by Jeremy Dwyer
“Yes. The Chroniclers of the Oath record the logs. Even if they are incomplete due to something hidden, the fact that Taesa left with them is true. Assuming that their destination was reliably reported by the ship’s captain – and that is a very safe assumption unless events intervene to change their course – she is in considerable danger. There is no sign, however, that she was compelled to go,” Lady Onora said.
“I can only hope my daughter hasn’t gone on a religious mission to convert these people to your particular faith,” Caroline said, accusingly, but not believing it. She said this only to put Lady Onora on the defensive.
“No! She never paid any mind to my discussions of faith. You might be correct – Taesa may actually think she’s going to find some secret knowledge there, or someone hidden,” Lady Onora said.
“Good. I didn’t think she would be that kind of fool to believe. And I doubt she is looking for that demon-worshipping woman. More likely, she is looking for something about a man,” Caroline said.
“A man? She never dated anyone while she studied under me. She didn’t have any interest in romantic relationships,” Lady Onora said.
“No. This is about a man she hates. My close friend, Sebastian. She thinks he’s dishonest, and she wants to prove it to me. She went to that island to find something against him. I haven’t seen her in a year, because we had an argument about him,” Caroline said.
Lady Onora considered this, as she knew who Sebastian was, and his arrogance. Then she said to Caroline: “Sebastian is very wealthy, and generous, no doubt. And he is very sure of himself. He puts immense faith in his money and what it can buy. And who it can buy.”
“He didn’t buy me! I’ve seen how generous he is to the sick. He paid to have those shelters built out of his own money. What help did you or your deity give?” Caroline said.
“I don’t deny good deeds, and they have their place in life. Overconfidence gets many people in trouble, and they think they can say anything, and do anything, because of their power, and the good will they’ve built up,” Lady Onora said.
“You’re finding fault with a man who gave of his wealth to protect others? Isn’t that what your religion is about? Are you a hypocrite or an idiot?” Caroline asked.
“I’m not finding fault in generosity. But a man who believes that he’s everything, and showers everyone with gifts – however helpful – is still a man. He exudes confidence, and that is going to give others a false hope, because he will not escape mortality, but talks as if money can buy it all, even eternal life. Some will fall for his charms, and come to think money really can buy eternal life – and it can’t. False hope is worse than no hope,” Lady Onora said.
“Any hope will do in this world,” Caroline said.
“When people have false hope, it makes them stop looking for hope somewhere else. When they have no hope, they still look until they find something. That’s the opportunity to give them real hope,” Lady Onora said.
“Real hope in your god?” Caroline asked.
“Yes. We all come from somewhere, and someone who loves us. Definitely not a water demon who demands human sacrifice. Their cruelty is legendary, and quite real, by the way,” Lady Onora said.
“Then, I guess that false religion is worse than no religion. When they have false religion, people commit evil acts in the name of that religion. When the have no religion, they just search for answers,” Caroline said, trying to use Lady Onora’s line of thinking against her.
“In that, I actually agree with you, at least partly. I’d much rather that a person would live in wonder and doubt but keep searching for the truth than settle for a demon. Honest seekers will be rewarded, and God will find them,” Lady Onora said.
“I need to find my daughter. Quickly, before she gets involved in this religious war,” Caroline said.
“That is true. It is going to be war. We have to find her, quickly. Ships enter the harbor all the time. We’ll book passage there on the first one we can,” Lady Onora said.
~~~
Lady Onora went to the enormous fountains of Emeth and filled several vials with the waters of the Pirovalen Ocean, which poured from one of them. Then, she returned to the harbor to wait. Over the next couple of days, many ships arrived, and she and Caroline found a captain willing to take them to the Island of Udovedaj-Pren.
~~~
“I am so delighted to meet you ladies. I am Captain Guillermo. Wherever it is you wish to go, I can take you, for the modest price of two (2) platinum coins each,” the captain said. He was a suave man, with black-going-grey hair, and a finely trimmed beard and mustache. He was forty-nine (49) years old, and had an air of mystery and sophistication about him.
Caroline paid for passage for both of them – two (2) platinum coins each – as she had ample funds given to her by Sebastian, who covered all of her expenses. She had no doubt in his goodness, or the power of his money. She thought it fitting that she would pay, and Lady Onora did not – to Caroline, it was another sign of the religious woman’s hypocrisy and lack of real worth.
A Chronicler of the Oath was present who recorded their financial transaction and their departure on the particular ship, along with their intended destination, in the logs of ships, people and cargo that enter and exit the harbor. These were kept in a small open building and available for all to read.
