Red World Trilogy

by V. A. Jeffrey

  "I suppose He has given us our own talents, distinct to each of us," he said. She smiled.

  In the half light of night Anet made out movement of shadows. And then the grunt of a camel. It was their two camels.

  "Well, well!" She said. "It would seem our six-legged friends have found us. One more small miracle." She laughed.

  "Let us go. They will guide us south. I shall travel to Hevan first. Then Lirumsha, which has been sorely neglected, Beth-Ayin and also the other cities. I have finally finished my work in Jhis. At first, years ago, they refused to listen. Now they are unable to listen. They have become blind and dumb to the truth." There was a quality of tired resignation and sadness in his voice.

  Anet wondered if there were yet still three or four good people there but it was beyond her control at this point. If there were, it was no longer in their hands. She urged her mount on, following Ilim. Neither one of them looked back.

  Chapter Four

  "Alchemy and high knowledge are not evil; they can be beneficial things for Mankind. But that is the seed of the matter; they are things to be used, such as the dagger, the sword or ladre. They can be used for good or ill and were often used for attaining power over other men and plotting their destruction, just like the dagger, the sword and ladre. Yet, what society has banned the dagger, the sword or ladre?"

  - The Book of Nagilla

  The rest of the voyage was relatively event free. They sailed from the Llordis right into the North Ocean and two weeks later - after the encounter with the dragon - they'd reached the storied shores of Pallinona.

  Pallinona was the gateway land to the West; the lands of the Valierite peoples. These, according to Hybronians, were those races not of the Middle Kingdoms who lived in the West and also in the North.

  Pallinona was an island land, sitting two hundred leagues east of Nal, an older neighboring kingdom from which much of Pallinonian culture descended. It was large for an island with a number of cities, or little kingdoms, that vied with each other for dominance. It was the main land of trading posts that stood between The Middle Kingdoms and the West, or the Hidden Kingdoms of the Great Ridge. Such luxuries as crystal, certain dyes, colored glass, herbs, emeralds, cloves, pepper, lemons, blood oranges, white olives, olive oil, sheep, cattle, copper, and in ancient times, pegasi.

  Pegasi had long died out but at one time in the world's history they existed and there was a lucrative trade for these when they were new foals. A full grown pegasus could not be tamed by a mortal but when raised in training as a foal they could be used - and abused - and they were, resulting in their extinction. The last reported pegasus in Pallinona, or anywhere else for that matter, had been seen over sixty years ago.

  They had reached the port city of Lavuso and from there followed Oratio to Tidua. It was six days travel from Lavuso. Compared to their homeland, the land of Pallinona seemed a paradise. There was greenery everywhere, a luxurious spread of lush green they had not imagined. Thick moist sea air greeted the face from the sprawling port, a fresh, vegetal scent that was foreign and alluring to the southlanders. And though the North Ocean was cold, once they had landed they could see that like in Hybron the sun kissed this land. But it was blessed with its leaping light in a different way. The land was dotted with small, verdant forests, trees full of rich fruit fragrant and coats of luxuriant foliage, vibrantly colored flowers and bucolic, sprawling landscapes. They past by large farmsteads, villages and towns and long stretches where there was nothing but soft, rolling hills.

  Upon approaching the gate of the hill town there were no caravans. What had replaced camels were horses. Horses and donkeys were everywhere, travelers were coming and going into the city on foot, merchants coming in on wagons pulled by draft-horses and mercenaries and vagabonds on horseback. Oratio's party also were traveling on horseback. Rapheth was so sore he did not know what to do and he feared to even look at the sores between his legs. Ephron and Shukala were every bit as uncomfortable as he was and struggled mightily not to show it. Rapheth also worried about coin. They had very little. Thankfully, the chilyabium had helped their financial fortunes rise - for the time being. Rapheth felt more like a noble beggar than a future king but he was glad to be on land to take his mind off the dragon's mark.

