by Jeremy Dwyer
“You seem very confident, yet you are no architect. I see by your vial that you drink the song waters, so that your voice is pleasant and your words bewitching. Yet, what do you know of construction?” Governor Lux said, looking at the classical symbols for music engraved on the vial that Lady Onora wore on a chain around her neck.
“I trust everything Fantine builds. I’m sure the city will be fine,” Captain Arata said.
“I trust God. That is why I know the city will be fine,” Lady Onora said.
“I admit that I do take risks, and sometimes I even make errors. That’s the price of being bold, but I believe that it’s the only way to learn. It’s best if you don’t place absolute trust in me,” Fantine said to Governor Lux.
Fantine then turned to Lady Onora and said: “But there’s no need to bring your mythology into the conversation. I’m here. I’m real. You can see with your eyes who I am and my work. If the port city stands firm – and I believe it will – then thank me. If it fails, blame me, and we’ll all learn from the failure, so that different design decisions can be made next time. That’s the nature of architecture – do the work, and learn from the outcome,” Fantine said.
“God is not mythology. The myth is that your abilities are your own – you depend on the Kazofen Ocean waters, do you not? Where do those ocean waters come from? God created them,” Lady Onora said.
“If my architectural work is true, it stands, proving that it’s true. If it’s false, it breaks down, proving that it’s false. It’s testable. Sure, I depend on the waters. I depend on the many suns. I depend on the crystals. Who created them? You say that God created them. You explain everything with myths and fables. But you can’t prove any of it. Your myths aren’t testable. They’re whatever you want to make up,” Fantine said.
“In your pride you don’t credit anyone but yourself for the things you build. You know you didn’t create the ocean waters, or the many suns, or the crystals. Yet, you say with conviction that they weren’t created by God, because you call God a myth. You can’t explain where the ocean waters are from. You can’t explain the source of the many suns or the crystals,” Lady Onora said.
“Is this why you brought me here? To preach your religion? I thought that this was business – to construct something worthwhile, where people could live and work. Was this all some trick to get me to build a church where you could deliver a sermon?” Fantine asked. She was furious and her tone made it clear.
“The city is sound, isn’t it? Isn’t that all that matters? We see that it’s here all around us, and people can work and live here. What more do we need?” Niven asked.
“What you see isn’t always what is true. Remember the false king – King Xander – who used songs, illusions and even summoned spirits to control the masses across four (4) continents. He was a king of lies, enslaving people on his quest for power,” Lady Onora said.
“There are plenty of liars, I know. I worked for one of them. I think you’re just another one of the liars, trying to spread your mythology that will have people looking for answers where they don’t exist, instead of using reason,” Fantine said.
“One of my students was a young woman named Sethunya. She lived in Meridianus and I gave her the Gradaken waters, so that she could work as a farmer. I trained her in the proper methods for planting seeds, and the waters did the rest,” Romana said.
“What does that have to do with anything?” Fantine asked.
“I taught Sethunya to have great faith in God, and she worked hard as a farmer in this land, even when the economy rewarded those who worked as miners. She wanted to grow food for those who were hungry rather than mining for diamonds to make herself rich. Her faith was in God and God’s Law is to love others, which is what she did in her words and her actions,” Romana said.
“You taught her farming and mythology. We need farmers, of course. What we don’t need are mindless believers in myths,” Fantine said.
“When King Xander came, he demanded absolute obedience, even worship, from the population in each continent. He murdered those who didn’t submit. Sethunya did not submit. She spoke the truth, and refused to acknowledge King Xander as a deity, or to give him worship. She reserved her worship for God, who is true, and not the king, who was false,” Romana said.
“And he took her life, killing her brutally. Ximenez was the Chronicler who witnessed and recorded it,” Lady Onora said.
“You’re telling me that she stood up to defend your mythology and lost her life for it? Her death is on you, then, as much as it is on that king,” Fantine said. Her voice was filled with venom.
“We’ve got work to do. We have to go somewhere else. This argument is getting crazy,” Niven said.
“Let them argue. They prove themselves fools, and these Chroniclers will record their every foolish word,” Governor Lux said.
“I believe in a higher power, but I don’t think I’d be willing to die for it if I were pushed,” Captain Arata said.
“We all die, Captain. What then?” Lady Onora asked.
“I don’t know. I’m in no hurry to find out,” Captain Arata said.
“Make peace with God, who created you, and who loves you. Admit your sins, and repent of them,” Lady Onora said.
“Enough of this! We all have flaws. And most of us die, except for these Chroniclers. That doesn’t mean I am going to believe in your childish stories, or throw away my life to defend one set of myths against some king trying to create his own version of mythology,” Fantine said.
“God loves you, too. You just need to admit that He exists, and that you need Him,” Lady Onora said.
“Prove any of it, and I will. I’ve seen nothing that makes me believe your fables. It’s just hopes and wishes,” Fantine said.
“Don’t you wish for eternal life?” Lady Onora asked.
