Ruin & Reliance

by Jeremy Dwyer

  “We worked to protect your parents, and mislead the Bazavadoran descendants for as long as we could. However, Baron Amidio gathered his army and launched repeated assaults against our territory in Waderav. Our farmers and mine workers were in danger, so we had to arrange to leave that land and establish ourselves here. Your parents escaped ahead of us, and we told them where to meet, but then we found them dead soon after we arrived here. Aislinn informed us, and we decided to leave the scene undisturbed, so that Yarina and Nandru Bazavador could not be certain that we knew of their plans,” Duchess Keeva said.

  “I don’t understand what the Bazavadoran family could hope to achieve by killing my parents if not to steal their land or money. And if they didn’t steal it, then who holds it now?” Daven asked.

  “The money and land were placed into a trust. We are not the beneficiaries – we made them promise not to name us – so that our involvement in their escape or death could not be proven to anyone who might have malicious intent,” Duke Kenrick said.

  “Who is named as the beneficiary?” Daven asked.

  “That is what we don’t know. They told us that they left the trust documents, along with their last will and testament, in a vault in the central bank in Haza’Kedro’Maral Island in the Pirovalen Ocean. It was stored in a lightkeeper crystal. We have the trust document number, written down here, to be given to you. You will have to go to the central bank, obtain the lightkeeper crystal, read the trust document and execute their will,” Duchess Keeva said.

  “Why is all of this happening? This world is becoming worse with every passing day and year. Do you have any idea – even a reasonable guess – about the motive?” Daven asked.

  “I wish we did. It’s certainly tragic that our good friends – your parents – were murdered, but the mystery surrounding the purpose makes it worse,” Duke Kenrick said.

  “We can only pray to God in times like these, and He will guide us to make the proper choices at the crucial moment. He can and does help His children. We need to be prayerful and trust Him,” Duchess Keeva said.

  “God? Who is that? You mean the God who didn’t stop my parents from being murdered? You mean the God who didn’t stop the tempest? You mean the God who allowed King Xander to return from the dead, enslaving and murdering nations in search of power? You mean the God who allowed a man like Sebastian to become wealthy and powerful enough to seduce and deceive and murder while pretending to protect people?” Daven asked.

  “Pray to God for guidance. The world is filled with pain because of the sins we have committed. He gives us purpose, yet, in our arrogance, we seek to define our own purpose. We fail, because we reject God,” Duchess Keeva said.

  “God is all powerful. He will make things right according to His Plan. Through God, we will find meaning and joy. He is the source of all goodness,” Duke Kenrick said.

  “I don’t believe a word of it! I need a God who cares about people and stops evil and destruction before it starts. He can’t let innocent people die and expect me to call Him God or pray to Him. I believe in kindness and gentleness. We have power that can be used to heal, to inspire and to protect and to build a better world. The power we have is not enough, but we do what we can. If God is all powerful, and these terrible things still happen, then God’s Plan is not enough. Millions of lives are ruined because God’s Plan has failed us. I can’t rely on someone who refuses to help us,” Daven said.

  “We will pray for you, Daven,” Duke Kenrick said.

  “Stay here and rest. We’ve told you something that no one wants to ever have to hear. If you wish to work to take your mind off of your troubles, we can pay you. You certainly have the will to make the world a kinder place, and we invite you to do your best. It will be appreciated,” Duchess Keeva said.

  “I think I need to just take some time away. I need to go,” Daven said.

  “Aislinn, please escort our guests back into town,” Duke Kenrick said.

  Aislinn unlocked and opened the front door. She then led Daven, Gisella, Stafford and Guillermo out of the stone and wooden building, closing and locking the door behind her.

  “We can take it from here,” Stafford said.

  “He needs time to accept what he has just learned. This is both painful and perplexing for him. I admit that even I find it disturbing, but I don’t yet know how to help him,” Guillermo said.

