"But, this story will be told in a very unusual and very thought provoking manner".

...

...


Socialist Republic of the Isles

Karnaca, Serkonos

Karnaca City Hall

Fall, 1768

...

Piero Joplin's POV

The year-long heat, the sounds of seagulls screeching in the air as they flew over the harbors and the high mountain ranges that touched the very fabric of the heavens were all defining customs when describing the Serkonan city of Karnaca. Especially, when I visited the city first hand.

The city, even though it was showing signs of having it's multi-cultural setting being decimated by the urban dullness of Communist architecture and influence, still captured the numerous and complicity of the many cultural backgrounds the city was famous for harboring together.

The Serkonan vineyards, the rolling plains of farmlands, and the city's museums which displayed the Isles' rich history, art and technical progression from the nation's Renaissance Era.

The whale-powered fishing ships that sailed along the bay with the citizens adapting to the tropical lifestyle of Karnaca's beaches.

Serkonan folk songs being played by passing entertainers on the city's cobblestone streets with the smell of Morlen-grilled hagfish being served to customers in small, local dinning shops.

Truly a sight to behold for foreigners, such as, myself.

Along with this and the towering, identical urban apartment complexes installed by the Communist government, lay also the iconic windmills that assisted with the city's power supply.

Those windmills, throughout the decades, acted as witnesses to the Isles' frequent periods in history. From the end of the Morley Insurrection to the glorious Socialist Revolution, they have stood there since.

However, I was not just another twenty-something year old tourist exploring the significant landmarks of this wondrous city, but I was also a guest invited to attend a respectful award ceremony at the Karnaca City Hall that payed tribute to national authors, such as myself, whom have written Socialist literature that appeased the ruling Communist Party of the Isles.

In truth, I have always loath writing that Communist propaganda that passes off as 'literature'. Don't get me wrong, I love literature. Especially, writing it. I wanted to mirror off the well-known literature authors of the past. I wanted to express by imaginative spirit with my writing just like them. Sadly, I was living in the wrong time to do so.

Authors, like me, were told what to write by the Communist government in an effort to 'inspire and protect the literacy of our brother and sister workers'. Failure to do so would result in our banishment, imprisonment...sometimes, our death.

While this was a negative impact, I was simply happy knowing that my work was being noticed and respected by the many readers of the Isles.

...

With my invitation in my jacket, I approached the large golden doors that led entrance to the Grand Lobby of the City Hall...passing by the fearsome and menacing Red Guard soldiers that stood by the doors.

I entered the lobby, immersing myself to the talkative crowd that occupied this part of the City Hall.

All of Karnaca's most powerful and influential people were guests attending this festivity, along with some political and military officials.

The guests were wearing their finest attire with the military officials wearing their state-issued khaki and red uniforms.

The sound of beautiful orchestra music with the smell of the finest slaughtered whale fillets occupied the surrounding air. People laughing at jokes , war stories and other minor things were common. Men having their third or fourth round of Dunwall's imported whiskey with their fellow buddies.

I, for one, was not having any of the whiskey for I had my eye on the prestigious and most delicious Morlen wine.

Before I could obtain a glass, a feminine figure of the utmost beauty had caught my attention.

She wasn't dressed as one of the guests for she was a maid assisting the guests at this festivity. A maid of glorious beauty.

She had a slender build with her hair knotted in a lovely bun. Brown hair and truly affectionate eyes.

This woman, sadly was someone who was not interested in me but, at the time I did not realize this for I was young and...quite lonely, if you will.

Maneuvering myself through the crowd, I approached her with pure confidence...so, I thought. With me, daring to approaching her, I caught her attention. With tremendous fear, I felt her studying me...with her lovely eyes.

Me, being dumbfounded, muttered a poorly constructed introduction...

"Ah! Uh,...good day, miss!"

The lovely maid give a soft, nervous chuckle before responding. "Good day to you as well, Comrade... Joplin, is it? I do remember reading some of your works. Do you require any assistance? Food? Or, perhaps a drink?"

"No...No! Thank you! However, that's not what I'm here...", I knew what I wanted. It was not food nor a drink, but instead, her name.

A name, till this day, I will never forget.

"I...uh...I just wanted to know your name, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Oh! Curnow. Callista Curnow. You may know my uncle? Geoff Curnow? He is a Captain in the Red Guard."

I was shaken with fear hearing that fact. This woman, who I have just had the courage to speak to with the intent of starting a romantic relationship, is related to one of the most fearsome officers in the Red Guard!

This fear restricted me from continuing the conversation further, having Callista being confused by my presence and thus, being called away to perform her duties for one of the other guests requesting her assistance.

I felt a strong sense of disappointment and embarrassment after speaking to her. How could I've been so foolish?

Suddenly, I hear a low and ruff voice emitting behind me.

"Is that how you speak to every beautiful woman you encounter, son?"

To my confusion, a very elderly man, around in his mid to late-fifties, appeared to be the one who said the joking comment. The elderly man had flowing grey hair and a very intense graying beard covering the majority of his face.