  In Tidua, one of the seven major hill towns in the land, there was an abundance of red stone, brown stone and brick, copper-rimmed towers. Towers and statues were erected everywhere that recalled to them the obelisks and royal images back home. There was a large fountain they passed and a cistern where they saw people drawing water. Most houses and buildings in Hybron were made of mud brick, those of note, of brick and stone. Here it seemed most houses were made of red, brown or beige stone. And were nearly all topped with red brick. As they entered the market square the houses grew bigger, taller and more elaborate and Rapheth noticed these rich and stately houses had towers with writing chiseled in them, family names, he guessed, and lineage. The people of Pallinona spoke Latinuum, their mother tongue and some also spoke a dialect of the main tongue in Hybron, Alhar. A few people gawked at the giant Injol as they entered the town, pointing and whispering. Thankfully he wore a long cloak over his massive arms but he was an imposing figure in any case. One thing that surprised all of Rapheth's men, including Rapheth, was the open acceptance of alchemists within their midst. In fact, Rapheth noticed White Alchemists wore white or cream colored frocks and britches underneath, the Gold Alchemists wore brown with wide copper or gold rimmed hems and then there were the Black Alchemists. It was openly offensive to some of his men, especially to Injol who scowled mightily at them and even Parso did not look kindly upon them. Ephron gave all of the alchemists a look of open contempt. Rapheth was surprised to see two women dressed in White Alchemist garb. Ephron, Shukala and the other men were galled.

  "I have never seen such a thing! What sort of place is this?" Asked Rhajit, talking to Luz. Luz merely shrugged and sneezed, his eyes watery and red. Parso's eyes followed the female alchemists with interest. He then turned to Rapheth.

  "Apparently when it comes to education of the mysteries of nature, women are not given short shrift like they are back home."

  "Something to think about." Said Rapheth. Parso nodded.

  "I am worried for Luz, Parso. He does not look well." Since the voyage his pallor had taken on a grayish tinge.

  "I hope it is not the sweating sickness or the flux." Said Parso. "Hopefully we can get him some attention from a true physician instead of those ridiculous witch doctors back home."

  "Do not mention witch doctors." Said Shukala.

  "Oh no. If this is a land where alchemy is practiced freely, I am sure we will find proper physicians here." Said Rapheth. A ruler, a decent ruler had at least some modicum of feeling for his subjects, did he not? If he were to be king it would start by trying his best to care for the needs of his people. He could start by caring for the needs of his men instead of brooding about the voyage. He took off his long woolen cloak that had been given him by a sailor at the beginning of the voyage. It was damp and musty smelling but he thought it would help at least a little.

  "Luz," he called to the man, "come. Take my cloak. You need it more than I do." Luz tried to make as if he were feeling fine but Rapheth would not hear of it.

  "You are sick, Luz. We need to get you some help and soon." He looked for Oratio. "Oratio, how soon until we get under a roof?" Oratio turned back.

  "My great-uncle's house is not far. Only an hour away now." Oratio looked worriedly at Luz as well. Luz finally accepted the cloak. and they all quickened their mounts' paces.

  They reached the house of Baudolino Polo II, Oratio's great-uncle and a widely respected White Alchemist. Baudolino also had other relatives and in-laws that worked either for him in some capacity as apprentices or journeymen or were brother-peers with him in alchemy. One of his nephews was an apprentice and he had first cousins and second cousins, many of them now setting up their own shops or laboratories in other towns and villages. He
also had another grand-nephew studying under him named Vinculus. Vinculus, who would be leaving in a few days, was preparing to enter a prestigious college for White Alchemy in Murinecci. Tutelage under Master Polo assured him a place there. Oratio was not nearly as talented in the alchemical disciplines as Vinculus - he did not have the aptitude for it, he said, so he became a sailor, preferring the high seas and adventure. Baudolino was not expecting company and although he was generally glad to receive company for a little while he was not particularly happy that these foreign men needed a place to lodge for some time as his house was full, until Oratio told them about the chilyabium. In fact, there was a great commotion as to what to do about the new guests at the Polo household when Oratio appeared at the door.

