Ruin & Reliance

by Jeremy Dwyer

  “Are these variable gems available in sufficient quantities? Can we send them now, Premier Governor Dustin? Can we even depend on them?” Premier Governor Enrichetta asked.

  “Yes. I can deploy a galleon carrying two million eight hundred thousand (2800000) of them immediately,” Premier Governor Dustin said.

  “Send that, and no more, until we measure the impact. Tell Governor Aranka to expect a new shipment and to send them where they command the highest price at the moment, partitioning and timing the sales as necessary. Be careful, however, because your variable gems will destabilize the precious gem markets before long, diminishing our profit potential. I hope you realize the risks,” Premier Governor Enrichetta said.

  “I am aware of the risks, Premier Governor Enrichetta. We must be strategic, but Governor Aranka is mathematically strong, so she can distribute them carefully,” Premier Governor Dustin said.

  “And tell her to deal with Governor Lux. He needs to be destroyed for his betrayal,” Premier Governor Kynthia said.

  “And Governor Aranka should turn her attention to finishing the audit. The lightkeeper crystals must all be accounted for,” Premier Governor Enrichetta said.

  “What are your instructions?” the voice of Athamus asked, vibrating through the ruby spire.

  “Instruct Captain Gijsbert to sail the Staunch Carriage Five to Haza’Kedro’Maral Island and be at the service of Governor Aranka. Inform Governor Aranka that she is to expect a galleon containing variable gems under the command of Captain Gijsbert, who will be at her service. She must calculate a partitioning, pricing and timing of the sale of the gems to maximize profits and recover some of our losses. Summon Governor Lux back to Haza’Kedro’Maral Island to audit the central bank’s assets now that Duchess Uliana is gone. Governor Aranka must execute Governor Lux when he arrives. Then, Governor Aranka needs to expedite the audit to focus on tracking the lightkeeper crystals. We must be sure they are intact,” Premier Governor Dustin said.

  “I will send the instructions,” the voice of Athamus said, vibrating through the ruby spire.

  ~~~

  Sechnall received a message through the spirit world and said: “Governor Aranka, I have received a response. Captain Gijsbert of the galleon Staunch Carriage Five will be arriving with a shipment of variable gems, and he will enter into your service. You must calculate a partitioning, pricing and timing of the sale of the gems to maximize profits and order the captain to transport them to their destinations. Additionally, Governor Lux will be arriving in response to a summons to audit the central bank’s assets now that Duchess Uliana is gone. You are to execute him when he arrives. Furthermore, you are to expedite the audit to focus on the lightkeeper crystals.”

  “It seems that I have a great deal of work to do, and most of it needs to be done soon,” Governor Aranka said.

  Caemgen heard this report and anticipated witnessing the murder that was just ordered. Where the order came from, he did not know. He did notice that Sechnall carried a vial inscribed with the classical markings denoting the Zovvin waters, so it was likely that he was receiving messages from the spirit world, unless those markings were false.

  ~~~

  The Staunch Carriage Five was a three hundred ninety-six (396) foot long galleon with five (5) pairs of pivoting, double-masted sails. It floated out in the open waters of the Ursegan Ocean, with no other vessels nearby. Time stood still in the water around the ship, so that the vessel did not drift.

  Inside the wheelhouse, Captain Gijsbert 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 listened for his next command and it soon arrived.

  The fifty-seven (57) year old captain was a reliable employee of the central bank – going where they sent him while never asking any questions – and he was paid well for his troubles. Gijsbert turned to the young woman standing beside him and said: “Romey, you sweet little thing, do me a favor and chart a course for Haza’Kedro’Maral Island.”

  Romey was a somewhat attractive thirty-six (36) year old woman who didn’t care much for the affections of the older captain. He wasn’t going to get anything out of her, but she accepted his flirtation and commentary and led him along, giving him false hopes in return for greater pay. “Yes, captain. I’ll take you where you need to go,” she said. Romey drank anew of the waters of the Atrejan Ocean from her vial and was energized with the power to listen to the sounds of the stars. She concentrated to learn of their paths and positions and then used this information to chart a course. She then took the wheel of the Staunch Carriage Five and sailed the vessel westward across the Ursegan Ocean. “It could take a little while, Captain, but you already know that. The time waters make some things go slower and other things go a bit faster,” Romey said.

