₦airaland Forum

"Your honour,I have received a missive from His grace the high priest,summoning me to a council of presbyters in perth",the young presbyter announced,breaking the silence
"ah..my dear presbyter conibus",the grand vizier replied genially,"it is a good thing then that we are headed to perth"
Young Conibus turned to give the grand vizier a hard stare,"You honour - "
" - for vogor sake conibus,I tire of that title",Guth interrupted
" - you are yet to reveal the purpose behind our rather hasty picnic to perth",conibus smoothly continued as if he was never interrupted.He absently patted his horse,the golden signet of office on the middle-finger of his right hand flashing in the bright noon.
The grand vizier's eyes widened in mock surprise,"why,to pay homage to my beloved brother of course!",he said,then chuckled in amusement.
A white dove fluttled down and settled on the vizier's shoulder,pecking softly at his hair.From the dove's feet dangled a missive,which was gently removed and quickly read by the vizier.

valley of thorns





.





.





.





.





.





The sun was high in the sky,a gentle breeze ruffled through the marching legion of infantry,sending the raised banners and flags fluttering in the air.As the long columns of army marched across the dry valley,a heavy cloud of dust rose up in their wake.
Guth D'anzzaini,grand vizier of Anuria and Lord Duke of Rotenhard,rode on a pale horse and watched as his advance troop marched ahead several yards away.The duke of rotenhard was a man in his 47th cycle,with pale silvery hair and vivid cerulean eyes like that of his brother.But that was where the resemblance ended,while the emperor had a cold and harsh demeanor,his brother on the other hand had warm eyes and a benign countenance.
At his side rode a young man in red presbyter regalia,his head of ebony curls was crowned with the glistening silver wreath-like coronet of a presbyter.
The sound of the marching army vibrated through the desolate valley,as well as the resounding clatter of horse hooves.

veekid:
I just hope this worth reading

Read and rate. Your comments and criticism,if any,will be addressed after you read.

mynd44,pamelB,beezyblaze,jaiyejina,theimmie,kumalayer,Thobilobah,veekid,iAreMozelle,GentleNaaz,DannyJ19,keryj,emtebe,deebarbie,KvngBlaze,rossyV226,repogirl

Ultimategeneral:
good story man. Thanks for d invite

The pleasure is purely mine.You can also rate the story
Ratings is /10

overhypedsteve:
If you choose to write something, then who am I not to read it

long time my friend.Should I be flattered or insulted..lol.How am I doing so far?

They were interrupted by a scurry of feet and a middle-aged man in white linen robes and wearing a golden chain from which dangled a golden pendant that depicted a scaly snake biting its own tail.The man bowed to the ground in front of the emperor
"Rise gogan",the emperor ordered
Toumund watched as the chief scribe clambered to his feet.The man's face was red from exhaustion,he dipped his hand into his bulky robe and withdrew a sealed scrolled which he offered to the emperor.The emperor accepted the scroll,scrutinizing the seal.Toumund stiffled a grunt of surprise on seeing the heron insignia embossed on the purple wax,it was the D'anzzaini family insignia,this meant that the missive was from Guth D'anzzaini,the grand vizier and duke of Rotenhard,the empire's second most powerful citizen,the emperor's own brother.Rotenhard - or lesser anuria as it was popularly called - was an island country north of the mainland,and it was the imperial grand vizier's seat of power.
"my brother comes",announced Gwendor

As they swept out of the chamber into the sleekly tiled corridor,toumund watched as the imperial guards lined at the entrance of the great chamber,removed their blue feathered brass helment and went on their knees,their heads bowed in worship.A retinue of richly attired eunuchs and slaves were already bowed to the ground several feets away from the door.
"After our alliance with Galbonia,we will raise the banners and march against Tigon",the emperor's voice was a calm and calculating baritone,"with the galbonian iron and navy on our side,our armies will crush any resistance from the southern kingdoms,including Tigon's neighbours"
"you are expecting the southern kingdoms to ally against us if we march against Tigon?",Toumund quizzed with a thoughful frown
"They will indeed feel threathened by our alliance with Galbonia and subsequent invasion of Tigon"
Toumund gave a wry smile,"and I guess they wont see our presence in Tigon as a mere peace-keeping effort"
"indeed not",the emperor replied with a raised eyebrow

