[ IP ] The City of Palaquin

My grandfather used to tell me stories about our ancestors. My twice great grandfather had been one of the founding members of our home. He was one of the men who guided one of the four Colossus' that now held our capital in their hands. When our ancestors came upon a small chain of islands they halted the Colossus' and had them outstretch their hands into the sky. After many years our village had begun to prosper. 
 
 Living in the lower islands or on one of the settlements on the legs of a Colossus was common. Most of us lived at the feet of the Colossus and sustained ourselves as merchants, artisans, tight knit groups of farmers, and most prominently as fishermen. The capital housed our elders, leaders, and their families. As children we were encouraged to not see this disparity between living spaces as a status symbol. Nor were we to question the ornate clothing of the royals or the occasional acquisition of crops and seafood. 
 
 For those of us living near the sea we somewhat understood. After all living up near the sky and being that most of the buildings were residences or places of business they did n't have access to the water or farming space. Much of what they did was political in nature or organizing trade among other villages. Our ancestors had taken to training various birds to carry notes and occasionally parcels across the ocean. Only when another villages ships came to port or an envoy was sent did the residents of the sky descend back to the ground. They did not condescend or mistreat us, but they would bring armed guards to escort them. Not that any of us had ever thought of attacking them. They were our people. I think it was this that began to plant seeds of doubt into our minds. 
 
 Over time as we became more and more prosperous the people of the sky made more and more requests of us. Fishermen stayed on the water longer risking both mind and body to some of the seas more dangerous creatures. Farmers were now to immediately give half of their crop to the capital upon harvest. We no longer called them'people of the sky' or referred to them as our kinsmen. They were now to be referred to as nobles. They gave names to our islands as opposed to sharing the name our founders had given us. I remember that in his later years my grandfather would say that these were signs of the time. Symbols for something much more drastic to come. He warned us until his death and we found ourselves reflecting on his words with worry as we sent his body out to sea. 
 
 From a distance our home looks like a paradise. Our homes by the sea and the proud buildings held up by the great giants who carried our ancestors. But if you were to live with us, see what we see, hear what we hear coming from those'above us' then you would truly understand. Utopia does not exist and paradise is a concept based upon individual thoughts and beliefs. Perhaps for the nobles this place is paradise. Their children want for nothing and whatever kind of work they do is done while resting comfortably on cushions or in chairs. Meanwhile me and my men are out at sea braving the waters, hauling in our catch, and on occasion fighting beasts of the ocean. It was how my father died and how I came to be raised by my mother and grandfather. 
 
 I chose a life at sea for two reasons. The first was to avenge my father. He wished for me to become something more and had been saving for me to hop a vessel to the mainland to go to school. A dream that would be crushed upon his death when I was 14. My family needed money and any man capable of working can join a crew. The second reason was because I knew that time at sea would harden me. Make me stronger and tough like my father. But as for why I was acquiring that strength? A man needs a strong grip to climb the towering and rocky colossus, and even more strength to led an army. 
 
 The nobles know only to take and to order. They do not know what it means to sacrifice or lose. But this shall change in the coming days. They will know these things. And they will also know fear and repent. 
 
 Edit: a word
