Luminaries & Lies

by Jeremy Dwyer

  Danielle read Cosette’s mind as she approached, however, and knew. She followed Cosette and they returned to the Armada Room.

  Tanith Orenda looked at Danielle and said nothing, only thinking the following orders: “Go to Haza’Kedro’Maral Island. There, you will find Duchess Uliana. She has claimed the island on the basis of the lineage which has been established. Thereupon, she has raised taxes to one third (1/3). You are to have her raise them again and again, in stages, until there is rebellion against her, and the rebellion leads to war. Allow her and her fellow sun-worshippers to grow for a time, if you must, so that they come into conflict with our other enemies, and destroy each other. This is your only concern.”

  ~~~

  Danielle read her thoughts and then went to the Ocean Room, replenishing her own supply of Elanatin Ocean waters in vials. She also drank anew of the waters to have them immediately within her. Then, she left the water-worshipper’s temple and took one of the small vessels docked at the shore of Av’Tovenka Island. Using her telepathic powers, she reached out to sense the minds of others sailing the sea around her, using them as beacons and enabling her to navigate across the darkness of the Ikkith Tar Ocean, which was the first leg of the journey. After that, she purchased transport on various ships to travel the rest of the way to Haza’Kedro’Maral Island.

  CHAPTER 14: Finding a Map to the Darkness

  In the Medathero Ocean, near the western coast of the Crypt Trail, a two hundred twenty (220) foot long passenger ship – the Southwestern Affluent – was traveling toward the continent of Baradaxa. Many of the passengers on board were hoping to find employment in the banking business, and one of the central banks was there in the city of Dalavar. Others were hoping to make investments in the large tracts of land that were as-yet uncultivated, because Baradaxa had a climate favorable to agriculture.

  ~~~

  In the swampy interior of the Crypt Trail, inside the mausoleum that he called home, Pandaros knelt down in a dark room and drank deep of the waters of the Zovvin Ocean from his vial. He was energized and reached into the spirit world.

  “Havatissa, I call to thee, for knowledge from beyond,” Pandaros then prayed.

  “Firssst bring to me the blood of sssixxx. Ssslake my thirssst and sssecrets I ssshall disssclossse,” a voice from the spirit world spoke.

  Pandaros stood up at once and entered one of the other rooms of the mausoleum.

  “Kepheus,” Pandaros said.

  A slender man was in a sitting position with his legs crossed. He then stood up, revealing himself to be over seven (7) feet tall and he wore the purple robes of a king. Yet, he was not royalty. Rather, he considered himself to be the king of creatures of the sea, and of land.

  “Summon your servants, that they should bring fresh blood. Six (6) shall be needed,” Pandaros said.

  “Then six (6) I shall bring you,” Kepheus said.

  Kepheus then drank anew of the waters of the Gradaken Ocean that he kept in the skull of a man who had been murdered before. He was energized with the powers of the water and left the mausoleum and walked to the coast. Pandaros followed him, with his machete by his side.

  When they arrived at the coast, where the land met the Medathero Ocean, Kepheus put his hands into the water and the powers he had allowed him to connect with the creatures of the sea. Two (2) of those creatures were sea serpents – one of which was ninety-two (92) feet long and the other of which was one hundred one (101) feet long.

