by Jeremy Dwyer
~~~
As the days passed, many of the people in the various cities, towns and villages of Baradaxa gathered near Sebastian’s estate and brought with them questions. The crowd numbered over twenty-five thousand (25000). The Chronicler Silvius accompanied them, and recorded all that he saw and heard.
“Outside these walls is a cruel king, who has built a kingdom of lies and illusions. He has claimed vast lands in the south as his own – two (2) entire continents live under his tyranny. We will not stand by and wait for him to come here. That is why we built this wall, to protect everyone here, so that none can enter,” Sebastian said.
“How was it done? How was such a great wall formed so quickly?” one man asked.
“Brilliant minds of architecture and mathematics came together and designed a machine which turned the waters into walls,” Sebastian said.
“How can we know that we’re safe? Will this wall stand against the navy and army of a king?” another man asked.
“The king will hesitate to come near it. Tyrants are cowards, and fear you more than you should ever fear them,” Sebastian said.
“If he launches an attack against us, the wall will stand firm. I’ve analyzed it carefully,” Fantine said, more confident than before. Even though the wall was comprised of an additional water – that of the Medathero Ocean – her mind was assiduously focused on modeling the crystal structure and reasoning about it, and she became convinced that the outer, larger wall was no less sturdy than the earlier, inner wall that was made of only three (3) of the waters.
“You’re the architect?” one man – a man she recognized – asked.
“Yes. I am,” Fantine said.
The man approached – it was Niven, she was sure. Her heart almost stopped – but why was he here?
“Fantine – it’s still you. You’re still amazing. More now than ever. I always knew that you were destined for great things – and that you would never stop,” Niven said.
“I don’t know who this king is, but he doesn’t rule us. We are free to be who we are, and to live to our fullest potential,” Fantine said, emphatically, so that everyone could hear. She looked away from Niven, but he never took his eyes off of her, and she could feel his gaze.
“He’s a bloodthirsty tyrant. He murdered a woman for standing up to him, and denying his illusions,” another man said.
“The king cut her into pieces, because she wouldn’t worship him, like he was a god,” a woman said.
“There is no god. There is just us, and the water. A king who thinks he’s a god is the greatest danger to freedom, because he’s living a lie, and wants us to pretend his lies are real,” Sebastian said.
Cassius didn’t entirely disagree, but he remained silent, however, because he did not want to cite his own experiences and thereby draw attention to his own relationship to a dangerous former imperial power.
“We need leaders to tell us the truth, so that we can live our lives,” another man said.
“You don’t need leaders. You need people willing to share their knowledge – and their wealth – for the betterment of all. These great minds did that, and that’s why we’re safe,” Sebastian said, putting his arms around Fantine and Cassius, so that everyone knew who they were.
Sebastian then walked forward – and away from Fantine and Cassius – and said to the crowd who gathered: “We have everything we need, all throughout this land. Farms with ever crop, rivers and lakes, mines, and people with every known skill. The walls are even brighter than the dark skies. This is home. There is no need to leave.”
Silvius recorded all of this into his book, including the words and gestures, and the looks on people’s faces. He sensed a certain arrogance in Sebastian, but he was not an Elanatin drinker, so he couldn’t prove it. However, being a Chronicler of the Oath, he wasn’t supposed to judge.
CHAPTER 23: Rivalry for the Affection of the Unfailing King
King Xander – with Aura, Rivka and General Povaximus surrounding him – were satisfied with the obedience of the subjects in Meridianus. Peasants, merchants and artisans of every waterbinding and skill were applying their abilities in service to the king: creating illusions of splendor by the power of light, singing praises to the king by the power of music, and delving deep into the ground by the power of stone. Fields were being tended and crops were being harvested by the powers of nature. They could even sense the powers of telepathy flowing around them, commanding others to praise the king.
“We will now return to Ihalik to make preparations and gather reinforcements,” King Xander said.
At this, the king – along with General Povaximus, Aura and Rivka and the other heralds – returned to the Eminence of the Oceans and sailed north across the Trerada Ocean to Ihalik. After a three (3) day voyage – a full day longer than the voyage south, due to the difficulty of navigating under the darker skies – the ship then docked and the King and his entourage returned to the palace using a smaller airship to travel over land.
King Xander returned to his throne room and waited there alone, seated upon the opulent throne to which many gems had recently been added to symbolize his growing kingdom.
Aura, however, soon entered the throne room. Once inside, she stood near the door facing the steps leading up to the throne, and said: “Your Majesty, I wish to speak to you on a private matter.”
“Approach the throne, Aura,” King Xander said.
Aura walked up the steps and, when she reached the top, King Xander said to his guards below: “Leave us.”
The guards – who surrounded the staircase upon which the throne was placed – left the throne room by its different doorways and closed the doors behind them, but stood near the outsides of those doors to continue guarding the king.
Aura then knelt before the king and said: “I beseech you, hear my plea and grant my request.”
“What is it you want, that I may judge whether it is proper to grant your request, or to do otherwise?” King Xander asked.
Aura stood up and said: “Your kingdom has expanded and the people sing your praises and carry out your labors.”
