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                   Gunpowder’s Hourglass                   
                   -by TauroAdventures-                    
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                    The Incoming Storm                     
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The Incoming Storm
“If you want a rainbow, you have to deal whit the rain” - Imperator Caesar Augustus
The year was 978.
Time was just running slowly in the hourglass. The wind of summer just starting to feel a bit cold, bringing the autumn from the mountains. The rural scenery was so calm, yet in the horizon the clouds of a storm were invading the sky. Nothing was disturbing the farm storage in the middle of the length fields of wheat, olives and grapes.
Pýrrhoz was doing the guard duty sitting over a wooden box of ammunition while he contemplates his hourglass filled with red sand from the south dunes of Zebrica. He was quietly looking how slowly the time was passing from his father gift before leaving the country and hearing the surroundings whit the chill wind of the future autumn was coming. The location was mostly abandoned, be a rural point for farmers or just don’t gain attention from the military authorities of the scrambling Griffonian Empire were just barely trying to keep together from a shadow of the big empire was from all the continent, was the perfect place for the many militia headquarters, the Minotaurs have all around the island.
He then take a simple look around the surroundings, whit his bolt-action shotgun carried whit his left arm taking a rest over his left horn, take a deep breath while was watching. A long dated rusty truck from an unknown farmer take by the green creepers was disturbed by weapons & ammo boxes. Taking a close look over a big olive tree was used as shadow roof for a couple of militia Minotaurs, privates or how they denominate in the country as stratiotis, one sleeping with his cap covering his eye and the other taking a time reading while sometimes cleaning their rifles. Not so far from there was a big old truck camouflaged as a simple rural transport from the farmers used for the harvests, but in the inside whit a trio of stratiots taking in and out the back of the vehicle fire weapons, ammo, documents, radios and unnamed boxes meanwhile outside was one militia, possibly the mayor range lance corporal or ypodekanea, writing in his notebook numbers and notes, possibly inventory of the supplies was going in and out of the HQ here. The rest was just simple farm scenery of a farm: from the front east have long lines of olive trees waiting for winter, in the front west long lines this time of grapevines, now almost whit out leaves, only left the wooden cross skull used their skinned logs to attach. Behind his back and the farm was just wheat, the last harvest of wheat soon going to be saved in the mills for the winter of the next year planning.
Yet the question and the doubts crossed from the young Minotaur while was taking guard of the farm door, where his high ranks were debating, planning, communicating and tracing deals and discussion whit their contributors. If he makes the right choices taking arms to defend his country, was worth it going outside to fight for freedom at the price of your life, have the chance of die anytime or day, perhaps tomorrow, in a week, maybe in the night, who knows, but something he was aware very well: his life was in his own hands. He has his chance to leave the country with his family, but you choose to stay, you choose to fight and do anything to the freedom of his people, country, history and freedom. Changing the wheels of a corrupted monarchy managed as a simple puppet whit king clothes in griffon hands from the corrupted forces, now every day that hands is weaker as the time passes.
His thoughts were interrupted when a soldier comes out the barn, same height as him, a little short horn and black coal fur, this time whit some bandages on his right arm and porting a submachine gun, from his look, told comes recently from a guerrilla fight some hours ago against a military convoy. The soldier looks at Pýrrohz and before can say or do anything; he takes a breath and pull out his canteen, taking a long drink of water. No much for words but really good for impressions.
"Good evening Pýrrhoz" He exclaimed while closing his canteen "How’s the day treated you?"
"Fine… just boring as usual, Arcantoz" Pýrroz response when puts his shotgun next of his leg, stand up as illusion of a third leg "How are the discussions going on there?"
"What you think?" Arcantoz answer that while was looking in his pocket the cigarettes "We have our lochias inside debating whit Archilochias Asopus and out centaurs’ cousins about the dealing of guns shipping from Senturya" exclaimed "Is going long this chat, but so far as I understand things doing right… for now."
"For… now?" Pýrroz exclaimed whit one eyebrow up.
