Castle & Conceit

by Jeremy Dwyer

  “You fail to see my glory…and my perfection,” Octavian said, still holding the scepter with the purple topaz at its tip.

  Emerond then told Octavian his wishes, saying: “May the world forever gaze upon the false beauty, and the true horror, that is you. I see your evil and the world sees it. You have murdered tens of thousands in your greed and pride. Your heart is hard, like a diamond.”

  At this, several crystal benders stood around Octavian, holding diamonds in their hands. Using their powers – given to them by drinking the waters of the Kazofen Ocean – they melted the diamonds into a hot liquid crystal, and began to flow the liquid around Octavian, thus creating a diamond film over his body, enveloping his form.

  Octavian felt a searing pain so great that he fell to the ground, dropping his scepter.

  Emerond then continued, saying: “Your heart is dark, and dark is cold.”

  At this, a dark scout approached, drank anew of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean from his vial so as to be energized, and then radiated his darkness. This cloak of darkness encompassed Octavian, creating a deep chill around him, freezing his body and the diamond film that enveloped it.

  Emerond then continued, saying: “And diamonds are forever.” After this, Emerond drank anew of the waters of the Kazofen Ocean from his own vial and was energized. He used his resulting powers to harden the crystal structure of the frozen liquid diamond surrounding Octavian, forming a perfect and permanent crystal shell around Octavian’s frozen body. Now, Octavian’s supernatural beauty would be preserved for all time, in a crystal encasement. Emerond went further by taking the scepter and fusing its crystal structure into Octavian’s hand, as a symbol of false pride for the fallen tyrant.

  ~~~

  When Octavian’s fleet and the flagship, Crystal Visage, had first arrived on the continent of Revod, the ships were under a cloak of darkness created by a company of thirty (30) shadow guards on each ship. Each of them drank highly purified waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean to give them this power. It was a cloak that was so dark that no ordinary light could illuminate the ships hidden therein. Not even the Jendaldej light scouts could see their arrival, though that was because the light scouts did not look in the proper direction at the crucial moment.

  Judith was on board the ship with them at that time, but she departed from their immediate company upon landing. Caroline and Taesa followed her, wishing to avoid becoming involved in what was sure to be a terrible battle. They had no loyalty to Imperial Prince Octavian, and could see that Judith was emotionally distraught and had become withdrawn.

  Neither Taesa nor Caroline could call Judith a friend, but they knew that she had an old soul despite her young appearance, and could imagine that she was greatly troubled with some burdens. Both of them felt some sympathy for her, even if they couldn’t hope to understand the pain. They also saw the wisdom in keeping their distance from the machine that made castles along with any enemy forces that would likely arrive soon. Cassius and Octavian – along with everyone else – were too focused on other things to care about the whereabouts of any of these women.

  The trio of them – Taesa, Caroline and Judith – all waited well outside of the battle zone, with Judith observing from a telescope, working to detach herself as much emotionally as physically from a place that was soon to be filled with pain and suffering. Still, she had to chronicle, even if from a distance. She recorded all of this into her book, struggling to gain control of her emotions. She had no way of knowing for sure how the battle would go, but was pleased with its apparent progress at various steps. Judith could not see the Hidden Paladins or the others in the cloak of darkness provided by the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean: those were always the hardest to chronicle, and you couldn’t simply assume that they were there, or that they weren’t. At best, you could infer, but that was not a valid chronicle.

  When Judith saw Octavian brought out as a captive, she wrote it into her book. Then she began to move in, confident that the danger had ended, and that no further pain and loss would be felt by the innocent. Caroline and Taesa followed, as they were still interested in the outcome, and agreed that it appeared to be safe.

  Judith arrived in time to hear the curse placed by Imperial Prince Emerond upon the now deposed Octavian. Emerond’s words were artful, vengeful, and absolute music to her one thousand two hundred thirty-nine (1239) year old ears. The moment seemed longer to her, as it sometimes did for those who drank the waters of the Ursegan Ocean. The joy of this moment couldn’t last long enough.

