by Jeremy Dwyer
“Because it’s pure – and rare. Onyx commands a high price. Certainly, you know how difficult it is to acquire,” Lycaon/Flavio said.
“A piece such as this isn’t worth but ten thousand (10000) coins, unless there is something more to it,” Mercator said.
“It brings good fortune,” Lycaon/Flavio said.
“Only if I can resell it for more. I do need to make a profit, you realize,” Mercator said.
“When I found it, I found something more,” Lycaon/Flavio said. He held his coat tighter as he said this, almost shivering.
“What more did you find?” Mercator asked.
“Longer life. Great opportunities then came my way. No doubt, it will bring you the same or better,” Lycaon/Flavio said.
“Where did you find it?” Mercator asked.
“In the darkness, in the swamp. In a place with great danger – a place of death – I found life. I found this,” Lycaon/Flavio said.
Mercator considered this claim – he found it strange, and the man who was trying to sell it to him – the man who called himself Flavio – was obviously very ill. This concerned him, because such a man may have little to live for, and be motivated to lie. If the candle proved to have less value, and Flavio died, he would have no means of recovering his financial loss.
“I’m willing to pay you fifteen thousand (15000) platinum coins for it,” Mercator said.
“Thirty-five thousand (35000),” Lycaon/Flavio said.
“Twenty thousand (20000). No more. That is my final offer,” Mercator said.
Lycaon/Flavio considered this and realized that he had little chance of getting a better deal – merchants such as these were usually not very generous, and the wealthy ones didn’t come to small villages very often. This was going to be his best opportunity for quite some time.
“Accepted,” Lycaon/Flavio said.
Mercator counted out coins into a small pouch – two-hundred (200) large coins, each having markings indicating that they were worth one-hundred (100) platinum coins.
Lycaon/Flavio reached out a trembling hand and took the small, but very heavy, pouch and put it into his coat and walked away.
~~~
Mercator looked closely at the onyx candle, staring deep into it. What he saw was the blackness of nothing at all. It was almost frightening – like an endless night. This onyx was pure, and he had gotten the better deal by far. He estimated that the piece was easily worth ninety thousand (90000) platinum coins because of its cut and quality, and also because of his negotiation skills when selling it later.
~~~
Lycaon went back to the room in which he was staying and secured all his possessions, but he was too tired to leave that night. He rented the room for one more night, but planned to purchase transport on a ship the next day, before anyone could learn of his profits and rob him of his wealth. He was bitterly cold that night, and slept soundly…and eternally. The journey through the cold swamp had sickened the old man, and the hard peasant life he lived after being deposed ravaged his fragile health. His spirit left his body, to an unknown destiny.
CHAPTER 13: Report of the Rise of Other Kingdoms
In Trading Center One on Haza’Kedro’Maral Island in the Pirovalen Ocean, under the cover of darkness given by drinking the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean, Halina was watching and waiting. She had been sent by Tanith Orenda, who wanted to know how the matter of royal lineage transpired.
Halina saw the power of the so-called ‘Torches of Majesty’ and realized that they were a great danger. She left the Trading Center One building and made her way toward a small ship. She eased her powers of darkness and paid for passage back to the northern edge of the land bridge known as Prince Jalvin’s Crossroads, arriving after three (3) days of travel.
When she reached that location, she met one of her close Ahitan allies named Cosette – a twenty-nine (29) year old woman who drank of the Lujladia Ocean waters and had considerable ability to penetrate the darkness and thereby navigate across the ‘dark waters’. Cosette took her on a private ship across the Ikkith Tar Ocean. With considerable effort, they made their way to Av’Tovenka Island and then slipped into the cover of darkness, with Halina’s power, and they secretly entered the water-worshipper’s temple.
Inside, they were met by Tanith Orenda in the Armada Room.
“I bring news good and ill,” Halina said.
“All news is ill, for someone must suffer when things change,” Tanith Orenda said.
