Book of Damascus

I was never one for words. Too much work to be done to waste time learning something I’ll never use. But my son thinks it’s important I record something before tomorrow, so he writes for me. Our valley lays before our house on the hill, overlooking the rising sea level. Two factions sit in the waves, waiting for the daylight. Dozens of ship each eagerly await the chance to claim OUR land for their own. They do not know the blood, sweat, and tears my family has fertilized this place with, marking it as ours. Most neighbors have done just the same, surviving as best they can so they can continue their line. We are peaceful people but tomorrow, peace will be over. Peaceful does not mean we agree to be pushed around. We may not have warships and men of many skills. We may not have boys to attach our shining armor and another man to hammer out the dents and keep it shining. There may not even be a we. Before the sun rises, I will be on that shore, no matter the outcome I believe I cannot change. In my heart I know that I cannot sit idly by, son. Even if I change nothingabout tomorrow, I have to think farther than myself.

Book of Daxmond

The sun had not started falling the other way before the winning faction came to me. Even my father’s sword he grew himself was returned to me. They prayed I never draw it against them, in hopes that I would join their rank, if only as an official. They had won, and claimed property of our land as their own. But it wasn’t without an extreme dedication for my father. My family was promised no harm as long as we co-operated. They claimed that they had sent several of their men to pray for his soul as soon as he had been slain. Over a hundred men lay dead at our shores, and they claimed at least half of them had been by my father’s hand. He begged we avert our eyes so we payed him respect, but knowing the terrible power my father had harnessed I wish I had broken my promise. A farmer may be strong but a warrior he is not. With the odds stacked high against him, I cannot imagine how he managed such a feat of strength.