  "Oratio! Why have you brought these adventurers to our doorstep?"

  "But grandpapa! I just had to. This is Rapheth, a prince in exile from Hybron and these are his trusted men!" And he went on to relate all the events that transpired aboard the ship concerning Rapheth and the dragon. To which the household all marveled.

  "Well, Oratio has never been one given to fanciful tales and I have seen the great dragon from afar off myself, many years ago." Said Baudolino to his brothers. But after they asked to see the chilyabium and had a chance to examine it, the master of the house received them hospitably and they were allowed to stay for however long they needed. Oratio and a few of the womenfolk, Master Baudolino Polo II's elder sister in particular, chided the menfolk.

  "Does not one of the holy fathers of old say to receive a man who needs your help, and to honor men of all sorts?" She and Oratio exhorted the older men.

  "Come! Come, you are welcome here!" Baudolino said, duly chastened. Baudolino's great white eyebrows bristled in shock and excitement at this new company and their treasure. And as they all now had a place to stay, some of the men from the south quickly decided that perhaps not all alchemists were wicked.

  "I must examine it! After all, it is a thing of Golden Alchemy." Said Fredriko. Rapheth and Parso opened up the sack, carrying it carefully and there it was in its pieces. The map for the globe was torn but Oratio told them that it could be fixed or replaced.

  "They must stay as long as they need to. This is worth more than all the gold in the world!" Said Baudolino.

  So they had a warm and comfortable place to stay for the time being and a new found friend. Luz was given time to rest and recover.

  After being settled that first week they were at a supper of roast chicken with potatoes and a strong red wine one night when the subject of alchemy bubbled up.

  "This thing you men have brought here, does anyone else know you have it besides my grand nephew?" Asked Baudolino in between chewing a piece of chicken leg.

  "No. We have not told anyone." Said Rapheth.

  "Good. It must be kept secret. I have not even told my brothers at the guilds. Especially not them."

  "What is the matter with the guilds?" Asked Rhajit.

  "Well. . .nothing, except that some dark force is growing in the land. Black Alchemy is on the rise. Once, all three guilds shared power. No one guild was greater than the others but those who have no principles other than worship of the Self and the powers that come with it, of which our black brethren subscribe to, no longer hold with such rules. One must be very careful these days."

  "You mean other alchemists like yourself?"

  "Well, mostly those outside the realm of alchemy must be on the watch but the murder of an alchemist is not unheard of these days. If an alchemist of one of the other guilds, Gold or White has been found murdered, for it is rarely a Black Alchemist found dead in such a way, some have become suspicious. No one will voice their suspicions openly. Some of us feel that the negroni are planning something. Their influence is spreading."

  "Like the plague." Said one of Baudolino's brothers, Fredriko. "And not just here. Too many people are going missing, low people, poor people, usually. And these days one sees Black Alchemists near the seats of power in Pallinonian towns from east to west. More than one is comfortable with. It is said that Lord Tuilli and his family have one hanging about and he is well versed in astrology too. Guiding the family and serving as a trusted counselor."

  "Not good at all." Said another brother.

  "You men, you are from Hybron you say? Have you noticed this?"

  "Alchemy is banned in our land." Said Ephron flatly.

  "It is but that is changing. There are some that are in league with the Black Alchemists in Hybron and it is slowly seeping its way into the land." Said Rhajit, "of which our friend Injol here is an example."

  "Ah yes, the monteferi." Said Baudolino.

  "What?"

  "The Changed Men." Injol bowed his head but said nothing.

  "We have some of such men here. It is a miracle that they survive. You must tell us of how you all met and came together. I am sure it is an interesting story. In any case, they are getting too close to the seats of power for my liking."

  "I know. Old Lord Tuilli had a greatly revered man, a Gold brother who was adviser and friend to the family. Gold Alchemists had served that family for generations and suddenly our brother Tomas, bless his soul, was suddenly taken ill with a mysterious disease and died in two weeks. Suddenly, out of nowhere this Black Alchemist took his place."

