Arelora and the Five-Year War
It is sometimes speculated that the motivation to make Arelora queen was based on an assumption that she could be easily manipulated. Although the first few years of her reign show little sign of her influence, she soon emerged as a skilled and willful leader.
In 661, the Thardic League conquered Moleryn, then a minor ally of Kanday. Arelora demanded the immediate withdrawal of League forces. The ultimatum was ignored and Kanday declared what has become known as the Five-Year War. For the first two years, dozens of minor skirmishes took place and Arelora left the conduct of the war to her lieutenants. This resulted in a disorganized Kandian army being soundly beaten at the battle of the Teb Marshes in 663 and the loss of Ibonost. Infuriated, Arelora took personal command of her demoralized army.
The sight of the diminutive 52-year-old queen bedecked in silver armour and making stirring speeches rallied Kanday. After two more years of war, she brought the League to battle near Eidru and inflicted an ignominious defeat on Colura, that Thardic Autarch.
With the League armies routed, Arelor took Eidru. A company of Kandian knights captured Kuseme when its defenders panicked and failed to close the gates. Only the Thard River checked Arelora's advance. The League sued for peace and in 666 the Treaty of Quivum gave Eidru and Kuseme to Kanday, while the League kept Moleryn, Ibonost was returned to Kanday. Both sides claimed victory. The remainder of Arelora's reign was peaceful and she died childless in 676.
In 661, the Thardic League conquered Moleryn, then a minor ally of Kanday. Arelora demanded the immediate withdrawal of League forces. The ultimatum was ignored and Kanday declared what has become known as the Five-Year War. For the first two years, dozens of minor skirmishes took place and Arelora left the conduct of the war to her lieutenants. This resulted in a disorganized Kandian army being soundly beaten at the battle of the Teb Marshes in 663 and the loss of Ibonost. Infuriated, Arelora took personal command of her demoralized army.
The sight of the diminutive 52-year-old queen bedecked in silver armour and making stirring speeches rallied Kanday. After two more years of war, she brought the League to battle near Eidru and inflicted an ignominious defeat on Colura, that Thardic Autarch.
With the League armies routed, Arelor took Eidru. A company of Kandian knights captured Kuseme when its defenders panicked and failed to close the gates. Only the Thard River checked Arelora's advance. The League sued for peace and in 666 the Treaty of Quivum gave Eidru and Kuseme to Kanday, while the League kept Moleryn, Ibonost was returned to Kanday. Both sides claimed victory. The remainder of Arelora's reign was peaceful and she died childless in 676.
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