Ruin & Reliance

by Jeremy Dwyer

  “That is purely hypothetical, Lieutenant. I’m not optimistic about investing in a project anywhere in Waderav. When I construct a city, I stay onsite to inspect it. If the robber barons decide to move against me, or my construction equipment, then both my business and my personal wellbeing are at risk,” Fantine said. She continued working on the sapphire, removing more imperfections and sculpting its low-level structure to be used for the new city project in Ihalik.

  “Your personal safety – and the security of your equipment – will be assured. That should not be a factor in this negotiation,” Lieutenant Plamen said.

  “How long have you been serving in the military, Lieutenant?” Fantine asked.

  “Thirty-one (31) years. I took my Kazofen waterbinding at age eighteen (18) and then joined as an alchemist,” Lieutenant Plamen said.

  “Good. You drink the right water. Now, study my work and my designs. Emeth has the records, and so does the Port of Reliance in eastern Meridianus. When you understand it well enough, go and construct the walled city yourself,” Fantine said.

  “We will pay the twenty-five (25) percent upfront. Is that what this is about?” Lieutenant Plamen asked.

  “No. I already told you my reasons. I don’t plan on being part of the problem in Waderav. The people there have more than enough trouble and don’t need me building another fortress to be used by another warlord. Good day, Lieutenant,” Fantine said.

  Lieutenant Plamen exited the alchemist’s shop and Niven closed the door behind him.

  The Chronicler Ximenez recorded all of this into his book and began to say: “I…”

  “You what?” Fantine asked.

  “I want to know if there was something else that affected your decision?” Ximenez asked.

  “I know enough not to build anything for anyone in Waderav. Fortresses are used by warlords to destroy poor people’s lives. It’s regrettable that anyone should have the bad luck to be born in those ruined lands. I’m sure there are talented people trapped in horrible circumstances in Waderav – people who would have been such great architects that I would study their work,” Fantine said.

  “You’re the greatest architect. They’d still study your designs,” Niven said.

  “Better architects than me are probably alive today. I’m just afraid they’re designing and assembling weapons, in secret. I’m not the smartest. I’m just well-known for being fast on large-scale construction projects,” Fantine said.

  “You understand the constructor,” Niven said.

  “Anyone who watches what I do – or any telepath who reads my mind – could figure it out. I haven’t kept it hidden,” Fantine said.

  “If a telepath read your mind, what would they learn? And would they understand any of it?” Niven asked.

  “I work with crystals. That’s all I ever think about. Even if the telepath doesn’t understand, they can take my ideas to someone who does,” Fantine said.

  “Then why don’t we see other architects using constructors to build cities?” Niven asked.

  “Like I said, they’re probably making weapons in secret. Some people will do anything for money. I refuse to design or make weapons. I’ll build defenses – sometimes – but never weapons,” Fantine said.

  “You’re a gentle person,” Niven said.

  “I’m a builder, not a destroyer. That’s the only way to make the world a better place,” Fantine said.

  “The world needs people who think like you,” Niven said.

  “I need to get back to work, Niven. Let me finish this design. Come back tomorrow when I present it to the clients. If they agree to have me go forward with construction, I want you onsite for the imaging,” Fantine said.

  “And I’ll be there. Good evening,” Niven said. He smiled, turned slowly and exited the alchemy shop.

  Fantine drank anew of the water of the Kazofen Ocean from her vial to be further energized with the power to manipulate crystal and stone. She then returned to manipulating the low-level structure of the sapphire and working to imbue it with a design for the new city.

