Avalonian forces continue to push North, and Avalonian ships continue to patrol offshore.
An Avalonian trading vessel at the vanguard of the latest convoy sailing east spots a ship just as the convoy is about to head back to Avalonia, laden with goods. Its sails are torn and many of its oars broken. As it drifts closer to the Avalonian convoy, a breeze picks up, displaying a ragged and bleached flag flying from the ship's mast. An Avalonian officer hails the boat, and is answered by a weak voice calling out in an unknown tongue. The vessel is boarded cautiously, and the Avalonian boarding party is stunned to find the hold filled with people, many of whom look starved, and some appear to be dead.
Although the language barrier hinders detailed conversation, the Avalonians make it clear that they have good intentions and give the people food and water and invite them to join the convoy and offer to help repair the ship if they do. Over the course of the return voyage, the Avalonian convoy commander learns that the people are refugees (and deserters) from a nation under siege, and that this group faced great adversity fleeing from the carnage. The Avalonian fleet sends a few faster vessels ahead to arrange for this people to be given land on the Avalonian trading island where they can live uner Avalonia but separate from it, and the dishonor of their desertion will not contaminate Avalonia while the honorable charity of Avalonia can avail itself properly. The people refer to themselves as the Bēlänese.
Considering the amazing journey those Aspians made, I'd say this isn't an unreasonable trek.
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