by Jeremy Dwyer
After another eight (8) days of travel, Genevieve could see a distant castle similar to the one she previously occupied.
“Look. I see a castle to the north. That may be it,” Genevieve said.
“I’ll tell them to slow the ship and bring it to the northern riverbank,” Tomiko said.
“I’ll keep watch over the boiler,” Tristan said and he went to the engine room.
Tomiko then climbed up the steps to the wheelhouse and said: “Slow the ship, steer it to the northern riverbank, and bring it to a stop.”
“At long last, we’re almost home. Somebody else’s home, anyway. And, assuming it’s not occupied,” Nina said while she steered the ship and decelerated it to approach the northern riverbank, where she brought the craft to a full stop.
“I hope you all enjoyed your voyage. Please don’t come again, as this ship has seen better days, and its crew has seen much better days,” Nina said, walking away from the wheel and climbing down the steps to the deck.
“Lovely, always,” Alistair said as he climbed down after her. He was followed by Tomiko and Carter.
“Is this home?” Nina asked.
“Almost. We should go ashore and survey our surroundings,” Genevieve said.
Tristan then altered the remaining crystals to become light emitters and handed them out. When he was done giving them out – including keeping one (1) for himself – he saw that Nina didn’t have a crystal. “Forgot something?” Tristan asked her.
“Oh, right. The nightlight. Sorry. I left it up there so that you and I could be alone later. Better luck next time,” Nina said. She went back up the steps leading to the wheelhouse, took the light emitting crystal and brought it back down on deck.
“I still hear the music – somebody keeps singing,” Stephan said.
“Then you keep singing – or whatever it is you do – so we don’t get put to sleep and end up like the rest of them,” Nina said.
Stephan then drank anew of the waters of the Pirovalen Ocean from his vial and was energized. He began chanting a melody that was designed to cancel out the sounds of the song he was hearing.
“The spirit powers are still around us – directing these people to serve the king. I will continue to watch them, as well as the approaching spirits seeking vengeance. The danger surrounds us, so I will do the best that I can,” Carter said. He drank anew of the waters of the Zovvin Ocean from his vial and was energized. He reached out into the spirit world to counter the approach of the spirits and spirit powers that sought to subdue their group.
Tomiko led the way down the boarding ramp, followed by Genevieve and Alistair. Nina, Carter, Stephan and Tristan followed them and all went on land, carrying the light emitting crystals to guide them along the way.
~~~
Having returned from Emeth where he reported on the conquest of the continent of Waderav by King Xander, the Chronicler Ovid found himself back in Waderav to continue his assignment. He was standing near a young woman who was singing the Come Into His Kingdom song that was used to enchant the people of this region so that they would follow the king.
Ovid recorded the lyrics into his book so that he could have a full account of what the woman was singing. He also gave attention to the digging of many ditches and trenches into the ground by other people laboring around him, ostensibly searching for the ‘unified waters’ which he had heard mentioned earlier.
The Chronicler suddenly saw seven (7) bright lights appear over a hill and he watched as they approached.
~~~
“We’re getting closer to the music. Someone’s still singing it,” Stephan said, in between his chanting.
“Keep doing what you’re doing, so we don’t fall under its enchantment,” Tomiko said.
Stephan continued chanting, canceling out the sound around them.
Soon, they stood face to face with a young woman who was singing the Come Into His Kingdom song. Nearby was a man who was clearly a Chronicler of the Oath, busily recording the actions of the woman and those laboring around him – they were digging ditches and trenches.
Carter looked into the singing woman’s spirit and found that there were dual spirits in the woman’s body.
“She is possessed, like the others. A second spirit is active within her, using the body’s powers according to orders from the king. The true spirit is subdued,” Carter said.
“I’m getting tired of hearing this song. Wake her up and ask her to sing something different,” Nina said.
“Yes, fewer singers proclaiming this king and more singing against him is what we need,” Tomiko said.
Carter reached into the spirit world and worked to awaken the singing woman’s true spirit, and to dispel the unfamiliar spirit who had taken control of her body. He struggled and struggled and, only minutes later, the singing stopped before the song was completed, and the active spirit left. The woman’s body fell over but Alistair caught her.
Ovid recorded this in his book, along with the fact that he saw the man wearing a vial on which was carved the classical symbol of spirits, meaning it held the Zovvin Ocean waters. He was able to deduce what this meant, but he merely wrote the observed facts into his book and not the deduction.
“Don’t try stealing a kiss. I’ll tell her when she wakes up,” Nina said.
“Will she wake up?” Alistair asked.
Carter then focused his efforts even more intensely and managed to awaken the dormant spirit within the woman.
She opened her eyes and looked around, surprised, and scared that she was being held by an older man.
“Who are you? Where am I?” the young woman asked in a panic.
Nina walked over and held her hand and said: “It’s alright. These guys didn’t do anything or their shins would be broken right now. We found you in a trance and singing a song,” Nina said.
“What song was I singing?” the young woman asked, standing up with Nina’s help.
