by Jeremy Dwyer
“That’s the Chronicler’s Oath,” Ovid said.
“We’re in the middle of a war and you want to write down every boring detail of people’s personal lives?” Brant asked.
“Personal lives are not boring,” Judith said. Except, her own personal life was boring, and she was still lonely.
CHAPTER 34: Architecture of the Towers of Strength
In a jungle in the continent of Revod, the architect, Fantine, had been working for months prior to the recent sea battles to develop her fire-resistant structures. She needed them to be more efficient in their use of materials and more resistant to other forms of assault. She knew that they had to be mobile on long journeys across land. She also knew that the military forces would need to be able to use them on islands, and that they had to be lightweight so as not to destabilize the vessels that transported them to those islands.
Fantine constructed several towers, with the assistance of a small corps of fourteen (14) crystal benders – all drinkers of the waters of the Kazofen Ocean like she was – to assist her in the manipulation of various materials: diamond, ruby, emerald, sapphire and citrine were all used to build the towers. They developed towers that were as much as one hundred ten (110) feet in height with a base that was one hundred fifty (150) feet on a side. They developed other towers that were as little as twenty (20) feet in height. The intention for the smaller ones was that they would form strongholds against fiery assaults from which a small guard could return fire against an enemy. The intention for the larger ones was that civilians could be protected by them.
All of them had to be mobile: it was necessary to keep them small enough that they could be moved around on the ground without the vibrations of the movements damaging their structures. Fantine and the crystal benders under her command were able to use the powers of the Kazofen Ocean waters that flowed within them to activate their own potential for the manipulation of the low-level crystal structures of the building materials. They twined the crystal structures in ways so as to give them high integrity against heat and vibration and force. This meant that they could withstand movements as well as receiving assaults while stationary.
“Burn when ready,” Fantine said to a group of eight (8) light benders who also accompanied them. They used the powers of the Lujladia Ocean waters that they drank to energize them to bend and even generate light. They projected beams of light at an array of the newly constructed towers – there were ten (10) of them in a row: a twenty (20) foot high tower, a thirty (30) foot high tower, a forty (40) foot high tower, and so on, up to a one hundred ten (110) foot high tower.
In front of each of the towers there were heat focusing lenses, which concentrated the light from the light benders and set the towers ablaze. However, the fires quickly went out on their own – within one (1) minute – as the structures resisted the flames.
“We are down from one point two (1.2) minutes from the previous test,” Fantine said.
“What is our target?” one of the crystal benders asked.
“The point of diminishing returns, when the increased effort is greater than the increased benefit. Based on my calculations, I believe that to be around one point one nine (1.19) minutes,” Fantine said.
“Then we are practically done and can construct multiple towers based on this design?” the crystal bender asked.
“No. The test against fire is a success. The test against the water is not, and there is still the mobility test,” Fantine said. She was under contract from the Jenadlej Empire – specifically, the resource coordinator, Nathan – to satisfy multiple requirements.
“So these towers need to be used on ships, then. Where are the ships?” the crystal bender asked.
“No – they may be carried by ships to other locations, but the towers are not going to be used on ships. These towers need to be mobile on their own,” Fantine said.
“They have no wheels or skids. The jungle floor is too rough for smooth sliding,” the crystal bender said.
“The low-level crystal structure is flexible – almost fluid – if you each followed my design instructions precisely. It will give way with the heat. We will push on them,” Fantine said.
“Push on them?” the crystal bender asked.
“Yes. You don’t believe me, do you? Four (4) of you will push on the smallest tower – the twenty (20) foot one,” Fantine said, pointing toward the light benders.
Four (4) of the light benders came together and pushed on the twenty (20) foot high tower and it seemed to slide along as if there were a liquid below it, yet there was not. There were amazed at how easily it moved, requiring very little effort on their part.
“Was that because we set fire to it?” one light bender asked.
“Partly – the heat activated it. The foundation level of the tower was constructed differently – there is a more malleable arrangement of the crystals at the bottom. They all but eliminate friction and enable the tower to be slid as if it were on a slick surface,” Fantine said.
“Doesn’t that mean that the structure could be displaced by an external force like wind or an enemy attack?” the light bender asked.
“If this were all we did, then yes. However, there is a design element for reducing unintentional displacement. The structure can be cooled to where it loses its malleability and becomes rigid. Move these along toward the dead waters river and you’ll see,” Fantine said. Many rivers throughout the world were made of dead waters, which were the same as those of the Dead Waters Ocean.
“Ah. The cold river water will cool it,” a crystal bender said.
“No. That’s not what I have in mind. You’ll see,” Fantine said.
“The river is over two (2) miles away,” a light bender said.
“Then we’ll work together to push these towers – two or three (3) of us to a tower – and get them there quickly,” Fantine said.
“The larger ones will take all of us,” a crystal bender said.
“No they won’t,” Fantine said.
