by Jeremy Dwyer
“It’s absolutely a breach of contract. Thank you for confirming that, Commissioner Hannah. Now that we have that established, I intend to report this matter to the financial council in Havinalka City. I want the central bank itself placed under investigation,” Commissioner Wallace said.
“He brought you here to testify, Captain. Is that correct?” Commissioner Hannah asked.
“My original orders were from Governor Aranka in the central bank on Haza’Kedro’Maral Island. I was to sell between three (3) percent and five (5) percent of the gems in Northern District Eleven (11). The price was to be thirty-one thousand fifty-two (31052) platinum coins each. Then, I was to go to Northern District Fifteen (15) and sell another three (3) to five (5) percent of the gems, at twenty-six thousand eight hundred seventy-six (26876) platinum coins each. I have the order written here, in my book, and signed by the governor,” Captain Gijsbert said. He reached into his coat pocket and opened up the notebook to the page with the signed order, then showed it to Commissioner Wallace.
“Why didn’t you tell me that before?! This pricing difference is illegal market manipulation!” Commissioner Wallace said when he read the page from the captain’s notebook documenting the shipping and pricing order, signed by Governor Aranka.
“Coming from Haza’Kedro’Maral Island, and sailing westward, Ihalik Northern District Eleven (11) would be closer. Thus, the transport distance surcharge should result in a lower price there and a higher price in Northern District Fifteen (15). I agree that the pricing difference does not comply with regulations, and may constitute market manipulation,” Commissioner Hannah said.
“May? It most certainly does! The signed order from the central bank governor removes all doubt and proves that the governor committed a crime! Add that to the counterfeit gems – because sixty-three (63) percent below the contractual requirements is no accident, it’s fraud – and we have compelling cause to investigate the central bank. We should go immediately!” Commissioner Wallace said.
“And you want me to go with you and vote in favor of this investigation. Which I will, of course. I trust that you’ve impounded the vessel on which these substandard gems were stored,” Commissioner Hannah said.
“Unfortunately not, Commissioner Hannah. We were attacked by pirates, and two hundred fifty (250) of my armed guards were lost in the conflict. The pirates seized his ship. But then we found an opportunity in the chaos to seize the pirate ship!” Commissioner Wallace said.
“Wait a minute! Get the story straight! There was only a single pirate. He had a swarm of spirits that he sent to attack us. I sent them away. If it weren’t for me drinking the Zovvin waters and dispelling the haunts, you’d be dead,” Captain Gijsbert said.
“My hero! I love you! I just feel so safe in your hands, Captain,” Romey said, but she shook her head and rolled her eyes to indicate the contrary. Commissioner Hannah’s eyes met Romey’s and she understood the woman’s sarcasm, meaning that the captain was more of a harasser than a hero.
“You may have helped, but you still need to testify and answer some questions, Captain!” Commissioner Wallace said.
“This is quite a tale, Commissioner Wallace. Perhaps my own district has it easier than I thought. I certainly don’t need that kind of excitement in my daily work,” Commissioner Hannah said, smiling and holding back laughter. She knew that pirates were a problem, but not a difficulty she had to deal with. A single pirate taking out most of the commissioner’s guards was serious and tragic, but it was also just a little bit amusing, especially since the portly man had managed to escape unharmed.
“The financial council needs to hear about this. Are you available to come with me, Commissioner Hannah? The longer we delay, the more fraud the central bank is going to commit,” Commissioner Wallace said.
Commissioner Hannah stood up and said: “No disagreement there. I’m ready.” She then went to the office door, opened it and led the way out. After Commissioner Wallace, his twenty (20) armed guards, Captain Gijsbert and Romey exited the building, Hannah closed and locked the door behind her.
Commissioner Hannah led the procession to the center of the town and boarded an airship that was docked on the ground. The vessel was sixty-eight (68) feet long and had two (2) pairs of pivoting, double-masted sails. Hannah turned to the man at the wheel and said: “Captain, take us all to Havinalka City, to the Bureau of Imperial Trade, Finance and Construction.”
