by Jeremy Dwyer
Pandaros then booked transport on a ship that sailed west over the Atrejan Ocean for two (2) days until it reached the Solkidian Trail land bridge. Once there, he traveled for two (2) more days, heading south over that land, partly by foot, partly by horseback and partly by inland riverboat.
From the southern tip of the Solkidian Trail, Pandaros booked passage on another ship and traveled south, briefly passing – with the ship converted to an airship – over the southeastern corner of the continent of Baradaxa, then returning to sea level in the Dead Waters Ocean. From there, the ship resumed traveling south for one (1) day, taking him to the northern coast of the continent of Volaraden.
Once in Volaraden, he hired a sandship captain to travel south over the desert region – which only took an hour at airship speeds – and then he arrived at the southern coast, bordering the northern edge of the Nabavodel Ocean. From there, he booked transport on yet another ship, which sailed south for a quarter (1/4) of day before reaching Waderav.
Pandaros arrived in the northeastern region of Waderav and made his way back to the cave, wherein he met with Hesperos and Abrax.
Hesperos had detected him from a distance, telepathically, and knew that the mission was accomplished.
Pandaros took one (1) of the torches that was used to light the cave’s interior and he held it to the wick of the newest black onyx luminary, which then caught fire. He then placed it into the candelabra, which now held five (5) luminaries. “Let us see what is to be seen,” he said.
The trio of Pandaros, Abrax and Hesperos walked outside of the cave and looked up. The unaided eye could now see a sliver of darkness on every sun, be it red or blue. The yellow suns were so faint that it was not clear if they were affected in the same way.
“We are yet another step closer to the Quiet, then?” Abrax asked.
“Yes. The darkness brings the Quiet, and the Quiet shall bring us the knowledge we seek,” Pandaros said.
“We have more steps to go, yet; how many are there?” Hesperos asked. He knew that Pandaros did not know the number, but he couldn’t admit to telepathic prying.
“We will know when we have dark enough for Quiet, and Quiet enough for knowledge,” Pandaros said.
~~~
Romana, Portia and Alonso made their way back to the seaport in Javanda, partly with the assistance of some overly courteous black bears which Romana suggested could help to carry them. The black bears made their travels take only one (1) day.
When they arrived at the seaport, they found no sign of the whereabouts of the man they had seen, nor any sign of where he had gone.
“Where should we go?” Portia asked.
“Emeth. We’re not going to find him, so we should go where we can find more answers,” Romana said.
“Answers to what?” Portia asked.
“Where the others might be found,” Romana said.
“The knowledge of the luminaries is scattered all over. That way, even if one (1) is found, great efforts will be required to find the others. I just hope the others are better hidden – and the knowledge of them can’t just be found in Emeth,” Portia said.
“Emeth is too old for you to know everything in it – no matter how long you were a librarian there, some other secret could be hidden in a different hall, or in a different person’s memories,” Romana said.
Along with Alonso, they booked transport back to Emeth.
Their journey was slower, and many of the crew on their ship spoke of a rising darkness that could be seen in the skies. The chatter of this passed through the entire ship.
Portia stood on deck and listened to the talk and wondered just how far this could go. She looked at the sky and saw the slivers of darkness on all of the suns.
Romana looked up and saw the darkness as well, never having seen anything quite like it.
Alonso recorded all of the chatter into his book, and sketched out what he saw of the suns with the dark slivers on them into his book.
CHAPTER 34: Distracted from the Crossings of the Waters
Renato carefully made his across the oceans toward the southeast, waiting out the tempest. When the seas were safe again, he returned to the continent of Waderav. He had seen enough war and danger to last him a lifetime. He was pleased to finally be in a place that could be called home.
However, Renato had his own discomfort with Waderav. He was familiar with the land, as well as with the people – including the bandits who stole and murdered and even abducted and sold people into slavery. Renato was a master of manipulating light, because of the waters of the Lujladia Ocean that he drank, and he primarily used the power to avoid danger, although it was certainly effective against Victoria, as terrible as that woman was. Yet, she was a single terrible threat, whereas Waderav was filled with a great many smaller threats.
The economy across all of Waderav was quite poor, and the land was not as resource rich as many others, so the roads were poor and the means of transportation limited. Animals of various sorts were available: horses, donkeys, camels and other beasts like them could lighten the load of a traveler. Hired airship transport could be afforded – if one had the money, on occasion, to spare – but this was not an everyday option. A favorite of the wealthier kingdoms – that was known as ‘sail rail’ – involved smooth metal rails laid into the ground and wagons with smooth metal wheels and sails with embedded sailing stones. The heat of the many suns would energize the stones which would give propulsion to the machine, but this required a tremendous amount of metal, which was not plentiful. If the metal rails were not kept level, the wagon would derail and usually kill everyone on board, and keeping them level was expensive, often requiring metalwork and new sections of rail. Another method of travel was, of course, riverboat on the many waterways. This was affordable and reliable, but not always direct.
