by Jeremy Dwyer
“You believe they merely inherited the yellow-green gems from someone else, and didn’t know where the gems came from. Yet, you are surprised that they knew how to use them to split the Dead Waters and achieve the varied elemental powers,” Erikkos said, still probing Kastor’s thoughts.
“I discerned the situation by patient observation, not by probing their thoughts. Out here, I did not have access to the gems or the mists they create, but I saw evidence that the power existed: on rare occasions, the false royals personally came outside the Citadel and openly demonstrated their plural powers to capture their prey. Unfortunately, I had no telepathic powers with which to gain their technical knowledge of using those very gems,” Kastor said.
“You have explored alone for too long. A companion who drank the Elanatin waters might have found the knowledge you needed by probing their thoughts. Then, you could have used trickery to enter the Citadel and capture the gems. In that way, you could have gained access to the varied powers,” Erikkos said.
“It was better that I did not share the discovery of this Citadel or its contents too soon, unwittingly revealing it to a rival through their telepathy. Now, we shall travel together and find more of these gems and to learn the alchemical process to apply to them so they can split the Dead Waters,” Kastor said.
“I see nothing more to recover here. It’s time to go,” Erikkos said. He placed the fifteen (15) yellow-green gems he recovered into a pocket in his jacket.
Kastor placed his thirteen (13) yellow-green gems into a pocket in his robes.
After this, they left the Citadel and went into the forest of Javanda.
“Wait. One more thing,” Erikkos said when they were outside and standing fifty-five (55) feet away from the Citadel.
Kastor stopped and waited. “I agree,” he said, without Erikkos telling him. He was still able to probe Erikkos’ thoughts to learn what he was planning.
Erikkos drank anew of the waters of the Pirovalen Ocean from his vial and was energized. He sang a modified version of his earlier song, but adjusted the tempo and volume to be much more intense. The Citadel began to crumble further, sealing every breach and becoming a pile of rubble.
“Wise decision, my friend, so that no rival can plunder the Citadel’s ruins and share in our discovery of those gems. Next, let us find transport on a ship,” Kastor said.
“These powers will soon fade. Until they do, we should use them to conceal ourselves in darkness,” Erikkos said. He exercised the powers of darkness – which he also sensed that he now had – and cloaked himself and Kastor in the darkness.
Erikkos and Kastor walked through the Javanda forest, heading toward a sea port to begin their journey of discovery.
~~~
Captain Arata awoke from his telepathic trance and saw that he was still on board the Sandstone Cutter. He looked out the window of the wheelhouse of the ship and realized that he was on dry land, which was not how he remembered things being. He went out on deck and looked around, seeing that there was a constructor pillar nearby, a tremendous amount of shattered violet crystal strewn all over, another ship that was also on dry land and several lacerated bodies lying on the ground at the base of a nearby hill. Arata also saw several dozen children and adolescents standing around between his ship and the other vessel. His boarding ramp was already lowered, so he went down to the ground to meet the youths, hoping that they could explain to him what was going on.
He drank anew of the waters of the Atrejan Ocean from his vial and was energized. He then listened to the sounds of the stars to learn their positions and movements. From this information, he determined that he was on the Admiral Ramalaxis Bridge but did not know how he came to be there: he didn’t remember setting such a course or sailing that distance.
“I don’t know who any of you children are, but I am Captain Arata. Somehow or other, we came here, to the Admiral Ramalaxis Bridge. I have no recollection of the voyage,” Captain Arata said.
“We came here because of them, but now they’re dead. I don’t know where we were before here,” an older boy said. He was no longer under the telepathic control of Noemi, but he did not remember where he was from.
“And they made a building and walls around it. Then we heard a song, and the walls and building were destroyed. I don’t remember where I’m from, either,” an older girl said.
The other children and adolescents talked among themselves and all of them were confused.
~~~
“The children are trying to figure out where they’re from. A man is there – Captain Arata – who brought the constructor on his ship, the Sandstone Cutter. He works for Fantine,” Jolene said. She pointed in the direction where the thoughts were coming from.
“I see can them. I know where they are,” Massimo said.
“Let’s meet them and talk about this. We have to get everybody home,” Captain Pradrock said. He started walking toward where Jolene and Massimo led him.
Romana, Emerond, Taesa and Caroline – still carrying Trent – followed them. Judith walked alongside Romana.
When they walked around the hills, they saw the ships that had landed on dry ground. They also saw the captain and the children.
Judith counted them and found forty-six (46) boys and thirty-five (35) girls, recording this into her book. She also sketched pictures of the ships, the hills, the shattered violet crystal and the constructor pillar.
“I am Captain Arata, of the Sandstone Cutter,” the captain said.
“It seems the constructor was brought here by you, and put to use,” Captain Pradrock said.
“I remember nothing of coming here. But I have to return the constructor to Fantine,” Captain Arata said.
“Agreed. First, these children have to be returned to their families,” Captain Pradrock said.
“My name is Romana. I want to help each and every one of you. What are your names? Where are you from?” Romana asked.
