Goshen Sagas: Days of Strife

By Cody Collins and Dillon Sapp

Compilation work of Goshen Sagas: The Grey March by Dillon Sapp and Goshen Sagas: Gawei Romance by Cody Collins

All life struggles to live against the world's touch... The inhabitants of Goshen learn this early as they suffer harsh winters twice as long as the Summers, fierce beasts prowling in the wild, and raids from hostile factions to take what meager items they can scratch from the planet.
In the East, two of these factions had been at war in the recent past, the Island Nation of Gawei and the tribes of the Ran-Nu Peninsula. More than 20 years ago, Gawei invaded the plains of Ran-Nu and broke and pushed the Ran-Nu people all the way into the East Daly Mountains. Now the Ran-Nu tribes have united under Natelmel and seek revenge. Moto, a young Gawei man, soon receives a conscription to fight this attack while the League of Levyt and other Goshen Nations watch the Strife quietly in the wings.
In the West, the mountain-dwelling Abimelech dominate the lands around the Mountain chain named for them. Each summer they raid the lush lands of the Kalani to the West, the industrious Grey-Tribes to the South, and the rich tradelands of the Levyt to the Southeast. Recently, the Great Chief of the Abimelech died and was replaced by his Brother, Rhun of the Bloodstones. When the old Chief’s nephew learns of this, he rushes headlong towards the War Hall to confront the Usurper with the few of the old Chief’s retainers remaining. Meanwhile a boy of the Grey-Tribes dreams of a life in the world outside the tribes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cody Collins
• Release date: Aug 21, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370829019

Cody Collins

Things have never been easy in life but I've always found escape in readings and playing games since I was young. This gave rise to an enjoyment of writing. I would write After Action Reports for my favorite play-throughs of games.Then recently my friend, Dillon Sapp, came up with the idea of creating a new Literary world. So I joined him and for the last year or so, we have been building the Planet of Goshen, with a plethora of races, factions, and histories; even a Crusader Kings 2 Mod(That I coded myself.). Of course, above all that, stories known as Goshen Sagas.A Number of which have been published. :)Thanks for taking the time to read my bio.

Book preview

Foreword

All life struggles to live against the world's touch. Elements go unchallenged while the people clash among themselves, The breaking of the ancients took this land to a place from which it can never return…

The Grey March

Written By Dillon Sapp

World created by Dillon Sapp and Cody Collins

The Grey March Introduction

According to the tales passed down through the tribes, it has been nearly 2000 years since an ancient cataclysmic event, known generally as The Breaking, shattered the world. The Breaking transformed Goshen into a land where its inhabitants must live a life of strife and struggle to survive. Few understand this better than the Tribes of the Grey-lands on the South West coast of the Northern Continent of Rogas.

A young man, born into the largest tribe, heard the tales and legends of the Breaking and his duty to the Tribe, but the stories he truly enjoyed came from Bolsh, one of the caravan drivers that oft came to trade for the metalworks the Tribes were famed for. He envisioned the raids of the Abimelech warriors, the terrifying creatures lurking in the wilds, and the visits to distant lands and people all very different then the Tribes he was raised in. As he played the roles in his mind, a yearning grew in him to abandon his place in the Tribe and become one of those stories himself.

Boy 1

A cold wind blew from the far reaching peaks of the Abimelech mountains, it danced down the slopes through tufts of snow while snaking in between the vast surrounding forests of a walled settlement. Swaying tops of the trees were just visible over the tall walls crest.

Inside the mighty walls, village activity teamed with life as we prepared for the end of summer. The men of the Roots were harvesting the last of the crop, covered in dirt I could hear their joyful voices carrying on the wind, this harvest would surely be a good one. The Founders were busy working their hot forges, sweat dripping off their brows as the heat of the forge surged while the wind passed through the coals, their heavy hammer blows rang out a constant tune. Men of the Stones silently trained in a cleared field, only the cracks of clashing hard wood staffs and the occasional grunt when the staff hit home.The thung of the longbow cords echoed through the field, as arrows whistled in the air to hit their mark. Our village was a peaceful place and the few travelers that passed by always called it a gem on the Rogas continent. This is the life I've always known.

Ehh boy! Quit your day dreaming and bring da wood to the forge!

Coming Thorin!

Thorin was a bear of a man, I could look him in the eye but he had arms as thick as a tree and hands like stone. And I was the poor soul who attended him and his forge.

I told you to put a step in it boy! The forge‘s gone cold due to ya day dreamin, is it that hard to stoke the flames? Am I being a bit too soft on ya!? The faster you work the sooner I get ya outa me forge. Now load the hearth already!

