Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:21:36 -0600
From: dnrock@rock.com
Subject: Arden's Saga 9

Arden' Saga
by: dnrock(dnrock@rock.com)

This is a narrative.  It is a work of historical fiction.  The operative
word in that sentence is fiction. A list of characters will be provided
(Separate File) as some come and go and the time span may be lengthy
between appearances, in the serialized presentation, I thought it might
prove useful.  Sex between males, males and females, between females, of
both contemporaries and intergenerational is common. I am sure, not common
enough for some and to common for others. Some of the descriptions are
graphic, others not, still others are only statements of happening or just
illusions to occurrences.  The main characters are male and most of the sex
is between them.

If the sexual nature is offensive or you are disqualified due to age or
location, don't read it.  You have been warned. I hope you like what you
read and find the characters and their exploits/adventures interesting.

Nifty and I hold the copyright so posting it or making money from it
without permission or sharing, is unethical. That said, if you wish to
quote reasonable length passages please be kind enough to sight them. You
will find a few quotations or only slightly edited passages in some
chapters. References are provided in the text.

Help keep Nifty on line if you can, please donate.


9: Conflict Preparations

1312, the 10th month, 3rd day:

More reports about small probe raids along the coast. All were repelled by
our navy, none even reaching land. Two spies were captured trying to make
their way through the eastern pass area.  A small boat was captured inside
the outer harbour and is being brought to shore for inspection.
Unfortunately the men in it refused to surrender and could not be taken
without some injuries on both sides.  I though this was quite strange.  I
resolved to ask Drakon if he could learn what such motivation was all
about.

One important part of our education is music. It was clear that Alexandros
suffered from a lack of it. He did not play but he did love to sing. He
just did not know very many songs. Our music tutors were busy helping
him. I had learned much from my mother but also much since adopted.

Greek written history extends far back into Ancient times, it tells us
music has always been a major part of our theatre. From ancient times,
mixed-gender choruses performed for entertainment, celebration and
spiritual reasons. Instruments included the double-reed aulos and the
plucked string instrument, the lyre, especially the special kind called a
kithara and drums of different size and therefore tone and of course flutes
and syrinx.

Music is an important part of our education, and boys are taught music
starting at age six. The ancient musical literacy created a flowering of
development; Greek music theory included the Greek musical modes,
eventually became the basis for the Christians religious music. He told us
influences from the Western Roman Empire, and the Eastern Roman (TN:
Byzantine) Empire greatly influenced our music as well.

Music today is extremely diverse, encompassing multiple cultural traditions
within a wide geographic area, the old Roman Empire. All of the cultural
groups incorporated into it already had musical traditions. Ours and he
assumed others, have survived but not necessarily uninfluenced. In other
places, very little non-Christian music is preserved, due to suppression by
the Church. Here we make strong efforts of preserve our past, even if
others co-opted our singing and poetry for their own reasons.

Our tutor has developed a method of notation based on what he calls octaves
or groups of 8 notes, all in a pitch range. Given rhythm notations and the
words he claims our heritage will be preserved. From the time of Pythagorus
the mathematical basis of music has been known and our music has been
recorded. Much of those recordings seem to have been lost or never
preserved. That has now changed.

From other parts of the world we have a new instrument called a
clavichord. Instruments such as, trumpets drums and other percussion, tone
making devices were always part of our music, including bag pipes.

The only repertory of music outside of our state, which he knew to have
survived from before 800 to the present day, is the plainsong liturgical
music of the Roman and Eastern Churches. During the 9th century several
important developments took place. First, there was a major effort by the
Roman Church to unify the many chant and song traditions, and suppress many
of them in favour of the Gregorian liturgy. Second, the earliest polyphonic
music was sung, a form of parallel singing known as organum. He told us the
Christians do not have musical instruments in their services like many of
the Pagans do or like our theatre. This parallel singing an octave, forth
or fifth apart between men and boys or men and women is quite natural and
practiced here for probably a thousand years. We also sing and play in
grand polyphonic style sometimes with several counterpoints at once. He
told us several styles of Organum have been developed by the Christians but
they are little more than variations in style and notation, often little
more than adding one counter point level, that we have practiced for
thousands of years.

