A Faith in Friends

The parable known as A Faith in Friends was written in the third century of the Auresian Empire by the author Beren Aristoxis. It is one of the forty-four tales compiled in his book Parables of Lumini. The story inspired physician Corvus Savaria in 7192 to form the Knights of Lumini, a benevolent fraternity based on the story's key tenets of loyalty, fraternity, and honor.

Background

Ducari and Lorithas

As told by Aristoxis, there were two friends named Ducari and Lorithas. Ducari was from the Karsk lands, and Lorithas from the Cheltai territory, but both lived in the town of Lumini, located in the heartlands of Landen Province. The two were followers of the Mathematician-Sciences Academy of Luminaros and were on a task for their school. The tale begins with the two friends traveling along the highway to the city of Saria. In the city, Ducari was accused of plotting against the leader of the city-state, Dionaros I. As punishment for this crime, Ducari was sentenced to death.

Condemned

Accepting his sentence, Ducari asked to be allowed to return home one last time to settle his affairs and bid his family farewell. Not wanting to be taken for a fool, Dionaros refused, believing that once released, Ducari would flee and never return. Ducari called for Lorithas and asked him to take his place while he went. Dionaros agreed on the condition that if Ducari did not return, Lorithas would be put to death in his place. Lorithas agreed, and Ducari was released to return home.

Pardoned and Set Free

Dionaros was convinced that Ducari would never return, and as the day he had promised to return came and went, Dionaros prepared to have Lorithas executed. But just as the executioner was about to behead Lorithas, Ducari returned. Apologizing to his friend for the delay, Ducari told of how pirates had captured his ship on the passage back to Galumbra and had thrown him overboard. Dionaros listened to Ducari describe how he swam to shore and returned as quickly as he could, arriving just in time to save his friend. Dionaros was so pleased and astonished by their friendship that he pardoned them both.