Being an account of the landing of the followers of Salan on Aryiure and their settlement of that fair land in the years 2828 - 2850 TS

Roland of Feleth 2869 TS

Chapter the First - in which the Light of Adell is revealed to Lord Salan and the fleet sails

Now in that time (about 2824. G) was there much discord in the land of Ellkana. The drought of the last four years had ended, but the earth failed to yield up its abundance. Many blamed the heavy rains that washed the brittle soils away. The drought and rains in turn were blamed on the corruption and wickedness of the court of Regent Magnus. Adell had dimmed His holy Light and the people suffered.

The years of drought had left the land barren. Warehouses were empty of grain. Most beasts of the field and forest had long since been slaughtered. The only sustenance was gained from the sea. Yet the rains and storms that accompanied them now made fishing perilous.

Regent Magnus decided on desperate methods. All those who were unfit to labour, other than young children, would be put to death. "The dross of our nation shall be expunged so that the survival of the race be assured." In addition no woman was allowed to bear more than one child. The penalty for breaching this ordinance was death for both the mother and child.

The decrees met resistance from Holy Church and others. Not least because under it the feeble minded King Carten was executed, leaving Magnus supreme. But dissent was ruthlessly suppressed. On many trees hung new fruit.

In the province of Isharin did Adell’s Light yet shine. Admiral Lord Salan was then autarch of the city of Thuladren. To him did the God appear in a dream commanding him to seek out a new land for his people. On awakening from his vision the Lord kept his revelation from all but his closest counsellors, for well he knew that the tyrant Magnus would prevent the God’s will if he could.

Then were five stout ships of the Admiral’s fleet sent out under trusted captains. They sailed to the east from whence riseth the Light of the World. Within six months three of the five returned, the others being lost. Glad tidings reported they to Lord Salan. There was a new land far to the south east that was green and fair. Although some savage tribes occupied the coasts, they were few in numbers and primitive.

Greatly pleased was Lord Salan by this news. Loud thanks did he offer to Holy Adell. "Now, under the Light shall we do thy will," He vowed. Under guise of increasing the harvest from the sea were new ships built and existing ones made larger. In secret were supplies hoarded against the needs of the voyage. Quietly too were the tools and equipment that would be needed to settle the land assembled.

To captain Solander was a special mission entrusted. He would sail back to the new land and survey it, without attracting attention from the natives. The captain, guided by the Light, successfully achieved this aim. He based his ship at the island now known as Solander’s Isle. Many surreptitious visits to the mainland revealed its secrets. When the time came for the fleet to set sail the site of the new settlement had already been chosen.

On Ellkana by this time the situation had improved. The harvest of 2825 was fair. The dramatic lowering of the population meant there was more food available than before. Animals began to recover and cattle, sheep and horses bred again. The years of fair harvest continued in 2826 and 2827. Yet the burden on the people was heavy. Magnus raised taxes to pay for an elaborate series of celebrations. In addition the ‘one child’ law was enforced as vigorously as ever.

When all was in readiness Admiral Lord Salan announced his dream to the people of Thuladren. The bishop of Isharin, one Tomas Ytilyn, was already appraised of the situation. He allowed Lord Salan to use the cathedral steps to make his oration. Moreover the bishop and his priests, in their full regalia, attended to show Holy Church’s support for the autarch. In the city square a conroi of the 7^th horse provided evidence of temporal aid.

"My people," Lord Salan announced to the crowds, "I speak in Adell’s Holy name and under his Eye. Let his Light shine upon you always. Know then that in his wisdom Adell commanded me to seek out new lands wherein his followers could escape the tyranny of Magnus and the blight that has fallen on our home. Know too that ships under my command have found such a land, called Aryiure by its rude inhabitants. It is a soft and green place, open to our hands."