He told us that, should the Bishops have their way, our traditions would be
eradicated here as it has been in other places, where they have established
official status. He likens the suppression of music, art and theatre by the
Christians or the Romans before them as to the loss of the Library of
Alexandria. What they can not or do not wish to appropriate to their own
ends, they seek to destroy. One of his famous rhetorical questions is: "who
then are the barbarians?"

(TN: It would appear that much of what is later called Baroque had its
foundations here and other, lesser known places and were reimported to
Venice, Florence and Genoa.)

Just before our evening meal Ikaros brought Alexandros a fine new kilt and
tunic. He had fashioned them himself. Iason, Kleitos and I assisted in
supporting Alexandros so Ikaros could dress him. That is the first time I
got a good look at Alexandros' buttocks and they were truly a pleasure to
gaze upon. I must say it stirred my penis to maximum readiness. He is still
very thin but his bones are long and shoulders wide. His manhood looks all
the larger as it extends out from the narrow, flat body. Once his kilt was
wrapped around, it was quite obvious this man had no need of a brace. (TN:
I take it he is talking about a cod pice. A term not used until the 15th
century.) His kilt was still the length of a boy, mid way between the
crotch and the knee. A man?s length is just above the knee.

Six soldiers appeared at the door with a sedan chair device. The seat was
slung between the poles. It also had a leather strap to keep his leg
up. Four of these men were the biggest I think I had ever seen. They were
the ones carrying the sling seat. The other two were normal sized and one
walked ahead, the other behind. Once they departed Ikaros presented Kleitos
with his new tunic. It was in the royal colors and like those of our
guardians, it had the crest of the Crown Prince on both front and back. In
an instant he was on his knees kissing our hands. This time I knew what to
do but let Iason take the lead anyway. The six of us welcomed him into our
new family with hugs, fondling and kisses.

When we entered the main hall almost everyone was already seated and all
the adults were drinking wine. I was a bit surprised to see Alexandros the
younger sitting between Thanatos and Ouranos and two new Ganymedes serving
Karyakos and the King.  I was just a shade jealous until Iason winked at
me. These two were young Palace Boys and we knew them from our
classes. Iason whispered to me that our mentors personally trained all the
Palace Boys and these two would be sleeping with them as Kleitos was
sleeping with us for the fortnight. We will have our share and opportunity,
I realized.

The talk at the dinner table was mostly about the impending war. Several of
the knights were expressing their anger at having to devote so much of our
state?s wealth to defence. We are not a rich place, they said, by even
threatening war the Bishop of Florence and his cohorts seek to weaken
us. Perhaps that is his plan.

So far intimidation, assassination and fomenting discontent has not
worked. Instead of growing weaker we grow stronger in both material assets
and resolve. It is they that employ mercenaries at great cost to their
treasuries not us. They must either back down or attack. No one thought
backing down was a strong possibility. When faith overpowers reason many
brave and worthy men will die on both sides.

The true news of the night was Alexandros the Younger's adoption by Ouranos
and Thanatos. Everyone cheered and congratulated all three of them. That
also means Alexandros will remain close to us for some time to come.

1312, the 10th month, 10th day:

Drakon sought us out during our mid day meal to explain why the two "frog
men", the two captured in the harbour, did not wish to be captured. He was
unable to explain why they were called this but told me Archimedes had
labeled them such and to ask him.

The two men spoke only a dialect of French so none could communicate with
them until translators could be found. The physicians had treated their
wounds and they were made as comfortable as one ever gets in prison. They
told the translator that they worked for Florence but the real power there
is the Bishop. They were told how dangerous this work was and if caught "we
would be tortured and placed in a dungeon so terrible that we would wish to
be dead."  Their mission was reconnaissance. They wondered why they were
being kept alive and in such clean and spacious cells. The jailer told them
they were being treated the same way all prisoners are. Both of them asked
for a Christian priest and one was summoned.

I was outraged that such lies are being spread about us. Our tutor told us
that torture and death are common among many states in the world, we are an
exception. It was Iason the second that forbid torture and flogging. Crimes
committed by citizens may have short prison terms but strict atonement
follows. Justice here is a three part system. Admission or acceptance of
the transgression, that is taking ownership, repentance or seeking
forgiveness and atonement or restoration. If, for example, the guilty is
not repetitive and refuses atonement the state must act. Banishment is
preferred but death is always a possibility. Crimes against the state, such
as assassination are punishable by death and those banished are sometimes
put to death if they return. Royal Pardons are also a possibility.

