Blessed with a warm climate and fertile soil, Solis produces five times as many crops as all of the lands of Tesu combined. Throughout Tesu's recorded history until King Hesphur became ruler of Ryna, Solis lived in peace with its neighbors and traded its bountiful crops with all the people of Tesu in exchange for those things that could not grow from the soil: equipment, tools, and slaves to work the farms. Those lands that lacked the resources to make tools and equipment built textile mills and turned the fibers of Solis' plants into clothing that could be traded. Neighboring Leyni, lacking any unique resources of value, instead chose a clearing to build a large marketplace where all the lands of Tesu would come to trade goods. Because the marketplace made it easier for Solis to trade, the kingdom of Solis provided Leyni with enough food to feed its people. In addition to fruits, vegetables and grain, the Fern Valley in eastern Solis produces several medicinal herbs that will grow nowhere else on Tesu. Vorna, a community bordering Leyni on the west, is mostly pastures where animals are raised for meat or to provide milk. These are just two of the areas that are under almost constant attack from King Hesphur and his allies. ------------------- Finally, we're back to the story! It took Vue 33 hours to render this (thank goodness for the Resume Render function!) but I had to get this up before continuing with the rest of the story. Don't ask me why, it's just how the universe wanted it to be (-; Vickie Previous Chapter: