Canaan Calling

[RobertAgira]

The city of Canaan was named, like most of the cities in Mountjoy, from the places mentioned in the bible. It was probably nothing like its ancient namesake in the dusty holy land, the Mountjoy version of Canaan had been at one time a small port on the coast of the Kyne, its crystal clear blue waters providing safe haven from all but the worst storms. The old citadel stood at the edge of the harbour and today was still a prominent feature of the beautiful city. The Order of the Knights of Mountjoy maintained a small Order house down on the waterfront with a much larger one in the newer part of the city. It was around this time every year that the city celebrated St.George's day, the day was a parade of the nations historic military past, what with the Saint having been a noted warrior himself. This year however the parade would be different as the Knight Commander intended to use it for a rather more diplomatic purpose.

To:- His Majesty King David III of East Moreland

The nation of Mountjoy sends you greetings and wishes you well.

Here in Mountjoy we are soon to celebrate St.George's Day, the famed warrior saint reminds us of our duties as both Christians and soldiers, accordingly the day is one of great reflection on our nations military heritage. While our two nations we recognise a similar heritage in East Moreland culture as well as many shared similarities between your own faith's Code of Canley and those of our own faith, such as defending the weak. Our nation is well aware of a grave sin committed, we had resources able to help the people of Nya Aland and failed to act, meanwhile East Moreland forces lead a great effort to support the people of Uppsala, setting an example for what should have been done. As such at our annual military parade we would wish to honour your nations armed forces with the St.George Medal, this is an annual award presented by myself to the person, organisation or group that has eptimised courage and shown a dedication to helping others. I would be honoured if a contingent of Morelanders would join with our own troops, veterans and Raphelties and further honoured if you personally would accept the medal on behalf of your nation. This would also give me an opportunity to meet with your formally and ensure strong ties between our nations. I am aware of East Moreland's track record in terms of humanitarian operations and would like to ensure the next time you deploy with just cause you will not find yourself alone.

Blessings Upon You

Hugo Lascelles
Knight Commander


Canaan was one of the Knight Commanders favourite cities, he'd been based here during his own military days for three years and fell in love with the rocky cliffs where he would often go snorkelling or fishing on his days off. He used to enjoy sitting with an ice cream on the old fort walls watching the boats bobbing in the small harbour, the sight of small fishing boats unloading their catch making it easy to imagine from a bygone age. Today though would be different, he'd first arrived last evening by boat through the narrow harbour wall, an honour guard on the forts walls welcoming the Knight Commander to the city. He'd sat in the twilight in his old spot, a lemon ice cream and his 12 year old son Paul for company. The city was a buzz, it always was on St.George's Day thousands of people coming to witness the parades and take part in the celebrations that followed, often the old streets would be rammed and on couldn't help but at times be swept along in a crowd. Hugo was rather excited, he'd hosted several guests during the Charge of the Clans but there he'd been able to rely on support from the various factions within the Order to handle the diplomacy however today he would be meeting the King of East Moreland one on one in a manner of speaking.

Hugo had wished his family a good morning before meeting up with his small band of military escort and headed out to the small airfield, it was only just big enough to land an international jet but he'd been made aware that King David often travelled light unlike many of the monarchs of Mundus. Hugo was keen to get this first bit over with and get back to the city itself so he could share the exciting buzz that had been building as he left. He was unsure how people would react to the St. George medal going to a foreigner, let alone a non-Christian, but it was time Mountjoy recognised that if it was to be part of the greater international community, live out the old creed of the Order and act as true Christians it needed to offer its support to the needy and that was something East Moreland had rather a decent reputation for. So the Knight Commander stood waiting for the King of East Moreland keen to begin the process of building bridges.

[DaveIronside]

David had read a lot about the old Christian Crusades, it was an interesting period of history for sure but one he was sure the Cult would be embarrassed by had they been involved in hundreds of years of slaughter and bloodshed. It wasn't that the Cult was squeaky clean but the fact they'd controlled their own "Holy Land" for close to 2000 years meant there had at least been that stability. He considered the difference between what I expected to find compared to his experiences with the Papists of the Ecclesiastical State, that was one thing he was thankful for, their had been no reformation or schism in his own faith, at least not yet but those bloody Sisters of Helus were beginning to make one more likely, he just prayed it would happen without the bloodshed the Christian one had brought forth.