  ~~~

  The Hidden Paladins were pleased, and then they were gone, none ever knowing for sure that they were present. It was suspected that some outside force was involved, and that it might have been the Hidden Paladins, given that all of Octavian’s advisors were either dead or missing, and the constructor was destroyed, all of which ran counter to the battle plans formed by Imperial Prince Emerond. These deviations could not be explained by either disloyalty or error on the part of his forces. There was no certain answer, nor would there be.

  CHAPTER 24: Memory of Madness

  Imperial Prince Emerond then delegated to Admiral Cassandra and General Joshua, who saw to it that the troops carried out Emerond’s orders that the crystalized body of Octavian should be placed on board another vessel known as the Virtuous.

  Joshua was triumphant, taking pleasure in the fact that his well-trained forces delivered the victory. General Joshua commended his troops, saying: “Let his shame and failure and the worthlessness of his whole empire be known to all who read of him, at the center of the world, at Emeth. When writing his account, it should in no way give glory to his vanity. Instead, it should be a tale of warning, to control one’s anger, whatever the pain that lies within. It should be a warning against waging war on the innocent. It should be a warning against seeking conquest rather than achievement. And it should be a lesson that you should worship no man, nor tolerate a man who would worship himself.”

  Judith wrote an account of all of this into her book, and largely agreed with General Joshua’s words, but had to be more objective in her writings, despite her agreement with the general. The Chronicler’s Oath forbade judgment, so her personal opinion was not admissible in her writings.

  General Joshua then turned to speak to Caroline and Taesa, saying: “As former captives of Octavian, you might be pleased to see his final recompense. You are welcome to come with us to Emeth, and see a proper tribute, paid to the truth, and duly shaming the evil that he was.”

  “Yes. I would like to see this to its conclusion,” Caroline said.

  “And I would like to return to Emeth,” Taesa said.

  Then, Judith turned to General Joshua, saying “General, under the authority of the Chronicler’s Oath, I request transport with you, to record the proceedings.”

  According to the Chronicler’s Oath which she took, the General was obliged, and he more than willingly agreed, as the record of this day should be faithfully recorded. Joshua and several of his troops, along with Judith, Caroline and Taesa, boarded the Virtuous.

  The Virtuous sailed east over the Ikkith Tar Ocean, along the northern coast of the continent of Revod for two (2) days until it reached the Prince Jalvin’s Crossroads land bridge. The masts and sails of the ship then turned to the sides and the ship rose to seventy (70) feet of altitude, which was sufficient to cross over the elevation of the land, but where the heat from the many suns wasn’t so intense that protective measures were needed. As an airship, the Virtuous then traveled a short distance across the northeastern corner of Revod, returning to sea level in the Medathero Ocean.

  The sails and masts of the Virtuous returned to the upright position and the ship continued on its journey, sailing southwest across the waters of the Medathero Ocean, arriving in Emeth after another two (2) days.

  ~~~

  From on board the Meticulous, Captain Pradrock and Torin both watched the battle against the castle of topaz using telescopes, and they saw the deposition
of the liege of the castle, as well as the fall of the constructor pillars.

  Pradrock turned to Torin and said: “We should see this to completion, when the despot’s remains are placed. This could be informative for both of us, and it certainly appears to be of historical significance.”

  Torin considered this, and where they would most likely take the body of the defeated prince. “They’re going to Emeth, aren’t they?” he asked Pradrock.

  “Yes, to create a monument as a warning against despots. That is the way of the Jenaldej Empire’s military: they chronicle their victories carefully, and use them to teach valuable lessons, to the entire world, with the purpose of discouraging conflict,” Pradrock said.

  “Is that castle supposed to be a monument? It was left standing, but what knocked down those pillars?”

  “They may study the castle and even salvage the crystal from it for construction or sale. I can’t be sure about who destroyed the pillars. It may have been members of an order known as the Hidden Paladins,” Pradrock said.

  “I’ve never heard of them,” Torin said.

  “From time to time, they confront dangerous situations. Only those who have the light powers – from drinking the waters of the Lujladia Ocean – can see them. Not much is known about the Hidden Paladins, and I can’t verify that it was them in this situation,” Pradrock said.

  “I’ve heard lots of stories from sailors while I was working in the shipyards. Still, it sounds like there’s a lot that I haven’t heard of,” Torin said.

  “When we get to Emeth, and this matter is concluded, I need to research some maps. You can help, and in the process, I’ll have you study some mathematics and star charts, and perhaps learn a few more things, to broaden your knowledge. Additionally, I need to secure some new passengers and cargo.”

  “I’m ready to learn,” Torin said.

  “As you should always be,” Pradrock said.

  At that, they traveled in the Meticulous, following closely behind the Virtuous.