“Wishing is useless. Choose the right ocean water and you can live a long time. I chose something else, so my short life could amount to something worthwhile, instead of living for thousands of years watching other people live theirs,” Fantine said.
Judith felt immediately insulted by this, but bit her tongue. She also realized that anger was not going to instill faith in Fantine.
Ximenez wanted to speak up, explaining the necessity of the Chroniclers, but realized that it was best just to record the conversation and let Lady Onora and Romana handle it.
“No ocean water, however great, gives eternal life. Faith in God, and living a life of action rooted in that faith, is how we ask God to give us that eternal life. We sin against His Laws, and we owe Him a debt – a debt we cannot pay. So much so, that God sent His Son to pay it for us, by living a flawless life and dying under the punishment that was due to us instead,” Lady Onora said.
“That makes no sense at all. Even for mythology that’s complete nonsense,” Fantine said.
“Because you don’t want to try to understand. Your thoughts are so full of material things that you don’t want to look beyond, and seek spiritual meaning,” Lady Onora said.
“If a simple farm girl could understand, so can you,” Romana said.
“Your simple farm girl was fooled and murdered, thanks to you,” Fantine said.
“In time, if you actually try to understand, perhaps you will,” Romana said.
“This city belongs to the bank, as we paid for its design, and provided for the labor,” Governor Lux said.
“Insofar as that is concerned, the Jenaldej Empire would like to extend an offer to purchase a percentage of the city’s revenues and cover a percentage of its costs,” Romana said, handing over the conditional contract she carried.
Governor Lux inspected the conditional contract and said: “The terms are reasonable. Yet, it makes no allowance for liabilities, should the city’s structure prove unsound.”
“The city is sound, Governor,” Romana said.
“You are no architect, either. Even Fantine, the greatest architect I have ever known, cannot make that guarantee,”
Governor Lux said.
“They’re coming. The people have begun to notice the city, and to enter it. Ships are arriving. I can hear them,” Lady Onora said.
Minutes later, crowds of people – hundreds – began to approach, having entered the city by its northern, southern, eastern and western gates.
Lady Onora drank anew of the waters of the Pirovalen Ocean from her vial and was energized. She stood in the center of the crowd, and began to sing:
Not long ago, this fertile land, was ruled with greed and pride.
Subjugated by the tyrant who dazzled and deceived.
With your endless toil, the king was still unsatisfied.
He promised tranquility and riches that you never received.
No monument to that false king stands.
Mere illusions were his cornerstone.
His heart was barren like desert sands,
Pretentious songs upheld his throne.
(Refrain)
You saw the truth so crystal clearly.
You spoke the truth and paid for it dearly.
Diligent and faithful, you lived each day to work the land.
By the water's power, the rich harvest was your rightful gain.
Your praise, reserved for God, the vain king could not command.
Believing his own divinity, he poured on you his great disdain.
You learned the laws of the Creator, whose ocean waters energize.
They multiplied your efforts, when you chose the proper share.
The harvest waters flowed through you, bearing fruit before your eyes.
Yet this king sought every water's power, of the limits he had no care.
(Refrain)
By the power over gemstones, bending light along every path,
This city is constructed as a tribute to your strong belief.
By your faith in the One True God, you faced the tyrant's wrath.
Reminding us of virtue's cost: great suffering before relief.
I pray this city be protected, as a sanctuary from the lies,
A place in which knowledge of great sacrifice endures.
An even greater offering saved all souls under all skies.
His divine death and return is how salvation he assures.
(Refrain)
“Why the song? Is she just trying to confuse all these people with more of her philosophy and mythology?” Fantine asked.
“No. She’s protecting the city, and the people within it, from lies, and from the sin of pride. Pride brings the greatest fall, when people think themselves to be higher than they truly are. Pride is the throne of false kings, and the foundation of crumbling cities,” Romana said.
“These petty religious squabbles are meaningless. If this city endures, it will bring a profit. If it fails, we will have to make adjustments to our design and pricing. This song and sermon are of no interest to anyone of intelligence,” Governor Lux said.
“Whatever your confidence in the city, will you accept a ten percent (10) share, Governor?” Romana asked.
“Very well, ten (10) percent of both liabilities and costs, for ten (10) percent of revenues,” Governor Lux said, and he signed that line on the conditional contract, with a special condition of his own, stipulating that the Jenaldej Empire accept liabilities for structural failure of the city and all incidental and consequential damages resulting therefrom. He then handed this contract to the courier, Farley, who transcribed it into his own book. After this, he handed the signed contract back to Romana, saying: “It is valid with – and only with – that liability stipulation.”
Judith and Ximenez recorded all of this into their books, copying the contract terms and Governor Lux’s stipulation, as well as the conversation and the lyrics and rough melody of the Crystal Clearly song.
Ximenez was personally moved by the song, remembering the horrid action against that innocent and faithful young woman.
~~~
Under the cover of darkness, Kassia and Daley watched and listened. Kassia was stirred by the song of faith, and it reinforced her own. She was more disappointed in Fantine than before, seeing that the woman was empty of anything but pride in herself.
