by S. K. Ng
Ray ran towards Silk as fast as he could and pulled her away. But he was too late. The deed was done. She just gave him a blank stare and walked away. Venom’s breathing was short and shallow. Blood was spraying out of the wound like a small fountain.
“Baron Chessmaster _ of him, who is he?” asked Ray desperately, knowing that he could not save Venom even if he tried.
“Baron Chessmaster! Hah! That power-hungry piece of garbage! I should’ve never accepted the contract. I had everything. I had respect, money, and a little bit of power. Our plan for vengeance against the government was on track. Then I had to run into Baron Chessmaster, accepted that accursed contract and lost a lot of men and time killing your order and hunting you! And all that for a payment only half made! Baron Chessmaster be damned! Him and his stinking red peanuts!” cursed Venom with short, shallow breaths.
The clanmaster’s reply shocked Ray. He had just said something important, but Ray had to be sure.
“Say _ what did you do of this!?” he asked as he grabbed Venom by the collar and shook him.
The clanmaster was getting delirious. His eyes looked unfocussed.
“Say _ what did you of this!?” Ray asked again desperately.
“His stinking red peanuts! He throws the shells all over the ground. Mess up our home! One day, I… I’m going… going… to kill… him,” said Venom in his last dying breath.
“Prince Patrum _ of him, who hired you to kill him and why?” asked Ray.
The clanmaster was motionless and unresponsive. He was dead! Ray stood up. His face was pale. His heart was beating fast. A sudden realisation had come to his mind. But he had to be absolutely sure! He did not want to be too impulsive. He wanted only one thing. He wanted to kill the right man! So he had to be absolutely sure that it was the right man. He had to investigate! And one more question remained. Why!? Why did he choose to do it!? What could he possibly have gained!?
Clanmaster Venom Collart’s chamber comes abuzz with activity as Clover, Serene, Eclipse and other Sollenthars arrive. Eclipse rushes to Dawn’s side while Clover seeks to comfort Ray. But Ray stands frozen like a statue, his thoughts lost in some distant place.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
BARON CHESSMASTER
The sun has not risen yet. The gentle land breeze blows seawards, comforting Master Elementhar Ray Iddell’s soul slightly as he steps onto the pier. His emotions are in turmoil. Could he be Baron Chessmaster? How could he be him? How could he have done such a thing? And why? Ray hopes his suspicions are proven untrue. He hates to believe that it could be true. But whatever the truth may or may not be, today, the 28th Pre-dawn of Fifth Month of Dry Season, he will finally be able to get some definitive answers.
The wooden pier creaked with every footstep. Master Elementhar Clover Genox walked silently beside Ray. She shared the same suspicions as him. She too hoped that they were both mistaken. But how could they be, after hearing from Ray what Clanmaster Collart had let slip in his dying breath? Novice Elementhar Lance Arman walked behind Ray and Clover. It was important for him to be there as well, seeing that he was the first of a new generation of the Order of Fire Elementhars. He was the future of the order and this was a link to its past. Spirit the White Wolf walked alongside Lance. His tail was wagging. He liked the smell of the sea and the feel of the cool breeze on his fur. His pack was on the move and he felt alive. Truly marvellous it was to be a wolf!
A long line of boats and ships lay before their eyes, here at Fallsbay Town. They came in all sorts of shapes and sizes. But Ray was only interested in one ship, a huge cargo vessel named ‘The Far Horizon’. Ray hailed one of the sailors on the ship and asked for permission to go onboard. The sailor returned moments later and told them to proceed up the ship’s large gangplank. The sailor led them to the bow of the ship. There they saw an untidily dressed man with a grey, thick and curly beard wearing a canvas peak cap. He was in the midst of shouting orders to the deck hands. The Fire Elementhars stood silently at the side. It would be another one eighth of an hour before he finally turned and spoke to them.
“I’m Captain Rizzance, who are you and what do you want?” asked the man in the peak cap, whose eyebrow was raised slightly as he saw the emblem on Ray’s silver staff.