  The Gradaken Ocean waters within him allowed Kepheus to give the creatures complex commands and have them understand. He then sent them forth.

  ~~~

  On board the Southwestern Affluent, the crew stood on deck along with some of the passengers. Without any warning, two enormous sea serpents leaped out of the water and knocked thirteen (13) people overboard, killing eleven (11) more with poisonous bites.

  Those knocked overboard began swimming as the seas were calm and it seemed their best chance at success. They found themselves then being dragged – by other, smaller sea serpents – and taken to the shore.

  When the thirteen (13) persons reached the shore, they stood up and saw two (2) men standing there, as if to greet them.

  “Where are we?” one of the thirteen (13) asked.

  “At your end,” Pandaros said.

  “I said to bring six (6). The other seven (7) have no use,” Pandaros said, looking to Kepheus.

  “Then, I shall dispose of them,” Kepheus said.

  At this, Kepheus reached into the pockets of his coats and pulled out several poisonous snakes. He put his fingers on the vipers’ heads, and then threw them at seven (7) of the people. The snakes bit and poisoned six (6) those (7) and they fell screaming. There was one (1) – a man – who the snakes did not bite. The other six (6) people began running.

  The man whom the snake did not bite opened his book and began writing into it what he saw.

  “You know that snake venom takes longer than I would like,” Pandaros said.

  “That one is a Chronicler and will not die,” Kepheus said, pointing at the man whom the snake would not bite.

  “I know. I was referring to the others,” Pandaros said, clearly annoyed.

  Kepheus then reached his hands down into the murky waters of the swamp and touched the head of an alligator and then another and then another. He commanded them – again by the powers of the Gradaken Ocean waters within him – to pursue the six (6) running people, but not to attack them. They were only to surround the prey.

  The alligators moved quickly and surrounded the helpless people, who could not outrun the creatures. Yet, the alligators did not go near the man who was a Chronicler.

  “What is happening? Who are you? What did we do to make this happen?” one of the people – a woman in her twenties – screamed.

  Pandaros and Kepheus approached them at a casual pace.

  “Indeed, who are you?” the Chronicler asked.

  “Please introduce yourself, trustworthy Chronicler,” Pandaros said.

  “I am Alonso, Chronicler of three thousand four hundred seventy-eight (3478) years,” he said. He appeared to be in his thirties, despite his true age. The Guardian Angel of the Chronicler’s Oath – Ondothel – had protected him from the snake’s bite. Although he was allowed to be removed from the ship and be taken here by the sea serpents, his safety had been assured by that same Guardian Angel.

  “You may watch history unfold, then, trustworthy Alonso. To the rest of you, this is your life. Which, as you know, ends in death. You are the prey, and will be fed to the predator. Then, I will find what I seek,” Pandaros said.

  “Bring them back to the altar,” Pandaros said, turning to Kepheus.

  “What it is your name? And what is it you seek?” Alonso asked, writing down what Pandaros had said.

  “I am Pandaros. I seek answers,” Pandaros said, obligated by the Oath. He knew that it was senseless to resist.

  At this, Kepheus commanded the alligators to push the people back to the mausoleum, which they did. Alonso followed and recorded what he saw, as Pandaros and Kepheus corralled the hostages.

  The hostages begged and pleaded as they were nudged by the animals and Pandaros turned to them, saying: “Life is an exploration. Each step along the way can lead to new knowledge as well as danger. Some steps lead to loss, others to gain. As you know, there must be a final step. Yet, it is not the end.”

  “You don’t have to kill us! What do you want? I’ll pay you!” one of the hostages – a man – yelled.

  “You will pay, but the payment will not be to me, and it will not be money. Blood, alone, is the currency I seek,” Pandaros said.

  “To whom will the payment be made?” Alonso asked.

  “To the spirits,” Pandaros said.

  Pandaros then drank anew of the waters of the Zovvin Ocean and was energized. The waters connected him to the spirit world. Then, he drew his machete from his belt.

  One of the hostages – a woman – then s
creamed: “No. My fiancé is waiting for me. I’m supposed to be getting married! Please! He’s rich. He’s a banker. He’ll pay you what you want!”

  “I told you – I don’t want money. I want blood,” Pandaros said.

  Alonso recorded all that was said into his book.

  Then, Pandaros took out his machete and beheaded all six (6) of the hostages.

  Alonso recorded this into his book and watched for what Pandaros would do next.

  Pandaros then placed the heads of the victims onto the altar, knelt down and said: “Havatissa, accept this offering of the blood of six (6), that you may give me the knowledge I seek.”

  The voice of Havatissa spoke into Pandaros’ spirit – rather than out loud – saying: “The blood of the sssixxx (6) hasss ssslaked my thirssst. Yet, the knowledge you ssseek isss far away. In a dissstant land, in the diamond watersss, the watchersss of the sssea keep treasssuresss lossst. A map, they have, to the object you desssire, in the Way of Razzza.”

  Alonso watched the ritual, but did not know to whom Pandaros made the sacrifice. If it was to a demon, the Oath would not protect the confidence or forbid interference. Yet, Alonso did not know. He merely recorded what was said and done.

