Ruin & Reliance

by Jeremy Dwyer

  From under the cover of darkness, Counselor Eustachio and Counselor Coleman followed the soldiers on board the vessel to ensure the delivery of the barrels of tree sap.

  ~~~

  Captain Fausto stood on deck and watched the three hundred (300) soldiers board the Calibrated Provisions. He counted fifty (50) barrels as the soldiers deposited them on the deck. He felt a tap on his shoulder and a voice from the darkness said: “This is all, Captain. Deliver according to whatever instructions you have received.”

  Having finished their delivery, the three hundred (300) soldiers walked back down the boarding ramp, trekked through the Port of Kanajomis and returned to their barracks.

  ~~~

  From under the cover of darkness, Counselor Eustachio and Counselor Coleman left the Calibrated Provisions, walked across the Port of Kanajomis and returned to their own offices in the Trail of Wealth.

  ~~~

  Captain Fausto turned to his crew and said: “Raise the ramp, lift the anchor.” His various crew members promptly obeyed his orders, pulling on the appropriate levers around the vessel.

  The fifty-four (54) year old captain then turned to a woman who stood by his side and said: “Janne, chart our course.”

  Janne drank anew of the waters of the Atrejan Ocean from her vial and was energized with the power to listen to the stars. She concentrated and heard the sounds indicating the positions and paths of the suns, and used this information to chart a course to the only place that mattered. She wrote the course into the next blank page of the captain’s log book. The thirty-one (31) year old woman followed instructions strictly, and was paid to do so perfectly, never deviating and never asking questions, no matter what unpleasant actions she might witness. There was a single stipulation in her employment agreement that she insisted upon, and that was a certain command she would never be expected to obey. Her intimate self was hers to give to whom she pleased, and she was under no obligation to give it to her employer, coworkers or anyone else she didn’t care to show affection. The central bank agreed, and so she kept to herself, never speaking of her job to her lovers, or her love life to her coworkers.

  Captain Fausto drank anew of the waters of the Zovvin Ocean from his vial and was energized with the power to connect to the spirit world. He heard a message from a familiar entity in the spirit world, who spoke into his spirit, saying: “Take the sap to the kiln to be heated. From there, harvest the finest twenty (20) percent of the finished gems and bring them to the agreed upon location.” Fausto already knew the mission; he just didn’t know what percentage of the finished gems he needed to harvest or the location of the island for delivery, as those parameters varied each time.

  ~~~

  Under the cover of darkness, a thirty-seven (37) year old woman named Laudine hid on board the Calibrated Provisions. She had watched the destruction in the woodlands of the Solkidian Trial but did not understand its purpose. She drank anew of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean from her vial to be further energized with the powers of darkness and maintain her cover for herself and her companion.

  Standing beside Laudine, benefitting from her darkness, was a thirty-nine (39) year old man named Innokenti. He did not know the purpose of the tree sap that had been collected, so he drank anew of the waters of the Elanatin Ocean from his vial to be energized with the powers of telepathy and empathy. He probed the mind of Captain Fausto and learned several facts: the tree sap was to be baked inside of a volcanic chamber in the mountains surrounding Cinder Valley in the continent of Waderav; after at least two (2) years, it hardens into a yellow-green gem, but waiting longer makes for a more pure gem; the yellow-green gems need to be brought back to Tilvonix Island – a floating island in the Ursegan Ocean; the captain does not know what any of this is for and is sworn to secrecy regarding what he does know.

  Innokenti began telepathically transmitting this to Laudine so that she would know. He then continued to probe the mind of Captain Fausto for additional information. While the first part was cryptic – it seemed suspiciously like a form of gem counterfeiting operation given that it was so secretive – the next part was an abomination. Innokenti learned that getting into the volcanic chamber within the mountains surrounding Cinder Valley with a ship this size required traveling along a certain stream and passing through gateways in the mountains; and those gateways were guarded by spirits; the spirits would materialize and open the gates from the inside, but only in response to a human sacrifice to the demon known as Ralithos, the Eternal King of All Mountains and Stones; Captain Fausto had two (2) pregnant crew members selected as sacrifices.

