When Lions Dance: The Kings of Exiland

By P. D. Stargazer

A few generations had passed since the Towten, and Hummy had found peace and prosperity in the Inland. Most of the Misch slowly followed and joined the Hummy. It should have been enough to live in such serene tranquility. Even better, the Hummy found a cave full of the largest most brilliant gemstones ever. The Towten thought, how nice and went about their way. The wealth didn’t have much value when there was no one to buy or trade with.
The Towten found a nice gold vein of their own, so they bargained with each other. But when building the third dam, the Towten found a wall of gold and the Hummy just couldn’t sit still for it. Around about the same time the forest Misch discovered a way to navigate the Mellows or Losmen Forest. They became the first merchants.
It was as if the later generation had all but forgotten the reason for being in the Inland was to live in harmony. The Hummy claimed the land belonged to them because the Misch had been there first. The Towten claimed they sent scouts years before and when they arrived no one was living there and considered themselves gracious for allowing the Hummy to stay. That started the ongoing TowHummy wars that lasted for years.
Finally, they reached the point of exhaustion. No more massive armies, with huge battles. Being so isolated it took a long time to replace their losses. And at just the right moment and right under their noses, they discovered evil eyes had been watching.

• Language: English
• Publisher: P. D. Stargazer
• Release date: May 25, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370941544

Book preview

PROLOGUE

For almost a generation the Towten and Hummy lived in peace. As hoped the dense forest kept the rest of the world away… for a while. It was a dream come true. They built a series of dams that slowed the river in the spring and opened up a huge fertile valley. The birds sent back salivating stories of adventure, and many forest people made the journey. At first, they took to the trees with pulleys and swings, but after the dams, the forest changed. The furry moss turned into a dense, fast growing thicket of trees, impossible to penetrate. But that was all to change.

As the king had promised her, the Towten were building the Queen’s dream palace upon a black rock mountainside. It was of a beautiful shiny hard black stone. But when they quarried, they discovered gold, lots of gold. As the river ran through the majestic soaring mountains, it deposited the glimmering wealth in large amounts. Enough for everyone in Tow to have a stash. But what’s the use of having it if you can’t spend it?

Even so, the Hummy built a splendid palace farther down in the valley and closer to the Lossmen. Cutting the limestone, they were sure to find gold, but they didn’t. Somehow this just didn’t seem fair, and although the Tow were big-hearted in gifts of gold, the Hummy imagined there must have been plenty for them to be so generous.

Then when digging a waterway, the Hum discovered a cave with a cache of gems like no other in size or color. This kept the balance for some time, but still, there was no place to spend such wealth. Crowns and jewelry, plates of gold, goblets, trinkets, and even furniture, it all got boring.

But where there is wealth there often comes a way. Birds carried the story and small gifts of gems and gold to the Misch. Soon dreams of making a fortune took life, along with deep thought on the main problem. How to travel through the impossible Mellows or Lossmen Forest safely.

When he was a young man, Tim Tippy of the Misch village along with his father and uncle made the journey to the Inland. Leaving his father there, they returned with riches and stories. Still, the trip had been dangerous, as his father lost the use of his arm. Others lost their lives or were missing. But Tim remembered from the swings a pattern in the trees below. Like a map, a live moving map.

He was the first to navigate his way to the Inland. At this point, other serious issues had to be dealt with. Neither the Towten nor Hummy wanted to be accessible to the outside world. That’s what the Inland was all about, isolation, its impenetrable barriers had kept it safe. That had to be secured above all else. A pack was made upon the life of the Tippy family that they would never show an outsider the ways of navigation. If an outsider should ever find his way, all merchants would be barred for life. It just wasn’t worth the loss.

Only twice a year was the journey possible, and a special wagon was designed to carry goods back and forth. It became a well guarded business operation. The Misch became the merchants to the Inland and were rich beyond their dreams. Even under torture, they never gave away the secret to navigation, and they perpetuated their stories of evil demons and cannibalism, keeping the Green, their forest, safe.

When gold finally found its value again, the Towten emerged wealthier than the Hummy and greed caused the Hum to rethink peace. How about one people, under one king and one kingdom called Hummy? This was unacceptable to the proud Towten who knew themselves to be the first to claim the Inland. The Hummy attacked the Towten and lost over and over. Every year for generations war started in late spring and ended in late summer. Sadly, even in an isolated world of their own, there was no peace.

