by Jeremy Dwyer
Judith smiled and stayed close to Romana. She still recorded what was going on around her, but felt a great warmth come over her just by being in the scholar’s presence. Judith loved Romana like a sister, and felt that she owed the scholar a great debt of gratitude, for leading her to believe in the One True God. That belief helped Judith to overcome her despair and have great hope for her personal future, despite the trials and tragedies of the world around her, which she had been observing and recording for twelve (12) centuries, and would for many more, long after Romana’s single lifespan ended. That sobering thought was one that Judith quickly put out of her mind.
Nathan saw the large table with the sketch of crystal work and light rays and began to analyze it for himself. He drank anew of the waters of the Medathero Ocean from the vial on the chain around his neck. He was thereby energized with the power of calm, rational thought and began to assess the correctness – or lack thereof – in the diagram. While he did not directly understand crystal alchemy, he did understand combinatorics, trigonometry and geometry, and he knew some general facts about minerals.
“Fantine, have you verified the accuracy of this diagram of your alchemy? It appears to me, based on the angular sums, as if total internal reflection would occur, so that the light rays would not meet with the crystals atop the other constructor pillars,” Nathan said.
Fantine was alarmed at this suggestion and then paused her work to look at the diagram. “You are correct…in your interpretation of the diagram. It is the diagram that is incorrect, ever-so-slightly. These angles are not correctly represented,” Fantine said.
“You need to be more careful, young lady,” Governor Lux said to Liora, seeing that she had been the person making the diagram.
“There are subtle details that have great impact,” Nathan said to Liora.
“Is your Kazofen water pure enough? Or are you distracted? I need you to focus. Not on these people, but on the work. Measuring angles takes concentration, and small errors are magnified. Some more basic geometry would help you, as well,” Fantine said to Liora.
“I apologize for the error. I do my best,” Liora said.
“Don’t feel bad. She’s a perfectionist. None of us can keep up with her,” Niven said, smiling in turn at Liora and then Fantine.
“Liora, I need you to aim for accuracy, and focus on nothing else…and no one else. You have the ability, just not the dedication. Check your work for errors and revise until the diagram matches the low-level crystal structure. You need to let go of your memories and sympathies. Then, you can do everything that I do. The innate potential exists in you,” Fantine said.
“No. I can’t let go of him. I loved him. And I always will love him,” Liora said, and she hurried away.
“There are other things in life that matter much more,” Romana said to Fantine, and then she followed Liora to hold her. “Talk to me,” Romana said. Judith followed to understand what was happening.
“Don’t worry about me. Just tell her what love is. She’s heartless. Completely heartless,” Liora said.
“She needs to change. I know. But I’m here for you, if you need someone to talk to,” Romana said.
“Do the work you came for. I need to deal with this myself,” Liora said, and she walked away, heading into town, crying as she went.
Romana and Judith returned to the crowd and watched the architect resume her work.
“What was that about?” Judith asked.
“Not everyone loves their work to the exclusion of all else. That young woman loved and lost,” Romana said.
Fantine finished the alterations to the sapphire and then placed the customized gemstone into a small socket on a steel cable that wound up the length of the (90) foot tall curved pillar. After that, she turned a small crank handle that moved the cable, with the sapphire in place, to the tip of the pillar.
Fantine then took a different crystal and made a quick, tiny alteration to it, so that it emitted light that was previously stored within its internal structure. The beam of light met the customized sapphire atop the curved pillar and then it turned a bright blue. That sapphire then emitted beams of light for hundreds upon hundreds of miles, meeting with a different sapphire atop a different pillar, and then a sapphire atop an even more distant pillar, and so on, until all twenty-three (23) sapphires glowed, atop their respective curved pillars, along a length of four thousand four hundred (4400) miles. These beams of light ran overland, throughout the continent of Baradaxa, meandering and branching toward the north, south, and east.
