Return to Atlantis

joe08536 · October 3, 2003, 10:28

Well, it seemed my last story was not a complete failure. So I’ve decided to give it another try, I hope you like it. My last game was that of a pacifist game, this one is…not.

4000bc - The founding of our first city Aurelius is on the coastal plain between the great “Lake of Souls” and the gold laden mountains to the north. Our city is small but the fates have smiled upon our lands as there are ample riches here for the people. There are vineyards to the west and wildebeests to the south, which can be tamed, or so the scribes and workers tell me. Our heritage is of the sea but also of the ancient Roman culture. Our traditions hail from them ultimately.

As it would happen, I am cursed among the men of the world, so that I might better lead them. Apparently, I do not age as other men do, whether I am immortal or just very long lived is a tale only history will tell. For now, I have been asked by the council to lead the people to the best of my ability.

Opening entry, Private Memoir – Joseph of Aurelius

3100 bc – In the plains due east of Aurelius we will found the city of Babylon, this city will be populated by the good barbarian peoples who met with our brave warriors and have joined with us. Such joy was there at the meeting of the two that both parties are eager and happy and now on their separate ways.

Our culture has expanded to include the untamed areas where the workers said. All seems to be going well in our city

2950 bc – Babylon is founded along the coast of the dark sea on the southern coast, I have ordered workers to make roads and improvements in the land between the two fair cities.

2830 bc – There is news from the couriers corps – A courier traveling with one of our scouts over the nearly impassible mountains of the east have discovered a people called the Zulu’s, A people with great cities similar to ours, an emissary is being sent to the city of Zimbabwe which is their capital. It lays nearly 8 days travel west for the fastest warriors from the outskirts of Babylon and nearly 12 days from Aurelius.

2700 bc – The Zulu’s have scouts much faster than ours traveling nearly twice the distance! They have been spotted even in the hills north of Aurelius. The people are panicked and I cannot say that it does not concern me. I have ordered re-enforcements to all three cities, Newly founded Claudius which, while north of Babylon is situated on the northern coast in a harbor of sorts, there are wildebeests aplenty and so even though there is tundra close by, the city can prosper. Babylon is of the most concern as they are working towards their granary and will be unable to stop until it is complete, lest they waste all of their effort.

2650 bc – There are high hopes that our expenditures will pay off. The formation of a “border” territory between Zululand and Atlantis seems the best way to prevent an unthinkable accident between our two peoples. The scribes told the counsel for the military of a way of creating archers, which have been implemented these archers shoot deadly arrows at their opponents. A line of archers even now approach further towards the badlands of the mountains between Zululand and Atlantis.

Babylon will be complete their first archers soon, the last of the wandering Zulu scouts is reported to be closing nearest Babylon and there is but one group of warriors within the city. This concerns me only in that the warrior is only just arrived from Aurelius which had 3, and that the border is in the other direction from the scout’s current position. The Legate at Great Zimbabwe will appeal to their leader , Shaka for a peaceful egress of their scouts. We will negotiate directly if needs be but it is our hope that we can avoid war between our two great peoples.

Excerpts from Personal Memoir , Joseph of Aurelius

ChrisiusMaximus · October 3, 2003, 17:04

Good to see you back joe08536, now go kick some Zulu butt

vovan · October 3, 2003, 20:18

Interesting AAR there. And indeed, kick some @$$!

PS: Chrisius, now you are starting to sound like scratch.

joe08536 · October 5, 2003, 00:31

2450 bc – The emergency council met on the land, there the imperial provisions were distributed amongst the commoners, this was commanded by the Emperor himself. While vital and personable in his speeches and to the forums of citizens and the council the Emperor was haggard and quite humble looking.

The imperial caravan was traveling in the vicinity of the newly cleared lands of Babylon and scheduled to dedicate the new granary there in the days to come. There was to have been much celebration. Now we have heard there is much suffering and death. The emperor wishes to be in the decimated city by the day after next. The marauding and dastardly Zulu’s sacked Babylon itself. Defeating not just the warriors stationed at the city’s walls but decimating the lands as they went.

Reinforcements arrived the other day from the front and dispatched the villainous enemies. His eminence had just given the speech on his hopes for a peace between our two nations to the people of the outlying areas of Babylon at the very same time the Zulu warriors were attacking it seems. The minister of war has been at his eminence’s side for days now and there can be only one conclusion. The couriers who left for Zululand to speak with the Legate at Great Zimbabwe and to inform him that they were to be recalled have not been heard from however couriers report two wandering horses were found in the badlands past the mountains with the heads of the Legate and his entourage. The Foreign minister says “we can only hope that they were able to destroy any the sensitive communiqués between the Legate and his eminence.” I say that we are doomed.

The emperor has never looked more weary and downtrodden than these last few days. Our hopes are with the families, which escaped the occupation of Babylon; new Archers moved through the camp on their way to shore up the troops stationed in Babylon but clearly there was much looting and pillaging.

Counsel of the Fates by Suetonius Junsa of Claudius,
Official Chronicler for the Domestic Advisor, Dominicia Hyanda, Marginalia circa summer of 2450bc

The title Emperor, seems akin to that of Slave; Our choices have been all made for us, or rather, of late my choices are made in Great Zimbabwe. My hopes for a peace are no more, advancing of the sciences will – no – must - take a second seat to the matters of preservation of the state. I have spoken with the war minister this evening and demanded action.

It is required that the city of Babylon never again experiences the failure of our commitment, these descendents of the good souls who chose life under my rule. There are some of the citizenry who feel betrayed, and as it happens, I personally feel as if I have betrayed them in my private moments, which are now very seldom in occurrence. Archers were commanded to advance the line through the badlands and into Zululand commanded to destroy and all Zulu camps or any remnant of their civilization. This betrayal by the scout warriors and the brutalities towards the innocents among us are unspeakable, but shall be answered in kind.

On better news, Dioclesian, the 4th of our cities will be founded far in the Northlands soon. This will be some 4 days travel North of Claudius and safe from the damnable Zulus’. A detachment of Archers has already arrived and yet the settlers are being escorted by an elite group of warriors who patrol those northern reaches of the empire.