And as they fought among themselves, only mother nature could protect them… but not forever.

1.

THE DISGRUNTLE

King Salen sat at a small table in a small room enjoying his lunch of roasted chicken, bread and fruit. The room had a golden hue from sunlight filtering in through the huge open window. His heavily jeweled crown sat next to his plate.

A giggling servant boy ran in, bowed, and a well dressed maiden followed just behind him. My King, you called for me?

Yes. He glanced up for a moment. Have a seat and join me for Lunch. She took a seat and a piece of apple and gave it a small bite.

It’s quiet for too long, so she tries to make conversation. What a wonderful day it’s turning out to be. She got up and stood by the window letting the sunlight bathe her face. Still, he has nothing to say, just goes about eating. She turned to the table and refilled his goblet. She stood behind him and combed her fingers through his long gray hair. He stopped eating for a moment and threw his head to the side in enjoyment.

He turned to the other side when suddenly the quiet serenity was disrupted by a commotion outside. The maiden stopped to take a look. The king went back to eating.

It’s your son my King, Harmon has returned. She frowned. He, he looks a little upset.

The pitch of his voice could be heard well up and into the room, enough to change the mood of the maiden and the servant boy. My king, perhaps we should return later, I’m sure your son has a lot to talk about. The king shook his head no.

She sat looking as uncomfortable as the servant boy. They can clearly hear him roar, Where’s my father? His voice bellowed down the hall, and the doors burst open. He stormed in still wearing his breastplate, arm guards, and gloves.

The King never missed a beat eating. Harmon leaned over the table toward the maiden threateningly. She glanced up for an instant. My king, she flushed with fear and asked almost pleading, May I please be excused?

The king looked up annoyed and waved her off. She and the servant boy quickly slipped out, closing the doors behind them.

Harmon pulled off his armor notched gloves and slammed them down on the table knocking an unlit candle over. He pulled off his arm guards and threw them to the floor. He leaned over the end of the table staring at his father furious, breathing loud enough for the king to hear.

But the king paid little attention and pulled a huge dark and perfect grape from his plate. He looked it over and bit into it as if it were a small apple. Oh, that’s sweet. He popped the rest into his mouth and gave his son a pathetic look. He wiped his hands and mouth. "So, how was the Convergence of Power?

Harmon moved in closer, simmering with anger. His teeth clenched so tight his gums turn white. He yelled, Degrading, I was disgraced, ignored, I hated it! He stood with his arms crossed.

The king pushed his plate away and leaned back in his chair, relaxed and unfazed by his son’s temper tantrum. I noticed you returned a little early.

His father’s mellow response calmed him a bit. I will never go again.

The king poured himself more wine. Don’t get so distraught over nothing, they’re just jealous. Harmon paced the floor using his hands to blow out his story. They ignored me, treated me like a servant. I thought any moment someone would cry out… Hey you, bring me my shoes.

The king sighed to hold back a chuckle, Harmon, Harmon, you’re a prince, heir to the largest kingdom in Lapuslandee. Tell me, do you desire anything that isn’t given to you?

Harmon slammed his fist on the table. Respect!

Still not fazed by his son’s outburst, the King responds. Oh, they respect you. They just want to tempt you. Let me guess… Hennis, my own brother, may have said something like… Just imagine an empire like Sawtee, why with the Towten gold, Sawtee would become the center of the world.

Breathing deeply with a few sweat beads on his forehead, Harmon sat and leaned toward his father. His words so sharp, he spat when he spoke. Exactly, and he’s right. We would be… and what’s wrong with that? The gold is right there, in that small little finger, a nothing in comparison. Yet we never even speak of them, and they’re nothing!

The king raised an eyebrow. Did you notice your uncle didn’t offer to give you a hand at such a simple task?

Harmon calmed down a bit more. Why would they? We are the Sawtee Empire. And yes, I have never wanted for anything. So why should we be held back by that twit of a spot on the map? They don’t even know the rest of the world exists.

The king sipped his wine and looked off in thought. It was never a man-to-man type of warfare. They’ve never had to lift a finger. They never even knew we were there. We never got that close.

Harmon impatiently interrupts. Yes, yes I know the story.

The king made eye contact. If I hadn’t seen it for myself, there, glimmering in the snow like huge gems stones, beautiful but horrifying. His eyes narrowed with a grimace of disgust. One touch and they shattered, men, horses, everything living.

