The History of the World VII . . . .

[LzPrst]

(dammit, I was gonna write a story about how Oden begot his sons... oh well, it will have to be in past tense then )

The Holmgaung
Arriving on the holme (small island), Oluf set out walking through the small bushes, seeking his foe. It was dark and cold, the wind howled across the holme, but it would settle soon, it always did once the sun rose in the sky. Perfect conditions for a bowman. The chill of the cold wetness bit hard in Oluf's face, but he was most fortiduous and had experienced the worst of weather in the Great Eastern Desert. He walked carefully, trying to make no noise. If Idar got the drop on him he may find himself with an arrow in his back before he could react.

He tightened the grip on his shield, focusing, closing his eyes to concentrate, listening to every sound around him. There was none. Nothing lived on this island except the rough undergrowth that was more like seaweed than real bushes. The silence ruled supreme. Curses, swore Oluf under his breath, he must be here somewhere.

Suddenly, quick as the serpent, a movement seen in the corner of his eye and an instinctive reaction to protect himself with his arm saved him. The arrow slammed into his left arm, stopped by the shield. Thank Oden, mumbled Oluf as he spotted his foe. Idar had already drawn his bow again and let loose another arrow. This time it struck home. It hit Oluf in his left leg. Screaming with rage Oluf threw his spear with superior skill and strength, but Idar was faster. Throwing himself to the ground, rolling up in kneeling position he fired a second arrow.

*THUD* The arrow smacked into the shield, and Oluf draw his axe and began moving towards his opponent with a slow limp. Idar scuttered a few steps back, drew an arrow, aimed carefully and let loose. Oluf stumbled on his wounded leg and the arrow missed his axearm by a hairs breadth. Protecting himself with his shield while crouching Oluf grabbed the arrow in his leg and tore it out with a primal scream. Blood splurted out and gathered in tiny puddles, but it was not a bane-wound. With his shield covering the crouching Viking, Idar could not get in another shot, so he began sidling sideways, trying to find an opening.

Gathering himself together after tearing out the arrow, he glanced over his shield to see Idar gone. Standing crouched over, his senses screaming in silence, Oluf moved. Deciding before thinking he moved to the right, like the charge of the Bear he stormed forth shield first, axe ready. Idar was unprepared by the sudden charge. Oluf's shield smashed into Idar throwing him through the air down to the waters edge. Shaking the stun off Idar tried knocking another arrow, but Oluf was moving again.

Throwing down his bow and drawing his bone knives Idar prepared for the oncoming giant. Oluf was storming forth, shield first, axe ready. Idar hopped to the side and slashed with his blade. They cut Oluf skindeep on his ribs, not even reacting Oluf spun around, the flint axe glinting in the sun. It came down hard. The flintstone buried itself in Idar's side. Deep. Falling to the ground like a sack of stones Idar was dead before he hit the ground. Oluf left the axe, there was no way he could get it out again. It was buried so deep in his enemy's flesh and bones that it would loose from the handle before it came out. Oluf sat down and waited, a boat would pick him up in a few hours. With Idar crushed, Oluf could assume the role of chieftain of the Vikings.

[Colonel_Treize]

“That damn s*n-of-a-b***h,” Melina exclaimed. “What does Treize think he will accomplish by man-handling an emerging civilization? I mean, taking advantage of the temporal displacement of this planet due to its irregular rotation is a new low, even for him.”
“He claimed that he turned over a new leaf,” replied Jonas Taggart, Commander of this science expedition, shaking his head in shame. “He’s very good at convincing people of his sincerity.”
“He treats people like they are his playthings. We are all pawns in his private game of Go. Even you, Commander.”
“Remember your place, Melina,” Taggart snapped. “Besides, I think his motives are a little more complicated. He is a foreigner to our empire and he could have political motivations stemming from the hard life he had growing up in his home star system. Anyhow, what’s done is done, and we will just have to deal with him when he gets back…or dies in the process. It’s too risky to make a drop to planetside now.”
The intelligence officer assigned to the mission added, “You have to admire his courage. At the very least, he could have some valuable, first hand data to return with. I wonder what he is discovering now…”

