Ruin & Reliance

by Jeremy Dwyer

  “You said you were hideous! You got mad when I said you were beautiful!” Baron Irsushin said, straining and increasingly desperate.

  “You just don’t understand me. You probably never will,” Lady Yarina said.

  From out of the darkness, a burly and armored man appeared next to a thin man, also in armor. Both were young – under forty (40).

  “Baldovino! Ghoukas! Why are you two (2) interrupting my courtship?” Lady Yarina asked.

  “Two (2) men have arrived in a cargo ship. The younger man used a song to take control of the farmers and stonecutters, and forced them to make weapons and shields and cups. They opened an underground building and took seed and started planting them in the fields,” the burly armored man of thirty-seven (37) years – Baldovino – said.

  “My telepathy protected us both from the effects of the song. The musician is a man named Erikkos who has destroyed cities with his music. He also crumbled and breached the castle of Hamza Bazavador using a different song, then went inside the ruins where he learned the formula for making a poison and slew the king. The other man – Kastor – is ancient. He slows time within his mind so I can’t read his most secret thoughts clearly, but he has been around long enough to see King Xander at least once prior to his recent arrival. Together, they traveled to the Provincial Isles to create the poison but they lost control of it,” the thin armored man of thirty-nine (39) years – Ghoukas – said.

  “That makes them very dangerous enemies. Watch them. Learn what they are doing and report it back to me,” Lady Yarina said.

  Ghoukas telepathically transmitted something else – what he learned from Erikkos’ thoughts about growing kaiyoyad trees from the seeds and baking the tree sap to make yellow-green gems that split Dead Waters to give all powers – and secretly shared this with Lady Yarina.

  “Go now! Do not interfere! Just observe. Take what you can, when you can, and bring it back to me,” Lady Yarina said.

  ~~~

  Ghoukas drank anew of the waters of the Elanatin Ocean from his vial to be energized with the powers of telepathy and empathy. Baldovino drank anew of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean from his vial to be energized with the power of darkness. He cloaked himself and extended this cover to conceal Ghoukas. Together, they left the castle and returned to the fields to watch what Erikkos and Kastor had the farmers and stonecutters doing.

  ~~~

  “Now, Baron, are you ready to discuss having children, and how we’re going to raise them?” Lady Yarina asked.

  “Whatever you want, that’s what I’ll talk about. Just let me get into a better position to give you what you’re looking for,” Baron Irsushin said, tired and straining.

  Lady Yarina picked up her daggers and placed them back onto her belt. “Let him down,” she said.

  The two (2) soldiers released the chains and Baron Irsushin was lowered to the floor.

  “Thank you,” Baron Irsushin said.

  “I want us to have eleven (11) children. You are still a healthy enough man for that, correct?” Lady Yarina asked.

  “I’m only thirty-four (34). I drink the Medathero waters so I can manage the family business. Still, my health is just fine,” Baron Irsushin said.

  “Good. Follow me,” Lady Yarina said. She walked across the throne room and gestured to the two (2) soldiers. They pulled the chains, tugging Baron Irsushin along behind them as they followed Lady Yarina to the bedchamber.

  “Now, prove to me that your health is just fine. As my new husband, that is your first order. I want to conceive our first child tonight,” Lady Yarina said.

  Baron Irsushin held up his hands, which were still shackled together. “Can you get these out of the way first so we can enjoy being married?” he asked.

  “The shackles won’t get in the way. They’ll keep you from changing your mind,” Lady Yarina said. She gestured to the soldiers by making a twirling motion with her fingers. They wrapped the chains around the bedposts and pulled until Baron Irsushin was forced to lie down.

  “Privacy, please,” Lady Yarina said.

  The two (2) soldiers left the bed chamber and closed the door, but remained on guard just outside.

  Yarina drank anew of the waters of the Zovvin Ocean from her vial to be energized with the power to connect to the spirit world. She summoned a spirit of a child who had died ages ago and called it to pass through the baron, mingling with his spirit.

  Baron Irsushin felt as if he were being possessed. He was terrified and screamed but then he felt the foreign spirit leave him. The child spirit then appeared in the room.

