Ethical Law EN

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['' You are '' the king! "You have become" the king. Your father's death left a valuable legacy. The kingdom must be saved. The threats are many. "You" what do you consider a threat? Is the coming war a major threat to you, or are the courtiers undermining your throne in anticipation of material rewards, both above and below the table, a threat to you? Do you "put" the security and prosperity of your people above any ambitions of glory and honor or do you look at the price of gold coins that are added directly to the vault of your hermetically sealed tower? Do not rush to answer, you still do not know the answer. After all, you are only 17 years old and you are the rightful heir to the throne, after the death of your father. Welcome to [[Ethical Law]]] {(if: (saved-games:) contains "Slot A")[ (link: "Load game")[(load-game:"Slot A")] ]}

(set: $equip to 'nothing') ... Starlight illuminates your sleep. A bliss captures your dreams and blurs your judgment. You open your eyes with your thoughts on the empty throne. '' Your Majesty! '' Today is the day of your oracle after the burning of your father's body, you must wake up! - I'm already awake, thanks Fed. Fed, the yard attendant, pale, almost cachectic, always stooped and always willing to follow your father's orders. He does not ask for anything, he does not talk about anything. With a small bow he closed the door behind him and you were left alone in the room again. From the next day you have to change rooms, leave this teenager where you grew up and go up to the king's upper room. Tomorrow, that is, today, is a great day. You feel the responsibilities on your shoulders. You have to get ready, you know. Get out of bed and head to the [[closet->closet]].

Take a quick look and you will see the hunting clothes, the clothes for the physical exercise, the war rigging that they make to all the officers of the yard and the small golden knife that you always have in the back case of your belt when you go hunting. But nowhere the crown. Today is the day ... Wear clothes for [[hunting->getDagger]] Wear clothes for [[physical exercise->noDagger]] Wear the [[rigging->getDagger]]

[(set: $equip to 'dagger') You open the door and see lights and a silent movement from the servants on the ground floor led by two ornately decorated stairs, one on the left and one on the right, semicircular. Go down the stairs, while your presence has not been felt. You reach the ground floor and the first glances cross, as if they do not know if they should bow or say goodbye as they have done so far. After a short pause, they bowed. [[-Do not bow down yet, I am not the king yet->option 1]] [[-Good morning, make me breakfast->option 2]] [[-Wine and food now! Today is a great day!->option 3]] (color: orange) [You have with you: $equip]]

You open the door and you see lights and a silent movement of the servants on the ground floor led by two ornately decorated stairs, one on the left and one on the right, semicircular. Go down the stairs, while your presence has not been felt. You reach the ground floor and the first glances cross, as if they do not know if they should bow or say goodbye as they have done so far. After a short pause, they bowed. [[-Do not bow yet, I am not yet the king->option 1]] [[-Good morning, make me breakfast->option 2]] [[-Wine and food now! Today is a great day!->option 3]] (set: $equip to 'nothing') You have with you: $equip

(set: $loyalty to 2) Everyone bowed! A king cannot fail to recognize his successor once he has died. Fed approaches you and guides you to the dining room to the right of the stairs. The marble floor seems to make an unprecedented deafening noise on your step. This only happens tonight. Even if you have been in these rooms since you were born. So Fed approaches you and, walking with you, opens the double-leafed and heavy wooden door of the dining room. "From here, my lord," he says stooped and sullen, as always. On the large oval walnut wooden table which is perfectly groomed, the breakfasts are already ready and fresh, as befits a king. "All this for me?" you think, but this thought is lost in all the atmosphere of bliss that is within you. "Sit down, my lord," Fed tells you, pointing to the golden chair your father sat in for 60 years. [[Sit at the table->table]]

(set: $loyalty to 1) -From here my lord! Fed is always willing and with a rhythmic step leads you to the dining room of the tower that is under the stairs. So Fed approaches you and, walking with you, opens the double-leafed and heavy wooden door of the dining room. "From here, my lord," he says stooped and sullen, as always. On the large oval walnut wooden table which is perfectly groomed, the breakfasts are already ready and fresh, as befits a king. Immediately, and while your stomach is churning with hunger, you [[sit->table]] without further delay in your father's place.

(set: $loyalty to 0) Everyone stopped their work, stood short and with a look that shows surprise looked at you for a few moments. In this silence a voice is heard behind you that makes you freeze. You turn around and see Gorn, your father's chief adviser, with the dirty red beard hiding the words he is about to utter. -This is unacceptable! Your father, who cared for you so much and protected you from dangers that you never imagined he was by your side, deserves, if nothing else, a little respect this day. -My father is not here, you tell him you leave him behind you heading to the dining room, leaving everyone, even Gorn speechless. [[Open->table]] the double-leafed and heavy wooden door of the dining room and you see the large oval wooden table made of walnut which is perfectly groomed, the breakfasts are already ready and fresh, as befits a king.

{ (if: $loyalty is 0) [ As you move towards your father's position you feel a heavy hand on your right shoulder pulling you back. It is Gorn's hand, you recognize it by its power. You are bothered by this behavior from your father's former adviser and you decide to [[react->battle1]] ]} {(else-if: $loyalty <0) [ You are lying on the floor and everything is spinning, while it looks blurry. Everyone has stopped working and has been left speechless by the battle you fought with your father's trusted general. It was his right hand, like the one that stretches you now to get up covered in blood. With bare hands he threw you down and pulled you out with relative comfort. You do not even remember your name. (set: $name to (prompt: "Please enter your character name:", "Trind")) "Lord $name, we mourn your loss. Please sit down as we have a council," your father's secretary said through gritted teeth. [[Continue->council]] ] } {(else-if: $loyalty> 0) [ (set: $name to (prompt: "Please enter your character name:", "Trind")) -Lord $name, we are sorry for your loss. Please sit down as we have a council, said your father's secretary through his teeth. [[Continue->council]]] }

// (In the battle scenes you are shown some information about your character, even about your opponent. These are shown to choose a battle strategy and equipment, as well as to be informed about the status of your character) // "This is unacceptable," says Gorn behind his beard, as soon as he understands your intentions. {(if: $equip is 'dagger') [ [[Attack with the knife->battle1withDagger]] ] (else:) [ [[Attack with bare hands->battle1withDagger]] ]}

// The "Loyalty" or "Loyalty" statistics are key to your character, as this will determine the course and end of the game. Other statistics are "Morale", "Armor", "Defense", " Attack Damage "and others that will be revealed to you later in the game) // Your loyalty is: $loyalty (colour: orange)[You are holding: $equip] (set: $morale to 20) (colour: green)[Morale: $morale] {(if: $equip is 'dagger')[ (set: $attDmg to 5)] (else:)[(set: $attDmg to 1)] (colour: orange)[Attack Damage: $attDmg] (set: $Armour to 2)} (colour: orange)[Armour: $Armour] Warren decides to attack you first with his bare hands. { (set: $AttackerMorale to 90) (set: $AttackerArmour to 10) (set: $AttackerDmg to 8) (set: $init to (random: 1,$AttackerDmg)-$Armour) (if: $init>0)[ (set: $morale to $morale-$init)] (if: $init<0)[(set: $init=0)] } (colour: yellow)[Warren manages to hit $init damage points.] (colour: green)[Your morale now is: $morale] { (set: $init to(random: 1,$attDmg)) (set: $AttackerMorale to $AttackerMorale-$init) (if: $init<0)[(set: $init=0)] } (colour: yellow)[You hit with $equip dealing $init damage points.] (colour: green)[Now his morale is: $AttackerMorale] (set: $loyalty to $loyalty-1) [[Attack again->battle1withDaggerThread]] or [[Retreat->table]]

Warren attacks again with bare hands. { (set: $init to (random: 1,$AttackerDmg)-$Armour) (if: $init>0)[ (set: $morale to $morale-$init)] (if: $init<0)[(set: $init=0)] } (colour: yellow)[Warren succeed a hit for $init points of damage.] (colour: green)[Your morale now became: $morale] { (set: $init to(random: 1,$attDmg)) (set: $AttackerMorale to $AttackerMorale-$init) (if: $init<0)[(set: $init=0)] } (colour: yellow)[You succeed a hit with $equip dealing $init points of damage.] (colour: green)[His morale now became: $AttackerMorale] { (if: $AttackerMorale<=0)[[[You killed your opponent->table]] (set: $loyalty to $loyalty-5)] (else-if: $morale>=0 and $AttackerMorale>0)[ [[Attack again->battle1withDaggerThread]] ή [[Retreat->table]] ](else:)[(set: $loyalty to $loyalty-1)[[Retreat->table]]] }

{(link:"Save game")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ Game saved! ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]} {(link:"Restart")[ (click:"Restart")[ (set: $loyalty to 2) (reload:)] (goto: "Start") ]} (if: $loyalty<=0 and $loyalty>-5)[(set: $loyalty to 0) You are quite dizzy and hacks of blood run from your body. People have gathered around you and are directing you with the help of crutches in your father's place. Everyone has the expression that your reactions are due to the insecurity you feel and that even your father's general would forgive you for your innocence. But something inside you tells you that you need to gather your thoughts and make the day. Now your moves and choices must be carefully measured as you are the new king of Onsalank, albeit unofficially so far. You know nothing about protocols, the choices and problems of the kingdom, the impending war, your father's confidants and much more. Do you still have the wisdom to choose correctly for your next moves? says a voice within you. As soon as the commotion stopped, the council gathered and everyone sat in their seats, staring at you, scanning every movement of your face and eyes. [[Continue->council2]]] (else-if: $loyalty is -5) [ Everyone looks at you with disgust. You killed Gorn, the man who had been with your father for years. You killed him insidiously with $ equip, while he fought you with his bare hands. He really fought you in defense and not as befits a general who has fought in so many battles since you were a baby. Now orphaned by both parents no one helps you, nor does he intend to follow any of your orders. You are now [[complete->excile]]] (else-if: $loyalty >= 1) [ A hot breakfast awaits you. Everyone gathered at the table and sat waiting to eat the first bites watching your every move. When you're done, take a sneak peek at Gorn, the general sitting sad and pensive. [[Continued->council2]]]

[After a few moments and everyone took their places everyone was waiting for something you could not identify. Warren sat next to you with a piercing look, trying to hide his irritability. After no one made the start he started talking: - $name, you must understand that you are no longer a child. You are the king of Onsalank and you have to, for the sake of your father and all those who have succeeded in fulfilling the responsibilities that entail, do you understand that? You, still dizzy, do not seem to understand what to do. Your thoughts are interrupted by the courtier's financial adviser who goes by the name of Graon, a petite clerk whose reputation precedes knowing all about the kingdom's finances. - $name, you have not used King yet. However, you are the rightful heir to the throne. Although your behavior is not appropriate for a king towards Warlord Warren, nor for what your father wanted for you, I must first inform you that if any accident occurred in your feud with Lord Warren, you would automatically be exiled to the kingdom. you and your throne. "These do not fit into your responsibilities, Lord Graon," interrupted someone on the council whom you do not know. -Yes, right, but no one can challenge anyone in the council according to the protocol. You seem to be thinking a little about what is being said in your dizziness. [[Tell me about the protocol->councilProtocol]] ]

END OF EPISODE 1. VISIT our itch.io profile (astric-games.itch.io) for updates! We need your feedback! Leave your feedback on comments of the games page! Credits: writting and coding Nikos "Nando" Fakos {(link:"Restart")[ (click:"Restart")[ (set: $loyalty to 2) (reload:)] (goto: "Start") ]}

[-The protocol first requires the burning of your father's body in public in a modest ceremony befitting his fame. Delegations are already coming from the northern regions that belong to the jurisdiction of our kingdom from the Houses of the various regions. (if: $AttackerMorale is 90) [I think everything that happened a while ago should be forgotten by all of us] By nightfall the ceremony must have taken place, as your father's illness must be destroyed along with his body. From there we have a number of issues to decide, as soon as you use King Onsalank from the High Priesthood, which as I was informed is already on its way. After the oracle we will analyze in detail all the issues that you need to take into account.] [[-Very well Lord Graon, I would like to prepare for the ceremony->prepare1]] [[-I would like to know about finances now, we still have some time->fincancial1]]

{(link:"Save game")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ Game saved! ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]} {(link:"Restart")[ (click:"Restart")[ (set: $loyalty to 2) (reload:)] (goto: "Start") ]} [Everyone has retired after you and in your room is the formal prince costume ready for the ceremony. Stay skeptical for a while and wear it with slow movements. Outside your room you hear intense mobility. The moments seem to pass very quickly, while time has stopped at the same time, something completely contradictory. A little later the door knocked and after your answer it opened. It was Graon who invited you, if you are ready to follow him. With reluctant steps you follow him out of the main door of your tower where there is a large stack of wood and overlooking the dead body of your father. Crowds of people, both courtiers and nationals, are silent at the site of the ceremony. Among them are already delegations from the Houses of the north, as you were informed earlier. Without delay an archer fired his arrow and with a straight shot set fire to the stack of wood and a few moments later your father went down in history and eternity. -Hello everyone, King Thumpton, the third of the Garberets! Let his ancestors welcome him with the prices they deserve! said Warren, unraveling his heavy long sword and nailing it to the ground. "Hail King Thompton!" Shouted the crowd in unison. Moments later, the crowd dispersed, and Graon tapped you on the shoulder and urged you to [[follow->ceremonyend]] in the boardroom inside the tower.]

{(link:"Save game")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ Game saved! ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]} {(link:"Restart")[ (click:"Restart")[ (set: $loyalty to 2) (reload:)] (goto: "Start") ]} [At the conference table were already gathered many of whom you had noticed were in your oracle as King of Onsalank. As soon as you entered, everyone got up and waited for you to sit at the top of the walnut wooden table. Warren sat down next to you, as usual the tower attendants filled the cups with hot tea. For the first time before the discussion started, you took the initiative to start yourself: -Tell me about the finances of the kingdom. A slippery figure stood up submissively and began to speak. -Here are the finances of the kingdom recorded until today, my lord, just as your father left them. Here you go... It lists a number of documents that reached your hands giving each other at the table. -Because I do not know you, tell me your name, you ordered. -Melvent my lord, Melvent, your father's financial adviser. At a glance he showed you the folder again. [[Take a look at the stack of papers->file1]] [[-I want you to tell me, Melvent->file2narration]] ]

{[Everything passes before your eyes ...] (live: 3s) [Your father playing on your knees while returning from a campaign ....]} {(live: 6s) [The first lessons on how to hold a sword ...] } {(live: 9s) [The mother you never met and your first day at the war school where your father looked at you with pride ...]} {(live: 12s) [Your thoughts were interrupted by Warren entering the room that urged you to sit in the chair next to the throne. The protocol does not allow an unused king from the High Priesthood to sit on the throne without making the money. -Sit there, $name, you will soon officially become the new king of Onsalank. You followed him without further ado. You sat comfortably and [[you waited .->protocol1]]]}

{[You do not know exactly how much time passed, but everyone had taken their seats, right and left in the Throne Room and were waiting for the High Priestess to arrive. A little later the huge door of the room opened slowly and a squeak was heard from the metal hinges. And it was she, the High Priest, dressed in an all-black veil and a crown with a black diamond on her doll dominating her power, which precedes her fame.]} { (live: 8s) [(color: red) [// Now I control your mind! Now you will do what I tell you! //]] } [She is accompanied by two armored knights in black alien armor. They look heavily armed and seem to ignore everyone in attendance, but they all bow deeply, all staring at the marble, black and polished floor of the room] { (live: 12s) [(color: red) [// Ignore them all, you are safe with me! //]] } [The voice you hear in your mind is from her! She is a witch, it cannot be explained otherwise ...] { (live: 16s) [(color: red) [// Pay attention to me and do not pay attention to what you hear in this room at this time //]] } [//What does he mean; Why is this happening to me? //] [[Continue->protocol2]]

[-Hail Blank Bishop! shouted Warren. -Hail! everyone shouted in the room. Fed, with his well-known submissive step, brought a chair from the back room and left it a few meters in front of you for Blank to sit on. Her guards stood by her shoulders expressionless behind the polished all-black armor] { (live: 5s) [(color: red) [// Warren and Fed are the only trustees of your throne. Remember this from now on //]] } [-Let the ceremony begin! ordered Warren. The High Priest unleashed a large sword through her veil after first standing up. He approached you ... -Get up, $name, King of Onsalank. (if: $moral <= 1) [ { (set: $morale to 30) (live: 12s) [(color: red) [// You feel a little better now, don't you? //] (color: green) [// Your morale is now $morale //]] }] In the name of the gods of Onsalank and the good intentions for the people of this place, $name, I need you as king and commander of Onsalank and I appoint you responsible for your actions and the future of your people. He rested the sword on your shoulders with ritual movements and after a lightning movement he suggested holding the handle of the sword towards you. ] (set: $equip to 'Sword of Onsalanc') (set: $attDmg to 20) [[Continue->protocol3]]

[-Until today, $name was a child. He had all the training to take the place of the king worthy ...] { (live: 4s) [(color: red) [// Look in your pocket, it's yours //]] } [... although a little early, $name, will serve his people and in turn his people will serve him for prosperity only ...] [// You put your hand in your pocket and grab a necklace.//] (set: $wear to 'Bracelet of Onsalanc') { (live: 7s) [(color: red) [// Do not show it, keep it for later, this will be our secret //]] } [... with the power given to me by the gods of Onsalank I greet King $name! They all raised their hands and shouted in unison three times: -Hail king, $name! You held the sword in your hands and it obviously had three characteristics. It was heavy, sharp as a razor, and was intricately decorated with rubies over the handle. You looked at it for a few moments and then you looked at the room and the courtiers looking you in the eye, as if they were waiting for something to say.] {(set: $equip to 'Sword of Onsalanc') (set: $loyalty to $loyalty + 2) (live: 17s) [(color: red) [// I will come to find you, to wait for me ... //] (color: orange) [// Your influence is now: $loyalty .//]] } [Blanc backed away and returned without a word. Her guards followed her and she disappeared into the corridors. You were left alone with the courtiers waiting for your orders. Everything seems strange to you, but now you feel that you have some influence on the future of this place ... -Let's gather for [[council->fincancial1]] -I want you all to leave. [[Warren you stay!->alone1]] ]

[Gorn, so much happened in a very short time. I want your help! -You always had it, my master. Whatever happened, happened. Now you are king and your orders are orders! -Help me, help me! you told him in a pleading style. -But how; How dare I help you. You must find the wisdom and courage to continue. You were skeptical for two moments. You have had so many questions and do not know where to start.] [[Tell me about Blanc->blank1plot]] [[Tell me how my father died->fatherplot]] [[Tell me what Blanc gave me->artifactplot]] [[Tell me about the war in the South->warplot]]

[Blank High Priest is unknown, but by order of your father he has a strong say in the council. As she often told me, 20 years ago when I first saw her, and I assure you that she has not changed at all, Blank is a demigod, she is chosen by the gods, she is a woman who is said to have been chosen by the gods centuries ago for his salvation. of Onsalank in the face of the greed of kings. However, your father ordered her to speak seriously on official matters, without any of the council bothering her. He always listened to her ... -But she is a witch! It speaks to my mind! Warren seemed timid in his thoughts and made sure to have his words measured for her. -This is something that concerns you, my lord and Bishop Blanc. Please, it's not my job and do not confuse me with them ... -And who called her here today? -Do you say that someone called her? She came uninvited, as always ... -He gave me this sword! and you suggested the handle to him to see it. He did not take it in his hands and completed. -Keep it, it's yours and it looks like a very nice sword! It will help you in your course, but also in the battles you will give, which I hope you do not need!] (set: $equip to 'Sword of Onsalanc') (set: $attDmg to 20) (color: orange) [Hold $equip and Attack Damage is now $attDmg] (color: cyan) [// ... you feel an invincible desire to ask him about the necklace //] -He also gave me this [[necklace->artifactplot]] and you take out of your pocket the object found there by Blanc.

