Architecture & Adversity

by Jeremy Dwyer

  “I should have known – someone would eventually try to take it and use it for their own purposes, to do something irrational and dangerous. All this time, I’ve been concerned with designing and building new structures that were useful, but the superstitious people think that they’re building churches and temples. I’m going to have to arrange for some sort of security to watch over you, the ship and the constructor. We can’t let this happen again,” Fantine said.

  “I would agree with hiring security. Quite a lot, of all sorts, so that we have a good chance of preventing any more trouble,” Captain Arata said.

  Ximenez recorded all of these conversations into his book. He didn’t doubt they were true, but he couldn’t prove it, either, since wasn’t present. He was under orders to watch Fantine personally, so he couldn’t go to investigate.

  ~~~

  “Akylas, set a course for the Port of Reliance,” Captain Pradrock said.

  Akylas drank anew of the waters of the Atrejan Ocean from his vial and was energized. He listened to the sounds of the stars and learned their positions and movements. From this information, he charted a course and began steering the Resolute Traverser eastward across the Trerada Ocean until reaching the Farmer’s Road land bridge. He then converted the ship to its airship configuration, elevated it to one hundred twenty (120) feet of altitude and traveled over the land bridge, returning to sea level in the Pirovalen Ocean. From there, he sailed the ship southeast toward the eastern coast of Meridianus. He then sailed along the coast until reaching the Port of Reliance where he docked the ship in a sea level pier.

  ~~~

  “It’s time to go home,” Caroline said. She carried Trent while Taesa and Emerond followed her off of the Resolute Traverser, onto the pier and then they entered the city. They walked toward the city center and went back to their suite on the sixth floor of the crystal building where they previously stayed.

  When they unlocked and opened the door, they found it as they left it and began to make it a home again.

  Taesa took hold of Trent and hugged the boy, thinking of the danger they were always in, and how life would be a fight for what mattered, rather than running and hiding. She stood and looked out the window onto the bustling center city streets below.

  “This is home. No more running and hiding,” Taesa said.

  “Until trouble returns,” Caroline said.

  “Trouble always seems to return, but I agree, we can’t keep running and hiding from it,” Emerond said.

  “We stay and we fight. We stand up for freedom and truth for this whole family. No more myths, no more lies, no more hate and fear. I want him to live free. I want to live free,” Taesa said.

  “That’s not an excuse to take risks, Taesa. You still have to be careful of who is around you and what you say and do. Just remember that,” Caroline said.

  “Everything – moving or standing still, speaking out or being quiet – is a risk. We just have to take the right ones at the right times,” Taesa said.

  “I mean no more adventures. That’s all,” Caroline said.

  “We still need a way to live and learn about the world – for him to learn. We’re here to raise him right, not hide the truth from him, or keep him locked inside of this room because of what might happen,” Taesa said.

  “As he gets older, he can handle more excitement. You still have to be careful, though. The new one is going put more demands on you, and you’re already tired,” Caroline said.

  “The new one is going to put demands on all of us,” Emerond said.

  “That’s still a few months away. For now, I’ve got some reading to do. I want to understand what all of that was about,” Taesa said.

  “You mean the violet sun myth?” Emerond asked. He remembered her curiosity about it.

  “Whether it’s a myth or truth is an important question. The right answer could save lives, and save people from believing in a religion that’s built around a myth,” Taesa said.

  “You think the answer could be in Emeth?” Emerond asked.

