Legends of the Lost Days: The Humbling of the Stone Court · 5:34am Feb 13th, 2013
Lodged in a dark dusty corner is a single tome chronicling ages long passed. Dare you open it, brave traveler? Sit down by the roaring hearth and discover the tales of forgotten legends and high adventure!
As it often was in the Age of Shadows, the exchange of land, fealty, and wealth was as routine as night and day, though little of it was by choice. A kingdom to the north, however, had survived the barbarism induced after the fall of the Age of Enlightenment. ‘Twas not the only to commit such a deed, but this tale be notable, for monsters lurked in their hearts. Fledgling as they may be, they posed no threat. But as an acorn may grow into a mighty oak, bad things come when evil is allowed to fester in the hearts of man.
The Stone Kingdom had some of the mightiest warriors in their ranks. The lands were rich in farmland and and precious stones, so nobles and the line of Stone Kings had little they wanted outside their borders. Such wealth made them arrogant, but capable of supplying the strongest steel and bravest of men. The Stone Legion would not bow to the elements, never yielding to whatever force pressed upon it. Such tenacity granted them the power to repel barbarian lords and marauders seeking plunder; wanton greed proved the downfall of the wicked time and time again when lines were drawn on the battlefield.
Power and wealth had sown the seeds of monsters within the Stone Kingdom, yet while fate had often been unkind in the new age, it had smiled on the Stone Court. King Rojenka was not an evil man, but a vain one. As kings do, they tire from state affairs and require entertainment. Rojenka summoned two of his greatest warriors, blademasters Set and Raj. To show those under his rule that he possessed the strongest warriors in all the lands, he staged an open contest of strength where the courageous knights would do battle until one claimed victory.
The duel took place in the castle square where all could see. What few peasants and indentured servant that could afford not working in the fields were present as well. ‘Twas a wonderful event to behold.
Snaggletoothed curs and upper class patricians alike cast lots on a victor with the popular vote falling on Set. The blademaster was a behemoth of a man, rumored to carry the blood of stone giants the likes the kingdom was named after. Raj was wily and moved with a panther’s grace, but had not obtained the hard fought years of experience as his opponent.
The gods surely trembled in fear that day. Never before had such two equally matched foes dueled with every fiber of their being. For every stroke of a sword, there was the slash of an axe. What little wounds they received were reciprocated a thousand fold. The blademasters were more than men, they were titans of battle and war, capable of dispelling even the stoutest heart.
Against all odds and the popular vote, Raj’s cunning overcame Set’s raw strength. Raj hoisted his foe’s weapon above his head, declaring, “Art thou brave enough to challenge the world’s strongest?” Raj heaved the mighty blade into the stone courtyard, rending the polished minerals asunder.
King Rojenka was delighted, for even though Raj was not favored to win, the upset proved the might of the Stone Kingdom nonetheless. He stood and declared to the crowd, “Let any man challenge my champion, for he shall be granted one wish if he proves to be mightier.” Men and women alike trembled in fear; none possessed the courage to fight such a warrior.
Or so Rojenka believed. A lone farmer stepped forth, dressed in only a worn traveling cloak and walking stick. “I challenge.”
Raj and Rojenka laughed at such a pitiful man. One of the most battle-hardened warriors failed to fell such a beast, and yet a single weakling dared jest his skill? “Turn back, you poor fool. Tend your fields and leave in peace, for you have made me laugh heartily this day.”
“I am determined, my king. I will fight your champion.” The serf’s voice was determined. The king, rather than take pity on the man and force him to leave Raj’s presence, wished to entertain himself.
“You are a foolish man, not a brave man. I shall grant you your wish, but Raj will not take pity for your status as a lowly peasant.” The stranger only removed his cloak and carefully folded the garment. As the stranger had yet to retreat, the king was forced to let the foolish man continue or be publically ousted as a honorless dog. “Very well, stranger. Defeat my knight and claim your reward.”
That was all the farmer needed to here. In one swift motion to rival even Raj, he twirled his staff and charged. Raj was momentarily caught off guard, both by the fierceness of his foe and the refusal to acquire additional weapons or armor for the duel. Such thoughts were banished quickly, however. The siren call of battle and blood flooded their senses and their conscious minds were lost in a deadly dance.