[-Your father after [[return->warplot]] from southern Onsalank dealt extensively with the finances of the northern part of Onsalank. He changed the whole council three times. In his last change, he appointed me from a simple soldier to a general, one day he saw me play chess ... // appeared to be stringing for this report // ... His last choice, before he fell ill, was to set up the current council. By the way, the high priest [[Blank->blank1plot]] appeared in the last recommendation of the council, 10 years ago. You grew up with nannies, you received the education he gave you generously, he taught you how to be an honest officer of the kingdom and now you are king! -Yes, but you did not tell me, how did he get sick? -Unknown, my lord, even the best doctors from all over Onsalank, trusted of course, could not do anything... -And the... Blanc? -Apparently, she could not do anything either. I have nothing more to say to you than I know, my lord. Except there were nights when I could hear him screaming in pain from his fever, especially lately, something we had hidden from all of you a few people. You see, my lord, the image of a weak king is detrimental to his people. Warren stepped back, and as he left he invited you to [[council->fincancial1]]]

[-Do not confuse me with these my lords, and he retreated to leave. -Don't leave, stay, I have more to ask you! -No no no! These are beyond my jurisdiction, my lord, and let me go. His gaze had taken on an expression of fear and anger together.] { (live: 9s) [(color: red) [// I told you, it 's our little secret and I told you not to show it to anyone. This is tolerated one last time, $name //]] } [-So you do not know anything about it? You asked him as if raising Blank's voice in your mind. - No, no, my lord. I have to leave and organize issues concerning your army, the issues of my jurisdiction, that is ...] -Fine, then tell me about [[war->warplot]]

[Warren seemed to calm down from the order, as these are matters that are within his jurisdiction under the protocol. -The war in southern Onsalank started with your grandfather's envoy, King Lagamangdin, your father's father, in the southern regions, when they were not organized then and they were facing many financial problems at a level that had reached the level of poverty. Then your father sent Thelgin, the kingdom's treasurer, along with trusted knights, to organize the southern regions in order to prosper. Thelgin did a good job then and indeed in two years he had excellent results. He sent monthly reports on the achievements of both the people of southern Onsalank and the economic benefits of the kingdom from the southern regions. Your father then traveled in peace and trust to see the works of his envoy. But then ...] { (live: 14s) [(color: cyan) [// ... his dynasty was insidiously killed by an attack inside Theglin's house and he was imprisoned in the darkest dungeons of the tower built by his traitor's envoy //]] } [Warren's words stunned you. -We here, my king, were calm and everything was running smoothly. Reports kept coming in without us knowing what had happened. Some time passed and then my warlord and predecessor decided to take some guards with him and travel there. He never came back and we do not know what happened. A total of five months passed and the council realized that something was wrong. The kingdom was headless and without a marshal commander. Until one day your father in misery came back and without giving details about what had happened announced that we have a war with South Onsalank and Theelgin ... However this war never took place as a financial war broke out and the Influence on the people of southern Onsalank by the house of the traitor Thelgin is still great today. You found that you knew nothing of all this.] -Tell me more about [[my father->fatherplot]]

[// '' Economics of the kingdom - volume 2 '' Manned outposts south of the limits of our jurisdiction: 12 Cereals in the food depots of the kingdom: 120 tons Rice: 50 tons Flour: 80 tons Seeds for vegetables: 5 tons Bows: 500 Armor for battle battleships: 1000 Catapults: 20 Horses for the cavalry in the royal stables: 230 Rigging for knights: 120 Shields and swords: 2000 Gold coins of the kingdom: 10000 // [[-Explain to me below->file2narration]]]

[Melvent started his laundry. -As you can see in the files I hand over to you, my lord, the arsenal is very poor in relation to the impending war. Warren interrupted him: -And how do you know, Lord Melvent, that war is imminent? - But, for that King Thumpton was preparing. A few weeks ago he told me to start recording finances, Lord Gorn. "Let me judge that, Melvent," said Warren, slapping his hand on the table. You, confused, made sure to continue what the financial advisor had to say. -Please, Melvend, go on, you said. Melvent reconstructed his thought and continued: -Em, yes, my lord. So I was saying that we are lagging behind in weapons, in food for the people, but also for the army, and the gold coins are what you see in the [[documents->file1]] I just handed you. The others started shouting and saying their own position at the same time. There was a commotion in the council. -Stop! ordered Warren. The king is present and your behavior is not allowed! he said. - Right, Warren, right. Please continue. -I have nothing more to say to you, my lord, the numbers speak for themselves. The pantries still have food for a few months. The weather does not help crops as it is not ideal for cereals. King Thompton had planned to have rice in the pantry for rice production, something that has been contributed by the heavy rains in recent years. -Gorn, what do you see from our soldiers and their rigging? you give him the papers that [[gave->file1]] [[Melbent->file3narration]].]

[... a few moments passed with Warren rising from his seat. - My lord, the arsenal you see corresponds to almost every soldier who is ready and trained to fight for you and the people of Onsalank. We are indeed at a dangerous level when it comes to food storage. The weather has changed in recent years and needs a warmer climate, further south, which is under the shameless jurisdiction of the traitor Theglin. You were silent for two moments. -So we must not defend ourselves, we must recapture the southern areas under cultivation under our jurisdiction, right Warren? - That's what I think too, my lord. We should not wait for them to attack us, your king father did that anyway. Wait for an attack. But that never happened, perhaps because he did not realize that the people under Theglin's occupation were prospering. We must not defend, we must attack. Noise again on the board with these words of Warren. //... we do not have the resources for something like that ... ... better prepare for defense ... ... winter is coming and the crops did not go well this year either ... // -Stop, stop, STOP! you ordered. They were all silent. (color: cyan) [// ... or the people will starve and we will attack ... ... or we will fortify and wait ... //] It had already arrived in the afternoon, without you realizing it. You asked everyone to leave and you told them you would decide soon. They all obeyed silently and you left in [[your royal room->alone2]] ]

After undressing, you left the necklace on your bed and looked at it. (color: cyan) [... // what is this, should I wear it? //] You put it next to you and you fell asleep in strange dreams ... { (live: 8s) [(color: cyan) [// Blank High Priest is unknown, but by order of your father she has a strong say in the council. As she often told me, 20 years ago when I first saw her, and I assure you that she has not changed at all, Blanche is a demigod, she is chosen by the gods, she is a woman who is said to have been chosen by the gods centuries ago for his salvation. of Onsalank in the face of the greed of kings. However, your father ordered her to speak seriously on official matters, without any of the council bothering her. He always listened to her ... -But she is a witch! It speaks to my mind! Warren seemed timid in his thoughts and made sure to have his words measured for her. -This is something that concerns you, my lord and Bishop Blanc. Please, it's not my job and do not confuse me with them ... -And who called her here today? -Do you say that someone called her? She came uninvited, as always ... -He gave me this sword! and you suggested the handle to him to see it. He did not take it in his hands and completed. -Keep it, it's yours and it looks like a very nice sword! It will help you in your course, but also in the battles you will give, which I hope you do not need! //]] } { (live: 30s) [(color: cyan) [// - Your father after his return from southern Onsalank dealt in detail with the finances of the northern part of Onsalank. He changed the whole council three times. In his last change, he appointed me from a simple soldier to a general, one day he saw me play chess ... ... His last choice, before he fell ill, was to set up the current council. By the way, Chief Blanc appeared on the council's last recommendation 10 years ago. You grew up with nannies, you received the education he gave you generously, he taught you how to be an honest officer of the kingdom and now you are king! -Yes, but you did not tell me, how did he get sick? -Unknown, my lord, even the best doctors from all over Onsalank, trusted of course, could not do anything ... -And the ... Blanc? -Apparently, she could not do anything either. I have nothing more to say to you than I know, my lord. Except there were nights when I could hear him screaming in pain from his fever, especially lately, something we had hidden from all of you few people. You see, my lord, the image of a weak king is detrimental to his people.//]] } { (live: 50s) [(color: cyan) [// -The war in southern Onsalank started with your grandfather's envoy, King Lagamangdin, your father's father, in the southern regions, when they were not organized then and they were facing many financial problems at a level that had reached the level of poverty. Then your father sent Thelgin, the kingdom's treasurer, along with trusted knights, to organize the southern regions in order to prosper. Thelgin did a good job then and indeed in two years he had excellent results. He sent monthly reports on the achievements of both the people of southern Onsalank and the economic benefits of the kingdom from the southern regions. Your father then traveled in peace and trust to see the works of his envoy. But then ...... his dynasty was insidiously killed by an attack inside Theglin's house and he was imprisoned in the darkest dungeons of the tower built by his traitor envoy.-We here, my king, were calm and everything was running smoothly. . Reports kept coming in without us knowing what had happened. Some time passed and then my warlord and predecessor decided to take some guards with him and travel there. He never came back and we do not know what happened. A total of five months passed and the council realized that something was wrong. The kingdom was headless and without a marshal commander. Until one day your father came back in a miserable condition and without giving details about what had happened announced that we have a war with South Onsalank and Theelgin ... However this war never took place as a financial war broke out and the The influence of the people of southern Onsalank from the house of the traitor Thelgin is still great today.//]] } [You are confused and woke up as if all this had never happened! They were dreams, reality. Reality gives you such a strong blow where you do not expect it ... You had your father as immortal ... It was dawn and you had to [[decide->rts1]] ]

{(link:"Save game")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ Game saved! ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]} {(link:"Restart")[ (click:"Restart")[ (set: $loyalty to 2) (reload:)] (goto: "Start") ]} (color: orange) [// Manned outposts south of the boundaries of our jurisdiction: 12 Cereals in the food depots of the kingdom: 120 tons Rice: 50 tons Flour: 80 tons Seeds for vegetables: 5 tons Bows: 500 Armor for battle battleships: 1000 Catapults: 20 Horses for the cavalry in the royal stables: 230 Rigging for knights: 120 Shields and swords: 2000 Gold coins of the kingdom: 10000 //] {(set: $rice to 50) (set: $flour to 80) (set: $grain to 120) (set: $beans to 5) (set: $bows to 500) (set: $meleeweapons to 1000) (set: $catapults to 20) (set: $warhorses to 230) (set: $counter to 0) (set: $armory to 120) (set: $swords to 2000) (set: $goldcoins to 10000)} (color: cyan) [Now you have to decide how to manage your kingdom finances in 5 months. Every development in any of these financial data that they handed over to you has a cost. Also the potential that will follow your strategy has to do with your influence ($loyalty) on your citizens. The depth of time of 5 months has to do with the coming of winter. Therefore the weather conditions have to do with the productive results that your decisions will bring.] [[Start->rts2]]

(color: orange) [For your financial strategy in winter will need 10 rounds. If any of the supplies fall below zero, it means that the people of Onsalank are starving and your influence will be reduced.] {(unless: $counter is 10) [ [[Seeds->beansRTS]]: (color: lime) [Cost: 10 tons of rice and 100 gold coins. Production of 1 ton of seeds.] [[Rice->riceRTS]]: (color: purple) [Cost: 1 ton of seeds and 200 gold coins. Production of 10 tons of rice.] [[Flour->flourRTS]]: (color: lime) [Cost: 10 tons of grain and 150 gold coins. Production of 8 tons of flour.] [[Cereals->grainRTS]]: (color: purple) [Cost: 5 tons of seeds and 150 gold coins. Production of 15 tons of cereals.] [[Bows->bowsRTS]]: (color: lime) [Cost: 5 tons of flour and 250 gold coins. Production of 100 bows.] [[Battle armor->meleeweaponsRTS]]: (color: purple) [Cost: 3 tons of rice and 150 gold coins. Production of 100 armors.] [[Catapults->catapultsRTS]]: (color: lime) [Cost: 10 tons of rice and 500 gold coins. Production of 1 catapult.] [[War Horses->warhorsesRTS]]: (color: purple) [Cost: 20 tons of grain and 50 gold coins. Production of 10 horses.] [[Knights for armor->armoryRTS]]: (color: lime) [Cost: 5 tons of grain and 150 gold coins. Production of 30 rigging.] [[Shields and swords->swordsRTS]]: (color: purple) [Cost: 5 tons of grain and 150 gold coins. Production of 150 shields and swords.] (set: $counter to $counter + 1) ] } (if: $grain or $rice or $flour or $beans <0) [(set: $loyalty to $loyalty-1) (color: yellow) [Your influence now is: $loyalty]] ['' Cereals in the kingdom's warehouses: $grain tons Rice: $rice tons Flour: $flour tons Seeds for vegetables: $beans tons Bows: $bows Battle armor: $meleeweapons Catapults: $catapults Horses for cavalry in the royal stables: $warhorses Rigging for the Knights: $armory Shields and swords: $swords Gold coins of the kingdom: $goldcoins ''] (if: $counter >= 10) [[[End of Winter->winterOver1]]]

{(if: $rice>0)[ (set: $beans to $beans+1) (set: $goldcoins to $goldcoins-100) (set: $rice to $rice-10)] } (color: orange) [Seed storage increased: $beans tons The stock of gold coins decreased: $goldcoins Rice stock decreased: $rice tons] [[Back->rts2]]

{(link: "Save game") [ (if: (save-game: "Slot A")) [ Game saved! ] (else:) [ Sorry, I could not save your game. ] ]} {(link: "Restart") [ (click: "Restart") [ (set: $loyalty to 2) (reload:)] (goto: "Start") ]} (color: orange) [Your influence is: $loyalty] { (if: $grain <0) [(set: $grain to 0)] (if: $flour <0) [(set: $flour to 0)] (if: $beans <0) [(set: $beans to 0)] (if: $rice <0) [(set: $rice to 0)] } (color: lime) [// Winter has passed and your decisions were crucial to Onsalank's subsequent course. While you were waiting for an attack, all winter long you managed the resources of your kingdom in the best way for you. One afternoon, and while you were on the verge of spring, you decided to convene a council for the subsequent course of your people.//] [You ordered Melvend and Gorn to come to the boardroom to plan your subsequent course. In a few minutes they were both next to you. Melvend was holding, as always, a stack of papers and Warren was holding his rigging. Fed served hot tea and a hearty breakfast for you and those in attendance and returned to work. -Good morning, my lord! said Warren. -Good day my king! said Melvent. You did not answer. You became skeptical and Warren seemed to understand what you were thinking ... Warren interrupted your thoughts: - My lord, if you will allow me, I would like to talk. As you can see and as I have observed, it is difficult to keep supplies, to produce supplies and to distribute supplies to our people. Two things need to be done. Either open trade relations with southern Onsalank and its people or expand our southern borders and cultivate more supplies for our own people. -But, the people of Onsalank are one! and you clapped your hand on the table. Warren descended, but continued ... -The people of southern Onsalank are under the influence of Thelgin and are prospering. And this is not because he is more capable than you, but he has an ally in the weather, so he has more production and more comfortably distributes the kingdom of his people to his people. So an attack on the south will not please the people of southern Onsalank, but will make you a tyrant. Melvent continued: -It is spring, my lord and you must take the taxes from our people my lord like every spring. The other counselors entered the room late.] [[Continue->council3]]

{(if: $beans>0)[ (set: $rice to $rice+1) (set: $goldcoins to $goldcoins-200) (set: $beans to $beans-1)] } (color: orange) [Increased rice storage: $rice tons The stock of gold coins decreased: $goldcoins Seed stock decreased: $beans tons] [[Back->rts2]]

{(if: $grain>0)[ (set: $flour to $flour+8) (set: $goldcoins to $goldcoins-160) (set: $grain to $grain-10)] } (color: orange) [Increased storage in flour: $flour tons The stock of gold coins decreased: $goldcoins Cereal stock decreased: $grain tons] [[Back->rts2]]

{(if: $beans>0)[ (set: $grain to $grain+15) (set: $goldcoins to $goldcoins-150) (set: $beans to $beans-5)] } (color: orange) [Increased grain storage: $grain tons The stock of gold coins decreased: $goldcoins Seed stock decreased: $beans tons] [[Back->rts2]]

{(if: $flour>0)[ (set: $bows to $bows+100) (set: $goldcoins to $goldcoins-250) (set: $flour to $flour-5)] } (color: orange) [Increased storage in bows: $bows The stock of gold coins decreased: $goldcoins Reduced stock in flour: $flour tons] [[Back->rts2]]

{(if: $flour>0)[ (set: $meleeweapons to $meleeweapons+100) (set: $goldcoins to $goldcoins-150) (set: $rice to $rice-3)] } (color: orange) [Increased storage in bows: $meleeweapons The stock of gold coins decreased: $goldcoins Rice stock decreased: $rice tons] [[Back->rts2]]

{(if: $rice>0)[ (set: $catapults to $catapults+1) (set: $goldcoins to $goldcoins-500) (set: $rice to $rice-10)] } (color: orange) [Catapults increased: $catapults The stock of gold coins decreased: $goldcoins Rice stock decreased: $rice tons] [[Back->rts2]]

{(if: $grain>0)[ (set: $warhorses to $warhorses+10) (set: $goldcoins to $goldcoins-50) (set: $grain to $grain-20)] } (color: orange) [War Horses Increased: $warhorses The stock of gold coins decreased: $goldcoins Cereals stock decreased: $grain tons] [[Back->rts2]]

{(if: $grain>0)[ (set: $armory to $armory+150) (set: $goldcoins to $goldcoins-150) (set: $grain to $grain-5)] } (color: orange) [Stock increased in shields and swords: $armory The stock of gold coins decreased: $goldcoins Cereals stock decreased: $grain tons] [[Back->rts2]]

{(if: $grain>0)[ (set: $swords to $swords+30) (set: $goldcoins to $goldcoins-150) (set: $grain to $grain-5)] } (color: orange) [Stock increased in shields and swords: $armory The stock of gold coins decreased: $goldcoins Cereals stock decreased: $grain tons] [[Back->rts2]]

(color: lime) [// There was a bit of a commotion until everyone sat down .//] (set: $taxes to $goldcoins * 30/100) [As soon as they all sat down, Melvend continued. -According to my calculations, my lord, we should receive $ taxes gold coins from taxes. The commotion started again ... -Stop it all! you ordered. STOP!! "We have to attack south," said one council member. -We need to open trade relations with the south, someone else -We have to give all the spring production to our people, someone else said. - Who are you, you asked. -... Lord Dimiron my lord, from the house Dimiron from the west. You first saw him on the board. His clothes were made of silk adorned with gold ornaments on him. A small sword stood out in its belt of silver, with a small diamond on it. - Lord Dimiron, this is the first time I see you. Who called you here? -I come every spring, my lord to get the share for my house. (color: cyan) [// ... I must not trust anyone ... //] -And why, Lord Dimiron, do we have to give all the spring production to our people? -But, why, rumors are already heard about you, my lord ... -Tell me more, tell me! you said. -Rumors say that you are incompetent for your position, which I do not believe $name ... Warren stood up and shouted: -This is inadmissible! What do you call the king $name by his first name? -But ... Gore is only 18 years old ... -He is your king, ridiculous! -You are ridiculous, cowardly sculptor of the king! We know that every night you get drunk in a notorious hat and all your money is eaten by women and having a good time! ... (color: lime) [// Harassment again ... //] -GET EVERYONE OUT! you ordered. Not you Goren, not you Melvend. The room emptied in a few seconds ...] [[Continued->council3b]]

[They were all walking out of the door, and from the window of the council room, Dimiron was heard ordering his subjects to leave. {(color: lime) [// ... this should not happen again, did you think ... //]} You could hear Gorn breathing in your ear, as if he were about to attack. -So all of them come at the end of each season to collect their house, Melvent? you asked. Most of them, yes, my lord. -From taxes? -For a few years and a little more my lord. Our production is to blame. {(color: lime) [// ... trust only Warren and Fed ... As if you heard Blanc's voice in your mind ... //]} -Thank you, Melvent, I will notify you of my decisions by the afternoon. You can leave ... He got up and left the room making a reluctant bow. -Tell me Gorn, what are the rumors? -My lord, every one dissatisfied with the people of northern Onsalank throws them to his king. He can not understand your difficult position. It is well known that everyone in the south is prosperous. And it is difficult for you as a successor to have influence immediately, you are only a few months on the throne. We can not attack south, as we will not be able to withstand a campaign, supplies will run out quickly. After all, your influence does not give a moral advantage in battle, $name, I know that very well ... It is time to decide how to act! Know that your father was already in the difficult position you are in right now. If you trade with the south, which is difficult, it is as if you are accepting Thegelin rule in the south, something your father would never do. "Very well, Goren, I will sign the royal decree with my decisions and I will deliver it to you shortly." And one more thing, my king, before I leave. Thelgin will attack north only if his greed allows it. Otherwise he does not have much to gain. -Let me [[think->council3c]]]

[You were left alone in the council hall and in front of you was a piece of paper ready to write the royal decree.] {(live: 2s) [(color: cyan) [Should I campaign in the south?]]} {(live: 5s) [(color: cyan) [Do not collect taxes, give them to the people of Onsalank?]] } {(live: 8s) [(color: cyan) [Should I pay for the houses West and East of Onsalank that are still with me?]]} {(live: 11s) [(color: cyan) [To collect taxes and prepare for a campaign?]]} {(live: 14s) [(color: cyan) [Collect taxes and increase production now that it is spring?]]} {(live: 17s) [(color: red) [... choose wisely king $name. Choose wisely! ...]]} {(live: 19s) [(color: cyan) [Blanc?]]} {(live: 22s) [(color: red) [... here I am with you $name. [[Choose->council3d]] wisely! ...]]}

