[center][h1]Dawn of Anghebad[/h1][/center]
The night was bright. Both the white and purple moon were full and visible. With not a cloud in the sky. It was truly a night for artists and lovers alike. Commander Xelleth wished it would’ve been cloudy. He had even begged the gods for it. Alas, to no avail. So as he walked through the streets of the city of Anghebad with a hooded cloak on. He at least hoped none would recognize him tonight. Luckily it was a night for artists and lovers, not soldiers. Few, if any tonight, would recognize his face. And so he managed to reach the small, inconspicuous house in the middle of nowhere.

As per instructions he knocked three times, then waited for three counts and knocked twice more. The door opened. Inside a fire was coating everything in a warm, yellow glow. People were talking, but not many. The man who opened the door was elderly and wore a cloak just like Xelleth but with the hood off. “Commander.” He greeted with a warm, welcoming voice. “We’re so happy you could make it. Please, come in.” He allowed the commander to enter and led him to what could pass for a kitchen. There the old man filled two fired but simple clay cups with wine and offered one to Xelleth.

Who refused. With a smile, of course. The elder man took no offense. Commander Xelleth took a moment to observe the scene. The house was small. Three rooms, with a ladder leading up to a bed. It was the sort of house lower citizens would live in. Yet the denizens at the moment were far from lower citizens.

“With everyone present, I propose we commence the deliberations.” The old man – a high priest – said. Both him and commander Xelleth took their seat at the round, simple table. Joining the three other people that had been in casual conversation. Though when the high priest took his seat, the murmur died. “Once again this shadow council must decide over the fate of this great city. The charge I lay down tonight is against our own king, once more. I hereby charge King Hamurai with negligence, blasphemy, and weakness. He has become an ambitious menace that forsook his duties of the crown. He blasphemes against the gods and is unable to raise his own sword effectively.”

Xelleth felt a need to interject: “When has he blasphemed? Every night I see him pray to Ibbon. At dawn he prays to Rea. How many sacrifices has he given to the temples? I can see his ambition but not the blasphemy. He might be the most faithful man I’ve ever met.” This earned a scoff from the woman next to him.

The high priest, still friendly, turned to him. “Commander. You’re new so I will forgive your…indiscretion. The way this works is that the charges are not put to doubt. We have faith in each other that we do not deliver these charges baselessly. But as you insist, I will explain my position: he claims he desires to bind the slaves to their masters forever. Take away any possibility of freedom. That is an act only the gods may perform. In his pursuit he has shirked the duties of the throne. Thus he must be removed.” The words were spoken softly, yet commander Xelleth felt like a boy lectured by his father again. He sat back into his chair. “Now this council must take its decision: exile or death. As he has blasphemed against the gods and his sacred duty, I declare that he must die for his sins.”

The woman next to the commander spoke next: “My late husband was wise in many things but legitimizing that bastard was a mistake. He is a vile boy who will not rest until I and my baby, the rightful king, are dead.” Commander Xelleth couldn’t shake the feeling of doubt. The king had done nothing but welcome the former queen Beddeneth and her baby. A contender for the throne. “For the humiliation and suffering he caused me, there can only be death.”

“The king has been good to me.” The older man, opposite of the former queen, said. Commander Xelleth recognized the chain around his neck. Marking him as a slave master. The fact that it was made of silver made him one [i]the[/i] slave masters in the city. “It pains my heart that these charges are laid before us.” His voice was morose. “Exile.” There was no venom, no edge, not even hatred in his voice. Only resignation as he sat back in his chair.

Then the younger man, with a full black beard, sitting next to the slave master spoke up. “The nobles see no fault with how he holds his court. He listens and gives direction. Though he might not be the most involved king. As you well know, he attended only a few celebrations this last year. Still, his levies are fair and well used. Exile.”

