by Jeremy Dwyer
~~~
In the land bridge known as the Crypt Trail, in the mausoleum he called home – which was filled with the rotting corpses and bones of recent sacrificial victims and the ashen remains of less recent ones – Pandaros stood in one of the dimly lit rooms and savored the thought of acquiring more of the luminaries. They brought darkness, and darkness brought the Quiet closer. The Quiet would give him clarity, while it would bring confusion to others. He began to desire the luminaries greatly – now that he had just one (1) of them, he had a hunger for all of them, however many there were.
Pandaros entered a different room of the mausoleum and called to another of his allies. “Hesperos,” he said.
Hesperos was a thirty-nine (39) year old drinker of the Elanatin Ocean waters. He recently drank of them, so he was energized and thus had the telepathic powers that those waters granted. As a result, he knew what Pandaros was thinking before he said it.
“I shall visit Emeth and learn what is to be learned. If a mind holds a secret of an onyx or a luminary or a darkness candle – whatever their understanding of it – I shall find it,” Hesperos said.
“Do not return without knowledge. I am not eager for reports of failure,” Pandaros said.
Hesperos left the mausoleum and made his way over the swampy land to a sea port on the southwestern region of the land bridge. From there, he booked passage to Emeth. He used the telepathic powers that the Elanatin Ocean waters gave him to read everyone he could along the way. And when he arrived in Emeth, the secrets he immediately learned were numerous, albeit mostly of no use. He would have to travel through the city and patiently and diligently search for someone who held the dark knowledge that Pandaros desired.
CHAPTER 6: Warning of the Affluence of Evil
Nine (9) days after their initial testimony, Prince Emerond and the scholar named Romana, both of the Jenaldej Empire, remained in Emeth. General Joshua was with them, as well, and they met near the docks of the city.
At that point, Emerond turned to General Joshua and said to him: “You are to return to Revod and oversee defenses until my return. When Nathan returns – assuming that he survived – he is to supervise reconstruction efforts in the east. Romana and I will remain here, for a while longer. Take charge of the Persistent and its crew and leave at once.”
“As you command, your majesty,” General Joshua said. He then returned to the Persistent and ordered the crew to set a course for Revod, and they returned there as ordered.
~~~
“Many things will have been affected – and the world will have changed. We both need to be aware and to pay close attention. The news will travel to and through here, which is why we will remain in Emeth for now,” Emerond said.
“Annunciations are this morning,” Romana said.
“That’s a fitting start to the day,” Emerond said and they both made their way from the docks to the Great Library of Tedorik.
~~~
In the annunciation room of the Great Library of Tedorik, Adele and Placido stood next to a podium.
Adele handed over to Placido several pages of transcribed notes containing information that was verified and recently approved for public release.
Placido was a four thousand eight hundred thirty-three (4833) year old man, who formerly served as a Chronicler of the Oath. His long years were enabled by drinking the waters of the Ursegan Ocean, slowing down time within him. His apparent age was between thirty-five (35) and forty (40), but his advanced true age was no secret. Now, he was responsible for the clear communication of the information from the Verifiers.
Adele was a forty-four (44) year old woman who served as a Verifier of the Oath and was highly trained in logic. The waters of the Medathero Ocean which she drank enhanced her mind, giving a calm clarity and a more focused ability for critical reasoning. She had reviewed the information on those pages – information that had arrived in Emeth from numerous Chroniclers and other sources – and she applied various critical tests to it, searching for signs of inconsistency or improbability or known falsehood. Information was always assigned a confidence that was anywhere from zero (0) to one (1). Whereas, only mathematics was considered to be a certain truth – and thus allowed to receive a confidence of (1), after applying rigorous proof techniques – other statements had to be assigned a value above zero (0) but below one (1). Anything considered outright false, and assigned a zero (0) confidence, carried an immediate death penalty for the one who stated the information. This did happen from time to time, and the penalty was executed thoroughly and with little delay.
As was the standard protocol for annunciations, Placido and Adele waited for all of the seats in the room to be occupied – there were twelve hundred twenty-five (1225) of them. When the seats filled up, more people made their way into the room and gathered along the walls, where they stood to listen.
Placido then began to read from the pages of notes and announced: “It has been verified that the number of fatalities due to the tempest – based on reports received so far – is not less than five hundred twenty (520) million. It has been verified – as a result of the tempest – that the shipyards of Javanda have been reduced in construction capacity by forty-three (43) percent until repairs are made and new shipbuilders are trained to replace those who were killed. It has been verified that the agricultural training – and Gradaken waterbinding – in the continent of Meridianus has grown from zero point five (0.5) percent to one point five (1.5) percent of the population. It has been verified that trade along the Dark Platinum Road land bridge has been restored to an estimated seventy-three (73) percent of its level prior to the tempest. It has been verified that the Duchess Uliana, of the continent of Nataloridivu, is a rightful descendant of the bloodline of Queen Vasanta. It has been verified that trade along the Farmer’s Road land bridge has been restored to ninety-three (93) percent of its level prior to the tempest.”
