Wiroch: The First Step
#5 of Campaign of Wiroch
Based on the works of
http://fastolf.sofurry.com/
Eternal Mortality
After the votes were held, Tiralin's official title became Queen. Not only because those of Drothar often thought she was the Queen before. She was always an unsung leader of them through the entire ordeal with Drothar. She and her people sacrificed everything to try to hold them back. They knew it was impossible, but they never stopped fighting.
The next day, the decisions were announced by the Eldest. A huge crowd had formed around her and the many elders and chieftains. All kinds of Scales were here now. Lowlanders, Turels, Boggers, Lither, and Orina. All the races of Wiroch, never had its like been seen before. The Eldest gestured to Tiralin. She stepped forward.
"The leaders have chosen one to lead this new order." The Eldest proclaimed. "None other than the Vigil of the Tempests, Tiralin Nuva!"
There was a murmur through the crowd at first until one voice rang through them. "The vengeful fist of the Tempest! The one called the Dark Queen by the Furs!"
"May our trespassers know despair when they look upon you!" Another called out.
There was a wild cheering through the entire audience. They approved of the choice, for now.
The Eldest eyed Tiralin and gestured once more to the crowd. "Anything you would like to say to us?"
She nodded and looked to the crowd, waiting for the clamor to die down.
"My Brothers and sisters, cousins and children. I stand before you now only because you have ultimately chosen me. My Tempest counterparts understood that choosing a leader separated that person from the rest. The responsibility on my shoulders now is greater than ever before. Know that I will order things that most of you disagree with. While others back me up. I cannot change how you feel about something. I stand here now only by the sacrifices of those we all fought with. I will never forget, and neither should any of you! Things are going to change, we must catch up with the rest of the world. Or we are doomed to be extinguished from Osa, forever."
The speech was harrowing, yet none disagreed
"Let me tell you what will happen should we band together!" She continued. "We will struggle each and every day for several years. Our hands and bodies will bleed, and Osa's unquenchable thirst will forever drink from us. Sweat will drip from our brow and add to our suffering."
The crowd fell silent at this dismal outlook.
"But if you look into our history... These are things we have always done. We thrive in conditions that require us to bleed. Look around at your brethren and see their scars. Each one represents a sacrifice, ones they made to benefit themselves and the ones they love. Imagine the power of the actions, and working them all to one cause! We must rise to the challenge of our neighbors! If they wish to try once more, we must be ready for it! We who have assembled here today must stand for our right to live and to keep the lands we dwell in! If we do not work for it, we will lose it. So if you all wish to continue our beliefs and teach them to your children. I need you to follow me! Follow me into the new world! For Osa demands our survival!"
A wild cheer surged into the crowd. "Show the world what we are capable of! Let them stand in awe! I will work with you all toward our future! Even if that means I must sacrifice my own life! That's a promise I shall keep, and one I expect you all to make as well!"
She turned and walked back into the tent, no smile on her face. She knew from here on would be heartbreak and toil for many, including her. The crowd was left in a relatively grim silence. These next years would be the most difficult of their lives, but they knew now the cost of failure. Failure was not an option.
Fated to be Remembered
Most of the Scales had stayed that night and offered their services to her personally. She replied the same to everyone, "Don't do this for me, do it for yourselves!". Some left and continued their lives as they always had. Not speaking to the brethren who happened to agree with Tiralin. About three quarters stayed in the large camp at the foot of the Tempestuous Stretch. All of them took a vow to remain united. Tiralin dubbed this stage of the new Wiroch, the Congressing. It was a stage that would last for several years to come. Tiralin worked tirelessly with her people in understanding and building modern architecture. As well as modern farming techniques. Some furs were recruited from the northern part of Wiroch to explain some modern ways and laws of the neighboring countries. Only one had extensive book smarts, his name was Walter Atlir. A dissident from Drothar that sought shelter from the rule of King Olav. He was of Canine decent, Husky variant. He stood 5'8" and had bright blue eyes, set carefully behind a pair of thin framed glasses. He wore tattered clothes of Drotharian design. A coat of fur with some distinguished markings, overall though he was a light gray color. Captured in a small settlement inside the border with several other deserters and traitors to the throne of their homeland.