“Yes, Commissioner,” the captain said. He pulled levers to pivot the masts and sails to the sides of the ship and elevated the vessel to one hundred twenty (120) feet of altitude. He steered the ship above the town and then lowered it into a river two (2) miles away, returning the masts and sails to the upright position. From there, he sailed the ship eastward along the river, toward the center of the continent of Ihalik, where Havinalka City was located.
~~~
Laudine drank anew of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean from her vial to be energized with the power of darkness. Thus, she maintained the cover for herself and Innokenti while they waited in the docks of the seaport along the central southern coast of the Bazavadoran Isthmus land bridge.
Hidden from view, Innokenti drank anew of the waters of the Elanatin Ocean from his vial and was energized with the powers of telepathy and empathy. He thus found a captain and skilled crew planning to disembark from the seaport and sail to Emeth. He and Laudine boarded the ship and waited for the voyage to begin.
Upon arrival in Emeth, Innokenti telepathically signaled to Laudine and they disembarked from the ship, hurried through the City of Emeth and went into the Library of Tedorik. Once inside, they entered the private quarters of Danek, where Laudine eased her powers of darkness and they appeared.
“Laudine. Innokenti. What is your report?” Danek asked.
“We know some of the truth of the Solkidian Trail. The corruption of the central bank took us from there and all the way into Waderav, then to the center of the Ursegan Ocean. There is blood on their hands,” Laudine said.
“The details are both horrifying and intriguing. The matter is serious, but the purpose is unclear,” Innokenti said.
“We need to see him,” Danek said.
~~~
A cloak of darkness descended over Danek, Laudine and Innokenti and they were escorted by unseen figures to an unknown place. The cloak of darkness was lifted and they were facing the old one, Sava’Tzefanya.
“These Obscure Watchers have a report of corruption in the central bank, that extends far, and they say that the matter is serious but unclear,” Danek said.
“I will hear it,” Sava’Tzefanya said.
“In the Port of Kanajomis in the Solkidian Trail, the central bank has an office known as the Trail of Wealth. They dispatched farmers and soldiers into a forest where the farmers drained sap from one hundred sixty-seven (167) of the trees to fill barrels. They planted eight hundred (800) seeds, for other trees. Then, because the soil would not support them all, the farmers uprooted six hundred seventy-two (672) older trees,” Innokenti said.
“The soldiers carried the barrels of sap on board a ship – the Calibrated Provisions – and then the captain sailed it to Waderav. A crystal bender – a man named Sussman – altered the sailing crystals to cloak the vessel and move quickly to the continent’s interior along a river network. However, there was a mountain wall obstructing us. The vessel was commanded by Captain Fausto, a Zovvin drinker. He performed a ritual and sacrificed a pregnant woman. After this, the mountain wall opened up and the navigator, Janne, sailed the ship into the mountain, which sealed again,” Laudine said.
“There was a chamber of molten lava and rocks that appeared to be covered in yellow-green crystals. The ship’s captain and crew removed one hundred ninety-six (196) of these crystals and replaced them with the tree sap,” Innokenti said.
“That was likely a processing facility for converting the tree sap into yellow-green crystals. What species of tree provided the sap? Was it different from the s
pecies that were destroyed?” Sava’Tzefanya asked.
“Yes, they appeared to be a different species of tree. However, I don’t know what type of tree provided the sap,” Innokenti said.
“After this was done, Captain Fausto sacrificed another pregnant woman and the mountain wall reopened. Janne sailed the vessel out of the mountain. Then, she followed the river further westward, and entered the Ursegan Ocean. Captain Fausto ordered the ship to be stopped in the middle of the ocean, near an island. I have the coordinates, but the captain told his navigator that the island has moved again, so the coordinates may not be useful for long. He stood out on the boarding ramp with a satchel, holding the one hundred ninety-six (196) yellow-green crystals. They were carried away in the mists,” Laudine said.