  “We can’t go there now. When he’s a little older you can go back. Let’s just settle down for a bit. You’re a mom now. Things are different,” Caroline said.

  ~~~

  Romana led the eighty-one (81) children – including Terach and Devora – off of the Resolute Traverser and into the Port of Reliance, toward the city center. Judith followed her and watched what she did and said.

  “Where are you taking us? Where are we going to live?” Terach asked.

  “Is this place going to be our home?” Devora asked.

  “We’re going to meet a good friend of mine. She’s going to help all of you children find a place to live – here, in this city,” Romana said.

  “What do you have in mind?” Judith asked. She didn’t believe that Romana personally had the money to pay for the children to live in the city, or that the Jenaldej Empire would give it to her. Even though she had confidence in Romana and that God would provide, she was still curious as to the details.

  “I don’t have anything in mind…yet. I’m hoping Onora can help,” Romana said.

  “You brought us here and don’t even know if we can stay?” Terach asked.

  “What is going on? I don’t like this at all,” Devora asked.

  The other children began murmuring and complaining, afraid they had no place to go.

  “I promise you that we’re going to work something out. We’re going to find a place for you to stay, right here. And we’re going to find some opportunities for you to work and learn.

  Judith recorded all of this into her book, eagerly anticipating the answer.

  ~~~

  The Resolute Traverser remained docked at the Port of Reliance. Captain Pradrock and his crew used their time to inspect the ship and perform minor maintenance. Akylas, Akantha and Torin were at work repairing more of the spare sailcloth and Fritz went about purifying more of the various waters in their supplies in his cabin.

  Out on deck, Jolene, Massimo and Captain Pradrock used wrenches to tighten the loose bolts on the bracket mounts holding the pulley systems that had been used earlier.

  “The constructor is a weapon, in the wrong hands,” Jolene said while she was busy tightening bolts.

  “So is every ocean water. So is everything else that we know exists,” Massimo said while he was working on an adjacent bracket.

  “You’re focusing on the negative. That is an unhealthy approach to anything. The constructor can be used to do useful work, very quickly and on a large scale. It wasn’t Fantine who misused it,” Captain Pradrock said.

  “Someone will misuse it…again…eventually,” Jolene said.

