{"id":250,"date":"2017-12-24T16:49:25","date_gmt":"2017-12-24T16:49:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/micahmathews.co.uk\/?page_id=250"},"modified":"2017-12-24T17:05:13","modified_gmt":"2017-12-24T17:05:13","slug":"the-kallans-beginnings-empire-chapter-1","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/micahmathews.co.uk\/index.php\/the-kallans-beginnings-empire-chapter-1\/","title":{"rendered":"The Kallans – Beginnings: Empire"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Chapter 1 (Excerpt)<\/h3>\n
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15th<\/sup> July 2002<\/p>\n

\u201cCOME on guys, let\u2019s carry on. It\u2019s not far now,\u201d Ravika encouraged the group of explorers and scientists. He stood rubbing the stubble on his face while he waited for them to start moving again.<\/p>\n

The group moaned a little, those seated staggering to their feet, and those standing trying to remain that way. They started to follow their inexhaustible Masian leader and his Ontwaygan friend as they continued their way up Mount Astu.<\/p>\n

They moved on again following Baranka, and headed towards another turn in the cliff. They could see that the wind had picked up to an incredible pace, the few trees down that side of the mountain had been shaped to the direction of the wind, as if someone had taken their tops and had pulled them horizontal.<\/p>\n

Baranka fearlessly moved around the corner.<\/p>\n

The wind hit the Ontwaygan hard as he moved into the more open area around the corner. He lost his balance and slipped over the edge of the cliff, his arms flailing to grab onto anything he could reach.<\/p>\n

The others felt the sudden drop as the tether pulled tight. Ravika slipped to the floor under the sudden force, slowly sliding to the edge of the cliff.<\/p>\n

An image of his death at the foot of the cliff flashed through Ravika\u2019s mind. He grasped for something to steady himself, before he managed to find a foothold and finally halt his motion towards oblivion\u2026 with only a few centimetres left. He clambered up and shouted out to the others to hold tight, and he (he was directly behind Baranka) started to pull the fortunate Ontwaygan back up and onto the path.<\/p>\n

When they got him back up onto the ledge, the breathless Jeremy Baranka laid sprawled on the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t do that again!\u201d panted the Fakrianan called Christophe Vitogra.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes! Don\u2019t. You practically gave us all a heart attack!\u201d added Theo Miazah as he held his arm to his chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t intend\u2026 to!\u201d Baranka panted. \u201cThat was… terrifying…!\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel Ravika smiled at the impetuous Ontwaygan\u2019s comment. At least he was still alive. The Iraka, which is the Kallan name for the wind that had pushed Baranka over the edge, was the strongest wind on record in the Kallan states. Battling such a strong force as the Iraka had made the journey a hard one, and this near miss had not helped the morale in any way.<\/p>\n

The expedition had been started to try and help unravel some of the mysteries about the origin of the settlers who had come to Kalla. This information had been lost in time, partially due to the uncontrollable first few years of their settlement in this land. Now – as the bimillennial anniversary of their arrival approached – they were researching the possibility that one of the original settlers, one Islwyn Gruffydd, had withdrawn himself and lived in caves called Ilt Kraka, located in Ontwaygo. It was their task to find these caves and any clues they may contain.<\/p>\n

Several days had elapsed since they arrived in Ilt Kraka and they had made some progress, identifying several markers in an unknown language, but what they could translate had only revealed Gruffydd\u2019s name.<\/p>\n

Now they sat trying to decide the way to proceed past this latest obstacle.<\/p>\n

\u201cI only fell because I didn\u2019t watch my balance as the wind caught me!\u201d Baranka told the other five, a little embarrassed at his own overconfidence.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe so, but we must decide on how to get past this problem.\u201d commented Ravika, \u201cAny suggestions?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about clamping an anchor into the wall, so that we can attach the rope to it. That would help in case we all slip at the same time,\u201d suggested Vitogra, \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but we send just one man around first,\u201d added the Sedorian Miazah, \u201che can set several anchors into the wall, and we can thread a rope between them for better support. We could use it like a handrail, which we clip ourselves to as we walk along the ledge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo are you volunteering, Miazah?\u201d jibed the historian Andrew Zarika cheekily.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo! I couldn\u2019t do it! But I can see it is the best thing to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do it,\u201d offered Ravika. \u201cI think Baranka should be spared the risk of going over the edge a second time, or at least for now.\u201d Ravika smiled cheekily at his friend as he made the last comment.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that wise?\u201d asked Zarika, \u201cYou\u2019re leading the expedition; you shouldn\u2019t be risking yourself unnecessarily.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes I am leading the expedition, but I mean what I said. I\u2019ve suggested the expedition, and I don\u2019t feel that I shouldn\u2019t \u2018get my hands dirty\u2019 at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