-***-

Dazed after the ‘hard workout’ he had last night, Treize Kushrenada awakes to the sound of his tent being rustled open by his aide-de-camp, or what passes for one in this ancient period. The three demure, native women who shared his bed the night before quickly hide under the covers at the sound of someone entering. With a tired wave of his hand he dismisses this intruder to his bedchamber, signaling for him to return later.
He takes a moment or two to awaken. He then looks around at his naked, female companions. They are beautiful, in a classical, feminine way. They all have small frames and straight, dark hair. Their bodies have smooth, almond colored skin with round buttocks and shapely breasts that are pleasing to the eye. They are young and very eager to please. Oh, how he wishes his compatriots high in orbit could see him now. Melina in particular would be very jealous.
He delights at the thought of having another go at them, but he knows are more important matters of state that require his attention. On second thought, this was an important matter of state as well, that one being building bridges with the people he was living with. He wouldn’t want to insult the natives of the people he now calls the Kushren, a shortened version of his own name, by appearing to be uninterested in their ‘gifts’. And with that, he lifts the blanket, revealing these beauties in all of their glory, and gets to work once more.

-***-

Later that leisurely day, he gets down to the business of structuring this society and establishing relations with the other primitive nations. His communication with the ‘administration’ of this tribe is spotty, at best. However, it helps that they have effectively deified him due to his strange attire and his almost magically seeming ways. He brought no advanced technology with him, except for that which keeps him youthful in this temporally displaced pocket of space. Upon his landing he named this colony the Kushrenada Empire. He named the warrior group ‘Otto’ and taught them how to defeat wild animals. Teaching them about diplomacy, he helped them befriend the Happy Funglish. Yes, he was very pleased with himself after naming the capital ‘Ricetown,’ after a man shrouded in myth. “We’ll see what happens in the second act of this little play of ours,” he muttered silently, yet confidently to himself. "But for now, it is time to return to the 'clouds', high above. Heh heh."

[LzPrst]

Idar's body was placed on a small boat and sent out to sea. An arrow with burning cloth was shot out and the small boat burned as it sailed into the western ocean. A fool he was, but he died in battle and all who died in battle were welcome in Oden's Hall.

Oluf returned home and his wounds healed. Gathering the support of the other great families Oluf became chief of the Viking clans. There were many who resented Oluf's dominance and a young archer from the Eitriggklan led a great number of people to the south to settle along the great Njaalselv (Njaals river). One in six of every Viking in Nidaros left for the new lands.

Some years later Oluf had strengthened his grasp of power and ruled with strength and honor. Yet his rule would not be as carefree as had been expected. A messenger from Carthage entered The Great Longhouse one day with dour news. The Queen had been deceitful or overthrown, the specifics were not known, Pigstrong had disappeared and the Carthagians were backing away from their promises. A new leader had assumed power, but he had died in the night and the Carthagian citystate was thrown into chaos. Some unpredictable and unreasonable leader had taken power. Oluf was enraged, the Carthagians were too unstable for an alliance after all. Pigstrong was honorable, but now he was gone. And the Queen could not be trusted, even if she were still in power, women were too fickle for matters of state. Something had to be done.

Oluf sent a messenger south to Eskil. He then turned his energies towards Eskil's clansmen. By trickery, threats and the exclusion of the Eitriggklan from the Great Longhouse, he managed to create a great dissent in its clansmen. Angry that they were treated unjustly many began speaking of leaving Nidaros, as others had done before them. Finally the bias against the clan became too much and they decided to leave. Oluf then called in their clanleaders and spoke to them. They were leaving, he knew this. And he wanted it. Not because he had any quarrel with the clan, but because they were numerous and strong. They were needed elsewhere. Knowing that they would never leave their successful lives in Nidaros Oluf had made their lives miserable. Now that they were leaving Oluf gave them riches in form of valuables, weapons and changed his stance towards them, they would now be treated with the highest honor, they would take a task of great peril. They would be the guardians. The keepers of Carthage.

Eskil received the message while in the desert hunting lions. Slaying two great packs of lions he grew strong and moved north as instructed. He met with his clansmen moving east and together they stood upon the hill of Smalland, the narrow strip of land separating the Great Vik (pronounced Veek) and the eastern ocean. Looking north they saw the farms of Carthage and its people, leaving their homes to go on their great trek to settle lands in the south. Eskil set up fortifications on the hill and then spoke to his clan. They would settle here and prevent Carthage from ever leaving their lands unless at the mercy of the clan of Eitrigg. The die was cast. Carthage stood between the choice of war with the Vikings or servitude. Eskil saw no way how Carthage could challenge the Vikings. They would have to choose servitude. Or die!

