In the kingdom to the north, Kalloamin, High
Ruler Khnum is deep in thought as he considers the latest news brought to him
by Gnasher, a trusted member of the Hollow Horn tribe. Gnasher has returned
from his travels with information about strange developments in the neighboring
kingdom of Yulo.
"Gnasher, my friend, tell me what you
have learned," Khnum said with a nod of respect.
"High Ruler Khnum, I have returned with
the information you requested. King Labrinthias of Yulo has built towering
idols that can be seen from the Riverwood Valley," Gnasher began, only to
be interrupted by the gruff and blunt Seth, who stepped out from the shadows.
"Don't you dare call that bovine king 'King,' he is no ruler of mine or the Hollow
Horns," Seth bellowed, clearly agitated by the news.
Despite the interruption, Gnasher addressed
the troubling findings with his report. "It appears that the rock pillars
used to build the idols are actually hollow, with ladders leading up the
inside," he explained. "I believe they are scout towers."
"Scout towers? Facing Kalloamin?"
Seth scoffed and tightened his grip on his polearm.
"Easy, Seth," Khnum continues to
think, "but I admit, it does seem a little peculiar."
"Peculiar? What could they possibly be scouting when we're the only
thing north of them?" Seth growls.
"Listen, I understand your
concerns," Khnum began, trying to keep his voice calm. "But we can't
jump to conclusions without all the facts. We need to investigate the situation
before making any decisions.
If we act out of turn here, a
war may ensue."
Seth scowled, his hooves pounding the ground as
he strode forward. "Investigate? What is there to investigate? That Yulo
scumbag is building scout towers facing our kingdom! He is clearly preparing
for an attack!"
"Perhaps," Khnum acknowledged,
"but it could also be a defensive measure. We don't know what is happening
in Yulo or what other kingdoms may be threatening them."
"Bah!" Seth spat.
"I've never trusted the Oxen Tribe; they're all just glorified cattle.
He's always had his eye on our lands and resources. It's time we take a stand
and show him who the true power is in this part of Harrowgoth."
Khnum shook his head. "I
agree that we need to be prepared, but let's not make hasty decisions.
Attacking Yulo without just cause would make us no better than King Labrinthias
himself."
Seth snorted in frustration. "You're
always talking about caution and diplomacy, but sometimes you have to be
willing to fight for what's right."
"And sometimes, the right thing to do is
to avoid violence and find a peaceful resolution," Khnum interrupted.
"Excuse me, High Ruler Khnum and Sir
Seth, but I have something to add," Gnasher spoke up, trying to diffuse
the tension between the two leaders.
"Yes, Gnasher, what is it?" Khnum
asked, turning his attention towards him.
"While I understand the concerns of both
of you, I think it's important to consider the bigger picture here. The idols
in Yulo may very well be scout towers, but we don't know for sure. And even if
they are, jumping to conclusions and starting a conflict with King Labrinthias
could lead to disastrous consequences." Gnasher explained, trying to
reason with them.
"But what if he's planning an attack on
us?" Seth interjected, his grip on his polearm still tight.
"That's a valid concern, but we should
approach this situation cautiously and gather more information before making
any decisions. We don't want to escalate a potential conflict, especially if
there is a chance that it can be avoided." Gnasher added.
Khnum nodded, considering Gnasher's words.
"You raise a good point, Gnasher. Let's take some time to gather more
information and weigh our options before making a move. We don't want to act
impulsively and regret our actions later."
Seth reluctantly agreed, still wary of the
situation in Yulo but understanding the importance of caution. "Very well,
we'll gather more information before making a move. But I'll be ready if
anything happens."
Gnasher breathed a sigh of relief, glad that
he was able to diffuse the tension between the two leaders. He knew that the
situation in Harrowgoth was complex and delicate, but he was confident they
could navigate it successfully with the right approach and cooperation. Still,
he was determined to find a way to learn more about King Labrinthias'
intentions without causing any problems or putting their own kingdom at risk.
He knew that Khnum and Seth were both strong leaders who were passionate about
the safety of their people, but their approaches were vastly different. He
hoped to bridge the gap between the two of them with a new idea.
