In Pursuit of Unity

[winterblood 11181]

Spoiler

 

 

[[Yohann Lossel, 2018]]

 

In Pursuit of Unity

A small treatise penned by Her Royal Highness Alexandria Karina Barbanov

 

When this war started, I had thought the Scyflings to be what I had always grown up thinking them to be; mindless, bloodthirsty barbarians with a grudge against my brother.  A part of me wishes it were still that simple, that it wouldn’t matter if all of the Scyflings were to perish and that they were just another form of evil for Haense to purge from this world; however, through my experiences in this war, I have learned that the evil I had thought to have manifested into the form of Scyfling raiders was not evil at all.  Instead, it is desperation and a fierce desire to achieve Salvation. 

 

I had been ignorant, and I fear that many other Haensemen partaking in this war shall remain ignorant if I do not attempt to share all that I have experienced and learned through these years about the Scyflings.  I hope it shall reveal or allow for others to grow more interested in different paths to end this war, rather than urging for more bloodshed.

 

I know that a good number of Haeseni think the Scyflings to be nothing but savages who squat in the mud and act like animals; however, most, if not every encounter Haeseni men have had with Scyflings has only been in battle.  In battle, all men are animals; all men resort, eventually, to their most primal instincts for survival.  We are no different from them in that regard, though I may even think that the Scyflings are wont to fight even more desperately for their reason of even coming to Haense.

 

To elaborate more on why the Scyflings have come to Haense, it is based on the Crowslayer’s Vow, which I am sure many have already heard of.  If not, it goes as this:

 

Kill the Crow,

And the crops shall grow,

And the sun will rise in the north.

 

Kill the Crow,

And all shall know,

Their herald will lead them forth.

 

Kill the Crow,

Turn red the snow,

Lay down rival spears.

 

Kill the Crow,

Cast soul below,

And silence every fear.

 

Kill the Crow,

Let heart be stricken,

And all shall be forgiven.

 

This prophecy is not to be taken straightforward; the Scyflings don’t believe that the lands of Athera will suddenly flourish with life upon the death of my brother, they don’t think that a miracle shall be granted to them with the spilling of his blood, no.  The Scyflings, Bralt specifically, use this war as a means of unifying the Scyfling clans together as one; they use this Vow as a means to finally join together and save themselves from damning their future generations to more warplagued years on the bitter, ravaged continent of Athera.  

 

Yes, it is still greatly unfortunate that Bralt and the Warlords under him have come to Haense to kill our king for this; but you must learn that the Scyflings have been raised on the belief that Crows are inherently evil and cruel; for generations, they have been fed tales of our people and theirs feuding.  These tales were birthed from the interactions of their ancestors and ours when we had first discovered Athera, alongside the Scyflings - for they were natives to the land, hunter-gatherers.  Little do many of them know that this supposedly ancient feud between our people is only one-sided.

 

We have had the fortunance of being born on far more gentler lands, with a more unified and technologically prosperous society; unlike the Scyflings who have struggled to remain unified and were forced to turn against each other for the sake of their survival.  As we’ve rebuilt our kingdom and lived our lives of bliss, the Scyflings have clung to our memory and have moulded it into a symbol of hope for themselves to eventually claw their way free from Athera.  We had forgotten about them.

 

In the eyes of the Scyflings, Bralt the Boar is viewed close to a “blessed champion” who is to be the one meant to kill the “King Crow”; he is their herald; he is the one to unify the Scyflings and lead them to gentler lands, to guide them toward their Salvation.  Many believe that he is meant to be the one to kill my brother; that is where this Vow gains its power.

 

The unfortunate truth that I see in this all is that the Scyflings have already become unified, but think that the way to seal it is through the spilling of blood.  Do they not see that this war is destructive to not us, but also them?  There must be a way for peace, or else I fear it may take years for either side to recover from the wounds inflicted during this war.  Too much has already been lost.

 

My perspective on this war and the Scyfling people continues to change; I think it imperative to become educated in the culture of the Scyflings to better understand, connect, and reason with them.  I’ve hope that there is still time for peace, and shall continue to pursue the answer in achieving it; the Scyflings and Bralt are not ones for needless bloodshed - for the majority; there are still men [on both sides] who are corrupted with the sickness that gives them the thirst for violence and the infliction of pain. 