After some discussion about it from the others, Ravika eventually prevailed.<\/p>\n

Ravika readied himself, collecting the needed rope and metal anchors from the others. Baranka put the first one into the rock face, just before the corner. The anchor was made of a metal hoop on one end which was just large enough to allow the rope to pass through it. The other end contained a strong clamping system. All he had to do was place the end of the anchor against the cliff, press the small button on the other end and the anchor fired into the wall, pushing grips out to hold it tight against the inside of the bore. This created an almost unmovable anchor for the rope; only the actual wall falling away would release the hoop.<\/p>\n

Ravika edged around the corner, his line attached to the first of the anchors. He hugged the cliff face closely, and put his foot around the bend in the cliff path. The wind was strong. Words fail to describe the sheer force of the wind. As he inched the rest of his body around the corner of the cliff, the wind rushed at him from his right-hand side, almost taking his balance away. He held himself tightly against the wall and edged further along the cliff face.<\/p>\n

After about another metre or so, he placed the second anchor into the wall. He threaded the rope through, and continued further around the face. After he had attached the third anchor, he looked around him.<\/p>\n

He was teetering on a ledge along the eastern side of a huge cavern. Just fifteen metres across the gulf lay another cliff face, which also had a small ledge running along it, but only part way. The back of the cavern was about twenty metres to his left. The wind was coming in from the north (to his right) and buffeting the back of the cavern, whirling around, smashing against the back of the recess. The floor of the cavern was about three hundred metres below him, a few bent trees carpeting the otherwise barren floor.<\/p>\n

On the other side, Ravika could see a door, which was set into an ornate entranceway in the lea of a jutting outcrop. It was constructed of metal, and had a written inscription on it, but Ravika couldn\u2019t quite make out what it was. He smiled. Maybe they were nearing the highlight of their journey. Maybe. What next? So close\u2026 yet so far.<\/p>\n

Ravika edged back around the cliff face and to the inquisitive group.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s it like?\u201d they asked in sync.<\/p>\n

Ravika described the cavern, the others becoming concerned at the forces they were going to have to battle with. What next?<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll have to climb down the cliff then,\u201d Baranka said dejectedly, \u201cThere is no other safe way. It\u2019ll take another day at least to get to the other side.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSurely there is another way?\u201d cried Vitogra despairingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d suggested Ravika. \u201cWe can try and create a bridge across it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow?\u201d asked Miazah, his puzzled look mirroring that of Aranya.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can suspend two wires across the cavern,\u201d suggested Ravika, \u201cAnd then we can each slide across one at a time. We have the tools to do it, so we might as well try. It\u2019s better than taking the longer route.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe, but it\u2019s dangerous. Do you really want to risk it to gain that one day?\u201d asked Baranka.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt might be far riskier to try and go down that cliff and then back up again in that hurricane force wind,\u201d replied Ravika defiantly, \u201cBesides, we have the equipment to try and do it. Let\u2019s go for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The group acquiesced and they all made their way around the corner onto the wind whipped ridge.<\/p>\n

\u201cWow!\u201d shouted Baranka as he saw the extent of the challenge, \u201cThis is going to be interesting.\u201d There were a few nods in agreement with Baranka\u2019s comment.<\/p>\n

Everyone stared at the size of the cavern, watching the wind that rattled anything that was slightly loose. No animals or creatures of any sort could be seen. It looked like no other living creatures seemed able to deal with this tremendous force of nature. They stood in one small corner tightly strapped to the wall, using the rope handrail that Ravika had installed. It was what held them safe from oblivion.<\/p>\n