Notes in the 1st draft of On the Betrayal of Babylon, On the Road to War - Joseph of Aurelius

joe08536 · October 5, 2003, 01:04

Hey Chrisius, It's good to be writing a bit again. I'd originally thought this might be a shorter version of my original story but if I can keep it hanging together I'm likely to puff it out and mix up the writing as a collection of 1st person memoir, 3rd person commentary both kinda are after-action or pre-action stuff but also some dialog based work if possible.

Thanks very much for the feedback on my previous story and please feel free to let me know when I'm screwing up on this one.

Also to anyone into real life war stories, I found a really great (real) book titled "On the Origins of War and the Preservation of Peace" which was written in a similar style and also did a great deal to not only explain some wars of the past but really went into detail on different people. I remember when Civ came out I never quite understood why Bismark was considered a more memorable/noteworthy german/prussian leader than Hitler. Well, now I know , it's rather simply because Hitler was a dictatorial psychopath and Bismark a statecraft genius - or at least that's the impression I got reading this particular book.

Best Regards,

J

ChrisiusMaximus · October 5, 2003, 04:52

Nice addition Joe and a nice link to a very interesting read, although I dont think Ill get a copy I enjoyed reading the 54 page sample

Nice build up here and plenty of suspense,

joe08536 · October 6, 2003, 18:43

Probably the best part of the book was the part on the run-up to WW I, which covers Bismark and more importantly the more or less warmongering of the Kaiser.

Anyway, I'll post a bit more later today.

Best Regards,

J

joe08536 · October 6, 2003, 23:21

Among the gold mines of the inland hills between the Limpopo plains and lake Zambezi, there is a fortress built of stones of marvelous size, and there appears to be no mortar joining them.... This edifice is almost surrounded by hills, upon which are others resembling it in the fashioning of stone and the absence of mortar, and one of them is a tower more than 12 fathoms high. The natives of the country call these edifices Symbaoe, which according to their language signifies court. The majesty of their city and the fierceness of the warriors would give any man pause in his ill will.

Legate Hyerdan Theba
Excerpt from the posthumous 1st report to the Foreign Minister of the Cities of Atlantis, ca 2650

[Discovered hidden among the tattered clothes of the semi-preserved corpses of a headless rider thought by some of scholars to be the true corpse of the long lost Legate to Zululand and a horse ca 2250 high in steppe of the diamond mines of the badlands.]

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Here in Nkwalini Valley and beyond the golden mountains we have met strangers who defile our lands. To the east of Great Zimbabwe the unworthy men from At’laantze come to our territories now and again. Our faithful warrior Impi’s have given reports that they have no strength in their weapons. Our brave Impi came from far and away and seized the undefended camp/settlement of the Atlantemen. They have no sense about them at all and the city of Bab’lon as they called it was nearly destroyed by the Impi before they were vanquished in unfair combat of many of their inferior warriors. We have dispatched new Settlers to found more cities for the greater glory of Shaka our Lord and Master.

Tomorrow we will make way to the Ntshondwe Camp, which is where our soldier Impi’s will move to ambush the foolish Atlanemen as they come across the Diamond expanse and near the wall of the golden mountains. We have mounted for them a horrible surprise, their death awaits them at Ntshondwe.

Excerpt of the correspondences of Sangoma the Great,
Warrior elite of the Impi group Hluhluwe from Great Zimbabwe.

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My Impi brothers and I were very young and strong, we had been together since our first days as young warriors from our village in Hlobane. In the days before Ntshondwe we told each other tales and were happy to fight for the Highest Honor of Great Shaka,, may victorious warriors give happiness and joy upon his soul. My brothers and I would play , Susma my blood brother would play his Umakhweyana bow given to him by our Father and Grandfather in the ceremonies before we left Hlobane. I would give anything to hear the sound of the bow again as it was back then. It was at Ntshondwe that we killed our first Atlanteans, It was there also that my 1st brother died fending an attack.
I watched him proud and strong, fall by the little spears of the archers, many pierced him before he fell to the ground. Then two struck me in the leg and chest and I was down and still. Ours was the last of the Impi, which were there, and I was the last of my Impi brothers and the only one who lived past that day as I was given up for dead.

An oral recollection of Umlazi Kwamashu of Hlobane with performance on the Umakhweyana Bow of Susma Kwamashu of Hlobane, Excerpt from “The Last of the Impi, Dioclesian Press”.

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1910 bc - “M’Lord….A Scooout!!!! A Zoooloooo scout!!!!!” Opheron’s voice carried in the wind across the valley even as the words burned his lungs as he cried them! Practically falling down the hill allowed him one last scream and shout! Returning from the high mountains and the steppe of the diamond badlands, in time to rejoin the others for battle or die before reaching the encampment made for the night.

Just over the 2nd ridge, they were there, high upon the hills he had crossed not minutes before, were the enemy, “Firey hot upon my heels!”, he thought. He could feel the pounding of his heart and the stabbing pain in his legs as they now nearly gave out within sight of the camp! They saw him before he saw them in the mountains and his only hope was to return now to his camp! He collapsed in exhaustion almost equally distant from his brothers of the warrior group and the closing and horribly fast Zulu’s. It made little difference in the battle the followed, that Opheron of Claudius was not among the fighters but lay collapsed and half dead shaking and coughing, he had lost all of his armor and even his best fighting club for speed and was now nearly naked amongst the spears and knives and clubs of the warriors of his group which could still be deadly to him, as night fell with the warrior scouts enbattled!

He had saved his brother warriors from a sure ambush in the night, had they failed, the Emperor himself would hear of it since another siege of Babylon might possibly occur and a price would be weighed in blood. In the morning after the dead were burned or buried he was presented with the helmet and spears and the blooded suit of armor of the Zulu Warrior chief as thanks for saving his whole group from a nightfall ambush.

A night patrol of Eastern Babylon, ca 1910 bc.

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1820 bc – A Secret Report from the Minister of War to his Excellency the Emperor

Your excellency will note the there has been modest success in the war effort to date. The front along the badlands of the highlands between Atlantis and Zululand are slowly coming to close like a noose around the neck of the Zulu.