Thorin loved to bellow like an Aurock, sometimes I think he just likes to hear his own voice.

The job itself was simple once I learned how the forge heated the material and how to caste a shape with a clay mold. Even the brimstone smoke that would fill your lungs to the point of feeling like raw hard coal became a relaxing pleasure. You could make almost anything with a hot forge, that was the fun part of it. Though Thorin made it hard to enjoy much of anything.

How I got the job of tending to Thorin's forge was the result of a series of unfortunate events. I’m here to pay off a debt. I borrowed one of Thorin's Ku'tars to dig for relics of the ancients in the fields. Whenever we plowed a new field we found all kinds of strange things, pa said they were relics of the ancients who once populated all of Goshen until the breaking split the world apart. So says the stories anyway.

I was finding all kinds of strange coins as the Ku’tar easily dug into the soft plowed field. That is until Tomak, one of the more annoying boys in the village, decided he wanted to find relics too. I tried to explain to the elders that Tomak was the one that broke it but he blamed it all on me! Still can't understand why they believed him over me.

Boy! The flames? We need to finish these orders, I'll work ya into the night if ya don't move it.

Yes Thorin! I began to throw the aged Wyrm wood into the hearth, The wood was light and burned hotter than any of the surrounding trees, making it a favorite fuel source for the Founders in the village. I thought angrily to myself as I felt my hands becoming calloused by the days of handling the hard scaley bark. It was good for me pa said, makes me stronger he said. He just doesn't  get that I hate it here! The other kids might be excited to work a forge for the rest of their suns and moons but not me. I want to leave these walls and see the land!

Sweat dripped from my brow as I focused on working the hot Bellows, The wood burned as fast as I could feed it, The flames had a thirst that refused to be quenched. Thorin grabbed a piece a glowing metal from the forge and began rhythmic powerful swings with his huge hammer adding that familiar ping to the orchestra of the village forges. Every hit made bright sparks dance off the glowing piece. I tended to lose myself in thought as a strange comfort settled over me, the clash of metal deafening my ears to a calm numbness.

I Lived in what was often referred as the capital of the Grey-lands, Grijs. We were the largest village in the Grey-lands and had the strongest walls. Every village in the Greys was famous for their hot forges and tall walls, and we were known as the best among them. We could cast any shape with metals pulled from the hills and rivers, many traders sought our metal goods especially our Ku’tars.

I picked one up and twirled it around. The Wyrmwood tree with twisted branches etched on the hilt was fresh, Thorin’s mark. The best cast from the best forger in the village.

Pa said the Ku'tar is what separated us from the tribes surrounding us, it’s what gave our ancestors the advantage after the Breaking, The handle is twisted and contoured to fit the hand for a strong grip, we balance the blades weight from tip to pommel, the blade is short and not much wider than the handguard. while keeping both sides sharper than a warsel’s tooth. The full tool was as long as a man's forearm and hung on the belt of every man in the village. You were awarded one after your coming of age ceremony, which made it a tool every Grey-lands man used in day to day life with pride.

I jumped as Thorin clasped a heavy hand on my shoulder, his deep rumbling voice seemed to shake my very bones as he spoke.

Ye want to leave the village, aye?

What? Ahh... I didn’t say anything like that. When did you get behind me? Thorin was as quiet as a warsel when he wanted to be.

I can see it in your eyes, boy. You want to see beyond the walls, to go to new lands, and see the amazing things this world has to offer? Well I'll be the first to tell ya that's a dreamer’s dream. Do you have any idea what it's really like out there?

Thorin crossed his thick arms in front of his massive chest, his broad forearms were marked with countless burns and scars applied from his trade. He stared slightly down at me, as I felt myself shrink under his penetrating gaze.

You know they don't let anyone outside the walls until the coming of age trial. I managed to squeak out under his heavy gaze.

Thorin walked up to me, so close that our noses almost touched and his heavy beard scratched against my bare chin. He looked into my eyes and growled in a deep low voice, Have ye ever thought why that is? Hmmm... No? I didn't think so.

Thorin turned back to his work and his hammer blows, again, rang through the calm village air. He muttered under his breathe a saying I'd heard since I was a boy.

It's a harsh, cold, terrible place. You'd be lucky if you never had to set foot outside the village.

I smirked to myself as I mimicked the same phrase under my breathe, it's a harsh, cold, terrible pla-

My last word caught in my throat as Thorin turned to me with a look in his eyes that said he heard every word.

