Flavius Aetius
Ruler Of Liguria
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2007
- Messages
- 774
So i must send orders to found my nation and make diplomacy after update?
stJNES: Low Tide
- Thread starter Jason The King
- Start date
Jason The King
Deity
Yeah, thats a good idea. I guess its pretty obvious you will be in contact with Balearic, but not really spain.
Flavius Aetius
Ruler Of Liguria
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2007
- Messages
- 774
But how i can know how many points i can spend in the orders without nation stats?
Terrance888
Discord Reigns
Am I in? Is this the Jason Nes People are talking about?
jeps
Arcadefire
Iggy- dont. Knowing him he will search for every NES ever made by Yason HaMelech, and add templates to them, years after last post.
Yes, this is the Jason NES people are talking about.
Yes, this is the Jason NES people are talking about.
Anonymous2U
Deadly Serious
I will give a reply once trading rules are established. I agree with FlyingChicken that a trade pact is most likely impossible during this time.
human-slaughter
brand new year
Well seeing as the Baelerics and Spanish have just established one it must not be that hard.
Anonymous2U
Deadly Serious
Human-Slaughter-
I think that is a trade agreement, which we already have with Gai Nal. Allowing merchants to travel between each country.
A trade pact is more of a modern concept involving guarantees on taxes, tariffs, investments and a variety of economic factors.
I think that is a trade agreement, which we already have with Gai Nal. Allowing merchants to travel between each country.
A trade pact is more of a modern concept involving guarantees on taxes, tariffs, investments and a variety of economic factors.
flyingchicken
Deity
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2007
- Messages
- 3,783
ooc: A little more fleshing out with more annoying cheap quotes and some unidentifiable-point-of-view exposition. Oh, and I hope nobody makes Confucianism a "religion"/philosophy because my made-up philosophy heavily based off Confucianism already fills up the niche of something...like that.
_____
Leaders and followers
"The father is the ruler of the household, the mother its minister. The children are expected to obey and respect the heads of the family, including elder brothers and sisters, with utmost respect. As with a family, a society has leaders and followers. Leaders must respect their followers with right conduct, strength of will, and right choice. Followers must respect their leaders with right conduct, obedience, and trust."
The Book of Strength
"The choices of a ruler must be made with utmost care. They must be both wise and strong, both of now and tomorrow, both for the common man and the good of the state. Thus, a ruler must consult with elders, with scholars, and the common man before reaching a decision. Thus, a ruler must have the good judgment by good education in the history of mistakes, the practical ways of good governance, the acceptance of new things good and the refusal of the bad."
The Book of Intellect
"It is for the good of the state that these battles be made. We will show our strength, and they will think before attacking us. We will show our strength, and they will think twice before resisting us. We will show our strength, and they will think of joining us. We will show our strength, and they will never think of causing trouble with us. It is for the common good to civilize the savages, for we can make good use of what they have and they of what we have."
Sui-han Sung the First Conqueror, in regards to his aggression
"The leader has two roles to fulfill: to protect and keep orderly. He must secure his people and their land so that they may live in peace. He must keep everything running as smoothly as they would, so that the peace would last. Thus, I, and so should the rest of you, bow to the Lord-Magistrate's decision of keeping the peace through action."
Scholar Sho-mein Kang, in support of the Lord-Magistrate
Zu society is a relatively free but well-ordered society. People do as they wish within the boundaries of custom (and later on, law), without much intervention from the more powerful within society. However, when the time would come, they are willing to give up their liberties for the good of the society, and to do anything otherwise is considered a great shame.
The power structure, rather than built upon bloodline (although it does, to some limited and natural extent, affect it) or brute force, is built upon mutual respect. Citizens, for example, respect a man who has proven himself to be a great policy-maker, and would not usually care less if he was a farmer or the last minister's son. However, leaders who have lost their constituents' trust will most likely bring shame not only to themselves, but to their entire families as well.
Although Zu Perfectionism is generally a philosophy revolving around the self, it stresses that interpersonal relationships be for the betterment of the community. It can be said, in fact, that it is both a selfish and selfless way of thinking.