[KunojiLym]

In about 2200 BC, legend has it that the Shang overthrew the tyranny of the first dynasty, the Xia. While it is doubtful if the Xia really existed, evidence for the existance of the Shang, though scant, has been uncovered. It seems that the Shang were excellent metal workers; exquisite bronze vessels have been found in the vicinity of what was then known as the city of Yin. The first metal weapons of any sort have also been unearthed in the outskirts of the city; perhaps it was a reaction to the legends of the fierce aminal spirits that inhabited the south. But perhaps they were not all meant as weapons; Legend has it that Da Yu, founder of the Xia Dynasty, had cleared great swats of land in order that the Middle Kingdom might grow prosperous among all the tribes. What is known for certain is that roadworks dating from just before the Shang have been unearthed, again near Yin.

The Shang were also the founders of the city of Hao along the Huang He, the Yellow River. It is said that the god Erlang, while he was still mortal, had fought off a thousand and one wild animals upon the overlooking hills, before Yang Luo sent a bear spirit to finally bring Erlang down to the Underworld. Shao Kang, ruler of Xia, personally descended to the Underworld, to plead for the release of Erlang. Yang Luo eventually agreed, on the condition that Erland could no longer return to the mortal world, and that he was to spend his time equally between the heavens and the Underworld. From that transit point, it is said, the city of Hao was born. This is one of the legends explaining the existance of the seasons.

[condor223]

Let it be done!
There follows a Party celebrating the Unification of Egypt!




A messenger brings news! ... breathless and bowed he reports "A close neighbor has settled near us and wishes a peaceful relationship. India, Great House, has sent an emissary for trade and good will."

"Another thing, Great One, your last brave warriors have been eaten by the bears! Alas, we have not been able to bring them home for proper burial!" Bowing lower, "We have not found any maps they might have left....... "

Narmer, settles into his throne. "There is much to consider, this new neighbor and of the other travelers in the desert beyond." He turns to Queen Neithotep, who was watching the jugglers, sent from her home in Naqada.

"What shall we do with these new people? Do they bear us ill or good will, my love?"

Spoken to so kindly, she turns......... smiles........

The Queen has other things upon her mind.... She lifts her garland and places it over the Pharaoh's head, moving close, distracting his thoughtful mood... A dry breeze lifts the sheer, white curtains around the throne.

"mmm.... remember our visit to Memphis today, Dear One? How we ran through the sand, and found comfort in an embrace? Remember the morning Clouds?"

Stretch out upon the dune
To see the life unfold
Palace clouds fortressed
Cast against a new-lit sky

Rugged battlements
Cross a blue expanse
Shielding a solitary core
From misty warriors

Below their white frothed rims
Strode an abstract haze of Spearmen
Flowing cross the timbered jaws
Of a cotton circled moat.

Drifting all silently to glory
In defense of the Great House
Honor, truth and bravery flashed
From their frosted breast plates.

For their fortress was in danger
Heat surrounded mighty walls
Stretched like melting cones to glory
Holed, hallowed
As first rays pierced from morning sun.


With a wide gesture, Narmer cleared the room. Now distracted, he sought comfort and pleasure with his new bride, Queen Neithotep.....

[condor223]

"The Bear God strikes again!! This will not DO! The Bear God must be aligned with the evil barbarians. I will have my revenge! Again I will lay their heads between their feet, set fire to their villages, demand slaves and workers.' He sits by the portico, then moves to the audience chamber... for important guests have arrived.

The vizier admits Lord Shang, heir to the aging Shang Tang, to the audience chamber. His large retinue held a cloth covering over his head, many drums and gongs played. He is accompanied by 33 entertainers, and 10 sages. Also in attendance is the 2nd son, Zi Sheng.

The Pharaoh was most congenial after his recent victory of his rival, his wife's father. This brought about the joining of two crowns, two lands, of one thought, joined by the Great Pharaoh.

Shang was very interested in the new alliance with his neighbors. Lord Shang 's retinue bear gifts of bronze vessels! With an echange of gifts, the conversation searched for a common cause, and the three gathered in a small alcove near the window by the fish pond.

