by Jeremy Dwyer
“What? There’s not much of a breeze! Why are the sand dunes collapsing?” Ruth asked.
“Could scorpions be hiding in them and moving them?” Patrick asked.
“That makes sense, but I’m not seeing any sign of the scorpions,” Odhran said.
Bursts of energy flashed ahead of them, and then more sand dunes collapsed. A bright flash moved past Ruth’s eyes. Sophie saw it, too.
“What was that?” Ruth asked.
“What?” Ciaran asked.
“I see it!” Sean said, pointing toward a series of bright flashes.
“What are they?” Molly asked.
Sophie drank anew of the waters of the Kazofen Ocean from her vial to be energized with the power to manipulate crystal and stone. She picked up a clump of desert sand, began to mold it into glass and looked through the makeshift lens to see what the bright flashes really were. “It’s not refracting the way light should,” she said.
“I felt something chilly go through me!” Molly said.
“So did I!” Sean said.
More bright flashes appeared, and then more. They took form and appeared as translucent human figures.
“Turn back. West is death. Heed this warning,” a translucent figure said.
“Ghosts!” Sophie screamed.
“Redmond wasn’t lying about the desert being haunted,” Ruth said.
“We’re not going to be intimidated by your threats,” Elise said.
Thousands more translucent human figures appeared. They took solid form and began pushing over tall sand dunes, spreading the sand in wide piles which blocked movement in the westward direction. The translucent figures toppled more tall sand dunes and enclosed Elise, Ruth and their traveling companions in every direction.
“We’re trapped by the sand! We can’t even go south now!” Molly yelled.
A giant scorpion emerged from a collapsed sand dune on their western side.
“We’re either going to be buried alive or eaten alive!” Sean yelled.
Odhran and two (2) of the other farmers moved toward the giant scorpion and five (5) more giant scorpions crawled out from inside of other toppled sand dunes. Then, fifteen (15) more of the creatures surfaced, snapping their claws and poising their tail stingers.
“This keeps getting worse!” Molly said.
“Get in the middle, close to the farmers! They can stop the scorpions!” Ciaran said.
“Where’s your God now? What good is all that prayer?” Sophie asked.
Elise drank the last sip of waters of the Pirovalen Ocean from her vial and was energized with the powers of music and song. Lyrics and melody came together immediately and she began to sing:
Wicked spirits, now trying to make us fail.
While living, you were murderers and thieves.
Against your sins, prayer keeps us on freedom’s trail.
While dead and dying, you serve a master who deceives.
We are on a journey, searching for a place of peace.
You are in a battle, fighting for an evil cause.
Our lives are given to working in the fields and quarries.
Your deaths are given to waging war and breaking laws.
(Refrain)
In our search for freedom, we cross these haunted desert sands.
Relying on God’s Truth, we refuse the enemy’s demands.
Wicked spirits, now inflicting violence.
While living, you were murderers and thieves.
Against your sins, prayer is our greatest defense.
While dead and dying, you serve a master who deceives.
We are on a journey, searching for opportunity.
You are in a battle, fighting for an evil cause.
Our lives are given to working the land diligently.
Your deaths are given to waging war and breaking laws.
(Refrain)
Wicked spirits, now attempting to misdirect.
While living, you were murderers and thieves.
Against your sins, prayer ensures our course is correct.
While dead and dying, you serve a master who deceives.
We are on a journey, searching for a future serene and fair.
You are in a battle, fighting for an evil cause.
Our lives are given to working and honestly earning our share.
Your deaths are given to waging war and breaking laws.
(Refrain)
Elise’s voice carried far and the thousands of translucent figures vanished from sight. The sand dunes were cleared away by a cool breeze, revealing a stream of water extending westward as far as their eyes could see. The giant scorpions lowered their tails and scurried away, southward across the desert.
“There’s water!” Molly said.