Harmon rolled his eyes and barked, Father! to steady the king’s attention. You were lost in the snow for weeks. It was a miracle you survived. He gets to his feet, his eyes leveled; I plan to take Hummy and Towten. His demeanor changed to soft and contemplative, as he threw one hand up in the air. Then I’ll take you up into those mountains, he pointed, and set you free, free from your delirious fairy-tale. He heads toward the door.

The king gave him a serious look, Son! I wasn’t the first. It was your grandfather and his father before him. This story is old.

Harmon leaned on a chair, and into his father’s face. But the tales stop with me. They will know I am there. Be proud father, it stops with me. The old tail has an ending, I’m writing it.

Harmon left the room much calmer than he entered. Salen’s eyes wandered with his thoughts. He shook his head and gulped his goblet empty, then poured another. My son, my son, myself. How do I stop you? No one could stop me.

2.

NO PLACE TO HIDE

Later that night, lovely Mana stared at her handsome Harmon. They sat alone for dinner, a table filled with color and variety, pleasing to any overindulging eye. Harmon said nothing; he picked at his plate and looked off deep in thought.

Mana was not especially happy to see him like this, sulking. He never seemed to keep it to himself. His bad mood had a way of floating around like a dark cloud, that touched everyone in the palace until there was no laughter, just whispering. She would feel like she did something for everyone if she could lift his spirits a little.

Unable to escape his ranting and raving she decided perhaps joining in his thoughts would help him expel his negative emotions.

He pushed his plate away and fell back in his chair. Exhausted, he closed his eyes. She saw her moment, and light as a feather she tiptoed behind him, kissed him on the head and started to massage his temples.

He sat up and started in again, Regardless of what my father says, my uncle was right. Just think of what we could be if we had that gold, the biggest and the richest. Father couldn’t care less. He’s content with his old stories and chasing young girls… never catching one.

She lowered her hands to his back, looking for a spot to release the pressure. Let’s try reasoning, she thinks. Your father believes those stories. There must be some truth to them.

He responds, I looked at a map, he has a good point. There’s no storming the place. It takes some thinking.

The fact that he listened was encouraging, and she gave more. Perhaps I can help. I have a maid who was once Hummy. I will speak with her, she may have some interesting stories about them.

For the first time since Harmon had arrived back home, he looked at her and smiled as if she were a pleasure to see.

• • •

The next day Mana sat comfortably in the sunroom, an airy open space cluttered with orchids and colorful indoor plants. Five open doors with long gold colored drapes led out on to a large balcony.

She was busy working on her embroidery when Teresa, an elderly handmaid with excessively long hair, came in, sat down a tray with tea and small cakes. She then started to tie the blowing drapes back.

No stop, I love the way they billow in the wind.

Teresa smiled, Yes my lady, would there be anything else?

She motioned for Teresa to have a seat. My dearest, please sit with me, help me lay my colors. It’s a beautiful morning, and you know how much I enjoy your company.

Teresa took a seat next to the princess and reached into a bowl, pulled out a jumbled clump of string and started to untangle it. Her long thin hand carried a large brilliant stone not likely to be found on the hand of a maid. Likewise, my lady, and what stories could an old woman tell, that you would find entertaining?

Humm, how about your life as a young woman my age? Tell me what was life like back then.

A slight smile covered her face. Ah, when I was your age. Well, I wasn’t that exciting, but the rest of the world was.

Mana glanced in the direction of the patio and baited Teresa for more. Are the Hummy people really that much different from us?

The old woman raised her eyelids. Well, at one time they say we were all the same people. Five kings of Lapuslandee. Let’s see, there was the Wardee, the Sawtee, the Hummy, the Towten, and the Cods. All controlled by the Tinnin. Back then, they ruled over most of the world. As I understand it, the Sawtee deceived Wardee, left them standing on the battlefield alone. All along the cheats plotted to replace the Wardee as governing council for the Tinnin in Lapuslandee. Wardee all but disappeared. The Towten and the Hummy fled into the swamp. Many died, but some survived, and the reward was an isolated rich and fertile land.

Rich and fertile? But it’s only a fingertip on the map, Mana disputed.

Nevertheless, my lady, they want for nothing but to kill each other. I’m not sure why really, she frowned. But it became a way of life, way before I was born. There’s peace in the winter and war all summer.

Mana’s eyes dart to the balcony again. She placed her hand on her breast, and her eyes lit up. Oh, they must have great armies and fantastic warriors.

