Sasan Shabrou's Blog - Posts Tagged "epic"

The following is a chapter from the first book about Hyaterra Dawn of Destruction. If you like what you read here you can purchase the ebook at all major outlets, iBooks, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords and many others.

Chapter 3

Whispers of Fire

It was almost evening when Grandki arrived at Ketling's house. Unlike Grandki, Ketling lived in the village in a large house with his family and servants. Ketling had three sons and a daughter that lived with him. His oldest son was away at Gycrun attending school since he would not be drafted into the military. As much as their lives were different, Grandki admired Ketling due to his reverence and Ketling respected Grandki due to his honor.
"May Shinryu and the rest of the Gods bless you and your family," Grandki declared as he hugged his old friend.
"May Redtin keep our food warm while you stand outside declaring your obedience to the Gods," Ketling chuckled, "I hope your travels were well."
"They were," Grandki replied, "I would have written a message but I felt the matter too urgent to wait for a reply."
"I hope you are staying for dinner," Ketling asked, "I'm hungry and my wife cooked an amazing meal."
"These matters are urgent. I feel it best to deal with them as quickly as possible," Grandki stated as the men came into the house. After the entry way and a space to hang coats, cloaks, capes, hats, and whatever outer garments you wore, was a large sitting room. It was much larger than Grandki's and the fire place was larger with a bigger fire that heated both stories of the stone house. The floor of the sitting room was made of stone. There was a great deal of furniture around the room for sitting next to the fire but covering the walls were bookcases filled with books. Some centuries old and some written in languages no longer spoken. Grandki wondered to himself if Ketling had read all these books and if that was the reasoning for his wisdom. Ketling's voice broke Grandki's thought.
"Let us eat in my study then," Ketling offered pointing to a room off the side of the sitting room. This room was smaller and darker. There was a small fireplace that needed to coals to be stoked to be relit. Large candles the lit the room so one could see three feet in front of them. Papers covered the large desk that Ketling usually spent his time mindless writing and pondering about Gods and men. A servant brought the men dinner and wine which they ate at a small table by the fire. The room was a little chillier than the main part of the house so Ketling offered indoor jackets for them to wear. It wore like a poncho but it was think like a quilt so it got the job done nicely.
"Reminds me of knight training," Grandki remarked pointing at the indoor jacket, "I never became one. I quickly learned boats were my thing." It caused both men to laugh for a bit lightening the mood in the dark room.
"You have come to me about the taxes," Ketling spoke ending the laughter.
"How did you know?"
"The tax man was here yesterday."
"My house too. It is too much. Many in my village have not paid the last tax," Grandki spoke.
"Yet taxes have been raised another five percent. The Kingdom has forgotten that starving dogs bite back."
"My wife said a similar saying last night," Grandki said in between bites of food.
"It is getting to be too much for some people. There is talk of rebellion."
"No," Grandki shook off the idea.
"Truth," Ketling replied, "There is a small group of leaders of Deruwa who wish to start a resistance."
"And what would be their purpose?"
"To rebel against Gycrun and the King."
"Such talk could get one's head cut off."
"That is why I speak to you with the utmost secrecy," Ketling spatted. His face stern with seriousness.
"No this is madness. Sounds like a bunch of grumpy mayors too afraid to face punishment for not paying taxes," Grandki dismissed the idea, "Such a rebellion will be squashed by the Kingdom."
"Ah the Kingdom," Ketling sighed, "Who knows and honors the Kingdom more than you Grandki. These men need a man like you to guide them."
"I could never do such a thing. The Kingdom has given my family so much."
"There is a small meeting tomorrow of such men. I'm certain talk of the Deruwa Rebellion will come up," Ketling stated.
"No, such secret dealings lead to nothing good."
"At least meet with a friend of mine?" Ketling pleaded.
"Not tomorrow," Grandki replied.
"Tomorrow could be the last day. He leaves for Gycrun and then Lenatha."
"I should be getting home before there is trouble," Grandki stated, getting up from the table.
"Utmost secrecy?" Ketling asked.
"Yes, I will keep silent and ponder my thoughts about all of this. It is a lot to process."