  “Return when you can. They want to help you,” Aislinn said. She then exercised her light powers and concealed herself once again. Under the cover of false light, she returned to the opposite side of the stone and wooden building, unlocked and opened the side door, entered and then closed and locked the door behind her.

  Gisella recorded all that she saw and heard into her book.

  “Do you want to go back to the ship?” Guillermo asked.

  “I guess that’s all I can do,” Daven said.

  Guillermo led Daven, Gisella and Stafford back to the docks and they boarded the Sun Lynx.

  Rayner was waiting for them on deck. “While you were gone, I made a couple of deals to transport crops among the islands. What took you?” he asked.

  “We learned a very unpleasant truth, shrouded in a great deal of mystery, about Daven’s parents,” Guillermo said.

  “I never trusted any Bazavadoran king or prince or duke or anything. Nothing makes sense about them, if you pay attention to the stories of the sailors and merchants. That family is maddening. They kill people they don’t hate and take nothing. They steal things they don’t want and leave them behind,” Stafford said.

  “You’re a collector of fascinating stories, it would seem. Share with us what you know, Stafford. That could be a good way to make sense of these difficulties,” Guillermo said.

  “I don’t like where this is going,” Rayner said.

  “Wait until you hear what I’ve heard. You’re going to like it even less,” Stafford said.

  CHAPTER 45: Sources of Corruption and Truth

  The Chronicler Niels found free passage on a ship leaving from Emeth, sailing southwestward across the Pirovalen Ocean, and heading toward the Port of Nasharev on the eastern coast of the Farmer’s Road land bridge. When he arrived in the bustling port city, he drank anew of the waters of the Ursegan Ocean from his vial to be energized with the power to slow the passage of time. He was thus able to preserve his own youth and observe events around him, no matter how quickly they occurred. Niels entered the large, ornate stone building known as the Farmer’s Gateway, wherein central bank business was conducted. As he walked across the open floor, he observed the various merchants, farmers and bankers negotiating trade agreements and pricing of stock, both present and future. He recorded all of the details into his book, including every monetary amount and every promised yield of wheat, oat, barley, corn, rice and potatoes.

  Niels was under orders to focus on the authority within the central bank, where financial fraud was most likely to be perpetrated. He crossed the floor and walked toward the office of Governor Decima, located along the western wall. He opened the office door and saw a well-dressed woman sitting at a desk, along with a younger man who was standing by her side. Niels announced himself, saying: “I am Niels, Chronicler of two thousand nine hundred fifty-nine (2959) years. Under the authority of the Oath, I will be observing your work.”

  “I am Governor Decima, and I assure you, Chronicler, that there is nothing particularly eventful about my work. It is very complex, however, and likely far beyond your understanding. As the governor, I am responsible for calculating exchange rates that keep the markets operating efficiently. The mathematical analysis requires my complete attention because of the many competing, nonlinear economic forces that have to be balanced. You are not allowed to interfere, of course, so please do not interrupt my concentration,” the woman said.

  “Is there anything you need from me, Governor?” the younger man – still standing at the governor’s side – asked.

  “Be ready when I need you, Captain Jourdain,” th
e woman – Governor Decima – said.

  “Yes, Governor,” the younger man – Captain Jourdain – said.

  Governor Decima drank anew of the waters of the Medathero Ocean from her vial to be energized with the power of calm, rational thought. She examined the books on her desk, and Niels watched closely as she did, transcribing everything he saw into his own book. Decima examined the business records of this port as well as those of the recently constructed Port of Reliance in Meridianus. The interests of the central bank in that city were represented by Counselor Teague, who was lower-ranking, so he had to be under the supervision of a governor in a nearby region. Governor Aranka had other responsibilities on Haza’Kedro’Maral Island, so the oversight authority fell to Decima. Because the Jenaldej Empire owned a ten (10) percent share of the Port of Reliance, and had a corresponding share of accountability for maintenance and liability, she looked for a record that their share had been paid, but the payment record was absent.

