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Mar. 25, 2009
Chapter Six; Part One
I know I said I wouldn't post chapter six until I got five comments on the last part I posted. Well, I got five comments, they're just not all online. So without any further ado, I give you chapter six, part one...
It took Smith a moment to compute what Gradwin had just asked. The history of Yith?
"What... part of history? I know the origin of almost every race on Yith... I know how they came to the island... what don't I know?" Questioned Smith, now curious.
"Well," started Gradwin, "I suppose you just need to wait and see." Responded Gradwin, a familiar gleam in his eyes. "The story I am about to tell you is the same story my mentor told me once, as his mentor told him. Nothing has been changed since it was first told. Now let me spin my tale..."
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"Yith, as you well know, was once united under one ruler. Elves, dwarfs, and men lived in peace with one another, each with their own king, and each king paying tribute to the High King Koman. The tribute was not enforced- the kings payed it willingly, for all loved High King Koman... or at least, almost all. There was one, Hogarth, who did not like High King Koman.
"Hogarth was once king of men, but was force to give up the throne because one of his unhappy subjects sent a letter to the High King complaining about the high taxes Hogarth was pushing on the people. The High King had responded, sending an letter to Hogarth, requesting that he 'lighten the load on his peoples back'. Hogarth did not take kindly to someone telling him what to do, but he knew better then to tell the High King that, so he responded with a letter telling the High King exactly what he wanted to hear, but did not lighten the taxes by even a copper. He also began checking all letters that were to leave his kingdom, as to insure that High King Koman got no word of the taxes. He also began to publicly beat all who complained about anything.
"Now High King Koman was not one to play the fool, and if he smelled a rat, he did not stop until the rat was gone. And he smelled a rat. One day, he turned to his chief adviser and asked,
"'What should I do? I do not trust King Hogarth any farther then I can throw him, and that isn't very far. Everyone knows he wants my crown. Yet if I tell him outright that I do not trust him, he will turn what I say against me and make another grab for the crown. How should I go about this?'
"'Well,' began his chief adviser, 'What if, on your Majesty's next royal holiday, you went out to Jalyon, the place of your birth, saying you wanted to return to your roots for a while. That land is under Hogarth's rule, and if he still is taxing the people, that land would suffer as much as any.'
"High King Koman thought about this. Yes, this was wise advise. This is what he would do, and he told his adviser so.
"'Your Majesty, I must advise caution. This would be the perfect opportunity for Hogarth to murder you.' Said the adviser, fearing for the High Kings safety.
"'Do not be absurd. Hogarth may not like me, but he is not going to swoop so low as murder to get my crown.' Chuckled the High King.
"Several weeks later, the High King Koman went on his annual holiday, this year to Jalyon. As he traveled through the country side, he took notice of the small houses, the underfed children, and the scrawny animals. Despite the fact that there was no lack of food, the people were starving, and there was only one explanation, and it was heavy taxation.
"Once he arrived at his local palace, he immediately sent a servant to the castle of King Hogarth requesting an audience. High King though he may be, he was not above manners. King Hogarth responded immediately. Whenever the High King was ready he could come. And High King Koman was ready.
"Once the High King Koman arrived at the Castle Gwanist, King Hogarth's home, he immediately went into the sitting room, where, he was informed, King Hogarth was waiting for him.
"'Your Majesty!' started King Hogarth as the High King entered. 'This is truly a pleasant surprise! Come in, come in! Can I offer you some wine?' The High King nodded, as he was very thirsty, and suspected nothing as Hogarth poured both cups from the same jug.
"After taking a long drink from his cup, the High King Koman turned to King Hogarth. 'It is by no means a surprise that I am here, Hogarth. You know very well why I have come.' The High King paused as King Hogarth's face darkened. 'You did not easy the burden on the backs of the people. And whats more, more then half the people in Jalyon alone look as if a drought has swept through the country side, yet you sit here very well fed.' The High King sighed. 'I know this is your kingdom, but as high king it is my job to look after the people of all the kingdoms of Yith, not just the ones under my direct rule. And if you cannot be trusted with the well fair of your people, I will be forced to find someone who can.'
"Despite everything that was being said to Hogarth, he remained an unearthly calm. 'Your Majesty,' Said Hogarth slowly, 'I do not think you will have the time to find a replacement for me.'
"No sooner had the words left Hogarth's mouth then the High King dropped dead. For you see, Koman's cup had a deadly powder already in it, so even though the wine was not poisoned, the cup was. Hogarth calmly watched the former high king fall to the floor, and then nudged the body with his foot to ensure that it was dead. Satisfied, he called for some handpicked guards to come and dispose of the corpse. As they were leaving, Hogarth called out to them, 'And make sure the boy and his mother are dead. He is too young to take the crown now, but we cannot risk him trying in the future.' Hogarth then turned and headed into a secret room in the back of his chambers, where a crystal ball awaited him.
"Several days later, the whole of Yith had heard of the former High King's untimely death, and all were ether grief-stricken, filled with rage, or a deadly combination of both. And once they heard that the King had died, according to reports, somewhere between the Castle Gwanist and his palace, every finger on Yith pointed at Hogarth as the killer- if not directly, then the work of his men. Wars were waged, and the once peaceful land was torn apart. Dwarfs left their mines for the first time in centuries, elves left their wooded realms to fight along side men and dwarfs, and farmers turned their pitchforks into spears and plow shears into swords and lined up for battle.
"But their foe had an army beyond measurement. Foul creatures of all shapes and sizes, from Minotaurs to goblins to giant-sized cave trolls, his forces could not be stopped. They attacked relentlessly, pushing back the Army of the Western Kingdoms, for that is what they were called.
"But Hogarth had more to throw at the united western forces then an army. He threw deception and distrust in the mix. By enlarging the natural dislike that dwarfs had for elves, he drove a wedge between the two races, to the point where you couldn't get the two together for any reason at all. He also began to capitalize on men's distrust of elves, causing the Union of Western Kingdoms to collapse. The dwarfs returned to their mines and locked their doors, the elves returned to the woods and never left again, save a daring few, and the men continued the battle...
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"...And they have been fighting ever since." Gradwin concluded. "And that, dear Smith, is how the Great War began."
Smith sat for a moment in silence. Finally, he spoke. "How long ago was this?" He asked.
"Nearly one thousand years, our time. Your world has a very different time. In your time, it couldn't have been more then... around fifteen years ago."
"So, Hogarth is no longer alive."
"Correct. He married... though it was forced, and only because he needed a heir. The current ruler is one Kotu Adam."
"What of the boy Hogarth spoke of?" Asked Arina, for she had never heard the story before ether.
Gradwin paused, as if trying to decide what to say. Finally, with one last, uncertain glance at Smith, he spoke, saying: "That is a different story for a different time." With that said, Gradwin got up, put his pipe away, and retired for the night. Arina stayed for a few more moments, studying Smith very carefully. Her gaze make Smith feel uncomfortable, and he excused himself after a few moments to retire as well. Smith quickly slipped into a fitful sleep.
Reviews
Apr. 6, 2009 - Untitled Comment
 Posted by kass
that was awesome!!!!
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This is the place where you indulge yourself in the story and mythology of the world of Yith. I hope you enjoy my work.
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