5001-HârnWorld/3rd Edition/51

During the sixth century, Kaldoric rulers again began to gather powers at the expense of the barons. Some kings and queens proved unable to use those powers wisely. With the death of King Iemald in 599, the lack of a clearly legitimate successor sparked a violent revolt among the barons. The baronial revolt (really another civil war) was waged sporadically by some 15 claimants. By the time Haldan the Elder of clan Elendsa emerged the victor, the kingdom again faced long years of reconstruction. Both Haldan the Elder and Haldan the Younger, his son and successor, and Queen Chelebin III, sponsored the sentimental movement towards “a new age of chivalry” in present-day Kaldor.

The Salt War
Queen Chelebin’s son Torastra was a born warrior. He cared little for the lofty principles of knighthood and was forever seeking ways to put the well-trained flower of Kaldoric chivalry to practical use. When a dispute with the Thardic League over the salt trade erupted, Torastra is believed to have been ecstatic. But his eagerness to engage in battle betrayed him. Quickly gathering some of his knights, he undertook the long westward march with indecent haste, caring little for the logistical requirements of a foreign campaign. He led his followers straight into what amounted to a clever ambush laid by the Autarch Aglir and was effectively beaten at the Battle of the Chelna Gap (672). Torastra returned to Tashal and contemplated the merits of the “dishonorable” style of warfare his opponent had exhibited.

The following year, Torastra set out again with a larger, better-prepared army. This time it was he who surprised and defeated the League’s army at the Battle of Ramala Gap. Leaving the peace settlement to his lieutenants, whereby Kaldoric merchants gained valuable trading rights in Tharda, Torastra began looking for another war.

In 674, thieves broke into the treasury of King Torastra of Kaldor and stole a jewel-encrusted, allegedly enchanted sword that had belonged to Calsten, the second king of Serelind (142–162). The thieves smuggled the priceless weapon to Burzyn and news soon reached Tashal that it had been sold, in open market, to a Chybisan nobleman. Torastra sent word to King Balesir of Chybisa demanding the return of the ancient heirloom. Balesir was unable or unwilling to recover the blade and may have doubted its very existence.

Still savoring his victory in the Salt War and always spoiling for a good fight, Torastra marshalled his men and knights. In the spring of 675, Torastra’s army swept down the Genin Trail and crossed the Ulmerien on both sides of Burzyn. After almost 400 years without a real war, the Chybisan army was easily routed by Torastra’s veterans. Withdrawing into Burzyn, Balesir held out for three years, supplied only at night by small river boats. With plague and rebellion rife, Balesir sought and obtained the honors of war in 678. Only a few score of his retainers followed him into exile. The stolen sword was not recovered and Chybisa became a Kaldoric fief.

Balesir journeyed to Thay and then to Cherafir to petition King Etobran for aid. The Melderyni king not only refused but went so far as to forbid any of his vassals to assist the deposed monarch. Returning to Thay, Balesir continued to seek assistance, but to no avail. It was not until Chunel came to the throne that he obtained any sympathy. In 685, Balesir promised to swear fealty to the Melderyni king if he should ever recover his kingdom; this seemingly softened matters. Chunel lifted the proscription against aid to Balesir, saying that any who wished to aid him might do so.

By 687, Balesir had raised an army, crossed Anadel, and defeated the small army Torastra had left to garrison Chybisa at the Battle of Geda. However, once Balesir had recovered his crown, he renounced his promise of fealty to Chunel. The Melderyni king is reputed to have expressed a lack of surprise at this turn of events and has since hinted that Chybisa is unlikely to have things her own way forever. Torastra denounced Balesir as a treacherous churl, but declining health prevented him from pressing his claim to the Chybisan throne. The aging Torastra was to fight only one more campaign, against the Kath in 689, before his Miginath, King of Kaldor, and Erila, Lord Privy Seal death from old wounds in 693.

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