My brother and I trudged along the countryside for most of the day. The Main City, as many people called the town that Korindal occupied, was situated in the center of Elesmire. Kings had lived in the city for as long as anyone could remember.
Our land began when sea traders from the East selling a certain oyster had found this land and had decided to settle there. They build a large city that prospered on the trades of the lands around it. Marda was an especially close trade partner, even though it was so far away, situated on the other side of the vast ocean that separated us.
Eventually, seeing that trade was good, people began moving into the small city that the sea traders had set up. Trying to accommodate all the new people, an expansion was made, and smaller towns and villages sprouted up around the trading city like mushrooms after a shower. Years later, royals from an unknown land came to the trading city and settle in town. They built a tall castle and set up a real government. They also constructed the Great Barrier, a stone wall that surrounded the whole city. As thanks, the town-people accepted the nobles as their kings and submitted themselves to the wisdom and protection of them. Ever since, kings had been living in that city, which came to be known as the Main City. The crown was passed from father to son, or to daughter if there had been no son. So far, this had only happened once.
Over time, the land that the kings ruled came to be known as Elesmire, which was the name of the pearl that was found in the oyster that the sea traders had built their business on. Even now, our land made its money on the oysters and pearls fished from the waters. The kings of old had then ensured that all people were welcome into their kingdom. It was a land of freedom and peace. Soon, the land was full of distant travelers and traders, all who came to the free country with new hopes and dreams. However, when Korindal came to power, he put a stop to that.
The first thing he did was set up a registration fee. All who came to Elesmire were forced to register at the King's Desk. A fee was charged and only those who fit regulation were permitted in. And even in that rare case, they were closely watched. This discuraged many traders from coming to our land, and Elesmire lost most of its wealth. However, The Spider didn't seem to care. He decided he could do whatever he wanted. He did let few traders into his kingdom, though only if they had something to offer him. Spell Weavers, Truth Sayers, and Dream Whisperers were let in, only if they pledged their services to him. They then were only allowed to live in the Main City, so the king could call upon them when needed. All in all, Korindal ruined the good government, trade system, and trust that his ancestors before him had set up. To disgrace them even further, he lived in the same castle they had built, but had torn down the old heirlooms and had replaced them with busts of himself, and had burned most of the books. He had promised a New Age. He had said that history was for the dead. He was going to start afresh. Hearing this, people had willingly followed him, until he had shown his true colors. The Morning Star was one of many who had stood up to him.
But what was done was done. Elesmire fell into poverty and trade stopped. The only money made was what good-hearted soldiers and pity-filled nobles gave us. That was why so many towns disappeared from the map and so many peasants moved to the Main City and became beggars or abandoned life itself and lived in the dense woods that surrounded many of the cities. Everyone sought a new life that would be better than the last.
My brother and I were not the only ones who were venturing to the Main City. As we traveled along the dirt roads that ran through our home town and into the distance beyond, we encountered many families and loners who were also going to the city of the king. However, all of them were light-hearted and cheery. They were on their way to a better life, or so they thought. My brother and I were traveling out of desperation and grief.
YOU ARE READING
The Raven
FantasyI always wanted to live a normal life, just fit in. But somehow, I am just "different". I was happy just being with my father and brother. But, when strange men come to town, my life turns upside down. They tear my world apart and open new horrors...