  “There’s a few things I’d like us to speed up,” Captain Gijsbert said.

  “Just when things get faster, they could suddenly slow down,” Romey said.

  “When we get to the best parts, we will slow down to enjoy them even longer,” Captain Gijsbert said.

  “I’ve got a lot of work to do, Captain. This is a big ship, so I’ll need both hands to steer it into the right spot,” Romey said.

  “Then let me give you a hand with that, so it fits perfectly,” Captain Gijsbert said. He placed his hands over Romey’s as she held the ship’s wheel.

  Romey didn’t do anything to stop the captain from holding her and standing suggestively close. There were definitely limits, but there were also tolerances, and this was well within hers. She felt the warmth of the captain’s grip and just dreamed of the extra pay she was going to receive for giving so little in return. A few playful conversations with double meanings and meaningless handholding more than doubled her salary over the past two (2) years, so she expected the same for this voyage.

  ~~~

  The ship on which Governor Lux was traveling arrived at the southern coast of Emeth and he disembarked with the other passengers. He entered the City of Emeth and went to the fountains to refresh his supply of Zovvin Ocean waters in his vials. Lux found a vacant room at a traveler’s lodge and rented it for twenty (20) nights for the price of two (2) silver coins. After nineteen (19) nights, a familiar spirit spoke into his spirit and said: “Return to Haza’Kedro’Maral Island to audit the assets of the central bank, now that Duchess Uliana is gone.”

  Lux felt relieved and looked forward to the opportunity to return to profitable work. He exited the lodge, went to the docks and paid one (1) platinum coin for transport on a ship departing from the southern coast of Emeth and heading southward across the Pirovalen Ocean. A day after setting sail, the ship passed through the northern gate of the constructed ring-shaped city known as the Port of Illumination, and then traveled across the interior water to Haza’Kedro’Maral Island in the center.

  Governor Lux disembarked from the ship and stepped onto the island. He walked along its main northern road toward the Trading Center One Building. Before arriving at the entrance, he saw that the road was guarded by twenty (20) soldiers. Lux assumed that there were likely many more guards whom he could not see, hiding under the cover of darkness.

  A woman – who was surrounded by the soldiers and accompanied by a Chronicler – greeted Lux and said: “I am Governor Aranka, the presiding authority at this central bank location.”

  “I am Governor Lux. I was instructed to return here to perform an audit on the assets of the central bank, now that Duchess Uliana has left,” Governor Lux said.

  “You are no longer a governor of the central bank. You are a liability to us,” Governor Aranka said. She gestured to her guards with a slicing motion across her neck. They noticed and understood the signal.

  A sword sliced through Governor Lux’s neck and his severed head fell to the ground.

  Caemgen recorded this execution into his book. Whether the man deserved it or not, Caemgen could not be certain. As an Oath-taking Chronicler, it was not his place to judge.

/>   ~~~

  The spirit of Lux appeared in a dark, twisted and fiery place of confusion.

  “Where am I? What is this place?” the spirit of Lux asked.

  “This is the Maelstrom of Vengeance, where you will suffer for your theft and deception,” a deep and terrifying voice said.

  “You don’t know me! Who are you to judge me?” the spirit of Lux asked.

  “I am Gadamalto, the Master of Spirits in this domain. I know your misdeeds,” the deep and terrifying voice said.

  “The central bank was well-governed by me. I was a good steward of their assets. I did what had to be done, even if it wasn’t perfect,” the spirit of Lux said.

  “You took what you wanted to take, and killed those who stood in your way. You defrauded investors and stole money from the accounts, little by little, throughout the bank. You manipulated exchange rates and taxes for your own gain, depriving the honest laborers of their savings. Now, you will be cheated of your peace and joy as you suffer here eternally,” the deep and terrifying voice said. Gadamalto tormented the spirit of Lux without end, slowly tearing him apart.