_____
Leaders and followers
"The father is the ruler of the household, the mother its minister. The children are expected to obey and respect the heads of the family, including elder brothers and sisters, with utmost respect. As with a family, a society has leaders and followers. Leaders must respect their followers with right conduct, strength of will, and right choice. Followers must respect their leaders with right conduct, obedience, and trust."
The Book of Strength
"The choices of a ruler must be made with utmost care. They must be both wise and strong, both of now and tomorrow, both for the common man and the good of the state. Thus, a ruler must consult with elders, with scholars, and the common man before reaching a decision. Thus, a ruler must have the good judgment by good education in the history of mistakes, the practical ways of good governance, the acceptance of new things good and the refusal of the bad."
The Book of Intellect
"It is for the good of the state that these battles be made. We will show our strength, and they will think before attacking us. We will show our strength, and they will think twice before resisting us. We will show our strength, and they will think of joining us. We will show our strength, and they will never think of causing trouble with us. It is for the common good to civilize the savages, for we can make good use of what they have and they of what we have."
Sui-han Sung the First Conqueror, in regards to his aggression
"The leader has two roles to fulfill: to protect and keep orderly. He must secure his people and their land so that they may live in peace. He must keep everything running as smoothly as they would, so that the peace would last. Thus, I, and so should the rest of you, bow to the Lord-Magistrate's decision of keeping the peace through action."
Scholar Sho-mein Kang, in support of the Lord-Magistrate
Zu society is a relatively free but well-ordered society. People do as they wish within the boundaries of custom (and later on, law), without much intervention from the more powerful within society. However, when the time would come, they are willing to give up their liberties for the good of the society, and to do anything otherwise is considered a great shame.
The power structure, rather than built upon bloodline (although it does, to some limited and natural extent, affect it) or brute force, is built upon mutual respect. Citizens, for example, respect a man who has proven himself to be a great policy-maker, and would not usually care less if he was a farmer or the last minister's son. However, leaders who have lost their constituents' trust will most likely bring shame not only to themselves, but to their entire families as well.
Although Zu Perfectionism is generally a philosophy revolving around the self, it stresses that interpersonal relationships be for the betterment of the community. It can be said, in fact, that it is both a selfish and selfless way of thinking.
carmen510
Deity
Better yet, say it isn't so you don't have him make atrocities that are known as 'excessive misspellings'.
flyingchicken
Deity
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2007
- Messages
- 3,783
A walk in the garden
"You do not lose yourself in thought," the Scholar told his apprentice as they were strolling through the Garden of the North Star. "You do not lose touch with reality." The Scholar was of simple height and build. He wore a plain triangular sheet (ooc: toga-like), draped around his body like most other men of the Academy.
"But master, good meditation is important, right? It is written upon the hallowed Books, emphasized by the other teachers," replied the apprentice. "If it is not to be lost in thought, what is meditation?"
The Scholar did not answer immediately. He gathered a small herb marked with a wooden clip. It was a well-known medicine against fever, but the Scholar had always been a skeptical person. He intended to test its properties on people with varying degrees of sickness, at varying degrees of the plant's growth. This one was fully grown, tall with age with pale green glow against the sun.
"Like this leaf," said the Scholar in answer, holding the herb in front of his student's face. "—like this leaf is different from this leaf—" He suddenly took a similar-looking leaf from a different plant. Upon closer inspection, the new leaf had different-patterned veins and had a smooth blade rather than a jagged one. "—meditation is different from contemplation."
"What do you mean, revered Scholar?" replied the bewildered student. His face was furrowed in confusion, but his master's held a small, knowing smile. "I don't understand."
Turning away from the temptation of confusing his apprentice any further, the master replied in the simplest way he could.
"In contemplation, you are lost in thought. In meditation, thoughts are lost in you," said the Scholar. His student did not truly understand at that point in time. In time, however, he, too, would be retelling that same thing to his own apprentice. In time, it would be used by several Scholars to teach their own apprentices on the secrets to meditation.
The phrase would survive many a retelling, going beyond several generations of Scholars, going beyond thew walls of the Academy itself. It was to become immortal, a relic from a time long gone, and a token of wisdom for many men and women who would catch it, regardless of the times.