“My name is Terach. I don’t remember where I’m from. All I remember was them bringing us here and promising a better life,” the oldest boy said, pointing at the dead bodies on the ground.
“My name is Devora. I don’t remember where I’m from, or anything about my family. These people were all we had. Now, they’re dead,” the oldest girl said.
“There’s no recollection of their past lives – homes, parents, anything,” Jolene said after probing the minds of the adolescents and children.
“They’re orphans. Because of those priests and their religion, right?” Caroline asked.
“That’s what it seems like. Before you blame the One True God for this, just remember, He’s not the one who told them to build that temple and form those walls to trap us all in. Like Jolene said, it was for a sacrifice ritual to the violet sun gods,” Romana said.
“They were going to do what?” the oldest boy – Terach – asked.
“You were going to be killed in a human sacrifice ritual to their violet sun gods,” Jolene said.
“What are the violet suns? All I ever saw were red, yellow and blue,” Terach asked.
“According to various stories passed around – none proven, all mythological as far as I know – there were three (3) violet suns in the sky, and they all disappeared a great number of years ago,” Captain Pradrock said.
“And they were going to kill us? For that? Why?” the oldest girl – Devora – asked.
“Because it’s a religion, and religions are really about death and hate and deception. They say their god exists and commands them to do certain things, like murder people,” Caroline said.
“Those are the false religions. The One True God – who created each of you – loves you and wants you to have a home and a family,” Romana said.
“Then why don’t they have a home and a family? It looks like your ‘One True God’ didn’t give them a home or a family,” Caroline said.
“Jolene, are you sure there’s no trace of memory where these children are from?” Romana asked.
Jolene drank anew of the Elanatin Ocean from her vial and was energized. She probed the minds of the children thoroughly – beginning with Terach and Devora and the other adolescents and then going to the youngest children – but found nothing. “No. Nothing at all,” Jolene said.
“They are orphans. And they need a home and a family. I have one in mind,” Romana said.
“You want to take them back to the Port of Reliance?” Captain Pradrock asked, reasoning based on Romana’s earlier insistence about Taesa staying there.
“Yes. I can make arrangements for them to stay there,” Romana said.
“Seventeen (17) of them are Atrejan water drinkers: they would make good navigators. Twenty (20) of them drink the Nabavodel waters: they would make good construction workers and deck hands. The rest drink Dead Waters,” Massimo said, knowing all this merely by looking at the symbols carved into the vials the children wore.
“We’ll find the right waterbindings for the children who drink the Dead Waters. The others can be taught to listen to the stars and make charts for navigation, or work in some form of construction,” Romana said.
“You want to use the waterbinding trials, don’t you?” Emerond asked.
“Something along those lines – it’s reasonable and fair, and it will make the most of their innate potential. You have another suggestion?” Romana asked.
“No. I actually agree with you,” Emerond said.
“You mean they shouldn’t get a choice?” Taesa asked.
“They should make the best decision based on their abilities. There’s no sense in wasting their potential,” Emerond said.
“Can’t they find it for themselves? I want to let Trent find his own. I’m not picking it for him, and neither are you,” Taesa said.
“Trent can have the freedom he wants. So can they. The trials shouldn’t even be conducted until age twenty-three (23) – that was the standard for a good reason. Until then, they should learn about the world, read and apply themselves to different work as apprentices. That way, they can discover what their innate potential really is. If they come up with their own answers, so be it, but they might miss out if they choose their waterbinding carelessly. The Jendaldej waterbinding trials weren’t based on some arbitrary dictator’s ideas. They were calculated to make the most of each person’s abilities,” Emerond said.
“I wouldn’t force it on them. I am just recommending it as the best way to find the right path,” Romana said.
“I’m surprised you didn’t say that they should pray about it,” Caroline said.
“Logic is also necessary. Prayer has to be accompanied by reasonable decision making, or it lacks sincerity,” Romana said.
“Logic and reasonable decision making are quite enough. Filling their heads with your religion and prayers will just confuse and mislead them,” Caroline said.
“If you believe in the One True God, there’s no room given to the false ones. The difference is that the false ones will try to destroy children in murderous rituals, like what nearly happened here. The One True God wants them to have a home, and families, and work to serve others in a spirit of love,” Romana said.
“You didn’t want us to come here. You were right. It was dangerous,” Jolene said, looking to Romana.
“But it’s good that we did. These children lived, because we came here at the right moment, if not for the right reasons,” Massimo said.
“Let’s get them home, even if that home is now the Port of Reliance,” Captain Pradrock said.
“I want to go back. I don’t share your faith, or believe that the city is blessed, but it is better than here,” Taesa said.
“You could go anywhere else. Why back there, when you don’t believe the city is blessed?” Romana asked.
“Because you’re a good person, and sometimes you actually make sense. I’d like to talk to you some more, and see how these kids make out,” Taesa said.
“If you’re ready to return to the Port of Reliance, I’ll take you now,” Captain Pradrock said.
“Captain, if you would be so kind, I could use some assistance loading the constructor pillars onto my ship. This ship was expensive, so I borrowed from the central bank to buy it. I don’t earn much for my work, and still have a loan to repay, so I have no regular crew to help. I hire extra help for small jobs as needed, so I will pay you,” Captain Arata said.
