Story: The Calling of Breeta and Ree'an
After Fulskatar and Keanot's successful rebellion against the Orc warlord, Keanot sat with Fulskatar and told him his story, and how the Most High wanted him to come and rescue Fulskatar from death because he had been chosen to be the first king of a great kingdom to come. Fulskatar received this promise and they prayed for guidance.
Word of the rebellion spread quickly and in just a few days the warlord on the northern end of Lake Orin responded with an invasion by water. But Keanot received warning ahead of time in a dream and the militia soldiers with help from the freed slave families fought back and repelled the enemy. After this battle, both were visited in their dreams at the same time by an Ancient Steward who declared to them:
"Behold, you have been chosen to lead a great kingdom that shall be called D'nashk Re'at - the Kingdom of the Free. Prepare yourselves, for on this very night the Most High shall call forth peoples from one end of the Known World to the other, and they will come like great waves of the ocean. You will not know what to do with so many people, but take heart, the Most High will raise up many faithful friends to help you, and together you will build a kingdom that will last for many generations."
And it was so: the Most High appeared to the peoples of the world in a series of dreams and invited them to come and be a part of this new kingdom, D'nashk Re'at, if any were willing:
"Why spend your labor for those who are tyrants over you and for things that do not satisfy? Come, settle down, plant your vineyards and your families in my green pasture and enjoy the fruits of your labors. Come and drink the waters of wisdom and freedom and live in the Knowledge of the Most High, freely given to young and old, male and female, great and small, rich and poor, Elf, Human, Dwarf, Halfling, Half-Elf and Half-Orc. Come all those who live as slaves, refugees and castaways; merchants, craftsmen, farmers, fishermen, woodsmen and soldiers; musicians and entertainers; priests, politicians, tradesmen and experts in the law - come one and all and find your destiny under the flag of my servant, Fulskatar the Great!"
And the response from the peoples of the Known World was unlike anything that had happened in history so far. A Great Exodus began, quite suddenly, for the peoples of the world knew that their masters would not willingly let them go. Some woke from the dream and left before the sun arose, while others had to stir up trouble the next morning and fight to be set free. Had it not been that many leaders, soldiers, and magicians also came, disrupting the normal hierarchies of command, then most would not have been able to respond so quickly. The Southern Kingdoms of Men were the closest, and many arrived in the next few days by sea along the coast. The Dwarves, the Halflings and the Half-Elves traveled far to the south along the coast and on the sea, and though it took many weeks to make the journey, they traveled without facing battle. But the groups from the Middle Kingdoms of Men, the Half-Orcs and the Northern Kingdoms of men faced the Emperor's fury.
In Da'rahad, when the Emperor discovered that a large number of his subjects were starting to defect, he flew into a rage that was frightening to behold. He commanded his Agents of Darkness to mobilize the entire army and kill on sight anyone who was preparing to leave - but his Agents of Darkness reported back that so many magicians and soldiers had responded, including some in high levels of command, that the army was in chaos and unable to muster together under a clear leadership.
"Then I shall lead them!" cried Maargog, and he dressed himself for battle.
He roamed his palace and called together anyone who was still faithful to him, then into the streets of Thasdook the capital city of Da'rahad, and gathered as many as he could in a short time. Then he quickly divided them into groups and assigned his Agents of Darkness as captains over them, and gave orders to split up and walk through the city, calling out all faithful subjects they find to follow them, and kill any who will not obey. But it was too late, by the time the forces began their sweep of the city, they found half of the homes empty, their residents already gone.
When Maargog returned to his palace he was met by Queen Shreeva with concern on her face.
"What is it?" he asked.
"My servant girl and protégé, Breeta, is among the missing. My lord, I trusted her with all of my secrets. She must be returned, or she must die."
So Maargog summoned the Circle of Kings to counsel.
"What is going on?" he asked them.
"We do not know, this is a surprise to us. We have never seen anything like this."
"What is the Most High doing? I thought you said he was distant, angry, and abandoned the peoples of the world long ago."
