Frankoman
10 Aug 2007, 00:32
Chapter 1
The Raiders
Listibalda, oh Listibalda! The most beautiful lands that the eye could see. Franko stood by the open window, gazing out over the rolling hills. The setting sun splashed gold along a distant crest so that it seemed to hang in the air unsupported, a vein of light in the distance. Behind him, the murmurs of men conversing rose and fell without interrupting his thoughts. The once peaceful lands were dried by war.
Franko returned his attention to the conversation. Kings, Generals, and other people of power were in such a rush to discus the current epidemic. Our lands had been sacked, the first ever attack on our homeland left a scar on the lives of the citizens. The Listibaldian army was strengthened, and the Guard was tightened. Those creatures of war came at us in an unprovoked action, with a military so strong and discipline. We knew not where they came from, for they had an unknown language, and were not sighted to have come to our island by boat.
"It was… Unprovoked…" Says Franko, looking for the right words.
"I will be back my friends." I stated, while taking my leave. I journeyed to the Lone hill. I had so many worries and troubles. This hill, however, was the only care free place. There was little civilization, but not to far from the city, and lay a beautiful valley. The Sun began it’s journey to darkness. Its color faded. The bright yellow light now became a dark orange. Life was just too amazing, but is taken so quickly. In peace, Son’s bury there fathers. In war, fathers bury there sons.
Under my Badger-Skin cloak, it was warm, and for a little while I lay still as a huntsman in a covert. I starred around me, looking at every corner of our Empire. The tree’s swayed slower, looking for rest. The fox’s and wolves watched over there young as they fell asleep, the rivers tides’ became steadier.
It’s starting to get late. I thought. I knew if I stayed too late the City Gates would close, and the Patrols wouldn’t let me in. I returned to the city, and went to the Grand Hall. The Iron Bolted door stood as a sight of Honor. It seems so impregnable, and the street so narrow no gate could get to it.
The guards Unbolted the massive door, and I went in. It was such a large and beautiful place. And to think that the Main Keep is 10 times greater than this. All around, Statues made of Gold lay, showing warriors who fought and died. Shields all round the walls, perfectly aligned add a nice touch. They were all wooden, mainly round or Kited. This was such a wonderful place! And this was just the entrance way. The Hall was very massive, and it is easy to get lost while gallivanting around the rooms. The Iron doors opened again, and there stood Lieutenant Nile.
“Sir,” he started. “Nighttime is falling upon us. You should return to your residence place and get a good night sleep. The Patrol doesn’t deal kindly to wanderers.”
So I journeyed to the Inn. The counsel wouldn’t mind my absence, after all. I went to the Counter, and ordered a shot of Brandy. As I looked around, I found a note.
The final hour is upon you!
The armies of Listibalda are weak, and none will be able to stop us! We will come with rage, and attack at silent. We are the Invincible, the untouched, the knights. Our legacy will live on that we are the greatest nation. Your island will fall, and you will be raped of land. Now is the time for you to bow down, now is the time for you to finally be defeated!
We a-
The note was ripped there. I scavenged with my eyes for the other half, but to no prevail.
“Bartender,” I started. “What is this note about?”
He took a minute to glance at it.
“Ah! I found this on a tree by the Fort. The arrow was made of wood I never seen, and a metal that was sharper and of an unknown color. You can keep it if you want.”
I stood up.
“When did you find this!?” I yelled, but quiet enough not to arouse attention.
Though scared, he wasn’t faint of words.
“Before the Great Raid… I was wandering around the island, and found it. I never found any use for it. If you would like, you can keep it, the other half is somewhere in the storage room…”
I walked away. He had the note that could have saved us from the great raid! Listibalda might not have fallen… We might not have been trapped on that island, all those men could have been saved!
I went to the storage room with a lit torch. There were many crates around, and I saw the one I pried open long ago still intact. I started looking around, rustling through the papyrus on the floor.
Chapter 2
The History
As I rummaged through the many sheets of Papyrus, I found a group of sheets, all held by a piece of Yarn. It told a tale of a battle.
It was many moons ago, the Knights of Scipii had set sail, the once vibrant lifestyles destroyed by war. The Scipiian knights knew there enemy, the Rinolian’s who were Migrating into there lands would pose a threat, but a quick rout to a glorious victory, and so it was.
