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Description
In the land known as Raeltiy, Massukh was a thriving city. The monarch rose among the rivers of people who gathered at the town square to hear his 50th-year speech. The cobblestone ground was cleaned several days prior to the great speech, employing a force of 20 men and women armed with brooms and crude dustpans. The slow murmur of voices slowly dwindled as the monarch rose to his seat above the square, fixed to the floor by expensive stalks of molten iron.

“Friends, family, and citizens of Massukh! I am your monarch, Ishin Boul-Mach. Today is my 50th birthday, and I am so certain because I have sent messengers to the 20 towns and cities around us to verify. Today is a great day for Massukh as well, as the university has finally created the 3 students to be the next generation of advisors!”

Cheers rang out from the families of the students, and the rest of the citizens gave polite applause. The three students approached Ishin, stopping a step before his mighty throne and bowing.

“I present these 3 students to you: Sheve, Grete, and Einte. These students are the best of the best, the most knowledgeable of their peers, and the ones to guide our city to the future and to the greatness of our ancestors.”

The crowd erupted into a burst of noise; shouts of “well done” and “peace be with you” echoed throughout the empty streets of Massukh. Even as messengers from cities far beyond the horizon arrived, they too would join in the festivities of the great event.

Sheve, a young lad, turned to face the audience. “I am Sheve, a mathematician. I can calculate far more than the past mathematicians, and I can perform even the most impossibly long tasks at a whim.”

Grete, a girl with a plain complexion, now spoke. “I am Grete, an encyclopedia. I know answers to many questions, and my memory for history and subjects far extends beyond comprehension.”

Finally, Einte, a young man, faced the people. With a humble voice, he spoke. “My name is Einte. I am a master of the lands, knowing geography like my last name. Maps are simple words to my book.”

Together, they announced their acceptance of the job. “We, as the King’s advisors, do promise that we will aid the King and carry the knowledge that he cannot as he performs his righteous duties. We do promise that we will stand by him throughout any time, and be his every resource.”

The head of the messengers of Massukh now clambered to the advisors. “And I, as the head messenger, do solemnly promise that I shall deliver and receive every message, note, and parcel that the King so desires, with grace, speed, and caution.”

The crowd erupted into chaos now, leaving the 4 helpers of the monarch beaming at the city of Massukh. Yet no one was to expect the following events.

----

The advisors and the head messenger stood where Ishin had sat just several weeks ago. Gravely, they called everyone out of their homes and businesses, and prepared their speech.

“Citizens of Massukh. We have news to bring to you.”

The crowd was silent.

“The King has been found to be a lying, cheating monarch, and thus undeserving of our help.”

As expected, gasps were to be heard from miles away.

“We were told that he would work honestly on what he had to in order to maintain the peace of Massukh. However, he has relayed such work to us, and used us advisors for trivial purposes, such as chess- or ping-pong-opponents.”

This revelation was beyond gasps. Advisors were meant to be the brain of the monarch, not his toys.

“We are now leaving the monarch so that he may do his work by himself. Everyone that formerly worked in his palace of lies has now left, and joins you as a mere citizen. As his advisors, we will do the same. That is all.”

As the crowd dispersed, the advisors and other officials merged into the sea of people, becoming lost and eventually disappearing into their homes.

Ishin Boul-Mach kneeled before his bed. He had nothing left. No messengers to communicate with the nearby cities, no scribes to record his ideas and his monologues, no advisors to feed him knowledge. Now, he was just a lone person, having absolutely no power, and fearful for his own life. Not being able to chat with his friend Hamish was one matter, but not being able to establish trade for both goods and information was crippling to Massukh. Why didn’t they understand?

Peace was rare, but while it lasted, Kings had always been entertained by their advisors. It was just so that the inauguration of the new advisors had occurred during a peaceful time! Thus, the King decided that it would be acceptable to use them not for official reasons, but as buddies, as friends, as opponents. The advisors had criticized his lack of productivity, his uselessness, his laziness, but in truth, he had nothing to do! Peace was sweet, and he wanted to keep that taste in his mouth while it lasted.

It wasn’t as if he occupied the advisors every living minute. Every other day, he would make rounds in his palace, ensuring that everyone was happy at work and that any problems were quickly solved. He occasionally would pursue his personal interests, such as wood-carving or the art of papercraft. He did his best not to neglect his family, or the citizens of Massukh, often holding parties or similar events for no apparent reason.

So why did they not see this? Why could the people of Massukh not understand his actions, and refuse to listen to his explanations? Ishin sighed, and lay on the ground. Perhaps, in time, they would understand. Perhaps if they let him, as the monarch and the wisest of the citizens of Massukh, speak once more, and explain his actions, they would understand. Or, if he simply uncovered the secret truths about the neighboring cities’ Kings, they would realize that while Massukh was a fairly isolated city, it was for the best.

A battlecry and the sound of trumpets announced the arrival of a new attacking army. The short era of peace had ended, and it was time for Massukh to face the bitter taste of war again.

Ishin stepped out of his palace, to find that everyone had already gathered. With his grand voice, he spoke with modesty. “People of Massukh. I do not believe you’ve forgiven me. But the time has come that we face our attackers once again. Do you accept my ruling, in order to lead us to victory?”

The city square was silent. Not a single person moved. Then one hand came up. “I accept, my lord.”

It was the voice of Grete. Two more hands ascended, followed by the rest of the citizens. Ishin stared out at his loyal followers. “Thank you for listening to me. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for accepting me.”

The advisors who had once left the king’s side now returned to him. “What shall we do now, m’lord?”

Ishin shook his fist at the air, and with all his might, bellowed his infamous words:

“We will survive!”