We have suffered some casualties in the fight to restrain Impi and Zulu scouts.
The Impi are a most dangerous form of adversary as strong as at least two of our strongest warriors and twice again as fast, fortunately these fierce adversaries have been fewer in number except the place called Ntshondwe.

Our warriors and archers met an ambush and suffered severe casualties before overrunning the fortified encampment. Fully 3 archers and 5 warriors killed 4 Impi who seemed to be almost casually awaiting our arrival.

This nearly cost us the safety of the line of the border but our continued support and the retirement of the warriors from front line combat to heal was fortuitous and even now the victorious warriors approach the borders of Zululand proper and although more widely disbursed they have not met as fierce a resistance.

We expect they are all but vanquished an assured victory at Great Zimbabwe is but a formality.

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ChrisiusMaximus · October 7, 2003, 02:38

Blast cant read this now Ive got to go to work, but I will look forward to firing it up when I get home.

unscratchedfoot · October 7, 2003, 10:29

Ahhhh, good ole Nkwalini....

About 10 minutes ago, I just finished watching the movie "Zulu" made in 1964 about the British defense at Rorke's Drift so it was weird to log on and read again about the Zulus doing some spear-chucking. Excellent movie I recommend for you to watch.

Your writing is getting better as you are starting to move away from the chronological structure to an actual story. Keep the goods flowing like a bad iziCwa spear wound.

By the way, is something like major gimped with this site cause it's not loading properly and I get error messages when I click on the posts.

ChrisiusMaximus · October 7, 2003, 16:51

Excellent stuff Joe !! for gods sake man keep the goods rolling

joe08536 · October 7, 2003, 17:19

Thanks for the feedback. I think the chronological gives a little help but I also find that showing different perspectives of sometimes the same thing gives a much better feel for the storyline and allows for some threaded "character" development - but these are writing 101 tips I'm sure.

As for the site, these are more like writing 405 if writing you mean php and heavily dynamic data driven stuff. It looks like there were some new php programs which may not be able to see some of the resources for the Apolyton site. It's also the case that the server is probably getting pounded with errors and faulty requests. I find patience and sometimes a strategic donation here and there can be very helpful. Nothing sucks quite like being the victim of your own success.

vovan · October 8, 2003, 00:12

Sweet stuff, joe. : thumbs up : Like scratchy said, the story's getting better and better - the characters and stuff definitely are starting to add up to a very enjoyable read.

As for this place, the image server is dead. Hence... no images.

joe08536 · October 9, 2003, 14:39

On the matter of Heros
November, 1725 bc

Court Magi : “Your Excellency, a moment to attend to some matters before the court today?”

Joseph : “Fine, what have you?”

Court Magi : “Two matters require your attention….An Honorarium, As you well know, the retirement of the first warriors is to commence with the commissioning of the new Archers throughout the land, the eldest of these is returned from the war and is in the solarium parlor, the second matter is regarding a situation at the front.”

[Honorariums - usually audiences with the Emperor or performances of gifted artists or craftsmen, are sometimes held – for those deserving victorious veterans whom do not wish or cannot have, for reasons of age or infirmity, a Triumphal march through the city.]

Joseph : “We were with the war minister until nearly sunrise this morning reviewing the recent attempts at incursions of the walls of the enemy, is the matter at the front of an ill nature?”

Court Magi : “It is a private message to your excellency.”

Joseph : "I will hear this Honorarium first.”

A moment passed between the two men as they moved towards the Solarium of the southern part of the Palace where a good portion of the court stood in attendance, and there before them was an ancient warrior, sitting in the close easy sedans of the anteroom area and the Emperor looked at the Magi, who turned to the Emperor simultaneously with a mildly panicked look, and said quietly, “Perhaps we should have held this sooner!”.

Some warriors, victorious in battle are still nervous and apprehensive at their audiences with the Counselors, Magi and certainly the Emperor. Veteran Marcus Athara, however was quite sound asleep slumped into the plush sedan and had the look of having passed away quietly while waiting for his Honorarium”.

“My aides tell me that Veteran Athara suffers from Tsetse sickness as do many of the veterans and tires easily and is frail in his retirement and his old age…He asked to speak with your excellency on his service in the Zululands.”, said the Magi. The Emperor sat next to his ancient servant as the Magi nudged the veteran from his slumber. “Veteran Athara”, said the Emperor as he sat looking towards the veteran looking on patiently.

Veteran Athara roused then and said in a quite proper and formal “high” language spoken by the upper classes of the city of Aurelius.

Athara : “Ah , sorry then, I totted off for a moment there….Wasn’t actually sleeping…I was resting my eyes.” As his gaze turned up and onto the Emperor and then towards the Magi, turning to see over towards other courtesans whom were gathered quietly and at a respectful distance and then back towards the Magi.

Athara : “Who’s this then?” Turning back towards the Magi. His ancient head turning nearly completely around and up on his neck where a scar running along his neck and down towards his lower back could be seen and motioning towards the Emperor.

The Magi turned towards the man and said “This is our Emperor, Sir.”, at hearing this Athara reeled ever so slightly , straightened up and went to stand before being motioned to sit again by both the Emperor and the Magi.

“Sire, I apologize but I thought I should stand at such an honor as meeting one such as yourself, but I am quite old and not well…”, Athara said matter-of-factly, he was not tense or nervous in the slightest but was a bit startled at the news and it was now clear that the ancient warrior’s speech was almost completely affected by his age and not his being roused from slumber.”

He turned to the Emperor with a smile as if he was going to share a bit of candy or a childhood secret and started to say “You know, I Remember the Zambezi…” growling the last word out a bit pausing then and grunting ever so slightly, and looking down at his waist and then the old veteran turned back to the Magi saying “I appear to have soiled myself…how dreadful…my profuse apologies to the Emperor when he gets here…but I must have my leave of these clothes…”.

As he turned and faced the very man himself, as if they had not met, He quietly said, “Oh, you there…I was wondering if you could you help and old veteran to his feet.”, where upon the old veteran put his hand out for the Emperor to help him to his feet. The Emperor looked at the Magi in bemused astonishment both realizing then, that the ancient veteran was quite senile.

As the Emperor helped the ancient warrior on one side guided by the Emperor and walking towards the lavatory with the Magi close behind.

