Ruin & Reliance

by Jeremy Dwyer

  “I didn’t forget us. That’s why I kissed you before anything else,” Captain Nicomedes said.

  “Keep kissing me. We’re what matters, not making a profit,” Sunniva said.

  Captain Nicomedes kissed Sunniva again and then again and the kisses became passionate. He forgot himself and then found new energy. He undressed once again, and removed Sunniva’s clothing and they made love more slowly and more intensely than before. When they were satisfied with their intimacy, they dressed again.

  “All I care about is us, Nicomedes. Not this work. We should be retired by now. We can make love all the time, and stay away from the worries of the world,” Sunniva said.

  “After this transaction, I’ll resign. The central bank can find a replacement – less experienced, for lower pay – easily enough. They won’t miss me, and I won’t miss them,” Captain Nicomedes said.

  “You mean, we’ll both resign,” Sunniva said.

  “Yes, both of us will be done with the central bank,” Captain Nicomedes said.

  “Done with work – all work. I want our time to belong to us,” Sunniva said.

  “Let’s get to doing the work. The sooner it’s begun, the sooner it’s done,” Captain Nicomedes said.

  “The central bank will make a profit no matter what. We don’t have to be on time, every time,” Sunniva said.

  “I’m not rushing for their sake. I’m rushing for us. I want this job to be over with,” Captain Nicomedes said.

  “Where are we going?” Sunniva asked.

  “Waderav, from west to east, to buy crops from the bank’s landholders,” Captain Nicomedes said.

  “Let’s get this over with,” Sunniva said. She kissed Captain Nicomedes and they both stood up from their bed. She unlocked and opened the cabin door and they both walked out on deck. Sunniva then closed and locked the cabin door and the old lovers walked together, hand-in-hand, across the ship’s deck and went into the wheelhouse.

  Inside the wheelhouse, Sunniva consulted an atlas and noted the locations of the various barons and other noble landholders subordinate to the central bank. She drank anew of the waters of the Atrejan Ocean from her vial to be energized with the power to listen to the sounds of the stars. She concentrated to learn their paths and positions and used the information to chart a course. “I have our course,” she said.

  “Let me ready the ship,” Captain Nicomedes said. He pulled levers to retract the boarding ramps and raise the anchor.

