Ruin & Reliance

by Jeremy Dwyer

  “Give her time and she’ll start to understand. Agitating Liora isn’t going to make things better. Help me to find the answer I need while she recovers from the alcohol,” Nov’Talod said.

  “What do you need me to find?” Torsten asked.

  “The ideal curvature for this pearl, along every dimension, to give it the greatest possible luster, in a single direction, toward a focal point,” Nov’Talod said as he held out a pearl for Torsten to see.

  “I can calculate a curve, but that’s all, and I can’t see the low-level structure of the pearl,” Torsten said.

  “Just calculate the geometry, and write down the coordinates of every maximum, minimum and inflection point, along with a sketch of the curve,” Nov’Talod said. He removed a pen and a book from his coat pocket, opened the book to a blank page and handed them to Torsten.

  Torsten drank anew of the waters of the Medathero Ocean from his vial and was energized with the power of calm, logical thought. The thirty-one (31) year old man concentrated to determine the parameters and equations of the various ideal curves that would surround the pearl’s surface, and where those curves intersected. Several designs occurred to him very quickly, and he drew a graph of the curve and wrote down the equations as well as the coordinates of the key points into the book.

  Nov’Talod reclaimed the pen and the book and examined the calculations. He then showed this to Liora and asked: “Liora, could you alter the pearl’s low-level structure to match the curve drawn here?”

  “Can Torsten be a real man and treat me like a woman?” Liora asked.

  “What exactly do you need him to do?” Nov’Talod asked.

  “Protect me! Don’t ever let any man beat me again!” Liora said.

  “Why did you get drunk and flirt with that pirate? It was obvious that he could not be trusted. You can only blame yourself for these latest bruises, Liora,” Nov’Talod said.

  “That’s right, blame the victim!” Liora said.

  “He had just finished beating the barmaid while you watched. There was no question of his poor character. You had fair warning, Liora,” Nov’Talod said.

  “That doesn’t make it right!” Liora said.

  “No, but it makes you wrong to trust him. Now, please, help us, so that we can help you,” Nov’Talod said.

  “You’ll help me bring back my husband and my baby?” Liora asked.

  “I’m sorry, but that’s not possible. All we can do is make the most of our opportunities,” Nov’Talod said.

  “I miss Ryan. I miss our family. We had a good family. We had a nice little home. Then that bastard killed them! Sebastian made me do dirty things. I couldn’t stop him. He just did filthy things to me,” Liora said.

  “He’s dead now. He can’t harm you anymore,” Nov’Talod said.

  “But somebody else might,” Liora said.

  “When you invite a violent man into your life, yes, he will,” Nov’Talod said.

  “I’m not going to hurt you, Liora. I want you to know that,” Torsten said.

  “You can’t protect me. You’re just a scrawny, weak, sorry little excuse for a man,” Liora said.

  “What happened to you is not Torsten’s fault. And you cannot allow previous difficulties to prevent future successes,” Nov’Talod said.

  “Difficulties? Try murder! Everyone I loved was murdered! Did you hear me? They were murdered!” Liora said.

  “It’s time for you to build a new life, rather than dwelling on the past,” Nov’Talod said.

  “I can help you,” Torsten said.

  “That would make me the first girl that ever let you help,” Liora said.

  “You could do worse than accepting his help. You already have done much worse. If you work for me, things will get better, quickly,” Nov’Talod said.

  “You want your little pearl cut? You want me to take that jagged thing and shape it into something better?” Liora asked.

  “Yes. This page has all the information that you need,” Nov’Talod said, handing her both the book and the pearl.

  Liora examined the sketch of the curve in the book and then she drank anew of the waters of the Kazofen Ocean from her vial to be energized with the power to manipulate crystals and stones. She began molding the pearl – altering its low-level structure as well as its high-level form – to match the shape described by Torsten’s calculations as they were written into the book.

  “Now your little trinket is what you want it to be, all shiny and smooth, with curves in all the right places,” Liora said. She handed the book and the altered pearl back to Nov’Talod.

  Nov’Talod examined the pearl to look for any obvious flaws, but he couldn’t see its low-level structure. He turned the precious stone slowly and observed the reflection of light off of its smooth white surface. “The pearl seems to have the correct shape and reflectivity,” he said. He then place the pearl into a coat pocket to hide it away.

  “Too bad I can’t bend Torsten into shape and make a real man out of him,” Liora said.

  “You should put your skills to work refining gems for the central bank. They have an office in this port city,” Nov’Talod said.

  “You want me to stay in this sleazy town?” Liora asked.

  “Yes. There are many good opportunities on this island. It’s the financial capital of the Provincial Isles, the wealthiest region in the Gradaken Ocean,” Nov’Talod said.

  “Can I find a decent man here?” Liora asked.

  “If you learn to recognize decent men, perhaps you can,” Nov’Talod said.

  “He has to keep me safe and warm at night,” Liora said.

  “I would always be gentle to you, Liora,” Torsten said.

  “Maybe you’re a nice guy, but I need more than nice,” Liora said.