  "That must have caused considerable uproar." Said Parso.

  "It did! And not only that, but Lord Tuilli is now deathly ill. No potion of mine or any White brother has been able to make him well. But less we forget not all who belong to the other disciplines are full of love and light for their fellow men. There are some White Alchemists who care nothing for helping others but only want to find the elixir of life. Helping the sick is for low alchemists in the discipline, is the attitude of some, regrettably."

  "How do you suppose he was able to get in with the family?"

  "He had to have help, I am sure. Besides, his son, well, I have always believed his son was a wicked fellow and in league with devils. I suspect both that alchemist and the lord's son are behind the old lord's approaching demise. And poor Tomas."

  "Why would he do such a thing?"

  "Well you see, the largest towns in the land are always fighting and warring with each other for supremacy of the whole land. To control all trade on the island is to control Pallinona. Some are not content to fight it out the old fashioned way but will resort to magic and witchcraft and all manner of ugly things to get power. Many dark things are related to these battles and wars of competition between Pallinonians." Said Baudolino.

  "And they are steadily becoming more vicious. So far, things have died down but who knows what will happen before the year is out?" Said Fredriko.

  "I see." Said Rapheth.

  "So, this wonderful machine you have, where did you get it?" Asked Fredriko.

  "Well, it belongs to Parso." Said Rapheth.

  "I came upon it when I was traveling years ago in Yinzhi."

  "That far?" Asked Baudolino. He, his brothers and other relatives and their wives were astounded.

  "I have always wondered about the far eastern places!" Said Baudolino's sister. She was named Enira.

  "Oh, there are many wonders to behold there." Said Parso. Enira poured everyone more wine and after supper Parso, Rapheth and Baudolino's brother Fredriko who himself was a Gold Alchemist set to work fixing the chilyabium. In fact, the whole household was chattering over it for these were rare and very expensive; their work magical to people who did not understand them and nearly sacred to those who did.

  Fredriko had laid all the parts out and he'd brought many of his own tools and devices from his home workshop. On the work table spanned a set of instructions on hardened vellum with an intricate legend. Rapheth had never seen someone work on a machine before and wanted to know how it was done. It was all like a magical language to him and he watched intently, trying to soak up as much information as he could. Fredriko and two of his brothers and even Parso discussed amongst themselves how to go about it. Pars
o, though not an alchemist had some rudimentary knowledge of the craft of Golden Alchemy and was keenly listening to the alchemists as they set to work fixing the device, explaining things to him. One of the men, Lomarco, actually Baudolino's brother-in-law, married to his sister Enira, and being also a cartographer, set to work making a new globular map for the device.

  "This map will not be as fine and intricate as I do not have the necessary special inks to work with right now. They have to be made or ordered. Either way, it takes a long time to make them."

  "Necessary inks?" Asked Rapheth.

  "A thaumaturgical device such as this requires metallic and illuminated inks."

  "Oh."

  "Also, I do not have the time to devote to it as I would like and asking anyone else about it for help may attract attention none of us would want. These are maps only used to fit upon chilyabes, you understand?" He told Parso.

  "I understand." They all worked and talked into the wee hours of the morning but it would take a long time before the work was done.

  Ephron was not only disinterested in it but resented and disliked the thought of it.

  "Why bother with such things? They are banned because they are evil and I am not happy about staying in a house with such men who practice this art." He complained to Rapheth the next day.

  "Ephron, there is nothing wrong with knowledge, of learning about the world around you and how it works. That is all alchemy is."

  "Truly? Tell it to Injol."

  "How these things are used is what matters, not the things themselves. After all, a sword or an ax can do just as much evil in the wrong hands. They can bring glory or dishonor in how they are used. If I had a sword I would certainly not set it aside, would you?"

  "But these things have caused so much unnatural evil they are banned at home. Even more than war has."

  "Are you sure of that?"

  "I am! And for centuries! Would you bring these things back to the land when you become king?"