Haunt & Havoc

by Jeremy Dwyer

  “That is why they have been scattered and hidden,” Sava’Tzefanya said.

  “Not hidden well enough, judging only by the dark skies,” Anan said.

  “Clearly not,” Sava’Tzefanya said.

  “I thought Danek would have answers, but he isn’t here,” Anan said.

  “What answers are you looking for?” Sava’Tzefanya asked.

  “How to find these luminaries, so that they can be kept out of the wrong hands,” Anan said.

  “To find them will be a great trial. To keep them will be a great battle,” Sava’Tzefanya said.

  “You’re a source of great knowledge. And we need it – now,” Anan said.

  “I can reveal to you a puzzle, which, when solved, will disclose the location of yet another luminary. Yet, you must be prepared to solve the puzzle, and obtain the luminary. Portia will assist you, as she was the guardian of another secret of the luminaries, until the secret was discovered,” Sava’Tzefanya said.

  “I pursued the luminary personally – with assistance – but the enemy stole it from us by commanding a creature,” Portia said.

  “Once you obtain the luminary, you will need to defend it. These two (2) Hidden Paladins will go with you, and stay with you, so that the luminary is not taken,” Sava’Tzefanya said, gesturing toward the Hidden Paladin who had brought Anan here and the one who brought Portia, Alyona and Alonso.

  “Where is this puzzle?” Anan asked.

  “In the pages of this book,” Sava’Tzefanya said, handing Anan a small book.

  The two (2) Hidden Paladins escorted the group – Anan, Portia, the Verifier Alyona and the Chronicler Alonso – through the darkness, along an unseen path, and back to the private quarters of Danek in the Library of Tedorik.

  Alyona returned to her outside post to await the reports of incoming Chroniclers, standing beside the Verifier Adele.

  Anan, Portia and Alonso walked together and met with Lady Ismene, Jaguar, Desmond and Celio.

  “We have more work to do. Why are these people with you?” Lady Ismene asked of Anan.

  Romana and Lady Onora were also waiting outside, speaking with one another. Romana was waiting for Portia.

  “You’re done?” Romana asked her.

  “More like somewhere in the middle,” Portia said.

  “We have some research to do,” Anan said, paging through the book.

  Portia looked at the book along with him. “This book has a great deal of information, but it begins with a long list of names I do not recognize. We should begin in the Fifteenth Hall, which has the archives of births, deaths, and marriages,” Portia said, looking to Romana.

  “And you are?” Desmond asked, looking to the very thin woman and to the man next to her, as well as a pair of other women, one in her fifties.

  “Portia,” the very thin woman answered.

  “I am Romana, scholar…and farmer, on occasion,” one of the other women answered.

  “Onora, instructor of music,” the older woman in her fifties answered.

  “Alonso, Chronicler of three thousand four hundred seventy-eight (3478) years. Under the authority of the Oath, I will be accompanying you,” the man said.