CHAPTER 15: Search for Advantage
Imperial Prince Emerond, at thirty-two (32) years old, was a high ranking official in the Jenaldej Empire in the continent of Revod. Despite his rank, he was expected to contribute practically to the success of the empire, both at home and abroad. At the present time, he was still providing his own expertise and skill while working in the continent of Baradaxa, in the Port of Kemalorin, which was a port town in the southwestern edge of the continent. His own power was that of manipulating crystal and stone – a power given to him by the waters of the Kazofen Ocean that he drank, which multiplied his own innate potential to a very high and useful level. He could mold diamond, ruby and other gems as if they were clay, and this enabled him to help form the crystal walls of the shelters that protected vulnerable people from the many aligned suns. They were often molded into archway formations, using a design and curvature determined by the architect, Fantine. He presently sought her guidance on other geometries for the shelters, so as to properly account for the increased intensity of heat and light. The intensity that was brought by the many aligned suns – also known as the inferno – was at its peak, and shelters needed to be especially well designed, positioned and numerous if they were to be effective to prevent the burning sickness.
Emerond was in the same building – a small, open stone structure supported by stone pillars – as Fantine. It provided shelter and shade over the top, and allowed in sunlight from the sides. This did not constitute a proper defense for long, as the burn was still a risk. This building did not have the composite design with the layer of Trerada Ocean waters within its crystals – it had no crystals at all. However, for shorter periods of time, this was adequate.
Fantine said: “This improvised building won’t protect for long. I’m just using it because it was quick to construct. It’s just a few slabs of stone giving shade.”
Emerond said: “As the many suns travel along their paths, it becomes difficult to provide sufficient, quality coverage along those paths. We have to build the crystal archways and other shelters either very large to cover all areas – which is obviously impractical – or we have to build small structures spaced out over wider intervals. They’re too difficult to move once they are set in place, as there is a risk of breakage.”
Fantine said: “Build as many structures as you need, as quickly as you can. Repurpose your diamond miners – they have the ability to bend crystals, as well, and would be able to follow the design to build more crystal archways. You have ample resources, don’t you?”
Emerond said: “It’s not that simple – or efficient. Eventually, earlier structures become us
eless, as the suns move away from those areas. It would be better if we could move the earlier structures along. The current design is ideal in many ways, but it’s too brittle. We need something that can be moved without a high risk of collapsing and shattering. Otherwise, we’re just wasting resources, by keeping around unused structures in areas that don’t need the sun sheltering. The heat and light are intense – for quite a while, and in some very large areas – but they do get redistributed as the suns move. When the alignment of the many suns gets repositioned, our investment is no longer giving any assistance to those at risk for heat and light exposure.”
Fantine considered this and then said: “We can continue to build more crystal fabrics and fill them with the Trerada waters for the recuperative effects as the light and heat pass through and get filtered. Then, we can support these with airships at low altitudes and relocate them as needed.”
“No. We tried that. Airships at low altitudes are harder to navigate – because of the hills, mountains, trees and buildings that interfere – and so they get out of alignment with each other. When that happens, the airships pull away, and tear the fabric. The ghost fleet is flying at relatively higher altitudes, which enable easier navigation. That’s why they don’t have that tearing problem, but they also don’t have to worry about heat and light exposure to themselves at those high altitudes, being a ghost crew,” Emerond said.
“Perhaps, Captain Pradrock’s wager wasn’t so reckless after all,” Fantine said.
“Bad decisions can still have good outcomes when uncertainty exists. We can’t use his strategies and tactics anymore. Something more reliable is needed,” Emerond said.
Fantine then considered this further and said: “Movable structures can be built – like the siege towers used in ancient warfare – and they can be used to carry the crystal archways. Then, you can travel along the ground following the paths of the suns.”
“That could be feasible, but the uneven ground in some areas makes it more difficult to provide a stable location to settle,” Emerond said.
“Fine adjustments will have to be made for any of my suggestions to work, but they are feasible, even if not easy,” Fantine said.
“Easy means it’s more likely to be done correctly. Easy is important,” Emerond said.
“Focus is important. Focus makes the difficult things possible, and makes the mind more capable of handling them, until difficult things become easy,” Fantine said.
“Not everyone is equally capable. They don’t all have the same innate potential to use the powers of the waters. Your high level of potential is extremely rare,” Emerond said.
“You have a large population in Revod. Look there for your best and improve their training. Purify their Kazofen waters even more,” Fantine said.
“There’s only so much I can change, and I only have authority over a single region, shared with the resource coordinator,” Emerond said.
“You need to be more flexible, even exploring more unusual designs and taking calculated risks. That’s how new possibilities are discovered,” Fantine said.
“Risk-taking costs lives – this is not the time for that,” Emerond said.
“Then you must architect within your limits, as best you can,” Fantine said. She was pleased to work with the Jenaldej Empire to assist them – especially on new designs that saved lives – but she considered them to be far too risk-averse in their repetitive, day-to-day designs to be interesting, most of the time. Independent study and research – and occasional failure – were the finest teachers she had: Fantine made more mistakes with crystals, and thereby grew in knowledge for later attempts, than Emerond ever did.
While they were involved in their conversation, neither of them noticed the approach of a familiar face. The older woman – Lady Ismene, who was now sixty-five (65) years old – came to visit them, and they were easily found, being under what was nothing more than a stone pavilion.
