Architecture & Adversity

by Jeremy Dwyer

  “I have received a message through the red suns from Haltavna’Sytoris – who is at our outpost on Ixilonotu Island in the Kazofen Ocean – regarding the disappearance of many ships. Her associate, Pelathata, drinks the Lujladia waters to see far out over the ocean. From a distance, looking even around mountains, she has watched many ships disappear. Twice she has reported this, and the latest occurrence concerned the vanishing of ninety-nine (99) ships. No darkness explains what she saw, nor did the ships sail out of her range of vision, according to the message,” Farovaxen said.

  “My first hypothesis is piracy – that is not proof, but it is highly likely. The matter needs to be investigated before the pirates enrich themselves and the threat only grows further,” Father Isaac said.

  “Yet, there is more, Father Isaac. The strange, new sounds of three (3) unfamiliar stars have come to me. Haltavna’Sytoris reported such a sound earlier, but I did not perceive it. Now, I sense these sounds as well – they are not from the red, yellow or blue suns. Nor are they in the sky above. They come from the level of the sea, and from the direction of the Kazofen Ocean, I believe, if I am making sense of the unusual signals,” Farovaxen said.

  “Both of these matters need investigation at once, whether or not they are related,” Father Isaac said.

  “Yet, I cannot receive a clear reading on the matter. With the ordinary suns – even the meandering yellow suns – I can determine their positions precisely at any given moment and know their path over the short or long term by careful listening after drinking the Atrejan waters. Not so with these new sounds. Their direction is vague, as if seeing through a fog. I cannot be sure where to direct us to go,” Farovaxen said.

  “Are you certain that these are the sounds of stars you are hearing? Could they be something different?” Father Isaac asked.

  “They have the characteristics of solar sound. I am confident of that,” Farovaxen said.

  “Confidence is not proof. We will need to find alternative directions, along multiple paths, and try to discern that which is hidden or misleading,” Father Isaac said.

  “What approaches are you suggesting?” Farovaxen asked.

  “We will make a voyage to that area. Also, Va’Qileren will come with us, because he has the powers of the Lujladia Ocean. First, however, we need to hire someone who can help us – a trusted expert, who knows a great deal about the power of sound,” Father Isaac said.

  “Who? Another Redfire Sentinel?” Farovaxen asked.

  “I have someone even more expert in mind. Follow me,” Father Isaac said. He led the way and Farovaxen followed him to a lighthouse where Va’Qileren was on observation duty. They climbed the stairs to the lantern room to meet him.

  “Va’Qileren, we have further need of your abilities. Another Redfire Sentinel will take your post while you come with us, as your hours are already at their end. Please come with us and we can explain and find an available ship,” Father Isaac said.

  Va’Qileren followed Farovaxen and Father Isaac and they left the lighthouse and walked toward the eastern port of the island. Va’Qileren, using his far sight granted by the Lujladia waters he drank, immediately spotted the Amber Lantern which was docked and saw that the captain, Neva’Raka, was walking along the pier headed toward the island.

  “The Amber Lantern is docked and Neva’Raka is heading this way,” Va’Qileren said.

  “We will meet with her and chart a course. Point the way,” Father Isaac said.

  Va’Qileren led them over various hills and roads until they met with Neva’Raka at an alchemist’s workshop.

  Neva’Raka was carrying barrels of waters on wagons, meant to be purified by the resident alchemist.

  “Neva’Raka!” Father Isaac called out when he could see her with his unaided vision. He was ancient, but healthy, and had a recognizable deep voice.

  Neva’Raka looked up – her fifty (50) year old ears alert even as her fifty (50) year old muscles were tired from the heavy work of travel and transport. She also drank the waters of the Lujladia Ocean and would have noticed their approach moments ago, but aches and fatigue were a growing annoyance as the years passed, so she wasn’t looking in their direction until she heard them.

  “We are in need of your services,” Father Isaac said.

  “Can I finish unloading here? You need these waters,” Neva’Raka asked.

