by Jeremy Dwyer
“How close did you come to this woman with the medallion?” Father Isaac asked.
“It was in a dream. We both had it,” Taesa said.
“The medallion is the symbol of the ten (10) kingdoms of King Xander. This is his ninth, and he plans to return again, after finding his objective and murdering the world. Whether or not he succeeds is in question, but he will murder a great many,” Father Isaac said.
“Not my baby. I’ll fight a war to stop it!” Taesa said.
“Taesa! We’re not an army or a navy! We’ll do whatever it takes to protect him – absolutely – but how can we fight?” Caroline asked.
“You said it was songs that captured those people – enchanted them into following this king?” Taesa asked.
“That’s what I was told by the traveler who sold me the food,” Emerond said.
“Then that’s how to fight them,” Taesa said.
“Where are we going?” Neva’Raka asked.
“Into the lion’s den,” Zoe said.
Taesa drank anew of the waters of the Pirovalen Ocean from her vial and was energized. Words came to her with intensity, along with a powerful melody.
“Revod fell to this King Xander, and it can rise again. Then, they can help us finish the job,” Emerond said.
“Light the way, and then we’re going to clear the way,” Taesa said.
Zoe used her own powers of light, to which Neva’Raka added her own light.
“I told you that they would present themselves, and we only needed to observe and to light the way,” Father Isaac said.
Neva’Raka pulled the levers to control the masts and the sails and convert them to sailwings. With this, the Amber Lantern rose from the dockside waters of the Lujladia Ocean and climbed to one hundred twenty (120) feet of altitude.
Zoe and Neva’Raka both drank anew of the waters of the Lujladia Ocean from their own vials to be energized, illuminating the path as they traveled southeast over the Wandering of Shadows land bridge.
Neva’Raka then lowered the Amber Lantern to sea level in the Ikkith Tar Ocean, and steered the ship southwest along the eastern coast of the land bridge, heading toward the northern coast of the continent of Revod.
“Are you sure you know what you’re doing? How can we take this baby into this? Let someone else fight this war if there has to be one,” Caroline said.
“She’s the one to fight this war – she had the power to sing Sail to Me and call those ships into the tempest, so she has the power to bring these people out from under the king’s control,” Zoe said.
“You’re Taesa? The woman who sang Sail to Me? I can’t believe it!” Neva’Raka said.
“Believe it. We were there,” Zoe said.
“Great powers have gathered, so great changes will now take place,” Father Isaac said. He was intrigued – but not surprised – that he met the infamous Taesa. He had no doubt that the girl was under an enchantment at the time that she sang the powerful ballad that lured so many millions to their deaths in the tempest, so he did not blame her. He had, in fact, heard of the testimony in Emeth, in which many had sworn that Victoria had been to blame for the deception. He suspected that he was about to see the young woman attempt to redeem herself, as part of protecting her child from the tyranny of King Xander.
After a half (1/2) day of travel, they arrived at the northwestern corner of the continent of Revod. From the coast, Zoe and Neva’Raka both looked out over the shore and into the distance, where they saw the people laboring away by the thousands and tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands – all of them digging into the ground, searching frantically for something.
“They’re all slaves, searching for their king’s prize,” Zoe said.
“There are tens of thousands of them wherever I look,” Neva’Raka said.
“Ready?” Emerond asked.
“I’m ready,” Taesa said.
“Take us into the center of them,” Emerond said.
Neva’Raka turned the control levers, which pivoted the masts and sails back to the sides of the Amber Lantern to form sailwings, which became an airship once again. Then, she raised the airship to a mere twenty (20) feet of altitude and began traveling over the land, until they were in the midst of over two hundred fifty thousand (250000) people by Zoe’s rough estimation.
“This is the crucial moment, young woman. Do what you must,” Father Isaac said.
Taesa drank anew of the waters of the Pirovalen Ocean from her vial yet again, to energize herself further. She then began to sing so that all the people around her – who were enslaved by the musical and other enchantments and thereby forced to serve the king – could hear the music of a new song: Lies of a False King:
When we voyage through life,
And live through its seasons,
Understanding true knowledge
Is what sets us free.
When searching for wisdom,
And seeking out reasons,
We accept only proof,
Not a royal decree.
(Refrain)
We shall not believe the lies of a false king
On our quest for the secrets of everything.
When the pursuit takes us,
On a road that twists and winds,
Our thoughts must be focused
On its mysterious ways.
When ancient riddles are solved,
Only by devout minds,
Slavery to a tyrant,
Will waste and ruin our days.
(Refrain)
When the number of our years
Is so very small,
And the number of choices,
Is so very grand,
We have so little time,
And cannot choose them all,
So we will now raise our voices,
And refuse the despot's demand.
(Refrain)
The boasts are like legend,
By the arrogant on their throne,
Who declare their own greatness,
By the truths they rewrite.
They speak of the powers,
That they would claim as their own.
As if they created,
Land and sea, dark and light.
