Devil's Reprisal

#Chapter1

16th Century

Alvar

Someone had said right- Time never stays the same. What you held yesterday, maybe not in your hands today. What you plan to do tomorrow, it might not occur as thought. The world runs dynamically, and it turns every moment, showing changes that go unnoticed sometimes. Our ignorance could pull us in a compromising position if the matters are worth paying attention to.

Something like this has transpired with the Alvar, a small mountainous country with a long coastline serving grounds for 2.1 million people of Islam and Christianity.

There was a time when this country was counted among the most prosperous nations. If we overlook the high economic fortunes, then the kingdom was called the home of a goddess. The country had more riches than the poor. No one slept with an empty stomach and had an occupation to earn a good sum. There were more immigrants than emigrants. The heritage was so rich that the merchants from other countries would come to sell their products in exchange for unique handicrafts of Alvar. Alvar was famous for its jewels and pearls. The fact was proven whenever a King of different royalty stops by and buys enough to feed four nations altogether.

But that wasn’t all. The small mountainous nation was also famous for its grains and healthy crops. The soil was fertile and rich with all sorts of natural resources and never disappointed the farmers. With every passing year, the turnover only doubled, earning high-profit values for the hard-working laborers and peasants.

The climate was neither too warm nor too cold but soothing for both the people and spreading greenery. The clear blue sky always casts down on the green grounds with heavenly essence when the weather turned rainy. The pool and lakes would spring with crystal clear water in the same season, and the level of the river would increase. Nature, through its various ways, provided constant water supply, so flora and fauna don't have to suffer.

The rearing cattle were given enough grazing grounds in selected parts of the luxuriant forest. Smart ways such as rotation were introduced to avoid overgrazing and loss of resources.

Children were provided with the best education at affordable rates so that the future of Alvar could stand proudly on strong backbones.

But the picture described above is now talks of the past.

The recent pictures of cruelty are complete opposite and heart wrecking.

The home that once gave a roof to riches now enclosed majority wearing rugs. The beautiful females coming from respected households now lived like beggars on streets. Their lovely complexion got matted with dirt and tiredness. They didn’t feel safe anymore and decided to stay in the confines of their houses to save their dignity and virtue. They won’t be able to live with themselves if something heinous like rape happens. In this time of crisis, they refused to burden their families with one more brutality as the hungry monsters seeking some flesh now roamed freely.

The streets that used to stay busy in the past now ran empty as the children stopped playing, and the Wanderers lost their ways. The condition of children was no different as their soft hairs got coated with mud, and skin was left uncovered, subjected to the dirt. Snot runs down their noses, and tears fall from their eyes. They stopped playing a long time back and usually pass their days by clutching an aching belly due to immense hunger.

The lavish market, which once was the greatest source of business, remains close now because no one comes to buy anymore but steal.

The men, providers of the house, have turned into thieves and murderers because of never-ending poverty. Now they kill and lift to meet the ends and keep the members of their families alive. Murdering was no less than a sport because nearly 7-8 people die every day. No one has the guts to raise their voice against the rising rebellion. The streets are not safe anymore as the bandits of the night crowd them in hopes of gaining something valuable.

The fields which were once flooding with unlimited grains now sat barren. The fertile grounds have turned desolate, and forests caught fire under the intense heat of the scorching sun.

Water was a luxury now as all the lakes and pools have dried. Although the river flew, no one drank from it as it carried a whole bundle of unknown diseases.

It was like the Gods in heaven have turned their backs on the suffering Alvar. Mother Nature was showing her anger in full force as it has not rained in 5 years. In place of soothing gusts of air, the agonized people received hot and dry summer afternoon wind that left high temperatures in its wake. The strong gales rarely help as they usually brought destruction. It was like salt on their wounds. Sometimes the hay roofs or fences would fly away with the storm, and people that came in contact with them- hardly survived. Alvar has caught evil eyes.

The kingdom that has never backed away from helping others, wasn’t treated the same. All the neighboring empires have cut their ties after examining the damage. They stopped the hefty business exchanges when the area got raided by a deadly plague that ate thousands. Initially, the healers failed to find the cure, but when accidentally stumbled on one, it was too late. By then, many got infected.

Slowly, the great Alvar was coming to ruins.

The franchise that was counted among strongest and superior nations was crumbling to dust. The people on borders started introducing the disappearing country as the red zone. They have already assumed that the plague will swallow everyone and leave no survivors. The horde that decided to leave the country and start fresh somewhere else were either returned or slaughtered, so they don’t carry the germs in the new estate.

Once upon a time, the fort of Alvar used to stand proud with an army of bulky soldiers to protect the King. Now it stands like a widow with a torn flag, blowing along with the hot wind. There was no line or row of loyal guards surrounding the tall and strong walls. The only thing that kept the rebels out of the fort was the giant gate that has not opened in weeks. Due to increasing attacks and murders, the King of Alvar- Thales has asked his ministers to bolt and lock the doors to keep the desperate crowd out.