Forest & Kingdom Balance by Robert Reed Paul Thomas

who would covet it for its
own sake. Selfish kings and lords took the gifts that the Red
Knight had brought, the training and structure for defense, and
used them to war with each other for no other reasons than greed
and avarice. Betrayal after betrayal hardened the Red Knight’s
heart.
    Over time the Red Knight took on the roll of king
maker and supreme sovereign. He came to believe that weakness
allowed the unworthy to prosper and to respect strength above all
else. So he pitted kingdom against kingdom at his choosing to weed
out the weak. For thousands of years, this has been our world.

    “Hold on.” Dionara looked at the empty glass in her
hand, “I may be a bit tipsy from all the wine, but I don’t believe
I’m drunk enough to have momentarily forgotten about an immortal
who rules the world.”
    “That’s because you Dionara, and your subjects, are
the only people who are not taught of the Red Knight from birth.
Far too many know of his manipulations first hand, at the thrust of
a sword.” John sat up and looked into Dionara’s eyes, his
expression relayed the seriousness and concern that his words held.
“This is the gift your kingdom receives.”
    “Assuming this ‘Red Knight’ even exists,” she
countered.
    “He does.” John’s tone did not waver.
    Dionara considered his words, “To my knowledge he
has never bothered us here, what does this have to do with me? I
though you were going to tell me of our founding?” Dionara waited
for an answer.
    John retrieved a second wine decanter from a basket
beside the tree and handed it to her. “You may want a refill for
this next part.” He noted.

    The Mindow
    Over time the Red Knight became restless for new
lands, he commissioned ships of exploration to sail the vast sea.
One people, the Mindow, who respected peace, art, craftsmanship and
fellowship, saw the Red Knight’s decree as an opportunity to escape
his oppression. They designed and crafted great ships to withstand
the heaviest seas. Even so, many years passed and no ships
returned.
    The Mindow did not give up hope and a fleet of
eleven ships set out once more. They were led by Paladin, a
craftsman, seaman, leader, and a man of great faith loved by all
who knew him. After many months at sea and the loss of four ships,
land was sighted. They landed at what is now Kingsport on the
coastline to our west and established a new kingdom. Now king of
the new lands, Paladin sent ships back to their home with an
invitation for all that wished to join him to set sail.
    Being a man of deep faith, Paladin gave thanks to
Spirit, the Prime Creator, for guiding them. He felt the number of
ships that completed the journey was no accident. Seven ships for
the seven levels of human experience that lead from the physical to
enlightenment. He built his citadel crowning the highest hill in
Kingsport and surrounded it with six tiers of gardens. The seven
levels were dedicated to the seven levels of attainment.
    Eventually other explorers found our shores and set
up kingdoms to the north and south between coast and mountain. Once
established, each kingdom began to explore into the mountains. From
Paladin’s first explorations to all the peoples that followed, each
found that venturing into the mountain range would be greeted by
fear, dread and mishap. The range came to be known as the Warded
Mountains, for protected they were.
    The Mindow were your ancestors Dionara, their
coastal kingdom flourished for a thousand years. Art, peace, and
faith were their hallmarks. The Mindow kings strengthened their
realm, and from that position of strength, they sought only peace
and trade with their neighbors. Due to the vast distance, the Red
Knight chose not to travel to the new lands and only send
occasional decrees, until the reign of King Palinar.
    The Red Knight had become increasing frustrated by
the lack of expansion inland and decided that consolidation of the
coastal peoples would lead to greater progress. He ordered