Post by mental on Jul 30, 2017 0:08:15 GMT
Union of the Seas: Eclipse
Volume I- Origins
Chapter I
20 years before the Cataclysm
"It is the eclipsing of all the nations of the world by your new empire."
Tudkhalias walked on the shore. The town was busy- a shipment had just come in from Wilusha (Troy). Tudkhalias was a warrior of the town of Tarsos. The shipment had taken many days to reach his lands. The King Mursili, the Second of that name, ruled over all Hatti.
[IMG]
(Hatti)
The plague around a decade earlier had wiped out much of the land, including the old King. However, there were still troubles. The Kaskas raided in the mountains, and the Arzawans fought in the southwest. Tarsos was a small center of commerce along the Sydnis (Cyndus, Berdan). The sun beared down on the plain with a fury that morning, only to be replaced by an odd and unusual event, the likes of which Tudkhalias had never seen.
[IMG]
(The Event)
The moon rose above the lands and blocked the great sun. For a brief time all the light of the sun was darkened by the shade of the moon. Tudkhalias was overcome with fear, as was everyone in the town. The world was surely ending! How could life go well without the sun? They wept and cried, joy, anger, fear, and sadness all at once at the majestic spectacle. However, it sooned faded, and the sun returned. However, Tudkhalias was still staring. He decided to see if it would happen again. (1) Instead, he received a vision.
"Servant of the Hatti and Tarsos, you are a great warrior." Emenated a powerful voice from around him.
"It is your destiny to forge your own Tarsos and your own people." Cried the voice.
"What is this? What do you ask of me, O great spirit?" Moaned Tudkhalias.
"The eclipsing of the sun by the moon was a sign. It is the eclipsing of all the nations of the world by your new empire." Said the voice.
"Why me?" Shouted Tudkhalias.
"You are the greatest and most worthy of the warriors of the world. You may have little experience, and you are young, but the world is yours." Echoed the disappearing voice.
"Everyone! Everyone! I have had a vision!" Shouted Tudkhalias with glee.
Everyone in the town seemed to think he was crazy by their faces.
"Tudkhalias! Enough daydreaming! We need to handle the shipment. Come on!" Shouted the isha (master) of the town. He was a leader and father figure to all in the town. It was said he fought with the King many years ago, and was given many gifts for his service. This upset Tudkhalias- he thought someone would have wanted to listen to him surely? Would Kiya believe him? Oh how he wished she would! Kiya was the most beautitful woman in the world. She was smart, funny, and beautiful. No statue carved by the greatest of sculptors could come close to matching her. Tudkhalias had dreamed of taking her as a wife for a long time- he was approaching the age at which he must ask. If she did not believe him, surely she would reject him? Tudkhalias would give up his whole future empire for her love- he would convince her of his sincerity, and worthiness to husband! Tudkhalias begrudgingly aided in the shipment, but then raced off to Kiya.
"Oh sweet Tudkhalias, what has brought you here?" Said Kiya.
"I have come to see you, my love. I had a vision of my future. You and I- we ruled a great kingdom. I have been chosen by the gods! Surely you will believe me, like no other has? I will be a dutiful husband, and even in the harshest of times, I will care for you!" Begged Tudkhalias.
"Tudkhalias! Even your name is like that of kings! Of course I believe you, my dear. My love for you is too great to think you are insane. I know you better than that. I fully trust you to provide for me and give me a great life. Of course I will take you as my husband." Cried Kiya.
Tudkhalias would have gladly paid any price for Kiya, but alas, her mother and father had died in the plague. She had been raised under the tutelage of the isha, who had generously allowed her to select her own self being taken to wife. They were bonded a few days later. She brought a great new sword: a gift from the isha to Tudkhalias, while he brought his fair estate and his possessions. In this way they started their life together.
FINIS
(1)- POD. OTL Tudkhalias goes about his life, and never tries to wife Kiya. He dies from a fall several months later.
Union of the Seas: Eclipse
Volume I- Origins
Chapter II
19 years, 7 months, and 21 days before the Cataclysm (19 PC)
"HEAD TO SEA!"
Tudkhalias was enjoying some of the happiest time of his life. He and Kiya were content and prosperous, and all seemed to be well. He still thought of the spirit that came to him during the Event: he still dreamed of more! However, how could he do such a thing? He had no support aside from Kiya- and as much as he may have believed it, her love could not make an empire. Tudkhalias focused himself on just tending to his fields for now- life was never easy. The constant battle to survive and get food hung over everyone, except the King perhaps. Tudkhalias had heard tales of distant lands with plentiful resources, land, and better soil. He would conquer the best of the lands in the world for Kiya, by his sword and his honor. As he sat, thinking while planting crops, he saw a gust of wind. This gust blew down from the mountains, and out to sea. After that, he could have sworn he heard a voice telling him to "follow the wind."
That would be insane! Tudkhalias thought. One vision was one thing, but at this point, he must be going mad! What was there for him out at sea? A small part of him eventually realized the answer. The world was out there: the world of his new kingdom. But how could he leave his home? The isha, all his friends, how could he leave them? His life was good here! But it still nagged at him: how much better could it be? For some reason, whenever he looked around his home after this, he saw only problems. Gone was the joy of his younger years: in its place had come a repressed hatred for the timidity of his life. The only thing that still brought joy to him was Kiya. Tudkhalias knew these feelings of anger towards his home were misguided, so he sought the counsel of the isha.
"Father, why am I discontented in my home? Life here is good. We are aloof from most of the problems of the world. So why am I not happy?" Wept Tudkhalias.
"My son, you are discontented because you seek something. You are feeling the pain of youth. You wish to see more of the world, as I did when I was your age. I must warn you: the world is a terrible, terrible place. The evil out there fortunantely does not often penetrate our town. There is senseless destruction, oppression, and sacrilege in most of Hatti, and the other lands. The people there are not free to use what they produce like us (1): they give everything unto their rulers and get only enough to survive back. I will not lie, it can happen here too. However, it has been many years since the Kings of Hatti have deigned to take tribute from us, as our town is small." Said the isha.
"But that is wrong! Surely someday the system will be changed?" Wailed Tudkhalias.
"I am sorry, my child. The system will never change, and the perogative of the King to our precious iron shall never change. The King is divinely protected, and so we obey." Said the isha.
Tudkhalias was very upset by this. Yes, the King had rights, but surely he had limits too? Perhaps if he were a good King, he could rule without limits, but the isha told him of the King's deeds. Hatti was being starved by the King's displeasing of the gods that enthroned him. In this way, his tyranny was starving the land. Tudkhalias watched every day as the fields dried up more and more, and pestilence spread across the land. Tudkhalias decided he would appeal to the gods, for deliverance if not for him, at least for Kiya and their future children.
