Celpalar Reprise 1429 King Rey-a-man looked at King Bar-ri from across the table as he sipped his Karish. This year’s Karish had turned out to be even better then expected. Rumor of the Supreme Waves nourishment of the Celpalar Island may have been true. The two Kings had met in private in a small town that existed almost in the dead center between Maelmor and Areneth along the The Malitin Road. The Malitin road was the main trade road between the two cities and several small towns had grown up around this industry. The small town, Gar was the perfect place for the two kings to meet to discuss military tactics without generating a lot of attention. Bar-ri had a small Caltisic or get away house that had been constructed with a secret basement that the kings had meet in several times before. Rey-a-man not trusting Bar-ri’s hospitality had brought along with him ten royal guards. Terris ‘the one eyed’ was the commander of this small but highly effective unit. Rey-a-man trusted Terris more then life could express. “Admiral Kattor was a good man. His reputation brought tremendous confidence. It is a shame he was lost in the Supreme Wave,” Rey-a-man spoke looking into Bar-ri’s eyes for some sign of sympathy. Bar-ri pursed out his lips in a thinking manner not really wishing to express his feelings of the late Admiral. “I have been thinking. The way the Celpalar navy was constructed before the wave was around trade. I think it is time we reorganized the Navy, this time around the idea of the Military. Let us create organized units or Fleets of ships. With this structure it will be easier to track our ships and to organize them for war.” Bar-ri spoke with a slowness that annoyed Rey-a-man. Rey-a-man nodded, sipped his Karish, leaned back against his thick wooden chair and replied, “I was thinking a similar thing.” Bar-ri leaned in closer to Rey-a-man “Who do you think should or can lead such a Navy.” Rey-a-man smirked. “The individual must be strong willed and fully aware of just how important trade is to the Celpalari. They must be tactful in military strategy as well as history,” Bar-ri cut in quickly “And we must be able to control their every thought.” Rey-a-man sipped the Karish again. Bar-ri was ambitious he would give him that. “What about Admiral Klack?” “Pirate Klack? One armed Klack? Unsinkable Klack?” Bar-ri burst out laughing. “I had not thought of him,” he said as the laughter died down. “He is perfect. He has a reputation that could compete with even the Great Wind blower Halist. He has been a merchant for years and has served in the Celpalar Navy longer then even the late Admiral Kattor.” “Let us not forget that he was sentenced to serve in the Navy after his notorious Piracy trial. If the man had sunk anymore ships during his pirating days he would have lost the other arm as well. He was also responsible for huge financial losses for several prominent trade families in both Areneth and Maelmor.” Bar-ri said bitterly. Rey-a-man gritted his teeth in annoyance. It was not the fact that Bar-ri kept interrupting him; he was use to that. King Bar-ri always spoke too much as far as Rey-a-man was concerned. It was more the truth behind Unsinkable Klack. The man was reckless and his reputation had more reason for assassinations then Rey-a-man could come up with for Bar-ri. He pondered the thought for a few moments sipping Karish and watching Bar-ri become more agitated the longer he had to wait for a retort. “Bar-ri, you know as well as I do that Unsinkable Klack has more Naval military ability then anyone else in Celpalar. The man virtually created the majority of tactics that the Modern day Celpalar Navy uses. For example the Funnel maneuver, which by the way is even used in land military strategy.” Bar-ri almost choked on his frustration “But the man is a pirate!” “Was a pirate. And is still a brilliant strategist. He will lead us to victory and riches beyond your dreams.” Rey-a-man added. The older Bar-ri got the easier he was to manipulate Rey-a-man thought. “But how can we convince the Euphors he is the right choice?” Bar-ri questioned a new look in his eyes. “We do not need to convince them. We can create a circumstance that will occupy their thoughts so we can assign who ever we wish. Do not forget Bar, we two run the military. And placing a brilliant strategist with a pirating background as the head of the Navy is our right.” “But trade…” “The Euphors will assign a head of trade that will worry about trade. We need someone in the Navy that we can count on if war comes our way.” Rey-a-man smiled broadly. He looked to his honor guard, directly into Terris’ eyes and then back to Bar-ri. This Terris would have to be killed if the assassins were ever to kill Rey-a-man, Bar-ri thought. “It makes sense but what kind of a distraction can we use to throw the Euphors off?” Bar-ri questioned. “A new election of the Euphors of course.” ************************************************** The campaign lasted almost the entire year and it exhausted all the candidates for Euphor. In the end Joo-ga the elder of the Tel-tel merchant family of Maelmor, Revar Fel of Areneth, Nisi-an-lyn the wealthy female merchant Fleet owner from Areneth, and Frok-rumen-eth ‘Storm Runner’ a legendary warrior from Maelmor, who many spoke about being as old as the dirt, were all reelected. Taretin-ren Marist, Elder Wizard of Celpalar, and one of the many Heroes from the Sinari war barely won the election with the deciding factor being the endorsement of the Supreme Admiral ‘Unsinkable Klack’. Chiron who had been one of the Euphor for years now gracefully stepped down from the post and decided to be content with the politics of the Meltolyn. ***************************************************** To honor those who had died in the fight against the Sinari, He-ga of the Tel-tel merchant family of Maelmor was given the commission to construct a memorial like none other found on the Celpalar Island. He-ga met with some resistance coming up with funds from the merchant families to support the project until the Supreme Admiral Klack gave a hilarious speech in the center of Maelmor about fighting a large tentacled fish that was finally defeated by dumping Karish all over its skin. The really funny thing about Klack’s narrative is the fact that since he only had one arm and was busy using it to fend off the different tentacles he was forced to grab, uncork, and dump the Karish with his feet. As he told the depiction he became very animated and hopped all over the stage he stood upon. The crowds stomped their feet in military unison to show their appreciation of the tale. All spectators that came to hear ‘One Armed Klack’ rant, were informed donations were accepted but also the price to get into such an event. Pirate Klack got the really wealthy to give more by breaking down and crying when he thought back to all the brave sailors that had been slain in his adventurous days as a Merchant, a Pirate and a Celpalar Sailor. Rumors after the event said that many of the Merchant families came to the event to witness assassins finally strike down the Unsinkable but alas ‘One armed Klack’ walked away unscathed. The memorial was constructed on the Malitin Road near the town of Gar. A small lake the color of bright red crystals that can only be found in the western most part of the Celpalar Island was constructed. Many of the Workers who had helped to rebuild the port of Areneth were used in the dig of the lake and Mages were brought in to give the water the Color of the red crystals. He-ga then went to work making a massive iron statue that depicted Celpalar Military, Merchants, and Sailors on a large Celpalar Ship. Hundreds of Iron Characters ran about the deck. Some hold bows ready to fire, others point about yelling orders, some help wounded that lay about, some move boxes and barrels to protect certain parts of the ship, Some are drunk, there is even a tall Admiral that looks remarkably similar to the late Admiral Kattor pointing toward the front of the ship. A massive mast raised itself toward the sky and upon its tip sat a depiction of the creator a Tora bird rests peacefully upon his shoulder. A woman dangles off his left leg struggling not to fall to the chaos below. Mages then suspended the ship permanently over the middle of the crystal red lake. It was done in such away that the ship will always hover exactly two feet above the water. One foot for to represent those lost from Maelmor, the other to represent those lost from Areneth. Baby trees that would one day grow to be Gigantic Eark Monts were planted all around the lake. When the memorial was finally completed a massive pilgrimage from both cities was made by all to marvel in its splendor. The monument was given the name the ‘Ental-thor-raen’. *********************** Any issues please let me know. This is my first turn playing. Thanks Shin... ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send mail to celandra-off@phoenyx.net.