  “Yes, you need smart. Torsten should find work calculating risks and prices, either for the central bank or for the fishing or farming guilds. I will give you money for the work you just did so that you can remain in this lodge. Neither of you should leave this island until I return or I send for you,” Nov’Talod said. He handed five (5) platinum coins to Torsten.

  “Send for us?” Torsten asked.

  Liora plucked three (3) of the platinum coins from Torsten’s hand and placed them into a pocket in her dress. “I did most of the work,” she said.

  “If I need you, I will send someone with a message that will contain a series of code numbers that matches this,” Nov’Talod said. He opened his book to a blank page and wrote down a series of digits along with a matching series of digits on another page. He tore out the first page and handed it to Torsten.

  Torsten examined the page and said: “These aren’t random numbers. They count out the number of partitions of the first eleven (11) primes. You must have picked this number pattern for a reason.”

  “Yes – so that you can memorize the pattern and destroy the page before anyone else sees it. Someone might send you a false message with that code if their spies catch sight of it,” Nov’Talod said.

  “Why? What’s going on?” Torsten asked.

  “For now, don’t be concerned, and don’t respond to any message unless it has the matching code numbers,” Nov’Talod said.

  “The only numbers that I care about are how long a man can satisfy me. If your numbers are big enough, maybe I’ll stick around,” Liora said. She started kissing Torsten and peeling off his shirt. “Now, prove you’re a real man,” she said.

  ~~~

  Nov’Talod opened the door, slipped out of the room and closed the door behind him. He drank anew of the waters of the Ursegan Ocean from his vial to be energized with the power to slow the passage of time. He exerted this power to extend his own long life and also to give himself the opportunity to respond to any threats on his journey ahead. Nov’Talod walked through the hallway, exited the traveler’s lodge and went to the docks where he paid for transport on a sailing ship heading westward across the Gradaken Ocean toward Waderav.

  CHAPTER 55: Quests for Stars and
Seeds

  Inside the wheelhouse of the Cypress Advantage, Captain Ibriy focused on steering the vessel westward across the Gradaken Ocean until he was convinced that the ship was out the range of any volcanic activity.

  ~~~

  Out on deck, Lieutenant Plamen awakened from his trance brought on by the violet eyes. He quickly composed himself and counted his troops: two hundred twenty-six (226) remaining soldiers and sixty-nine (69) remaining archers. He also counted fifty-nine (59) remaining sailors as part of the ship’s crew.

  Judith also counted the living and the dead and recorded all of this into her book.

  Lieutenant Plamen ordered his troops, saying: “You, come with me! We need to take control of this ship! The rest of you, bury the dead at sea.” Ten (10) soldiers surrounded him and two (2) archers went ahead. They walked across the deck and entered the wheelhouse. Judith followed them. The remaining soldiers and archers – as well as the sailors – threw the bodies of their fallen comrades into the ocean below.

  “Captain, I am Lieutenant Plamen. You will obey my orders. Chart a course for southeastern Waderav, in the Duchy of Yutaka, and sail there,” Lieutenant Plamen said.

  Captain Ibriy looked at the soldiers and archers supporting the lieutenant and decided he had no choice but to obey. He nodded in agreement and then consulted an atlas to learn where that duchy was located within the continent of Waderav. He then drank anew of the waters of the Atrejan Ocean from his vial to be energized with the power to listen to the sounds of the stars. Ibriy concentrated to learn their paths and positions and thereby charted a course. He sailed the Cypress Advantage southward and westward across the Gradaken Ocean toward Waderav.

  “I am Judith, Chronicler of twelve hundred forty-five (1245) years. Under the authority of the Oath, I will be coming with you,” Judith said.

  “We’re out of the range of the volcanic eruption. I still need a crew to operate this ship and maintain it. How many sailors did I lose?” Captain Ibriy asked.

  “Fewer than twenty (20) were killed,” Lieutenant Plamen said.

  “The sails don’t look torn, but they might be damaged and weak,” Captain Ibriy said.

  Lieutenant Plamen looked toward one (1) of his soldiers and said: “Order the crew to inspect the sails and report any damage.”

  That soldier departed and came back ten (10) minutes later. “Two (2) pairs of sails appear frayed. The other two (2) are in fine shape,” the soldier said.

  “We need to stop the ship and repair the sails,” Captain Ibriy said.

  “Not now. Your crew can repair the sails when we arrive,” Lieutenant Plamen said.

  “The destination is inland. We have to be careful with damaged sails. If they rip off during flight, I’ll lose my sailing crystals. I have spare sailcloth on board, but only enough spare sailing crystals for one (1) pair of sails,” Captain Ibriy said.

  “That is sufficient for our needs. This ship can sail at sea level with only two (2) out of four (4) pairs of sails. The sailing crystals on three (3) out of four (4) sails are enough for airship travel,” Lieutenant Plamen said.

  “I guess you know better than me. Even if you don’t, it doesn’t matter what I think,” Captain Ibriy said.

  “Stay on course and keep sailing. If your crew reports any difficulties, we will deal with the problem then,” Lieutenant Plamen said.