"O great Kumarbis! (2) Why are you destroying the land? Surely you could spare the pious and loyal citizens of Hatti, and just punish the wicked Kings? Why is the world dying? Have you unleashed Ulikummis, your mighty offspring to destroy our nations?" Cried Tudkhalias. (3)
"NO." A voice thundered inside Tudkhalias. "THE CATACLYSM IS NOT MY DOING: IT WILL BE YOURS! IT IS YOUR DESTINY... YOU CANNOT ESCAPE IT! HEAD TO SEA!" Roared every part of Tudkhalias. (4)
[IMG] (Kumarbis)
Tudkhalias woke up. His face was caked in dirt. The sun was beating down on him and he was sweating. He went to get some water from the stream near his house, and found it nearly all dried up. The heat could almost be seen melting it. The town was drying up. Now that he thought about it, it had been drying up for a long time. No longer did streams flow through the streets in the wet season, as when he was young. The heat had grown and grown. What had caused the wrath of the gods to fall unto the good people of this town? What more could they suffer? (5)
FINIS
(1)- Palace economies.
(2)- Hittite chief god. Interesting parallels to Zeus/Jupiter.
(3)- Hittite god. Son of Kumarbis that prevents his other son from killing him. God of disorder and bad things.
(4)- tl:dr Heat stroke with hallucenations.
(5)- climatic disruption and increased aridity in the Eastern Mediterranean caused by the North Atlantic Oscillation.
Union of the Seas: Eclipse
Volume I- Origins
Chapter III
19 years, 7 months, and 20 days before the Cataclysm (19 PC)
"You dare to take my home from me, then I will take your life!"
Tudkhalias rose as the dawn came. The sky was ominously clear. The townspeople slowly began to wake up. The sunlight shimmered on the water, and reflections began to appear. These were of a most unexpected presence however: there were ships. These were not great ships, but people were seen to be on them. The people were grunting and shouting in some tongue Tudkhalias could not understand. (1) Suddenly, the boasts reached the edge of the town. They were beached, yet still seemed intact.
[IMG] (The boats the invaders used)
An angry man came from the boat in front, and surely was cursing, in his own dialect. None of the townspeople knew what he was saying, but they knew his intentions. The invaders all carried weapons. They were 2 foot-long rounded bronze shafts, perhaps swords, which shone off the sun's light. (2) After some more garbled talk, they rushed at the townspeople. However, the townspeople were a strong folk, and would not cave in. They had weapons with them as well- not the fine swords of great kingdoms, but their everyday weapons. In the hands of a skilled warrior, a pitchfork or hoe can be the strongest weapon of all.
[IMG] (the swords of the invaders)
However, the battle was not fairing well. Most of the townspeople were not skilled warriors- and Tudkhalias watched as all his friends were dying around him. He made a choice. He ran back inside his hut and grabbed his sword. It was time to teach the invaders a lesson.
"You dare to take my home from me, then I will take your life!" Tudkhalias roared at them. They could not seem to understand it, and just went on pillaging the village. Tudkhalias remembered that he HAD to protect Kiya. These invaders had to die by his hand. With that, Tudkhalias charged straight into an invader who stood a head above him. Tudkhalias roared and sliced the man in half before he could even react. He came unto another one, and smote him as well. After some time had passed, the town flowed with the blood of the invaders, as well as most of the inhabitants. The isha died valiantly, saving a woman and child from a gang of the invaders. All the town that survived would remember his noble sacrifice, and his deeds in life. However, some of the invaders got away. They were aided by a favorable wind- and no one could catch them. (3)
At last, they were gone. But at what cost? The town was ransacked. The feeling of death and destruction there was like nothing ever seen in this part of the world. The invaders had started fires- these soon spread despite the best efforts of the townsfolk. Most of the town burned to the ground. Tudkhalias sat weeping, for the cruel fate of the unjustly dead, and for the miserable fate of the destitute survivors. How could Tudkhalias take his revenge on these foul brutes? The answer was clear. There was one boat left. However, there was nothing left here. The destroyed town, burnt of most of its substance and population, held nothing for Tudkhalias anymore. He had defended Kiya valiantly, and it was by this miracle that she survived. He could not provide for her here anymore. No- his new life would come from the plunder of the invaders! He would take to the sea as they did, with only Kiya- as he could not leave her here, to not see ever again! He would protect her, and build her the empire the gods promised him.
But still he wept for the past. What was the power of one man compared to the evils of the world? He had never sailed in his life- how could he possibly succeed? Tudkhalias then heard a soft breeze going out to sea.
"I GET IT! He roared. "I HAVE TO GO OUT TO SEA... WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE I AM DOING?" Cried Tudkhalias.
He packed what little there was to salvage, all the food he could find, and his sword, and stowed a shield onto the boat. He helped Kiya into the boat, and took another look at the town. The charred remains of people, animals, and buildings were all that was left. The area held only ill omens if he were to stay. It had occured to him that the King should have protected him. Tudkhalias swore revenge on the King, whose inability to protect his people would have cost Kiya her life, but for Tudkhalias. For all the people, he mourned and regretted what had come to pass. Someday, he would visit the same wrath upon the descendants of the King, of the invaders, and of any who dared oppose him. He was divinely appointed to rule, and all the bronze arrayed against him would stand for nothing against. He was the gods' avatar on Earth, and the people were wicked. He would exact their wrath against the impious sinners of the world, so they would burn in damnation for eternity! (4)
FINIS
(1) Mycenaean boats. Used during the Bronze Age.
(2) Mycenaean short swords more common in the Late Bronze Age- the swords got smaller and smaller.
(3) This omen looks familiar...
(4) tl:dr. Insane person goes nuts and rages against the machine.
Union of the Seas: Eclipse
Volume I- Origins
Chapter IV
19 years, 7 months, and 2 days before the Cataclysm (19 PC)
We will destroy the great empires of the world and make a new one out of the ashes! It is my destiny to found an empire encompassing all the lands under the sun! Divine favor has brought me here- and with it we will conquer you a home!
The days passed ever onward. The sun rose and the sun set. The land gradually became a distant sight, as the duo sailed into the sea. The spectacle of the dawn would wake them, and the calm of the sunset bode them rest. Tudkhalias was driven by a singular desire for revenge. Divine punishment for those who had dared to violate the gods' followers would be meted out to all of them. The sea eventually stopped. The memories of the past haunted him, but it was all across the sea now. The land, Alashiya, upon which he set ashore on had only a few towns. (1) At last, he had found somewhere the raiders would not come. The town of Enkoni became his home. (2) Most of it was ruins, but it did not deter him. Tudkhalias built a house, and worked to till the land outside the town and was a smith sometimes inside. In these happiest days of their time together, Kiya and Tudkhalias lay together as a couple on several occasions. (3) The contentedness of this island seemed unmatched in the world. The state of Alashiya had a capital, which was also Enkoni many moons before. The King lived in a fine palace there once- now Enkoni was barely controlled by the weakening state.
