History of the Empire Vol. 3

An excerpt from Cha-thas-tek’s History of the Empire, Volume III

Pharaoh Modladlis was unable to perceive or control the rumors of his Empire’s instability from within the walls of Nagiz.  The rumors came from all corners of the Empire, especially from the Oracles of Abbadar.  Many priests claimed that Modladlis cowered behind the centurions in Nagiz in dreadful fear of the coming of the Conqueror, whose time was surely nigh.

When the giants of Chon Zin arrived, flying the banner of Mun Wat, and accompanied by the flying Alvian cavalry of Orlali Falconswing, and followed by huge herds of giant cattle called huaca who bore the trains of the army, the Pharaoh was safe within the walls of Nagiz.  The city shook at the army’s approach, but the Pharaoh was surrounded by soldiers, and his soldiers were surrounded by the highest walls that men could build.

Mun Wat, king of the giants, bade his herald blow a trumpet blast and call up to the battlements of Nagiz, and the herald said, “Call forth your cowering Pharaoh, for it is the custom of our people that a new ruler should step forth and the old ruler slink away when he has lost his power.”

Now the centurions in Nagiz had never seen war made in this way before, and they did not know how to respond, but comforted by the high walls of the city, they jeered down from the battlements.  After an hour, Mun Wat bade his herald to blow another blast.  “Call forth the craven man you call Pharaoh,” said the herald, “for my king bids me issue warning that if your Pharaoh does not give up his throne, we will take it by force.”

This time the centurions only laughed.  “The Pharaoh shall not come out to speak with giants and winged barbarians,” they taunted.  “The Pharaoh gives up his throne to none.  Do battle against the walls, if you wish, if you can cross the river to get them.”

Another hour passed, and a third time Mun Wat bade his herald blow a blast on the trumpet.  This time, at the very moment that the trumpet sounded, the northern walls of Nagiz collapsed into a ruin.  Now some said that the giants had woven the trumpet with mighty spells by which the city walls were blasted.  And some said that the river itself, the Galos which flowed in the shadow of the walls of Nagiz and to east and west of the city, rose up at the giants’ command and washed away the foundations.  Some men said that the giants had come during the flooding season, and the river was higher than men had ever seen it rise.  Nevertheless, the walls of Nagiz came crashing down to earth, and the unfortunate centurions who were atop the walls were crushed by the huge stones, and the city lay bare before the giants and their army.

Then the herald of Mun Wat said, as the dust cleared, “Now will you call forth your Pharaoh?”