  ~~~

  When the two ships arrived in Emeth, General Joshua led a procession of his captains, who were carrying the crystallized body of Octavian. The military officers took the remains of Octavian to a location in one of the enormous, ancient buildings – the Fifth (5th) Hall – which was a library containing portions of the history of wars and conquerors. The crystallized Imperial Prince Octavian was placed, lying on his back, on a circular stone slab seven (7) feet in diameter.

  Captain Pradrock, Torin, Judith, Caroline and Taesa followed the procession and observed. Judith recorded all of it into her book.

  Romana, who was still in residence during her scholarly duties, was also present, having noticed the arrival and heard the chatter in the crowds.

  Alyona, one of the Verifiers of the Oath, approached them and said: “I am Alyona, a Verifier of the Oath, and I see that you have brought the remains of Imperial Prince Octavian. It appears that he was placed into liquid diamond crystal, which was melted around him by a drinker of the waters of the Kazofen Ocean. Then, he was frozen in a dark and cold shadow, by a drinker of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean, so as to preserve his flesh. Finally, the crystal was hardened around him, again by a drinker of the waters of the Kazofen Ocean, to give durability to the monument. While clearly deceased, his remains will be preserved and his image made permanent.”

  Alyona turned to General Joshua, and continued her analysis, saying: “You and your captains hold shields with the crest of the twelve (12) curved swords marked with the first twelve (12) prime numbers. These clearly identify you as being of the Jenaldej Empire. You are a general, as can be seen by the emblem of the three (3) crossed swords on the medal you wear above the vial you carry around your neck, a vial which contains the waters of the Nabavodel Ocean. This is indicated by the classical markings, denoting the water of the tiger’s power, on the vial.”

  Joshua replied: “Correct you are, perceptive Verifier. This man built castles and brought death, only to collect crystals into which to gaze at his own reflection, showing his vanity to the end. He is to be remembered as a failure through and through, and deserves a terrible and prominent place in these archives as an object lesson.”

  “We, of the Council of Verifiers, will ascertain the details of his circumstances and history and make our own determination of his appropriate positioning, General,” Alyona said to him, curtly. She took neither counsel nor command from any military or economic power, not even that of the Jenaldej Empire.

  ~~~

  At that, General Joshua and his captains left, boarded the Virtuous, and departed from Emeth to return to Revod.

  ~~~

  Captain Pradrock led Torin out of the Fifth (5th) Hall and they made their way to another enormous, ancient building known as the Seventh (7th) Hall, which was a library containing the charts of the stars and the maps of the oceans and continents over hundreds millennia. Out of curiosity, and fully satisfied with the fate of Imperial Prince Octavian, Judith followed them.

  Torin and Pradrock began walking the hall’s lengthy corridors, until Pradrock stopped and identified a section of the wall containing inscriptions and diagrams that appeared to cover the stars over the Atrejan Ocean.

  “What period is this?” Torin asked him.

  “You can’t read the dates? It is twelve hundred five (1205) years ago. That’s the same time period that Keallach had you looking into, right?” Pradrock asked.