Several additional statements were made by Placido, and everyone listened attentively, attempting to determine what effect any of it would have on their own interests. Not all news affected all people – in ways that they could directly understand, anyway. But many knew that it was wise to listen to everything, because trouble in far off places could soon approach, and opportunity in far off places might be worth approaching.
Lady Onora was listening in the annunciation room, as were Romana and Emerond.
At the end of the day’s statements, Lady Onora left, and was deeply troubled by what she had heard.
Romana and Emerond walked out of the room together. Emerond said: “The trade restoration efforts are going quickly, which is impressive, given the number of deaths. The true number may be much higher, when a full count is taken.”
“Meridianus may be a good sign of things to come. More of them are embracing agriculture, instead of just precious gems mining,” Romana said.
“Yes. That percentage may have needed to increase, in some areas,” Emerond said, not overly enthused by the information, but not entirely in disagreement with the shift in economics.
Onora overheard them and approached her old friend, Romana.
“You spent time there, in Meridianus, didn’t you?” Onora asked.
“Onora! It’s always good to see you. Even better when it’s here,” Romana said, and hugged her.
“These may be better days; it isn’t clear, though,” Onora said.
“I spent two (2) years there, training several of the young people in farming, getting many of them to take a Gradaken waterbinding. Most would rather mine for diamonds. Kazofen waters are what the majority of them drink,” Romana said.
“It seems that you had a good influence on them. You planted seeds of righteousness, and some took root,” Onora said.
“There needs to be a proper setting of percentages in each economic sector. From time to time, it needs to be adjusted. If they were willing to listen, our resource coordinators could suggest a more appropriate level for their geographic region. But most of the c
ommunities in Meridianus are mercenary and operate independently,” Emerond said.
“Individuals do what they perceive to be best for themselves, even when it isn’t,” Onora said, but not to agree with Emerond.
“Yes. A resource coordinator could give them a suitable direction for their energies and talents,” Emerond said.
“So could prayer. It isn’t just the calculations and numbers that matter. The purpose behind it all matters even more,” Onora said.
“Religion has its place – it can lead people away from war and thoughtless exploitation. Or it can lead them into it,” Emerond said, skeptical – but not dismissive – of the value of religion.
“The wrong faith can destroy – that is entirely true. The One True God has the answers. He gives both the purpose and the measure, and He can measure out the rewards and the necessities in the proper amount,” Onora said.
“Does a talent for calculation – or for anything else – not have a purpose? Are we not to use it to determine answers for ourselves?” Emerond asked.
“If our ethics and morals were grounded in the value system of the One True God, then that would be correct. Yet, the abilities of many are put to selfish and exploitative uses. They worship themselves or other false gods,” Onora said.
“That is a problem we’ve just dealt with, no?” Emerond asked.
“Indeed. Victoria was the servant of one false god. Yet, another will rise, and soon. Will you be prepared?” Onora asked.
“What do you mean?” Romana asked.
“There’s some new danger you’re aware of?” Emerond asked.
“You don’t know who Queen Vasanta was, do you?” Onora asked.
“No. Should I?” Emerond asked.
“She was the old ruler of Haza’Kedro’Maral Island, over twenty (20) millennia ago,” Romana said, as she had learned of the name in her studies as a scholar in Emeth.
“Correct. She has a bloodline that extends to the present day. Which could establish a renewed right to rule,” Onora said.
“That island, and its sea port, both remain neutral – or jointly held, depending on whom you ask. No one has a present right to rule,” Emerond said.
“The right to rule will be asserted, and upheld. You don’t seem to understand,” Onora said.
“Neither do I,” Romana said.
“Duchess Uliana is a sun-worshipper – a leading member of the group who call themselves the Warm and Beloved Children of the Many Suns,” Onora said.
“Sun-worshippers are known for lavish spending on temples,” Emerond said.
“She is also known for performing perverse rituals to worship the blue suns. Children are burned and sacrificed and other foul things are done to them. This is no woman who should be the rightful heir to any wealth. Yet, now she is,” Onora said.
“How do you know she performs such rituals?” Emerond asked.
“Not all of my time is in Emeth. I have traveled the world often. I know of several false religions – and spiritually repugnant songs of sun worship and other practices. To some, I was able to show the true path and lead them onto it. Others would not listen,” Onora said.
“You have seen her perform these rituals – burning children?” Romana asked.
“Yes. I arrived at the end of one such ritual, and the children were already turned to ash. I prayed over the remains, and then spoke to the people. I asked them why their god would give them children, only to have them destroyed. They said that they could easily have more, so it was no great loss. I told them that they could have easily been the sacrificial victims themselves – and then I asked what would have become of them. They said that they would become one with the blue suns. I asked them what it would be like, and if they would be able to feel love. They said they didn’t know – that they had to have faith,” Onora said.
“These sun-worshippers would seem to be as cruel as Victoria, then,” Emerond said.