(Refrain)
Great secrets are hidden,
In darkness and shadow,
By illusions and spirits,
In the ruins of the past.
The waters are living,
Enabling our minds to know,
Or discover distant answers,
By crossing oceans so vast.
(Refrain)
People heard the song and awakened, no longer under the powerful enchantment originally brought by Aura’s Gifts from the King song. They ceased their labors and looked around them.
Judith watched and recorded all of this into her book – even the song – and was in amazement.
Caroline, Zoe, Brant and Emerond were thrilled as they could see the change – and the freedom as the captivating enchantment ended due to Taesa’s song and the Pirovalen waters she drank to enable the music’s power.
Neva’Raka was stunned by what she saw and heard, but Father Isaac regarded it all as a matter of course: whenever great evil came, great good would be sent. It was the way of the One True God to send a power sufficient to correct the evils of the age, at a time and in a way of His Choosing. Which water they drank varied from occasion to occasion, but the waters were His Creation, so it was all the Creator’s doing, whatever shape it took.
The dual spirits within the people were confronted by the powerful music, though none aboard the Amber Lantern could see this. As a result, the spirit to which each body belonged – and which had been made dormant – was now awakened and strong. The spirit to which each body did not belong – that spirit which had invaded and been controlling the body – was now dispelled, having been rejected by the awakened, rightful spirit.
“Let the song carry far and wide, resounding throughout the land,” Emerond said.
Neva’Raka set her course to travel throughout various parts of Revod, where Taesa continued to sing it.
“Sing with her, that others may hear this music. Carry this song wherever you go, and teach it to them, telling them to sing it, throughout the entire land!” Emerond shouted.
Others in the crowd – their rightful spirits having been awakened and their invading spirits having been sent away – listened. Of those, some drank of the Pirovalen Ocean waters and were energized. These repeated Taesa’s song, and taught others to do the same.
The land of Revod – the home of the Jenaldej Empire – was freed in less than half of the time it took to conquer.
Judith recorded all that she saw and heard, and she was thrilled to be part of the moment. She was renewed in her commitment to being a Chronicler – this was a time she would not want to have missed, and made all of the difficult times entirely worth it, even the loneliness.
“They’re free! The music did work. They don’t believe the king’s lies anymore,” Brant said.
“If a song can take away freedom, a song can give it back,” Zoe said.
“You were right, Taesa. We had to face the danger, and set these people free,” Caroline said. She held the baby tightly in her arms, thinking first of his freedom.
“These are the people to whom we belong, and our son’s family and heritage,” Emerond said.
“Our son isn’t going to be surrounded by the king’s lies. Or by the king,” Taesa said.
“You have proven yourself to be an enemy of tyranny, and your music to be a powerful ally of freedom,” Father Isaac said.
~~~
The freedom of the people became clear throughout Revod, and soon, the liberating power of the Lies of a False King song could be seen and heard even on the southern coast, where the Eminence of the Oceans was waiting.
“They’re awakening!” Rivka said, sensing the exodus of the spirits who had been called to subjugate the peoples.
“I hear the other song, resounding. We have an enemy, and she has powerful music, which has freed our servants from their bonds,” Aura said.
“Our reinforcements have failed us, and will not receive payment, of any kind, ever! Return to Ihalik at once, where I will decide our next move!” King Xander said.
General Povaximus had been waiting silently beside them, and ordered the ship’s crew to return to Ihalik. He feared the king’s next decree, because it would be born of anger.
CHAPTER 48: Gathering of the Enemies of the Kingdom of the Sky
In their cave hideaway in the mountains of the Colossal March Warpath land bridge, Pandaros was resting and planning. He was privately determined to obtain all the luminaries and discover the secrets of the machine purported to be in Thalkalana. He knew that Amaltheia had become a disgraceful coward, fearing the danger rather than embracing the opportunity to learn, all because of her attachment to the child. Pandaros realized that Erikkos was being pragmatic and looking after the woman, since the child – which was only possibly his – would need guidance and might even prove to be useful, assuming he or she could be trained properly. After the child was finished nursing, Amaltheia’s use would be limited. Pandaros could, perhaps, utilize her crystal bending skills, but her antagonism toward him meant that he could not place trust in her. It was more likely that she would have to be killed, in such a way that Erikkos could accept it. A spirit of sickness or confusion could be used to send her falling to her death. It would just be a matter of choosing the proper moment.
Pandaros retreated to a secluded part of the cave and drank anew of the waters of the Zovvin Ocean from his vial, thus becoming energized with the powers over spirits. He reached out into the spirit world and spoke with a voice that only a certain spirit could hear, saying: “Reveal to me where I might find yet another luminary.”
A voice from the spirit world spoke back to Pandaros such that only he could hear it, saying: “On the sssong watersss, there isss a land where the moneylendersss do ssscheme. Thereupon, you ssshall find the man with blue ssskin who essscaped you. He hasss another of thessse candlesss of darknesss. Repay me for thisss sssecret by ssshedding the blood of the duchesss of the sssun worssshippersss. Your debt to me isss ssstill great, ssso you mussst repay me again, by dessstroying their temple of the sssunsss.”