Athara turned in to speak closely to the Emperor and said nearly in a whisper and patting the Emperor’s hand, “His Excellency is quite fortunate to have men as kindly as you two in his service… [quite a bit more firmly] And you can tell him that I said so.”, At which point a quiet muffled laugh was heard throughout the anteroom of the Solarium.

So moved was the Emperor, after arriving at their destination, that the Emperor turned to the Magi and in all import said “You were correct before, As he [motioning towards the lavatory] ,clearly will not be with us much longer. Ensure that he and his family are welcome to one of the Palace Atriums this day and until he passes and tell them that he and his are welcome to dinner this evening and welcome to court functions or to our presence whenever they see fit to have an audience. Our regrets to them as well, that he did not receive this Honorarium sooner.”

Caphta of Dioclesian , Court Scribe to Magi Reus Logia in a letter to his son on the subject of decorum , humility and respect, ca Winter, 1725 bc.

Imperial Grounds Master Thallia : “What business have you here?!”

Courier Naurendra : “I bear a sealed message from the front, I am an Imperial Courier from Babylon and here is my message to the Groundskeeper.”

The Grounds Master turned and accepted the scroll of parchment scrutinizing the seal and noting the signet of the Imperial armies, while his expert eye also caught the telltale lemon-stain glyph underneath the seal and motioned for the courier to follow alongside.

Courier Naurendra walking along side as they traversed the outside grounds, thought to himself, that he had never before been to the Imperial Palace before. In the service of the cities of Atlantis for nearly 45 years now, and he had never once been to the Throne Room itself. Citizens could meet in the open forums here and yet he never had done so. Here there were polished stones and plants of all descriptions from the 4 cities. There was a preserve for the Emperor containing animals from as far away as the forbidden diamond mountains and even some animals were said to be from Zululand itself, although such exaggerations were not to be believed. Besides the news otherwise of the Great cities of the Zulus’ are said to be a desolate land of unspeakable evils.

The Grounds Master told the Courier to wait in cloister on the grounds with some food and water and wait there until he returned, he then disappeared into the foliage.

The Grounds Master moved deftly to a non-descript panel along the side wall near the entrance to the Solarium from the Gardens and knocked three times paused and then knocked five times, on a small window in the row of windows which were all shuttered in a wall scarcely the thickness of the outer fence of the Palace. The windows swung open and he handed the scroll to the gloved hand within.

His message carried the greatest news of the war with the Zulu, the recounting of the ascension to victory of Trajan, A hero of the siege at Great Zimbabwe.

In a closed chamber two levels below the Solarium, in a room with nothing but scribes and desks where after a short time a scribe hurried up towards the Imperial Magi with message only partially decrypted.

The Emperor and Minister of War reviewed the parchment with only the Emperor’s personal scribe to decrypt the message, which could either be filed away or burned to ash as sometimes occurred with the darkest of secrets.

A report from the siege at Great Zimbabwe
===============================

A victory of one of your Excellencies elite archers groups has yielded the Hero Trajan. His victory against one of the defiling Impi war groups of the enemy as they were traveling along the walls of Great Zimbabwe. Attacking a small break in the siege upon the walls of great Zimbabwe itself. Attacking the walls the hero single handedly defeated a whole corps of Impi. As his group was known already as an elite among the men of the archer forces he has been elevated still higher that the a leader of such stature that he can command the men in great works of anything of the choosing of the Emperor.

What is your bidding Excellency,

Signed , a Humble servant of the people, Trajan

Later that same night as an aged veteran died quietly in his sleep. His final memories were of a clarity he’d not had in many years…were of the Honor of serving His Emperor, of a sumptuous meal with his sons and his daughter as well as his fondest memory of his beloved wife and there were many strangers as well but also those two good servants of the Emperor he’d met earlier in the day but only vaguely remembered.

Below the state room of the aged veteran quietly passed a new detachment of Archers and Courier Naurendra, exiting the Palace grounds for the road to Babylon and beyond.

Courier Naurendra thought to himself, I have seen the Palace and in short time and with the blessing of the Fates I will live to see the very walls of the evil Zulul cities. Now these Archers were charged with his safety over their own, although he knew as he always did that it was not the messenger but the message that was the valuable thing. But if he did not arrive, there would be questions. He was instructions were quite odd, to deliver this message personally to a man called Trajan by the Emperor himself and to report back to the Emperor personally with all dispatch. Stopping in Babylon only long enough to acquire another Imperial Courier from the City who will not be informed but will be sent to Trajan’s camp. A message to be delivered to the dispatcher in Babylon, and delivered in a months time to the 2nd Imperial courier left at Trajan’s camp. A message of no concern to him but the order was confusing. Why would the emperor post a letter of delivery to himself and why with instructions to return in 1 months time after Courier Naurendras’ departure. He thought on his experiences of the day and again throughout his journey to the front. The answer would be perfectly obvious to Trajan, a message with no scroll, no Imperial glyph and needing no seal the messenger was the message.

“He is still yours to command. He is a loyal servant of the Empire. Do not worry yourself so.” she said. Her body was his solace her soul his balance. All through this war and throughout time her consolations were his most important asset, the Emperor thought to himself. Lost in thought in his bed, her body against his, and leaning upon his chest as she said these things. Joseph closed his eyes deliberately trying to focus on this moment and not the events of the day. To be sure they were momentous, A Great Leader in the field will change the nature of this war from a hard fought siege war to one of decisive victories and with luck, eventual victory…but at what price.

He turned from her now and rose, grabbing one of the many luxuriant fur cloaks from the bed to cover his form from the chill in the open air through the moonlight and to his window overlooking the central garden of the Palace staring off at the grounds as the question rolled over in his head even before he spoke it…”At what price and how much command do I really have…” Drifting off in mid sentence…staring silently…She followed him from the bed with an even larger cloak of fur wrapping herself, and approaching him, opening her cloak and enclosing him in it from behind, nuzzling his neck and leaning herself against him, she whispered into his ear “Come back to bed.”, he closed his eyes then and turned back towards her and the great bed of the Imperial bed-chamber. “I met a man today who was ancient beyond his years and to whom honor from the throne was long overdue him, and I’ve heard of another who’s honor has come in the field and perhaps too soon, who should carry more weight in the cities, which of them was more deserving…[he trailed off silently … whispering as he crawled into their large bed] So many questions. The emperor turned then towards his beloved concubine and tried then , again , to sleep.

vovan · October 9, 2003, 23:45

Great addition, joe!

