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STEALING THE HEART
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The blazing glow of Thorvald the Cruel's fires still hung in the air as we survivors of Nakhont fled, dragging a handful of loyal warriors, frightened women, and displaced tribesmen with us. Our hearts bled as we left our home city, but life drove us on. Now that we are safe, all that remains is to follow the rocky path north, to find refuge there, to find a new hearth. But even in the shelter of the north, my resolve does not weaken - I will not let Thorvald keep Elani! Soon we will devise a plan to take her back from the clutches of these barbarians.

Created by: MegaChell

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[blockstart:501]
Really? The perfect place for a home. We found a vast plain at the end of the road, everything we need to restore the tribe, and maybe even the city of Nakhont itself!
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[blockstart:502]
Now our settlement numbers 20 people! And the scout brought news that west of the river there is a road leading north. Let's go along it?


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An Indian settlement! Is there anyone alive here? I think I should talk to their chief.

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[blockstart:504]
Talakun: (looks up, eyes pained and tired) I am Talakun, chief of Nakhonto. And I am not alone, I am with the remnants of my people. What you see is the result of a storm, but not a natural one, a storm of iron and fire that has fallen upon our city.

Tapacho: A city? Is this not the wilderness?

Talakoun: Nakhonto stood by the river, lush and alive. But then came… the star serpents, as we call them. (he spits with hatred)

Tapacho: The star serpents?

Talakoun: Yes, they came on great floating dragons, long and black as death. They were called… (he pauses, collecting his thoughts) drakkars, that was what they called their monsters, which they led across the water, belching smoke and fire. Their warriors, they wore iron skin and held shining blades in their hands that killed without mercy. They destroyed our home, they… (his voice trembles) they killed our people and stole our women.

Tapacho: (sympathy dawns on his face) I feel your pain, Talakun, my brother. Our world can be cruel. The tribe of Yantok has seen many hardships. But I know that in unity there is strength.

Talakoon: (looks hopeful) Perhaps… But we have lost everything. Our food, our weapons, all taken by the star snakes.

Tapacho: (puts his hand on Talakun's shoulder) This is fate, but not the end. I see in you the strength of a leader, and I will not abandon you in trouble. You and your people can find refuge among us, the tribe of Yantok. We will share our shelter, our arrows, and our friendship.

Talakun: (gratefully) This is more than I could ask for. But… (he hesitates) – our tribe needs help right now to survive.

Tapacho: I understand. (pause) Friendship is not a one-sided agreement. Talakun, for our help and friendship, I ask you to give me 30 units of food to start. As a sign that you are willing to share with us what you have.

Talakun: (nods) I understand… This is a reasonable price for friendship in times of need. We will accept your generosity and try to repay when we can.
Pay 30 units of food as tribute in the diplomacy window.


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[blockstart:505]
After paying the tribute, Tapacho was convinced that our intentions were only good and is now waiting for me at his place.


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Is this just about revenge against the ‘Star Serpents’?” - Tapacho asked, his voice low.
- “My Elani... she was like a blossom, radiant as the sun. But their leader, Torvald the Cruel, preyed on her while I fought their war! He tried to seduce her! I confronted him, struck him—and he answered with silence…and then fire. They attacked our city under cover of night, a massacre! And he took Elani… He stole her from me.
-Well, you have revealed to me everything you knew and I will also reveal everything I know:

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[blockstart:507]
After the conversation, I decided to explore the further part of the river, maybe I’ll find something there.


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A small outpost appeared before us, maybe we should talk to the people there?


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From the largest building, resembling a dragon, a man emerged who was different from everyone else, it was obvious that he was the Chief.


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Approaching him, I noticed that his warriors, like himself, were similar to those very barbarians who came to our lands, but I think that not all foreigners are enemies.
-Hey! Buddy, I am Talakun, one of the commanders of Nakhont, people like you plundered it and lusted after my love, do you know who it could be, maybe you can help me with this?
He thought for a while, suddenly it seemed like a realization came to him, and he said:
-Of course, I know these dirty "barbarians" I will help you find and destroy them, unfortunately there are too many of them here, I think if you pay me 30 food and 20 iron, we will come together!
Hmmm... Maybe if we talk to Tapacho, he can patch up the 20 iron for us?