  Portia and Anan led the group toward the enormous building that was the Fifteenth Hall to search out the meanings to the names listed in the book that the old man had given them.

  ~~~

  The news of King Xander reached the Bazavadoran Isthmus land bridge – which extended southeast from the Colossal March Warpath land bridge toward the continent of Waderav, and separated the Nabavodel Ocean on its northeast coast form the Ursegan Ocean on its southwest coast.

  A courier entered the castle and made his way up a great spiral staircase to a granite tower ninety-seven (97) feet tall and over three hundred seventy-five (375) feet in diameter. It was one (1) of eleven (11) towers, joined by as many walls – each thirty-four (34) feet high, fifteen (15) feet thick and two-hundred fifty (250) feet long – which made up the castle. The courier approached the great oak door – eight (8) feet in height and five (5) feet wide – leading to the royal hall and he tapped on a bronze-coated knocker that was in the form of a lion’s head that was half as wide as the door, and was made of steel.

  The door was then opened by a guard wearing two (2) gauntlets, each with five (5) curved blades that were nine (9) inches long and were extended toward the courier. Four (4) more guards appeared behind him. All were wearing armor that was a hybrid of lion skins and chainmail, and they all had the same type of gauntlets.

  “Captain Duvall: I bring urgent news to His Majesty,” the courier said to the lead guard.

  “Is it news of failure? If so, you will be the first to die, so as to soothe his anger,” Captain Duvall said.

  “It may or may not anger him, but the king will want to hear an account of a distant and growing power,” the courier said.

  “What distant power is this, that I may know best how to defend our liege, if there is danger?” Captain Duvall asked.

  “King Xander has come to power in the west, and has taken both Ihalik and Meridianus. He is said to rule by trickery, using music and illusions to ensnare his subjects. He tortured and murdered a young religious woman for refusing to proclaim his greatness and accept his religion,” the courier said.

  “Is there more to this king? Is there some other power he has of which we need to be made aware?” Captain Duvall asked.

  “I know not the full extent of King Xander’ full powers, but I know that he has moved quickly at expanding his kingdom, and that those lands are of great value. Meridianus has no strength but is rich in resources. Ihalik has a substantial army and a navy, as well as rich lands. I also know that he has subjugated the people in both continents and pressed them all into some labor,” the courier said.

  “That he has moved quickly is a matter of significance, no doubt. Leave now, and be watchful for news of this king. I will inform His Majesty of this matter,” Captain Duvall said.

  The courier left the castle and began the journey back to Emeth, awaiting further news.

  Captain Duvall closed the door to the royal hall and walked to the other end, opening the door to the throne room where the king was seated upon his throne, and wearing a scowl upon his face. The room itself was large – a square, one hundred ten (110) feet on a side, with an eleven (11) foot high ceiling – and there were eleven (11) great lion statues, each made of bronze, throughout the room.

  “Your Majesty,” Captain Duvall said.

  “Why do you disturb me, Captain Duvall?” the king asked, clearly annoyed. He was a tall man with a wide build, a deep chest and very dark skin who spoke with a deep and commanding voice. The king wore robes made from lion skin and had the image of a lion embroidered on those robes. The face of the lion was prominent while the king sat on his throne, which was made of granite.

  “I bring news of a king in the west, Your Majesty,” Captain Duvall said.

  “What of this other king?” the king asked.

  “His name is King Xander, and he has taken both Ihalik and Meridianus,” Captain Duvall said.

  “Meridianus is only farmers and miners, with no ruling class, is it not?” the king asked.

  “Indeed, Your Majesty,” Captain Duvall said.

  “Yet, Ihalik has some might. Still, they fell, which is of interest,” the king said.

  “It is said that King Xander rules by tricks of music and illusions, Your Majesty,” Captain Duvall said.

  “Then I am not greatly concerned. A false king and his lies do not alarm me, captain. Such a kingdom will surely collapse when the ruse is seen through,” the king said. He knew much more than he was saying, however.

  “When two (2) continents are subjugated – even by lies – does that not make this king a threat?” Captain Duvall asked.

  “A kingdom is made of more than land – the quality of its people defines much of its strength. If they are so easily fooled, they will be easily defeated. They understand little, so
they will achieve little,” the king said.

  “Might this King Xander not attempt to ensnare us in his deceptions and thereby seize our land?” Captain Duvall asked.

  “With this false king, I am not concerned, captain,” the king said.

  “Are we not made even more vulnerable to a surprise attack by the king under the darkened skies? The day is no longer our ally, and navigators can no longer hear the sounds of stars by which to chart a course over the oceans, slowing all travel,” Captain Duvall said.

  “The light of day will return soon after the fool who brought the darkness stumbles in it,” the king said. He knew of the theft of the black onyx luminary that had taken place from deep within his own castle, and he knew what the luminary could do. He did not share this knowledge with his guards, because it was dangerous, and he had been a sworn keeper of the secret. The fact that the luminary had gotten stolen from him, however, was slightly disappointing, though not surprising.

  “Perhaps we should call up our warriors to be ready, Your Majesty,” Captain Duvall said.

  “There will be no invasion here, captain, I assure you,” the king said.

  “Of course, I am confident that we would easily defend against any enemy, Your Majesty,” Captain Duvall said.

  “There is no true enemy. There is only a liar, whose kingdom will not endure. I, King Hamza Bazavador, of one thousand nine hundred forty-three (1943) years, will not be troubled by a deceiver, or fooled by his tricks of light or music. Nor will my subjects, who are far too shrewd, while they live under my guidance,” King Hamza Bazavador said.

  “Should we not have an army at the ready, Your Majesty?” Captain Duvall asked.

  “I will not send an army to gaze at illusions and fight what isn’t really there,” King Hamza Bazavador said.

  “There is more, Your Majesty,” Captain Duvall said.

  “And what is that, captain?” King Hamza Bazavador asked.

  “There was a religious woman who stood up to King Xander, and refused to proclaim him or accept his religion, so he tortured and killed her,” Captain Duvall said.

  “So, then, this fool wishes to establish a religion. Know this, captain: a false king will answer to a true god. We will not live in fear, and we will not embrace the myths that glorify the arrogant. Since the first age, kings of my dynasty have ruled this land, and watched – from afar – the rise and fall of many deceivers; yet, we have never been deceived,” King Hamza Bazavador said.

  “If we are not to send our military, then, how shall we serve you in this matter, Your Majesty?” Captain Duvall asked.

  “Wake me when it has ended,” King Hamza Bazavador said and closed his eyes while resting upon his throne.