Teresa burst out laughing. I’m amazed there’s anyone left to fight. Eventually, they’ll just die out, or another big quake will just swallow the place up. You should see the rubble. That’s what they should be doing, rebuilding.

Didn’t you say you lived in Hummy palace? Your gift, your beautiful needlework, you learned it while you were there? Mana asked.

Teresa sighed with passion, Oh yes! But it was nothing to the treasures my queen had. She leaned her head back, and her hands lay in her lap as a daydream from the past took her away. Oh, she was beautiful; the merchants would bring her wonderful things from the Far East. Once the king had a dress made with gems sewn to cover it.

Mana’s mouth fell open. It must have been a most magnificent thing and priceless.

Teresa laughed again. Indeed, it was and too heavy. She only wore it for a few hours. Her hands got busy again pulling colors from the cluster in her lap.

Why would you ever want to leave such a place? Mana wondered out loud.

Teresa gave a weary moan and looked down at the large gem on her finger. Now that was sad. I saw something that made me fear for my life.

The princess stopped her work to listen. So, tell me more, what?… what? You stole that ring?

Teresa frowned appalled. My lady!

Mana caught herself. Of course you didn’t. I know you wouldn’t do a thing like that. So, what did happen?

The ladies completely stopped working. Teresa’s voice softened as her mind traveled. There was this young prince, and a secret was whispered that he was Sawtee. He was the king’s nephew. She narrowed her eyes.

This shocked Mana, she dropped her needle and glanced at the balcony doorway again. Sawtee?

Teresa snickered, The story has it that the betrothed King had an eye for a lovely lady. So the old queen, his mother, sent her here as a gift to your king as an appeasement for the return of her runaway sister. Somehow, she returned and with child. The king’s brother marries her and claims the child is his, and today this prince walks the palace like he has royal Hummy blood running through his veins.

Are you trying to tell me a Sawtee may one day sit on the throne in, in Hummy?

Teresa dropped her head, It’s much sadder. My queen had a son, beautiful and precious. He would have grown to look just like his father. She shut down for a moment, looking disturbed.

In a soft tone, Mana urges her on. And…

Teresa’s voice cracks, He was found dead in his crib.

Mana drew back as Teresa continued the story. I saw Marcus, that prince, the king’s nephew, leave that room just before the babe was discovered. He saw me too. She raised her eyebrows and looked Mana in the face. I told my queen all I had seen. She told the king, and he wouldn’t hear of it. I knew I was next, so I stayed close to my queen.

She held her hand up with a pleasant gaze at the large stone on her finger again. She gave me this ring for having courage.

Teresa lowered her head with sorrow. But in her grief over her little one, she grew weak in mind and body. That winter when the failing came, it took her. I fled into hiding, and when the merchants parked their wagons to leave, I went with them. But before I left, I saw him in a crowded dining room, and I whispered in his ear, one day you will pay for your crime.

She turned to Mana with harshness in her voice; her eyes seem to walk through the moment. There is no way of telling for sure, but I could swear I saw him, Marcus, lurking around my queen’s room the night she died. There was no reason for him to be there, the Sawtee Swine. She frowned for a moment then caught herself and breathed a sigh of relief.

Needless to say, here I am.

Princess Mana’s eyes bounced around the room. She relaxed her shoulders. Yes, and I’m so glad you are.

Teresa got busy with the yarn again, pulling colors and laying them out like nothing had just been said. Then with a smile, she pondered out loud, Before the king’s son was born, he had two daughters, the prettiest and sweetest little things. I wonder what became of them.

The princess was completely unsettled, What a gray story. She nervously returned to her work and accidentally spilled a cup of tea on herself. They both jumped.

Teresa pulled a towel from her apron and tried to wipe the soiled dress. It’s all over me. Oh, I love this dress; it’s just like me to make a mess of it. Stay here, wait, I want to hear more. Teresa smiled and nodded, yes.

Mana left the woman standing. She continued laying colors. Then the wind kicked up and blew over the princess’s easel, and the laid yarn flew. She started closing doors and pulling drapes.

Prince Harmon appeared from the balcony and startled her.

You, you were listening to everything I said. Why?

Harmon wore a sickly smile. Her eyes grew big; she gasps and covered her mouth. The prince said nothing as she started to back off. She tried to run, but he grabbed her by the hair. She screamed, he held her by the face. Up against the draped wall, she tried to push him back shrieking and kicking, but her frail body was no match. With his breath in her face, he pulled a dagger.