“Yes. And they will soon have great wealth,” Onora said.
“Many kingdoms trade at that island. They won’t stand for any takeover of the island or the trading rights,” Emerond said.
“They won’t be able to stand against it. The danger is approaching,” Onora said.
“I will watch,” Romana said.
“Be careful, Romana. Do not allow yourself to become like those in the world around you – overconfident in your own abilities. In all things, seek the One True God, and teach others to do the same, as you already have. Danger is never far in this world. I must be going, now,” Onora said, and she walked ahead of them on her own path and left the Great Library of Tedorik.
“She seems worried about that island. It is a trade center, but it’s not the only one,” Emerond said.
“It’s also home to one of the central banks. In that, it is of particular importance,” Romana said.
“Yes, but it’s not a bank for the Jenaldej Empire,” Emerond said.
“Not directly. But it exerts influence throughout the world, on many other continents. The central banks affect every economy, even if only indirectly. They can alter economies – and slow them, or even break them. That can lead to trade wars, or even military action,” Romana said.
“Do you really think that’s what is likely to happen?” Emerond asked.
“These sun-worshippers murder their own children. I would say that we should withhold trust. You?” Romana asked.
“They’re going to try to grow their wealth off of this – that much I can believe. What would it serve them to start a war?” Emerond asked.
“To convert the survivors to believe in their false gods. That’s what some religions do – it’s their purpose. It may not make sense to us, but it makes sense to them,” Romana said.
“They’re going to meet a lot of resistance before anything significant happens,” Emerond says.
“Economies are delicate. It doesn’t take very long, with certain financial maneuvering, to bring significant changes,” Romana said.
“We have to rebuild at home. And so does everyone else. This can’t be our only concern,” Emerond said.
CHAPTER 7: Rise of the Kingdom of Blue Sunfire
Herkheba was a fifty-one (51) year old woman – and a drinker of the Atrejan Ocean waters. She was a scholar, currently in Emeth, studying the ancient charts of the suns as well as making her own. The Atrejan Ocean waters she drank energized her and allowed her to hear of their motions and positions, and ask of them where they had been in the distant past and where they would be in the future. She favored the blue suns, as they were the Sky’s Nine (9) Kings, but all suns were worthy of her worship.
She used her knowledge of the sun’s positions to make star charts and sell them as part of the navigator’s trade. She often decorated these with prayers, and even wrote messages of faith and love, hoping the navigators who read her charts would come to feel love and adoration toward the suns and not merely view them as a service to humanity. Ultimately, Herkheba hoped, she would win converts over to the worship of the many suns.
Herkheba had given birth over the years to five (5) children. She took the most beautiful of these – a newborn daughter that she bore at age thirty-one (31) – and placed her on an altar and set her ablaze. The child screamed and she called out to the suns: “May her cries and her ashes honor you, and please you.” It was a difficult thing to do, of course, to such a beautiful child, but that is what made it more worthwhile. The suns light the skies, and the sacrifices must be worthy ones so as to give them honor. The light of the afterlife was given by the suns, whose burning brilliance illuminates all worlds. That is what the Warm and Beloved Children of Many Suns believed – and Herkheba counted herself among their number.
She had been in the annunciation room and heard the wonderful news of the royal lineage, and so she left the room and the Great Library of Tedorik. She then returned to the Scholar’s Hall, where she was taking up temporary residence during her scholarship. She made sure to put the finishing touches on one
of her star charts that she was still working on in the room. She then wrote a powerful message on it: “The Sky’s Nine (9) Kings do call to thee. Look to the sky at their majesty. Their love shall burn eternally, illuminating every sea. Faith in their fire shall set you free.”
Herkheba then left the Scholar’s Hall and deposited the charts into the Seventh Hall of Emeth to have a Chronicler transcribe the chart and submit it to a Verifier. She then waited for the Verifier to review the transcribed chart and assign a confidence rating to it.
“The star chart was verified with a confidence rating of zero point seven three (0.73). The theological annotation that accompanies it – however – shall be deemed an artistic embellishment, and be preserved. Yet, the confidence rating does not apply to that,” the Verifier said to both the Chronicler and to Herkheba.
The transcription of the star chart – along with the message on it – was then archived in the hall.
After this, Herkheba took the original star chart and left the Seventh Hall and booked passage on a ship from Emeth to the continent of Nataloridivu.
After three (3) days of travel in a northwesterly direction – mostly at sea-level, partly as an airship over the land bridges – the hired transport arrived in Nataloridivu.
Herkheba left the ship and made her way up a carefully landscaped, gently-sloping hill – shaped as a sun with nine (9) points – and reached an ornate temple at the top.
The hill was thirty-seven (37) feet in height and the temple upon it was seventy (70) feet in height. It was made of blue sapphire held together with a fine steel frame with many triangular crossings that curved toward the top. The temple was shaped as an eighteen (18) sided polygon and was eighty-one (81) feet in diameter.