The Lost Empire of Dakush: Rise of the Tribes (Book Book 1)

by Stanimir Mirov

  The Lost Empire Of Dakush

  Rise of the Tribes

  By Stanimir Mirov and Ivan Mirov

  Copyright © 2017

  The Lost Empire Of Dakush by Stanimir Mirov

  Copyright © 2017 Stanimir Mirov. All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any written, electronic, recording, or photocopying without written permission of the publisher or author. The exception would be in case of brief quotations embodied in the critical articles or reviews and pages where permission is specifically granted by the publisher author.

  Although every precaution has been taken to verify the accuracy of the information contained herein, the author and publisher assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for damages that may result from the use of information contained within.

  BOOK DESCRIPTION

  In a forgotten and ruthless world, thousands of years ago, when saber-toothed tigers ate mammoths, human civilization developed under constant wars, intrigue, betrayal and deceit, perpetual fear of slave chains hung over the ordinary people. While an Empire flourished in one place, cannibals and ferocious tribes wandered elsewhere. The greed of a handful of individuals was leading everybody to a total war.

  Who will survive and who will die? Transmutation of fortune is unknown, even to the shamans. The unforeseen outcome will keep the reader in suspense, and the countless heroes will make the choice more difficult.

  FROM THE AUTHOR

  If you enjoyed this book or received value from it in any way, than I’d like to ask you for a favor: would you be kind enough to leave a review for this book on Amazon? It’d be greatly appreciated!

  You can also check some of the other author books, like: Gangsters In Time

  Truffle Hunters Part I (Adventure Novel)

  Table of Contents

  The Lost Empire Of Dakush by Stanimir Mirov

  FROM THE AUTHOR

  Chapter I

  Chapter II

  Chapter III

  Chapter IV

  Chapter V

  Chapter VI

  Chapter VII

  Chapter VIII

  Chapter IX

  Chapter X

  Chapter XI

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  FROM THE AUTHOR

  Chapter I

  Mo Draco

  Thousands of years before the great flood, when Sahara was full of endless forests and meadows, and two-thirds of Europe was in ice, the dynasty of Erhu from the tribe of Dul ruled in Dakush. Tervel managed to capture nine great cities and proclaimed himself Dul, handing the title to his successor Terter. Name won at the bloody suppression of the revolt of Agif. The enemies of Dul-Erhu Terter were more than sand in the sea. Everyone wanted to storm the heaven he was ruling. From the East welled the bloodthirsty Suri, whose rituals were bloodcurdling. From the West, the growing Makuti empire appetizingly looked to the lands of Dakush, and the mysterious northern tribes crept along the border like a hungry hyena.

  A long winding along the river road, covered with stone slabs, was moving a large army. In front rode a ferocious warrior, commander of the military forces of Dul-Erhu. Both spies sent by him were seen on the horizon riding at a gallop.

  “Stay!” Mo Draco raised his hand, and the army instantly lulls on the spot. “Gamar, expand the forces to be ready and move the cells in front.”

  The man with a scar along his face nods and executes the orders. During this time, both scouts had stopped next to the leader and turned towards him by title, “Tur Mo Draco, the Suri are behind the hill. They crossed the border at night. Barca joined them with ten battle mammoths.”

  “How many warriors did they manage to gather?”

  “At least five thousand on foot and a thousand cavalry.”

  “So the Sarani betrayed us and gave them horses?”

  “Their totems are also visible among the enemies.”

  Draco reined in and stood facing the spread crescent army. Dust rose behind it and a hiss of whips was heard along the heavy cries, “U, A!”

  Hundreds of slaves were pushing large cages under the blows of the whips, each one with a trained saber-toothed tiger inside. Thirty animals issued bloodthirsty roars before the long battle rows. Near each cell stood a tamer who had trained his personal cat from birth.

