Cathay/History/Second Volume

History of Cathay

Volume 2

History has taken some time to be recorded, however it is time for the chronicles to grow once more. The Cathayan monarchy was now a fact, and the young realm began to flourish under its new rule and way of governance. After the initial work of restabilizing the realm after the revolt the nobles of the realm took up the burden to forther expand and solidify the borders of Cathay.

It began with a march of the forces of the realm on Lenamaziel. For a time the armies gathered Lenamaziel, but not to conquer it by force, by bloodshed. The military was turned to the good of the region, the nobles working hard to make it flourish, to make it shine, and the peasants began to see the greatness that was Cathay and swiftly yielded themselves over to the governance of Cathay.

The Lady Tari, banker of the realm, was given the duties to see to this 'bread basket' of Cathay. The region entrusted to her to hold for the monarchy. The taking of Lenamaziel was a clear turning point in Cathayan history. Not just because it was the solidifcation of the long time northern border, no, there was more to it. With the attainment of Lenamaziel it was clear faith had turned in its view on Cathay. No longer was plague and disease what gripped the people of Cathay, no longer did such dark events overshadow the new surrounding the young realm. Things had changed, and now there was reason to celebrate, to see life and vibrance breathe back into the young realm. It did not stay with Lenamaziel.

War still brewed with what remained of the Antozan Commonwealth, the leaders of those lands being unwilling to yield to the treaty that had granted them short reprieve. Nighthelm came to Cathay's aid in this. Their own war with the Commonwealth still brewed as well and they took the lands of Leod. In good honour they gave these lands, by claim and history Cathayan, to the monarchy instead of wishing to claim them for their own. The growth and stability of Cathay was a fact by now, as was the first steps into clear international politics.

Lady Gloria Tribal was named Lady of the newly acquired lands and solidified Cathayan's southern border. Having a phase of stability of sorts now more changes shifted in Cathayan leadership. Ser Jurgen Vanbieksbruck gave up command of Pates to Lord Volvus Kartak. Instead of the command of the region he took up the coat of High Marshal, swearing fealty to the king directly and to keep the lands of Cathay fortified against any perceived threat. To make sure the armies of the Lion would be ready to march to the aid of whatever ally might need them.

Lady Tari resigned from her position as Lady of Lenamaziel, of the breadbasket of the realm, having found recent troubles with her family too troubling to fullfill her duty as banker and Lady of the lands of Lenamaziel and feeling it was best to step aside untill matters had been settled. Command of the lands of Lenamaziel she entrusted to Lord Gemal Dekat, entrusting the lands she held so dear to her to him and placing faith in him to keep the realm fed. The duties of banker, the work of ensuring all of the realm received what food it needed, that gold flowed richly in the young realm, were entrusted to his Majesty Ranulf Miles to see untill such a time as the Lady Tari might return.

Times were good in Cathay, the realm growing in strength, in recognition, and doing all it had to do to honour its principles and ideals. The Antozan Commonwealth had been given another reprieve, huddled together in the city of Taop, a last chance to find a new home for themselves.

Days seemed to pass, days seeming uneventfull, untill one blessed day Lord Galiard Scarlett returned to Cathay. Retirement had not been all he thought of it, the peace of his home not what he hoped. He'd come to see to duties again, to see Cathay remain the dream realized he'd once had when he saw it established. The noble needed some time to adjust, much had changed in the realm, many had come into it. But, as such things will, life took up swiftly around him again.

The next truly eventfull thing of note was the resignation of Duchess Telea of Anacan. She'd found the duties of Dukeship more heavy then she thought and asked for his Majesty's permission to see to ligther duties, serve Cathay in another way. His Majesty granted her request and began his search for a new duke of Anacan. Names were mentioned, but in the end the royal council agreed Lord, now named Duke, Galiard Scarlett would be best to serve as the Duke of Anacan. To be the lord of the city he'd once fought to conquer, the center of Cathay.

Time flowed still, but although time may seem uneventfull it does influence events greatly. The Antozan Commonwealth seemed uncaring of the promises it had made, of the lands it promised to Cathay. Eventually his Majesty, Ranulf Miles's, endless patience had run out. He decided it was time to act, time to show that Cathay's lion had teeth when it was cheated of what it was promised too. The call to the allies went out, a call that many answered. The principality of Zonasa, Greater Aenallia, Ethiala, all realms that came to aid Cathay in fortifying the claim they'd established for it. Realms that will be engraved in these annals with gratitude for their actions, realms that made Cathay into what it is today.

The allied forces marched on Taop, battle was swift, deadly, and decisive. The Antozan armies had been smashed, walls scaled, and Taop swiftly fallen to the Cathayan forces. Little brutality, the people glad to accept the rule of peace and stability.

After the city had been taken for Cathay the king entrusted it to Duke Jonan Constantine to solidify and restore in the name of his majesty and for the glory of Cathay.

And so passed another era in Cathay's history. From a fledling monarchy to a realm with solidified clear borders, a realm that had grown into strong bonds with other realms, realms that found it honorable and trustworthy enough to commit its armies in Cathay's name.

A shining jewel in the far east, a realm of splendour, growing still from the beauty of youth to a solidifying power of justice and honour.

Gemal Dekat, Historian.