Narmer: “It is known that a marriage alliance brought about the final seal to the unification of two great lands”.
Sipping honey wine, the Pharaoh querried.
”Have the wild animals taken your scouts?”
Shang: "Well, yes."
”Narmer has one ally, and will soon start trading wisdom. There could be room in the alliance for another. To seal this alliance, would require a dowry of tech, and another wife for me.. one who knows her place. My new bride is of a great house and thinks she can share the rule.”
Shang: “the Shang is much interested. Our fishermen have explored a great deal.”
Narmer: "Indeed such industry is better than dealing with the Bear God!"
Shang: “'No truer words have been spoken'!! The middle kingdom has always held the view that though there may be bear gods, there are also evil spirits in the form of those same bears and such.”

Pharaoh, strokes his cat....
Narmer: “Bast is here with me.. a joy to watch at work.. beheading the troublesome mice in our granaries. He is cleaning his claws.. much like I, Narmer, have beheaded the troublesome barbarians. I have been at war with them and the Bear God.”
“My only pleasure is in this new wife, who is greedy for sons.”
Shang: "The Queen hails from india?"
Narmer:”No she is from our uplands.”
Shang: "Ahh"
Narmer: “Her father ruled a vast area and had vassals of his own. It became troublesome to destroy their farms, take slaves, when they could work for me. I would have killed them all, but this is one way to grow.. we are not interested in taking every head in the area.”
Shang: "Indeed not.!
Narmer: “So I issued an offer to her father.. give me your lands and your daughter to wife, and let us end this killing! She will bear issue of both houses. and there will be peace in the land. He had no other choice but death to himself and his houshold, the death of his vassals, and continued war.”
Shang: “That is one way to bring the barbarians into the fold, for sure.”
Narmer: “I must admit, I benefitted in several ways.. she is indeed a pleasing queen. She knows the ways of scent, of magic potions, I see a quick adaptive mind.. She paints her face with ground rocks of many colors. Indeed, our union will produce a whole nation, given the skills of this lady! Such bewitching… “ sighs Pharaoh, “is a favor, a feast and a sword.”

The audience continues into the night with the sweet scent of the oil lamp filling the room… Lord Shang, indeed appreciates a need for growth and not war. Long entertainment follows during a feast of great size and variety.

[KunojiLym]

King Tang of Shang had indeed sent such a retinue to the court of the Pharaoh. Lord Shang, the eldest son, led the embassy, with his younger brother Zi Sheng in attendance. Following were the aforementioned 33 female entertainers and 10 sages; the entertainers as a gift to the Pharaoh, and the sages to provide advise and insight. The sages also bore with them many ceremonial bronze vessels , the likes of which had never before been seen in foreign lands. Of course, no retinue was complete without a set of guards, and in this, the embassy was accompanied by 27 fearless axemen.

The day after the meeting between Lord Shang and Narmer, the retinue retreated into the quarters that they had been granted, for a brief conference.

"Lord Shang, how fared the meeting?"

"The Egyptians are well pleased with our vessels and women," the Lord replied, a smirk on his face. "I am sure they are also much impressed by the show of axes."

"Don't forget, elder brother, that they have mastered the bow and arrow."

"You don't need to remind me, Sheng." Lord Shang smirked again, and leaned back a little. Then his expression became more serious. "Clearly, we have much to learn from each other. On other matters, the Egyptians have suggested that we travel on to India to the south, so that we can make formal contact."

"India?" One of the sages furrowed his brow. "That is too far away from us to even bothe-"

"They have a city not four leagues from Thebes."

"What!?" "*That* close?" "Elder brother, is this true?"

"I have no reason to doubt the words of Narmer," Lord Shang replied. "In any case, I will return to Yin with this news. Sheng, take 5 sages and 9 axemen with you, and make contact with these Indians. Be prepared for cold weather; I hear that theirs is a desolate land of ice and stone. And beware of the evil spirits."

"What of our deal with Egypt?"

"Oh, we have reached an understanding." The Lord smiled. "Our southern flank should be secure, now. All that is left is the east and the north. That is where I shall next head to, with Father's blessings."

