Chapter 13: The Shield and The Sail
Time: From 55 to 10 Years Before the Doom
POV: Kaelen Silvanor
The passing decades were a testament to meticulous planning and tireless execution. From 55 years before the Doom to just ten years remaining, the empire of the Silvanar transformed from a burgeoning idea into a formidable, self-sustaining power. My Dukes, now seasoned leaders, oversaw their respective domains with exceptional competence, integrating their Counties, Viscounties, and Baronies into a cohesive whole. This period, perhaps the most critical, was dedicated to two paramount endeavors: the forging of an unshakeable army and the building of a dominant fleet.
Forging the Shield: The Ael'athar Legions
Under the stern and unwavering leadership of Valerius Ithilien, Duke of Arms and Defenders, our military might grew exponentially. The old tribal skirmishes and loose warrior bands were replaced by highly disciplined, professional legions. Valerius, leveraging the YiTish training I had imparted, instilled a rigorous system of drills, tactics, and battlefield maneuvers.
Recruits, drawn from all integrated tribes—the Stone-Skins' brute strength, the River-Whisperers' stealth, the Sky-Dancers' unmatched agility, and the Verdant Kin's inherent discipline—underwent years of intense training. They learned to fight not just as individuals, but as cohesive units, adapting their unique tribal strengths to standardized formations and combined-arms tactics. Special emphasis was placed on jungle warfare, allowing them to navigate and fight within Sothoryos's treacherous environments with unparalleled ease.
Aerion Caelenor's forges at Firesong Citadel roared ceaselessly. His master smiths, under his direct supervision, produced a steady supply of superior weaponry and armor. Our legions were equipped with black Valyrian-steel-like blades, lightweight yet incredibly strong scale armor made from treated jungle hides and magically reinforced metals, and durable shields. Each legionnaire was a walking testament to Ael'athar ingenuity and might.
The legions were organized into cohorts and centuries, led by veteran Captains and Commanders chosen from the ranks of Valerius's Counts, Viscounts, and Barons. These were warriors whose loyalty was absolute, honed by decades of service and shared purpose. By 10 years before the Doom, our standing army numbered in the tens of thousands, with hundreds of thousands more trained reserves. They were a formidable force, capable of defending our vast borders and projecting power.
Building the Sail: The Jungle Fleets
While Valerius forged our shield on land, Sylvani Lumiel, Duke of Lore and Prosperity, and Faelar Ambaron, Duke of Earth and Expansion, spearheaded the creation of our naval power. Leveraging the shipbuilding knowledge I brought from Pentos and the natural resources of our abundant jungles, we designed a fleet uniquely suited for Sothoryos's vast river networks and challenging coastlines.
Our ships were unlike any seen in Essos. Built primarily from the exceptionally strong and naturally resistant hardwoods of the Sothoryan jungle, their hulls were further reinforced through Ael'athar plant-shaping techniques, making them remarkably durable and surprisingly fast. They were sleek, designed for speed and maneuverability in both wide rivers and open seas. Some larger vessels even incorporated sections of living wood, allowing for minor self-repair or adaptive camouflage.
The fleet served multiple crucial purposes:
* Riverine Patrol: Smaller, swift vessels tirelessly patrolled the countless rivers that crisscrossed our territory, securing trade routes and ensuring rapid troop movement.
* Coastal Defense: Larger, more robust ships defended our growing port cities along the coast, deterring pirate raids and curious foreign vessels.
* Exploration & Trade: Expeditions were launched to chart the treacherous Sothoryan coastline and establish contact (and trade) with distant, hitherto unknown tribes, expanding our reach and influence.
* Strategic Transport: The fleet provided the logistical backbone for moving large numbers of troops and resources across our sprawling empire.
Sylvani meticulously managed the shipyards in Riverlight Hearth, overseeing design, construction, and the training of navigators and quartermasters. Faelar deployed these fleets along the frontiers from Ambrosia, using them to extend our influence deeper into unexplored territories and and secure newly integrated riverine tribes.
As the years dwindled, the scale of our achievement became undeniable. Ael'tharion now stood as a true marvel, its palace reaching for the sky. Firesong Citadel pulsed with the heat of creation, Deepwood Bastion stood as an impenetrable green fortress, Riverlight Hearth flowed with knowledge and trade, and Ambrosia served as the vibrant gateway to ever-expanding horizons. My Dukes had blossomed into true architects of empire, their mastery of their domains absolute.
I, Kaelen Silvanor, spent these decades as the silent observer, the ultimate guide. My long life allowed me to anticipate problems decades in advance, to subtly course-correct, to provide the vital insights gleaned from a world far beyond this one. I trained key individuals, nurtured talent, and instilled the discipline necessary for an empire to endure. The constant, rapid regeneration meant any physical toll was instantly erased, leaving only the mental burden of endless responsibility.
Now, only ten years remained until the whispers of the Doom of Valyria would become a roar. We had built our shield, and we had launched our sail. We were ready. But were we ready enough?
The empire is powerful and prepared.