You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
alternatehistory.com
Chapter IV
Union of the Seas: Eclipse
Volume I- Origins
Chapter IV
19 years, 7 months, and 2 days before the Cataclysm (19 PC)
We will destroy the great empires of the world and make a new one out of the ashes! It is my destiny to found an empire encompassing all the lands under the sun! Divine favor has brought me here- and with it we will conquer you a home!
The days passed ever onward. The sun rose and the sun set. The land gradually became a distant sight, as the duo sailed into the sea. The spectacle of the dawn would wake them, and the calm of the sunset bode them rest. Tudkhalias was driven by a singular desire for revenge. Divine punishment for those who had dared to violate the gods' followers would be meted out to all of them. The sea eventually stopped. The memories of the past haunted him, but it was all across the sea now. The land, Alashiya, upon which he set ashore on had only a few towns. (1) At last, he had found somewhere the raiders would not come. The town of Enkoni became his home. (2) Most of it was ruins, but it did not deter him. Tudkhalias built a house, and worked to till the land outside the town and was a smith sometimes inside. In these happiest days of their time together, Kiya and Tudkhalias lay together as a couple on several occasions. (3) The contentedness of this island seemed unmatched in the world. The state of Alashiya had a capital, which was also Enkoni many moons before. The King lived in a fine palace there once- now Enkoni was barely controlled by the weakening state.
(Old Enkoni)
Tudkhalias sized up the men of Enkoni as he walked down the road. They all carried weapons, and smelled of the sea. There were perhaps a thousand different tongues he could hear- and few he could understand. One giant stepped out of the shadows.
"Lakash gar shu! Tomak! Nogrik canar.." The other men roared with laughter. (4) The man charged at him. Tudkhalias felt the sun beating on his tunic, and saw the beast approaching. He sidestepped to his left, and the beast kept going. He crashed into a wall. Once again the crowd roared with laughter. The man stumbled backwards, his head running with blood. Infuriated even moreso, he ran at Tudkhalias, roaring. Tudkhalias faced him down and smiled, shoving a sword into his head. He staggered as he tried to stay upright. He pushed the sword in even harder, until it came out the other side of his head. At last the man fell to the ground. The blood gushed out of his head into a symbol much resembling a lightning bolt. The crowd murmured.
Suddenly, a man spoke.
"Atiman?" He asked quietly.
"You... you speak Hatti?" Tudkhalias marvelled.
"Yes I do. You just killed one of our group." The man said.
"Oh, sorry about that. He attacked me!" Tudkhalias explained.
"Yes I know... but you are divinely blessed it seems! That lightning bolt is a sign. A prophecy foretold that the next to rule our group would be marked by a lightning bolt of blood, and would sweep away all who stood before him. You just did both. This is no accident." The man awed.
"So what does this all mean?" Tudkhalias wondered out loud.
We are a cobbled together group of warriors from across the world. I am one of the few that can speak several tongues. Now again... Atiman?" The man somberly uttered.
"Tudkhalias of Tarsos!" Shouted Tudkhalias. Perhaps this would intimidate them? He had no title in the city- but as the city was gone, he had as good a claim as any.
"Tudkhalias, we invite you to be our new leader. Your skill in combat is unrivaled- not a man here could best you. We have sought refuge from raids and bad weather. Together we fight for new homelands. What do you say?" The man asked.
"I say this was an act of the gods. They have divinely brought me here to lead you. We will destroy the great empires of the world and make a new one out of the ashes! It is my destiny to found an empire encompassing all the lands under the sun! Divine favor has brought me here- and with it we will conquer you a home!" Tudkhalias roared. The men cheered jubilantly, after the interpreter had told them in their tongues of what Tudkhalias had said.
"Wait!" Cried the interpreter. "There is something else to do."
Several men brought towards Tudkhalias a string of beads and pearls. They put it around his neck. A priest walked up to him.
(some of the beads)
"By the divine favor of the gods, I, Ablimet, pronounce Tudkhalias of Tarsos as Tudkhalias I, High King of the Denaniyim, Ekwesh, Lukka, Peles, Shekels, Sherdes, Tereskhs, Teucri, Weshes, Sicals, and all who flock to his glorious banner!" The priest cried. (5) The ceremony was repeated in perhaps twenty different tongues, and then at last, the crowd cheered. Tudkhalias had gone from being a landless vagabound to High King of peoples all across the world! Oh how the gods had blessed him!
"I will not fail you, O great deities. I will conquer an empire in your name and under your banner." Tudkhalias whispered.
Later that day, Tudkhalias told Kiya of the news, and of how he had forced the peoples to respect her as his royal consort, as his first command.
"Oh Tudkhalias! I always knew you were destined for greatness!"
He loved to hear her so happy. However, he knew there was much bloodshed ahead, and he had best be ready for it.
FINIS
Wanted to make a longer chapter this time. Trying to get the size up to average book chapter length. At this point, I am about halfway there.
(1)- Cyprus. Alashiya is ancient name.
(2)- modern village near Famagusta..
(3)-If I have to explain this to you... Find another ATL. This one is going to have too many fight scenes.
(4)- Could not find translator for languages other than Hittite. Imagination! (any sources would be welcome)
(5)- Names derived from records of these peoples and possible places they came from. NOT made up.