_____
ooc: The precursor to "Soviet Russia" jokes for the generations to come.
"You do not lose yourself in thought," the Scholar told his apprentice as they were strolling through the Garden of the North Star. "You do not lose touch with reality." The Scholar was of simple height and build. He wore a plain triangular sheet (ooc: toga-like), draped around his body like most other men of the Academy.
"But master, good meditation is important, right? It is written upon the hallowed Books, emphasized by the other teachers," replied the apprentice. "If it is not to be lost in thought, what is meditation?"
The Scholar did not answer immediately. He gathered a small herb marked with a wooden clip. It was a well-known medicine against fever, but the Scholar had always been a skeptical person. He intended to test its properties on people with varying degrees of sickness, at varying degrees of the plant's growth. This one was fully grown, tall with age with pale green glow against the sun.
"Like this leaf," said the Scholar in answer, holding the herb in front of his student's face. "—like this leaf is different from this leaf—" He suddenly took a similar-looking leaf from a different plant. Upon closer inspection, the new leaf had different-patterned veins and had a smooth blade rather than a jagged one. "—meditation is different from contemplation."
"What do you mean, revered Scholar?" replied the bewildered student. His face was furrowed in confusion, but his master's held a small, knowing smile. "I don't understand."
Turning away from the temptation of confusing his apprentice any further, the master replied in the simplest way he could.
"In contemplation, you are lost in thought. In meditation, thoughts are lost in you," said the Scholar. His student did not truly understand at that point in time. In time, however, he, too, would be retelling that same thing to his own apprentice. In time, it would be used by several Scholars to teach their own apprentices on the secrets to meditation.
The phrase would survive many a retelling, going beyond several generations of Scholars, going beyond thew walls of the Academy itself. It was to become immortal, a relic from a time long gone, and a token of wisdom for many men and women who would catch it, regardless of the times.
_____
ooc: The precursor to "Soviet Russia" jokes for the generations to come.
Jason The King
Deity
I have begun the update.
flyingchicken
Deity
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2007
- Messages
- 3,783
I just noticed that BC will be all-too inappropriate for in-character time-lining, especially if (1) Christ will never be born or (2) Christianity never becomes too influential or (3) any other combination of events.
EDIT: Or any kind of OTL calendar system. Which iskind of obvious.
Alright, I admit it, I like blurting out in a without-thinking-first manner.
EDIT: Or any kind of OTL calendar system. Which is
Alright, I admit it, I like blurting out in a without-thinking-first manner.
das
Regeneration In Process
However, it is, as a matter of fact, circa 1800 BC.
That was why I asked my question in that manner.
Thanks das!However, it is, as a matter of fact, circa 1800 BC.
flyingchicken
Deity
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2007
- Messages
- 3,783
Eagerly awaiting update. 
_____
On the warrior
"The warrior is important to any orderly society. The warrior cannot be just of the bloodied spear and of his heart, but of the mind of the greater good as well; otherwise, he is just a savage beast, useless and waiting to be killed. A warrior must find within him the virtues of good meditation, justice, moderation, loyalty, honor, innovation, obedience, and perseverance so that he may be separated from the lowly, savage beast and to be of use to the greater good of an orderly society."
—The Book of Intellect
"Being a warrior, epitomized by the heroes of the great stories, is a task taken only by the bravest, the strongest, and the strongest-willed. As such, the warrior must perfect his skills in the ways of all the arts of combat. He must be skilled with the spear, to slay his foes in single strokes. He must be skilled with the bow, javelin, and sling to slay and harry his foes from afar. He must be skilled with the land, so that he may find weapons when he has none. He must be skilled with his fists and feet, so that he may fight when all options are exhausted. He must be of good physical condition, to be able to overcome all opponents. He must also exercise these skills at all times, so that he may fight when he is most needed, when it is most unexpected, and for many years to come."
—The Book of Strength
"The soldier serves as the greatest peacemaker, as words and diplomacy have a terribly bad habit of failing. It is a pity that they be kept on gruel and thin sheets when they are off fighting; but such is the cost of the extra discipline that they so require."
