by Jeremy Dwyer
“Unfortunately, the former duke and duchess took all their farmers with them. Now, my few farmers who worked my lands before I annexed this duchy will have to harvest the fields here, as well. I will just have to make the most of the opportunity. I suppose my soldiers will have to help the farmers as best they can,” Baron Amidio said. He stood up from his throne and exited the castle. Outside, he met his guard captains and began organizing them, giving orders to assist the farmers in the process of harvesting crops – corn, oats, wheat, barley and others – and storing them into crates and barrels.
Caemgen drank anew of the waters of the Ursegan Ocean from his vial to be energized with the power to slow the passage of time and observe all events in detail, no matter how quickly they occurred. He followed Baron Amidio, recording all that he said and did, along with the actions of his soldiers and farmers in the fields around the castle. He counted them quickly and accurately, determining that Amidio commanded twelve thousand three hundred (12300) soldiers and only one thousand eight hundred (1800) farmers.
The claim by Leocadio that a familiar spirit delivered a message from the central bank was intriguing to Caemgen, but did not prove anything. He could not see spirits, so he could not verify that claim. The increased prices for the crops were suspicious because the central bank was known to maximize its own profits by controlling the prices that they paid. Paying thirty-eight (38) percent more likely suggested that the central bank’s operatives were selling the agricultural products at even higher margins. Caemgen could not write his suppositions into his book, however, because he had no proof and it was not the duty of a Chronicler to make their own interpretations or predictions about what they observed.
~~~
From under the cover of false light, Derek watched Baron Amidio and followed him. He drank anew of the waters of the Lujladia Ocean from his vial to be energized with the power to manipulate light and maintain his cover. He was interested in the rendezvous with the central bank, and the details behind the substantially increased payments for the crops.
~~~
On board the Resolute Traverser, Captain Pradrock and his crew waited for three (3) days for the large, mountain-like object to move out of their path. When their path was clear, Pradrock returned to the wheelhouse and sailed the ship northwestward across the Kazofen Ocean until reaching Port Number Five Hundred Seventeen on the southern central coast of Revod. After steering the ship alongside a pier and dropping the anchor, he left the wheelhouse and went out on deck where his crew was waiting.
“Fritz, Massimo: Let’s go down into the cargo hold and inspect more of the crates. While we’re down there, I want to make sure that there is no damage to the hull, from sailing so close to that mountain,” Captain Pradrock said.
~~~
Massimo and Fritz walked down the steps leading into the cargo hold, followed closely by Captain Pradrock. Each of them saw that the crates had all ruptured, spilling the precious gems they contained onto the floor around them.
“If these crates are all ruptured, how is the hull not ruptured?” Massimo asked.
“Are you sure it’s not ruptured, Massimo? Look closely, bending light around every corner,” Pradrock asked.
Massimo drank anew of the Lujladia waters from his vial to be energized with the power to manipulate light. He projected a beam of light throughout the cargo hold, bending it to peer into every crevice and locate even the tiniest breach in the ship’s hull. “The hull is intact. I see no break or water seepage,” he said.
“The damage could have been from inside,” Fritz said. He drank anew of the waters of the Kazofen Ocean from his vial and was energized with the power to manipulate crystal. He began to inspect the low-level structure of the spilled precious gems and said: “I don’t understand. The gems are undamaged, unscratched. If something had pierced the crates, it should have at least scratched some of these gems. Diamond is resistant, but the citrines are not.”
Captain Pradrock picked up a handful of gems, made a few mental calculations and checked these against the manifests in the crates. “We now have three point zero seven (3.07) percent more gems than we began with. The crates were packed tightly, so the excess crystals ruptured them,” he said.
“What you said makes no sense. How could we have more gems than we began with, when the crates were closed?” Massimo asked.
“I currently have no reasonable theories to explain this,” Captain Pradrock said.
“My only thought is that these precious gems had unstable structures and fractured during transport,” Fritz said.
“Even then, that doesn’t explain the rupturing of the crates, which should have held the crystal fragments together. Significant pressure would be required, coming from within,” Captain Pradrock said.
Massimo looked around the cargo hold to see if there was a sign of darkness, but found nothing. “No one is hiding in the darkness.”
Jolene and Akantha came down the steps into the cargo hold.
“I sensed you all getting nervous,” Jolene said.
“Whatever broke the crates and spilled the gems didn’t damage the ship,” Massimo said.
“Fritz, you think the gems might be counterfeits, don’t you?” Jolene asked.
“The thought crossed my mind, but they’re supposedly from the central bank, according to the manifests,” Fritz said.
“If Massimo can’t see anybody hiding in the darkness, could they use false light, like whatever hid that mountain? You don’t think the mountain has anything to do with it, Captain?” Jolene asked.
“I don’t see a connection, Jolene. Admittedly, that’s not proof,” Captain Pradrock said.
“Spirits?” Jolene asked.
“I don’t see how they would do this, or why, but I’ll check,” Akantha said. She drank anew of the waters of the Zovvin Ocean from her vial and was energized with the power to connect to the spirit world. She concentrated and then said: “I’ve got nothing. There’s no connection I can sense. There are spirits around us, but they’re not involved.”
