The LOST NATION Saga 

Volume 1: The ERA of ANITQUITY

Book II: The WAR SCROLL

Original Serialization Date: July 19th 2022-January 24th 2023

A grand army on the march. All along the eastern coastline of Helas did Laboth's fighting force trod, whereupon the marching multitude grew weary, so Kalostos inquired of her fellow commander:

"Dear sister, we have travelled the length and breadth of this land, and we've heard no word from our brothers and sisters. We ought to rest and resupply."

Looking upon her flank, unto to her followers, the iron-willed woman—determined however she was in her mission to seek for and destroy her foes—gave a brisk nod.

"And where should I seek to accommodate a force such as this, my armswoman?"

"The Sun's Time* draws late. Our enemy no-doubt lies in wait, thus our people will seek to draw every last trace of grain in-preparation for the autumn. They fear that all the fruits of their labor may be swooped up by the devils. Therefore, I say we go out to the broader lands where hills roll with wheat. Where vine blankets all the earth."

"Let it be done, then!"

As late summer brisked ever-onward, all the Osenta gathered their harvests; the fruits of their sweated brows, which they threshed for themselves according to their ability. It came to pass, then, that they portioned off a tenth of what they had gathered for the fighting forces who passed through all the land, according to their needs.

Amongst the reapers were the women of the western shores of Katathos, by whose works did extract the choicest of wheats and barely. Now, on the twenty fourth day of this First Great Advent of War, Laboth the daughter of Alduis, who all in the region called 'The Mistress of Steel', led her entourage of fighters and metalsmiths and furnace-tenders through that place.

When they entered the sight of the harvesters, the women greeted Laboth foremost, saying:

"Silver Sister! For what have you come here?

So spake Laboth:

"By horse I ride, though by the Kartumite's craft I fly across the Khabora**. Now, I trod the land once more by mare, for I aim to put these Fallen-begotten wretches to the sword. Now, I have heard a good report from all the peoples of this hemisphere of your works. Shall you spare some grains for my trek?"

The harvesters replied capitally:

"Palashi will surely provide all that is needed! Ay, we shall do more than that, no? We will give you more than a tenth of our harvest!"

"Nadoyahe, my heart his heavy with thanks to you fine people."

When Laboth entered among the harvester's dwelling places, she approached their head matriarch, who stood in the midst of towering grain silos. Stood she, this grand form, at three and nine cubits***; yes, beautifully strong. No quake could move her, I think. Her voice boomed:

"Mistress of Steel, you are most welcome!"

And she led Laboth into her quarters where she oft laid out plans for her companions to follow. We, the company which followed Laboth at the front—her chroniclers and those most skilled in the arts of war—huddled about in this room. The lot sat upon her seats and quilted rugs which she laid out, whence we broke bread and swigged honey wine.

The matriarch spoke thereupon:

"My friend from afar, my sisters have eagerly taken in your forces and made a vow to supply you. I shall make good on this offering, but I am at an impasse. You see, for generations I have cut these fields, but our blades have grown dull and this disruption caused by Akubos has made your metalsmiths afraid to cross the waters of the Khabora. Quite understandable, yet I am in need for finer tools if I am to properly assuage your thirst and accommodate your hunger."

Laboth rose up tall in Palashi's company, taking the woman's powerful arms unto her own.

"Let us make an agreement, then. I shall make better tools for your sisters or sharpen them to their finest specifications. Aye, may they never dull for another seven generations!"

Thus, Palashi kissed Laboth, and the metalsmith in-kind to the harvester.

"The earth is broken and the sea runs like a serpent through the valley, but it shan't divide our people!"

*summer season

**KBR = kbr "the breach" lit. "broken"

***6.69ft – 1 Aarudian cubit = 1.4 ft (45cm)