[Your thoughts were interrupted by Fed bringing you hot tea and bread with jam. Unspoken and sullen, as always. -Fed, stay with me please. I want to ask you some questions ... Fed, eager to look you in the eyes and you could see a spark in his eyes, as if it were hidden in this sullen body. -Fend, tell me, what do our people think of me? - $name, I have always been loyal to your father! He never asked my advice on anything, however I have a perception. I am 60 years old and since I was 30 I have seen and heard endless conversations in councils and in ... behind the scenes. But when have I not talked about anything ... -I know Fed ... -... asking me about something like this $name, and forgive me for calling you by your first name, is like asking the opinion of an old man who serves tea to all kinds of people who pass by your house. I do not think that such a thing is appropriate for a king. -Fed, I do not trust anyone and ... -And you are doing very well, $name. You were silent for a few moments. -Fed, I want you to be my honorary advisor in matters within my house! - But, this is ... unheard of. I am a cook, a servant, a submissive ... -Did my father treat you like that? -Your father, $name treated me in the best possible way. And I tell you with all sincerity. But what you are asking me is ... except ... the decisions of a king who knows what is going on around him. -Fed, all I ask of you, is to suggest the best for our people! To me exclusively, without anyone else knowing. Since you do not want formalities, I will dismiss you from your duties and put you in charge of the yard. I want you to be my ears and my eyes when I'm not there. You can; - I can, $name. I can and I want to! I do it for your parents, you know ... {(live: 30s) [(color: cyan) [For my parents ... For my father and my mother?]] } - Really, Fed, did you meet my mother? Fed was silent for two moments. -Your mother, $name, was very beautiful. She was a fair queen and had as her priority the good of her family and her place. Of course I knew her! Besides, she put me in the yard when I was working in an origin with drunks and thieves ... As Fed spoke, you shuffled through your memories, remembering nothing of your father's stories. It is a mystery that while your father often talked to you about her, suddenly, after his loss you do not remember anything ... And Fed concluded: -The time will come, $name, that we will say more about her. Now others prevail. -Like what? Tell me! Tell me, Fed, I need to hear my father's voice through your words. -But, my lord, this is not going to happen ... I will never replace your father and mother ... You know ... (color: yellow) [// At that moment the door slammed loudly three times and interrupted Fed's words //] As if you woke up from a dream in your carefree childhood, you answered somewhat embarrassed ... -Yes? Who? The door opened and a young woman appeared, dressed in a golden red beret, with a tiara with the emblem of a house on her head, with her blue eyes adorning her beautiful youthful face with a few freckles and her blond hair leaving a wonderful aroma in the space before well entering the room. You were speechless for a while with her vision. (color: cyan) [// ... I have never seen such beauty, neither in man, nor in the flower of spring, nor in the dawn over the sea, nor anywhere in the descriptions of the great poets ... //] "My lord, the lady [[Thendil->thentil]] has come from the house of Hammerstones to the east," cried the guard of the room. Fed left the room before the door closed, bowing to Lady Thendil, but this was not actually noticed by you, as you were left with your mouth open in her presence.]

[The lady went a little further and bowed politely in front of you. -Happy king $name! The Hammerstone house is by your side, in your pain, sorrow, work and obligations, as always my lord. Sorry for my delay, but so much happened in those months that we were late. (color: cyan) [// .. you are king, you are king, STAND AT YOUR HEIGHT STUPID ASS //] You swallowed your saliva dry and your mouth was dry. -Hello my lady! I do not understand what delay you are talking about ... - But, my lord, I was not here at your father's farewell ceremony. Forgive us for that ... - There is no reason to apologize ... (color: cyan) [// ... if you had come, I would have noticed ... //] -It was indecent and rude, my lord! - Do not continue. Come on, let's go for a walk in the ... garden ... to ... talk ... (color: cyan) [// ... I do not believe I said that ... //] Thendil willingly stepped back as if to show you the way to lead her according to your ... orders. In a few moments you were in [[garden->royalGarden]] ]

[-Tell me Thendil about your coming here. Throughout your walk you observed every detail of the perfection you saw on it. -My Lord... - Call me by my first name. It is ... an order. And you smiled at her. She looked at the ground for a moment. -Very well, $name. My coming here is to honor your late father and of course to greet the new king of Onsalank. -Fine, Thendil. But why now? -But, it is the end of winter $name and ... my father ... sent me to collect our share ... (color: cyan) [// ... disappointment ... what are you waiting for idiot? //] You walked a little further without saying a word. You basically did not know what to say. But you wanted to know more. Such as... -Why did not you attend my father's ceremony as a Hammerstone? - No ... I have a convincing explanation for this, my lord. You let her call you whatever she wanted, but the frustration was on your face. -What do you mean; -I mean ... you know ... $name, I want your help! ... - I ... I'm not sure I understand you my lady ... Thendil burst into tears. She stood up and let her thoughts run through her tears. [[Hug her->hugThentil]] [[Push her to tell you more->tellThentilMore]] ]

[Thendil after your move to hug her burst into tears in your arms. The weather was cold, but in her arms spring came to your heart and the garden seemed to bloom in colorful aromas and the sun to illuminate your darkness. - Thendil, tell me what's going on? you told her after a few moments. She withdrew as if she had committed the worst crime left, gathered her thoughts and asked you to forgive her for her behavior. -But, Thendil ... you know ... I have never felt like this in such a ... warm embrace ... (color: cyan) [// ... I WANT HER MINE ... //] -Sorry ... just, sorry ... $name, my father betrayed you. The difficulties that Onsalank is facing, the Onsalank that is under your control, that is, brought my father to the idea of coming in contact with the traitor whose name I do not even want to mention. They met the week after your father's death and as I understood they had communication long ago ... You looked at her in amazement. Eventually your father had to fight a beast. Beasts insidious and deceitful. That was your conclusion. -Don't worry Thendil, you will take your house share and take it to your father normally so as not to arouse suspicion. I will prepare for the rest and thank you. A relief appeared on her face, but a few moments later she was followed by terror again. -It's something else, $name. My father made me Thelgin's wife. You imagine it; He owed his daughter in exchange for the traitor in exchange for the prosperity of East Onsalank! Your mind was working fast. He processed the information very fast. -When should you come back, my lady? -Quick, otherwise you will suspect that I told you all this. He sent me here to observe my behavior. He has already betrayed you. Sorry, my lord! And he fell into your arms again. -My ladie, leave it to me. You will go back, as if nothing happened. But I want you to do two things. Be extremely careful, take care of yourself and I will come to find you before anything happens. Thendil had remained in your tight arms. -And what is the second, $name? It seems that Thelgin finally has aspirations for the throne. When I get rid of him ... I want ... to ... -Yes...? -Become my wife! And she came back and gave you the sweetest kiss you have ever received. A promise promise, but without saying anything more. He turned and left for the guest room, until the next day he had to leave for the return trip. You stayed for a long time thinking about everything that is happening. You went to [[your room->yourroom]] ]

[-Tell me more Thendil! What's up? She burst into tears again, something that embarrassed you again. You could not tell if it was embarrassment or suspicion. You let her continue for a long time after she realized that you were waiting for an answer. -Sorry ... just, sorry ... $name, my father betrayed you. The difficulties that Onsalank is facing, the Onsalank that is under your control, that is, brought my father to the idea of coming in contact with the traitor whose name I do not even want to mention. They met the week after your father's death and as I understood they had communication long ago ... You looked at her in amazement. Eventually your father had to fight a beast. Beasts insidious and deceitful. That was your conclusion. -Don't worry Thendil, you will take your house share and take it to your father normally so as not to arouse suspicion. I will prepare for the rest and thank you. A relief appeared on her face, but a few moments later she was followed by terror again. -It's something else, $name. My father made me Thelgin's wife. You imagine it; He owed his daughter in exchange for the traitor in exchange for the prosperity of East Onsalank! Your mind was working fast. He processed the information very fast. -When should you come back, my lady? -Quick, otherwise you will suspect that I told you all this. He sent me here to observe my behavior. He has already betrayed you. Sorry, my lord! -My ladies, leave it to me. You will go back, as if nothing happened. But I want you to do two things. Be extremely careful, take care of yourself and I will come to find you before anything happens. -And what is the second, $name? -Nothing, nothing, is my business. Go rest, you have a trip tomorrow, I will make sure you get the coins before you start. -Okay, my lord ... - Thendil, thank you for your trust. -But, $name, I raised your father as king and now you are my king. I can not accept my father betraying the king of Onsalank, no matter how many difficulties we face. And above all to ... see me as a commodity. -This is the fate of princesses who do not have a brother, my lady. We will ... but we will correct this, I promise. - I do not want you to kill him ... but $name. You promise me; -I promise. After thanking you he got lost in the guest room, until the next day he had to leave for the return trip. You stayed for a long time thinking about everything that is happening. You went to [[your room->yourroom]] ]

[You entered your room and undressed. At the small table next to the window overlooking the garden and the west side of the castle, hot food prepared by the servants was waiting for you. You ate two bites and drank some wine. Your blurred thought was in the present day which as it got dark and as the wine flowed in your blood became even more blurred or even clearer. You let your thoughts run through the small corridors of your mind and as an inexperienced king, young, just 18 years old, you had to make important decisions tomorrow. You lay down and quickly (link-reveal: "you fell asleep ..") [... you fell asleep and Thendil was always on your mind.] You heard the door open and the few candles in the room lit up a (link-reveal: "figure with a beret") [... familiar figure]. It was her. She approached your bed and threw her beret on the ground, leaving her body naked. Your breath began to accelerate at the sight of her shapely body. (link-reveal: "-Blank;") [-Thendil?] (color: cyan) [// ... What happens? Dream?//] -Ssssssssssh! she did with a flick of her finger and sat next to you naked. Her scent, her blond hair, played elaborately in a love dance. He leaned over you and you (link-reveal: "kiss ...") [... a kiss that brought you an unexpected excitement.] You were not sure if it was familiar or not it was so sweet that you wanted it to continue. Your tongues exchanged your fluids and you closed your eyes in a bright darkness that you just wanted to continue to the end. He touched you low and began to caress you. She started playing with you in an elaborate way and quickly took everything in your mouth. It continued in a way unprecedented for you and (link-reveal: "fast ...") [... very quickly made you end up in agonizing voluptuous, erotic, alien, unprecedented.] She raised her head and seemed to enjoy your love dance. No resistance. None ... You were irritated and he put his hands on her breasts. Her erratically raised and irritated breasts were so soft and firm. You were irritated and (link-reveal: "sit ...") [on you. You felt her fluids so strongly that you wanted to finish again.] With rhythmically coordinated movements and with intense groans from both of them, time was lost from your thinking, you do not know how much time has passed. She wished it never ended, but your body and the pleasure of her shapely body said the opposite. -Oh! Thendil! How much I want you! -Ssssssssssssh! (color: cyan) [// ... I want to ... finish again and keep it forever ... //] Continue more intensely until you are done inside. Orgasm for the second time made your body spartan. Along with hers. You ended up together and stayed panting and together for several minutes. He got up and left you exhausted and naked in bed. You saw her back in the candlelight like a very beautiful painting. A painting of love. She wore her beret and ... -Oh! Thendil, I love you! A small laugh was heard and turned towards you. Her face (link-reveal: "had ...") [changed. Along with her hair.] (link-reveal: "It was ...") [... Blank!] -Blanc? BLANC? -Ssssssssssh! Her finger touched her lips. -Blanc! Witch, you fooled me! -No $name, I did not fool you. I made you a man. In half. It was my debt! -Porn, betrayal, you are a traitor! -Why did not you like it; He smiled. -... -This became $name to decide what to do with Thendil tomorrow morning, as a man now and not as a child. You made love to me, but yes (link-reveal: "you know ...") [... I liked it too! You were wonderful!] -You are a traitor! I will certify you in the kingdom and ... She burst out laughing. - I told you $name, who to trust. And definitely do not trust a woman. Now you can decide more correctly. Goodnight! And so, completely in front of your eyes, he disappeared. -BLAAAAAAANC! You shouted ... A few seconds passed and two [[guards->yourroom2]] entered the room ]

[Two guards quickly entered your room with their swords in their hands. -My King, are you okay? Is anything wrong? You, naked, exhausted and confused, looked around and saw nothing different. Only the feminine perfume was pervasive in (link-reveal: "room") [, or maybe on you?] -Nothing, nothing, it was a dream. Go back to your seats, you said. - In fact, my lord. (color: cyan) [// was it a dream? //] You got up and emptied the wine bottle quickly so that you could feel dizzy and fall asleep. (color: cyan) [// I do not know what to do, I do not know what is happening to me ... //] You lay down and watched the silk sheets testify to love and passion. (color: cyan) [// pation? With Thendil or Blanc? //] You quickly fell asleep and got lost in confusing dreams and nightmares. (link-reveal: "The next morning") [, found you with a headache you could not stand. From wine and bad sleep. But falling in love with Thendil or Blanc, whatever it was, you enjoyed it. (color: cyan) [// Thentil was ... //] Fed woke you up and invited you to follow him to the throne room, as Tendil was ready to [[start->choices1]]]]

[In the throne room waiting for you were Fed, who served hot tea to everyone, Tendil, more beautiful than ever, Warren and Melvend. They all bowed to you and you remained speechless until you sat on your throne and took a few sips of tea to recover. You looked at Tendil looking into your eyes with a serene style and a small smile erasing her fleshy and very beautiful lips. -Melvent, tell me the stock in gold coins and how much the share corresponds to the house of Hammerstone. -My lord we have $goldcoins in stock and the Hammerstone house is asking for 300 gold coins. -Very well Melvent, prepare the chest and accompany Lady Thendil shortly after the hills to continue her journey. -Thank you, my lord! said Thendil and seemed to want to tell you much more. -How did you sleep, my lady? you asked her. -Maybe it was one of the best sleeps I have had in a long time, my lord, thank you for the hospitality. -So I greet you and have a good trip! - I hope you do not forget what you promise, my lord, what we said and what I can not say here. You remained silent for a while and in the end you understood. (set: $goldcoins to $goldcoins-300) Melvend followed her as she left the room and Fed went to prepare the rest. You were left alone with Warren. - $name, are you okay? -No. - Do you want to share it with me, maybe I can help? - No, at least not yet. -My King, you must suggest how we start food production and the manufacture of weapons. You also need to think about collecting taxes. Is it time for [[decisions->desisions1]] { (set: $counter1 to 0) (set: $counter2 to 0) (set: $counter3 to 0) (set: $counter4 to 0)}]

{(link:"Save game")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ Game saved! ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]} {(link:"Restart")[ (click:"Restart")[ (set: $loyalty to 2) (reload:)] (goto: "Start") ]} (color: orange) [Your influence is: $loyalty] ['' Cereals in the kingdom's warehouses: $grain tons Rice: $rice tons Flour: $flour tons Seeds for vegetables: $beans tons Bows: $bows Battle armor: $meleeweapons Catapults: $catapults Horses for cavalry in the royal stables: $warhorses Rigging for the Knights: $armory Shields and swords: $swords Gold coins of the kingdom: $goldcoins ''] (if: $counter1 is not 1) [ [[Give half the winter taxes to the people of Onsalank->notaxes]]] (if: $counter2 is not 2) [ [[Explain to Gorn what you discussed with Tendil yesterday in the garden->garden]]] (if: $counter3 is not 3) [ [[Confirm Blanc for treason->blanktraitor]]] (if: $counter4 is not 4) [ [[Prepare your army and take care of the equipment->warprepare]]] [[Continue->desisions2]]

[Gorn I sign the following decree: I want to give half the taxes to our people ((print: $taxes / 2)), in the hope of increasing production. {(set: $goldcoins to $goldcoins- $taxes / 2) (if: $counter is not 1) [ (set: $loyalty to $loyalty + 1)] (set: $counter1 to 1)} ] [[Back->desisions1]]

[-Gourne I want to confess something to you! Yesterday in the garden Lady Thendil revealed to me that the Hammerstone house has taken us on the side of the traitor. The reason Thendil came here is for Hammerstone to see how much we know about it, but he revealed it to me in confidence and you will keep it to yourself, okay? -I swear to $name! No one will find out.] (set: $counter2 to 2) [[Back->desisions1]]

[I endorse Blank High Priesthood with 1000 gold coins, to whoever succeeds. -But, my lord, High Priest Blanc? Apart from the fact that no one will accept to put up with it, it is also sacrilege! -If no one can bring her here by force, you will go Gorn! Warren nodded, but his gaze was puzzled. - In fact, my lord.] (set: $counter3 to 3) [[Back->desisions1]]

[-Make as many weapons as we can for both defense and attack. This is entirely up to you, Gorn! -Until the end of spring I will do the best I can! ] (set: $counter4 to 4) [[Back->desisions1]]

{[You left the hall and went out to the courtyard of your tower. Some guards bowed and you went to the market walking to listen to what is happening in the world inside the metropolis.] (if: $loyalty < 0) [Suspicious looks fall on you and you do not see anyone smiling, while most seem reluctant to bow and look elsewhere to justify their behavior or rather not have to apologize.] (else-if: $loyalty is 0) [Suspicious glances fall on you and you do not see anyone smiling, however they make some rudimentary bowing in your passage.] (else:) [Everyone in your aisle is bowing, some are applauding, some young children are pointing at their friends and seem to be smiling at your passing and your simple walk in the market]} {[You stopped at a tavern and went inside. Smoke and alcohol smelled strongly, while your arrival made the commotion stop abruptly. Everyone looked at you as if expecting something from you. (if: $counter1 is 1) [- Today I signed a decree to reduce taxes by half. I will do my best to overcome the difficulties together. Some applauded, some were indifferent and some continued their wine drinking.] (else:) [- Spring has come, it 's time we all work together this time to do it in the coming months! you said with a sigh. -Yes King $name, we hope in you and in the legacy left by your father! said the tavern owner.]]} A few moments later everyone continued their conversations and your tavern owner served a glass of wine. -It is one of the best I have! he said. You emptied it and left a bronze coin on the counter. A little later you went out and went down to the central market. When you got there people were busy with their shopping for daily necessities. Young children threw landscapes at each other and laughed, but their clothes looked tattered. (color: cyan) [// ... I, as a child, never had this life that they have ... //] [After touring some small alleys of the city you started to return to your tower. You entered your castle and Fed had already been notified of your arrival. He had prepared hot food and urged you to try it. - Roast pork with apples, my king! he said with some pride. The truth is that a meal and some red wine were all that was needed at this time. You ate greedily, drank and left for your room. There you took out your diary, which you had to write in it for quite some time now and you noted only one (link-reveal: "name ...") [Thendil.] You have never been able to get her out of your mind and your thoughts are as confused as what you feel about her and Blanc. (color: cyan) [// ... at some point I will find the end of the thread ... //] You fell into a deep sleep, as if you had been resting your body for years [[fatigue ->returnGuard]] ]

[Voices in the hallway woke you up, you heard footsteps going back and forth, a commotion inside your tower. The door to your room opened without further notice. It was Warren ... - $name, get up, we have a problem! -Eh? What? What problem? -Tendil's companions, the two knights are dead. We found one after the hill dead, while the other was on the horse which came alone behind him, with two arrows nailed to his back. Thendil and her companions are useless. The traces show that they headed south, I saw it with my own eyes. -And the ... gold coins? - They are useless too. Also the horse of the dead knight on the hill is dead too. (set: $warhorses to $warhorses-2) (color: orange) [(Your horses are now $warhorses)] -Get ready, get two men, one to be an archer and let's go find them. I will come with you myself. Gorn turned and followed the order without saying another word. You wore the armor of war, you took your sword and before you started (link-reveal: "you remembered it") [necklace. You wore it in your right hand and did not understand any difference. (color: cyan) [// Who knows what artwork this is ... //]] You went downstairs and your horse was waiting for you with the three men on horseback waiting for you. -We start by following the [[traces->persuit]], you said. ]