"Well… they having issues about the shipping contraband in the ports of the Aster’s Landing last week from the growth of security of the remnant Minotaurs authorities yet still loyal to the stupid king" Exclaimed the bandaged Minotaur whit some disgust whit a cigarette in the mouth "Be thankful the dam imperialist griffonians are busy dealing whit the those republicans, and don’t have an eye over Sicameon was helping the arrives of supplies over sea, but comes the trouble they aren’t too sure to trust these centaurs collaborators they send here some military representatives from the federation to discuss the terms to accept the deal if they are going to pass their weapons from the docs" After that last sentence, Arcantoz take a long breath of smoke "But we have our Anthypaspistis in the table planning the next move to convince the two parties to keep support us" He said that whit a little smiled in the end, convinced in a hope the other Taurus can detect.
"Dammit… I hope he can make this work, was days until we stuck in a stop of the preparations" say Pýrrhoz "This waiting… only makes me nervous."
"I know, right? But you must have hope, we going to deal with this" He put his hand over his shoulder, whit a couple of pats "Look Pýrrhoz, is guarded shift time, go inside while I going to take some fresh air here, perhaps you can say something to the party" He laughed at the end, only to make the young Minotaur more anxious.
"Fine then… don’t get sleeping Arcantoz" Was the last the thing he says before giving him a pat in the back, going in the barn.
Inside the barn, the air was changed so fast was a really fast change of scene for the young Minotaur. If was a barn used to harvest and animals now is changed to really have the name of a headquarters. One half of the main room was used as box storage, where rifles, ammo crates, munitions, big weapons, and even artillery shells was popping around, whit a couple of loichas, or mostly used to know as sergeants, doing cleaning and maintenance of the guns in that corner, up over the boxes was the barn platform one time used to put the tools up, now become a little place whit some beds and desk lighted with oil lamps, in one desk a Minotaur writing and hearing communications from an old radio, and in one of the beds was a wounded soldier being attended by a Minotaur nurse, from the last reports, was one of the survivors of a guerilla attack in the north Senturya, He didn’t see his face or expression, but for the least pain moans and the calm almost undetected voice of the nurse to him, seems he suffered a lot. The farm windows were closed whit planks, whit a little space where casually some soldier picks out to watch the around, one guard decides to give a little chair next to them, around a walking and talking whit his headphones was the radio operators, once scholars and university students now becoming the most integral part of the guerilla’s communications Their advance studies and language control and speak make them the perfect choice for the espionage lines of communication and delivery of messages, from the use radio and telegraph, coming in from the desk and out white papers in arms always. Now the most important part of the HQ was the other half of the place.
The rest half of the farm, where the back door was closed whit planks and sandbags, was a big wooden table, whit chairs around where most of the important high ranks are talking. The tables were invaded Whit papers, documents and carpets, Whit a radio in a corner and bottles of whisky in the other. Some points of the tables, where usually the people were next, can see the ashtrays whit come lighten cigs and glass cup whit liquor inside. In the middle of the table was resting a big map of Asterion in the center, whit almost three neighbors’ countries around it: up north was Cyanolisia, in the west the cooperative supporter of the Minotaurs of Sicameon and little pocking between a big sea was Gryphus in the east, only left the south whit the ocean, a big but not so far frontier of Zebrica. The map was covered whit military tokens and important points of interest, leaving Minotaur units whit light blue tokens all around the island, orange ones from the Griffonian Empire, not so much as the light blues but concentrated in the important capitals and cities on the map. In the west part can see some dark pink tokens, corresponding to Sicameon, whit some presence in Asterion and last a couple of blue ones from Cyanolisia. The most important characters were talking over the map, pointing whit his fingers and claws exclaiming and talking ideas, plans and moves.
On the right side of the table was the rest of loichas debating each other whit a couple of centaur representatives from Senturya, cousins of the Minotaurs crossing the ocean, they decide to help in the future revolution was built in Asterion. Their contribution was mostly information, ammo and supplies, whit some dark and arcane stuff most of the competent mages can turn into crazy witches, wearing dark red uniforms and black eyes is enough to intimidate any brave griffon, whit shortcut hairs and beautiful caps, hearing and talking his own language between each other and answer sometimes whit the other Minotaurs in the table. On the left side was another group of loichas but this time a little group of four griffonians whit a composition of a pair of soldiers and a pair of diplomats it’s seems, if wasn’t for their bands whit the flag of the Federated Parishes of Sicameon, they are sure going to end in a militia jail while be tortured for interrogation and information. Lucky they are talking with others, whit a sense of discomfort in the air from the Tauros of words but suddenly calmed whit the female voice of Archilochias Asopus Justus, the great sergeant mayor as the intermediary between the ovens and the Taurus, whit obvious retake of sending messages and chats whit the centaurs.