  CHAPTER 8: Journey into Waste and Corruption

  In the continent of Waderav was the territory of Prince Istvan. The thirty-eight (38) year old warrior ruled a half-desolate territory spanning fifty-three (53) miles from north to south and fifty-four (54) miles from east to west, for a total of two thousand eight hundred sixty-two (2862) square miles. The eastern boundary was located six hundred twenty-three (623) miles inland from the central eastern region of Waderav. He wanted more, however, and planned to extend his boundaries eastward toward the Gradaken Ocean. Prince Istvan awaited the report of his scout regarding a valuable target.

  ~~~

  Gilroy drank anew of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean from his vial and was energized with the powers of darkness. The twenty-six (26) year old man traveled alone and cloaked himself in the darkness, so that he entered a farm town unseen. He began surveying the land and making rough measurements of its worth. He counted thirty-two (32) fields, each consisting of perhaps one hundred (100) acres. Farmers were busily planting seeds in some areas and harvesting crops – potatoes, corn and wheat – in others. Additionally, there were five (5) quarries, ranging in size from fifteen (15) acres to over six hundred (600) acres. The miners were extracting building stones, but nothing that appeared like a gem. Gilroy couldn’t tell the difference between granite, sandstone or marble until it was polished and refined, so he made no assumption. He didn’t see any sign of soldiers, or anyone hiding in false light. If anyone were hiding in darkness, by drinking the same Ikkith Tar waters he did or by standing next to such a person, he would not be able to see them, and they would not be able to see him. There were no visible soldiers, and this was either relieving or alarming. The town was too large and too valuable to not have defenses, unless a lord – some baron, duke or count – was too cheap or poor to keep a constant presence here. That was a likely explanation, because it cut their costs to have fewer soldiers who were deployed at random to surprise any invaders. He surveyed the town for nine (9) days and then exited to give his report to Prince Istvan.

  ~~~

  Prince Istvan grew impatient waiting for his scout’s report. He paced back and forth within his castle throne room and considered what might be the delay, for the scout had been gone thirteen (13) days. Istvan turned to his very unattractive young female assistant standing nearby and asked: “Have you reviewed my treasury, Eibhlin?”

  Eibhlin – the twenty-three (23) year old woman who served as treasurer for the prince – drank anew of the waters of the Medathero Ocean from her vial and was energized with the power of calm, rational thought. “Yes, Your Majesty. However, I can review the royal treasures again,” she said. Eibhlin opened the book she held and quickly tabulated the expenses, revenues and holdings of the territories of Prince Istvan. All of the prince’s operations were profitable, across every single town, although some were only marginally so. She noticed a pattern, however. “Your Majesty, all of your towns are profitable. However, those which are primarily mining towns are marginally so, and profits have been declining from the sale of precious gems. All of your farms are performing very well, across all crops – wheat, barley, corn and potatoes. Diamonds, sapphires, rubies and emeralds are selling at thirty-five (35) percent below normal rates, and granite is selling at seventeen (17) percent below normal rates.”

  “This is disappointing, Eibhlin. This land has poor soil throughout.
I do not have nearly enough farms to depend only on agriculture. Is there a quality reduction in our gem and stone yield?” Prince Istvan asked.

  “No, Your Majesty. There appear to be changing market conditions. Sale prices on precious gems and even construction materials are dropping. This is a factor that is external to your quarries, mine workers and crystal benders,” Eibhlin said.

  “Then we know who to blame, don’t we, Eibhlin? Yes, the central bank. They manipulate the rates. We’ve seen it before,” Prince Istvan said.

  “That is a possible explanation, Your Majesty. Another possibility is surplus production by the mining companies. The Ihalik Empire exports precious gems and the Jenaldej Empire imports them. If their trading activity changes, the effects are quickly noticed in the world markets,” Eibhlin said.

  “I am doubtful that they have the primary responsibility for this loss. Perhaps some, but not to this extent,” Prince Istvan said.

  “The only way to be certain is to conduct a careful market analysis, Your Majesty,” Eibhlin said.