  “This child’s spirit passed through your spirit, and you are healthy, so you survived. By entering you, his spirit is now familiar with your spirit. That makes him your son. We need only to find him a body,” Lady Yarina said.

  “He’s a ghost! How can he be my son?” Baron Irsushin asked.

  “Yes, he is a ghost. And you will love him like a son…because is your son. Now, you will do what a father must and find him a body to inhabit,” Lady Yarina said.

  “How? I’m not free to move. I don’t even know what to do. How do I give him a body? What body?” Baron Irsushin asked.

  “You have many farmers and stonecutters who work these lands, correct?” Lady Yarina asked.

  “Yes,” Baron Irsushin said.

  “How many?” Lady Yarina asked.

  “Thirty-five thousand seven hundred (35700) farmers and eight thousand two hundred (8200) stonecutters, minus however many were taken control of by those dangerous men whom your guards warned you about,” Baron Irsushin said. He was afraid not to answer, even though he feared what the question was implying.

  “Our enemies will be dealt with soon enough. I want to know more about these farmers and stonecutters. They have children, do they not?” Lady Yarina asked.

  “Yes, some of them do,” Baron Irsushin said.

  “Good. You will host a banquet here, in our castle, and summon these laborers to attend. Order them to bring their children. When they do, I will select a suitable flesh-and-blood vessel and perform the ritual to enact a soul transference. Our son deserves a body. He needs a body so that he can continue the Bazavadoran family line and inherit the lands,” Lady Yarina said.

  “I don’t even know how to respond to what you just said,” Baron Irsushin said.

  “Just agree with me and do what I say. If we have a quarrel, I will win, and things will be even more unpleasant for everyone. Let’s not ruin our marriage on our wedding night. Also, I’ve received word that my brother will be visiting us soon. Make sure you treat him kindly,” Lady Yarina said.

  CHAPTER 56: Positioning for Wealth and War

  Baron Vizakrid sat on his throne and listened to the farmers, soldiers and stonecutters who stood before him. Climaco stood next to the throne, and twenty (20) guards stood at the edges of the throne room.

  “Two thirds (2/3) of the wheat fields have been spoiled, my lord. The farmers have fallen ill,” one farmer said.

  “Three fifths (3/5) of the corn fields have been ruined, my lord. The farmers cannot work they are so ill,” a second farmer said.

  “Sadly, three fourths (3/4) of the barley fields have been destroyed, my lord. Many of the farmers are sick, coughing up blood,” a third farmer said.

  “The quarries are undamaged, but the stonecutters are sick. Half (1/2) of them are too ill to work,” one of the stonecutters said.

  “Enough! This is an act of war! I have no doubt about that! Someone intends to destroy me! It was a competitor, sabotaging my land and trade agreements. That’s why the promised ship from the central bank never arrived,” Baron Vizakrid said.

  “My lord, let me look into this,” Climaco said.

  “Be quick about it, Climaco! My anger is rising and my patience is nearly gone!” Baron Vizakrid said.