[Frank Johnson]

The Inca accepted Taro as their ruler of sorts quite quickly. Truth be told, the simplicity of the ancient era required little leadership. A few bands of warriors kept the fruitful lands of the Inca free of intruders, while the majority of people enjoyed its great abundance. Eventually though the people began to seek the wisdom of Taro. They observed him not only in his fighting, but also in his mannerisms and mechanical creations which earned him much respect even beyond marrying the daughter of the most paramount of Incans, Bob the Bear Slayer.

Of course, Taro was a walking encyclopedia to the ancients. People would ask Taro a question, which to them had profound meaning. Taro often simply replied with the truth, although it rarely got through to people. Their answers were much more entertaining than “wave lengths of light particles” or “cool air condenses”. Getting everyone to apply and understand even simple concepts took time. Time was a mystery to Taro. Years that should have worn away at his body and torn down the beauty of his wife seemed gracious in their tardiness. Beyond the passing of the sun and moon there was little to mark the years in the hot jungles. Whole generations were borne, grew, matured, and sought their own place while the previous one remained vibrant.

“Master Taro, I seek your wisdom.” A young father approached with his wife and young children. “The land holds great abundance for us, yet I feel we are capable of more. The people see your amazing creations and tireless devotion and seek to emulate you, but many so often fail because they lack your wisdom. Oh great Taro! Like the warriors who cling to your ways, give purpose to this humble servant.”

“Wow. Stand up. Go on get up. Come sit with me on my porch.” Taro still hadn’t let being psuedo-royality go to his head. His practical beginnings were too much a part of him.

“So you seek a purpose to life? It is a great thing to ask, even from me.” Taro was rather enjoying the laid back nature of the ancient era, despite having turned his private residence into a workshop or sorts. “I see you have three healthy young sons. The path to fulfillment is not sought through oneself but through others. I will give each of them a trade, which no Incan has yet to master. They will gain the respect of their peers as though they were great warriors, in exchange you will become my servant and seek out those willing to work along their side.”

The father agreed and each son was to be given a trade.

“This is the first gift I received in this land. It is a jewel that shines like the stars. They exist in these lands in abundance, hidden under the earth. Your first oldest son shall toil against the earth and liberate them for all to see. He shall cut them and trade them and give them all names and purposes and though he has no crops he shall never want for food.”

So the father sought those that were willing and dug out the land. It was as Taro had said. The Incans loved the jewels and traded many things of value to see the stars in the light of day. The father returned years later seeking a purpose for his second son.

“The folly of the Incans is that one day they feast mightily and the next they have nothing. The earth is fruitful, but it is vain. Your second son shall marry the earth. He will break it and sow it and reap it without wandering or neglect. He shall raise the earth like one raises a child and it will bloom more beautifully.”

So the father sought those that were willing and broke the land. It was as Taro had said. The Incans saw the corn raise higher than a man’s height and it was stored it great abundance. Want was forgotten amongst the whole village, but the father returned for a purpose for his last son.

“Great Master Taro, you have given my first two son’s great wealth and abundance, but your gifts may be too great. My last son grows envious of his brothers and says ‘what purpose can there be for me?’”

“Like your last son has grown bitter, I hold bitterness for the sea. It took from me all I once had, yet gave me all I now possess. Construct a great many boats gather the abundance of the sea. In giving and taking one will find peace at sea.”

So the father sought those who were willing and constructed a great number of boats. They sailed the same shores from where Taro first appeared and found for themselves a life unique to themselves and peace in their hearts. The father was now an old man, tired from his many labors. Taro had aged but time had been more merciful to him. The old man was dying and his wife and sons sat by his side. Though many Incans knew of the greatness of his three sons, little had been said of the man who made it possible. With a smile on his face the old man took his last breath. The sons carried the body to Taro and he said, “I shall honor him.”

Though marking the burial places of the dead was common to time unknown, the three sons did not understand the strange carvings Taro chipped into the grand stone he had prepared for their father. One of the sons asked if the markings had a meaning, since he had seen the markings left on other things of importance in Taro’s home.

“Yes, they do have a meaning. It says here lies he whom had the greatest purpose among the Incans.”

Taro looked at the growing village and what had been accomplished. Though time had been kind, Taro knew he too would see his end. He had out lived many of his children, and looked as though he was as old as one of his distant offspring. His wife clung to his side still, both appearing to be middle aged despite having lived hundreds of years, although no one was really keeping count or questioned their worthiness.

Taro had already given the Incans more purposes than they could fill. Warriors, Farmers, Seafarers, Miners. He had one great purpose left to give them before he left. What he was, he was not exactly sure yet.