“The Island of Haza’Kedro’Maral is taken. Duchess Uliana has claimed it, by her lineage to Queen Vasanta,” Halina said.
“This is as we planned,” Tanith Orenda said.
“She has claimed one third (1/3) of all trade and assets. Some objected, and they were burned to ashes by one of the ‘Torches of Majesty’. A man with blue skin who called himself Blazer Endrit did this,” Halina said.
“I am not surprised that the blazers are involved. They will lend strength to Duchess Uliana’s claim, and turn our enemies to ash. This is beneficial,” Tanith Orenda said.
“They are servants of the suns. Their wealth will grow to be vast as a result of this. We still hate them, do we not?” Halina asked.
“Indeed we hate the sun-worshippers. And the world shall hate them, and destroy them,” Tanith Orenda said.
“Will they be able to confront the Torches of Majesty? These are powerful beings, and the sun-worshippers will not be easily stopped,” Halina said.
“Do not doubt me, child. Their power is not so great as they would have you believe. There exist greater powers. Without the water, the blazers are nothing, and even they know this,” Tanith Orenda said.
“What will they do with the wealth they obtain from the taxation?” Halina asked.
“Build a temple of sun worship, of course. The merchants whose wealth was diminished will become angry at its opulence and attack the temple. This will ignite a great war,” Tanith Orenda said.
“They were not all merchants. One of the objectors, I believe, was a herald, dressed in jewel-encrusted clothing and wearing a medallion with ten (10) coins and a key. He spoke about the ‘Unfailing King’ who he said would bring peace and prosperity,” Halina said.
Upon hearing this, Tanith Orenda’s heart was filled with both anger and fear. Her face became taught with distress and she said nothing for a while.
“What is it?” Halina asked.
“The Unfailing King, as some call him, was a great scourge. He oppressed many – he turned nations into slaves, promised prosperity which did not come, and subjugated women as if they were mere beasts,” Tanith Orenda said.
“Did you know him?” Halina asked.
“No. The king – his original name was Mazlaran, though he was sometimes called Xander – lived, ruled and died in the ancient times, many hundreds of millennia before me. His tale was a lost legend – mere myth known to a select few – even when I was a young woman. I know of him because of whispered secrets passed down, rather than ancient writings. Very few will know who he really is, or that he ever existed,” Tanith Orenda said.
“If he is dead, what is the concern?” Halina asked.
“Some who know the spirit world would seek his return,” Tanith Orenda said.
“I don’t understand. What is to be gained by summoning a spirit? What power would he have?” Halina asked.
“His power was great, even then. He had armies and loyal servants. They were legion. Their spirits would come with him. Then, a great haunting would occur, and they would bring ruin,” Tanith Orenda said.
“You’ve heard these things from whispered secrets. Yet, can you be sure the story is complete and correct, if it long preceded you and was passed down?” Halina asked.
“You are bold to doubt me, Halina,” Tanith Orenda said.
“I apologize. I seek more information, so as to know which is the greatest danger,” Halina said.
“Yet, boldness is a proper trait for a woman who would serve me. It is tru
e that stories are changed in the telling – when the careless tell them, adding their assumptions and taking away those things which they forget or do not believe. That is also why there are so many different tales of Gabrielle Ramalaxis – you would think there are as many different persons as there are stories, or that she was myth rather than history. Yet, there is a truth to her, as well,” Tanith Orenda said.
“In my watching from the darkness, I’ve overheard more than one person tell stories of her. One said that Gabrielle was rescued from the madness by a spirit expulsion ritual. Another account held that the spirits who haunted her told her to drown her own children, which she did,” Halina said.
“Some find it amusing to collect the stories of Admiral Ramalaxis. There are different records in Emeth, with different details included. All, of course, are based on what the Chroniclers could see,” Tanith Orenda said.
“Are you suggesting that the records in Emeth are incomplete?” Halina asked.
“Indeed. After decades of spiritual torment, Gabrielle Ramalaxis disappeared for a number of years. When she was next seen, she was well. She spoke of going to an island, where she left her suffering behind,” Tanith Orenda said, smiling.