[IMG] (Old Enkoni)
Tudkhalias sized up the men of Enkoni as he walked down the road. They all carried weapons, and smelled of the sea. There were perhaps a thousand different tongues he could hear- and few he could understand. One giant stepped out of the shadows.
"Lakash gar shu! Tomak! Nogrik canar.." The other men roared with laughter. (4) The man charged at him. Tudkhalias felt the sun beating on his tunic, and saw the beast approaching. He sidestepped to his left, and the beast kept going. He crashed into a wall. Once again the crowd roared with laughter. The man stumbled backwards, his head running with blood. Infuriated even moreso, he ran at Tudkhalias, roaring. Tudkhalias faced him down and smiled, shoving a sword into his head. He staggered as he tried to stay upright. He pushed the sword in even harder, until it came out the other side of his head. At last the man fell to the ground. The blood gushed out of his head into a symbol much resembling a lightning bolt. The crowd murmured.
Suddenly, a man spoke.
"Atiman?" He asked quietly.
"You... you speak Hatti?" Tudkhalias marvelled.
"Yes I do. You just killed one of our group." The man said.
"Oh, sorry about that. He attacked me!" Tudkhalias explained.
"Yes I know... but you are divinely blessed it seems! That lightning bolt is a sign. A prophecy foretold that the next to rule our group would be marked by a lightning bolt of blood, and would sweep away all who stood before him. You just did both. This is no accident." The man awed.
"So what does this all mean?" Tudkhalias wondered out loud.
We are a cobbled together group of warriors from across the world. I am one of the few that can speak several tongues. Now again... Atiman?" The man somberly uttered.
"Tudkhalias of Tarsos!" Shouted Tudkhalias. Perhaps this would intimidate them? He had no title in the city- but as the city was gone, he had as good a claim as any.
"Tudkhalias, we invite you to be our new leader. Your skill in combat is unrivaled- not a man here could best you. We have sought refuge from raids and bad weather. Together we fight for new homelands. What do you say?" The man asked.
"I say this was an act of the gods. They have divinely brought me here to lead you. We will destroy the great empires of the world and make a new one out of the ashes! It is my destiny to found an empire encompassing all the lands under the sun! Divine favor has brought me here- and with it we will conquer you a home!" Tudkhalias roared. The men cheered jubilantly, after the interpreter had told them in their tongues of what Tudkhalias had said.
"Wait!" Cried the interpreter. "There is something else to do."
Several men brought towards Tudkhalias a string of beads and pearls. They put it around his neck. A priest walked up to him.
[IMG] (some of the beads)
"By the divine favor of the gods, I, Ablimet, pronounce Tudkhalias of Tarsos as Tudkhalias I, High King of the Denaniyim, Ekwesh, Lukka, Peles, Shekels, Sherdes, Tereskhs, Teucri, Weshes, Sicals, and all who flock to his glorious banner!" The priest cried. (5) The ceremony was repeated in perhaps twenty different tongues, and then at last, the crowd cheered. Tudkhalias had gone from being a landless vagabound to High King of peoples all across the world! Oh how the gods had blessed him!
"I will not fail you, O great deities. I will conquer an empire in your name and under your banner." Tudkhalias whispered.
Later that day, Tudkhalias told Kiya of the news, and of how he had forced the peoples to respect her as his royal consort, as his first command.
"Oh Tudkhalias! I always knew you were destined for greatness!"
He loved to hear her so happy. However, he knew there was much bloodshed ahead, and he had best be ready for it.
FINIS
Wanted to make a longer chapter this time. Trying to get the size up to average book chapter length. At this point, I am about halfway there.
(1)- Cyprus. Alashiya is ancient name.
(2)- modern village near Famagusta..
(3)-If I have to explain this to you... Find another ATL. This one is going to have too many fight scenes.
(4)- Could not find translator for languages other than Hittite. Imagination! (any sources would be welcome)
(5)- Names derived from records of these peoples and possible places they came from. NOT made up.
Union of the Seas: Eclipse
Volume I- Origins
Chapter IV
19 years, 7 months, and 2 days before the Cataclysm (19 PC)
We will destroy the great empires of the world and make a new one out of the ashes! It is my destiny to found an empire encompassing all the lands under the sun! Divine favor has brought me here- and with it we will conquer you a home!
The days passed ever onward. The sun rose and the sun set. The land gradually became a distant sight, as the duo sailed into the sea. The spectacle of the dawn would wake them, and the calm of the sunset bode them rest. Tudkhalias was driven by a singular desire for revenge. Divine punishment for those who had dared to violate the gods' followers would be meted out to all of them. The sea eventually stopped. The memories of the past haunted him, but it was all across the sea now. The land, Alashiya, upon which he set ashore on had only a few towns. (1) At last, he had found somewhere the raiders would not come. The town of Enkoni became his home. (2) Most of it was ruins, but it did not deter him. Tudkhalias built a house, and worked to till the land outside the town and was a smith sometimes inside. In these happiest days of their time together, Kiya and Tudkhalias lay together as a couple on several occasions. (3) The contentedness of this island seemed unmatched in the world. The state of Alashiya had a capital, which was also Enkoni many moons before. The King lived in a fine palace there once- now Enkoni was barely controlled by the weakening state.
[IMG] (Old Enkoni)
Tudkhalias sized up the men of Enkoni as he walked down the road. They all carried weapons, and smelled of the sea. There were perhaps a thousand different tongues he could hear- and few he could understand. One giant stepped out of the shadows.
"Lakash gar shu! Tomak! Nogrik canar.." The other men roared with laughter. (4) The man charged at him. Tudkhalias felt the sun beating on his tunic, and saw the beast approaching. He sidestepped to his left, and the beast kept going. He crashed into a wall. Once again the crowd roared with laughter. The man stumbled backwards, his head running with blood. Infuriated even moreso, he ran at Tudkhalias, roaring. Tudkhalias faced him down and smiled, shoving a sword into his head. He staggered as he tried to stay upright. He pushed the sword in even harder, until it came out the other side of his head. At last the man fell to the ground. The blood gushed out of his head into a symbol much resembling a lightning bolt. The crowd murmured.
Suddenly, a man spoke.
"Atiman?" He asked quietly.
"You... you speak Hatti?" Tudkhalias marvelled.
"Yes I do. You just killed one of our group." The man said.
"Oh, sorry about that. He attacked me!" Tudkhalias explained.