He looked down out of the aircraft window as they flew close to Canaan, the crystal clear blue waters and the red tiled roof's making a brilliant contrast as he looked down. He spotted several other members of the 1st Northfort Rifles peer out at the new nation. "OK look sharp" a tall Sergeant Major appeared from the aircrafts cockpit and took up a position behind the King who sat at the first row of seats, the Sergeants drill square voice filled the cabin. "We're landing in five minutes, so get settled, once down the King gets off, we unload our gear and head to wherever we're needed. Remember your manners and don't wander off. Understand?"

"Yes Sergeant" a chorus came back up the aircraft and the Sergeant took his own seat.Moments later the transport came to a halt and the King, accompanied by Will Buckley departed after a few words with the soldiers. The King had elected to once more wear his Alpine Cadre uniform and almost instantly regretted it, Mountjoy was much warmer than back home and the material of the Alpine Cadre jacket wasn't the most comfortable for this climate. David did his best however to look at ease as he greeted Lascelles. "Knight Commander, a pleasure to meet you" The King extended a hand, "A lovely location for a festival I must say, looked beautiful from above and I look forward to seeing it from ground level." the King added.

[RobertAgira]

"Your Majesty" Hugo gave a small bow, "Please follow me" the Knight Commander began to walk down a line of guardsman each wearing a cloak emblazoned with the Orders emblem. "We'll be delighted to show you the city. In my view its a gem and the tourists of Mundus are beginning to realise that, I just hope that the cities nature and charm don't get changed, although the money would be a nice thing." By now they'd reached a waiting car which whisked them away from the airfield and towards the city. "Here in Mountjoy we name all our cities after places in the bible. I'm sorry I don't know how familiar you are with our sacred texts, I must admit your own Cult of Helus is not a strong point in my own knowledge, but I have seen enough to know that while your God....Gods? May have a different name the morals you follow are what I would call Christian ones. I think that means we can become good friends" Hugo said hopefully.

"Canaanites in the bible are described as living by the sea and next to a river, as this site fits that criteria that's how it got its name" By now the car had reached the old city, leaving the suburbs of newer homes behind. The scene in front of them, the picture postcard grey and white buildings with bright red roof tiles heralded the entrance to the city. The car stopped and Hugo exited waiting for the Morelander monarch. "I'm sorry but the streets are rather narrow, and we try and keep cars out. I understand you've recently obtained a Masters in History, perhaps a chance to wander some ancient cobbled roads is....pardon the pun....right up your street." Hugo chuckled hoping King David may be amused by his little joke. "The city was built to be a minor port during the 11th Century when we fought the Crusades and our religious Order was established. I have to admit the Crusades may have helped our Order become the force it was and thus create our nation, something I praise God for everyday, but us Christians didn't exactly live out the true will of God to love our neighbour. Its something we are aware of the need to give penance for even today. It was one of the reasons I liked your Code of Canley, the duty to defend those who can not defend themselves, something I wish we had done 1000 years ago better, and something Mountjoy must begin to step up and do." Hugo kept the pace slow allowing the King to take in the views along the old worn but still proudly standing town wall. Flags and banners hung along it adding colour to the otherwise drab exterior.

The pavements were already filling up with people keen to get a view of the up coming military parade, "I must say your men looked a credit to your Kingdom" Hugo was a former soldier himself and understood the pride a man took in his old unit. "You mind me asking why you retired, younger than 40, you had a few good years left I wager?" Hugo asked, "And clearly you are proud of the....the...Alpine Cadre was it?" Hugo hoped he'd not said anything out of order. "We look forward to seeing them march, its a symbol of us wanting to emulate the good deeds of your military. That's why we wished to present you with the St. George medal, and thank you for accepting." By now they'd reached the Quayside where a few small wooden fishing boats bobbed about, their owners and their families on deck helping themselves to one of the best views of the upcoming parade which would do a U-Turn through the Quayside passing in front of their Knight Commander and his guest.