“I must speak with you, Prince Emerond,” Lady Ismene said.
“We are working toward solutions to give more and better protections from the suns. Is this something urgent?” Emerond asked.
“Yes. There are far greater dangers than the burning suns,” Lady Ismene said.
“Let me make some calculations that could give you the precision, efficiency and relative ease of construction you need. I’ll focus, while you talk to your afterlife counselor friend here,” Fantine said, her tone burning with disdain for the spiritual focus of Lady Ismene. Fantine cared for the material world, not that of spirits. Lady Ismene cared primarily about the connection with the spirit world, and guiding those who were about to die towards the good spirits.
Lady Ismene knew Fantine’s distaste for her, and dismissed it as the blind arrogance of a purely materialistic, worldly architect. Emerond and Lady Ismene stepped out from under the stone structure and began walking toward the nearby harbor where his ship, the Lucent, was anchored. They went on board, and Emerond awaited the old woman’s message.
“I am certain you know that there is a great spiritual danger. The ancient empire of evil and demonic sacrifice – the Ahitan Empire – still exists. A woman of their bloodline – by the name of Victoria – lives today, and holds the tiara of power, which will give her command of the oceans when the inferno comes to an end,” Lady Ismene said.
“Yes. I am very aware of this danger. We have many of our people assigned to pursue this Ahitan woman,” Emerond said.
“They will not likely be able to find her in time, or defeat her when she is found. Not your army. Not your navy. Not even your greatest warrior is a match for this woman,” Lady Ismene said.
“You think she is that elusive? That powerful?” Emerond asked.
“Finding her will be immensely difficult, and only possible with the cleverest approach. I am also saying that you will not be able to match her strength, if and when you do find her. Even without the use of the tiara, she has powers far beyond your capability. She can command others to do her will,” Lady Ismene said.
“We have people with the power of mind and emotion – the Elanatin water drinkers – who also have that power,” Emerond said.
“That’s not where her power comes from. I have heard rumors of things, of powers not from the oceans, that may be giving her a capability you cannot hope to rival,” Lady Ismene said.
“What rumors? How credible is their source?” Emerond asked.
“Travelers in Emeth are speaking. I have come from there, recently, having studied the matter. The Ahitan woman has struck down entire fleets of ships. Only a short while ago, a group of ships was seen sailing into the Dead Waters Ocean in pursuit of her, and they were never seen again,” Lady Ismene said.
“What ships were these? Are there travel logs that support what you are saying? If it is true, that is possibly of concern,” Emerond said. He had not been in the home continent recently so as to hear of the news of his own empire’s ships, under General Cassandra, having been dispatched to that very area, so he did not know that those same ships had been lost.
“What you say is of interest to me. But I will need more details to be sure, and to decide on appropriate actions to take. All I am hearing from you now is that this woman has an exceptional ability to command others, and that some ships were lost. All of this is distressing, for sure, but I cannot simply change my current course of action without more from you,” Emerond said.
“I believe that there is a way to gain a powerful advantage over Victoria. If we act quickly, you can have that advantage,” Lady Ismene said.
“This is interesting. Please be specific,” Emerond said.
“In the castle of Duke Hagan, which we have both visited, there is, if you will remember, a certain sword – the Spirit Sword, as many call it. It is a weapon of legend: one which has the power to find a soul, and to cleanse spiritual evil,” Lady Ismene said.
“We were unable to take the sword. It was protected by some other power,” Emerond said.
“Yes, it was protected. Only the most virtuous person can wield it. Surely, you know such a person, do you not? In all of the Jenaldej Empire, is there not a person of high virtue?” Lady Ismene asked.
“Of course. I know many. The highest virtue is demanded of all of our citizens,” Emerond said.
“I mean exceptional purity, not merely disciplined training. The person will need to have purity to the point of willingness to commit self-sacrifice for the good of others,” Lady Ismene said.
That, indeed, was a rare trait, Emerond thought. However, the name of one person came to mind. “General Joshua is such a man. I trust him completely. If he does take the Spirit Sword, of what use will it be against this woman?” Emerond asked.
“I can help us to find her evil soul. Even more, Victoria is a minion of a demon. If she were to be struck by the Spirit Sword, I believe that the spiritual cleansing it would bring may cause the demon to be pushed aside, separating them, and thus weakening her powers,” Lady Ismene said. She was not entirely sure of that last part, but accounts of the legend varied.
Emerond considered this. He felt that any advantage he could gain against the Ahitan woman would be of use, and now was better than later.
“Very well. We will venture back to that castle. First, however, I must meet with General Joshua. We will return to Revod at once,” Emerond said.
~~~
Romana and Judith had made their way to the Port of Kemalorin, and then to the harbor, where Romana saw a familiar ship. Romana recognized its markings as being of the Jenaldej Empire, of which she was a citizen and a scholar, so she proceeded to approach the vessel and Judith followed.
“Captain of the ship, I request to speak with you,” Romana called out, from the pier at which the ship was anchored.
