by M. D. Laird
He explained that the orders who were members of the alliance were not exhaustive and there were fae and witches as well. In addition, there were another element of light and dark alchemists who were not an order as such and sporadically appeared within other orders. They did not have a particular place within the alliance as they usually stayed within their own orders and used their talents to make a living. However, there had been an uprising a long time ago where some dark alchemists had allied with witches to try to take the Crown.
Calab had patiently answered all of her stupid questions, for example, Charon was not the ferryman as there is more than one demon named Charon and it was a myth anyway and no, he would not tell her about all the famous people in Hell as that information was privy. He had already breached the rules by informing her that Jason was destined for Hell. He gave her a brief guidebook given to guardians to help her to understand and to stem the flow of questions.
That night Calab had requested a temporary bed in Eve’s room to allow him to sleep more comfortably. After supper, they took their seats by the fire. Calab had again offered her wine, but not wanting to have wine three nights in a row, she instead asked for tea. Calab stuck to his wine citing that he never drank tea in the evening and had no intention of ever doing so.
“Your library is beautiful. It is my dream to own something like that,” she said to him as an attempt to break another awkward silence, but mostly because she had been dying to ask him about it.
“Yes.” He smiled. “It is my sanctuary. You like to read?”
“Very much.”
“What do you like to read?”
“Lots of things. I’m a sucker for fantasy and supernatural fiction which actually seems more supernatural fact the more I learn of this world. I adore classics, mostly English classics; I’m probably a snob though I do love Edgar Allan Poe and Oscar Wilde. Mostly I like anything from the Georgian or Victorian era. I fancy I should have been born a hundred and fifty years ago and of noble birth then I could have spent my days in a corset doing the season and taking turns about the room.”
Calab smiled and said, “You know that era wasn’t much different from now.”
“Don’t tell me that, I love the romance of it.”
“I spent as much time in dens of iniquity then as I do now.”
“Opium dens and brothels?”
He laughed. “It is nice to meet someone so passionate about books. What is your favourite?”
“The Picture of Dorian Gray.”
“Not an English author then?” He smirked. “I thought you were a snob.”
“I hate consistency. What are you reading at the moment?”
“I am reading through some essays by Thomas de Quincey.”
“I have read some of his writings.”
“You have? Which have you read?”
“The Confessions of an English Opium-Eater and recently I read his five essays on murder which I loved.”
Calab smiled. “I find his style of prose enthralling. I forget who said it, but he has been described as a master of digression.”
“I think he was preoccupied with the number twelve.”
“Really?”
“Yes,” replied Eve, “apparently he was preoccupied with the two murders outlined in the book for many years, and I have a theory, do you want to hear it? It’s quite ridiculous.”
“You had me at ridiculous.”
Eve laughed and continued, “Well, he very frequently mentions that the two murders are twelve days apart, both occur at a business which closes at twelve, and the crimes occur around the hour of midnight. The murderer commits suicide after his arrest, and it is presumed that he does so around midnight. I think he became preoccupied because of the recurrence of the number twelve. He writes another paper twelve years after the murders, and he misquoted the year of the killings as 1812 when they occurred in 1811. 1812 was the year William Wordsworth's daughter, who he adored, died.”
Calab laughed. “You may have a point, but you are quite mad.”
Eve smiled and quoted:
“I have mental joys and mental health,
Mental friends and mental wealth.”
He eyed her with a curious expression.
Her smile wavered. “What?” she asked, “You don’t like Blake?”
“It’s late,” he said. “We should sleep.”
Eve nodded and made her way to the bathroom to prepare for bed. She stared at the bathroom mirror and thought about Calab’s sudden change in mood.
What did I say?
Had the poem hit a nerve? He did not seem angry or upset; she could not begin to fathom how he seemed. She thought they were both enjoying the conversation. She sighed and brushed her teeth. When she returned to the room, Calab was already under his blankets with his back towards her. Frowning she got into bed. It took a while to get to sleep, as she could not shake his expression from her mind.
She and Calab spoke very little over the next few days. She had tried to strike up conversations with him, but he appeared reluctant to engage with her. When she asked him if he was feeling well, he was quite reticent. She could not understand the change that had come over him. He had brought her some books from his library and spent much of his time reading when he was not engaged in telephone conversations with the alliance. He had not continued to read de Quincey and instead read books in Latin, French and Italian which she took as a hint that he no longer wished to speak to her about books. She was torn between asking him what she had done and not wanting to pry. Deciding to wait for a time when he seemed less irritable, she kept quiet and instead read the guidebook he had given her.
The book was a little out of date and pre-dated the Imperium. Thanks to Calab, Eve was now familiar with much of the information contained in the guidebook and skimmed through out of interest.
A brief introductory guide to Arkazatinia and its people.
As the name suggests, this guide offers a brief overview of Arkazatinia and is aimed at those raised in Lycea. You may have already been educated in the ways of Arkazatinia before you were called upon to take on the important role of guardian or you may have no prior knowledge. Either way, this guide offers a useful introduction in addition to some recommended further reading. We extend our warmest welcome to you as a guardian of our wonderful home.
