Weeks later, Nendas made his way up the steps of the walls of Tarasif and much had changed since. The buildings nearest the walls had been torn down, and men were drilling in the ruins. Kalif stood atop, looking out over the fields where hedges and trees were being cut back. As Nendas reached the top, he looked up, feeling a wind blowing through his hair. At the top of the steps, he saw his King, Kalif, looking over it. The King looked down at him as he came to stand beside him, eyes wary.
"So, you're here at last?" asked Kalif.
"There were some sick and injured to attend to from the building projects," said Nendas.
"Well, I'll be glad to have them back to work," said Kalif. "I'm surprised you decided to side with me. You could have become King yourself with the regard shown for you, Nendas."
Nendas shrugged. "I am the Avatar of Jaha.
"My purpose is to serve her, and to become King would require me to betray that service. Besides, I have no interest in the task anyway."
"Well, I am pleased to have a supporter with such an attitude," said Kalif. He was looking down at recent arrivals. "You men, move up to the northmost fortifications; we need more men to shore up the defenses there."
That had been the way things had gone for all this time. Kalif had been in a flurry of activity, hardly spending time in his palace. Most of his time was spent speaking with local leaders and organizing reconstruction.
And then Taha came down the steps from where she had been meditating. Kalif did not look back. "Taha, what news from Tamar?"
"I've communed with her," said Taha. "She won't be helping us."
"What do you mean?" asked Nendas. "Surely you've brought many over to her side."
"Tamar doesn't have many subjects in this place," said Taha. "Not of the zealous kind anyway. Most of them are east of Kulat. And she likes her subjects to earn her miracles.
"And she has some other matter she is pouring power into. Though she mentions we might have some indirect help.
"I have also received news from the east wind. The armies of Kulat are coming. They'll begin their invasion soon. Nothing further east of that, though; Tamar has denied me sight."
"Then it is fortunate we began preparations when we did," said Kalif. "You were not in error, Nendas.
"Now, let us review our chances.
"I have ordered the women and children to move from the city to strongholds in the mountains. They were built in ancient days. It should save us on the number of mouths we need to feed if it becomes prolonged.
"Some of my best men will guard them here.
"The priests with martial training have also pledged to aid us. We've torn down the houses nearest to the walls. I've also had the trees nearest to the city cut down and used for reinforcement. It should give us a clear line of sight.
"Taha, can you call on the winds to aid our archers? Or does Tamar still refuse?"
"I'm not sure it's a good idea," said Taha. "Tamar usually demands something in return for favors. Sacrifices, incense, that sort of thing. I think she let me use her power because I didn't do it often. She was... indulging me.
"I'm more of a beloved pet than a worshipper.
"I'm not sure what kind of price she'd demand assistance here.
"And I'm not sure we can afford to start this all over."
"For one who is newly converted, you do not seem to have much love for your god," noted Kalif.
"Oh, I'm uh... I'm just new to her service, that's all. I'm sure," said Taha quickly, and her words were one afraid.
"When Kulat attacks, Rokas will be with the gate guards," said Kalif. "Nendas, you will act as a healer with the other priests of Jaha. We have plenty of men who can fight; healers are rare now."
"I understand," said Nendas. He noted that Kalif had kept them apart so they couldn't communicate. One duty had always drawn one off one way or another.
At that moment, Taha stiffened. The winds howled around them.
"...What is it?" asked Kalif.
"They are moving," said Taha. "The armies of Kulat are coming toward the border now."
"Well then, we must sound the evacuation," noted Kalif.
And everyone became very busy, checking for any final vulnerabilities left unplugged. Archers manned the walls as the people in the surrounding lands were abandoned. He had long since prepared. They left with what goods they could carry, moving down the road and through the open gates. Fires were lit as they stormed in, and men directed them to seek shelter in the temples. Spears were handed out, and soon Nendas stood on the walls.
A week, Kulat came forward in a great army, no doubt recently raised. Ranks upon ranks of spearmen stood ready while archers and horsemen marched at the front. Their plumes were flying high, and their armor was shining. Their banners were high above them, flowing green in the wind, and they made a fine spectacle.
Then they stopped in surprise.
No doubt they had come expecting a city tearing itself apart or built on shaky ground in the hands of a tyrant. As such, they did not seem to have anticipated finding a fortress. Especially one reinforced and guarded with torches lit against a gray sky. There were also many archers and spearmen looking down on them, ready for a fight.