“Is that the story you believe to be true?” Halina asked.
“Yes. And I want to know where that island is. Still, there are other matters of greater concern. We must not forget the danger that the king represents,” Tanith Orenda said.
“The so-called ‘Unfailing King’ has heralds, yet I saw one killed, so he has little power,” Halina said.
“Do not be fooled into believing their weakness. It is a ploy. They will speak his name in peace, and pretend gentleness so as to win over compassionate fools,” Tanith Orenda said.
“Should I kill the heralds when I see them?” Halina asked.
“Yes – but only if you can do it without being seen. Hide the body, so that there is no proof of their death. Do not allow their killing to win sympathetic listeners,” Tanith Orenda said.
“I shall sharpen my blades and end them in the darkness,” Halina said.
“May I speak of the darkness?” Cosette asked meekly. She was afraid of the old woman in ways that Halina was not. Whereas Halina would speak up and test Tanith Orenda’s knowledge, Cosette was always unsure of herself, even if she was sure of what she knew.
“Speak, child, if you have something that I should hear,” Tanith Orenda said.
“By the powers of the Lujladia Ocean waters which I drink, I am sensitive to the light and to the darkness,” Cosette said.
“I know of your water powers, child. What news do you have for me?” Tanith Orenda asked.
“There is a growing darkness in the sky. The stars each have a sliver of darkness across them. It is barely visible to the eye, but to me, it is more clear. I watched it grow from nothing, and then grow darker still,” Cosette said.
“Halina, have you seen this?” Tanith Orenda asked, puzzled.
“I noticed a slight change. Yet, her senses are sharper than mine in these matters, for light senses dark more clearly,” Halina said.
“Cosette: you are to remain on this island and watch for the darkness and tell me of what you see, if it rises or falls,” Tanith Orenda said.
“As you instruct,” Cosette said.
“Halina: I will send with you two (2) assistants, so that you may better strike at the enemy. I will not have King Mazlaran – or King Xander, if that is the name he chooses – return to disrupt our plans, so our energies must be gathered against him and his ilk,” Tanith Orenda said.
Then, the old woman said: “Cosette: Summon Roxanne and Marzia. They are to lend assistance to Halina.”
~~~
Cosette left the Armada Room and went to the Scout’s Room where she met those two (2) women, saying: “You have been summoned by her grace.”
Roxanne was a forty-one (41) year old drinker of the waters of the Lujladia Ocean, like Cosette, but she was not meek. She bent light and produced illusions skillfully, and used the powers she gained to spy and to deceive.
Marzia was a thirty-eight (38) year old drinker of the waters of the Elanatin Ocean and used the powers she gained to spy and to manipulate.
The pair of them were often seen in friendly competitions – who could best lure a victim to their demise. Marzia would reach into a person’s mind, projecting emotions and sensations of trust, and then promise wealth, knowledge or even pleasure. Roxanne would create illusions of written documents and maps, leading victims to anticipate wealth and fall into snares. Both women had, on occasion, used elaborate methods of seduction, as much for their own pleasure as for the effectiveness in spying, sabotage and assassination. Neither ever let their own feelings get in the way – a kill was a kill, and men were not to be trusted, even if they seemed to be good.
~~~
Cosette returned to the Armada Room, with Roxanne and Marzia following.
Both Roxanne and Marzia nodded toward the old woman, awaiting their orders.
“The heralds of my enemy are afoot. They speak of his name and preach his false promises. Yet, the ‘Unfailing King’ as they call him must never be accepted,” Tanith Orenda said.
Roxanne held a dagger in her hand and twirled it about on the tip of her forefinger in ways that the laws of physics suggested would be impossible. Halina – by her own powers of darkness from the Ikkith Tar Ocean water she drank – looked at it and realized it was a trick of light: an illusion being created by the Lujladia drinker. There was no dagger at all.