Keep the goods flowing, I'm enjoying this story of yours.

joe08536 · October 10, 2003, 00:18

I plan to develop sort of linear plotlines but some characters needed to be introduced. The scene with the old veteran was actually inspired by a Robin Williams joke of all things. Otherwise, time will tell if this is a story too long.

Thanks,

Joe08536

unscratchedfoot · October 10, 2003, 11:33

Keep the goods coming.

ChrisiusMaximus · October 10, 2003, 12:21

Its going great Joe

keep the goods coming

joe08536 · October 13, 2003, 22:15

The Imperial caravan made its way down the main streets of Babylon, The Emperor himself was touring the country and as the fates would have it the Hero Trajan will be honored as a son of Babylon and as he passed, he turned to the other on his side [my friend and Master] and said quietly as they passed the cheering crowds “There is a noticeable absence of young men in the crowds, this war may yet be the ruin of us…”

“…this most recent news from the front is the greatest news we can have, in all of the chronicles of Atlantis, there will be tales of the heroes against such impossible odds! All of the Sons of the City of Babylon are celebrated here both those departed and those who still fight for our victory but we celebrate also for the Hero Trajan, now among us , the Hero of Zimbabwe, The fastest Imperial couriers, bring us this news and more on heroism and great feats of courage and bravery demonstrated by our sons in battle. Glory to Atlantis. Glory to her citizens. Victory and Glory to her soldiers!” A raucous cheer went up from the crowds gathered before the dinner festival and the victory drums and banners started and the festival began! As the emperor raised his arms towards the crowds with Trajan in attendance there would be questioned answered this night.

This a simple statement of fact to the assembled crowds in attendance at the court functions in Babylon, showed all in attendance that the Emperor too, was able to work the crowd over, a second fleeting appearance some time later by the Emperor was enough to send the crowd assembled into ecstatic song and dance for nearly the rest of the night.

The court protocol called for the Governor to meet privately with his Excellency.

“As Governor of the city, you may switch production and should lay works for Colonists and Settlers here and have word sent to Aurelius immediately, for if the words of Trajan are true then the days of the Zulu and Great Zimbabwe itself are numbered…and in very small numbers I might add and you can be assured that support from Aurelius will be forthcoming in the form of workers to plough the fields and build the mines you have requested.”

Excerpt from “Proceedings of the Court at Babylon , Volume II”, 1625b.

1650 bc - It is intolerable. That the "great" leader Trajan is unable to formulate the way of making the Army without consulting one of the governors of the cities. My fortunate arrival on my tour was something of a surprise to Trajan and the Govenor, I might add. He [Trajan] has said he needs the resources here to plan the logistics, My concern is that the return from the front all the way to Babylon seems more than a little unnecessary from over the mountains all the way back from the Zululand. All the while the destruction of Great Zimbabwe itself awaits, I have been repeatedly assured is simply a matter of time. Intelligence reports read a riot indicating Barbarians as well as the fact that the damnable Zulus' have made up at least 3 daughter cities in the space of our attacks and even now are sending more accursed Impi soldiers towards our forward troops. I’m told the fast moving Impi are formidable only in their ability to withstand attack and make two leagues travel in the space of time it takes our warriors or archers to cover one.

This focus on the war while ridding us of the accursed Zulu's will rob us also of our destiny in the sciences which may show us truly the way from fighting such drawn battles in the future. How formidable an empire would we have had we never met the Zulu’s?

Private Memoirs, At Babylon – Joseph of Aurelius

1625 bc - The Emperor nearly ran his pace from the court functionary in the Governor’s Palace and started speaking before actually arriving “It has been said you needed the resources of the city to plan the logistics and the nature of this new creation, this Army.” There was an impatience, almost as he said this, Trajan could tell rather instantly that the Emperor was far more formidable in person then he had thought and dealing with him would be more difficult than imagined, his intelligence sources should have been better.

The Emperor came and faced the Army – it seemed to him then merely a collection of logistics officers and couriers and support staff as there were no actual troops within the Army, “It is quite impressive, this Army of yours could be almost everything you said. We had our reservations but we will say that it stands before us and seems a most capable tool in the greater glory of Atlantis.” – It had occurred to the Emperor that to say “Our greater glory” just then, but that seemed inappropriate somehow, too pompous a statement for such a critical facility of the state as this.

Trajan : “Your Excellency, With this Army we can go forth into battle and defeat the strongest of enemies assuredly. Should the Zulus acquire an Army like this for themselves, armed with the fearsome Impi soldiers, there would be much to fear from them.…”, just then the Emperor turned abruptly to face Trajan.
“As it stands, General, you have been responsible for the greatest reduction of that likelihood. You are also responsible for the greatest increase in the morale of the people and the soldiers since the outbreak of the war, so very long ago. For this you have our gratitude.”, he said staring implacably, nearly through the General. “Oh, and one more, small imposition General. [turning now, back towards the new Army] There is talk here and in court in Aurelius that your victories should be chronicled in an Epic Tale. While such vanities are generally to be shunned, These scribes and couriers you see with me [The Emperor motioning behind himself now] are here to assure that the name Trajan and your victories go down in Atlantean history. We will impose this small condition so that your loyalty and service to the people may not be forgotten to the ages. In this way, it serves and inspires the people in the years ahead. Good luck and best speed, may the fates be with you and your Army in your attack upon Great Zimbabwe”, Trajan, stepped back from the embrace of the Emperor , saluted and turned towards the new Army.

Excerpt from “Proceedings of the Court at Babylon , Volume II”, 1625b.

joe08536 · October 14, 2003, 18:48

“Phygenia, my dear, Come back from the walls”, The Governor of Babylon said as just then, the attacking Impi troops, pounded yet again on the walls of the city. The emergency fortifications for the Counselors and the Governor now as it happened also contained the Emperor himself.