“So you think we should report this to the resource coordinators?” Jolene asked.
“That is what I was thinking, Jolene. I don’t think we should deliver these gems – whatever they are – to this port just yet. Someone in authority in the Jenaldej Empire needs to investigate,” Captain Pradrock said. He climbed up the steps from the cargo hold and went back on deck, followed by Jolene, Akantha, Massimo and Fritz.
“Something’s wrong with our cargo?” Akylas asked when he saw Pradrock and the others come up out of the cargo hold, visibly distressed.
“You could say that,” Akantha said.
“At least there’s nothing wrong with the ship,” Massimo said.
“Akylas, chart a course for northeastern Revod, Port Number One Hundred Six. We have to file a cargo discrepancy report with the Jenaldej Empire,” Captain Pradrock said.
CHAPTER 28: Perils in Mountain and Forest
While his traveling companions rested on the stumps of fallen trees in a sparse forest in eastern central Waderav, Patrick stood up and gazed at the sky. He drank anew of the waters of the Medathero Ocean from his vial and was thus energized with the power of calm, rational thought. He examined the configuration of red and blue suns and made several mental calculations.
“You don’t drink the right water to follow the stars, Patrick! How’s staring at them going to work?” Sophie asked.
“I can’t navigate by the paths of the yellow suns, but the red and the blue stars move in predictable ways. A few mathematical calculations let me chart our course. And I worked on merchant ships for years, so I know enough about the lay of the land and the trade routes in Waderav to find our way to another main river,” Patrick said.
“You might know where the rivers flow, but how does that tell you where we are in a forest, or how far away that a river is?” Sophie asked.
“It’s not like we’re going to get lost in these woods, Sophie. Except for a few thick patches
of trees here and there, most of these trees are rotted and fallen, so we can see for miles,” Sean said.
“Sadly, you are correct about that, Sean. Much of the land is spoiled,” Ciaran said.
Odhran drank anew of the waters of the Gradaken Ocean from his vial and was energized with the powers to control plants and animals. He stood up and examined the tree stump he was sitting on, as well as the ground beneath it. “The soil was poor, weakening the trunk,” he said. Odhran then examined the broken tree trunks scattered around them and said: “These trees had the same fate.”
“If we don’t find a riverboat and sail out of here soon – to a real town with real food, not just wild berries – we’re going to suffer the same fate as these trees,” Sophie said.
Elise drank anew of the waters of the Pirovalen Ocean from her vial to be energized with the powers of music and sound. “The forest is quiet. I don’t hear anything for a distance of ten (10) miles,” she said.
“So that means you don’t hear any towns or riverboats nearby?” Sophie asked.
“I hear no sounds of activity at all. Not for at least ten (10) miles in any direction,” Elise said.
“That means everything’s dead. Animals – snakes, bears, rats, deer, wolves, rabbits, wasps, mosquitoes – should be here, moving around, rustling leaves and making noise,” Odhran said.
Ciaran drank anew of the waters of the Kazofen Ocean from his vial and was energized with the power to manipulate crystal and stone. He stood up and placed his hands on the ground, moving dirt out of the way, and searching for something.
“What are you looking for, Ciaran? Maybe I can help. So can these other farmers,” Odhran asked.
“You said the soil was bad. This is why,” Ciaran said after pulling up a stone block twice the size of his fist.
“Rocky soil, just like what we dealt with before,” Odhran said.
“This isn’t just any rock. It’s obsidian – volcanic rock. I’ve already looked at its low-level structure,” Ciaran said.
“Since we crossed the lava river, we’ve been walking for six (6) days, twenty (20) miles a day. The Pika Huojin Lava River doesn’t extend here,” Patrick said.
“But this means that some other lava river must be flowing underground, nearby. We have to be careful where we step or a soft spot on the ground could give way to a lava flow,” Ciaran said.
“There’s always something rotten here, no matter where we go. If we can’t see the problem with our eyes, or hear it in the distance, then it’s underneath us. How can I not hate Waderav?” Sophie asked.
“It does seem to have every kind of peril I can imagine,” Molly said.
“Then stop using your imagination, Molly. You’re just going to scare yourself,” Sean said.
“That’s not funny, Sean. We need to think of a way out of here,” Molly said.
“If you mean out of Waderav completely, then I agree,” Sophie said.
“It’s not good farmland, but it is good for mining and stonecutting,” Ruth said.
“We’ve always found plenty of mining work to do. There are a lot of stones to cut – the precious gems and the building blocks,” Ciaran said.
“Yeah, I agree. If anything, it’s been too much work,” Molly said.
“But Waderav’s location should make good farmland. The Gradaken Ocean spans the entire eastern coast,” Odhran said.
“It would make good farmland, if only there were irrigation canals and aqueducts leading from there to here,” Patrick said.
“And if we pulled up the rocks from the soil,” Ciaran said.
“Then why aren’t there irrigation canals and aqueducts from there to here?” Odhran asked.
“We could have built them,” Sophie said.
“That’s a big job,” Molly said.