  Sunniva took hold of the ship’s wheel and steered the Yield Adjuster Twenty-Seven out of the island port. She sailed the vessel eastward across the Pirovalen Ocean, along the narrow stretch of waters between Haza’Kedro’Maral Island and the Port of Illumination that surrounded it. The ship passed through the easternmost gate of that crystal city and then continued traveling until reaching the Scholar’s Path land bridge. At that point, she 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 eastward across the land bridge and returned it to sea level in the Ursegan Ocean. From there, Sunniva continued sailing the ship eastward.

  ~~~

  On board the Escapade, which was still docked along the southwestern coast of Emeth, Nina slept inside of her cabin. She awakened to a knock at the door and saw Stephan enter with his lyre hanging on a shoulder strap.

  “Really, Stephan? You can’t let me get some rest?” Nina asked as she sat up in bed.

  “You’ve been sleeping all day for the last three (3) days. Are you sick?” Stephan asked.

  “Yes. Yes I am sick of risky work and walking into disasters,” Nina said.

  “I mean, are you really sick?” Stephan asked.

  “No. I just need more sleep,” Nina said.

  “Tomiko wants you to chart a course. Everyone’s ready to go,” Stephan said.

  “Everyone except me,” Nina said.

  “You need to relax, Nina. Be at peace. We just need to do a little more work. While you’re navigating and steering the ship, I can stay with you. I’ve got nothing to do until we get there, so we’ll just take our time,” Stephan said.

  “You’re a relaxed kind of guy, Stephan,” Nina said.

  “Music gives me peace, and then I make peaceful music. That’s how to live,” Stephan said.

  “That’s great for you, Stephan. But it doesn’t do anything to help me, or to fix our problems,” Nina said.

  “We still have to work, but what problems do we have?” Stephan asked.

  “I joined this crew thinking we’d get rich quick. Tomiko’s supposedly so smart that he can figure out how to find the goods we’re looking for and get paid faster. Instead, we’ve gotten very little pay, lots of debt to pay off, and a rare big job that pays well. Most of the time, we’re just taking risks and getting little reward,” Nina said.

  “Life is its own reward, Nina. Just fill it with peaceful thoughts and peaceful music. If you fight all the time, you get tired and angry. But if you find peace, you’ll be rested and happy,” Stephan said.

  “Easier said than done, Stephan,” Nina said.

  “Peace is the answer to life. Music is the way to find that peace. It doesn’t have to be hard,” Stephan said.

  “Do you really believe what you’re telling me? Or are you just saying that to talk yourself into working under these conditions?” Nina asked

  “I believe it, because it’s true. Music can do almost anything,” Stephan said.

  “Music can also kill millions of people. Didn’t you hear the story about the girl singing Sail to Me and luring them into the tempest? And don’t forget all those enchantment songs deceiving people into obeying King Xander. Just be careful you don’t believe your own sugar-sweet lies and lure yourself into a trap,” Nina said.

  “We’ve got some of the smartest people on board. Gabrielle and Genevieve are clever like Tomiko. I trust them to keep us out of trouble,” Stephan said.

  “I trust them to get us into trouble,” Nina said.

  “Let me play a short tune for you. That might help you relax and find peace,” Stephan said. He drank anew of the waters of the Pirovalen Ocean from his vial to be energized with the powers of music and song. He then lifted the lyre and started playing several notes.

  “Stop! I’ll help you. Just don’t try to manipulate me with music,” Nina said. She got out of bed and followed Stephan out of her cabin. They walked out on deck and met Tomiko and the crew, as well as the Chronicler, Silvius.

  “Nina, good to see you’re awake. I need you to chart a course to Endarinik Island,” Tomiko said.

  “I’ll get us there. But I need you to get us through this, safely, Tomiko. I hope you’ve got a real good plan,” Nina said.

  “We have good plan. Let’s get to work,” Tomiko said.

  ~~~

  Nina walked across the deck of the Escapade and entered the wheelhouse.

  Both Stephan and Tomiko followed her there. Once inside the room, Tomiko opened his book and showed the map to Nina again.

  Nina reviewed the map and then drank anew of the waters of the Atrejan Ocean from her vial to be energized with the power to listen to the sounds of the stars. She concentrated to hear their paths and positions. Using this information, she charted a course and then wrote it down into the log book on the table in the room.

  “There’s the course so you can see it. I’m ready now, so let’s get this over with,” Nina said.

  “Remember, Nina, be at peace,” Stephan said.

  “Shut up, Stephan. Just leave me alone so I can sail this ship,” Nina said.

  “He’s just trying to help you, Nina. We need to work together,” Tomiko said.

  “And I’m just trying to work, without anybody getting in my way,” Nina said. She pulled levers to retract the boarding ramp, raise the anchor and steer the ship out of the dock. She sailed the Escapade northwestward across the Trerada Ocean until reaching the Glivoran Trail land bridge. At that point, she 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 across the land bridge and returned it to sea level in the Kazofen Ocean. From there, she sailed the ship westward.

  “See, Nina, the hardest part of the voyage is already behind us, and it wasn’t that difficult,” Tomiko said.

  “This island’s in the northwestern Kazofen Ocean. We’re not there yet, so I wouldn’t get too comfortable. And don’t forget the return trip,” Nina said.

  “After this assignment, I think you need to go on extended rest, Nina. I’m worried about your ability to concentrate,” Tomiko said.