The emperor's face twisted into a mild sneer,
"they may be barbarians,but they are powerful barbarians",he turned to stare out the open terrace,a cool breeze stirring his silver mane,the dusky sky had turned an inky black,signalling the late hour of the day,"need I remind you of their huge iron mines and powerful navy?,nay my friends,they are not to be dismissed"
Toumund nodded his head,already linking the dots.The emperor had always had a formidable mind for politics.
"you seek to join Anuria and Galbonia into one great empire",toumund's gaze took on a strange glint,"if this plan works,you will have two-third of the continent under your authority"
"and invoke the wrath of vogor for cavorting with pagans!",diemocles cried,"your majesty,remember the words of the oracle,this decision is unwise"
"Do you question me Diemocles?",the emperor's voice was sharp
"Do you question vogor,your majesty?",queried Diemocles in a resolute voice
"Do not cross me Diemocles,I have spoken",the emperor swept out,"come toumund"

The emperor's face was an impassive mask,even as the grave tidings were relayed to him.High priest diemocles shifted his purle silk robes and idly fingered his clipped goatee,making the myriad of gemmed rings on his fingers flash in the bright illumination of the chamber.
"These are indeed disturbing tidings",diemocles murmured,then chanced a look at the emperor,"alas,the kingdom of Tigon is being punished for its heathen ways"
"perhaps,but now is the time to act.Before the end of this moon month,my son,pandishar,will be joined in wedlock to the daughter of King Brucolla of Galbonia,the princess Tallia",the emperor's was ablaze with a new kind of fire,"Anuria and Galbonia shall be sealed in an alliance of blood"
Toumund's eyes widened as he realize the staggering implications of such an alliance,even Diemocles jerked in flabbergasted shock.
"But your majesty!",diemocles exclaimed,"you cannot wed your son to a daughter of heathens and pagans!"
"The galbonians are indeed a barbaric set of people",Toumund agreed

postmann:
It's impossible not to like it. Especially from a good writer like you.

Oh, romance section, that's where you find over half of no-good nairalanders whose chief goal in life is gossip.
Some shameless losers created alternate accounts and started peddling falsehood about lez.z. I had to shoot them down.

lol,its only natural....
As you read,dont forget to post ideas and even criticism,i'm thinking of having published works in the future,I need you guys to be my beta.thanks.

postmann:
I'll be following, bro. I'm going to be hooked judging from the preface alone.

Thanks bro,I got bored and decided to try out
one of story plots that has been rolling around in my head recently; part of my effort to promote reading culture in Nigeria.Hope you like it.
PS: invite your friends too.
PPS: what the hades is going on in romance section?.lol.

.

I invite my friends postmann,lezzlie,overhypedsteve,jln115,agaugust,smartestpopQUEEN,ultimategeneral,naijadeyhia,esambooks....I will appreciate your viewership and ratings.

"Your majesty,your grace",he bowed himself to the ground,as was the Anurian etiquette,"Lord duke Toumund seeks your audience"
"could he not abide me in the palace?",the emperor queried but got no reply,with a quick glance at the high priest,he gave a sharp command,"send him in"
The eunuch withdrew,and soon after,Lord duke toumund valazin,of the house valazin,minister for finance and duke of valaz swept in with a flurry of velvet cloak and strong perfume
"Your majesty",he greeted with a smooth bow,"I must apologize for the interruption,but I am pursued by a matter of robust concern",his eyes flicked to the high priest,"Your grace,hope I meet you well?"
"As well as I can be my lord",replied Diemocles
Toumund turned his gaze to meet the emperor,"Your majesty,king gomor of Tigon is dead,and his half-sister sarma has declared her legitimacy for the throne,she has refused to acknowledge her nephew rhazior's claim",he paused to allow his words sink in,"Tigon is in a state of civil war"