"Yes I know... but you are divinely blessed it seems! That lightning bolt is a sign. A prophecy foretold that the next to rule our group would be marked by a lightning bolt of blood, and would sweep away all who stood before him. You just did both. This is no accident." The man awed.
"So what does this all mean?" Tudkhalias wondered out loud.
We are a cobbled together group of warriors from across the world. I am one of the few that can speak several tongues. Now again... Atiman?" The man somberly uttered.
"Tudkhalias of Tarsos!" Shouted Tudkhalias. Perhaps this would intimidate them? He had no title in the city- but as the city was gone, he had as good a claim as any.
"Tudkhalias, we invite you to be our new leader. Your skill in combat is unrivaled- not a man here could best you. We have sought refuge from raids and bad weather. Together we fight for new homelands. What do you say?" The man asked.
"I say this was an act of the gods. They have divinely brought me here to lead you. We will destroy the great empires of the world and make a new one out of the ashes! It is my destiny to found an empire encompassing all the lands under the sun! Divine favor has brought me here- and with it we will conquer you a home!" Tudkhalias roared. The men cheered jubilantly, after the interpreter had told them in their tongues of what Tudkhalias had said.
"Wait!" Cried the interpreter. "There is something else to do."
Several men brought towards Tudkhalias a string of beads and pearls. They put it around his neck. A priest walked up to him.
[IMG] (some of the beads)
"By the divine favor of the gods, I, Ablimet, pronounce Tudkhalias of Tarsos as Tudkhalias I, High King of the Denaniyim, Ekwesh, Lukka, Peles, Shekels, Sherdes, Tereskhs, Teucri, Weshes, Sicals, and all who flock to his glorious banner!" The priest cried. (5) The ceremony was repeated in perhaps twenty different tongues, and then at last, the crowd cheered. Tudkhalias had gone from being a landless vagabound to High King of peoples all across the world! Oh how the gods had blessed him!
"I will not fail you, O great deities. I will conquer an empire in your name and under your banner." Tudkhalias whispered.
Later that day, Tudkhalias told Kiya of the news, and of how he had forced the peoples to respect her as his royal consort, as his first command.
"Oh Tudkhalias! I always knew you were destined for greatness!"
He loved to hear her so happy. However, he knew there was much bloodshed ahead, and he had best be ready for it.
FINIS
Wanted to make a longer chapter this time. Trying to get the size up to average book chapter length. At this point, I am about halfway there.
(1)- Cyprus. Alashiya is ancient name.
(2)- modern village near Famagusta..
(3)-If I have to explain this to you... Find another ATL. This one is going to have too many fight scenes.
(4)- Could not find translator for languages other than Hittite. Imagination! (any sources would be welcome)
(5)- Names derived from records of these peoples and possible places they came from. NOT made up.
Union of the Seas: Eclipse
Volume I- Origins
Chapter VI
19 years, 5 months before the Cataclysm (19 PC)
"Would you see yourself in their position, spreading death and destruction unto us?"
The High King rose. The Mycenaeans had fought valiantly the previous day, but it was not enough. No force in the world would stop his armies. The peoples of his empire deserved better than what they had, and as their ruler it was his duty to get the resources they required to them by ANY means. HE deserved more. He was the chosen of the gods, picked to unite all the lands under the sun under one banner. There would be no quarter. There would be nothing left. Kretes (1) had fallen to the force of his arms. The village of Kydonia (2) once again was given a governor under the supervision of Tudkhalias. This policy would hopefully bode well for the future stability of his kingdom. A kingdom encompassing all the lands of the earth would take a bit more administration than Tudkhalias' old village. These concerns would have to wait regardless. Once again the High King hungered for the blood of the Mycenaeans. The memory of their attack on him burned with the force of a thousand suns. His blood boiled at the opportunity for revenge. That day he readied the men. They would march straight for the capital. Their path would not deviate. Anything that stood between him and the breaking of the Mycenaean confederation would be torched. A grueling march perhaps, but for his unborn child the world had to be made safe. This was the only way to protect his family, surely? Nothing else mattered.
[IMG]
(Kydonia after the sacking)
The roar of the waves crashed against the ships. The sea was in great turmoil. The clouds on the horizon trembled like mountains in the sky, thundering down unto the water. Mycenae lay ahead. The men had developed a special bond between them by now, not present in other raiding bands of the past. That bond was the leadership of Tudkhalias. All against him had been crushed. He had never lost a fight, and had united them. He had made them the masters of Alashiya and promised the world for their loyalty. Every last one was unswervingly loyal. None had any doubts about his ability to rule all the lands under the sun. At last, they hit the shores of the lands of the savages.
The march inland was done with haste and vigor. Two nights later, the city of Mycenae lay resting. The men of the sea fell upon them in their beds, killing the drowsy Mycenaeans. The town burned for many hours that night, and the plunder was carried off. Tudkhalias had said that any survivors would be killed. For the first time, a young mercenary from Alashiya questioned him.
"My King, this is terrible what we are doing! You talk of freeing us from their attacks, and you respond in turn! Would you see yourself in their position, spreading death and destruction unto us?"
Tudkhalias stood, looking at him. Suddenly, he roared an unearthly howl, and ran the mercenary through with a spear.
"I AM THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD! YOU DO NOT QUESTION ME! I WILL BRING THE WILL OF THE GODS DOWN UPON ALL WHO DEFY ME!!!!" Roared Tudkhalias.
The rest of the men shrunk back the rest of the night, as even his most loyal followers were doubtful of this display. Surely he cared about them more than to just run one of them through?
Mycenae was his. The entirety of the southern lands of the confederation had fallen to him. Its leaders had fled north. Tudkhalias would pursue them into the wilds beyond where any man had ever gone if he must- he owed it to the dead of Tarsos. Never again would anyone mess with those close to him. It did not matter how many lands he would have to bathe in blood. Tudkhalias had scarcely forgotten the tyranny of his former overlord Mursili II. He would pay for not protecting his citizens from these brutes, and for making their lives so hard. The gods would judge him with a savage vengeance for his transgressions against my people, Tudkhalias thought. His whole empire would be part of Enkoni. The rising tide of the might of Enkoni would sweep over and engulf the Hittites, Assyria, Egypt, and all others who DARED question his divine right to kingship!
Mursili still could not believe the sack of Tarsos. How was he even safe if such an integral part of his empire was destroyed? The army shrinks day by day, and the land dries up, he thought. Have I lost the favor of the gods? What unworthy peasant could have unrighteously usurped my divine right?
The kings of the world in that moment all thought much alike, excepting the one who would become the greatest of them all... contended, the High King sat.