  “Yes. We will help you, to make quick work of it,” Father Isaac said. He, Va’Qileren and Farovaxen helped her pull the wagons with the water barrels toward the alchemist’s workshop. After wheeling over twenty (20) more barrels from the pier next to her ship back to the alchemist, Father Isaac said: “We need to go to Emeth.”

  “What is it you need? I can go for you?” Neva’Raka asked.

  “I need to go as well. I’ll explain on the way,” Father Isaac said.

  “I’m ready when you are,” Neva’Raka said.

  “The matter is urgent,” Father Isaac said.

  Neva’Raka led them back on board the Amber Lantern and set sail. She drank anew of the waters of the Lujladia Ocean and was energized. By the powers of light, she had the far sight and illumination necessary to navigate the ship over the dark waters.

  “Farovaxen has received messages from another of the Redfire Sentinels, Haltavna’Sytoris, located on an outpost in the Kazofen Ocean. Her associate has watched the ships sailing the waters and, more than once, observed ships disappearing without explanation,” Father Isaac said.

  “They did not disappear into the darkness, or sail out of range, or become obscured by mountains, according to the messages. According to her second communication, ninety-nine (99) more ships disappeared,” Farovaxen said.

  “This, alone, would seem to be the actions of pirates, which would be reason enough to investigate,” Father Isaac said.

  “So, there’s more, and this gets worse, right?” Neva’Raka asked.

  “Haltavna’Sytoris also warned me of a sound among the stars that is unusual – like a cry of pain – and yet she said it was not from the blue, yellow or red suns. At first, I did not hear such a sound. Later, however, I heard the unusual sound from three (3) sources and I agree with her. These sounds are not from the ordinary suns. Nor are they in the sky, but from around us. The sounds may be coming from an area of the Kazofen Ocean, but their direction is very unclear,” Farovaxen said.

  “These matters may be related. Even if they are not, both command our attention,” Father Isaac said.

  “You brought me along to help locate these occurrences from a distance, or to find them if they are hidden in some darkness?” Va’Qileren asked.

  “Yes, and to compare what you see with what someone else hears,” Father Isaac said.

  “Hears?” Va’Qileren asked.

  “I think I know what you’re getting at. Singers can also hear well – the Pirovalen waters let them detect faint sounds and locate their source – if the water’s pure enough and they have the potential for it,” Neva’Raka said.

  “We have our own singers among the Redfire Sentinels, do we not?” Va’Qileren asked.

  “On some outposts, but not all. Yet, the level of ability that I am looking for is not within their experience or potential. There is someone who is more capable – and who teaches others – in the City of Emeth,” Father Isaac said.

  “They’ve got a few. That girl, Taesa, is a powerful singer. She could probably help,” Neva’Raka said.

  “I would prefer not to ask her. She has a troubled life, and must live in hiding, because there are still some people who would have her killed in revenge for the Sail to Me song during the tempest. Although there was testimony that she was not at fault – acting involuntarily – many people still wish to avenge their losses from that tragedy, when her song lured their families into the storm,” Father Isaac said.

  “Then who do you have in mind?” Neva’Raka asked.

  “Daven is a master instructor in Emeth. He is the one who sang the Shatter song to destroy the wall in
Baradaxa behind which many were ensnared with false promises of refuge,” Father Isaac said.

  “We’re on our way,” Neva’Raka said. She steered the Amber Lantern south over the Ikkith Tar Ocean, heading toward its southern edge which met with the northern coast of the continent of Revod. She sailed east from there until reaching the Prince Jalvin’s Crossroads land bridge. She then converted the ship to an airship, turning its masts to the sailwing position, so that it rose to an altitude of one hundred twenty (120) feet. The ship traveled south over the land bridge, returning to sea level in the Medathero Ocean, where the ship’s masts were converted to the upright position. From there, they sailed southwest until they reached the land bridge containing the City of Emeth.

  When the Amber Lantern was docked at the pier, Father Isaac said: “Wait here for me. I will return when I have secured the assistance of a master music instructor – either Daven or another of comparable ability who is available.” He then disembarked from the ship and headed toward the Twelfth Hall, where knowledge of songs and musical instruments was recorded.