Renato booked passage on a small riverboat and crossed from western to eastern Waderav in a matter of four (4) days, and then to northeastern Waderav in another five (5) days. He found his way back to the castle where he had previously served under Countess Genevieve.
All around the castle were wrecked villages, flooded fields with damaged crops, and people hard at work trying to rebuild in the ruins. Renato was not surprised at any of this, however.
He entered the castle and found it abandoned, and worried immediately that Genevieve had been killed by the tempest. There were signs that water had entered even the castle and damaged much of the contents – tapestries, wooden doors and furniture, glassware and other small accessories – yet, the castle was apparently intact.
Renato immediately drank anew of the waters of the Lujladia Ocean from his vial and was energized. He used his powers of light to look at a distance and around corners, scanning the castle for signs of anyone. By bending the light, he could see upstairs and down, into many side rooms, and into many chambers of the castle. He walked the halls to extend his view, as the bent light could not turn every corner, and he satisfied himself that no one was there. There were no remains of anyone, either, so Renato was at least relieved to not have found the Countess definitively dead. Rather, he was left with a mystery.
He then left the castle and made his way across the countryside on foot, looking for signs of Countess Genevieve. He stopped many passersby and asked if they had seen a woman with her description, but everyone told him that they hadn’t, or they were too busy with their own troubles to care to respond.
Renato continued to use his powers to bend light, drinking anew of the Lujladia Ocean waters from time to time to refresh his energy. He spent day after day – as many as thirty-one (31) days – looking for her, and found only pain in the form of families, or what was left of them, trying to rebuild.
He saw one woman crying over the damage to her home, which seemed to have suffered only small breakages. He felt sympathy and said: “If I may be of assistance, please tell me, so that the damage to your home can be repaired quickly.”
“It doesn’t matter. He’s gone…My hus
band. Like the others, he’s gone,” the woman said.
“What others?” Renato asked.
“The ones who sailed into the storm. They sailed when the girl sang to them, and lured them in. They couldn’t help themselves. She seduced them all,” the woman said.
“A girl sang a song that lured men, and they sailed into the tempest in the seas? What girl was this? Victoria?” Renato asked, stunned.
“No. It was another whose name I don’t know. I heard the song, and my husband heard it, and he could not stop himself. He was burning inside to be near the girl who sang that way,” the woman said.
“This is madness!” Renato said.
“Many died. Too many to count. Soon, the world may be only women,” the woman said. She did not know the number, but it felt to her as if all the men were gone.
“How many died in this terrible way?” Renato asked. He realized that almost all ways were terrible, but this seemed especially awful.
“Millions. And Millions. And Millions,” the woman said.
Renato was stunned to hear this, but the state of surprise gave way to understanding. If Victoria had been able to use the darkness of the Ikkith Tar Ocean’s waters while she was sailing upon them, she would have been able to use the musical gifts given by the Pirovalen Ocean’s waters when she sailed on that sea. Still, that didn’t explain the girl that the woman mentioned.
“I will help you to rebuild your home,” Renato said.
“I’d rather just be alone. This place is no home without him,” the woman said.
“To surrender is to let Victoria win,” Renato said.
“Sometimes, evil wins. That is the way in Waderav. And that is the way of the world,” the woman said.
“I insist that you let me help you. I provide many services to my employer, even fixing some things that are broken,” Renato said.
“Who do you work for?” the woman asked.
“The Countess. Her name is Genevieve,” Renato said.
“The Countess? She left the castle and is hiding in the countryside! I’ve heard a few speaking of her, saying that she escaped from the fire creature,” the woman said.
“The fire creature?” Renato asked.
“The fallen star who came down from the sky. He travels the land now, demanding that people obey him, or he will burn them to death,” the woman said.
“It seems that one trouble is followed by another. These are difficult times. Only by working together, and helping others, will we have strength to contest this adversity,” Renato said.
“You are kind. Yet, I must find the inner strength. Go back to your Countess, and let me grieve. When the pain dies down, I will build my house back up,” the woman said.
“I do not know where to find her. I have visited the castle and saw that, indeed, she is not there. Yet, I have no place in which to look for her,” Renato said.
“Someone knows, I’m sure. Just listen to every rumor and you’ll find out,” the woman said.
“Very well. I will do as you suggest,” Renato said.
Renato continued on foot, stopping to talk to anyone who was receptive. He couldn’t find a person with knowledge of Genevieve for many days, but he did not cease his search or lose his resolve.
During the next twenty-three (23) days of walking the countryside, passing through villages as he went, Renato continued to use his powers of light to see far and around corners. He finally picked the correct corner, and caught sight of Genevieve outside a small cottage.
Renato approached her, slowly, and then said: “My Lady, I see that you are still in this land, yet not in your castle. Why have you left, for there is so much danger and destruction?”
Genevieve was pleased to see Renato and said to him: “Come inside and I will tell you.”
Renato followed Genevieve into her small cottage and they sat at a table.