He was smartly dressed with his navy blue pea-coat and brown lacks, having a walking cane and a pair of black gloves to complete his old, elderly attire.

His face was bold and serious. He had the face of an old warrior but his face also gave off a sense of loneliness and insensitivity. As if, something had been troubling him for the past quarter of his life.

The old man chuckled with his ruff voice as he slowly walked away from me, over to the empty bar table on the far side of the Grand Lobby.

Interestingly enough, in this lobby full of people, this lonely, old man's whole appearance peaked my curiosity.

Something encouraged me to know more about him.

In a way to learn more, I approached one of the waiters assisting the guests, hoping to gain some information about this...peculiar, old man, for he seemed as someone of great importance at this social gathering.

"Excuse me, Comrade. Who is that interesting old man sitting at the bar.", I asked the waiter.

The waiter gave a surprised looked, being baffled by my ignorance regarding the old man.

"Dear sir, don't you recognize him? That's the 'Serkonan Beast' himself,... Mr. Attano. 'The Liberator of Dunwall' ".

Me, being a native of the Isle of Gristol, was completely lost when regarding famous Serkonan people. However, I faintly remember Mr. Attano's name...

I do remember Mr. Attano being a well known war-hero who fought in the Morley Insurrection and, then shortly after, fought in the Socialist Revolution against the Fascists oppressors back in 1732.

Aside from that, Mr. Attano was also known to be the 'Lord Protector' or the bodyguard of the last Emperor of the Isles, Euhorn Kaldwin I and of his daughter, the soon to be Empress, Jessamine Kaldwin.

Not much is really known when describing the time Mr. Attano spent with the two royal family members, aside from the fact that, Mr. Attano 'volunteered' to help out the Socialist cause against the Fascist warmongers that ruled the Isles and that he, 'out of his own will', denounced the rule of Emperor Kaldwin, publicly calling him a 'coward' and a 'traitor to the people'.

Others say that he was forced by the new Communist government at the time to collaborate with them and that they forced him to denounce the Emperor.

Decades later up till now, Mr. Attano was now an old, bitter looking man who had high connections within the Communist Party of Dunwall due to his war fame during the revolution, allowing him to have a suitable lifestyle being a middle class civilian attending public events such as this one.

"He's here to hand out the awards to the authors later today. Why don't you speak to him, sir? Obviously, if you wish to know more about him, why not speak to him personally?", Inquired the waiter.

I agreed to his suggestion and I began walking to Mr. Attano at a steady pace. Ironically, I did not have the same fear overbearing me, like I did before with the lovely Callista Curnow.

Curiosity over powered my fear of social interaction with strangers, regarding the old man.

I took a seat on the bar stool beside Mr. Attano, hoping that maybe he would be the one to start a possible conversation first...And, to my luck, he did...Unfortunately.

"Son, you'll never get a woman's attention when showing fear. You must have confidence.", Mr. Attano stated.

"I'm sorry, Comrade...I...", I replied before being cut short by the old man.

"Don't give me that, 'Comrade' non-sense, boy! I can't stomach that Communist trash! It's absolute foolishness!"

I was stunned. Not just by the strong vigor in his voice but, his criticism of our traditional formal addressing.

This man was not how our Communist leaders depicted him. He, just as myself, had a secret, personal hatred for the Communist rule over the Isles.

I do apologize, Mr. Attano. I just wished to...to know you more. For my own sake.", I assured.

"Ha! Of course, you do! You 'authors' just wish to find inspiration for another one of your 'novels'. Why bother? Those Communist bastards are just going to censor it!"

The old man took a breath before having a look of sorrow on his face.

"I'm sorry, kid. I just really hate going to these social gatherings. The government forces me to attend these events for them. As a way to 'pay tribute' for my past 'crimes'."

"Crimes?", I questioned.

Mr. Attano gave me a look of sadness which then turned into a light smile.

"Son, or 'Mr. Joplin', is it? I remember your name on the log sheet. You're one of the winners getting an award, right? Regardless, if you wish to know more about an old man, such as, myself. I would be more than willing to do so. For some reason, you actually look very concerned about me, unlike some other would-be 'authors' with the ambition of collecting coin and notoriety off of other people's stories."

"Sir, I would be honored to hear your story." I replied with a smile.

Mr. Attano returned with an even bigger smile. I sensed a great deal of joy consuming the old man beside me.

"We have a few hours before the ceremony begins...Bartender! Two glasses of Dunwall's finest whiskey, please!", Shouted the old man.

Moments later, after we took a few slips of our whiskey, the old man began to speak.

"Mr. Joplin, to understand my story, you must understand the my first interaction with the man who once ruled the Isles, back during the times of Morley Insurrection. A man who was wrongfully accused by the leaders of today".

"This man, who I regrettably called a 'coward' and a 'traitor', to which would be forever my closest friend."

...

Mr. Attano looked away before continuing. He looked back towards me with a warm smile.

"Of course, I am talking about...Euhorn Kaldwin."

...


Next Chapter- Part III: His Majesty