  “I’m concentrating real hard, Tomiko. Let’s make this a profitable trip, so we can pay off our debts and I can afford to go on extended rest…extended to the rest of my life,” Nina said.

  ~~~

  On board the Staunch Carriage Five, Razmig and Kobus stood inside the wheelhouse. Razmig drank anew of the waters of the Zovvin Ocean from his vial and was energized with the power to communicate with the spirit world. He received a message and then said: “Master Besattoken has given us a new command. We are to sail southwest across the Zovvin Ocean and intercept a fleet of eight hundred fifty-eight (858) frigates. They are led by the Plenteous, a galleon, but the master is not concerned with that ship or its cargo. Only the warriors on board the frigates need to be killed and their spirits captured.”

  “That is a large fleet of warships. This is only a single vessel,” Kobus said.

  “Master Besattoken will be with us. As the warriors die, I will perform the ritual to gather their spirits, and they can be summoned through the staff and commanded to fight on our behalf against the remaining warriors,” Razmig said.

  “Then the swarm will grow stronger immediately, even as we fight the battle?” Kobus asked.

  “Yes, my friend. Our army of spirits will become stronger and stronger, with each new captive,” Razmig said.

  “I will trust you,” Kobus said.

  “I speak the truth as told to me by Master Besattoken. Trust him,” Razmig said.

  “If you swear to me that the master will help us when we need it, then I will sail this lone ship to confront that large fleet of warships. But you have to swear it to me, Razmig,” Kobus said.

  “Who are we to doubt our master? I swear that I believe his words. Now, we must begin our next journey,” Razmig said.

  “After we defeat the warriors – with the master’s help, as he promised and you swore – I want the cargo on board the galleon. Even if the master isn’t concerned about it, I am,” Kobus said.

  Kobus steered the Staunch Carriage Five southwest across the Zovvin Ocean and sailed the vessel at full speed.

  ~~~

  Inside the wheelhouse of the Incisive, Agent Prudencia sailed the ship westward across the Kazofen Ocean. She steered the vessel into Port Number Five Hundred Seventeen on the southern coast of the continent of Revod and docked the ship. She pulled a lever to drop the anchor and extend the boarding ramp.

  “I’m going to begin the investigation. Agent Prudencia, chart a course for the Scouting Corps headquarters. Agent Noach, remain here and prepare to steer the Incisive there when I return,” Admiral Tiede said.

  ~~~

  Admiral Tiede exited the wheelhouse and went on deck. “Agents Claudia, Cheveyo, Glyn, Gavriela, and Leilah, you are to go into the port and inspect the holdings and interrogate everyone there,” he said.

  “Admiral, would you have me listen for any indication of what is going on – any whisperings of fraud or conspiracy?” Agent Kenaz asked.

  “You will remain here, Agent Kenaz. This particular operation does not involve your specialty. Believe me, I will tell you when I need you,” Admiral Tiede said.

  ~~~

  Agent Claudia drank anew of the waters of the Elanatin Ocean from her vial to be energized with the powers of telepathy and empathy.

  Agent Cheveyo drank anew of the waters of the Zovvin Ocean from his vial to be energized with the power to connect to the spirit world.

  Agent Glyn drank anew of the waters of the Kazofen Ocean from his vial to be energized with the power to manipulate crystal and stone.

  Agent Gavriela drank anew of the waters of the Lujladia Ocean from her vial to be energized with the powers of light and far sight.

  Agent Leilah drank anew of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean from her vial and was energized with the powers of darkness. She exerted her powers to cloak her colleagues under the darkness. Then, she led them down the boarding ramp and onto the shore.

