The Discovery of the Yassans and how our people learned about Agriculture.
according to Civius the Steward
"Gaiyut the Tracker has returned with news of a Dark Forest up ahead Sir." Prochon glanced at the young warrior, not much more than a boy, and nodded. After a few moments when he did not remove himself from the Masters Presence Prochon nodded again as to say go on. " There are also tracks Sir, human ones...."
"Warband, gather from amongst your ranks 10,000 of the most fierce warriors, for tonight we shall see just how bloodthirsty you are". As the warriors were being assembled I, Civius the Steward , approached the Masters tent and asked if I might join him for a drink. The Master nodded and his gaurd split their ranks. Two old friends locked arms in the Warlords tradition and then the master spoke. "To what do I owe your company Brother?" I looked him in the eyes and with concern and determination I spoke. "Are we backward barbarians like the Spanish whom we've met this very year Sir? Pillaging, raping and slaughtering are not the way of the warrior.....sir" The Master arose, clenching his fist in anger at the blatant insult to his authority. I did not give him a chance to retort, I went on. "Let me approach the tribe with a small band of warriors? If they are a peaceful people I will demand a tribute for their protection from Hatshepsut the Barbarian. If it turns out they too are barbaric then I shall be the first to crush them with my mighty club." Prochon relaxed his fists as he seemed to look through me. A hint of pleasure could be seen in his eyes. Then he nodded and said I had until nightfall for then he would unleash his warriors on the savages.
As I was rushing to gather my things I heard a familiar voice approaching my tent. As I glanced at the entrance it was none other than Timus the Protecter. I arose to greet him but he raised his hand to stop me. "I shall join you to meet the Tree People, Masters orders. Though I'm sure you do not have a problem with it." I smiled, we locked arms in the warriors tradition and then had a stiff drink before setting out.
As we approached the dense, dark forest we gave one last look at each other, both with half a grin. Hands clenching our clubs we disappeared into the trees. The more we walked the forest seemed to thin out until at last we reached a clearing that was as wide as the eye could see. Were my eyes deceiving me? Had Timus clubbed me over the head after breathing in the dark spirits of the forest? I was in a dream world from which I hoped to never awaken from. Hundreds and hundreds of beautiful women all barebreast working like they were of one mind. Some carried water to the soil. Others were burying strange seeds across vast streches of land. The rest of them were carrying baskets of fruit on their heads. Scores of vegetables being pulled by horses to a small village in the distance. I looked over at my old friend and he was smiling from ear to ear. At the same moment we both gave each other a look of confusion as to say "Where are the menfolk?". So we set off to the village, a few young girls running around us just pointing and laughing.
The village was full of shops and the men appeared to be bartering their various fruits and vegetables for things like strange cloth and shiny rocks. As we were carrying on down one of the many sand paths we were approached by a large bearded man. His dialect was similar to ours so we were able to communicate loosely. He asked if we were familiar with the lands north of the great mountain. We replied that we were warband scouts for the Great City of Arete. Capital of the world we told him. He just kept bowing and offering us things from other mens baskets it was all quite amusing. He then led us to what appeared to be their Tribal Leader Yassan. A very fat man with long hair and a big smile. He told us his Great grandfather founded the village years ago and they were a peaceful people that tended the lands for its fruits. We all ate and had a what the natives called "Valcano Water", tasted horrible but made your head and feet feel light. We were having so much fun we lost track of time and night was fast approaching....
Meanwhile the Warband was preparing for the assault. Thousands upon thousands of tired and hungry warriors at its helm. Prochon was beginning to worry about his friends and his fear that the villagers were hostile grew with every passing minute. Finally he could not wait any longer and gave the order. The Warriors began marching in unison, clubs held over their right shoulders.
"Civius, wake up! The villagers are arming themselves" I tried to get up but my head was pounding. "Prochon must be marching on the village" I forced myself to stand and took a second to absorb the situation. "He does not know these are a peaceful people." I told Timus to go see Yassan and I would race to intercept Prochon. As I reached the fertile fields I saw our warband approaching. It was a glorious sight to behold. The women were no longer on the fields as they had taken refuge in the village. Behind me the Villagers were taking up defensive positions. A hundred yards now seperated the warband from the village. I could see Prochon giving orders to the men and I made a bee line to him. I finally reached him, exhausted from running, I fell before his feet. "What have they done to you Civius? Where is Timus?" I tried to speak but my mouth was so dry, my head pounding with every breath I took. "There he is" Prochon shouted. Timus was approaching the Warband behind me escorting the Tribes leader. I finally got a word out and it was simply "Stop".
After a long meeting with Yassan and his Tribal Council Prochon persuaded the villagers to join our Civilization. They would bring with them the knowledge of Agriculture. The people would be escorted by 1000 warriors back to Arete. In return one thousand Yassanites joined the Warband. The locals threw one hell of a festival on the eve before we set out. As we left that morning Prochon gave the order to destroy what was left of the village. The Yassans were no longer a people but a great addition to our growing empire.
