Rise of the Emancipator

By Frank Hardy

The Rise of the Emancipator begins in a fantasy world in a country called Garda. When the country is overthrown by a more powerful country from the south called Borradon, the people of Garda have to flee over the bordering mountains to the north. Many of them will perish from the freezing cold and starvation during this journey over the mountains. But those who do survive will begin a new life hidden in the Dark Forest of Asperia. They will soon be discovered by the eldest son of the king of Asperia, Erik. The king of Asperia, who is a just and compassionate king, offers them refuge by allowing them to remain there under his protection. Many of the people of Asperia will embrace the people of Garda, following Erik's lead. As eldest son, Erik is in line to inherit the crown, but when he falls in love with one of the beautiful young refugee women, the tradition of Asperian society is shaken to the core as the young man becomes determined to marry the foreigner and make her queen of all Asperia. But before this can take place, others who are loyal to Asperian culture and traditions step in to prevent the marriage. When the Gardaszen village is destroyed, people are murdered and many sold into slavery. In shackles, they are placed on a ship, and the ship crosses the ocean to another world, ridding the kingdom of Asperia of the people from Garda. Erik, who is brokenhearted over this event, discovers that his love can still be alive among those in the slave ship. He is determined to pursue it in order to be reunited with his true love. Alone and against all odds, he will obtain a ship from the royal fleet, and the adventure begins.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9781684096961

Book preview

dedication

In Memory of My Brother Robert Grover Thomas.

Acknowledgement

To the individuals who made this book possible I would like to give a special thanks - My sister Edith Denise; Josie Williams; Allison Pattison; Denis Hardy; and last but not least my lovely wife Jessica who makes all this possible through her loving support.

Many centuries ago, on the faraway continent of Allegon, in a small country called Garda, there once lived a great people called the Gardaszens. As legend would have it, Garda was hidden from most of the world. Its location, at the foot of the great mountains of Asperia, kept them secluded for many years. The Gardaszens were a peaceful people, whose land overflowed with precious gems, fertile land, and an abundance of natural resources. It was said that the women were like no other that anyone had ever cast their eyes on. Their skin was dark and sun-kissed like shimmering bronze, and their hair flowed like thick onyx waves that caressed their backs. The men were just as mesmerizing. They were tall, with broad shoulders that seemed to reach no end. Their bodies were chiseled to perfection by their daily undertakings as providers. These Gardaszens lived in a paradise that flourished because of their spiritual connection with the land. They possessed the capability to produce the beautiful treasures that flooded the land.

Covering the rest of the continent, Garda was surrounded by countries that constantly invaded them because of their thriving way of life and rich resources. To the west, there was Purtania, which was inhabited by craftsmen. To the south, in Aladonia, there lived farming people. And in the east, there were ship builders and slave traders in a country called Gi’vonia. There was also a country north of Garda, the mighty kingdom of Asperia, where no one dared to venture. The gargantuan mountains at the southern border of Asperia were greatly feared, and no one was up for the challenge. All these countries, except Asperia, repeatedly invaded Garda to steal jewels, and resources, but mostly their women. The Gardaszen women were so stunning they were worth large amounts in the slave markets in this world. The Gardaszens seemed to always succeed in fighting off their invaders, but the Gardaszen men were not warriors, and with each attack, more and more of the men perished. Many of the men sacrificed their lives to protect the women and children, but word of Garda’s assets attracted more invaders.

Far south of Garda, in the immense kingdom of Borradon, rumors of what existed there had reached King Atlas, and he devised a plan to topple the kingdom; for a country with such great earthly wealth should be under his rule. King Atlas was the most powerful king in this region. He used fear and intimidation to rule with an iron fist. Up until now, he had always ignored the rumors of this small country called Garda. After all, it had never been a threat to his power.

Until one day, a traveling band of slave traders who were lost and were found traveling through Borradon were captured and brought before King Atlas. Why are you in my kingdom? King Atlas asked.

The slave trader, whose name was Jesse, replied, I’m just a businessman who lost my way.

And what business are you in? questioned King Atlas.

I’m a provider. I provide anything that you may need. Today, I am in the business of selling jewels. I have four of the most beautiful jewels you may ever cast your eyes upon. They come from the country of Garda. Perhaps you yourself may be interested in doing business with me.

Let me see these jewels that you speak of, King Atlas boomed.

