by Jeremy Dwyer
“Our financial security officers are expert in just these powers. We will bring some of them with us, to enable us to see clearly,” Governor Sullivan said.
Governor Parry took this as a cue and summoned a pair of security officers – a slender man in his early thirties and a woman in her late thirties with a warm and glowing way about her. When those officers came closer, Parry said to Duchess Uliana and Governor Sullivan: “Varro will provide the cover of darkness, against any false light. Leith will be our shield against the influence of telepathic powers as well as being able to overcome the effects of any musical enchantment upon our minds.”
“Drink up. We will need you both to be ever on your guard,” Duchess Uliana said to the two (2) financial security officers.
Duchess Uliana, Blazer Endrit and Blazer Darakizar exited the building, went to the coast and boarded a ship that had been prepared. Joining them were Varro and Leith, as well as Governors Parry and Sullivan – along with their twenty (20) clerks carrying the ten (10) chests of precious gems. Unknown to them, Halina, Roxanne and Marzia also boarded the ship, under the cover of darkness provided by Halina, who drank anew of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean from her vial for the energy to conceal them.
The ship traveled west over the Pirovalen Ocean at sea level, then briefly as an airship over the Farmer’s Road land bridge. After that leg of the voyage, it returned to sea level in the Trerada Ocean, where it sailed northwest. At the end of the four (4) day journey – which ought to have been two (2) at most, but for the difficulty of navigating in the darkness of twilight – the ship arrived on the eastern shore of the continent of Ihalik.
Blazer Endrit and Blazer Darakizar drank anew of the waters of the Atrejan Ocean from their vials and were energized. They then had the power to turn water into fire, with which they could dispel any physical foe. The entire envoy disembarked from the ship – with the Blazers in the lead – and went onto land, entering a small town. Varro drank anew of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean from his vial, and Leith drank anew of the Elanatin Ocean waters from hers.
Once in the coastal town, the entourage saw only docile workers – farmers tending every kind of crop, smiths bending every kind of metal, and various stone cutters – proceeding about their business while surrounded by what seemed to be the most marvelous sculptures and structures. The land appeared far richer than anything that they had ever seen – the roads were paved with gold, quite literally.
Duchess Uliana looked about her as they traveled on foot, finding all of this dazzling. She felt impressed and was given to a kind disposition toward the king of this land. She actually began to admire him, without ever having met him.
“Our wealth seems little compared to all of this. There are fountains, towers, arches and temples. Even the road is marvelous – paved in gold. A most delightful music fills the air, and I should like to hear more of it,” Duchess Uliana said.
“The wealth of this kingdom extends far and wide, with splendid quality in every detail. I should like to meet this king, for his wealth must be great,” Governor Sullivan said.
“We have arrived in a new world, one which I could never have imagined,” Governor Parry said.
“It rivals the brightness of the suns, and its splendor is worthy of the kingdom of the sky,” Blazer Endrit said.
“How can this be a kingdom of only the land, for it is magnificent in every direction?” Blazer Darakizar asked.
“I have guarded the wealth of the bank, but it is nothing in comparison to all of this,” Varro said, forgetting his purpose here.
Leith sensed the powers of emotional manipulation around them, and flexed her own powers given by the Elanatin Ocean waters she drank. She created an aura of clarity – dispelling the emotional influence – and surrounded herself and Varro, as well as Duchess Uliana and the governors and the Blazers, along with the accompanying bank clerks who carried the chests filled with gifts for the king.
“It’s all telepathic lies. Believe none of what you feel. Do not admire, for your emotions are being played. Disregard even the music,” Leith said.
“You are correct. We were duped in our passions,” Varro said, suddenly free of the lies.
“Varro: Let our eyes see only the truth,” Leith said.
Varro then used his powers of darkness – given by the Ikkith Tar Ocean waters he drank – to intrude upon the false lights around him. In a moment, the illusions of statues, towers, gardens, fountains, archways – even the gold shine on the road itself – gave way to the bland swamp and rough cobblestone roads that made up the terrain of Ihalik.
“It was all lies – we were dazzled by false riches,” Duchess Uliana said.
“You should see nothing to admire,” Varro said.
“And feel no admiration,” Leith said.
“This kingdom lives under a great deception,” Governor Sullivan said.
“If they act under false beliefs, we will be in the greatest of dangers,” Governor Parry said.
“We must meet with their king, and end the ruse,” Blazer Endrit said.
“We must meet with their king and end the reign of the king,” Blazer Darakizar said.
“Indeed,” Duchess Uliana said.
~~~
In the darkness, unseen by the Duchess and her company, Halina, Marzia and Roxanne also dispelled the telepathic and optical deceptions and saw that the king had built a kingdom of lies. They followed Duchess Uliana on her mission to meet the king, ever on their guard against the deception around them, so that they remained ready to perpetrate their own deceptions.
~~~
A small company of troops – fifty (50) swordsmen and twenty (20) archers – was in the town and approached the group including Duchess Uliana.