There were ten (10) towers and there were twenty-three (23) people in total – Fantine, the fourteen (14) crystal benders and eight (8) light benders. They assigned two (2) persons to each of the first seven (7) smaller towers and three (3) persons to each of the three (3) larger towers.
In three (3) hours they had moved them all to the bank of a river. Everyone was tired, including Fantine.
“I thought that you were an architect – not a fitness trainer for the military,” one crystal bender said, clearly winded.
“I’m tired as well. The point was to prove that it was possible,” Fantine said, also winded.
“It’s also possible that we could have been seriously injured,” one crystal bender said.
“It’s possible that we’re going to be up against worse than an injury. If our ships and their crew can’t withstand enemy fire, or the wind and water at sea in a storm, we may not live with our injuries for very long,” Fantine said.
“We’ve heard about the threats of the woman with the power to control the oceans. They’re just that – threats. Unless, of course, you know something about it that we don’t,” a crystal bender said.
“We’re citizens of this empire, and you’re not. Why would you know something that we don’t about an impending threat?” a light bender asked.
“I’m not privy to any more information than you are. I saw what the fire attacks did to your cities. I am simply assuming the worst about what’s been threatened. The ancient scholars in the city of Emeth warned us all for a reason – they’re not lying. It’s just a matter of quantifying the magnitude of the truth of their statements. Adverse powers have already worked against you – by the element of fire. Water – in all its forms – is going to be used, as well. A difficult enemy is approaching, and we need to architect our defenses,” Fantine said.
“We don’t have conscription here. I hope you know that,” a crystal bender said.
“I know. You’re helping me build defenses for you. No
one is sending you to a battlefield to die,” Fantine said.
“Then why are you working us this hard?” a light bender asked.
“I don’t know about you, but I would rather work hard and live than fight hard and die,” Fantine said, annoyed at the complaints. Yes, they had worked many extra hours, but it was in relative safety.
“What you say makes sense, architect. Enough of this, please, all of you,” one of the crystal benders said.
Suddenly, from the darkness, seven (7) figures appeared. The others were all startled, except for Fantine, who was expecting them.
The seven (7) who appeared were all in dark blue robes, designed to be lightweight for those who need to travel swiftly and conceal themselves. They were dark scouts of the Jenaldej military Frost Corps, who were drinkers of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean, like other dark scouts. However, they were particularly adept at using the water’s power for generating the cold of darkness, and they were specially classified as a result.
“We were directed to assist you. What would you have us do, architect?” one of the Frost Corps scouts asked.
“These others will push the crystal towers into the shallow edge of the river. You will freeze the tower foundations – not simply the water around them, but the tower foundations themselves. That will solidify them and enable them to become stationary,” Fantine said.
“On your mark, architect,” the Frost Corps scout said, and each of them drank anew of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean from their vials and they were energized.
“Push each of the towers into the shallow edge. Stop when the entire foundation is submerged,” Fantine ordered the light benders and crystal benders who had followed her.
The light benders and crystal benders provided the push, and then the river current started moving these towers and shifting them, even the larger towers.
“Quickly. Now!” Fantine said, looking at the Frost Corps scouts.
The Frost Corps scouts projected the coldest darkness around the foundations of the towers, causing their crystal structures to freeze. Suddenly, the towers stopped moving and twisting, despite the river currents. Each tower had around it a ring of ice, although the river itself – three hundred twenty (320) feet wide – was not frozen as a whole, and still had powerful currents.
“They are frozen in place by the water ice,” one Frost Corps scout said.
“No. Break the ice and see for yourself,” Fantine said.
“Our powers of darkness can create ice – not break it,” the Frost Corps scout said.
“Then I’ll prove it to you,” Fantine said.
Fantine then drank anew of the waters of the Kazofen Ocean which she kept in her own vial. She was energized with the power to bend crystal. She walked carefully onto the ice and touched the ice crystals and manipulated them until they broke. She then stepped backward, carefully, breaking the ice as she went, all around the largest tower. She worked her way back to the river bank as she did this.
The tower did not move, despite having the river currents pressing against it.
“There must be ice underneath holding it in place,” the Frost Corps scout said.
“Even if so, there wouldn’t be enough,” Fantine said.
“Very impressive. But this is just a river,” another voice said.
Fantine turned around and saw that Admiral Gavin was the one who spoke. He was accompanied by the resource coordinator, Nathan. They had arrived here by an airship just as the testing was completed.
“The power of the ocean waves will far exceed the forces of the river currents. According to your calculations, how much force can these towers withstand before toppling?” Nathan asked.
“In theory, a five hundred fifty (550) foot wave would not be able to displace the tower,” Fantine said.
“Assuming that it was fixed to a solid surface,” Nathan said.
“Placing this on a ship at sea would not be a stable surface, even though it is solid,” Admiral Gavin said.
“And the oceans are too deep to build the tower foundations to their floor,” Nathan said.
“So, then, what will prevent such a tower from tipping?” Admiral Gavin asked.