After this, the beams of light – which were projected between the sapphires atop the various curved pillars – began to rotate. As a result of this circular flow of energy, the mists of the waters of the Dead Waters Ocean were drawn up into the air along the southeastern coastline, and the mists of the waters of the Medathero Ocean were drawn up into the air along the southwestern coastline. Along with these, the mists of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean were drawn up into the air along the northwestern coastline and the mists of the waters of the Elanatin Ocean were drawn up into the air along the northeastern coastline. These mists began to swirl, congeal and form a long, tall blue crystal structure, eighty-five (85) feet high, sixty-two (62) feet thick and the full four thousand four hundred (4400) miles spanning the distances between the twenty-three (23) pillars, which were arranged in a spider web pattern. The structure had arches for support and terminated with four (4) separate half-pipes, each fifteen (15) feet wide, sloping gently toward the ground nearby where Fantine stood in the open field. The half-pipes already had flowing water, and the water flows trickled into four (4) separate large crystal tanks that formed at the base of the aqueduct, also as a result of the constructor’s operation. The entire aqueduct structure was a luminous blue, and was aesthetically well-designed besides being functional.
This process took only eleven (11) minutes, and was astonishing to the eyes of those who observed it. The sapphires atop the various curved pillars turned dark, signifying the end of the constructor’s operation.
Judith was quite impressed, as were most of the other Chroniclers: Silvius, Ovid, Alonso and Ximenez. They each sketched images of the actual structure into their books.
Gisella, however, barely noticed the structure, keeping her eyes on Niven the entire time. She did manage to sketch a competent description based on what she saw out of the corner of her eye. Her thoughts were almost entirely on the wealthy young man.
“That was reasonably quick, thankfully, unlike the research process,” Governor Lux said. He was pleased with what he could see of the results. He wanted to see more, however.
“I enhanced the constructor so that the resulting buildings are more luminous than before, to provide guides for inland navigation, and to facilitate inspection of the structure. That design change was achieved by the customizations of the directional crystal atop this pillar,” Fantine said.
“That enhancement will not be necessary. It seems, in fact, quite an inefficient use of time and counterproductive, given that shade and darkness have their own value, and we already have other means of illumination and navigation,” Nathan said.
“The full scale of this structure will take you time to inspect to verify soundness. You will want that to be a quick process, of course,” Fantine said.
“Like I said, we have other means of doing that. These enhancements seem more ornamental than functional. I can even see it in the support arches, which are embellished, rather than following a strictly efficient curvature,” Nathan said.
“You don’t need to dazzle us with artistic flourishes. A reliable structure that serves basic water delivery needs is all that anyone truly needs,” Romana said.
“If you only conceive of architectural work in minimalistic terms, and do not experiment with variations, you cannot improve, or advance beyond the most basic capabilities,” Fantine said.
“Sustenance – reliable, rapid water delivery – is what we need. That can be measured and va
lued. You’ve achieved the most important goal, commendably quickly, but then you’ve gone beyond that, in ways that don’t advance any meaningful cause,” Nathan said.
“I agree with the Jenaldej Resource Coordinator in this instance. Efficiency, not artistry, is the measure of success. Decorative features and other enhancements can be added by the customer, at their own expense and on their own schedules. Even the luminosity is not essential. Architectural excess is not a virtue,” Governor Lux said. In fact, he did not like the extra value added, given that it could devalue other products and services in the marketplace, and the central bank’s objective was to profit off of all markets, rather than having the architectural industry subsume other functions. The services of navigators, who drank the Atrejan waters, and light benders, who drank the Lujladia waters, were all crucial, so their supply and demand needed to be carefully controlled. Additionally, construction inspectors, who drank the Kazofen waters to be able to analyze crystal and stone structures for defects, would have their services devalued if new structures could be too easily inspected.
“Where you see excess, I see opportunity. Greater things are possible, if you are willing to explore,” Fantine said.
“You always impress me, and you’re always getting better at it. Keep doing your best and thinking big,” Niven said.
