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"Devon and Damien"Prologue Chapter 6: Act 1
Since time immemorial, the story of humanity has been one filled with pride, corruption, deceit, and overall depravity. As the lives of men intertwine, they all vie for supremacy in a never-ending cycle of murder, chaos, and utter bedlam. One might say that this is a very pessimistic view of history. Quite the contrary, this could perhaps be a very lenient observation of the subject. Granted, there are instances in which men could perhaps be commended, or at least viewed in a more favorable light, for their actions. There have been a few rare cases in antiquity which broadcasted the better side of humanity – that which expresses the desire to love, to care, to give, to dream. This division of man, as has already been surmised, is harder to discern in the great annals of history. As one investigates the happenings and events of the past, he would do well to note any such instance of something other than utter selfishness and decadence in man… for he is unsure of whether he will come across such an anomaly again. Concerning then the tale here told: is it associated with man’s normal nature (that of malice and narcissism), his seldom seen (yet existing) nature of altruism and compassion, or a combination of both? Ultimately only the reader can make the determination, so from this point on it will be up to him to discern. Before the saga is related, however, it would be both essential and agreeable to give a brief description of the location, background, and events surrounding the subsequent account. For as long as anyone can remember, a monarchial form of government has ruled the world at large. According to the earliest surviving records, the entire world once united under the rule of the great Hasean I. According to the records, around five thousand years ago the charismatic Hessean “brought order to disorder.” Some historians have surmised that this phrase indicates that Hessean was the first man to establish a form of government for the human race. They accuse mankind of being barbaric and uncivilized before this time. Hessean, foreseeing the need for a leader as well as an opportunity for power, seized the throne of the civilized world. In that sense he “brought order to disorder.” The more probable interpretation, as well as the more popular one, is that kings and queens did in fact rule the world millennia before Hessean was ever born. Advocates of this interpretation hold that Hessean, because of his magnetism and potential, was somehow able to unite the kingdoms of the world into one. Historians for either view are left to speculation, for (as stated earlier) the earliest records chronicle Hessean (and only then passing mention of his bringing “order to disorder”). Ironically, as renowned and revered as Hessean has become in antiquity, his idea of a one-world monarchy failed shortly after his passing. A dispute between his sons over the throne led to a dividing of the worldwide kingdom into four parts. Obviously, the repercussions of this split were colossal, for the entire world was involved in the dispute. Numerous wars only resulted in more divisions and more kingdoms, each time lessening the power of the existing kings. Several millennia have passed since then. Even with the extensive work of chroniclers and the historians who now wish to learn about the past, much is yet even still unexplained. It is apparent that the most destructive war was the War of the Dog (c. 543-567, 5th era) (an absurd name for an absurd war.) Some say that the feud started between the kingdoms of Patan and Whelia when a wild dog attacked and killed the young daughter of a visiting dignitary from Whelia to Patan. The dignitary furiously blamed Patan’s king for the attack, and the result was a war that not only lasted almost twenty-five years, but also eventually involved twenty other kingdoms. Interestingly enough, after twenty-three years of fighting, a fanatic cult leader named Marah single-handedly convinced the kingdoms that Whelia had in fact been the cause of the entire war. The result was the utter eradication of Whelia and her people. This is of note (and is related here) because the Whelians were renowned as the great historians of the world. Their complete annihilation eliminated much detailed knowledge, written or otherwise, of the past (including that regarding the elusive pre-Hessean era). It is most evident then that, had the Whelians never found themselves wiped from the chronicles of man, that mankind’s knowledge of the past would be infinitely greater. Consequently, the War of the Dog and the mysterious Marah still fascinate scholars and historians to this day. As horrible as the destruction of Whelia was, it strangely brought about a period of peace. For another thousand years, the entire world was at peace. Granted, there were occasional squabbles and lesser wars, but overall, the world experienced peace. Those that name such things call this period the “Age of Serenity.” It was during this period that the great scholar Gregorius lived. Of the Age of Serenity, he wrote, “Never before have we experienced such harmony and tranquility. It is a true testament to men that they can live in peace if they attempt to do so.” The year 948 (8th era) brought an end to the Age of Serenity. Once more, kingdoms feuded and split. Some kingdoms slowly started becoming more democratic; some even went to a parliamentary rule. Many viewed this move as radical; many remaining kingdoms expected these domains to crumble. It is in this volatile situation that the tale takes place. In a world filled with a waning monarchy, the kingdoms of Hessea and Boria have nonetheless elected to retain that form of government. The two have been at war numerous times; some say that contention between the two kingdoms started when both originally laid claim to a certain strip of land as their territory. Numerous attempts at peace have been made, but any peace has always been shaky and, in most instances, temporary. According to tradition Hessea’s first ruler proclaimed himself a direct descendant of Hessean. Due to lack of evidence of any kind, this claim was both unwarranted and impossible to determine; but since no one could produce evidence that the king was not Hessean’s descendant, the name held. As for Boria, it actually started as a democracy hundreds of years before the concept caught on. The democracy failed and a traditional king soon installed himself upon the seat of power. Now any good tale consists of people; it is thus necessary to give a description of a few of the individuals involved in the story. It may be apparent to the reader that the tale centers primarily on two men, one of which will come to terms with our tale later. Devon Tristam, the son of a blacksmith, quickly rose through Hessea’s military ranks, unprecedentedly achieving the coveted rank of General by his twenty-second birthday. Tristam, unmatched in battle, bravely led Hessea against Boria in the Battle of Crow’s Hill, amongst other conflicts. Yet his greatest accomplishment was that of winning the heart of Joanna, the king’s only daughter. The news of this spread throughout both kingdoms; the marriage of the king’s dashing young general to his beautiful daughter seemed like a match made in heaven. Love was not to be in Tristam’s future however. Tristam abruptly broke off the engagement and, after realizing that his position would place him around Joanna, resigned his commission and retired to a small village outskirts of the kingdom. Hoping to move on with his life and become a forgotten hero, Devon took up his father’s craft, putting away his sword and becoming the village blacksmith. Joanna remained single for a time but several years later became engaged to Prince Jerrod of Boria in a controversial decision by the two kings to once again try to bring peace to their kingdoms. It is at this crucial period in the history of these two kingdoms that the tale begins. The year is 1168 (8th era). Warring factions have emerged in regards to their stances on the coming peace between the two kingdoms (and the possible unification of them). It is now that two men will shape the destiny of two peoples… |
