by Jeremy Dwyer
“I’ve heard of the tiara, but there’s nothing precise about the description. Just because Emeth is the source of true knowledge doesn’t make it understandable, and a misunderstanding can render a truth into a falsehood,” Fantine said.
“Do you mean the scholars and Verifiers there are in error?” Emerond asked.
“A barrel of diamond can be worth far less than a barrel of lead,” Fantine said.
“Please don’t be poetic. You’re the one person I’m counting on to avoid that,” Emerond said.
“Not all barrels are the same size. Not all diamond is well-formed, and a crystal-bender may not be present to alter them, or the Kazofen waters they drink to enable the alteration may be highly impure. A large barrel of lead may be useful as an anchor for a ship at sea in a storm. Precise quantity and circumstance matter. Vague quantifiers and missing context can alter the interpretation, and hence turn a fact into a fiction. They’re not lying – they’re working with incomplete information in a very incompetent way,” Fantine said.
“I’ve never heard the scholars and Verifiers of Emeth called incompetent before,” Emerond said, surprised at Fantine’s boldness.
“Even the wise can be foolish at times. Great knowledge that is completely true – as they claim to have there – without great understanding is of limited use. I am no Chronicler or Verifier or even librarian. But I am not too concerned about this tiara until I see evidence,” Fantine said.
“If it’s as bad as they say, waiting for evidence may be too late,” Emerond said.
“Expending resources preparing for one danger that you have never seen can take away resources from preparing for another, that you have seen: You said you could send the fire creature away, for a while. How was that done?” Fantine asked.
“We have a sword – something called the Spirit Sword – that seems to repel the creature,” Emerond said.
“That was the sword in Duke Hagan’s castle, if I remember correctly. It was the one that could not be taken at the time. Someone went back and was able to retrieve it?” Fantine asked.
“That’s right – it was General Joshua. I assigned him as a guard to hold the Spirit Sword,” Emerond said.
“How do you know where will the fire creature strike next? Revod is a large continent, and the attack could come from anywhere,” Fantine asked.
“We don’t know. We’re using decoys, and a randomized placement,” Emerond said. He trusted her with this information, as Fantine had continued in her reliability. Other outsiders of great skill had disappointed him in the past, at least partly: Captain Pradrock was reliable in his battle plan against Keallach, and skillfully dealt a defeat against him using half of a Jendaldej fleet of ships; however, he then took an unjustified risk in his gambit against the ghost in the game of War of the Treasury. Lady Ismene deceived him – or at least misled him – about the power of the Spirit Sword, but it did prove valuable against the sunfire creature. Emerond wondered if Fantine would let him down, but if she was even half-reliable, that was worth a lot.
“I’ll help design more structures using the fire-resistant poly-gem composite. I need to let him know that I’ll be working with you for a while. Whatever I design, however, I plan to share. If the world’s about to catch on fire, everyone needs protection, and not just in Revod,” Fantine said, referring to Sebastian.
“Agreed – fire spreads, so a fire anywhere is a threat to everywhere. Let him know,” Emerond said, also referring to Sebastian.
~~~
Fantine left Emerond’s ship – the Lucent – and visited Sebastian on his own ship, where he often waited when not surveying the construction work he financed.
“I’m going to be helping them for a while,” Fantine said.
“Why? Is there something I’m not giving you? Tell me, please,” Sebastian said. He drank of the waters of the Elanatin Ocean, and energized himself. He was prepared to use his emotional powers to sway her decision.
“They’re up against a difficult situation, and they have the materials in great abundance, on hand,” Fantine said.
“They’re going to be selfish, and keep the crystal material for themselves, and refuse to sell it to me, aren’t they?” Sebastian asked.
“No. But they can move more efficiently, in Revod, than we can, here,” Fantine said.
“How? Those resource coordinators of theirs just stockpile everything they produce. It’s incredibly difficult to convince them to make a sale. They were reluctant with your first design and nearly didn’t agree. It’s going to require more begging and pleading this time, I hope you know,” Sebastian said.
“It’s going to be easier to get them to distribute the materials internally, versus selling to you. Especially when I show them the fire resistant design,” Fantine said.
“I financed your experiments to determine that design. Don’t you have any commitment to working with me?” Sebastian asked.
“Yes. I’m going to share the design – I told him that I would, and he agreed,” Fantine said.
“Does he know that I financed the design?” Sebastian asked.
“Yes. They all know. Despite your past altercations with them, they’ve been selling you the crystals at an affordable rate so the archways can be constructed to defend against the inferno, allowing the work here to continue, because they believe in it. They wouldn’t do that if they didn’t believe in its merits,” Fantine said.
“The Jenaldej Empire is incredibly miserly, so you’re taking a risk and wasting your time by trusting them and working with them. You know how generous that I am,” Sebastian said.
“They are overly conservative in their resource distribution. However, their willingness to work with you is tacit agreement that the work which you financed here is worthwhile, even to them, despite the poor relations you have with them,” Fantine said.
“If it’s worthwhile, then why leave now?” Sebastian asked.
“Because they’re under threat of attack by fire – something that fell from the sky,” Fantine said.
