The advent of the skaarls

Chapter I

The council of pylos

The great peril that loomed the land hung deeply upon the lush plains of
pylos. Far in the barren mountains, the flame of Adamaris burned like a
baneful banner that the enemy has seized in battle. A constant stream of
warriors,kings,prophets and people of some reputation thronged into the
fortress of pylos where the council had been convened. The fortress itself
was built under the great hero Thassoliki when he was the lord of all the
lands of the east.

The central hall of the fortress had only thirteen seats. In the middle was a
great table and in the center sat the King Adomenas , the lord of the eastern
lands whose vast domains were greatly reduced by the advent of the invader.
To his left sat Calchas , Tydeus, Xanthus, Calandra, Alexandrus and Aegeus.
To his right sat the illustrious Nestor, Gervais, Apollodorus, Pandarus, Tilos
and Hippolyta of eternal fame. The rest of the company had to contend with
the outer halls where the lesser ones were allowed to assemble.

Xanthus was the first to speak.

"King, Heroes of the realm" began Xanthus.

"A terrible invader has broken upon our land. The Eastern villages were the
first face the brunt of the enemy. The settlement of sinoa where the first of
our elders had lit the flame of lumbris which had been the symbol of our
civilization is now in the hands of the enemy. The fishing docks to the east of
sinoa have been burnt to the ground . Our mines, homes, graneries and farms
have been seized by the invader. In twelve days, one hundred and fifty
villages are burnt to the ground and much of our treasures are now in enemy
hands. Even the temple of the Gods have not been spared as Temple of Sakka
in Sinoa is now in ruins and the sacred relics are in enemy hands or
destroyed",said Xanthus.

"Thousands of fallen brothers have rent their blood in defence of the

motherland against the enemy. For the council's remembrance I shall list out
some of the illustrious names who have fallen in battle. Megalius whose huge
army guarded the eastern shores is crushed by the strong arm of the pitiless
invader. Proteus whose might was a bulwark against invaders has fallen.
Causther,born of the heroic line is now in the place reserved for the great
warriors. And many more of our brothers-in-arms have sacrified their lives in
battle." continued Xanthus.

"An Outrage!"

"To battle!"

"For the motherland", cried the assembly.

Calchas stood up and bade the men to sit back in their seats.

"Brothers, The flame of Adamaris burns deeply in the barren mountains. For
those who not aware of the flame , the fire was brought by the Gods to warn
of any impending danger to the motherland and by the Gods, it does burn
bright.",said Gervais.

"Who can divine the mind of the Gods?",paused the King Adomenas. He
looked up to the famous Nestor far famed for his gift of prophecy and
divination. Nestor understood this as he stood up to deliver his address.

"Brothers, One can understand the pang of your hearts .Listen to me and you
will understand how this has come to be.",said Nestor.

"Continue,noble Nestor. No one shall interrupt while you speak", assured the
King.

"King, Long ago the great King whose descendent is the lord of the lands of
the east organized a hunting party to drive out the beasts that troubled the
husbandmen. Driven deep into the forest due by the pursuit, the King and his
hunting party entered the forbidden plains of Eo, sacred to the goddess
Twastr. Not aware of the sacred land, the King of the time made the grave sin
of burning the wild crops and killing the sheep that are dedicated to Twastr.
As the party sat back to partake the meat, Twastr cursed the King and his
descendents with the following words ;

'As you have killed the sheep which are like sons to me and destroyed the
lush crops of the lands dedicated in my name, so shall your sons bear the
onset of a bitter enemy who shall slaughter your folk like my innocent sheep
were slaughtered'

The king immediately was roused by the violent words of Twastr and cried
forgiveness into the skies from where the voice had emanated. Later,the
king built a beautiful temple in her honour and appointed guards for the
sacred lands. Twastr was thus mollified and in a dream said the following
words to the King.
'King, I forgive your transgressions. However, my words cannot be undone. A
great hero whose only purpose of birth is to destroy the invader shall save
your sons and your land. So, don't grieve'.

The King realised the prophetic nature of the dream and questioned the
goddess as to how one would recognize the saviour of the land to which she
replied

'The hero who would vanquish the fire giant skirmgrell who dwells in the
carthia mountains will be one who shall be the ark which will help you cross
the deluge of war'