The Emperor looked haggard, in the same way that Trajan had early after his arrival. Turning towards the Governor now and saying “We must not allow this siege to continue too long”, as if by saying this he could will the vile Impi soldiers away. It had been hoped that the fasted couriers had escaped to Claudius and Aurelius but it would be some time before reinforcements would arrive.

Phygenia gathered herself into her fathers lap and started to whimper as another great pounding shook the walls of the city. “Governor, I think it is fair to say, that the armed forces have the best interests of the armed forces at heart…Would you agree with me on this much?”, the Emperor turned his haggard person towards the Governor as another pounding hit the walls , much harder and louder than the last few barrages.

There were all manner of the population present, tradesmen, mothers, men of medicinal arts, children and perhaps most importantly the small ragtag group of soldiers, former warriors, recently decommissioned. The betrayal was clear enough, there was too much of a condition of co-incidental circumstances to leave any other conclusion. These men have been banded together and would have to hold the city until the re-enforcements from Aurelius, thought the Emperor as he sat next to the Governor.

Governor Baradine turned towards the Emperor now and without saying a word, it passed between the two men that the Governor was no longer “unclear” as to his loyalties. “My Excellency, we’ve nothing but these few men against the Impi warriors, he started then to nearly cry and said at long last, We have been betrayed, haven’t we?”, turning his large ungainly form, now more fully towards the Emperor, the Emperor said only “Yes” and then looked back upon the crowd gathered in the keep of the citizens and rose and moved to be among them, returning shortly thereafter saying “It is a horrible thing, isn’t it, [turning and facing the Governor] that we cannot defeat our enemy without absolutely needing men, such as those, that would allow such a thing to befall their own people.”

Later in earliest hours of the morning came the horrible breach of the Keep, the Impi hadn’t attacked the far side of the city, they knew exactly where the keep was and that most of the citizenry would be there. The breach was high and while accurate in it’s basic location did not provide ready access to the interior of the keep and was quite difficult to traverse. Nearly everyone who was able carried a stick or a blade or a staff, and now the citizens and soldiers had gathered with the personal guard of the Emperor and stood and fought against the damnable spear throwing Impi warriors. As they clashed and were rebuffed, a contingent of the Impi threw their spears into the citizenry as they retreated. Impaling many where they stood or as they turned, the carnage of the people was awful, blood and screaming and chaos ruled then as there was but only cover and no place to hide and no place to go.

The Emperor himself had grabbed his personal sword and went down towards the soldiers, who had formed in groups of men that the Impi could not seem to penetrate. Most of the soldiers were not so well armed as he and as he shed his Imperial clothes and down to light ½ cassock and leggings and mail, he thought that this might be the end of his reign but at least, I did not die without fighting for my people. Turning to one of the mailed men with a long heavy club he saw that the bearer of the club was a mere girl and not even of age 10 or so, merely a year or two older than the daughter of the Governor. Seeing it was too late to remove her from the area where the battle was coming to, "He turned and winked at her, she smiled back with a nearly toothless grin and he gave her his mail placed his hand upon her head and said "Youre strength is your size, hide like the mouse and strike when the do not see you.". At this he called the soldiers in earshot to form ranks and prepare to repel borders. The final fight for Babylon was at hand.

The Emperor’s men and the veterans formed the main force of the guard and they repelled the main body of the Impi, some with clubs, and staffs the others taking spears and turning themselves back on the Zulu’s.

The Emperor had cut down two Impi as they ran forward to impale and were themselves impaled. The first of them narrowly missed impaling the Emperor himself on the long broad blade of his spear, The turn of his sword was just under the calf of the oncoming Impi and there was a horrific letting of blood, from the Zulu’s upper thigh, and this slicked the rocks of the area where the other Zulus’ were coming up behind him. This caused a simple accident of another soldier practically falling onto the emperor’s sword but not before cutting and jabbing at the emperor, piercing his arm with the blade of the spear, slipping as he withdrew and pulled back for a final stab. It was then that the emperor was able to basically put his sword where the Zulu was falling, and they fell together, one man lived the other died.

The carnage of the morning gave way to a stalemate as the Impi retreated as their numbers were depleted from the decimating attack. The soldiers of Atlantis fell back into their defensive positions and were able to gather their wounded, among them, a young girl somehow wearing the Emperor’s personal mail! She was lacerated across her mid-section from her hip across to under her left breast and she was billeted along side the Emperor himself, he turned to ask her how she was and he could tell, as she lay there and clung to her club, that she had aged then and there, and as the Emperor noted a tuft of hair and skin from an edge of the club which clearly was not Atlantean he saw this girl a strange mix of blooded veteran and still innocent child, he turned towards her and winked, and the toothless smile was not returned but she leaned over to hug the him and cried herself to sleep instead.

The morning of the third day, found the Impi preparing a second assault when from the west a sudden cry went up and screaming was heard amongst the men in the Zulu forces, a detachment of Archers from Aurelius had made double time and vanquished the vile Zulu. The second siege of Babylon was over.

Excerpt from “Proceedings of the Court at Babylon”, 1600 bc.

The contingent of Archers stood upon the wall of the City looking down upon the valley and east towards the mountains and now looking in from time to time towards the assembly of all of the citizens, “Looking out upon the citizens of this great city of Atlantis….I find myself looking into the crowd and here and there seeing faces of those I fought next to just a few days before. Daughters, Sons, Mothers, Veteran and Citizen alike fought for their right to be Atlantean.” [The Emperor turned to look back upon the assembled court, the Governor, who’s beloved daughter Phygenia had been mortally impaled by one of the Zulu spears and had been put upon the pyre of the dead just the night before.], Standing now and holding his arm which still throbbed and bled from time to time whenever he moved it. Stepping forward from the podium he spoke to the crowd, “the couriers have left to all the armed forces bearing news of the siege here and will be told, that there is no quarter, that our forces are to give battle wherever possible and to wipe them [the Zulus] out, no Zulu will breath air freely. [the crowd cheered] We will have our retribution and our Armies will bring justice to their cities and destroy them utterly. [the crowd cheered even more loudly] Twice now it has occurred that Babylon suffered at the hands of the despicable Zulu’s, I pledge there will be no third time. [the crowd cheered a third time not so loudly as the last] Food caravans and workers will be arriving shortly from Aurelius and Claudius and they will stay until we have repaired the damage to the city as well as build up the countryside. As soon as possible, I have instructed the Governor to make preparations for a colony to be founded on the far side of the Badlands, this new city will become the Capital which will be moved from Aurelius, which is the 1st city, but which should now be enshrined with the title of cultural and historical capital of our people. A new Fortune for our people will be had in this colony and I should hope to see many familiar faces at my new court in Fortuna! [the crowd broke into cheering as the emperor returned to the dais] a second feast was held but not so raucous as in the previous weeks and perhaps it was just as well.