  “I’m not going to waste my time, Eibhlin. I know who is to blame, and they will be made to pay,” Prince Istvan said. He sat upon his throne and continued waiting for his scout, and stewed with anger over the report of the dropping sale prices.

  ~~~

  Gilroy entered the castle of Prince Istvan through a hidden door to which he had a private key, closing and locking the door behind him. He eased his powers of darkness and entered the throne room, kneeling before Prince Istvan, who was seated upon his throne.

  “I bring you my report, Your Majesty,” Gilroy said.

  “You were absent for thirteen (13) days, Gilroy. Have I waited this long for a good report, or for failure?” Prince Istvan asked.

  “I have good news, Your Majesty. The town you have selected consists of thirty-two (32) farming fields, each one hundred (100) acres. Additionally, there are five (5) quarries, ranging in size from fifteen (15) acres to six hundred (600) acres. Farmers and miners are actively working the land, with no defenses in sight,” Gilroy said.

  “I will move quickly to claim our new territory. Yet, we cannot assume the town is undefended, Gilroy. We must prepare for resistance, and assume that the town is momentarily unoccupied by the defenses of the lord who owns it. It is time to prepare my troops,” Prince Istvan said. He drank anew of the waters of the Nabavodel Ocean from his vial and was energized with the powers of strength and speed. He stood up from his throne and called out to the guards who waited around the edges of his throne room, saying: “Summon my colonels and majors and tell them to ready my troops. I will be waiting by the main roads. Gilroy, come with me. Eibhlin, you are to wait here and document everything – I want complete sales reports on every gem of every quality across every quarry across every town in my territory.”

  Prince Istvan marched from his throne room, through the hallway and toward the front gate, which was opened for him by his guards. He then crossed over a drawbridge and stepped out onto the land surrounding his castle. A pair of wide roads intersected there, leading north, south, east and west.

  Gilroy accompanied Prince Istvan according to the command. He drank anew of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean from his vial and was energized with the powers of darkness. He cloaked himself so that he could serve as a personal bodyguard for Prince Istvan.

  Within less than an hour, thousands of soldiers in Prince Istvan’s army filed in front of their lord, directed by the colonels and majors. Istvan counted the soldiers as they were arranged into squadrons, battalions and brigades.

  Prince Istvan stood in front of two (2) brigades, each consisting of four thousand five hundred (4500) of his most experienced troops and gave the orders: “Ready yourselves for battle. We will take this town, claim our one quarter (1/4) share of their harvest, enforce twenty (20) percent taxation on the rest of their yield and that is all. Your strength is to compel them, to intimidate them, to give them no other choice. Farmers are not fighters. They will comply. Miners are rarely, if ever, fighters. Some can forge effective weapons by bending crystal, but their combat skills are almost always lacking. Kill as few as possible, seize their weapons. If the items prove especially effective, they will be hired to forge new ones. Opportunities await those willing to work for me, by my rules.”

  The nine thousand (9000) soldiers each drank anew of the water of the Nabavodel Ocean from their own vials, preparing them with the strength and speed necessary to fight. They knew their orders and did not question the necessity or the methods to be used. They knew how to expand the territory and enrich Prince Istvan, and they were fiercely loyal to him, for the man was fair, ambitious and more successful with each new mission.

  “Move in, swiftly,” Prince Istvan ordered.

  Of the nine thousand (9000) soldiers, seven thousand eight hundred (7800) readied their swords and one thousand two hundred (1200) prepared their crossbows. Over two (2) days, they marched a total of twenty-seven (27) miles southeastward, resting as needed. They halted their march at the top of a hill overlooking a large farm town.

  “We rest for one (1) day. Tomorrow, we lay claim,” Prince Istvan ordered. He and his soldiers pitched tents and rested. Gilroy and a dozen other scouts kept watch in shifts through the night, each drinking the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean from their vials to be energized with the power of darkness. They could not see far, but they could see enough to protect Prince Istvan and rouse the soldiers in the event of an ambush. Actually, they hoped they could see enough, for none of them drank the waters of the Lujladia Ocean which would allow them to see far and peer into the darkness.

  The next morning, Prince Istvan and his soldiers awoke and readied themselves. They each drank anew of the waters of the Nabavodel Ocean from their vials to be energized with the powers of strength and speed. Gilroy – and a dozen dark scouts like him – each drank anew of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean to energize their powers of darkness

  “’Fire warning shots!” Prince Istvan ordered.

  The twelve hundred (1200) crossbowmen fired shots at the northern edge of a field, deliberately missing the one hundred eighty (180) farmers working along the edge. The seven thousand eight hundred (7800) sword fighters marched forward and approached the farmers. The crossbowmen followed, maintaining a tactically effective distance.

  Prince Istvan walked in the midst of his sword fighters. He quickly counted the farmers working in various other parts of the field and estimated their number to be over one thousand five hundred (1500). There appeared to be other fields in the distance, which he planned on approaching soon enough.

