Escape from the Cavern of Transgression

Rays of sunshine shown through the clouds, onto the cobblestone paving of Athotis. It was like most other towns of that time, in that it had a relatively small population of about three hundred occupants or so. They celebrated birthdays and holidays, and argued over petty things, just as you may have expected, and like many other cities of that time, it sat within a desert.

In this town resided Innocence and Brazen Steadfast as well as their son, Courage. All seemed to be going relatively well. They weren’t all that wealthy and did not have the biggest house, but they were happy. Courage’s mother, Innocence was one of the town’s many seamstresses, while his father, Brazen, was a member of the village council, that being, the group which oversaw all of the small affairs of the town, though the decision often fell entirely upon the shoulders of the governor, Rapacity.

The governor could propose a solution, law, or idea to further change the town’s function. If and only if seventy percent of the council voted against it, would the request be denied. However, do not be fooled by this, for the governor was no soft man nor did he take no for an answer. Every time the council would deny one of his requests, normally regarding raising the tax or confining the people, Rapacity would order the guards to imprison the opposing council member, or so he claimed. So the council learned to keep quiet, for fear of what Rapacity might do, leaving the Governor to issue whatever law he wished to be pressed upon the people.

As you may have guessed, this caused the people of Athotis a great amount of grief. Among the most disagreeable was Brazen. He had very grudgingly kept his mouth shut, at the request of Innocence who worried for him, however law after law was passed, giving the Governor more and more power, and Brazen finally had enough. He rallied those who agreed with him, and they stormed towards the governors home, in order to demand his compliance.

“Rapacity! Your torment has kept up long enough and we demand that you release your position to someone more fit to lead us!” said Brazen sternly. Rapacity began to chuckle, which soon evolved into a full grown laugh.

“You out of all people, Brazen should know that I do not compromise my law, and if you do not stand down you will suffer the consequence.” Rapacity declared, a grin plastered across his face.

“If you believe that we will simply fall into line like we have done all these years, you are sorely mistaken!” Brazen replied with defiance. Those who stood behind them shouted their support in a rally of dissidence. Immediately, Rapacity shouted for the guards. For a moment no sound was heard, and the people began to believe that they would not come, but then the thrumming of feet, and the clattering of chain-mail was heard, and on came the soldiers, led by their captain, Subservient. A few second drew on, nobody making a sound as tension split the air.

Finally Rapacity shouted with livid rage, “Attack!” With no hesitation the guards began ruthlessly slaughtering the townsfolk. They tried to fight back but the heavily armed guards were clearly destined to overcome them. There seemed to be no hope for the battle.