[ (set: $Armor to $Armor + 1) (color: orange) [Your armor gives you a $Armor advantage. Your morale is $morale. (if: $equip is "nothing") [(color: yellow) [You also took your sword with you.] (set: $equip to "simple Sword") (set: $attDmg to 10)] You keep $equip You wear το (set: $wear to 'bracelet of Onsalanc') $wear] It started to rain as you descended the alleys of the city and the main gate opened as the horses ran with all their might. You went out of town. - We have to get to the tracks before the rain makes the tracks disappear $name ... said Gorn. You pushed the horses to run even faster, while the dirt road did not bother these wonderful horses. An hour later you reached the spot where the dead body of a knight was. The rain had extinguished the traces, as it had intensified and it was already night. "I'm sure the trail was going from there," Warren said confidently, pointing south. - This is not a good sign, you said. (color: cyan) [// Thentil? The coins? //] Warren headed south, and you and the other two soldiers followed him. The rain was pounding on you and the war horses and on the dark horizon there was no sign of the enemies. Carrying hostages and the chest with the coins will be slower than us, you said. -Correct $name! That is why we will catch them. It's been a while since Warren signaled to stop. He got off the horse and found a piece of cloth soiled with mud, silk and red. "This must be Tendil," Gourne said. Let's go, we have to reach them! He got on his horse again and [[continued->ambush]] ]

[(set: $attDmg to 15) (color: yellow) [You fell into an ambush. Three men emerged from the right and left and attacked you. One held a bow, while the others held shields and swords.] (color: green) [Once you took out the $equip and held it in your hand with the $wear the sword became one with the hand and was extended. It is very light and accurate in hits and can not fall down.] { (set: $AttackerMorale to 60) (set: $AttackerArmour to 10) (set: $AttackerDmg to 10) (set: $init to (random: 1, $AttackerDmg) - $Armor) (if: $init > 0) [ (set: $morale to $morale - $init)] (if: $init <0) [(set: $init = 0)] } (color: yellow) [Sagittarius manages to hit $init damage points.] (color: green) [Morale now became $morale] The other two, on horseback, attack Warren and deliver two good blows. { (set: $init to (random: 1,8)) (set: $AttackerMorale to $AttackerMorale- $init) (if: $init <0) [(set: $init = 0)] } (color: yellow) [Your archer hits his bow with $init damage points to the archer opponent.] { (set: $init to (random: 1, $attDmg)) (set: $AttackerMorale to $AttackerMorale- $init) (if: $init <0) [(set: $init = 0)] } (color: yellow) [You manage to hit $equip by earning $init damage points to the opponent knight. Now his morale is $AttackerMorale.] ] [[Attack again->ambushLoop]]

[(color: yellow) [Warren manages two good blows to a knight on horseback.] { (set: $init to (random: 1, $AttackerDmg) - $Armor) (if: $init > 0) [ (set: $morale to $morale- $init)] (if: $init < 0) [(set: $init = 0)] } (color: yellow) [Your archer manages to hit $init damage points.] (color: green) [Your Morale is now $morale] { (set: $init to (random: 1, $attDmg)) (set: $AttackerMorale to $AttackerMorale- $init) (if: $init < 0) [(set: $init = 0)] } (color: yellow) [You manage to hit $equip by earning $init damage points to the knight.] (color: green) [Now his Morale is: $AttackerMorale] { (if: $AttackerMorale <= 0) [Your archer kills a knight. Immediately after, the enemy archer fell dead with an accurate blow to the head by your archer. [[You killed your opponent->endAmbush]] (set: $loyalty to $loyalty-5)] (else-if: $morale >= 0 and $AttackerMorale > 0) [ [[Attack again->ambushLoop]]] (else:) [You fell unconscious and hit [[down->endAmbush]]] } ]

{(link:"Save game")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ Game saved! ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]} {(link:"Restart")[ (click:"Restart")[ (set: $loyalty to 2) (reload:)] (goto: "Start") ]} [You are all struck. (if: $morale<=0) [As soon as you regain consciousness and see Warren and the two men beaten, but your enemies dead.] - It was an ambush. "Let's take care of our wounds before we come back, we can't go on ...," Gorn said. With your little strength you harnessed the sword which was separated from your hand. The followers looked at you with admiration. After [[you lost consciousness->backToTown]]]

[It was dawn and your wounds hurt you with every movement of your body. You have seen the well-known decoration of your royal room and you are alone. Next to you, on a wooden table is hot tea, breakfast and compresses. You are hungry and you made a move to arrive in the morning, but the pain does not leave you. You wanted to shout, but your back pain makes you cough. You are desperate. -Guards! Guards! You shouted as far as you could bear the pain and the door opened. -The king woke up shouted at each other's guard, and he left to call for help. You fell asleep again, exhausted. You do not know how much time passed and you woke up with a guard next to you. - Are you all right, my king? -I'm not well. I feel weak. Are Warren and the other men okay? - In much better condition, my king. You have been unconscious for close to ten days now. Yesterday you woke up for a while and today I see you better. - I would like to talk to Fed, please call him. - In fact! He left and in a few moments Fed arrived anxious. He closed the door behind him and you were left alone. - Are you okay, $name? Are you feeling better; - I have been even better. What happened; -You were seriously injured in the battle, you lost a lot of blood, for a week since that night when Gorn and your entourage brought you here unconscious, you were cooking in the fever. Fortunately, you endured. I was so worried... - I know, my dear Gorn. But tell me more. Were the robbers found? Was the lady found? - I do not have any new $name, but I have a letter left to me by Lady Thendil before they started. It is sealed with the seal of the house of Hammerstone and I deliver it to you as he gave it to me. Here you go... Even the movement of your hand to grasp your letter hurt. You thought for a while if you would be in more pain with what he wrote. You unsealed it and opened it: (color: orange) [// My $name, yesterday you were wonderful ... Until we meet again ... Thendil .//] You read it over and over again. -Keep the Fed. I want to eat something and rest. -There are many issues, my lord, in what I can help I will do it with pleasure. Recover and return to us stronger. It helped you eat something and drink herbal teas. And you fell into a deep [[sleep->sleep1]] ]

(color: cyan) [// ... I want it now! ..//] (live: 4s) [(color: cyan) [// ... Thendil ... //]] (live: 6s) [(color: cyan) [// ... Blank ... //]] (live: 8s) [(color: cyan) [// ... hold this, it will be our little secret ... //]] (live: 11s) [(color: cyan) [// ... what should I do now? //]] (live: 14s) [(color: cyan) [// ... now you became a man! //]] (live: 17s) [(color: cyan) [// ... what is it that I hear? //]] (live: 19s) [(color: cyan) [// ... Thendil ... //]] (live: 21s) [(color: cyan) [// ... trumpets ... //]] (live: 24s) [(color: cyan) [// ... until we meet again ... //]] (live: 27s) [(color: cyan) [(link-reveal: "trumpets") [... I hear trumpets, someone came ...]]] (live: 31s) [(color: cyan) [... wake up, my lord, Hammerstone is [[here->hammerstone1]]] ]

(set: $loyalty to $loyalty + 1) (color: green) [Your influence now became $loyalty.] [You open your eyes and Fed announces the arrival of Hamsterstone, Thendil's father, who herself told you he had betrayed you. And now he came here. With formalities. - Do not get up better, $name, maybe it is better not to accept him or he will come to see you here. What to do; -No, no, I will go down to the throne room, we just helped to get up. With intense pain, Fed helped you get up and wear something light that still covers your wounds. -Give me my Fed sword, the $equip. I also want $wear. Fed brought them to you, as he had very carefully hidden them. You put on $wear and tucked in $equip. Footsteps were heard outside the door. // "You can not enter, it is forbidden ..." // // "I'm Hammerstone and you forbid me to enter?" // //"Μα..."// - Don't $name, I will take care of it. // "I want to see his ugliness and his downfall ... The one who deprived me of my daughter and the gold coins" // -And $name, you squat a little, it seems that you are in pain, do not give him this pleasure. - Where is Warren? - I do not know exactly, somewhere around, maybe in the stables, of course he will come too. You shrugged a little and saw Fed open the door and say in a stern manner that you had never seen before: -King $name will receive you shortly in the throne room. And he closed the door again, preventing Hammerstone from entering. (color: cyan) [// ... I have to find the courage ... to stand up ... //] // Well, well, he does the same to me, I will wait for him ... useless // You heard footsteps descending the stairs and after a few moments you opened the door and went down to his [[throne->hammerstone2]] room.]

[The guards of the room greeted you and opened the doors for you. Next to the throne waited patiently Fed and next to him was Hammerstone, a middle-aged man, large, with a long gray beard, sharp wrinkles, eyes mixed and with a glittering armor that at the height of the chest was embossed with the same that of the stamp of the letter from what Thendil left you. You walked over to your throne, trying to hide the pain in your body, and sat down. Fed bowed and went to fetch wine and water for the Hamsters. Hammerstone had four men with him, who from their looks and stature seemed to have no problem in trouble. None of them greeted you or bowed to you, they just looked at you as if they were looking for flaws on you. -Who is my daughter? -Don't you greet your king? you told him sternly. -If you give me my daughter and the gold coins you owe me, then yes, I will greet you. - She is your daughter, you should know. -He is missing for two weeks, while he should have returned safe ten days ago. I have not heard from her for ten days. -And I want to know where he is? -You were the last to see her alive. His eyebrows began to take on a wavy shape, an expression a sign of his anger. - Is that how you treat your guests? Do you make them disappear? -Hummerstone, I will forgive your behavior because of your pain. As if you do not know that my general and I, together with two knights, left to find her as soon as one of our horses returned with a corpse from the escort I had given her for safety until she left. You know well! Is not that right; -I know nothing. I want my daughter and the double share that corresponds to me $name. Did you understand; - You are talking to your king. Be careful! Your voice became hoarse and heavy which you yourself wondered. But your anger was evident. -I do not recognize the power over me from now on $name, it would be good for you and your family to be careful ... -It is not my house, it is my traitor kingdom! You stood up defying your pains and clapped your hands on the handles of your golden throne. -And where is your crown, brave king? said Hammerston ironically. At that moment you realized that his entourage had grabbed the handles of their swords, while you were alone in the room. You also heard plates and glasses falling out of the door and kicking away. -From now on, my house and the people of my jurisdiction are at war with you, king of the penny! he said disparagingly. - I will find you in the battle of old Hamsterstone and then you will meet your ancestors. But even they will not accept a traitor ... -Well very well, I give you 10 days to find my daughter safe and I expect double what you give me at the door of my city, otherwise you will suffer the consequences, slowly and torturously little ... He gestured to his men to leave and they disappeared in a few seconds. You were left alone in the room and after your breath returned from the adrenaline and your pains made their presence felt again, you wondered if there was any other way to manage the situation. At that moment, Fed entered the room with [[Warren->warprepare1]]. The irony was that the trumpets were heard again playing at the official departure rate of an important person for your kingdom.]

(set: $morale to $morale + 10) [Warren and Fed entered the room. Gorn entered, looked behind him for a moment, and pulled the double door shut. -What happened, $name. As if I saw Hammerstone a little ... aggressive. - It was, Warren. In short, I will tell you that he wants the doubles that correspond to him as a share and his daughter within 10 days, otherwise we will have a war. Gorn burst out laughing. - $name, do not be intimidated by his threats, he is an old traitor and no one is above the law. -But we do not want war, do we? said Fed. -No, Fed, we do not want him, but we certainly do not want a traitor! said Warren. - Now, even if his will is done, I consider him our enemy, you said. -Yes, you are right $name. All three of you were skeptical. -How are you; asked Warren. -Better. Best of all Warren, thank you. I hope you do the same. His right hand was still tied. -What do you want us to do $name? -Who can supervise the spring production? We must definitely avoid any conflict with anyone. -I can do it myself, $name if you trust me. -Who can contact Dimiron in the west? I want to know what his intentions are. But do not realize this. Gorn remained skeptical for a moment. - We must also find Lady Thendil. She does not deserve anything, even if her father is a traitor. You have to decide, $name. (color: cyan) [// ... Where are you Blank, now I need you ... //] Warren continued as if unfolding his plan. -Our problem, $name, above all else, is that we do not have defense lines east and west. If Thelgin has approached the house of Dimiron, in a way that approached the Hammerstones, then laterally we are extremely weak ... His plan is strategically excellent. "If you allow me, $name," continued Fed, "let us officially send Graon to inform Dimiron about the events and see how things are there." - Do you trust him, Fed? you asked. -No, everyone I trust is in this room $name. But I believe that we will have the perception to understand the messages that it will bring us whether they are true or not. You thought for a while and [[decided->desisions3]] ]

{(link:"Save game")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ Game saved! ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]} {(link:"Restart")[ (click:"Restart")[ (set: $loyalty to 2) (reload:)] (goto: "Start") ]} (set: $counter to 0) [-Well, Fed, you undertake to organize the spring production. I order you to dedicate all production to supplies and not to devote any resources to defensive or offensive weapons. None. -But, that's crazy $name! said Warren. As I said before... - Let me finish, Warren. Fed, give Graon a written order to go to Dimiron and text him and ask for his help if he is willing to do so. Our wish is on the one hand for him to return, on the other hand, neither he nor Dimiron will betray us. -And you, my lord? he asked as if he saw a well-organized plan in front of him. "I, Warren, and a few other trusted men will follow us south." We will enter the lands of southern Onsalank to see what is happening there and what Thelgin is preparing. We will take advantage of the fact that they do not know me, yet ... "But they know me," Warren said. That is why I renounce you from the kingdom of Onsalank, by royal decree for treason. Make sure it is heard in all the ears of this familiar world. -But ... - Can you stand it? On your flight you found a little fighter dragging and ordering with you, until we see what happens. Our first mission is to find Thendil so that we can escape the attack from the east. We must be gone by nightfall. Give orders for the fortification of the city and strategically set up our men to endure as much as they can. -A headless kingdom, without any general, is impossible to withstand an attack. This reaches the limit of paranoia. - That's why we have to hurry. As the sun sets, we depart. Fed, prepare the relevant documents. He appointed our best knight as a general and Gorn will give him orders for a possible attack. This is my decision. May he perform. They both calmed down. They left with a small bow. As you were leaving the throne room, you found broken cups of tea that had fallen earlier. You went to your room and started [[preparations->warprepare2]] ]

(color: yellow) [// At this point Fed organizes the spring production, regardless of whether Onsalank goes to war. The completion of his production strategy is set by you in 10 rounds. Also the spring production is more generous ... //] {(unless: $counter is 10) [ [[Seeds->beansRTS2]]: (color: lime) [Cost: 5 tons of rice and 80 gold coins. Production of 15 tons of seeds.] [[Rice->riceRTS2]]: (color: purple) [Cost: 5 tons of seeds and 100 gold coins. Production of 20 tons of rice.] [[Flour->flourRTS2]]: (color: lime) [Cost: 10 tons of grain and 200 gold coins. Production of 15 tons of flour.] [[Cereals->grainRTS2]]: (color: purple) [Cost: 5 tons of seeds and 100 gold coins. Production of 25 tons of cereals.] (set: $counter to $counter + 1) ] } (if: $grain or $rice or $flour or $beans <0) [(set: $loyalty to $loyalty-1) (color: yellow) [Your influence now is: $loyalty]] ['' Cereals in the kingdom's warehouses: $grain tons Rice: $rice tons Flour: $flour tons Seeds for vegetables: $beans tons Bows: $bows Battle armor: $meleeweapons Catapults: $catapults Horses for cavalry in the royal stables: $warhorses Rigging for the Knights: $armory Shields and swords: $swords Gold coins of the kingdom: $goldcoins ''] (if: $counter >= 10) [[[End of Spring->springOver1]]]

[Warren knocked on your room door at dusk. It opened when he heard you say you were ready. He hurried inside. - $name, 4 men are waiting for us, lightly dressed, with no insignia of your house, like me, you see? We will only carry our swords, and they will be covered. Here is your cape. It's a cape that fits the scenario you've been thinking about and that will make $equip invisible. You hesitated for a moment. - What do you say Warren, will he succeed? -I thought about it a lot, $name, and we will make it a success. Meet me at the third southeast outpost before midnight. Leave me a little while later so as not to arouse suspicion. We will go south, my "exile" order will not have reached the outposts. The 4 I chose will go to Hammerstone to see if Thendil is there and the old traitor is not lying to us. If they are there, they will return to our town and inform Fed, otherwise they will meet us in Thelgin town. Also, if they find her there, one of them will leave and inform us and Fed will have the opportunity to get instructions from us. This is what I thought and as a general I order you to do this. Now you are no longer my king! he said and smiled, which is rare. - So at midnight, you said. -At midnight. I'll wait. Good luck. He turned and left with a quick step. You were left alone. You wore the cape that was warm and black, but thin that gives ease of movement in a possible battle. Admire Gorn's experience and adaptability. It was worth being next to your father, you just hope you do not disappoint him. After all, frustration is the equivalent of one thing. Death ... You filled your hermit crab with wine, took some bread with you and went down to the stables. You got the horse that seemed thinner. But a horse that had never betrayed its rider. You had seen it in his training which, although impossible, was flexible and fast. There were no other horses missing. Who knows what Gorn's cunning mind would have thought. His own case. You set off for [[southeast->southEast]] on a clear night. ]

{(if: $rice>0)[ (set: $beans to $beans+15) (set: $goldcoins to $goldcoins-80) (set: $rice to $rice-5)] } (color: orange) [Seed storage increased: $beans tons The stock of gold coins decreased: $goldcoins Rice stock decreased: $rice tons] [[Back->warprepare2]]

{(if: $beans>0)[ (set: $rice to $rice+20) (set: $goldcoins to $goldcoins-100) (set: $beans to $beans-5)] } (color: orange) [Increased rice storage: $rice tons The stock of gold coins decreased: $goldcoins Seed stock decreased: $beans tons] [[Back->warprepare2]]

{(if: $grain>0)[ (set: $flour to $flour+15) (set: $goldcoins to $goldcoins-200) (set: $grain to $grain-10)] } (color: orange) [Increased storage in flour: $flour tons The stock of gold coins decreased: $goldcoins Cereal stock decreased: $grain tons] [[Back->warprepare2]]

{(if: $beans>0)[ (set: $grain to $grain+25) (set: $goldcoins to $goldcoins-100) (set: $beans to $beans-5)] } (color: orange) [Increased grain storage: $grain tons The stock of gold coins decreased: $goldcoins Seed stock decreased: $beans tons] [[Back->warprepare2]]

[You galloped fast and the horse seemed to have stamina. As soon as you passed the outpost, you would probably camp in a safe place and drink water and graze. Now it was time to get to your time. After leaving about an hour ahead, Gorn would proportionally wait for you for an hour. He would have done his bidding. On the way you thought of Thendil, Blanc, Thelgin and all that you find useless. The thirst for power is completely useless to you. All you think about is that your people can prosper. If not, then become a farmer or a blacksmith or a baker or whatever. But your aspirations are different from those of Thelgin, Hammerstone and possibly Dimiron. All in vain. That's how you grew up, with these origins. Your thoughts made time pass quickly and your horse did not slow down for a moment. You passed through settlements and saw the expected chimneys burning wood. Some smelled roasted. You still had two hours ahead of you. The cobbled road turned completely east, so you had to turn a little south for the 3rd outpost, through dirt roads. The sky was clear, you almost looked like it was day, your eye was probably used to [[darkness->southEast2]]. ]

[You arrived at the outpost. A stone outpost which was 5 meters high, a dim light on the ground floor from a small window was visible, but at the top of none, so that the guard could see in the dark as far as possible. The dirt road continued south and a side road led to the hill and the outpost. As soon as he noticed you, he lit a torch and quickly popped out the small iron door to open it and throw it out. He came to you with quick steps, and you just managed to put on the hood, in order to hide your features. -Motionless! He had already drawn his sword. From the outpost started a wall of wooden pointed poles that connected one outpost to the other for many kilometers. You stopped your horse and let the guard approach you. -Motionless! he said again. Where are you going; -South, you said. South, I'm going to find a better fortune. - You know, it 's dangerous on the other side of the wall. You know that, right? Where are you from? -From Onsalank, of course. But I'm already having a hard time. -You come second, I let the first one pass, but you make me regret it. "It seems strange to me," said the guard. - I do not know if I come second, but I want to go south, at my own risk. -Tell me your name. You said a random name that came to mind. -It's a road without return, do you know that? -I know. Onsalank is built on the free will of its people, right? If you ask $name it will confirm. {(if: $loyalty <= 1) [- King $name will lose the sympathy of his people. King Thompton instilled confidence, his son the opposite.] (else:) [- It would be good to show a little trust in the king $name and give him time.]} -Let it be, will you let me pass? -Have good luck ... He extinguished his torch and made a small opening in the wall next to the outpost. You got off the horse, as you could not fit on horseback and went beyond the official limits of your jurisdiction. You walked away and at a glance you saw the guard's shadow return to his post. Just below and from a cluster of trees you heard a [[whistle->enemyTerritory1]]]

