Ruin & Reliance

by Jeremy Dwyer

  ~~~

  While standing on the western coast of Lemikozen Island, Munroe noticed a pulse of green light coming from the west. He saw it hit a mountain on a nearby island and the sleeping volcano erupted in response. He ran along the shore, looking for a ship to get away from the danger and to help him rescue the Cardinal, if that were still possible. He came across another vessel whose markings gave the name Sky Lion. He ran up the boarding ramp, held his hands in the air and said: “I mean you no harm. I need your help.”

  Captain Lusala approached him and said: “I am Captain Lusala. Who are you, young man? What do you need?”

  Captain Duvall – still restraining the bound, handless Goyo – followed him.

  “My name is Munroe. I drink the Lujladia waters and serve as a scout for the Cardinal. He met another woman who called herself Duchess Sarita. She warned him of a man trying to make a poison and he agreed to help make an antidote. However, they were taken aboard a ship, and the Cardinal was forced to help mix something toxic and it was given to the duchess and she died quickly,” Munroe said.

  “Then she’s already failed in the worst way. I knew this plan was risky and unwise,” Captain Lusala said.

  “I knew I should have gone to protect her,” Captain Duvall said.

  “You would have died with her. There were many soldiers on board that ship,” Munroe said.

  “I could have recognized the threat and helped her to avoid it,” Captain Duvall said.

  “Regret has no use now, Captain Duvall. We need to solve the problem of the poison,” Captain Lusala said.

  “Yes, and now, there are even more problems. I saw a pulse of green light cross the ocean and strike a dormant volcano, awakening it. Look,” Munroe said.

  “I can’t see far like you,” Captain Lusala said.

  “Keep watching. You will see the signs of the eruption at any moment. But I strongly suggest we set sail from this island,” Munroe said.

  A plume of ash grew large enough that Captain Lusala saw it. Fiery rock landed on the shore.

  “Let’s go!” Captain Lusala screamed. He ran to the wheelhouse, followed by Munroe and Captain Duvall, who still restrained Goyo.

  The ship already started moving before they got inside.

  “Uzoma, get us far from here,” Captain Lusala said.

  “Yes, Captain. I sensed the pulse of green light before it arrived, but didn’t know what it was until it came closer. I’ve already charted a course back to Emeth. Perhaps someone there can advise us, but we can’t remain here,” Uzoma said. He steered the Sky Lion away from Lemikozen Island and sailed it northeastward across the Gradaken Ocean.

  ~~~

  Fire and ash rained down on the island’s shore near the Cypress Advantage. Some burning embers struck the vials of poison. The toxic mixture frothed, changed to a crimson color, heated up, and then sprayed onto Cardinal Briar-Malgier and the one hundred four (104) soldiers holding those poison vials, eighteen (18) of the closest sailors and six (6) of the nearest archers, burning their flesh quickly. Lieutenant Plamen was positioned between his troops in such a way that he eluded the droplets of burning toxin splattering all around him.

  Kastor exercised his powers to slow the passage of time and was able to react quickly, avoiding the burning embers and the poison. He encompassed both himself and Erikkos with a spherical shell of temporal distortion, under which they escaped the Cypress Advantage.

  Judith stepped backwards while dutifully recording all of this into her book. She observed the victims’ skin melt under the burning poison spray, but she also watched as a cloud of crimson, poisonous fumes rose up from the vials and spread both eastward and westward on swirling ocean breezes.

  Everyone on board the Cypress Advantage who was burned by the poison spray – Cardinal Briar-Malgier, the one hundred four (104) soldiers and the eighteen (18) sailors – quickly fell down dead. Judith recorded all of the grisly details and deaths into her book as quickly as they happened.

  ~~~

  From the spirit world, the Guardian Angel Ondothel stood guard over Judith, and ensured that not even the smallest burning ember, tiniest drop of poison or faintest wisp of toxic fumes touched her or singed the book she was holding.

