SINISTER TALES PT3

SINISTER TALES PT3

By Chloe

THE CAMP

The Camp doesn’t have much to offer. It is just a valley between two rows of mountains. Mostly desert, sparsely populated with shrubs and desert bloom. The mountain range in the north side is covered in pine forest. Which is where the common Longmen must daily go to hunt for animals. There is a small creek that pools into several ponds closely hugging the northern range; where all the Tribe makes camp.

The Camp is clustered into it’s cliques and factions of the remnants of Aryanopolis. The old blood of the kingdom have all left during the dark ages and fall of Aryanopolis for other kingdoms. Most migrating into a kingdom called the BN and suchlike far away… leaving Aryanopolis to die with it’s illiterate commoners. And it’s few hardliners who still see a glimmer of hope – somewhere; somehow.

Among the Camp, the faction of Thoth-Aten-Ra’s – called “The Temple” – men are the most respected and well known. There leader – Thoth, is a librarian of sorts who, with his men, went about collecting the kingdom’s secret and sacred manuscripts. From his massive collection; dedication; and knowledge, his faction kept the torch of Baphomet burning in the darkest of hours.

The largest faction, by far is the Acception. Whose own number is nearly the same size as all of the original Longmen remnants itself. They are neither scholars or librarians. More like a aimless band of thieves, bandits, and pirates that owe their allegiance to no-one but themselves. Unlike the Others, the Acception has no real objectives other than to profit. Unlike the Others, the Acception is heavily organized and structured, with obedience to it’s Erheneide – it’s Law – as their Supreme Law.

Some of the Longmen; seeing the Acceptionites to be a brute band of thugs, profiteers, and those who do not take much of anything seriously; look upon them with suspicious. For what would a band of pirates want with the wisdom and dream of once great Aryanopolis. If not for their own profit?

Such a dramatic difference caused the Temple and the Acception in olden days to fight as rivals. These were back in olden days when the Acception had emerged out of the wilderness to merge with their distant Longmen kith and cousins. The Progenitor of the Acception in ancient times was a noble blooded Aryanopolite who had migrated far away and founded his own Clan in a distant land. The time that passed, and blood that flowed, which grew distant from Mother Aryanopolis caused the Acception to develop it’s own culture and collective identity.

As soon as she merged with the Longmen Tribe, Kayla of the Acception, and Thoth of the Temple went at each other and bitterly fought briefly. Seeing how the Tribe was in such a doomed state, El Darko and his men stopped the infighting, for the sake of Solidarity. There is yet among both factions unspoken tension. There are other factions among the Longmen; none which the Acception considers significant. They have little respect for the common Longmen.

There are those Old Bloods that belong to no faction – those who mostly hail from the inner circle of Longshanks. These float around amongst the Longmen and their factions; spreading propaganda of the wonder and mystery that is Longshanks to maintain coherency of the Tribe – if it is to survive.

REBIRTH

Many years have they traveled, these Longmen – those left who are still loyal to the dream. Lost in the desert. At times of hopelessness the Longmen vent their frustrastions. They reveal hidden opinions. Speaking of times when Longshanks abandoned Aryanopolis. When he left it for ruin, only to come back, far too late. Some of the Longmen leave the Tribe – fed up with Longshanks – saying things like: It serves him right, the state things are in!

This was the state of things when the Longmen’s kindred – the Acception – merged to join the wandering. Kayla and Chloepatra had never seen the glory that was Aryanopolis with there own eyes, for they are far too young. To them it is just a fable – a legend – in their young minds.

But the wise ones say that it is in hard times such as these, that one’s loyalties and allegiances are tested – and genuine companionship revealed. Even in the most hopeless of hours; when all seem lost and pointless; Longshanks still has a few who never leave his side. Sworn like shipmates to their ship and captain, to endure unto the end, and go down with their ship. But these are few. Far too few, to which Kayla and Chloe have joined ranks – unto the end.

Longshanks and Generalissimo El Darko had given Chloe the command of 100 of Aryanopolis’ remnant army soldier to take the land of the village beyond the pass.

With relative ease, Chloepatra, Kayla, Rich, Frata, and the Centinals captured the small village successfully and had sent word to El Darko to send the entire Tribe migrating to their new land.