(set: $loyalty to $loyalty-1) (color: orange) [// Your influence now is $loyalty. Nobody liked the official exile of Gorn, who was both well known and liked by the people of Onsalank //] [You turned in the direction you heard the whistle. Gorn emerged from behind a clump of trees. - Did you pass easily? - As easy as you. - I had a harder time. I just told him that you fired me from my duties. He laughed. Let's continue below and find somewhere to train. You walked south on the dirt road for about an hour, without pushing the horses anymore. -Why don't Thelgin and his company have outposts or guards? -But because he does not count on attack. He knows we are weak for siege or attack. But that will change soon, $name. That is why we are here. It was past midnight, you found a clump of trees and a small river next to it for the horses to drink water, to fill your hermitages and to rest. Moisture passed through your costume. "We must not light a fire, $name, it is a risk," said Warren, as if reading your mind. You sat down, ate some and drank some wine to warm up. You hid behind the trees and [[you slept->enemyTerritory2]] ]

[The first rays of sunshine fell on your face and the frost appeared in a fog among the trees that were scattered where you spent the night. You noticed that Gorn did not have a sword with him, but a double ax, quite heavy as it seems. -Good morning, $name, I hope you rested. - I ... I had a better time. You do not hold your sword, why? - No knight goes anywhere without his sword. So I'm not a knight, a marshal of Onsalank. We have a few days on the road and we even have alternatives. Just do not talk if we meet someone. Because I have come back to these places, with a little luck we will go unnoticed. If not, I will arrange. By civilized means, he said laughing. You rode the horses and started southwest. (live: 24s) [(color: yellow) [// With a slow pace you continued your journey ... //]] (live: 29s) [(color: yellow) [// ... a patrol passed by you, but did not pay attention to you ... //]] (live: 33s) [(color: yellow) [// ... you passed settlements and the weather as you headed south was warmer ... //]] (live: 38s) [(color: yellow) [// ... your supplies were running out and you had to stop somewhere for rest and refueling ... //]] (live: 42s) [(color: yellow) [// ... you have a few days even the nights in the countryside were difficult for you ... //]] (live: 46s) [- Tomorrow we will arrive at a [[small village->littleVillage]] to rest at the inn, get supplies and continue, $name.] ]

{(link: "Save game") [ (if: (save-game: "Slot A")) [ Game saved! ] (else:) [ Sorry, I could not save your game. ] ]} {(link: "Restart") [ (click: "Restart") [ (set: $loyalty to 2) (reload:)] (goto: "Start") ]} [After a short journey you reached a crossroads. A wooden sign said (color: blue) ["Lankmarin"] and pointed to the right. "From here," said Warren. Lankmarin is a small village where we will eat and rest for tonight in an inn. The road began to be paved, designed with various patterns, but a circle with a well-formed lion every few meters was dominant. Just before the wooden houses, another sign welcomed you. You entered the village now and the people were scattered in the narrow alleys. You found a stable to tie the horses, to give them water and food, paying the steward some price. You took out a silver coin and gave it to the steward, telling him to take care of them as best he could. -Where do you come from? asked the steward. -From the west, from the house of Dimiron. -Welcome and thank you! said the steward and he could not hide his joy for the expensive price you gave him. Immediately start taking care of your horses. You walked above and came out into a circular square with a fountain in the middle and all around there were stalls of merchants selling their wares. There were people shopping casually from a multitude of products. Vegetables, fruits, cereals, flour, rice, salted meats and fish, cheese, honey and much more. You stopped at a trader who seemed to have it all. -Where is your stuff from, lord? He looked at you inquisitively and answered reluctantly. -From the areas of Hammerstone the cereals, fish, rice and flour, the rest are local! He seemed so proud of the quality of his products. With a little bargain you got salted meat and fish and paid the price in 12 copper coins. -The inn that is, lord? asked Warren. He showed you a side road and told you that five minutes from there is the best. After thanking him, you started for the inn and Warren slowly told you the obvious: -Humerstone has a business relationship with the traitor. The merchant said so. You unjustly give him a share of the taxes. Keep it up, he advised you. You entered the inn and a smiling, fat, middle-aged man with a mustache and sparse hair was waiting for you. You asked for a room with two beds for one night with full meals from the best menus it has to offer. -Will you eat now? the innkeeper asked. -Yes now. -Where are you from; -From the east. -And where are you going? continued the innkeeper. "This does not concern you," said Warren. The innkeeper instructed his cook to serve you. You asked for a quiet table away from the crowds. He showed you one in the background in a corner. When you entered the dining room you noticed that half the tables were full, smoke from smoking and a smell of grilled meat. You sat at the table speechless and listened to the conversations. Nothing special though, they were discussing issues unrelated to you, mainly issues related to the local community. There was generally a suspicion of a happy climate, which indicates prosperity. You were served beans with cooked, hot meat, which was delicious. Gorn asked for wine and immediately filled the table with fragrant and delicious red wine. Once you ate and drank, the fatigue of your trip was more intense, although there was a widespread desire to learn more. Warren emptied his mug at once and urged you to sit where you are without doing anything. He got up from his seat and went and sat on a lonely old man drinking alone in the opposite corner. He shouted at the innkeeper to serve the man a jug of wine and burned next to him. They talked for a long time and at times they burst out laughing. You got tired of waiting and watched the guests continue their wine drinking. A little later, you got up to go to your room, but were unpleasantly surprised when Warren called out to you: - Sit down, did I tell you to leave? he said sternly. You tried to get into his mouth and remained like a statue without knowing what to do. [[You sat->littleVlage2]] in your seat again. ]

[The time had passed and the innkeeper came to your table to pay. Warren saw him from a distance and called him to go there to pay. You saw him take some copper coins out of his pouch and give them to him. After a while he got up and came towards you. - Pick up $name, let's go up, I'll tell you there. You got up and went up the wooden staircase that leads to the inn rooms. You entered the room, which had a fireplace waiting for you. Downstairs he had animal skins and warm blankets. While you were undressing and Gorn was putting wood on the fire, you took off your cape and left it next to your bed. - I think, Gorn, it's time to tell me. -The man I met below was from our area. It has been five years since he left there and headed here. He had heard that the south had more work to do. -I understood this from what is happening, Gorn ... -Yes, but what neither you nor I knew, is that north of our city, twelve days road, half through the snow, between the mountains there is a gorge. This gorge, as soon as you cross it, there is the ancient mine of Onsalank. From this mine, our ancestors extracted precious stones. This is how our city was created, which is closer to it. This information must be in our files if we search. Felgin seems to have known this from the very first day he got into finance. So the mines, as he told me below, were closed by order of King Lagamangdin, your grandfather, that is, when Garbareth II's father had a riot among the workers who mined the gems. As he told me below, Lagamangdin took care to keep the records and make life in northern Onsalank change. Three generations passed and he forgot about everyday life. But Felgin, who had access to the files, seems to have knowledge. And now it is clear that he has aspirations for northern Onsalank, as here these areas, and even further south, do not need anything else. You looked at him skeptically. -And how did you introduce yourself to him? -But how else? As the exiled marshal of Onsalank, Gorn. For you I said that I found you on the street wandering without substance and I took you under my work. By the way the food was great, wasn't it? -Did you learn anything about Thendil? -Yes, he wants her for his wife, but nothing else has been heard about her. Hammerstone has betrayed you and that is certain. -And what should we do now? -But what else? Let's go find Felgin. We will head south for two days and southwest for one day and ... we arrived! We have to leave early in the morning. Drop to [[rest->depart]].]

[You both lay down to spend the night and the fire was talking in the room with a musical rhythm, the beech wood burning and whistling persistently giving a warmth to the room. Warren seemed to enjoy his sleep, but you could not sleep. You were thinking about everything he told you. (color: cyan) [// ... we have to finish from here and go back ... The days go by ... I have to look for our files ... A lot needs to be done ... //] According to the plan, the knight who would return with the news from Hammerstone would have arrived in Onsalank, would have informed Fed and would have started to find us. So you are three days ahead to do what you have to do here. (link-reveal: "With these thoughts ...") [... you had a sweet sleep ...] (link-reveal: "With these thoughts ...") [... [[you fell asleep->depart2]] ...] ]

[In your sweet sleep, in the heat of the room, loud knocks were heard on the door. - Open in the name of Thelgin! Gorn jumped to his feet and grabbed the axe. You did the same, you sharpened your sword and you wore your coat so that it would not be visible. -Open, otherwise we will break down the door! Gorn was heavy. - Do not talk and do not do anything unless I tell you. With one kick the door fell to the ground. Four Knights of Thelgin entered the room. They had their swords. Warren was ready to attack, but he held on. - In the name of Thelgin, you, Gorn, the general of the Garbereth house, are arrested. Behind the knights was a short court officer with two gold daggers in his belt. - I am no longer a marshal of $name, by his order I am in exile. -Very well, then you will come with us calmly. -Gorn put the ax in his belt. The knights seemed satisfied. -Who is the young man? -The young man has nothing to do with all this. "Tell us your name, young man," said the short officer. You said a random name. -Leave him. We have to take Warren to the king. Follow us, they said commandingly. But they left him with his ax in his pocket. Gorn left the food you had bought in his backpack. [[-I'm with him, you have to take me too.->duo]] [[You see Warren leave the room with a sneak peek at you->solo]] ]

[-That is, what are you to him? the officer asked. - I'm in exile too, but Gorn wanted to protect me because I'm afraid. The officer laughed. -He is afraid; He has no reason to be afraid of you. But since you insist, do not spoil your luck ... The knights opened the door for you to pass and followed you from behind. You went downstairs which was empty and for a moment you thought you had not paid the innkeeper, but it may be the last thing you should care about right now. - Your horses are waiting for you. Your horses are well groomed. Your king is a householder. You rode the horses and started galloping fast in the dark. Another long journey awaits you. You were carrying all the food, but you did not care about that right now. It looked like Gorn's plan was going to fail. You wanted to ask Warren a few things, but the situation was not hospitable to secret conversations. You noticed that a knight was holding the banner, the coat of arms of Thelgin, faithfully and proudly, as befits a king. (live: 38s) [(color: yellow) [// And the hours passed quickly ... //]] (live: 43s) [(color: yellow) [// ... silently... //]] (live: 50s) [... and somehow, after a long journey you arrived in the city of Perdeth, the metropolis under the rule of Thelgin. It was bigger than yours. And it looked bright, illuminated and new. It is obvious that their citizens are prospering. The crystal clear alleys, the smells of fragrant food, the few but carefree people were walking down the street, as you arrived late in the afternoon, 30 hours after leaving that village. -Here, [[we got->Thelgin]], said the officer, reaching the marble stairs of Thelgin tower.] ]

[After you got off, the soldiers escorted you to the main hall of Thelgin Tower. You remained speechless with wealth. Gold candlesticks and gilded furniture with mahogany wood inserts, knights with polished armor that you could almost clearly see yourself mirrored and a bunch of servants doing their job speechless. The knights left and you were left alone with the officer. In the background a large, fairly large fireplace was burning. -Now His Majesty will come to see you. You can sit down, you will be served wine and food. Here you go... He extended his hand to a small dining room in front of the fireplace. Sit with you. -What's your name; asked Warren. - I am Halkanin, advisor to King Thelgin. -How did you find out about us? -A king, a righteous king, takes care to learn everything about his kingdom, don't you think Lord Gorn? You were so angry that you dreamed of separating his head from the rest of his body. -And what does he want from us? - But a Marshal of Onsalank is always welcome in Thelgin's house. He just believes, and he will prove it to you, that he had the wrong boss. The little $name is infinite, it's time for Onsalank to unite, at last. You could not stand the insults, you were held back, but you were tempted to speak: -And by what jurisdiction should Thelgin be used as king of Onsalank? When he has ... Warren interrupted you. -The little one is small, do not pay attention to Halkanin. -This would happen anyway. He seems a strong lad, he will be useful and he submissive. He laughed again. And you were detained again. Without realizing it, you had eaten your food with small talk about Perdeth. After a while, Halkanin got up and turned to you and said; - It's time to call King Thelgin. Serve wine, do not be ashamed. He laughed disparagingly. It was the opportunity! You need to talk quickly with [[Warren->Thelgin2]] ]

[-It was nonsense $name to come with me. You had to go back. -The plan broke down and I will see the enemy of my house. Opportunity to get rid of it once and for all. Your $equip are in our hands. -No no no. Let us know. We just have to meet the messenger who will come from Onsalank to bring us news from the east and the west, as we agreed. -And where will this happen? -If I have calculated them correctly, the next morning we must meet in the forest of Hleb. It is that forest in our right hand that we met a few hours before we got here. He has an inn there, this is where we will wait for him. -And how are we going to get out of here? We will leave after we kill the traitor or we will arrange it another time. "We will not bother Thelgin, at least not yet," Warren said, scratching his nose. If we hurt him we lost everything. Also if he understands who you are the same will happen. He must not see $equip. Then everything will be revealed. He is not a fool. You went to ask him who warned you to be arrested, but you did not catch up. A tall, husky man was accompanying Thelgin, who was slowly approaching you. Thelgin was a white-haired man with shiny and well-groomed skin. His eyes scanned his guests, that is, you, from head to toe. Warren stood up and bowed slightly. You reluctantly followed by making a [[bow->Thelgin3.]]]

[-What do I owe the honor of the general of Onsalank visiting me in my House? Thelgin asked with more arrogance. - They brought us, we did not come, you said and you heard Warren growl. -And who are you? (link-reveal: "-I...") [... I am ...] - He is in exile, as am I, Lord Thelgin. From Onsalank he is a peasant. -Very well groomed for a farmer is ... Hmmm ... He approached you and looked at your face intently. -And you do not have a name, my new? You were trying to remember the random name you said to the officer when you were arrested. Fortunately, Warren remembered that ... - In fact. Well? Do you have something to tell me? - No, you said abruptly. You felt that if Warren could, he would hit you for your answers. -Nice. So you do not have. I have. You Lord Lord Gorn, or rather former Lord, I want you on my council. The new king, whose name escapes me, I do not care at all, he creates problems like his old father. You felt blood rush to your head. You would probably blush and that would show. - Do you want Warren? Do you want to do what you have learned to do all your life? To fight and submit to your king? You know, you are in my house and I am your king now. And you little one, and you. He coughed a little. Warren was skeptical. -Where can I find you useful my lord? -But your experience and your knowledge, as well as your past in Onsalank is something more than useful to me. - All I know how to do is fight. - I know, and that's why you are precious to me. And you, my young man, are useful. You are beautiful, well-groomed, everything you need for a servant of my yard. -There is no chance. You answered him simply, concisely and concisely. -Ha! You have a little audacity, I like that. But you do not have that option. -I said no. You are not my king, I do not have a king, I belong to myself first. To no one else. Not even to the old warrior, you said pointing to Warren. -Small, you do not make me a farmer. I would like you to leave the sword you have on your back on the table and get away from it. -Lord Thelgin, forgive the rudeness of the little warrior. You guessed it, he is not a farmer, he is a rude and mindless warrior, with excessive audacity. - In fact, in fact. Well, Warren, I want you to be a lieutenant general. I have a plan to organize an association of Onsalank under my supervision. The young $name is small and inexperienced. He will not succeed and northerners are already coming to our places in recent years to live better here. You too will live better here. What is your interest? You noticed that he was an excellent diplomat. -If you allow me, Lord Thelgin, it is difficult for me to accept such a thing. I'm old, I'm not for fights anymore. -You will not have to fight, just give orders, under my general. I want some information. -If I give you the information you ask for, are we free? -Yes. You are free. After you want it, you are. But believe me, in a little while you would not want to be in the place of any other place that is not under my supervision. (color: cyan) [// ... definitely means northern Onsalank ... //] -Tell me lord, what do you want to know? - I want to know about the Onsalank mines, north of the Garbereth house. Operate; - No, my lord, they do not work. And I know the stories from the $name house. -And this $name intends to reopen them? -From what I know, not my lord. - In fact, in fact. What is your opinion on this? Gorn laughed ironically. His reaction surprised you and made you more alert for anything. -Lord Thelgin, I have been following orders for so many years. I have no opinions. Now I want to reach a quiet village and drink wine all day and have women caressing my beard. Nothing else. Thelgin burst out laughing. It took a few minutes for it to stop. - You will have them, Gorn, you will have them. But here the little one is at the beginning of his life and not at the end of it. He will tell me. -The mines were closed by the ancestors of $name. They considered it a curse to have mines that everyone wants under their work. Why do you want them? - But why else? Wealth to the people of Onsalank. -Gemstones are not eaten, Lord Thelgin ... - Mmmmmm ... You have morals and wisdom. I like this. He approached you again and rested his hand on your shoulder. You quickly planned to remove it from the rest of his body with one blow, but you held on. - This is what I am asking my young man. I want to reopen the mines. -Will you give the stones that you will find to the people of Onsalank? Thelgin burst out laughing again. - You know, little one, when I was your age, I also saw things as romantic as you. Now I have reviewed many of what I believed. -Garbeteret was romantic until the end of his life, not everyone is like you. Warren wanted to jump on his nerves. -Leave him free, my Lord. He is young and does not understand much. I will help you in whatever you want. -Okay, okay, I got it. He tapped his fingers twice and two armed guards appeared. - [[Drive->prison]] the young man in his room, tomorrow he will be free to leave, he said. You, Lord Gorn, promised me that I would get what I asked for. You know I do not forget that ... ]

(color: yellow) [// It is important to save your progress now, as there is a chance that the game will end soon for your character ... //] (color: green) [// Your morale is: <$morale> and you keep: <$equip>. Your defense is: <$Armor> and you can inflict up to <$attDmg> damage points. Also wear <$wear> //] {(link:"Save game")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ Game saved! ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]} {(link:"Restart")[ (click:"Restart")[ (set: $loyalty to 2) (reload:)] (goto: "Start") ]} [The guards led you to a room on the ground floor with a heavy wooden door that was open. You went in and there was waiting for a suffering man, middle-aged, dirty and cachectic. He was sitting on a wooden bench, in a damp room with a light bulb burning. They put you in, as if they were tricking you and the door closed behind you as soon as you entered and heard it lock. You were surprised and tried to open it, but in vain. - Do not hit, young man, do not hit. You do not escape, you do not escape anything from the moment you passed the door. -Who you are; -It does not matter who I am, after all I do not remember anymore. Sit down, rest, tomorrow you have a difficult day. - That is? -Maybe tomorrow you will fight for your life, young man. In the arena small, in the arena. -Which arena? -This door leads to the arena, young man, to the arena, he said and bit an old apple. Tomorrow Lord Thelgin gets married and as usual, he will have a celebration and ... an arena. - But, I was told that I would rest and be free. - They fooled you little ones, they fooled you. He spat out a skin he could not chew. You looked at a small closed door in the dark of a corner of the cold room. -Did they feed you well? You did not answer. -Do not be afraid young man, lie down in bed, you will need a good night's sleep. -Who are you? Watch what you say. - I do not remember young man, I have been here for many years. I never went out in the arena, young man, I never went out. And you can never go out, young man, and you can. But you will sit here, with me, forever. The only way out of here, young man, from here, to the arena. All I remember as a young man was that Hammerstone kicked me out and I came here to find a better fortune. And that was my luck young man. Tomorrow he marries his daughter. It will be here. - Have others passed through here? you asked. - But more and more someone is coming. And voices and cries and pain and death are heard. Who knows what is happening young man, who knows. [[Sleep->sleepless]] young, sleep ...]

[Lie down on a wooden bed without a mattress, so that your back hurts after a while and makes you not move. The stranger sitting in the chair had fallen asleep after a while. You heard his rhythmic snoring and imagined him as if he had been nailed to a chair. On the other hand, you were skillfully imprisoned and tomorrow, on the occasion of his marriage to Thendil, you will fight for your life. Without even knowing that you are the king of Onsalank. But even if he knew it, it would be more dishonorable death to die in the arena that forced you to fight, without even any compensation for your possible victory. And who will be your opponent? For no reason at all, you will slowly get out of this situation. But his marriage to Thendil clarifies things a little. The attack on Thendil's entourage when he left Onsalank was the work of either Thelgin or Hammerstone. You need to find a small opening in the opportunities that will be given to you tomorrow in order to make the most of your position, but also the position of your people. Thendil. You have nothing to do with her. Tomorrow you will see her unexpectedly fast on the podiums. You almost hated the kingdoms, and these incomprehensible meanings of the selfish kings. You did not learn like that, your father was not like that ... Tomorrow, today, in a little while ... you will [[fight->arena]].]