“The flow of time can move in more directions than the wind in a cyclone. I have no doubt this was under someone’s precise control, to obtain those yellow-green crystals. Can you tell me more about them?” Sava’Tzefanya asked.
“No. I can only tell you that we killed Captain Fausto, Janne, Sussman and the entire crew. The captain deserved it for what he did. That bastard killed both those women and their unborn children. And the navigator was a knowing, willing accomplice on his missions. The rest of the crew was guilty for helping them. They had to know it was wrong, because they sailed under the cover of darkness. Then, we set fire to their ship so it could never be used again,” Laudine said.
“Although we do not know who was on that island to receive the yellow-green crystals, we do have the chart of the course leading to that island, even if only temporarily valid. We also have the chart of the river journey into Waderav to the mountain where the sap was left and the crystals were gathered. These charts were taken from the captain’s log book before we destroyed the ship,” Innokenti said. He took the pages from his coat pocket and handed them over to Sava’Tzefanya.
“Thank you. This precise information is what will help us to achieve the greater good. Justice is eventually served. You need not worry about that. Yet, when a lethal punishment is dealt too soon, we learn too little. I would prefer to know more about those crystals…and the trees whose sap was used to produce them. However, the tree destruction you reported does begin to explain the poor agricultural yield in the Solkidian Trail and the ensuing economic failings,” Sava’Tzefanya said.
“I could not let their evil stand. We are not Chroniclers. We do more than watch. We must avenge evil,” Laudine said.
“A lesser enemy, afforded the opportunity and time, can lead you to the greatest nemesis. Patient observation brings knowledge. Knowledge, in turn, can save many more lives. Now, we have a greater mystery, because some of the necessary details are not available to us. Be more watchful. I have no more to say at the moment, unless you have more to report,” Sava’Tzefanya said.
“We have nothing more to report at the moment,” Innokenti said.
“Danek, direct some of the available Chroniclers to take a greater interest in the activities of the central bank when they return seeking new books and assignments. I trust that they will have the necessary patience to follow where the information leads them. In time, we will also investigate that island in the Ursegan Ocean where the yellow-green crystals were delivered, and the mountain facility located in Waderav where the sap was used in the production of those crystals. You all have work to do, so be on your way,” Sava’Tzefanya said.
~~~
A cloak of darkness descended over Danek, Laudine and Innokenti and they were escorted by unseen figures back to Danek’s quarters in the Library of Tedorik.
“Remember. Be patient. Whatever you learn can save lives. Total justice must wait for the entire truth,” Danek said.
“I will try,” Laudine said. She drank anew of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean from her vial and was energized with the power of darkness. She extended a cloak of darkness over herself and Innokenti. Under this cover, they made haste to leave Danek’s quarters, exit the Library of Tedorik and continue their mission as Obscure Watchers.
~~~
When their ship dropped anchor at the western port in Havinalka City, Commissioner Wallace and his twenty (20) armed guards stepped off the vessel and onto the shore. Captain Gijsbert and Romey followed, and Commissioner Hannah followed behind them.
They approached the headquarters of the Bureau of Imperial Trade, Finance and Construction and the front gateway slid open to admit them into the waiting area.
“This is the headquarters of the Bureau of Imperial Trade, Finance and Construction. We’re going to get our answers and fast!” Commissioner Wallace said.
“Answers from bureaucrats? Fast? I’ll believe that when I see it,” Captain Gijsbert said.
“Then you’ll never believe it. Nor should you. I think Commissioner Wallace expects too much, too fast,” Commissioner Hannah said.
“He’s not the only man with high hopes and low patience,” Romey said.
“My ex-husband had almost no patience. The marriage lasted two (2) years. He was probably cheating before that while on some business trip, but I didn’t catch him right away. No ordinary woman can compete on looks with Trerada water drinkers. Pretty girls always seem to win,” Commissioner Hannah said.
“You’re a good looking woman. I’m sorry to hear that he was too much of a fool to appreciate you,” Romey said.