"Well you have been away running raids for the Kingdom. Much has happened. Hangings, jailing, and taxing, but yes think on this. Stay the night."
"Yes," Grandki replied, "A good sleep to think things over."
Grandki slept in small room that had a bed and a small table. As soon as morning broke he was gone heading home to wish wife. The travel back home was quicker. He need hast. Trouble was brewing and he needed to be home to stop it. Home is where he needed to be also to protect Leipora and his children. It was shortly after midday that Grandki was back in his wife's arms.
"Come inside love," Grandki leads Leipora inside their house.
"What is wrong?" Leipora questioning Grandki calling her love.
"There is talk of resistance," Grandki whispers, "They meet today."
"Then why are you not there?"
"It is too much. Anger is one thing but to rebel. It goes without honor."
"My love," Leipora soothes Grandki, "That is why they need you. Ketling would not have told you this or been over every other day if he did not trust you or think you worthy for the cause."
"Did you know of this?" Grandki asked.
"Rumors and whispers."
"Than the Kingdom knows of this too. And that is why we have the tax hike."
"Starving dogs eventually bite."
"And fire burns the world aflame," Grandki says remembering his time in the military on campaigns. A knock is heard. Grandki leaves to answer it.

At the door stands Glaw all smiling.
"Good day sir, may Shinryu bless your travels," Grandki greeted Glaw.
"Yes good day Master Grandki," Glaw beamed about.
"I have not yet had the time to collect the taxes."
"Tomorrow, they are due tomorrow," Glaw replied.
"I am can make no promises. The crops have not been good this harvest."
"We will bring in crops for sale at the market. We will just tax your recent bounty in exchange."
"Leaving my men with nothing."
"Like you said times are tough," Glaw smirked as he began to walk away.
With anger Grandki slammed the door. It was impossible to justify the treatment the Kingdom had towards Deruwa. Grandki was beginning to wonder if his friend Ketling was right about resistance. Maybe it was time. Maybe there could be a free Deruwa. People outside the Kingdom thought of him as a pirate, maybe it was time for the Kingdom to see him as a rebel.
"You are thinking about Ketling being correct?" Leipora asked.
"No," Grandki said. "I think I need to write a letter to the King asking for this Glaw to be replaced and lower our taxes and send crops for fill our tables." Another knock at the door.
Grandki opens his door to find Ketling and a stranger at his door. Ketling looks frustrated at Grandki. The stranger was about Ketling's age maybe slightly older. He was balding and heavier set. A rounder belly proved he never missed a meal. He was also dressed in fine robes and thick purple cape wrapped around him like an important magistrate would wear. Grandki could'n't decide if the elegant staff he held was for walking or to show nobility.
"You left before sunrise," Ketling scolded Grandki, "You missed the meeting."
"I had no interest in your meeting," Grandki tried reminding Ketling.
"You said you would listen. So I brought the smartest man I know," Ketling said as he began making introductions. "Anr this is Grandki, the most honorable man Deruwa has to offer. Grandki this is Anr, the smartest man Deruwa has to offer."
"Pleased to make your acquaintance," Anr said as he stuck out a hand for a handshake.
"May Shinryu be ever with you today and the events to follow," Grandki replied as he shook Anr's hand.
"I myself prefer Redtin or Gangrene," Anr stated, "But I find myself to have little time or interest in the Gods."
Grandki began to place how Ketling saw this man. Not as a religious dwellings but for intellectual disputes. He began to study Anr closer. Maybe this guy was a mage or a wizard of some sorts.
"So are you our wizard? I thought you wanted to start a resistance not go off on an adventure?" Grandki asked.
"No," Anr replied, "I just dabble in magic, sometimes the dark arts."
"And out of all the books Ketling owns he says you are the wisest?"
"Only because I don't let religion cloud my judgment."
"Why the interest in me?"
"Because Grandki," Ketling interrupts. "You are the most honorable man anyone knows. If you side with Deruwa than Gycrun will see how they have wronged subjects of the Kingdom."
"But you served on the noble court?" inquired Grandki.