One of the eastern border commanders with the title General, a knight named
Zokitos, accompanied by a junior officer, who was obviously known to some
of the pages, came before the council after having made a long and
continuous ride. By stationing fresh mounts every Stathmos and riding at a
good speed, he was able to make the 5 Stadion journey in one day. Being
mostly down hill makes this possible; the return would be longer as the
mounts would begin to fade before the next station would be reached.

(TN: Greeks measured distance and speed by the STATHMOS or the equivalent
of one day?s journey. This was, on average, an army?s march of 15 to 17
miles per day. Great distances were measured by the Persian PARASANG,
divided into 30 stadia (singular stadion). The stadion was composed of 600
feet. The parasang was 3.45 miles; the stadion represented 600 Greek feet
or 606.75 English feet (1/8 of the Roman mile). Your translator has
determined Arden was using a Stathmos of about 20 US miles, 32 km.)

He reported that: a delegation claiming to be from the Bishop of Avignon
had approached the frontier crossing a little more than one day and a half
ago. "The guards refused him and his people permission to cross. The envoy
demanded access to our state and to his Bishop. Again the guards refused to
let him pass. He proceeded to threaten that their eternal souls would be
condemned to hell if they refused his order. They did not yield. He then
commanded his military escort to force the gate open. The guards leaning on
their drawn swords reminded the solders that once they crossed the line
they would be dead men. Their captain laughed and shouted to his men that
these two old men posed no threat. They begged him not to be so foolish and
when he drew his sword and began to move around the pole that forms the
gate, he was dropped dead by 3 long bow arrows. The two guards sheathed
their swords and assisted the dead captain?s men in retrieving his body.

The envoy was apoplectic for some minutes. He then demanded that the guards
summon their commander. In no great hurry, one of the guards walked back to
our first emplacements and made that request. By the time he returned the
envoy had calmed himself down some. All the while I was watching this
unfold from a hidden position among the archers. The guards did not know
this and I forbid my men from making any signal of my presence. I wanted to
see just how far this fool would go. It took some time for the messenger to
reach me, since the messenger had to come on foot to my location. I
determined to send the most junior officer on my staff, a young man most of
you know. I chose Euthymios, who two years ago was a page in this court."

Euthymios rose and began speaking. "Sires, Knights, Pages, I take great
pleasure in reporting what I have to report."

I could see from the look on his face that he was taking great personal
satisfaction in his part. I saw a wide smile on Karyakos' face that
indicated to me that he shared this young man's joy and probably knew of
the personal reasons. Euthymios is a slightly built fellow but obviously
one of great physical strength. He has smooth skin with no facial hair and
a gentle soothing voice.

"I rode slowly to the gate and dismounted, tying my horse to a near by
post. The envoy was clearly visible to me but I could not see his
face. When he looked up I knew the man in an instant. He was Father
Giustina, the very Father Giustina you Sire, banished and declared persona
non grata.

Giustina was momentarily speechless but gathered himself and approached the
gate. `Euthymios,' he said, `how nice to see you again.'

I wish, I could say the same, Father Giustina.

`Are you the most senior officer here,' he asked.

Yes, I replied, I am the officer of rank here. His eyes began to glare at
me. I knew this look and took delight in causing him such discomfort.

`Euthymios, I have just been appointed by the Bishop of Avignon to that
office here and these men will not let me pass.'

That is so and they are following the orders of King Iason the 7th, as you
are well aware. The borders and ports of this kingdom are sealed until the
15th day of the 11th month and it is the 8th day of the 10th month. Why do
you think you should be treated any differently than anyone else seeking
admittance?

`I am your new Bishop, traveling under the protection of the Bishop of
Avignon.' Well sir, you are a greater fool than I thought and the Bishop of
Avignon is not much better. He carries no more influence here then any
other priest and you carry even less. I was present in the court when you
were banished from this kingdom and declared persona non grata. To return
here is an automatic death sentence, you of all people should know that.

`You can not stop me and you must honour the safe passage I travel
under. To harm me will be of great offence to the Pope.'

Your titles and authority mean nothing here sir, you of all should know
that. At this point I raised my voice so all could hear. You are not worthy
of the office you have been appointed to. You rape altar boys, falsely
claiming that your priestly position give you that right. You raped me and
forced me to have sex with you in the sanctuary of all places, against my
will and that alone sir is reason enough to prevent your passing.

