An Early Account of the Founding of the Empire

... Tho his sister stained her hands even to the elbows in the blood of those who came before, The Patriarch drew apart and within, seeking to come to his own victory. After long hours, he spoke to the people, the followers, and to those of the great Houses, and he said We will take this land and wash it clean, we will bring upon it an age of peace and an age of glory. And he led his sister, weary and faint from battle, to the Arch on the island, and he passed her through it, as was the ancient custom, to shew that she was truly born to wear the crown. And the madness did not fall upon her, and the people were much relieved.

And The Patriarch gave thanks to the Six and the Centre for that mercy. He decreed that the old island, being stained with the sin of those who came before, should no longer be a place of glory, but a place of remembrance. And he took the Arch and brought it to the south, over the water to a hill, where he planted it. And he spoke to the people, the followers, and to those of the great Houses, and he said Here is the stone where we will build our new Empire, and here is the sign we have long sought. And he held his staff high, and from a clear sky, the old island was struck by lightning and blackened, and the dark river itself rose from its bed and flowed there no more, but made of the hill a new island...