Early one clear Glacian morning, three strangers disembarked from a
merchant charter vessel. The first, a tall man of noble mien, took the
hand of the second, an aged but beautiful woman, regal in her bearing,
as they took their first steps on Sapience. The third lingered behind
them, an ancient sorcerer, bedecked in shamanistic runes and
accoutrements, reagents and bones worn in his belt and his head-dress
crowned with a wolf skull.

Eager to see more of this strange continent, the three set out from Sea
Lion Cove, the man and woman conversing with an easy familiarity while
the grizzled shaman followed behind, watchful and wary. Before long, the
wanderers stood before the great tunnel marking the entrance to the
Heart of the Vashnars.

The travellers paused to drink in the sight of stone walls taller than
any they had seen before. Cautiously, the trio entered the city of
Cyrene, apprehensive of what may lie inside. Encountering a large crowd
at the city's central crossroads, the strangers hesitantly introduced
themselves as emissaries from a Meropis tribe, the Chaghut. By name,
they were Tokhta, the Noyan or Chief of his tribe; his wife, the Qatun
Conchatka; and the forbidding shaman Atagar, the Canter. Disturbed by
the increasing flow of Sapients visiting their homeland, the tribe had
determined to learn more of these people and the land from which they
hailed.

With a courtesy typical of their city, the Cyrenians, led by Daine
Calaier and Mardosi Crescent, showered the newcomers with gifts and
guided them around their city, assembling a veritable menagerie of
mounts at the request of the Chaghut Chieftain. Keen to measure the
breeds of Sapience against his own, for the majesty of their stallions
was a source of great pride to the Chaghut people, Tokhta studied each
animal with interest, the nacreous sea stallion ridden by Verrucht Dawyn
inspiring particular amazement.

As the bells of the clocktower rang out in honour of the guests, the
trio quickly resolved to offer the assembled citizens an opportunity to
visit with their tribe, the first from their continent in centuries.
Repeating a phrase in homage to the white spirit stallion revered by the
Chaghut, the company blinked out of existence, transported to a simple
encampment in the heart of the Daoric plains.

Before the Cyrenians could be properly welcomed, a strong male voice
rang out into the steppe air: "Now!" Casting off their cloaks to reveal
a cadre of armed men, a doughty band of horse thieves fell upon the
assembled tribe, slaying Sir Verrucht. The Sapients rallied in defence
of their new friends, quickly dispatching the thieves, but when the dust
settled, the mounts of the tribe and their guests were gone.

While the Cyrenians whistled in vain for their mounts, Lisbethae Etienne
Le'Murzen noted that in their haste, the rustlers had left a clear trail
that led across the plains to an isolated and windy bluff. Readying
themselves for battle, the brave warriors followed the narrow path down
into a secluded cove, soon encountering their stolen mounts in a natural
cave guarded by an intimidating posse of thieves and henchmen.

Before their leader, Khovsgol the Black, could open his mouth to bargain
with the hard-faced Cyrenians, the warriors leapt upon the brigands,
claws and rapiers flashing with dread intent. In mere moments the
slaughter was done, with Maize Dawyn landing the killing blow on the
bandits' leader. As the Cyrenians celebrated the return of their mounts,
Noyan Tokhta named the group Adaghun Daghalta, Companions of the Horse,
the highest honour that can be paid to an outlander.

In recognition of this accolade, the Noyan gifted four of the Cyrenians
with a proud Chaghut stallion, the most precious gift in his possession.
Proudly, Mindry Sparrow, Maize Dawyn, Alethiea Etienne-Le'Murzen, and
Daine Calaier stepped forward to receive the gift, pledging their
friendship in return.

The triumphant Chaghut returned to their encampment, well pleased with
their first encounter with the people of the northern continent. As they
returned, however, the Canter whispered words of caution in his liege's
ear, for the kindly Cyrenians had spoken of others who resided in the
northern continent, others with less friendly intent. With a grim nod,
the Chief acknowledged his shaman's words: if warlike northerners did
come to the plains, the Chaghut would be ready.

Penned by My hand on the 16th of Aeguary, in the year 535 AF.