Crow and Jadar were at the front of the waiting audience, Crow could see the piled chains and cages that once held slaves in place. “Look all that metal iron . . . to think all these people were once slaves!” stated Crow to Jadar thoughtfully.
“Well, there slaves no more!”
“No doubt most men here will join our clan, some of them are strong and capable warriors that would have been sold off to fight in the pits.”
“Our clan will grow by the thousands; I look forward to training them.”
Crow smiled, he seemed content. “You know, I think we can beat the East. I may be mad, but something special is brewing on Centre Plate. I hope the other races feel that too.”
Jadar laughed, it was rare Crow was happy and carefree. “How you coping with all this peace and love! I know it’s not your thing!” joked Jadar!
“You can talk, ya cheeky bitch,” laughed Crow. “It feels nice. Seeing the kids run around happy and carefree, clothed and fed . . . The battle was worth it. We now have a place to call our own.”
Jadar smirked. “That crazy fuck Yoshihiro, he believed in us, he knew what we could achieve.”
“Very true. I’m not too keen on him going west with Vanya, she loves him, I know that . . . but the other elves . . . there spiteful racists Jadar . . . can we trust them?”
“It’s not about trust, it’s about need!” Stated Jadar, she was right. “They have an army of fifty thousand, I’m sure they don’t want to sit back and let the East invade either . . . they will see sense and unify with us, they must!”
“Any signs of Tatsuya?”
“No . . . he’s gone. He did leave this note, here, have a read.” Jadar handed a note left by Tatsuya which was found atop of Darius’s dead body when Yoshihiro and Vanya charged his residence. The note read,
Yoshihiro, the greatest swordsman to ever live.
If you're reading this, then I’m gone and Darius is dead, Cutthroat’s Grasp is now yours!
I’m sorry I left you on the battlefield, my desire for vengeance was too strong to ignore, and with you all gone, I knew I could get to Darius a lot easier on my own.
I knew the fat slob would try and ambush us, I also knew he would fail, so I waited for him to scurry back like the rat he is, I was right, and he did.
I gave him a death worthy of such a tyrant, and now I have my closure. It’s strange, I no longer hear the voices of my wife and child, perhaps there happy now they’ve been avenged or maybe now I have my personal gratification, I’m arrogant and simply do not hear, either way, the scumbag is dead.
I’ve always been a monster, we both have! I was a merciless killer, and you, a violent swordsman, the difference is, when I lost my family, I became something much darker, I spiralled into darkness and could not come back, until I met you.
You saved me, you stayed true to your word and delivered me my vengeance, I thank you for that brother, but I cannot stay.
My soul needs cleansing and I still harbour darkness, my aura is bloodstained and reeks of death, however we will meet again.
The war against the East looms, I aim to be ready for that moment and will fight by your side once more.
Thank you, Yoshihiro, you and the commanders kept me human and regained my faith in dreams of unity and peace!
I will see you all again.
Tatsuya Toshiro.
Crow handed the note back to Jadar. “Tatsuya . . . he wasn’t that bad really was he!”
“No,” declared Jadar. “He was simply moulded and shaped by this world.”
Crow smiled. “Well then, let's mould and shape a new world.”
Jadar warped her arm around her fellow commander in a warm embrace. Cheers were heard off into the distance! Hiroki had begun making his way to Slaver’s Square to address his men, and the newly free people of War Hog Lock!
There was a grand stage in the centre of Slaver’s Square still in place, it was high and wide and made from timber, this is where slaves would be sold to the highest bidders under Darius’s rule, chained up with no escape, the slaves would be marched onto the stage for all to see and bid on. It didn’t matter whether you were a man or woman, adult and or child, the slavery that was once prosperous here never showed any mercy, and now with the slaves free and Darius dead, the stage was nothing more than a morbid monument, a monument that stood as proof of historic dark times, Hiroki however, would banish such foul memories.
Hiroki begun making his way through the crowd to stand upon the stage to address the thousands that awaited him, Yoshihiro had decided to give Hiroki the responsibility of addressing them, this was a huge task for such a young boy, it would seem as though Yoshihiro placed great trust in his young student. Step by step Hiroki edged closer, his thoughts ran away with him. These people have endured so much already throughout their miserable years here. Slavery, executions, and poverty ran wild here, can I really steer these people towards more pleasant times?
A woman ran to Hiroki and grasped him on the arm, the woman was slim and looked to be in her teens, she was pretty and was dressed in an aged robe. There were cuts and blisters around her wrists from shackles, no doubt she was a slave. “Thank you Hiroki, thank you so much! You have given us hope and freedom, we all await your next act of valour!”
Hiroki didn’t know where to look, he was shy, these people had been broken over the years and now, thanks to the War Hogs they were free I wish Yoshihiro would address them, he always knew how to empower people he through to himself.
Hiroki made his way closer to the stage, a child no older than ten tugged at his arm, Hiroki turned to see the child holding out a gift with a thankful youthful smile. “I made this for you.”