 

I know this mercy and desire for peace exists, however, for I have experienced it myself when I had trekked into the forests north of Haense in search of a medicinal moss.  My group and I had been ambushed by the Scyfling Warlord known as The Vile Tooter, though I shall refer to him as Segn for that is his name.  He had the power to kill me and my escort, for we had been greatly outnumbered; however, he opted to spare our lives and collected the moss I sought after a great deal of discussion occurred in regards to this war.

 

I had managed to convince and show Segn that there were other options to pursue the Salvation he and his people sought; that this war was not needed.  He agreed to a meeting between he and my brother, to further negotiate such prospects; however, when the day of our meeting arrived - Segn had been attacked by another Warlord under Bralt - Luvir Ironrain.  A battle ensued at Metterden to thwart Luvir’s attack, and to eventually defeat him, saving Segn.  He has since joined us in Haense alone, and I’ve taken great care to ensure his well-being while also inquiring about the culture of the Scyflings.

 

I’ve still plenty to learn about the Scyfling culture, but what I’ve discovered so far has helped me in realizing more on just how similar the Scyflings are to us Crows; we are both humans; we have families that we wish to protect and children to guide into a brighter future; we can love; feel pain and anger; and experience sorrow.

 

The Scyfling religion is a curious thing; their symbol that is somewhat reminiscent of God is the moon.  Scyfling Shamans claim its pale light holds a power within it and that, without the moon, Darkness would triumph.  The range of zeal a Scyfling holds for this belief, however, varies from person to person as faith varies in all men.  Despite that, the words and actions of Scyfling Shamans seem to be taken with respect by all Scyflings, though some still think of them as a bit strange or difficult to comprehend.  

 

Besides this, Scyflings hold a deep sense of respect toward nature.  Apparently, the fire that consumed the Wickwald was never meant to occur in any plan and was, instead, something that had grown out of control; an accident.  Unfortunately, mistakes such as that cannot be undone; it should only prove as another reason for others to join me in trying to find a way to make a better end to this war that isn’t in blood and smoke.  I refuse to give up on it.

 

[MadOne 4945]

Osvald Barclay would deeply frown at the publication that has been made, throwing it in a fireplace in Reinmar after a long period of contemplation. He would go over to grab an ink and a quill, going over to write a response letter, the warlike Barclay turning red from anger.

 

In Pursuit of Justice

A reflection on the human cost of the Scyfling invasion

 

To her Royal Highness, Alexandria.

 

While your efforts and observations on Scyfling culture and by extension, it’s implication to Haense are commendable in the resolution of this conflict, the message behind this letter is most worrying, for you talk of peace and co-existence with the chief perpetrators responsible for the death of many influential figures, and more importantly, countless of nameless soldiers. The sacrifices that our veterans have made are immeasurable and unforgivable, and must not go without punishment under the sovereignty of the Crown.

 

It is a laughable claim that a new life for the Atheran savages beyond the Wickwald can be offered, capable of ending the war. One must be almost blind to see that co-existance, or even giving ground is impossible in the eyes of the common working man of Haense, who has lost family members, kinsmen and their own blood in the pursuit of national security. Would the peasant break bread, and share his land with the raider, pillager and the savage that has threathened his security? Would the humble burgher in his New Reza abode, starving and bare-boned, open the gates of New Reza to his killer to share his own food? Who in their right mind would expect Lord Brandon Vanir to let the Scyfling heathen pass through his land undisputed, after the death of countless Vanirs? How could I forget my beautiful daughter, martyred for our cause? Is all of this for naught, calling White Peace after the Haeseni peasant is bled dry? The sacrifices of your own people should not be trampled over, for the promise of a fragile peace.

 

The Scyfling is born and bred as as fighter. The very aspect of survivability for the men over-the-sea depends on their ability to fight, ravage and kill. The entirety of the Scfyling culture is built on this. After we give them this supposed white peace of co-existance, would the natural fighter stay idle? Isn’t the whole purpose of this invasion to unite the Scyfling tribes, according to your thesis? No, your Highness. Tribalism is a cornerstone of their very existence. This conglomerate of individuals have been at odds and in conflict in aeternum, only uniting to challenge the strength of a greater enemy. If this had been given to them, would they stay unified and prosperous, or would they remember the warchief that killed their own a decade prior?

