When writing "The Brotherhood Of The Realms", it was always the intention to expand the story. From "On A Storyteller's Night", the whole concept came to expand into a World of Epic proportion.
1064 B.C - Seacliffe, North-West Territory
The village of Nasperine stood close to the edge of the Caldon border, its population only in the hundreds and consisting of many untrained soldiers. It was considered no threat by the Caldon Army Generals. It did, however, have a large reserve of food supplies.
Having declared war on Seacliffe, it was the Army Generals of Caldon who decided to send deep cover operatives disguised as merchants into Nasperine to pick up supplies. Once fully laden they would return over the border and meet up with the attacking Armor Divisions before their hazardous return home to claim their reward of one month’s leave.
Kairlen Volless, the ruler of Caldon, had ordered a mass invasion of Seacliffe, when, and only when their war reached eighty days without victory. It was an obsession duly noted by the Caldon’s Great Council. And, if the truth be known, it was no secret that the Council had fears about this war, especially as it was Caldon’s one and only neighbour next to the thousands of miles of Teravian Ocean.
Seacliffe itself sat on the shelf lining Siranquius, one of the world’s largest producers of wool and cotton, as well as steel for the production of weapon’s and engineering.
On the front line Seacliffe was being bombarded day and night, its defences weakened by the strong reserves of Caldon, while alone both stood in this bloody battle, it came to pass that it was now anybody’s victory.
When the war came to its fifty-fifth day, Tredlin Fin, ruler of Seacliffe, declared a one day truce and invited Kairlen Valess to sit down with him and discuss a possible ceasefire. Of course, during any battle between two lands, the rulers themselves had to be very wary of the other. All the same, the truce was accepted and Kairlen made the journey into Seacliffe territory and came to rest at the one place that was considered safe – This place was Nasperine.
Sitting down around the great oak table that was laden with a feast of food and drink, Tredlin gave a toast on behalf of the people in Seacliffe, including a short speech that would send a ripple through time. The great leaders were there as allies, not enemies…not that day anyway.
Throughout the day both men discussed the running of each land, the laws and the benefits that it reaped for both resident and ruler. Into the evening it was time for the entertainment and niceties of the host, while along the outer border Kairlen’s army took position and awaited the signal to attack.
‘What do you call that strange dance?’ Kairlen asked pointing his jewel encrusted finger at a group of women dancer’s before him.
‘That is the dance of Vorelee,’ Tredlin gave a sudden dry reply.
Kairlen looked at him with raised eyebrows.
‘Tell me more about this Vorelee.’
Tredlin tried to explain that the people of Nasperine did not speak of her, nor did they speak her name. But Kairlen was having none of it - He really wanted to know the story that told of the woman that everyone feared and the strange dance that was created falsely in her name.
‘Well,’ Tredlin began, taking in a deep breath, ‘Vorelee was considered an elder of the land, her supporter’s bringing the nations together in peace. One day Vorelee stumbled across a darkened path upon the wastelands and in her curiosity she followed it. According to legend, Vorelee was missing for more than two years from her home here in Seacliffe. The life she made for herself was not perfect, but she managed to survive long enough to find a way back home again. They say that when she returned through the Grey Wood there was an evil which followed after her, an evil so powerful that it was believed to be The One.’ Tredlin told the story with great caution.
For a moment Kairlen thought about what he had been told, then without any warning he erupted into a fit of laughter. Tredlin was insulted by this but yet, with the ceasefire in place he did not react.
‘What, a woman bringing evil from some kind of far off misguided pilgrimage! You and your people, Tredlin, are so gullible, it is no wonder you are losing this battle. We, the great warriors of Caldon dismiss these stories for what they are, nightmare stories for children. Caldon, too, many legends that are far more horrifying and, if I may say, more honourable than Vorelee’s tale.’ Kairlen boasted, his face looking as though he was about to burst a blood vessel.
Tredlin waved a relaxed hand in the air. ‘Please, Kairlen, amuse us with one of your stories. I’m sure you do have many stories to tell of your land. And, well, I’m sure that if you were serious about the truce also, that you will tell us why your soldiers are taking up flanking positions on the eastern border near Tulalen?’
Kairlen was suddenly shocked by the news that his enemy knew of the attack force in the east, and not those forces that now lay in wait outside the village itself?
‘Tulalen!’ Kairlen gasped innocently.
Tredlin rose to his feet. ‘Legend has it, Kairlen, when the dance of Vorelee ends, blood will spill upon those very wastelands that she disappeared and awaken the evil that Vorelee herself brought back. I tell you this because in order for your troops to attack Seacliffe, they will have to cross the wasteland and cut through the Grey Wood. But then, the legend of Vorelee is but a nightmare tale, a yarn, a story for frightened young children!’
