Achil & The Kingdom of Jin Read online

Achil

  &

  The Kingdom of Jin

  Book III 'The Chronicles of Achil'

  'It served our purpose to see them divided, so instead of making them a strong ally, we made them a weak enemy.'

  Achil of the Dragon People

  Adam David Papa-Adams © 2009 all rights reserved

  Acknowledgements

  I would like to thank my good friends Lawrence Bolton, Adam Alexander Papa-Adams and Dan Thairs for their encouragement, support and belief. I would also like to say a huge thank you to all those that believe that everything is possible.

  Copyright 2012 Adam David Papa-Adams © all rights reserved

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  Table of Contents

  Chapter I Rumours

  Chapter II The People of Kush

  Chapter III In the Lands of Mead

  Chapter IV The Road to Horrazim

  Chapter V Telallamain

  Chapter VI Crossing the Nabed Falls

  Chapter VII Manitou

  Chapter VIII The City of Tajiksin

  Chapter IX The Panthurians

  Chapter X The Wrath

  Chapter XI The Red Forest

  Chapter XII The Mighty City of Quinn

  Chapter XIII Qouni

  Chapter XIV Shushy

  Chapter XV The Great Wilderness Forest

  Chapter XVI The Thunder Birds

  Chapter XVII Valley of the Orochi

  Chapter XVIII In the Heart of the Empire

  Chapter XIX Jinopolis

  Chapter XX In the eye of the Storm

  Chapter I

  Rumours

  The King stared down at the table with growing anger and frustration. So much of his Kingdom had simply been laid waste too by the Mandrake Imperium that he just wanted to throw himself into a rage. He drew in a deep breath trying to calm down. Agoran standing thoughtfully by his side began rubbing his unshaven jaw. Neither of them had slept much in recent weeks. A cool breeze crept through the unguarded balcony, the thin drapes gently rustled in the midday light. The soft sand on the floor seemed to wake for a moment as the papers on the table fluttered and were about to escape into the air, but for the swift intervention of Agoran, who placed a large pebble firmly down on top of them. On heavy wooden shelves thick with dust sat both books and scrolls, they were held in chronological order. It was all the memory, knowledge and understanding of his people that thankfully had survived the siege. The room was sparsely furnished, with a few worn chairs that leant up against the walls. Paintings of past Kings hung sombrely against cold barren stone looking in seeming judgment over the present King. He turned round and strode over to one of the shelves pulling out a large folded map which he placed on the table. The two had been in conference for some time.

  “It is the only way,” said Agoran, stepping tiredly over to the Kings side.

  “It is certain death,” replied the King, appearing frustrated by what he must do and the lack of options that had brought them to such a place. “How can you expect me to ask my subjects to do such a thing?"

  “We cannot delay on this, as it would bring about our doom,” responded Agoran pensively gazing at the King. “Achil and his companions did offer to take on this task.”

  “How can one man hope to defeat an Empire,” the King thoughtfully looked up from the table shaking his head imperceptibly.

  “He doesn’t have to defeat them,” said Agoran. “All he needs to do is find a way to delay them, long enough to afford us time to rearm and build up our border fortifications so that we are ready for their next assault. And the only way that can be achieved is if someone goes into the Protectorate of the Imperium, the Central Kingdoms and the East and finds a means to disrupt any further plans they might have.”

  “You are asking one man to stand in front of a hurricane and not be blown away by it,” said King Paladin with another shake of the head. “Yes I know what you are going to say we have sent out spies to the heart of the Imperium before now. This is different, the others are there to observe and report back, he will be going to try to ascertain what they have fermenting over there, and if possible disrupt it. It will be suicide, perhaps there is a less perilous task we might give to him.”

  “Difficult yes, suicide no,” said Agoran stiffly. “We’ve considered the alternatives, this is our best option. And he will not be going alone. Anyone who can treat with a Dragon, and manage to defeat Marshal Ti in single combat, can certainly accomplish this. Do not underestimate our people they are more than capable for the task.”

  The two continued their debate, as unobserved servants brought in food and drink, and took away platters of unfinished meals. And without their noticing, daylight turned to dusk, and the night drifted by until dawn was pronounced by the call of cockerel.