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This is my first story on Apolyton. I posted this on Civfanatics and it got good reveiws. This story is based on my first game of Civ3. This game didn't get very far, as you shall see. I hope you enjoy it. I originally hadn't planned to make it a series; I will post the second part in a minute.
I hope you enjoy it.
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Khnemhotep looked out the window at the vast city. Thebes had just become the newest colony of the Roman Empire. He remembered the years of weekly pummeling on the walls of Thebes, and tales of earlier times, like when the Persians stole the only Iron deposit in Egyptian territory. The way the Germans and their Roman Allies slowly advanced, burning city after city in their wake, slaughtering thousands.
Khnemhotep walked over to his desk, and grabbed the chair roughly. He tried to calm himself down, running through the relaxation techniques he had learned in his military training. His blood was boiling beneath his skin. Just as he realized the techniques weren’t working, he let out an almighty bellow of rage, and threw the chair against the wall.
He took a few deep breaths at this, and began to relax. I mustn’t be so loud, he chastised himself. They don’t yet know I’m here, and I’d rather it stay that way.
He picked up a quill, and wrote.
***********************
Winter Solstice, 810 AD
Looking back, it’s hard to believe that it was just three days ago that Thebes was a free state. Two days ago, the Romans mounted their final assault on Thebes. Entire Legions swarmed toward the walls, and after so long of holding them back, The Spearmen were vanquished. The Trebuchet operators were mowed down like grain, and the Roman forces swarmed into the capitol, towards the palace. My mother had hidden me in the safe house beforehand, and I could only imagine at that point what was happening to her.
Yesterday, I was able to see everything that went on in front of the ruined palace. Someone announced the arrival of someone named “Our Emperor, Julius Caesar.” I nearly died laughing, the guy was wearing a crown of ferns, and they appeared to be local.
All I’ll say is that the “good” emperor is going to have a nasty rash above his ears.
Caesar began to speak. He had a thick Roman accent, so it was hard to understand completely. He was basically announcing the end of Egyptian independence, asserting his authority, blah blah blah. That much was expected.
He then motioned for something or someone behind him to be brought forward. He was saying something about an example as two Legionnaires brought someone into the sunlight. My heart caught in my chest, as I realized who it was: my mother, Cleopatra.
Caesar then shouted out, “This is your immortal leader?” and plunged his sword into her chest.
Her last scream ripped my heart in two.
***********************
Khnemhotep paused then, because he had heard a small *snap*. He looked around frantically and grabbed his axe, thinking that someone was there. He then realized he had done it, as he was still holding a snapped quill. He also realized that he was crying. These were not blinding tears, but just a constant stream of tears, that would not stop.
He looked back at the Journal, and finished with one line:
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One day, I will lead a rebellion of the Egyptian people, and on that day, I will kill Julius Caesar.
***********************
He then looked at his axe for a moment. With grim resolve, he began packing some supplies. The tears were gone now, replaced by a fire. He finally picked up his bow and arrow, and with one last look back, was gone.
He had left his journal behind.
I hope you enjoy it.
***********************
Khnemhotep looked out the window at the vast city. Thebes had just become the newest colony of the Roman Empire. He remembered the years of weekly pummeling on the walls of Thebes, and tales of earlier times, like when the Persians stole the only Iron deposit in Egyptian territory. The way the Germans and their Roman Allies slowly advanced, burning city after city in their wake, slaughtering thousands.
Khnemhotep walked over to his desk, and grabbed the chair roughly. He tried to calm himself down, running through the relaxation techniques he had learned in his military training. His blood was boiling beneath his skin. Just as he realized the techniques weren’t working, he let out an almighty bellow of rage, and threw the chair against the wall.
He took a few deep breaths at this, and began to relax. I mustn’t be so loud, he chastised himself. They don’t yet know I’m here, and I’d rather it stay that way.
He picked up a quill, and wrote.
***********************
Winter Solstice, 810 AD
Looking back, it’s hard to believe that it was just three days ago that Thebes was a free state. Two days ago, the Romans mounted their final assault on Thebes. Entire Legions swarmed toward the walls, and after so long of holding them back, The Spearmen were vanquished. The Trebuchet operators were mowed down like grain, and the Roman forces swarmed into the capitol, towards the palace. My mother had hidden me in the safe house beforehand, and I could only imagine at that point what was happening to her.
Yesterday, I was able to see everything that went on in front of the ruined palace. Someone announced the arrival of someone named “Our Emperor, Julius Caesar.” I nearly died laughing, the guy was wearing a crown of ferns, and they appeared to be local.
All I’ll say is that the “good” emperor is going to have a nasty rash above his ears.
Caesar began to speak. He had a thick Roman accent, so it was hard to understand completely. He was basically announcing the end of Egyptian independence, asserting his authority, blah blah blah. That much was expected.
He then motioned for something or someone behind him to be brought forward. He was saying something about an example as two Legionnaires brought someone into the sunlight. My heart caught in my chest, as I realized who it was: my mother, Cleopatra.
Caesar then shouted out, “This is your immortal leader?” and plunged his sword into her chest.
Her last scream ripped my heart in two.
***********************
Khnemhotep paused then, because he had heard a small *snap*. He looked around frantically and grabbed his axe, thinking that someone was there. He then realized he had done it, as he was still holding a snapped quill. He also realized that he was crying. These were not blinding tears, but just a constant stream of tears, that would not stop.
He looked back at the Journal, and finished with one line:
***********************
One day, I will lead a rebellion of the Egyptian people, and on that day, I will kill Julius Caesar.
***********************
He then looked at his axe for a moment. With grim resolve, he began packing some supplies. The tears were gone now, replaced by a fire. He finally picked up his bow and arrow, and with one last look back, was gone.
He had left his journal behind.
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