<<Author's note: I'm really sorry this has been almost
three years and alot has changed, but I
have some more of the story to tell. This was just sitting out there in cyber space having moved
with me a few times. This is the end of "Book 2: Chonicles". I have
started writing "Book 3: Trials" while editing "Books 1 & 2" adding artwork and tightening
up the plot and some of the names. In a
perfect world I would love to get it published one day...oh well. If
you keep in touch with anyone who used
to read it please forward this along, I
had to scour through 2 years of emails to dig up more current addresses
for most people. I hope that this finds
you safe and well and please write me
and let me know how you are doing. Mike
PS
I am actually starting real story arcs, not just parodies of
real events, so it should be more
interesting to read.>>
“We stand ready.”
The Jester set down the scroll and moved to finish packing
his things. It was going to be a long
time before he’d see these walls again. Before
leaving for the Castle, he penned a quick note to his bride explaining
that he’d write soon. Setting outside
with everything he’d need for the coming
year, he spots a carriage and piles the bags inside. “To the castle.” He
says the driver.
General Tintar finished putting on his polished silver
armor. Attaching his purple cloak and
sheathing his sword, he pauses “It is time.” Upon entering the hall just
outside his chambers, the Commander of the Royal Guard takes note of a hundred of his finest
men standing guard outside of his door.
As he steps into the hallway, one hundred heels strike the ground as the guardsmen wheel about into marching
formation. As the procession advances
through the halls, a resounding noise is heard as though a large thunder cloud crashed along side of them.
Rounding a corner, the mass of steel and muscle is joined by five men, the Jester, Prefect Brand, Ambassador Benedict,
Captain Pahj’lix, and the minstrel Eepir
Kahz. The group comes to a halt just outside of Saing’s chamber.
“Captain.” The General says. The guardsmen rush around the
small group of men and into Saing’s sanctum,
moving to cover all available exits.
“Commander?” Saing hisses, as he looks up from his notes.
“The time for apparent weakness is past, my Lord.” Tintar
says through the open door.
“It is time to act, our pawns are already in place.” Added
Benedict.
“Come in then.” Saing said as he turned and withdrew some
maps. “Here is what to do.” Laying out
the maps of Gothex and its borders. “Here is what I want.” He moves a map to the top of the
pile. It reveals Gothex as major force
in between the Western Empire and the Kingdom to the East. “We must expand our borders four hundred fold. And do
it before winter.”
The seven men looked at the map, taking it all in. This
meant war and on three fronts. To do
this before winter would mean blood soaked earth is all the snows would have to kiss. There were some
concerns, of course. Tintar started, “Baron, how are we to succeed against the
southern holdings? Perhaps Commander
Gregor could use some of his ancestral lands to stage the armies needed.”
“Ask the fool…he knows the adversary there.”
“It must be Di’Rand’s
armies then. I know him. Brand and I will see to it that he understands our position.” The Jester
offered. “And the girl?”
Benedict addressed that question, “The court is weak, but
strong enough for our purposes. She
trusts me and believes that her family will stay empowered by this treaty.”
“And P’ jai’us?” the Jester rubbed his neck remembering that
late night attack.
“We have a surprise for them. One of their three power wells
is just outside of a town called San
Lieu, the Jester leaves tonight to ‘redirect’ the energy from the well. It seemed only fitting.”
“With them weakened, our eastern push should be made with
ease.” assessed Tintar. As the men rose
together, Saing spat “Today we carve out the Empire of Gothex, to stand for Ten Thousand Years!”
As a cold wind whipped through them and into the hallway, it
howled. Somewhere in the distance, something howled back...
The Royal Jester
-Chelle de’ Gruse, Wife of The Jester, Protector of Children
-Baron Saing, War-Lord, Army of the Blackened Standard
-Tintar, The Cloistered, Supreme Commander
--Sir Gregor, The Paladin, Commander of the Eastern Brigade
---Hee A’tor, Lady of the Ol’cohall Lake, Court Noble
--Sir Azon, The Unbreakable, Commander of the Northern
Wastes
---Lady Yute, Champion of the Simple, Court Noble
--Sir Augustus, The Pious, Commander of the Central Armies
---Lady Tehtare, Scholar, Lady-in-waiting
--Sir Cristos, The Quiet, Commander of the Western Brigade
---Lady Katz, The Benevolent
--Sir Geottch, The Elder, Diplomat of Arms
-Dar Benedict, Consul-General of Intelligence
--Dane Benedict, Scholar, Lady-in-waiting
--Brand, Prefect of Military Intelligence
-Ramierez, War Wizard of the Northern Wastes
---Annult, Consul to the Wizards
---Murrin the Mad, Senior Siege Engineer
-Kindle, A witch, seer, magician, and prophet
-Irie, Magistrate General
-Eepir Kahz, The Minstrel
--Lady Draconni, Lady of the Draconni Court
Ar’ D. Jazan, Ancient hermit wizard, Keeper of the Unseen
Library
-Gef’Rey the Pious, Insane monk and scholar
-Strah ‘her the Mercurial, Captain of the Guard/Library
Brigade
-Smitty, Tsar of the Slah-kar
-K’Abe, Retired toy maker and purveyor of fine herbal
remedies
Lord Niah Decker
-The Magpie Party
-The Slah-Cars
Di’Rand the Bold, Commander of the Southern Guard