  The Chronicler Ximenez watched the high-level changes to the shape of the sapphire, although the low-level alterations were not visible. He recorded all of these conversations and activities into his book.

  ~~~

  “I need to get home. My mom is watching Trent and Emerond will be waiting for me,” Taesa said.

  “We’ll walk you back…if you’d like and don’t mind the company,” Romana said.

  “Thanks. I’d like that,” Taesa said and stood up from the bench. Romana and Judith stood up with her.

  Taesa walked back toward the residential building where she lived and Judith and Romana walked to her left and right.

  As they moved through the city, Judith ate the last few pieces of milk-soaked fruit.

  “I never liked the taste of fruit in milk. I had it when I was a kid, because we had a dairy farm nearby. My dad and mom both tried to get me to eat it, but I just wanted the fruit by itself,” Taesa said.

  “My father told me to taste everything at least twice, to be sure if I liked it or not, so I did. The milk has to be chilled, though, or it tastes terrible,” Judith said.

  “The Ikkith Tar water powers are used to freeze Dead Waters and make dark ice, but sometimes they make things too cold. Then you have to eat them very slowly or get a horrible headache,” Romana said.

  “That was never a problem for me,” Judith said and smiled.

  “You take your time with everything,” Romana said.

  “I need time to be sure if I like the taste,” Judith said.

  “He’s cute,” Romana said.

  “Yes, he is,” Judith said.

  “He’s a Trerada drinker. They have the easiest time getting dates,” Taesa said.

  “I can understand why,” Judith said.

  “I never thought that I’d find anyone. I’m not half as pretty as most of the girls. Of course, good looks would have been wasted on me, anyway. I’d rather read,” Taesa said.

  “Scholarship and hard work are important, but so are relationships. I’ve had to remind Emerond of that. We went to the same school. He studied as hard as I did, and he always took on leadership roles. I never saw him date anyone. I made sure to take time away from studying and have a few boyfriends,” Romana said.

  “I’ve dated men but they weren’t right for me. They were good men, but they wanted to stay in one place their whole lives. They needed a different lifestyle. I need to travel,” Judith said.

  “The Chronicler’s Oath places high demands on your life,” Romana said.

  “Very high, but I don’t regret taking it. I just need some rest for a while. Some time with friends. Some personal time. Some affection,” Judith said.

  “Until something important happens. Then you’ll have to go again,” Romana said.

  “Well, this is home,” Taesa said as they arrived at the front door of the residential building where she lived.

  “This city is a home to me, part of the time. I need to stay and monitor its financial performance, then report back to the Jenaldej Empire from time to time. I like coming back to the city. Lady Onora’s here. You’re here…for a while,” Romana said.

  “Sometimes things don’t happen for a while. I’ll stay as long as I can,” Judith said.

  “And then you’ll be gone for a while, anywhere in the world,” Romana said.

  Taesa looked in Romana’s eyes and saw that she was nearly ready to cry.

  “Why don’t you come upstairs with me and say hi to everyone? We can relax for a little while,” Taesa said.

  “Thank you. I’d like that,” Romana said. She then looked to Judith.

  “Yes, I’d like to see your family again,” Judith said.

  Taesa led the way inside the building, and Romana followed closely as the pregnant woman waddled up six (6) flights of stairs. Judith followed closely behind.

  When they reached the top floor, Taesa used her key to unlock the door to
her suite. She opened the door and found Caroline sitting on a chair while holding Trent and feeding the boy.

  Emerond sat next to Caroline. He stood up and approached when Taesa entered the suite.

  Taesa closed the door to the suite after Romana and Judith entered.

  Emerond hugged Taesa and then said: “Hello, Romana, Judith. Come in and rest. Take your time to relax.”

  “Thank you,” Romana said.

  Romana and Judith sat down in chairs around Caroline and Taesa sat in another chair. Emerond sat on a small blanket on the floor and leaned against the wall.

  Taesa extended the fruit basket to Trent and said: “Trent, have some oranges and raspberries.”

  The two (2) year old Trent reached in the basket and grabbed a grape instead.

  “Wait. Let grandmom peel that for you,” Caroline said. She took the grape from Trent’s hand, broke the skin and split the grape in half. She then handed the first piece back to the boy, who ate it and reached for the other.

  “Never mind anyone else’s ideas. My son wants grapes, so he takes grapes,” Taesa said.

  “The boy wants everything he sees,” Emerond said.

  “That’s going to cost us a lot. Food is more expensive today,” Taesa said.

  “I know. Prices are going up all over. There’s been an embargo declared against Nataloridivu by the central bank, so merchants are charging more everywhere else to make up for the loss of business,” Emerond said.

  “Doesn’t that mean you get paid more?” Taesa asked.

  “Only a little more. The rate increases are different across industries and cities,” Emerond said.

  “Do you know the reason for the embargo – or anything else about it?” Judith asked.

  “No, but that’s a small continent – more like a land bridge – known mostly for having the best navigators,” Emerond said.

  “I don’t like the sound of this. There has to be a good reason to cut off all trade with them,” Romana said.

  “An embargo is usually what happens before a financial takeover – or a military conflict,” Emerond said.

  “So much for relaxing conversations,” Taesa said.

  “Taesa, you should have bought milk. Trent needs to try it, even if you don’t like it,” Caroline said.

  “You’re right. I should have thought of that, for him and for our guests. Judith likes it,” Taesa said.

  “That’s not all she likes,” Romana said.

  “She has a date tomorrow night…with a very handsome man,” Taesa said.

  “It’s about time. You’re a decent looking woman, Judith. You need to relax and settle down with a good man, handsome or not: he just has to love you. Haven’t you had enough of traveling the world after twelve (12) centuries? Don’t you want to have children of your own?” Caroline asked.

  “Time will tell,” Judith said.

  “It’s time for us to go and get some rest. Thank you for letting us visit,” Romana said. She stood up and Judith followed. They opened the door, left the suite and closed the door behind them.