  “That’s not the star path I saw,” Torin said.

  “This is the mathematical mistake I was talking about. Your perceptual following of the stars does not get affected by the water vapors, or the effects of the oceans themselves. The dynamics of many of the oceans, such as Lujladia, Atrejan, and Ikkith Tar most of all, affect the air directly over the ocean waters, distorting the light significantly, and it creates a visual displacement effect, and that has to be adjusted for. Over land, this is not as much of a problem, unless you are too close to the coast, or there is a thick fog,” Pradrock said.

  “This is way more complex than I had hoped,” Torin said.

  Pradrock continued, saying: “Like we had discussed on Nivi Tak Island, the path that you indicated to Keallach was incorrect. According to my readings, the path you told him to follow was eleven hundred twenty (1120) miles too far to the southeast from the true path. Mathematically, I’m still a bit disappointed in your skills and you do need to correct that. However, given the circumstances, it’s a forgivable mistake, since we don’t need you helping pirates, especially not him.”

  “So I need to learn exactly what?” Torin asked.

  “Ocean energy dynamics, trigonometry and linear algebra. There are plenty of writings here – and in the Second (2nd) Hall – covering all of these subjects. You’ll need to get very familiar with the arrangement of information in the different halls, and that will take some time. I assume that you still plan to stay,” Pradrock said.

  “So I need to learn how to find the information I want, and then learn the subject? That’s going to take a while: this place seems like it stretches on for miles,” Torin said, looking around him at the enormity of the ancient building in which they stood.

  Judith wrote all of this into her book. Given that the infamous Captain Keallach was mentioned, the boy’s recent adventures sounded quite dangerous to her, as that pirate represented the very essence of bloodthirst in the modern day. Still, her immediate and tremendous satisfaction from the death of Octavian was sustaining her, and this new danger was not yet in her presence.

  “Yes, you will have to learn both. And the building does extend for miles. Now, I would like you to help me, and start transcribing these glyphs. It will be good practice, as much of what you learn here will be through copying what you read, and organizing and memorizing. Along the way, you need to concentrate – and to focus – so as to understand,” Pradrock said. He then pointed to an area of a stone wall in which specific inscriptions were made.

  Torin proceeded to transcribe
the writings from the stone onto a soft metal plate that Pradrock gave to him, etching it with a sharp metal pointer. After some time and some careful checking, it was complete and he handed the inscribed plate to Pradrock. “Can I learn from you?” Torin asked him.

  Pradrock considered this, and asked him: “Are you trying to take the easy way, and avoid careful study?”

  “No, I just want to learn a few things out there before I settle down here,” Torin answered him.

  “Some would consider that backwards, lacking caution. Still, experience can and does teach, but I will put you to work, and you will absolutely not avoid learning trigonometry, especially not on my ship,” Pradrock said.

  “All right,” Torin answered, adding: “I’ll learn what you want me to. Emeth can wait, a little while longer.”

  Judith recorded all that they said into her book.

  Torin watched as she did and then asked: “Why are you so interested in us?”

  “I am Judith, Chronicler of the Oath of one thousand two hundred thirty-nine (1239) years. Under the authority of that Oath, I record events around me, both the historically significant and the mundane,” Judith said.

  “That’s a long time – you don’t look old at all,” Torin said.

  Judith smiled at the compliment, because she still wanted to look young enough for men to be attracted to her…at least occasionally. It wasn’t that she had a romantic relationship in recent centuries, but having the option gave her some hope and comfort.

  “Most Chroniclers of the Oath drink the waters of the Ursegan Ocean to slow down time within them and thereby delay aging. That way, they can live for centuries or even millennia to record changes in the world throughout the ages, and everyone else can hopefully learn from their writings to avoid repeating the errors of the past,” Pradrock said.

  “I’m still pretty young, but my life hasn’t been mundane enough. I spent more time than I wanted to with that pirate after he killed my parents. Maybe you should have been there for that,” Torin said.