Storm: Bronze Age Chief
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About this ebook
With the death of the great-chief, civil war breaks out. Chief Storm recognizes the great danger he will face in the lands on the border. There is no buffer between him and invaders. It is just a matter of time before his land will be taken by force. However, the civil war has presented other opportunities and Storm decides to move his people far from the border lands. Storm will seize control of the lands where his father is an under-chief, for the chief there has been killed.
Storm sets out to bring peace and order to the people in the chiefdom where he was raised. It is a mission that will be dangerous and uncertain. Storm will become entangled in the politics of building alliances and political match-making. He will also not be able to avoid going to war again.
Book 2 of the Storm series.
Michael O'Gara
-story-telling multi-genre author selling internationally -MFA, MBA -author of 40+ novels -husband, father, grandfather, disciple -Content and joyful (mostly). Giving life my best shot. -Very happily married for decades.
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Storm - Michael O'Gara
Storm
Bronze Age Chief
©2016 Michael O’Gara
This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. Theft of intellectual property is not victimless. It takes income directly from the author’s pocket.
This is a fictional work coming from the author’s imagination. Any similarity to actual persons, events, places, organizations and companies, is purely coincidental.
Published by Heartland Indie Publishing LLC
This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 1
It has only been a day since we took possession of the Chiefdom of Keene and its fortification. I stand on the wall and look out over the rich fields, the distant forested hills, and the converging two rivers that form the boundary between my new chiefdom and potential enemies.
The great-chief gave this land to me to rule as reward for my feats in battle. Still, the great-chief’s reward serves him perhaps better than it does me. He risks nothing while leaving me and my warriors to pacify this conquered people. I am young, but I am not naïve.
My new wife, the beautiful widow Miriam, comes and puts her hand on my arm. She says, It is a beautiful sight.
I say, It is.
I do not tell her that we may still have to fight to hold this land. I expect it will be so. A conquered people may still resist a new lord and that is what I am.
I am also the youngest chief in the known lands. I am grateful that Miriam is a realist. The great-chief holds her daughter captive and has stolen Miriam’s treasure under the pretense that it is the inheritance of her thirteen year old daughter, Ava. Ava is betrothed to the Great Chief’s eleven year old son. Miriam knows it is not within our power to do anything about it. I am thankful my wife is practical.
I look at Miriam and say, I have a hunger.
She smiles at me and says, Food first?
I nod agreement.
We eat in our apartment and I tell Miriam of my day’s plans. We drink perhaps a little too much ale during our conversation. Miriam tells me of her plans to improve the household.
I ask her how much treasure she has hidden. She tells me and it, along with what I have already, is enough to get us through for some time, though we will have to be frugal. Her jewels are more valuable than several carts full of silver treasure, but we will not use them unless all else fails.
I spend the day overseeing the organizing of the defenses of our new home site. I am a warrior first and a ruler second. I know I cannot rule what we cannot defend. I work a long day before retiring.
The next morning, Miriam and I rise early and get ready for the day. We eat a light meal and go to the courtyard. It is a bright and warm morning. The warriors are assembled and the throne chairs have been brought outdoors. Miriam sits in the smaller and I sit in the larger.
The warriors who have come with me have done so on the promise of land and promotion that, like mine, is an opportunity that comes once in many lifetimes. They know I have little treasure. Like me, they have come because there are few choices. The great-chief’s treasury has been depleted by war. Victory came at a great cost and now there is little work for soldiers.
Krone gives the order and each man comes forward and gives his oath of fealty. It takes some time.
After the oath taking, I stand and say, If we are to make a home here, first we must bring peace and order to this rich land. It will be no small task. In the end, you will have a home and a good living. Some will no doubt be promoted and have land to derive income from. Your rewards will be in accord with what you contribute to our cause.
I offer my hand to Miriam and she stands. Miriam and I leave.
Chapter 2
The Keene lesser-chiefs, under chiefs, and three village headmen seem nervous as they file in. I do not think poorly of them because of it. They are right to be fearful of a chief they do not know. I now hold the power of life and death over the people here. They each bow in turn and take a place near the benches as they had been instructed.
Krone tells them to introduce themselves and they do.
When they have finished, I say, You may sit.
They all sit down. I stand to speak.
Nath announces, Listen now to Chief Storm, lord of these lands and the great-chief’s warrior champion, slayer of the giant Volker, and warrior of renown.
I look at each man and say, You do not know me and I do not know you. I intend to see the people of these lands are treated fairly and that there is peace, lawfulness, and plenty. If you give me your oath of fealty and govern well as a vassal lord, you may keep your titles and lands. I will allow you to continue to appoint tax collectors and other officials for your estates as long as you submit the taxes you rightly owe. The tax will not be increased. You must not allow bribery or corruption by your officials. If you decide not to give me your oath, you may leave the lands I rule within three days and I will grant you safe passage. You may take only what you can carry on your personal mounts. Do you have any questions for me?
Lesser-Chief Gish stands, Lord, how do we know you are a man of your word?
I say, From reason. It is I who take the greater risk for I do I know if you will keep your oath. If I was not a man of my word, would I not just dispossess you of your lands and life, claim your wealth, and appoint my own men in your place? I have the power to do so.
Gish says, Your point is well made.
He sits down.
Lesser-Chief Salter stands and says, Chief Storm, will my people keep their lands.
I say firmly but in an even tone, You are now my lesser-chief and they are my people.
Salter has tried me and I know it. I know he will not challenge me further when he says, It is as you say.
I respond with, The elders in your lands may keep their farms, but they will be required to come and give me their oaths.
Salter says, It is only right. May I offer them the same freedom to leave or stay?
I answer, You may.
I do not think any will leave. It is their farms, estate lands and for the leaders it is the power to rule that will keep them here. The danger is that some may resist my rule.
Salter asks, What of soldiers?
I say, You must keep enough to enforce order and protect your people, but the number will be limited by those purposes. In time of war, as is required by law, you will bring your men to fight.
Salter asks, Why do you treat us so? You could trample us under foot.
I say, It is more productive for us to work together. Once you give your oath, you are no longer enemies; you are vassal lords who I am duty bound to protect. You know these lands and can serve me well and, through me, the great-chief.
Salter says, It is as you say.
He sits down.
Under-Chief Hash stands, Chief Storm, I have no lesser-chief. What do you intend?
It is my intent to replace those killed in battle. I will appoint vassal chiefs in good time. They will be men after my own manner of governance. Each lesser-chief may appoint his under-chiefs to replace those killed in war. The appointments will require my consent.
Hash sits down.
A man stands up, Lord Storm, I am Lesser-Chief Jakes. Not all obeyed your order to come. What is to happen to them?
I say, I am a man of my word. They will be stripped of title and lands before being banished. They have three days to leave the lands I rule with their families and only what they can carry on their persons and personal mounts. I will tolerate no disrespect or treachery. I am even handed and temperate, but I am a warrior-chief.
I look around. There seem to be no further questions. I say, You will be my guests tonight at a banquet in your honor. You may give me your answer in the morning.
I leave the hall and the men stand and bow.
I