“Yeah, but I would have been up to it,” Ruth said.
“So would I, and every other stonecutter and miner across the continent,” Ciaran said.
“I wouldn’t mind the work…if we were well paid,” Sean said.
“We don’t own the land. The barons, dukes, counts and princes own it. We do what they tell us, because they own us, too,” Patrick said.
“Not anymore, Patrick. I’m a free woman now,” Sophie said.
“Don’t the barons and all of the rest of them want to make a bigger profit? Off of better land? Why not irrigate the land, dig up all the rocks, refine and sell the useful ones, and increase the yield?” Ruth asked.
“You would think so, but they don’t take our advice. The landholders tell us what to do, and where and when to do it,” Patrick said.
“We – or somebody else – could have built retaining walls to separate the lava river and protect this forest,” Ruth said.
“If that had been done, this would be good timberland, for ship construction,” Odhran said.
“Yes, it would have. But most of the big timber comes from Javanda,” Patrick said.
“Why only there? The best and the most should come from the land that borders the Gradaken Ocean. How does this make sense?” Odhran asked.
“It doesn’t make sense,” Ruth said.
“Whatever the central bank is willing to purchase, that’s what the barons, dukes, counts and princes sell. It’s about the demand, not just the supply. Besides, not all land has the same quality, even if the same person drinking the highest purity Gradaken waters cultivates it,” Patrick said.
“But the land quality here would be much better if we developed it,” Ciaran said.
“Yes, if the miners extracted the excess stones, then the improved soil quality and wider distribution would allow the trees, plants and food crops to grow over larger areas. Food and timber would be more available and affordable,” Odhran said.
“And the sale of the extra granite, marble, sandstone and limestone that they extracted would increase profits, as well as making those materials more available and dropping the prices,” Ruth said.
“That’s just common sense. This can’t be an accident. Someone’s choking the supply and playing games with the market prices. They’re pulling a con job,” Sophie said.
“Or they’re just stupid,” Sean said.
“The central bank governors calculate prices very carefully based on supply and demand throughout the world. They’re not stupid,” Patrick said.
“Baron Vizakrid was a psychopath. He had a lot of brawn, but not much in the way of brains. If anybody’s stupid, it was him,” Sophie said.
“I can’t read minds, but I’ll admit he’s not the smartest guy I’ve ever met,” Ruth said.
“Let’s not assume anybody’s intelligence is lacking. We don’t know all the deals that are being made. A lot of business is confidential, or it’s just done faraway from here,” Patrick said.
“We’re just runaway slaves. What do we know? We can’t solve the world’s problems by standing here in the middle of a ruined forest. Let’s get moving again and find a town where we can get some real food. I’m tired of eating a handful of berries, not that we can find them all that often,” Ruth said.
“I’m just tired,” Molly said.
“I’m just hungry,” Sean said.
“What’s the best way to go, Patrick?” Sophie asked.
“We still need to go west,” Patrick said.
~~~
The Consecration of the Hopeful was moored in the Port of Nasharev on the eastern coast of the Farmer’s Road land bridge.
Kaija led the other oblates of the Vital Navigators of Sanctity into the wheelhouse and said: “From here, we must travel to the Glivoran Trail. Those who give worship to stones – things without life, and which did not create life – must hear our message. They must learn of the One True God, and repent of their false faith. Annaliisa, chart a course there, and we will visit their temple of sin and destruction, to preach the message that gives life.”
“Are your waters still pure enough?” Juho asked.
“Yes, I have more of the purified potion from earlier. Th
ank you for asking, Juho,” Annaliisa said.
“I will replenish your supply when you need. Do not hesitate to ask me,” Juho said.
“When I need more, I’ll come right to you. For now, I am fine,” Annaliisa said. She sensed that Juho desired her by his tone of voice. Although he was both helpful and pleasant, she wasn’t yet sure what to make of his affection.
Annaliisa 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 and learned the paths and positions of the suns, and used the information to chart a course. She then pulled levers to pivot the masts and the sails to the sides of the ship and elevated the vessel to one hundred twenty (120) feet of altitude. She steered the Consecration of the Hopeful northwestward across the Farmer’s Road land bridge and returned it to sea level in the Trerada Ocean. From there, she sailed the ship northwestward, until reaching the Glivoran Trail land bridge. At that point, she again pulled levers to pivot the masts and the sails to the sides of the ship and elevated it to one hundred twenty (120) feet of altitude. She steered the vessel northward across the Glivoran Trail land bridge and returned it to sea level in the Kazofen Ocean. From there, she sailed the Consecration of the Hopeful northeastward, to follow the curving western coastline of the land bridge.
“Reko, keep a close watch on the trails through the mountains. Look for movements that indicate the ritual walk has begun. The children will have been starved to sickness and travel very slowly. Some of them might even fall down from hunger,” Kaija said.
Reko drank anew of the waters of the Lujladia Ocean from his vial and was energized with the powers of light and far sight. He peered into the distance, high up into the mountainous land bridge and into the caves and crevices as far as he could. “I can see for a distance. I do not see the procession yet,” he said.