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[blockstart:511]
Having brought 20 iron and 30 food as gifts, they thanked us, after which their leader conveyed a message:
"When the sun rises over the horizon, come to the house standing near the forest, and go in there, there you will find what you are looking for."


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-Tapacho, kind foreigners are asking for 20 iron, maybe you can give them to me? As a sign of friendship.
-Of course! I'll arrange for the iron to be sent right away.


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I came to the place, he was already standing near the house, and the fire he had made had already gone out. I approached.

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- What kind of house is this? - I asked, looking around the wretched hut lost in the thicket of the forest. - Why is it here, far from the settlement? And why did you insist so much that I come at night?

The leader of the foreigners hesitated, avoiding my gaze.

- Understand me, Talakun... - he muttered, - I was... sort of... forced...

- What? What are you talking about? - I frowned, not understanding his confused words. Bad premonitions began to creep into my head.

Suddenly, from behind the trees and bushes, as if from underground, other Indians jumped out! They moved so silently, like shadows, that I did not immediately notice them.

- Traitor! - I spat out, having learned this, I will not forget! - You betrayed me!

The leader of the foreigners, who had been silently watching the events, stepped forward.

"Talakun," he said in a level voice, "you know too much. You don't need to know more."

The next moment the Indians rushed at me, twisted my arms, blindfolded me, and dragged me deeper into the forest.


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When they untied me, I found myself tied to a huge fire. The stench of burning resin and fear filled my lungs. It seemed like they were going to burn me alive...

Dozens of armed soldiers crowded around, their faces distorted by animalistic grimaces. They chanted like madmen:

– BLOOD! BLOOD! LET THE SPIRITS ACCEPT OUR SACRIFICE!

Suddenly, there was movement in the crowd. Someone was pushing the soldiers aside, making his way to the fire. Judging by the commanding cries, it was their leader!


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The leader pushed his way through the crowd, raised his hand, and a dead silence reigned.

“LONG LIVE THE SPIRITS!” he proclaimed in a booming voice. “Today they will accept the sacrifice!”

The crowd exploded in a new fit of madness:

“BLOOD! BLOOD! LONG LIVE THE SPIRITS!”

“Our loyal allies have brought us a sacrifice, and now their gratitude will be boundless!”

I knew that if I didn’t do something, they would burn me. And I wasn’t going to die.

“Hey! Sage! Chieftain!” I shouted, trying to be heard over the crowd. “Have mercy! The spirits will not accept me! I have already given them another oath: eternal love and death on the same day as my beloved!”

The leader cast a contemptuous glance at me.

- If the spirits wanted you to fulfill this oath, you wouldn't be here!

- Wait! - I screamed, desperately trying to think of a way out. - Do you want... do you want the sacrifice to be stronger... bigger?

- What do you mean? - the leader was wary.

- I will bring you as many sacrifices as you wish!

The leader thought for a moment, and then grinned.

- Oh-oh-oh... well, - he drawled, - send a messenger to your settlement. Have them bring here strong warriors! (20 regular soldiers)


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With cries of "Hail to the Spirits!" the Elderani warriors descended upon the twenty soldiers I had sent to sacrifice.

Blindfolding me again, they dragged me back to that hut...

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Are you planning to attack us? THE SPIRITS WILL TASTE YOUR BLOOD!
With these cries the Indians will not leave me a chance to survive, maybe I should have made a sacrifice to them

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Indians were flying out from all sides screaming!

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The Elderani are destroyed! We saved our chief!

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The face of the leader of the foreigners expressed surprise at my appearance.

- What? But how... - he breathed out, not finishing.

- Yes, here I am, - I interrupted, - and now explain why you betrayed me? I paid you tribute! I considered us friends.

- No! - he roared. - You are no friend of the Vikings! We are a force in ourselves! You are the enemy of my earl! He ordered you to be killed. I would have dealt with you right now, but it would be dishonorable. You have three minutes to disappear from my sight!

He turned and disappeared.


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[blockstart:522]
And suddenly the valley was filled with an ominous roar… Drums were beating, and the crowd was roaring heart-rendingly! “Well, we must prepare for an attack,” flashed through my mind. But at that moment a message came from Topacho:

“My friend, the foreigners are coming to war against me! The scouts brought this alarming news. I beg you, help me!”