The next day, Gnasher approached Khnum with
caution but with a determined look in his eye. "High Ruler Khnum," he
started, "I have been giving a lot of thought to the situation with the
scout towers in
Yulo, and I have an
idea."
Khnum raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Go
on, Gnasher."
"What if we send a small team of
incognito scouts to explore the towers and gather more information about what
King Labrinthias is truly up to?" Gnasher suggested. "This way, we
can gather the information without risking a full-blown conflict or alarming
the other kingdoms."
Khnum leaned forward on his throne,
considering the proposal. "That's not a bad idea, Gnasher," he said
after a moment. "Aside from Seth and myself, that would only leave Mikhail
and Dagan to go. Pietro is far too old unless…."
"Unless what, High
Ruler?" Gnasher asked.
"Unless you're volunteering yourself for
such a mission?"
"Me?" Gnasher fumbles his words,
"No, sire, it would be too obvious for any of the Hollow Horns to go;
we'll surely be made. The last thing we want is a member of the Oxen Tribe or
even any Yuloians to see us there."
"Indeed, so what's your plan then,
Observer?" Khnum stares at him inquisitively.
"We send
Kalloamins," Gnasher responds.
"Interesting," the High Ruler sits
back on his throne and thinks, "but we must be cautious. We cannot risk
putting our own people in danger."
Gnasher nodded, "Of course, my King. I
was thinking that we could select a small team of our best village scouts who
are stealthy and knowledgeable of the land. They could gather information
without being detected and report back to us."
Khnum stroked his white beard, deep in
thought. "Yes, I think this plan could work," he finally said.
"But we cannot afford to make any missteps. This is a delicate matter, and
we must handle it cautiously."
Gnasher nodded, relieved that his idea had
been well-received. He knew this mission was critical for the kingdom's safety
and was determined to do everything he could to ensure success.
After the discussion with Gnasher, Khnum
summoned Seth to the throne room and informed him of Gnasher's proposal. Seth
was initially skeptical and wary of the idea, as he feared that any hesitation
on their part could lead to bloodshed among the Hollow Horns. However, after
hearing Khnum's impassioned plea for caution and understanding, Seth
reluctantly agreed to go along with the plan.
"I understand your concerns, Seth,"
Khnum said, "but we must be strategic in our approach. Gnasher's idea may
be our best chance at uncovering the truth about these scout towers without
risking harm to our kingdom or people."
Seth nodded in agreement, his grip on his
polearm relaxing as he realized the wisdom in Khnum's words. "Very
well," he said, "I trust in your judgment, Khnum. We'll proceed with
Gnasher's plan."
As Seth makes his way out of the throne room,
Khnum cannot help but feel unease. He recalls his childhood when the kingdoms
were peaceful and coexisted without conflict. Harrowgoth was a simpler time
back then. The kingdoms would trade goods and share knowledge, leading to a
prosperous and thriving time for all seven kingdoms. Nothing like this ever
happened. Yulo was constructing some sort of towers near Kalloamin borders, the
Scaleskins had been virtually invisible for a few years now, the slavery in Dekan
had been growing out of control, and times seemed more hostile now. Perhaps
they were always this way, and his father and the rest of the second-generation
Hollow Horns were really good at shielding their youth from the corruption that
secretly worked itself through the veins of the land.
Khnum makes his way to the balcony, looking
out over the kingdom and down into the valley below. He can just barely see the
tips of the alleged scout towers as they light up in the distance for the
night. His uneasiness grows. They're taunting him. He knows this is a crucial
moment for the Hollow Horns, Kalloamin, and even Harrowgoth. He just hopes his
leadership and decision-making will be enough to steer his people in the right
direction.
As Gnasher proudly sets out for the valley to
implement his noninvasive plan, Khnum seeks out Seth to discuss their
contingency plan further. With a grave tone, he explains to Seth the importance
of having the remaining two Hollow Horn warriors, Mikhail and Dagan, ready and
on standby. The High Ruler of Kalloamin knows their situation is delicate, and
any misstep could lead to disastrous consequences. The more he thinks about it,
the fact that the towers were lit up irks him. Are they planning something in the
night? Something near the border of the valley? He wondered.