Marzia held a dagger in her own hands, but when Halina tried looking through it, the dagger did not disappear. Then, she realized that it was probably a telepathic projection – she was made to think that Marzia held a dagger, when really it was the powers of the Elanatin Ocean water she drank that allowed her to create the thought in others.
“Practice your methods on your prey. The heralds who speak of this ‘Unfailing King’ must be killed, and Halina will lead you to them. They are to be killed, yet only in secret, so as not to win sympathy by their martyrdom. Additionally, their words are to be discredited, by your clever ruses,” Tanith Orenda said.
“Where is the hunting ground?” Roxanne asked, eager for the kill.
“You are to return to Haza’Kedro’Maral Island where Halina first encountered the herald. They may send another. A great many traders pass through that sea port, and word of these heralds will likely reach you from wherever they appear next. Follow where it leads you,” Tanith Orenda said.
“Are we to stand and wait for them to arrive?” Marzia asked.
“While waiting for the heralds, you may deal with the sun-worshippers and ensnare them in whatever ways you can, so as to hasten their demise. They should be allowed to grow and come into conflict with our other enemies. Do not be alarmed if the strength of the sun-worshippers appears to increase for a time, as they will overextend themselves soon enough, with your assistance. Make preparations and leave immediately,” Tanith Orenda said.
~~~
Halina, Roxanne and Marzia left to go to the Ocean Room. There, they took fresh vials of their respective waters for their mission. Additionally, they drank anew of the water to have the energy immediately within them. Halina drank of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean and was energized with the powers of darkness. Roxanne drank anew of the waters of the Lujladia Ocean and was energized with the powers of light. Marzia drank anew of the waters of the Elanatin Ocean and was energized with the powers of telepathy and empathy.
“I haven’t killed a man in over a month,” Marzia said.
“Too bad. It’s only been twenty-eight (28) days since my last,” Roxanne said, intending to taunt her friendly rival.
“Still, it’s only the total that matters. Maybe I’ll have to take two (2) at once to outpace you,” Marzia said.
“You are a bit behind. If I double my rate, you’ll never catch up,” Roxanne said.
“It’s time we left,” Halina said. She killed men who cau
sed trouble for the old woman, or for her. But she had a soft spot for men she thought of as decent – some were. And she still had desire – romantic as well as sensual. She doubted that the opportunity would come her way, however. She hid in the darkness for reasons other than spying and killing – her appearance was not pleasing to many men, with her patchy skin and age spots that had set in early. She was only thirty (30) but looked forty-five (45), and some men held that against her. This made her angry, and resentful, and even renewed her belief that men were shallow and evil. Then, on a few occasions, there were men who flirted, who turned out to have rotten personalities, or were only looking for a brief and meaningless relationship. These men doubly renewed her disgust for males. Yet, there were some rare occasions when worthwhile men would take notice of her, and extend their affection, and she would be tempted to leave this life for them. Halina wasn’t sure if the old woman would send someone after her, though, and kill her and the man. There was a man she met and loved – and didn’t want Tanith Orenda to kill him, so she left him without an explanation. She wondered if she would ever find him again.
Marzia looked toward Halina and sensed something about her thoughts, and realized that she was longing for the affection of a man. “Taste all you want, but don’t fall into his trap,” Marzia said.
“Mind the prey, not me,” Halina said. Marzia heard the thought of it before Halina said anything, however.
The trio of Halina, Roxanne and Marzia left the water-worshipper’s temple and began their voyage to Haza’Kedro’Maral Island, along the same way that Halina had come. They took one of the small vessels docked at the shore of Av’Tovenka Island, where the water-worshipper’s temple was located. Like Cosette, Roxanne was skilled in navigating the darkness by light, and carefully made her way through the Ikkith Tar Ocean’s dark haze, which was the first leg of the journey.
~~~
In the Armada Room, Tanith Orenda looked to Cosette and said: “Child, bring me Danielle.”
Cosette left the room and went to Danielle’s quarters and told her: “You have been summoned by her grace.”