[DaveIronside]

David had made sure he'd read some abridged versions of the bible stories before coming to Mountjoy, however he wouldn't consider himself an expert. He had enjoyed the story of David and Goliath and not just for the heroes name. He'd seen their ten commandments and he figured Helus would approve of the majority of them. "Our faith has a hierachy of Gods, Helus is the father of them all and so sits at the pinnacle, then we have seven others however there are some who believe once upon a time there were more, knowledge of them lost in a great battle against evil. Personally I think that isn't the case, but it does make an interesting discussion" David had heard more than one historian argue with the Priesthood and while he trusted Skye Maddix, and before that his own sister he always found the points interesting.

As they passed through Canaan the King had to admit he liked the place, it had a real medieval feel and he likened it in many ways to parts of Ostlake or Keepton. It was certainly a place he would like to spend some more time exploding. The King was also impressed at how readily the Knight Commander accepted the sins of his ancestors and seemed determined to make up for them. "I couldn't resist bringing the Alpine Cadre, them being my old unit occasions like this are sometimes the only way to catch up with them. Although I think they'd have appreciated not wearing dress uniform, the different between our Alps and your coast in terms of temperature well, lets just say its vastly different." When asked about his retirement he smiled, "Sadly my back isn't what it used to be, clambering up and down rock faces when your lower back isn't that strong, well its a recipe for disaster. I could have taken a desk job and stayed as the reservist I was but I'd not be with the Cadre, so there was no point once an Alpiner, always an Alpiner." He suspected Hugo would understand. "Perhaps you could explain a bit more about this St,George thing, while its a great honour to be asked I feel I could only do it justice with a little better understanding."

[RobertAgira]

Hugo found the Morelander faith interesting, if not a little bizarre this story sounded so unrealistic and surely all these Gods where just an ancient misinterpretation of the many powers of the Almighty God. Hugo was confident however that if these people stuck to the vritues he had seen that in the end the Merciful God would show them love.  He listened to David speak with pride about his unit, Hugo remembered fondly his old military days, first with the 1st Lancers, and then the Rapid Reaction Force, he still regularly meet his old officer friends for drinks and was even god-father to a few of their children. His only regret was never getting selected to guard the Holy Sepulchre.

"Well St.George is a man we deeply respect, that's the point of saints, they are holy people who lead a great life and serve as an example to us in our lives. It is believed that they can inspire us to greatness. George was a soldier who when given an order to change his faith choose death rather than denouncing God. Even while awaiting punishment he is supposed to have converted to Christianity a prostitute sent to corrupt him...at least according to legend. To us he is a role-model, a soldier who when faced with death stood his ground and did the right thing, something to be admired no? As such when we seek to honour people who have faced great danger and done the right thing we invoke St.George as a reminder. After seeing the way Morelanders shouldered the task of helping Uppsala, while we stood motionless it was clear that your soldiers had done the right thing when faced with great danger. As such we wish to honour you with an award we give annually. We're just thrilled you accepted."

[DaveIronside]

David liked the sound of this George character, if he was a real person David was certain that Helus would have forgiven a man of such bravery for doubting him. He was sure that Jekar would have looked down and seen a man unwilling to be corrupted or surrender his values and for that Jekar would speak on the mans behalf. "I must say George sounds like a man who would have respected our Code of Canley, its highest tennants are to keep your oaths no matter what and to protect those who can not protect themselves. To be associated with such a man I'm proud you selected our unit." David said humbly.

"So if you wouldn't mind I'm fascinated by this Order of Mountjoy, is it just a name for your nation, is it part of your Church. I hear you speak of the Order and then I see your nations official name is the Christian Republic of Mountjoy, I'm a little confused and I don't want to accidentally put my foot in it." David asked as he watched the men and women march past him in the parade.

[RobertAgira]

Retconned