1)- Crete
2)- modern Cydonia/Kydonia. Prominent city on Crete.
Volume I- Origins
Chapter I
20 years before the Cataclysm
"It is the eclipsing of all the nations of the world by your new empire."
Tudkhalias walked on the shore. The town was busy- a shipment had just come in from Wilusha (Troy). Tudkhalias was a warrior of the town of Tarsos. The shipment had taken many days to reach his lands. The King Mursili, the Second of that name, ruled over all Hatti.
[IMG]
(Hatti)
The plague around a decade earlier had wiped out much of the land, including the old King. However, there were still troubles. The Kaskas raided in the mountains, and the Arzawans fought in the southwest. Tarsos was a small center of commerce along the Sydnis (Cyndus, Berdan). The sun beared down on the plain with a fury that morning, only to be replaced by an odd and unusual event, the likes of which Tudkhalias had never seen.
[IMG]
(The Event)
The moon rose above the lands and blocked the great sun. For a brief time all the light of the sun was darkened by the shade of the moon. Tudkhalias was overcome with fear, as was everyone in the town. The world was surely ending! How could life go well without the sun? They wept and cried, joy, anger, fear, and sadness all at once at the majestic spectacle. However, it sooned faded, and the sun returned. However, Tudkhalias was still staring. He decided to see if it would happen again. (1) Instead, he received a vision.
"Servant of the Hatti and Tarsos, you are a great warrior." Emenated a powerful voice from around him.
"It is your destiny to forge your own Tarsos and your own people." Cried the voice.
"What is this? What do you ask of me, O great spirit?" Moaned Tudkhalias.
"The eclipsing of the sun by the moon was a sign. It is the eclipsing of all the nations of the world by your new empire." Said the voice.
"Why me?" Shouted Tudkhalias.
"You are the greatest and most worthy of the warriors of the world. You may have little experience, and you are young, but the world is yours." Echoed the disappearing voice.
"Everyone! Everyone! I have had a vision!" Shouted Tudkhalias with glee.
Everyone in the town seemed to think he was crazy by their faces.
"Tudkhalias! Enough daydreaming! We need to handle the shipment. Come on!" Shouted the isha (master) of the town. He was a leader and father figure to all in the town. It was said he fought with the King many years ago, and was given many gifts for his service. This upset Tudkhalias- he thought someone would have wanted to listen to him surely? Would Kiya believe him? Oh how he wished she would! Kiya was the most beautitful woman in the world. She was smart, funny, and beautiful. No statue carved by the greatest of sculptors could come close to matching her. Tudkhalias had dreamed of taking her as a wife for a long time- he was approaching the age at which he must ask. If she did not believe him, surely she would reject him? Tudkhalias would give up his whole future empire for her love- he would convince her of his sincerity, and worthiness to husband! Tudkhalias begrudgingly aided in the shipment, but then raced off to Kiya.
"Oh sweet Tudkhalias, what has brought you here?" Said Kiya.
"I have come to see you, my love. I had a vision of my future. You and I- we ruled a great kingdom. I have been chosen by the gods! Surely you will believe me, like no other has? I will be a dutiful husband, and even in the harshest of times, I will care for you!" Begged Tudkhalias.
"Tudkhalias! Even your name is like that of kings! Of course I believe you, my dear. My love for you is too great to think you are insane. I know you better than that. I fully trust you to provide for me and give me a great life. Of course I will take you as my husband." Cried Kiya.
Tudkhalias would have gladly paid any price for Kiya, but alas, her mother and father had died in the plague. She had been raised under the tutelage of the isha, who had generously allowed her to select her own self being taken to wife. They were bonded a few days later. She brought a great new sword: a gift from the isha to Tudkhalias, while he brought his fair estate and his possessions. In this way they started their life together.
FINIS
(1)- POD. OTL Tudkhalias goes about his life, and never tries to wife Kiya. He dies from a fall several months later.
Union of the Seas: Eclipse
Volume I- Origins
Chapter II
19 years, 7 months, and 21 days before the Cataclysm (19 PC)
"HEAD TO SEA!"
Tudkhalias was enjoying some of the happiest time of his life. He and Kiya were content and prosperous, and all seemed to be well. He still thought of the spirit that came to him during the Event: he still dreamed of more! However, how could he do such a thing? He had no support aside from Kiya- and as much as he may have believed it, her love could not make an empire. Tudkhalias focused himself on just tending to his fields for now- life was never easy. The constant battle to survive and get food hung over everyone, except the King perhaps. Tudkhalias had heard tales of distant lands with plentiful resources, land, and better soil. He would conquer the best of the lands in the world for Kiya, by his sword and his honor. As he sat, thinking while planting crops, he saw a gust of wind. This gust blew down from the mountains, and out to sea. After that, he could have sworn he heard a voice telling him to "follow the wind."
That would be insane! Tudkhalias thought. One vision was one thing, but at this point, he must be going mad! What was there for him out at sea? A small part of him eventually realized the answer. The world was out there: the world of his new kingdom. But how could he leave his home? The isha, all his friends, how could he leave them? His life was good here! But it still nagged at him: how much better could it be? For some reason, whenever he looked around his home after this, he saw only problems. Gone was the joy of his younger years: in its place had come a repressed hatred for the timidity of his life. The only thing that still brought joy to him was Kiya. Tudkhalias knew these feelings of anger towards his home were misguided, so he sought the counsel of the isha.
"Father, why am I discontented in my home? Life here is good. We are aloof from most of the problems of the world. So why am I not happy?" Wept Tudkhalias.
"My son, you are discontented because you seek something. You are feeling the pain of youth. You wish to see more of the world, as I did when I was your age. I must warn you: the world is a terrible, terrible place. The evil out there fortunantely does not often penetrate our town. There is senseless destruction, oppression, and sacrilege in most of Hatti, and the other lands. The people there are not free to use what they produce like us (1): they give everything unto their rulers and get only enough to survive back. I will not lie, it can happen here too. However, it has been many years since the Kings of Hatti have deigned to take tribute from us, as our town is small." Said the isha.
"But that is wrong! Surely someday the system will be changed?" Wailed Tudkhalias.
"I am sorry, my child. The system will never change, and the perogative of the King to our precious iron shall never change. The King is divinely protected, and so we obey." Said the isha.
Tudkhalias was very upset by this. Yes, the King had rights, but surely he had limits too? Perhaps if he were a good King, he could rule without limits, but the isha told him of the King's deeds. Hatti was being starved by the King's displeasing of the gods that enthroned him. In this way, his tyranny was starving the land. Tudkhalias watched every day as the fields dried up more and more, and pestilence spread across the land. Tudkhalias decided he would appeal to the gods, for deliverance if not for him, at least for Kiya and their future children.
