Legend of the Stone: City of Hamlets

By Wade C. Long

A young warrior becomes aware of a powerful stone that once came to restore prominence to his people; a once provident race which after a period of slavery, now finds itself in impoverished and conflicting conditions. Now Trekker, must return this stone back to his homeland and ultimately, the Hamlet People back to the standing in which they once knew.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wade C. Long
• Release date: Sep 11, 2010
• ISBN: 9781452390239

Wade C. Long

Author and ordained minister Wade C. Long is motivated by helping others to become optimal versions of themselves. The self-described introvert makes his residence alone in Sherman Oaks, California. He enjoys volunteering in community outreach efforts across Los Angeles and spending time with a small and close-knit group of friends. Wade's latest title, Navigating Disappointment will help you walk through some of life's most difficult moments and come out on the other side victoriously.

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To Mom, for all her love.

LEGEND OF THE STONE

City of Hamlets

WADE C. LONG

Smashwords Edition

©2010 by Wade Chandler Long

Design and Literary Input by N. Reginald Long

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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HAMLET PEOPLE

We lived a distant measure from modern places or times – but we were human, too. Lack of acceptance was new for Hamlet People. We came from a day when water for the parched sprung from the earth’s soil. This was an era when each man’s supply came by tilling the ground; when slaying the fowl meant feasts by the fireside, and oxen’s milk was like heaven to the body.

(Our garb was strange to the common, as well.)

Hamlet women’s silky skirts flowed to the near bottom of their ankles, as not to draw superfluous awareness from the lout. Their white and ruffled shirts garnered no trouble from the stiffening wind of day. Many dressed their long and graceful hair with flowers. Daisies and Honeysuckles were among the preferred, though they strayed from the latter for the chasing of bees.

Each Hamlet woman had her own natural fragrance; this one like watermelon, or that one an almost cherry, while the elder madams usually left a spicy scent (of some sort) wherever they traveled.

Hamlet men, in hand woven slacks and clodhoppers could be observed daily - tending to their crops and livestock - adjusting their two-tone brown or gray suspenders and tipping the front of their snap-brims, as the debutantes neared by. Short-bearded with full heads of hair were they most. An unfortunate few aimed to suppress their hereditary flaws, posturing themselves in a perpendicular fashion. An even smaller lot were the inherently furry. A less pleasant odor often accompanied the wet stained underarms of the Hamlet men’s eggshell colored cotton button-ups.

Dawn often founded us ever so snuggly nestled in the grip of the wolves’ coat. Guardians eagerly waited the awakening of their young to the new day; to continue the lessons they had begun the one before.

All lined together for the morning meal of figs and nectar, or wine. Those who nursed, along with their infants, came first in these and all other doings. Second were the youthful girls, then the younger lads. Next the damsels, then the pubescent males, and always pas came last. Kindreds sat as one, laughing carefree, in the placidity of their nooks.

At dayfall, each went his own way. Mas gave notice to their houses while pas plowed their land; keeping care to their own crops, unique with substance, that differing from any other nearby. Daily we labored to nourish our houses and for the honor to belong. Clans freely exchanged from one to the next, good for good, the fulfilling source for the other.

On days of labor, each young went for tutelage. Tots delve into the undertaking of their alpha and numeric while those in their tens prepared for the tasks and trials of maturity. Males were learned to maintain an equitable harvest and to behave chivalrously; while females became skilled in mastering their own appearances, and discerning rascals from men of an amicable repute.

When scholars were dense without reason, or played the scoundrel, their behavior was not without witness. They fast found themselves the mules which hauled the things of their newfound masters; the guides. These were the elders of our city. Having bones that had worn weak from ages of labor, their minds were yet quick and keen. Wisdom was their means of supply; and for it, they received the same goods as any able bodied one. The devotion of each was tireless and without relent, and demanding of no less in reciprocity.

Following studies, clusters of chums engaged in their sport of choice. Females informed each other on Hamlet rumor, for the most part; and though many males did the same, frog chasing and worm catching proved to be the greatest admired activities of our persuasion.

Eventide found kindreds together once again. We shared the dusk time meal. We sang the sacred hymn. Mas played their harps as pas crashed the cymbals. We danced together, arm in arm - the two and two - once and again; until all hands had touched all hands. No heart was left to feel deprived.

When the night was black and cold, we made our prayers. We dreamt in the tranquility and warmth of the iron cast fire. The aroma of fresh cut maple wood lingering through the air united each nostril. Altogether as one were we, and would be tomorrow, as one, once again.

The Hamlets famed as villages of promise, like mountains of envy from galaxies afar. Its limits expanded from north to south and utmost as the farthest eye. Each abode burnished luminously, multi-colored like the peacock, fashioning the very temper of its clan. Were they a more effervescent bunch, variations of yellow, gold, orange, and red were visible in the décor. Were the kindreds more hushed and dull, shades of gray, beige, and brown were therefore added.

Hamlet grass was as the emerald’s green and was charily groomed. Two or more of each tamed animal freely roamed there. Some grazed. Others were for the creation of cloaks, covers and blankets. A number were reserved for meal. But some were just pets.The city’s roads were speckled with gravel, as the many tones of the earth. They were lined with trees and vines of fruits and nuts. Grains rose also close at hand. All were free to plainly fetch an apple or peach as they ventured. Elders demonstrated a more methodical approach: They bowed their wearied frames (often escorted by one much their junior) properly selecting their choice watermelon or honeydew; not too young, nor so mature, but wholly ripe.

A conference of birds sounded far off in the background, rounded by refrains of a dog and his bark. Echoes of tots and their petite and good-humored giggles drifted out from the indoors. Male crickets bickered back and forth about the sunset. Pan flutes serenaded at the mouth of the city.

A great lake ran parallel the roads. Its blue was only second to the midday sky. The shallow waters near land were for swimming. Deeper within, men sailed their boats to cast their nets for fish.

The smell of fresh bread filled the air at noontime. Berries from the patches took space at midnight, as did the new dew to the dawn.

When we were free ones, we soared like the golden eagle. Each had possessions; and that, plenty to spare. A proud people we were, never resisting the nobility to give to the hands of the remote deprived.

We were nothing like the cowards from the south.

On days of rest, the city made one for feast (yet some would escape to be on their own). In these days, Hamlet People’s wealth was more than at any other time. Cities in need drew near to us for relief, when abundance had not so graciously smiled on their faces.

The City of Hamlets was a rebel to war. We declined instigating the ill will of our neighbors. We dared to not interfere in their conflicts, except to give aid in hearings for common ground, for order, and for peace. There were those who found fault with our neutrality, but The People of the Larger Places had always been cordial with us until now.

They dwelled below our land, where no rains fell and hardly any dew. The air there was dry like sand, scorching exceedingly. This was their climate and their only weather, all year round.

They were not prosperous ones, for their fathers had provoked the passions of many kings. Contention from within was a like complication. The People of the Larger Places were but meagerly learned, for even their young were often drafted to battle.

Their king was a gluttonous and stubborn one, who highly taxed the people and took their money for lavish dining to himself, and to buy expensive perfumes for his several concubines. Many fancies had he, yet no true love. Most