  Alonso did notice that there were two (2) black candles on a candelabra that could hold thirteen (13), and they were lit. Yet, he did not know what they signified. He merely drew pictures of all that was visible.

  “We must go now,” Pandaros said.

  “I am ready. Yet, where shall we go?” Kepheus asked.

  “Abrax! Reveal yourself. You shall come, as well,” Pandaros said.

  Abrax came out of the darkness and appeared before them.

  Alonso recorded this appearance as well, deducing that Abrax was most likely a drinker of the Ikkith Tar Ocean waters and had been hiding in darkness. He did not write this deduction, however, because he could only record observation.

  “We shall travel to a distant land. Drink up, and be prepared,” Pandaros said.

  At this, Abrax drank anew of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean from a vial that he carried – it had a pointed tip like that of a dagger. Kepheus drank of the waters of the Gradaken Ocean from a vial that he carried. It had a snake’s head on the one end – with actual snake fangs.

  Alonso watched what was being done and recorded it, and followed as they walked through the swamps to a port in the southwest.

  Pandaros, Kepheus and Abrax booked passage on a ship headed for the Kazofen Ocean, paying three (3) platinum coins each. Alonso, being a Chronicler, did not have to pay.

  They traveled for (2) days – west over the Medathero Ocean, then as an airship over the Glivoran Trail land bridge, then returning to sea level to head west over the Kazofen Ocean.

  The ship came to rest and they were let off on Ixilonotu Island in the Kazofen Ocean, which was a rest stop for many ships, as well as having a small trading depot for mined diamonds and other crystals.

  It was also an outpost of Redfire Sentinels.

  “Why did we come to this island?” Abrax asked.

  “What knowledge will we gain by coming here?” Kepheus asked.

  Alonso merely watched and waited for the answer.

  “The watchers of the sea are here,” Pandaros said, referring to the Redfire Sentinels, using a name by which they were often called.

  “What of it?” Abrax asked.

  “These are the so-called ‘diamond waters’ and the most valuable cargo is carried across this sea – value as measured in diamond, that is,” Pandaros said.

  “Are we here to take their wealth?” Abrax asked.

  “In a way, yes. Things of value are occasionally lost by travelers, and the watchers of the sea collect them here, until the items can be returned to their rightful owners, if ever,” Pandaros said.

  “Is there something you would have me make disappear?” Abrax asked.

  “There is a map in their possession, and I want that map,” Pandaros said.

  Alonso recorded this, wondering about the subject of the map and where it would lead, but he waited for Pandaros to give that information.

  “A map to what?” Abrax asked.

  “The real treasure,” Pandaros said.

  “What does it look like? They could have many maps,” Abrax asked.

  “We shall ask to see it,” Pandaros said. He began walking toward the lookout tower on a hill that was obviously the outpost of the Redfire Sentinels.

  Abrax and Kepheus followed, as did Alonso.

  When they reached the top of the hill, they saw a woman who was in her fifties. She was standing in the middle of several tall stones, each thirty (30) feet in height, which formed a sundial. The woman was meditating and listening to the stars.

  Pandaros walked into the middle of the sundial and stood near the woman, but she did not move.

  Atop the lookout tower, another woman saw them and came down to greet them.

  “Greetings, traveler. I am Pelathata, of the Redfire Sentinels. I watch for ships lost at sea, and a great many crashed here on this island recently. Are you among the survivors?” Pelathata asked.

  “We came here on a mission to find what was lost by former colleagues on a prior expedition,” Pandaros said.

  “What was lost? There are many things we have found,” Pelathata said.

  “Gracious woman. It is so good that we should have met today. We are looking for a map, that we were told they would leave behind if they were unable to complete their assignment, so that we could finish the mission which they began,” Pandaros said.

  Pelathata thought about this and then said: “We have a map. It was left here some time ago.”

  “Please let me see it, that I should know if it is true,” Pandaros said.

  Pelathata then went to a room in the lookout tower and opened a chest in which many lost items had been found. She opened a tattered map and brought it out and handed it to the man who had asked her.

  Pandaros looked at the map and saw that it was of the mountains and hills of the land bridge known as the Way of Raza’Deptorum. The markings led to an estate, and therein was a flame, which he took to be a sign of the luminary – the ‘darkness candle’ – which he sought.

  “You are a most beneficent watcher, and for your services, I will gladly pay,” Pandaros said, and he handed her seven (7) platinum coins from a pouch that he carried.

  “I thank you, sincerely,” Pelathata said.

  Alonso recorded all that was said into his book. He also looked at the map and transcribed it into his book. He recognized the area and suspected that they were next going to visit the Way of Raza’Deptorum land bridge, which the map clearly depicted.

  Pandaros then left, followed by Abrax and Kepheus, and then Alonso.

