Everything was a test…
Master Tree clasped his hands. “We also forbid you to conduct these Cosmic energy experiments on your own, High Adept. You will only do so with one or more of the High Masters present to study you.”
We can still do that, Naero. It won’t really make much of a difference if they observe us startapping or not at this point.
Fine. But I still want to keep the replication stuff secret for now. We need some kind of an ace up our sleeve, Om.
I agree. They don’t need to know, for now. And replicating doesn’t cause Cosmic energy spikes that they can track. We can pursue it whenever and wherever we like.
“Get going, Maeris,” Master Vane ordered. “You’re already late for your sparring session with the Order Adepts.”
20
That afternoon, Naero anxiously awaited her scheduled meeting with Emperor Vauk of the Vaedo. What was she going to say to him now?
She brought another six adepts with her: Jaedar and Huan from Order, Zelana and Vaeshen from Change, and Mathron and Wing from Chaos.
She wasn’t quite sure now who was observing who. She guessed that the other adepts were reporting back to the High Masters directly, concerning her actions. Let them do so.
Emperor Vauk just happened to be late that day. Naero felt certain it was an oversight on his part.
According to the reports from their Spy fixers, a large force of Vaedo warriors had been repulsed in the mountains, and in the coastal forests, heading toward the Kall shipyards. Another similar force had made a push up into the Maedo highlands, to little avail.
Yet the golden dragon demonstrated that it could respond swiftly to setbacks. He kept his foes on the defensive, when he could not pit or play them against each other. And he had the resources to do so.
Naero guessed the new treaty and the alliance between the Kall and the Maedo came as a very rude awakening to the emperor.
His golden pleasure barge, protected by a screening fleet of Vaedo ships and military barges, finally pulled up to the docks.
As always, the Thanes were prepared for treachery or war at a moment’s notice. Yet they did not balk at an opportunity to trade, either. Vaedor controlled many wealthy lands and resources.
The emperor did not meet the holy ones on deck this day, but summoned them to his presence down below.
Naero and her friends were escorted carefully into the lower levels of the vessel.
Many Vaedo guards and warriors lined the way.
That fact was made very clear to them all. But if it was meant to be intimidating or threatening, it did not work.
When they entered the floating palace, the opulence and debauchery were somewhat impressive, and nauseating, but Naero had witnessed much worse displays.
The Celestial One himself was busy emerging naked from what looking to be a shallow, simmering, bubbling orgy pool, filled with concubines and pleasure slaves of various kinds, genders, and ages.
Naero was not surprised in the least–she even expected such a display of depravity. It did not shock her, as he intended. Emperor Vauk was just the kind of twisted freak that wanted to rub his dirty business in everyone’s face and gloat on it.
Guards stood at hand, very close by, at the very edges of the pool, with gilded spears at the ready.
Three corpses floated in the pool, one strangled–apparently from the throat bruises, one stabbed and hacked up, and another with a throat simply cut wide open.
Since Vauk was the only one with a dagger at his side, it was very clear who the killer was, and that his sex surrogates apparently had to endure both mutilation and murder as well, as part of the emperor’s sick pleasures.
Naero had never wanted to eliminate a tyrant so badly. The wretch cried out for it. Thanor-4 would be a much better place. Everyone would be better off without this disease of a creature in charge of one of the most powerful city states and armies.
And yet she could not harm him and had given her word not to. Just how was she supposed to work around such a lunatic?
The bloody, orgy bubble bath pool actually withdrew from the chamber into an adjoining area, most likely for cleaning and removal of the corpses.
Emperor Vauk’s thick, pasty body remained unimpressive, and thankfully was quickly dried off, perfumed, and wrapped in golden robes.
The lengthy, golden codpiece was obviously a joke.
His slaves labored to lift his bulk up onto the pinnacle of a high, golden throne, shaped like a pouncing, golden dragon. The motif was everywhere, of course.
He suddenly fixed his gaze upon Naero and began…to lecture her.
“Let us speak plainly, Mediator.” He spoke her position with dripping sarcasm, as if it were some kind of insult.
Platters of expensive looking food and drink suddenly surrounded the adepts, and smiling, fawning half-naked slaves and servants invited them to partake.
Naero, the stealth fixers are telling everyone not to eat or drink anything. Everything you see before you is poisoned in some lethal way.
We guessed that going in, Om. We aren’t here to eat or get drunk–or killed. We’ll stun all these jerks or transport out if we have to. Then let the emperor suck on that.
“There are no gods,” Vauk said plainly. “We all know it. You know that as well as I. And, I don’t know how you freed Prince Tavul or learned the things you learned in order to irritate me. I don’t care. It all ends now. You may be sorcerers, you may even be demons, but I am the closest thing to a god this world shall ever see, and anyone who opposes me ends up face down in their own guts and blood. I assure you of that. I will drown you all in your own piss, shit, and blood.”
Naero was not dissuaded by his rant. She spoke evenly, when she had the chance.
“Everyone wants something, Emperor Vauk. I have asked all of the other rulers what they desire–what they would like to see happen for them and their people. Now I am asking you. What do you want, and what do you want to happen?”