Description
In the land known as Raeltiy, Massukh was a thriving city. The monarch rose among the rivers of people who gathered at the town square to hear his 50th-year speech. The cobblestone ground was cleaned several days prior to the great speech, employing a force of 20 men and women armed with brooms and crude dustpans. The slow murmur of voices slowly dwindled as the monarch rose to his seat above the square, fixed to the floor by expensive stalks of molten iron.

“Friends, family, and citizens of Massukh! I am your monarch, Ishin Boul-Mach. Today is my 50th birthday, and I am so certain because I have sent messengers to the 20 towns and cities around us to verify. Today is a great day for Massukh as well, as the university has finally created the 3 students to be the next generation of advisors!”

Cheers rang out from the families of the students, and the rest of the citizens gave polite applause. The three students approached Ishin, stopping a step before his mighty throne and bowing.

“I present these 3 students to you: Sheve, Grete, and Einte. These students are the best of the best, the most knowledgeable of their peers, and the ones to guide our city to the future and to the greatness of our ancestors.”

The crowd erupted into a burst of noise; shouts of “well done” and “peace be with you” echoed throughout the empty streets of Massukh. Even as messengers from cities far beyond the horizon arrived, they too would join in the festivities of the great event.

Sheve, a young lad, turned to face the audience. “I am Sheve, a mathematician. I can calculate far more than the past mathematicians, and I can perform even the most impossibly long tasks at a whim.”

Grete, a girl with a plain complexion, now spoke. “I am Grete, an encyclopedia. I know answers to many questions, and my memory for history and subjects far extends beyond comprehension.”

Finally, Einte, a young man, faced the people. With a humble voice, he spoke. “My name is Einte. I am a master of the lands, knowing geography like my last name. Maps are simple words to my book.”

Together, they announced their acceptance of the job. “We, as the King’s advisors, do promise that we will aid the King and carry the knowledge that he cannot as he performs his righteous duties. We do promise that we will stand by him throughout any time, and be his every resource.”

The head of the messengers of Massukh now clambered to the advisors. “And I, as the head messenger, do solemnly promise that I shall deliver and receive every message, note, and parcel that the King so desires, with grace, speed, and caution.”

The crowd erupted into chaos now, leaving the 4 helpers of the monarch beaming at the city of Massukh. Yet no one was to expect the following events.

----

The advisors and the head messenger stood where Ishin had sat just several weeks ago. Gravely, they called everyone out of their homes and businesses, and prepared their speech.

“Citizens of Massukh. We have news to bring to you.”

The crowd was silent.

“The King has been found to be a lying, cheating monarch, and thus undeserving of our help.”

As expected, gasps were to be heard from miles away.

“We were told that he would work honestly on what he had to in order to maintain the peace of Massukh. However, he has relayed such work to us, and used us advisors for trivial purposes, such as chess- or ping-pong-opponents.”

This revelation was beyond gasps. Advisors were meant to be the brain of the monarch, not his toys.

“We are now leaving the monarch so that he may do his work by himself. Everyone that formerly worked in his palace of lies has now left, and joins you as a mere citizen. As his advisors, we will do the same. That is all.”

As the crowd dispersed, the advisors and other officials merged into the sea of people, becoming lost and eventually disappearing into their homes.

Ishin Boul-Mach kneeled before his bed. He had nothing left. No messengers to communicate with the nearby cities, no scribes to record his ideas and his monologues, no advisors to feed him knowledge. Now, he was just a lone person, having absolutely no power, and fearful for his own life. Not being able to chat with his friend Hamish was one matter, but not being able to establish trade for both goods and information was crippling to Massukh. Why didn’t they understand?

Peace was rare, but while it lasted, Kings had always been entertained by their advisors. It was just so that the inauguration of the new advisors had occurred during a peaceful time! Thus, the King decided that it would be acceptable to use them not for official reasons, but as buddies, as friends, as opponents. The advisors had criticized his lack of productivity, his uselessness, his laziness, but in truth, he had nothing to do! Peace was sweet, and he wanted to keep that taste in his mouth while it lasted.

It wasn’t as if he occupied the advisors every living minute. Every other day, he would make rounds in his palace, ensuring that everyone was happy at work and that any problems were quickly solved. He occasionally would pursue his personal interests, such as wood-carving or the art of papercraft. He did his best not to neglect his family, or the citizens of Massukh, often holding parties or similar events for no apparent reason.

So why did they not see this? Why could the people of Massukh not understand his actions, and refuse to listen to his explanations? Ishin sighed, and lay on the ground. Perhaps, in time, they would understand. Perhaps if they let him, as the monarch and the wisest of the citizens of Massukh, speak once more, and explain his actions, they would understand. Or, if he simply uncovered the secret truths about the neighboring cities’ Kings, they would realize that while Massukh was a fairly isolated city, it was for the best.

A battlecry and the sound of trumpets announced the arrival of a new attacking army. The short era of peace had ended, and it was time for Massukh to face the bitter taste of war again.

Ishin stepped out of his palace, to find that everyone had already gathered. With his grand voice, he spoke with modesty. “People of Massukh. I do not believe you’ve forgiven me. But the time has come that we face our attackers once again. Do you accept my ruling, in order to lead us to victory?”

The city square was silent. Not a single person moved. Then one hand came up. “I accept, my lord.”

It was the voice of Grete. Two more hands ascended, followed by the rest of the citizens. Ishin stared out at his loyal followers. “Thank you for listening to me. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for accepting me.”

The advisors who had once left the king’s side now returned to him. “What shall we do now, m’lord?”

Ishin shook his fist at the air, and with all his might, bellowed his infamous words:

“We will survive!”