 

Our common enemy attacked on all sides with great strength and fierceness, and their main power, the power of their far more numerous infantry, was thrown into the battle or else concentrated upon Metterden and the Wickwald. Pressing in upon the narrow exit, both from the east and from the west, the enemy is beginning to advance towards it’s next strategic target. They disputed our trading ships in the channels and seas; they sent repeated waves of hostile warships, sometimes more than twenty strong in one formation. For four or five days, an intense struggle reigned in the heart of the common men of Hanseti-Ruska to defend our heartlands. Heaps of bodies painted rivers in red, while our forests remained barren, devoid of game and sustenance. And while the delvers of high, impenetrable keeps wish to sue for peace, comfortable with the meal in front of them, the peasant is reduced to a boneless wretch, and soldiers by the name of Robin Kartyr are butchered to death.

 

To back down is to show compliance and subordination to the savage ways of the Scyfling. To give up is to trod over the countless sacrifices that the common man had made in the name of preserving the King’s peace. To unite with the invader is to forget Karolina Barclay, Robin Kartyr, Bjornolf Stjorn, the sacrifices of Vanirs, and the severed arm of our Royal Majesty. 

 

Shall we allow our audacious enemies to violate with impunity the territory of our Kingdom? Will we, the men of the Brotherhood permit the enemy to escape which has carried terror into our families? We will not. We will march to meet him. Tear from his hands the land he has won. Teach the world that a malediction attends those that violate the peace of our people. The result of our efforts will be unclouded glory, and a durable peace, instead of a fragile peace based on weakness and retreat.

 

If there had been a drive to avoid “bloodshed and smoke”, Instead of casting our soldiers into the fire, then there might have been an agreeable resolution. But throwing our ranks against the invader, only then to consider peace is a grave insult to those that had perished with blood and sweat on the battlefield.

 

Osvald Anton Barclay

 

The response would be nailed alongside public boards and officers, wherever Osvald could manage to find one.

 

[Coolcod77 613]

Ser Robin Kartyr saluted from the seven skies as Osvald published his response. “Krusae Zwy Kongzem.”

[winterblood 11181]

6 minutes ago, MadOne said:

snip

 

Alexandria Barbanov gave a quiet sigh as she had seen one of the Barclay’s penned responses to her treatise.  “He is stricken with grief, as many are; I do niet blame him, nor have I intended to insult those who have sacrificed much for this Kingdom.  If only he would see that I seek for peace to end further lives being wasted and sacrificed; I’ve seen the horrors he has seen; I have seen the lives ruined and lost.  If only he would be able to see this path with eyes unclouded from his sorrow.”

 

[[Thank you for taking the time to write your response, I really appreciate it and think it’s another interesting perspective to have about the war❤️]]

[AndrewTech 3333]

C. E. Herbert sheds a single tear, smiling brightly with pride as she reads over a copy of this missive in the streets of Reza.

 

“This is exactly what I’ve been trying to tell everyone since the Scyflings first landed! I’m glad that the young princess at least seems to have listened. I simply must thank Alexandria for penning this most lovely missive the next time that I see her!”

[AnonymousAlexa 3890]

Aleksandra Ludovar’s brows furrowed as she skimmed the Princess’s treatise with a shake of her head, her hands clenching into fists. ”This is absolutely ridiculous! I almost lost my life to Bralt himself, and she talks about understanding and ****?” In a rage, she tore the parchment into two pieces before crumpling them up in her fist. ”GODAN, those barbarians try to kill her brother and she wants to forgive them!”

[KIIWIKILLA 342]

An aged Fiske reads the missive, before penning a reply of his own:

”You barbarians have the audacity to reach out to us for peace after you have done to my family the things you have done? My people cowered in the keep as your scum approached, seeking only safety and mercy should their homes be conquered. What mercy did you give them? None! Butchering unarmed and innocent is a crime that will be answered! I have partook in wars and conquests, but not once have witnessed children and mothers being slaughtered by the dozen. What you have done to me and my family is unforgivable, and you will have your comeuppance I swear it. There will be justice for the House of Vanir, and my family will once again sit safely within the walls of our ancestral holding that myself and my brother constructed, for the sea bows to none. 

 

Fiske Petyr Vanir.”

 

[!]At the bottom of the page the coat of arms of the House of Vanir is pressed into black wax.