Vauk giggled slightly to himself. “What do I desire? Why, ‘tis simplicity itself. What else would a god yearn for? I want it all–all that there is. I want everything that exists and that will ever exist. All must bow before me and feel the weight of my feet upon their necks. Need you even ask?”
“Forgive me, lord. But you just said that there are no gods. By that reasoning alone…you are not a god.”
Vauk waved a hand. “Of course I’m not. All illusion and fakery. That is why I killed off all of my holy ones or forced them to worship me instead. Religion is a but tool–a useful lie to rule over fools. Were you not listening to my golden words? I said I was the closest thing to a god this world shall ever see.”
“Yet, you are mortal, milord. You will not live forever. What shall come after you?”
Vauk shrugged. “I don’t really care. Let the world be consumed in flames after I am gone. It does not matter. It won’t matter to me after I die. After death there is nothing any way. But while I am here, I intend to rule–to reign over all and force them to do my will or perish.”
“What about your people, the Vaedo? What shall happen to them?”
“Don’t care. Couldn’t care less. What do slaves matter? They will die or become slaves to someone else.”
“Why could they not be free as well?”
“Oh, please. What do slaves need with freedom?”
“The other city states will not bend to your will so easily. They too are proud, and they shall oppose you.”
“I hope so. I hope they do. I’m counting on it. Then the game will be a challenge at least.”
“That’s all this is to you, milord…a bloody game?”
“Yes, and intend to win it. None are my equal, including you, little girl. You think I fear you and your so-called holy ones, that you use to spy on everyone and make them fear that you know something important? That is why I do not allow them in my lands. Your kind and your lies have no power over me.”
Naero sighed, took a step forward, and
clasped her hands calmly before herself.
“Emperor Vauk of the Vaedo, things are not always as they seem. They do not have to be like this, unless you make them so.”
“That’s just it, child. I am making them so. Deliberately. Because I want to.”
“Yet it does not have to be this way, milord. With almost no effort, you could live in peace with your neighbors–trade with them, help one another. You could work together in friendship and cooperation, for the good of all. You could turn this troubled world into a paradise, not just for yourself, but everyone.”
Vauk laughed openly. “And what would all that accomplish? How utterly tedious. The good of all? Phaugh! I took you for a charlatan and a scoundrel, Mediator. Yet I never thought you mad. Speak not to me of such things. I want war–a war of conquest and cataclysm–the likes of which no one has ever seen before.”
“This is your will then, milord?”
“Indeed. You know, there were once other city states as well. Loxos fell to my grandfather. The fools thought that the knowledge contained within their scrolls and books would somehow serve them better than strong armies. They made a treaty with Vaedor and Pelenarra. They thought themselves so wise and smart, until the grand army of the Vaedo swept into their city, bent them all over, and buggered them–from the oldest to the youngest–with flesh and bloody iron. We burned all of their books and scrolls in the streets and hurled them into the flames. A scant few remain, as my concubines and whores for my pleasure.”
He waved a hand absently, dismissing the brutal slaughter and destruction of an entire people.
“Then my father dealt with Pelenarra and the Shukai in similar fashion. I was young and got to help a bit with the Shukai, but sadly, too many of the latter escaped on their ships, and eventually became the Kall. Break the fools, pit them against each other, and then ravage them all. Their children will always be forfeit to our whims, and shall perish by fire and sword.
“But before we butcher them, I always make a point of having my armies rape everyone–strip them of all pretense and humanity–before we rip open their throats and bellies, and crush their heads. That is the way to truly destroy an adversary. Kill all of their children, and you kill them, and all that they could ever be. There is no coming back from that. That is devastation; that is power!”
“So…you are bent upon on such a war?”
“I am. I have never been otherwise. Within the year most likely. Definitely by next spring. I will march across the lands and crush all who defy me. And none can stop it–let alone–the non-existent gods. The other lands cannot stop me, nor can you. Go your way, therefore, and bide what time you have left…Mediator. Play your parlor tricks. Do as you will, for my plans are nearly ready, and all the known world shall scream, and shriek, and burn as I watch and smile.”
“There is nothing, milord, that I can do or say to persuade you otherwise?”
“You cannot stop me. No one can. In fact, the more you sue for peace, the weaker and more desperate I assume you and the others to be. My victory, is therefore assured.”
“My friends and I must depart, milord. It appears, that by your own words, my mission to you is at an end.”
Weapons suddenly bristled and barred their path in all directions.
“No,” Vauk cried out in triumph. “Let them go. Let them run. Where can they hide? Use your time well…Mediator. The few scant days, weeks, or months left to you. When all is done, according to my will, and my armies have burned, and hacked, and raped their way across the three city states. You shall be found and dragged to me for my personal pleasure and amusement. You…who thought to oppose me and my will.”
“I shall inform the other rulers of your intent. They will stop you.”
“You do just that. It is far too late for that. Tell them to fight as hard as they can. Even if all three band together now, they do not have enough numbers, or power to stop me. In the end, you shall see, I shall drag them all down, and torment, ravage, and butcher their children before there eyes–burn them alive and screaming–and slaughter them all…slowly.”