The Rinolian’s were decisively beaten, and the Scipiian’s declared that any Rinolian Citizen or Soldier must join the Senates army, or be destroyed. Few Rinolian’s denied the chance for survival, but those who resisted were justly punished.
After the man decisive victories, Civil unrest was upon us, as our crude alliance with the Oslegon’s became a problem. With all wounds and weariness taking it’s toll, there mad king decided to throw everything they had at us. Once more the Scipiian knights would ride out, but unlike against the Rinolians, this battle would be far tougher. The Oslegon’s once sided with Scipii in there wars, but as corruption took held, the golden valley of hills and peace soon died out.
“Father…” The boy stated. “Do you remember the great Syri, father?”
“No, son,” replied the father, in an upset way.
“But wasn’t the Great Syri in your time?”
“My son,” he started, “The Great Syri is a massive World War with many nations, the war we were in was not so.” Said the Father, releasing a Sigh of Anguish.
“This, my son, may be the second great Syri.”
The father got up and looked out the window, hands pressed against the marble it lay on. Over many sighs he looked at the lands, noticing the Industry and Muster Fields all in action, and masses of troops being trained. These hills were once a peaceful place, but no longer would that be. A loud horn blew.
“Father…” the boy said. “What is wrong?”
A second time it blew, and then a third.
“I have to leave.”
“What?! But father, where are you going!”
“The Horn was raised, the flag was lit, three strikes it blow, this is the sign that all Veterans and able bodied men come to the Muster Fields for training. The lit flag shows that if any do not come, force will be implied. As a veteran, I must go.”
“Will you be back?’
“I don’t know.”
The man left, giving his Son and wife one final kiss. He never would return.
It appeared the other papers had been ripped off. I would look for them later, but right now the rest of this note was needed.
Wait a second.. I thought. I quickly grabbed the story, and examined it. Stumbling, even in my thoughts, I knew this was related to the war. Maybe I shall look for this in the papers as well…
***
What do you think of my story thus far? :) I've been writing it for awhile.
The Raiders
Listibalda, oh Listibalda! The most beautiful lands that the eye could see. Franko stood by the open window, gazing out over the rolling hills. The setting sun splashed gold along a distant crest so that it seemed to hang in the air unsupported, a vein of light in the distance. Behind him, the murmurs of men conversing rose and fell without interrupting his thoughts. The once peaceful lands were dried by war.
Franko returned his attention to the conversation. Kings, Generals, and other people of power were in such a rush to discus the current epidemic. Our lands had been sacked, the first ever attack on our homeland left a scar on the lives of the citizens. The Listibaldian army was strengthened, and the Guard was tightened. Those creatures of war came at us in an unprovoked action, with a military so strong and discipline. We knew not where they came from, for they had an unknown language, and were not sighted to have come to our island by boat.
"It was… Unprovoked…" Says Franko, looking for the right words.
"I will be back my friends." I stated, while taking my leave. I journeyed to the Lone hill. I had so many worries and troubles. This hill, however, was the only care free place. There was little civilization, but not to far from the city, and lay a beautiful valley. The Sun began it’s journey to darkness. Its color faded. The bright yellow light now became a dark orange. Life was just too amazing, but is taken so quickly. In peace, Son’s bury there fathers. In war, fathers bury there sons.
Under my Badger-Skin cloak, it was warm, and for a little while I lay still as a huntsman in a covert. I starred around me, looking at every corner of our Empire. The tree’s swayed slower, looking for rest. The fox’s and wolves watched over there young as they fell asleep, the rivers tides’ became steadier.
It’s starting to get late. I thought. I knew if I stayed too late the City Gates would close, and the Patrols wouldn’t let me in. I returned to the city, and went to the Grand Hall. The Iron Bolted door stood as a sight of Honor. It seems so impregnable, and the street so narrow no gate could get to it.
