by Jeremy Dwyer
“We’ve long suspected that Sebastian had something more to hide. He’s too strong of a telepath for most of us to read. But if he were distracted by some old enemies, there might be a chance to uncover the truth,” Claudia said.
“This sounds more like a personal vendetta. It would be better to discover the cause of the darkness. Perhaps Nina could sense the source of the disturbance in the suns, and lead us to it. That would enable others to deal with the larger conflicts,” Tomiko said.
“With the right song, we might even be able to get a few people to turn away from this king, and be free to follow their own spirits. I just need time to prepare it,” Stephan said.
“If Sebastian did kill all of these people, won’t he kill again? Let’s find out the truth. Besides, you already said that anyone standing in between these ghosts and him is going to need some kind of protection. We’re going to need you,” Claudia said, looking to Carter.
“And you,” Claudia added, looking to Lavakara.
“You want my help against a legion of angry spirits?” Lavakara asked in a scornful tone.
“What good is a world that’s been torn apart? If we don’t try to stop it, then what?” Claudia asked.
“You overestimate our influence, by a great deal,” Lavakara said.
“Everybody being dead is not the best outcome,” Claudia said.
“I agree, that does sound boring,” Nina said.
“This isn’t funny,” Nerine said.
“We know. But will our power be enough? You said Sebastian is a strong telepath. Will you and Yared, together, be capable of confronting him?” Genevieve asked.
“I don’t know, but I’ll take all the help I can get,” Claudia said.
“Help in what form?” Tomiko asked.
“Whatever you have,” Claudia said.
“If we go anywhere near him, he’s going to detect us by our thoughts. Then what?” Yared asked.
“Invite him to meet with us, personally,” Claudia said.
“And then what? Get torn apart along with Sebastian when these ghosts get hold of all of us?” Yared asked.
“Poor planning will only add us to the number of the dead,” Tomiko said.
“He likes me. I’ve done business with him before, some buying and selling. It went quite well,” Alistair said.
“Who swindled whom in that deal?” Claudia asked.
“Fantastic. Losing you wouldn’t hurt us at all, old man. Let’s go,” Nina said.
Ovid wrote down all of these things into his book. He wasn’t worried about the spirits for his own sake, but he was pleased that some wanted to confront the danger.
~~~
Jaguar, Anan and the Chronicler Alonso arrived at the Library of Tedorik. There, they met with the Verifier Alyona, who was standing outside, awaiting the next Chronicler’s report.
Alonso handed over his book to Alyona so she could verify it.
Alyona began scanning the book to make an initial assessment and found the note about the immediate concern. “Follow me,” she said, leading the group into the library and then into the room that was Danek’s private chambers.
“We need to speak with him at once,” Alyona said.
Suddenly, Alyona, Jaguar, Anan and Alonso were enveloped in darkness and carried by unseen powers along an unseen path. Soon, they appeared in front of the old man, Sava’Tzefanya.
“They bring news of success regarding the luminaries,” Alyona said.
“You have the luminaries safely hidden, I should hope,” Sava’Tzefanya said.
“We acquired three (3) of them. Five (5) more were taken, by some combination of others,” Anan said.
“That so many escaped you is disturbing. These others – were they of the inclination to bring darkness or to end it?” Sava’Tzefanya asked.
“The guy with the machete was trying to use them to bring darkness,” Anan said.
“A spirit woman was there. She wanted to end the darkness,” Jaguar said.
“And there were some more people, but I don’t know which side they were on,” Anan said.
“Where are the luminaries hidden?” Sava’Tzefanya asked.
“We have this one (1) here,” Anan said, holding out a luminary.
“And these two (2),” Jaguar said, holding out the pair that he kept.
“They cannot be destroyed, but they can be hidden. I will hold them here, so that they cannot be found,” Sava’Tzefanya said, holding out his hands.
Anan and Jaguar looked at each other and then at Sava’Tzefanya, and then handed the three (3) luminaries over to the old man.
“Forget them, and that you ever had them, or gave them to me. I will take them to an undisclosed location so that they can never be found and lit. If you can, pursue the man who is lighting them, that you may find the remainder and extinguish their dark flames,” Sava’Tzefanya said.
“We don’t know where to go,” Anan said.
“At this point, I have no more knowledge of the matter to share with you, or I would do so. Leave this place, so that no more dangerous secrets are exposed to those who would exploit them,” Sava’Tzefanya said.
A cloak of darkness then surrounded them again, and they were returned by an unseen path to the room where they began, in Danek’s private chambers in the Library of Tedorik.
Anan, Jaguar and Alonso then left the room and exited the Library of Tedorik altogether. Alyona also left the room and exited the library, returning to her post outside to await reports from other Chroniclers. She kept Alonso’s book with her to subject it to verification. Alonso then received a new, empty book from Alyona to continue his journey as a Chronicler.