“I’ve heard, through my own agents. The whole world is in danger. Why work for only them?” Sebastian asked.
“Because they can help the work happen faster…there. That speed matters. They’re going to get the material I need, internally, where they own the structures, although not the design. That’s going to be faster than selling it, externally, and having to transport it,” Fantine said.
“I can argue against emotions, but not against quick results. Go, now. Just don’t ever forget my investment in your work. You say that foundations are important, and I’m that foundation,” Sebastian said.
~~~
Fantine left Sebastian’s ship and returned to Emerond’s ship – the Lucent – and they departed for Revod immediately.
~~~
Sebastian decided not to exercise his emotional manipulation powers against Fantine to make her stay. Instead, he read what he needed from her mind, including what she had heard from Emerond, and he now knew of the Spirit Sword and its power. More importantly, he knew that the sunfire creature was called down by a song, and the song was sung by Taesa. This was Caroline’s daughter – unless the story was about some other girl who was gifted with music and shared that name – and he now knew that she was extremely dangerous. He would have to control Taesa, or kill her, before she used the music to do even more harm.
Sebastian readily forgot everyone he ever killed, so it would be easy. He focused his telepathic powers – which were multiplied by the Elanatin Ocean waters that he drank – and he erased all his own memories of the people that were killed by Madeline. He shared in Madeline’s guilt, as he assisted her in the act by protecting her with a telepathic shield rather than stopping her. He benefitted from her murder and larceny by convincing her to share some of the stolen wealth. To eliminate his feelings of guilt, and maintain his belief in himself as compassionate, he even erased his own memory of Madeline’s existence. He never met her, and was never on that island. He
had erased many other memories over the years, of other evils he had committed.
CHAPTER 15: Fleet and Ghost
When Captain Guillermo’s ship arrived in Emeth, his passengers left and he waited in the docks for other passengers. This was one of his most reliable sources for new business, as well as for interesting stories and discussions, which were his truest delight.
~~~
As they left Captain Guillermo’s ship, Pradrock was followed by Claudia, who closely guarded him, both telepathically and physically. Akylas and Akantha followed them, with Torin between them. Caroline walked in the rear, thinking only of her daughter.
“It’s time to purchase a new ship,” Pradrock said, as they walked along through the City of Emeth.
“Let’s talk somewhere in private,” Akantha said.
“Alright,” Pradrock said.
“I need to talk with you, as well, in private,” Caroline said, looking to Pradrock.
“Then we need to find a suitable location. A new ship, I must say, would be a suitable location,” Pradrock said.
“We need to talk, now,” Caroline said.
“I want to talk about the new ship. That has to come first. And it’s a lot more important,” Akantha said.
“There are many pressing matters, apparently. A private room in the Scholar’s Hall may be needed for everyone to discuss their concerns,” Pradrock said.
“I have one. Follow me,” Caroline said, and the led the way to the great stone building that housed a great many scholars, both those resident in Emeth and those visiting. The others followed her and they locked the door behind them and Caroline began speaking.
“My daughter, Taesa, is in greater danger than I had ever imagined. If this thing made out of fire wants her, then everyone’s in danger, until he finds her,” Caroline said.
“Even if and when he does find your daughter, the danger may not end, but only grow to a greater size. I think the sunfire creature actually wants to use her to empower himself. That’s the only logical reason he would care about a person,” Pradrock said.
“Yes, that’s dangerous. But it doesn’t wash away our other problems. You’re still in danger because of the ghost of Captain Tychon. You control him, and everyone knows it, and they want you dead or under their influence,” Claudia said to Pradrock.
“Yes. We need a ship, so that we can position ourselves in a more useful way. Without our own transportation, we don’t have the control we need,” Pradrock said.
“I think you already have a ship,” Akantha said.
“Please explain that statement,” Pradrock said.
“The Everlasting Pain – it’s yours, because its ghost captain serves under you,” Akantha said. She was a drinker of the waters of the Zovvin Ocean which made her sensitive to matters of the spirit world, and that included the ghost captain and his activities.
“I do not agree with what you are suggesting,” Pradrock said.
“Things are way more dangerous now. The whole reason you’re being protected is so that no one kills you, or uses you to control the ghost of Captain Tychon,” Akantha said.
“The very thing they’re afraid of – that I would use Captain Tychon and the ghost fleet to make myself a dangerous force in the world – is the one thing I refuse to do or even appear to do. It would only validate the fears of everyone around to see me with him,” Pradrock said.
“I think I agree with Akantha. They’re going to try to kill you anyway. They already have. At least, on board the Everlasting Pain with Tychon, you have a ship and a fleet that can help protect you. Stay out of sight, I’ll stay with you, the entire time, just in case anyone gets any ideas,” Claudia said.
“I’ll stay with you, just in case you need to know what is happening in the sky above. You still need a star-reader, right?” Akylas said.
“Yes, I need a star-reader, even if the suns in the sky have changed so much that navigation isn’t what it used to be,” Pradrock said.