“My understanding was that your plan was to place these towers along the coast and throughout cities, as strongholds against attacks by fire or water. They weren’t designed to be used in oceangoing vessels,” Fantine said.
“I believe that they might need to be, based on the severity of the threat we’ve been warned about,” Nathan said.
“Ships are more flexible in battles at sea. These are defensive towers, and they are mobile, but not like a ship, or an airship,” Fantine said.
“If the waves are five hundred fifty (550) feet in height, a ship can’t fly over it and it can’t sail through or around it. The ship will be overturned or destroyed, unless the stability of one of these towers is such that it can balance the ship,” Admiral Gavin said.
“These towers should be stationed on the islands or on land bridges in those oceans. Not on ships. The stable foundation you need has to come from land, even if not a continent. The tower won’t give stability to a ship in a storm,” Fantine said.
“We need flexibility for where to place the towers. Mobility is essential. We don’t know where we will need them until it’s almost too late. That is why we need them on the ships,” Nathan said.
“That is not possible – not yet, anyway. These towers are for the land. You’ll just have to build more of them on land to cover all the places you need them to be. I can’t design a structure to stand and function out on the open oceans unless I’m designing a ship,” Fantine said.
“Then design a ship,” Nathan said.
“That is also resistant to the elements, and tall, like these towers,” Admiral Gavin said.
“It won’t be very good in either capacity. Mediocrity is what you’re asking for. A structure that floats like a ship will be too flexible to maintain its upright position,” Fantine said.
“You’re the most successful architect. Your past results are evidence enough that you are capable of devising innovative solutions,” Nathan said.
“It’s what we need,” Admiral Gavin said.
“How much time do I have? If it’s anything less than two (2) years, I suggest that you find a different strategy,” Fantine said.
Admiral Gavin looked to Nathan, who simply replied: “It would seem that time is not on our side.”
“What different strategy would you suggest?” Admiral Gavin asked. He was looking for architectural strategy, not military.
“Reference your island maps. Choose several that are evenly distributed throughout the oceans and designate those for construction sites. We can build towers on those – it takes eleven (11) days for the largest,” Fantine said.
“Two (2) years to research, you said?” Nathan asked.
“Yes. However, in those same eleven (11) days that I can build a tower, how many experimental ships can I hope to build, have you provision, staff with crew and allow me to crash in the name of durability testing?” Fantine asked.
Nathan looked at her, slightly annoyed, but understanding that she was giving him estimates in the face of vast uncertainties and high pressures.
“Is that the most efficient way to utilize eleven (11) days?” Nathan asked.
“A maneuverable ship with a proven design and competent crew stands a chance to avoid the rougher waters. These towers can afford you a safe base from which to launch a counterattack on whatever enemy you face, as well as serving as a storehouse for provisions,” Fantine said.
Nathan and Admiral Gavin merely listened.
Fantine continued, saying: “Also, they can be repositioned on land, within limits, though not like a ship. However, they can withstand a greater assault force than a ship – especially in the face of wind or fire. They have no sails – only firm foundations,” Fantine said.
“You’re not offering us alternatives, so we have to make the most of wha
t is present,” Nathan said.
“If these towers can be used as land-based forts for attacking an enemy, and they can withstand a heavy assault from the elements, then, admittedly, that is something, which is better than relying solely on ships,” Admiral Gavin said.
“To have the best of both worlds, you need to have both worlds, rather than trying to combine them into one,” Fantine said.
“We will consult the maps and begin calculating the suitable locations for construction of the towers,” Nathan said.
~~~
After three (3) days of consideration, they returned with their decisions and commissioned Fantine to construct towers on islands in different oceans, beginning with Yapazatoc Island in the Pirovalen Ocean. She remained stationed at that tower to supervise construction and observe its performance under harsh conditions.
CHAPTER 35: Pursued by a Spirit of Evil
A portal opened and the Tidal Sovereign appeared on the waters of the Zovvin Ocean. Victoria looked out onto the waters and saw many ships around her.
~~~
In the highlands of Onoxorin Island was an outpost of Redfire Sentinels, watching the seas and the suns.
One of them was Yuk’Davar, a twenty-five (25) year old man who was a drinker of the waters of the Lujladia Ocean. By the powers of light that the waters gave him, Yuk’Davar could see out at long distances, and used his powers like other members of the order. He was particularly strong in bending light to create illusions and had spent his youth, since the age of seventeen (17), impersonating others and stealing their wealth, building a small personal fortune. Unfortunately for him, when he was twenty-four (24), one of his victims had the powers of darkness to see through his ruse and cornered him, then cut his throat and left him unable to speak. Yuk’Davar was allowed to live, but only by working for a year as a slave on a farm. He escaped when he was able to gain access to more Lujladia Ocean waters and conceal himself among customers, thereby making a quick getaway. He joined the order of Redfire Sentinels only a few months prior to the tempests, for a more reliable and safer source of income, hoping to leave his past behind him. However, he held onto his small fortune, which he kept hidden away, and was looking forward to spending the wealth in his later years.
