Chapter 1
Thousands of voices started praising the mighty emperor after his speech given from the Royal Palace. The crowd was filled with joy and lust for blood, souls were filled with a burning fire, seen only in times of despair. This was the beginning of a new age, for the Empire, for the whole world.
Meanwhile, far away in the distant lands of the Empire on the border with the Kingdom of Paladins, laid a small settlement of farmers and soldiers. For all the bloodshed given by the Imperial Army, this small piece of land was quiet and peaceful, many people calling it the Garden of Oncaleon, the God of joy and peace. Although close to the Kingdom of Paladins, one of the Empire’s oldest enemies, war never came close to this lands, it was always sheltered from the horrors of war and famine. Many came here to get away from everything, generations of families settled here and developed a community based on trust, truth and honest leadership. Even the soldiers stationed here, some of the most loyal and fearsome the Empire ever recruited swore a vow to the Lord of these lands, to always uphold the good and do only what is right to keep the people safe. While the capital punishment was an ordinary sight within this world, here it was burried deep down in the history books. When people from other parts of the world came here they stood astonished by the warm welcome they received and by the peacefulness of it’s people. It was like a piece of heaven.
-My son, generations upon generations have lived here, working the fields, hunting and fishing. But I am afraid my dear boy. The night is darker, it is as dark as during times of war and carnage. Our Lord is growing old, and with old age weakness and clouded judgement calls. The sky might soon call him, but i fear a greater duty will call upon our people sooner and with the state of mind of our leaders, I’m afraid a great perill lies upon our doorstep, one that no matter how hard the struggle we won’t be able to avoid. My son, I’m old. Old and weak, I’m no longer able to plow the field behind our house, to go in the woods and hunt or to get on the boat and go fishing. I left the soldier in my a long time ago, I never regretted that decision and I will not regret it until my death. But these times calls for us to be able to defend. Theodor, my fears are coming true. We cannot avoid this war, the advisors of our Lord are saying it, the priests of the Temple are saying it, even the damn dogs are saying it. My boy(he says it as tears are running on his cheeks), you need to go, you need to go to Darnund and find my brother. He will train you for the disaster that comes upon us. Now go, take my horse Areno and ride to Darnund, find Arron and tell him the following words: “My vision is darkened brother, death follows my steps, but the same path leads to our lands”!
Theodor took his father in his arms, giving him one last hug before departing. He knew this was the last time he would see his father alive and the house he grew up standing.
-I will not let you down father, I will see to make the right choices during this hard times and make you proud(said the young man while looking into his father’s eyes)
One last goodbye was given that evening between Theodor and his father. Before he left the room, Theodor turned around to look one more towards his father who was now sitting in his old chair facing towards the window.
-My lad, i teached you the ways of righteousness and love, I teached you forgiveness and patience, but we have always been soldiers. Our family came here as soldiers, we never forgot our past. Theodor, tiranny is in our blood, no matter how hard we try to deny it, times are asking for us to reveal it and stop denying it. I’m afraid it is time to do so!“For generations we have suffered, we cried for the fallen, but we never forgot what we stood for during these dark times. Our very nature kept us strong, we fought with every drop of blood left in us. Our future was determined by the strength of our shields and the sturdiness of our blades. This, my fellow countrymen, is what has always set our people apart. Hundreds of generations have bled on the battlefield for the glory of the Empire, and hundreds of generations will continue to do so. Be it by sword, spear, axe or bow, we have always risen up to the task bestowed upon us by our ancestors, that of survival, because as history goes peace has been always a temporary option. So now I ask you, will you stand one more time for the betterment of our land? Will you fight even as your bones are broken and you bodies shattered? Will you die for your people and country? If so, go forth my brothers and sisters, for the horn of Andavarim will call us once again to battle our enemies!”
Thousands of voices started praising the mighty emperor after his speech given from the Royal Palace. The crowd was filled with joy and lust for blood, souls were filled with a burning fire, seen only in times of despair. This was the beginning of a new age, for the Empire, for the whole world.
Meanwhile, far away in the distant lands of the Empire on the border with the Kingdom of Paladins, laid a small settlement of farmers and soldiers. For all the bloodshed given by the Imperial Army, this small piece of land was quiet and peaceful, many people calling it the Garden of Oncaleon, the God of joy and peace. Although close to the Kingdom of Paladins, one of the Empire’s oldest enemies, war never came close to this lands, it was always sheltered from the horrors of war and famine. Many came here to get away from everything, generations of families settled here and developed a community based on trust, truth and honest leadership. Even the soldiers stationed here, some of the most loyal and fearsome the Empire ever recruited swore a vow to the Lord of these lands, to always uphold the good and do only what is right to keep the people safe. While the capital punishment was an ordinary sight within this world, here it was burried deep down in the history books. When people from other parts of the world came here they stood astonished by the warm welcome they received and by the peacefulness of it’s people. It was like a piece of heaven.
-My son, generations upon generations have lived here, working the fields, hunting and fishing. But I am afraid my dear boy. The night is darker, it is as dark as during times of war and carnage. Our Lord is growing old, and with old age weakness and clouded judgement calls. The sky might soon call him, but i fear a greater duty will call upon our people sooner and with the state of mind of our leaders, I’m afraid a great perill lies upon our doorstep, one that no matter how hard the struggle we won’t be able to avoid. My son, I’m old. Old and weak, I’m no longer able to plow the field behind our house, to go in the woods and hunt or to get on the boat and go fishing. I left the soldier in my a long time ago, I never regretted that decision and I will not regret it until my death. But these times calls for us to be able to defend. Theodor, my fears are coming true. We cannot avoid this war, the advisors of our Lord are saying it, the priests of the Temple are saying it, even the damn dogs are saying it. My boy(he says it as tears are running on his cheeks), you need to go, you need to go to Darnund and find my brother. He will train you for the disaster that comes upon us. Now go, take my horse Areno and ride to Darnund, find Arron and tell him the following words: “My vision is darkened brother, death follows my steps, but the same path leads to our lands”!
Theodor took his father in his arms, giving him one last hug before departing. He knew this was the last time he would see his father alive and the house he grew up standing.
-I will not let you down father, I will see to make the right choices during this hard times and make you proud(said the young man while looking into his father’s eyes)
One last goodbye was given that evening between Theodor and his father. Before he left the room, Theodor turned around to look one more towards his father who was now sitting in his old chair facing towards the window.
-My lad, i teached you the ways of righteousness and love, I teached you forgiveness and patience, but we have always been soldiers. Our family came here as soldiers, we never forgot our past. Theodor, tiranny is in our blood, no matter how hard we try to deny it, times are asking for us to reveal it and stop denying it. I’m afraid it is time to do so!ere…
