The Chronicle of Gascony

Following the departure of the government of New Brittania from western Benacia all order broke down and the people who were left began to break up into a number of different groups who would more than often war with each other. Some however stayed loyal to the New Brittanian crown, specifically the Gascons of northern Ithilien who remembered well the leadership shown by their Prince, Prince Vincent of Franklin. Those loyal to the Prince travelled north to where they could still see their countrymen across the sea in UCS, some tried to make the journey across the rough ocean but many settled in along the coast: hoping one day that the Crown would return and bring them peace once more.

Meanwhile Prince Vincent had ascended the throne of Bosworth and was unaware of the continued problems of his people in Benacia, until one day word finally reached him. A middle aged man known only as Sam made the journey across seas and continents until he finally reached the borders of Bosworth with the news that all hell had broken loose and the King's help was required. When King Edward saw Sam he had little more strength than a child and was on the verge of death from his struggle, however before he would accept medical attention Sam begged the King to return to where his people still needed him.

King Edward stood in shock as he watched Sam being carried from the Throne room and simply remained still and silent for several minutes before eventually turning to a nearby servant, "Miss Robinson, tell them to ready the ships." Two days later King Edward emerged from the Palace flanked by his personal guard, from the Palace rear entrance he was guided down a flight of wooden steps onto a small jetti where a Galleon awaited him. The ship and several others were loaded with men and supplies and when the King was aboard the HMS Catalina raised the huge sails which soon bulged with wind as the ship moved off.

The King's banners of the roses streamed at the top of the Catalina's masts as she glided out of the slow moving water of the River Hamble and into the ocean, Edward himself gazed out at the horizon with the ship rising and falling gently with the waves of the sea below him. At sunset many of the passengers and crew retreated into the cramped lower decks and the King to his cabin as darkness set in. Night bought rougher conditions and large waves crashed up against the sides of the ships as the captains attempted to keep the sails intact in the blustery conditions. Water from the waves sprayed the upper-deck and dripped through to the lower ones as the night went on, lightning tore the blank sky and the sound of thunder erupted over the sounds of the wind and waves.

As the darkness continued the captains gave in to the weather and gave the order to lower the sails to prevent them being shredded by the howling wind, however this meant some unfortunate men climbing the rigging on the wooden masts. This they did with a degree of caution as every move of the ship was magnificied as they clung dangerously to the rain-wetted ropes, however eventually it was done and the passengers of the ship spent the rest of the night praying to St Edmund that daybreak would bring better conditions. Their prayers were answered.

At dawn the bright beams of the sun tore through the cloud spreading their light over the surface of the sea, making it's surface glow a wonderful orange. The wind dropped as the rain ceased, much to the joy of the soldiers on-board who began to emerge from below the decks. So the days and weeks passed by with patches of bad and good weather as the ships came ever nearer the former Principality of Ithilien. Eventually, to the relief of the captains, land was spotted and by the end of the day the ships were sailing into the ruins of Isenford: former home of the New Brittanian navy, now in ruins. A few people had spotted the ships coming and cheered in joy at the sight of the return of their Prince, many however were still busy in the fields and on the defences of the small pocket of civilisation on the otherwise chaotic land. As they climbed from the ship many of the troops continued to sway back and forth on the spot, a habit they had gained from their experiences at sea and which now was hard to break. As King Edward left the ship he noticed much to his surprise that most of the civilians were speaking Breton, a language which was never before supported in the days of New Brittania. However soon a reason was given: to confuse the largely savage people who lived outside the area and who feared the odd language as the work of evil spirits.

When everyone was ashore from the ships the job of securing the area began, troops changed into their heavy armour and strapped their weapons around themselves as they marched off into the countryside guided by the local people. The columns of marching soldiers appeared to be silver ribbons snaking across the green land as the sun glinted off their weapons and armour, however to the locals the sight filled them with a joy and hope for an easier life now their Prince had returned at last. As for King Edward himself, he placed on his shining plate armour and purple-plumbed helmet in preparation for his next task: which was to be the naming and administration of this new land.

Riding inland from Isenford the King soon found himself in the only city left in the area, La Roche-Derrien, which was quickly chosen as the main base for Bosworth's forces. The streets were crowded with curious and jubilant onlookers as the procession passed towards the town centre, passing through the drag and dirty streets of what had once been a thriving city. Not long after entering the city the Royal Guard reached the town hall where King Edward ordered the raising of the preprepared regional flag, the blue and red was hoisted into a brisk breeze on the rusting flagpole: signalling the beginning of what was to become the Duchy of Gascony.