“You are not at work in accordance with the commands of the king. Justify your actions, or face the death penalty. No one shall disgrace the kingdom,” the captain of the troops said. He was a man of no less than fifty (50) years, but highly muscular and robust. He had the strength to fight, and the wisdom to lead.
“We wish to speak with the king,” Duchess Uliana said.
“The king wishes for you to work,” the captain of the troops then said.
“We have a gift for the king – of great wealth, in these chests,” Duchess Uliana said.
“We shall see this gift. If it is enough to please the king, we will take it to him, and you will return to work,” the captain of the troops then said.
“We need to have words with the king, and express our admiration,” Duchess Uliana said.
“Open the chests, that we may see the gift,” the captain of the troops then said.
~~~
From under the cloak of darkness – provided by Halina – Marzia then exercised her own powers. She knew that the meeting with the king had to take place, and that Leith was occupied with fending off the telepathic hypnosis that caused many to admire the king and go about their work. She planted a thought into the mind of the captain of the troops, insisting that the king deserved to know who admired him most and was so generous as to give a gift, since he might desire another. If the captain were to suggest that he himself was the giver, and the king wanted more, he would be unable to provide, thus displeasing the king.
~~~
“Belay that. The king will see you personally, and receive your gift,” the captain of the troops then said.
A small airship – sixty-five (65) feet in length whose sails were held up on two (2) pairs of pivoting double-masts – was docked on the ground in a nearby clearing.
“Board that ship, and we will travel to see the king in his palace,” the captain of the troops said.
The entire group – Duchess Uliana, Governors Sullivan and Parry, Blazer Endrit and Blazer Darakizar, the twenty (20) bank clerks carrying chests, Leith and Varro – all boarded the airship. They were secretly followed by Halina, Roxanne and Marzia, under the cloak of darkness.
The captain of the troops then designated one (1) of his l
ead archers to assume command while he was gone. After this, he boarded the vessel, converted it to its airship configuration, elevated it to fifty (50) feet of altitude and traveled toward the palace.
After traveling over land for a bit less than seven (7) hours – although it was far longer than it should have been, because it was necessary to navigate slowly under the darkness of the twilight sky – they reached the vicinity of the palace, which was only one hundred fifty (150) miles inland to the west. The captain then chose a location in the courtyard of the palace and the airship touched down.
“I will announce your presence – and your gift – to the king. Who shall I tell him you are?” the captain of the troops asked.
“I am Duchess Uliana,” she said.
“Duchess of what territory?” the captain of the troops asked.
“Of Nataloridivu, and lands beyond,” Duchess Uliana said.
“Wait here while I inform the king,” the captain of the troops said.
~~~
The captain of the troops then entered the palace and went to the door leading to the throne room, which was closed and well-guarded.
“I have visitors, who insist on seeing the king and bringing him a gift,” the captain of the troops then said.
“Who are these visitors?” the guard asked.
“They are led by Duchess Uliana, of Nataloridivu and lands beyond,” the captain of the troops said.
“Wait, while I speak to the king,” the guard said, and then opened the door to the throne room and closed it behind him.
~~~
The guard then said: “Your Majesty, I have news of a Duchess Uliana, who brings with her a gift for you. She is accompanied by others.”
“A gift for me? How fitting. Yet, I deserve so much more than they could ever give. Tell the duchess and her entourage to wait. For I will have a banquet prepared in my honor, at which they can present to me their gift. If the gift is worthy, I will look kindly upon them, and present them as an example of how to approach me,” King Xander said.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the guard said and left the throne room.
~~~
“These visitors are to wait, as the king is preparing a banquet, at which they can present the gift,” the guard said to the captain of the troops.
~~~
The captain of the troops then left the palace and returned to the ship, saying: “The king will have you wait, while a banquet is prepared, at which you will present your gift.”
“I do suppose that will put the king in good spirits,” Duchess Uliana said.
The captain of the troops then waited outside the palace, anticipating a summons at any time.
~~~
In the throne room, King Xander spoke the guards that surrounded the throne, saying: “Call to my cooks and have them prepare a banquet. When it is done, these visitors are to be summoned.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” each of them said.
“Also, notify General Povaximus that he is to attend, as his presence will strike fear into them. Additionally, there shall be guards cloaked in darkness, and telepathic defenders as well, to accompany me,” King Xander said.
The guards left the throne room and relayed the message throughout the palace, and then they returned to the throne room. One (1) of them said: “The preparations are underway, Your Majesty.”
~~~
After five (5) hours of planning and cooking, a great feast was laid out on a table over seventy (70) feet long and ten (10) feet wide in the banquet room, which itself was over ninety-one (91) feet long and forty (40) feet wide. Thirteen (13) enormous fountains positioned at regular intervals around the edge of the room each sent jets of water up to the forty-one (41) foot high ceiling. The bases of the fountains were circular stones four (4) feet in height and five (5) feet in diameter, and the water jets arched downward to return to a matching circular stone receptacle.
The cooks placed every dish known to please the king – all fruits, all produce, all breads and meats and fish – upon the table. The food was presented with great care, and an ornate platinum throne was placed at the head of the table.
