Excerpt from The Wandering Stars
Kafervolk children's story. One of the Ten-Hundred Tales, as recorded in "The Wandering Stars" by Archivist Chell.
Listen closely, young warriors, to the story of two siblings, born to the heavens, alike in war, alike in desires, walking separate paths. Their father was the most skilled warrior and a great chieftain among their people and their mother was well known for her wisdom and empathy. They grew up pitted against one another in contests of strength and cunning to hone mind and body. Each became in their own way, the icons of battle.
Ashok, the first, was fierce and relentless, a warrior who fought with a savagery that made their enemies tremble. Victory at any cost was the only goal worth pursuing, and they would not hesitate to achieve it. Ayro’s rage on the battlefield was like a torrent of wildfire, burningall in its path.
Valorheart, the second, was level-headed, strategic, and honorable. He treated his all foes with respect and sought to win with clever tactics rather than the brute force that guided Ashok. Ashok would charge into battle and make their foes tremble with fear. While quick and clever Valorheart would outmaneuver, out smart, and seek total victory with little bloodshed.
One day a great war broke out with a neighboring city. As the enemy closed in on their home, Valorheart sent a messenger to their general. “On behalf of Valorheart the noble! let us end this bloodshed with a duel so that no others must die.”
The General answered, “Valorheart, you are known to me as honest and brave; I will face you and prove my might to end this conflict swiftly so that we may save both our men.” Valorheart answered back to the general, “It is agreed! The city gates will open at noon as a show of faith, we will duel at the center, before the Hall of the Founders, in the central square. Let it be known the result will be honored by all!” And so it was known.
Ashok knew of Valorheart’s plan and knew the enemy would never refuse the opportunity for swift victory and so laid a trap. His men were positioned along the roads and around the gates, hidden and out of sight, within houses and storerooms with kegs of oil and alcohol, tinder and flints. Ashok watched for the duel to begin, the flashing of swords and the cheering of the soldiers the signal for the trap to spring.
Ashok let his rage burn, his soldiers feeding his wildfire as they closed the trap. The flames spread into the center of the city to where Valorheart and the general fought, and surrounded by their men all perished in the inferno. Ashok ended the war, but only ash remained.
Listen closely, young warriors, to the story of two siblings, born to the heavens, alike in war, alike in desires, walking separate paths. Their father was the most skilled warrior and a great chieftain among their people and their mother was well known for her wisdom and empathy. They grew up pitted against one another in contests of strength and cunning to hone mind and body. Each became in their own way, the icons of battle.
Ashok, the first, was fierce and relentless, a warrior who fought with a savagery that made their enemies tremble. Victory at any cost was the only goal worth pursuing, and they would not hesitate to achieve it. Ayro’s rage on the battlefield was like a torrent of wildfire, burningall in its path.
Valorheart, the second, was level-headed, strategic, and honorable. He treated his all foes with respect and sought to win with clever tactics rather than the brute force that guided Ashok. Ashok would charge into battle and make their foes tremble with fear. While quick and clever Valorheart would outmaneuver, out smart, and seek total victory with little bloodshed.
One day a great war broke out with a neighboring city. As the enemy closed in on their home, Valorheart sent a messenger to their general. “On behalf of Valorheart the noble! let us end this bloodshed with a duel so that no others must die.”
The General answered, “Valorheart, you are known to me as honest and brave; I will face you and prove my might to end this conflict swiftly so that we may save both our men.” Valorheart answered back to the general, “It is agreed! The city gates will open at noon as a show of faith, we will duel at the center, before the Hall of the Founders, in the central square. Let it be known the result will be honored by all!” And so it was known.
Ashok knew of Valorheart’s plan and knew the enemy would never refuse the opportunity for swift victory and so laid a trap. His men were positioned along the roads and around the gates, hidden and out of sight, within houses and storerooms with kegs of oil and alcohol, tinder and flints. Ashok watched for the duel to begin, the flashing of swords and the cheering of the soldiers the signal for the trap to spring.
Ashok let his rage burn, his soldiers feeding his wildfire as they closed the trap. The flames spread into the center of the city to where Valorheart and the general fought, and surrounded by their men all perished in the inferno. Ashok ended the war, but only ash remained.
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