All faces turned towards the commander now. He wished he could’ve bought more time. He needed more time. So he got up and went towards the kitchen. “I cannot make such a judgment without a drink.” Slowly he poured the wine and raised the cup. The wine tasted disgusting on his tongue, to he forced himself to swallow a sip. To keep up appearances. What was taking them so long?

Then, from the door, everyone heard the three knocks. The shadow council members all looked at each other in confusion. None expected a sixth member. None but Xelleth, who praised the gods under his breath when the next two knocks came. He put the cup down and went for the door. “Commander, wait!” the high priest said as he got up from his chair and made a mad dash towards the door to block it. 

Too late. Xelleth had opened it. In marched ten guards. Making the whole house far too small. They were dressed in hard leather and copper. The whole house was drowned in a cacophony of chaos and screaming. People shouted and spat around. One was pushed with his face into the table. Others were literally lifted out of the house. Insults were thrown around. Though most were directed to Xelleth. He found the ‘traitor’ accusation most ironic. Though when the guards had gotten the conspirators out, Xelleth remained in the house.

He brushed his fingers against the simple wooden table. There was something great and frightening about the piece of wood. Here, kings had died. Battles won or lost. Poisonous herbs had laid in the middle of it. As well as gold, silver, and slave tokens. He took the mace from his belt and began beating it. When he was done, the table was nothing but pieces of tinder. Scattered around. If he had the time, he would’ve burned it. But the night had only just begun.
[center]~[/center]
King Hamurai’s study was well lit. Candles, torches, and the hearth made the place hotter than it ought to be. Hotter than it was at day. Three of the four walls were covered with shelves holding an endless amount of tablets. Two slaves were diligently pulling or putting away the hardened clay tablets. The fourth wall was open. Pillars upheld the roof there. It offered a stunning view of the night sky. One the king hadn’t paid attention to in years as he sat hunched over his oversized desk. Which was covered with piles of tablets on both sides. He slowly repeated the words written on it.

When he heard the knock, he looked up. Commander Xelleth entered his study. “My king.” He said, with a deeper bow. The slaves continued their work.

“Commander! What a sight for sore eyes. Sit down. Sit down.” He said motioning at the chair before the desk. “Wine?” He asked.

The king knew the answer, though Xelleth chose to humor him. Again. “None, thank you.”

“Someday I’ll find a wine you enjoy, Xelleth.” The king said with a gentle smile. Then it vanished again. “So the shadow council is no more?”

There was a moment of hesitation as Xelleth tried to choose the right words. “My king…we managed to capture the conspirators but one got away. The former qu- I mean, your stepmother. She ran away. Though we managed to hold her babe as a hostage.”

The king pondered upon the words for a moment. “Unfortunate.” Was all he said about it. “Alas, you did good my friend. With this city and the crown unshackled from the council, I can finally spread its wings. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“I’ve only done as you commanded.” Xelleth said.

“Ah, humility. A noble man’s shield against the trappings of glory.” The king said with a challenging smile. He snapped his fingers and a slave entered the study as well. Holding a bundle of simple cloth. “For you.”

Commander Xelleth got up and began to unwrap the cloth in the slave’s arms. A sword was revealed. It was simple, unadorned. Yet the commander couldn’t believe it. He didn’t even dare to touch it. “Is this…” He didn’t even dare say it.

“Bronze. Yes. Taken by my father from some rival tribe. They say its name is Ravegg. Render.” The king said with an unfittingly casual tone.

“This is a king’s weapon.” The commander said.

“Ha! And what am I going to do with it!?” Hamurai said as he laughed. “My arm is not for wielding swords. It never will be. That sword would be useless in my hands. I’d rather give it to someone who will have great use for it.”

Slowly the commander picked up the hilt of the sword and lifted it. Whoever made it, had gone the extra mile. It was well balanced but laid firm in his hand. The edge was without a chip even. “Thank you, my king. I will not forget your generosity.”

