For as long as the fishing villages and towns of Pine Coast have stood against the Amber Sea, the story of the Three Fishermen has been told to every child.
Long ago, the wise King Olgerd ruled Pine Coast. He made peace with his neighbors, honored the Old Gods, cared for his people, and shared his wisdom with his three sons: Vytas, Karstis, and Andronas.
He often told them:
«"A king has three tools to rule his people: a Sword, a Coin, and a Word.
If your Sword is weak, you cannot keep your Word.
If your Word means nothing, no one will give you Coin.
If you have no Coin, you cannot forge a Sword.
Forget one, and the other two shall soon follow."»
The brothers listened, but each learned a different lesson.
Vytas was a warrior at heart and believed the Sword was the greatest power.
Andronas was a merchant at heart and believed all power came from the Coin.
Only Karstis, who had been born during the Shadowfall, understood his father's wisdom. He knew that none of the three could stand alone.
---
One autumn morning, King Olgerd summoned his sons.
"My time grows short," he said.
"I must choose the one who shall wear my crown.
Each of you shall choose a place and go fishing. Return to me with your catch. Then the Old Gods shall guide my decision."
The brothers bowed to their father and king, each hoping to prove himself worthy.
Vytas journeyed far upstream. Patient as a hunter, he waited until he caught a magnificent Red Salmon returning to the rivers of the Angel Islands.
Andronas cast his nets into the great lake near the royal hall, where before sunset he landed a mighty White Catfish.
Karstis launched his small pine boat upon the Amber Sea. He sailed farther than any fisherman dared that season, and returned carrying only a single long eel with eyes the color of amber.
Each brother laid his catch before the king.
---
For three days and three nights King Olgerd remained alone within the Sacred Grove of the Old Ones. Holy fires burned without ceasing.
When at last he emerged, his hair had turned completely silver, and his eyes seemed older than any man remembered.
He summoned his sons and the court.
"My sons," he began, "today you have all made me proud.
I gave you a task that would reveal not only your hearts, but the fate of our kingdom.
Each of you fulfilled it.
But only one shall inherit my crown."
He turned first to Vytas.
"Come forward, my son."
"You caught the Red Salmon, the fish that returns against the current to the waters of the Angel Islands.
Take my finest ship.
Choose your crew.
There you shall win yourself a kingdom and take your wife from the hills of those islands.
This is the will of the Old Gods.
This is your fate."
Vytas silently nodded. His hand rested upon the haft of his axe.
"It shall be so, Father."
He returned to his place.
Then the king called again.
"Andronas, come forth."
"You caught the great White Catfish from the waters beside our home.
You shall inherit my crown.
Rule wisely.
Guard our people.
Bring peace to this land.
This shall be your fate."
"I am honored, Father," replied Andronas.
The court erupted in cheers.
Some celebrated their future king.
Others gathered around Vytas, already dreaming of conquest.
King Olgerd raised his hand, and silence returned.
At last he spoke.
"Karstis, my son... come forward."
The hall grew quiet.
"Yes, my King."
"The path before you leads into the Amber Sea.
The Old Gods have shown me only this:
Beyond the horizon, one waits for you.
Whether she is queen, goddess, or death itself, I cannot tell.
I know neither what you shall find, nor whether you shall ever return.
But your path lies there.
And so long as your fate remains unknown, a Lantern shall burn above your home.
There shall always be food upon your table, warmth by your hearth, and shelter awaiting your return.
This is the will of the Old Gods.
Do you accept this path?"
Karstis bowed his head.
"Yes."
---
Three days later, King Olgerd died.
Vytas gathered his companions and sailed for the Angel Islands.
Andronas placed the crown upon his head and accepted the burden of ruling Pine Coast.
Karstis built himself a boat from the finest pines, strong enough to cross the storms of the Amber Sea.
He departed without saying goodbye.
Yet from that day onward, no Lantern has ever shone brighter than the one above the house of Karstis.
Some say he discovered the Serpent Islands, where Jurrate herself rewarded him with seas rich in fish, timber, and amber.
Others claim he became the beloved of the Sea Queen and sailed beside her upon the back of the Great Sea Serpent.
No one knows the truth.
But every year, when the autumn storms begin, an old yet strong fisherman is sometimes seen walking the shores of Pine Coast.
He speaks kindly, mends broken nets, and shares stories no sailor has ever heard.
Before dawn, he is always gone.
The Lantern above the old house burns a little brighter that night.
No one asks the old fisherman's name.
For everyone already knows.