[(color: green) [The morning found you relaxed, with an unexpected physical strength, a strength that seemed to heal your body from the last battles and your journey. It was unexpected, but extremely useful as you were not like that the night before and the concern that left you almost awake was that you were not able to defend yourself with all your might in the arena.] (color: yellow) [The man who was talking to you last night woke up to the voices of the people gathering in the arena. You heard voices and excitement, trumpets playing official rhythms and time was lost from your perception.] -Today I will fight with you, young man, I decided. I saw in my dream a very beautiful lady, a woman who was as sweet as a poisonous flower full of colors. It gave me the strength to get out of here, one way or another. You did not answer. The small door in the corner opened, and you entered a small arena at the back of the crowded castle. In the official was that beauty that a few days ago left you speechless. Next to Thelgin were Hammerstone and Gorn in the attire and attire of a Thelgin officer. Nothing impresses you anymore. Your breath became heavier and you sharpened your sword. The man was with you holding a small, rusty sword. Before the trumpet sounded at the start of the show you thought he would probably lose his life quickly. On the opposite side a door opened and a lioness was thrown to surround you menacingly. { (set: $morale to 40) (set: $AttackerMorale to 30) (set: $AttackerArmour to 5) (set: $AttackerDmg to 10) (set: $init to (random: 1, $AttackerDmg) - $Armor) (if: $init> 0) [ (set: $morale to $morale- $init)] (if: $init <0) [(set: $init = 0)] } (color: yellow) [The lioness manages to hit $init damage points.] (color: green) [Morale now became $morale] { (set: $init to (random: 1,4)) (set: $AttackerMorale to $AttackerMorale- $init) (if: $init <0) [(set: $init = 0)] } (color: yellow) [Your ally hits you with his sword, earning $init damage points to the lioness.] { (set: $init to (random: 1, $attDmg)) (set: $AttackerMorale to $AttackerMorale- $init) (if: $init <0) [(set: $init = 0)] } (color: yellow) [You hit $equip hitting $init damage points to the lioness. Now her morale is $AttackerMorale.] ] [[Attack again->arena1Loop]]

{ (set: $init to (random: 1, $AttackerDmg) - $Armor) (if: $init > 0) [ (set: $morale to $morale- $init)] (if: $init < 0) [(set: $init = 0)] } (color: yellow) [The lion manages to hit you with $init damage points.] (color: green) [Your Morale is now $morale] { (set: $init to (random: 1, $attDmg)) (set: $AttackerMorale to $AttackerMorale- $init) (if: $init <0) [(set: $init = 0)] } (color: yellow) [You manage to hit with $equip by giving $init damage points to the lioness.] (color: green) [Now her Morale is: $AttackerMorale] { (if: $AttackerMorale <= 0) [The lioness fell dead from your blow. The crowd cheered from the spectacle! [[You killed the lioness->endArena1]] (set: $loyalty to $loyalty + 1)] (else-if: $morale >= 0 and $AttackerMorale > 0) [ [[Attack again->arena1Loop]]] (else:) [You fell unconscious and hit [[down->endGame]]] }

[Panting, you watched the man bleed. You also looked at your body and saw heavy wounds on you. The crowd shouted: "Zorg, Zorg, Zorg ..." Felgin nodded and out of the door came the lioness who was bleeding, now came a tall man, with heavy armor and a huge hammer he was holding with both hands. You did not see his face, only a shadow. A shadow that terrified you as your wounds had weakened you enough. Felgin ordered the attack. Before receiving the first blows, you managed to chant two words: "Fight by avoiding blows." You hoped he heard you. (set: $AttackerMorale to 30) (set: $AttackerArmour to 15) (set: $AttackerDmg to 8) (set: $init to (random: 1, $AttackerDmg) - $Armor) (if: $init> 0) [ (set: $morale to $morale- $init)] (if: $init <0) [(set: $init = 0)] (color: yellow) [Zorg manages to hit $init damage points.] (color: green) [To Morale now became $morale] { (set: $init to (random: 1,4)) (set: $AttackerMorale to $AttackerMorale- $init) (if: $init <0) [(set: $init = 0)] } (color: yellow) [Your ally hits you with his sword, earning $init damage points in Zorg.] { (set: $init to (random: 1, $attDmg-2)) (set: $AttackerMorale to $AttackerMorale- $init) (if: $init <0) [(set: $init = 0)] } (color: yellow) [You hit $equip hitting $ init damage points on Zorg. Now his morale is $AttackerMorale.] ] [[Attack again->arena2Loop]]

[Shortly before you fell dead, Blanc appeared in front of you and said: -I'm sorry for what happened to you, but know that your son will have all the help I can give him to rule Onsalank as he deserves. Maybe more help than I gave you. There was nothing I could do. I'm sorry... You had a lot to do ... I'm sorry...] {(link: "Restart") [ (click: "Restart") [ (set: $loyalty to 2) (reload:)] (goto: "Start") ]}

{ (set: $init to (random: 1, $AttackerDmg) - $Armor) (if: $init > 0) [ (set: $morale to $morale- $init)] (if: $init < 0) [(set: $init = 0)] } (color: yellow) [Zorg manages to hit $init damage points.] (color: green) [Your Morale is now $morale] { (set: $init to (random: 1, $attDmg-2)) (set: $AttackerMorale to $AttackerMorale - $init) (if: $init < 0) [(set: $init = 0)] } (color: yellow) [You manage to hit $equip by giving $init damage points to Zorg.] { (set: $init to (random: 1,4)) (set: $AttackerMorale to $AttackerMorale - $init) (if: $init < 0) [(set: $init = 0)] } (color: yellow) [Your ally has struck with his sword, giving $init damage points to Zorg.] (color: green) [Now his Morale is: $AttackerMorale] { (if: $AttackerMorale <= 0) [Zorg fell dead from the blow. The crowd was silent from this development! [[You killed Zorg->endArena2]] (set: $loyalty to $loyalty + 1)] (else-if: $morale >= 0 and $AttackerMorale > 0) [ [[Attack again->arena2Loop]]] (else:) [You fell unconscious and hit [[down->endGame]]] }

[In the stillness of the crowd and with Zorg dead in a pool of blood, and you wounded, like your ally, Thelgin stood up and shouted: -This fighter here who killed Zorg is the son of the king of Onsalank, $name, who came to my house to dethrone me ... He burst out laughing and continued. - Really capable, no one in the arena had done it alone with Zorg. It took two. He nodded to an archer behind him, who marked and released his arrow so fast that you could not understand him from the pain and wounds in your body. The arrow found your ally in the head and he fell dead. -Now, after he sneaked into my house, with his general, as if I did not understand him, he wanted to kill me. Now it is his turn to die, here, in my house, in my arena, in MY country, and to finally unite northern Onsalank under my supervision. -No, please do not do it! cried Thendil, holding him by the shoulders. With one motion he threw her back into place. -From what I see, the queen of Onsalank has objections, which she will soon forget. Grab him and behead him. With two quick glances you saw Warren ready to intervene, but also Tendil crying. (if: $loyalty > 4) [The crowd disapproved of Thelgin's orders.] The guard appeared through the door that Zorg entered and the lioness in the arena. -If you are a king and I claim your throne, come down and solve it ourselves, like knights. (if: $loyalty > 4) [The crowd approved your invitation to a duel. Hammerstone stood up and shouted; - I have previous with him. Besides, I never liked his house. Not even his father. [[I will duel->arena3]], Hammerstone.] (else:) [- Are you a knight? He burst out laughing. Look at your crap small. [[Catch him->prison2]]. Tomorrow I will behead him and I will remove every sign from his house.] ]

[Hammerstone came down from the official platform unleashing his sword, a sword that looked elaborate and well-sharpened. You heard Tendil shout "No, no, no, father, don't do this please ..." But Hammerstone was adamant. He reached in front of you and attacked you with quick movements. It was those few fractions of a second that you felt $equip burn, your hand become one with it, light and sharp as a razor. The sword spoke to you and you responded with anger nurturing your strength. You have to hit hard and hard and you will kill him. { (set: $AttackerMorale to 40) (set: $AttackerArmour to 10) (set: $AttackerDmg to 10) (set: $morale to $morale + 10) (set: $init to (random: 1, $AttackerDmg) - $Armor) (if: $init> 0) [ (set: $morale to $morale- $init)] (if: $init < 0) [(set: $init = 0)] } (color: yellow) [Hammerstone manages to hit $init damage points.] (color: green) [To Morale now became $morale] { (set: $init to (random: 1, $attDmg + 4)) (set: $AttackerMorale to $AttackerMorale- $init) (if: $init <0) [(set: $init = 0)] } (color: yellow) [You hit $equip hitting $init damage points in Hammerstone. Now his morale is $AttackerMorale.] ] [[Attack again->arena3Loop]]

[You returned, accompanied by soldiers, to the damp and dark waiting room for the arena, this time alone. Cracks and abrasions were visible on your body, blood was running from your wounds and you got to the point of wondering how you could get so involved. Remember the image of Thendil staring at you. Maybe he was crying, you're not sure. You lay down on the small and uncomfortable bed to rest from the battle. And Warren? What happened to Warren? Will it help you? You fell asleep, after just taking care of your wounds as much as you could.] (live: 8s) [(color: cyan) [// ... I need help. A little help to get out of here ... //]] [You could not leave here without Warren's help. Did Warren betray you? Your thoughts were interrupted by the door hurrying to open. Thendil came in, beautiful and radiant, behind her attractive white skin a smile was painted. -My dear $name, I'm very sorry, but I can not do anything else. My father you know ... - I do not want you to tell me anything ... - You know ... I ... I do not want it ... - Thendil, we helped get out of here. You know it's unfair. You know. - They will hang me if they find out that I helped you escape. And for me I do not care ... For the baby I have inside me I care ... - Well, then, if you do not help me, they will hang me. Of course you ignored her last sentence, unintentionally. - $name, to know that your son will continue your work, I want you! He will become the king of Onsalank in a few years. - But, how, since we did not ... meet. -What do you mean; said Thendil, looking at you in astonishment. You remained silent, really without understanding. "I know," Thendil said, "you do not trust me that the baby inside me is yours." You think it's Thelgin. But, that night, you were wonderful ... You know, you do not leave my mind ... She burst into tears. You remained silent. A guard opened the door and ordered Tendil to leave. And you were left alone in the room again. (live: 20s) [(color: cyan) [// ... And the time was passing and your despair was drowning ... //]] (live: 22s) [(color: red) [// ... Blanc appeared through a cloud of smoke ... "[[Hold my hand->blancSave]], quickly ...", he said .. .//]]]

{ (set: $init to (random: 1, $AttackerDmg) - $Armor) (if: $init > 0) [ (set: $morale to $morale- $init)] (if: $init < 0) [(set: $init = 0)] } (color: yellow) [Hammerstone manages to hit $init damage points.] (color: green) [Your Morale is now $morale] { (set: $init to (random: 1, $attDmg + 4)) (set: $AttackerMorale to $AttackerMorale - $init) (if: $init < 0) [(set: $init = 0)] } (color: yellow) [You manage to hit $equip by giving $init damage points to Hammerstone.] (color: green) [Now his Morale is: $AttackerMorale] { (if: $AttackerMorale <= 0) [Hammerstone fell dead from the blow. [[You killed Hammerstone->endArena3]] (set: $loyalty to $loyalty + 1)] (else-if: $morale >= 0 and $AttackerMorale> 0) [ [[Attack again->arena3Loop]]] (else:) [You fell unconscious and hit [[down->endGame]]] }

[Hammerstone fell dead, and just before you fainted from the wounds and pain or the intensity of the battle and the forces that left you, you heard Tendil crying out to her father in tears. (color: cyan) ["... please do not kill him ..."] You heard her voice in your head, but you fell into a deep [[stony...->prison3]]]

[(color: yellow) [// ... You woke up in the familiar prison with a fever burning your body .... //] (live: 3s) [(color: yellow) [// ... You woke up and saw Thendil taking care of your wounds ... //]] (live: 6s) [(color: yellow) [// ... You woke up and saw Thelgin ordering you to stay in prison until the end of your life ... //]] (live: 9s) [(color: yellow) [// ... You do not know how many days you are here ... //]] (live: 12s) [(color: red) [// ... Blanc appeared through a cloud of smoke ... "[[Hold my hand->blancSave]], fast ...", he said .. .//]]]

(color: yellow) [// ... Holding Blanc's hand, you traveled with her in space and time. A serene calm both in your body and in your mind accompanied you on this journey. Scenes, thoughts and dreams were tangled in a tangle in your mind, however you did not care about anything during this journey. A few moments later, you found yourself in your room, safe // ...] [-I know, $name, you do not trust me and you have many questions to ask me. Know that I am with you. I know you hate me, but I act for the good of this place. And as much as I can, I help. Do not expect to understand much, you can not explain it with logic. Just let ... time act as he knows it well. You were silent for a while. -Thendil ... -I know, $name, that you care about her as much as you care about your son! You made love to her, I was just the ... mediator. - I did not make love to her! you said angry. With you... - I do not expect you to understand ... But I tell you the truth, $name! I am leaving now. Warren will be here in a few days. Oh, and let me tell you something, it's already summer ... Space-time travel is ... relative. Take care of your people now and make the right decisions. (if: $equip is not "Sword of Onsalnac") [- Hold it! You will need it! He shows you an ornately decorated with precious stones and a perfectly sharpened large sword ... (set: $equip to "Sword of Onsalanc")] Blanc disappeared into a cloud of smoke as she appeared. Moments later, Fed entered your room shouting for joy. - $name, you're back! I am very happy to see you! We were all worried about you and Warren. From what I learned, Gorn is on his way back. He just passed the outpost to the southwest. I have a lot to tell you. -Me too, my dear Fed! And I! - [[I'm waiting for you->councilWB]] in the council room! he said and closed the door behind him.]

{(link:"Save game")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ Game saved! ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]} {(link:"Restart")[ (click:"Restart")[ (set: $loyalty to 2) (reload:)] (goto: "Start") ]} [Fed was waiting for you with hot tea and fruit. You were alone in the room, it had not changed at all and Fed's joy was not hidden behind his smile. It was the first time you saw him smile so much. -My lord, I hand over to you your duties again, after so many months, and my report. I have been preparing it all this time, but you will soon see it written in [[documents->fedsReport]]. -What happened to Dimiron? - Dimiron is with us. Graon alerted and has an army ready to help us when needed. -This is good news! you said. -Yes, it is, $name! We have also been well fortified in the outposts with triple shifts and we have been fortified against Hammerstones. We are unaware of his news as well as news about Thendil. I'm sorry... - I know about them, Fed. I will tell you another time. I want you to tell me about mines, Fed, you haven't told me about them. -Everything happened very quickly, my lord! But why do you ask me? -Because Thelgin eagerly desires these. And I want to know why. -I think it is better to read your father's documents in the [[file->library]].]

[// Archive of the results of the administration of the kingdom. Written in place of King $name by Fed Blackhead.// ['' Cereals in the kingdom's warehouses: $grain tons Rice: $rice tons Flour: $flour tons Seeds for vegetables: $beans tons Bows: $bows Battle armor: $meleeweapons Catapults: $catapults Horses for cavalry in the royal stables: $ warhorses Rigging for the Knights: $armory Shields and swords: $swords Gold coins of the kingdom: $goldcoins ''] // Allies: Dimiron House. Fortification: All outposts and fortifications to the east.// ] [[Back->councilWB]]

[From noon until noon you spent in the basement of your tower, where the Onsalank archives have been hidden for 130 years now by your ancestors. They are all graded and arranged, handwritten and stamped, which only the king of Onsalank at any given time can unseal. Fed, and before him the secretaries of the kings of Onsalank, kept important facts and figures concerning the kingdom. Most of the time you were looking for the archive of the mines of the north, but often you were distracted by various other records, such as the one with the events of Thelgin's betrayal of your father. Regarding the latter, you found up and down what you had discussed in the council that you did before your trip. And the hours passed, alone in the dark library, with the light from the torches on the walls forming indefinite shadows dancing. But you came across various facts about the mines: // '' 250 miners worked for ten years in the mines '' // // '' Of these, 12 had accidents and lost their lives '' // // '' The mines were the main source of iron, copper and other metals that supplied all of Onsalank with raw materials for weapons and other constructions '' // // ''And they dug deeper and deeper during those ten years, under the reign of Thompton''// // '' The older kings avoided the mines, as there were various myths about curses and misfortunes for those who worked there. These myths were reinforced by the 12 accidents, but that was not the reason they closed '' // // '' Two days and nights of travel, in the bowels of the earth, precious stones were found '' // // '' King Thompton, wanting to quell the myths about the mines, considered it a sign of good luck and tried to convince his people about it. Thelgin was still in Thompton's court when this happened '' // // '' Many experts were recruited in the gems, from all the nine kingdoms of the known world '' // // '' Onsalank acquired wealth and fame for this find, under the reign of Thompton '' // // '' The Sword of Onsalank, the sword your father had, as well as the necklace of Onsalank, were made of metals and stones from this mine '' // And somewhere there you read a phrase that you have left: (color: yellow) [// '' Stones seem to have magical powers '' //] Then your father tells the story of Thelgin's betrayal. However, Onsalank gained a reputation as a mighty kingdom ruled by various houses, such as those of Hammerstone and Dimiron, and none of the rulers and kings of the nine kingdoms dared to oppose Tampon. Even after Thelin's betrayal. The last sentence in your father's file about mines was: // '' The mines must be closed. It is the greatest curse for the people of Onsalank. I will hand over Onslank's Sword and Onslank necklace to High Priest Blanc. '' // ... You were skeptical for a while and closed the book and re-sealed it with your coat of arms. You have decided to [[retire->GuornWB]] to your room.]

{(link:"Restart")[ (click:"Restart")[ (set: $loyalty to 2) (reload:)] (goto: "Start") ]} [The house was built right at the foot of Mount Tode, a mountain that had a green veil of coniferous trees spread over it, giving a cool breeze in the summer when it rolled down from the north, while in winter the snow covered its mysterious white. on the roofs of houses that were scattered in the settlement northwest of Rusk. The window faced the whole valley that consisted of Rusk, the small settlement that was the house and the fields that the inhabitants of this large village cultivated with all kinds of vegetables, corn and wheat. Some mornings the mountain seemed to cast its shadow menacingly, a few miles northwest of Rusk, where the summers were balmy when the hot rays of the sun whipped the houses at noon, making the work of the farmer and stockbreeder lame, their sunburned skins. The strongest became farmers and ranchers, those seeking adventure ascended northeast to the great cities of Onsalank, lest they become warriors whose history and songs would write them, the luckiest were in the protection of the famous town houses, under of courtiers, ensuring them a rich life. The unlucky ones got involved in risky adventures. Others ended up in the cages of a slave trader who sold souls for a few gold coins, condemning them to a barbaric life. From there they reached an arena for the bloody appetites of the rich who gambled on their lives or some mines with eternal, daring endless work in the soil and tobacco. This was the fate of the boys of Rusk and other small villages in central-western Onsalank. ] [[continue->sideStory1]]

[On the other hand, the girls learned to weave, to cook, to take care of the men of the house from the daily work, of those who were left behind, or to wait in the cold winters for their husbands, brothers, fathers and husbands. Some of these blonde girls were mourning their loss in some of these stories they tell children about fairy tales, in songs the courtiers, in the hat the friends with the mugs full of wine. Still others had the courage to leave the pacific Rusk and travel far and wide into the unknown forests of Onsalank lest their fate become better than it seems written. Rusk, for the most daring minds and traveling spirits, is a peaceful place that you dare not fit. Summer children's make-up is not enough to exhaust the energy that their teenage bodies feel, and one night it is enough to gather their few belongings and take the eastern road that the caravans pass to discover until knowledge, strength and their imagination. It does not have a library, the few letters they learn are from father to son and from mother to daughter at the time of knitting. Letters, stories and songs are mixed in the evening hours before the meal and at the end of the day the fairy tales accompany their childhood heart to the dream world until the next morning. The stone houses add the most famous stories when the smoked pig or the hare with onions, along with other delicacies, is served at the dinner table. There, the father of the house, having another hard day engraved on his back, thanks the gods for the harvest and hugs his children by the light of the lamp, making the mother smile with happiness. In some houses the father is missing somewhere far away and the teenage thought is with the missing hero, accompanying him to safety at night when he sleeps. The news arrives late, like slow summers. Many are missing an entire life. Others return when they finish their work or when they escape the evils of this world. Then joy, celebration and festival is set up in the courtyards of the houses for the coming that most of the time seems unexpected. ] [[continue->sideStory2]]