The castle foundations trembled once again under the the might of war gods from ages long passed. Swift Ray, Lord of the Wind. A simple farmer, as stout and strong as the very earth under their feet. Neither lay a blow on the other, for even the farmer’s mastery of the quarterstaff proved enough to thwart the world’s strongest. Raj’s proficiency in the sword arts was only just enough to combat the staff’s extensive reach.
The tension built more and more. Stone shattered, walls trembled, and even the very wind howled under the tenacity of gods. Peasants fled in fear, for surely the conclusion of such a magnificent feat of battle would vanquish more than mortal flesh. Begotten by naught a simple challenge, the duel was concluded as fast as it had began. With a single blow to the head, the terror of Raj was struck until he prostrated himself before the farmer. Raj gazed upon his better in battle and saw only his better with his quarterstaff at Raj’s throat.
Undeniable rage stormed across Raj’s mind at the humiliating defeat. Lo! the terror had been humbled by a tiller of the earth. The disgrace would follow him to the grave, but Raj did not voice his wrath. He was proud, but honorable. He raised his head in respect of his better and calmly awaited the killing blow, for he had been honorably bested in single combat.
“What madness it this! You lout! Chockartist! Vermin! Disgrace! How dare thee be defeated by such a mongrel!” King Rojenka’s fury was great indeed. The farmer he had so quickly dismissed had bested his mightiest warrior! In clear view of the court!
The farmer had turned his quarterstaff on Rojenka. The king, despite his command and soldiers, knew the true meaning of fear that day. “Speak, farmer, and ask of me what you will. Name your heart’s desire, and it shall be granted.”
“I wish naught for any worldly possession you have obtained, Stone King. Such items and luxuries are trivial for such a simple man as myself. Know, I need not your gold, land, or royal titles.”
The king was confused by such a statement; a peasant not in need of wealth? The Age of Shadows was fueled by greed and the deception of man. Wealth was the currency of lives. “What, pray tell, could you possibly desire, stranger? Declare it!”
“I wish for your heart, Stone King. I know of the terror and torment that plagues the lands outside your kingdom and the mere thought of such a fate befalling our lands wounds my soul. I wish for your heart, Stone King. Tear out the seeds of evil from within your chest and cast them out for the betterment of all. Let not future wickedness spread with the mistakes of the present. Let not your eyes be blinded by pride or fanciful indulgences. I wish for your heart, Stone King, for the monarchy will fall if evil not be purged by the fires of good men.”
The barons and lords of lands sunk to their knees and prostrated themselves before the farmer, for they knew he spoke the truth. King Rojenka tore the crown from his head and cast it at the farmer’s feet, for his eyes had been opened and no longer saw himself as worthy of such a kingdom. Such an offer would not tempt the farmer. “I have claimed your heart, Stone King, and I depart with it. That was my wish and nothing more.” And the farmer departed with his staff and cloak. The Stone Court trembled until night had befallen the kingdom, for they surely had been in the presence of a god.
The days of the Stone Kingdom were bountiful from that day forward. The Stone King’s heart had been purged of evil and it shined as the guiding beacon through the Age of Shadows. Legends were born and stories told on such a pillar of strength through the dark times that had swallowed the world, but the court chroniclers had transcribed the tales. It only takes a flame to fight the shadows.
Very nice... some grammatical errors here and there, but nothing too bad.
I look forward to the next story, Man of Journeys.
824603
You will. We move back in time out of the Age of Shadows and into the event that induced the Age of Legends. The most metal thing ever will happen.
825777
The Age of Sundering is at hand/hoof/other appendage?
Well, I look forward to it.
827661
The way I have it set up is the Age of Beginnings is set during the dawn of recorded history. The next age was the birth of great heroes and deeds, along with the many other races that inhabited the lands. Think of it as when the most awesome stuff every happened. Think of a world where humans, dragons, trolls, mages, Fae, elves, and a whole hodgepodge of other creatures lived together.
The Age of Enlightenment was the dawn of understanding and growth. As you know, mysticism and science don't get along well, so that caused some friction. This eventually cumulated into the 'Dark Ages' of the story, the Age of Shadows. The sundering as you so put it already happened by the time of the farmer and the Forever Man's stories occurred. I may make it worse, however. I don't feel that the world is crapsack enough yet.
827740
Well, if you ever need more crap for the crapsack, just ask, I'm good at that sort of thing.
828578
Right after I start the most epic anything of all time. Worldbinder be her name, the lives of land be her claim. Still, if you have a short story you want to add, be my guest.
But sure, if you want to add to the crap that will happen. It's not called the age of shadows for nothing.