  ~~~

  Inside the wheelhouse of the Cypress Advantage, Captain Ibriy watched as dozens of people were burning and dying on deck. With his former master absent and distracted, he was no longer under hypnosis. He pulled levers to raise the anchor and retract the boarding ramp. He then steered the ship away from the coast of Lemikozen Island.

  ~~~

  Erikkos and Kastor ran toward the swampy interior of Lemikozen Island. They hid from ordinary sight under the shade of trees.

  Kastor drank anew of the waters of the Ursegan Ocean from his vial to further energize his power to slow time. He continued to exert this ability and thus avoided the falling embers from the volcanic eruption. The poisonous fumes did not come near them, having been blown about in a breeze.

  “Your risky strategy did not succeed as you had hoped, my young friend. You did not make adequate preparations for dealing with this extremely dangerous substance,” Kastor said.

  “There was no way to prepare for the volcanic eruption that ignited the poison,” Erikkos said.

  “From all of your studies, you ought to have been able to estimate the potency of these ingredients before rushing to combine them. You also should have known that, in a volcanically active region, there was always the risk of an eruption, however unlikely. It was unwise to have us formulate a substance that was so volatile in the presence of a lava flow or any heat source,” Kastor said.

  “You are the one who suggested coming to the Provincial Isles to find an herbalist. Why did you not consider the risk of a volcanic eruption occurring here before making that suggestion?” Erikkos asked.

  “I made the suggestion only to assist in a plan of your devising. The first error was yours for pursuing this objective without weighing the risks,” Kastor said.

  “We did not succeed as planned. However, that does not mean that we failed completely. We can still learn from this outcome by carefully observing what the poison does in its heated vapor form,” Erikkos said.

  “Perhaps we can learn…if we are much more careful. My preparation – and my timely response – is the reason we are both alive to debate this matter. You let down your guard. Let there be no doubt about that. Make no excuses. Just admit your error and learn from it. An Explorer of the Quiet Sea must always remember that the Quiet has a deeper meaning. It means more than silencing our enemies in order to achieve our objectives. It also means silencing our own distracted thoughts, impatient urges and overconfident egos so as to enable us to focus on the details. With careful consideration, you may find that the risks of an action outweigh the rewards and change your course. I would not have faulted you for aborting this mission,” Kastor said.

  “I admit my error, but you share some measure of blame for leading us here. Now, we need to find another ship and get off this island. I don’t think we should stay this close to an active volcano,” Erikkos said.

  “Ships pass through the Provincial Isles frequently enough. We are in no immediate danger…as long as the poisonous fumes don’t descend on us. By remaining watchful, I can react quickly if I see anything moving in our direction,” Kastor said.

  CHAPTER 48: Spread of Fire and Poison

  In the Duchy of Yutaka in the continent of Waderav, Jakov and Mergim stood near the burning grass and watched as the White Spruce sailed away.

  “We’ve been abandoned! Didn’t you see that Dardana and Fisnik were both ready to betray us? Couldn’t you read their thoughts?” Jakov asked.

  “I was only focused on Fisnik, like you told me. I read his thoughts before he left. And he wasn’t planning on leaving us. He got scared after Julija warned him when that thing shot out fire or light or whatever it was,” Mergim said.

  The quartz boulder housed a green stellar core whose emerald fir
e simmered and raged in turns. The smoky crystal casing was weakened by the initial low-level modifications and began to fracture in a line that extended from its eastern face to its northern side. Four (4) weaker pulses of green light emanated toward the north, igniting fields of wheat and corn five (5) miles away.

  “We need to leave, quickly, before it shoots in our direction. Follow me,” Jakov said. He began walking westward, moving between rocks and trees. Mergim followed.

  “Remember, we’re in Waderav. Keep on your guard. Bandits and robber barons lord over this continent. I can fight them off, with the spirits in this staff, but I need an advance warning,” Jakov said.

  Mergim drank anew of the waters of the Elanatin Ocean from his vial to be energized with the powers of telepathy and empathy. He concentrated and said: “I don’t sense any other thoughts. No one’s nearby.”

  “No one you can detect is nearby. A stronger telepath could hide their thoughts from your probing. Don’t assume too much, Mergim. You are not the very best,” Jakov said.

  “I’m doing the best I can. We have to just lay low and hide behind every rock or tree,” Mergim said.

  “That’s my only comfort until you prove your telepathic sense to be more alert and prompt,” Jakov said. He kept walking, maneuvering through tall grass and behind hills and large stones. Mergim stayed close behind him and continued concentrating to detect signs of enemies waiting in ambush.