But there was little time for celebration. For in the short distance was a great Zionist city-state – that threatened the existence of this fledgling nation. The river had to be redirected; forts built along the river. These projects overseen by Chloepatra and her men – as Longshanks and El Darko watch in the shadows – the rebirth of a kingdom.

And in the Tent of Longshanks they planned regarding the looming threat of the Zionist city-state.

“I’ll take Frata the Barbarian, and a few others to gather intelligence of the city tonight.” Said Red Rich to Longshanks.

“Good. We cannot act or plan anything concrete without knowing the enemy…” Longshanks said.

“They are much bigger.” States Kayla.

“It’s not always the size that matters…” Enlightens Thoth, “A battle can be won with deception and intelligence.”

Both Rich, and El Darko seem to notice that Chloepatra was not all that interested that night. As if her mind was someplace else or frustrated?

“Why!” Interrupts Chloe, as she stares at Longshanks.

The chamber silences, as Longshanks looks up shocked.

“Chloe…” Rich says nervously as he takes a few steps backwards; trying to wake her to her senses.

“Why are you doing this!” Chloe demands, staring at Longshanks.

The others in the chamber have all taken a few steps back, fearing for Chloepatra.

“I’m sorry; doing what?” Asks Longshanks.

“When is enough, enough for you – us. What’s wrong with what we have now? All I have ever heard about Aryanopolis was wars and fights. That’s why it fell. Because you built it on a bloody foundation of war – a false foundation. And when that war stopped, and their was no-one to fight. The kingdom fell. Can’t you see you haven’t learned from you mistakes! Can’t you see we have something good going here – now. Why can’t we just make peace with that city-state. You’re going to ruin what we have now, again!”

She turns around and walks quickly out of the Tent. Away towards the river to be alone.

The chamber was silent. Kayla broke it: “I’ll go talk to her. She’s prolly on her rag or something.”

“Or something, indeed.” Said Longshanks.

Kayla had found her skipping rocks by herself.

“Are you ok?” She asked Chloe.

“Our numbers are low. We worked hard to get this far. All we need now is just what we have. Each other and time. We can grow that way. We’ll be something in time. He wants to war and send off what people we have to their death. It’s not going to stop Kayla. It ruined Aryanopolis. It got out of hand. They lost sight of what truly mattered. And it all just became pointless hatred for phantom enemies.”

“What do you want? Just tell me. You know everything I do, I do for you.”

“I just want something to give to you, to Rich, Frata, our future progeny. I don’t want this to go to ruin, like Aryanopolis. Those others don’t understand. They think I’m incapable of thinking for others. Of wanting things for people I love and care about. They think I want to take it all over for my own self.”

Kayla just silently holds her from behind and comforts her. Resting her nose on her shoulder; as Chloe looks at the flow of the stream passing by in silence.

DARK STAR RISING

He’s an empathetic soul. Just approaches her and stares at the setting sun. She was sitting alone.

“May I?” Longshanks said to Chloe.

“I’m sorry I went off on you back there like that. I didn’t mean any of it. I was just frustrated; PMSing or something.” She said, feeling bad; as he sat his graying self beside her.

He leans back a little to look at the small of her back: “I hear, last time you gave a similar apology, someone got their throat cut.”

She softly laughs to herself as she traces circle in the dirt.

“Sometime I feel like you are on a one man journey to find yourself; and we’re just foolishly following behind.” She said to herself out loud.

“Is life really that simple Chloe? No man is an island. Wyrd brings many lives with the same quality together. And like a loom of many strings, weaves them together. Our destinies entwined. For some distant purpose. A purpose which will bare fruit, long after we have expired.” He looks into the darkening sky, towards the stars the Evening Star, which shine bright over a distant mountain.

“What do you see with those old eyes of your when you looks up?” She question him.

“My hopes and dreams Chloe… my hopes and dreams – somewhere in those stars. What else is their to live for?” He said in deep reflection. Lost somewhere in the star decked sky.

“It’s not your writings or speeches that enchanted me or brought me here. It’s because my eyes are lost in the same distant sky. Perhaps inside you and I are kindred spirits, reaching for the same impossible dream.”

“Kindred souls Chloe, woven together… each affecting and influencing the other.” He said.

