We are the Telmarines.
That is not the name originally born by our people in the Old Country. It was gifted to us by the people of Calormen when they first discovered us.
It derives from their ancient tongue;
Tel - meaning "across", and Marine - meaning "ocean".
Since our lands lay across a great desert from their country, it has been theorised that there was some translation error when our two peoples met for the first time and the Calormens thought our ambassadors came from across a great ocean. In truth, they did; but an ocean of sand, not water. This linguistic mistake has produced much in the way of scholarly debate over the years.
In those first days, our ancestors lived by a great oasis in this desert and they were led by a brother and a sister; Caspian and Isadora. Together, this pair of siblings created the First Great Telmarine Nation. They established trade routes to the nations of Calormen, Narnia and Archenland and led nineteen Merchant Lords. Isadora made the twentieth and Caspian ruled them all as the Merchant King.
Each Merchant Lord was gifted a weapon of office by a servant of the Black Eagle; the most revered figure of our mythology and Guardian of our People. Seven swords, four axes, two hammers, four pikes, two maces, and a unique gift each for Caspian and Isadora.
They were gifted a Dirk and a Bow and forevermore shall they be depicted so; Caspian with the Dirk and Isadora with the Bow. From Caspian's bloodline flowed the Royal Lineage, our Kings and our Rulers. From Isadora's flowed the Defenders, always at the shoulder of the King and highest of the Merchant Lords.
And it is said that, in a time of great turmoil, Caspian and Isadora shall arise again and once more lead our nation to glory. From the ashes of a crumbling society shall the next great Telmarine nation be forged.
Who shall rule?
He of the Dirk.
Who shall protect?
She of the Bow.
Where shall they stand?
Upon the desert sands, the rising sun at their back.
To whom shall they answer?
To each other alone, save for the Eagle of Feathers Black.
Anon, dates unknown. Translated by Dr Cornelius in the second year of the reign of King Caspian X, 2305. Translation commissioned by the Lady Isadora.