It was a carving of a dragon made from wood, the boy seemed to be very well skilled and had carved the wood using a woodcutter’s knife, there was fair detail in the wooden carving, the quality pleasantly surprised Hiroki. The child’s blue eyes seemed to sparkle with his newfound freedom and hope of a better life, he was skinny with short blonde and wore tatty clothes that looked as though they’d never been cleaned, no doubt the child was of peasant status.
Hiroki knelt down to address the child. “Thank you, that’s very kind of you—” before Hiroki could say anymore the child’s pale cheeks turned red and he blushed with embarrassment, he ran off towards a small group of peasant children, the child’s friends, they all looked over towards Hiroki, giggling and laughing before running off into the crowd. Hiroki smiled as he held the carving of the dragon, I get it now. Hope, that’s what these people need.
Hiroki made his way to the stage, as he walked the steps, he heard people speaking of him. “There he is! Yoshihiro’s disciple.”
More comments were heard. “Some say he will surpass Yoshihiro one day! He already has a black headband.” Hiroki always felt uncomfortable around such high praise, it was to be expected here though after the War Hogs had liberated these people.
Hiroki stood centre of the grand stage, he looked down and saw Crow and Jadar beaming with pride at the front of the mass audience as they looked upon their younger brother. As Hiroki looked ahead, he gazed upon the sea of people that had waited for him, there must have been thousands. The War Hogs still donned their black armour and were easy to spot, the remaining onlookers were ex slaves, peasants and prisoners, they were cheering and waving, some even waved War Hog flags in admiration for their bringers of freedom. Next to Hiroki, centre of the stage was the ghastly black marbled throne that Darius sat on and ruled from, Hiroki smiled. I can’t wait to have that throne burned into nothingness when Thunder gets here. To think that a person could feel so powerful just because of a throne . . . pathetic!
Hiroki was about to speak until a roar was heard, Thunder descended from the sky and joined Hiroki on stage, the people roared and cheered at Thunder’s arrival. “Wow! Look at all these people,” said Thunder in amazement.
“These are our people now, if they choose to be. Do you remember what I want you to do?”
T
hunder smiled, he became excited. “Yeah, I remember.”
“Good! Okay, let's hand these people their lives back.”
Hiroki moved forward and addressed the onlookers who had now fallen silent to listen to the young swordsman.
“People of Cutthroat’s Grasp hear me! My name is Hiroki Mitsue, student of the great Yoshihiro Hiroto and one of nine commanders in the War Hogs. I know what you have all been through, I have endured it myself. When I was a child my parents were slaughtered right before my very eyes, I laid upon their dead bodies crying and sobbing, wishing them back to life, however the world can be cruel, it was not meant to be.” the crowd listened on intently.
“By the grace of Storm, the War Hogs passed by and I was taken in by Yoshihiro. I was trained as a swordsman, given a life and became part of something ferocious, I became a War Hog!” the people cheered at the clans name.
“Now I know you have all heard stories of our valour in battle, you’ve heard tales of our ferociousness, good! It’s all true! We have slaughtered all of our enemies, vile beings like the one that ruled here!” The people began jeering at the thought of Darius.
“Never again will you be slaves! Never again will you live in fear! Thunder, show them what I mean!”
Thunder rose and flew through the air, he hovered over the pile of rusted metal and iron chains that once held the slaves in place, Thunder scorched the chains and drowned them In green fire, the chains melted, finally the horrific memories that the chains represented had been abolished, burned into oblivion. Thunder flew through the air roaring with delight, the thousands of ex slaves roared too in celebration, Hiroki continued.
“You are all free, you can leave this settlement, we won’t keep you here . . . or you can join us and be part of something new, something grand, something that will grow into legend!” the people began cheering with excitement again.
“Front today we start building our own kingdom! Cutthroat’s Grasp is no more, this settlement is now called War Hog Lock!”
The people continued to cheer emphatically, and through it, a voice was heard shouting, “I’m staying! I will join you!”
Another voice shouted, “Hiroki is right! We can forge our kingdom!”
The empowerment swept through the crowd like wildfire, Hiroki continued, “We will turn this settlement into a mighty kingdom! Everyone will eat, everyone will drink, and everyone will live in peace and unity. There will be no racial tensions here, all War Hogs are equal. We will build a world that others can learn from and look to for inspiration!
“Were with you! Were all with you Hiroki!” roared a giant of a man who beat his fist into the air.
Hiroki sensed now was the time to inform every one of the battle ahead. “You have all heard of the royal families in the East, you all know they seek to conquer us, I fear the horrors they and their dragons bring upon their invasion will be stuff of nightmares! Together we will stand, together we will unify the entire Centre Plate and together we will fight!”
The thousands of people had become one, one mass crowd of unified people, Jadar and Crow looked round in wonder at the people, the people Hiroki had revitalised. The once broken and beaten slaves, whores and peasants had been reborn, reborn into War Hogs!
Hiroki finished his rant empathically. “So, my people, join us! Arm yourselves with sword and shield, fight for your futures, arm yourselves with shovels and pickaxes, build your kingdom and expand it with pride and arm yourselves with seeds and plants, grow your crops so you never go hungry again! Today is the first day of War Hog Lock, and when the East invades, they will see they face an army of free men and women, they will face something they’ve never faced before, fierce and free people, and they will be crushed by a fierce and free Centre Plate!”