Our world, also known as Anaxagoras, exists on a dimension or plane between Heaven and the Kingdom of Man. As in the Kingdom of Man, the world is separated into geographical regions. We have three large continents called Arkazatinia, Axandria and Vernasia as well as many smaller islands. You have been selected for the honour of protecting Arkazatinia, and this guidebook covers only Arkazatinia. For further information, see Erics World Atlas or An Introduction to Anaxagorean Geography.
Arkazatinia is separated into three main regions: Eurasia, Laurasia, and Laurentia. The geographical structure of Arkazatinia is similar to that of Lycea as there are large bodies of water, mountains and other features you may recognise. However, Arkazatinia has not changed in the way that Lycea has, as Anaxagoras is not subject to continental drift. Continental drift is a widely accepted theory in Lycea for the movement of lands. The dynamic properties of Anaxagorean rock mean that they do not erode in the same way as in Lycea (see The Life of Rocks, Metals and Other Matter) and as a result, the landscape alters differently. For further reading on the effects of continental drift, please see Lycea: A Geographical History.
Briefly, the dynamic properties of rocks and metals have meant that the land mass can maintain its shape unless manipulated by an alchemical architect. It is proposed that Arkazatinia’s mountains were formed by an ancient alchemist who was so in awe of the beauty of Lycea’s mountains, hills, valleys and lakes that he commissioned a team to replicate some of its features in Anaxagoras. Very little evidence exists to support this claim except for some artwork found inside a cave in the Parmenides mountain range. The cave is thought to be a portfolio of t
he alchemist and depicts the mountains emerging from the ground. For further reading, please see The Hills of Anaxagoras: An Alchemist’s Genius or a Crazy Theory?
You may already be aware of and have met some of the people who reside in Arkazatinia. The diversity of species differs considerably from that of Lycea. Arkazatinia has many orders who are capable of will, intelligent thought, logic and communication. This means that the way Arkazatinia functions may seem different from Lycea. This guide is intended to be a brief introduction and will in no way provide an in-depth history or political profile of each order. Instead, the guide aims to cover a few basic topics.
The Thorian
The thorian arise from a species called hominem who are a species of man native to Anaxagoras (see procreation). Selected members experience a physical change and become thorian. The thorian are considered immortal although the oldest known thorian faded (see Death of the Immortal) after three thousand years. The thorian do not age very much in appearance after they have changed although subtle signs of ageing can be observed once you are more familiar with the order. They possess high strength, natural athleticism and agility, enhanced reflexes, dexterity and senses. Many Lycean myths and legends, especially in classical mythology, can be attributed to the thorian see Exploring Arkazatinia’s influence in the Classical World of Lycea: The Birth of the Demi-God.
In Arkazatinia, each ward is ruled by a different order of thorian: Eurasia by the Procnatus, Laurasia by the Elion, and Laurentia by the Calahad. The Crown hails from the Impærielas who reside in Eurasia and rules the whole of Arkazatinia. You may already be familiar with the Impærielas as the Masters of the Guardians.
The thorian live and work between Lycea and Arkazatinia. Although there are a small number who possess the natural ability, most thorian are unable to pass over to Lycea and require the use of the vox dissimulatrix (see chapter).
Physical appearance
Thorian can blend in well with Man as they have a human-like appearance. They usually range in height from 5’ 6” to 6’ 4” and tend to be of a lean, muscular build. Thorian usually, with very few exceptions, have exceptional physical beauty and a youthful appearance.
Procreation
Thorian of Calahad, Elion and Procnatus are infertile. They are born into the hominem order and become thorian after the changing and are unable to reproduce. The Impærielas are born into their order and are able to procreate.
Eve sucked in a breath. Was this why she could not have children? Because she was born human and had changed to become thorian? Did she become infertile when she stopped ageing? Why had Thalia or Calab not told her? It changed nothing, of course, knowing, but it would have been nice if they had explained it rather than allow her to find out from a guidebook. If Calab were speaking to her, she would have it out with him. She sighed and ignoring the tears threatening to spring to her eyes, she continued to read.
Diet
Thorian take an omnivorous diet, although they have been known to survive on the blood of man.
Leadership
Like most rulers of Arkazatinia, a thorian ruler will be selected naturally following the death of the predecessor. The leaders are styled as Lord whether they are male or female in Calahad, Elion and Procnatus orders and as Lord or Lady in the Impærielas. The leader is always stronger than their charges and possesses some magical abilities which vary from ruler to ruler. In addition, the Impærielas also provide a Crown who rules all Arkazatinia.
Hierarchies of rule
Each order of thorian are answerable to their own ruler, and the ruler resides in the Order Guild. The thorian and thorian rulers are all accountable to the Crown.