Baranka took aim and fired the first line across the cavern, with one end of it attached tightly to an anchor. The wind caught it slightly\u2026 but it didn\u2019t miss. Even though it was pulled taut, the rope stretching across the cavern hummed with the sheer force of the wind.<\/p>\n

Ravika placed his clip onto the line, and with two other ropes attached to him, he prepared to push off into the crosswind. At that precise moment, the wind increased slightly and caught him off balance. He almost lost his footing, but through his athleticism he managed to steady himself. Without a backward glance, he stepped off the edge of the cliff and dropped a few feet as the rope sagged under his weight. The other two ropes attached to his hips flapped in the intense wind, like two tails to a child\u2019s kite.<\/p>\n

Hand over hand, inch after inch, the others watching on anxiously, he pulled himself gradually along the rope. It was certainly a dubious method of transport.<\/p>\n

Finally, after what seemed an eternity, Ravika made it to his destination, catching the ledge on the other side with his feet and pulling himself safely on to it.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes!\u201d Baranka shouted back towards the others, smiling in relief, \u201cHe did it!\u201d<\/p>\n

Quickly Baranka began to organise their equipment and began to attach each piece to the lines so they could be pulled across to the other side of the valley. Within five minutes he and Ravika had moved everything across.<\/p>\n

Miazah, Aranya and Zarika now stood looking nervously at the swaying lines, each shaking violently under the power of Iraka. They shook their heads as they contemplated the crossing they needed to make in such adverse conditions.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on!\u201d yelled Ravika as loudly as he could so that he could be heard over the hurricane force winds. \u201cYou can do it!\u201d<\/p>\n

With that needed encouragement, Baranka directed Zarika to make the second crossing.<\/p>\n

Zarika put out his hand and grasped the rope that stretched away to the other side in front of him. Baranka attached his clip to the line, and instructed Zarika as to how to position himself as he moved along the ropes.<\/p>\n

The historian grasped both ropes tightly, his hands in gloves with rubber grips. He moved himself along the line and stepped out into nothing, the rope rushing downwards with him before pulling taut and then pulling him slightly upwards. Zarika hung from the two ropes began to swing himself slightly from side to side, sliding each hand along the rope as he swayed, inching closer to the other side, where he welcomed Ravika\u2019s outstretched hands eagerly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell done mate,\u201d commended Ravika, \u201cYou did great. Have a breather.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zarika\u2019s hands shook as he steadied himself against the cliff face, the slight recess in the wall giving him a little protection from the wind.<\/p>\n

Baranka now directed Miazah to cross, and the brave faced Sedorian made his way across to the safety of the other side.<\/p>\n

Aranya then moved nervously to the edge. He put his hands onto the ropes and started to swing across the gulf. He swayed from side to side as the wind pushed him hard, trying to make him lose his grip. Suddenly, his fingers missed the rope, and he swung onto one arm. He hovered there a few seconds.<\/p>\n

\u201cHELP ME!\u201d he yelled, \u201cHELP ME!\u201d<\/p>\n

He continued to yell as he squirmed with the wind for a moment before he lost his grip and plummeted, his safety line preventing him falling all the way to the bottom of the valley. Like a spider in a gale, Aranya swung from side to side.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to die!\u201d he screamed, \u201cSomeone help me before I die!\u201d<\/p>\n

Baranka quickly moved himself out along the rope to the position, about the centre, where Aranya flailed desperately.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease don\u2019t leave me,\u201d he hollered, \u201cdon\u2019t leave me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going to leave you!\u201d stated Baranka, shouting above the wind as he positioned himself, \u201cWhy else would I come out on the rope after you?\u201d<\/p>\n

With only the safety rope as his protection, Baranka reached the safety rope of Aranya and began to pull him upwards. Using just his right arm, and swinging from his left, he pulled the terrified Aranya up to the rope. Aranya grasped it desperately, the wind trying to dislodge the Bajinian again. With Baranka\u2019s helping hand, the anxious man made his way across to the other side, and as he stepped free of the abyss, he hugged the wall tight.<\/p>\n