Naero did not bow as she and the others turned their backs and left.
“Farewell, Emperor Vauk. You were right. You are not a god.”
Vauk’s echoing laughter followed after her.
“You will be sent for…Mediator. I will take my time slowly with you when you come to me!”
They emerged from the depth’s of the emperor’s hellish barge, and the Vaedo pulled away.
Naero already knew that she had failed. The High Masters had said that the task was impossible from the very start. How could anyone mediate peace with such a monster at loose upon the known world?
Apparently, Naero had her answer. The other leaders most likely expected as much as well. All seemed poised for war.
She went immediately to see the Changs and arrange an emergency meeting with King Arrok and Queen Liita of the Thanes.
Fu-han and Lijuan led her and the others into the queen’s parlor, where the royal family was playing table and parlor games with some of the other nobles and their families.
The pretty queen proudly introduced her children: Crown Prince Shondar–taller than Naero herself. The red haired lad was fourteen, strong and hale, playing a game of some kind of chess against his noble father, and winning, much to the monarch’s mixture of pride and chagrin.
The youth beamed when Naero was introduced. “Mediator, Naero. Well met,” he said, taking her hand in his. “My parents have told me so much about you, and I have heard so much more. I hope we get a chance to talk. I have so many questions.”
“After our game is done,” his father growled.
The boy grinned. “That shouldn’t take too long.”
Both of them laughed at that, but the king still looked worried.
“Iiden, my daughter,” the queen called. “Come and meet the mediator I told you so much about.”
The princess had been reading a tale of high adventure to a wide circle of young friends, from an open scroll in her white hands. Her radiant gray eyes flashing as she acted out the parts and did the voices.
When her mother called out to her, Princess Iiden stopped what she was doing, put down the scroll, and hiked up her sky-blue dress to run over to Naero and her mother.
With her long golden hair and slender form at the age of twelve, the princess looked like every young princess should–bright and beautiful. She was overly excited and blushed and could barely speak at first.
But that changed very quickly.
“Wonders, mother. Is this her? Is this the mediator of the gods who saved us all from the assassins?”
“Yes, it is she, my child. Sister Naero of the holy ones, meet my radiant daughter, Iiden.”
“Indeed,” Naero said. “She is a star, sent down from the heavens themselves.”
Iiden showed no pretense and hugged Naero instantly. “You’re so tiny,” she said with a laugh. Yes, even the twelve-year-old was taller than Naero. Dang these people.
Iiden kept rambling. “I want to know so much. I want to know all about the gods. Have you seen them? What do they all look like? Describe them to me in complete detail. What do they wear? Where do they live? Have you seen it–the realm of wonder and legends? What’s it like? Do they have unicorns from the fabled land of Nashara there? Is Nashara real? What do the unicorns eat? Do unicorns poop in the heavenly lands? Do the angels have to clean it up? I would dearly love to meet an angel–or a unicorn for that matter. Have you ever met one of either, Naero? Please, please tell me.”
Naero’s mouth fell open.
Queen Liita laughed. “Don’t worry. My daughter can have that affect on many. Leave off, my daughter. Give the mediator time to speak with your father and I.”
“Yes,” her brother called out from his chess game. “Don’t exhaust the mediator with all of your silly questions. Unicorn manure, indeed!”
Iiden stuck her tongue out at her sneering brother. “And that for you, brother
. My questions aren’t silly.”
Naero shook her head. “I’m sorry, princess. I am still in this life. I have not had any visions of the Beyond, nor have I been called there. The gods make their will known to the holy ones in our minds and hearts. We do what they wish of us, go where they send us.”
Iiden frowned somewhat. “That is no help at all.”
“Go, child,” her mother said. “Return to your friends and be merry.”
Iiden went back to her crowd, and was soon laughing and rambling again with her friends. She was indeed a child of light.
Once the king admitted defeat, he and the queen drew off into a council chamber nearby too talk with Naero and all the adepts present.
“I’m afraid,” Naero said. “That the news in the end is not good. I have failed. I’m afraid there will not be peace. In fact, I fear that there will be war instead. A terrible war to decide the fate of your world.”
Naero explained all that she could tell them. They had learned about the treaty and alliance between the Maedo and the Kall. Word apparently traveled fast.
Then she told them about everything that Emperor Vauk had said.
The king and queen stared at the stones on the floor with grim faces.
“Within the year, next spring at best, the emperor intends to unleash total war upon all of you. If he wins, it will go hard upon everyone, from the least to the greatest.”
The king let out a deep, heavy sigh. “Just as we feared, all along.”
The queen clenched her fists. “They will ravage and burn everything in their path. Even if we defeat them in the bitter end, and take Vauk’s head, the world as we know it will be destroyed in the process.”
“I’m sorry,” Naero said.
The king put one of his big hands on her shoulder. “None of this is of your making, holy sister. We knew it was coming.”
Queen Liita joined in. “The emperor has been preparing for this day for years–and his sires before him. The Vaedo lust for conquest has been evident for generations. And their spies and assassins seem to be everywhere.”
Spacer Clans Adventure 3: Naero's Fury Page 18