  On the hill across the street came the army of the tribes. Martial drums and shouts were heard everywhere. Mo Draco raised his hand and his army roared. Tigers in the cells began to toss themselves into the iron gates, berserk from hunger, anticipating the bloody feast.

  Tamers had leather with spikes coming out on their hands, big dangling earrings, shaved heads, special tattoos to distinguish them from ordinary soldiers and iron chains in one hand. Each had ten subordinates in case of death, to be replaced in battle. In their other hand, they were holding one short spear, with which they controlled the animals. Their position was high in the army hierarchy. Ever since they were selected as children, they were specially trained.

  The horsemen were dressed in reinforced leather armor, and their helmets were steel tempered in blood in the shape of the most horrible animals in order to strike fear into the enemies. They had various weapons, from spears, bows, swords, battle axes, according to the hierarchy. Mo Draco was using a war hammer as a personal weapon. On his saddle, he had two short swords in scabbards. Extremely agile and strong, trained in the secret martial art since childhood, he had earned the title Tur (commander of the army of Dakush) in bloody battles.

  The terrible fighting mammoths appeared on the ridge, and their roars pierced the valley. Behind them, the tribes followed them with an eerie howl and slowly started walking down the hill toward the enemy. On a distance of two arrow throws was heard a command and the mammoths alongside the soldiers strengthened with terrible force.

  Tur of Dakush put on his helmet and raised his hand. The cells were opened and the saber-toothed tigers rushed with ferocious roars, followed by the trained men. Behind the tigers, tough men with sledgehammers dug iron skewers in the ground and stretched thick metal chains. Slaves gathered carts filled with rocks, behind which stood the infantry. Others climbed on top and began firing the arrows.

  The fastest tiger was the first to be crushed by his encounter with the mammoth whose zeal was too big to be stopped. The cavalry of Dakush divided into two wings and, bypassing the central skirmish, hit the tribes from behind. There was a great slaughter. Strikes of iron were heard, along with roars of beasts and people. Blood was flowing in rivers, crushed and decapitated corpses rolling along. The first mammoth tangled in chains and, while falling to the ground, began to roll and squish people. Another slammed into one of the carts full of stones and, bypassing him, the soldiers inflicted deadly wounds with axes and spears.

  Other battle animals passed by the obstacles and turned to the enemy. Part of the tigers with the tamers headed towards them. Ten beasts rushed to the throat and tendons of the legs of the mammoth, and the tamers helped them with the spears. The gushed blood enraged the saber-toothed even more.

  Mo Draco's horse, a trained stallion, was crushing people furiously, and his rider was splitting heads. In an instant, he saw onrushing cavalry of the tribes and threw the war hammer. He pulled out his two swords from the saddle, made a sign for the army around him to follow him and took the clash. Neighing horses from the first rows died on the spot from the impact.

  The only survivor mammoth was defending himself trapped by rocks above the river. Torn flesh hung from him, and his strength was running out. With a final swing impaled on h
is tusks, one of the tigers and a thundering roar made it fall off the cliff.

  On the field, the battle continued. Draco bathed in the blood of his enemies and managed to get closer to the chief of the Suri, a huge man holding a massive sword with both hands. Mo threw his sword with great power, and he stuck up to the handle in the body of the enemy. Then he loudly cried and the surviving tribesmen placed their weapons on the ground, terrified after seeing Draco with the head of their leader in hand.

  Dakush forces crossed the tribe's territory, on the way burning the villages of the Suri, and the army of Dul-Erhu Terter besieged their capital, Gabo Dara. The large gates opened and an elderly man came to negotiate, “Great Tur Mo Draco, the fate of our people is in your hands. We will mourn all the dead. Enough with the bloodshed. I was against this war. I will give you the city and voluntarily join you if you give your word that the women and children won't be taken into slavery. As ransom, we have prepared nine ox carts with gifts for Dul-Erhu.”