“Come Into His Kingdom, a song that proclaimed King Xander, who has taken over this land, from east to west,” Stephan said, no longer chanting, as the nearest audible source of music had been silenced when this young woman stopped singing.
“It wasn’t actually you singing it. Your spirit was subdued by another, which occupied your body for a while and obeyed the orders to sing. I was able to send the other spirit away,” Carter said.
“What’s your name? We might as well know, now that it’s the real you,” Nina asked.
“I’m Nerine,” the young woman said.
Ovid recorded all of this into his book and said: “I am Ovid, Chronicler of eight hundred thirty-three (833) years.”
“Then who are all of you?” Nerine asked.
“I am Genevieve, former countess of northeastern Waderav. I remember you, from before, when you sang for me,” Genevieve said.
“Yes! I think I do remember you!” Nerine said.
“I am Tomiko, seeker of antiquities and valuables,” Tomiko said.
“I am Alistair, world traveler and former mayor,” Alistair said.
“I am Nina, former navigator of stars that were formerly giving off light,” Nina said.
“I am Tristan, crystal bender,” Tristan said.
“I am Carter, communicator to spirits,” Carter said.
“I am Stephan, musician and bringer of peace,” Stephan said.
Ovid recorded all of these introductions, also noting the vials they wore on cords or chains around their necks and the classical symbols carved into those vials to indicate which water they contained.
“Why are you all here? And why is the sky so dark?” Nerine asked.
“We’re here because we’re all in danger – the king has enslaved nearly everyone here in Waderav,” Genevieve said.
“And more spirits are coming – legions of them – and they are angry,” Carter said.
“And we don’t know why it’s dark. But I can’t hear the sounds of the stars anymore. If I try, it’s the worst headache I could ever imagin
e, assuming I don’t just drop dead from the pain,” Nina said.
CHAPTER 41: Lies and Conquests of the Unfailing King
King Xander began to grow impatient for his total conquest of the world. He did, in fact, believe in the existence of the unified waters, because he had seen evidence of them, and they had quenched the thirst of a few, but never his own.
~~~
In his first life – in the first age – he had already been waterbound to the Lujladia Ocean waters, allowing him to peer into darkness and around corners to see hidden things. He never did see the unified ocean itself – only that some kept a fountain of its waters and drank from them, and they then were given all powers. There was no visible indication of trickery – not even hidden in the darkness – so he was convinced. These elites did not seek ordinary kingdoms or empires, but they acquired secret powers instead. He followed them as best he could, and learned of their many schemes. He disguised his identity, sometimes going by the name Mazlaran, and by other names, so as to conceal his investigation. The powers of light allowed him to alter his appearance with illusions and thereby mislead anyone who might recognize him. However, he never could get close to the fountain which held the unified waters, for it was protected and moved about by men and women more powerful than him.
In the course of less than six (6) years, the elites became the founders of many religions and the builders of many temples – for the worship of stone, sun, water and nature. Before that time, there was a single faith in a single deity. Yet, the elites were not satisfied because that single faith forbade obedience to a priestly class, while they sought that status for themselves. Xander learned that their intention was to form religions centered on each of the twelve (12) elements – one (1) for each of the twelve (12) lesser oceans among which the powers of the elements were divided. They spoke of the unified ocean as being reserved for themselves, and that the lesser waters would keep the people weak. By these other religions, the elites created divisions among the people so as to ensure that they never united to discover the true power of the great ocean.
Being unable to defeat them personally, Xander worked to forge alliances over his remaining years and he rose to power, eventually becoming king of most continents and land bridges by the age of fifty-one (51). He was surprised at how little resistance he met – the elites did not mount any meaningful opposition to him. Of course, his actions to attain power were by no means kind – mass murder and torture were hallmarks of his battles, so it was possible that brute force had done them in. However, he still wondered if they had made the error, or were concealing themselves while awaiting his eventual passing. King Xander commanded his subjects to seek out this unified water, but none ever found it, and the decades passed. Not being a drinker of the Ursegan Ocean waters, time was clearly not on his side.
When King Xander reached the age of eighty-six (86), desperation set in, as he was aware that his remaining years were few and each day was doubtful. He realized that he would have to make plans to return to continue his search in a later life, and so he ordered his most capable subjects – drinkers of the Zovvin Ocean waters and Kazofen Ocean waters – to construct for him a fitting tomb. This tomb, however, was to be deeply imbued with spiritual powers, to encase his soul and prevent it from leaving this world and passing on to the next. Rather, he would be shielded by the powers of the Zovvin Ocean waters – which were frozen into the structure of the tomb, because he could not drink of them personally, given his Lujladia waterbinding – from ever fully entering the spirit world. The tomb itself was shaped as a throne room and he spent his remaining years there, issuing his decrees from within this tomb throne. The first and foremost of those decrees was to leave instructions to awaken him in a new age.
At the age of ninety-one (91), King Xander died and his spirit was not allowed to pass on because of the architecture of his tomb, and so he slept and waited for his awakening.
