The first leave. Part 1

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Those first battles, so successful, led many people in Nartac and Sudren to believe the war would soon be over. The idea couldn't have been shorter sighted. The Kensen Empire was the richest in all Atoz and their pride was badly ruffled by the attacks, but they didn't take it to mean too much. Within the first year they had built a new fleet of ships and added over two hundred more vessels with more to come. Their rich mining operations supplied them with all the iron and brass, copper and coal, sulfur and salt peter they need to make plenty more cannon and powder and balls. They even began copying the Sudren fleet, attempting to build galleons to replace their sail powered craft.2

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But, if the Sudren and Nartac empires had underestimated the wealth of the powerful Kensen, the Kensen had done the same in an area far less forgiving. They had no concept of the strength of their oppositions will. The fighting spirit, the bravery, and tenacity of the Sudren and Nartac peoples were their proudest weapon and they grew to the occasion with aplomb.4

The Kensen attacked the port cities of Sudren and the people sent their children off to Nartac to stay with the northern folks on their farms.5

This was reluctantly accepted by the Nartac farmers, due to a long standing prejudiced opinion of the Sudren which saw them as lessers. They had agreed only because their field hands and slaves had been conscripted or volunteered to join the ranks of the army and naval forces and they needed additional hands in the fields. But, they soon found the children, eager to prove themselves and anxious to be a part of the war effort, were the hardest workers they had ever had on their lands. To these children, reared in the cities of Sudren, life on the farms was a great adventure, and work which was drudgery to slaves and field hands, was a sport to them. They competed to see which group could turn out the biggest crops. Soon the children were not only matching but exceeding the quota set for the previous field hands. Even the smallest and youngest wanted, demanded in fact, to have a job to do. The elderly of the Nartac, not to be outdone and wanting to show they were as useful to the cause joined them in the fields. 6

The children and the elderly Nartac farmers soon bonded and became as family. Prejudices left behind, they worked like a marvelous machine,, turning out bumper crops of grain, vegetables, flax and, more importantly, vitoemin for the medicines. 7

It wasn't long before the Elosian elves wanted to join their brothers, the Kellon in the war. The Kellon had already stepped up mining and turned out more iron oar and explosive red ore than had ever been yielded before. Now, the Elosian began to make up vast quantities of medicines from the herbs in their fields. They turned out bandages with their spinning wheels and looms, and made fine jackets by the thousands from Nartac flax and their own silk. The farmers donated wool from the shearing and this too went into the making of uniforms for the soldiers and sailors and with an army of Elvin women at work the pride of the forces were soon wearing excellent livery. 8

The Elosians proved to be far more valuable too, as guides for the forces of the Sudren Navy and in land battles for the Nartac army. From their lofty perches on their great blue swans they could see all the movements of the Kensen forces and report them to their allies. The Kensen had regarded the Elos as nothing but silly blue skinned animal people, and never caught on to the fact that their every move was surveyed and reported. And, the Elosian kept the forces of the twin kingdoms one step ahead at all times.9

The Kellon men, with their super human strength, thick, tough, leathery skin, and ability to see in total darkness were great warriors in the field and helped to stop raiding parties when the Kensen went on land. And, the half breed Habrien Knights, the fierce violet skinned hunters of the northlands joined the forces of the twin kingdoms as well. The product of intermarriage of the Kellon and Elosian, these elves had the fine features of their Elosian mothers, and the ability to float weightless that the Elosian enjoyed. They also had the leather armor skin of their fathers and their ability to see in the dark, as well as their speed and super strength. They were totally ruthless and fearless in battle, which made them the perfect addition to the forces. And, as the war progressed they proved themselves to be most capable.10

By the end of the fourth year of war the Kensen were growing more and more desperate. They had bullied other kingdoms for so long they hadn't the way to handle the rebellion which came about as the other tribes increasingly rebelled. . In the grass lands, where many small tribes had suffered under their whip, armed insurrection took place everywhere. The Kensen trade routes were under siege, their caravans attacked by guerilla forces night and day. Their miners deserted leaving them with out a force to bring more metals and explosives. They hadn't the man power to keep the miners from running away, as they once had, since all their resources were being utilized in the war and the revolutions began to spread. 11

Innovation brought more success to the Sudren Navy, as the war progressed. The ship builders developed a new shaft for the bolts, made of the same vine as were the ships armor but from the thinner tendrils, which, when fired became as hard and strong as the ship building material. The hollow shafts were perfect for filling with a powder made of the explosive Kellon red stone and the blue, buoyant stone of the Elosian Empire, to create a fuel that burned and shot the bolts ahead with amazing force and distance. Even the most powerful Kenson cannon paled compared to these rocket powered ballista bolts. The damage these weapons did to Kensen ships was so devastating that as the toll increased ever more the Kensen were forced to fight with an ever dwindling navy. 12

The people of the twin kingdoms knew they were gaining the upper hand and decided to give rest to their weary troops. It was to this end the ships were allowed to port. Korok bid Bjorn good-bye, needing to travel home to his native people for an annual event called the reunion. It was this, a rejoining of the people of the Eek as well as a chance to reestablish government in the tribes, split and wandering about the grass sea. The Eek also used this time to introduce their friends and extended families to new wives and children born into their immediate families Bjorn had no where to go and felt lost, now that the war was winding down. He was saddened, wishing he too could travel to the Eek reunion, but it was forbidden to outsiders to the tribes.13

“Don’t be sad, brother,” was all the comfort Korok could offer Bjorn, embracing him one last time before he departed. You will find much to do in Quantz I assure you. The maidens here are all happy to see you back, I know this already. And you must rest and take your leisure while you can. I will return as soon as the reunion is over and we’ll go hunting. “And he pulled away and joined the other Eek leaving for the grass sea.14

Bjorn’s disappointment was not so much that of having to watch his brother go off to something to which he was not allowed, but also the fact that he had never been to the grass sea and he wanted so much to have the opportunity. He was lingering on the edge of the trail, wondering what his first activity would be, when he reached Quantz, when he felt the presence of Mika. He turned as the tall man appeared. 15

“Hello Bjorn, what say you. Peace is upon us, I hear. I wonder what it will be like, when the pirates have all fled. A new birth for all the people of Atoz, I should think.” He smiled.16

“Hello Mika. What plans will you have? “Bjorn enquired. 17

“As for me, it will be back to my village in Sampo.” Mika answered. He had a pack on his back and his flute grasped in his hand and was obviously prepared for a trek through the sea of grass and Bjorn’s longing grew even more despondent. Noticing this, Mika, puzzled, waved a hand. “You have plans, I take it Bjorn, why are you so glum?”18

“Actually, Mika, I have none.” Bjorn sighed heavily. And, he suddenly saw a smile appear on Mika’s solemn face. 19

“You do not?” He gestured. “Well, then, my friend, why don’t you come with me. I would have thought you’d be too busy, so I never thought to ask you. Let’s get you some supplies, shall we, at the market and we’ll be off.” 20

Bjorn couldn’t believe his sudden turn of luck. He spent the morning buying clothes and supplies and by noon he and Mika were off on the trail. He pulled out the harp, which Mika had taught him to play and Mika joined in on his flute and they set off down the trail into a world such as Bjorn had never known. 21