  “Suri Galirh, your son fought bravely. I will accept the gifts and save your life. From now on, you will guard our borders. Dakush will leave garrison and governor in Gabo Dara. If there is disobedience, your fate will be death and slavery. Now, meat and wine for my men!”

  The old man bowed and made way for the army to enter the town.

  Chapter II

  Gabo Dara

  Mo Draco nodded to his “right hand” to approach,

  “Zantur (commander of all stotnic) Gamar, order all stotnic to make camp outside the city. In the Citadel, just you and my personal guards of "Dul" will accompany me.”

  After ordering, Tur of Dakush passed through the parade gate and entered the city with his people. The outer part of Gabo Dara was fortified with long walls made of mud bricks with a thickness of 3 meters, filled inside with stone fragments cemented with mud. In each of the four corners of the city, there was a tall square tower, and between them on every 60 meters were placed round towers. The shape of the fortified territory was an irregular trapezoid and in the center of the north wall towered the Citadel of the ruler of the Suri. Along the wide straight streets rose two-storey houses, also made of adobe, belonging to some of the local noble families. On the many squares, small markets, workshops, and inns were visible.

  Mo Draco grimly watched the crowds of people who worshipped him in silence while passing by. Awe was written on their faces. His horse was snorting with excitement and energetically walked on the road paved with boulders, and his rider held the bridle firmly, trying to mollify him. Behind him, in а column of four horsemen, followed a hundred guards. Their helmets gleamed in the sun, bathed in blood from the battle. The crowd backed away from their fierce appearance. They were all chosen men. The clatter of hooves and the sound of clanking of weapons drifted across the city. So passing, the conquerors entered the Citadel. Slaves took their horses, settling them in the stables of the former ruler.

  On the marble steps of the entrance along the massive columns appeared the wife of the already dead leader of the Suri, holding her young son by the hand. She bowed deeply and spoke, “Great Tur Draco, my name is Loara. I am grateful that you spared my people from slavery. I will serve faithfully to Dul-Erhu Terter.”

  Mo looked at the boy with interest and asked, “What's the name of the child?”

  “Cobran,” answered the woman and the little heir of the Suri bowed.

  “Good, lead us to the feast and order to slaughter oxen for my army. And to carry casks of wine.”

  The large oak tables in the banquet hall were piled with fruit, game, and wine. Musicians were playing quite the music, and beautiful girls danced a mysterious dance around them. Slaves served the guards.

  On the central table sat Mo Draco, Loara, Cobran, Gamar and the old man. Tur stood up with a large golden cup in his hand,

  “Our enemies are defeated! The will of Dul-Erhu Terter is imposed! Here's to the greatness of the ruler of Dakush!”

  All in one voice roared the name Terter and thirstily drank wine. They began to cut with their big knives from piglets, big dodo birds rolled in batter and roasted over a slow fire, Bubba hartebeest, fillets of baizhi (river dolphin from the river Yandz) and many pieces of mammoth roast meat. They had fun by throwing bones and remains to the hyenas chained to the wall.

  A naked aboriginal woman came with a giant snake and danced a magic dance. Mo Draco turned to Loara, already visibly pleased with the food and intoxicated from the wine,

  “You're a smart, beautiful and strong woman, qualities worthy of a Tur. I will ask the blessing of Dul-Erhu for your hand. Cobran will be my successor. From all the wars I didn't have time for children.”

  Loara smiled,

  “Successor to what?”

  “Gabo Dara was given to me by Terter. I will be Boril (governor) here, and one day your son will succeed me.”

  “It is acceptable to my people. I'll wait for Dul's blessing.”

  Draco took her hand and stood up,

  “Show me the chambers.”

  Outside the city, the army was feasting. Slaves carried an armful of wood and threw it into the campfires. Wine flowed, and from the tents could be heard the laughter of young warriors and women slaves. Captured soldiers awaited their fate in the mines with fear. Slaves did not last long there.