[Rusk is a village under the protection of the house of Londan, and is located ten days northeast of Mount Tode, the last mountain in the Scorpio mountain range. Rusk's servitude is taxed twice a year. Every spring and autumn the Londan family arrives at the mayor of Rusk and through a representative collects the certain tax corresponding to each family in the village. This tax does not escape the households located on the slopes of Mount Tode, which do not belong to Rusk in the sense of spatial planning, however the economic transactions of the settlement without a name focus on Rusk. Taxation is reflected in gold and silver coins and, less frequently, in goods produced by Rusk. The mayor is elected every five years, when the fields are rotated for fallow according to the traditions they hold from father to son. This ensures a satisfactory yield of the fields, but doomed households that do not have many fields are forced into inactivity for a year. There, the villagers help the house that is inactive, while the most housewives of them have taken care to sell the goods that they have collected all year round, for the whole period of set-aside, in the caravans that pass through the main road that connects the South Onsalank with Wildbourne. The agreement is generally held in high esteem as the Noble House is known for its peaceful and equitable distribution of wealth throughout its territory, from Wildbourne to Rusk. This makes it a house that has strong legs from its subordinates, making it one of the most powerful houses in Onsalank, whose history is lost in the depths of the centuries. Taxation is fair and light, and any misconduct is dealt with with justice directly, either through its authorized representatives in the districts, and in the most difficult cases in the Windpoen courts. Wildbourne's leadership is strong and the ancestors of the house exist in the folk traditions and songs of its people. The times are gloomy and the messages coming from the caravans are disturbing. Macius Londan manages his subordination with a fist, but Onsalank is a tormented place for his people. In the quiet Rusk, the teenager Led was standing at the window of his room, gazing at the beautiful shades of the sun he was eating. He dreamed of making those trips to Windpoen for a start, as his father had told him. The smell of animals was disgusting now for the teen Led, who has been thinking since he was very young to become a traveler to learn and experience the story of Onsalank up close. Every night, like this, he does not forget to ask his father to tell him tales about the myths of this place, about the dragon-born, the dragons, the forest people far away in Lod, the creatures that haunt the towers of fighters, the famous battles of Onsalank, the songwriters of the houses. ] [[continue->sideStory3]]

[So this sunset is waiting for his father to return from the animals to catch him one more night to recall days from the travels he made when he was young, with unique words to narrate those years that marked his youth. He is not bored to hear about his beloved mother who lost her life from a serious unknown disease, which no doctor could save, no alchemist and no magician. It was evening, and his father had not yet returned from milking. Led had already prepared dinner early and was flipping through the parchments of his father's travels. Older Midd had taught him to read and write since he was a child, and one day he would give him unwritten parchments to write his own story, deep in Onsalank's story. That night, the breeze roamed carefree on the roofs of his house, chilling the sweat on his back and listening to the rustle of leaves from the trees in the yard telling their own story through time. Elder Midd rushed into the house and saw Led standing at the window with the parchments spread out at his feet. A warm smile found him waiting for him as a reward for the hard work of the day. Led let go of the star toys and glared at his father, proud of the table he had served. "Are you back father?" , turned to him behind the light of the lamp. Old Midd closed the door behind him, enchanted by the smells of dinner. "My little Led, it smells great! What did you prepare tonight? " "Boiled greens and salted fish, with sweet potato and carrot broth. I also boiled two eggs from the henhouse, today ", she begged him proudly for his achievement. From the window was an owl from the opposite tree, which accompanied Led and his father some nights that summer. His father took off his clothes, put on his evening gowns and washed his hands in the barrel. He sat at the table satisfied with the toils of the day and caressed his curly-haired son's head with affection. "They are wonderful Led, thank you! What would I do without you" "And I miss mom, dad, like today we lost her three years ago." Old Midd's eyes were watery and a sheen mirrored the light of the lamp on their daughters. The father started eating and tried to calm his greed with some red wine. Led, pleased with his father's appetite, looked him in the wide eyes as if waiting to hear from his lips what he had been waiting for so many years. The caravan was to cross the East Road the next day, and Midd had planned to sell all the cheese to the accompanying merchants to raise money for Rusk's half-yearly tax. Twenty heads of cheese was enough for the price of the tax, a production he had been collecting for the last three months. "Did you feed the horses in the morning?" Midd asked him after the first greedy bites. "Yes, father, they are ready. "I will wake up tomorrow with you to load things up," she replied happily. "My son, don't give this to me, you look to read, to learn to cook well, so that one day you can become a courtier. We will go to Wildbourne soon to introduce you to the house of Londan, I heard that this year they will get twenty for their yard ". Old Midd drowned the last words in two sips of wine. Led did not turn anything around and remained skeptical. "... sit down to rest and do what I told you, I will be alone for three days", he added. Led started telling him what he was thinking, but in the end a pounding sound came from the depths of his throat. He clicked and stopped. This conversation had been made for a long time, it was not his dream. His father wanted his son to become a London courtier, a chef if possible. That's how he dreamed it. Every night he counted the days he had left as a farmer with the fatigue weighing on his shoulders. He did not want such a thing for his son, while he closed his ears to the news coming from the north. He claimed that evil would never reach Rusk, a blessed place he called it. He finished his meal without exchanging another word. Led followed his father to bed and asked him to tell him the story of the dragon. He, obviously tired, snatched him away with a sardonic smile. "Another time, my son, tomorrow I have a trip to do, after all you have heard the story countless times. "What parchments did you read today?", Was his question for good night. ] [[continue->sideStory4]]

"All at once, father," she told him and smiled sweetly at him. Inwardly, he disagreed with his father, but he waited patiently for time to decide what his future would be. His thirst for knowledge of the world did not allow him to sleep a few nights like this, especially when his father was traveling. No, the world was big and its fate was not written on the outskirts of Tode. He felt it. The unknown enchanted him, people caught up with him in the writings of his father's parchments and he was thirsty to write his own. He longed to meet the woman of his life, far away from Rusk, and open his own home, making his own money, making his own children. Self-made spirit, iron fist, strong will. The moonlight of the blue moon illuminated the window next to his bed. A cool breeze blew into his room and made the light from the lamp flicker. Shadows from the furniture played and the branches from the trees rocked from this summer gift. Tomorrow was predicted to be hot. He had made his decision early on, he had to get up with his father and help him load. A dizziness came to him before he fell asleep. It was nothing more than a picture of himself after many years. He was smiling, good sign. Then he was left in dreams happy and full of thoughts. The owl was sleeping on his headrest, in the opposite tree. Everything seemed idyllic. The tweets caressed his ears like a bargain from the most famous songwriters. The sunbeams projected from the window directly on his face and washed his eyes. The shots from the kids could be heard below. He listened for a while to the sounds of the settlement and was shaken from his bed like a twig of a plane tree. The buzzing of horses could be heard from the stable and he suddenly realized that the time had passed. He ran to his father's room and found him sleeping soundly as the lamp had not yet gone out. "Father wake up! The time has passed ...", she told him as she shook him calmly on the shoulder. His father opened his heavy eyelids, which you can see were made of giant stone. She stared at him motionless for a while without realizing that breakfast had arrived. When he heard the horses barking he realized that he did not have much time, which made him jump out of bed at the same pace as his son. "And if I wanted you not to help me, now I can not ... I will lose the caravan, I'm late!", He said as he put on his clothes. They both left the house and took the cobbled alley that led to the warehouse. The wooden building was under the shade of a clump of cypress trees. They dragged the door and unlocked the latch that was blocking the entrance. Inside lay a series of wooden shelves, each of which had a head of yellow cheese. Below were some stakes in triads from where they had hung the towels with the fresh cheese that was draining. Next to a mountain of molds they awkwardly blocked the entrance to the room with the boiling cauldrons. Sacks of salt from southern Onsalank and spices, pepper and oil were all in a corner next to the cauldrons. ] [[continue->sideStory5]]

["We helped load the cart with the cheese and he went and put water on the horses to drink to have for the trip," she told him as she grabbed the first head of cheese and wrapped it in a towel. The movements were coordinated and mechanical, fast and hurried. As soon as the loading was over, old Midd got home to get the rest of the things he would need for the trip, and Led ran to water the horses. The eyes thanked him with a smirk and emptied the wooden buckets brought to them by their little master. Everything was ready and the father emerged in the yard with a sack in his back. He stood short and took a deep breath. "I think I will catch up! Thank you my son " "He's not doing anything, father, I told him I would get up to help you," Led replied with a smile. "Strip the cheeses that we have hung on the stakes at night, salt them and leave them on the free shelves. Also to boil the cauldron with the milk and make white cheese tomorrow morning, as I have taught you. Do not forget the ratio of salt, do not make them too salty, these cheeses are the extra money we lack for the winter. We will go through these, so be careful. By the time you do all this I will be back. I promise you that when I come back I will tell you the story of the dragon you asked me for last night. We will do the next trip together, I promise. "Goodbye my son, we will tell you in five days", he said and gave one to the horse leashes to start. "Goodbye father, I will wait for you" she said sweetly and his imagination had already flushed for the new adventure. He stayed there until the cart got lost in the first turn of the trail. For a while he stared at the green landscape as he dreamed of the next trip. Maybe one day their cheese will become famous all over Rusk, Windpoen, why not all over Onsalank? He imagined himself traveling to all parts of the then known world and selling their salty yellow cheese to courtiers and officers. Everyone would talk about it, about its crunchy flavor and texture, about how well it goes with fresh tomatoes and oil. The recipe was kept secret by his grandfather and had passed through the old man to him with endless repetitions in the evenings. In all his fantasies he had a common dream, to travel far and wide to discover a more beautiful place in Rusk where his children could read and write songs, than those that remain for centuries. A dark queen would sit next to him and look at him proudly, when he sat at the dinner table, recounting his adventures to the children. How nice that he had arranged everything! He went back home and made some boiled egg to eat and drink some milk last night. His stomach was purring happily with the new delicacies he was receiving. The two moons were still visible in the sky, both blue and yellow, standing high in the sky and gazing at the Onsalank with the sun from above. One day he had to write about them in the new parchments that his father would make for him soon, as he had been promised. ] [[continue->sideStory6]]

[He put on his work clothes and ran to the warehouse to unhook the five bobbins of cheese from the stakes. As he unwrapped them on the counter, he kept in mind the dosage of salt they needed. A cup of salt for ten heads of cheese spread, so for five, half. He put them next to each other and began to spread out a ritual that only old Midd knew how to do. He faithfully followed the spreading and the gentle rubbing of his hands on the fresh cheese. The cheese heads looked like little white balls and he wrapped them in clean towels that he brought through the house. He placed them on the shelves and let them mature in time. Boiling was an easy task, but he had to do it quickly so as not to cut the milk. Empty the buckets in the cauldron and light a fire with pine wood. A foul odor of smoke and boiling milk wafted through the air. The sun had begun to make the day temperature stifling, but the hut kept the cold of the mountain well hidden. Bring the milk to a boil and remove the cauldron by turning it with both hands, covered with two cloth gloves, side by side. He was stirring slowly with a wooden spoon and far earlier he had thrown a small dose of rennet that only old Midd knew how to make. The top layers of the mixture had already thickened and Led allowed the contents to cool until he could touch the cauldron with his bare hand. When he touched it without burning his hand, he poured half a cup of lemon juice and slowly stirred the top layers of the contents. Pellets formed on the surface of the milk with a yoghurt texture. With a wooden carved spoon he took the contents and emptied it into some improvised molds that had cloth strainers at the top of their construction, while the molds were at the bottom. Slowly pour the contents, taking care not to damage them, until all the formed pellets from the contents of the cauldron are finished. It was almost over for that morning. He would return in the evening to finish his work. Satisfied with the result, he emptied the remaining liquid into the ditch that was dug next to the warehouse, which descended to the adjacent fields. He finished by spreading cloths on the cheeses he had stored for protection from insects and closed the door behind him by taking the dirty cloths he had for washing. He collected them in the coffin he had next to the front door of his house, made of corn, a technique that the old man Midd had taught him - who else -. He left for the interior of his house thinking that while he was counting on five heads of cheese, seven came out. So he had to adjust the amount of salt he would pour early in the evening so that the cheese would get its own flavor. From this production onwards the money or exchanges would be theirs. A little salted meat, salted fish, salt, oil, spices were on the menu of his and his father's preferences, which made him happy for the harvest from then on. For a whole winter, no matter how friendly he was, no other obligation to the house of Londan, through the mayor, would be wasted. Especially the efforts of his father would not be wasted. He sat up in his bed and took the last parchments in his hands. His father's calligraphy was dazzling. Curved lines accompanied by twisting ends formed the protograms, while in his descriptions he did not forget to draw maps from his travels. He could not get enough of reading the parchments at night by the light of the lamp, he had learned them all from the outside. Commercial agreements, famous merchants and persons unknown to him, but so famous, with descriptions of persons and characters were in the subject matter of the texts. Maps of fraudulent places on him, as well as so many other young men of Rusk from Old man Midd's travels, to bring home a few gold coins to spend a winter, were tangled with writing mischievous to a common reader. But Led had read the texts so many times that he knew which map corresponded to which text. He understood this so clearly that if he had just started going up Onslank at that very moment to find a merchant known to his father, he would have done so with great ease. ] [[continue->sideStory7]]

[A few of the parchments mentioned some historical facts, some myths, some adventures of others, not of his father. These were Led's favorites and he read them when his blood boiled to flee the place where he was born. But today was not such a day as the work he had left behind was important, such as making the cheese before spoiling the milk. Concerns did not allow him to travel with his imagination as he would have liked. For that morning something else fell in front of him. For his mother. The one he knew only from his father's writings. "My dear Kelid, the colors of the sea are not enough to describe the blue-green eyes that look at me so sweetly when I have you in my arms. Every kiss of yours is after words and not all the songs of Rusk and Wildbourne are enough to show, like cowardly dripping rays, my joy. As you smile, endless waves of pleasure hit my body with rage. Your beauty is a godsend gift and you have dedicated it to me. What more can I do than hold you in my arms and give you my kisses under the shade of spruce? What gift can I give you to feel the joy in your heart, as I feel it? Today I am also descending from the north, tomorrow I will be in Wildbourne. I have sold out all the cheeses, it was worth the trip. I will be in town for a week, but I found a friend going down to Rusk and I asked him to give you this message. All the riches of the world are not enough to make me feel like the day I will meet you again. Wait for me and kiss my little one. Your husband Midd”] [[continue->sideStory8]]

[Kelind ... his mother's name filled the rooms of his heart with warmth. Each line of this parchment was dedicated to the quintessence of human existence. He read it over and over again and felt the lack of motherly caress and affection he had been deprived of. Toys of his mind made black and white images of what his mother looked like. She would definitely be beautiful, tall, with rich blonde hair, like his own. He would have taken his nose from her and the cheekbones. She would have freckles and her skin would be made up of small odors from her mother. She would be polite and kind. A clear breath of wind would caress her hair when she projected to the sun to take care of the flowers in the yard. But it would also be a flower! A red rose, a white orchid, a fragrant gauze. In the summers he would be left alone to wait for his father at home and prepare a hot vegetable pie with milk and egg. He would pickle the meat and cut the fruit. He would prepare sweets with yogurt and give him two spoons before the meal to sweeten his anticipation of the fragrances. She would hug him in the cold winter nights and tell him stories about his father from unknown places far away. She would knit woolen clothes to warm him from the white snow that would fall, when she would not have him in her arms. And these will smell mother. A caress of hers will be her gilded gift for good night and they will accompany him to the original parts of the dream. Good night ... ree can it disappear from the hungry gaze of predators. The closer he gets, the more he distinguishes the human form. She seems familiar to him, he has seen her somewhere before. She is a woman, she is tied up, she asks for help, she feels it. He notices his injured legs leaving traces of blood, but he does not stop. He has to solve the woman. But who is she? He has seen her before. When he gets there he recognizes her. She has her head bowed, a thread dripping from her nose. She is his mother. When he touches her shoulder and shakes her to wake up, hoping that he will wake up himself, then she opens her eyes and looks at him with an intense, spiky, piercing look that she will not forget. "Agard ..." she shouts before letting her head fall forward. Soul ... "Mother!" He shouted as a chair was thrown from the nightmare. The parchment has folded in front of his feet and everything seems to be in place. It was dark all around, it was night. Sweaty as he was, he felt the icy breeze sting his back as he came in through the open window. The cracking of a predator was heard in the air, somewhere nearby. "Agard," he thought of his mother's last words. "Who is Agard?"] [[continue->sideStory9]]

[He turned on the lamp and a dim light bathed the room. He looked out the window and listened to the voices of the night. He tried to figure out how much time had passed since he fell asleep. Keeping the dream in mind, he bit a loaf of bread to calm his hunger and drank some water to soften his dry throat. His heart was pounding and in the silence of the room it was as if he was listening to her give her presence alive. The thoughts troubled him as it was the first time he had seen such a dream. It was customary to see his mother in beautiful places, in an all-green field under the hot sun, playing with him. He always saw her with his father, an aid to his imagination as his memory of her was an outgrowth of the descriptions he gave him some nights through the narratives or through the parchments. Really, with what colors did he give life to the portraits of his mother in his mind? An idea of misery struggled in his fiery inner world as he tried to remember how he was and could not. Moments of doubt were planted in his mind when he saw with the power of his imagination her beautiful face. On the other hand, his father? He was absent from his dreams for the first time when he saw her too. She often blamed him for his stories, which always included him. If he talked about his mother alone, she would leave him alone with her for a while. Mother and son, alone under the starry sky. This time, however, something changed. An anxiety shook his body. His father was traveling east on the road to meet the caravan. Maybe he was in danger. A sweet thought of protectionism gripped him from head to toe. He did not consider the dream accidental at all. It was a message, he was sure of it. Did he believe in dreams, how else would he keep his mother alive in his memory? And this message, the only way to communicate with Kelid, was divine. A warning. On the other hand, this Agard? He pondered his memory a little, lest he come across this name somewhere. Unsuccessfully though. He had time to think, to remember. He had a long way to go before he met the crossroads of East Road and his father. He had already lost half a day and had no horse. His father had taken both to load the cart. He shook himself from his seat and crouched under his bed where he pulled out a chest. He opened it carefully and pulled out a pouch with two gold coins. He also got a stabbed dagger, a gift from his father from an unknown place in Onsalank when he gave it to him four years ago on his return from a trip. He often unraveled it and stared at the sun's rays to blur his gaze on the sharp blade. One day he would like to write something about her, a dedication to his mother. He touched the blade briefly and a thread of blood formed on his finger. He wrapped it in his belt, put his travel clothes and the pouch in his pocket. Here is his father's first pocket money, which he collected diligently for his first trip. Here is the trip! The time had come. An adventure awaited him as he had never been so far from home.] [[continue->sideStory10]]

[He ran to the kitchen and wrapped in a cloth some bread with sun-dried tomatoes and some salted meat. Calculate his trip and fill the flask with a little water. He had already forgotten the other tasks assigned to him by old Midd. His blood was boiling, his thoughts were galloping, his fear was coming to life. He set out in his mind the course he had to follow to overtake his father at the crossroads. Three days with the cart, half with the horse, would overtake him. He had to start and go down to Rusk to rent a strong horse from the stableman. His coins were enough to give him a quick tip for his destination. A few hours downhill to Rusk, he would wake the stallion after forgiveness, shake him ostentatiously for the remission of sins, and give him the horse with a prescribed wheel. He closed the door behind him and went out into the yard. He stood for a moment in the voices of the night and looked at the full moons taking a deep breath. He would take the southern path through the fields of the settlement to meet the main path through clusters of trees to Rusk, leaving behind the Tode. He would walk fast, without looking back. Start the descent. The first fields were sown with tomatoes and potatoes. For a moment he resisted the temptation to try a crimson juicy tomato that smiled at him from behind the green branches. He passed by her and left her to her fate. He looked at the starry sky that illuminated his way to the hills. As he passed them, he would see Rusk in the background with the lights mingling with the stars on the horizon. Crawls from forest animals, apparently a herd of wolves, tore the night owl. Unconsciously, he accelerated his step as he did not want to have a meeting with a hungry enemy. The steps of his gait resembled leaps and bounds assisted by the downhill. His curly hair fluttered from the sweet, summer breeze. He got into a clump of elms and started running. The light from the moons hid the branches and leaves from the trees and a faint scent of forest scents gently touched his nose. An owl could be heard, it could have been from her house, which was following him! He smiled a little at the thought and continued on his way. If it's the same owl, then I'm safe, he thought. He managed to distinguish the smell of the rope, which his father often brought home to perfume the place. In some openings of the cluster, tiny footsteps were heard from an animal, a mouse, a squirrel, some of them. The alarms sounded farther away, their warning had an effect on them. He had his lungs full and slowed down a bit. He listened to the wind and the sounds of the forest and went out into the clearing again. The hills stood motionless in front of him and the smell of oregano came to his nose. He reached them with leaps and bounds, over some large stones that were scattered on the ground. Climb the first hill with ease. After a little downhill and again uphill. His wavy journey did not take more than a few breaths and after a while he came to look down on Rusk. It stood spread out in the valley with the shady outlines of the houses dominating. He met the main path in front of him and went down. As the road began to straighten, the gray of the stone appeared in the mixed color of the moons. As he approached, the dim light from the lamps flickered on the windows of the houses. He had heard that stone houses were cooler in summer but colder in winter. This eliminated any nostalgia for staying in one of them. Successive thoughts came to his mind and a little later what occupied him was to find the stallion awake. He was not aware of the time even though it was long before he left Tode. He was looking forward to the time when he would take the horse and get it to his father faster. His step became faster and a little later, following the winding path with the sharp turns through bushes, he reached the limits of Rusk. The first houses were landscaped with makeshift courtyards. Many of them had flowers in the gardens, while others had planted vegetables. In some he distinguished the familiar elm and orange trees and found under his feet the paved road under his feet. The street lights were on and in one of them a dog barked menacingly. ] [[continue->sideStory11]]