  ~~~

  Under the cover of darkness, Gilroy remained close to Prince Istvan at all times.

  ~~~

  As Prince Istvan and his troops traveled the road leading toward the town center and bordering this first field, Prince Istvan shouted to the farmers: “This town – all of its harvest, all of its laborers – now belong to me, Prince Istvan. No harm shall come to any of you, so long as you continue to work and pay the share that is due. That share consists of two (2) parts. First, you must give over one quarter (1/4) – the first and best quarter (1/4) – of all crops to me. Second, you must pay me twenty (20) percent taxes on the rest, meaning the surplus, which I expect you to sell. Merchant ships pass through this town along the river to the south. The same applies to all stones and gems your miners extract.”

  Prince Istvan gestured toward his troops and they brandished their weapons threateningly, pointing swords and crossbows at the heads and necks of the farmers around them.

  “I’m not hearing any objections. Good. Return to your work, tending my fields,” Prince Istvan said. He and his soldiers marched along the road through the town and claimed thirty-one (31) additional fields and five (5) quarries in the same way. No miner forged a weapon against him and the surrender was unconditional and immediate. No lives were lost and none were injured.

  When Prince Istvan and his troops reached the southeastern corner
of the town, their progress was halted by a river flowing from west to east. On the south bank of the river was a thick swamp and he had no intention of claiming such a low value property. His scouts – primarily Gilroy – had surveyed the town already and told him what to expect.

  “Taking a town as large as this was all too easy. Was the lord of the land killed? Was he or she too poor to afford defenses? A land such as this would produce a valuable yield, sufficient for hiring some soldiers. Not a match for us; yet, enough to bring us losses. Don’t you find this peculiar? I do. Still, we may not know the answer for some time. We will remain here and defend our new acquisition. My other brigades have their orders, and will defend the castle as well. I want to remain right by this river, and wait. They’re coming, any day now, and I plan to be ready. Until then, my colonels and majors are to count the troops, report on their health, and eat well from the produce of our new farms,” Prince Istvan said.

  ~~~

  Patrick steered the riverboat westward along the meandering river. The vessel slowed in its advance, and he looked down at the muddy water and instantly knew why. “We’re entering a swamp. The mud is slowing our advance,” he said.

  “I thought you knew a lot about the lay of the land,” Sophie said.

  “I do. I never said we could sail this river all the way. We’re going to take it as far as we can and go on foot, until we can pick up another riverboat,” Patrick said.

  Sophie slapped Patrick fiercely.

  “What was that for?!” Patrick yelled.

  “Do you know what a swamp is? Do you know what grows in swamps? Here’s a hint: I’m not talking about mud. There are snakes in swamps. There are alligators in swamps. And then there are idiots who steer a boatload of desperate people into swamps. I thought you were smart, Patrick,” Sophie said.

  “Please calm down. What I see ahead isn’t all that bad. We can stay close to the trees and walk on the higher ground. It may be muddy but the only real danger is to wade into deep water. As far as snakes and alligators go, we still drink the Gradaken waters, and they still let us take charge. We’ll keep our eyes open,” Odhran said. He drank anew of the waters of the Gradaken Ocean from his vial and was energized with the power to control plants and animals. The other fifty-six (56) farmers traveling along with them did the same.