Boy. This land would chew you up like a Aurock chewing cod and spit you out just as easy.

Thorin always seemed to cast a larger shadow when he spoke of beyond the walls, My voice always started to shake when we would argue over it.

I can hold my own, I'm almost a man now!

Thorin stopped and looked at me with another ice cold stare, it was a famous terror among the boys in the village.

It always reminded me that Thorin was once a member of the Stones, all the Stones seemed to have that cold look in their eye. Though Thorin's seemed the coldest of any of them. But after he hurt his leg he left the Stones and became a Founder, of course pa always said it suited him better.

He continued to stare at me until the village bell broke the silence and signaled an end to the day's work.

Aye.... You're done for the day, go home boy.

Ancients guide me, still not right. I’ll have to hit harder! Thorin mumbled to himself.

The ringing of the hammer and anvil continued as I walked from the forge meanwhile Thorin grumbled to himself about wanting a hot chunk of Aurock meat.

I could feel the anger swelling inside me as it replaced the heat of the forge work in my body.

What's Thorin know! I kicked at a turf of grazed field as I walked home, They'll take me seriously soon enough, Only one more winter and everyone will take me seriously.

Lux’s bright rays fell behind the western horizon as I approached my family's lodge, I smelled meat on the cook stove and heard pa humming a popular song from the village Drink. We didn't have the biggest lodge due to pa being a member of the Roots but with Ma gone it seemed empty with just us two.

As a Member of the Roots he was in charge of growing food for the village, It wasn't the most profitable but people said pa had the best mind for it making him the unofficial leader of the group. Pa, I'm home!

Pa greeted me with his always smiling face. How was the forge, son? Did Thorin teach you well?

I rolled my eyes and plopped on the aged wood chair, It was hot and he yelled a lot…

Haha sounds like Thorin is treating you well.

Pa always smiled when he talked, like everything was perfect in the world.

This is a good thing, it'll make you strong, son.

Knocking the weathered chair backwards as I jumped up, I slammed my fist on the table and protested, I didn’t even break the damn Ku’tar!

Pa stifled my tongue with a look and motioned for me to stir the broth on the stove. My body obeyed the command before I thought to protest. Pa fixed the chair and sat taking a large breath before continuing, I know you didnt son.

Wha?.... You know? Perfect! You can explain to the elders and clear my....

Pa interrupted with a strong voice. I won't, this is a good thing for ya son. You'll be stronger for it.

I am strong pa! Why does everyone say I'm soft!? I can look the tallest man here in the eye!

Pa had a distressed look on his face.

There's many ways to be strong son, But a pack of Gayl would only be stopped with 1 kind of strength. If you were stronger you wouldn't be in this situation. Tomak is two winters younger and you couldn't stop him from taking the Ku’tar, he paused before finally looking into my eyes, I could see their green reflection in his, Son, the struggle you’re in today is developing the strength you need tomorrow.

I felt the boiling anger seeping out of every pore in my body, I couldn't contain the frustration any longer.

All you are is a Root, Watching grass grow! what do you know!? I can take care of myself! I stormed out, slamming the door behind me as I ran towards my favorite spot in the village, It was a small hill that I would often visit and lay under the stars.

The field was thick with the summer harvest, the moon's Polar and Eker rest high in the night sky, their emerald and blood color seemed to swirl together at the highest point.

My thoughts raced back to Pa, The hot anger surging up seemed to battle against the night's cold air, He doesn’t know what he’s talking about!

I was the one who showed the elders how to make water travel through bark tunnels and into the fields. We had the best harvests the village has ever seen. Pa said I helped feed a lot of people, Said he was proud….

I sat up as I heard the old gate open, wagons began to roll into the clearing of the entrance.

Visitors, at this time? I spoke aloud.

I could hear warm greetings being exchanged from the Gatemen and the caravan driver. While the image of a snake chasing its own tail reflected in the moon's light on the side of the lead wagon. A sudden thought jumped into my mind.

"The Trade Circle? It has to be, and it looks like they're headed to the Drink." I sprung to my feet and ran with long strides, I can't miss the news!

Loud laughter and cheers rang out as I approached the longhouse people called The Drink. The hot smell of Farbren filled my nose as I walked through the doors. Farbren was the Grey-lands most popular drink, Thorin said its fame even rivaled our metal works in foreign lands. I couldn't stomach the stuff myself, its temperature was always warm even when pulled from casks in the dead of winter. It was brewed by fermenting Wyrmwood sap with fresh spring water over the winter, the liquid had a dirty blue tinge when poured and burned the stomach if you drank too much. That’s why I didn’t like it.