  “Important construction projects will be built with it. I’d more concerned about missed opportunities to do worthwhile things. Fantine said that she was looking for a new project and I think I have something in mind,” Captain Pradrock said.

  ~~~

  Captain Mendis’Kanto’Petarin awoke in a medical ward feeling a stinging pain over most of his body. The needles being injected into him, and the tubes entering his body, were not the cause of the pain, however. His vision was clouded but he could see that his skin had been severely burned.

  “Captain, glad to see you’re awake,” another man – a young doctor – said. The doctor then pressed a button on a wrist device and transmitted a signal.

  “What is this?” Captain Mendis’Kanto’Petarin said.

  “Your vision was damaged by extreme sunlight exposure – blue, red and yellow frequencies at a high intensity. You will likely only gain back seventy (70) percent of your eyesight in the best case. However, it is your skin that was damaged the worst. You had a large and severe melanoma we had to remove before we could begin to regrow your skin – that’s why you feel a stinging pain. You will need several more months of treatment to be certain all the cancer cells are dead and for the skin to fully regenerate.”

  “I’m just glad you’re alive. I almost lost hope, but I kept p
raying and praying. I love you, and I don’t want to let you go away from me ever again,” a woman said. She held her hand out to him.

  Captain Mendis’Kanto’Petarin recognized her after a moment and said: “Ra’Naka’Tuveo! I’m glad you’re here! Where is here? How did we get here?” He held his wife’s hand as she stood by his bed.

  “Your reserve shuttle came out of the burnpath, but you were unconscious and burned so badly no one could recognize you. Admiral Quin’Va’Pitar ordered you to be brought here immediately. You’ve been unconscious for a month, but you were gone for over two (2) years before that. Why? What happened?” Ra’Naka’Tuveo asked.

  A moment later, the door to the medical ward opened and a high-ranking military officer entered. He approached the bed where Captain Mendis’Kanto’Petarin was resting.

  “Admiral Quin’Va’Pitar!” Captain Mendis’Kanto’Petarin said when the officer approached.

  “Captain Mendis’Kanto’Petarin: Doctor Ekinth-Et-Lirivin told me you were awake. You’re a valuable man, and you’re looking a lot better. I can recognize you, now that most of your skin has been regenerated. You’re going to be fine. Now, tell me what you can remember, Captain,” Admiral Quin’Va’Pitar said.

  “The cargo shuttle crashed into the water – something happened, there were flames all over. I escaped in the reserve shuttle. Then, I had to repair the reserve shuttle, after it crashed into a mountain. The mountain wasn’t even there – it was miles away – but somehow the shuttle crashed anyway. I started to repair it, but all the suns were beating down. Then, I felt the burn, and knew I didn’t have much time left. I couldn’t use the heat seeker to get out: all the suns were too bright, so it wouldn’t stay on the trail,” Captain Mendis’Kanto’Petarin said. He struggled to remember all the details, and vaguely felt that he was forgetting a lot of the story.

  “But you still managed to make it home. That’s all I care about. You’re home, and soon you can see our little boy. He was born while you were gone,” Ra’Naka’Tuveo said.

  “How did you come home, Captain? That’s what I need to know. Given the circumstances, that alone is an accomplishment worthy of a medal. You did the impossible, and I want to know how,” Admiral Quin’Va’Pitar asked.

  “I’m trying to remember more. I know there has to be more. I feel like something’s missing,” Captain Mendis’Kanto’Petarin said.

  “Admiral, the Captain needs some rest. He’s getting better, but the cancer treatment is going to fog his memory, and the cancer itself may have done damage prior to treatment,” Doctor Ekinth-Et-Lirivin said.

  “His full recovery is your top priority, Doctor,” Admiral Quin’Va’Pitar said and then left the medical ward.

  Ra’Naka’Tuveo continued to hold her husband’s hand, fearful for his health. She agreed that his skin was definitely much better, but he still had a long way to go. She continued praying, quietly: “Dear God, Loving Creator, please hear my cries and heal him. Restore our family. Keep us together, always, by Your Grace and Your Mercy.”

  CHAPTER 43: Warnings of Lies and Destruction

  After being noticed by a passing ship, the Chronicler Ovid received transport from Yihartec Island back to Emeth. He went to the Library of Tedorik and met with the Verifier named Alyona, who was standing outside. There, he presented his book and she began to review it. Alyona was startled at the report of the destruction of the constructed city and the grim details of what Ovid witnessed. While Ovid waited, Alyona entered the Library of Tedorik and went to Danek’s office.

  “You look gravely concerned, Alyona,” Danek said.

  “The constructed city on Yihartec Island was destroyed – a sudden explosion, more sudden than a tidal wave or a tempest. The Chronicler Ovid was there, and he did not see the cause, only the effect. He has detailed records of the city’s construction and destruction, however. Fantine designed and assembled that city for the central bank,” Alyona said.

  “While I am concerned about this, I see no present course of action other than heightened awareness on our part. This may be a flaw in the operation of the constructor, however. Although that is only a hypothesis, it does not bode well for the other constructed cities if it is true. A new city – the Port of Illumination – has been assembled around Haza’Kedro’Maral Island in the Pirovalen Ocean, entirely owned and operated by the central bank. They have issued an open invitation to workers in nearly every occupation to live, work and invest there. I suggest sending at least two (2) Chroniclers there,” Danek said.

  “Agreed. I will find and assign them,” Alyona said.

  She left Danek’s office and went outside to meet with Ovid and give him a new book. “Be ready for an assignment later, but take your rest now. My next assignment is for other available Chroniclers,” Alyona said.

  Alyona then looked around to see other Chroniclers who were waiting for new work to be done. She soon caught sight of a pair of men and gestured for them to approach.

  “Alonso. Caemgen. Your next assignment is to travel to the Port of Illumination – a constructed city around Haza’Kedro’Maral Island in the Pirovalen Ocean. You are to chronicle the city – both the events within it and the very structure of it – and give an appropriate report,” Alyona said.

  The Chroniclers Alonso and Caemgen both returned to the fountains of Emeth where they refilled their vials with the waters of the Ursegan Ocean. They also drank anew of the waters to become energized and ready to observe the events around them, no matter how quickly they occurred, as well as to continue their own longevity. After quenching their thirst, they headed to the southern docks and received free transport southeast across the Pirovalen Ocean toward the Port of Illumination.

  Alyona then took Ovid’s book and separated out the confidential information from that which was available for immediate release. She took that portion to the annunciation room, where the information would soon be shared with the public.