Ciaran drank anew of the waters of the Kazofen Ocean from his vial to be energized with the power to manipulate crystal and stone. He knelt down and touched the newly exposed stream of water to sense its crystal structure. “It’s Dead Waters, so we can all drink it, and at least quench our thirst without using up our supplies of our regular waters,” he said.
“That’s better than nothing,” Sean said.
“Her faith is powerful,” Odhran said.
“Are you trying to tell us that prayer did that?” Sophie asked.
“I prayed. God provided,” Elise said. She knelt down and prayed, saying: “We thank Thee, Our One True God, for rescuing us from the many dangers.” After this, she stood up.
“I don’t believe in prayer alone. I do believe in your prayers plus the song waters, because that’s where the power comes from. But I also believe that was too close. We almost didn’t make it out alive,” Ruth said.
“I believe in the prayer. It worked when we needed it. No harm was done to us,” Ciaran said.
“Elise always prays and troubles come to an end. Her faith is my faith,” Odhran said.
“How about praying that the trouble never comes in the first place?” Sophie asked.
“It’s best to avoid problems. I would agree with that,” Patrick said.
“If you didn’t see the danger, you wouldn’t know that God was protecting you. Having faith in Him is essential. So, too, is not having faith in anyone or anything else,” Elise said.
“I’m still shaking from that,” Molly said.
“That was more than a little scary,” Sean said.
“Have faith in the One True God. So much faith that it leaves no room for fear,” Elise said.
“Has your God ever let you down?” Sophie asked.
“No. Faith is rewarded, always,” Elise said.
“Is that a guarantee?” Patrick asked.
“If you want to know more, pray to God. You each need to have a personal relationship with Him,” Elise said.
“I do want to know more, like how much farther we have to go,” Ruth said.
“And how much more trouble we’re going to have to fight against,” Sophie said.
“At least we have a stream of water,” Ciaran said.
“Yes, but we can’t settle down right here. It’s still a desert,” Sophie said.
“We need to keep going west, to find a place to settle down and work,” Patrick said. He continued walking westward across the desert wasteland and Elise, Ruth and their traveling companions all followed. Odhran and the fifty-six (56) farmers surrounded them during the trek over the sandy surface.
CHAPTER 34: Guests of Pain and Suffering
Inside the throne room of Duke Jovan’s castle, Fenella said: “I will go and welcome them, my lord.” She drank anew of the waters of the Elanatin Ocean from her vial to be energized with the powers of telepathy and empathy. She exited the castle through the main gate, crossed the bridge over the moat and approached Zoe and Brant.
“Greetings, Zoe and Brant. I am Fenella, personal assistant to the lord of this castle, Duke Jovan. He sent me to welcome you into his home and speak with you,” Fenella said.
“I didn’t know we were famous,” Brant said.
“Why does the duke want to meet us? We’re not here to intrude or start trouble. We just want to pass through the territory,” Zoe asked.
“You witnessed the battle from a distance. And you came from a greater distance, because of your dreams,” Fenella said.
“It sounds like you’ve already welcomed yourself to our thoughts. Since you know what’s on my mind, I guess I can’t hide my bad feelings about dukes, counts, barons and princes and the rest of the so-called nobles,” Zoe said.
Fenella probed their thoughts and said: “Duke Jovan has no ill will toward you. You may find the meeting with him beneficial. And he would like to know more about your dreams.”
“I guess we can’t say no,” Brant said.
“You should consider yourselves fortunate that he extended the invitation. Duke Jovan is a good man,” Fenella said.
“If you say so,” Zoe said.
“I know him well. I know his feelings and his thoughts. Believe me,” Fenella said.
“Let’s go meet the duke,” Brant said.
“If you’re ready, follow me,” Fenella said. She walked toward the castle, followed by Brant and Zoe.
Fenella led them over the bridge across the moat, then through the castle’s main gate and into the throne room. The duke sat on his throne and a man stood nearby. Bones and skulls hung on chains from the ceiling.