The Drink was full as always, Pa said a man needed to forget how the world is sometimes. Walking through the crowds the air was full of smoke, through the haze you could see the three groups that made up the village. The Founders were drinking and laughing loudly, the roots were playing some quiet tavern games while the stones didn't talk even among themselves.

After your trial of manhood you get assigned to one of these three groups by the elders. They make their decision based on how you overcame your trial, every man who endures the trial is sworn to not speak of it, Making it the topic of mystery and excitement for all of us boys in the village.

The Founders, like Thorin, manage the forges, fix our Ku'tars, and repair the wall. In the Grey-Lands, villages are judged by the condition and size of their wall, much honor went with being granted the title Founder.

The Roots, like my pa, are who feed everyone and do the day to day doings around the village. This is, expectantly, not very appealing to most boys in the village but most men seem to enjoy the work. How they can enjoy being covered in dirt all day, I'll never understand.

Last are the Stones, they get to leave the village whenever they want. Only the fastest and bravest get assigned to the stones. They are our hunters and the best shots in all of Goshen. They are the only ones who the elders deem fit to survive outside the walls. Pa always told me stories of the hardships they endure so the rest of us can live a better life. Even still, every boy hopes of joining the stones after his trial and seeing the world outside the walls.

I looked to the roaring hearth as a man grabbed my attention, He was a bald middle aged man with a graying mustache that curled slightly on both ends, His skin was tan and weathered showing his many days on the traders trail. He was dressed in bright colors and surrounded by the youths in the village, who all had stars in their eyes. He made large gestures with his hands and jumped in between the children bringing laughs from the older ones and shrieks from the babes. Walking closer to the group I heard the stories coming from the foreigner, and quickly recognized his strange way of speaking.

A man has seen the world. He has been to the imperial city of the Gawei as he sailed the seas with the great Levytan Envoys and even met the Levytan leader, Minister Otanij. A man has even broken bread with the savage Abimelech. So, What would you like to hear about this time children? Perhaps the Vitat tribe who fly like birds? The monsters of Huargen Island? The fog of the black wastes? Or perhaps the caverns of the dreaded Drugar?

Bolsh! I shouted to him. His group was back again this year to trade for our Ku'tars. Pa says most other places can't make their own, don't know why when it's so easy.

Bolsh looked me over as I approached, Ahh! There’s the Boy, the boy has grown yes?

I blushed at the compliment, then nodded, I'm the tallest man in the village!

I stood straight, with my chest puffed out and muscles tightened.

The boy thinks he’s a man now? A boy needs to experience adventure before he can call himself a man, A man knows of such things.

I slumped my shoulders as the fire seemed to leave my body, You know I can't leave Bolsh, not for one more winter. But then i'll be able to do whatever I want!

A boy has long to wait, best hope that the Adventure’s not all done by then. Well then, sit and listen with the other children.

I plopped down with an annoyed grunt but soon was crossing my legs, entranced just like the rest of the youths.

Now where was I?

Ahh yes, the Drugar…… From the depths of the land the Drugar come. Staying in the shadows of the darkest woods and tallest mountains. Their skin is a pale white, their teeth are sharp as Ku'tars! Their screams deafening to the ears!

The youngest of us shuddered in fear, while I simply chuckled.

Once, not long ago a man noticed something shining in the darkness of the night. A man was curious ‘how light could be made with no fire?’ A man said. So a man stepped away from the caravan to take a look at this strange light,  before a man realized he was surrounded by the Drugar!

Bolsh flourished multiple knives in both hands, twirling them between his fingers with movements almost too fast to see.

If it wasn't for experience a man would of fell to the Long Sleep that night.

Bolsh grinned mightily as all  the youths awed at the story.

I found myself just as awed as the rest and couldn't contain my excitement.

You actually saw a Drugar?! My pa said they're just stories to keep the children inside?

A man has seen...

Bolsh reached into his pocket and began to twirl a small branch that gave off a soft glow like a low burning fire. It matched exactly what he described in the story.

This is a relic of the Ancients, even a man doesn't know its purpose or how it came to be. The Drugar find many things in their deep holes.

I leaned forward trying to get a better look at the strange branch when Bolsh slid it back into his pocket.

Enough for tonight, A man must depart early tomorrow as the land waits for no one!

The unanimous cry of the children for one more story echoed through the Drink.

Bolsh quickly approached me and whispered into my ear before leaving, A boy should experience the land before it's too late.