“Thanks, but I can explain myself and my work just fine,” Fantine said, dismissing Niven.
“She doesn’t appreciate you. Do you have a minute to talk?” Gisella said, gently taking Niven by the hand.
Judith looked at her, completely surprised, and said: “Gisella! No. Don’t interfere.”
“Judith, don’t worry. It’s alright. There’s nothing between them anyway. This fine young man just needs to go where he’s appreciated,” Gisella said, casting a disapproving glance at Fantine while actually grateful that the architect was dismissing this wealthy and handsome young businessman.
“You’re a Chronicler, under the Oath, and not here to interfere by taking advantage of a situation,” Ximenez said.
The other Chroniclers – Silvius, Caemgen, Alonso and Ovid – all watched, dutifully recording. They couldn’t interfere with the interference, but they all realized that Gisella was crossing the boundaries of what was appropriate. Caemgen didn’t think it was necessarily wrong to get romantically involved, and if a non-Chronicler flirted with a Chronicler, that was fine, but a Chronicler had to be careful about initiating anything, especially if another relationship would be affected. Even though Niven was being flatly rejected by Fantine, Caemgen didn’t think it was Gisella’s place to lure him away, because something might change as a result.
“There is no situation to take advantage of. Only he thinks there is, or thinks there will be,” Fantine said.
“Before you take leave, the lightkeepers, please?” Governor Lux asked of Niven.
Niven held up the first of the ‘blank’ lightkeepers from before and positioned it correctly under the blue suns above, angling it to receive exposure to the image of the aqueduct’s structure. The image was burned in and he handed this to Governor Lux, who gave him five hundred (500) platinum coins in payment in the form of a promissory note. Niven then took a second ‘blank’ lightkeeper and, repeating this process, took another image of the structure from a different vantage point. He handed this second lightkeeper to Governor Lux, who gave him another five hundred (500) platinum coin note in payment.
Judith approached Governor Lux to look at these, at the same time that she recorded a note of the transaction into her book. Ovid, Silvius, Alonso, Caemgen and Ximenez all did the same. Gisella barely noticed.
“Interesting…Can I see those?” Fantine asked.
“Better yet…” Niven said as he repeated the process with a pair of additional ‘blank’ lightkeeper crystals, from the same vantage points as before. He handed these crystal copies to Fantine.
“I will pay you for these,” Fantine said.
“Yes, they are quite useful, if you can afford them. The investors insisted that I bring them a copy,” Governor Lux said.
“No need. I just wanted to help you in whatever way I can,” Niven said to Fantine.
Gisella looked at him in surprise, thinking that the young man was a fool for not trying to financially profit off of the transaction – because he was clearly not going to receive Fantine’s affection in exchange.
“Nothing between us is going to come of this. You know that,” Fantine said sternly.
“I want to see what you can do…what amazing new things you design. If this helps, the satisfaction of helping you is my payment. Just research and design the way you want, and don’t be afraid to try new things, with your own style. Trust yourself first…and only trust yourself,” Niven said.
“Don’t play into her ego. Pride brings the best people to ruin. It rots their souls along the way,” Romana said.
“Soul? What soul? You believe in your spirituality and mythology. I’ll believe in the power of good design, and the Kazofen waters,” Fantine said.
“God made those ocean waters, and gave you your innate potential for using them. Don’t think yourself too great, and don’t be so quick to dismiss the kindness of others,” Romana said.
Judith was a little surprised at the comment – she agreed that Fantine was arrogant, although immensely talented. She also felt that the artistic embellishments and other enhancements were actually beneficial to the aqueduct structure. It was more than a shame, in Judith’s estimation, that Fantine was an atheist, but that was a personal journey she could not interfere with, but Romana could perhaps help. Yet, Fantine had every right to resist the romantic advances of a man in whom she had no interest. Romana seemed to be suggesting otherwise, which was odd.