Millennia passed leading into the next age, and he was awakened and released. Again, he rose to power, and pursued the unified ocean waters. Eventually he fell, but he was again protected by his tomb from passing on into eternity. This happened again and again, until the present day.
~~~
King Xander sat upon his throne with the Chronicler Gisella standing next to him. He was angered by her intrusion, but he was determined that it should serve him, instead.
“What will you write of me, Chronicler?” King Xander asked.
“By the Oath, I will write all that I see and hear,” Gisella said.
“Will you write that I am king? Will you write my name in your city of records?” King Xander asked.
“I will write that you give decrees and that others obey them – or not. I do not judge you as king or not king. I only write the facts, including the name by which you are called,” Gisella said.
“My name will be written in all places, and each mouth shall speak it,” King Xander said.
Gisella continued writing what King Xander said, waiting for his next statement or action.
“Guards! Bring Aura to me at once,” King Xander said.
One (1) of the guards left the throne room by a side door and marched down the hallway toward the room where Aura stayed. The guard knocked loudly on her door and said: “Come now. King Xander demands so see you.”
Aura opened the door and the guard said: “Come now. King Xander demands that you appear before him at once.”
Aura followed the guard and entered King Xander’ throne room.
“Aura, approach the throne,” King Xander said from atop the stairs.
Aura climbed the stairs and saw King Xander sitting upon his throne with the Chronicler Gisella standing by his side.
“What is it, Your Majesty?” Aura asked.
“We must further expand the kingdom. Next, we shall move against Revod and seize that land. Make ready a song to enchant the people there, so that they willingly submit and serve me,” King Xander said.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Once again, I shall prove my worth and loyalty to you,” Aura said, emphasizing the worth and the loyalty.
“Yes, you shall prove yourself. Return to your quarters at once and prepare your song,” King Xander said, emphasizing only the proof, as he had doubts about her loyalty: Aura had seemed more concerned with carrying an heir to the throne within her womb than in serving him.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Aura said and she went down the steps, left the throne room, went down the hallway and returned to her room. Gisella followed her and the king was pleased.
King Xander waited from them to leave and called out: “Guards, bring Rivka to me at once.”
Another of the guards left the throne room through a side door and marched down the hallway to Rivka’s room. The guard knocked loudly on her door and said: “Come now. King Xander demands so see you.”
Rivka opened the door and the guard said: “Come now. King Xander demands that you appear before him at once.”
Rivka followed the guard and entered King Xander’ throne room.
“Rivka, approach the throne,” King Xander said from atop the stairs.
Rivka climbed the stairs and saw King Xander sitting upon his throne.
“What is it, Your Majesty?” Rivka asked.
“Soon we will move to occupy Revod. We must have reinforcements. The Jenaldej Empire shall prove to be a challenge, as they are renowned for their preparations. Where is our former ally, Gadamalto? Make sure that he is with us, so that our conquest is swift,” King Xander said.
“You will owe him for all assistance that he gives, Your Majesty,” Rivka said.
“He has already violated our agreement,” King Xander said.
“It would seem that way, given his silence in Waderav. Yet, that will not render his services for free. Some price must be paid,” Rivka said.
“Less than he expects…far less,” King Xander said.
“You seem confident, Your Majesty,” Rivka said.
“Go and make contact wi
th him, and be sure that he is ready, or tell me if he ignores you, and that will be the last of him. Speak of this matter only if and when I ask it of you,” King Xander said.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Rivka said. She then walked down the steps, left the throne room, went down the hallway and returned to her own room and closed the door to be sure that she had privacy.
When she was sure that she was alone, Rivka drank anew of the waters of the Zovvin Ocean from her vial. She was energized and reached into the spirit world, speaking so that her voice could only be heard by the demon Gadamalto and she said: “I call to thee, Gadamalto, Master of Spirits, in the Maelstrom of Vengeance.”
A deep and terrifying voice spoke into Rivka’s spirit so that only she could hear, saying: “Why is it you trouble me yet again?”
“You were not with us in Waderav, though you had promised. Now, we call to you for help in Revod. Will you be with us?” Rivka said in a voice that only the spirit could hear.
“I never left, but made myself unseen. Be wary – spirits and mortals are both nearby who will strike you dead for making contact with me. My service to this king has not wavered, and he will pay in full when the conditions are met,” the deep and terrifying voice said.
“Then you will be with us in Revod?” Rivka asked in a voice that only the spirit could hear.
“Yes, and I will be with you for the next, and the next until completed. Speak no more to me until I call to you,” the deep and terrifying voice said.
~~~
In another room, Gisella watched as Aura drank anew of the waters of the Pirovalen Ocean from her vial. Aura was energized and began searching for words and they came to her. She let the music form inside of her and the verses came together. After several minutes of intensity, Aura seemed to be calm and joyful. She then sat down on a chair and rested.
“You have prepared a song. What is it titled?” Gisella asked.
“The song is Gifts from the King and it will give thanks to King Xander for many things,” Aura said.
“How far along are you?” Gisella asked. She noticed that Aura already appeared pregnant.