He looked at the ground knowing it was true. ?You must let me pass
peacefully as my safe conduct documents demand.' I looked over at the blood
on the ground and at the dead solder. No one crosses this line between now
and the 15th day of the 11th month and lives to talk about it. You were
told that already and his blood is on your hands, priest. Let me see your
letter.

He handed it over. It said, as he claimed, he was appointed as Bishop of
this place and he should be accorded all respect and assistance, including
safe passage from Avignon to his posting. I took the letter into the guard
house and finding a quill and ink wrote on the back of it: King Iason the
7th has already declared this man persona non grade in his kingdom and this
priest shall not be admitted to it for any reason. His safe passage can not
be assured. This request is denied. I signed it, Junior Lieutenant
Euthymios. I wrote in Latin but signed my name and rank in Greek."

Uncle Jason and Father were almost beside themselves with joy at hearing
this. "I returned and handed him his letter. I asked if he carried any
dispatches for the King or the present Bishop. Saying I would be happy to
deliver them personally. I further told him that if he had a real death
wish to step over the line and I would personally make it come true. He
then replied, ?you foolish boy you have learned nothing since serving as an
altar boy. I lead an army so powerful you will be crushed in an afternoon.?
This he said in a very loud voice. I replied even louder. Good, bring on
your army but you will not lead it. I know you to be a coward who will only
follow, sending your men to certain death, as you did your captain. It was
at that point he issued a threat to me saying when he is done my body would
be roasted as well as my King?s, like suckling pigs. I must say it took all
of my strength and training to resist running him through on the spot.

He motioned to one of his priests who came forward and handed me these
letters." Euthymios placed them on the table.

"You have done well, very well. Preventing this fool from becoming a martyr
is as important to us as keeping him out." Uncle Iason looked around and
smiled and nodded his head as a signal to all that we could set aside
custom and express ourselves. Something we all did with much shouting and
cheering.

"I know you two are very tired after your long ride. I can not thank you
enough for the swift and accurate report. Before you go what are the
weather conditions?"

"Sire, the snow has been falling every day for the past several weeks now
and it moves closer to the pass. The shepherds have all moved their flocks
to winter pastures."

At this they took their leave for some food and much deserved rest. Father
sent a page to summon Prince Tertius? Squire. When he arrived the pages
were dismissed and told to go practice our sports. We thought this odd but
did as requested.

Our sports include boxing (pygme/pygmachia), wrestling (pale), pankration
(regulated full-contact fighting, similar to today's mixed martial arts),
running events: the diaulos, hippios, dolichos, and hoplitodromos), as well
as a pentathlon, consisting of wrestling, stadion, long jump, javelin
throw, discus throw, archery. I am very good at running, the greater the
distance the better I like it.

We take most of our sports from fabled Olympic games. Partly fabled because
some 5th century ruler banned them in attempting to make Christianity the
state religion. The Olympic Games were held in honour of Zeus. Our tutors
told us the Olympic games originally contained one event: the Stadion (or
"stead") race. The Diaulos, or 2-stade race, was introduced in 724 BCE,
during the 14th Olympic games. The Dolichos was introduced in 720 BCE. The
last running event added to the Olympic program was the Hoplitodromos, or
"Hoplite race," in 520 BCE. The runners would run in full or partial
armour, carrying a shield and additionally equipped either with greaves or
a helmet. The event is a practice in displaying military capacities to
emulated speed and stamina needed for warfare. Due to the weight of the
armour, it is easy for runners to drop their shields or trip over fallen
competitors. We don?t often run in armour, not us boys anyway, we run
naked, its lots more fun.

Boxing as we do it, uses soft leather covered gloves over our fingers. The
purpose is skill and stamina, not hurting one another. I like wrestling
too, it is so much fun to press my body against another and feel him
pressing against me. We do these things naked except for a kynodesme to
restrain the penis. We often swim in the lake behind the Castle too.

This evening after our meal: Pyrros, Volos, Damao, Heron, Ikaros and Dysme
joined Kleitos, Iason and myself for non stop sex. Somehow, Drakon managed
to secure the main castle baths for us to use. These baths are a very large
pool of warm water surrounded by a terrace with benches and soft cushions
spread around. We were told the baths are a copy of the main gymnasium in
Corinth. We would have brought Alexandros but his new fathers thought it
best he stay with them until his leg is completely healed.

