A
dozen
years had gone by since the passing of Kallima. Crom and Strom were
both young men. Crom was two years Strom’s junior, yet he was more
developed, physically more mature. Over their years of growing up,
Ganesh made sure that Crom was fed a warrior’s diet, and trained as
a warrior, whereas Strom received more of a traditional noble
upbringing. He was educated in the art of military strategy and
politics. Strom was raised to be a political advisor more so than a
king is. His brother was more learned in the art of war. Crom did
receive some education in diplomacy, but nowhere near as much as his
brother. Crom was trained to be both king and warrior. The two
brothers wrestled in a cozy courtyard within the walls that surround
the great hall of Ganesh. The older brother was fed up with losing
his battle; he grabbed a cudgel of some sort and whacked Crom in the
head causing him to be temporarily stunned. Strom then swiftly
jumped upon his younger brother and whaled away at his chest. Crom
was lying on his back taking the beating when Ganesh yelled from the
courtyard gate, “Halt, Strom! Are you a coward? I will not stand
for your craven ways. It is true that Crom is physically superior,
but you must not resort to the ways of the shrewd. Have your wits
about you, boy! Use the force. Stun Crom with your intellect and
wits, not your club. That is enough for today. You will continue
the rite, Crom, on the morrow moon.” Strom was suddenly overcome
with shame as he realized that his actions had displeased his father.
The two boys said to Ganesh in unison, “Yes father.” It was
then that Strom shot an evil look in the direction of Crom who did
not notice because he was watching his father leave the courtyard.
###
More Greatest Evil
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