"O great Kumarbis! (2) Why are you destroying the land? Surely you could spare the pious and loyal citizens of Hatti, and just punish the wicked Kings? Why is the world dying? Have you unleashed Ulikummis, your mighty offspring to destroy our nations?" Cried Tudkhalias. (3)
"NO." A voice thundered inside Tudkhalias. "THE CATACLYSM IS NOT MY DOING: IT WILL BE YOURS! IT IS YOUR DESTINY... YOU CANNOT ESCAPE IT! HEAD TO SEA!" Roared every part of Tudkhalias. (4)
[IMG] (Kumarbis)
Tudkhalias woke up. His face was caked in dirt. The sun was beating down on him and he was sweating. He went to get some water from the stream near his house, and found it nearly all dried up. The heat could almost be seen melting it. The town was drying up. Now that he thought about it, it had been drying up for a long time. No longer did streams flow through the streets in the wet season, as when he was young. The heat had grown and grown. What had caused the wrath of the gods to fall unto the good people of this town? What more could they suffer? (5)
FINIS
(1)- Palace economies.
(2)- Hittite chief god. Interesting parallels to Zeus/Jupiter.
(3)- Hittite god. Son of Kumarbis that prevents his other son from killing him. God of disorder and bad things.
(4)- tl:dr Heat stroke with hallucenations.
(5)- climatic disruption and increased aridity in the Eastern Mediterranean caused by the North Atlantic Oscillation.
Union of the Seas: Eclipse
Volume I- Origins
Chapter III
19 years, 7 months, and 20 days before the Cataclysm (19 PC)
"You dare to take my home from me, then I will take your life!"
Tudkhalias rose as the dawn came. The sky was ominously clear. The townspeople slowly began to wake up. The sunlight shimmered on the water, and reflections began to appear. These were of a most unexpected presence however: there were ships. These were not great ships, but people were seen to be on them. The people were grunting and shouting in some tongue Tudkhalias could not understand. (1) Suddenly, the boasts reached the edge of the town. They were beached, yet still seemed intact.
[IMG] (The boats the invaders used)
An angry man came from the boat in front, and surely was cursing, in his own dialect. None of the townspeople knew what he was saying, but they knew his intentions. The invaders all carried weapons. They were 2 foot-long rounded bronze shafts, perhaps swords, which shone off the sun's light. (2) After some more garbled talk, they rushed at the townspeople. However, the townspeople were a strong folk, and would not cave in. They had weapons with them as well- not the fine swords of great kingdoms, but their everyday weapons. In the hands of a skilled warrior, a pitchfork or hoe can be the strongest weapon of all.
[IMG] (the swords of the invaders)
However, the battle was not fairing well. Most of the townspeople were not skilled warriors- and Tudkhalias watched as all his friends were dying around him. He made a choice. He ran back inside his hut and grabbed his sword. It was time to teach the invaders a lesson.
"You dare to take my home from me, then I will take your life!" Tudkhalias roared at them. They could not seem to understand it, and just went on pillaging the village. Tudkhalias remembered that he HAD to protect Kiya. These invaders had to die by his hand. With that, Tudkhalias charged straight into an invader who stood a head above him. Tudkhalias roared and sliced the man in half before he could even react. He came unto another one, and smote him as well. After some time had passed, the town flowed with the blood of the invaders, as well as most of the inhabitants. The isha died valiantly, saving a woman and child from a gang of the invaders. All the town that survived would remember his noble sacrifice, and his deeds in life. However, some of the invaders got away. They were aided by a favorable wind- and no one could catch them. (3)
At last, they were gone. But at what cost? The town was ransacked. The feeling of death and destruction there was like nothing ever seen in this part of the world. The invaders had started fires- these soon spread despite the best efforts of the townsfolk. Most of the town burned to the ground. Tudkhalias sat weeping, for the cruel fate of the unjustly dead, and for the miserable fate of the destitute survivors. How could Tudkhalias take his revenge on these foul brutes? The answer was clear. There was one boat left. However, there was nothing left here. The destroyed town, burnt of most of its substance and population, held nothing for Tudkhalias anymore. He had defended Kiya valiantly, and it was by this miracle that she survived. He could not provide for her here anymore. No- his new life would come from the plunder of the invaders! He would take to the sea as they did, with only Kiya- as he could not leave her here, to not see ever again! He would protect her, and build her the empire the gods promised him.
But still he wept for the past. What was the power of one man compared to the evils of the world? He had never sailed in his life- how could he possibly succeed? Tudkhalias then heard a soft breeze going out to sea.
"I GET IT! He roared. "I HAVE TO GO OUT TO SEA... WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE I AM DOING?" Cried Tudkhalias.
He packed what little there was to salvage, all the food he could find, and his sword, and stowed a shield onto the boat. He helped Kiya into the boat, and took another look at the town. The charred remains of people, animals, and buildings were all that was left. The area held only ill omens if he were to stay. It had occured to him that the King should have protected him. Tudkhalias swore revenge on the King, whose inability to protect his people would have cost Kiya her life, but for Tudkhalias. For all the people, he mourned and regretted what had come to pass. Someday, he would visit the same wrath upon the descendants of the King, of the invaders, and of any who dared oppose him. He was divinely appointed to rule, and all the bronze arrayed against him would stand for nothing against. He was the gods' avatar on Earth, and the people were wicked. He would exact their wrath against the impious sinners of the world, so they would burn in damnation for eternity! (4)
FINIS
(1) Mycenaean boats. Used during the Bronze Age.
(2) Mycenaean short swords more common in the Late Bronze Age- the swords got smaller and smaller.
(3) This omen looks familiar...
(4) tl:dr. Insane person goes nuts and rages against the machine.
Union of the Seas: Eclipse
Volume I- Origins
Chapter IV
19 years, 7 months, and 2 days before the Cataclysm (19 PC)
We will destroy the great empires of the world and make a new one out of the ashes! It is my destiny to found an empire encompassing all the lands under the sun! Divine favor has brought me here- and with it we will conquer you a home!
The days passed ever onward. The sun rose and the sun set. The land gradually became a distant sight, as the duo sailed into the sea. The spectacle of the dawn would wake them, and the calm of the sunset bode them rest. Tudkhalias was driven by a singular desire for revenge. Divine punishment for those who had dared to violate the gods' followers would be meted out to all of them. The sea eventually stopped. The memories of the past haunted him, but it was all across the sea now. The land, Alashiya, upon which he set ashore on had only a few towns. (1) At last, he had found somewhere the raiders would not come. The town of Enkoni became his home. (2) Most of it was ruins, but it did not deter him. Tudkhalias built a house, and worked to till the land outside the town and was a smith sometimes inside. In these happiest days of their time together, Kiya and Tudkhalias lay together as a couple on several occasions. (3) The contentedness of this island seemed unmatched in the world. The state of Alashiya had a capital, which was also Enkoni many moons before. The King lived in a fine palace there once- now Enkoni was barely controlled by the weakening state.