[He crossed the street with the shops, the pharmacy, the fruit shop, the inn and the supermarket, that is, the shop of the famous merchant Medeskedin that his father had bought. From its production in cheeses and eggs, many times, the old merchant made of olives, absorbed most of the quantities. He remembered, passing by his huge shop, the hated words he uttered about his competitors. He bit more than he spoke like a raging dog. But no one objected to him, he was left to bite and many times he was suspected of fraudulent machinations and mysterious situations. But Medeskendin got on well with the mayor and the mayor with the London envoys, the chain goes, and everyone knew this by sinking any opposition to the black bottom of the sea. Next door was the tailor shop and the armory, which stood out with its glittering armor for a shop window. Perhaps the only shop window, with huge sandblasted windows north of Wildbourne's kilns, the gunsmith paid a fortune to bring and install them, for the second time since the first stone had worked its miracle, fortunately without any loss in his belongings. The gunsmith was famous for his armor, for sharpening spears and swords, for scratching his knives. Here Led would bring his dagger to engrave the dedication he imagined. Only he did not know who she would be. Agard, he had in mind, this unknown name that his mother chanted in his dream listening to her dying snort. He will do this, so that he does not forget it, after all, if he was responsible for her death or for the troubles he feared for his father, he deserved revenge. With these thoughts he did not realize that he turned mechanically right and then immediately left to meet Rusk's stables. Buzzing could be heard from the stables while from the small wooden house standing next to them the lamp was lit, a good sign that the stallion was not sleeping. He knocked on the wooden green door that had taken on a blue hue from the toys of the colors of the night three times. Steps were heard from inside and a glossy figure of the stableman appeared drowsy. "What do you want at such a time, what is happening?", Was the question of the steward who was heard as a complaint. "I like my lord, I want a horse," Led replied pleadingly. "What does Midd's son want the horse for at this time alone?" "I want to go to the crossroads to find my father, I smell trouble, I have to find him" "What troubles? "Was he late to return?" The stallionist asked reasonably. "No, he left in the morning, but I had a dream and I think he is in danger." The stallion laughed. The little one was scared, he thought, and he wants a horse so that he is not alone. "Where are you going in the night? The crossroads is a road day if you run, and my horses are tired of traveling. "If you are afraid, go inside and sleep until your father returns," the steward told him sharply without trying to hide his interest in the young man. Led nodded. He put his hand in his pocket and took out the pouch with the two gold coins. She showed him one in an attempt to pay him and took a serious and anxious style. "My work should not concern you. I want the fastest horse you have, how much do you want?" The stylist considered the problem that was presented to him. If Midd's son suffered anything, then he would have a bad time as he knew that Led had not traveled alone again. He weighed the money with the young man's demand and took his serious style. "Since you do not want to sleep, take the road and go home, I will not give you a horse. "Good night," she told him and stepped back to close the door. Led blocked the door with his hand and the steward found strong resistance. He cursed and let the young man look at him with his determined eyes waiting for the next move. "Listen to me clearly! My father has a problem and I have to go find him. "You will either give me the horse I want or I will take it myself," she told him with a piercing look. "If you get anything I will have a problem with your father, understand me! How old are you;" "Sixteen" "And what problem does your father have?" "Agard is called my father's problem" "Here you go;" "Agard" ] [[continue->sideStory12]]

[The stallion froze upon hearing the name. As if he saw a ghost, he felt the shiver tickle his neck. His face turned pale, something that Led immediately realized. "Third stable in your right hand, I do not want anything," he said and hurriedly closed the door. Led stared at the door in amazement. Something happened when I heard the name. Who in the crow was this Agard? Lightning reflections filled his mind and increased his fear. Since Agard was known to the steward, the risk was great, as fear had a name. For a moment he made sure of his dreams. He confirmed to himself that his mother existed with his dreams and lived with her through them. So it was real, as she had imagined it. And he protected them. He had no more time, he had to hurry. The last image he saw from the stallion's house is the lamp going out of the window. He ran to the stables with his head bowed. Thoughts raced through his mind like needles and the white knots in the joints of his fingers that held the pouch tightly showed upside down. Buzzing could be heard from the woods of the stables and Led picked out the brown horse that was standing, as if waiting for him for days. He looked him in the eyes and the horse shook its front legs declaring readiness. With a jump he rode it and put back in his pocket the pouch with the gold coins. He stroked his rich mane for a while and with his feet gave the impetus to run away as fast as he could. The houses shrunk behind him like gray dots of stone and he took the east path that would take him to the crossroads. The wind hit his cheeks as if he were on the bow of a ship in the raging sea. His eyes had narrowed as the wind dried them and the horse was unexpectedly fast, beyond his expectations. To his right and left, images from Middows, fields, and trees alternated rapidly. Guided by the path and accompanied by the stars, Ati ran furiously under the command of Led, who was weeping from the air, daring from his fear at the same time. His father was in great danger, he had taken the same path a few hours before, wherever he would meet him with their horses walking slowly. Time had taken the meaning of the protector in his mind and he was fighting with it to prevent what was to happen. Agard ... What was the fear of the name Agard? What songs tell him? What battles did he win? Which ones had he lost? Who was it; The horse had made its way, leaving Led free to think for a moment about his blond mother tied to the tree, bloodied to say with a larynx the name Agard. But the gods would disembowel him without a second thought! If he had to do with his mother's illness it would trigger him to meet his dark creator! Which demon was this again? Maybe Agard will come to the crossroads, my father will have a date with death, I have to run faster! The Tode, behind him, looked like the scorpion's tail as its name implies. Like the sting as narrated in the descriptions of the songs by the songwriters in the courts of the kings. What would he do if fatality happened at the crossroads? Did his father know about this Agard? Maybe on one of his travels he has heard his story, met her, talked to him. I had every reason to catch him alive. Any reason to hug him and tell him not to worry, he would be by his side now. Without caring about the new places he stepped on and having reached farther than ever, the path had widened to a dirt road. For a moment the horse stopped and dismounted. He bent over the ground and listened to the tracks of cart wheels that had passed through earlier. Clusters of shrubs and trees on the right and left covered the moonlight, making traces even more difficult to identify. Led first caught himself in the process of identifying a trail and reminded him of hunting with his father for a wild boar. His knowledge of touch and the logic of the trail helped him to understand that a cart had passed through there a little earlier, maybe the old man-Midd. It was still behind, but it was close! He rode the horse with one breath and continued on his way. ] [[continue->sideStory13]]

[The sky had taken on the iridescent hues of the east and the horizon was becoming sweeter, leaving room for him to see the road farther. The horse had become even faster, which reassured him. The road turned south for a while and Led estimated that by nightfall he would have reached the crossroads, so a few hours separated him from the meeting. As a companion, he thought of a text from his father's parchments, from the ones he read every night before he fell asleep. When time will no longer matter and the roar of battle will be red, like the red scent of a rose, the only king will be born. Man, mute, then he will think, the mistakes he made over the centuries and the Dragon King from heaven will use him as his worthy successor. The baby crying will be heard, the blood of demons will be shed, women and children and kings they will cry. Injustice will be sung, in seas, mountains and plains and then, calm, mother earth will forgive man's ginati. For a long time Led was trying to understand the lines of the text and only the tripod of the horse could be heard. What he had never asked his father was if he had copied the text from a song or taken it out of his imagination himself. Probably a song from the famous northern singers who played in the courtyards of Londan, while they ate and drank at their gilded tables. But what does he think? He had to concentrate on his destination. It was dawn for good and he was thinking disgusting about songs and words he did not understand. In front of him was his father who needed his help and he was lost in stories and songs. With a straight look he gathered on the straight road and hit the horse on the sides, a trigger to run faster. But the horse was tired, he was not accustomed to fast travel, he could almost hear it groaning under his command. He had to make a stop. He stopped and led the horse aside and he took the opportunity to drink some water. He did not feel like eating, but he thought that he could face something that he would need to run, so he needed strength. He bit a little food and mixed it with water to go reluctantly and faster to his stomach. He stayed there for a while and kept looking at the road that was waiting for him. When the horse felt more relaxed, he picked up the cloth with the food and rode it without a second thought. The tripod was as fast as before and predators appeared in the sky, smelling the death that was all around. Ice gripped his skin from the black thoughts and continued on his way. The turn that continued east arrived, the crossroads was a straight line in front of him. If he did not want to make another stop, he would have to calm down a bit as the horse would soon want to rest. For a while he admitted that the horse given to him by the steward was a courageous tireless horse, but not a war horse, like what is said in the stories and which has a name. She could give him a name as this horse was part of his own story, his own adventure. ] [[continue->sideStory14]]

[The sun was setting and he was reaching the crossroads. The road had become paved, which hurt the horse as, most likely, he was wearing not so comfortable horseshoes, for running on the stones. This delayed him, as he was still behind, but found that he could not do otherwise. What worried him most was the predators that were constantly flying over him. A shadow of death, choking, lifted the hairs from his neck and the fear of what was to follow caused him an unpleasant stir in his stomach. What a trifle the mayor was to lay slabs on this point of the road! He had to stop for a few hours as the horse disobeyed his orders to go faster. He knelt down weak from fatigue and Led felt a pity for what he had caused to the unfortunate ati. "What did I do to you my friend?", He monologued and drank some water. "You will definitely be thirsty but I do not have time to look for a little, be patient", he added as he put some water in his handful from the bottle. The horse drank a little and seemed to thank him and curse him at the same time. What a fool he felt! From fast journeys he did not know and never imagined that he would stop with the horse after the pressure that caused him to go faster. Now he was standing there in the middle of the road with the horse lying down from fatigue and thirst. He tried to pull it aside, but in vain. He walked away under a tree and looked at the dismounted horse in despair. He was thinking about the two options presented to him. To continue the journey alone, on foot or to wait a few hours for the horse to rest. He preferred the second and in the possibility of the first he ate as much as he could to have strength for the course. He had a sweet sleep due to the fatigue and the heavy meal he had and he fell asleep. The thoughts that accompanied him in his sleep were that all the effort was wasted. And he was there again. Again the lonely tree to nowhere, again the red sky, again his mother enslaved in his trunk to bow his head forward, as if dead. And he runs to catch her, to tell him what all this means, what their significance is. The red halo on the horizon is approaching, only this time there is a shadow, more bizarre than the turmoil. He is indifferent to the shadow and runs up the tree to see it again. He reaches her, he can almost touch her and she raises her head and chants the well-known fatal name Agard. Before falling back into her deep sleep, he manages to ask her "Who is Agard, mother?". And she does not answer him, she is lost in the ever and in everything. He opens his eyes and realizes that he is lying on the ground under a tree. And he is alone, the horse is gone. The road is empty, where the horse was lying there is an empty seat. The place for his fastest course at the crossroads. And it is empty. He gets to his feet and shakes his pants from the dust and dirt and notices all around that the horse is gone for good. What an idiot I am !, he thought and took the crossroads on foot. He reluctantly looked at the beginning of his course left and right to find the traces of the horse. Now he will have problems with the stallion after he lost the horse, but he does not care. What burns him is to get to his destination as quickly as possible. The shape of his body is glossy, his slender hands tear the air implicitly and he walks crouched, gazing at the paved road in front of him. He observes the moons and stars and finds that it is night for good. He is accompanied by the sounds of the night and the crackling of predators that have come out pagan. He wondered how much road he still had ahead of him, he walked hurriedly and thought that his speed would not differ much from that of a cart. Thinking logically, he found that the caravan would stop for a while until all the trade was done, something for which he was grateful, since he would gain some more time from the loser. He was discouraged and continued his eastern route.] [[continue->sideStory15]]

[His thoughts mingled with the fears, his breaths mingled with the sounds of his shoes on the paved passage, his slender body mingled with the night's. In his course he had not met a single soul. If something like this happened, he could ask him something about those ahead, but he was unlucky. He drank some water and continued his reasoning without slowing down. After a few hours and when the first rays of the sun bathed the surrounding area, Led spotted a forest on the horizon, which indicated that he was finally reaching his crossroads. Is it possible that the trading took place during the dark night? Impossible! The caravan would sleep and give it its all would happen now in the morning. He almost caught himself running and eager to get close to his father, hug him and explain the purpose of his trip. If nothing happened she would pick him up and argue with him in that unique way you hit with words and language. If not, the worst would have happened. He wished, instead, to hear insults and eat cuffs for his rebuke to leave alone without permission and leave the jobs that were running behind him. The first shadows appeared and the crossroads appeared in front of him. The horses and carts of the travelers could be seen from afar but he could not see any movement. In the sky the crows were walking in circles and screaming hungry. A shadow of death was spreading in the surrounding scene and a shiver seized him. He stopped short and thought of approaching off-road. His father's cart was nowhere to be seen, he had to be careful. He went off the road and followed the road through the weeds and bushes on the road. The darkness was not completely gone and the sky had an orange-red face that reminded him for a while of his dream. He approached again, until he was not visible through the clusters with the bushes. Horses were lying down, carts were abandoned, nothing was moving. Smoke from the leading part of the caravan was fading on the horizon, as the caravan was spread out with two hundred carts and five hundred horses. The biggest caravan he had ever seen, even bigger than what he heard in the stories. He thought for a while where everyone was going. Were they still sleeping? Where was his father? He looked timidly out of the cluster and approached even closer. His gaze was focused on a fallen horse. He was not sleeping. He looked dead. He singled out the arrows nailed to the base of his head. The silence was not of the night, it was funeral. The caravan had been attacked and death was wandering around. Led was frozen to face the sight of the dead horse and wondered about his father's fate. He took three deep breaths to oxygenate his brain, which saved him from dizziness and approached him again. The horse stood unheard of like a faithful model of a sculptor. A speck of blood watered the pavement and for a moment he thought that a rain would be enough to erase the traces of death. He recalled his father and was shaken by the primitive hypnotic images of the erevos he was facing. He took the caravan from the left and started going up the road.] [[continue->sideStory16]]

[In a few meters she met the first dead man. A river of blood was starting from his chest and his pants were dirty. He was sitting on the wheel of his broken cart and was holding a sword tightly in his hand. A battle had preceded and this man met its creators. What did they call him? He left his confused thoughts and continued north, following the destroyed images of the caravan, fooling around with every prospect of the catastrophe that had occurred. In his mind he was thinking only of his father and his pace was accelerating, while he was looking around carefully. His thoughts led him to the first logical conclusion. The caravan would consist of a thousand merchants, but instead a few dead were all around. More than five hundred people were absent, so they were either taken prisoner or shot in the back. What was his father's fate? He went further and met the second dead man who looked like a stranger to him. An all-black cell was looking dead with the man on horseback nailed to his chest. He was wearing a black armor made of hard metal that had broken at the ligaments, leaving room for the fatal blow to his chest. He was dark and gigantic, a warrior like those mentioned in songs and hymns. His admiration for the man's stature was mixed with hatred, indignation and the realization that he was the enemy. He approached again and from his shoulders stood out the coat of arms that was stained with still fresh blood. A lion was standing on two legs, an embroidery made by a courtier. This man was an officer of a stranger, in Led, Onsalank's house. War. That was the word that came to the young man's mind as he lifted the coat of arms from his shoulders. His helmet was dropped next to it, a black, large helmet with horns from an animal, ugly in appearance, scary under the shade, an extra scare in battle. He put the coat of arms in his pocket and continued the search for his father, wishing he had escaped. He continued to search and concluded that it was not theft. It was a massacre, it was a fierce battle between men who possessed martial arts and merchants most of whom did not know from war, most of them unarmed. What kind of order did they have? The goods stood in the street, untouched, in the arms of robbers and passers-by. Below he found the first fire simmering in the pits of a carriage with a group of dead merchants from the south. Led trembled for the deadly shadow that had spread at the crossroads and wished his father had taken the road back. The tip of his eye caught something familiar. His cart, his horses dead, his cheese heads down, a battle. He almost saw the men on horseback killing his father, searched for blood on the street, for his father's dead carcass, but found nothing. Relief. He did not know what to wish for more, his father to be alive and captive or dead somewhere further. "Father!" He shouted with all the power of his soul and cast exploratory glances all over the horizon. "Father, where are you?" He shouted even louder. The predators showed their hunger from above, they also participated in the war scene giving a creepy echo. His father had come earlier than him, he had come at the wrong time and Led was unable to catch up with him, to warn him of the unknown danger of death he had experienced in his dreams. He knelt down and let his hands touch the road, as if listening to the tripods of the horses that were attacked. "In your place I would not shout and I would leave here", a voice was heard with a deep tone behind him. ] [[continue->sideStory17]]

[Led froze and felt his heart pounding to its limits. He turned and stared at the old man standing behind his back, bent over. He had his old body resting on a carved pole, with the head of a bear on top of it. The old man's long white hair shone in the sun behind the mountains. His large, scarred nose hid his deep blue gaze that showed condescension. The old man stayed to look at the kneeling young man who had unbuttoned his dagger. "You will not need it, my young man, we must leave, the rearguard has not passed yet, we are in danger ... Both you and I" "Who you are; "Where is my father?" The old man met the paving with his gaze in indication of all that he had seen. He picked it up again and pierced the young man's eyes with obvious concern. "The mission was to take prisoners, the rear guard kills what is left behind. Let's go! " , he told him and started to the right, to the east to get lost in the forest. "If you want, follow me!" was heard behind his back. Led was watching the old man walk slowly. And if he is right? He will surely know what happened here. Led thought for a moment that he had not searched the whole caravan for signs of his father. The road was paved, so it was impossible to calculate traces. He had not searched the southern part of the caravan. For a moment his gaze traveled to the horizon east, to the old man who was lost in the forest. For a moment his ears caught the tripod of horses running over him from the north at high speed. He knelt down and caught himself trembling. Five cavalrymen, with their disgusting black armor and monumental helmets, approached him, holding in their hands huge swords which looked menacingly at his young, slender body. He froze and the shiver caressed his back. "A young man, take him with you," ordered the officer wearing the coat of arms on his shoulders. Two of the men dismounted and headed towards him. The wind blew, clouds gathered over them, the sky darkened. An unfamiliar song in an incomprehensible language was heard from the edge of the forest to the east, by the old man who had raised his pole. His voice became louder, his tone deeper. Thunder was heard and the five men turned towards him, with one pointing with his sword at the old man's slippery face. Their voices betrayed fear. "Master, kill him!" The officer ordered. The old man did not stop the song he had started, as if he did not care about what was happening there, the clouds were threateningly hanging over their heads, thunder could be heard from afar. Images unprecedented in Led's mind fluttered like ancient tales about wizards and sorcerers from the past. Two thunderbolts fell from the sky on horseback and burned their bodies and hooves instantly. The bodies caught fire and filled the atmosphere with scorched, scorched blood. Stones were shaken all around and dust rose. Led fell under the fury of nature. His ears were ringing from the thunder, while the other two, in terror, rode their horses and disappeared south. The sky cleared, the clouds gathered, the old man remained on his knees and exhausted, having finished his magic song. ] [[continue->sideStory18]]

[Led gazed at the horizon and, safe, looked for the old man. Was it true that it happened before his eyes? Was that magic? He got to his feet and closed his nose from the stench of burnt flesh from the bodies of the three men who looked dead, like bronze statues of a general. He ran to the old man to thank him and ask him what he saw. He arrived and saw him tearful and kneeling, unable to make any move, he too was enchanted by the old man's powers. "I told you, we had to leave," he begged the young man weakly. "Are you a magician?" Led asked him impatiently. "They call me by many names and many qualities, my young man. But now we have to leave, those who broke it will bring reinforcements and I am weak to face them, "she told him, glancing at the forest. "And how can I call you my lord?" She asked, enchanted by the elder's power. "Agard, call me. Agard ...". ] [[continue->GuornWB2]]