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    For Gudaeil
    For Gudaeil
    For Gudaeil
    Ebook98 pages1 hour

    For Gudaeil

    By Joshua Vernson

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    About this ebook

    With the Political situation at a somewhat precarious deadlock, the aged Emperor feels it is time to pass the Reigns of Power onto one of his Grandsons. However, just before the decision can be made, the deadlock slips, plunging the Empire into a very dire situation. One of the Sons is passed the Reigns and takes it upon himself to do whatever he can for the Empire, weaving a complex and fragile web that leaves no margin for error - like a Bubble on a knife; one false move and it is all over. The best outcome he could hope for is that he could destroy his reputation and lose trust of his Family.The worst outcome would destroy 3 nations and leave his Family name and everything his Grandfather built in utter ruins.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherJoshua Vernson
    Release dateJan 8, 2018
    ISBN9781370221271
    For Gudaeil
    Author

    Joshua Vernson

    Joshua Vernson is an amateur part-time Author from the UK. His interest in writing started from a young age when he used to write a number of scripts of various subjects for entertainment. In 2009, he wrote a script and showed it to one of his Secondary School teachers. The teacher was impressed by the script and eventually adapted it for a play at a theatre they worked at; somewhat predictably not crediting Joshua in the process. For a long time after this he continued to write scripts and short stories in secret, but never thought much of it until late 2017 when he decided to attempt to publish his first story “For Gudaeil”; a story based off a mixture of the stories he wrote years prior. Since then he has been working on several new books simultaneously, and hopes to develop into a more serious writer in the future.

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      Book preview

      For Gudaeil - Joshua Vernson

      For Gudaeil

      by Joshua Vernson

      Smashwords Edition

      Published by: Smashwords, Inc.

      ISBN: 9781370221271

      Copyright 2018 © Joshua Vernson, Smashwords Edition, All Rights Reserved

      Cover design by Joshua Vernson using Paint.net

      This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real people or actual events is purely coincidental. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in an manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the case of quotes and segments that conform to Fair Use as defined by Copyright Laws.

      Table of Contents:

      Chapter 1: Beginning

      Chapter 2: First Blood

      Chapter 3: First Test

      Chapter 4: Youthful Exuberance

      Chapter 5: Set In Motion

      Chapter 6: Sudden Turn

      Chapter 7: Big Mistake

      Chapter 8: Just Following Orders

      Chapter 9: Resurrection

      Chapter 10: Mixed Blessing

      Chapter 11: Mollycoddle

      Chapter 12: Tough Decision

      Chapter 13: Insurrection

      Chapter 14: Great Gains

      Chapter 15: Plain Sight

      Chapter 16: War

      Chapter 17: The Beast Awakens

      Chapter 18: Devastation

      Chapter 19: Answers

      Chapter 20: Promises Kept

      Chapter 21: New Beginnings

      Chapter 1: Beginning

      In the Western regions of the small Continent of Sugrath, rests the Empire of Gudaeil. An Empire of tradition, simplicity and strength, contrasting the Anarchic neighbour to the mostly Frozen North, and the expansionists along the Coast to the West. She is one of the more civilised of the Barbarian nations, as they are referred to by the so-called Civilised Empires along her sizeable Southern border. Though she is now considered somewhat civilised, she has not always been this way. Many years ago, there was a brutal Civil War that lead to the deaths of nearly a quarter of the population, and a contraction of the then Kingdom as factions splintered off, using the chaos to create new independent states. The Great Rift as it came to be known, was caused by a debate on whether or not to get rid of the traditional ways, and adopt a more modern way – the people were happy with the way things were, but the Elite wanted change, and so the War began. The War lasted 10 years before the current Emperor, Goern, took command of his own band of independent Men, and charged into the Government strongholds within the Capital City. Thousands died in the ensuing battle that lasted for several hours, but ended with the formation of a new Government that would come to reunite the divided people, balancing Tradition with Modernity, and make Gudaeil the somewhat peaceful land that it is today.