"We do not know what he is doing, or what his plans are. He is beyond our control. But you must gain control again of your subjects, or Da'rahad will fall into chaos and we will lose all of the work we have been doing. This is how we shall help you - we will summon a storm of bats to disrupt the escape of your subjects, to give you time to muster the Agents of Darkness and the remaining soldiers. Then you must kill every last one of your subjects who has deserted you, without mercy. They must be made an example of."
"I agree with your counsel. Do as you have said."
And a great swarm of cursed, undead bats came out of the lowest pits under the Emperor's Palace, pits that breath fire and smoke from the belly of the earth, and they flew like a storm cloud out into the sky and towards the great line of refugees now walking away from Da'rahad and towards the area known as the South-Western Wildlands. The people along the road saw the cursed cloud approaching from a distance and cried out in fear. There were too many people, including children and elderly folks, for them to run for shelter, so they stood and watched the enemy draw near. But then, without warning, a great wind began to blow, and its strength became like that of a whirlwind, and it caught the horrid creatures in the air before they could reach the people. And they were thrown back and forth until they lost their strength and fell to the ground. The people cheered and were greatly encouraged, and with vigor continued their journey. But Maargog still gathered his Agents of Darkness and the remaining soldiers, and they all left as one force from Thasdook in swift pursuit of his former subjects. And they traveled with anger and hatred in their hearts, preparing themselves to kill their own comrades for this great treason.
Meanwhile, in the South-West Wildlands, Keanot received an Omen that instructed him to call forth three Giant Eagles that live in the mountains to the west of Lake Orin. He did so, and when they arrived, three military captains from the militia were placed on their backs. Keanot asked each Eagle to carry its captain to one of the people groups now on the road to Kaladron Pass - one to the Middle Kingdoms of Men, one to the Half-Orcs, and one to the Northern Kingdoms of Men. These captains were then instructed to muster together the fighting men and women and draw them into a unified defense against Maargog who was quickly approaching. And he gave them this promise - as the people stand together as one, the Most High himself will deliver them.
And it was so: The captains were brought to each group, and the people gave up their fighting men and women. As the remaining folks continued their travel with haste toward Kaladron Pass, the fighting men and women joined in a great line to resist the Emperor. And on the dawn of the next morning, the enemy arrived and gazed upon the group. Maargog sneered at them and prepared his Agents of Darkness to unleash their Dark Magic and deadly fighting skills upon the traitors. But before he could give his command to charge, Keanot arrived on the back of another Giant Eagle and spoke into the clouds. And a great hail storm fell upon the enemy and so damaged his soldiers that he was forced to retreat back to Thasdook in anger and with a hurt pride.
The people celebrated and came unhindered in wave after wave, across the Kaladron Pass, and down to the old warlord's estate. Some of the other warlords in the area tried to resist them on the road, but the number of refugees was too great for them. Soon, the multitudes were in need of leadership, and Fulskatar, with Keanot at his side, rallied them together and divided them into large camps along the river and the lake's shore, and representatives from each group gathered in a great counsel.
And Fulskatar spoke to them, saying "Peoples of the Known World, you are witnessing the birth of a new kingdom that shall be called D'nashk Re'at - the Kingdom of the Free! Nothing like this has ever happened before in history and we must not miss the opportunity to build a new society of freedom where all of us can live together in peace. It is the work of the Most High that has brought us together, and though no one will be forced to worship him, the Knowledge of the Most High will on this day be proclaimed freely across our land to anyone who is willing to listen to it! So, what say you? Will you follow me as your new king, and work together as one?"
"Yes!" answered the people. And on that day, Fulskatar organized them to begin construction of their new capital city, Landreer, with plans for strong walls and gates and a new castle as the center of government. But one man alone, even with such an advisor as Keanot, cannot hope to rule so many people and build such a great kingdom. And so it was that a woman from the Middle Kingdoms of Men who was quick in wit, strong in will, pleasant to the eye and gifted in speech approached Fulskatar and requested audience. Her name was Ree'an, and she praised Fulskatar for his bravery and leadership so far.