  ~~~

  Romana and Judith went downstairs and exited the residential building.

  “Let’s go back to our room. Tomorrow, we can visit Onora and get some of your questions answered. I like that you’re curious. It means that your relationship with God is getting stronger,” Romana said. She and Judith crossed town and returned to their shared room in a traveler’s lodge on the eastern edge of the Port of Reliance where they slept. Before closing her eyes, Judith recorded the day’s events into her book.

  CHAPTER 23: Threats against Bank and Throne

  In southeastern Waderav, in the Duchy of Yutaka, Baron Amidio occupied the castle that commanded the territory. He sat on the throne and spoke to the young man standing to face him. Baron Amidio said to him: “Goyo, you are to travel to the central bank on Haza’Kedro’Maral Island, in the Pirovalen Ocean. There, you are to alter the deeds to this land, expanding its borders thirty-six (36) miles westward and nineteen (19) miles northward. Kill anyone who sees you and let there be no sign of your work, so that my ownership of the larger territory is unquestioned.”

  “Yes, my lord,” the young man – Goyo – said. He drank anew of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean from his vial and was energized with the powers of darkness. He exerted these powers and concealed himself, vanishing from sight. The thirty-four (34) year old assassin exited the castle through the main gate and found passage on a riverboat sailing westward across southern Waderav. His darkness powers allowed him to escape the notice of the crew, and he was armed with daggers and poisons enabling him to kill anyone who interfered with his journey. The vessel sailed for seven (7) days along the meandering river, during which time Goyo refreshed his powers by drinking again of his supply of Ikkith Tar waters to maintain his cover. At the end of the journey, the riverboat reached the southwestern coast of Waderav, where it bordered the Ursegan Ocean.

  Goyo disembarked from the riverboat and secretly boarded a large freighter sailing northwest across the Ursegan Ocean. Occasionally drinking anew of the Ikkith Tar waters from his vial enabled him to maintain the cover of darkness during the three (3) day voyage. However, he felt as if he was being watched the entire time. Each night, he had the same dream: he walked into a building and then exited a castle, unable to see or feel his hands. He had the dream five (5) times, even though only three (3) days and two (2) nights had passed – or so he thought.

