by Jeremy Dwyer
Linette saw a bright light that looked like a distress signal and was obligated to respond.
“We have to take a detour, for a rescue,” Linette said, looking out from the wheelhouse.
Melanie was resting on a bench, her eyes closed, when she heard Linette. She was only thirty-five (35) and not particularly interested in being out at sea, or being a navigator.
“Someone else got lost? Nobody should be out here with the sky this dark,” Melony said.
“We have to make a living, Melony. That’s why we’re out here. You can’t retire without working first,” Linette said.
“If we listen to the stars, we’ll make a dying. Without hearing them, navigation is ridiculous,” Melony said.
“That’s why we hired light benders,” Linette said.
“So now we have to stay out at sea even longer, because of some idiots,” Melony said.
“We don’t know it’s their fault. Lots of problems can happen out at sea. One day it could be us,” Linette said.
Captain Linette corrected her course, steering toward the light, and saw that it was coming from a cave in the side of a mountain.
~~~
“I see a ship – a fishing trawler – about one hundred thirty (130) miles south of here,” Celio said.
“Do they see us?” Anan asked.
“I think so. They’re changing course, and heading this way,” Celio said.
“We’re going to pay for this. They keep a tight schedule, and are going to want a reimbursement for lost time,” Desmond said.
“We have to treat them fairly. Commercial fishing is a hard life,” Anan said.
“Money is not our greatest concern. Pay them a fair price, because our task is crucial,” Lady Ismene said.
“I’m sure they want us to succeed. The dark skies aren’t doing them any favors either,” Desmond said.
“Their catch will be good: the fish swarm at night,” Jaguar said.
“At least you’ve found something good in all of this,” Anan said.
~~~
The Frigid Cornucopia approached the mountain with the cave and Linette saw five (5) people at the mouth of the cave.
“There’s five (5) of them. Send a lifeboat,” Linette said.
“I’ll take it myself. I don’t feel like waiting for anybody else,” Melony said.
“Good, Melony. At least you’re taking the initiative. I’m pleasantly surprised for once,” Linette said.
Melony boarded a twelve (12) foot lifeboat and called to the crew to lower it into the water. She then raised its sails and even began rowing to give it extra speed – her impatience and annoyance now outweighed her usual laziness, which surprised even her. Soon, she arrived at the mouth of the cave.
“Get in. Then tell me your stupid story later about why you’re out here, so I can laugh at somebody,” Melony said.
Anan, Celio, Desmond, Jaguar and Lady Ismene boarded the lifeboat and Jaguar picked up an oar and began rowing to help.
“Keep the hot light on the sea serpents,” Anan said.
Celio kept focusing the heated beam of light out toward the writhing sea serpents, directing them away from the lifeboat.
“Hard working! Nice! My sister would like that, maybe add you to the crew and let me quit,” Melony said.
“You are?” Anan asked.
“I’m Melony. My sister and her twin brother own the fishing ship, but he’s too lazy go out to sea or pick up a net. We inherited the crate, and spend our lives fishing. Linette’s old, so it doesn’t really matter to her. But I want a life. Instead, I’m out here saving yours,” Melony said. She didn’t consider the hypocrisy of calling her brother lazy – at least, she felt, she did something.
“You’ll be repaid for your help,” Anan said.
“You’ve got light powers. We could use you. I’d navigate, but fatal headaches aren’t my idea of a good way to spend a night,” Melony said toward Celio.
“Of course. I’ll help navigate,” Celio said.
“For part of the way, yes. But we have a mission ahead of us, and cannot stay on with your crew for long,” Lady Ismene said.
The lifeboat reached the side of the Frigid Cornucopia and Melony hooked the chains into it, tugged on them, and then the deck hands above raised the lifeboat by turning a crank.
Captain Linette stood on deck and greeted the rescued guests.
“Linette, let’s get them out of here. They’re on a mission, and it’s really important, so they say,” Melony said. The sarcasm in her voice embarrassed everyone.
“I’m Captain Linette. You have somewhere to go, it would seem. I do as well. My nets are full, and I have to deliver to a fishery in Emeth,” Linette said.
“Perfect,” Anan said.
“I’ll help you navigate,” Celio said, his hands glowing with the power of light. He drank anew of the waters of the Lujladia Ocean from his vial and generated a beam of light to the northeast.
“Nice. I’ll take your navigational assistance as a partial payment to offset my costs,” Captain Linette said.
Captain Linette then returned to the wheel of the Frigid Cornucopia and the crew took hold of the sails. They sailed northeast over the Trerada Ocean toward the land bridge of Emeth.
CHAPTER 18: Building of Monuments to the Unfailing King
Grand monuments – of immense splendor and glory, and carved with the name of King Xander – were built across the continent of Ihalik. The monuments were shaped as pyramids, towers, temples, statues taller than the legendary colossals and bearing the king’s likeness. They numbered over two (2) million, dotting the land from east to west and from north to south. Each was a work of architectural genius, and yet entirely illusory, projected by the powers of light generated by those who drank the Lujladia Ocean waters. The monuments served a single purpose – to inspire awe in those who looked upon them: awe for King Xander. His majesty could not be in doubt, and the eye had no reason to doubt.
