Kanar & We'Jek

For an alliance founded on the concept of Love and Unity, one would expect a healthy dose of romance in the legendarium of Pangard, and indeed there are many such tales. The Consort Ha'Nur who built a castle singlehandedly as a token of affection for his Queen; Vicar Ymestadoon's asexual life-partnership with the Orga philosopher Ungalit; the Knight Jaanjo who pursued his captured and enslaved mate ceaselessly for 30 cycles and across 15 stars; all of these are held dear to the Pangard. But none is spoken of with more awe than the tale of Kanar and We'Jek.
Despite having lived side by side for thousands of cycles, intermarriage between the 3 kindreds is rare - indeed, it is biologically and anatomically impossible in most cases. But there is one known and well celebrated case of a Han-Larn, Kanar, and a Yizith, We'Jek who through their love (and just a little genetic engineering), produced viable offspring, founding House Kanar'We - indeed, most Yizith alive today are descendants of this union. Real historical figures who lived near the very beginning of Pangard's history, legends and myths about them abound, some more true to reality than others.

Summary

Kanar was Han-Larn Knight, youngest of the shield-brothers of the great Paragon Zakar, and in some tellings of the story, his actual brother. He was the only one of that band of legendary knights to survive the Battle of Redemption Valley, Pangard's first victory over the Sarn. Having lost his comrades, Kanar lived in mourning, in his sadness, commanding a scouting ship, seeking his own demise in glorious battle and adventure.
But he was not alone on that ship, commanding many troops, including a young Yizith soldier named We'Jek. She greatly respected her commander, but pitied him for his great sorrow.
Though the war between them had ended and Pangard formed, relations between the Kindreds in those days were still cold, as memories of the atrocities and evils they had done to one another were still recent to many. Despite this, We'Jek became a loyal companion and confidant to her commander. To her great surprise, she fell in love with her alien friend, and Kanar, having found renewed purpose in life through his devotion to her, found himself returning her unique affections. While they tried to deny the call of love at first, they could not resist their passions for long, and in secret bound themselves to each other. Believing it wrong to serve as both We'Jek's commander and lover, he quietly tried to resign his position. Being such a famous warrior however, his actions invited suspicion, and with great disregard for tact and modesty, his rivals revealed his secret publicly.
Upon hearing of their relationship, the High Council fell into uproar. The Han-Larn accused the Yizith of trying to "seduce and assimilate" their kind, while the Yizith feared the "pollution" of their gene pools. Xenophobia and fearmongering ruled as both sides threatened to re-start the war. The Engi begged for calm, assuring both the Han-Larn and Yizith they could come up with a compromise. They suggested that, to preserve the fragile peace, Kanar and We'Jek be forcibly divorced, and all future such relationships banned. Kanar and We'Jek refused these demands, and despite the pressure and disgrace they both suffered, they did not abandon one another.
At this time, the young Oracle was busy sifting through the secrets of the High Temple's Libraries. When she at last heard about what was happening in the High Council, she became enraged. Filled with righteous fury, she stormed into the High Temple chambers, and rebuked all the gathered Councilors. She cited the holy words that she had found in the heart of the Temple - "What the Star-Maker has joined together, let none separate." In trying to destroy the love of Kanar and We'Jek, she accused all 3 Kindreds of failing to live up to their oaths of love and unity, having failed to live as Pangard.
The High Council, having been scolded and humbled by the Oracle, who at this time was still only a young child, felt great shame. Having seen their error, all 3 kindreds mourned their foul deed, and the High Council vowed to make things right. Each one individually bowed before Kanar and We'Jek, apologizing and asking their forgiveness, which in their glorious mercy they bestowed. The High Council then decreed that "No good and loving union between Kindreds, whether of comradery, friendship, marriage nor family, shall ever be opposed by the lords and leaders of Pangard."
The Oracle then blessed Kanar and We'Jek, and the two built together a great House, bearing many Yizith children. House Kanar'We would eventually split into smaller houses, which would be absorbed by others, but its great legacy lives on - nearly all Yizith alive today can trace their ancestry to this union.

Historical Basis

The events described in the main myth are largely true - Kanar and We'Jek were real people, and the discovery of their union did create a reaction of racism and xenophobia, one that was greatly rebuked by the Oracle - though the claim that this issue almost destroyed the infant Pangard Alliance is most likely exaggeration, as there are no mentions of "breaking the covenant" from the council transcripts that day, however the High Council did indeed almost force Kanar and We'Jek into separating, an atrocity they were thankfully prevented from doing.
Other myths surrounding the characters of Kanar and We'Jek are harder to verify, for instance the many tales regarding the battles they fought and the adventures they went on together. One famous story that We'Jek served as Kanar's steed, and that he would "ride her into battle," are certainly not true, and indeed may be subtle innuendo from the original author.

Cultural Reception

The story of Kanar and We'Jek is a beloved tale across all Pangard, and is viewed as a metaphor for the union between the 3 kindreds. Kanar and We'Jek refused to abandon one another in the face of adversity, risking everything just to be with one another, and this is seen as the correct attitude for all 3 kindreds to have toward each other - to walk the road of life side by side, no matter how difficult that road may be. It also serves as a reminder to not fall into the sin of rejection and hatred, and to refuse calls for disunity and strife.

In Art

Many songs and poems have been composed about the two lovers, predictably sung at weddings and similar events.

Related Species

• Han-Larn
• Yizith

Related Organizations

• Pangard