"Now let me be blunt. Even as I speak I have no doubt messenger birds are winging their way to the tyrant. Soon his legions will march. Thus we must make haste. I can sail with only six thousand souls. The 13^th legion, the 7^th horse and the Isharin ballista battery and their families accompany me. I have room for three thousand, five hundred settlers. On the west side of the square are booths with my clerks. Preference will be given to tradesmen and farmers. The lord bishop here sails with us to ensure the blessings of Adell on this endeavour. We go to carve out a new realm under the Light. Join with us. We sail in three days."

Somehow the embarkation was managed in time. The secrecy with which the adventure had been planned seemed to have been maintained. Indeed Adell’s Light shone on us, all praises be to His Name. There were some skirmishes with the Tyrant’s advance guard but there was no real threat to the ships. Thus on Wautren the tenth of Merinad in the year 2828 did the great fleet sail.

Chapter the Second - in which the faithful are brought safely to shore by Adell’s Guidance

When the ships had cleared the harbour a great tempest arose. Yet though the winds howled, the waves rose higher than the masts of the vessels and every voyager feared the worst, no harm came upon us. Afterwards each steersman said he saw a golden light through the spume and set course for it. Thus did Holy Adell safeguard his flock. And did not Lord Jolos see us safely through the storm and bring us to the calm? [Now we recognise that Jolos is not a separate God G.]

But the very waves that allowed the Holy fleet passage through their wrath confounded the tyrant. Ships that put out in pursuit were driven onto the rocks or swamped. So did the Gods show their contempt for the evil Magnus, sending his minions to an early return on the wheel of life and death. Pray for their souls, that in re-birth their new eyes are more receptive to the Light.

The voyage itself was long. Although the ships were well provisioned and the winds were fair, yet did some souls pass back to the wheel. But despite the trials and privations of the months at sea - of which the execution of Sir Amenar and the vanishing of the Lady Margerre were but two features - by the 13^th of Laraoch was land sighted. Great was the rejoicing on board our fleet. Special thanks were offered to Lord Jolos of the Waters for bringing us safely to our destination.

Nor did a soul doubt that we had arrived at our goal. For a pinnace from the fleet, scouting ahead, returned with news that we were on a direct course for Solander’s Isle. Yea Adell himself guided his faithful. Under His Eye and bathed in His Light we must prevail. Pray then, who read this, that ye too might benefit from living in the Light.

Then did the mighty ships cast their anchors of the sea, that we might remain unobserved from the land. As darkness fell, two vessels carrying the first and second Centuries made for the coast. With them went the ballista battery and a conroi of horse. Navigating through charted waters, the ships landed their troops safely before Adell’s Light broke upon us. Admiral Lord Salan was first ashore. It is said that as he leapt to the beach he slipped and fell in the water. Dismayed were all at this omen. Yet our bold leader laughed and said, "Lord Jolos has borne us for months in safety. Now we leave his domain for that of Holy Dalimersh." He strode to the strand, adding, "See how the Lord of the Forests accepts me to his lands."

The landing was at the mouth of the river Enibnis. A little way upstream was a crude village of the natives, known to themselves as Aryiurans, named in their tongue Karbass. [The future Salandorf G.] When the rays of Adell’s Light broke the darkness to herald the new day, the peasants woke to find themselves surrounded by our brave troops. Lord Salan, mounted now on his destrier, ‘Blackface’ rode slowly towards the huddled villagers.

"Peace be on you under the Light," said he in their tongue. "We mean you no harm. We come from a far land to show you new ways that will give you a new life such that this day will henceforth this day will be revered amongst you."

Then did the headman of the rude place, a ‘Speaker’ as he was known step forth and bow his head to Lord Salan. "My lord, ye are welcome here. Who are we to oppose the will of the Gods on four legs and the men of steel? All we have is yours."

Lord Salan laughed merrily at the churl’s ignorance and sprang down from Blackface. "Nay," he chided, "We are no Gods. By Adell’s Holy Light and Under His Eye we are men like you, but we seek only friendship and peace. Come, let us break our fasts together that we may better order our affairs."

