Selected Sources: Sahart of Shallam

By: Alexandrite Posted on: April 27, 2008

Excerpted from a text entitled, "Selected Primary Sources in Reference to the History of Humanity":

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 millennium 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 transcription, with modernized spelling, of a sealed letter found in the commander's tent of Shallam after Sahart and Glanos both died in the same climactic battle.

• Refer to the section "Glanos of Ashtan."

[date unknown]

Dear Glanos,

My greetings, brother. If you read 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 can speak not for the infidel Occultists of your northern bastion, but mine own citizenry harbors a deep hatred toward yours. When I came to the Peshwater Delta from still-golden Ceylon, traveling far across the continent with a small group of loyal followers, I never intended to found a great city. I sought only to build a safe haven for humans and any other peaceful race to dwell. Of course, Shallam expanded far more quickly than I anticipated and further resources were desperately needed--metal ores, especially. These Siroccian mines are a vital source that the city cannot afford to concede.

Whence, we war. 'Tis ironic, is it not, that we were born brothers, blood-and-flesh children of Carme and Elara. I regret my harsh words to you the day we reunited. You filled the valley with song, your voice still as pure as Enalia once praised it. And your arrogance, always rankling, still shines in my memory, brother. But I think you agree with me, that the mountains could never be equally shared. We divided Enalia's tender body, and her feminine weakness destroyed our love. I swear upon the Logos, such intimate relation between Ashtani and Shallamese can only end in treachery, especially in these times. And would my vow not be correct? Like our cities, we are fundamentally different. Even she could not unite us.

Oh, how Enalia would have laughed, flashed her glittering smile, and also wept to see us, turning a simple squabble into a continental war. Her simple heart loved both brothers and broke beneath the strain. As I write this, the eve before a fateful dawn, 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.

In her memory, I offer you this: my love to pass on to your children, who will ever be beloved by their uncle and godfather. To dear Lorsalan, may your burden as eldest grow lighter through wisdom; Augusto, may your wildness be tamed and yet unleashed; Silfania, may your beauty be remembered through the ages. Mine own of Enalia's offspring have long left the nest, embarked on great adventures of their own. Linnar seeks the northern wastelands' glory like his grandfather, Fleury is acclaimed by the common and noble alike as a council leader, and Ayala has been joyfully married to a devout Prelate of the Church. My son-in-law, in fact, resides in the adjoining tent as the army chaplain. Ayala sent word yesterday that she would come to join him in a few days. Should you see her, recognizable by the half of Enalia's favorite locket round her neck, I pray that you will strive to spare her some brutality.

If these words echo in your mind, 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. The soldiers are more than ready, their lives already dedicated times over to the cause of Good and Order, but an army's greatest strength is embued within the commander. Without strategy and reason, a clear mind to make decisions in the whirlwind of bloodlust, war becomes merely slaughter. That, I cannot--will not--abide.

Simply scribing this letter of absolution by mine own hand is a danger; however, it is a risk I will take. When inevitably I come before Lady Maya, Mother of Humanity, our great-grandmother, I will say truthfully that I acted always in love. So I end this message from beyond the veil, and I hope you may grant my last wish. Forgive me, Glanos.

Your brother,

Sahart

Questions for Analysis

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1. How does the ongoing conflict illuminated by Sahart's letter parallel modern conflict between Shallam and Ashtan?

2. How would you describe Sahart's overall tone in this piece? Is there an underlying subtext?

3. What details might be pulled for further investigation to determine the authenticity of the source?

4. From this source and the companion source on Glanos, how would you characterize Enalia?

5. Exploration: In his letter, Sahart refers to "still-golden Ceylon." Research and write a short essay on this fabled city of old.

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