They were all brought to a large town full of Scales, and very few Furs. Some buildings were being propped up the farther in they were led. Only one building was nearly finished, and that was where the leaders of the Assembled sat. Working just as hard as the rest of the people they led. Each of the captured Furs were led to different rooms. Walter was pushed through a door and it slammed behind him. There was a small table in the middle of the floor with a candle lit and large Lizard sitting at the other end with worker clothes on his back and gray eyes staring at him.
"Come and sit." The Scale offered, but Walter stood at the door. He was unwilling to move. "Very well." He continued. "Can we start with names? I am Kusedh Arthuk, serving as our Queen's right hand in these difficult times."
The Fur stared at him in fear. "We do not have anything of value to you... Why do you capture us?"
Kusedh smiled. "We are not interested in material wealth. We require knowledge. No harm will come to any of you. Our only wish is to inquire about your... Loyalties." He stated carefully. "Now would you please come and take a seat?"
Walter shuffled to the chair carefully and sat into it lightly. "I am Walter Atlir. From the Sovereignty of Drothar. My wife and I fled from it just before the Valtovkan Invasion."
"Are all of your comrades from Drothar?" Kusedh asked.
Walter nodded. "Dissidents. We lost faith in our King and country. We dared not flee into Valtovka and we couldn't hope to make it across the Wildlands. We decided to try to live where you found us..."
"So you were aware of our war with Drothar? Didn't you think they would find you?"
"Every day we lived with that fear. We couldn't let it consume us though, our hope for a better life trumped our fears." He explained. "And look where it got us..."
Kusedh gave him a curious look. "Where do you think it got you?"
"Executed, for tainting your sacred ground." He muttered.
Kusedh looked surprised. "You know of our customs?"
"Only very little. Not much information on the Wildland Scales you see. I had hoped our intrusion would go unnoticed."
"You place a lot of faith in hope. Most would consider that unwise." Kusedh stroked his chin in thought for a moment. "However, we have no plans to execute you or your people. Each one of them, including you, are being offered a place within the Assembly."
Walter gave him an incredulous look. "What? ...Why?"
Kusedh laughed in slight amusement. "We need all the help we can get, Mr. Atlir. Far be it from us to ignore the Furs that have sought refuge within our land. The ones who lost faith in their leaders and were brave enough to try surviving here... My Queen seeks such strength within our reach. Also, most Furs seem to have at least a basic understanding of modern technology in the other lands. We have fallen quite a way behind our worldly brethren." He explained. "So we're looking for some with a good knowledge of such things."
Walter thought for a moment before responding. "I left my Homeland to free myself from oppression... It seems I'm doomed to be dragged back into it."
"Now don't go comparing Tiralin with Olav." Kusedh said angrily. "She would never dare to do what he did, all too readily! We chose her to lead us! Can Drothar say the same?"
"... No. We cannot." He muttered.
"And contrary to what you might think. If you do decline this offer, you will be sent back into your... settlement."
Walter thought on this. They had lost so many to the harsh conditions already. There was no telling how much longer they would last, and he had a wife and son to think about. He knew what his answer would ultimately be, he would have to accept either way. "I have no other choice. I must stay here, and do what I can for my family."
Kusedh nodded in understanding.
"But I would like to speak to Tiralin about my profession. I believe I can be useful to her, and I need to discuss some matters with her."
He gave Walter a curious look for a moment before he finally shrugged. "Very well, she's working in the fields right now." He said as he stood up. "We can talk and work at the same time." Kusedh made his way to the door and gestured for Walter to follow.
They made their way to the farm with no guards following them. There was heavy overcast today with a light rain, barely enough to get wet.
"Why are there no guards with us?" Walter asked, almost feeling he had to.
"If there is any problem, I can deal with it. They have other things to tend to." He replied with a dismissive wave.
Walter didn't doubt it. "So, is she one for pleasantries or should I get right to the point?"
Kusedh laughed at this question. "Normally she would be. However, these days she's looking to get to the point. Good question, by the way. I think she'll like you." He still chuckled to himself for a little bit afterward.