“My lord, Duke Jovan, here are your guests. This is Brant, drinker of the Nabavodel waters, and Zoe, drinker of the Lujladia waters,” Fenella said.
“Welcome to my castle. I am pleased to see both of you,” Duke Jovan said.
“We’re nothing special,” Brant said. He looked at the hanging bones and skulls and wondered if coming here was his last mistake.
“I guess they were special…a bad kind of special,” Zoe said. She looked at the hanging bones and skulls and wondered whether it was a scare tactic or a trap.
Fenella probed their thoughts and said: “The bones are a reminder and a warning. The duke has no anger toward you. This is not a trap to catch you.”
“Why did you enter my territory?” Duke Jovan asked.
“We’re just passing through, fighting our way across Waderav,” Zoe said.
“Those are my enemies’ bones hanging on the chains from the ceiling. Life is nothing if not a war,” Duke Jovan said.
“Life is mostly war, especially here. But we don’t collect bones,” Zoe said.
“Fenella tells me that you witnessed the recent offensive against my castle, using your far sight powers,” Duke Jovan said.
“We heard the song, and we kept our distance to watch the battle,” Zoe said.
“It was my song. The enemy thought themselves to be capable of defeating a smaller army. Yet, their larger army was easily crushed. Countess Eurybia underestimated me, and paid the price, along with her soldiers,” Duke Jovan said.
“I can’t say I feel any pity for the countess. Waderav is filled with trash like that,” Zoe said.
“No one has pity for them. Even their spirits will be made to suffer forever. Isn’t that right, Massa?” Duke Jovan asked of the man standing nearby.
“Their spirits of the enemy soldiers and leaders have all descended, my lord. Their intentions were evil, and you were justified in defeating them,” Massa said.
“I truly and totally defeat my enemies, without mercy. My music is more powerful than their swords, shields, strength, speed or skill,” Duke Jovan said.
“That’s the kind of music I’d like to hear again, and watch it knock out another army,” Brant said.
“Perhaps you will, in the next battle you fight, if I also happen to be there,” Duke Jovan said.
Fenella probed Brant’s thoughts and said: “He has heard other music used in battle. The singer, Daven, drove back the sunfire creature using a song to raise the waves of water against it.”
“Yeah, that song was powerful. But water beats fire no matter what,” Brant said.
“Your dreams lead you into many battles, don’t they? Fenella told me about both of you. She knows your thoughts,” Duke Jovan said.
“Our dreams lead us to lots of places,” Zoe said.
“Sometimes they get us out of trouble,” Brant said.
“Usually, they get us into trouble, and we have to fight our way out,” Zoe said.
Fenella continued probing their thoughts and said: “They faced Victoria, in the tempest. Zoe fired the killing shots, from her bow.”
“A lot of us were on that ship. We all fought against her,” Zoe said.
“Don’t be so humble. You destroyed a great threat to life everywhere. For that, you should rule a territory of your own. You are more deserving than the various tyrants throughout Waderav,” Duke Jovan said.
“I guess I’ll settle down…eventually,” Zoe said.
“We just fight. That’s what we know how to do,” Brant said.
Fenella probed their thoughts further and said: “You’re afraid to settle down. You’re ashamed, because of your sickness.”
“I can’t hide anything from you, can I?” Zoe asked.
“What sickness? Is this something that can spread to others? If you are contagious, then I will have to send you away immediately,” Duke Jovan asked.
“No. It’s not like that, my lord. She is barren,” Fenella said.
“That’s nothing to be ashamed of. A woman who can bear no children can bring no great sorrow to her husband,” Duke Jovan said.
“We’re not married,” Zoe said.
Fenella probed Zoe’s thoughts yet again and said: “You are lovers, though, and you wish to have children. You are jealous of Taesa because she is a mother, and you hate her for it.”
“You know Taesa? The woman who sang Sail to Me during the tempest and lured millions into the storm to die?” Duke Jovan asked.
“Yeah, we know her,” Zoe said.
