The Fabulous Reign Of Good King Grallon

(i) Gratillonius transforms brigands or resistance fighters into forest rangers. Initially equipped by him, they:

hunt;
trade;
levy reasonable tolls;
suppress thieves;
scout;
spy;
harrass invaders;
guide city-based troops;
discourage human sacrifice;
link smallholders, serfs and resettled veterans with some towndwellers.

Rufinus, green-clad like Robin Hood, leads a band of bowmen who relieve some Franks of their arms, armor, money, shoes, a man who would have been given to Wotan and a woman who would have been gang-raped for a fertility rite. A reasonable toll, indeed.

(ii) Grallon's measures against bandits and thieves revive trade.

(iii) Land is reclaimed after he brings peace.

(iv) Thus, Ys is wealthy enough to survive a bad harvest.

(v) Grallon buys good season surpluses to be stored in royal granaries and distributed when necessary.

(vi) He sends ships to get more from Britannia and Aquitania.

(vii) In exchange for Corentinus' political support, he donates to Christian charities, thus indirectly drawing the beneficiaries towards Christ. However, he has no allegiance to the Ysan Gods and accepts that he will no longer gain many for Mithras. He and Corentinus dispassionately discuss which of their Gods will gain from their this-worldly transactions.

(viii) Helped by church and state officials, he settles discharged rebel veterans in Armorica, thus helping his former comrades and strengthening the province.

If the bad harvest is the Gods' revenge, then Gratillonius fights the Gods and wins popular support.