After frolicking in the bath Iason and I took Kleitos up to one of the
benches. Iason and I did not plan any of this but we both seemed to
communicate. As if one we moved Kleitos between, I kissing his face and
Iason his back we gently pressed him between us. Kleitos is a good student
if nothing else and he had my penis in his mouth and presenting his
buttocks to Iason at the same. I lay on the bench my legs draped over the
sides and Kleitos got on his knees never taking his lips from my
penis. Iason stood behind him and I could feel each of his thrusts and
Kleitos? mouth took more of my erection with each until his nose was
pressed against my skin. Before long my hips were pressing up to meet his
oncoming oral cavity and Iason?s thrusts synchronized with mine to give
Kleitos the maximum pleasure we were capable of. I looked around and in the
dim light could see the others similarly engaged, with Volos filling
Ikaros? anus and Pyrros filling Volos?, Dysme was being filled by Damao and
him by Heron.

Iason ejaculated filling Kleitos and on his signal we switched positions
with my erection refilled Kleitos and Iason pressing into his
mouth. Kleitos delivered his sperm to the marble bench, several loads of it
during the process. Iason scooped up some on his fingers and after feeding
it to me took some himself and gave the last to its producer.

Following this we all entered the pool again but this time much subdued in
activity with kissing and fondling each other. We repaired to the bed
chamber where Iason and I lay with Dysme and Ikaros while Pyrros, Volos,
Damao and Heron repeatedly filled Kleitos' ass.

I rose early in the morning to write this. My comrades and lovers are all
piled together in our great bed. It then occurred to me that all four of
our guardians were together in the same bed as my lover and new brother. I
looked into the entry room and received a broad smile and gentle good
morning from Hesiodos, one of Uncle Jason?s personal guardians.

1312 the 10th month, 11th day:

At our morning lessons it was obvious Kleitos was in some discomfort
sitting on the hard benches; the permanent smile on his face indicated all
had done well by him. This family building business is good me thinks and I
look forward to much more of it.

At the council meeting Father opened the discussions by reading the
dispatched letter addressed to King Iason the 7th. It was long and in two
parts. The first part was the announcement of the new bishop?s
appointment. The present bishop is being recalled to Avignon. The second
part was more troubling. It stated that this kingdom had been outside the
family of the church, "for much to long a time" and that he expected us to
become a member of the family under the prevue of the Duke of Florence. The
new bishop and the Florentine army accompanying him would see to a smooth
transition. Karyakos set the document down. All in the room were silent.

"What say you to that," the king asked? To many disingenuous comments were
made to record.

Karyakos gained everyone's attention. "We also have a letter here for the
bishop." He called a page and sent it on its way. "I have not read this. I
suspect the bishop will be calling on us this very day." That got chuckles
from everyone. "Our scholars believe that part of our letter is real and
part is not. The text is written by two different hands although both from
the same school of writing. The seal is just a bit problematic. While it
appears to be real the signature is questionable.

We think our best approach to this is sending our own envoy to
Avignon. That envoy should be the bishop himself. He has business there as
do we. We see this as an internal church matter. Iason and I have given
this much thought and we do not believe the Bishop of Avignon wishes a war
between any of his vassal states and ourselves. We are not worth the cost
to him. You should also know that the Bishop of Florence is a relative of
the Bishop of Avignon. His involvement in this whole affair is unseemly and
we believe a power grab on his part to weaken his cousin and strengthen his
own position for the next appointment. We do not believe Avignon has
recalled or replaced our bishop and if they have it is the result of lies
and false accusations of an ecclesiastical nature. In addition, we will
send an envoy to Venice, being a rival of Florence, some support may be
forthcoming from the Doge. Since our frontiers are closed we will need to
use two of our Navy?s ships. I doubt that we can act quickly enough to
forestall Florence?s impending attack by sea. I do think we can influence
the impending slaughter on land.

I strongly suspect that the military leaders of this Florentine
expeditionary force have been grossly mislead about several things. First,
our resolve to fight. Second, the nature of the terrain they face. Third,
the size and readiness of our army.

