by Jeremy Dwyer
Judith recorded all of this in her book. Ovid looked out from the ship and recorded what he could see as well. Because of the Ursegan waters flowing through them, slowing down time and allowing them to see fast-moving events, Judith and Ovid both accurately assessed the speed at which this Xavier moved – it wasn’t impressive like that of the Nabavodel-water-drinkers. Rather, it was clear that Brant was inattentive, which put him at a disadvantage.
“If you’re as well trained as your speed suggests, you can fight alongside us,” Emerond said, hoping that he wasn’t inviting disaster in the form of an infiltrator. The Jenaldej Empire had a military, but temporary alliances were useful if they could bring an end to this war.
Emerond, Judith, Brant and Xal’Kativok/Xavier boarded the Persistent.
“What direction does it point?” Emerond asked Joshua.
“The blue lines still give no direction,” Joshua answered after looking again at the Spirit Sword.
CHAPTER 44: Gathering in the Waters of Song
The Pirovalen Ocean was dotted with thousands of islands of various sizes and terrain types. Almost all of them had mountains covering a significant portion of their surface.
~~~
One of these islands was Yapazatoc Island, which had been selected as the construction site for Fantine’s first tower deployment. The one hundred ten (110) foot high tower that she had designed and constructed, with the help of crystal benders from the Jenaldej Empire, looked out over the ocean. She stood atop the tower, carefully watching the calm ocean waters. She did not know when the tempest would arrive, but was told to expect it, and to expect Victoria.
Although she was the architect, Fantine was not alone, but was accompanied by four (4) crystal benders who had stayed to assist with any repairs that may be needed quickly. There was also a small ship – seventy-three (73) feet long – with a crew of fifty-four (54), on standby for evacuation in the event that the tower failed but left survivors. Fantine was considered a valuable expert and was worth extra effort to protect. All life was precious, but her combination of crystal bending and architectural expertise was exceedingly rare, and the Jenaldej Empire recognized this and wanted her to have an escape route.
In the distance, Fantine saw an airship approach, and became concerned that the enemy was about to test the strength of her structure. She strained to identify the ship, but could not make out whose it was. She did not have the powers of far sight whatsoever, being only a drinker of the waters of the Kazofen Ocean. These were the times that she would have liked to have the power of the waters of more than one ocean – there were many good reasons to want the extra advantages.
~~~
On board the Resource Surveyor Three, Admiral Gavin and the resource coordinator, Nathan, were traveling across the Pirovalen Ocean to personally assess the strength of the tower.
“The structure appears to be complete, and it still stands,” Nathan said as they approached.
“The tempest will come. That is when we will know if it is truly complete,” Admiral Gavin said.
The Resource Surveyor Three arrived at Yapazatoc Island and set down on land near the base of the tower.
~~~
Fantine saw the ship set down near the base of the tower, on land, and did not know who to expect.
~~~
Admiral Gavin and Nathan disembarked from the ship, climbed the steps to the top of the tower and saw the architect, along with the crystal benders of the Jendaldej Empire who had been placed under her direction.
Fantine saw them and was relieved that it wasn’t the enemy. She was confident in her design and construction work, but was in no hurry to see it put to the ultimate test.
“The tempest has not arrived in this ocean. We saw no signs of great destruction on this ocean during our journey here,” Admiral Gavin said.
“What have you seen already?” Fantine asked, not wanting the answer, but believing that she needed it.
“Extensive destruction. Millions of deaths,” Admiral Gavin said.
“Then the world needs you there, Admiral,” Fantine said, surprised that they had come here.
“Those battles are already over. Our defensive forces – what remain of them – are assigned and on standby, as are the engineering divisions allocated to repair damage,” Nathan said.
“They need you here as the leading defense architect. They need us here as well. A strong position from which to confront the attacker is necessary to mount a proper response. And we need to know how strong this position is, firsthand,” Admiral Gavin said.