Pradrock continued, saying: “However, this is inviting a dangerous response. And it may lead us into precarious situations where we are compelled to make dangerous decisions. With the power of this ghost fleet that I command, are you also thinking that I’m actually going to use them to strike at an enemy? That would certainly bring on more attacks,” Pradrock said.
“No. I’m not suggesting that at all. I know how to read the spirits, and I think I know what they’re going to do if you get killed: they will go wild and add one more very large problem to our growing list of large problems,” Akantha said.
“What of this so-called ghost fleet? What can they do, anyway?” Caroline asked, thinking of finding her daughter, Taesa.
“They can control the physical ships – even though they’re ghosts – and use them for transportation. They need directions, and the ghost of Captain Tychon relays them, when Pradrock gives him the directions. However, if Pradrock dies, they won’t have leadership, and the ghosts will go into a frenzy without that,” Akantha said.
“Why?” Caroline asked.
“Captain Tychon was a bloodthirsty murderer in his day, long ago. He had no mercy whatsoever, and he cut throats of sea travelers. He killed for more than wealth, but for pleasure. He wanted to rule the seas and everyone and everything on them. He cut open pregnant women to kill the child they carried. He killed small children and infants. He killed men who were too handsome, or too smart, or too good at anything. He killed women because they could seduce men and lure them away from service on board his ship – he was known to sail his ship into ports at night and set fire to the whole port town, just because they were famous for having beautiful women. This was all centuries ago, and Tychon’s been long dead, but these things are well known,” Akantha said.
Akantha had traveled the seas for a number of years – although she was only twenty-eight (28) years old, the same as her twin brother, Akylas – and she picked up the tales. Additionally, she had spirit-sensitivity granted by the waters of the Zovvin Ocean, so she could detect the hate and evil surrounding the ghost of Captain Tychon, even from a short distance away.
“Cancer can be just as cruel. It took my husband, who was a good man,” Caroline said.
“Religious fanatics can be just as cruel. I see that now, even though I don’t see anything else, thanks to them,” Torin said, not wanting to be forgotten.
“Then you know to stay away from religion and other fairy tales,” Caroline said.
“Captain Tychon was killed, but his spirit lives on, because he was originally condemned to pay for his sins by hunting down modern day pirates who are still in the flesh,” Akantha said.
“Until that little wager changed things,” Akylas said.
“Ghosts and spirits are nonsense. After a person is dead, some of their energy just lives on until it fades away, like a wheel that breaks off of a wagon and rolls down a hill. Eventually, the wheel just stops, when its energy is gone,” Caroline said.
“Ghosts are real. They are the living force in a person,” Akantha said.
“Can you talk to this ghost?” Caroline asked.
“In many cases, yes. Certainly with the ghost of Captain Tychon,” Akantha said.
“If you can talk to this ghost of a murderer, who’s been dead for centuries, then why can’t I talk to my dead husband, who has only been gone for eight (8) years? You’re not even dealing with a ghost, are you? Or is there something that keeps his energy around?” Caroline asked.
“You said your husband was a good man. They go to a better place. The evil of men like Tychon is sometimes condemned to live here…and pay,” Akantha said.
“A better place? Condemnation? Who decides?” Caroline asked.
“Higher powers in the spirit world. I don’t know who, but they are real, and they hold the scales of justice for the dead. If you’ve heard nothing of your husband, then there’s little need to worry, because his fate is probably a good one,” Akantha said.
“I can’t talk to a good man, but you c
an talk to an evil one, and you say my husband’s fate is probably a good one? This is outrageous nonsense. Higher powers that judge? Is this some sort of deity?” Caroline asked.
“The spirit world does have authority to judge good and evil. I know this is true,” Akantha said.
“Belief in fairy tales is of no interest to me! I want the truth!” Caroline said.
“I just gave it you, as far as I can sense it. The spirit world is vast, and you can’t see it all in eyes of flesh, or imagine it all with a mind of flesh. You have to reach out into the spirit world,” Akantha said.
“How?” Caroline asked.
“The Zovvin Ocean waters – when I drink them, I can sense the spirits,” Akantha said.
“Drunkards have wild imaginations,” Caroline said.
“One day, you’ll believe,” Akantha said.
“I believe I need to find my daughter, before she gets taken advantage of, or some self-righteous thing decides to judge her,” Caroline said.
“I hope to see my parents once again. They were good people. Keallach killed them. I don’t know what to believe, though, or if I’ll ever see them again,” Torin said, interrupting, not wanting them to be forgotten.
“You will see them, Torin,” Akantha said.
“I’ve heard enough of this debate and talk of those no longer with us – we can’t live our lives in despair instead of helping those who are still alive. I agree that your daughter is in danger, and we should make careful efforts to find her. Perhaps the ghost fleet could be a helpful asset when used directly. We can cover a large area and try to find signs of her location,” Pradrock said.
“If the sunfire creature is also going to chase down this girl, then we shouldn’t hurry to meet up with it,” Claudia said.
“If the sunfire creature finds Taesa and compels her to perform another of her songs, he may become even more dangerous by the music’s power. The best strategy against evil is often deprivation – prevent it from attaining its goals, which only make it more powerful,” Pradrock said.