CHAPTER 46: Temples and Tombs of Ages Past and Present
After coming to a business agreement, Daven, Rayner and Guillermo traveled out to sea on board the Sun Lynx, going only a short distance away from the land bridge containing the City of Emeth, so as to transport interested passengers who were in no particular hurry. Daven drank frequently of the waters of the Pirovalen Ocean from his vial, enabling him to control sounds and music, as well as to hear them clearly at a distance. With practice, he was able to detect distances by the echo of sounds off of the numerous large buildings in Emeth, finding their way back each time, with increasing efficiency. Rayner and Guillermo took turns steering and setting the sails while Daven navigated. Despite the dark skies overhead, they were reliably finding their way at sea.
They soon established themselves as a reliable transport for Chroniclers and scholars – going as far as the Glivoran Trail land bridge to the northwest, the Farmer’s Road land bridge to the southwest, the Colossal March Warpath land bridge to the northeast and the Scholar’s Path land bridge to the southeast. Their advantage was in charging half of the fees of other transportation services. A further advantage was getting to overhear many tales from the passengers, although this was more for Guillermo’s benefit.
~~~
Laurentius and Przemek studied tirelessly for days and weeks on end in the Eleventh Hall of Emeth, seeking out a deeper understanding of the crystals and the architecture of temples. They would end their long days by resting in a room of the Scholar’s Hall, but return to their research the next day. They noticed the darkening skies, and heard the accounts of King Xander from travelers and scholars passing through Emeth.
“We have to actually go, no matter how dark it is. It’s only been getting worse,” Laurentius said.
“We have to get back to business, as well,” Przemek said.
“Eventually, hopefully, yes. But I’ve been living with this for much too long, and it cost my family a fortune to carry the blame for that temple’s collapse,” Laurentius said.
“Going there will be dangerous. Navigation has become nearly impossible under the dark skies, and this King Xander is seizing more and more territory. The Admiral Ramalaxis Bridge is linked to Ihalik and Meridianus, and both belong to him. You heard the reports as well as I did,” Przemek said.
“Yet, th
ere are no reports of him taking that land bridge, despite surrounding it. The king moved on to other continents – Waderav and now Revod. Soon, he’ll likely take Javanda – and there’s nothing we can do to stop it,” Laurentius said.
“We don’t profit by traveling into it,” Przemek said.
“We don’t succeed by running away from it, either. Besides, I want answers to questions that won’t take us into the king’s country,” Laurentius said.
“If we meet resistance, then what?” Przemek asked.
“The problem will eventually come whether we go to meet it or not. I’ve already seen that with other disturbed people, and don’t plan on sitting still,” Laurentius said.
“We could go northeast, to Baradaxa. It sounds like everyone is going there: to work, to live. There’s a city – a walled city – and I’d even like to see it, and how it was built, using that constructor machine that the Chroniclers reported,” Przemek said.
“I want to know more about the destroyer, first, because it’s cost my family opportunities for generations. Go where you believe you must, of course,” Laurentius said.
“You seem determined. Just be sure that it’s worth the risks,” Przemek said.
“Without knowing the risks entirely – we never can, for certain – I am sure it’s worth it to me,” Laurentius said.
“Let’s find a ship to take us, then,” Przemek said.
“So you’re willing to look,” Laurentius said.
“Perhaps there is something to be learned. And there’s little to be gained making sailing crystals if you’re not making ships to put them on, unless I start working with another ship builder,” Przemek said.
Laurentius and Przemek left the Eleventh Hall and went to the docks, searching for reliable transport.
Laurentius approached one ship and saw that it was named Sun Lynx and its captain was a very thin, younger man, who stood on the pier at the bottom of the boarding ramp. Looking up to the ship’s deck, he saw a pair of other men – one older; the other, much older – standing and waiting.
“Captain Rayner, available for service,” the captain said.
“We need transport to the Admiral Ramalaxis Bridge,” Laurentius said.
”That’s outside of our service area,” Rayner said.
“How far does your service area extend?” Laurentius asked.
“As far as the Scholar’s Path, the Farmer’s Road, the Glivoran Trail and the Colossal March Warpath,” Rayner said.
“And the fee to the furthest point?” Laurentius asked.
“Three (3) platinum coins, per person, one (1) way,” Rayner said.
“There are two (2) of us, and we need a round trip. Twenty-four (24) should more than cover that,” Laurentius said.
Rayner realized he was getting offered double what he should – the distance was not technically greater, as far as he could estimate – and said: “Alright, that may be enough.”
“If we can leave immediately,” Laurentius said.
“And if you can find your way under these skies,” Przemek said.
“We can,” Rayner said, holding out his hand.
Laurentius pulled a book from his coat and began writing out a paper payment note when Rayner said: “No. I need coins, not paper notes. I can’t be too careful.”
Laurentius put away the note and the book back into his coat and pulled out four (4) coins each worth six (6) times as much as an ordinary platinum coin and handed these to Rayner.
“Welcome aboard,” Rayner said, gesturing toward Laurentius and Przemek, who followed Rayner up the boarding ramp to the Sun Lynx.
“Who are you, anyway? And what’s the hurry?” Rayner asked.
“I am Laurentius, a ship builder, from Javanda,” Laurentius said.
“I am Przemek, a crystal bender, also from Javanda,” Przemek said.