But the pause was only momentary, and soon they began to assemble for a siege. As they did, a herald rode forward in shining mail. "Hear me! I represent the King of Kulat, Chosen One of the Gods, and rightful steward of Tarasif!
"King Samrasa was our friend and ally for many years. His death is a tragedy, and his usurpation and abomination! Now he stands on his rights to determine the succession! We demand the heads of those responsible for the death of King Samrasa, the surrender of Tarasif."
"I am King Kalif of Tarasif, and you mistake me for a vassal," said Kalif. "Do not think that with Samrasa's madness died all valor. We've defeated you once before. Now we stand with an advantage.
"By what authority can you preside over our affairs?"
"You would do well to have care," said the Herald. "King Kulat will not suffer from having his rights denied. He will determine who rules Tarasif as a concerned party."
"This is absurd," said Kalif. "King Kulat was never Samrasa's friend; you hated eachother for years. And you have been his vassal in all but name since your defeat. You sit on your throne at Tarasif's pleasure, and you presume to dictate terms to us?
"Go back to your own realm and take your due place. Do so, and I will be lenient."
"What due place is afforded you, murderer of your master?" asked the herald.
"Not a death by your blade, and my master is the Gods," replied Kalif.
"This being your answer, I shall bear your response to him. You shall soon receive our reply," said the herald. And he rode back.
"Well, now we come to it, don't we?" asked Kalif. "Do you think we'll hold?"
"Well, I don't think they were expecting to find this place so well-defended," admitted Nendas. "Our preparations seem to have given them pause. Kulat has already suffered a defeat, and if we're lucky, he may settle for a renegotiation."
"Look there," said Taha, pointing outward.
They did look outward.
A messenger was now riding from the north toward the Kulatian armies. His pace was breakneck, and his horse was exhausted.
"He's run his horse ragged," said Kalif in distaste. Kalif liked horses.
The messenger arrived and spoke with King Kulat. There was a brief discussion. And then the herald came back.
"King Kalif, our truest friend and ally!" said the herald. "Ill tidings have come from the east! A host of savage Amazons, bearing the banner of Queen Tamar have come to assail us! We ask now that you honor our time-honored pacts and join us to defeat a common foe!"
Kalif nodded and looked at the image of a noble and wise king. "Indeed, your people are as brothers unto mine! Together our swords shall be drawn to defeat a great evil! The Dark Goddess Tamar shall be brought to heel and destroyed!
"Taha, Nendas, make sure nothing happens while I'm gone. I'm entrusting the city to you."
And everyone started moving to plan to go save Kulat. The very people who had just been sieging them were now fleeing back. In mere seconds they had become steadfast allies against a terrible common foe. The Amazons of Spirtana and her allies were among the most brutal and vicious of enemies. It was said they preyed on their own population nearly as much as their enemies.
It was a rite of passage for an Amazon of Spirtana to find a male of their own people and kill him slowly. So the thought that they had come was enough to unite both.
"...What?" said Nendas.
Rokas came up now, looking confused as soon the armies started altering their plans on the fly. "Have you ever heard the expression 'trust him like a brother?'"
"Yes," said Nendas.
"Your nation seems to have given the phrase a very different subtext," said Rokas.
"So it would seem," said Nendas.
"So, we are saved, it seems," said Rokas. "And the city is saved as well, not by our hand, but by the hand of another."
"What now, Nendas?" asked Taha.
Nendas shrugged. "I imagine I'll continue as the Avatar of Jaha.
"She is... possessive, but I owe her service. She isn't perfect, but my family has served her for ages. And I will continue to serve her until she has no more need of me."
"Fair enough," said Taha. "I figure I'll stay with Tamar for the moment. I've got a debt to repay her, so it's the least I can do. Rokas?"
"I shall stand with you, so long as you have need of me," said Rokas.
The words proved prophetic.
And so things progressed without them.
Nendas, Rokas, and Taha set about building up the city as best they could, and many people needed their help. The first step was a full-scale purge of those profiting from persecution. They had been locked in place by the siege preparations, and now Nendas took action. He captured them, tried them for their crimes, and ordered them hung, except those Jaha chose to pardon.
There were few of the latter.