“Name _ mine of this is Ray Iddell, and my associates are Clover Genox, Lance Arman and this is Spirit. Questions _ we need to ask you a few of these in regards to Crimsonuts,” said Ray in response.
A disbelieving smile cut across the captain’s face. Three strangers and a wild dog came onboard his ship and interrupted him when he was just about to cast off for a four-month voyage across pirate-infested seas, just to ask him about red peanuts?
“Agents _ we were told by various sources that you are one of the main transportation ones of these of Crimsonuts into Free Falls, is this true?” asked Clover.
“Not true, miss! I’m not one of the main transportation agents of Crimsonuts into Free Falls. I’m the only transportation agent of Crimsonuts into Free Falls! Crimsonuts are only grown in one country, Bloodland. It lies on the western tip of Transitions Continent. To get there takes three months, assuming that your ship survives the gales and giant waves and the frequent pirate attacks. So unless you own a ship as large and as sturdy as The Far Horizon, and hire seasoned mercenaries as part of your crew, you’re not likely to even reach Bloodland. And if you do reach it, you’re likely to be intercepted by their navy and be forced to turn around, or risk being sunk. And if you choose to challenge them and somehow survived, you’ll spend the rest of your miserable life in a prison camp,” answered the captain.
Lance’s curiosity was sparked. He had never heard of Bloodland before. Why did Mrs Narmin not teach him about Bloodland? Is that not her job?
“Reason _ what is it of this that causes the Bloodlanders to be so hostile to others?” he asked.
“Well, young man, you’d have to understand their history. In the beginning, Bloodland had four races of people. Each of them argued about who truly owned the land. Some argued that they were the first ones to arrive and as such is the true owner of the land. Others argued that they helped build the land and therefore had equal rights of ownership. Then there are some who said that no one had true ownership of the land because they were all immigrants in the first place. And there were even others who argued on the question of who actually was the first one to arrive in Bloodland. The racial tension eventually led to a four way civil war. The land was soaked with blood of slaughtered people. And that’s how that country got its name, Bloodland. Then, this is really a twist of irony, here; a fifth race arrived in Bloodland during the final days of the civil war and massacred the other races, who were already severely weakened by one another. This final race became the sole owner of Bloodland. And for fear of history repeating itself and experiencing the consequences of their sins, they forbade anybody from approaching their country. This is why they’ll attack anybody and everybody who tries to get into Bloodland,” answered Captain Rizzance.
The three Elementhars stood in silence. They had never heard of such a horrific story before. It took them awhile to fully grasp the significance of it all.
“Crimsonuts _ how is it that you are able to obtain of them if no one is allowed into Bloodland?” asked Clover.
“Well, you see, miss; I am a Bloodlander, and the only Bloodlander allowed to be outside of Bloodland. And my ship is a Bloodlander ship. I was sent by my people to blend in with the outside world and learn your ways. I’m also tasked with procuring and transporting items that are needed or aren’t available in Bloodland. I’m the eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin of my people. Therefore, I’m the only one allowed into Bloodland and I’m the one and only transportation agent for Crimsonuts for the rest of Farhayven,” answered the captain.
The Elementhars were surprised by Captain Rizzance’s answer. Then Ray remembered the reason why they came here in the first place.
“Crimsonuts _ of these, who are the ones you transport for?” he aske
d.
“Oh! That’s easy! There’s only one man who imports and eats them here in Free Falls. No one outside of Bloodland eats Crimsonuts except for him. You should know him, seeing that only Elementhars still go around speaking the way you people do. He’s one of yours,” answered the captain.
Both Ray and Clover’s heart sank. Their suspicions had been proven to be true. There was only one man whom they knew ate Crimsonuts. He was one of them, a brother Elementhar. And he was and is Baron Chessmaster! He was the traitor who lived in their midst, the poison to their very essence. And he was also their leader, Grand Elementhar Rapier Shay!