Right in the center of the table, whit both arms open from opposite sides of the map, looking down, was the great Andris Dóry, an ex-military soldier of the Imperial Army as auxiliary, now whit the hard work as Anthypaspisti, or better known as Warrant Officer and soon as leading general, or Stratigós, of the revolutionary army. Now in silence, hearing the chats of the other officers around while studying the map was in front of him. Sometimes an advisor comes to pointing something in the map, over a token or a place, exchanging some words with him, while others giving an opinion of the movie. The preparations for the revolution was in the last months and he being one of the central gears of leadership for the army going to take down the last remnants of the Griffonian Empire was occupied the island for so many years using a puppet kingdom was betraying all the native people.
Pýrrhoz after entered the farm and contemplate no so far the table was the ramp to the superior part of the farm whit the military bicycles attached each other; he takes the position of guard next the door, where Arcantoz gives the guard swift. Lucky for him was close one of the old iron ovens giving heating to the building, over were a teapot boiling some water and nest a iron pan, whit some vegetables slowly cooking. Soon, he takes the position whit his gun in guard, he gives a little salute to the other sergeants, and a couple of stares from the griffons and high commanders of the table, whit a curious looking from the centaurs, what exchanged a little whisper between them.
"I suggested moving this heavy infantry company to the north flank" One of the Taurus sergeants sat it whit a brave tone in his voice, while pointing at the map "We can leave the second company dealing with the royal squadron from the east…"
"Right, and you left our little artillery unprotected" other sergeant enter the chat wearing a couple of glasses "Is a movement really bad to leave out big arms vulnerable."
"Oh, come on!" Another of the loichas come up, whit an aggressive tone defending his companion, whit some bandages on his left arm and broken left horn "At least suggest a direct attack can give us an important advantage, sitting our heavy troops here defending the artillery only left the enemy enough time to build defenses…"
The heated discussion was continued between the sergeants, meanwhile the centaurs looking between each one what offered and looked the warrant officer, were only limited to hear and looking the moves their soldiers give the table.
"Bah, is easy for you suggest moving the strong units to flank the important forts and cities for the imperial forces" another sergeant comes to the table, leaving some papers whit seals over "We can’t do much whit low military supplies to our forces, if we have the upgraded supplies be promised by the sicameons…" giving a looking over the griffonians.
"We truly have the interest to support your army and soldiers for this plan sergeant" the fancy dressed diplomat whit feather responds whit an adjustment in his tie "But me and Federico come to a conclusion to give a green light if we can surely trust in the concerns of the centaurs collaborators…" Saying in an ending tone, some on the table opened eyes whit surprised, was some type of insult to their cousins.
One of the centaurs gives an eye contact whit the griffonians, whit a deep voice and dialect hard to describe, but ancient proclaimed "We are in the same team my feathered friend, here we are to bring enough support for our cousins Minotaurs to the cause and exchange our interests and deals" Saying to then incorporate again into the conversation "But you must understand, we aren’t so open arms whit your class or others, you must assume we are a really conservative and reserved whit our deals, we only ask for permitting your docks to enter our supplies."
"Right, and we can discuss why you can tell us what are inside?" The griffonian exclaimed in response, while a couple or sergeants looked away in discomfort, like this chat repeating once again "At least half of our shipments don’t say anything what is inside, mostly can be dangerous if enter in our ports and then what? You ever think the dangers we can deal because one of your dark and shady deals have with our clients here on the desk?"
The centaur just gives an eyebrow up making an arc with his eyes to his companion; sharing the same expression other sergeants come to defend. The argument wasn’t at the peak of a fight, but the tension and the mix in the air smells of tobacco, wood and gunpowder just result in an uncomfortable tension nothing was pointing.