“A terrible creature of fire – yet that was shaped like a man – entered into the castle and demanded surrender. With him was the girl, Nerine, who sang for me. Count Perceval did not surrender and he was destroyed. I escaped,” Genevieve said.
“I have heard of this creature of fire. Others mentioned that he was demanding obedience. You said the singing girl was with him. Did she act against you or the Count?” Renato asked.
“No. She merely accompanied the creature of fire. I did not remain long enough to discover what was next, after the Count was killed. However, I did not avoid all harm,” Genevieve said.
“What misfortune befell you, My Lady?” Renato asked.
“Serpents from the sea washed ashore, and their sting was painful, and would have been the end of me, but for the Trerada waters that I drink,” Genevieve said.
“Most pleasing those waters are,” Renato said, although he was glad he chose the Lujladia Ocean waters. The powers of robust health and fine appearance were certainly desirable; yet, by light all was seen, and he could work many wonders.
“Did you learn of the tiara on your travels? And what of that woman, Victoria?” Genevieve asked, curious.
“I met with Victoria on her ship when it sailed upon the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean. There was cold and darkness; yet, by light, I was able to see through the darkness. The woman had the power to cause great storms, and many were killed and their homes destroyed. Widows are numerous in this land,” Renato said.
“Yes, they are. Still, you said that you saw Victoria?” Genevieve asked, changing her tone from somber to excited.
“Indeed. I stood against her, and brought a blade to her. Still, she escaped me,” Renato said.
“Did you cause a great injury to her?” Genevieve asked.
“Not enough, for she attacked in other places. Also, I’ve heard that a girl used the power of music, even, to kill many millions, luring them into the storm with a song,” Renato said.
“What girl was this? Do you mean someone other than Victoria?” Genevieve asked.
“That is what I have been told, but I do not have more to share,” Renato said.
“What about the tiara?” Genevieve asked.
“It is a thing of great danger that gave her destructive powers over the seas. I have heard rumors that it was destroyed,” Renato said.
“That is a terrible loss,” Genevieve said.
“The power the tiara had was much too great. The world is better without it,” Renato said.
“I do not agree, Renato. We would be better to have it come into the possession of the ethical, that they might use it to crush such a woman, or any despot who would rise,” Genevieve said.
“The tiara’s power to control the oceans is true, and it would tempt too many,” Renato said.
“The world has always had warlords who brought war. The tiara is not needed to have such conflicts. It is needed to stop them, and it could,” Genevieve said.
“I do not know all the stories, but the storms have ended. I have learned that Victoria was killed, though the means of her death are not known to me,” Renato said.
“The powers of the twelve (12) waters are great, Renato,” Genevieve said.
“Indeed, My Lady, they can do many things,” Renato said, not knowing why she was stating this.
“Yet, we can each have only one (1),” Genevieve said.
“May that limitation keep us from greater evils caused by those who cannot use power wisely,” Renato said.
“Now, I believe that it is possible to have more than one (1), after all,” Genevieve said.
“This is a tremendous thing; yet, if true, it is a danger, and the ambitious will seek it,” Renato said.
“The waters can be mixed, in many ways, for different results. The combinations are numerous, and the results are complex, suggesting greater powers. The mixtures are still lethal, and will certainly destroy anyone who drinks of them, so it is not yet possible to utilize the powers they would give. Still, I have hope that the answer can be found,” Genevieve said.
“I wish you only well in bringing good to this world,
that your benevolence may shine forth, My Lady,” Renato said, all the while hoping that she would not find the way to wield the powers of combinations of the many waters.
“I have been conducting experiments, but I need more water to complete the work. I will be returning to the market today, so that I can purchase whatever waters that are available,” Genevieve said.
“I will, of course, accompany you, My Lady. There are great dangers in the countryside,” Renato said. He was still obliged to serve her, as that was the promise he made years ago.
“I wish to leave at once, Renato,” Genevieve said.
“As you wish, My Lady,” Renato said.
Genevieve gathered several empty glass vials and put them into her coat. Then, she said “to my health, may it be enough” as she drank the waters of the Trerada Ocean from a vial that she kept in another coat pocket. After that, she led the way out of the cottage and Renato followed.
“There were water markets in many villages. We shall visit one in a village nearby. It is less than ten (10) miles to the east,” Genevieve said.
Renato drank anew of the waters of the Lujladia Ocean and was energized again. The powers of light gave him a view for quite a distance, and around many corners. While traveling the road, a sight caught his eyes. He knew that Genevieve was a curious and intelligent woman. For that reason, he feared that she might succeed at combining the waters. He did not particularly wish to see that ability in the world, so he hoped to find a discouragement. Instead, he found a cave entrance in the side of a hill in a heavily forested area. Inside, he could see that there was a statue of a man with the head of a snake, and around the base of the statue were several jars. He could bend the light in other directions and saw that the jars were empty.
“This land has many dangers, and many mysteries, My Lady. There is one that you might wish to know about,” Renato said.
“What is this mystery of which you speak, Renato?” Genevieve asked, intrigued.