  The ship dropped anchor at the eastern coast of the Scholar’s Path land bridge and Goyo disembarked. From there, he traveled westward on board another riverboat, still under the cover of darkness. That segment of the journey lasted only (1) day, taking him to the Port City of Hithagredil on the western coast of the land bridge. The same disturbing dream occurred to him again along the way.

  Goyo disembarked from the riverboat and eased his powers of darkness, not expecting any interference and feeling the need to rest. He ventured into the town and paid three (3) copper coins to stay for one (1) night at a traveler’s lodge. The dream of entering a building, leaving a castle and being unable to feel or see his hands tormented him fiercely that night, depriving him of half of his needed sleep.

  The following day, he renewed his powers of darkness by drinking again from the Ikkith Tar Ocean waters in his vial. Under the cover of darkness, he boarded a ship heading westward across the Pirovalen Ocean. When the ship arrived at the eastern coast of Haza’Kedro’Maral Island, he disembarked.

  Under the cover of darkness, Goyo walked across the island and entered the Trading Center One building.

  ~~~

  After getting a good night’s sleep, Judith and Romana left their shared room in a traveler’s lodge in the Port of Reliance. As they passed through the lobby, they saw signs posted with the prices for the rooms.

  “It’s more expensive to stay here now: two (2) silver coins every five (5) nights,” Judith said.

  “I’ll take care of paying that. Don’t worry about it,” Romana said.

  “It was two (2) silver coins every seven (7) nights. That’s going to be more expensive than some people can afford. They may have to stay somewhere else,” Judith said.

  “It will cut into their spending on other things,” Romana said.

  “Like food,” Judith said.

  “I’ve lived my whole life as a citizen of the Jenaldej Empire. They ration all resources, and we do just fine. We just have to live within our budgets and do without luxuries,” Romana said.

  “That doesn’t make it right,” Judith said.

  “Careful spending and management of our resources is essential to survival,” Romana said.

  “There is more to life. So much more,” Judith said.

  “Yes, there is, and God is the source of it all,” Romana said.

  “Then why do governments and banks need to ration and limit the good things in life? If God gives us so much, then why do you accept less?” Judith asked.

  “We work hard and save
for times of scarcity,” Romana said.

  “Saving everything for tomorrow makes today less enjoyable. I’ve lived freely for twelve (12) centuries, so I don’t necessarily need every day – or even every decade – to be exciting. But most of them are fun, even with the terrible things I’ve seen in those years. You have less time to enjoy yourself than I do. You shouldn’t settle for less out of life,” Judith said.

  “I don’t settle for less. I enjoy my work,” Romana said.

  “I enjoy my work. But I like to go where I want to go, live where I want to live, eat good foods, meet interesting people, and not worry about prices. Everyone should do that. Like you said, God gives us so much. We need to be ready to receive it,” Judith said.

  “Be careful, Judith. Life is still a serious matter. It can’t always be fun and not everyone has the same circumstances. Some are poor and oppressed,” Romana said.

  “I know that. I want to find out why circumstances are worse for so many people. If I can learn the answers and write them in my book, and then take that knowledge to Emeth, people can read it. Even if I’m not allowed to change the world, other people can, given the necessary knowledge,” Judith said.

  “The answer is God. We need to know Him better and seek sustenance through Him. Let’s find Onora. She can help us to understand what’s unclear. She’s usually near the town center,” Romana said.

  “I want to meet the central bank governor, and I want to find out about the embargo. This shouldn’t be happening. You know that Emerond’s probably right about where this embargo is leading,” Judith said.

  “That it’s leading up to war? Emerond has experience in high authority, but even he can’t predict everything correctly. And you’re a Chronicler, so you’re not supposed to draw conclusions. You know that’s not a certain outcome,” Romana said.

  “I know it’s not a certainty. He said that an embargo was usually what happens before financial takeover or military action. But if it does happen, I need to know more. I need to be there. Maybe I can learn how things really happen and the knowledge can be used to prevent it from happening again,” Judith said.