“She strikes where she will, and we believe that this ocean is her next target. We don’t know when, but believe it to be soon, based on patterns in the reports that we have received,” Nathan said.
The air and sea were still calm, but Fantine doubted that would last.
“Is there a warning sign?” Fantine asked.
“In some cases, but she sends her storms to the shores as well as upon the ships at sea. We’ve evacuated tens of millions (10000000) of people from the coasts, bringing them many miles inland. The same has been done – we can only hope – the world over,” Nathan said.
“Greater strength against her great strength is what we need,” Admiral Gavin said.
~~~
Captain Guillermo had deftly, and sometimes luckily, avoided the tempests of the seas. He managed to bring Lady Onora safely to Riquivindi Island – another one in the Pirovalen Ocean – where he and she had been waiting for the previous two (2) days.
“The top of this hill may offer cover against the storm waters, and afford us a better view of that danger which may come,” Captain Guillermo had said when they arrived. Lady Onora agreed with him and they waited at the top of a gently sloping hill that was one hundred thirteen (113) feet in height.
Lady Onora spent much of the time in prayer. “I pray to Thee, One True God, that I should be able to serve in this time of evil, and humbly accept and make use of those gifts which Thou has bestowed through the great oceans, and thus turn back the wickedness.”
She also drank the waters of the Pirovalen Ocean from a vial she carried, keeping herself renewed daily. They were a much more purified form of the waters that were in the Pirovalen Ocean around her. She made a point of visiting the most expert of alchemists to provide the high purity liquid, and she always had ample money to purchase them. God provided, sometimes through friends of hers, or even through strangers, that she was never without the highly purified “song waters”.
Captain Guillermo waited nearby, looking out upon the ocean, not knowing what to expect. He was actually intrigued and excited by the danger, and thought that a closer look might make for an exhilarating – and enlightening – experience. He knew, however, that the storms were deadly. He placed little hope in the woman’s prayers, but wasn’t against them either. He wanted to live to tell the story, rather than become one of those lost to the tempest.
~~~
Cradana Island in the Pirovalen Ocean was home to an outpost of Redfire Sentinels.
One of their order in that outpost was Tak’Tarian, a sixty-nine (69) year old man who was a drinker of the waters of the Lujladia Ocean. He thus had the power of far sight, enabling him to look out into the distance and watch for storms and ships in danger from those storms. He also kept a lookout for the one ship of late that brought the most dangerous storms of all.
Tak’Tarian had been a Redfire Sentinel for forty-six (46) years, ever since having taken his Lujladia waterbinding in the Jenaldej Empire and distinguishing himself as a superb light scout. He was approached by the order and accepted immediately. His personal code of ethics demanded untiring observant protection, rather than any personal profit, and he saw to it that ships traveled safely. This was not for any love of profit or commerce but that it simply should be that way. He took his personal pay – as the Redfire Sentinels were compensated by an unknown benefactor – and used it to purchase small vessels that could be used by anyone whose ship was severe
ly damaged in a storm and made their way to the island. That way, if they needed to leave the moment that the storm calmed, they would not have to wait for a rescue ship to arrive.
Four (4) of his ships had been used for this purpose over the years, and only one (1) had ever been returned. This fact bothered him only because he did not know if the other three (3) crews had returned home safely.
Another Redfire Sentinel on that island was En’Leva, a thirty-one (31) year old woman who was a drinker of the waters of the Atrejan Ocean. She saw the positions and movements of the red suns, and was trained to use them to communicate around the world, transmitting messages of warning. She had taken her waterbinding at the age of sixteen (16) and spent the next three (3) years in Emeth, studying the stars and making maps of their positions, future and past, comparing them to historical charts of ancient civilizations.
En’Leva had been interested in the discovery of long lost cities by this method. Her ultimate hope was to one day discover Thalkalana – a city that was claimed by most of the few who even heard the name to be mere myth, although she suspected otherwise.