“I’ll pay you for additional lightkeepers with those designs. They could be useful references,” Nathan said. He began writing out a promissory note and handed it to Niven, who wrote down the required amount of one thousand (1000) platinum coins for the two (2) lightkeepers that would be needed.
Niven then took an additional pair of lightkeeper crystals and captured the same images as before, handing these to Nathan when he was done.
“I will need to assess the structure, in its entirety, for the investors. I will return to my ship and travel along the perimeter of the aqueduct,” Governor Lux said.
“Under the authority of the Chronicler’s Oath, I will come along with you,” Silvius said.
“Very well, Chronicler, if you must,” Governor Lux said, and he and Silvius returned to the port and boarded the governor’s sailing ship.
“These are very valuable and informative design documents,” Nathan said while looking at the lightkeeper crystals that Niven made for him, turning them to look in each facet. Romana peered over Nathan’s shoulder at these and saw the considerable detail embedded in them
“Be sure to turn them very slowly. The visual information is packed into every fact, and you’ll miss it, if you turn it too quickly,” Niven said.
“Yes, of course,” Nathan said.
“I have some thoughts on how to make even better use of these lightkeepers. We need to talk and work out an arrangement…a paid arrangement at market value, since you’re in this line of business,” Fantine said, looking to Niven.
Without showing it, Niven sensed a hint of a chance at the arrangement he wanted most of all – he wasn’t naïve, and expected an uphill battle, but there was hope.
“I have what I need. These crystals have the design information for the aqueduct’s structure. I will be returning to Revod to have our own architects analyze it further,” Nathan said. He then asked Romana: “Will you be returning to your scholarly studies?”
“Yes, I’m going to Emeth. These Chroniclers need to return there to submit the events they’ve recorded, and I’d like to go along with them,” Romana said.
Nathan returned to the port town where he boarded the Regional Surveyor Seventeen (17). The captain and crew sailed the ship west across th
e Medathero Ocean, leading back to the Jenaldej home continent of Revod.
Romana returned to stand beside Judith and said: “Let’s go to Emeth and spend some time together after you turn in your book of chronicles. It’s been too long, and we need to reconnect…as friends. In fact, we should enjoy the trip there. There’s a lot to talk about.”
Judith smiled and said: “Yes. Please. There are a few things I’d like to understand, and you’re one of the few people I trust to help me find the answers.”
Romana and Judith walked away from the field with the crowd and the construction site, and then returned to the port town. When they arrived, Romana paid for her own transport on a ship heading southwest across the Medathero Ocean toward Emeth. Most of the other Chroniclers – Alonso, Caemgen, Ximenez and Gisella – followed them. Like Judith, all the Chroniclers traveled to Emeth for free, as was the custom. Ovid chose to remain in the Port of Kemalorin, however.
Each of those Chroniclers had recorded information pertaining to the various events – architectural and interpersonal – that occurred in the field south of the Port of Kemalorin. Each had their own perspective on matters, depending on where they stood and where they focused, but all the accounts would be analyzed by the Verifiers in Emeth. From that mixture of notes, the Verifiers would build a multifaceted record of history which was true with some calculated level of confidence.
CHAPTER 2: Mission of Survey and Acquisition
After Captain Mendis’Kanto’Petarin was forced to make a sudden departure from cargo shuttle two nine seven (297) during its fiery destruction, using the smaller reserve shuttle to escape the conflict, he was still unable to leave Thalariveth. The restored luminosity of the stars in the sky meant that the burnpath interstellar transportation system would be of no immediate use. Instead, he instructed the flight computer on board the reserve shuttle to conduct its own survey of the planet’s landmasses and, more importantly, its oceans. As the vessel transited the world, he collected smaller samples of the ocean waters – five hundred (500) gallons of each, instead of the originally intended two thousand (2000) gallons that the reserve shuttle was meant to carry – in order to be ready to escape at a moment’s notice, and to reduce fuel consumption, as he could not salvage the original shuttle’s fuel supply.