However, some eyes would see through the illusions, because they belonged to drinkers of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean. The powers of darkness flowed through them, and they were not deceived by false lights. For this reason, millions of telepaths – drinkers of the Elanatin Ocean waters – were commanded by King Xander to project their powerful thoughts, demanding that no one look through the monuments or doubt them in anyway, no matter what they had seen. Singers – who drank of the Pirovalen Ocean waters – spoke the message and the commands of the king in their musical voices, spreading it throughout the land so that all knew their orders.
The continent of Ihalik belonged to King Xander, as far as anyone there saw or believed. He stood in the courtyard outside of his palace and looked upon the magnificent works that had suddenly appeared, and watched as his other servants – drinkers of the Kazofen Ocean waters – labored at all hours. They used their powers to dig into the ground, bending stone and crystal, searching for the greatest prize of all: the unified water that gave every power.
Rivka, Aura and General Povaximus all stood by King Xander’ side.
Aura said: “Their works dazzle the eyes, Your Majesty. Songs of your praises fill the air. This land is yours, as anyone can plainly see and hear.”
“We are only beginning. The kingdom must grow, far and wide, to cover the world,” King Xander said.
“Is it time, then, Your Majesty?” Aura asked.
“Which land shall be next, Your Majesty,” General Povaximus asked. He did not look forward to the answer: this king was dangerously greedy. Povaximus was a military man, but mostly concerned with defense. Invasions of other lands could bring about dangerous losses, and stoke the envy of different empires and kingdoms whose leaders might be inclined to interfere.
“The southern land: the continent of Meridianus,” King Xander said.
“They are farmers and miners, like so many others. Their defenses will be weak,” General Povaximus said, somewhat relieved.
“We must take them, and instill in them a de
ep respect for me, without destroying the land or the people. Our conquest will not entail the fullest might of the sword. Yet, some may resist, and our military might must be ready to crush them,” King Xander said.
“The resistance will be small and disorganized. I anticipate only a short battle,” General Povaximus said.
“Aura: you are to go with General Povaximus now. He will prepare my ship, and you will inspire the troops. Prepare yourself, as well, to bring the next great enchantment,” King Xander said.
~~~
Aura and General Povaximus then left the courtyard together. They boarded a small airship docked on the dry land nearby and thereby traveled to meet with the large naval ships waiting in the eastern port. Aura drank anew of the waters of the Pirovalen Ocean from her vial and was energized. She called out in her sing-song voice to rouse the troops and they followed her. General Povaximus directed the troops to different ships and then he and Aura led seventeen hundred fifty (1750) of them onto the flagship, the Eminence of the Oceans, an eight hundred fifty-eight (858) foot long warship with twenty-nine (29) double-masted pivoting sails. Other ships nearby were also boarded and ready for the mission ahead.
~~~
“I wish for the kingdom’s expansion to be swift, so you must call on his favors for expedience,” King Xander said to Rivka, who stayed with him in the courtyard.
“Do we truly need him? A favor which we do not ask has no price for us to pay,” Rivka asked, nervously.
“He gets no payment whatsoever until the entire world is mine,” King Xander said.
“If we conquer without him, then the world will be yours anyway, with no debt to such as him,” Rivka said.
“You still fear the collection of the debt. I fear nothing,” King Xander said.
“Caution is always necessary when dealing with the power of a demon,” Rivka said.
“Drink up,” King Xander said. He then drank anew of the waters of the Zovvin Ocean from his vial and was energized.
Rivka also drank anew of the waters of the Zovvin Ocean from her own vial and was energized.
“To our ship, and then to our greater ship,” King Xander said.
King Xander gestured and a small airship – only thirty-nine (39) feet in length with two (2) double-masted pivoting sails – approached. He and Rivka boarded the small airship and were taken by its small crew to the eastern port where a fleet of his ships were waiting. They were let off on the pier near a grand ship, far larger than every other ship.
King Xander and Rivka walked up a special boarding ramp – made of iron but covered in ivory and gold – and stepped onto the deck of the Eminence of the Oceans.
The crew cheered as King Xander arrived and then all bowed before him, including Aura and General Povaximus who had been waiting and Rivka who had come with him.
“Are we ready to set sail?” King Xander asked.
“We are, Your Majesty,” General Povaximus said.
“Let the kingdom soon fill the world, spreading across all lands,” King Xander said.
The Eminence of the Oceans then left the port, followed by one hundred sixty-nine (169) other ships, ranging in size from one hundred twenty-one (121) feet to three hundred fifteen (315) feet in length. Light benders on board each ship drank anew of the waters of the Lujladia Ocean from their vials and illuminated the way under the sky, which was as dark as the early evening, regardless of what hour of the day or night it actually was.
“Call to him, that he is with us,” King Xander said to Rivka.
Rivka reached out into the spirit world and called on the power of the demon Gadamalto. Soon, evil spiritual energies surrounded the Eminence of the Oceans and all the ships in the fleet. Each member of the crew – including Aura – was imbued with greater proficiency by the wicked being’s immense power.