I think you talk too much old woman. I would let you live, but sooner or later you would be telling secrets about me, besides I need you to do me a favor.

He stabbed and let her fall; pulling the drapes down over her. The screams brought others. By the time the princess returned, two men were carrying her body out, wrapped in a bloody golden drape.

The princess was grief stricken and angry. When Harmon and Mana were left alone, she was unable to control her emotions. With a devil may come, attitude, she blasted out in anger, Why? Why did you have to kill her? She was a sweet old woman, kind and warm hearted. How could you? I should never have told you. Why did I ever try to help you?

With no expression, he grabbed Mana by the face the same way he had grabbed Teresa, pushed her against the wall bumping her head. He leaned down close to her face, close enough that she considered biting his nose, but the dark look in his eyes and the tightness of his lips cautioned, she would surely die. She risks a narrowing of the eyes instead.

Shut up! I should kill you too, allowing Hummy, the enemy to move freely among us, even as we sleep in our beds.

At the slightest hint of release, she ripped his hand from her face and bravely turned her back, keeping an eye on him in a nearby mirror. Her heart pounded as hot tears ran from her eyes. She threw her head back and turned to face him. You wouldn’t dare. I know who I am.

Boiling with rage, she spewed The enemy? You knew she was no threat.

As he headed out the door, she tried to think of a way to make him feel… anything. Don’t look for any more of the beautiful collars you love so much. That was her work. She was the gifted one.

She got nothing, but she wanted something, she yelled down the crowded hall when he left the room, Coward, murderer of old women! She saw him stop and slammed the door as hard as she could and locked it. She checked her face and neck in the mirror then flopped in a chair and cried.

With others watching Harmon’s eyes darted, he stood tall, put on a slight smile and continued on his way.

3.

HARMON’S PLAN

A few days later Harmon entered his office to find his cousins Seth and Eion making themselves comfortable, Seth pouring wine and Eion with his boots up on the desk.

Cousins, Harmon smiled, rubbing his hands together like a fly before its meal. A tad older than him, both fit and handsome young men, they returned the smile.

Seth offered Harmon a goblet, Harmon! So, my father sent us. He said we needed to be here for the greatest conquest of our history. He didn’t want our names left out of the story.

Harmon took the wine, and all three men had a seat at his sun-drenched desk. That sounds like him.

Eion dropped his boots, Now tell us cousin, what is this grand adventure of yours.

Harmon took a drink from his goblet and leaned back from the desk. I don’t have a plan yet, just a destination, and your father was right. You don’t want to be left out of this one. After forty years the most luscious apple is ripe. And you are here to have a bite.

The brothers eye each other and Eion leaned in. Okay, I’m stirred. My father didn’t tell us. What’s this destination of yours?

Harmon’s eyes leaped from one cousin to the other, while they waited with bated breath, as to what is this advantageous new quest. He tucked in his bottom lip, The gold of TowHummy.

The brothers bounced back in their seats. Eion rolled his eyes as Seth starts to explain. TowHummy? Cousin, there are already lots of stories about that place; I’m not so sure I want to be in a new one.

Harmon was excited, still smiling but the other two were skeptical. That was a long time ago. I found a few things have changed. Things that may make taking it as easy as plucking a rose peddle.

Seth narrowed his eyes, What things?

Harmon dropped the smile, For one, their numbers may have dwindled to the point there would barely be a fight.

Eion leaned back out of the sunlight. Cousin, numbers were never the problem. They have always been gravely outnumbered. Tell us how to defeat the other problems, like the forest that is literally fertilized with the bodies of Sawtee. Sinkholes that take a man and his horse.

Seth frowned. They say some of those grotesque trees actually take on the human faces of the ones they devour.

Harmon leaped off his seat as particles of dust swirled in the sunlight. He gulped wine and chortled, Sawtee faces? His cousins were not amused; he calmed down, Okay, I know the stories. Yes, the mountain storms, killer gems, poison grass and it goes on and on, the like. But this time, they are no matter. Cousins, this time, he whispered, we will be invited in.

There was a moment of silence as eyes bounce off each other, Seth pulled on his well-kept whiskers. We’re listening.

Harmon took another moment running his hand over his face. "First, I have a question, is it at all possible that my father has another son? That I may have a brother that for whatever reasons my father has