Diemocles surveyed the emperor's face as he relayed the grave news,the emperor was known for his iron-clad control of emotions,even now,the man's countenance never betrayed any glimpse of his thought.
The emperor watched as the high priest caressed his beringed fingers with a silent scoff,the man enjoyed obscene display of wealth and luxury.Nonetheless,he was a powerful and equally dangerous political figure,by the virtue of his ecclesiastical office; nothing galvanize the people better than religion.
It was high priest diemocles that broke the tense silence
"I shall convene the council of presbyters before the full moon",he said,"with your permittion,of course",he added as a breezy afterthought
The emperors lips curled into a cruel smile
"I cannot imagine that you need my permittion on such a blatantly religious affair",his tone was silky and chilly,"nevertheless,we must make an oblation to vogor,that he may guide us to the light"
The oak door opened to permit the same eunuch that had came in earlier.

"speak",came the cold reply of the emperor
"High priest Diemocles seeks your audience,your majesty",the eunuch said with head still bowed
"send him in"
"yes your majesty",the eunuch rose and hastily went to do as he was bidden.High priest Diemocles was a fat balding man with beady eyes and a thin pointed goatee which was clipped with silver ribbons.As he swept into the chamber in a swirl of purple silk,the emperor turned from his inspection to him,a cold smile on his face.
"Your majesty",Diemocles said with a waist deep bow,then straightened,"I bring news of strange omens"
"Indeed",the emperor's brows furrowed as he pinned the podgy man with his gaze,"and do I dare inquire the nature of these strange omens"
"Your majesty,I fear that dark times approaches,great vogor spoke by an oracle this morning",the high priest replied unperturbed
"I tire of your word play Diemocles,speak!"
"The oracle spoke a prophesy: the sun of Anuria shall be drenched in shadow!,by word and steel shall the world be doomed"

Great city of perth,capital of Anuria




.



.




.





.





.
Emperor Gwendor D'anzzaini IV stared out the balcony of the tower beliza at the sprawling city of perth,the spidery network of cobbled streets and winking oil lamps made the city appear like a gaint beautiful gem.Even high up in the quater of nobles where the imperial palace and tower beliza along with other palaces belonging to wealthy merchants,dukes,and Imperial ministers were located,the strong smell of spice and the sonorous sound of musical instruments were prominent: a testament to perthian love of spice and merry-making.
The emperor,a man in his 67th cycle,was tall and reedy with pale silvery hair,eyes like lapis lazuli and a short oily moustache that seem to grow out of his hawk-beak nose.
The greak oak doors opened,and a bald-headed eunuch slipped into the chamber,his slippered feet making almost no sound on the polished tiles of the chamber.
"Your majesty," he bowed himself to the ground until his head touched the cold marble

Tergon on the other hand had glossy black that fell below his shoulders,eyes of the most vivid blue and a pale skin tone that made him an odd but exotic Anurian.


They arrived in the barn only to be greeted by Euthar's disapproving frown
"Took you long enough,son?"
"Master Euthar",paelor greeted from behind tergon
"ah,paelor my boy",Euthar said,breaking into a genial smile,"I trust that ingoth is well?"
"he sent his greetings,along with the horse shoes you requested for"
"splendid!,right when I needed them",Euthar helped paelor witg hefting the leather sack off his shouder,"you boys can go on,work is almost done for today"

Both boys hurried off towards the three stallions.

The tarvern owner,mistress Gena,a plump middle-aged woman with round cheeks and a permanent blush,welcomed them with a warm smile.Soon,twin mugs of watered beer were set down in front of them.Paelor protested at the beer's lack of strength and only got a pat on his shoulder for his troubles,with tergon snickering at the scene.

paelor sighed,"I hear she'd see her 18th cycle by winter"
"you hear many things" tergon replied,"quit mooning over Lyan,you know she is promised to diggory,whose father incidentally is the head of the village council"
"easy for you to say,you are as pretty as a girl,all the girls flock after you,even the old crones dote on you",paelor wiggled his bushy eyebrows suggestively,"remember old mistress walpurga?"
"quit being such a buffoon paelor",mistress walpurga had been a doting old woman who was once the owner of the three stallions tarvern,she had later sold the place and gone to live with her son in Bellon.

Tergon thought about paelor's words.He knew that he was handsome to the point of almost being effeminate,everyone said so anyway.This was quite a sharp contrast to paelor who was tall and muscular,with thick arms honed from months of swinging an hammer and forging steel.Paelor had short brown hair,a bushy brow,and a hooked nose that complimented his face and gave him a perculiar elegance.

"vogor forbid that I commit such a heinous crime" tergon retorted dryly,he prodded the mule and the hay ladden cart rolled forward towards the barn.
"Master Ingoth sent me to your father," paelor rumbled in his gravely voice,the leather sack slouched across his broad shoulder gave a metallic clink,"the new horse-shoes are ready"
"father is in the barn,come on paelor,this is my last haul",tergon said as he watched a fat duck fly up and settle on the hay-cart with a pleased croak.
"quite a harsh summer this year" paelor observed and then squinted at tergon,"you seem on the verge of dropping dead like a sack of bones"
"I appreciate the metaphor paelor,why,you would do well in one of old odjen's theatre shows" tergon quipped,the barn was only a few feets away,he prodded the mule to go faster,and it obliged at the sight of shelter and prospect of water.
"have you heard that lyan is to become old mistress salisa's apprentice"
"she'd make a good healer" tergon replied,steeling himself for what he knew was coming.

SmartestPopQUEEN:
Even though, the updates are too short, am Still following though... Ride on

Thank you.All I need is your comments,criticism,ideas and encouragement.I plan to give at least 5 updates per day,every 4 hours.I also plan to write a sequel or sequels.What do you think thus far?

Tergon coughed as dust flew into the air,when his coughing fit passed,he straightened and glared at the mule who returned his outrage expression with a baleful stare of its own.Tergon fumed even more at the mule's insolent disregard for his predicament,then deflated when he realized how ridiculous he must look,engaging in a staring match with a mule of all things.
He patted the mule,"I know,just keep still for a moment longer"
the mule grunted as if in acceptance and stood still.
Tergon sighed,he had always dreamed of being a warrior,to visit the great cities of the empire; kobeth,bellon,kendron,valaz and even the imperial capital of perth.He had once dreamed of sailing through the pale sea to explore other continents; rogosa,fresland,barbarus,kursk,such sweet dreams for a local farmboy in the dark corner of Anuria.
"daydreaming again?",that was paelor,the blaksmith's apprentice and his best friend.

21th year of the reign of Emperor Gwendor D'anzzaini IV,Overlord of the Council of
Dukes,Imperator of Great Anuria,Emperor of all Anuria.
.





.





The fat white sun of Garth beamed its harsh rays on the busy village of little fay,even the summer breeze was hot and dry.A knackered looking dog trudged up the dust filled street,tongue lolling out and ears drooping,dogding under moving carts of hay and avoiding the legs of hasty farmers.
The village of little fay was a busy farm settlement on the empire's border with Galbonia,separated only by strips of towering mountains.
Summer in little fay meant harvest,and with harvest came trade.
For the ninety-sixth time,Tergon,son of Euthar d'artexes wondered why the great god vogor had to create the sun in the first place.As he piled another cart full of hay,he wondered if vogor was a sadist diety who derived pleasure from watching mere mortals get baked to pulp under the scorching sun.The mule gave a distressed grunt,stamping a hooved hind-limb on the dry ground.