  ~~~

  “Throw the body into the sea,” Governor Aranka ordered her guards. Two (2) of the soldiers assigned to protect Governor Aranka took hold of the severed head and the decapitated body of Lux and carried them out to the eastern shore, where they cast his remains into the Pirovalen Ocean. The soldiers then returned to their duty, guarding the governor.

  Caemgen followed Governor Aranka as she returned to the Trading Center One building. Therein, Aranka drank anew of the waters of the Medathero Ocean from her vial and was energized with the power of calm, rational thought. She began making calculations and reviewing the financial activity of the bank as it was recorded in the books kept at the head table of the main trading floor. Aranka noted the recent market prices of various gems and determined where she was likely to obtain the best sale price.

  ~~~

  The Staunch Carriage Five arrived at the eastern coast of the Scholar’s Path land bridge and Romey pulled levers to pivot the masts and sails to the sides and elevate the vessel to one hundred twenty (120) feet of altitude.

  “Take us as high as you can, as far as you can. I just want it to be us, on top of the world, all alone,” Captain Gijsbert said. He tightened his grip on Romey’s hands, then kissed her neck.

  “What goes up, must come down,” Romey said. She did not like his kisses. They were at the edge of tolerable and she wanted to make them end quickly. To discourage him, she steered the ship westward across the land bridge and quickly returned to sea level in the Pirovalen Ocean, bringing the ship down for a rough landing.

  “Take it easy. Sometime it’s better to be slow and gentle,” Captain Gijsbert said.

  “I’m young, so I like it fast and rough with a hard landing,” Romey said.

  “Let’s pace ourselves and not break anything,” Captain Gijsbert said.

  “When the old things break, there’s always something new waiting to replace them,” Romey said.

  Captain Gijsbert stepped back and sat down on a chair, a little bothered by the landing and the lack of affection from his young navigator. He found her alluring, but difficult at times. “Just remember that the old things are good enough to still be around this long. You should appreciate them a bit more,” he said.

  “I know, Captain. I’ll make sure to take good care of the old things in my life so they keep working…a little while longer,” Romey said. She kept her hands on the ship’s wheel and sailed the Staunch Carriage Five westward across the Pirovalen Ocean toward Haza’Kedro’Maral Island. The ship passed through the eastern gate of the constructed city known as the Port of Illumination, and then traveled across the interior water to Haza’Kedro’Maral Island in the center.

  After the Staunch Carriage Five arrived at the eastern coast of the island, the crew members dropped the anchor and lowered the boarding ramp.

  “Let’s go find out what they need,” Captain Gijsbert said. He led the way out of the wheelhouse and off of the ship, and Romey followed. They stepped onto the island and walked along a main road leading to the Trading Center One building. Once inside, the captain saw a woman surrounded by dozens of guards. Additionally, a Chronicler stood nearby. The captain introduced himself, saying: “I am Captain Gijsbert. I was told to deliver a gem shipment here and be at the service of Governor Aranka.”

  “I am Governor Aranka. I have already calculated where you need to deliver the gems. Your first destination will be in the continent of Ihalik, in Northern District Eleven (11). There, you are to sell three (3) percent of the gems at a minimum, up to five (5) percent at a maximum. The price needs to be thirty-one thousand fifty-two (31052) platinum coins each. Then, in Northern District Fifteen (15), sell another three (3) to five (5) percent, at twenty-six thousand eight hundred seventy-six (26876) platinum coins each. Your own profit will be zero point zero zero one (0.001) percent, paid upon completion. Be on your way at once, Captain. After you make both sales, you are to return with a report. Perhaps this Chronicler would like to join you on this business trip,” the woman said.

  “I will be remaining here to record events until a change warrants my departure,” Caemgen said. He recorded the arrival of Captain Gijsbert – and the instructions he was given by the governor – into his notebook.

  “You need a change? I’ve changed my opinion of you. At first you were a minor annoyance I could ignore. Now, I truly don’t wish to have you anywhere near me,” Governor Aranka said. She was afraid of the Chronicler seeing too much, because she had to return to her audit and focus on some very sensitive information.

  Captain Gijsbert recorded what the Governor dictated into a small notebook he carried in his coat pocket. He then showed the written order to Governor Aranka. “Is this order correct, Governor?” he asked.

  Governor Aranka read the captain’s notes and signed the page with her pen, indicating approval. “Yes, Captain, that is correct,” she said.