[IMG] (Old Enkoni)
Tudkhalias sized up the men of Enkoni as he walked down the road. They all carried weapons, and smelled of the sea. There were perhaps a thousand different tongues he could hear- and few he could understand. One giant stepped out of the shadows.
"Lakash gar shu! Tomak! Nogrik canar.." The other men roared with laughter. (4) The man charged at him. Tudkhalias felt the sun beating on his tunic, and saw the beast approaching. He sidestepped to his left, and the beast kept going. He crashed into a wall. Once again the crowd roared with laughter. The man stumbled backwards, his head running with blood. Infuriated even moreso, he ran at Tudkhalias, roaring. Tudkhalias faced him down and smiled, shoving a sword into his head. He staggered as he tried to stay upright. He pushed the sword in even harder, until it came out the other side of his head. At last the man fell to the ground. The blood gushed out of his head into a symbol much resembling a lightning bolt. The crowd murmured.
Suddenly, a man spoke.
"Atiman?" He asked quietly.
"You... you speak Hatti?" Tudkhalias marvelled.
"Yes I do. You just killed one of our group." The man said.
"Oh, sorry about that. He attacked me!" Tudkhalias explained.
"Yes I know... but you are divinely blessed it seems! That lightning bolt is a sign. A prophecy foretold that the next to rule our group would be marked by a lightning bolt of blood, and would sweep away all who stood before him. You just did both. This is no accident." The man awed.
"So what does this all mean?" Tudkhalias wondered out loud.
We are a cobbled together group of warriors from across the world. I am one of the few that can speak several tongues. Now again... Atiman?" The man somberly uttered.
"Tudkhalias of Tarsos!" Shouted Tudkhalias. Perhaps this would intimidate them? He had no title in the city- but as the city was gone, he had as good a claim as any.
"Tudkhalias, we invite you to be our new leader. Your skill in combat is unrivaled- not a man here could best you. We have sought refuge from raids and bad weather. Together we fight for new homelands. What do you say?" The man asked.
"I say this was an act of the gods. They have divinely brought me here to lead you. We will destroy the great empires of the world and make a new one out of the ashes! It is my destiny to found an empire encompassing all the lands under the sun! Divine favor has brought me here- and with it we will conquer you a home!" Tudkhalias roared. The men cheered jubilantly, after the interpreter had told them in their tongues of what Tudkhalias had said.
"Wait!" Cried the interpreter. "There is something else to do."
Several men brought towards Tudkhalias a string of beads and pearls. They put it around his neck. A priest walked up to him.
[IMG] (some of the beads)
"By the divine favor of the gods, I, Ablimet, pronounce Tudkhalias of Tarsos as Tudkhalias I, High King of the Denaniyim, Ekwesh, Lukka, Peles, Shekels, Sherdes, Tereskhs, Teucri, Weshes, Sicals, and all who flock to his glorious banner!" The priest cried. (5) The ceremony was repeated in perhaps twenty different tongues, and then at last, the crowd cheered. Tudkhalias had gone from being a landless vagabound to High King of peoples all across the world! Oh how the gods had blessed him!
"I will not fail you, O great deities. I will conquer an empire in your name and under your banner." Tudkhalias whispered.
Later that day, Tudkhalias told Kiya of the news, and of how he had forced the peoples to respect her as his royal consort, as his first command.
"Oh Tudkhalias! I always knew you were destined for greatness!"
He loved to hear her so happy. However, he knew there was much bloodshed ahead, and he had best be ready for it.
FINIS
Wanted to make a longer chapter this time. Trying to get the size up to average book chapter length. At this point, I am about halfway there.
(1)- Cyprus. Alashiya is ancient name.
(2)- modern village near Famagusta..
(3)-If I have to explain this to you... Find another ATL. This one is going to have too many fight scenes.
(4)- Could not find translator for languages other than Hittite. Imagination! (any sources would be welcome)
(5)- Names derived from records of these peoples and possible places they came from. NOT made up.
Union of the Seas: Eclipse
Volume I- Origins
Chapter IV
19 years, 7 months, and 2 days before the Cataclysm (19 PC)
We will destroy the great empires of the world and make a new one out of the ashes! It is my destiny to found an empire encompassing all the lands under the sun! Divine favor has brought me here- and with it we will conquer you a home!
The days passed ever onward. The sun rose and the sun set. The land gradually became a distant sight, as the duo sailed into the sea. The spectacle of the dawn would wake them, and the calm of the sunset bode them rest. Tudkhalias was driven by a singular desire for revenge. Divine punishment for those who had dared to violate the gods' followers would be meted out to all of them. The sea eventually stopped. The memories of the past haunted him, but it was all across the sea now. The land, Alashiya, upon which he set ashore on had only a few towns. (1) At last, he had found somewhere the raiders would not come. The town of Enkoni became his home. (2) Most of it was ruins, but it did not deter him. Tudkhalias built a house, and worked to till the land outside the town and was a smith sometimes inside. In these happiest days of their time together, Kiya and Tudkhalias lay together as a couple on several occasions. (3) The contentedness of this island seemed unmatched in the world. The state of Alashiya had a capital, which was also Enkoni many moons before. The King lived in a fine palace there once- now Enkoni was barely controlled by the weakening state.
[IMG] (Old Enkoni)
Tudkhalias sized up the men of Enkoni as he walked down the road. They all carried weapons, and smelled of the sea. There were perhaps a thousand different tongues he could hear- and few he could understand. One giant stepped out of the shadows.
"Lakash gar shu! Tomak! Nogrik canar.." The other men roared with laughter. (4) The man charged at him. Tudkhalias felt the sun beating on his tunic, and saw the beast approaching. He sidestepped to his left, and the beast kept going. He crashed into a wall. Once again the crowd roared with laughter. The man stumbled backwards, his head running with blood. Infuriated even moreso, he ran at Tudkhalias, roaring. Tudkhalias faced him down and smiled, shoving a sword into his head. He staggered as he tried to stay upright. He pushed the sword in even harder, until it came out the other side of his head. At last the man fell to the ground. The blood gushed out of his head into a symbol much resembling a lightning bolt. The crowd murmured.
Suddenly, a man spoke.
"Atiman?" He asked quietly.
"You... you speak Hatti?" Tudkhalias marvelled.
"Yes I do. You just killed one of our group." The man said.
"Oh, sorry about that. He attacked me!" Tudkhalias explained.