This island was a peaceful escape from her belligerent boyfriend who had severely beaten her shortly after they met when she was nineteen (19). He was kind to begin with, but became violently angry when he discovered that she had already taken a waterbinding before meeting him, rather than letting him choose for her, as was the tradition in his own culture. She escaped while he was sleeping, and made her way, bleeding, into a harbor town where she paid for passage with promise to serve as a navigator for two (2) years. She proved more than effective, and certainly earned her passage early on. She caught the attention of the Redfire Sentinels, who bought her out of her indentured servitude only one (1) year in. They brought her to this island at age twenty (20) where she had served since then.
~~~
The Tidal Sovereign appeared at the other end of a portal which opened onto the lake underneath the water-worshipper’s temple on Av’Tovenka Island.
The voice of the demon, Matatirot, spoke to Victoria, saying: “Summon you shall the girl with song, whose voice enchants the wise and strong. Her time is now, she shall set sail. By her music, we shall prevail.”
Victoria, escorted by her guards, walked off the ship and to the edge of the cavern, where a door slid open and led to a tunnel. They walked through the tunnel, up a staircase and returned to the Armada Room of the water-worshipper’s temple.
~~~
Taesa was in the Armada Room, staring into the models of ships and the globes that were upon the various pedestals. She admired the designs – some ancient, some modern.
Halina was also there, as was Tanith Orenda.
“Even these ships and their sails were designed and built by the Ahitan women. They sailed the world, making maps of each continent and the land bridges that connected them. These globes are here to remind us of that. They were some of the greatest minds, gifted in many ways, beyond the waters that they drank,” Halina said.
“You, child, are also quite gifted. A voice like yours is rare, and the entire world must hear of it, as must the man who is proper for you,” Tanith Orenda said.
Taesa found the old woman to be rather disturbing, but didn’t quite know why. Her voice was gravelly, but more than that of any other woman of her age. Taesa did not know that the old woman was old far beyond her appearance of, perhaps, seventy-five (75) years. She only knew that the old woman was a grandmother to Victoria – who called her “many thousands great grandmother,” which could be a way of showing high praise as far as Taesa was concerned. She also saw that the woman had red-stained lips. Why that was she didn’t ask, but she thought that it was some sort of illness.
“The time has come, Taesa. Your prince is ready. Are you?” Victoria asked.
“You’ve seen him? Where?” Taesa asked, excited at the thought of meeting that man, again, despite her reservations about personal relationships. It was more the curiosity of a new experience that gave it a certain appeal than any innate romantic inclinations that Taesa felt.
“He sails the seas, looking for answers…for purpose...for you. I know where he will go next, to rest,” Victoria said.
“How do you know?” Taesa asked, thinking this to be a strange way to go about things.
“There is an island – a peaceful place – and you will wait there to meet him. Your song will bring him to that island. There, you will speak with him, and he will come to appreciate who you are, and your many gifts,” Victoria said.
“Why does it have to be this way?” Taesa asked.
“A man appreciates not what comes easily, but that which he has to work to obtain. By striving to meet you, he will esteem you more highly,” Tanith Orenda said.
“The song will guide the way, so that he knows the proper course and can find you in the vast expanse of an ocean. However, it must be a struggle, so that, once he finds you, he will do what it takes to never let you go,” Victoria said.
“That is how men always have been. And how they always will be,” Tanith Orenda said, contributing her experience in the ways of the world – which were vast beyond Taesa’s imagining.
“We should begin our journey,” Victoria said, taking Taesa by the hand.
“Not yet. First, you must rest, for only a short while, so that you will be fresh on your journey,” Tanith Orenda said.
“If that is what the master wishes, then that is what I shall do,” Victoria said, surprised.
“Both of you,” Tanith Orenda said.
Tanith Orenda and Victoria then escorted Taesa to the Voyager’s Room, where she was to rest upon the stone bench with the faces – some beautiful, some hideous – carved into it. “You shall rest here, child. In a few short hours, you will be ready for your journey,” Tanith Orenda said.