“Yes, we can give assistance. All I ask in repayment is that you make it your first order of business to return the constructor to Fantine. In fact, I have enough crew and the right equipment to load the pillars. Be ready on your ship. I will return to mine and we will circle around and load them,” Captain Pradrock said.
Judith recorded all of this conversation into her book as well, and was pleased that Romana had prevailed in convincing everyone to return.
Captain Pradrock then led the way back to the Resolute Traverser. He was followed by the eighty-one (81) children – including Terach and Devora – along with Jolene, Massimo, Romana, Judith, Taesa, Emerond and Caroline, who was still carrying Trent.
Once they boarded the ship, Akylas, Akantha, Torin and Fritz met them.
“Glad to see you’re all still alive. When that wall appeared, I had no idea what was going on,” Akylas said.
“Evil spirits were summoned. I sensed them, but now they’re gone,” Akantha said.
“How did the constructor get here? Where’s Fantine?” Fritz asked.
“It was stolen by a group of religious fanatics who were going to sacrifice all these children to the violet sun gods,” Jolene said.
“The violet suns are just a myth,” Akylas said.
“Some believe in mythology so completely, they’ll do anything, even commit murder,” Caroline said.
“I’d like to know where that myth came from. I have some reading to do,” Taesa said.
“I’d like to know where these kids came from, and how they’re going to end up,” Caroline said.
“These children have no memory of their homes or families. I probed all their minds, thoroughly,” Jolene said.
“We’re going back to the Port of Reliance. They can live there,” Romana said.
“That’s a home. What about family?” Akantha asked.
“They can start with us,” Romana said.
“Someone is going to have to pay for them to stay there. Don’t forget that,” Emerond said.
“Let me work on that,” Romana said.
Judith didn’t know what Romana had in mind but had complete confidence that it would work out for the best, only because of Romana’s faith and good nature.
“First, a little assistance needs to be given. Massimo and Akylas, I want you to lower ropes around the constructor pillars and secure them. Use the pulley arrangements on the sides of the ship to multiply your force for lifting and to position the pillars onto the deck of the Sandstone Cutter so Captain Arata can return them to Fantine,” Captain Pradrock said.
Massimo and Akylas went around the deck of the Resolute Traverser and gathered strong ropes. Massimo drank anew of the waters of the Lujladia Ocean from his vial and was energized. He then scanned the area to identify the precise locations of all six (6) constructor pillars that had been placed on the land.
Captain Pradrock converted the Resolute Traverser to its airship configuration and elevated it to ninety (90) feet above ground level to match the height of the pillars. He steered the ship to where Massimo directed him, to each of six (6) different positions. At each of those positions, Akylas and Massimo threaded the strong ropes over complex pulley arrangements built into the sides of the ship, lowered the ropes down to each of the six (6) pillars and lifted them up slightly. Pradrock then elevated the ship another thirty (30) feet and positioned it over the deck of the Sandstone Cutter. Akylas and Massimo then used the pulley arrangements to lower each of the six (6) constructor pillars into the cargo hold of the Sandstone Cutter. Pradrock then repositioned the Resolute Traverser over the water and returned it to sea l
evel in the Trerada Ocean.
~~~
With the Atrejan waters still flowing through him, Captain Arata charted a course back to the Port of Kemalorin. He converted the Sandstone Cutter to its airship configuration, elevated it to one hundred twenty (120) feet of altitude and steered it out over the Trerada Ocean waters, returning to sea level there. He then sailed northeast until reaching Emeth. From there, he converted the ship to its airship configuration, elevated the ship to one hundred twenty (120) feet of altitude, traveled over the land bridge and returned to sea level in the Medathero Ocean. From there, he sailed northeast until reaching the Port of Kemalorin in southwestern Baradaxa.
Once he arrived, he stepped out onto the deck and saw Fantine, Niven and the Chronicler Ximenez all waiting on the pier below. He lowered the boarding ramp and they came on board the ship.
“I don’t understand, Captain. I’ve been looking for you. Where have you been? I need to do some work on the constructor to prepare it for a new project,” Fantine said.
“I’m glad to bring it back to you. Some very dangerous people got hold of the constructor, and nearly used it for the wrong reasons, to do a lot of damage. Fortunately, there were some decent people at the right place at the right time to stop them,” Captain Arata said.
“I don’t want to know, but I need to know. What happened?” Fantine asked.
“From what I was told – because I don’t remember much, they must have had a telepath set against me – anyway, the ship was taken to the Admiral Ramalaxis Bridge and the priests used the constructor to build a temple with a wall around it. It was going to be a sacrificial ritual for children to give them over to some sort of sun gods, the violet sun gods. Captain Pradrock was there, and his crew did something and prevented this from happening. I’m not sure what they did, but I remember hearing music, and the temple and the wall were destroyed – pieces of it were everywhere. After that, Pradrock’s crew helped me load the constructor pillars back onto the ship and then they took the children. They said they were going to the Port of Reliance,” Captain Arata said.