"And I served as an advisor for the King," Anr added, "But it isn't the court or King we need to convince. It will be the people of the lands and the monarchs of the other kingdoms. Otherwise they will come to Gycrun's aid and destroy our resistance with brute force."
"What Gycrun is doing is wrong. I won't deny that," Grandki states, "But I need more time. I need to focus on the task before me, the taxes. Then I can focus on this."
"These taxes are just another way of pushing a starving solve into the desert," Anr adds, "Eventually the wolf attacks fiercely."
"Do you guys have a plan?" Grandki asks.
"Yes," Anr replies, "To get aid from Lenatha by promising clear seas from any raids and to go to Atatha for swords."
"What about any of your magic friends. Gycrun will send their magicians if threatened."
"I really just dabble," Anr answered, "But I have some magical items that might be useful."
"For now keep this plan secret," Ketling spoke. "We will leave for now."
With that the two older men left Grandki alone to think. He had lots to think about and wasn't sure if he had enough ale to wet his thoughts. He had taxes to collect. Taxes to pay. Bounty from the raid to count and disperse. A ship to ready. Leipora looks at his from the doorway of the kitchen from across the sitting room. Her smile is inviting but a loud horn pulls Grandki away. There was truly no rest this day. Glaw had returned to the village and this time he was going to make a statement about the taxes.
"Go my love," Leipora commands Grandki.

Grandki hurries to the village center but is intercepted by Eigwas, a young man from the village. He was a bright boy, a scholar, one of the best damn writers Grandki knew of.
"Grandki," Eigwas yelled.
"What is it boy?" Grandki replied.
"They have my father. Glaw and a whole battalion of soldiers." Grandki picked up his pace to get to the village center quicker. There in the center on the center platform usually used for traveling priests or theatre troupes stood Glaw and Annedd, Eigwas's father. Soldiers surrounded the platform preventing anyone to get in between the two.
"Glaw!" Grandki roared, "What is the meaning of this?"
"It is time to pay the taxes master Grandki," Glaw replied.
"Times have been too harsh. We will pay taxes next time. Now please release Annedd to his son."
"Collect the taxes Grandki," Glaw says as he calmly beheads Annedd's body with a short sword. Annedd's headless body falls of the platform. Eigwas screams and charges at the platform only to be thrown back by guards. Shocked Grandki takes ahold of Eigwas.
"Not now," Grandki tells the young man, "If they kill you now what good does that do for your father's death." Weakly Eigwas stirs in Grandki's clutches. Glaw nails Annedd's head to a post on the platform.
"Taxes tomorrow or another village idiot dies," Glaw tells Grandki.
"I will pay the taxes," Grandki replies. "I will pay the village tax out my pocket."
"Shall we go to your vaults?" Glaw mockingly asks Grandki.
Grandki led the way to his vaults which were located near the docks making it easier to store bounty from raids and easier to protect his wealth and fleet of ships.
After the taxes were counted it was time for Glaw to return to Gycrun. Frustrated Grandki was glad to see everyone leave. Trouble would be brewing if it hadn't already. He would be having bigger issues to face when he had to tell his men he had no money to pay for their previous raid. He had just given a huge portion of his wealth for taxes and if Deruwa was going to purchase weapons for a rebellion he was going to need all the gold he could put his fingers on. In return for payment of the taxes Glaw gave Grandki the bloodied sword used to behead Annedd. Grandki left it on the stone floor.
As the Gycrun soldiers were finishing loading the collected taxes onto the ships loud yelling and chanting could be heard coming towards to harbor. Angry commoners were making their way towards the docks. Some of them were men in Grandki's command. By now news of the beheading had gotten out and this was how the village reacted. Grandki couldn't calm the rioters without force and he wouldn't be using force tonight. They had every right to be angry. Grandki had had enough. The fire from their torches gave the rioters a demonic look. Glaw panicked as he looked at his short sword on the floor of Grandki's vaults. He quickly gets onto the nearest boat.