She looks at the Dark Star, just above the horizon in the East; shining its dark twilight onto the leaves and her skin: “What is that Dark Star Rising Longshanks?”

“Where?” He inquired.

“There,” she pointed, “In the East, just above the horizon.” She looks into his eyes, to see a graying film covering his pupils.

“I see only little star my dear?”

“Do you not see it’s light? On the leaves, and my skin? The new colors and subtle changes it brings?” She asked, deeply curious that he cannot see.

Longshanks has a slightly puzzled look. He holds up his hands in front of his face and inspects them. And at Chloe and the leaves: “I’m afraid my old eyes cannot see the New Aeon, like your young eyes… fayen comes. What future there is to come Chloe, belongs to you and those to come. Soon, when the Dark Star Rises higher; I will see no more.”

THE SEEING

Kayla and Chloepatra had spend the day pensive, walking back and forth. A night earlier Red Rich, Frata and some of the men had left to gather intelligence in the big city-state they nick named “Jewpopolis” and they had not yet returned.

They had spent most of the night awake waiting. But fell a sleep together underneath an acorn tree in a section their men established as camp by the side of the river.

“Kayla. Chloe. Psst.” Rich was whispering in the distance.

“Under the big acorn tree sir, they are safe.” Said one of their brothers.

They had awoken to the rustling. As Rich came near with his torch, to notice they were naked, he turn around: “Sorry.”

“It’s ok, what is it? Your safe, thank god. Frata?” Asked Kayla.

“You can turn around, we don’t care.” Said Chloe.

“Don’t have to ask me twice.” Rich mumbled below his breath.

“What?” Chloe said.

“Nothing. I said it happened around twelve thirty. Anyways Frata’s fine. We all made it back safe. It’s big. There was a small confrontation with our men and their guards. They took Zooboy.” Rich said, as he fixed his gaze on their toes; so as not to wander any where they shouldn’t!

“Zooboy!?” Kayla says, looking at Chloe.

“What, why are you guys looking at me?” She said irritated.

Chloe lays back down. Kayla shrugs her shoulders at Rich.

“Just thought you’d want to know. That’s all. I’ll be asleep near by with Frata if you need me.” Rich said walking off. He stops to add: “That didn’t come out right. Next to Frata, not with Frata.”

Kayla looks at him confused and whispered: “Homo say what?”

Rich says in return, not quite hearing it: “What?”

“Nothing, go to sleep.” She says, laughing to herself.

Kayla sits there for a moment looking at Chloe.

“What?” She said to Kayla, “I’m sleepy. It’s just Zooboy.”

Kayla lays back down also and goes back to sleep.

Chloe tried to go back to sleep. But she couldn’t. She was growing mad at herself; or something.

She had got up to put her close on and walked off alone into the shadows of the night towards the horses. Mumbling to herself: “God I hate you! I hate you Zooboy! You owe me big time!”

Chloe had gotten on her horse, and rode by herself towards Jewpopolis alone. To get find Zooboy.

It had taken her three hours and a half to ride along the side of the river to get to the city. But before she could enter the city itself she was met up by soldiers. They shoot her horse and grab her: “I’m Chloepatra. I wanna negotiate.”

They had forced her onto one of there horses and rode her off towards the center of the city. Where their was a huge walled inner city, in the middle of which towered a great and mighty tower. There was no sense in her fighting back, since she was out numbered.

Into a dungeon cell, matted with hay and straw they tossed her, and shut the iron bared door in front of her, without saying a word. “I wanna negotiate god dammit!” She said, trying one last time.

She was afraid. Thinking that she had made a terrible mistake, and would never see Kayla ever again she crouched into a corner to cry. She was crying for a while.

“lol… someone has falled under the love spell of the Zobobalicious. Oh, I knew it. She loves me!” Said a voice just behind her in the other cell.

She turns around mortified: “You stupid,” she back hands him, “How long were you sitting there.” She said wiping the snot from her nose: “You’re an idiot. I hope you don’t think I was crying for you.”

“You want me. Admit it. You came for me. I don’t blame you. I’m quite frankly irresistible; if I don’t say so myself.” He said, sticking his face against the bars.