  “Captain Jourdain, we need to go to the Port of Reliance in Meridianus and meet with Counselor Teague,” Governor Decima said as she stood up. She picked up the book containing the business records of the Port of Reliance and carried it with her.

  “I will escort you to the Attentive Enforcer and chart a course, Governor,” Captain Jourdain said.

  “We shall leave at once,” Governor Decima said.

  “Under the authority of the Oath, I will be going with you,” Niels said.

  “Very well, Chronicler,” Governor Decima said. She exited her office, followed by Captain Jourdain and the Chronicler, Niels. Decima closed and locked the office door behind her. Jourdain escorted her across the open floor and Niels followed them out of the Farmer’s Gateway building.

  Captain Jourdain led the way as they walked through the Port of Nasharev and headed toward the docks. He escorted Governor Decima and Niels up the boarding ramp of a three hundred twenty-six (326) foot long vessel with five (5) pairs of pivoting, double-masted sails. A company of four hundred twelve (412) soldiers stood on deck, armed with swords and crossbows.

  Captain Jourdain walked across the deck of the Attentive Enforcer and entered the wheelhouse. Governor Decima and Niels followed him.

  “Captain Jourdain, I trust that we have the necessary officers on board this ship to assist me during this meeting,” Governor Decima said.

  “Yes, Counselor Orfeo is available,” Captain Jourdain said.

  The thirty-two (32) year old Captain Jourdain drank anew of the waters of the Atrejan Ocean from his vial to be energized with the power to listen to the sounds of the stars. He concentrated to learn their paths and positions and then used this information to chart a course. He pulled levers to retract the boarding ramp and raise the anchor. He then sailed the Attentive Enforcer southeastward across the Pirovalen Ocean until reaching the Port of Reliance on the eastern coast of the continent of Meridianus. After steering the ship into port, he pulled levers to drop the anchor and extend the boarding ramp.

  “Remain with the ship, Captain. I will summon Counselor Orfeo and have him escort me to the office of Counselor Teague,” Governor Decima said.

  “Yes, Governor,” Captain Jourdain said.

  “I can only assume you will be coming with me, Chronicler,” Governor Decima said.

  Niels followed Governor Decima as she exited the wheelhouse and walked across the deck toward a cabin. The cabin door opened and a somewhat younger man said: “Governor Decima, I am Counselor Orfeo. I noticed when you first came on board, and I am at your service,” he said. The forty-seven (47) year old man knew what the Governor wanted before she said it because the Elanatin waters flowed through him.

  “Yes, you are to come with me to the office of Counselor Teague. I have some questions for him to answer, and I need your assistance to audit financial activity here. Follow me,” Governor Decima said. She led the way across the deck toward the boarding ramp, followed by Counselor Orfeo and the Chronicler Niels.

  “Ten (10) of you, come with me, for security,” Governor Decima said to the waiting soldiers. Seven (7) sword fighters and three (3) archers stepped forward and joined the governor.

  ~~~

  Governor Decima walked down the boarding ramp of the Attentive Enforcer, with the ten (10) soldiers escorting her. Counselor Orfeo followed, with Niels following behind him. They walked along the pier and entered the glimmering, crystal city known as the Port of Reliance. The governor moved closer to Counselor Orfeo as they walked toward the center of the city and entered a crowded building.

  “Be ready, Counselor Orfeo,” Governor Decima said.

  “I was ready before you visited my cabin to summon me, Governor,” Counselor Orfeo said.

  “Good, because Counselor Teague will also be ready for our visit, and he may have prepared answers that are indirect or ambiguous,” Governor Decima said. The ten (10) soldiers surrounded the governor and Counselor Orfeo as they approached the office of Counselor Teague. Niels followed them and paid attention to the exchange. He did not see the vial that Counselor Orfeo drank from, meaning that it was likely concealed below the collar of his robes. Thus, he could not know for certain what power the man commanded, even though the conversation he just heard suggested that it was telepathy, given by the Elanatin waters.