"Prepare to sail," Glaw commands. Those on the ships hasten their duties to prepare to pull anchor. The soldiers began to leave the rest of taxes on the docks as they began to get to the safety of the ships. This left chests full of money for the Kingdom of Gycrun at the disposal of the common folk of Deruwa. The loud yelling got louder as the chests began to be thrown into the water one by one.
"So this is how the rebellion will start," Grandki thought to himself as he watched the riot consume the harbor. The night was lit by angry torches illuminating the bodies of rioters climbing onboard the Gycrun ships to throw more tax money into the water. Gycrun soldiers jumped over board trying to get to nearby ships. Ships caught fire when rioters had thrown the last chest over board. Glaw watched the whole thing from the safety of his ship, never taking his eyes off Grandki.
"It begins and you sided with your people," Ketling announced, stepping out of the shadows.
"The wolf strikes tonight in the aid of fire," Grandki replies.
"And now you must meet the others," Ketling says.
"No, Glaw is going to get more soldiers. We need to get to Lenatha for the aid you spoke of."
"We should let Anr deal with that. He is very diplomatic, I learned from him."
"Yes but you are here and I have a ship," Grandki says as he starts preparing his logs over his ship.
It was an unsettling night of sleep due to the events of the night. Calm came shortly before three in the morning as the crowds from the docks finally made their way home after much ale had been stolen and drunk. Grandki stayed out for most of the night watching the events with Ketling. Since the night ended late and the roads could be dangerous due to the uncertainty of the nature of things it was thought best Ketling stay the night in one of the spare bedrooms in Grandki's house.
It was an early morning for both men as sleep was hard to get that night and sun light was very unforgiving. Leipora was already up making breakfast for the two men as they both entered the kitchen.
"Did you sleep at all?" Grandki asked his wife.
"Little, my love," she replies, "But you two must eat before your long journey."
"I haven't even discussed my plans," Ketling said astonished that Leipora might be able to read his mind.
"I haven't even made plans yet," Grandki replied just as surprised as Ketling.
"After the events of last night I know that your future will be busy making plans to protect this young kingdom of port cities and this nation of pirates," Leipora says as she serves eggs and bread to the gentlemen at her table. "The world shall no longer see us as a throng of sea dogs but a young country capable of defending ourselves from oppression of the great kingdom of Gycrun."
Grandki kissed his wife as she gave him his food. "Maybe you should be our great leader."
"No," she replied, "My life is here with the kids. I know not the dangers of war except for you might not return."
"I can not promise that he will return," Ketling replied, "But when this war is finished your children will have a better life in our new kingdom."
"What exactly are your plans Ketling," Grandki asked politely.
"We need two things almost immediately," Ketling begins as he takes a bite of food, "First we need a declaration to send out to leaders of the world. This does two things, lets everyone know we are no longer a part of the Gycrun Kingdom and two allows anyone who wants to help fund our war fund it. The second item we need to do is gain the support of Lenatha for our little rebellion. They are also a sea faring people and we can promise safe travels on the sea if we are to become our own nation."
"You think they would support this?" Leipora said as she served the men hot tea.
"They know Gycrun uses us to attack their ships and weaken their trade. A relationship with us would ensure safety on at least one border of their nation," Grandki answered as he took a sip of tea.
"Unfortunately Anr has not yet returned from getting my son from Gycrun," Ketling states, "So that means we are going to need your ship, Grandki."
"I can get it ready no worries. We can sail by nightfall," Grandki replies.
"No you get your ship ready for sail and meet me in Lurlantis," Ketling interrupts, "We can not be seen traveling together by the enemy. We meet in Lurlantis and together sign the declaration and then together we sail to Lenatha."
"It will add an additional day to my journey," Grandki objects.
"So you won't miss out on all the details arguing on the details," Ketling finishes," I will however take that boy Eigwas."
"Eigwas, is a good boy and a fine writer," Leipora injects.
"Good, his penmanship is what I seek," Ketling says finishing his food.
"Do you need more food?" Leipora asks being a gracious host.
"No four eggs are enough," Ketling replies before turning to Grandki, "Don't leave for your ship till you see your children. You don't know when you might see them again." With that Ketling left while Grandki and Leipora sat at the table drinking more tea.