![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
The invaders from across the sea had swept across all in their path. Great cities and nations had fallen before their armies before they even saw the first of the Vekal plainsmen. But the invaders were not great fools. Brash and warlike, yes, but there were generals among them who knew the wisdom of learning of your enemy before facing him.
So they asked of the peoples that they had already subjugated, and those that had willingly submitted to them of the Vekal. They asked what were their strengths and weaknesses. And they learned that the Vekal had no great cities, and few villages, and most of the Vekal roamed the plains as their ancestors did. The invaders learned that the Vekal were judged by many to be the best horsemen in the known world. And such words were said even with the knowledge of the cavalry of the invaders; armored horses and powerful knights on them. Horses far larger then the ones the Vekal raised.
And they learned that there was only one place that the Vekal considered to be theirs and theirs alone. For although the rest of the plains they would share with any who traveled upon them, there was a great mound many miles to the west, where the leaders of the Vekal had been buried for generations beyond counting.
And finally they learned that the Vekal had no gods. They made no entreaties to any being above them, believing that only their deeds and actions had merit, and that they mocked, albeit gently, those not of the Vekal who offered prayers to other beings for aid or power.
The invaders believed that the Vekal would fall before them easily. The invaders had greater numbers, and armored cavalry, and they had their gods on their side. So, they rode west, seeking this burial mound, to destroy it as a show of their strength, and to draw the Vekal to them for battle. Thousands of the invaders rode west, and were never seen again. For though the Vekal are without gods, they are not without strength. And their leaders, though buried and dead for generations, are said to rise to defend the Vekal. For without gods, their strength never dies.
So they asked of the peoples that they had already subjugated, and those that had willingly submitted to them of the Vekal. They asked what were their strengths and weaknesses. And they learned that the Vekal had no great cities, and few villages, and most of the Vekal roamed the plains as their ancestors did. The invaders learned that the Vekal were judged by many to be the best horsemen in the known world. And such words were said even with the knowledge of the cavalry of the invaders; armored horses and powerful knights on them. Horses far larger then the ones the Vekal raised.
And they learned that there was only one place that the Vekal considered to be theirs and theirs alone. For although the rest of the plains they would share with any who traveled upon them, there was a great mound many miles to the west, where the leaders of the Vekal had been buried for generations beyond counting.
And finally they learned that the Vekal had no gods. They made no entreaties to any being above them, believing that only their deeds and actions had merit, and that they mocked, albeit gently, those not of the Vekal who offered prayers to other beings for aid or power.
The invaders believed that the Vekal would fall before them easily. The invaders had greater numbers, and armored cavalry, and they had their gods on their side. So, they rode west, seeking this burial mound, to destroy it as a show of their strength, and to draw the Vekal to them for battle. Thousands of the invaders rode west, and were never seen again. For though the Vekal are without gods, they are not without strength. And their leaders, though buried and dead for generations, are said to rise to defend the Vekal. For without gods, their strength never dies.