The Lord led the Speaker to a pavilion wherein had been set out a repast. As they replenished themselves, they reached an agreement. The faithful would be welcomed into the land and the Aryiurans would provide all aid to our people. To seal this pact Lord Salan gifted the native leader with a knife of metal, a mirror and a bolt of red silk. In joy the battery fired a volley of missiles into the nearby woods. Loud were the exclamations of the peasants as they saw the power of our forces.

Then did the Lord Salan send the pinnace to bring our fleet into the bay. By night most of our troops had landed. Cavalry patrols scoured the immediate area and pronounced it safe. Under the Eye of Adell and through the grace of Lords Jolos and Dalimersh we had found our new home.

[This account is probably accurate as far it goes. Though Nedelon, writing in 2884, talks of a massacre of the villagers this can be discounted. There may have been one or two casualties but, given what follows, Nedelon clearly researched his ‘history’ in a tavern. Any student will of course realise that the words ascribed to Lord Salan and the Speaker stem more from the author’s imagination than reality. However they probably reflect the sense of the conversation. G ]

[One matter that has puzzled lesser minds is how Lord Salan could have spoken to the native in his own language. Doubtless Captain Solander secured a prisoner or two during his reconnaissance. I accept there is no historical proof of this. But it is an inference perfectly properly drawn from the known facts. G ]

Chapter the Third - in which the City is founded. The advent of the Native King. The Peace of Limarr.

The main fleets closed with the shore. Loud was the rejoicing. Lengthy were the prayers that ascended to Adell the Holy. Bishop Tomas, now Patriarch of the New World [a factor that may not have been entirely absent from his mind when he decided on the venture. Tomas is generally considered to have been arrogant and ambitious G.] held a service of thanksgiving on the shore. Then the newly landed colonists set out a rough camp and the legion fortified it with a palisade. That night we slept for the first time on the soil that would become our home.

In the weeks and months that followed our new colony prospered. We found ourselves in a land with a sunny clime, rich soils and abundant game. The Aryiurans, who had only rudimentary farming skills, watched as we ploughed the land and sowed it. At first they believed that we were conducting some kind of religious ceremony. But as the corn sprouted and ripened to harvest saw they the truth. When they ate the wholesome fare the grain provided then were they quickly converted to the new foods.

There was some dissension over our siting of the new city. The village of the natives occupied the fairest position for some distance. It was on a hill that allowed for defence, with springs of water for supply and within easy reach of the river and sea. Explorers found deposits of limestone and granite near to hand. Our first buildings had been docks and granaries. Now came the time to construct the City. The villagers would have to be displaced.

In the end the villagers refused to accept that they had to move. A company of the legion razed the buildings, expelling some of the natives as they did so. Others foolishly resisted and had to be slain. The surviving villagers fled into the interior. Construction of the City now commenced.

However in the spring [of 2829 G.] the villagers re-appeared as part of a tribal army, led by the king of the Aryiurans. There were some skirmishes and a few of our soldiers were killed. Then was Lord Salan angered. "Who are these heathen savages, bereft of all Light, to stand in the way of God’s work?" he exclaimed. The whole of our force was mustered and marched to where the natives had made an encampment on a hill, which was called Limarr after one of their Gods.

At the approach of our men the heathens were affrighted. Some fled, others hid and many approached the legion with tears and lamentations, begging for their very lives. Lord Salan saw their distress and repentance and was gladdened, as is a father when the unruly son learns from his chastisement. His wrath vanished and he invited the king to meet with him in his tent.

There he greeted the savage monarch with fine gifts of a richness the heathen can have never even dreamt. At the same time a feast was ordained for the king’s followers, that all might share in the bounty that comes from embracing the Light of Adell. Over the next few days did the king and Lord Salan, aided by the priests of Adell, came to an arrangement. To Lord Salan the king ceded the site of the City itself. The lands around the City, save where it had been ploughed, was to be free for all to hunt and forage. These rights were to extend between the rivers Gielanne and Berivu and unto the source of the Enibnis. [The area covered by the shire of Firstholme G.]