Prince Tertius and Sir Zokitos will leave at first light. They will request
a face to face meeting with the Florentine military commander and attempt
to talk sense to him, as one commander to another. If, as we suspect, they
intend to attack about 5 days before the high tide, they must do so by the
14th or 15th day. It is now the 11th day. The meeting can be held on the
13th. day, we may still avoid a tragic loss of brave and worthy men."

They discussed his idea. Not all were in favour at first but all agreed in
the end that Prince Tertius must try. Toward the end of the meeting a
messenger arrived seeking immediate audience, his report was the
Florentines had begun moving the forces up the valley and that snow was now
on the ground in the pass. The second was a page announcing the arrival of
the local bishop seeking audience with the King and Council.

The meeting ended, the knights left the room, the scribes, scholars and
pages, less Iason and myself, were asked to hold in the outer chamber lest
they be needed. The bishop and his second in command, the assistant bishop,
were shown in. Iason and I were asked to sit to one side and observe. We
understood that to mean watch, listen, learn, keep quiet. Once seated, the
bishop mentioned that when he and Iason the 6th would meet, Uncle and
Father were often seated just as Iason and I are. I know he said that for
the benefit of his much younger assistant.

The bishop was livid, showing us the letter he had received from the Bishop
of Florence. What was most interesting was the letter demanded he come not
to Avignon but to Florence to answer charges of incompetence and heresy. He
claimed the charges were false and Uncle Iason and Father agreed they
were. Karyakos suggested he go immediately to Avignon and demand
clarification and retraction of this false hood. "In fact we too have been
given a loathsome message," he said showing the bishop the letter addressed
to us.

The scribes were brought in to make true copies of these letters for our
local archives as the originals would be taken by the bishop to Avignon
along with copies of many declarations, orders, publications and so on to
demonstrate the falseness of this. Uncle Iason suggested appointing the
bishop as official envoy. The bishop thought that might put him in a
awkward position but suggested one of the scholars who was fluent in many
languages. The scholars were summoned and asked to select among themselves
the best candidate to accompany the bishop. One of Archimedes' students,
skilled in painting and sculpture, and one of the scholarly students would
also accompany him. The Bishop was invited to add one of his young priests
to the party, which he did. They would leave on the next afternoon's high
tide.

"Rule number one," the bishop said, looking at Iason and I, "Never
embarrass and always protect your superior, a lesson that fool has
obviously never learned. I dare say nor has the Bishop of Florence. I am
sure he has not told Avignon of Florence?s, or his by implication,
intentions related to this state. I doubt that Father Giustina even went to
Avignon, he did not have time to do that. I doubt that the Church would
make such an appointment after his conduct, revealed in my letter about it
and his banishment. As you can see the letters I have received tell a
slightly different story but one no more plausible.

Rule number two," he looked at us again, "if you are fabricating anything
make sure it is absolutely consistent and plausible."

Uncle Iason related the incident at the border to the Bishop. He had known
Euthymios as altar boy and page. "Thank God that fool stayed put for
Euthymios would have killed him and being unarmed place a stain on the
boy?s otherwise unblemished soul."

Much discussion continued about what powers and representations the
scholar- envoy should make to the Holy Sea. Once our business had been
completed Karyakos invited the Bishop, Father Francisus and his assistant
Father Georgios to share an evening meal with the scholar Demokritos and
his assistant Olympos. We would all dine in the family dining room with the
Princess and her people. Iason and I attended his younger brother, who at 8
years was more interested in being with his older brothers then anything
else. Uncle Iason suggested that we get to know Father Georgios and Olympos
as well as we could. I took this to mean they were likely to be important
people in the kingdom?s future as Iason and I would be. From comments made
by the Bishop, our fathers got to know him when they were princes.

The political side of this royalty business was slowly becoming clearer to
me. These men would never be our close friends but they would be important
advisors or power brokers to us in the future. Mutual respect and true
friendship were not required but would make things simpler as the kingdom
faced the unknown difficulties of the future. We were by default the future
leaders of our clan as well as our government. We knew that once we had
established our own personal loyalty base, among the Palace Boys and the
Koalhurst Boys, we would start to widen its base with the different
religious groups, social groups like merchants and senior clan families.

Since we already had access to Olympos we concentrated on Father Georgios,
as best we could, given Prince Nikias' continuous talk of battles and
fighting.