Ray and Clover stood in silence. Then just out of curiosity, Lance asked Captain Rizzance a question.
“Crimsonuts _ of them, why are they red?” he asked.
Captain Rizzance smiled, knowing that this question would have been asked sooner or later.
“Crimsonuts are red because they take their nutrition from the blood that had been soaked into the earth. All plants in Bloodland are red. All fruits and vegetables grown in Bloodland are red. Red wheat, red paddies, red cabbages and all. It has been almost 39 years since the civil war ended, but the blood has not drained away from the land. And this is the reason why no other person other than a Bloodlander eats it. They get disgusted when they find out the reason for the peanuts being red. No one, except for one of your Elementhars, of course. Shay, that’s his name. He travelled on my ship once and saw me eating it. He tried a few and acquired the taste for it. He has been buying cratefuls of them from me ever since,” answered Captain Rizzance.
Ray, Clover and Lance thanked Captain Rizzance for his time and together with Spirit, they disembarked The Far Horizon. There was pure rage in Ray’s eyes. Clover’s eyes showed the feeling of disgust. Lance eyes showed disbelief.
“Grand Elementhar Shay _ Master Iddell, of him, is he the one who hired the Shadow Deathmerchant Clan to massacre our order?” asked Lance, just to be absolutely sure.
“Yes!” answered Ray firmly.
“Motive _ what was his of this, master?” asked Lance.
“Motive _ his of this I do not know, but we shall all find out soon,” promised Ray.
The three Elementhars and the white wolf walked off the pier. It was already dawn by this time. The land breeze blew gently, caressing the palm leaves and the leaves of other plants around them. The gentle wind was cooling to their skins. But it could not cool down the rage within their hearts.
It was chaos on the Fifth Day of Sixth Month of Dry Season. It was already midmorning and Monune Grand was abuzz. Ordered Elementhars from all over Free Falls had been called to gather here for an important announcement. Many were curious and a great many more were agitated. They were given very short notice of the event and many had to cancel long made plans just to answer this sudden call. The organisers of the event, the Order of Earth Elementhars, had barely arrived at Monune Grand two nights prior and were busy preparing the gathering hall.
By noon, the gathering began proper. The High Council took their seats. The gathering hall quietened down.
“Welcome _I do of this to all of you, my brother Elementhars, and I thank you for coming. Gathering _ we, the Order of Earth Elementhars, have called for an emergency of this for a very important announcement, but neither I nor any of my order has the right to make this announcement,” said High Elementhar Dulcet Calnen loudly.
Master Calnen’s statement sent a wave of confusion throughout the gathering hall. Even Grand Elementhar Rapier Shay and High Elementhar Ambience Waycress were so shocked and confused that they turned to look at him.
“Announcement _ there is someone here today who has the right to make of it; therefore, I invite Master Elementhar Ray Iddell of the Order of Fire Elementhars to come forth and address us all,” said Master Calnen, pointing to the front row of seats in the crowd.
All eyes fell onto the three hooded figure who were seated in the front row seats. No one had noticed them in the chaos of the morning. Ray removed his hood and so did Clover and Lance. Ray, off course, had his silver staff with him. Clover was holding a mysterious, long, narrow, cloth-wrapped bundle upright with her left hand. And from under Lance’s seat, Spirit emerged and sat on an empty seat next to Lance. There were all sorts of verbal expressions of surprise and a few loud, angry gestures.
“Right _ he has none of this to be here; for he has denounced the Grand Order and is no longer one of us!” shouted a Water Elementhar from the crowd.
“Agree _ I do of this, for this rude traitor has no right to be here!” shouted another Elementhar from the crowd, this one being of the wind element.
“Speak _ I say let him of this, even though he is no longer one of us; for even strangers may speak at the Grand Conference, so why not him!?” argued an Earth Elementhar.
The crowd broke into chaos. Immediately everyone was exchanging heated words with everyone else.