  ~~~

  Zarren was a twenty-six (26) year old man – and very physically fit. He stood atop a great pyramid in the Jeshirinko Barrier land bridge, which extended west from the western coast of the continent of Revod toward the juncture of two other land bridges: the southern end of Elaja’s Walkway and the northern end of the Way of Raza’Deptorum. The Jeshirinko Barrier land bridge separated the Lujladia Ocean on its northern coast from the Zovvin Ocean on its southern coast.

  From the apex of this two hundred fifty (250) foot tall, flat-topped pyramid, Zarren admired the darkness that had filled the skies, seeing that the suns had been eclipsed by some obstruction. He was troubled that he had not been the power behind this, but he was pleased. Those who worshipped the suns were the enemies of his direct bloodline and their related tribes. This and other pyramids – thousands of them – had been built to cast shadows on the land, and to serve as symbolic reminders to the sun worshippers that their deities were false and could be overcome by the material world. The pyramids symbolized the material world’s unbending reality, outlasting and overshadowing any religion’s illogical and meandering belief system.

  Zarren was dressed in black pants and a white shirt, and carried a pair of short swords which were stained with much blood, from the many executions of those who gave praise to the stars of the sky or the stones or other natural elements that they had no business deifying. He did not kill with evil intent – he believed that he was acting righteously – but because it was not proper for anyone to give praise to a thing made of fire or stone or even water. Belief in deities clouded the mind, and distracted it from true understanding. A stone was a stone, as far as he was concerned, and a star was a star. Even the powerful waters – in all their varied forms – was just water imbued with one kind of energy or another. There was no deity, and he hated the thought of anyone elevating a material thing to the status of a god: such superstitions were the path away from enlightenment and knowledge and toward ruin.

  A woman – quite physically fit and thirty (30) years of age – suddenly came running up the steps to the pyramid and approached quickly. She was dressed in gray robes, and she carried a book in her hands.

  “Pasha: what is your hurry?” Zarren asked.

  “I bring news from Emeth. The Chroniclers tell of a great danger in the south. There is a new ruler – King Xander – and he has taken the continents of Ihalik and Meridianus. He uses tricks of the mind, along with music and illusions of splendid wealth. By these, he deceives many into his service,” Pasha said.

  “One who would rule by lies is an enemy to all who seek knowledge and truth. In this way, he is much like the priests of the many religions that worship the suns, or the stones, or even the waters,” Zarren said.