“I hear and see these things. Yet, how is this a request?” King Xander asked.
“You live and breathe in the flesh, and your prosperity grows,” Aura said.
“What is it you want, Aura?” King Xander asked.
“I want your seed to grow within me, so that, through me, your kingdom will expand into the next generation,” Aura said.
“Do you know who I am?” King Xander asked, taken aback at her request.
“No one knows who you are. Your power and identity are beyond comprehension,” Aura said.
“I am the first to have ruled the entire world. I will also be the last. The woman who is to be the vessel of my offspring must be proven to be the finest of all,” King Xander said.
“Without my voice, you would be long forgotten or never known. I sang to inspire the people to accept your kingdom – and the spirits of those who now serve you. It was my music that opened up their hearts so they did not resist the indwelling of your loyal spirit servants,” Aura said.
“Forgotten? I think not. Look at your medallion, Aura. Look at the ten (10) coins upon it,” King Xander said.
Aura looked at the medallion that she wore, just as King Xander directed her, noting the key in the middle of the ten (10) coins.
“Do you know what it means?” King Xander asked.
“It means that there are ten (10) kingdoms,” Aura said.
“Yes. I am the king of all of them – the eight (8) that have been, the one that is, and the tenth that is to come. In each new age, I am returned to power. There will always be a voice to usher me in to this world. If not you, then another shall serve. The key in the middle represents me, for I am the key to all power. Even the oceans belong to me, and I am their ruler,” King Xander said.
“Yet, the herald who loyally serves you should be rewarded. I chose to follow you, and to bring others to you,” A
ura said.
“Your loyal service is not in question, Aura. You will be rewarded greatly – the brightest gems, the finest foods, and the purest of the song waters will be saved for you. Yet, for a woman to carry the royal line, she must be especially suited to the task and exquisitely beautiful,” King Xander said.
“Am I not beautiful?” Aura asked.
“There are women of far more enchanting appearance. They drink of the Trerada waters, and delight my eyes and fill me with desire,” King Xander said.
“Then I am ugly to you?” Aura asked.
“No. Yet your appearance is vastly inferior to the truly beautiful women. I have no desire for a plain woman such as you. Go find a nobleman to satisfy your feminine needs and he will be your equal in status, and give you the child you seek,” King Xander said.
“Is sight greater than sound? Is a woman whose flesh is pleasing to the eyes greater than a woman whose music is sweet to the ears?” Aura asked.
“The sight is the appearance of the living flesh, which gives life and form to the offspring. The sight, then, is a sign of a greater importance than the sound,” King Xander said.
“I burn for you. Let me taste of you once, and give you my womanly attention, and you will be so pleased as to crave me, I promise. In my embrace you will have unforgettable ecstasy. I even stake my very life on it,” Aura said.
“I shall taste only the greatest, and not plant my seed in other fields,” King Xander said.
“To not partake of me is to never know what joy I can bring to you. Do you not deserve the satisfaction of that curiosity?” Aura asked.
“I am not curious. I have tasted of lesser women, and the sweet is soon overshadowed by the bitter and the bland. Such youthful adventures are for the unwise, but I have the wisdom of prior lifetimes,” King Xander said.
“It is decided, then. Another woman shall join with your flesh. Yet, I will continue to please your ears with my voice, Your Majesty,” Aura said.
“By the power of the song waters, yes you will. You are the greatest exalta I have ever known – your songs of exaltation place you among the first of my heralds. Soon, another song will be needed, for the kingdom must expand again,” King Xander said.
“If you command it, I will now leave to prepare new music, Your Majesty,” Aura said.
“I do command it, Aura,” King Xander said.
~~~
Aura then left the throne room and went to her own private quarters and wept bitterly. She was filled with despair, but had little power to do anything. Her womanly desire was now forgotten, and she saw herself as inadequate. Yet, her conviction on that matter was uncertain, and she thought: what if the king’s eyes were dazzled by the illusions? Perhaps he saw too many false things and could not appreciate a woman who was real.
She soon became angry, and thought: how dare the king not see her as beautiful, when he knew that she sang his praises across his now greater kingdom – greater because of her! How dare he say that other women were so much more beautiful and that she was so much less!
Aura considered hiring an illusionist – or using song to control one – and creating an image of beauty around herself. If the king’s eyes could be deceived – and, perhaps, they had been – then she ought to benefit from his weakness. When his flesh entered he would not know one woman from another – and soon, in pleasure, all looks would be forgotten. A telepath could do the same – convincing the king to love her: perhaps she would hire one of those. Even better, the darkness in the skies was expanding, so perhaps the king could not see beauty in the darkness, and she could pounce on him, and take control before he could resist. In the passion of the night, he would surrender, because most men were weak in that way. Once the seed was planted, she would own the future kingdom.
She had a better idea, even. She did not need a telepath or an illusionist. Instead, a song could win him over. Aura then drank anew of the waters of the Pirovalen Ocean and was energized. She began thinking of a song that was suitable to imbue herself with beauty. Words came to her, and she sang them, quietly, to enhance her own looks. Little by little, her skin became finer and smoother, and her curves appeared more voluptuous. Yet, it was an illusion brought by song and suggestion, and she could easily see through it, knowing what it was.