“He was a bigger fool than that. His business failed not long after our divorce. Then, the little homewrecker dumped him for someone with money,” Commissioner Hannah said.
“Maybe I’ll never get married,” Romey said.
“Just be selective. Careful decision making isn’t about avoiding decisions. It just takes asking the right questions. Test a man, and watch where his eyes go. Keep him close, and keep his attention on you. If it wanders, watch out,” Commissioner Hannah said.
“This won’t be easy. How can I ever be sure?” Romey asked.
“You just described life,” Commissioner Hannah said.
“Not all men are like that,” Captain Gijsbert said.
“No, not you, Captain. You would never do anything to disappoint or upset a woman,” Romey said.
“Women need to appreciate men just as much as men need to appreciate women. It works both ways,” Captain Gijsbert said.
“It’s supposed to work both ways, Captain. It rarely does,” Commissioner Hannah said.
Commissioner Wallace moved quickly, pushing rudely past the thousands of visitors – more merchants, bankers, labor union bosses, guild leaders, cargo captains, farmers, doctors, architects, navigators and members of other professions – to reach a desk where he could get attention.
“Commissioner Wallace is very demanding. I’m not sure how to handle him. I didn’t do anything dishonest. Neither did the captain. The central bank provides the crystals that we were selling, and we deliver them as we get them,” Romey said.
“I know he’s demanding. And there is a problem. Commissioner Wallace is right about that much. But I never suspected that it was your fault. Let me go help him get the attention he so craves,” Commissioner Hannah said.
Various clerks sat at the many desks throughout the room, and each of them was surrounded by political lobbyists chattering and demanding service. As usual, they were hoping to gain the clerks’ attention and have their matters escalated to the senators who worked in this building.
Commissioner Hannah hurried up to meet Commissioner Wallace and said: “Let’s be tactful…and tactical…this time. It’s not enough to see the senators: we actually have to convince them to help us.”
“What are you suggesting, Commissioner Hannah?” Commissioner Wallace asked.
Commissioner Hannah drank anew of the waters of the Medathero Ocean from her vial and was energized with the power of calm, rational thought. She made a few mental calculations and then reached onto the desk of a clerk. From the top of that desk, she took a pair of blank documents, each of which had sections to fill out with information. She began writing numb
ers and keywords onto it with a pencil she carried, indicating the purpose of the visit.
“What are you doing? This is exactly the kind of bureaucracy that everyone complains about and you’re going along with it?! We can’t stand around filling out these ridiculous forms that won’t be read for months, assuming they don’t get lost in some filing cabinet! We have to be loud and demand answers now!” Commissioner Wallace said.
Commissioner Hannah held up the documents and showed Commissioner Wallace what she wrote. His face turned pale. They were bankruptcy filings, indicating that Western District Nineteen (19) experienced forty-three (43) percent crop failure and Northern District Eleven (11) had lost fifty-nine (59) percent of its net assets due to fraud.
“Where did you get these numbers?! How can we prove this?! This could lead to a panic!” Commissioner Wallace whispered frantically.
“Watch me,” Commissioner Hannah said. She placed the forms on the clerk’s desk.
The clerk – a man in his thirties – noticed the papers and then took them in hand to examine closely. He stood up and said: “Follow me. I will escort you both to see the senators.”
Commissioner Hannah gestured to Romey and Captain Gijsbert to follow them. The twenty (20) armed guards surrounded Commissioner Wallace to escort him as he followed the clerk. They crossed the large room and went to the eastern wall, where the clerk unlocked and opened a door, guided them through and then closed and locked the door behind them.
Commissioner Hannah, Commissioner Wallace and his twenty (20) armed guards, Captain Gijsbert and Romey all followed the clerk up ten (10) flights of stairs. They rested for a few minutes in the lobby and then the clerk unlocked and opened an office door and escorted the party through.
“Commissioners Hannah and Wallace, I am surprised to see you again, so soon,” Senator Paion said.
“Is this an emergency?” Senator Nova asked.