      Today, some forty years after the brutal war, Emperor Goern has decided it is high time to step down, and allow the next Generation of Emperors to take the Reigns. He calls for the Council to assemble in the Great Hall, so he can announce his decision. Frokiil, the Emperor's Son, rejected the position, proposing that one of his three Sons should take the role instead, as he was too old and wouldn't rule for long. After hours of lively debate in the Hall, the Council agreed to Frokiil's proposal, on the condition he stands at the side of the new Emperor to protect and guide them using his wisdom and knowledge of tradition. And so, the task of finding the new Emperor had begun.

      From the platform on the steps of the Great Hall, the Speaker tries to gather a crowd to hear his important announcement.

      People of Gudaeil, I beg for your ear! I have an important announcement regarding the Emperor. he shouts.

      The crowd starts to gather, wondering what it could be. Many rumours quickly started to spill into the crowd even before the Speaker could speak.

      The mighty Emperor has decided to step down, and hand the Reigns of power to one of his Grandsons.

      Immediately, the crowd loudly roar with displeasure and sadness at the news.

      People... people! I beg for your patience! the Speaker pleads with the crowd, but to no avail.

       The sound of crying, yelling and obscenities drowns out the Speaker's voice. Suddenly, the crowd stop dead. There is complete silence as the Emperor emerges from the Great Hall and slowly walks to the front of the platform as the Speaker bows his head and steps to the side out of respect. The people also bow their head in respect, as they wait eagerly for their beloved ruler to speak, most of them secretly wishing he is going to announce he shall remain.

      My beloved people. contrary to his large but aged body, the Emperor's voice is loud and powerful. I hear your pain and so I have decided to deliver this address personally. I am old. I  have truly been blessed by the Gods to have had the chance to know a people, such as you. But, my time has come. As you well know, I have only ever acted in your best interests, and that of the Empire, and so I have decided to stand down, and allow the next generation of Emperors to take command; my Grandsons. I, along with my Son and the Council, shall examine all three candidates with extreme care, in order to ensure only the best choice makes the final cut. See this as my final act, and know I will not let you down. For Gudaeil!.

      The crowd patriotically cheer and chant, despite feeling sad at the news, as the Emperor slowly walks bask to the Great Hall to rest for the evening while the Grandsons get ready to be tested over the coming weeks.

      Chapter 2: First Blood

      Anuuks attacking! All Men, Northern Post NOW! the Captain barks his orders to his men as they rush from the Barracks, some grab their weapons and rush to he post, while others shoot out of their beds, hastily put their clothes on and get ready for a bloody fight. The citizens of the small frontier town rush behind the walls and into the Fort's lower levels for protection as the horde of bloodthirsty savages trample over the Farmlands that separate them from the growing wall of defending troops. Stood in the front line of the Gudaeil forces, the Emperor's Son, Frokiil, and his Grandsons, Cressuck, Raezor and Edgar, stand poised and ready for blood. Cressuck, the eldest, taunts the Anuuk forces.

      Puppy shit is scarier than you, ya Cotton-fisted streaks of Grout! Come get us! he shouts; his eyes widening as his bloodlust increases; a creepy smile comes across his face as he relishes in the feeling of ecstasy that has washed over him as he thinks of all the blood he will spill.

      As the two large forces collide, it is clear that the defenders are grossly out numbered, but due to the Anuuk's lack of structure and weaker armour, the defenders are feeling confident. War fills the air. Men shouting; metal clashing; blood spilling; War Drums and Trumpets rallying; limbs and bodies falling. Somewhere in the middle, Cressuck is laughing and taunting.

      Ha! Love it! he says as he severs someone's neck with a single swing.

      Meanwhile, Edgar is standing at his Father's back as they both methodically dispatch one hostile after another, protecting and moving with each other in an almost symbiotic manner. Suddenly, a barrage of Arrows blot out the sky, as the Gudaeil archers are given orders to thin the enemy's rear ranks out, hoping to bring a quick end to the battle. However, several stray arrows descend onto the Gudaeil forces, killing Frokiil with a direct head shot. Edgar, unaware

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