5.

 

 

 

AILLAS SUMMONED THE GRANDEES OF THE ELDER ISLES to Haidion. At an assembly in the monumental old Hall of Justice he issued a proclamation.

“My heart is too full to speak at length,” said Aillas. “I will be brief, and you will hear my message in simple words—though the concepts and their consequences are large.

“At the cost of blood, pain and woe beyond reckoning, the Elder Isles are at peace and, in practical terms, united under a single rule: my own. I am resolved that this condition shall continue and remain in force forever, or at least so far as the mind can project into the future.

“I am now King of the Elder Isles. Kestrel of Pomperol and Milo of Blaloc must henceforth use the title ‘Grand Duke’. Once again Godelia becomes the Province of Fer Aquila, and there will be many reapportionments. The Ska will remain independent on Skaghane and the Foreshore; that is the force of our treaty.

“We shall maintain a single army, which need not be large, since our navy will guard us against attack from abroad. There will be one code of law: the same justice will apply to high and low alike, without regard for birth or wealth.”

Aillas looked around the hall. “Does any person protest or make complaint? Let him air his feelings now; though I warn him that all arguments in favor of the old ways will go for naught.”

No one spoke.

Aillas proceeded. “I shall rule not from Miraldra, which is too remote, nor from Falu Ffail, which is too splendid, nor yet from Haidion, which is haunted by too many memories. I shall undertake a new capitol at Flerency Court near the village Tatwillow, where Old Street meets Icnield Way. This place shall be known as ‘Alcyone’, and here I shall sit on the throne Evandig and dine with my faithful paladins at Cairbra an Meadhan, and my son Dhrun after me, and his son after him, and so shall there be peace and kindness throughout the Elder Isles, and neither man nor woman will ever claim that he or she lacked recourse for wrongs done to him or to her.”