The group had a breather after the excitement of the crossing, Baranka and Ravika making sure that the crossing was secure. They checked that the anchors were tight into the cliff face, and they fixed a rope along the side of the cliff which they could all attach themselves too.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m in no hurry to do that again!\u201d exclaimed Miazah with his long drawn out accent.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know what you mean. It\u2019s terrifying with that wind rocking us from side to side!\u201d Zarika stated emphatically.<\/p>\n

Aranya nodded in agreement with what other two had said. \u201cI\u2019m sure I lost years of my life with that crossing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d Ravika reassured, \u201cWe survived it and we\u2019re here on the other side, aren\u2019t we?\u201d He smiled at them. \u201cIt\u2019s time to move on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Baranka shook his head slightly at him. \u201cNo one could discount your enthusiasm and adventuring spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ravika smiled again. He bubbled enthusiasm because he was so close to completing their mission. He could feel it in his bones! His whole life has centred on solving this mystery, and now, it was close indeed!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE group rested briefly while Ravika went up to the door and examined it carefully. He was too impatient to rest with the others. He tried the door, but, not surprisingly, it didn\u2019t budge. It looked to be locked or jammed. He tried a few different things but had no success. Along with Baranka, he checked that the anchors were tight into the cliff face, and arranged another rope as a handrail. He also made sure their makeshift bridge was secure.<\/p>\n

The others had been resting for longer than he expected, and so Ravika began to hassle them. \u201cCome on friends! Help me get this door open! I\u2019ve tried a few things but nothing worked.\u201d<\/p>\n

Baranka made his way over to the door quickly and tried it himself. Still nothing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about using the Micro Pulse,\u201d Vitogra suggested. This was a small tool that he had that transmits a small electrical pulse through whatever it is in contact with. \u201cMaybe using it on the door it will trigger the lock to release.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGive it a try,\u201d Ravika replied.<\/p>\n

Vitogra found it in his backpack and passed it to Baranka who tried it several times on the door locking mechanism. It failed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think this door is bolted shut,\u201d said Baranka as he put the tool down. \u201cI think we need to cut the door off at the hinges. There is no other option to open a bolted door.\u201d<\/p>\n

Baranka had always been a hard worker, someone who liked to get into the middle of a problem and help resolve it. With Ravika they made a good team.<\/p>\n

With Ravika\u2019s support they set up the tripod and the Focused Laser Beam Cutter, and began using it to cut through the hinges of the door to separate it from its rock doorframe.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt looks an interesting alloy,\u201d commented Aranya as he watched the purple flame the laser was creating in the metal hinge. \u201cIt\u2019s clever how they\u2019ve worked the metal into the stonework, it\u2019s almost moulded into it.\u201d<\/p>\n

For about fifteen minutes they continued working on it, the laser gradually separating the centuries old metal from the stone posts. Finally, the door shuddered slightly as it was released.<\/p>\n

Ravika and Baranka smiled, swiftly moving the beam cutter off to one side and gripping the edge of the door. The two strong men pulled heavily on the door and it slowly swung away. Pulling it completely free, the men moved the door to the side of the doorframe and wiped the sweat from their brows. Despite the wind, the humidity of this part of the Kallan home world was intense. No work was easy work.<\/p>\n

Ravika swept up a torch, and swung the beam into the cave, through which a little light now shone.<\/p>\n

The others gathered around him, Zarika looking over his shoulder into the gloom. \u201cWhat can you see?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWonderful things.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

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From Micah:<\/h3>\n
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I hope you enjoyed reading the first chapter of my book\u00a0Beginnings: Empire<\/strong> – the first part of the series The Kallans<\/strong>. Please explore the link above to the book and find out where you can read the remainder of the book, both in printed form and as an eBook.<\/p>\n

Micah Mathews<\/strong>
\n December 24, 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Related Images:<\/h3>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 1 (Excerpt) 15th July 2002 \u201cCOME on guys, let\u2019s carry on. It\u2019s not far now,\u201d Ravika encouraged the group of explorers and scientists. He stood rubbing the stubble on his face while he waited for them to start moving again. The group moaned a little, those seated staggering to their feet, and those standing … <\/p>\n

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