This post is the next instalment in the tales set in the Bronze Age of my homebrew B&D world. I've been using prompts from the Worldbuilding community as the starting point, and this one is based on Worldbuilding Prompt #972 - Name of an ancient war
The previous posts were; Worldbuilding Prompt #955 - Twins, Worldbuilding Prompt #962 - One Twin, The Twin's Blade, Worldbuilding Prompt #964 - The Twin's First Companion and Worldbuilding Prompt #971 - Place of power
Image created by AI in NightCafe Studio
Creon's journey back from the Oracle of Apaliunas at Iswa took him months. He had many adventures on the way that passed into legend, but they are not part of this story, they can be told another time.
When he returned to Monwa, he was greeted by the king, his friend Potidion. After exchanging warm greetings and wine (after all, Creon had been gone for nearly half a year), the king took him off to a private chamber.
"My friend," he said with a grave expression, "Kallicrates of Zarat knows you sought refuge here, and is raising a great army from among his allies to come and take you. It's clear he is seeking an excuse to subjugate Monwa and add it to his domain. Many other kings have heard his claim of how your slew his heir and are considering joining him."
Creon nodded. "Just as I'd expect him to do. Do we have allies of our own, enough to meet and match him in open battle ?"
Shaking his head, Potidion was grim. "We have allies, but not enough to win against him. He has not been kind to his neighbours, his warriors raid their lands, burn farms and take slaves. Most of his allies are from further away, from cities which haven't suffered his depredations."
With a smile starting to form on his lips, Creon outlined a plan. "Then we appeal to those he has harmed. Strike hard and fast before his allies can come to his aid. Defeat any allies who come to him one at a time. We should strike at Zarat itself !"
Thus it was that the legend of Four Against Zarat was born. Potidion of Monwa, Garon of Semilos, and Parcrates of Orilan accepted the leadership of Creon the Chalkophoros and bought their warriors against the strong walls of Zarat.
Each king rode proud in his chariot, with companions riding their own war carts. Potidion was accompanied by Licrates the captain of his Royal Guard, as well as two hundred common warriors. Each of the other kings was likewise head of a band of followers. Creon, however, was accompanied only by his giant wolf Lycovouno and Garmod the bronze worker.
Their army was strong, but not as strong as that Kallicrates claimed to be raising. But the difference was that they were under the walls of Zarat, while Zarat's allies were far away.
The four had acted quickly and secretly, and Kallicrates had only his own warriors to defend his city, his crown and his life.
So began the Siege of Zarat, a war which would be longer and costlier than any expected when it commenced.