"Yes I know... but you are divinely blessed it seems! That lightning bolt is a sign. A prophecy foretold that the next to rule our group would be marked by a lightning bolt of blood, and would sweep away all who stood before him. You just did both. This is no accident." The man awed.
"So what does this all mean?" Tudkhalias wondered out loud.
We are a cobbled together group of warriors from across the world. I am one of the few that can speak several tongues. Now again... Atiman?" The man somberly uttered.
"Tudkhalias of Tarsos!" Shouted Tudkhalias. Perhaps this would intimidate them? He had no title in the city- but as the city was gone, he had as good a claim as any.
"Tudkhalias, we invite you to be our new leader. Your skill in combat is unrivaled- not a man here could best you. We have sought refuge from raids and bad weather. Together we fight for new homelands. What do you say?" The man asked.
"I say this was an act of the gods. They have divinely brought me here to lead you. We will destroy the great empires of the world and make a new one out of the ashes! It is my destiny to found an empire encompassing all the lands under the sun! Divine favor has brought me here- and with it we will conquer you a home!" Tudkhalias roared. The men cheered jubilantly, after the interpreter had told them in their tongues of what Tudkhalias had said.
"Wait!" Cried the interpreter. "There is something else to do."
Several men brought towards Tudkhalias a string of beads and pearls. They put it around his neck. A priest walked up to him.
[IMG] (some of the beads)
"By the divine favor of the gods, I, Ablimet, pronounce Tudkhalias of Tarsos as Tudkhalias I, High King of the Denaniyim, Ekwesh, Lukka, Peles, Shekels, Sherdes, Tereskhs, Teucri, Weshes, Sicals, and all who flock to his glorious banner!" The priest cried. (5) The ceremony was repeated in perhaps twenty different tongues, and then at last, the crowd cheered. Tudkhalias had gone from being a landless vagabound to High King of peoples all across the world! Oh how the gods had blessed him!
"I will not fail you, O great deities. I will conquer an empire in your name and under your banner." Tudkhalias whispered.
Later that day, Tudkhalias told Kiya of the news, and of how he had forced the peoples to respect her as his royal consort, as his first command.
"Oh Tudkhalias! I always knew you were destined for greatness!"
He loved to hear her so happy. However, he knew there was much bloodshed ahead, and he had best be ready for it.
FINIS
Wanted to make a longer chapter this time. Trying to get the size up to average book chapter length. At this point, I am about halfway there.
(1)- Cyprus. Alashiya is ancient name.
(2)- modern village near Famagusta..
(3)-If I have to explain this to you... Find another ATL. This one is going to have too many fight scenes.
(4)- Could not find translator for languages other than Hittite. Imagination! (any sources would be welcome)
(5)- Names derived from records of these peoples and possible places they came from. NOT made up.
Union of the Seas: Eclipse
Volume I- Origins
Chapter VI
19 years, 5 months before the Cataclysm (19 PC)
"Would you see yourself in their position, spreading death and destruction unto us?"
The High King rose. The Mycenaeans had fought valiantly the previous day, but it was not enough. No force in the world would stop his armies. The peoples of his empire deserved better than what they had, and as their ruler it was his duty to get the resources they required to them by ANY means. HE deserved more. He was the chosen of the gods, picked to unite all the lands under the sun under one banner. There would be no quarter. There would be nothing left. Kretes (1) had fallen to the force of his arms. The village of Kydonia (2) once again was given a governor under the supervision of Tudkhalias. This policy would hopefully bode well for the future stability of his kingdom. A kingdom encompassing all the lands of the earth would take a bit more administration than Tudkhalias' old village. These concerns would have to wait regardless. Once again the High King hungered for the blood of the Mycenaeans. The memory of their attack on him burned with the force of a thousand suns. His blood boiled at the opportunity for revenge. That day he readied the men. They would march straight for the capital. Their path would not deviate. Anything that stood between him and the breaking of the Mycenaean confederation would be torched. A grueling march perhaps, but for his unborn child the world had to be made safe. This was the only way to protect his family, surely? Nothing else mattered.
[IMG]
(Kydonia after the sacking)
The roar of the waves crashed against the ships. The sea was in great turmoil. The clouds on the horizon trembled like mountains in the sky, thundering down unto the water. Mycenae lay ahead. The men had developed a special bond between them by now, not present in other raiding bands of the past. That bond was the leadership of Tudkhalias. All against him had been crushed. He had never lost a fight, and had united them. He had made them the masters of Alashiya and promised the world for their loyalty. Every last one was unswervingly loyal. None had any doubts about his ability to rule all the lands under the sun. At last, they hit the shores of the lands of the savages.
The march inland was done with haste and vigor. Two nights later, the city of Mycenae lay resting. The men of the sea fell upon them in their beds, killing the drowsy Mycenaeans. The town burned for many hours that night, and the plunder was carried off. Tudkhalias had said that any survivors would be killed. For the first time, a young mercenary from Alashiya questioned him.
"My King, this is terrible what we are doing! You talk of freeing us from their attacks, and you respond in turn! Would you see yourself in their position, spreading death and destruction unto us?"
Tudkhalias stood, looking at him. Suddenly, he roared an unearthly howl, and ran the mercenary through with a spear.
"I AM THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD! YOU DO NOT QUESTION ME! I WILL BRING THE WILL OF THE GODS DOWN UPON ALL WHO DEFY ME!!!!" Roared Tudkhalias.
The rest of the men shrunk back the rest of the night, as even his most loyal followers were doubtful of this display. Surely he cared about them more than to just run one of them through?
Mycenae was his. The entirety of the southern lands of the confederation had fallen to him. Its leaders had fled north. Tudkhalias would pursue them into the wilds beyond where any man had ever gone if he must- he owed it to the dead of Tarsos. Never again would anyone mess with those close to him. It did not matter how many lands he would have to bathe in blood. Tudkhalias had scarcely forgotten the tyranny of his former overlord Mursili II. He would pay for not protecting his citizens from these brutes, and for making their lives so hard. The gods would judge him with a savage vengeance for his transgressions against my people, Tudkhalias thought. His whole empire would be part of Enkoni. The rising tide of the might of Enkoni would sweep over and engulf the Hittites, Assyria, Egypt, and all others who DARED question his divine right to kingship!
Mursili still could not believe the sack of Tarsos. How was he even safe if such an integral part of his empire was destroyed? The army shrinks day by day, and the land dries up, he thought. Have I lost the favor of the gods? What unworthy peasant could have unrighteously usurped my divine right?
The kings of the world in that moment all thought much alike, excepting the one who would become the greatest of them all... contended, the High King sat.
1)- Crete
2)- modern Cydonia/Kydonia. Prominent city on Crete.