  ~~~

  The Sun Lynx sailed across the Gradaken Ocean, traveling along the eastern coast of Dexolevino Island.

  Stafford stood on deck, near the wheelhouse, and looked out over the horizon in each direction. In the distance, twenty-two (22) miles to the west, he caught sight of a thick, red mist. He watched in horror as it rolled over an island, burning the crops and killing the people on its coasts and interior. The crimson horror was moving eastward. “We have a major problem!” he shouted.

  “What do you see?” Gisella asked.

  “What kind of problem?” Guillermo asked.

  Rayner was at the wheel and overheard this. “What?” he asked.

  “I see a storm cloud, twenty-two (22) miles west of here and heading east. It’s some kind of red mist. It’s passing over an island and burning the trees and crops. It’s killing everyone there. I think I know what it is. There was a volcanic eruption nearby. Look!” Stafford said and pointed.

  “I see something,” Guillermo said.

  “I can just see something,” Gisella said. She began drawing a rough sketch of a large red cloud into her book, but it was very vague. She could see clearly for ten (10) miles, as could anyone else with ordinary vision. Beyond that, images became much less clear and faded quickly.

  “It’s spreading out! Thousands of people are dying! Entire villages are going up in flames. People are falling over sick. They’re not all burning, but they’re dying,” Stafford said.

  Daven listened to this and said: “I wonder if they’re praying, hoping and waiting for God to do something. He won’t.”

  “This is no time for philosophy. What’s done is done. I’m sorry about your loss. But getting angry at a God you don’t believe in isn’t going to help anyone,” Stafford said.

  “You’re right. I know. Helping people is what’s most important,” Daven said. He drank anew of the waters of the Pirovalen Ocean from his vial and was energized with the power of music. He composed a powerful melody and began to sing:

  I embarked on a voyage to this distant isle.

  With my lost family I had hoped to reunite.

  I found what I feared most: misdeeds so tragic and vile.

  Good people forsaken; good works repaid with spite.

  We've overcome tempest, darkness, illusions and lies.

  Now our values need to change and cruel hearts must become kind.

  The good is within us. Above selfishness we must rise.

  When the answer is so comforting why have we declined?

  (Refrain)

  We must never accept ruin, greed, despair or hate.

  The world should be filled with life, sharing, joy and love that surrounds.

  We can rely on the enchanted oceans to heal and create.

  The world will flourish and be filled with a symphony of joyful sounds.

  I searched for new purpose in life after loss and grief.

  I was told that purpose comes from a power great and unseen.

  I struggled, then failed, to embrace such a belief.

  Yet I believe that life's meaning is found within us and between.

  We've overcome tempest, darkness, illusions and lies.

  Now our beliefs need to change and cruel hearts must become kind.

  The good is within us. Above selfishness we must rise.

  When the answer is so close why is it so hard to find?

  (Refrain)

  These islands are scattered across the most vibrant sea.

  Its waters command nature and enrich the harvest.

  This ocean kingdom should be the home of prosperity.

  Yet sickness now spreads across the world by this burning mist.

  We've overcome tempest, darkness, illusions and lies.

  Now our goals need to change and cruel hearts must become kind.

  The good is within us. Above selfishness we must rise.

  When the answer is so clear why are we so blind?

  (Refrain)

  “It’s working! This red mist is breaking apart. It’s thinner and weaker. It’s still there, but it’s not burning everything. It’s moving away from some places, leaving them untouched,” Stafford said.