  Late in the evening, a beautiful slave girl came with a pitcher of wine to both the guards. In one cell next to them, there was a padlocked, lone warrior,

  “It's cold outside. I bring wine, it should warm you,” smiled the girl.

  They looked at each other and after seeing that there was no one around, he took the pitcher and thirstily started drinking. It was not long before they collapsed to the ground. The slave had them drugged. She quietly slipped into them and took the key. Then she unlocked the padlock of the cell and cut the ropes of the men inside with a knife,

  “Bain, your brother is waiting for you with horses and food down to the river. You have to be careful.”

  The big Saranin disappeared into the darkness like a ghost. Bain hugged his brother, patted the horse's neck, mounted the animal and both galloped. In the morning the two guards were scourged in front of the whole army. After all, they had been asleep at their posts.

  “Enough! Smear them with bear grease and bring them in their tent,” said the stotnic. “Send news to Tur Draco that Bain, the chief of the Sarani has escaped.”

  A knock came to the door of the private quarters of Mo,

  “Enter,” came the voice of the frightful man.

  “Tur Draco, I apologize for the trouble, but someone helped the Saranian escape.”

  The leader of the army of Dakush clenched teeth,

  “I had to kill him on the field…”

  Loara appeared from under the covers,

  “I heard when Bain gave the horses to my husband, that wants to ally with other tribes against Dakush.”

  “Why are you telling me this?”

  “They married me against my will. I've always hated him, and he treated me cruelly. I want to keep the legacy of my son. To the east, there are countless tribes. If he succeeds to unite them, he might be able to gather even fifty thousand warriors.”

  Hearing the number, Mo was startled,

  “Is Bain so dangerous?”

  “I've followed him closely. He and my husband acted very sneakily and slyly. He should not be underestimated. His ambitions are big. He can lead anyone with his intrigues astray.”

  “This is important information. My instincts were right. Dul-Erhu should be immediately informed.”

  On the next day, when the army had already rested, he headed back to Dakush. Mo Draco left Gamar and a garrison of 200 soldiers in the city.

  Chapter III

  The Prediction

  Early in the morning, the two brothers entered a vast forest. Near a stream, they stopped to rest and eat some chopped dried meat to recover their strength,

  “What happened Mur? How did you get out?” Bain asked his younger broth
er.

  “They killed my horse, and I flew with him off the cliffs above the river. I miraculously survived and woke in some bushes.”

  Chief tore a rag of his garment, soaked it with water from the river and wiped the blood from his brother's head. Then they walked around to gather some herbs. He placed them on the wound and tied them with the cloth.

  “We have to go. There is a long way ahead of us. Dakush won't leave us alone. They may have caught our scent.”

  At this point, the horses began to bellow and pull, frightened.

  “Wolves!” Shouted Bain.

  The first wolf fell, pierced by their arrows. The other two pounced and tore one of the horses. The other animal cut the rope and ran through the woods. The brothers followed him using the bustle. Apparently, the wolves were happy with the prey and left them alone. Following the trail, they soon found the horse, calmed him down and both sat on him.

  After two days of riding, they reached one of the wooden forts of the Sarani late at night. One of the two men who stood guard over the wooden gate asked,

  “Who's there?”

  “Bain, open the gate!”

  When they heard his voice, they quickly followed the order. The horse passed by the guards and stopped in front of a large wooden building serving as a residence of the chief.

  “Bring wine and meat!” Yelled Bain.

  Several maidservants hastily prepared the table in the hall and went out.

  “Cheers Mur. We managed to get to the outpost. We will sleep here tonight, and tomorrow we will be in Idarshi.”

  In the morning, they set off with two rested horses and at noon arrived at the fortified wooden settlement in the mountains, where numerous caves were adapted for living. The vast distance between them was fortified with high wooden fences. Herds of horses, sheep, and cows were grazing in the meadows. Everything around them was forest and inaccessible cliffs. The village stood as a natural fortress high in the mountains. A small creek with lots of curves flowed nearby.