After all this, Andris doesn’t move or change his position only moving his ears over both sides and his tail casually pocking over the table, look like was just waiting to this ended at some point sooner or later.
Between the words and arguments, Pýrrhoz left with a little sigh, only invaded whit doubts again while taking out his hourglass, watching how the red sand was filling the bottom of the glass. Why he decided to enter to such dangerous business? He feels like was the correct thing to do, he does it because was fighting off the freedom of his country, But the fear of death or even defeat was huge for his thoughts. He sees what happened whit his uncle, victim of crossfire of the imperial army. Now in bed whit his aunt taking care of him and cousins. He can end like him, why he doesn’t take the offer of his mother? Perhaps, if have the chance again can seal whit her dad’s home whit his sisters, now over the ocean, wondering how he is, what’s doing and or even he is safe and alive. Today was mail day, so a letter from his family just be delivered, but nothing comes in the morning. The mailman got sick? Perhaps dead? His letter never going to come to his hand or his parents forget about him? What if he dies in a battle, a bomb or just a lost bullet and never writes again to his family?
Another victim, buried in a tomb and hearing the tears of his mother on the other side. Doubts only making him stressed nervous, while only concentrate on watching his hourglass. Why? He has time just to resign? Escape and betray all his units and brothers in arms? He really wanted to stop all, stop everything and escape.
"Hey boy, can you come here?"
Pýrrhoz take back to reality when one of the centaurs called him, suddenly all eyes turned to the young guard, now having a lot of stress from the staring eyes, including Dóry ones.
"Y-Yes s-sir…" He answered nervously, walking to the right side where one of the centaurs called him.
When he come in front of him, the two scarlet creatures watched the for a moment Pýrrhoz, bit dark scarlet Minotaur whit black horns as coal, and beautiful amber eyes, more golden than any topaz. Then one of them looked at the hourglass and pointed with his finger.
"Can I see it?" Say it whit the deep voice.
"S-Sure s-sir…" He gives the hourglass over the centaur hand, nervous.
The centaur and his companion started to look the artifact while other griffonians was just in silence, waiting this interruption was over to restart the terms they wanted to talk.
"Where you get this hourglass, son?" The centaur asked, holding whit delicacy the hourglass whit his fingers.
"I-Is a gift of m-my dad…" Pýrrhoz exclaimed "He gifted me this before leaving the country…"
The other centaur raised his hand to the chin, thinking "You have here a really old and precious senturyan relic; blessed by no other our Queen Karuk… truly something what gives us a home’s air…" Say while continuing talking "Who is your father?"
Pýrrhoz was nervous for the question, at the table now everyone was looking about him; the attentions were over his shoulders and only want to leave running. But taking a breath he look at one of his uniform pockets where he takes a photo and give it to the centaurs, where other Taurus take an eye on it, even his warrant officer and sergeant mayor.
"My father was Hexaruk Alvaraduz" Open to point in the photo of him as young teen of fifteen, next to his mother holding his little sister of one year and down the other one of four, two in the background the big figure of his father, a centaur whit an old senturyan uniform "He… was a veteran centaur soldier who come to live here in Asterion after meeting my mother, he and my sisters are centaurs" pointing to a picture when he mentioned it "I was the only Minotaur in the family whit my mom, he comeback to Senturya when the army calls him back, giving me this hourglass to remember him."
Everyone at the table just stopped for a second, after hearing that, the whispers between the sergeants and the griffonians started. The judge, the commentaries… everything was just boiling when one of the griffonians just opened the beak.
"So you are a crossbreed of a demon" Federico give him a knock with his elbow "Ouch… sorry" Other sergeants just looked angry to that commentary, but Pýrrhoz doesn’t take importance.
"And tell me, where is the rest of your family soldier?" Exclaimed the centaur.
"When the suppression and startups of violence occurred in the island my mother leaves the country whit my sisters for fear being persecuted by imperial soldiers… I really don’t want to leave home and she left me in the care of his brother, my uncle takes care of him while I was studding architecture in the university…" He makes a pause looking kind sad.
"Then what happened next?" One for the minotaur sergeants asked for curiosity, just one of the centaurs was ready to give that same question.
