by Jeremy Dwyer
Duchess Sarita watched Count Terzo’s eyes, noticing him pause on a particular lightkeeper crystal longer than the others, before putting it back in the book/box and choosing the next.
“Did you find something interesting? It obviously wasn’t what you were looking for, because you picked up another crystal,” Duchess Sarita asked.
“I had a thought. How large is this library? How many more rooms filled with books are there. So much of what I’m finding is almost useful, but not quite, that it’s taking me time to filter through it. Some of the information is just irrelevant. Maybe what I want is in another book, in another room,” Count Terzo asked.
“What did you find? Something has you interested,” Duchess Sarita asked.
“Yes. I learned that my ancestor – Count Pietro-Terzo – controlled much more land than has been handed down to me. Much of it was lost in conflicts with other lords as well as when some of his own soldiers betrayed him. I saw the records of the conflict in these lightkeeper crystals, as well as notes about his declining wealth and land,” Count Terzo said.
“Then why don’t you keep those crystals and bring them with you? Show them to His Majesty, King Hamza Bazavador, and perhaps he can issue an order to restore the rightful boundaries?” Duchess Sarita asked.
“I don’t wish to burden the king with somebody else’s war, or get involved with a war myself. There’s enough bloodshed in Waderav,” Count Terzo said.
“The king owns the land which you occupy, so that is ultimately his decision on how and whether to make war,” Duchess Sarita asked.
“The king owns the land I occupy, but he doesn’t own all the land that Count Pietro-Terzo controlled – much of that land was leased from the central bank for farming and mining. I want the actual land surveys that prove that the other lords – barons, counts and dukes – stole the territory that belonged to the central bank, so they can repossess that land. Let them fight for it, or do whatever they do to reclaim their assets, and rid Waderav of those thieves,” Count Terzo said.
“That’s an interesting strategy…I like the way you’re thinking. It’s not noble in the least, but it’s interesting. You’re pretty smart for a man who drinks the Nabavodel waters. You should have taken Medathero…you’d be a genius at something,” Duchess Sarita said.
“I need to go back to Waderav, and find what’s left of my castle, if anything. I keep my wealth there, that I can use to pay the central bank to initiate an official inquiry into the matter,” Count Terzo said.
“I’d rather keep you here. Still, I understand. Don’t take any chances, though. Let’s go to the king and inform him of your intentions,” Duchess Sarita said.
~~~
Skylla searched high and low in the castle, looking for any sign of its lord, so that she would know his proclivities, and thus how to manipulate him. She concluded that he lived alone, and had very little propensity for combat, given the short supply of weapons. However, according to the many books he kept, the lord of this castle – Count Terzo – had dealings with the central bank. He was clever, having engaged in gem trading, currency exchange and some well-timed commodities trading. She concluded that he either hired a professional commodities trader to analyze the markets or he knew more mathematics than most other noble lords. She was not an expert in math – not even close – but she recognized the need for it. Understanding all the details was beyond her knowledge or skill. She would have to find a way to extract the knowledge out of him. With no sign of a lady of the castle, it might not be too difficult to play to this Count Terzo’s needs.
~~~
King Hamza Bazavador sat in his throne room, holding a lightkeeper crystal in his hand, rotating it slowly, peering into its depths. He saw the images of pages of several different books within its facets, and he carefully read through them, certain that he was close to finding what he sought. Of all the books in his library, he thought that he had finally identified the one with the terrible secret. He was determine to destroy it – whatever it was – so that no one else could ever learn of it. If it could be sure that it no record of the secret existed, he would rest better, and this was the only way.
The door to the throne room opened. Captain Duvall entered and said “Your Majesty, Duchess Sarita and Count Terzo would like to make a request of you.”
“Bring them in, Captain Duvall,” King Hamza Bazavador said.
Captain Duvall went out into the hall and escorted Count Terzo and Duchess Sarita into the throne room.
“We have a request for you, Your Majesty,” Duchess Sarita said.
“What is it, Duchess Sarita?” King Hamza Bazavador asked.
“Count Terzo believes that his proper land inheritance is more than he has received, due to past conflicts between his forefathers and other noble lords. While he cannot prove precisely what land is rightly his without a survey, he believes it is possible for the central bank to assist in disproving other noble lords’ false claims to some territory, and that they can execute a repossession of those lands. However, he will have to pay the central bank for the inquiry into the matter. He needs to return to his castle in Waderav to access his store of wealth with which to pay the fees to the central bank,” Duchess Sarita said.
“Well said, Duchess Sarita. Count Terzo has my permission, provided that he returns immediately thereafter,” King Hamza Bazavador said.
“Thank you, Your Majesty, I will return promptly upon completion. I request only transport to Waderav,” Count Terzo said.
The king then wrote an order onto a page in a book and removed the page, handing it to Count Terzo. “Be on your way, then, Count Terzo. This note authorizes transport for your journey. I expect a full report when you return,” King Hamza Bazavador said.
Captain Duvall escorted Count Terzo and Duchess Sarita out of the throne room, closing the door behind them.