[OzzyKP]

SECOND SESSION 2050 BC

India(Gandhi) - CyberShy
Egypt(Ramses) - Nolan
Vikings(Ragnar Lodbrok) - LzPrst
China(Qin Shi Huang) - KunojiLym
Choson(Wang Kong) - Deity
Inca(Huayna Capac) - Dangime
France(Napoleon Boneparte) - Colonel_Treize
England(Victoria) - MMC
Celts(Brennus) - Omnipotent Trout
Arabs(Saladin) - OzzyKP
Carthage(Hannibal) - Francois/AI
Rome(Julius Ceasar) - Thrak
Bulgaria(Cyrus II) - Toni

[Robert]

If you want to find the Indians, there's only one route you can follow, the people said:

If it is warm and the sun shines hot
In the Indian lands you are not
If there is grass and the fields are green
The Indian lands is not where you have been
Deserts and jungle they show you right
You're not in India the following night

March to the south leave the sun leave the warm wind
March till you see the icebears in all of their kind
When you meet the chinese, don't stop but walk on
Don't dispair but continue when you lose sight of the sun
Say hi to Egypt, and say hi to their queen
But don't stay in their lands if it's India you want to have seen

Go down to the south, march the tundra, march the ice
It's cold and uncomfortable but extremely wise
And when you reach to Ice Sea, the end of all land
Move to the east, if peace is what you want
Then enter the landtong for that's where we are
Walk it to the utter end if you dare

There you can find the village of Rho-Delhi, noble and true
You have found the Indians and they found you!

[Robert]

These are the days of Varanu

Varanu was born as a girl.
When he forsaw the end of Rho'dd Berth LXXIX, the 1st leader of the Indians, he transformed into a man and became their 2nd leader.

These are the accomplishments of Varanu
Varanu learned the Indians to fish the seas
Varanu learned the Indians to serve the gods
Varanu founded Marble Village near the Golden Mountain
Varanu made peace with the Egyptians
Varanu made peace with the Chinese
The city of Rho-Delhi growed and the name of India became famous among many people.

One day Varanu was back in the center of Rho-Delhi.
There was a girl, sitting on the ground.

She softly cried
She stood up and walked to the left
She walked to the right
She turned around
And she wept

Then she looked at Varanu again and said:
"You have lead us! You shall be praised!"
She cried again and said:
"Time is not in our hands, the time has come!"
She looked down to the grounds and said:
"Goodbye great leader"

Varanu closed his eyes, breathed one last time, and died. These were the days of Varanu, the 2nd leader of the Indians. He was succeeded by Manu, his son.

[Robert]

Small tales from India during the days of Varanu

First tale: Arjuna the archer and the village of Maniju
One day some warriors returned to Rho-Delhi. They reported about the discovery of a barbarian village near Rho-Delhi. The villagers were hostile to the Indian scouts. Plans were made to destroy the village and Arjuna, famous for his archering skills, was asked to join them. Arjuna refused for he feared that he would kill too many of the villagers and the battle would not be fair. The warriors tried to convince him to join them for they desired to be helped by the great skills of Arjuna, but he did not agree.

Three days after the warriors left to the village Arjuna walked in the forrests north of Rho-Delhi. Suddenly he heard a voice again: "Arjuna, why are you here while death waits for you near Maniju?". He responded: "Death may look for me but I do not desire to meet death myself."
The voice was heard again: "Go to Maniju for your help is needed. Stay here and Rho-Delhi will fall. Countless hordes of Barbarian are about to kill all Indian warriors, go now but know you'll certainly meet death. Stay here and be a witness of the horrors that'll come over Rho-Delhi and outlive the last Indians for thousands of years."

The voice was gone and Arjuna had to choose, death and honor or life and horror. Arjuna decided to go to Maniju. After a journey of 2 days he found the Indian warriors. Many of them had left the land of the living. Many were wounded. Their spirit was broken and hordes of barbarian were preparing for a last attack not far from them. When Arjuna arrived the warriors rejoiced! The found their spirit again, their wounds suddenly healed and their number seemed to be larger.
Arjuna though told them that he would not join the battle. He feared that he would kill too many barbarian and death was not his friend. He had no desire to feed his arch-rival, the end of life, with too many and therefor he insisted to stay at the camp.