"What may I do for thee, my lady?" he asked.
"The people who have flocked to you are from many different tribes, tongues and kingdoms. They do not see eye to eye on many things, and my lord, they need something more to bind them together."
"I agree, and what do you have in mind?"
"A common law, my lord, based upon this great vision from the Most High."
"Indeed, that sounds most wise. But I have not found scribes who are available yet to help with such a task. Pray tell, do you know of any?"
"I can only offer myself, my lord, if you will have me."
"For thy courage and straight forward tongue, I will try thee as my scribe. Please demonstrate your skill."
And she did. She asked him but a few questions, and when given parchment, ink and feather, she penned an eloquent passage that captured the King's words perfectly. He was greatly pleased and called for Keanot to meet this woman.
"What do you think, Keanot?"
When Keanot looked into her eyes, he could tell she was strong and faithful, and answered his king, "it seems the Most High has sent us a servant worthy of thy court, my lord." And so it began: Ree'an penned the first draft of the Common Law for D'nashk Re'at, which was quickly copied and distributed to heralds for the people. And it was read aloud the very next day with acceptance and cheering, for in it lay the foundations of freedom for all the new citizens of the Kingdom of the Free.
Months later, after Fulskatar fell in love with Ree'an and married her, she became known as Queen Ree'an the Wise for her great work that day. And she remained the faithful Champion of the Vision of D'nashk Re'at for all of her days.
​
This is how the Great Partnership of Keanot and Breeta was started:
Shortly after Ree'an penned the first draft of the Common Law and its reading to the people who had come in response to dreams from the Most High, Fulskatar and Keanot were meeting privately together concerning some plans for the kingdom. A guard requested audience and was granted.
"Someone is here to see lord Keanot. She says that you know her."
"Who is it?" asked Keanot.
"She goes by the name Breeta, my lord."
At this, Keanot's eyes widened and he hesitated.
"What is it?" asked Fulskatar. "Who is this person?"
"She is the servant girl and protégé of Queen Shreeva. This may be a trap!"
"I see," said Fulskatar. "Guard, escort her in, and bring two more guards with you."
"Yes, my lord," and the guard returned with Breeta and two others.
"What do you want?" asked Keanot. "Has your lady sent you?"
"Please do not suspect me, " she answered, "Are you not the Emperor's former protégé? Why should I be treated different? I declare to you that I too have answered the Most High's calling, and I have risked my life to travel here."
Fulskatar and Keanot looked at each other briefly.
"I am willing to hear you out, "" answered Fulskatar. "Can you give us some assurance that you are not a spy?"
"I come with secrets, my lord, that our common enemy would not want me to share."
"Go on, " said Fulskatar.
"As you may know, I was being training by Queen Shreeva to one day be Keanot's wife when he ascended to the throne. And I was trained in the power of the Queen. This power has been kept secret, for it gives the Emperor great advantage over his enemies."
"What is this power?" asked Keanot.
"Dream walking, my lords. My former master is so skilled that she can plant false destinies in the hearts of kings. This is how Maargog has been corrupting the leaders of the other kingdoms and causing civil wars."
"This is terrible!" said Fulskatar. "How can we protect ourselves?" he asked Keanot.
"That is a question for Breeta," he answered.
"My lords, now that you are aware, you may be able to tell the difference between a false vision and a true one. But I offer more than that. If you will have me, I will protect your dream space with my own walking."
Both Fulskatar and Keanot considered this for a moment. And as they pondered, her words were confirmed silently through Omen.
"Very well, let it be so, " answered Fulskatar. "You will work with Keanot directly so he can watch you and prove that you are loyal. Are you both willing to do this?" he asked.
Keanot and Breeta answered yes.
And so it began - the Great Partnership of Keanot and Breeta. They were slow and careful at first, then they began to work without hesitation together as they started to build trust. Then some time later after Fulskatar married Ree'an, Keanot married Breeta, which was not a surprise to anyone. And they both became Head Practitioners over the Royal Court of Magicians - joint leaders for a vital ministry to the Royal Family and the Kingdom of the Free.
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