More in this series: Prologue, Ch. 1, Ch. 2, Ch. 3, Ch. 4, Ch. 5, Ch. 6, Ch. 7, Ch. 8, Ch. 9, Ch. 10, Ch. 11, Ch. 12, Ch. 13, Ch. 14, Ch. 15, Ch. 16, Ch. 17, Ch. 18, Ch. 19, Ch. 20, Ch. 21, Ch.22, Ch. 23
The North Pole was once a much different place. It was dominated by Goblins and Trolls With their horrible, greedy, gross, hoarding ways. They sought superiority and total control. Back then, The elves’ work was hard and unfair. They never saw the good of their labor. The managers behaved with inexcusable behavior To please the owners who took more than their fair share. And then, Nothing was amiss in the workshops. The elves worked steadily on and on… Not a leader the wiser up top To a plot working through the bottom. The goblins were few But owned all the shops and all the land. The trolls were few too, But a bit more, with heavier hands. Trolls freely abused While the goblins made all the big plans. And yet, That would all change. The elves had a plan. A plan to make a stand Together to resist the goblins’ greedy ways. But not just to resist. To remake all of it . . . The goal was a system From which all would benefit, And all would freely give. But that goal is still distant For our story has yet to begin. So where should we start? Ah, here is a good part . . . Listen now, with your head and your heart . . .
Cornnan wedged a knife deep into the wood
Making a precise notch
Fingers wielding the knife as few humans could.
One of many elves whittling under close watch.
Shiftman wondered,
Torch and fuel in hand.
Watching, intimidating
With malicious command.
The torch provided warmth,
Not that elves need much.
More for the Shiftman,
Warmth, weapon, and such . . .
Though bigger than elves,
Trolls still get cold.
Though slower than elves,
Trolls deal deadly blows.
With fire and force
Comes no recourse
Should an elf get out of hand.
Cornnan carved on
So he won’t starve from
Shiftman withholding wages.
But Cornnan knew it wouldn't last much longer.
The Polar Elf Guild was growing stronger.
“Sooner or later
All of my neighbors
Will have full control of their own labor.
We’ll make lists distributing favors
Living in an economy of generous behavior.”
Cornnan dreamed
Mindlessly whittling
Pointless thing after pointless thing
For the good of few but the rich and wealthy.This was, more often than not, what it was like
To live at the Pole in those very tough times.
The trolls were terribly mean
And would often scream . . .
“Clock out to relieve yourselves”
The manager would roar at the elves
Who served in the shops,
Toiled in the mills,
Making profit for the top
Who exploited their skills.
Given no time to stop,
They’d work till they’d drop.
“Make the most, get a prize!”
The foreman would chide.
“Make a mistake and you’ll take
Nothing back for your child today.”
The elves were tired.
Scared of getting fired.
Afraid they wouldn’t be paid,
Much less earn a livable wage.
They felt they were withering away.
Chapter 2 is marked as private and I can't read it. Been enjoying what I can read though, this is very cool.