He stresses to Seth the importance of having
a backup plan in place just in case the situation takes a turn for the worse.
He reminds Seth that the priority should be their people's and their kingdom's
safety and well-being.
Seth nods in agreement, "I understand, Khnum. I'll
make sure they are ready. We'll be waiting for your signal, but I hope it won't
come to that."
Khnum scoffs, "Who do you think you're
talking to? You know damn well that's exactly what you want it to come
to."
"You may be right, High Ruler, but I
don't want any harm to come to the Hollow Horns or our people. With that said,
I won't think twice about spilling Oxen blood on our soil or theirs."
Khnum nods, "Understood, old friend. I
feel good about this, though. Gnasher's plan is sound, but I'd rather be safe
than sorry. It's better to be prepared for the worst than hope for the
best."
Seth nods, "Agreed. I'll go inform the
others and make sure they are ready."
Khnum watches Seth leave, feeling a sense of
relief that he has someone he can trust to have his back. Despite the tension
between them at times, he knows that Seth will always be there for the good of
their kingdom and their people when it comes down to it.
Underneath the looming shadow of the Aries
Mountains, Seth sought out Dagan and Mikhail, the last remnants of the male
Hollow Horns. The air was ripe with a rare looming tension as Seth briefed them
on the pressing matter at hand—the suspected scout towers that dotted the
horizon, ominously whispering of potential threats encroaching upon their
realm. Gnasher's intricate plan unfolded before them, a strategic effort
choreographed to safeguard the kingdom.
As the trio gathered, Seth delved into the
intricate details, ensuring that each nuance of the plan resonated within the
minds of Dagan and Mikhail.
"Gnasher's insights are crucial, my
comrades. These towers might be harbingers of a looming storm. We cannot afford
to underestimate the potential threat they pose. Our kingdom's safety hangs in
the balance, and we stand at the forefront of its defense," Seth grumbled
with a touch of cockiness.
Dagan bows his head slightly to the
Man-at-Arms. "We understand, Seth. The safety of our kin is paramount.
We'll be vigilant and prepared for whatever may come."
Mikhail bowed his head, "Agreed. We've
weathered storms before, and we'll do so again. Our unity is our
strength."
"Our resilience lies in our
preparedness. We must be ready for any eventuality." Dagan added.
"If I'm being honest, I have a heavy heart about
this matter. I don't trust this so-called plan put forth by Gnasher," Seth
begins. "Our High Ruler feels it's the right thing to do, and I've elected
to go along with it. But what if the Order of the Hoof has something sinister
in mind? We can't just sit back and watch as they potentially threaten our
people and our way of life."
Dagan, the dark brown Hollow Horn with golden
horns, spoke up as he brushed a strand of his coarse fur from his face.
"Perhaps, but we must trust Khnum's decision. He is our High Ruler and has
always acted in our best interest."
Mikhail, the only blonde-furred Hollow Horn,
nodded in agreement. His fingers idly traced the outline of his curved horns.
"I trust in Khnum's judgment, but I understand your concern. So what are
you implying we do? Act on our own accord and potentially set this whole thing
off?"
Seth sighs, "No, of course not, but I
want you both to be prepared because I fear the worst. I trust our High Ruler,
but his nomadic approach to this situation may be costly."
Dagan turns towards Mikhail and then back to
Seth, "If we're being honest, I never liked the Oxen Tribe. On windy days,
the whole valley wreaks of manure because of them. If they're moving closer to
home, it will only get worse."
Mikhail laughs, "Well,
that's true."
Seth smiles but quickly returns to his
serious demeanor, "Glad we're on the same page, my warriors. Be
ready."
The female Hollow Horns set out on a
different mission to visit the valley to speak with their followers about their
day-to-day lives and farming practices. Navara is the leader of the female
Hollow Horns, an influential and respected member of their tribe. She is known
for her bravery and cunning, and the followers trust her implicitly. However,
Navara's relationship with Khnum is a bit of a mystery to the rest of the
tribe; they keep their connection private, only revealing it to a select few.