  Father Isaac, in his seven hundred thirty-four (734) millennia of life, had gathered a great deal of knowledge, and always kept current with the events of the world. He knew many people personally and knew others from afar, although many did not know him. He had a network of informants loyal to him, and paid each of them more than fairly for their services. Additionally, he was protected by guards hiding in the darkness – drinkers of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean – who ensured that he could move safely.

  He drank anew of the waters of the Ursegan Ocean from his vial and was energized. Time slowed for him, continuing his longevity and enabling him to see fast moving events proceed slowly. He easily spotted the master instructor moving about among the large groups of people in the enormous, ancient stone building that was the Twelfth Hall. He worked his way through the crowds until meeting Daven.

  “Daven, master instructor of music. I need to speak at once. I assure you it will be worth your time,” Father Isaac said.

  “We haven’t been introduced,” Daven said, surprised at meeting with this elderly man, although he knew that apparent age could be deceiving, for many reasons.

  Father Isaac led Daven down a less populated corridor between the walls where knowledge was inscribed. Being a hall of music – much of it quite enjoyable for listening as well as being exemplary instruction to students – the Twelfth Hall was more popular than many others. “We must have privacy,” Father Isaac said.

  Moments later, they were both engulfed in darkness. Father Isaac led Daven out of the hall, as he himself was led by another, one of his hired guards. When they had been taken along an unseen route, the hidden guard stopped and ended the shroud of darkness that covered Father Isaac and Daven, but kept himself, and other agents of Father Isaac, hidden.

  In a secluded but well-lit location inside of a building Daven did not recognize, Father Isaac said: “We are safe here. There are others with us, although you cannot see them – they are blocking the intrusion upon our thoughts and spirits.”

  “This is all very surprising…as if there is some great danger. I do not even know who you are, or where I am. I really do need to know what this is all about,” Daven said. He was nervous, thinking that something evil was once again occurring in the world. He had been living at peace for the previous two (2) years, busily mentoring students and less experienced musical instructors.

  “I am Isaac, the patron and benefactor of the Redfire Sentinels, who guide ships lost at sea and warn them of danger. Using the powers of light and listening to the sounds of the stars, the sentinels chart courses for those who cannot find their way. Yet, some were still lost, and they disappeared in a way we cannot explain. Fleets of ships are vanishing in the Kazofen Ocean and unexplained sounds – possibly coming from three (3) unknown stars – have been heard by those who drink the waters of the Atrejan Ocean. We need to embark upon a voyage to their last known location and learn what is happening.”

  “Are you saying that you need me to use sound and music to help you find the ships that are lost and the cause of the disappearances?” Daven asked.

  “Yes. That, and the source of the unusual sounds – which may not be from the existing suns. I will pay you to come with us and tell us what you can discern. The Redfire Sentinels have a few singers among them, but they do not have your potential in music,” Father Isaac said.

  “If there’s a false light or a darkness hiding the ships, then I can perhaps see through it. You don’t know about what the exact cause is, however, so I can’t be certain what I am up against. This will take a different approach, a more flexible melody, that can adapt to the unknowns,” Daven said.

  “I agree. The Kazofen Ocean also has many mountains, and these may affect the sound of the music, as well as being obstacles to seeing the lost ships,” Father Isaac said.

  “I can leave and help you for a few days. I do have students waiting for me, including some younger music instructors I am mentoring. Still, I can make myself available if we leave now,” Daven said.

  “I will pay you two thousand four hundred (2400) platinum coins. Half of that now, and the balance upon return,” Father Isaac said.

  “I accept your offer. I’m ready to go,” Daven said. He trusted this old man, and wanted to help find those who were lost, thinking that their own families must be devastated. He had already accepted that he may never see his own parents again, but that did not take away his sympathy for others.

