The Lochac Saga

This is the Chronicle of the Rulers of Lochac, written by Giles Leabrook. The work is at least loosely based (and at times lifted directly from) epic Norse poetry such as the Heimskringla, or the Chronicle of the Kings of Norway. Especially plagiarised was a poem in Fagrskinna about King Eirik, which Gunhild his wife had made after his death. It tells how Odin welcomed Eirik to Valhalla. The author or skald that composed it is not known, but it is considered to be one of the gems of Old Norse poetry. It is from Vigfusson's translation in his "Corpus Poeticum", vol. i. pp. 260, 261. (http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/OMACL/Heimskringla/hakon.html)

Some say that there will be a day when Odin wakes in the morning and cries, as he opens his eye, with his dream still fresh in his mind: --

"What prophetic dreams are these? I thought I arose before daybreak to make Valhalla ready for a host of Kings. I woke up the host of the chosen. I bade them ride up to strew the benches, to till up the beer- vats, and I bade valkyries to bear the wine, for many chiefs were coming. So I look for the coming of the Rulers of the South, wherefore my heart is glad."

Odin's counsellors now wake, as a great din is heard, and they call out: --"What is that thundering? As if a thousand men or some great host were tramping on -- the walls and the benches are creaking from it ? is it Balder was coming back to the hall of Odin?"

Odin answers: --"It thunders for the noble Rulers of Lochac, they that are coming to the hall of Odin."

Then turning to his heroes, he cries: --"Sigmund and Siegfriede, rise in haste and go forth to meet the Royalty! Bid them in if they be of Lochac, for it is they whom I look for."

Sigmund answers: --"Why lookest thou more for Lochac's rulers to Odin's hall, than for other kings?"

Odin answers: --"Because they have reddened their brands, and borne their bloody sword in many a land. Their Ladies also, with spear or with bow, have
held their field, or inspired their lords to."

Sigmund says: --"Who are they, seeing thou find them so brave?"

Odin answers: --"Ask them, for they are here! Hail to thee, Rulers of Lochac, be welcome here, and come into the hall! Now I will ask, what Kings are these that follow thee from the clash of the sword edges?"

The first answers: -- " They are five Viceroys and Vicereigns, thirty six Princes and Princesses and X Kings and Queens; I will tell thee all their names; I myself am the first -- James who ruled with Olwyn, when the warm Western sun granted us some sovereignty over Lochac, so that we might raise armies under our own flag.

Those that follow me are:

Hugh, the great sword, and Merewyn, the lily of our land
Brusi, the people's chief, and Alarice gentle and patient
Reynardine, fox-cunning and Marguerite, rose of roses, whose voice is heard
Brusi the second, last Viceroy, and Catherine, last Vicereign

At this time the West created in Lochac a full Principality, with the same power and majesty as our cousins in the Mists, Cynagua and Oertha.

From that day our Rulers were --

Reynardine, first prince in his own right, and Eleanor, first princess and the mark for all to follow
Elfin who would later rule in the Dragon's Wald, and Talietha, generous help giver
Corin quick of hand, and Gabriella quick of tongue
Valerian, the bear of the north, and Rowena, the learned
Styvren, far stepper, and Rhyllian, the compass star
Elfin the second, much vaunted, and Rowan from whom all graces come
Haos, bright as the sun, and Bryony, of the bees
Elfin the third, accustomed to rule, and Keridwen whom children love
Reynardine the second, who knew how to reward his subjects, and Elaine, for whom the cap fits
Kane, each grey hair earned by wisdom, and Rhianwen, his wisest choice
Elfin the fourth, with the healing touch, and Rowan the second, peerless
Gerald, prince of musicians, and Alisaundre, who delighted in that music
Aylwin, regal as the tide-ruling moon, and Ingerith, mysterious as the stars
John, who would Rule in the West, and Gabriel, from the green wood
Brusi the third, greatheart, and Catherine the second, lightfoot
Alfar, strongarm, and Susannah, who held firm while Lochac burned
Corin the second, who prepares for war, and Keridwen the second, fierce foe-woman
Cornelius, bright-helmed, and Morwynna, who dances
Bran, to whom the West is dear, and Cairistiona, who knows of healing
Alfar the second, foe-hammer, and Hugette, the shining northern light
Peter, of the black gauntlet, and Muirghein, hawk of the west
Finian, red-handed and Lucrezia, who knows the finer things
Cornelius the second, the bright burning candle, and Morwynna the second, who tempers the forge
Alfar the third, who sees widely, and Elspeth, who sees deeply
Alaric Oak-tall, and Nerissa, who laughs like the river
Corin the third, wise governor, and Keridwen the third, of the dancing needle
Ragnar, famed leader of his war band, and Bliss, of the flowing hair
Boris, foremost in the fray, and Constance, who knows her own mind
Alfar, who took the throne with his shield, and left on it, and Elspeth the second, oathkeeper
Vladimir, whose warriors drink well, and Huriwa, who knows the Eastern dance
Aedward, honest, fair trader, and Yolande, the indomitable
Cornelius the third, joyous in battle, and Morwynna the third, who opens the door to her hall
Boris the second, who comes to war on wings, and Constance, who did not rest on her coronet
Gui, the good, and Aelfled, gentle and kind
Alfar the fifth, law maker, and Liadan, who came with strength unheralded
Gawyne, the last prince, who has preceded us to this place and Yve, last princess, courageous as any King.

Then our overlords in the West recognised that we were fit to solely govern our lands. Many came to witness the birth of our Kingdom, when Jade of the many crowns and Megan of the gentle heart decreed Lochac would henceforth heed her own counsel. Since that day we expect our Rulers to be Kings and Queens only -- free, potent and beholden to no man; not vassals of any other.

They are named --

Alfar, the first of our Kings, raven feeder, and Elspeth first Queen, canny with games
Cornelius, who took possession of the lands ceded by Caid, won not by war but by counsel, and Morwynna, who was powerful and wise in that counsel
Alaric, whose groaning tables fill his well famed hall, and Nerissa, scribe-champion
Aedward, the just, and Yolande, whose whispers are as men's shouts
Draco, staunch-hearted, and Serena from the northern haven
Stephen, who hears the Huntsman's Horn, and Mathilde, for whom the Muses play
Cornelius, first Duke, and Morwynna, first Duchess
Aedward the second, who watches his words, and Yolande, who led the children against the knights
Draco the second, whose sword is truth, and Asa, patron of skalds
Alfar the second, who unites the Kingdom through War, and Gudrun the second, who unites the Kingdom through Peace
Hugh, full of majesty, and Terasa, who speaks gently and strikes hard
Berenger, the powerful, and Bethan, key-holder.
Siridean, who came from afar with might, and Siban, who came just as far with grace
Theuderic, Jotunn, and Engelin, who made a turnip into a silk purse.
Gabriel, maker of shields, and destroyer, and Constanzia, who seeks the best.

Know now that this is the history and line of our land back to the beginning. Their names will ring forever. They have come before, many will come after.

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