  Gisella looked out over the distance but couldn’t be sure. The red mist was too far away to accurately observe its thickness or lack thereof. She wrote down what was said, but not that it was true, because her vision was quite ordinary in its range and clarity. She did record Daven’s song into her book, including an accurate representation of its melody and tempo, along with the lyrics.

  “Even if it helps a little, it’s better than nothing,” Guillermo said.

  “We still have to be careful. The red cloud is still dangerous. I’ll keep watching where it goes,” Stafford said.

  “Keep me posted. I need to sail away from that red cloud, or lava, or whatever it is. We’ve got valuable cargo aboard this ship from the farmers on this island and lots of people need us to make our deliveries,” Rayner said.

  ~~~

  In the Gradaken Ocean, located among the easternmost Provincial Isles, Quendagil Island was home to an outpost of Redfire Sentinels.

  Ressa’Bidrik stood inside the lantern room of a forty (40) foot tall lighthouse on an eighty-one (81) foot tall hill, the tiny island’s tallest. She drank anew of the waters of the Lujladia Ocean from her vial to be energized with the powers of light and far sight. She gazed out into the distance for one hundred forty-six (146) miles and caught sight of a cloud of crimson smoke and ash as it came into view from the west. She tracked its course and saw that it was headed directly toward the island while moving at over seventy-nine (79) miles per hour. The thirty-eight (38) year old woman hurried down the stairs and went into the side room where her companion was sitting on a bed and counting coins.

  “Gil’Arix! Something is coming this way! A red cloud! It appears to be molten lava!” Ressa’Bidrik said.

  “How do you know it’s lava? Ash moves through the air, but lava should flow downward, no?” the man – Gil’Arix – asked.

  “I can see the texture of it – it flows like molten rock. I’ve seen a lava river before, and it looks the same. Only, it’s moving so much faster,” Ressa’Bidrik said.

  “How fast?” Gil’Arix asked.

  “It’s going at least seventy-nine (79) miles per hour. It will be here in less than two (2) hours,” Ressa’Bidrik said.

  “Then we have to watch it. Keep tracking it. I’ll get ready to send a report,” Gil’Arix said. The twenty-nine (29) year old man drank anew of the water of the Atrejan Ocean from his vial t
o be energized with the power to communicate with the stars.

  Ressa’Bidrik took Gil’Arix by the hand and escorted him outside of the bedroom, and then up the stairs to the lantern room. She resumed watching the movement of the red cloud and continued holding his hand.

  “Do you still see the red cloud?” Gil’Arix asked.

  “Yes. It’s only fifty-three (53) feet above sea level. I also see the farmers working the corn fields near the western coast. We should go down and warn them, in case it’s dangerous,” Ressa’Bidrik said. She led Gil’Arix down the stairs and out of the lighthouse. They walked briskly over dirt roads winding through hills, heading toward the western coast of the island, which was (2) miles away directly, but six (6) miles away because of the curving roads.

  “We may not make it in time,” Gil’Arix said.

  “I’m walking as fast as I can. It’s not always easy. I can’t keep up with you. You’ve got strong legs,” Ressa’Bidrik said, stopping to catch her breath.

  “You’re out of breath. Go back. I should run ahead,” Gil’Arix said, stopping to speak, but remaining ready to run.

  “No,” Ressa’Bidrik said.

  “I can run a lot faster than you can walk. Whatever I see, I can send a warning signal through the red suns,” Gil’Arix said.

  “You’re not going without me. We’re together,” Ressa’Bidrik said.

  “We work together. That doesn’t mean we are together. You’re in a relationship with my cousin,” Gil’Arix said.

  “We’re a team. We stick together,” Ressa’Bidrik said. She interlocked her fingers with his and moved closer. “Kadi’Arix is special to me. I love him…but I also love you, in a different way. If anything happens to you, I can’t signal all the way around the world to warn everyone else. I need you,” Ressa’Bidrik said.

  “Those farmers need us to warn them. And whoever else might be in the path of that red cloud – if it is really dangerous – needs me to warn them as soon as I know. That’s why I need to get there faster. We’re losing time,” Gil’Arix said.