—Anonymous
Zu soldiery traces its traditions way all the way back to the forces of Gao Sung, the man who had united the tribes though bloody combat. His methods, becoming the way of subsequent Lord-Magistrates, were simple: keep the soldiers disciplined and loyal, and only good things will follow. In the earliest years of the Dominion, the soldiers have always been called from the citizens who provided themselves with their own arms and armor, only to be provided extra benefits by the government. This made the army made up of loyal citizens who fought loyally for Zu, organized and disciplined as only Zu citizens could be.
This method of recruitment has proven itself useful over the years, but due to its nature it tends to be less effective with every province added to the Dominion. Longer marching distances and more months away from home has made soldiery a less appealing profession than it used to be, and Zu citizens become less willing to fight as these conditions are magnified. Increased taxation from the other citizens for the benefit of the soldiers have created a slight rift between the "citizen-soldier class" and the "citizen class."
However, these effects are so far extremely minimal, despite the fact that they are real and somehow felt. The tradition of citizen-soldiery will not die and remain an effective way of keeping the borders safe until a much later time, when greater challenges would face the Dominion.
"We'll go fighting, sailing, rowing, fighting, maiming, smashing, looting, drinking, loving, dying, stitching, switching, flogging, marching, marching, marching, marching, marching..."
—Part of an old Zu soldier's song
_____
On the warrior
"The warrior is important to any orderly society. The warrior cannot be just of the bloodied spear and of his heart, but of the mind of the greater good as well; otherwise, he is just a savage beast, useless and waiting to be killed. A warrior must find within him the virtues of good meditation, justice, moderation, loyalty, honor, innovation, obedience, and perseverance so that he may be separated from the lowly, savage beast and to be of use to the greater good of an orderly society."
—The Book of Intellect
"Being a warrior, epitomized by the heroes of the great stories, is a task taken only by the bravest, the strongest, and the strongest-willed. As such, the warrior must perfect his skills in the ways of all the arts of combat. He must be skilled with the spear, to slay his foes in single strokes. He must be skilled with the bow, javelin, and sling to slay and harry his foes from afar. He must be skilled with the land, so that he may find weapons when he has none. He must be skilled with his fists and feet, so that he may fight when all options are exhausted. He must be of good physical condition, to be able to overcome all opponents. He must also exercise these skills at all times, so that he may fight when he is most needed, when it is most unexpected, and for many years to come."
—The Book of Strength
"The soldier serves as the greatest peacemaker, as words and diplomacy have a terribly bad habit of failing. It is a pity that they be kept on gruel and thin sheets when they are off fighting; but such is the cost of the extra discipline that they so require."
—Anonymous
Zu soldiery traces its traditions way all the way back to the forces of Gao Sung, the man who had united the tribes though bloody combat. His methods, becoming the way of subsequent Lord-Magistrates, were simple: keep the soldiers disciplined and loyal, and only good things will follow. In the earliest years of the Dominion, the soldiers have always been called from the citizens who provided themselves with their own arms and armor, only to be provided extra benefits by the government. This made the army made up of loyal citizens who fought loyally for Zu, organized and disciplined as only Zu citizens could be.
This method of recruitment has proven itself useful over the years, but due to its nature it tends to be less effective with every province added to the Dominion. Longer marching distances and more months away from home has made soldiery a less appealing profession than it used to be, and Zu citizens become less willing to fight as these conditions are magnified. Increased taxation from the other citizens for the benefit of the soldiers have created a slight rift between the "citizen-soldier class" and the "citizen class."
However, these effects are so far extremely minimal, despite the fact that they are real and somehow felt. The tradition of citizen-soldiery will not die and remain an effective way of keeping the borders safe until a much later time, when greater challenges would face the Dominion.
"We'll go fighting, sailing, rowing, fighting, maiming, smashing, looting, drinking, loving, dying, stitching, switching, flogging, marching, marching, marching, marching, marching..."
—Part of an old Zu soldier's song
das
Regeneration In Process
Tunebewhri was delirious; at times he was shouting incoherently with pain and anger, and at other times he was whimpering and mumbling, and sometimes he opened his eyes and looked around frenetically. His features were intense, and his hands would now and then search for his spear, which was put away by his servants when he was brought into the tent. The physician stood impassively at some distance within the tent, while his assistants, as well as his patron's guards and servants, scurried back and forth.
Meanwhile, Tunebewhri's head was aching, and he was mad, mad, but through pain and anger, sounds from the outside world managed to break through. He heard distant shouts, and other sounds that no veteran could fail to recognise. The battle still raged outside. And so Tunebewhri tried to focus, he overcame himself, he shouted loudly, opened his eyes wide open and tried to stand up... but a new wave of pain overcame him, and he once more fell to the tent floor. Startled, the servants retreated some, but the guards followed the orders given by the quiet, yet strict voice of the physician; they restrained Tunebewhri and held him in place while the physician calmly replaced the bandages and applied medications.
"Traitor!" - shouted Tunebewhri, opening his bewildered eyes but seeing only blurred shapes - "Traitors, all of you! Let me through!"
"I beg you to be calm, master." - said the physician coldly - "Your wounds are being treated."
"Traitor! Penwe, you will die for this!"
"I beg you to be calm." - repeated the physician with an apparent indifference.
Tunebewhri, Commander of All the Chariots, again lunged forth; he threw all the strenght he could gather, and almost pushed aside the guards; but they did not retreat, and he soon collapsed again, overstrained. Everything went dark, and the distant battle faded.
---
When the mighty chariot of the Great Charioteer strikes from above and charges across the land, who dares stand in its path? When the Thunder-God hunts, who dares steal his prey? When the Lawgiver's countless armies armies march, who dares confront them?
Only fools defy the will of Teshup, and his chosen will sweep them all aside! The Fertile Crescent will be united with divinely-blessed might, and the Charioteers will rule supreme, for that is their sole calling. The will of the Charioteers is second only to the will of Teshup.
The Charioteers are the greatest of mortals! And I, Tunebewhri, Commander of All the Chariots, Chief Advisor to King Tushratta II, Conqueror of the Deserts, Tamer of the Hills, Favoured of Teshup, am the greatest of the Charioteers.
I have been born in the city of Halab, capital of the land of Yam-khad - Unity of the Charioteers. My father was a Charioteer, and so was his father, and thus to the roots of the Huurri; as for my mother, she was a princess of Wassukkani, and was taken by my father in battle when the men of Wassukkani rebelled against King Saustatar II. From my birth I was trained in the arts of the battle and of the court, as well as counting, reading and writing. At the court I have trained with other Charioteers, and was the finest of them all! And King Tushratta II, then a prince and also a Charioteer, trained alongside me and was my comrade. We participated in the great parades of that time, and sparred against each other; then, as my beard grew long, we were sent to campaign against the Merrssi rebels, and scattered them all, chasing down what few survived the glorious charge of our chariots.
And later we besieged the city of Mersin, where the remaining Merrssi conspired against King Kishweda, and rose in rebellion. But our battering-rams crushed their gates, and I led the way, and we slaughtered the Merrssi and plundered the city. And we were to be richly rewarded with lands, but that coward Guzuza - a shame to all the Charioteers - tricked King Kishweda into giving those lands to his men instead! My fury was great and I swore revenge, as did many other Charioteers at Mersin; but some of us broke the oath and betrayed us to Guzuza, whose men took us by number and surprise at night, and imprisoned us in Halab.
But a true Charioteer could not be contained! With the blessing of Teshup's wrath, I broke out of imprisonment, and with my brothers and allies I have forged a mighty bond to destroy Guzuza and his foul seed, and to remove the bewitched King Kishweda. Tushratta followed me as well; and his allies at the court allowed us all to attack the great palace at night, where we stabbed the coward Guzuza and his ilk to death, and gave the king a quick death, after which Tushratta ascended the throne and I became his Chief Advisor.
[...]
Know all that I am the mightiest of the Charioteers, and the Favoured of Teshup! I have destroyed many foes, I have risen to great power. Let those who dare come and try to defeat me; I fear you not, son of Guzuza! Know that you will fail, as failed all the others!
---
Hurrimarya, son of Guzuza, stood erect in his charging chariot, his face expressionless - hiding his racing thoughts and feelings. This was the end.
For years he lived for revenge; while Tunebewhri and his lackeys ruled supreme in Halab, he gathered the true Charioteers in Mersin. His enemy was overconfident; he let his guard down, and allowed Hurrimarya to conspire nearly in the open, gathering forces and making alliances, and eventually even getting King Tushratta II's brother Prince Saustatar over to his camp. After that, they marched on Halab; while others wished for power and plunder at the campaign's beginning, Hurrimarya wished only for revenge, for it had preoccupied his mind ever since his father's violent death and the disgrace, near-elimination of his family, and after months of hiding in fear. Tunebewhri reacted to their march at the last moment, he gathered together his forces and tried to rout them, but the battle went well, the chariot charge was broken and Tunebewhri was carried away to his tent by those tending to him. And so the moment came closer. The armies of the enemy were scattered; so was the army of the allies, which was busy chasing down enemies and plundering Tunebewhri's camp. Hurrimarya and his most trusted retainers approached the main tent alone. How would it be, now? A final duel? Or perhaps torture to death? A simple quick death was too good for Tunebewhri...
In any case, Hurrimarya savoured the moment. He jumped from his chariot and readied his ceremonial sword. The guards there - some of the few troops still standing in order - were not nobles; mere troops with whom he had no grudge. He saluted them with his sword; they saluted him back and let him in.
Inside were some servants who quickly bowed to him and ran out; he let them go. Also there was a robed physician; Hurrimarya looked at him inquisitively and the physician looked back, then nodded. It was a disappointing nod; for it meant that this unconscious, badly-injured, pathetic man that lied at the floor was indeed Tunebewhri.
Hurrimarya looked at the near-corpse, and shook his head. He turned around... then turned back again and drove his sword into Tunebewhri's heart. The blade broke at the blow; Hurrimarya spat at the suddenly-dead man, who did not even get out as much as a shout, and kicked the corpse. Then shrugged and walked out; swords were no good anyway, spears were the proper weapons of the battlefield.
Revenge was, in retrospect, a waste of time; Hurrimarya did not remember much about the indignities and people he was avenging, and did not really care about the target, truth be told. It was to move on, anyway. It was time to assume power and destroy foes.
Meanwhile, Tunebewhri's head was aching, and he was mad, mad, but through pain and anger, sounds from the outside world managed to break through. He heard distant shouts, and other sounds that no veteran could fail to recognise. The battle still raged outside. And so Tunebewhri tried to focus, he overcame himself, he shouted loudly, opened his eyes wide open and tried to stand up... but a new wave of pain overcame him, and he once more fell to the tent floor. Startled, the servants retreated some, but the guards followed the orders given by the quiet, yet strict voice of the physician; they restrained Tunebewhri and held him in place while the physician calmly replaced the bandages and applied medications.
"Traitor!" - shouted Tunebewhri, opening his bewildered eyes but seeing only blurred shapes - "Traitors, all of you! Let me through!"
"I beg you to be calm, master." - said the physician coldly - "Your wounds are being treated."
"Traitor! Penwe, you will die for this!"
"I beg you to be calm." - repeated the physician with an apparent indifference.
Tunebewhri, Commander of All the Chariots, again lunged forth; he threw all the strenght he could gather, and almost pushed aside the guards; but they did not retreat, and he soon collapsed again, overstrained. Everything went dark, and the distant battle faded.
---
When the mighty chariot of the Great Charioteer strikes from above and charges across the land, who dares stand in its path? When the Thunder-God hunts, who dares steal his prey? When the Lawgiver's countless armies armies march, who dares confront them?
Only fools defy the will of Teshup, and his chosen will sweep them all aside! The Fertile Crescent will be united with divinely-blessed might, and the Charioteers will rule supreme, for that is their sole calling. The will of the Charioteers is second only to the will of Teshup.
The Charioteers are the greatest of mortals! And I, Tunebewhri, Commander of All the Chariots, Chief Advisor to King Tushratta II, Conqueror of the Deserts, Tamer of the Hills, Favoured of Teshup, am the greatest of the Charioteers.
I have been born in the city of Halab, capital of the land of Yam-khad - Unity of the Charioteers. My father was a Charioteer, and so was his father, and thus to the roots of the Huurri; as for my mother, she was a princess of Wassukkani, and was taken by my father in battle when the men of Wassukkani rebelled against King Saustatar II. From my birth I was trained in the arts of the battle and of the court, as well as counting, reading and writing. At the court I have trained with other Charioteers, and was the finest of them all! And King Tushratta II, then a prince and also a Charioteer, trained alongside me and was my comrade. We participated in the great parades of that time, and sparred against each other; then, as my beard grew long, we were sent to campaign against the Merrssi rebels, and scattered them all, chasing down what few survived the glorious charge of our chariots.
And later we besieged the city of Mersin, where the remaining Merrssi conspired against King Kishweda, and rose in rebellion. But our battering-rams crushed their gates, and I led the way, and we slaughtered the Merrssi and plundered the city. And we were to be richly rewarded with lands, but that coward Guzuza - a shame to all the Charioteers - tricked King Kishweda into giving those lands to his men instead! My fury was great and I swore revenge, as did many other Charioteers at Mersin; but some of us broke the oath and betrayed us to Guzuza, whose men took us by number and surprise at night, and imprisoned us in Halab.
But a true Charioteer could not be contained! With the blessing of Teshup's wrath, I broke out of imprisonment, and with my brothers and allies I have forged a mighty bond to destroy Guzuza and his foul seed, and to remove the bewitched King Kishweda. Tushratta followed me as well; and his allies at the court allowed us all to attack the great palace at night, where we stabbed the coward Guzuza and his ilk to death, and gave the king a quick death, after which Tushratta ascended the throne and I became his Chief Advisor.
[...]
Know all that I am the mightiest of the Charioteers, and the Favoured of Teshup! I have destroyed many foes, I have risen to great power. Let those who dare come and try to defeat me; I fear you not, son of Guzuza! Know that you will fail, as failed all the others!
---
Hurrimarya, son of Guzuza, stood erect in his charging chariot, his face expressionless - hiding his racing thoughts and feelings. This was the end.
For years he lived for revenge; while Tunebewhri and his lackeys ruled supreme in Halab, he gathered the true Charioteers in Mersin. His enemy was overconfident; he let his guard down, and allowed Hurrimarya to conspire nearly in the open, gathering forces and making alliances, and eventually even getting King Tushratta II's brother Prince Saustatar over to his camp. After that, they marched on Halab; while others wished for power and plunder at the campaign's beginning, Hurrimarya wished only for revenge, for it had preoccupied his mind ever since his father's violent death and the disgrace, near-elimination of his family, and after months of hiding in fear. Tunebewhri reacted to their march at the last moment, he gathered together his forces and tried to rout them, but the battle went well, the chariot charge was broken and Tunebewhri was carried away to his tent by those tending to him. And so the moment came closer. The armies of the enemy were scattered; so was the army of the allies, which was busy chasing down enemies and plundering Tunebewhri's camp. Hurrimarya and his most trusted retainers approached the main tent alone. How would it be, now? A final duel? Or perhaps torture to death? A simple quick death was too good for Tunebewhri...
In any case, Hurrimarya savoured the moment. He jumped from his chariot and readied his ceremonial sword. The guards there - some of the few troops still standing in order - were not nobles; mere troops with whom he had no grudge. He saluted them with his sword; they saluted him back and let him in.
Inside were some servants who quickly bowed to him and ran out; he let them go. Also there was a robed physician; Hurrimarya looked at him inquisitively and the physician looked back, then nodded. It was a disappointing nod; for it meant that this unconscious, badly-injured, pathetic man that lied at the floor was indeed Tunebewhri.
Hurrimarya looked at the near-corpse, and shook his head. He turned around... then turned back again and drove his sword into Tunebewhri's heart. The blade broke at the blow; Hurrimarya spat at the suddenly-dead man, who did not even get out as much as a shout, and kicked the corpse. Then shrugged and walked out; swords were no good anyway, spears were the proper weapons of the battlefield.
Revenge was, in retrospect, a waste of time; Hurrimarya did not remember much about the indignities and people he was avenging, and did not really care about the target, truth be told. It was to move on, anyway. It was time to assume power and destroy foes.