"The protests started against the government and their collaboration with the crumble Griffonian Empire, the royal army at that time in Aster decide to use fire over the crowd… one artillery shell goes to a restaurant my uncle was working, left him wounded and in a bed."
"So you decide to enlist in the revolutionary army, whit us" pointed Asopues while looked the griffons and the centaurs.
"What other choice I have it?" He shrugged "For the incompetence of this false king we have caused my family got hurt and the other exiled, almost lost everything after the explosion the persecution in the universities and cruelty in the libraries of Prospero left me no other option to enter the militia…" Say that last part whit some sorrow.
The centaurs listened carefully what he says, giving back the hourglass to the young Taurus, giving a penetrating stare whit the black eyes and golden pupils like cursed gold "Then tell me, why you fight? I see you in the guard scared, nervous, just like going to resign and leave the place" Almost Pýrrhoz was to answer that but the centaur hand up the hand in signal to stop "Don’t lie to me, I can feel your emotions from here, yet you stay and be here in front me, your sergeants and your Officer over here, tell me then, you fight for your father or for your family? Or another soldier pretending is a hero only for fame and fortune? How everyone can trust you right now?" The photo was holding the centaur was passed now for Andris, what gives the young soldier stare calm, wanting for an honest answer.
"Because…" Pýrrhoz take a little time to take courage, giving a sigh "I do it for my country, this is my home, my family’s home, my father teach me when I was a kid, no matter where you born, your home is the place you decide to stay, nothing gives you more love than your homeland. I grew up here, even my father if he was a centaur he makes his home here, his life to raise me and my sisters, having a relative peaceful life as librarian whit my mother, then the war calls him and he goes back to his country to defend, but miss his home here."
Around the table, just started to look each and other, thinking what to answer, but a speedy look from the mayor's sergeant and the warrant officer make and eye contact to the rest, giving an indication to leave the soldier keep talking.
"We are a country of myths and legends, stories making any fantasy story next to them as short magazines, we lived a long time ago as a proud person, my dad teaches me he was welcome here because he embraced the love for Asterion, first I don’t understand it…" He makes whit his hand a little close fist over the table "But then I see it when I become more adult. An oppressive empire led by a sick griffonian king can’t even be the glory of his “empire” says in the stories, a rotten corpse of corrupted leaders, dukes, lords, kings… waiting just the opportunity for the kingdom collapses to take their territories as bunch of vultures, whit no love or compassion for the people we represent, we are. They mock us, having a puppet kingdom only interested in the riches and glory instead the stability of our nation, destroying history, Culture and values make us the big warriors legends shaped for us. I’m scared, yes, and I’m not a hero or an exceptional soldier, but I want to have a reason, a chance, an opportunity I see the militia and the revolution have to once for all expels these bastards foreign forces what have no respect for us, I did it for the day of tomorrow my home was free and my family can put a hoof in here once and for all."
Everything in the farm just stopped, the sounds go silent and the faces just showed open eyes to the young soldier. Andris then gives a smile, then continue whit a big laugh, having a tense but serene change of the air. He prepared to say whit a proud and deep voice to the little crowd he gathered at the table.
"Look at my soldier, giving an inspirational speech like any general close to lose the fight just remind me my times and a rookie in the royal army lines" That last sentence makes Pýrrhoz sad but Andris give him a paternal smile "But, is an honest voice was echoed in multiple of soldiers we command, what everyone here can share as a force. Everyone here has their own interest, backstories, families and thoughts, but my boy shine and remark something important: his love for Asterion, his homeland, what we share every soldier and army here and all around the city. Something we going to fight to once for all be free and independent of the dead body of the foreign griffonian empire and burn the traitors in power what only corrupted out culture and heredity."
Suddenly, that charismatic words of the warrant officer makes the tension just disappear, what was once a tense pointless discussion restarted again whit other humour.
One of the centurions exchanged an eye contact between and one bring words from his mouth "We can… be more flexible sharing our information whit the sicameons as far can accept or trade deal."
The griffons then smiled, now more calm and enthusiastic than ever, Federico pronounced "That’s what we like to hear, always whit presence of your Taurus cousins in the negotiation tables present can we agree on the delivery of supplies as far we can collaborate together."