  “Yes, my lord,” Climaco said. He exited the throne room and went to his private quarters.

  ~~~

  Prince Istvan refused to succumb
to sickness. He drank anew of the waters of the Nabavodel Ocean from his own vial and was energized with the powers of strength and speed. He did not feel less ill, but he did feel more powerful. With all his might, he stood up and forced himself to walk around which, surprisingly, did bring him relief. “All of you! Drink up! Move around! Don’t just sit there, vomiting and dying! Move!” he shouted at his nine thousand (9000) soldiers and thirteen (13) scouts, which included Gilroy.

  The soldiers each drank anew of the waters of the Nabavodel Ocean from their vials to be energized with speed and strength. The scouts each drank anew of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean from their own vials, which gave the powers of darkness, but these were not especially helpful, except that they quenched thirst. They paced back and forth for three (3) hours until the illness began to subside. Then, Prince Istvan said: “My new fields are ruined by this poison. There can be no doubt this was an attack on my wealth. The central bank would have us all become poor so that we rely on their loans to survive and conduct business. This is about to change. We’re going to take their land as recompense. Return to the castle. We will board our ships and pay a visit to one of the central bank’s chief henchmen.”

  “Please send me ahead, Your Majesty, so that I can scout the land in preparation for your arrival,” the lead scout – Gilroy – said.

  “I will send you ahead, Gilroy…to do more than scouting,” Prince Istvan said.

  The nine thousand (9000) soldiers and thirteen (13) scouts marched northwestward back towards the castle, with Prince Istvan in the lead. After two (2) days, they arrived at the castle grounds and the soldiers rested in their barracks.

  Prince Istvan led three (3) of his colonels, as well as Gilroy and the twelve (12) other scouts into the castle and then to the courtyard. Three (3) ships – each two hundred ninety-six (296) feet in length, with four (4) pairs of pivoting, double-masted sails – were docked on the dry ground.

  “I will put one thousand (1000) troops on each of these three (3) ships. The remainder will guard my castle. Gilroy, you will come with me, in the leading ship, to the territory of Count Nemanja, just east of Cinder Valley. He is their largest landholder, and his fields are valuable. I will send you ahead to kill Count Nemanja and disrupt his chain of command. Then, we will attack,” Prince Istvan said.

  “I have yet to give a report of the size of Count Nemanja’s forces,” Gilroy said.

  “Once their leader is gone, they will be in disarray. We only need to launch a unified front and rout them,” Prince Istvan said.

  “Your Majesty, with only these three (3) ships, and only one thousand (1000) soldiers to a ship, you are ordering us to take only three thousand (3000) soldiers into battle without specifying the size of the defending army. We could take twice that number of troops, and the remainder could still effectively defend your castle,” one of the colonels said.

  “Very well, Colonel Abirad, we will take two thousand (2000) soldiers per ship, six thousand (6000) troops in all. I expect a rapid, resounding success,” Prince Istvan said.

  “You will have it, Your Majesty,” Colonel Abirad said.

  “We leave in the morning. You are to come with me, on board the Marshland Wolf,” Prince Istvan said.

  ~~~

  “Ease my mind by easing my body, Quianna,” Duke Rhys said when he was alone in his bedroom with his plump assistant.

  “Yes, my lord,” Quianna said. She undressed, revealing herself to the duke. Then, Duke Rhys undressed and took Quianna into his bed where he entered into her passionate embrace. They enjoyed each other’s physicality and achieved fulfillment of their fleshly desires. When they were done, they dressed again and stood up.

  “I am still concerned, Quianna,” Duke Rhys said.

  “Did I not please you, my lord? I am always open to you. Do you wish to enter me again?” Quianna asked.

  “My body is calm. My mind is not at ease. The fields have been ruined and the workers have been sickened. Does the central bank have useful information or guidance? Can you consult them?” Duke Rhys asked.

  “Of course, my lord,” Quianna said. She drank anew of the waters of the Zovvin Ocean from her vial and was energized with the power to communicate with the spirit world. She reached out and found a familiar spirit through which she sent a message about the ruined fields and sick workers. Quianna soon received a reply and said: “My lord, I have received news from the Premier Governors. The poisonous red mist has spread around the entire southern hemisphere. Vigorous physical activity can relieve—though not cure—the symptoms of the sickness, but there is nothing to be done for the ruined fields. The Premier Governors believe that the poison is an attack upon the central bank’s assets. As a landholder under their authority, they sent instructions for you to occupy Cinder Valley, where they have significant financial interests.”

  “I can spare some troops, perhaps one thousand (1000) soldiers on two (2) ships. That is all,” Duke Rhys said.

  “They want you to lead the troops, along with Duchess Siana,” Quianna said.

  “I am no military leader. This is inappropriate,” Duke Rhys said.

  “The Premier Governors insisted that the matter is both crucial and urgent. They would prefer at least four thousand (4000) soldiers be sent,” Quianna said.

  “If I must go, along with Duchess Siana, then you will accompany us. We need you to keep us in communication with the central bank. If this matter is so urgent, we need to inform them of our progress, as well as any losses we incur,” Duke Rhys said.

  “Yes, I will go with you, my lord,” Quianna said.

  “Follow me. I need to give orders to my troops and inform Duchess Siana,” Duke Rhys said. He exited the bedroom and walked through the castle hallway, followed by Quianna. When they returned to the throne room, Duchess Siana was there, seated on her throne. Lieutenant Colonel Arthfael stood before both thrones.