When the barbarian attacked the Indian warriors were able to slay many of them. Victory was at hand. From a distance Arjuna saw the coming of a 2nd horde of barbarians and feared that the warriors would not be able to counter them though. He fired his arrows and killed many of the 2nd horde. Displeasure came over him for killing that many of them. He had no joy in firing the arrows neither did he find strength in piercing the hearts of the enemy. Every arrow he fired weakened his heart. He felt that death was close.

Then he felt coldness behind him and turned around.
There was his arch-enemy, death himself.
"Why are you here?" Arjuna asked.
"It is your time" death said.
"What do you know about time? How can you speak about hours? You do not know time for time perishes when you arrive"
"I do know time" death replied. "I've seen it in the eyes of those I met, for they suddenly understand what time really is when they know that their time is about to be gone."
Arjuna feared the cold eyes of death and fired two arrows at them. But death could not be killed and it laughed.
"Don't try to escape your destiny, don't you see it, your powers are gone and your last breath is lingering in your mouth"
"I don't wanna die" Arjuna replied. "I want to serve my people and protect them from the Manijuan barbarians! Go away old man and I will look for you when I'm ready to meet you."
"How will you know that you are ready?"
"I will know and I will come! Now let me fight" Arjuna said, and turned around. Many barbarian had neared in to the Indian warriors. They were about to fall. Arjuna shot many arrows and killed many barbarians. He felt life leaving him with every arrow again. He felt the presense of death behind him. He felt the coming presense of death within him. He could barely stand on his feet. He saw the fear in the eyes of the warriors and the hate in the eyes of the barbarian. His heart beated once. His heart beated twice. He fell on the ground.

Death bowed over him and asked him: "Are you ready to go now?". Arjuna tried to speak but couldn't find the right words. "I assume that you have found rest in your destiny" death said, and reached to grab Arjuna. With the last air Arjuna had in his lungs he screamed "LIFE!" and he heard the response of the warriors: "LIFE" they shouted! "Fight for your life!". Arjuna heard them and it renewed his strength. He raised and grabbed death and said to it: "This is not my time! Now go and be gone". Death looked Arjuna in the eyes and said: "So will it be done" and he was gone.

Arjuna turned around and saw the warriors being overrun. He tried to grab more arrows but there weren't any arrows left. He ran down from the hill he was standing on, grabbed his wooden spear and tried to release his friends. The battle was long. For hours and for days they battled. Many barbarians were killed. All warriors were killed. Death was all around Arjuna. When the last barbarian was among these death he looked around and said: "I tried to escape from death but now death is all around me! What have I done?"

He returned to Rho-Delhi but every step made his heart heavier. The nights were dark, there were no stars. During the day the sun was covered and his thoughts were with the death. The many death. He had supplied his arch-enemy with many. He had no joy in life anymore. Then death showed up before him again. "Do you still prefer life above death?" he asked. "I am ready", Arjuna said.

[OzzyKP]

Long ago the people of the covenant, the sons of Abraham were cleaved in two. Two tribes, one people seperated by a common heritage.

One clan, the tribe of Ishmael founded the great city of Mecca and prospered on the south shore of Lake Tabariyya (بحيرة طبريا ). For hundreds of years the decendents of Ishmael's sons lives and died, and grew in the fertile land of Mecca. A friendship was made with the people of the south - the Bulgarians. And a great project first began by Ishmael and his father Abraham was finished. The Kaaba (Stonehenge), the site ordained by God to be a place of worship on Earth to reflect the house of heaven called al-Baytu l-Maˤmur (البيت المعمور ). Upon its completion the whole world, righteous and heathen alike proclaimed the glory of the house of Ishmael, favored of God.

Through focused prayer to God at the Kaaba a great many secrets of the universe and this planet of Terra were revealed. Truly their place in the world was revealed and understood at last.

God further revealed the location of the lost tribe of Isaac. For four hundred years the decendents of Isaac through his son Yaqub (Jacob) have toiled in slavery in the land of Egypt. Yarob, descendent of Ishmael, and young King of the tribe of Ishmael, raised a massive army to secure the return of their lost Abrahamic brothers from the Phaoroh.