  ~~~

  Captain Gijsbert closed his notebook and placed it back in his coat pocket. He then turned around and headed out of the Trading Center One building, with Romey accompanying him. They walked along the island road leading back to the docks and boarded the Staunch Carriage Five.

  “Raise the boarding ramp and the anchor. We’re going to set sail,” Captain Gijsbert said to his crew once he stepped on deck. As the crew members got to work following orders, the captain then returned to the wheelhouse with Romey.

  “I’ll begin charting our course immediately, Captain,” Romey said.

  “Northern District Eleven (11),” Captain Gijsbert said.

  “Yes, Captain,” Romey said. She began by consulting maps of the continent of Ihalik that were kept in an atlas on a table in the room. The detailed maps indicated where each district was located along the coastline. She drank anew of the waters of the Atrejan Ocean from her vial and was energized with the power to listen to the sounds of the stars. She concentrated to learn their paths and positions and used this information to chart a course. Romey took the ship’s wheel and steered it around the island’s coast to the western side. From there, she sailed it through the western gate of the Port of Illumination constructed city which surrounded the island and then out onto the open waters of the Pirovalen Ocean.

  Romey sailed the Staunch Carriage Five northwestward across the Pirovalen Ocean until reaching the Farmer’s Road land bridge. At that point, she pulled levers to pivot the masts and sails to the sides of the vessel and elevate it to one hundred twenty (120) feet of altitude. She steered the ship northwestward across the land bridge and returned it to sea level in the Trerada Ocean. From there, she steered the vessel toward the northwest and sailed it across the Trerada Ocean until reaching the Glivoran Trail land bridge.

  She watched Captain Gijsbert, who was suspiciously quiet and unaffectionate. This sometimes meant he was tired, although it could also mean that he was angry. She knew that she would have to
be a little more affectionate later, in subtle but noticeable ways, to make sure she got the pay increase. Romey pulled levers to pivot the masts and sails to the sides of the ship once again, and then elevated the vessel to one hundred twenty (120) feet of altitude. She steered the ship across the land bridge, returning it to sea level in the Kazofen Ocean. From there, she sailed along the northeastern coast of the continent of Ihalik until reaching the largest port in Northern District Eleven (11). Once there, she steered the ship into the docks, alongside an available pier.

  “Wait here. I’ll have the crew drop anchor, lower the ramp and get to business,” Captain Gijsbert said.

  “Then we’ll get to business when your work is done,” Romey said, smiling coyly.

  “As long as you’re gentle, it can be a very profitable – and pleasurable – business,” Captain Gijsbert said. He then left the wheelhouse and went out onto deck to direct his crew to drop anchor, lower the ramp and unload crates containing some of the gems.

  ~~~

  In the continent of Ihalik, in Northern District Eleven (11), Commissioner Wallace returned to the docks, along with his twenty (20) armed guards surrounding him. Additionally, he had summoned two hundred fifty (250) more armed guards, who were standing nearby. They walked out onto a pier, watching for the arrival of more cargo ships. He had only been waiting five (5) hours when he saw a three hundred ninety-six (396) foot long galleon with five (5) pairs of pivoting, double-masted sails drop anchor next to an unoccupied pier. He read the markings on the side of the ship to learn that it was the Staunch Carriage Five. The boarding ramp was lowered and crew members began to bring crates down toward the pier.

  “Not so fast! Just wait a moment! You need my approval to unload your cargo here! I need to inspect it and certify the contents, personally. I am Commissioner Wallace and I have authority over all cargo moving into or out of all ports of this district,” Commissioner Wallace said, holding up his hands to direct the crew not to proceed. His twenty (20) armed guards surrounded him as he approached the ship’s boarding ramp.