Their money was seized and immediately distributed in penance. Of course, it wasn't nearly enough, but it went a long way to easing tensions. It helped that most of them were among the most despised people in the city. Samrasa, in his later years, had attracted flatterers and sycophants. He had ceased to listen to good counsel. Many were wholly unqualified. And they had made obscene displays of wealth and abused their powers.
Nendas then proceeded to strip Samrasa's tomb bare of all ornaments, and it took quite a while. He used the precious metals to fund the purchase of weapons and supplies. That and also rebuilding things. This was a long-standing tradition among Tarasifian Kings to desecrate their predecessor's tomb. One the Nendas took more pleasure than he ought to in reviving.
Samrasa's body was left for the wolves, and his tomb was turned into a Temple for Elranor. Though very few of that cult now remained, it was all the priests could do to keep it swept and in good repair. Eventually, it was dedicated as a place of healing. One where anyone who wished could come to be healed of wounds and sickness. And many priests often stayed around there to gain recognition as miracle workers.
However, one tradition he did not revive was the destruction of the histories and records. Especially those written by the previous King. Nendas ensured all records and data were well recorded and commissioned new ones. All are based on accounts from many living people. Taha and Rokas were among them, though Nendas himself had to be pressured into it.
The power was quite nice, but Nendas was kept very busy. Taha often used the winds to find faraway places, and soon they went out to repair many places. And they were sure to erect several statues of stone of Kalif in various places. All to make their loyalties clear. This had been Kalif's request, and he'd insisted on it being stone.
Many had wondered why, but Taha pointed out the obvious.
"Stone itself isn't all that valuable; only the statue is," said Taha. "If you melt down a statue of gold or silver, you have a lot of money. If you melt down a statue of stone, you get nothing but ruined artwork.
"So Kalif's statues are likely to fare better than Samrasa's."
"This seems a clear indicator of the value of humility," said Rokas. "For one who is humble, their legacy lasts far longer than one who is arrogant."
"We'll be dealing with Samrasa's legacy for the rest of our lives," said Nendas to this, more than a little bitter. He could not help but feel it ought to be his statue up there, but such thoughts did not befit one of his stations. So he put them to one side as absurd.
Months passed, and wars on the border were fought. Kulat and Tarasif fought a mighty battle with Spirtana. They were vicious warriors individually, and each one was worth ten men. And their slaves were in great numbers and were driven toward them to break the lines. Yet Kulat and Tarasif proved more than a match, and in the first battle, the Spirtana were repulsed.
But they came again, several times in a different way. Stories came of women cloaked in mist, tearing the hearts of men and devouring them. Others spoke of giant wolves ripping people apart or the trees moving. Kulat became a land of horror, and more men were needed for the fighting.
Yet Kalif won great glory for himself, leading men to battle. Vast stretches of the evil trees were hacked down, put into a bonfire, and torched before them. The wolves were baited into traps and cut to pieces. One of the border villages was left unguarded as a feint, and the Spirtana took it. They rushed into combat and found themselves caught in an ambush, and many were killed. Those that could not escape fled to a hill to make their last stand. Some killed themselves rather than be taken hostage by men.
But King Kulat himself was ambushed while pursuing the remaining group. They killed him by torment. His mutilated corpse was a hunger for all to see, and the Spirtana Princess took his armor, Seracula. She launched many new raids, swift strikes that killed many, leaving behind plunder. And there was soon great hatred between her and Kalif, and it was said they once came within ten feet during a battle. But Seracula's spear was deflected by his armor, and Kalif's was broken by her sword.
The dead taken by Seracula were defaced, their eyes carved out, and their bodies hung by the border. And those who braved it to try and reclaim the bodies of friends were often hung beside them. But Kalif did not return the gesture. He focused instead on winning battles and securing the border. And it seemed that this made the Spirtana Women hate him all the more.
Such were the stories that Nendas, Tamar, and Rokas heard from Tarasif. However, they were far more busy keeping the kingdom together than worrying about it. It was a lengthy process and not at all dull; the pity was more. However, the knowledge that the army could win or lose by what they did here kept them motivated. And men soon worked all the harder to know there were stakes in victory or defeat.
