THE FALL OF THE ANCIENT TOWN Written by Duilio Chiarle Translated in english by Fabrizio B. Maracich adapted for storytelling by "Lonesome" Dave Long

A legend tells of a gold-roofed town, a lost town searched for in vain by an army which, itself, was lost forever. The legend tells of a mysterious traveler who came from the East and found the city long before soldiers set out in search of it, who remained there for some time, fascinated by their culture and art. He attempted to learn their language but the cultural gap between himself and these people was too great for him to attain full understanding. As he studied the people and their culture the army seeking the city located it. As so often happens the golden roofs of the city were seen as symbolic of conquest. The first sight of these strangers told the people the newcomers did not come in peace. Peace had reigned in this isolated place, far from other cities and villages and protected by an almost impenetrable forest beyond what the people could recall and no one was skilled in the use of weapons, having no need of them. A man left the ranks of the soldiers, dressed in clothes the like of which they had never before seen. The kind of the city summoned the strange traveler to ask him who these strangers were. He explained that they were the best and most ferocious soldiers ever known, skilled in combat and willing to sack the town. He told the king of how other cities and powerful armies fell easily before the strength and power of these soldiers, and explained that the man with the strange clothing was an ambassador and that it would be wise to welcome him. The king was impressed and chose to follow the advice of the mysterious traveler. The ambassador was welcomed with great honors in the throne hall.

PRELUDIO: THE KING'S HALL The mysterious traveler walked across the awesome throne hall, where the only sound was the creak of the door's hinges. Gold and ivory lent a magical look to the room. He looked at the silent court while the ambassador waited for the king's answer. The king refused submission. He rose from the throne and rejected with disdain the ambassador's offer. The ambassador gave the king a nod, bowed to him and left, the court still silent. The traveler offered his services to negotiate with the general of the enemy's army since he knew their language. The king thought it wise to make a last effort, but instinctively he knew that dissuading the army from this course was not probable. He gave a most precious gift to the mysterious traveler, a small jade amphora, tightly sealed. He thanked the king and left rapidly to follow the ambassador, taking very little with him, knowing full well what these soldiers were capable of doing. The gate closed behind him and he cried, almost running to reach the ambassador, and using a shorter route to catch up with him.