Excerpt from “Proceedings of the Court at Babylon”, 1600 bc.

Shortly after Trajan’s Army left the city, they took with them the city guard to help themselves across the frontier of the Diamond Mountains. It was an honorific in the trust of the new Army that The Governor and the Emperor made together and it was fitting – perhaps that they were now soon to be sieged upon with only a band his personal guard for protection. An Impi informant captured in the Badlands was given the location of the keep and it was only a short time before he expected a courier from Babylon recalling them to the vanquished city for their “Protection”. It was then with some dismay to receive the much anticipated courier with stories of siege and victory, The emperor himself had led the troops of old and retired veterans had served nobly in the past and all but some of the most infirmed came to the Emperor personally at the first sign of the Impi soldiers on the outskirts of the City.
His new orders came also, They were terse and to the point, to divert from Zimbabwe and discover and destroy the source of the Impi which had attacked from along the shores of Babylon, destroy any remnant of Zulu civilization. His plan was not working, he quietly there and then decided to follow his orders, his time would come again, patience would be his ally , and fortunately, he would have the opportunity to destroy any remnants of his - indiscretions.

“Private Memoirs of the Zulu Campaigns”, Trajan

ChrisiusMaximus · October 15, 2003, 03:30

Great stuff, I particually like the way youve developed Trajans character. It will be interesting to see how his plotting develops

vovan · October 15, 2003, 13:22

Second what Chrisius said.

Quality engaging writing - lookig forward to seeing what happens next.

ChrisiusMaximus · October 18, 2003, 06:11

More Please

joe08536 · October 19, 2003, 12:53

“The Fall of Great Zimbabwe”

Great Zimbabwe, The name strikes fear in the green soldiers and even some of the veterans, thought the newest arrival of the Archer corps.

Ichian Hyerdan came from a long line of fighters for the cities and was proud when he swore allegiance to the Emperor, here coming off the steppe of Claudius to the shores of Lake Zambezi…"We saw in the last few weeks how the fear could be so, the great stone edifices that comprised not just the walls but many circles of walls in the city. The siege – I thought to myself might never end. None of the troops in my group had not eaten in some days, since the last time the food caravan had been by but it was attacked – or so we had heard, further down the line and so now they we were, hungry and tired and had not but water for nearly 4 days. "

"It was early in the morning and stomach had gotten the better of me and my men , one of my men and I decided to try and scale the walls as they could see no Zulu’s at all and had not heard of any since nearly 3 days before at this part of the wall, as we started a far patrol, it was then that I spied a small crevasse. [Just wide enough for myself and perhaps some of the smaller men in the contingent], I thought then.

After looking clear through the walls to the insides of the city, I scampered down the rocks towards the encampment and ran to speak with the master at arms, who agreed, but said, "the fog off of the Zambezi would be lifting soon...and whatever we do, should be done as soon as possible.", the shortest and the smallest of the men were selected, and we returned to the crevasse up on the wall, and each of us in turn would move up against the wall and towards the opening.

Before we left the encampment, we were told by the master at arms that the weapons were to be drawn only if and and once each of us had stolen into the city, we could secure a small area and from there we should throw ropes over the walls and the others would scale the walls, into the city. This continued until nearly the whole of two groups of Archers had stolen their way into the city. Small two man teams were sent to see where all the Zulu’s had gone.

The city was designed like a great maze with another wall just inside the one they had just scaled and crawled through.

I was paired with the youngest among us, a Joran of Aurelius and we headed into one of the wide alleyways between the outer wall and an inner wall just as great in size,[as the outer]. We travelled some distance and were about to turn back, but it was just then that we saw some huddled ragged figures in the mist, Joran moved closer towards what we thought were figures in the mist and we both started drawing our bows and moving through the mist and nearly running forward. One of the Zulu’s must have stumbled as Joran fired his arrow into the mist, it was then that we heard it hit it’s mark and heard a fall ahead. But it was an odd sound, it was almost as if it had hit rock, and then someone fell.

Joran then moved further into the mist and saw that there was an emaciated boy not more than a few weeks younger than Joran himself but easily 30 stone
lighter. He had been shot in his rump and calf but clearly it could be seen that his arrow had missed and hit the wall and then hit the now crying and huddled Zulu citizen.

It occurred to us both then that the Zulu’s must have had no food at all since nearly the siege began. As we now knelt over their crumpled and crying enemy I, turned back towards our original track and drew my bow and moved further along the inside of the wall, and then noticed another crumpled figure, of a young Zulu woman, even worse off then the young man. It was then that I heard the master of arms call from behind us and said to "Round up the prisoners", we have found no resistance and we have found passages through the walls. Bring her now… Joran and I lifted the two starved souls from where they lay and moved them towards a group of Zulu's who had been captured and were being guarded.

It was then we were able to take the city, Not by some brilliant strategy but because I was hungry.

Nearly 1000 citizens of the city were found and all were in a wretched and unhealthy state. Dysentery and the stench of death hung over our victory. We all laid these people out and brought food up from behind the lines. I spent nearly two weeks simply overseeing the movement of food caravans from across the badlands to these new workers for the empire while tending to the ill and infirmed.

There were only two points of protest during the occupation of the city; one was an Impi contingent, which put some fierce resistance when we went to occupy the Palace at Great Zimbabwe itself. It was there that we lost nearly one whole contingent of Archers, the injuries were quite severe and even though I myself was not among them the Impi that were there [so I was told] died to a man defending the Palace, the second instance, curiously, was when we went to put the sickest of the Zulu workers in the Palace for better shelter from the deplorable state of the rest of the city.