  ~~~

  Counselor Teague sat his desk and drank anew of the waters of the Elanatin Ocean from his vial to be energized further with the powers of telepathy and empathy. He sensed the approach of several soldiers who arrived from the Port of Nasharev in the Farmer’s Road land bridge. Since the presiding officer there was Governor Decima, and she was his superior officer to whom he reported, Teague had to assume that she was also approaching. That the governor’s thoughts were not detectable suggested that another telepath was guarding her mind. Counselor Teague guarded his own thoughts and prepared for the interrogation.

  The door to his office opened and Governor Decima entered, escorted by another man and ten (10) soldiers. A Chronicler followed them in.

  “Greetings, Governor Decima,” Counselor Teague said.

  “I am Niels, Chronicler of two thousand nine hundred fifty-nine (2959) years. Under the authority of the Oath, I will be observing your work,” Niels said.

  “Well then, I hope there’s nothing confidential to discuss, Governor. We’ll have to be careful what we say, unless we want it to be recorded in Emeth,” Counselor Teague said.

  “I’m not concerned about the Chronicler’s presence. In fact, I very much want him to report what he witnesses. Ten (10) percent of this city – the Port of Reliance – is owned by the Jenaldej Empire. They are correspondingly responsible for that same share of maintenance and liability of this city. However, I found no record of their required contributions while I was reviewing the transaction registers. Please explain, Counselor Teague,” Governor Decima said.

  Counselor Teague concentrated to protect his own mind from any probing, but he could feel a telepathic intrusion being attempted by the man standing next to Governor Decima. The soldiers were clearly meant to intimidate him and break his concentration. However, they were not going to be authorized to act against him unless there was proof of wrongdoing on his part. Teague chose his words carefully and said: “I agree that the Jenaldej Empire has not paid their share of the fees necessary to operate and insure this city. Acting on behalf of the central bank, as I am the appointed representative here, I have paid what was necessary from this branch office’s assets. Thus, the Jenaldej Empire is in debt to us, and will need to repay their overdue fees with twenty (20) percent interest.”

  “Why did you not collect on these overdue fees, or bring them to my attention as an urgent matter, Counselor Teague?”

  “I merely relied on their good reputation and credit that they would eventually pay, along with the late payment penalty due. Of course, they must accept a corresponding reduction in their profits from this city’s operations during the delinquency period,” Counselor Teague said.

  Counselor
Orfeo struggled to telepathically penetrate Counselor Teague’s mind but was unable to do so, for the other man was a superior telepath in many respects. Thus, he could not probe for the underlying truth or prove that Teague was speaking dishonestly.

  Teague responded by attempting to probe Counselor Orfeo’s mind, which was well defended. However, after overpowering his telepathic defenses, Teague found the man’s mind to be devoid of anything useful. He turned his attention to Governor Decima’s mind, which was guarded by Orfeo. He concentrated his powers and penetrated the telepathic defenses to find that she did not have any strong evidence to suspect him but was looking for ways to steal the city’s ownership from the Jenaldej Empire while still collecting payments from them.

  “I am not interested in their good reputation and credit, Counselor Teague. I am interested in being paid. Penalties and late fees are disincentives for our partners and clients, not a reliable source of profit for the central bank. The goal is to make them pay, and the Jenaldej Empire has failed to do so, according to these books. We will be forced to foreclose on their share of the property if these payments are not made promptly, in full, along with late fees and collection fees. This is a well-known and long-standing policy of the central bank, Counselor. No one can claim that they were unaware of the rules,” Governor Decima said and she held out the financial book she brought from her office.

  Niels wrote all of this down into his own book, but didn’t know about the telepathic exchange.

  “The Jenaldej Empire has a representative here – a woman named Romana. You should speak to her directly and demand payment. You have more authority in this matter than I do,” Counselor Teague said.

  “I will do exactly that, Counselor Teague. Come with me, Counselor Orfeo,” Governor Decima said. She exited the office, with Counselor Orfeo staying close by her side and the ten (10) soldiers surrounding them. Niels followed them as they exited the building and went out into the city streets.