“Order! Order! Order!” shouted Master Calnen to no avail.
The chaos continued. Elementhars were now standing up and shouting at each other. Ray got off his seat and walked up to the raised platform where the High Council sat. Turning around, he slammed his staff onto the ground and executed a minor Volcano Strike. A loud explosion ensued and a small but deadly spray of molten lava burst forth from the ground and threatened to singe some nearby Elementhars, but Ray manipulated the lava to gently fall back into the hole in the ground from which it had burst forth. The hall turned silent. Ray’s act had caught everybody’s attention.
“Volcano Strike _ it is of this that was the last spell my senior, Master Elementhar Rock Dencon, had used against the Shadow Deathmerchant Clan when he was exhausted and defeated; and it was also the last spell that my master, Grand Elementhar Ridge Santlyn, had used against the assassins when he drew them away from me and the Original Vanguard Manuscript 15 years ago. Volcano Strike _ of this, it is with this spell which I shall strike down anyone who tries to stop me from speaking today!” exclaimed Ray, his eyes bloodshot red.
The crowd fell silent. Even Master Calnen was shocked by Ray’s bluntness and explosive rage.
“Attention _ you have ours of this now, Ray; so speak what you must,” said Master Calnen.
“Announce _ I am here today to do of this that the Shadow Deathmerchant Clan has been destroyed by elements of the Fallsian Military under my command. Assassins _ of them, the majority of those who took part in the massacre of my order have been killed, including their clanmaster, Venom Collart. Immunity _ some members of the clan were granted of this for their co-operation in its destruction, but I assure you, most of them were not directly involved in the massacre of my order 15 years ago,” announced Ray.
At first the hall was silent. Then an Elementhar clapped. Then another. Then the whole hall burst into thunderous applause. But Clover and Lance did not clap. Their expressions were still of rage, just like Ray’s.
“Congratulations _ I wish you of this, Ray; for this is a great victory and a fantastic accomplishment; and so, would you consider rejoining the Grand Order and restart your order?” asked Master Calnen.
“No!” was Ray’s stern answer.
Master Calnen was taken aback. This was not the answer he had expected. More so, this was not the tone of voice he had expected!
“Why?” asked Master Calnen, clearly insulted.
“Justice _ the Grand Order had failed to provide of this for my order and for me; and of this, I shall not forgive!” explained Ray.
“So _ if it is of this, then why have you called us here; or is it your intention to gloat over your accomplishment!?” questioned Master Calnen.
Ray shifted his gaze from Master Calnen to Master Shay. There could not possibly be more anger, hatred and disgust expressed in anybody’s eyes than that of Ray, Clover and Lance’s at this moment.
“Him! Grand Elementhar Rapier Shay _ it is of him that I called for this gathering, so that I may expose to you his treachery; for he is Baron Chessmaster, the person who is truly
responsible for the massacre of my order!” accused Ray, pointing his finger at Master Shay.
Immediately the gathering hall went abuzz. There were shocked expressions everywhere. Elementhars began arguing with each other again. Master Calnen had to shout for silence yet again. This time his efforts were fruitful. Master Shay sat silently. His expression was calmed and composed.
“Sympathy _ of this, I feel for you; for you have clearly lost your mind. Reason _ what is it of this that I would have had to massacre your order?” asked Master Shay with a caring and concerned look.
“Reason _ of this, I know not!” admitted Ray.
“Reason _ of this, you know not because I have none!” stressed Master Shay.
“Reason _ of this, you have; but I am not as yet able to see!” retorted Ray.
“Reason _ of this, you are not yet able to see because there is none; and there is nothing but your imagination!” Master Shay pointed out.
There was an awkward moment of silence.
“Accusation _ Ray, yours of this is serious! Dare _ how of this of you to call for an emergency gathering, come in here and then accuse our leader of such a hideous crime? Proof _ do you even have any of this!?” said Master Calnen sternly.