Jesse smirked at the king and turned around to grab a rope that was hanging from his cart to his hand. With one strong jerk, he yelled, Out here now! Show yourselves to the mighty king Atlas! Down from the wagon they stepped: one, two, three, and then four. These four women were barely teenagers, but even at a young age, they possessed unusual beauty. Look at them. Have you ever seen such exquisiteness? Jesse said to the king. He walked behind the tallest of the four. I call this one Diamond. He slowly disrobed her, exposing her breasts. Jesse immediately saw the hunger in King Atlas’s eyes, and he knew he had won him over. Jesse stepped closer to the tallest girl and placed his hands on her breast. As his hands caressed her well-formed body, he said, King Atlas, have one of these beauties caught your eye? King Atlas stared at her bare tan skin and was at a loss for words. Jesse smiled and responded, So you don’t like that one. Let’s see what else I have. He walked behind the next girl and disrobed her. This young girl was petite, with captivating eyes and thick wavy hair. Jesse picked her up, saying, This one is the youngest. I call her Pearl. Imagine what she’s going look like in a year or so. She would be a great addition to your harem, don’t you think? The king slowly nodded, but still his words seemed to escape him. As Jesse walked behind the third girl, he noticed the king’s men waiting with such lustfulness. This one, who I call Ruby, has the fullest, child-bearing hips! he exclaimed. Being an experienced trader, Jesse noticed that King Atlas seemed to be most impressed with the fourth girl. So diamonds, pearls, and rubies are not what please you, my king? Perhaps sapphires are more to your taste.

Jesse stepped behind the fourth girl and swiftly removed her clothing. This girl was the most stunning and voluptuous of them all. She had a full bust, narrow waist, and voluminous hips. As she stepped forward, almost as if she were removed from her body, Jesse spun her around and moved his hand slowly down every inch of her curves for emphasis. He watched King Atlas’s eyes follow his hands. Ah, Sapphire… my favorite little jewel. Her body is like no other, and her face is just as lovely. Take notice of her full lips and beautiful teeth. Jesse grabbed her jaw and forced it open. Open your mouth, child, Jesse commanded. Show the king what a pretty mouth you have. Sapphire did as she was told, and King Atlas was floored by the allure of this young girl. He was still unable to speak, and this made Jesse confident he would have the king’s business.

Suddenly, King Atlas regained his composure. After such a display of weakness at the mere beauty of these exotic women, he decided he would take them all and much, much more. He ordered his men to take the women away and dispose of Jesse. Fearing for his head and feeling as though he had been robbed, Jesse began to protest, Keep the women, but please spare me my life! King Atlas said nothing, only waved his hand to his men. For he had what he wanted from Jesse and cared nothing for pleading fools. Jesse was shouting for mercy while being carried away when something he said caught the king’s ear. I can take you there! Jesse shouted in a desperate appeal.

Stop! bellowed King Atlas. Bring him here.

Being the power hungry and jealous king that he was, Atlas knew that he could use this man to help him get to Garda. If he could successfully overthrow this remote but prosperous country, he would finally have the resources he needed to compete with the great country of Asperia. After all, the only stories of Garda had been of their beautiful women, abundance of natural resources, and lack of a worthy army.

The Displacement of the Gardaszens

And so it began, King Atlas’s plan to raid and overthrow the kingdom of Garda, to institute his own dictatorship and deplete the country of all its resources. He spent the remainder of the year putting together a strategic plan that would end in the demise of Garda. The Borradon army finally embarked on the four-month-long journey across the great continent to execute their plan of attack, wreaking havoc along the way. Being the ruthless creatures that they were, the Borradonians burned many villages to the ground, taking the supplies they needed and capturing any men as slaves for their army. Upon reaching their destination, the Borradonians waited until nightfall and rained down assaults on the Gardaszens, using the element of surprise as yet another advantage.

Being a people of the land and having little experience in combat, the Gardaszens defended themselves the best that they could, but they were no match for King Atlas’s army. The Gardaszens were left with no choice but to flee from their homeland for survival. The ruler of Garda, King Clover, realizing that all was lost, escaped with his family and a few hundred of their people, mostly women and children, into the only place of safety: the Asperian Mountains. Those who had stayed behind chose to fight until they were killed or captured. Though, with the plans King Atlas had for those who were apprehended, death might have been a more honorable fate. Any women captured were auctioned like cattle at the market, and the remaining men were either forced deep into the gem mines and, coal mines, or made to work the fields. King Clover, his family, and the escaping Gardaszens traveled for weeks through the biting winter cold that daily claimed the lives of their people until finally they arrived at the Dark Forest of Asperia, which bordered the mountains.

The Dark Forest was a place where even the bravest of men feared to go for it was rumored that it was enchanted with ill spirits and that no man who ventured into the forest ever returned. Being people that respected the land, the spirits of the Dark Forest had no ill will toward the Gardaszens, and because in Garda the forest was part of their home, they had no fear of this place. In fact, after the treacherous journey through the unknown terrain, their numbers dwindled because of tragic events such as rock slides, avalanches, and starvation, but through it all, they survived the great mountains of Asperia. Now seeking refuge in the Dark Forest, they decided this would be a safe place to settle. Secluded, isolated, and hidden from danger, they could heal from the aftermath of losing their homeland.

In the Dark Forest, the Gardaszens were able to use their natural ability to grow and provide food for themselves. Even though they had escaped the attack, they knew certain things would have to change. In fact, for their own survival in this unfamiliar land, they had to adopt entirely new customs. In the past, they allowed their women to display their beauty, for the Gardaszens were proud of their God-given gifts. The Gardaszen people treated their young women like flowers that would blossom year-round. They felt that such beauty was intended for sharing. Now this practice would have to change because they learned that this kind of beauty brought about much envy and jealousy