The cooks then sent word to the guards who then sent word to the king in his throne room: “Your Majesty, the banquet meal is prepared.”
“Summon our guests and bring them to the banquet room, where I will be waiting,” King Xander said.
~~~
One (1) of the guards went to the entrance of the palace and met the captain of the troops from earlier, who had been waiting.
“The banquet is ready, and these visitors are to join His Majesty, King Xander, and present to him their gift upon his command,” the guard said.
~~~
The captain of the troops then returned to the ship and said: “Come with me, and prepare to please His Majesty, King Xander with your gift.”
Duchess Uliana, Governor Sullivan and Governor Parry, Leith and Varro, Blazer Endrit and Blazer Darakizar, along with the twenty (20) clerks bearing the ten (10) chests of precious gems, all followed the captain of the troops to the palace. Under the cloak of darkness, Halina, Marzia and Roxanne followed.
When they arrived at the entrance to the palace, they saw a guard at the open door, and a man and a woman, each holding books in their hands, waiting to enter.
The captain of the troops asked them: “Did you also receive an invitation to the banquet in the palace?”
The guard looked at the man and the woman – both apparently in their fifties – and was unsure, but had his suspicions.
The woman holding a book said: “I am Chronicler Gisella of six thousand eight hundred forty-nine (6849) years. Under the authority of the Oath, I insist upon meeting with King Xander.” She was curious regarding the matter, and suspected that it would be of historical interest, whether it was good or bad.
The man holding a book said: “I am Chronicler Ximenez of four thousand seven hundred twenty-three (4723) years. Under the authority of the Oath, I will now see King Xander.” He was furious to be in the presence of this king again, having seen the evil that was perpetrated. Yet, the Chronicler’s Oath forbade judgment, and so he worked to calm himself, despite finding it immensely difficult.
“Very well then. You will meet the king…by joining him in the banquet he has planned,” the guard said, and he led them all through the entrance, then partway down the main hall until they reached an ornate side door framed in platinum and white gold. After entering that side door, they went down another hallway, having marble floors, which led into the banquet room.
Standing near the table was King Xander, and standing next to him was General Povaximus, along with thirty (30) of his swordsmen. Hidden under the cloak of darkness around them were several guards – all of whom drank the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean. These hidden figures also extended their powers of darkness over numerous telepathic guards, who were assigned to protect the king from assault.
~~~
Also under the cover of darkness, Halina, Marzia and Roxanne continued to follow Duchess Uliana and her entourage.
~~~
“Bow to show your respect to His Majesty, King Xander,” the guard said.
Not wishing to disrespect the king in his own palace, Duchess Uliana bowed, as did Governor Sullivan and Governor Parry.
Not wishing to bring conflict just yet, Blazer Endrit and Blazer Darakizar also bowed. Leith and Varro did the same, and the clerks were accustomed to following orders, so they also bowed before the king.
Chronicler Gisella and Chronicler Ximenez did not bow, however, because the Oath did not allow them – or require them – show any special respect to kings.
~~~
Under the cover of darkness, Halina, Marzia and Roxanne did not show any respect to this king either and had no intention of ever doing so.
Halina drank anew of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean from her vial to refresh her energy and thereby maintain the cloak of darkness around herself, Marzia and Roxanne.
Marzia dr
ank anew of the waters of the Elanatin Ocean from her vial and was energized. She probed the king’s mind, and what she found disturbed her greatly. He had been alive in the past – many times – and was brought back through spirit powers. This was his ninth appearance, and he planned another. Even worse, he had bargained with the demon known as Gadamalto to grant him favors in battle.
She also learned that he was arrogant, but that was not surprising. This king had intentions of conquest against the kingdom of the sky – which the sun worshippers held sacred – and so he wasn’t all bad, she thought.
However, she was under orders from Tanith Orenda to discredit – even to destroy – King Xander, not to form an alliance with him. Marzia had hoped to control the king – even to telepathically command him to surrender his throne, or to fall on the swords of his guards – but there were telepathic defenders around him. This prevented her from manipulating his thoughts, yet she could still read many of them. Some of his thoughts, however, were still not clear, and she suspected that was due to interference by the telepathic defenders.
~~~
“Be seated, and I shall tell you of my many kingdoms, beyond this land and before this age,” King Xander said.
Duchess Uliana shot Governor Sullivan a look and he looked back, equally surprised.
Governor Parry was shocked, thinking the king to be a lunatic.
Leith drank anew of the waters of the Elanatin Ocean from her vial and was energized. She probed the king’s thoughts for evil intentions against them, but what she learned was that he intended to boast of his past lives, and of his future ones. He bargained with a demon, she also learned, which made him a frightening opponent. There was more in the mind of the king, but she could not read it all just yet, and she believed that this was due to the telepathic guards around the king, although she could only sense their presence and could not actually see them.
After everyone was seated, King Xander then said: “Each of my top commanders – those closest to me – wears upon their vestments a medallion. Upon the medallion are ten (10) gold coins, and in the center of the coins is a key. Look closely.” Then, the king gestured to General Povaximus, who took off the medallion he wore and passed it around the table, for everyone to see.
