “please don’t kill me I beg you.”

“I’ve declared war on Hurculus by killing this idiot, now you are my enemy, that means I must kill you too, and after I will march to Geldis Galhem and capture it from your inferior kind,” she yelled.

“I’m sorry, please don’t ki--”

Her blade penetrated his skin and came out of his back. After stabbing him a few more times just for fun and good measure she burned her father in the last rights of the warrior, she did the same for the Danzik and Thafjord, if she hadn’t she would have been deemed a bad leader and the might be punished by Grism. After it was over, she moved her armies north to Geldis Galhem and readied for battle with the few Hurculians left for defense.