  Father Isaac took out a small box of coins from his coat pocket and opened it, revealing one hundred twenty (120) platinum coins. He handed these to Daven and then took a book from his coat and wrote in it a payment note for one thousand eighty (1080) more platinum coins. He tore the page with the payment note out of the book and gave that to Daven as well.

  After Daven placed this payment into his own coat pockets, he said: “I want to help as much as possible, even if it’s just to discover some of the answers.”

  The shroud of darkness returned to envelop them, and the hidden guard led both Father Isaac and Daven along a path unseen, ending at the docks, on the pier at which the Amber Lantern was anchored. There, the shroud of darkness was lifted over Father Isaac and Daven, but the guard – and other agents – remained unseen.

  When Father Isaac and Daven boarded the ship, the guard and other agents followed, still hidden in that darkness.

  “Daven, this is Farovaxen, this is Va’Qileren and this is Neva’Raka. We will now take you to the location where these unexplained occurrences are believed to have occurred,” Father Isaac said.

  Farovaxen drank anew of the waters of the Atrejan Ocean from his vial and was energized. He listened to the star sounds, learning their positions and movements. With this information, he charted a course to the last known location of the unexplained solar occurrences and gave instructions to Neva’Raka.

  After raising the anchor, Neva’Raka steered the Amber Lantern northwest across the Medathero Ocean until reaching the Glivoran Trail land bridge. There, she converted the ship to its airship configuration, elevated it to one hundred twenty (120) feet of altitude and traveled west over the land bridge, returning to sea level in the Kazofen Ocean on the west coast of the Glivoran Trail. The ship’s masts moved from their sailwing position to the upright position and Neva’Raka steered it west across the Kazofen Ocean.

  “Farovaxen, inform Haltavna’Sytoris that we are approaching to investigate the matter of the vanishing fleets of ships and the unusual star sounds,” Father Isaac said.

  Farovaxen reached out through the red suns and sent a message to Haltavna’Sytoris indicating that they were approaching the area and would be there in less than two (2) days to investigate both matters.

  ~~~

  Haltavna’Sytoris heard a message through the red suns, sent from Farovaxen, informing her that he was approaching on board the Amber Lantern, along with Father Isaac and Va’Qileren, who drank the Lujladia water
s. The message also noted that Neva’Raka was with them, steering the ship, and that they were bringing Daven, the master music instructor.

  She went into the light house and climbed the steps to the lantern room where Pelathata was waiting.

  “Pelathata, keep a lookout for the Amber Lantern. They are coming to this area, to look into the matter of the lost ships and the unusual star sounds. Father Isaac is with them, as well as the music instructor, Daven,” Haltavna’Sytoris said.

  “I will be watchful…that they do not also disappear. This danger is real, Haltavna,” Pelathata said.

  “I have no doubt of that. The unusual solar sound is still present, even stronger than before. I have heard as many as three (3) of the star sounds at the same time,” Haltavna’Sytoris said.

  ~~~

  On the deck of the Dusk Breaker, inside the crystal fortress, Captain Sjaak could hear the sounds of cries of pain from three (3) stars that were different from all the others. The new sounds weren’t quite like those emitted by any of the blue, yellow or red suns. Still, they were the sounds of some kind of stars – that much, he was sure of. Also, the sounds did not appear to be coming from the sky, but they were nearby, and all around him.

  Inside the fortress, but standing on its floor some distance away from the ships, Polyxene had a sudden thought of the deepest terror – what about the ruby spires?

  She formed another aperture in her diamond-covering around her mouth, drank anew of the waters of the Kazofen Ocean from her vial and was energized. She then closed the aperture, glided across the crystal floor quickly and checked the integrity of the five (5) occupied ruby spires, finding them all intact, even at their low-level crystal structure. After this, she checked the three (3) empty ruby spires to determine if they were all still viable. That would not be an immediate problem if they weren’t, but she was pleased to find that their integrity had not been compromised, either. She gave the ruby spires extra special care, because of their horrifically dangerous contents. Although she had modified all of the crystals she used for containment, their fundamental substances still had different innate properties, and ruby was significantly harder than quartz, so that it was more resistant to the concussive blast.