The true test, she realized, was whether the king could see through it.
~~~
After Aura left the throne room, the guards of King Xander returned.
“Bring me Rivka. Tell no one of this,” King Xander commanded the guards.
One of the guards summoned Rivka from her quarters and brought her up the steps to stand before the king’s throne.
When Rivka arrived, she asked: “How may I serve you, Your Majesty?”
“Guards, give us privacy,” King Xander said, and the guards left again, closing the doors to the throne room, but remaining near those doors on the outside, as before.
“You have served me well. Our conquest was efficient. Yet, there shall be more,” King Xander said.
“I look forward to serving you again, Your Majesty,” Rivka said.
“In time, as the kingdom expands farther, you will be rewarded…greatly,” King Xander said.
“To hear that brings me great joy, Your Majesty,” Rivka said.
“Yet, the kingdom must grow not only across the land, but into the sky,” King Xander said.
“The sky is dark…and dangerous. That is why our travels have slowed, Your Majesty,” Rivka said.
“Yes, and that is what troubles me. Do you know what the matter is? Can you sense a cause?” King Xander asked.
“I will drink the Zovvin waters to hear the wisdom of the spirits,” Rivka said.
Rivka drank anew of the waters of the Zovvin Ocean from her vial and was energized. She reached into the spirit world and searched for an answer and found hints of something – whispers from many spirits: one who gazed at the stars, one of a serpent, one probing for darkness, and others she could not clearly recognize. She felt notions of things that were cold and deadly, but it made little sense.
“What is it, Rivka?” King Xander asked.
“There are many forces at work: some are trying to bring darkness, others are trying to bring light. They are unclear, Your Majesty,” Rivka said.
“The kingdom of the sky must thrive so as to be a worthy territory to claim. If it is destroyed – or rendered unseen – that will also be an obstacle to our conquests on land. Gadamalto promised to assist, did he not? Where is that demon?” King Xander asked.
“Did you think that he could be trusted, Your Majesty?” Rivka asked.
“Until I have everything, he gets nothing. To fail us is to fail himself,” King Xander said.
“He does get them when they are dead, Your Majesty,” Rivka said.
“Only if they believe his lies and serve him. While many do, many others with doubts become restless spirits,” King Xander said.
“Or find an escape, Your Majesty. There is a greater spirit who rescues those who are willing,” Rivka said.
“Many are not rescued, and they are the prize. Gadamalto wants those spirits, and I can deliver them, by shaping their beliefs while still in the flesh and turning them over to him, so that they die and enter into his eternal service,” King Xander said.
“Then you should call to Gadamalto, Your Majesty. You also drink of the spirit waters. Tell the demon that he has not kept the bargain,” Rivka said.
“No. That is a task I have given to you. And, if you succeed, your reward will be sweet,” King Xander said. He then stood up from the throne and put his hands on Rivka’s shoulders and said: “I will soon taste of you, and you will carry the royal bloodline.”
Rivka was startled – and pleased, even excited. She felt sudden womanly want for this king, and burned to have him at that moment.
“I can hardly wait for you, and desire you intensely,” Rivka said.
King Xander then kissed her neck seductively. Rivka burned more, and
was of a mind to open herself there and then, and she put her hands upon the king’s shirt. She moved her hands down, but he caught them and did not allow her to probe his body.
“Be ready to control the spirits and make them serve me. As each new land is taken – and as the sky brightens – you will come closer to me, and closer again, until I fill you, and you hold the royal seed,” King Xander said.
“I burn with anticipation for you, even now. It is too much,” Rivka said.
“You called me from the spirit world by your powers, and then we touched in spirit, so then I knew that you were the proper vessel,” King Xander said.
“I am whatever you want me to be, whenever you want me to be,” Rivka said. She was extremely aroused and found patience to be difficult.
“I want you to beware. Your sister, Aura, has expressed her desire for me, but I turned her away. Guard yourself against her jealousy, and do not tell her of our plans,” King Xander said.
“I will guard this secret closely,” Rivka said.
“Prepare your spirit powers to join with mine. Soon, we will conquer new lands, and return light to the skies, with or without the demon’s assistance,” King Xander said.
Rivka left the throne room and excitedly returned to her own quarters, seeking answers to the question of the cause behind the darkness and a possible remedy.
As soon as Rivka left, the guards entered the throne room again and returned to their positions around the staircase leading up to the throne.
CHAPTER 24: Legends and Demands of the Unfailing King
“Before we travel to this kingdom of illusions, we should take with us protection. They will use false lights, so we must have the power of darkness. They may also use music or tricks of the mind, so we will need the powers of song or telepathy,” Duchess Uliana said, standing at the head table in the Trading Center One building on Haza’Kedro’Maral Island in the Pirovalen Ocean. She occasionally looked around her to watch the many bankers and traders. She felt the need to be on her guard, at all times, because she never trusted moneylenders or merchants of any kind.