Now and then, bandits and several rebels from previously conquered states cropped up. But Nendas, Tamar, and Rokas could encircle them quickly with the blessings of the gods. And when these cities saw how great the numbers they had raised were, many surrendered. Those that did not, Nendas lay siege to and were captured.
One among them was Avatal, the homeland of a notable Incarnation of the Land, Aais. For a long time, it had chafed under Tarasif, and now it sought to regain independence. But Taha and Rokas scaled the walls by stealth during the night. Their small force surprised the guards at the gate, killed them, and opened it wide.
At the showing of a torch, Nendas led his men in, and they stormed the city. But Nendas ordered that none who threw down their weapons would be harmed. And no one was slain save the defenders. Beneath their onslaught, the city was taken within the hour. King Aais was taken prisoner and dragged back to Tarasif.
Another time, the Northern peoples from the land of Viokinar came down in great ships. They sought to raid along rivers and lay waste to them. Word had come of their arrival from Dinis and farther away lands, which may have been why no war came from the west. But Taha saw their progress, and they stretched a great chain across the river to block them. As their vessels pulled to a halt, Rokas sailed a vessel piled with straw, wood, and pitch into their midsts. Setting it aflame, the whole fleet was burned to the water. As the Northerners fled onto the shore, they found the men of Tarasif waiting.
It was a gruesome battle, for the minotaurs were huge, and their fur coats had heavy mail beneath them. They fought to the last but were divided, encircled, and destroyed.
The Hasafa Clan proved themselves as strong as ever here. Sarafi herself proclaimed Nendas as the new Head of the Clan. Many men told Nendas to take up the crown and become King, but he dismissed it and told them not to ask again.
The mood of dread and horror which had come to full flower during Samrasa dissipated. Many believed the Empire of Tarasif was doomed, but it did not come to pass. In a desperate scramble to save their land, the men managed to succeed and grow stronger. There was greater strength in the people than had been anticipated.
When Kalif returned, Nendas presented him with his scepter and stepped away in relief. And Kalif bid him stand, hearing of his deeds and achievements. "You three are the noblest of all my warriors," said Kalif.
And Nendas reflected it was more or less true.
It was nice to finally get some recognition as such. He could have seized control in Kalif's absence, but it would not have been a victory worth having. The pleasure of command had worn off and become exhausting. Nendas was not so much a fool as to believe he was entitled to the office.
But the good news continued to flow.
It soon turned out that Kalif had won and conquered several regions abroad. He brought the Kings within into Tarasif. One among them was the region of Tarsus from which Taha was descended. And soon, they were sent on missions to secure those regions and bring them into the fold. And Kulat and many other nations gave pledges of eternal friendship. Nobody believed they would last five minutes once they started losing. But that did not seem likely, for Dinis to the west was beset by another civil war.
And the leader, having won, soon found himself pressed on the border by a King named Asim Sahshir. He likely would likely be fighting a lengthy war and pledged friendship with Tarasif. And Kalif, content with his victory thus far, turned his mind to administration: that and the proper ordering of the realm. Soon the borders were strengthened, and peace reigned more truly than ever before. Garrisons of well-trained troops were established, and as years passed. All three were hailed as heroes, though not so much in Kulat.
Taha, for her part, often spoke of philosophy with many people and soon gathered disciples to her. And even as Tamar's people were defeated abroad, a cult began to spring up in her old homeland and Tarasif. Nendas saw her speaking to them and preaching the word of Tamar mixed with her own. And they taught the same to the children they had together, and there were many of them, as many as fourteen.
Fortunately, Taha's cult was not as violent as the one in Spirtana. Kalif created a temple to Tamar in thanks for victory. That temple soon became a place where many gathered and spoke. And all the while, the land of Spirtana was forced to drawback, the losses becoming too great. Having failed in their conquests and gained little plunder for it. The Queen was soon beset by assassination attempts. She had killed several of her children. Slave revolts soon broke out, and their coffers were empty.
And eventually, Taha was called in to mediate the dispute, marking the ascendance of her cult. Small wonder then that Tamar began to favor Tarasif more than Spirtana. Priests of Tarasif were soon known far more for their philosophy than brutality. So that soon, the original cult was almost a branch, and men spoke. Especially now, the true Tamar had been seen. And when Nendas finally wedded Taha, people began to say that Tarasif had stolen Tamar from her land as a bride.
*There are no further records to draw on.
I need coffee.