Notable conflicts and controversies
The Calahad and Elion have engaged in frequent conflicts with each other over their lands. The Elion has declared that they have a claim to the Crown though there is no evidence to support this. They have, in the past, moved against the Crown and members of the Crown Alliance to displace them from their lands. They have maintained a peaceful alliance with the Crown for over five hundred years.
Eve flicked through to the section on demons.
Demons
The demons have existed in some form for as long as Anaxagoras has and for much longer than the Kingdom of Man. They were once the Sons of Heaven or angels until they came into conflict with Heaven and were cast out in an event known as the Fall. They were cast from Heaven into the wasteland of Hell, which is located in a dimension below the Kingdom of Man, and became demons. As angels, they had no physical feelings though they were able to experience complex emotions. The opposite is true of demons, and whilst demons can experience the physical sensations of pleasure and pain, they are incapable of love. Their inability to love has proven useful in their role in Lycea as they test the worthiness of man by tempting them into acts of wickedness. Their cold and callous nature allow them to perform this role without bias or remorse.
Physical appearance
The appearance of demons varies according to which high prince commands them. Demons have the same bipedal appearance as Man, but have taloned nails and brightly coloured ‘jewel-like’ eyes. Their eye colour varies according to the high prince (see appendix for further details).
Diet
Demons take an omnivorous diet and have an insatiable appetite or ‘eternal hunger’. They are known to be fond of fine foods, wines and liquors.
Procreation
There are no female demons as there are no female angels. Demons could potentially mate with the daughters of men to produce ‘Nephilim’, but they are prevented from doing so by the rule of Heaven. Any demon who fathers a child is subject to severe penalties.
Leadership
Seven high princes rule Hell and all of the demons in Anaxagoras and Lycea. Initially, like Heaven, each of the high princes or princes of the highest order was responsible for one sin (or virtue in Heaven). As the populations of Lycea and Anaxagoras have grown, some rearrangement of the task has been required. Currently, demons of three of the high princes, those of Asmodeus, Astaroth and Berith reside in Arkazatinia and are responsible for the management of all sins in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Africa and parts of Europe—for more information see The Princes of Hell.
Hierarchies of rule
A more detailed description of demons and the structure of Hell can be found in The Princes of Hell. Here we will focus on the demons involved with Arkazatinia. The princes of the highest order maintain permanent residences in Hell and have appointed deputies to carry out their duties in Anaxagoras and Lycea—these associates are known as the princes of the first order and reside in the Guilds of Asmodeus, Astaroth and Berith in Arkazatinia. The princes of the first order oversee the activities and work of the demons of the second and third order (only high and first order demons are given the title of prince). As part of their decree from Heaven, demons are required to pass over to Lycea from Anaxagoras and Hell. Demons and angels are the only orders where all have the ability to pass over or midspace (see chapter) without the use of a vox dissimulatrix (see the chapter).
Notable conflicts and controversies
The most notable conflict of demons has been the Fall. Demons existed in Heaven as angels for a long time before the Kingdom of Man. The Sons of Heaven are considered the purest and most virtuous of beings and the highest expectations and restrictions are placed upon them. It is written that some of the angels became disgruntled with Heaven when they saw that charges of the Kingdom of Man could enjoy the pleasures of the flesh, procreate and enjoy activities of recreation. Many of the angels were so enamoured by the daughters of men that they fell in love with them and had children. The resultant children, half angel and half man, termed Nephilim, angered Heaven and a great flood was cast to rid the earth of their presence. The angels became enraged at this act and started a fierce rebellion in Heaven which saw them cast into Hell. The fallen angels or demons formed their own community and structure in Hell, but th
ey remained in conflict. A compromise was eventually reached, and Hell now works under Heaven’s decree, and the demons and angels work together to test for worthiness.
Despite their nature and reputation, demons have existed in relative peace within Anaxagoras. Some have criticised the unfeeling nature with which they carry out their tasks. There have been some who have blamed the influence of demons for the atrocities committed by man and Anaxagorean. This claim is denied by the demonic officials who state, “Demons tempt people from the path of righteousness, but the deviation from the path and the acts they commit are of their own free will.” Most agree that the demons play a necessary role in ensuring that the unworthy do not find themselves in Heaven.
Eve felt that same pang of sympathy she had felt for Calab the day she first saw him when she visited the Guild of Asmodeus. She could not help but feel that the demons and the angels, in fact, were treated harshly. She re-read the line,
“Their cold and callous nature allow them to perform this role without bias or remorse.”
While Calab could be cold and abrupt, she could not describe him as having a cold nature and she certainly could not see him as callous. Her relationship with him was a little awkward, but he had been kind to her and taken care to ensure her comfort and safety. She thought of the times when she had seen him tenderly take Thalia’s hand and when he apologised for taking Mr Farley and hurting her—his eyes had betrayed what appeared to be genuine remorse. Most significantly was the concern he showed when Jason had attacked her, he had been angry that she had not let him stop Jason. Surely, someone who was as unfeeling as this book claimed would not care? She flicked through the book until she found the chapter on the vox dissimulatrix or speakeasy as Will called it.