The guards Unbolted the massive door, and I went in. It was such a large and beautiful place. And to think that the Main Keep is 10 times greater than this. All around, Statues made of Gold lay, showing warriors who fought and died. Shields all round the walls, perfectly aligned add a nice touch. They were all wooden, mainly round or Kited. This was such a wonderful place! And this was just the entrance way. The Hall was very massive, and it is easy to get lost while gallivanting around the rooms. The Iron doors opened again, and there stood Lieutenant Nile.
“Sir,” he started. “Nighttime is falling upon us. You should return to your residence place and get a good night sleep. The Patrol doesn’t deal kindly to wanderers.”
So I journeyed to the Inn. The counsel wouldn’t mind my absence, after all. I went to the Counter, and ordered a shot of Brandy. As I looked around, I found a note.
The final hour is upon you!
The armies of Listibalda are weak, and none will be able to stop us! We will come with rage, and attack at silent. We are the Invincible, the untouched, the knights. Our legacy will live on that we are the greatest nation. Your island will fall, and you will be raped of land. Now is the time for you to bow down, now is the time for you to finally be defeated!
We a-
The note was ripped there. I scavenged with my eyes for the other half, but to no prevail.
“Bartender,” I started. “What is this note about?”
He took a minute to glance at it.
“Ah! I found this on a tree by the Fort. The arrow was made of wood I never seen, and a metal that was sharper and of an unknown color. You can keep it if you want.”
I stood up.
“When did you find this!?” I yelled, but quiet enough not to arouse attention.
Though scared, he wasn’t faint of words.
“Before the Great Raid… I was wandering around the island, and found it. I never found any use for it. If you would like, you can keep it, the other half is somewhere in the storage room…”
I walked away. He had the note that could have saved us from the great raid! Listibalda might not have fallen… We might not have been trapped on that island, all those men could have been saved!
I went to the storage room with a lit torch. There were many crates around, and I saw the one I pried open long ago still intact. I started looking around, rustling through the papyrus on the floor.
Chapter 2
The History
As I rummaged through the many sheets of Papyrus, I found a group of sheets, all held by a piece of Yarn. It told a tale of a battle.
It was many moons ago, the Knights of Scipii had set sail, the once vibrant lifestyles destroyed by war. The Scipiian knights knew there enemy, the Rinolian’s who were Migrating into there lands would pose a threat, but a quick rout to a glorious victory, and so it was.
The Rinolian’s were decisively beaten, and the Scipiian’s declared that any Rinolian Citizen or Soldier must join the Senates army, or be destroyed. Few Rinolian’s denied the chance for survival, but those who resisted were justly punished.
After the man decisive victories, Civil unrest was upon us, as our crude alliance with the Oslegon’s became a problem. With all wounds and weariness taking it’s toll, there mad king decided to throw everything they had at us. Once more the Scipiian knights would ride out, but unlike against the Rinolians, this battle would be far tougher. The Oslegon’s once sided with Scipii in there wars, but as corruption took held, the golden valley of hills and peace soon died out.
“Father…” The boy stated. “Do you remember the great Syri, father?”
“No, son,” replied the father, in an upset way.
“But wasn’t the Great Syri in your time?”
“My son,” he started, “The Great Syri is a massive World War with many nations, the war we were in was not so.” Said the Father, releasing a Sigh of Anguish.
“This, my son, may be the second great Syri.”
The father got up and looked out the window, hands pressed against the marble it lay on. Over many sighs he looked at the lands, noticing the Industry and Muster Fields all in action, and masses of troops being trained. These hills were once a peaceful place, but no longer would that be. A loud horn blew.
“Father…” the boy said. “What is wrong?”
A second time it blew, and then a third.
“I have to leave.”
“What?! But father, where are you going!”
“The Horn was raised, the flag was lit, three strikes it blow, this is the sign that all Veterans and able bodied men come to the Muster Fields for training. The lit flag shows that if any do not come, force will be implied. As a veteran, I must go.”
“Will you be back?’
“I don’t know.”
The man left, giving his Son and wife one final kiss. He never would return.
It appeared the other papers had been ripped off. I would look for them later, but right now the rest of this note was needed.
Wait a second.. I thought. I quickly grabbed the story, and examined it. Stumbling, even in my thoughts, I knew this was related to the war. Maybe I shall look for this in the papers as well…
***
What do you think of my story thus far? :) I've been writing it for awhile.