Pandaros then stood up and entered the main chamber of their cave hideaway and headed toward the exit. He was confident in his ability to kill the duchess. He did not know, yet, how he might destroy a temple. A crystal bender might be able to do it, and he had one here in the person of Amaltheia, but he did not trust her, and she did not trust him.
“Still looking to bring more darkness? Just how far will you go?” Amaltheia asked, now past eight (8) months of pregnancy. She was lying on a warm pile of blankets that Erikkos had bought from the nearby port town at the foot of the mountain along the coast.
Pandaros walked past and ignored her, as he was not interested in having a debate. He knew immediately that she would not willingly render assistance for his current objective, so he did not bother to ask.
“Just keep calm and let the child within you be at ease,” Erikkos said, while rubbing Amaltheia’s shoulders, and looking to prevent a useless discussion. He suspected that Pandaros was looking for another luminary, and was curious to learn whether they truly could be used by a machine to drain the power of the suns in order to expand the underground ocean. More interestingly, it might be of use to go there, and even test that water. If it were proven safe – and useful – on a test subject, then, perhaps, the child could be waterbound to it.
“I will remain and guard the luminaries we have,” Abrax said from under the cover of darkness. He wielded the spiral dagger and watched both Amaltheia and Erikkos – in case they became hostile – as well as the mouth of the cave, so that no intruder would take the luminaries they already had.
“Yes, you must and you will,” Pandaros said. He then left the cave and called out to a spirit of light to guide him on his walk down the mountain and toward the coast. There, he purchased transport on a ship for an inflated cost – eight (8) platinum coins for a trip that should have been two (2) or three (3) at most – and this gave him pause. He had financial reserves, but they could be quickly drained by these expenses. He recognized the fact that the expense of travel was due to difficult navigation through the darkness, entailing the hiring of light benders for seeing through the twilight. He also recognized the fact that the darkness was brought directly by his actions of lighting the luminaries, so that he was his own adversary in this situation. Yet, Pandaros saw all of this as being to his advantage – he had an answer to the question of how the world might behave when the skies turned dark. This was actually a complex subject, and it intrigued him, so the knowledge was worth the price. It was almost as if he were traveling in a whole new world, because the twilight changed so many things, and it was utterly fascinating.
The ship departed from the Colossal March Warpath land bridge, sailing southwest across the Ursegan Ocean. After one (1) day, the ship arrived at the northeastern coast of the Scholar’s Path land bridge. The vessel was briefly converted to an airship, passing over that land bridge and returning to sea level in the Pirovalen Ocean. From there, the ship sailed southwest for one (1) day until it reached Haza’Kedro’Maral Island. Pandaros disembarked and began searching for the man with blue skin whom he had seen before, during their conflict in the Wandering of Shadows land bridge, and who had taken one (1) of the luminaries.
~~~
In Ihalik, King Xander sat upon his throne in the palace throne room, and the Chronicler Gisella stood by his side, as did General Povaximus, Aura and Rivka.
“Our reinforcements have abandoned us, thus voiding our agreement. They shall receive no payment – not even for services given. I pay only for complete success,” King Xander said.
“Who – and where – are these reinforcements, Your Majesty? Why have I not seen them?” General Povaximus asked.
; “You cannot see – or know – all things, General. They are stealthy – they infiltrate and undermine – so that the nations of the world cannot resist my wise rule because of their foolish desires,” King Xander said.
“They were of great use, Your Majesty. We will need to work more diligently without them,” Rivka said.
“Forget them, Rivka. Tell them, even, that we have forgotten them. There is another way to achieve our goals quickly,” King Xander asked.
“Music still has great power to persuade the multitudes in your favor, Your Majesty,” Aura said.
“And a far greater voice can persuade them against me, so do not be too confident in your songs, Aura,” King Xander said.
Aura became furious at this belittlement of her musical powers, but she said nothing. Her facial expressions betrayed her anger.
Gisella recorded all of this into her book, including Aura’s facial expression, which she recognized as that of a woman about to kill – or die – in a rage, held back by some measure of self-control or fear. She did not write this judgment or assessment of mental state into her book – she wrote only that Aura’s face was tense and became reddened.
“It is time for a change of tactics, then? We do have other methods, Your Majesty,” General Povaximus said.
“Yes, General. A change in tactics is precisely what I have in mind. Rather than depending upon powers or songs which served us in the past, we must look to the system of power and control. As it was in ages past, much of the world still bends to the moneylenders, and the prices they set for buying and selling, borrowing and taxation, dictate the behaviors of nations great and small, in ways both subtle and profound. We will gain control of their central banks. From there, we can influence the people in many places, and direct them to serve us, lest we crush them economically,” King Xander said.
“The greatest of these central banks is located on Haza’Kedro’Maral Island, in the Pirovalen Ocean. We can easily surround that, Your Majesty,” General Povaximus said.