“Do not delay…do exactly what you have said and no more. After your dealings with the bank, you are to return at once with a report,” Duchess Sarita said.
“Yes. I promise,” Count Terzo said.
Duchess Sarita walked through the halls until reaching her room in a different castle tower. Count Terzo left the castle and went to an open area nearby.
In that clearing, Terzo saw the Sky Lion, docked on the dry ground, with its sailwings spread out. Count Terzo stood at the bottom of the boarding ramp and called up to Captain Lusala, who stood on deck.
“Permission to come aboard, Captain,” Count Terzo said.
“Permission granted,” Captain Lusala said.
Count Terzo showed Captain Lusala the written authorization from King Hamza Bazavador.
“I’ll take you there, now,” Captain Lusala said.
The captain then turned to his navigator and said: “Uzoma, chart a course to central western Waderav.”
Uzoma 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 locations and movements. He thereby charted a course to the destination and said: “I have our course, Captain.”
Captain Lusala then entered the wheelhouse with Uzoma. The captain pulled back on various levers until the Sky Lion rose to one hundred twenty (120) feet of altitude. Uzoma then took the wheel of the ship and steered it according to the course he knew, traveling south over the Bazavadoran Isthmus. The captain then manipulated the levers, returning the sails and masts to their upright position and returning the ship to sea level in the Ursegan Ocean. Uzoma then continued steering, sailing the Sky Lion toward the southeast until they reached the central western coast of Waderav, where they dropped anchor and lowered the boarding ramp onto one of the piers.
“I’ll wait until you return. Then, I’ll take you to the central bank on Haza’Kedro’Maral Island, and then back to the Bazavadoran Isthmus,” Captain Lusala said.
“I’ll move as quickly as I can,” Count Terzo said. He walked down the boarding ramp and headed inland, returning to his castle as quickly as he could.
The fire had been put out, which was a good sign. A better sign was that his castle sustained no obvious damage. He walked across the bridge over the swamp toward the entrance, but saw a bad sign: no guard was there to greet him. He drank anew of the waters of the Nabavodel Ocean from his vial and was energized, ready for conflict.
~~~
Skylla wandered the upstairs halls of the castle, looking to gather more information about this Count Terzo. She didn’t know what to expect, but she did find his master bedroom wherein he kept vials etched with the classical symbol of the tiger, meaning that he drank the Nabavodel waters. At least that gave her good reason to expect a satisfying seduction when she met with him.
~~~
Count Terzo quickly discovered the piles of corpses of his former guards. He counted them and wondered where the rest had gone? Were their bodies in other rooms in the castle? Had they deserted – or even betrayed him? This was likely a mistake – coming back here might prove fatal. It was time to leave before he met with whoever now occupied his castle. First, he took a short sword from one of these fallen guards and readied it. A trip to the treasure room was now in order – if it wasn’t already empty, or occupied by his new enemy. He did need that money, although not for the purpose he had told the king. Cautious steps propelled him through the castle halls, and he returned to his treasure room, finding it unlocked. That was not surprising – a thief would plunder that room first. Cautious steps moved him into the treasure room, which was missing little if anything.
~~~
Skylla returned to the first floor of the castle, hoping that the castle’s lord would soon return. She heard footsteps and froze, listening for an indication of the direction in which they were moving, and how many there might be. She drank anew of the waters of the Trerada Ocean from her vial and was energized, ready for the encounter, hoping a blade wasn’t involved.
~~~
Count Terzo left his treasure room and crept through the halls of the castle, listening for movement, which he didn’t hear. He feared that his own presence had been detected, while he didn’t detect the intruder, which put him at a disadvantage.
He turned his head quickly, subtly left and right as he walked, hoping to see around a corner, which was almost ridiculous. If the other person drank the Lujladia waters, they could truly see around corners just by bending the light, without straining their neck.
~~~
Skylla heard the footsteps approaching and she was frightened. When she could hide no more, she stepped out from behind a corner to confront the other person and said: “Please! Let me explain!”
“Who are you?” Count Terzo asked, holding up the sword.
“I’m Skylla. I came here to escape the bandits. The fire spread quickly, but I was able to get on the other side of it. Your guards were already dead when I got here. I’m sorry,” Skylla said.
“The fire is out now,” Count Terzo said.
“I told you my name. Who are you?” Skylla asked.
“I’m the lord of this castle – Count Terzo,” he said.
“Is there a lady of the castle? I didn’t see any sign of her being killed, even though the guards were,” Skylla asked.
“No, there is no lady of the castle. I live alone,” Count Terzo said. He didn’t care for the arranged marriage with Duchess Sarita, nor did he care for the king who arranged it. He cared for the Citadel. He cared for the power it held – if the legend written in that book of lightkeeper crystals was true, it was worth everything.
“Please don’t be upset with me for coming here. I just can’t live in this area anymore. It’s too dangerous, and the men give me no peace. I’m tired. I’m hungry. I have nothing but the clothes I wear,” Skylla said.