~~~
In the spirit world, a greater power arrived, unseen by all, having been invoked by the song of faith. The greater power – a Guardian Angel – watched over the city, because it was founded upon faith in God.
CHAPTER 27: Need for Sacrifice and Worship
“I will take this contract back to Revod to secure the approval from the Jenaldej resource coordinator,” Romana said.
“I’m coming with you,” Judith said.
Romana looked at her quizzically and asked: “You don’t want to stay and explore the city, observing its activity?”
“I will be remaining in this city to chronicle its activity,” Ximenez said.
“Ximenez is a more experienced Chronicler than I am, and the Oath would have him remain while I leave. After the contract is taken to Revod and I record their decision, I will be going back to Emeth, to submit my book,” Judith said.
“Before this contract can be finalized, there is still another matter. For the agreement of records – those of the Jenaldej Empire and those of the central bank – this city must be given a name. As this musician was the chief proponent of this city’s construction, perhaps she would be so kind as to propose a fitting name,” Governor Lux said.
“Because we relied on God to provide, and He did, the city should be named the Port of Reliance,” Lady Onora said.
“Very well, ‘Port of Reliance’ it is. Let us record it as such,” Governor Lux said, holding out his hands.
Romana handed the conditional contract back to Governor Lux who recorded the city’s name onto it. The courier, Farley, recorded the same name in his book along with the transcribed contract. Governor Lux then handed the conditional contract back to Romana, now having the name ‘Port of Reliance’ written onto it.
“I will take this conditional contract now, and return here to bring you their official, signed response,” Romana said.
“No, I cannot wait here. I have business to conduct. Bring their official, signed response to the central bank, on Haza’Kedro’Maral Island. I will be in the Trading Center One building,” Governor Lux said.
“There is another matter, Governor. Regardless of the investment decision of the Jenaldej Empire, there is the matter of my own payment, now that the city is both planned and constructed. I was paid only for the planning so far,” Fantine said.
“My dear architect, the city is a marvel – it is innovative in many ways. Yet, it must be proven to be sound, and the liability contingency must be covered by our risk analysts, before I can approve full payment. For that to happen, I will need copies of the completed lightkeeper crystals with images of the city to be submitted. I suggest you stay here and prepare them. Bring the lightkeepers to the central bank when they are complete. I must be going now,” Governor Lux said.
~~~
Governor Lux led the courier, Farley, out of the city, and they were surrounded by his ten (10) assigned guards. After they returned to the pier and boarded the Diversifier, Governor Lux said to Captain Koloman: “Captain, this port city is now officially known as the Port of Reliance, in which the central bank holds a majority stake – possibly full ownership – and with which we will be doing frequent business. Return to the central bank at once, so that we may submit our official records.”
Captain Koloman drank anew of the waters of the Atrejan Ocean from his vial and was energized. He listened to the sounds of the stars to learn their paths and positions. From this information, he charted a course back from the Port of Reliance in eastern Meridianus heading eastward across the Pirovalen Ocean toward Haza’Kedro’Maral Island. He directed his crew to raise the anchor and then he steered the Diversifier along that course to their destination.
Upon arrival, Governor Lux and the courier, Farley, returned to the Trading Center One building, wherein Duchess Uliana
was waiting alongside the Torches of Majesty.
“Governor, see me in my office at once,” Duchess Uliana said.
Governor Lux and Farley followed Duchess Uliana and the Torches of Majesty into her office and she closed and locked the door.
“Well, Governor? Was the city’s construction a success?” Duchess Uliana asked.
“It was a conditional success, Duchess. The city was constructed using a more unusual design – the triple level pier system, which, when it was mentioned previously, gave us cause for concern. We paid Fantine for a more traditional design, but she chose to deviate,” Governor Lux said.
“I told you that she cannot be trusted, Governor. She is an architect, first, and businesswoman second, if at all,” Duchess Uliana said.
“I know this, Duchess. However, there are potential positives to this. We have a fully constructed port city – the Port of Reliance, as it has been named – for which we only paid for design work. The full construction payment is pending successful tests and durability of the city. Ours is a position of financial strength, and we can choose to pay installments, on our terms. Another matter is that the Jenaldej Empire may be assuming a ten (10) percent stake in both costs, liabilities and profits in the port city. I added stipulations to their conditional contract to ensure that they cover that same percentage of liabilities, if the city’s construction should prove faulty due to the unusual design features,” Governor Lux said.
“Very well, Governor. I would like to the see city. Are there lightkeeper crystals with an image of it?” Duchess Uliana asked.
“Fantine is working on completing them and then bringing a copy to us. That is a prerequisite to her receiving any further payment,” Governor Lux said.
“Excellent, Governor. We should be in no hurry to finance more of her work. Soon, we will not need her. I trust that you learned what was necessary from this latest construction project in order to finish our replica constructor and build more projects while needing her less and less,” Duchess Uliana said.