“Good.” The king said as he too got up from his chair. “Now go and hunt my stepmother. I want her alive. I’ve got other business to attend to now.”
[center]~[/center]
They put him in a cage. Like an animal. Worse, like a slave! Salomeh had railed and raged against his captors at first. Using everything from his noble family name to the promise of vast wealth if only they released him. Nothing worked. Despair began to work. For two years being on the shadow council had helped him and his family rise to the top. He guessed this was the price.

From the shadowy darkness a black, hooded silhouette appeared. Holding nothing but a stool. As he got closer, the guards gave him a quick nod and walked away. Leaving Salomeh alone with the stranger. Who sat far enough from the cage so he wouldn’t be recognized.

“What do you want?” Salomeh asked. He could feel his youthful defiance rise up.

The main said nothing.

“Well!? Speak.”

Still nothing.

“Do you know who I am?”

“A friend. Once.” The man said. Salomeh turned pale. “Hamurai! Blessed be the gods, there has been a mistake. I swear to you, I’m innocent. I’ve done nothing wrong. Let me out of this! Your guards, the beasts! They put me in here like I’m just some common slave!”

“You wanted to exile me.” The king said unnaturally calm.

Salomeh swallowed deeply. “W-We had no other choice. The council’s rules. They force us… If I had a choice I would’ve… You have to understand.”

“Right now I don’t have to do anything.” The king got up and pulled something from his belt. He tossed into the moonlight, towards the cage. It fell on the ground with a heavy clang. Salomeh grabbed it. “Tell me, how much does your family know?”

Salomeh looked up. There was fear in his eyes. Real fear. “They know nothing! I swear to you, my parents, my wife. They’re just happy! We’ve become rich! Please don’t hurt them.” Tears welled up in his eyes.

“That entirely depends on you. My old friend. You know what to do.” The king said as he got up and took the stool with him. Leaving Salomeh alone in the moonlight.
[center]~[/center]
“King Harumai!” high priest Kalemeth said with a snide voice as he saw the shadow approach him. “Here to gloat? To make an old man suffer?” he too was locked in a cage. Standing alone. With only the light of the moons. Still he had recognized the king enter. “Do what you believe you must! I have already won. The gods will welcome me with open arms in their halls. Where I shall feast for all of eternity! Not even you can take that from me.”

“I cannot.” The king said as he took place on his stool.

Which garnered a vile, confident grin on the high priest face. “So when will you finish me.”

The question hung in the air for a moment. Until the priest began to realize what would happen. “You cannot! You have to kill me!”

This time it was the king’s turn to smile. “Your tongue will be cut out, your hair cut and I’ll remove your right thumb and index finger. Writing will be most difficult I’d imagine. You’ll be starved here, for about a month. Then I’ll hand you over to a slave master. I’d figure, as a house slave, you won’t be very useful. But you will live. For many, many more years. You might be destined for a heavenly paradise, Kalemeth, but I don’t have to be the one to send you there.”
[center]~[/center]
Qalem was calm as he waited in his cage. He hadn’t prayed. No god in their right mind would save a vile man like him. There was blood on his hands. Not just that of slaves. Seven years ago, when he had stared down the edge of a knife, he had accepted death. All the time since then was just a bonus. Qalem had no heir. No blood. No wife or family to say goodbye to. All he had was a legacy. One formed by slaves.

When the door opened, he did not look up. If it was his executioner, then all would be over soon. If it wasn’t, well what did it matter?

“Not an honorable way to greet your king.”

Qalem did look up, surprised to look up to the king standing near the cage. Close enough to be touched. He smiled, then looked down again. “You don’t deal in death.”

“Indeed I don’t. Rise up, Qalem. I’ve got a proposition for you.” The king said.

Qaelm rose, if only to entertain the king for just a bit. There was no reason why he couldn’t hear him out. If there was one thing he had now, it was time.

“Good.” The king said and then sat down on the stool he brought with him. “You know I want to change this city?”

“More magic. More slaves.” Qalem answered with a smile. “It’s making my people very wealthy.”