  “Will this threat not divide our attention?” Pasha asked.

  “As it approaches, there will be danger. Much depends on the influence it has on the minds of the people,” Zarren said.

  “There may be a good to it, however. A religious woman stood up to King Xander, refusing to proclaim his greatness or accept his religion, so he tortured and killed her, and said that her god abandoned her. The people have seen, at least, that her religion is an empty promise,” Pasha said.

  “The death of an outspoken religious youth is to be celebrated. It would be unfortunate – tragic, even – if one religion was replaced by another, equally false mythology,” Zarren said.

  “When religions war against each other, the seeds have been planted to doubt religion itself. Mathematics is the highest truth, and does not make war with itself, giving rise to no such doubt,” Pasha said.

  “That is logical, but it may take the primitive minds much time to learn it,” Zarren said.

  “Have the sun worshippers in Nataloridivu made trouble as of late?” Pasha asked.

  “I have killed two (2) in the last ten (10) days, for they came here looking to purchase blue topaz, no doubt to build an altar for their sun worship. They have polluted far too many minds with their nonsense,” Zarren said.

  “In you and your clan, they have found a deadly and determined enemy,” Pasha said.

  “You are their enemy, too, are you not?” Zarren asked.

  “Of course! Yet, you are the one who does the cleansing of the false preachers. I am a scholar, and have little talent for the warfare. The Medathero waters flow through me, to give calm and logical thought; but the Nabavodel waters flow through you, giving you strength and speed” Pasha said.

  “Though our tasks are different, we are both their enemy because they spread delusions. If they would only renounce their worship of idols – of any religion – they would find the truth, and it would be their greatest ally. Their poisonous faith must be killed before it is allowed to spread, or the world will regress. The blade moves swiftly to end the lives of the liars who spread mythology. If only the knowledge of truth spread as swiftly,” Zarren said.

  “Religion brings profit – by manipulating the gullible and the unintelligent into turning over their wealth. That is why sun worship has existed for many ages. Yet, it has not taken the entire world,” Pasha said.

  “No, but other religions have. To even concede the foolish notion that a thing can be a god is to allow anything to be worshipped. Some others have put their belief
in stone, others in plants or animals, or light or dark. All of these, however, are detached from reason. And one who does not apply reason is capable of nearly any destructive act,” Zarren said.

  “There will always be fools. Some cannot embrace reason and consider it their enemy. Number, set and function are the greatest friends one can have, but some are unwilling to endure the considerable labor of learning these deep truths. The theorems of the right triangle are unfamiliar to many of the people, or they hardly understand it. Fewer still know even a single one of the proofs; yet, therein, is great wisdom,” Pasha said.

  “This ignorance weakens the many and empowers the few,” Zarren said.

  “The knowledge of all these things is in Emeth, but is too far for many to travel. The ones who do go there and bring back knowledge set their focus too narrow, and do not bring back the challenging truths that require great efforts to understand,” Pasha said.

  “We can disseminate the knowledge, but we cannot compel them to think about it, because they don’t feel it is necessary. Understanding proofs and deriving formulae requires deep thought and focus. You have mastered these things by your clear thinking and superior mind. Inferior minds cling to inferior truths, and must be trained to rise above fables,” Zarren said.

  “Religion is the first choice of the intellectually lazy – rather than accepting the hard work of discovery, which is necessary for building a civilization of pure knowledge, they choose to place their lives and their hopes for improvement in imagined beings, which liberates them from the effort,” Pasha said.

  “The lazy soon have nothing, and the hardworking – who seek the truth – have much. This inequality – though justified – gives rise to envy. Guided by the ruse of religion, envy is followed by teaching the fallacy of charity, which they say is demanded by their god. It is merely a trick by the lazy and useless religious fools to steal that which others have worked to achieve. When we have killed many more of these – and eliminated most religion – perhaps we can find respite. Rationality must be enforced, in order for there to be a true peace and prosperity,” Zarren said.