Siege

Prologue

The emerald sheet of grass blew in waves across the plains toward the gigantic gray, snow-covered crests, which lie beyond a rigid, dark green forest. Large clouds scattered across the sky cast shadows over the quiet field, partially blocking the two moons hardly visible in the light of the cool afternoon. Spring had just set in, and the sixteenth anniversary of peace between nations in feudal Ishkaar had brought festivities upon the country. However, Ishkaar wasn't always this quiet and peaceful...

Since the War of Great Djuzak ended (Arbin and Ishkaar declaring a draw), the old chief of the Hardak clan had long since passed, and his son, Vaazur, had just assumed his place as chief of the Hardak clan- the head clan of one of the oldest tribes in Ishkaar: the Adski tribe; renown for their violence. While the other cities feast and celebrate the twenty year long time of peace, the whole tribal kingdom of Adski had fallen silent. Within the keep, fourteen-year-old Vaazur Hardak, had just been proclaimed 'Barsaba Vesch Klendsva"; King of the Barbarians. As requested, his first order had just fallen into place- offer peace and nobility to his brethren if they revert back to monarchy across Ishkaar.

The first tribal kingdom he made the offer to, the war-torn kingdom of Kyschek (which was many days south), accepted his offer, and joined their kingdoms together under the Kingdom of Adski. Kyschek and Adski were century old foes, but by this point, Kyschek had all but given up on leaders and had adapted to anarchy- all of that changed once Hardak stepped in. The rest of the kingdoms were surprised when Lord Bierla, formerly 'Chief Bierla', agreed to spread monarchy across Kyschek. What was even more surprising was that it had gone so peacefully that the next kingdom asked to join, rather than being asked. Lord Raakiis to the north had forcibly reverted his kingdom back to monarchy and joined the Kingdom of Adski. Then the third, and the forth. Within just five years, Ishkaar had been half consumed by the Kingdom of Adski. The remaining kingdoms forbade joining Adski as they feard Adski would overpower and oppress its civilians, and force war on kingdoms on the other island- Skorrelland and Fraisi; which were mostly peaceful.

The fact that they refused and forbade further expansion of the Kingdom of Adski angered the aging King Hardak. He pleaded with them at first, time and again, before his anger erupted in a frenzy of battle between the closest kingdom, Evershine, and Adski. The time of peace had come to an end after twenty-five years of silence. The King of Adski had started to take land by force- any kingdom that stood in his way, and any signs of resistance, were quickly wiped out. Soon, only four kingdoms were left: Evershine, Steziv, Ozkar and Bisgard.

Alas, the king of Adski and his wife had conceived two children- Alidar and Bjork. Alidar was quick to follow his fathers footsteps. Bjork, on the other hand, saw what evil was in his father, and tried to convince Alidar not to follow so closely to his father- as their father's war had continued against the remaining four kingdoms. Alidar was raised to believe that the remaining four kingdoms were evil because they worshiped satanic beasts as deities- which, in Adski's religious theocracy, states all scaled creatures are demons and must be eradicated. Bjork was the youngest of the two, by three years. Alidar, being the oldest, was the closest to their father, however Vaazur had tried his best to bond with Bjork- which led to a falling out between the two. Toward the end of their father's reign, Vaazur had slain his wife for sleeping with a dragon. Before she died, she had conceived a child which was half dragon, half barbarian. She named her new daughter 'Tori', and she was significantly younger than the brothers- young enough to be one of their daughters.

One faithful night, Vaazur draw his sword on Tori. He stood before her with his sword drawn, blood lust in his eyes- as she was a constant reminder of his wife whom he had killed in cold blood. Just before his sword came down on the hatchling's head, a blade came from the darkness before the king, stopping the blade just inches from the hatchling's head. Vaazur stared into the eyes of his opponent...and who stared back made him tremble in hate as he had been betrayed by his own son.

Just moments later, Alidar had stepped in to aid his younger brother against his own father. While swords clashed, Alidar and Bjork pleaded reason with him- to leave the daughter alone and let her be taken to the north, but the father declined. Swift as Vaazure could be, he was overpowered by two swordsmen who he had raised himself. As he wore himself out he admired how well his sons had become. Finally the king collapsed as Alidar jabbed him in the heart. The king looked into his son's eyes with the look of betrayal, and Alidar looked back. The room fell silent, Tori's cries finally breaking the silence between the four. The king passed away in Alidar's hands.

The king had now died. Alidar couldn't stand to look at his brother any longer, nor Tori. The council had ruled that Tori was not welcome in that kingdom- and it was in Bjork's best interest if he left Adski. Not a second day after the trial, Alidar had put Tori in Bjork's care, gave him one days worth of provisions, and sent him north. Not a second glance was exchanged between the two. The hatred felt between the two was strong enough to part them permanently. Alidar stood atop the gate house as he watched his youngest siblings- the only two family he had left- ride off toward the gigantic rocky ridge in the distance while stars became visible above the horizon.