Monday, April 16, 2007

Synopsis

Dynast I: The Rise of Bherek White

The Current Synopsis of the Work:

The story is set in the future when felines rule the planet. The Arctic is a lush land, populated by intelligent lions, polar bears and other species. The continent of Arkthika stands at what was centuries ago the North Pole. Auris, a capital of a kingdom, which has seen better years, is now is ruled by a weak king and inhabited by a demoralized people. Their only hope is the great lion who, the soothsayers predict, would be sent by the gods to unite the world and bring in an age of peace and prosperity. But no one knew exactly when …

Bherek White is a newcomer to the capital. The twelve-year-old snow lion, with his two brothers, had come to stay with his uncle, Titon Rok, after the death of his parents. Ridiculing him for his ‘villager’ behaviour and attitude at first, other city boys become his friends after it’s proven that he is a brave and trusty lion. There’s some racism at work in the capital, as there’s a mix of many species of felines, bears and other races in Auris, the capital city of Arkthika.
Bherek makes friends with all, and acquires companions of various races, much to the initial dismay of his best friend Zanny Vastt, who is a snow lion like Bherek himself. Then Vastt tries for Bherek’s sake and overcomes his discriminatory attitude towards the new friends, important among them being Vivus Fastus and Brav Apogee. Fastus is from the Spotard race and Apogee is a polar bear.

Titon Rok works at the palace as the chief of the palace guards. When Bherek and his new friends visit him at the palace, Rok takes them around. During this visit, the palace is attacked by a gang of rebels. Bherek effectively defends himself and his friends when they are trapped in the royal kitchen. Much impressed by his nephew’s valour, Titon Rok tells everyone about it. The king asks Titon to find out if Bherek is interested in joining the army. Bherek agrees, and asks if his friends may join too. The four friends then join the army as trainees. Rok notices that they work very well as a team and Bherek as their leader.

Their strength lies in mutual trust, while all around treachery is the order of the moment. When citizens trust each other only a sword’s blade away…

It is therefore a time of political unrest, peace being the name given to the thick of winter when it is too cold to fight, and war is a way of life in Arkthika.

Auris had been the capital of the vast kingdom of Arkthika twenty years or so ago; now the entire kingdom is just the city and a few villages around it. And retaining even this domain is a difficult task for the demoralized soldiers. The king is issueless, and infirm, and relies heavily on his advisors to keep the city in a kind of order. One of the ministers, Gadhya Kraft, treated by the king as a daughter, expects to be crowned heir. As the king is not doing anything in this direction, she decides to take matters into her own wily hands and hasten her heirdom.
Bherek, who seems to have a natural aptitude for the martial arts, becomes very popular with the rest of the soldiers. He handles his sword with perfect ease and deadly control, just after a week’s practice. Those who first laughed at his inexperience, are now impressed. Bherek rises in rank, at unprecedented speed. He shows valour, speed, integrity — promise.

During the many battles he has taken part in, Bherek sees a lack of planning and strategy on the part of the demoralized officials. He contributes as much as he can, within the limits of his rank and capacity. Those who see sense in what he says, take heed of his counsel and sometimes promote him; lesser men. who are jealous, use his ideas and claim that they had those ideas without help. Bherek does not want acknowledgement; he’s just doing what comes naturally to him. But talent will show, be the owner however humble. Bherek’s rise in the ranks and his sterling qualities, comes to the attention of the king, who makes Bherek the commander in chief of the army. Bherek is now only 19.

The ailing king sees new hope for the kingdom in his commander. At this time, Auris is under threat of being attacked by the combined forces of rebels, and neighbouring kingdoms. The old king expresses a wish to give the crown to Bherek if he wins the current war as he himself is issueless. Bherek just interested in doing his duty and restoring the kingdom to its past glory, doesn’t desire the throne personally.

Another quality of Bherek comes to light in this war. He is not only brave, but a master strategist, too. Discovering the identity of spies in the court, Bherek decides to take advantage of this resource for misinformation.. He manages to send false information to his enemies, sowing discord and confusion in their ranks. Thus he defeats them in the first battle.

He also manages to convert one of the neighbouring kings to his cause. This king’s domain being one of the passages into Auris, which, if blocked, could repel invaders effectively, doesn’t escape Bherek’s notice. That advantage helps him win the second battle.

Now, all the defeated armies have no choice but to surrender their kingdoms and army to Bherek’s cause. The third battle is the most difficult one of all. Bherek’s army has to directly confront one that is three times in size. The unswerving loyalty of his men, even the ones absorbed from recently defeated opponents, plus his bravery, help. Bherek and the kingdom gain what had been thought of as a near-impossible victory. Bherek’s victory effectively returns to Auris the lands that were hers two decades ago.

The victorious hero is given a royal welcome back home. The citizens had had no cause for celebration for decades and this victory brings them out into the streets cheering and singing. The king, who appeared to have been holding on to his life just for this news, dies content. Just before his death, he had also asked his minister, Gadhya Kraft, to do what’s needed to crown Bherek king. Gadhya, who wanted the throne for herself dares not go ahead with her plans but goes into hiding, biding her time.

Bherek is crowned, and the citizens, having seen some of their hopes fulfilled, begin to dream of a glorious future.

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