In this land there exists rumblings of war. Over hillocks and ravines float whispers of the great evil that is coming. Fear stirs the whispers and the menace grows and flows even into the great halls of the three races that dominate this part of the world.
The kingdom of Rasper is peopled by a lost remnant of men. Most are clever with weapons, lean of body, and using an old term, gallant. The landscape of was once lush and fruitful. But now it produces foul smells and the very water is so thick with toxins that it no longer flows and trickles, but is like a sauce, thick and pastey and greasey.
At the head of this once great kingdom sits a frail old man. Once vigorous as was his land, he is now stuck in the downward spiral of failing health. On one hand he has Feona, his daughter of his first wife and his eldest, on the other is his youngest, Johann, son of his second wife. These are the real rulers of Rasper.
For many years Johann has brutalized this land. Stealing from all that he can, taking advantage of any unwary soul that he encounters. Personally he has gained materially, but his soul is lost to lust for what is the property of others. So much so that the neighboring kingdoms are now tired of being raided and are joining forces to stop Johann the Thief, for that is what they call him.
Feona was for many years terrified of Johann, for he threatened her at every chance. He cut her off monetarily, abused her physically, isolated her from friends and family. But she ran the family fief as she could, secretly at the center of an anti-Johann movement. When Johann's efforts came to ruin, Feona would listen to Johann's rants at the dinner table and she would allow a smile to flit across her hidden lips. Her hands were always near her face, protecting, hiding. These rants were becoming more frequent as Feona and her allies became bolder.
In the king's bedroom things were not as they seemed. The king as usual sat up in bed, his companion reading to him from the castle's vast library. As of late the regular physician that was once provided by Johann had just stopped coming to the castle. Feona smiled when she heard that and appointed her choice of replacement. Herbs and tonics were changed. They were beginning to work on the old king. He was one to listen to whisperings and note things that others could not even perceive. Johann paid his regular visit, which he did to keep up appearances. But Johann had a way of having his cronies about him, and whispering to them of his intended evil. As the old herbs left the body and the new took effect, the king's mental clarity returned. Feona noted it quietly and told the servants to keep it to themselves. They smiled their approval.
Chapter Two
In the neighboring republic of Iona, the head of the government was presenting a war plan to the senate. The state of affairs had declined to the extent that many of the border residents who were farmers and craftsmen, were tired of Johann's pranks and had moved to the capital. The resulting overcrowding and lack of food and employment were causing riots. Emissaries had been sent to Rasper, in each party all were killed but one. That one was sent back barely alive with the message that nothing would change. The surviving men and their families sat in the Senate chambers demanding justice.
The lamentations were heard, the war plans laid out, carefully and in secret. First there was to be an assassination attempt on Johann and the rest of the plans, although finished, were to be kept in secret. Members of the senate were watched and sure enough one senator left the city headed towards Rasper and its capital Kingston. Along the road there were several taverns and inns that afforded the traveler a restful nights sleep and a hearty meal. The senator was followed from a safe distance and at the last inn before the boarder with Rasper the senator stopped long enough to water his horse and he was surrounded by men in the colors of Johann.
Signs of recognition were given and information exchanged. Then the senator was brutally murdered. The murderers robbed the body and turned to leave. During the confrontation the Rasperian delegation did not notice the approaching Ionian boarder guards. The Ionians were known for their marksmanship and not one of the Rasperian men made it back across the boarder. The spy was exposed, deposed in one swift move. The Rasperian men were loaded onto Ionian horses and later buried some distance from the boarder.
The stage was set for the next act of the play, or at least the Ionians thought so. But they did not count on a second spy that sent a trained bird with an attached warning. The bird landed on Johann's wrist.
The kingdom of Rasper is peopled by a lost remnant of men. Most are clever with weapons, lean of body, and using an old term, gallant. The landscape of was once lush and fruitful. But now it produces foul smells and the very water is so thick with toxins that it no longer flows and trickles, but is like a sauce, thick and pastey and greasey.
At the head of this once great kingdom sits a frail old man. Once vigorous as was his land, he is now stuck in the downward spiral of failing health. On one hand he has Feona, his daughter of his first wife and his eldest, on the other is his youngest, Johann, son of his second wife. These are the real rulers of Rasper.
For many years Johann has brutalized this land. Stealing from all that he can, taking advantage of any unwary soul that he encounters. Personally he has gained materially, but his soul is lost to lust for what is the property of others. So much so that the neighboring kingdoms are now tired of being raided and are joining forces to stop Johann the Thief, for that is what they call him.
Feona was for many years terrified of Johann, for he threatened her at every chance. He cut her off monetarily, abused her physically, isolated her from friends and family. But she ran the family fief as she could, secretly at the center of an anti-Johann movement. When Johann's efforts came to ruin, Feona would listen to Johann's rants at the dinner table and she would allow a smile to flit across her hidden lips. Her hands were always near her face, protecting, hiding. These rants were becoming more frequent as Feona and her allies became bolder.
In the king's bedroom things were not as they seemed. The king as usual sat up in bed, his companion reading to him from the castle's vast library. As of late the regular physician that was once provided by Johann had just stopped coming to the castle. Feona smiled when she heard that and appointed her choice of replacement. Herbs and tonics were changed. They were beginning to work on the old king. He was one to listen to whisperings and note things that others could not even perceive. Johann paid his regular visit, which he did to keep up appearances. But Johann had a way of having his cronies about him, and whispering to them of his intended evil. As the old herbs left the body and the new took effect, the king's mental clarity returned. Feona noted it quietly and told the servants to keep it to themselves. They smiled their approval.
Chapter Two
In the neighboring republic of Iona, the head of the government was presenting a war plan to the senate. The state of affairs had declined to the extent that many of the border residents who were farmers and craftsmen, were tired of Johann's pranks and had moved to the capital. The resulting overcrowding and lack of food and employment were causing riots. Emissaries had been sent to Rasper, in each party all were killed but one. That one was sent back barely alive with the message that nothing would change. The surviving men and their families sat in the Senate chambers demanding justice.
The lamentations were heard, the war plans laid out, carefully and in secret. First there was to be an assassination attempt on Johann and the rest of the plans, although finished, were to be kept in secret. Members of the senate were watched and sure enough one senator left the city headed towards Rasper and its capital Kingston. Along the road there were several taverns and inns that afforded the traveler a restful nights sleep and a hearty meal. The senator was followed from a safe distance and at the last inn before the boarder with Rasper the senator stopped long enough to water his horse and he was surrounded by men in the colors of Johann.
Signs of recognition were given and information exchanged. Then the senator was brutally murdered. The murderers robbed the body and turned to leave. During the confrontation the Rasperian delegation did not notice the approaching Ionian boarder guards. The Ionians were known for their marksmanship and not one of the Rasperian men made it back across the boarder. The spy was exposed, deposed in one swift move. The Rasperian men were loaded onto Ionian horses and later buried some distance from the boarder.
The stage was set for the next act of the play, or at least the Ionians thought so. But they did not count on a second spy that sent a trained bird with an attached warning. The bird landed on Johann's wrist.
