The Flone And The Linn

Ilion is a continent with the Cimmerian Mountains at its southern edge. The River Flone has cut a gorge through the Mountains and, in summer, is swollen with polar ice melt. Riverfolk risk the racing, turbulent water to sail close to the Linn which is the name of the massive waterfall where the Flone plunges down to the inland salt sea of Orcus on a dead ocean bottom. Near the top of the Linn, the river broadens and the bank holds an altar guarded by eroded stone statues. Orcans climb a trail to camp and trade with the Riverfolk at this place.

The largest Ancient relics are at Mount Chronos by the Sea of Orcus. During the Troubles, some Aeneans took refuge in the fortress-like Arena, emerging to farm etc only under armed guards. Their guards became the Companions of the Arena, both military and quasi-religious, focused on learning about the Builders. Denied military functions by the government in Nova Roma, they have become more priest-like. Aycharaych, working through Jaan, encourages Aenean opposition to the Empire and Orcan opposition to Nova Roma, anything to incite dissension. But High Commander Yakow discusses issues like miracles and evidence quite rationally with Ivar who reflects:

"...nobody with electronic communications is truly isolated."
-Poul Anderson, Captain Flandry: Defender Of The Terran Empire (New York, 2010), p. 200.

- and Yakow could have attended the University, just as Mikkal of Redtop among the tinerans was both literate and well-read. Despite their differences, Aeneans share an advanced civilization.