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The
Facets of Heatherwyne's Naval History
Hi, Yens.
Here's the Naval History. Yes, there is another fleet, but
it's called the Royal Crescent Navy. (In heraldic lingo, the crescent
indicates a second son.)
I don't know the year of this naval battle, but Caid has been a Kingdom for
about 27 years. Kurt von Arriksleva would know for sure. So would Yaroslav.
Catherine Ensign, Royal Caidan Navy
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Part 1: A Brief History of the Founding of the Royal Caidan Navy
Long ago, in the timeless mists of Antiquity, a mighty war was fought
between the armies of the Kingdoms of Atenveldt and Caid. The battle
raged savagely. Two young warriors from Heatherwyne, Philip of Meade
and Yaroslav the Persistent, happened to notice that the Atenveldt banner stood
momentarily alone and unprotected. They looked at each
other. With little discussion, and taking advantage of such a rare
opportunity, they boldly captured it, a fair trophy for Caid. Soon the
Atenveldters discovered the loss of their emblem of sovereignty. Howling
and growling, the entire Atenveldt army charged toward the two brave young
fighters.
Being Caidan, and therefore highly intelligent as well
as daring, they retreated to a more defensible position. They splashed
into a nearby pond, green with slime, algae, and slippery with duck
poo. The Atenveldt army charged toward them, then came to a sudden
halt at the water's edge. They looked at each other in sudden
confusion. Only the most courageous Atenveldters dared brave the slime
of the duck pond.
Philip held the banner while Yaroslav fought. They
traded places. Yaroslav held the banner while Philip fought. They
traded places again. When one tired, they switched
again. Alternately and individually, each one singlehandedly held off
the entire might of the Atenveldt army.
For this impressive deed of valor by two of its boldest
warriors, and because the engagement took place "upon the water",
Heatherwyne was appointed the Official Home of the Royal Caidan Navy,
receiving thanks and grateful recognition from the Crown.
And this was the founding of the Official and First Navy of
Caid. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
Part 2: A Seacoast in Heatherwyne--The Unsolved Mystery
Of course, Heatherwyne was delighted to obtain official recognition from
the Crown and sanction to guard and protect the Kingdom on the Seven
Seas. What honor! What prestige! A survey was taken to
determine a proper location for construction of a vast and up-to-date Navy
Yard. However, a small problem arose.
The Heatherwyne populace was chagrined to discover that
the Shire is actually landlocked. But a Royal Mandate such as this one
may come only once in a lifetime. It must not be allowed to lapse due
to small inconveniences. The solution was a diplomatic one:
negotiations were conducted with the Barony of Angels to obtain a
right-of-way to the sea. Access to the ocean was granted. An agreement
was made for Heatherwyne to dig a canal from the Shire to the sea across
Baronial lands, but Angels stipulated that it must be lined with gold.
Many ingots of the precious metal were transported and
stockpiled at the construction site, and all was in readiness. Imagine
the shock and confusion the next morning when engineers arriving early at
the site discovered the massive pile of gold ingots was missing! This
happened several times. Committees were formed, and investigations
were made. Fingers were pointed and bitter recriminations ensued, but
the cause of the loss was never determined officially and properly.
Being canny men, and nobody's fools, officials halted
construction until the reasons for the mysterious disappearance could be
determined. Construction of the canal will resume as soon as the
supply of ingots is stabilized. So the situation remains to this very
day.
According to reliable sources, an alternative is under
discussion. If the canal bed could be planted with the native
California Poppy (Escholtzia), the terms of the treaty would be
fulfilled, at least in the springtime, and Heatherwyne would rightfully
rule the seas.
---Lady Catherine de Winter
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NOTE: It is the Historiographer's meandering
notion that the frustrating disappearance of the Shire's golden ingots led
to the next tale... This will be looked into!
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