“You guarded her, in the Wandering of Shadows, from those who wanted revenge,” Fenella said.
“Taesa was being controlled by Victoria. She didn’t do it in purpose…so everybody says,” Zoe said.
“Yet, you continue to wonder why one of the worst mass murderers in modern times can have children and you can’t,” Fenella said.
“That’s right. It bothers me,” Zoe said.
“Don’t let it bother you. You have been spared a deep pain you don’t ever want,” Duke Jovan said.
“Children are a pain?” Zoe asked.
“There has to be some good to having kids. Where did we come from?” Brant asked.
“Children are a joy. When they die, horribly, then you will experience the greatest pain that does not heal. I lost mine, along with my wife, to the former duke who ruled over these lands. Yet, I also blame my mother,” Duke Jovan said.
“What does that even mean? Are you saying your mother helped kill your wife and kids?” Zoe asked.
“My mother detested all the ocean waters. She said they were an evil form of magic. She called them the ‘nectar of the wicked’ and insisted that I avoid them, so I had no power growing up. She filled my mind with her superstitious beliefs about a special event, called the Silver Cup Banquet, when a pure and righteous water would be given to those who attended. No such banquet was ever held,” Duke Jovan said.
“That sounds like a religious cult,” Zoe said.
“It is a cult, practicing a vile religion. Yet, I was raised to believe in its lies. I worked the land as best I could and eventually married a woman who was deceived by the same mythology. We had two (2) sons, and sustained them by my work in the fields. Still, without a Gradaken waterbinding, my ability to cultivate the soil was limited and my harvest was usually poor. The territory belonged to Duke Saburo Velten the Sixty-Seventh and he was both greedy and bloodthirsty. Anyone who couldn’t sell enough crops to pay their taxes was jailed and tortured. My harvest failed, and my neighbors refused to lend me anything to cover the shortage, so the duke came to punish me,” Duke Jovan said.
“Were t
hey Gradaken drinkers?” Zoe asked.
“Yes, and they mocked me for the fables I was taught by my mother to believe,” Duke Jovan said.
“We don’t believe in any of that religious stuff. Ghosts and spirits are real, but not God or any of those stories,” Brant said.
“I still don’t believe in religion. Where was God during the tempest?” Zoe asked.
“Where was God when my wife and children were murdered and I was forced to watch? Even after they died, Duke Saburo Velten continued to torment me, to make an example of those who failed to pay him. He had his servant bring me Dead Waters to keep me alive so I could suffer for as long as possible. However, his servant was blind and accidentally gave me a vial of Pirovalen waters instead, so that I was able to escape by the power of music,” Duke Jovan said.
“I agree that your mother was an idiot, but Duke Saburo Velten was the real monster,” Zoe said.
“My mother was just as much a force of evil, by teaching her folklore and false religion, as Duke Saburo Velten was by committing murder. There was no Silver Cup Banquet, nor will there ever be, so her promises were empty. She assured me – many times – that the banquet was real, and the pure and righteous waters would be given, but it never happened. Her religion weakened me, so that my family was left vulnerable and destroyed,” Duke Jovan said.
“What happened to Duke Saburo Velten?” Brant asked.
“I destroyed him, with a song that burned away his flesh and cracked his bones,” Duke Jovan said.
“I wish I could have seen that,” Brant said.
“It brought me little satisfaction and no joy at all. My wife and children did not come back from the grave,” Duke Jovan said.
“Still, at least you had kids. For that, I envy you,” Zoe said.
“You envy me? The pain of losing them is a pain I relive every day. Don’t envy that,” Duke Jovan said.
Fenella drank anew of the waters of the Elanatin Ocean from her vial to refresh her powers of telepathy and empathy. She then stepped forward, took Duke Jovan’s hand and projected her empathic influence toward him. “I am here for you, always, my lord, my love,” she said.
“Your telepathic powers are impressive, Fenella, but your empathic powers are not sufficient to soothe my pain,” Duke Jovan said.