On the way however, Yarob encountered a large wandering band of people in the desert west of Mecca. Contact was made to determine if they were hostile or friendly, and amazingly it turned out to be the very group of Yaqub's descendents they had been looking for. Through the grace of God they were freed from the Pharoh and have been wandering in the desert for decades since.

Calling themselves the Israelites, Yarob began negotiating with their leader Musa (Moses). Amazingly, after freeing them from the Pharoh, God spoke to Musa and delivered to him a list of commandments for his people to follow, and promised to return Musa's people to the land of their ancestors.

Yarob was excited to learn of this and invited Musa to unite with their fellow Abrahamic brothers in Mecca, and settle to the north, in the small town of Jerusalem. Yarob eagerly accepted the new commandments of God, and the whole people were once again united. Ishmael & Isaac at last were united as one people of God.

[OzzyKP]

The King's Highway

Yarob was a great king. In addition to reuniting his people politically, he reunited his people physically with the constuction of the great highway between Jerusalem & Mecca. This north-south route spans hundreds of miles and is one of (if not the) longest, most trafficed roadways in the world. Stretching through the plains and deserts, the roadway has sped travel between the two peoples and encouraged more trade and commerce. For Yarob's part in constructing the great road, it was named the King's Highway.

After the construction of the King's Highway to Jerusalem and the growth of the city, close ties were made with the French people to the north. Not far from Jerusalem, the people of France heard mighty things about God and the exodus out of Egypt and wished to learn more of the powerful God of the Israelites and Ishmaelites.

In addition a treaty of friendship, recognized borders, and open travel between the two nations were agreed upon. To facilitate trade and travel between the two great nations, it was agreed that the King's Highway would be extended north into France. At this moment, the highway is a mere year or two away from completion.

The great King Yarob next plans to extend the King's Highway south into Bulgaria. The Bulgarian people, long held in high esteem have cemented a more formal treaty of economic, military and religious unity with King Yarob.

[OzzyKP]

Not all was peaceful during the reign of King Yarob. A new tribe was discovered to the west that would be a source of antagonism and concern for years. After friendly, mutually acceptable agreements with the French & Bulgarians, this new people, the Romans disturbed the calm and peace among the Israelites & Ishmaelites.

First encountered in the hills and forests north-west of Mecca, a vast company of women, children, and warriors marched through the wildnerness like locusts, their feet trampled the grass and shook the trees. Sentries brought reports to Mecca of their presence as fast as they could run.

The Ishmaelites have long had knowledge of other great people in the world, the Bulgarians, French, Indians, and many others, but these Romans were new. To show up on their doorstep for the very first time with a tribe of thousands took Yarob by surprise. Who were these people? Where had they come from? What were their intentions? Where was their homeland? Many questions were asked in Mecca and Jerusalem about these new people on their borders.

Emisarries were sent out and learned the Roman people intended to settle near Mecca. Indeed, they planned to settle so close to Mecca, Roman fruit trees would cast shade on Meccan crops. This was unacceptable and the approaching Romans were warned to turn back, however they refused.

The Romans built their village and were quickly surrounded by the kingdom of Israel & Ishmael. Border skirmishes were fought, and a stance of hostility emerged between the tribes. The Roman occupation of the promised land was an insult to God and an insult to his people.

Then reports came in from the southern Bulgarians of additional hostile actions by the Romans. Land scouted for future settlement by the Bulgarians was ruthlessly occupied by the Romans in much the same manner as the city in the north. Like a plague, the Romans spread across the land with no end in sight.

King Yarob, being a just ruler knew this would not last. Romans would not be allowed to occupy Bulgarian and Ismaelite lands unpunished. However being a peaceful ruler, he has decided to offer the Romans one last chance at peace before the righteous people of the world drive back their evil.

Therefore, King Yarob has delievered the following message, an open letter to all nations:

Emperor of the Romans,

Your pressence in our lands is uninvited and unwelcome. Our people do not settle on hills overlooking Rome, thus your people should not settle on hills overlooking Mecca. Your immoral occupation of our land and of Bulgaria is a hostile action and will be treated as such.

If you do not agree to leave you shall be driven out by the combined might of Bulgaria and the people of the covenant.

For it is written that God has promised this land to the descendents of Abraham. We are those descendents and will not tolerate pagans from the west in our lands.

Leave now or God's wrath shall fall upon you like an angry storm.

- King Yarob of the Ishmaelites
King Joshua of the Israelites