The silence was almost deafening. All eyes were on Kairlen now, awaiting his immediate response.
‘That’s right, it’s just a story,’
‘So, Kairlen, your soldiers will be safe crossing the wastelands. But, of course, passing through the Grey Wood, well…’ Tredlin paused from ending his sentence purposely to get .
‘The Grey Wood!’ Kairlen gulped hard.
‘Yes, the Grey Wood, the place that Vorelee was last seen emerging from. You see Kairlen, on Vorelee’s return from the outlands, or Hell, as you would call it, she brought with her death itself. It was the people of her home village that discovered her absence of soul just before they were slaughtered. By the time Vorelee was captured and imprisoned, more than one third of the population of Seacliffe was lost. Upon the sealing of Vorelee in the tomb of Archaos, the killings stopped. Of course, Vorelee swore vengeance on the entire land, but to this day she has not been seen or heard of.’ Tredlin went on to tell the now worried looking ruler of Caldon.
‘Like…Like I said, it’s just a story to scare people, right?’ Kairlen spoke in a shaky voice.
Shrugging his shoulders Tredlin walked away.
Turning to his Master at Arms, Kairlen ordered him to send a man with haste to Tulalen and warn them about the legend of Vorelee, as well as to be prepared for any underhanded surprises from they’re enemy.
When Tredlin returned to the entertainment and the company of Kairlen, questions were asked about the missing officer.
‘My apologies, Tredlin, the need for new attire calls my most trusted of men away temporarily. If it would please you, I will allow you one of your own men to ride with him to the border.’ Kairlen offered.
‘No, that won’t be necessary…my men are forbidden to enter the Grey Wood.’ Tredlin replied with a half raised smile. ‘Besides, your men are already dead, Kairlen, and you have just sent another to his death, too.’
No attempt by Kairlen was made to avoid the reason his Master at Arms officer had gone to warn the soldiers at Tulalen, it was, after all, the one thing that Tredlin himself would have done in the same circumstances.
‘Stop…Enough of this trickery Tredlin! I grow tired of your old wives tales and legends of unbelievable evils. My men and I are leaving, as for the war, it will continue as from the break of dawn tomorrow.’ Kairlen snarled.
Tredlin grabbed him by the arm and stopped him. ‘But how can you continue a war without an army, Kairlen? I offer you peace, for your life and the saving of your very capital, but only if you surrender now.’ Tredlin offered.
Kairlen thought quietly for a moment, his pacing back and forth giving him away to the fact that he was afraid of both the story and, of not knowing whether Vorelee had indeed killed all of his men or not.
‘Like I said, your stories are words that are of the nightmare makers doing. And, even if they were true about Vorelee, my men out number her ten thousand to one. Do you really think I would fall for your trickery? Do you think that I am a fool?’ Kairlen was very upset.
Demanding that Kairlen leave for the border with his remaining men, Tredlin turned and began his short journey to Seacliffe Castle. Once here he would oversee the final phase of his master plan.
Meanwhile, some two hours after leaving Nasperine for Tulalen, Kairlen arrived to find the place deserted. Upon searching the area he found no trace of his men being there; no camp fires, no tents, not even foot or horse tracks could be seen. There was absolutely nothing.
‘Where are my men?’ He called out to one of his men.
‘I don’t understand, Sir, they should be here.’
Going down on bended knee he took up a handful of dirt from the ground. ‘This land is cursed,’ he growled, ‘get everyone back to Nasperine, now!’
Quickly mounting their horses the remainder of the Caldon Army rode hard and fast back to the small village where Kairlen believed they would be safe from all harm. It would be in the best interest of Tredlin to have Kairlen left alive, because unbeknown to Tredlin and the people of Seacliffe, it was the ruler of Caldon that managed the further five lands that surrounded Seacliffe. Unfortunately for the one man who believed his power and safety lay back in Caldon, it was anything but awaiting his return, victorious or not. As much as he believed himself ruler of Seacliffe’s enemy in war, so too did he believe Tredlin would be waiting his return with the offer of a truce.
‘The village is deserted, too, Sir.’ An advance scout who had rose ahead declared.
Something was very wrong. Nasperine was empty. Ordering the men to make their way back to the border and prepare to enter Caldon, the whole ground began to shake violently. The small buildings, trees and open land shook, crumbled, fell and dislodged itself from one part of the village to the other.
‘Move out! Move out, Now!’ He screamed out at the top of his voice, belting the rear of the horse with all his might. The hard strike from his whip bringing the horse to buck and subsequently throw him from the saddle to the ground.
(excerpt from "Men Of The Gods". Further info can be found @NorthGableProductions on Facebook, @CasanovaDaVinci)
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