“Don’t you take anything seriously. You’re in a dungeon, and they’re going to kill you?”

“No. Why, as long as you’re here with me. Listen, since we’re both going to die: do you wanna make love between the bars?”

“Get the hell away from me.” She said, tossing hay at him, and going to the other side.

The guards had returned and unlocked her door: “Lets go. The king will negotiate.”

She looks back at Zooboy: “You owe me one.”

They took her up a flight of spiral stairs. Up the tower no doubt she thought to herself. She wasn’t quite sure what to offer the emperor in exchange for Zooboy’s freedom. Certainly not herself.

It was a large, cold room, lit with torches. Opulent with marble pillars, and gold. In the distance she could make out a large golden throne and a man on it – which they were walking her towards.

She looked back and noticed the guards were gone, and that she was along with the king.

“Come… sit.” Said a familiar voice.

She scrunched her brows. Puzzled at the familiar voice and walked to the golden chairs in front of the throne.

Her eyes first saw etched above the man’s head: DM and as they fell onto his face she was horrified, and stepped back.

“David the Moor.” Said Longshanks, or whoever she thought he was.

“Who are you?!” She asked, in disbelief or disgust.

He laughs a sinister laughter, at himself or something.

“You think this is funny? Like it’s a game to you? Making a fool of me? Play god with people?” She felt suckered. Ashamed for being stupid, and began to cry again.

She added: “You left Aryanopolis because you have other kingdoms? You abandoned them because they were no longer useful? You let Aryanopolis die. All that wandering? All the searching? The battles? You’re insane! What are you doing?”

“Chloe,” He said, “If I gave you something which you did not earn or work for – strive for – how much value would you see in it? Sit.”

“Not much.” She answered, realizing inside, this man was more than what he assumes to be. She sits to listen.

“That’s right. That which we do not put effort into gaining; creating; has no deep intrinsic value to us. Aryanopolis meant something deep and real to me. I made it. With my efforts it became. I left it, in hopes, foolishly believing that my Longmen were mature human beings who saw – felt – the same value in Aryanopolis. I desired them to rule themselves, to take what I have made for them, and make something of their lives, without preacher or profit. I left to see what would happened to Aryanopolis in the hands of those who were given it. What happen to it Chloe?”

“It fell to ruin. Many left it for other kingdoms. You let Aryanolopis fall to ruin; and had us wander, struggle, to rebuild it with our own efforts – that it might have genuine meaning to us?” She speculated out loud.

“Yes. How else should I weed out the undeserving but to let them weed themselves out? Through your own efforts. As you each struggle to recreate and rebuild Aryanopolis – what you create for the New Aeon – will have genuine meaning to you, in each of your hearts, forever. As it once had meaning, to me. It is the only way I can give your generation something meaningful and lasting – to have each of you build it; regenerate it; with your own personal struggle and effort. In this way, will it mean something to you. Walk with me…”

They walk together down the tower and towards the gate of the walled city. Past stone architecture that caught her eyes.

“Someday I want what I am building to look like this.” She said.

“And it shall, my dear, in time – with your efforts.”

“What of the enemies – this city? What should I tell the others.” She asked, whatever his name was.

“Struggle Chloe. Fight for it, or it will slip out of your fingers like sand. There is no growth without struggle. Without challenges. Without movement and effort. It is the law of nature that what lives must struggle to live. Only through struggling – the effort put in – does life have its meaning… do we hold onto it with dear life.” He said, smiling to her.

She looked down from where she was standing and saw two horses. And looked back at him, understanding it all within herself. She walks down to the horses looking back: “I will come for this kingdom someday Moor.”

He laughs, that sinister laugh; pleased inside: “Come! I dare you. It’s yours if you can take it.”

She gets on her horse. The guards throw Zooboy out of the gate.

“Come on, lets go home.” She said to Zooboy, riding off back home.

“How did you get us out of that anyways?” He asked her.

“I have real superpowers.” She said.

The two ride along the river together. And shortly meet up with Kayla, Rich, Frata, and many of their men who had come to get Chloe. They look at her for some feed back.

“Lets go home. It’s time.” She said riding.

“Time for what?” Frata the Barbarian asked her, for the group.

“For war.”

THE END.

-:[WSA352]:-