“Now, under the cloak of darkness, we shall protect my message of light,” King Xander said.
On every ship in the king’s fleet, the crew included drinkers of the Ikkith Tar Ocean waters. They drank anew and were energized. They then used their powers of darkness and extended them over their ships, making them far more difficult to see for anyone who had the powers of light and nearly impossible for anyone who did not.
The king’s fleet sailed south across the Trerada Ocean, prepared to strike at their prey in the continent of Meridianus even more fiercely than they did in Ihalik, when they had only the heralds.
~~~
The Frigid Cornucopia sailed northeast across the Trerada Ocean and Lady Ismene felt the presence of spiritual horrors too powerful to ignore and too close to be certain of escape.
“Leave here quickly! Evil sails the oceans nearby, and we must not cross its path!” Lady Ismene said.
“We’re going as fast as we can. What are you so afraid of?” Captain Linette asked.
“Two (2) spirits of purest evil, and one is far greater than the other, and even the lesser of these is an abomination,” Lady Ismene said.
“These aren’t the ‘ghost waters’ so I wouldn’t worry,” Captain Linette said.
“At the moment, they’re even worse,” Lady Ismene said.
“She knows the spirit world. If she fears, I fear,” Jaguar said.
~~~
After two (2) days of travel, the Eminence of the Oceans and its fleet arrived at the northern coast of the continent of Meridianus.
Their arrival was not entirely unexpected, as there were watchers at the coast who drank of the Lujladia Ocean waters and looked out for ships. However, they did not see the fleet immediately, because the ships were enveloped in darkness, and they had to be looking in the right direction. They sent signals – by their light powers – to inland watchers – alerting them to the arrival of the many ships from the north.
When the other ships surrounding the Eminence of the Oceans arrived at the shore ahead of the flagship, their crews went onto the land – over fifteen thousand seven hundred (15700) sailors and soldiers brought their swords, crossbows, long bows and their powers by the different waters they drank.
“You bring war to a land of farmers and miners!” one (1) of the coastal watchers said.
“Only if you resist. No blood need be shed, as long as you surrender,” one (1) of the company commanders of King Xander’s military force said.
The coastal watchers were then surrounded, and darkness enveloped them, because the king’s military included drinkers of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean. In the darkness, their light could no longer be seen, and they could not give further warning.
The Eminence of the Oceans then came to the shore, and King Xander, Rivka and Aura boarded a smaller airship – only one hundred thirteen (113) feet in length – that was kept on the deck of the much larger flagship.
They traveled over the land and into the center of a small town where their military had surrounded the people, including their small resistance force which had been forewarned. The king’s military force easily overwhelmed the resistance fighters without losses on either side.
The smaller airship stopped and hovered a short distance above the ground in the town center. From its deck, King Xander looked out upon the captives, seeing no sign of bloodshed.
“Excellent. They were subdued without loss, preserving their value,” King Xander said.
“They are under your command, Your Majesty,” one (1) of the company commanders shouted.
“Summon more of them, from distant towns. Bring us multitudes,” King Xander said.
~~~
The company commanders then set out across Meridianus to the east, south and west, southeast and southwest and began conquering villages, meeting no significant resistance. A small number died in conflict, but their resistance was soon quelled.
In the east, a young and deeply religious woman by the name of Sethunya saw what was occurring and knew that evil had befallen the land. Many of them were obsessed with wealth and rejected the message of the One True God, who had protected them more than once. They were la
cking in generosity, loving only wealth, and their economy was built on mining for gems more than farming: those who worked the fields were held in low esteem.
The commanders of the invading forces called to the people, ordering them to come to a town nearby, and tens of thousands (10000) of people were herded into small riverboats and airships and sent to the town where King Xander was waiting.
A powerful spirit touched Sethunya and kept the invading forces from touching her. A voice whispered into her spirit, speaking so that only she could hear: “I am the Angel Ultrael, and I was sent by the One True God to stand with you and face this false king, and the demon with whom he is allied. They will deceive with illusions and songs and the powers of emotion, but you will see and know the truth. You shall not go to the king. He shall come to you, and then you will deny him.”
Soldiers tried to grab Sethunya, but were pushed away. Arrows missed her, and the army moved on, looking at her fearfully, not knowing why their blows did not land.
~~~
After ten (10) days, crowds of captives appeared in great numbers – over four million (4000000) people – and they filled the small town in the north central region of Meridianus where King Xander was waiting.
“Rivka, be ready,” King Xander said, while he stood with her and Aura and several others on the deck of the small airship, elevated only ten (10) feet above the ground. The ship served as a platform from which to command and to observe his military and those whom they had conquered.
Rivka then drank anew of the waters of the Zovvin Ocean from her vial and was energized. She called forth to restless spirits and held them at the ready. Several more of the heralds were with her, and they, too, drank anew of the Zovvin Ocean waters from their own vials, and thereby called more restless spirits.
“Aura, it is time,” King Xander said.
Aura drank anew of the waters of the Pirovalen Ocean from her vial and was energized. She began singing, and her voice carried far and wide, filling the air and enchanting the crowd: