[MR] Coronation through Roman eyes (2nd of 3)

[GREG FABIC]

Excerpts from the Collected Epistiles of Pliny the
Youngest

Volume V - The Expedition to Atlantis

Chapter VIII – Concerning the Creatures and Myths of
Atlantia

Though vast the Kingdom of Atlantia is sparsely
settled, as it is a far newer realm than the ancient
lands we are accustomed to.  Many areas have never
known the hand of man.  Due to this natural condition
much that is myth in our ancient lands lives and
breaths in this far off Atlantia.  You the reader will
find it hard to credit but the author has seen such
wonders.  There is within these lands a creature that,
though no larger than a dog, has so voracious an
appetite and so formidable a bite; it eats the very
trees that surround it.  Having felled a tree it moves
on to another, as it has no appetite for those fallen.
 Exposed by the clearing its appetites have wrought
this creature must perforce build itself a
fortification to keep itself safe from other
creatures.  This it does exceedingly well by making a
wall within a stream such that a moat develops. 
Within this moat it builds a mounded bailey and thus
lives safe from predators.  I have named this beast
the Arborvorus. 

 It is no surprise that side by side with such
creatures the gods and mythical beasts of our past
reside. For this reason the Curia of Atlantia keeps
close account of all omens, prophecies and auguries.
Of especial concern to the current Prince and Princess
is an augury that for the most part favors the
coronation of both Lucius Aurelius Valharic and
Arielle the Golden but hints at some possible
calamity.  The pertinent part of the augury reads as
follows;
	“No doubt in the strength of a chain’s bond, those
unproven prove the day.
	Mars and Vulcan strive, so must the brave as a strong
hand’s Fingers.”

Out of concern for the welfare of Atlantia Prince
Valharic gathers teams of five who are brave enough to
take up the challenge.  Brave for these will be sent
on a quest that shall doubtlessly involve the gods of
Rome themselves.  These teams must be each led by one
who is not a member of the Curia.  In this way the
strictures of the augury shall be met.  Those who wish
to serve in this way seek the approval of Valharic
before they quest for all precaution must be made to
keep from angering the gods.  It is said that at least
one of these teams has a child within it.  
Such is the bravery of the people of this realm that
even its children are eager for fierce combat.  Those
who wish to know more are wise to beseech Mercury   
http://coronation.atlantia.sca.org/    strange are the
ways of the gods.