  ~~~

  The woman who was meditating – Haltavna’Sytoris – then opened her eyes and looked to Pelathata. “What do you know of these visitors?” Haltavna asked.

  “They came on a mission to find a map left behind by colleagues, as a contingency,” Pelathata said.

  “Was it the map to the Way of Raza’Deptorum?” Haltavna asked.

  “Yes, that was the map. I gave it to them and they paid. Here are seven (7) coins. We will gather them together for our pay,” Pelathata said.

  “We must beware. The sky is darker now, and a power of evil seeks to make it darker,” Haltavna said.

  “Who told you this?” Pelathata asked.

  “Trust me,” Haltavna said.

  “Are the red suns giving you messages again? You know it’s dangerous to listen to the suns themselves; you’re only supposed to hear through them,” Pelathata said.

  “It’s also dangerous to trust some people. Do you know which ones are safe, for certain?” Haltavna asked.

  “Nothing is for certain. I know that,” Pelathata said.

  “Then you can’t be certain about the suns, either way,” Haltavna said.

  CHAPTER 15: Following a Map to the Darkness

  Pandaros, Abra
x and Kepheus, followed by Alonso, returned to the ship which brought them to Ixilonotu Island.

  After a day in port, the ship continued sailing west across the Kazofen Ocean, traveling as far as the Road to Kovoxotu land bridge. There, they got off and the ship turned around.

  “Now, where is it we need to go?” Abrax asked.

  “We must cross the ‘ghost waters’,” Pandaros said, referring to the Zovvin Ocean.

  After traveling by riverboat for a few hours to cross to the western coast of the land bridge, Pandaros booked passage on yet another ship, along with Abrax and Kepheus, followed by Alonso.

  This next ship carried them west over the Zovvin Ocean, and after a day’s travel, they arrived at the eastern coast of the Way of Raza’Deptorum land bridge.

  When they reached its shores, Pandaros drank anew of the waters of the Zovvin Ocean from his vial and was energized. He then consulted the map carefully and began making his way through the countryside toward a region of high hills, followed by Abrax, Kepheus and Alonso.

  “Where are we headed now?” Abrax asked.

  “Why did you bring me? Are there creatures that you wish to control? On no part of this voyage have you used my powers,” Kepheus asked.

  “The secrets shall soon be revealed,” Pandaros said.

  “If you won’t tell us, how can we prepare?” Abrax asked.

  “You cannot always prepare. Sometimes you can only accept,” Pandaros said.

  “We can help you best when the way is clear,” Kepheus said.

  “We are explorers, and must expect to be confronted with things that cannot be expected,” Pandaros said.

  They traveled through the hill country for a day, and when it became dark, they rested near trees. The area was infested with various animals – wolves, hawks, spiders – which soon disturbed their rest.

  “Bring us quiet,” Pandaros said.

  Kepheus drank anew of the waters of the Gradaken Ocean from his vial and was energized. He walked into the twilight where he found one of the wolves and put his hands on the animal’s head. He thus took control of the creature, calmed it, and ordered it to direct others in the pack to become silent. The wolf left and the howling died down.