The Pyramids of Set (Chapter 1)
Tales of Arnon the Wanderer
The pillaging of the South had not gone as expected. Treasure and loot was sparse all down through the Western shores of Afrieen. There seemed to be only savage tribes and villages of poverty. We lost men every time we set foot upon that Godforsaken land. The spears of the savages rained down on us and we were driven back to the Dragon of the Sea, to sail further South in search of fortune. That all ended around the Southernmost tip of the country when a storm sent by the Gods drove us into the rocks and splintered our hull beyond repair. That a mere twenty-three of us remained, washed up on a sandy beach with nothing but wild lands and death between us and civilization, was a harrowing realization. Afrieen was not a continent one wanted to be stranded at the tip of.
There were tales of civilization and cities of gold in the North. Treasure now the furthest thing from our minds and survival our driving force, we had no choice but to set out on foot, up the Eastern coast, hoping the savages were only on the West, knowing we would meet peril no matter the direction we chose.
Strange and savage creatures hunted us for food and the savages shadowed our every step. One-by-one we fell as we trudged on North over grassland, desert, and rocky areas that kept us always moving and always on the defensive. Hunger ate at our insides and the men that fell began to welcome death so they no longer had to deal with the pain to keep moving. Time was meaningless. I didn’t know how many days, weeks, months we toiled and fought our way through that accursed land. In the end, I was the only one to walk out of that wildlands and into a civilization that left me in awe of the spectacles I beheld.
With nothing but a tunic, breeches, worn leather boots, and the spear of a savage that had attacked me and met hell below, I shambled into an oasis of beauty. The walls around the city were massive golden sandstone blocks piled high upon one another. There was no guard at the gate as traders, pilgrims, and others walked into the bustling city. At the far side, rising above the stone shops and houses, were three pyramids that rose to the Gods and beckoned for all to come and behold their majesty.
The locals all eyed me, though not with the suspicion that I would have thought, but as one who was out of place and lacking of the wealth they maintained. My clothing was ripped and torn while they wore colorful silks and fabric that was loose and airy in the warm climate the city occupied. They were not revolted by my appearance either. Nor did they push me away due to my poverty. Instead, more than one came up to me and offered help. I could not make out their native dialect but many were versed in languages from the North, proving that they advanced people had ventured into the lands that I was familiar with. We must have appeared to be savages to this much advanced society. Where our forts and castles were wood and thatch, theirs were stone and even gold and diamond.
A man, perhaps just over two decades of living, with dark hair, brown eyes, and sun browned complexion was the first to attempt to speak to me with words I could understand, “Is this your first time in Summal, sir?”
“It is. What are those immense structures? I asked while nodding to the pyramids in the distance.
He looked where I was looking and then smiled and said, “Those are the Pyramids of Set. They are the power that Set has bestowed upon us. They provide light in the evening to keep the shadows at bay. They run the machination that can be activated if the city is in danger. They proved power for the irrigation of our crops and the water coming into our homes.”
“You have water going to each of your homes?”
“Yes. Summal is not like the lands you come from my friend.”
“Why do you not share this technology with others?”
“Only the Priests of Set know how the inner workings are accomplished and how the God Set transfers his power to us. This technology was brought to us from the city to the West called Atlantis. I have not been there myself, but it is said to be a fabricated landlocked island with circular waterways that make up rings all the way into the central land mass. Their power comes from the movement of the water around the city where ours is from the internal workings of the Pyramid. And there is also a far off land called Tiwanaku, across the vast ocean, that uses this same technology that we have. I have heard that civilization is even bigger now, than all of the cities in these lands.”
At that moment, a massive creature, nay, some man made machination of technology flew through the sky like a ship through the water. It was heading toward the Pyramids, “Gods above and devils below, what is that monster?” I asked.
“That is the Vimāna. It is one of the many transport vehicles used to get from Summal to Atlantis, and then across the vast ocean to the great city of Tiwanaku.”
“Have you been in that flying machine?”
“Oh no. Only the Kings and Priests and their chosen are allowed to use the Vimānas to cross the lands. It goes now to the Great Pyramid so that it can replenish the energy it needs to make the return trip to Atlantis, and maybe on from there.
“Come my new friend, let us get you more suitable clothing and some food. You look as if you have crossed the savage lands in the South and barely made it though.”
I nodded and allowed a small chuckle, “Thank you..”
“My name is Amahal, now come. You are welcome to stay in my home and I will show you more of the wonders of Summal in the morning.
It was then that I was treated to a hospitality that I had never encountered before. The people were warm and friendly even though I was an outsider that was entitled to none of this effort. The food was spiced and ate heartily and had several servings. I was given a comfortable feather filled bedding in a corner of the abode where, for the first time in many moons, I slept deeply and did not have to worry about any savages or beasts that intended to feed on my flesh in the night. Summal seemed like a paradise right out of the storybooks. Unfortunately, things that are so good tend to have a darkness that powers them from within and soon I would find out that this civilization was just more savagery but of another kind.
To Be Continued…
The Pyramids of Set (Chapter 2)
This was great. Your writing chops are awesome. The beginning of the piece reminded me of “Tales of the Black Freighter” from Watchmen, which has always blown me away and is writing that I consider top tier (I’m specifically talking about the black freighter parts). You’re right there with it!
Ooooh this is good