An excerpt from SELECTED PRIMARY SOURCES OF HUMANITY'S HISTORY

Sahart of Shallam
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As the astute reader and scholar will note, Sahart founded the great city of Shallam after quarreling with his brother Glanos* over their common lover, Enalia. After a millennia of peace, Sahart encountered his brother near the Siroccian Mountains as they again competed for the same prize--this time, a safe and secure source of precious metals. Their conflict ignited a long enmity between Shallam and Ashtan, including three violent wars. Below is a careful transcription, with modernized spelling, of a sealed letter found in the tent of Sahart after he and Glanos both died in the same climatic battle.

*Refer to the section "Glanos of Ashtan."


[unknown date]

Dear Glanos,

My greetings, brother. If you are reading this, then I have embraced Mother Maya upon the bloody field and victory is yours. Are you satisfied? So much blood has been shed for the sake of our longstanding feud. I am tired now, as you must be--and yet surrender is, obviously, impossible. I speak not for the infidel Occultists of your northern bastion, but mine own citizenry harbors a deep hatred toward yours. 'Tis ironic, is it not, that we were born brothers. Today I would swear upon the Logos that such intimacy between Ashtani and Shallamese could only end in treachery.

Oh, how Enalia would have laughed, flashed her glittering smile, and also wept to see us, turning a simple squabble into a continental war. As I write this, the eve before an ominous sense of fate, I can hear her chiding, melodic voice. I am glad, in a way, that precious Enalia went to Maya before this day. I could not bear her tears.

If you read these words, O brother, it is already too late for miraculous reconciliation. I shall not communicate such a pathetic missive while I yet breathe. Any sign of weakness poisons more deadly and surely than voyria. Thus, I suppose, even scribing this by mine own hand is a danger; but I cannot but take a last chance to provoke you.

So what is the point of this letter, you will ask. 'Tis simple: I seek absolution before Lady Sol, She of the glorious life-giving Light. Curse me before your own foul gods, if you like. I am secure in my faith.

I end this message from beyond the veil, and I hope you may grant my last wish. Forgive me, Glanos.

     Your once-beloved brother,
     Sahart