~~~
Tanith Orenda then escorted Victoria to the Great Granddaughter’s Room, where she was to rest upon the bed. “You shall renew yourself, and the tiara,” Tanith Orenda said.
“Inform me when she awakens,” Tanith Orenda said to the guards in the hall.
~~~
Tanith Orenda then went to the Matriarch’s Room and waited for the notice that Victoria was ready. It would only be a few hours, and the power of the tiara would be renewed. The singing girl needed little rest, and Victoria was sustained by the demon, Matatirot, so she needed only a little rest, as well. It was the tiara that the old woman wanted to be sure was ready.
CHAPTER 45: Called by a Song of Love
In the Voyager’s Room, Taesa was tired and succumbed to sleep, despite her prior determination to not sleep and fall into the horrid dreams. Her dream was that of utter ruin. A tempest struck and waves of water rose to immense heights, swallowing millions upon millions. She saw their faces as they sank under the sea. She saw Victoria on a ship, surrounded by fire, and creatures of shadow with claws that grabbed at her and Victoria was shrieking, terrified. A song could be heard, but it was drowned out by the sounds of Victoria’s screams. Taesa awoke, screaming.
~~~
In the Great Granddaughter’s Room, Victoria awoke from a dreamless sleep of only six (6) hours. She was rested, and the tiara was fully renewed in its energies.
She got out of the bed and the guards that were watching over her left their post to notify Tanith Orenda.
~~~
Tanith Orenda had been waiting in the Matriarch’s Room when she heard voices outside. She knew what it meant, so she opened the door and saw the two (2) guards standing in the hall.
“She is awake,” one of the guards said.
“Very good,” Tanith Orenda said and she left the room and walked the hallway to meet with Victoria. The two (2) guards followed her. Along the way, she met with Halina.
“Halina, have you made preparations?” Tanith Orenda asked.
“I have the purified Pirovalen waters from the Ocean Room,” Halina said, holding up a vial in her hand to prove her words.
“Excellent. Come with
me,” Tanith Orenda said, and the two (2) women made their way to the Great Granddaughter’s Room, followed by the two (2) guards.
“I am rested, many thousands great grandmother,” Victoria said when Tanith Orenda and Halina arrived with the guards.
“Then you are ready, many thousands great granddaughter. Now, come with me, to see that Taesa is also ready,” Tanith Orenda said.
The three (3) women went, followed by the two (2) guards, to the Voyager’s Room, where they heard Taesa screaming.
“What is it, child?” Tanith Orenda asked.
“I had a horrible dream. There was a storm at sea, and the waves of water rose up and killed millions,” Taesa said.
“Childish fears must not hold you back. Dreams of storms are no cause for waking in discontent,” Tanith Orenda said.
“You were surrounded by fire and creatures of shadow. They were grabbing you with claws, and you were shrieking, terrified,” Taesa said, looking to Victoria.
Victoria was frightened at this and asked: “Are you sure that it was me they were assaulting?”
“You are a woman! Do not become like a child who is afraid of dreams born of ignorance!” Tanith Orenda said, scolding Victoria.
“Dreams do have power. Is there something of it?” Victoria asked, remembering the dangerous dreams she previously had that came true in various ways.
“Nonsense! You must not let fear grip you, least of all the fear within someone else!” Tanith Orenda said, annoyed at Victoria.
Victoria wasn’t so sure, but said: “I am corrected by your words of wisdom, many thousands great grandmother.”
“Halina, provision her,” Tanith Orenda said.
Halina handed the vial of waters to Taesa and said: “Highly purified Pirovalen waters.”
Taesa accepted the vial and said: “Thank you.”
Halina hugged Taesa, kissed her on the forehead and said: “Be safe. I love you.”
“Now, forget all your fears and fulfill your potential. The oceans await,” Tanith Orenda said.