“I’ve been waiting long enough – years – to get there, and find answers to some questions,” Laurentius said.
“What questions do you have? And what do you expect to find there?” Guillermo asked as he overheard this
“First, I have a question. How do you navigate in this darkness? The light waters?” Przemek asked.
“No,” Rayner said.
“Then, how?” Przemek asked.
Daven drank anew of the waters of the Pirovalen Ocean from his vial and was energized. He began to sound out the musical scales, echoing he sounds off of the nearby buildings in Emeth to recall their location. Only some of the musical range was audible to Laurentius and Przemek, however.
“This works?” Przemek asked, surprised.
“Are you signaling other ships?” Laurentius asked.
“Not signaling. Listening – for the echo,” Daven said.
“It works well enough,” Rayner said, taking the wheel.
Guillermo adjusted the sails of the ship, pivoting them so that the energy stored in the sail crystals was released and pushed them forward, sailing southwest across the Trerada Ocean.
As the voyage was underway, Guillermo asked again: “You said you had questions to answer. What are they, that I might understand, and perhaps be of assistance to you?”
Laurentius considered this a moment and thought it was a good idea to explain his situation – he was intent upon clearing the name of his family. “You’ve heard of the Temple of Mev’Kna, haven’t you?” Laurentius asked.
“The sun temple that collapsed, centuries ago. The architect was found to be at fault, if I remember the story correctly,” Guillermo said.
“Yes, that is the story as too many people have been led to believe. My family designed that temple, and we were blamed for an architectural flaw that led to the collapse. The accusation made it almost impossible to do business, and nearly bankrupted us and even brought death threats. I’m here to prove that the temple was brought down by some other means – maliciously,” Laurentius said.
“Fascinating! What is your evidence that this was intentional?” Guillermo asked, intrigued and delighted at the mystery of the conflict.
“In recent months, I was in Javanda, and witnessed an attack by a religious cult. There was a singer among them who used music – a high pitched sound, really – to drive hundreds of people into the forest and impale them on a tower of swords,” Laurentius said.
“This is quite an intriguing twist to your story, and takes it in many different directions, all of which I would like to know more about. Yet, how does it make your case about the temple’s collapse?” Guillermo asked.
“When I returned to the shipyards, I saw that the sailing crystals had cracked on numerous ships,” Laurentius said.
“I heard a high-pitched sound and saw the sailing crystals get cracked. If it’s the same sound as what he heard, then they did it,” Przemek said.
“Who are they? Please do tell,” Guillermo asked, now completely engrossed in the story.
“A cult of men who call themselves the Pilgrims of the Burning Road,” Laurentius said.
“I’ve heard of them before – they believe that pain is good, and that joy is evil,” Guillermo said.
“It made me think that a high-pitched sound may very well have been used to collapse the Temple of Mev’Kna. It was just a hypothesis, but I decided to research it. We were studying in Emeth, in the Eleventh Hall, at the replica of the collapsed temple,” Laurentius said.
“According to the reports – by a Chronicler named Judith – there was a sound heard before the collapse. Her details of the sound were inadequate, and her drawings of the incident were unclear,” Przemek said.
“It is strange that a Chronicler’s report would be lacking. That only leaves the past shrouded in greater mystery,” Guillermo said.
After a day of travel, the air around them became bright, illuminating the darkness of twilight around them.
“Are the suns returning?” Laurentius asked, hopeful.
Rayner looked up at the sky, but did not dare to attempt to communicate with the stars again, for fear of the
pain he would experience. He realized what was going on, and that things were not getting better, but worse…much worse.
“No! That’s not the light of returning stars!” Rayner said.
Guillermo soon realized it as well and said: “Haunts of the sea are surrounding us. Perhaps they are from a shipwreck.”
A swarm of luminescent spirits surrounded the Sun Lynx and the spirits audibly groaned.
None on board the ship drank the Zovvin Ocean waters, so they were not endowed with the spirit powers to see the spirits: rather, the spirits, in their anger, chose to make themselves visible.
“Revenge!” many of the spirits shouted.
“Death to the rich men, wherever they live,” other spirits shouted.
“A blood debt must be paid in more blood,” still other spirits shouted.
Daven quickly drank anew of the waters of the Pirovalen Ocean from his vial and prepared to sing a song that he knew could calm angry spirits.
The spirits then moved on, without Daven so much as singing a note of the hymn.
“I didn’t do anything to get rid of them,” Daven said, surprised.
“Nor did you do anything to anger them. The spirits said they are seeking vengeance against the wealthy, for some injustice they perceive. Their intended targets are in some other place, so the haunts are merely passing us on the way,” Guillermo said. He was not at all afraid, but delighted at the complexity of the events unfolding around him.
“I knew this would be dangerous,” Przemek said.
“I’ve seen worse,” Rayner said.
“Much worse,” Daven said.
“I’ve met with spirits before – it is always a dangerous delight. One (1) even attempted to marry me, many years ago, and she began reciting her vows,” Guillermo said.
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” Laurentius asked, surprised at Guillermo’s enthusiasm for the subject.
“Life is a book of many tales, all of which must be told,” Guillermo said.