“Indeed it is.” Hamurai said. “Though some would say we are getting too many slaves. Not enough die and too many flow in. They risk a revolt we cannot win this time.”

“So I’ve heard.” Qalem said.

“You don’t believe it?”

Qalem let the question ruminate for a minute. The king let him. Silence reigned. There was no reason to lie now. “Oh I do.” Qalem answered. “Two slaves for each free man? Issues are bound to happen. Slaves are making this city rich and one day they’ll rip us apart.”

“You’re quite right.” Harumai said.

The king’s words shocked Qalem. “You were the one to get more slaves in the first place? You knew how many were dragged over the floors of the markets. Why did you let it happen?”

“Anghebad needs to grow. It needs to overthrow its opposition. We need money and soldiers for that. Slaves are making us rich. I intend to use that wealth. But I’m in a race against the sands of time here. If I cannot find a way to control the slaves, they will destroy us.” The king said.

“You have put the city on borrowed time.” Qalem said, realizing what was happening. It was so clear now. How did they not see it before. “It’s you finding a way to chain the slaves forever against the inevitability of a revolt that would destroy you us.” He laughed. It was a desperate, terrible laugh. One uttered when you saw doom coming and you know it will never get to you. “And Kalemeth called  you ambitions! You sire, are stark raving mad!”

“Perhaps.” King Hamurai said. Unphased by the sudden bout of insane laughter. “But that means I can ill afford to kill a slave master. You now know the truth. There are three paths from here. Either you help me and keep the slaves subdued for as long as you can, you swear not to breathe a word about this and carry one with your life or you die here.”

“I will help you.” There was no hesitation in Qalem’s voice. None.

On that cue, a guard entered and whispered something in Hamurai’s ear. The king just nodded and said: “Hand his body over to the family. Along with my condolences for his sudden suicide.”
[center]~[/center]
Rea’s first light was just visible on the horizon. Fighting against Ibbon’s darkness. It would still take an hour before dawn would fully start as King Hamurai stumbled into his study. “No rest for the wicked.” He mumbled to himself. He felt exhausted, but as Qalem had said: he was on borrowed time. Time which was rapidly running out. He needed a way to bind a slave to his master. The tablets of his ancestors about magic were at best incomplete and at the worst completely useless. Magic would be the key though. He knew that. Once again he took his seat behind his desk to read over a tablet. To he could only fight off sleep for a little while.

When he woke up, a stone orb was laying on his table. He looked around. The slaves hadn’t come in yet. Nor had anyone else. Not a single tablet was touched. How did the stone get here? Natural curiosity made him touch it. Instantly lines and strange figures on the orb began to glow. He jumped up in his chair and dropped the stone. Which began to float low over the table.

“Good day sir. I am Orb and I was specifically created to teach one how to use magic. Shall we start your first lesson?”

[hider=Summary]The shadow council of Anghebad convenes at night. The high priest declares that they must get rid of the king and that he must die. The former queen says he must die, while a noble and a slave master say he must go into exile. Leaving the deciding vote with the guard commander. Who, instead, opens the door of the house and lets the guards in to capture the conspirators.

The king is studying in his proto-library when the commander enters and delivers the news. He must also say that the former queen managed to escape. For his role in the arrest, he is given a bronze sword. A very expensive gift. Then the king decides to visit the 3 other prisoners.

The nobleman is given the option of sucuide in exchange for the lives of his family. The high priest, promised a place in heaven for his status, will be turned into a disfigured slave so he must suffer on Galbar for some more years. Finally the slave master, when he realizes the king has stuffed the city with slaves that sooner rather than later will revolt, choses to help the king. While the king, Hamurai, finds a way to magically bind the slaves to their masters.

Back in the study Hamurai falls asleep at his desk. When he wakes up, he finds Orb.[/hider]

[hider=Prestige, MP & DP]Nothing used or gained[/hider]