As they walked through the fields, many Scales were working. Walter spotted Tiralin almost immediately. She was talking with many of her people and pointing in several directions, issuing orders to each of them. Kusedh wasted no time and walked straight to her. Walter walked nervously behind him. She was very tall compared to the rest of the Scales. Her gold eyes demanding respect from all who looked upon them. She dismissed the group around her and looked to the fur that was following Kusedh, even as Kusedh stopped next to her.
"Tiralin, this is Walter Atlir, of the Tempest encampment." He said as he grabbed a shovel from the cart full of tools. "He wishes to speak to you."
She nodded and kept her eyes locked on him, Walter shifted nervously. Kusedh made off and followed a group that was headed to a small stream.
"If you wish to speak, then do so now." She said. "We have much work to do.
"Oh... um, yes." He stuttered. "Your subordinate informed me that you were looking for some modern knowledge. I believe I can provide such knowledge." He explained.
She was clearly not impressed, and didn't seem to care. Her gaze was unmoving. "What do you want in exchange? I do not expect anything free of charge."
Seemed Kusedh wasn't lying. "Well, I'm only an engineer. I can build things that can work to make the things you seek. Like electricity for a start. All I ask in exchange is that my family and the others you captured be allowed to live in peace among your kind."
Tiralin's expression didn't change. "What of the people we captured? Are they prepared to work with us? So far I can only guarantee you and your family an abode."
"We can't last much longer by ourselves, they will agree to your terms as long as they are reasonable."
"They shall receive treatment equal to all of us, if they will work. We need all the bodies we can get." She held out her hand to Walter. "I accept these terms. We will provide you with a home if you work with us."
Walter hesitated for a moment. It all seemed to easy, to good to be true. He had no other choice though. He grabbed her hand and shook on it. Tiralin smiled at him, it wasn't one of ill intent, but one of pure joy.
"You place a lot of trust in me, Walter. I promise not to disappoint you. As of now, you are part of our Grand Assembly."
Walter was dumbstruck. "uh... Thanks." He didn't know how else to react. She was really trusting for one with the title of a Sovereign.
She released his hand and handed him a shovel. "For now though, why don't you help me get this irrigation system going." She grabbed another shovel and gestured for him to follow.
For the rest of that day, he and Tiralin focused on digging a simple ditch. Never before had Walter witnessed a Queen doing such work, and he couldn't help but respect her for it. He was worn out before she had even broken a sweat. He continued working for several hours before the second shift took over for both of them. He and Tiralin had several talks over the next couple days. Each discussing the future of this country. He had much to offer the people within The Grand Assembly, as she called it. His ideas would go far in developing these wildlands into a developed nation. Wiroch would always have its troubles, but Walter knew that the Queen would be ready for any challenge. He wanted nothing more than to help these people that trusted him without warrant. He worked with the little resources he had to make simple machines. He taught some scales to make tools, that would help in gathering resources, that would help create more complicated machinery.
Two years is what it took to begin distributing electricity to the town now known as Miraldin, the capitol of Wiroch and seat of The Grand Assembly. Just to the west of the Tempestuous Stretch and on the western edge of the Colval forest. Many settlements were beginning to rise in the surrounding areas, flying the Tempest Insignia on their flags. It had been chosen as the Assembly's emblem. Soon, even the ones who had abandon their kin in the beginning, returned to the capitol to offer their services, which were accepted without question. Only very few remained in their nomadic ways, but Tiralin paid them no heed. She had enough work to take care of as it was. There was no room for error, her activities were starting to catch unwanted attention. She needed to be quick in rising her country to defensible status. Or the boots of trespassers may be tempted to once again march on their lands and claim it. For the moment though, it looked as if they were all on edge with each other. Giving her people much needed room to breath.
Industry poured into the land at last, thanks in most part to Walter Atlir and his clever thinking. His boy, Elijah Samuel Atlir, grew into a curious young pup and attended the schoolhouse regularly. His wife, Catherine Atlir, helped build some of the buildings and maintained a Ration Distribution Center. This nation was finally blossoming, but the work was far from over. Many things have yet to be decided. Tiralin had always told her people that this would be the hardest time of their lives. She didn't exaggerate.