I turned to speak with Bolsh but he was already gone. The Drink seemed to lose its luster soon after.

Walking home, I dreaded the talk Pa would give me about running off. pa’s gonna kill me for staying out so late. Even he likes Bolsh’s stories, he'll understand. Pa would never do the things Bolsh has done.

I became depressed as I pondered the missed future.

I'll probably get put with the roots after my trial.

Pa says I was made for it like that was a good thing.

I hate farming! I don't want to do what pa does, coming home covered in dirt every day. I want adventure! I stopped in my tracks as a dangerous thought occupied my mind, that's it! Yes, that has to work!

Boy 2

Bolsh waved at the crowd as his caravan rolled from the village.

A man must leave now, We will return before the next Summer!

Safe Travels, Bolsh. Yee cheap bastard!

Thorin's powerful bellow could be heard even over the cheering crowd. The wagon seemed to travel for the better part of the day when it came to a halt. A bright light washed over my face as I fell hard to the ground.

Ahh ugh!

The boy is comfy in a barrel? Bolsh stood over me as he released the barrel I was recently in, which rolled back and forth several times.

Ahh Bolsh! I was just gonna come find you! Isn’t it great, now we can have adventures together!

Bolsh looked quizzically at me and seemed to scan the surroundings, Did a boy tell his father of this plan?

Bolsh crossed his arms as he stared down at me.

I stood on wobbly legs as I brushed the dirt off, No, I snuck away. No one even knows I'm gone!

Bolsh came right up to my face and stared into my eyes with a strange expression, A boy told no one?

No! I thought of the whole thing, I puffed my chest at my own genius.

Bolsh turned to walk away when he spun around and kicked me hard in the gut, which made me double over.

Agh! A sharp elbow came crashing onto my back as I tried to stand, forcing me back onto the ground.

Ugh! Stop Bolsh! I pleaded as my mouth filled with a strong metal taste, I spit hot blood on the ground. When I looked up from the hard-packed trail, the world began to spin and the ringing of  chains rattling filled my ears as a cold piece of metal wrapped around my neck, clicking as it locked in place.

Wha? Why are you doing this? you said we were going to have adventures and see the real world!?

I looked up at Bolsh as my vision began to fade, a horrible smirk was spread across his face.

Does a boy not know? His voice grew dark as he began to turn away. This is the real world.

An unknown amount of time passed as I awoke with a kick to my stomach, Ugh!....

A boy must rise, Bolsh was standing over me as the sun began to peek over the land.

Bolsh wait! I can just go back, I didn't mean to upset you, tears swelled in my eyes.

He seemed to grin at my plea,  A boy thinks he can do what he wants?

I grabbed the chains around my throat, they stretched all the way to the wagon, Bolsh these aren't necessary! Just let me go back to my pa!

I looked desperately to the other traders but they just continued seeing to the wagons and the Aurocks that pulled them. They acted like this was an everyday thing.

Why was no one helping me?

A boy said he wants adventure, a boy will learn, now enough. A boy must work if he is to eat.

What do you want me to do? I sank to the ground in fear as Bolsh began to dig in his pocket, He produced two blood red stones and dropped them in front of me.

A boy can start by making fire, Bolsh then began to walk away but I yelled out to him.

I... I don't know how!

HA! And a boy says he is a man?

Bolsh pulled me by the chains, signaling to follow, gather dry clippings from the trees and grasses, make a nest of them, and hit the fire stones together. A man WILL return to a fire.

Bolsh turned and walked to the wagons.

After collecting all the dry grasses within reach of my chained leash, I awkwardly hit the two red stones together above the newly formed nest, hot tears ran down my cheeks.

I just want to go home, This isn't what I wanted.

Sparks showered down as I hit the stones just right, the sparks quickly spread through the nest and small flames began to crackle upwards.

I.... I did it....

Bolsh approached the wagon after talking to some of the other traders, A boy has made fire?

I pleaded as he approached, now can I go Bolsh? I did what you asked!

Bolsh stirred the fire with a stick which caused the flames to slowly rise up, he took his time in silence as he stared into the growing fire.

A boy must learn.

Bolsh spun suddenly stabbing my arm with the burning stick, my skin screamed as the hot end drove deep.

I rolled on the ground trying to free myself from the searing pain, yelling out in anguish until my voice became hoarse.

Now, a boy will always know fire.

Bolsh dropped the stick in the fire and slowly walked away.

I held my breathe as the pain ran through my body.

My arm, It hurts. Please let me go!

None of the other traders would stop and