  ~~~

  Claudia entered the office of Prince Trahaearn and asked: “Your orders?” She saw that both Prince Trahaearn and the resource coordinator, Nathan, were waiting there.

  “We have received a report that the central bank has constructed a new crystal city – the Port of Illumination – circumscribing the Haza’Kedro’Maral Island in the Pirovalen Ocean. They have extended an open invitation to merchants and every kind of professional to live, work and invest in the city, at favorable rates in financial matters,” Prince Trahaearn said.

  “We believe that the central bank is using this as an opportunity to engage in price fixing, manipulating the markets in ways that are meant to erode the value of our financial investments in various regions throughout the world, and to impact labor rates,” Nathan said.

  “We need you to take up residency in the Port of Illumination, and take careful note of what they are doing,” Prince Trahaearn said.

  “You want me to investigate the central bank? I am not a banker or a financial expert. I wouldn’t know if their numbers made sense,” Claudia said.

  “Yes, but you’ll know their intentions, by probing their thoughts, and watching their actions. We want you to act almost like a Chronicler, albeit without the authority that Oath affords you, and merely observe. Do not attempt to interfere or even object to anything. Do take the necessary time to be subtle so as to avoid notice,” Nathan said.

  “You meant me to leave now?” Claudia asked. She already knew their answer, because the Elanatin Ocean waters flowed through her even now, granting telepathic powers. Just because she knew their thoughts didn’t mean she understood.

  “We’ve already arranged a ship to take you,” Prince Trahaearn said.

  “Report back when you have something, or in ninety (90) days,” Nathan said.

  “You’re not giving me any assistance here. I could use a light bender, or a mathematician, even,” Claudia said.

  “It’s better that you travel alone. We don’t expect you to affect any changes,” Prince Trahaearn said.

  �
��I’ll leave now,” Claudia said. She then left the office and made her way to the docks, where she knew to find the captain who had already been ordered to give her transport from northeastern Revod to the Port of Illumination.

  ~~~

  At his post in the guard room in the main tower of King Hamza Bazavador’s castle, Ochieng drank anew of the waters of the Atrejan Ocean from his vial to become energized. He listened to the sounds of the stars, to learn their positions and paths. He also learned of the message of the destruction of the crystal city on Yihartec Island after hearing the messages transmitted by the Redfire Sentinels. He could not always hear them because it was an excruciatingly difficult skill to master, and only a small number of the Atrejan drinkers throughout the world were innately good at it – or were known to be good at it, anyway. Ochieng was far better as a navigator, using the sounds of the stars to make charts of the past or future arrangements of the many suns for the benefit of the king. By these charts, the king could dispatch his agents to distant locations throughout the world and obtain what he sought.

  When Ochieng learned of the city’s destruction, he hurried from his post toward the door to the throne room, where he met Captain Duvall.

  Ochieng said: “I need to speak with His Majesty.”

  “Is this ill or urgent news?” Captain Duvall asked.

  “Unfortunately, it is ill news. Whether urgent or not, I cannot say. I have heard a message of danger, in a distant land. It remains my duty to watch the suns in the sky and report of whatever may be of interest to His Majesty,” Ochieng said.

  “What is the nature of this message of danger?” Captain Duvall asked.

  “Yihartec Island, in the Kazofen Ocean, was the location of a constructed city, assembled by the architect, Fantine. The city was suddenly destroyed, and its destruction was witnessed by the Redfire Sentinels. I overheard their message. They do not know the cause, but hundreds of ships surrounding the city were also destroyed,” Ochieng said.