“You are a beautiful woman, Skylla. Waderav is a dangerous place to live. The men here have no respect for anything, or anyone. You can stay here to avoid the bandits, but I have little to offer you beyond that,” Count Terzo said.
“You’re an intelligent man, Count Terzo. You didn’t strike at me immediately, despite your strength and speed. I see that you drink the Nabavodel waters. Yet, you are more wise man than warrior,” Skylla said.
“The conflict here is ongoing, across the entire continent. So-called nobles robbing the poor, exploiting and enslaving them for profit. There’s no decency, or peace,” Count Terzo said.
“There should be. It’s hard – almost impossible – to have a family in a land like this,” Skylla said.
“You want a family? Waderav isn’t the place to have one,” Count Terzo said.
“I don’t have the money to travel. Even if I did, I can’t pay for anything when I get there,” Skylla said.
“I can send you where you want to go. Maybe I should send myself somewhere. It’s getting too dangerous, even for me,” Count Terzo said.
“Then come with me. You can show me a safe place to live. I’ll be forever grateful,” Skylla said. She spoke sweetly and gently, acting as if afraid.
“I’ll close the castle gate and lock it. We can spend the night here, and set out at daybreak…if I can estimate that by the star charts I have,” Count Terzo said.
Count Terzo then returned to the castle gate and closed it. He lowered several metal bars, locking each into place.
When he turned around, Skylla was right behind him, and her eyes were inviting. “Are we safe here? Can we spend the night without anyone hurting us?” Skylla asked.
“We’re safe – unless one of us is keeping a dangerous secret, I guess,” Count Terzo said.
Skylla sipped the Trerada waters from her vial and was energized. She became even more beautiful before the eyes of Count Terzo. She sipped again, then again, suggestively.
Count Terzo found himself attracted to Skylla and said: “We should rest for the evening. Let’s get comfortable, and prepare for a journey away from here in the morning.”
“Yes, let’s get comfortable,” Skylla said.
Count Terzo guided her by the hand up the stairs leading to the floor where his master bedroom was. He sat down on the bed and rested, but was still aroused by this woman.
Skylla continued sipping the Trerada waters, becoming progressively more energized, and ever-so-slightly more attractive with each suggestive sip.
“You need to forget everything that troubles you. You need to be completely comfortable,” Skylla said, moving in closer, slowly undressing.
Count Terzo found himself going along with this, as the woman was stunning beyond reason. When Skylla came close enough, she mounted him and drew him inward, relentlessly gripping him. Their passion lasted what seemed like an hour, and she maneuvered him to the best of her abilities so that he could not escape the lovemaking. Powerful, sensual movements by Skylla’s body brought Count Terzo to his climax, and then he relaxed, fully spent.
Skylla kissed Count Terzo and said: “I want you. I want to know everything about you. You’re mine now, and I want you completely. All over me. Tell me everything so I can know the man I love.”
Count Terzo found his will was weakened. He could not resist this woman’s words or her body. “I need to go. I need to find it,” he said, nearly breathless.
“Go where? Find what?” Skylla asked.
“The Citadel of Greater Fortunes. It’s where the Unified Waters are. It’s real. They exist,” Count Terzo said.
“How do you know it’s real? Where is it?” Skylla asked. This was everything. In fact, she might just have to keep this man alive until she found it.
“In the Glivoran Trail, they have tablets. Stone tablets that give the location of the Citadel,” Count Terzo said.
Skylla kissed him some more, placed her hand on his thigh, and then prepared to please him into a higher ecstasy if that’s what it took. Then, she asked: “How do you know?”
“In a book, filled with lightkeeper crystals. It described where to go in the Glivoran Trail. I know how to get there,” Count Terzo said.
“Where is this book?” Skylla asked.
“It’s in the Bazavadoran castle, in the king’s library. I don’t have it, but I remember what I need to know,” Count Terzo said.
“Write down what you know, so that you don’t forget it in the stress of the moment,” Skylla said. She stood up and took a book and pen out of her jacket, which had been thrown to the floor before their passion.
“Write it here. Memories fade with time. This won’t. I’ll go with you, so we can enjoy the journey together. We’ll share what we find. We’ll share each other,” Skylla said. She handed the book and pen to Count Terzo and kissed him sensuously while he wrote down the location of the stone tablets into the book.
“Is that all you saw in Bazavadoran king’s book? Is there anything more you can tell me about those stone tablets?” Skylla asked.
“I remember what they look like, so I’ll know which ones,” Count Terzo said.
“Can you write it down? Everything that’s clear now might become faded in a few days. Even if it’s just a few notes to aid your memory, it could make all the difference,” Skylla said.
Count Terzo wrote down what he could into Skylla’s book – a few different markings that looked like designs rather than letters.
“Ancient runes of some sort. I can’t decode these. You can’t either, can you?” Skylla asked.
“No, but I can match the images,” Count Terzo said.
“Think back to what you saw. Dream about it, just in case any details come back to you. You must have seen a lot in that book. In the morning, we’ll take these notes as far as we can, and see what’s in the Glivoran Trail,” Skylla said.