  From under the cover of darkness, Agent Claudia probed the thoughts of the dockworkers to learn what, if anything, they knew about the excess shipments. Although none of them knew about ruptured shipping containers or spilled gems, they did know about a castle only two (2) miles to the north of the port that served as its defense and command center. She telepathically transmitted this information to Agent Leilah and her colleagues, and they walked through the port toward the castle.

  ~~~

  The Plenteous was a four hundred eighty-one (481) foot long galleon with five (5) pairs of pivoting, double-masted sails. It led a fleet of eight hundred fifty-eight (858) frigates – ranging from two hundred fifty-nine (259) feet long up to four hundred seven (407) feet long – on a journey southward across the Zovvin Ocean.

  A nobleman in his fifties – dressed in a cream-colored brocade doublet with a gem-studded silver-gold sash crossing diagonally over his right shoulder – stood on the deck of the Plenteous. He had a thin face, which was unscarred and smooth, except for a carefully-trimmed goatee matching his gray-black hair. The nobleman held a crystal in his hands and peered through it into the distance. “We are not alone, Consolata. Be on guard for that ship, the Staunch Carriage Five, one hundred twenty-nine (129) miles to the northeast. It is moving in rapidly to intercept. I’ve been watching it approach for two (2) days now,” he said.

  “I also see the ship, my lord, Grand Duke Braden. Would you have me distract them with false light?” a young woman kneeling beside him asked.

  “Not yet, Consolata. Just be prepared, but also remain calm. I do not trust their intentions. That ship is registered to the central bank, which I can see by its markings. Yet, there are only two (2) men on board. The central bank would not send such a large vessel with such a small crew,” the nobleman – Grand Duke Braden – said.

  The young woman – a twenty-eight (28) year old lady named Consolata – drank anew of the waters of the Lujladia Ocean from her vial to be energized with the powers of light and far sight. With her far sight power refreshed, she continued monitoring the approaching three hundred ninety-six (396) foot long galleon with five (5) pairs of pivoting, double-masted sails. “I am watching the galleon closely, my lord. If they move to strike, I am ready to confuse them,” she said.

  “I will not be to blame for any hostilities, Consolata. Yet, I would not be surprised if they acted against us,” Grand Duke Braden said.

  ~~~

  On board the Escapade, inside the wheelhouse, Nina steered and Stephan stood around, hoping to prevent her from losing her calm.

  Yared drank anew of the waters of the Elanatin Ocean from his vial to be energized with the powers of telepathy and empathy. He entered the wheelhouse and probed Nina’s thoughts. He knew that the woman was disgusted with the work but that she was good at her job. “You’re doing fine, Nina. Tomiko and Tristan both think this will be much smoother than our previous job.”

  “It’s all been smooth sailing. Smooth and calm,” Stephan said.

  The Escapade rocked and shuddered and changed course. Yared and Stephan both fell to the ground. Nina teetered but regained her balance.

  ~~~

  Inside her cabin, Genevieve fell to the floor. She stood up, ran out of the cabin and went out on deck. Gabrielle Ramalaxis was there, along with Tomiko, Tristan, Carter and the Chronicler Silvius.

  “We’re still moving, and I don’t fe
el the ship sinking, so whatever we hit wasn’t that big,” Tomiko said.

  “Or we only grazed the tip of something,” Tristan said.

  “I don’t see anything at all around us. What did we hit?” Genevieve asked.

  “Maybe it was an undersea mountain,” Tristan said.

  “We should go below deck and check to see if there was any damage,” Gabrielle Ramalaxis said.

  ~~~

  Genevieve, Tristan and Tomiko followed Gabrielle Ramalaxis as she walked across the deck and climbed down the ladder leading into the cargo hold. The Chronicler Silvius followed them. They all walked the length of the ship to look for leaks.

  Silvius drank anew of the waters of the Ursegan Ocean to be energized with the power to slow the passage of time. He examined the ship, looking for anything of interest, but found no visible signs of damage. Even if he did, he would not be allowed to mention them, because that would be interference.

  “There’s nothing obvious. I don’t see us taking on water,” Gabrielle Ramalaxis said after inspecting the cargo hold.

  “I’ll look for the nonobvious, like excess water crystals seeping in through a hairline crack in the hull,” Tristan said. He drank anew of the waters of the Kazofen Ocean from his vial and was energized with the powers to manipulate crystal and stone. He walked the length of the ship again, and again, inspecting the floor and the walls for seepage.

  “I can’t find any breaks,” Tristan said.

  “And I still don’t feel the ship sinking,” Tomiko said.

  “Let’s go back up on deck and see what Nina knows,” Gabrielle Ramalaxis said. She led the way back up the ladder onto deck. She then entered the wheelhouse, followed by the rest of the crew.

  “I have no idea what it was, but at least we’re not sinking,” Nina said. She had her left hand on a lever at the same time as her right hand was on the ship’s wheel.

  “We inspected the cargo hold and couldn’t find any breaks in the hull. I think we’re fine,” Tristan said.