Despite this, Navara's devotion to Khnum is clear; she will do anything to
protect him and the tribe. She is generally the one in charge of visiting the
valley, making her the member of the Hollow Horns that the Kalloamins interact
with the most. However, despite her strong reputation, the tribe does not
recognize a queen among their ranks.
Instead, they have a
hierarchical structure, with Khnum serving as the High Ruler and Seth as his
Man-at-Arms. All others are considered equal. Even though they don't recognize
a queen, Navara would be more capable of taking up the moniker. She knows that
the safety and wellbeing of the tribe are the top priorities, and she will do
everything in her power to ensure it. Whether she is leading her followers or
just trying to protect their way of life, Navara is a detrimental piece of the
Hollow Horns' backbone.
Navara stands as a sovereign presence. Her
lofty stature and movements adorned with an otherworldly grace mark her as a
figure of regal distinction. Amidst the males, their coarse coats evolved to
weather the harsh mountain climate; the fur of the female Hollow Horn, however,
is more like a cascade of silken threads.
While the males don the armor of robust fur
to brave the unforgiving elements, the females, epitomized by Navara, bear a
more delicate cloak. Their fur, a manifestation of beauty and femininity,
weaves a story of ethereal allure amidst the craggy peaks. Navara's
countenance, a symphony of dark brown hues, is adorned further by eyes tinted
in the softest shade of pink, a bewitching contrast that turns heads even among
the enchanting beings of her kind.
In the luminous glow of Hollow Horn, her
eyes, though gentle in hue, sparkle with a keen intelligence and unwavering
strength. They mirror the depths of her wisdom and the indomitable spirit that
guides her every step. Navara, with her commanding presence and a union of
physical grace and mental acumen, assumes her role as a beacon of leadership
among the Hollow Horn kin, earning the reverence of her tight-knit community.
As the Navara enters Riverwood Valley, her
sharp eyes scan the small fields and notice that the crops are starting to
wilt. She approaches a man named Haidar, one of the human elders in the
community, who is examining the plants with a worried expression.
"Haidar," Navara
greets him, "what troubles you?"
Haidar looks at her and
sighs, "These crops aren't doing well.
They're not getting enough
water, and the soil is becoming depleted. We've been using the same methods for
generations, but it seems like it's no longer enough."
Navara nods in understanding, "We can
fix this. First, you will need to dig shallow trenches to redirect rainwater to
the crops and add different types of compost to improve the soil. You have
discarded fish, yes? It would help to bury rusted metal in the soil to add
extra nutrients."
Haidar raises an eyebrow, "Really? And
this will help save our crops?"
Navara smiles, "Of course. Not only will
it help save them, but they'll also flourish. I will tell you everything I know
and check back with you in a fortnight."
Haidar nods gratefully, "Thank you,
Navara. I appreciate your concern for us; thank you for blessing us with this
knowledge."
With that, Navara and Haidar continue their
conversation about the potential benefits of the new form of farming
technology. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the scout towers, Navara is
determined to use her position among the Hollow Horns to make a positive
difference in the lives of the humans in the valley.
As the hour of Gnasher's plan draws near,
Khnum begins to feel the weight of uncertainty on his shoulders. Despite being
a confident and capable member of the Hollow Horns, he can't shake the feeling
that perhaps Seth's concerns about the alleged scout towers are valid. After
all, they are third-generation Hollow Horns, and in all the centuries that
their kind has existed, nothing like this has ever happened. So maybe it was
only a matter of time until it did.
Despite these thoughts and the voice of
caution within him, Khnum decides to stick with the original plan, as he feels
it is the best course of action. He is comforted in knowing that Seth, Dagan,
and Mikhail are standing by, ready to act in case things go wrong, but deep
down, he knows that the prospect of a conflict with the Order of the Hoof fills
him with dread.
As the moon rose over the Aries Mountains,
Khnum and Seth stood at the entrance to their home, overlooking the valley
below. They were the guardians of the Aries Mountains and were determined to
keep their people safe and their kingdom strong. Ushering their people into a
bright and prosperous future would be no easy task, but the Hollow Horns of
Kalloamin were ready for anything. With Khnum leading the way and Seth at his
side, they would face whatever challenges lay at their borders. The important
thing was that they were united in their determination to protect their home
and people.