  “You look radiant, Duchess,” Duke Rhys said.

  “A powerful young soldier proved his worth to me. I recommended to Lieutenant Colonel Arthfael that the exquisitely-built man be promoted to be my personal guard. I’m sure he will perform above expectations. Yet, you seem ill at ease, Duke. Did Quianna not embrace you firmly?” Duchess Siana asked.

  “Quianna pleased me with her body. Yet, she delivered a troublesome message from the Premier Governors. The poisonous red mist has circled the southern hemisphere. The sickness it brings can be alleviated by vigorous physical activity, but the affected farmlands are ruined,” Duke Rhys said.

  “Then I will order the entire army to engage in vigorous physical activity, under my direction. Each and every single man will have to pass my test. Those who underperform will have to be retested,” Duchess Siana said.

  “I wish there were time for that, Duchess. However, the Premier Governors believe that this poison is part of a deliberate attack on the assets of the central bank. They insist that we lead soldiers into Cinder Valley where they have financial interests. The matter is urgent and crucial,” Duke Rhys said.

  “Why Cinder Valley? That is a worthless wasteland, is it not?” Duchess Siana asked.

  “Yes, it is. Everyone knows that. Yet, the central bank demands that we defend it from this attack. We must send four thousand (4000) soldiers. Lieutenant Colonel Arthfael, prepare your men. Have them fully exercised to ward off the illness,” Duke Rhys said.

  “Send the best of them to me, for extra preparations,” Duchess Siana said.

  “You and I will be leading the troops into Cinder Valley, Duchess,” Duke Rhys said.

  “If this poison is not some natural disaster, but is truly the work of an enemy, I will turn the tide of battle in our favor,” Duchess Siana said. She drank anew of the waters of the Trerada Ocean from her vial to be energized with the powers of health and vitality. Her beauty was thus magnified.

  “You are positively beautiful, Duchess Siana. Our marriage is open, of course. Yet, we should not exclude one another,” Duke Rhys said.

  “I d
on’t wish to be bored, Duke Rhys. I always need new men. Always,” Duchess Siana said.

  “You won’t be bored tomorrow, Duchess Siana. We leave in the morning,” Duke Rhys said.

  “I will prepare the soldiers and the ships. We will travel together on board the best of the ships, the Riches of the Albatross, my lord, my lady,” Lieutenant Colonel Arthfael said. He departed the throne room and exited the castle. From there, he went to the barracks to prepare the four thousand (4000) troops and ten (10) ships, including the leading vessel.

  ~~~

  Inside his private room in the castle of Baron Vizakrid, Climaco drank anew of the waters of the Zovvin Ocean from his vial to be energized with the power to communicate with the spirit world. He found a familiar spirit through which he gave a report of the ruined fields and the sickened workers. He also informed the spirit of the promised commerce ship which never arrived. Climaco received instructions through that spirit and then returned to the throne room.

  “My lord, we need to speak in private,” Climaco said.

  “Leave, but stay close. I will send for you when I need you,” Baron Vizakrid said. His soldiers escorted the farmers and stonecutters out of the castle, where they waited. The guards who personally protected the baron remained in the throne room, however.

  “My lord, I have relayed our concerns to the central bank and received new information from the Premier Governors,” Climaco said.

  “Yes, Climaco?” Baron Vizakrid said.

  “The poisonous red mist that has destroyed your fields and sickened your workers has gone around the southern hemisphere. The Redfire Sentinels have reported this across the Trerada, Pirovalen, Ursegan and Gradaken Oceans. The continents of Ihalik and Meridianus have been affected, as well as the Farmer’s Road and the Admiral Ramalaxis Bridge. Likely, the Scholar’s Path land bridge has also been poisoned. The symptoms of the illness seem to abate with vigorous physical activity, although that is not a cure. The fields, however, are ruined and no remedy is known,” Climaco said.

  “I will have my soldiers conduct training exercises. That should harden them against the poison. Then, I’ll have them do the same for the peasants. I’m sure they’ll cooperate, rather than dying quickly with this plague,” Baron Vizakrid said.