Hiroki shouted to Thunder, who hovered in the air, “Now, Thunder! Do it!”
Thunder flew towards the black marbled rat throne and pelted it with green dragon fire! The throne began to melt, the people watched on in delight, it was symbolic, as the throne melted away, so did the notion that one man can rule so many in a macabre and draconian manner.
The throne melted and the once black marbled throne now looked like nothing more than a melting tar in the sun. The once grand slave stage also caught fire and began burning into nothingness, Hiroki still stood upon the stage as it burned, the flames seemed to represent the fire in Hiroki’s heart, he stood tall. “Now my brothers and sisters, join me, for today, we start to build our own kingdom!”
Appendices, History and Backstories
It can be daunting diving into epic fantasy, so much to know, learn and understand regarding the races, characters, and historic events.
I enjoyed creating this bonus content, which provides appendices of characters featured in this book as well as brief histories regarding the races and short backstories.
I really had fun writing some of these stories and creating historic characters that roamed the lands long before our characters in this story were even born. If this book does well and is received warmly, no doubt I will expand on this even more.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy!
R.T. Islington
Appendices
Hiroki Mitsue—A young swordsman who trained under Yoshihiro’s fearsome tutelage. He was rescued by Yoshihiro and the War Hogs when he was a child after his family and village were slaughtered by a vicious warlord, he has remained with the War Hogs ever since.
Though young, he is incredibly skilled, and it’s believed he will become the greatest swordsman of all time.
He is now an elite commander within the War Hogs, however due to the amount of battles he has been in and lives he has taken, he feels a darkness building in his heart.
The War Hogs—A fearsome clan of traveling warriors led by Yoshihiro Hiroto. The War Hogs are made up of thousands of the greatest warriors on Centre Plate.
Some men who were capable warriors themselves followed Yoshihiro as they had heard stories of the great swordsman, deciding to serve the fierce warrior, they offered themselves to him in hopes of achieving glory and wealth through successful conquests and campaigns. Some of the warriors are former slaves freed by Yoshihiro and a vast majority of the War Hogs are free men and skilled warriors who bonded together to follow Yoshihiro in protecting the weak and the Centre Plate from evil warlords.
The War Hogs are led by Yoshihiro, he spent many years building this clan and carefully selecting warriors of great skill, abilities, and purity. There are eight commanders who serve under Yoshihiro who are referred to as the Cursed Bastards, they are Yoshihiro’s most skilled warriors and trusted friends.
Yoshihiro Hiroto—A feared and ferocious swordsman. After spending many years training as a swordsman on the famed island of Swordsman Shores, he set out and travelled the Centre Plate, duelling warriors to the death and building his own clan of warriors.
In his younger days, he killed without mercy and served warlords as a sword for hire, he has slaughtered many to achieve his goals and is now haunted by his past demons, he now seeks to protect the innocent and atone for his bloody sins.
Astaroth Dragonclaw—A gargoyle from the Eastern Plate, he is brutish, powerful, intimidating, and intelligent. Astaroth serves as a commander within Yoshihiro’s War Hogs and they are close friends.
Astaroth left his tribe in the East to escape the war between the two royal families as he could sense the bloodshed on the horizon, his tribe pleaded with him to stay however he still left.
Sometime after Astaroth left, his tribe and family were massacred, he feels their blood is on his hands and is forever haunted by his decision to leave.
Ragrim Bjorn—Arguably the greatest dwarven blacksmith to ever live, he prospered in his homeland where he resided with his wife, making the finest armours and weapons the map had ever seen. Ragrim is aggressive, competitive and had devoted his life to his work; he can be very short-tempered too.
Due to his nature, he and his wife grew apart, she started to
fall in love with another man, the dwarven king! The king confronted Ragrim and looked to take his wife, they fought fiercely and Ragrim killed his wife by mistake as the king used her to save himself! The king framed Ragrim for her murder, before facing execution Ragrim escaped.
Ragrim crossed paths with Yoshihiro after he escaped, Yoshihiro recognised Ragrim’s skills as a warrior and blacksmithing abilities, he made Ragrim a commander in the clan and the two have been friends ever since.
Tatsuya Toshiro—A ninja with a wicked nature, he is proficient in poison, healing, botany, and assassination.
Tatsuya kills for coin and enjoys it, he is cold-hearted and has a poor moral compass, he struggles to build connections with people and even his fellow War Hogs steer clear of him.
Many years ago, Tatsuya gave up his life as an assassin as he had fallen in love and fathered a child, he lived a happy life until a warlord burnt down his village and murdered his family, his heart returned to the darkness soon after.
Tatsuya was captured by the men who killed his family, Yoshihiro and his War Hogs rescued him and saved his life. The wicked ninja joined the War Hogs soon after as Yoshihiro promised him vengeance on the men responsible for killing his family, he has remained a commander in the War Hogs ever since.
Bellethiel Evergreen—A master scout, spy, archer, and animal tamer, Bellethiel’s skills and abilities have served the War Hogs well in battle many times.
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