The rock below (Emmitt Atachi- Chapter 1) (411 hits)
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Submitted by Kraven <heckler420.at.gmail.com> (View user info) at 2005-02-15 16:00:45 EST
Im sitting here once again, bored at work. Like alot of uberers not sure of what to write about today, so im just going to start with this and see what bleeds out. Scaning the screen i've noticed these three words; below, rock, the. So im going to compose a short story for you today entiled "The rock below." So it begins.
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Chapter 1) The Rock Below.
Once upon a time there lived a small, very small old man. He was once known as a drifter, a homeless vagabond. Born and raised in a small village over looking the mountainous continent once known as Eutora. Eutora was beautiful beyond belief, known for its magical waterfalls, breath taking sunsets, and its warm hospitality, not many have ever sought out passed the boundaries of their land.
The old man was always fond telling stories to the children, the parents, the farmers, and those just passing by. He was about eighty years in age, and he looked even older. One night he had passed away in his sleep. I was young and stupid, and I went in search of valuable items to sell at the market.
I had searched the small hut on the edge of the shore, and I found nothing of value, I had almost given up when I noticed a small hole in the wall. Reaching I found a journal entitled "Emmitt Atachi, the story of yesterday." I would like nothing more than to carry on the legacy of this great storyteller, but share with you the past, brought to by Kraven, the autobiography of Emmitt Atachi.
Emmitt, was the son of a smith. His life was very plain and he had often wondered what life beyond the gray prairie had to hold. He had grown accustomed to the beauty in all that was Kiawahi
Kiawahi was bordered by the Tasbien Sea to the south and west; the Orank plateau to the east and to the north laid the Bazerieal territory. There is a lot to say about the Bazeriealian people, they were lazy, they had no value for land, and earth. Their greed as ran strong as their prosperity, and they're more commonly known as the northerners, many of the elders joked about the strange ways of the northern civilization.
Bazerieal was a wealthy city, far more advanced than that of the people of Kiawahi. The Bazerieal Empire stretched deep into the north, covering almost the entire continent. You could say that they where the super power on the map. Kiawahi, once again known for its beauty and splendor had caught the emperor's eye many times. A desire to have this little corner of heaven was a heated passion that had turned to obsession years back.
Emmitt helped his father forge weapons for the army of Bazerieal, making their family quite wealthy. They had somewhat of a peace agreement; as long as the Atachi family provided the weaponry requested the Bazeriealian people they would have peace. Another one of the northern civilizations shrewd ways of obtaining what it wanted.
This did not phase the Atachi family nor the people of Kiawahi. They were quite contempt with their independence from the northerners, and worked graciously with their neighboring country.
Emmitt, one day standing outside his mud and clay hut, patching a whole in the foliage covering the opening of the roof, caught a glimpse of what looked like a small figure creeping in the night. He carried on patching his hole disregarding what he had seen. Suddenly he hears a scream and the town is awaken.
The crowed had gathered in the courtyard of the estate of the towns elder Kochiwon. He rose in hand in a gesture that silenced the crowed. Under his white garb there was a hint of blood. He addressed the people telling them of an assassin who had broken in and almost had his way with him. The assassin had been startled by Kochiwon's servants and fled on foot to the eastern plateau.
A council was held Emmitt and his father where asked to attend that night on account of providing arms for the townsmen in case of an event. Preparations had to be addressed and planned. Kochiwon had informed the council that he had known for some time about the Emperor Kai and his desire for the land of the Kiawahi people.
A war was on the horizon. The next day Kochiwon sent three messengers, one southward to the docks of the seas, to ready any naval commands to take aim at the northern border, and to await any further orders. The second messenger was sent westward to the base of the plateau, a small encampment of thieves, warriors, and bards who were seen unfit for normal social interaction in the Bazerieal Empire.
The third messenger, Emmitt was sent to the north, deep into the Bazerieal territory. At this time the passage was safe, the war had not yet been declared and peace was still on the minds of the people. Upon arrival at the emperor's palace, he was greeted by the hospitality of the blunt side of a spear.
He awoke cold in a jail cell, deprived of his cloths, and a pounding headache. He had committed no crimes, although the emperor knew his face, and contemplated such a visit. It was rare anyone from the Kiawahi to travel to the capital of Bazerieal, the streets where full of filth, and the people far less hospitable.
During the night Emmitt sat silent in his cell, the guardsman had been nodding their heads in a sleep-like trance. Emmitt felt ashamed for letting himself be captured so easily, he studied the cells, learning their structure and design. Finally his knowledge as a smith would show its use.
He studied the hinges, the locks, the thickness, and density of the steel bars. He studied and the casing around the hinges and saw the trademark that his father had etched on all of his creations. Emmitt had grown quite fond of learning his father's line of work, and often helped him hand in hand on the projects presented. The lock was in no way unique.
He had found a small piece of shrapnel that looked as if it had been torn from a small coil from the former bench that ran on the south wall of the cell. It only took one minute for him to crack the lock and swing the hinges open. He crept past the two sleeping guards, and wondered up through the courthouse.
It wasn't hard for him to find the emperors room, it was well let. He crept up to the window, peeking inside. He saw the emperor and his lovely wife. The servants have all been dismissed, the two of them where alone. He crept inside wondering to a dark corner of the room where he found a small katana with the words "Justice," inscribed.
He chuckled under his breath, drawing the sword into his hand. Hiding in the corner he thought out his every move, going over the plan over and over until every move and every reaction to the worst of outcomes was accounting for. The lights went out.
Emmitt slipped over to the bed thrusting his blade deep into the heart of the emperors' wife. The blow was so swift she made not a sound. He grabbed the pot of hot coals the servants left underneath the blanket as a foot warmer, and cracked it over the head of the great Kai rendering him unconscious. Slipping into some cloths Emmitt carried Kai out, unnoticed.
The emperor awoke, tied to a plank like a pig over a fire. At the top end of the plank was a steel loop with a rope tied to it. The rope ran about fifty feet and was anchored securely to a large rock. In shock he squirmed trying to get free, the thought of what was to come terrified him at every thought.
At noon the towns' people of Kiawahi gathered around the emperor, spiting and casting stones. The emperor screamed in horror begging to be let free. But the elders had more in store for them; they needed to make an example. It had been years since the last attack on the elders, they had thought that Kai had sent his last assassin.
The elders spoke, "We today stand before you, with a very special gift. To many years have we been plagued by the northerners actions, today, we end this for once and always. We give you Kai." With that the elders turned and walked away.
Emmitt, full of hatred towards the emperor for his recent captivity, wanted his last ounce of revenge. He walked to the edge of the plateau and looked down at the rocks below. Turning to Kai, he said, "Your heart is that of a stone, cold and incapable of feeling, today you will meet your match." Emmitt turned and pushed the stone over the edge.
The former emperor fell to his death, word spread fast to those of the Bazeriealians. The people where in shock how could their leader so easily be defeated? Once a great emperor, he is now just a stain on the rocks. The body was left tied to the mangled board for all those who doubted to see. Although it was not over for the people of the Kiawahi, there are much more dangerous things on their path.
User Reviews
Submitted by Jack_McCallum (user info) at 2005-02-15 17:25:11 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
"They were quite contempt with their independence from the northerners.."
I know you're trying, so I won't give you a negative rating. But spellcheck for Jesus sake.
Submitted by Jeanneee (user info) at 2005-02-15 16:17:50 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
WTF, I never heard of any of these places.
Just kidding. This was good, I liked it.
Submitted by polymorph505 (user info) at 2005-02-15 16:04:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Oh, the guys are work are going to have a field day with this.
-- Homer Simpson
The Call of the Simpsons