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We did not notice such a rapid approach of foreign troops to the settlement of Topacho, there were too many of them, will we cope?

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[blockstart:524]
The battle was already coming to an end, our forces were outweighed, but doubts were creeping up on me, because I couldn’t see Topacho, I already thought... Could it really be him... But then shouts were heard from the shore: DRAGONS! DRAGONS ARE SWIMMING!


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The dragons swam to the shore and ran aground, and whole crowds of barbarians began to jump out of them.


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[blockstart:526]
Victory! The settlement of Topacho is saved. Joy had just begun to spread in our hearts, when suddenly a breathless soldier ran up to me:

“Our leader… He’s dying!”

The soldier’s words pierced my heart like a dagger. What? How?! My friend… We may not have known each other for long, but Topacho has become my brother.

“Where is he?” I exhaled.

We ran to the center of the settlement, where Topacho lay on the ground in a pool of blood.

“Topacho!” I knelt down next to him. “No! Please… live!”

Topacho smiled weakly.

“Eh, Talakun…” he whispered. “The spirits have called me. There’s nothing to regret… But I have one last request for you.”

“What is it? Tell me… what is it?”

- Avenge me... and protect my people...

With these words, Topacho's eyes closed, and he left the world of the living forever...


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[blockstart:527]
There was nothing left of the outpost, only charred corpses and smoking ruins. Suddenly, the leader of the foreign traitors was dragged to me, dirty and bloody.

“Spare me! I beg you!” he pleaded, looking at me with insane fear. “I’ll tell you everything you want!”

“Pitiful coward!” I sneered. “You surrender as soon as you smell death? Very well. Tell me where your lair is and where my Elani is being held.”

“The main army… they are camped on the shore of the eastern sea. If you go there by river, you will find them. And Elani… Torvald took Elani with him to the northern lands. To get there, you need a ship!”

“I don’t need your advice!” I snapped. “Go to the spirits!”

With these words, I finished off the bad man.


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[blockstart:528]
Scouts have discovered a settlement of invaders by the sea. WE WILL DESTROY THEM


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[blockstart:529]
Having destroyed all the Vikings of the settlement, the dragon moored, one of the Vikings climbed out of it and said:
-Torvald is waiting for you! Hurry, let's sail
Even without thinking about whether it might be a trap, or what else, I decided to sail, no matter what difficulties there will be.
(Sail on this ship to the very edge of the map)


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Well, here is the endless sea, where there is no one, only emptiness and a limitless horizon, how much longer do we have to sail...



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[blockstart:531]
Two lovers Elani and Talakun fulfilled their oath of eternal love and death in one day, seeing New Nakhonto ahead Talakun will be remembered by them as a symbol of eternal love and the fight against invaders...


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MISSION COMPLETED!
Dear player, now you can just develop the plot is over, thank you for completing the map, I hope you liked it. Well, if you liked it, then I ask you to rate it as "Excellent", but if you didn't like it, then it's better not to rate it...

Well, I'll also tell you that this is not my last map and soon I will release new ones... new and new maps:)



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[blockstart:533]
In the diplomacy window for 20 food you can get archers, as well as swordsmen!


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[blockstart:534]
After paying 20 food to Elderani, they became happy and gave us 5 of their archers! We can do this again, and then again and again!
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[blockstart:535]
After paying 20 food to Elderani, they became happy and gave us 5 of their sword mans! We can do this again, and then again and again!
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[blockstart:536]
Has the idea of ​​a new Nohont really dried up? But it's true...
MISSION FAILED!

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[blockstart:537]
Unfortunately, neither Talakun nor Elani kept their oath to die on the same day...
MISSION FAILED!

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[blockstart:538]
We built barracks and now we can fight back! But I'm afraid the foreigners won't like it...


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[blockstart:539]
Food production has been restored! Now we can continue to rebuild our city!

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[blockstart:540]
The tree full of juicy fruits was shedding fruit! Maybe this is how all trees shed fruit?
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[blockstart:541]
A huge crater with a lot of useful stone!

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A huge waterfall flowing down the mountainside where the waters flow violently!

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