Excerpt from “Zambezi : The Lake of Sorrows, Doctor of the Humours Ichian Hyerdan , Dioclesian Press”

The walls of the city have held but the people they are to protect have all but starved from within. The granaries had been lit afire some weeks back and there had been no food since. The strongest of the Impi tried to stop an Atlantean food caravan the other day , which they said had riches of our lands and was heavy with the bounty of bread and meat and drink but they were only able to kill the men of the caravan and not seize the food. We have been ordered to abandon the sick and diseased of the City and make for Baepedi in the night. I wish the glories of our city to last a thousand years and that the Atlanteans know the pride with which we have built our city which will be built again in the new Capital of Baepedi.

Chronicle of Former Governor Ulambesei,
Excerpt from “The Stones meet the Waters, Stories from Behind the Walls of Great Zimbabwe,
Dioclesian Press”.

ChrisiusMaximus · October 19, 2003, 13:28

good stuff please keep it coming

vovan · October 19, 2003, 17:23

Very cool stuff.

One little style suggestion, if I may. You are using quite a bit of pronouns, and they get a little over the top sometimes. One can understand what you mean, but it sort odetracts from the enjoyment a little. Point in case. Consider the following paragraph, which I broke up into sentences and emphasized the pronouns:

Quote:

It was just then that we saw some huddled ragged figures in the mist, I and the man to my left, Joran of Aurelius moved closer as we started drawing their bows and moving through the mist.

That seems to be a little inconsistent... We started drawing their bows?

Quote:

One of the Zulu’s must have stumbled and Joran fired his arrow into the mist, it was then that he heard it hit it’s mark and heard him fall.

The use of he, his, and him is quite ambiguous here. Though it is understandable that Joran shot an arrow and then heard his mark fall, it just doesn't read quite right.

Quote:

But it was an odd sound, it was almost as if it had hit rock, Joran then moved further into the mist and saw that there was an emaciated boy not more than a few weeks younger than he but easily 30 stone lighter. Shot in his rump but clearly it could be seen that his arrow had missed and hit the wall and then hit the now crying huddled Zulu.

Again, ambiguity between his rump and his arrow. Like above, it is understandable that the rump belongs to the Zulu, and the arrow belongs to Joran, but it just doesn't sound like quality writing we've seen from you before.

As a disclaimer I would like to add that with the above criticisms, I by no means am trying to be rude or discouraging. On the contrary, I hope you receive it in good spirit and improve your writing even further.

(I always feel bad about criticizing people's style, because we've had a few rather heated arguments about this in the past and people got quite upset. But again, I mean this to be taken as friendly advice.

)

ChrisiusMaximus · October 19, 2003, 18:45

Very good advice too Vovan

It is ever so easy to get jumbled when you start typing, I usually have to edit the posts I make in my stories due to the numerous spelling mistakes. Funny thing is I am quite good at spelling but a bit of an arse at typing. Most of the time it simply hitting the wrong key or two keys at a time.

I agree with Vovan that your use of words is a little confused in places but I still understand the story. If you get chance go back and fine tune your posts in edit mode it will make all the difference.

Its a great story Joe so keep up the good work

joe08536 · October 20, 2003, 22:12

My apologies, I posted at some unGodly hour with this last post and was not happy with my original draft which was entirely in third person and I tried at like 3 am to change it to a sort of first person narrative - and pretty clearly missed my mark.

joe08536 · October 20, 2003, 23:04

Counselor Oberera Theodorius, [Minister of Culture] tall and dark skinned from the lands far east of Aurelius the minister turned his aquiline features towards the council and stood from his dais, “…the question still remains…and now it has risen to the attention of the council, a matter which must be brought before the emperor”, He said, his voice impassioned and with as much physical emphasis as he could muster, This cannot be a matter of debate, we are not talking about a trivial matter here…”

Counselor Maximus Pompeii, [Minister of War] cut him off in mid sentence turning abruptly from his dais and not standing but leaning over the great marble slab, which separated the ministers, “This is nonsense!!! This is war and in war the E N E M Y [slowing down to make sure everyone understood his meaning, but turning towards the Domestic and Cultural ministers] must be destroyed [pausing only long enough to assess the reaction across the room]…utterly! WE did not start this war but WE will finish it!”

Counselor Dominicia Hyanda, [Minister of Domestic Affairs] placidly looked about the room and turned to the Minister of Culture and motioned for him to return to his dais, she was ready then, to pounce. “We cannot debate this any longer, and we will not bring this to the attention of the Emperor…To do so would imply that we are nothing more than institution of rhetoric and offer nothing of value to his Excellency but official disturbance and bother. [turning and suddenly changing from a placid form to one of stony resolve]…Clearly this is a domestic matter, workers/slaves/prisoners, save but the last are unarguably a matter for my authorities [turning then and leaning over the marble tableau and facing the whole of the other Counselors, looking at each one], My authority in these matters is no more a subject of debate than if I were to posit some new strategy for you. [Turning abruptly to the War Minister and focusing her whole being upon him.] So as I’m sure _you_ would be perfectly willing to do, I will take your “suggestion” under advisement but this matter is closed. And on the matter of prisoners, we are obviously in dire need of new workers so again clearly, they will be “rehabilitated” to workers of Atlantis. Of course if anyone feels, that dead workers are somehow of more benefit to Atlantis than live ones…I, for one, would be more than happy to debate THAT subject with the Emperor.”, returning now towards her dais in her implacably placid manner.

Excerpted from the “coded” volumes [Sequestered Quorums of the Couselors],
Counsel of the Fates, Volume IXX by Suetonius Junsa of Claudius,
Official Chronicler for the Domestic Advisor, Dominicia Hyanda,

My mistakes in the Zulu Campaigns were many, but perhaps the most grievous was the matter of what to do with them [the Zulus'] , The matter of the animals [Zulu’s] is clearly one of my own to address. Hyanda and the other insufferable weaklings of the council speak only for those high academicians in the towers of the city and knows nothing of war. There profound lack of understanding in these matters cannot be adequately described, and certainly not understated. I should never have brought the matter to the Council.

Counselor Maximus Pompeii, Minister of War
Recovered from under the Crucible of Heros

unscratchedfoot · October 21, 2003, 01:23