Both centaurs accepted whit their head each other and looked in affirmative signal "So we have a deal then."
A hand shake between the big centaur hand and claw of the griffonian was locked in the middle of the table, where the sergeants applaud whit victory in their eyes, they going to have the big advantage of supplies and guns for his soldiers for once and all.
Pýrrhoz sighed relaxed, after so much, he believes just his words were a simple push for the end negotiations but aware the revolution going to start soon, before can say anything or even relax, Arcantoz entered in the barn, back whit a couple of soldiers, whit newspapers under their arms.
"Mayor Sergeant Asopus, Warrant Officer Dóry!" Arcantos exclaimed "Sorry for the interruption but the scouts bring big news!"
"What it is soldier? I hope to be good to stop this chat we have" Justus exclaimed.
Then Arcantos whit the pair of scout behind leaves the newspapers on the table, where the centaurs, griffonians and the other Taurus sergeants grab it. "The Republicans give an enormous strike against the Griffonian Empire, taking Griffenheim and left chaos erupted all around the country" A smile and surprised faces erupted in all HQ "News around telling me multiple kingdoms and countries starting to revolt against Grover V and plans of revolutions for independence are crossed for all Griffonia."
The news only resulted in crossing the faces of happiness and celebrations, hugs and laughs of happiness, the best news everyone expected erupted from the radios and communications erupted between the intermediaries and radio operators.
"Send this news to all headquarters to the isle and start mobilizing troops and the supplies" Asopues exclaimed where the sergeants affirm whit their head and running, the gripphonians whit a radio started talking whit the centaur next to them "We can't loose any second now, time is precious and we need to prepare our soldiers for the fight, we need to take advantage the empire is weak, this is the best opportunity we have!" The warrant officer says it while his advisors and sergeants started to talk openly moving and pointing the tokens over the map.
The revolutionary machine was moving once again.
"Hey son, take a break soldier" He pointed to Pýrrhoz "Tomorrow we have a lot of work to do" He then directed to Arcantoz "Come here son, we need you to move those guns here…"
Pýrrhoz take some steps to the door on the outside, watching the horizon. The sun was giving a sunset where the storm was taking more place in the dark blue sky.
"You really make a good talk here" A voice sound next of Pýrrhoz looking rapid where come from.
Asopus Justus was next to him, looking to the horizon, the surroundings of the farm were in activity, the truck whit ammo and guns were preparing their last supplies to deliver and the big olive tree whit the couple of soldiers were done, now preparing the magazines of their rifles.
"You forgot something inside" Justus give to Pýrrhoz his hourglass and family photo.
"T-Thanks mayor sergeant…" He exclaimed with a little smile, saving the photo again inside his uniform, now living in his hand the hourglass.
"No problem, I must say, you are enough brave to give such speech in front of us and the other presents" Saying in an enthusiastic tone, elevating a little blush in the soldier.
"T-Thanks again… J-Just… was being honest…" He says shyly "I want to do this for my family… I'm the last one left in this family wants to recover our homeland" He holds his shotgun whit strength.
"And we did it, whit your help and your brother and sisters in arms we going to do it…" Asopues then see the big storm coming "The gunpowder of revolution just started."
"Yes… time is running and there is not turning back" Pýrrhoz look at his hourglass, now reaching the bottom, the red sand filled it.
"Right… you know private Pýrrhoz" exclaimed the mayor's sergeant "One time, out founder Aster says: “I found Prospero a city of bricks, and I left it a city of marble"
Before to continue, giving of Pýrrhoz hand a letter signed by his mother's hand and sealed from Senturya. "He does a lot for us to live whit freedom and peace, truly he fights wars and battles for being here, you understand that, right?"
"Yes" Pýrrhoz exclaimed, whit a convinced tone and a smile in his face while look at the letter to his parents, now opening it whit letter in hand, before to read it expressing one last words.
"If we want the light of the sun, we have to deal with the incoming storm" And both Minotaurs captured their sight in the horizon, where the stars starting to shine over the big black charged clouds.
The End
Author's Note
Thanks for reading my entry for the EaW Writting Contest 2024. I hope you like it and give any opinion you like it. c: