Tales from the Crypt of Sool the Magnificent.
it was a dark day in Mali.
the clouds were heavy, and a storm was brewing. on the horizon, people could see those horrible Greek farmers, all dirty and uncultured, toiling in thier small parcel of land, longing to become part of the Empire.
Sool, OTOH, was quite glad to have this weather. it fit his plan perfectly. All that he required to complete his dream was just one more night like this, and then he will be able to present his highness with his plan.
All he wanted was for his people to prosper, and what better way to prosper than to encourage trade?
Agreed, his cunning plan did call for a few drops of blood to be shed, but what was life if not sacrifice? especially if the blood was to be mostly greek?
The Peace was long over due and the people, Sool thought, long for war (or at least they THOUGHT they wanterd war, not knowing the true horrors of it), and as minister of ministers, he was just the man for the job.
the plan called for a few things - a few more of the fabulous Sword Regiments, some galleys, and a new place he has thought of as
"THE ROUND THEATHER".
the swords were to act as a catalyst to lure the greeks into to open, and coming to the grand city of Timbuktu in droves. nothing like a flashy outfit to lure in the yokels.
The Galleys were meant as a gasket for the fury of the crowded Malinese, enabling hem to sally forth, meeting new peoples.
and finally - THE ROUND THEATER
here the people shall see many sporty events, such as wrestling, running, javelin hurling and more. when the shows seem to end, and only the greek athelites remain (the Malinese ARE too elevated from humanity to engage in animal pleasures after all) the door springs and the malinese will see what is thier destiny - to see, govern and control every aspect of life. everywhere.
Another plan he has is to make the people worship the machine.
the natural beuty of the angle of the brick, the curves of the wheel, the abstract aspects of the smoke billowing from the forges. all seems quite beutiful to the trained eye, and Sool be damned, but the people WILL be taught to appriciate it!
and upon completion of this project, maybe we shall be able to master the sea.
sailors have always pleaded that there MUST be other peoples out there. the greeks CANNOT all there really is, right?
Sool agreed with this outlook.
a clinkling sound rings through the darkness, and Sool sighs.
Dinner? already?
fine. i shall continue finalizing my cunning plan later on.
there is a knock on the door. more like a
BANG!!!
PRISONER 12804, OPPSITE WALL, AND SPREAD 'EM.
trembling, Sool obeys, and the heavy wooden door creaks open.
in come 2 officers, one bearing a plate of food. the other bearing a heavy stick.
"your feed, scum."
"only 15 more years in here till your next "trial" " laughs the other officer.
they both turn and leave the room, banging the door, and letting Sool think of the thunder that will soon follow with the storm.
I should be available over the holidays.