  Judith was watching and recording everything that was said into her book.

  ~~~

  Captain Eulalia sailed the Fertile Fields Sixteen eastward across the Gradaken Ocean until reaching the Admiral Ramalaxis Bridge. At that point, she pulled levers to pivot the masts and the sails to the sides of the ship and elevated it to one hundred twenty (120) feet of altitude. She steered the vessel across the land bridge and returned it to sea level in the Trerada Ocean. From there, she sailed the ship eastward until reaching the Farmer’s Road land bridge. At that point, she again pulled levers to pivot the masts and the sails to the sides of the vessel and elevated it to one hundred twenty (120) feet of altitude. She steered the ship across the land bridge and returned it to sea level in the Pirovalen Ocean.

  Kastor focused his vision and used the powers of his violet eyes yet again. He stared into the eyes of Captain Eulalia and said: “Continue to obey my instructions, Captain. Remain on our present course.”

  “Yes, Inspector,” Captain Eulalia said. She sailed the Fertile Fields Sixteen eastward across the Pirovalen Ocean until reaching the Scholar’s Path land bridge. At that point, she pulled levers to pivot the masts and the sails to the sides of the ship and elevated it to one hundred twenty (120) feet of altitude. She steered the vessel across the land bridge and returned it to sea level in the Ursegan Ocean.

  “These are the ‘time waters’ and the ship won’t move at regular speed. The star alignments I used at the start of my course will be out of synchronization. I need to get new readings,” Captain Eulalia said.

  “Make the adjustments you need to bring us to western Waderav, outside of Cinder Valley,” Kastor said. He drank anew of the waters of the Ursegan Ocean from his vial to be energized with the power to slow the passage of time. He exercised this power to slow his own aging and also to be aware of the passage of time around him.

  Captain Eulalia drank anew of the waters of the Atrejan Ocean from her vial to be energized with the power to listen to the sounds of the stars. She concentrated to learn their paths and positions and used the information to chart the rest of the course. She sailed the Fertile Fields Sixteen eastward across the Ursegan Ocean, at a speed that was unknown to her or to Erikkos, seemingly slow or fast at times.

  “How fast are we moving? The ship seems to slow down or speed up at times, but I can’t tell. Can you?” Erikkos asked.

  “We’re moving exactly as fast as the waters allow, which is at many different speeds along the north-south and the east-west directions. Your understanding of the passage of time is weak, as is her grasp of its flow. My perception is sharp, so I have no doubt of the precise direction we are traveling,” Kastor said.

  “If we get lost, you can find our way?” Erikkos asked.

  “I can correct our course, if needed. However, the captain will not likely become lost. She will simply not understand how she arrives when she does,” Kastor said.

  “Neither will I,” Erikkos said.

  “There are some things you will never understand, my young friend. This is partly because you do not drink the Ursegan waters. It is also partly due to your haste and recklessness,” Kastor said.

  “We all have limitations. I’m not arrogant enough to believe I can do all things. There will always be some gaps in my understanding,” Erikkos said.

  “Some of those limitations are unnecessary. They’re a result of your carelessness. You could overcome them if you were patient and thoughtful. Other limits are likely insurmountable, such as waterbinding,” Kastor said.

  Captain Eulalia continued sailing the Fertile Fields Sixteen eastward across the Ursegan Ocean. Upon arrival at the central western coast of the continent of Waderav, she pulled levers to pivot the sails and the masts to the sides of the ship and elevated it to one hundred twenty (120) feet of altitude. She steered the vessel across the land, weaving it in between hills and trees, until reaching a field just west of a mountain range. The farmland bordered a quarry.

  “Bring the ship down there, right near those farmers, at the edge of the field, where it meets the quarry. I can see stonecutters working down there,” Kastor said.

  Captain Eulalia pulled levers to lower the Fertile Fields Sixteen to the ground and extend the boarding ramp.

  “Come out on deck and observe,” Kastor said. He then led Captain Eulalia and Erikkos out of the wheelhouse to wait on deck.

  ~~~

  Five thousand eight hundred (5800) farmers were busy working in the fields nearby. Three hundred seventy-two (372) stonecutters were at work in the adjoining quarries.

  ~~~

  “Those farmers and stonecutters a
re going to notice us. Then, they’re going to inform their lord. He’ll send soldiers,” Erikkos said.

  “Be ready. You have your song composed, don’t you?” Kastor asked.

  “I do, but I didn’t expect to use it on so many. Some people are strong-willed,” Erikkos said.

  “Just be ready. Those you can subjugate will help us to control the rest,” Kastor said.

  Erikkos drank anew of the waters of the Pirovalen Ocean from his vial to be energized with the powers of music and song.

  “I’m ready,” Erikkos said.

  “When I tell you, sing. Not before then,” Kastor said.

  ~~~

  Captain Ibriy sailed the Cypress Advantage westward across the Gradaken Ocean until reaching the southeastern coast of Waderav. From there, he pulled levers to pivot the masts and the sails to the sides of the ship and elevated it to one hundred twenty (120) feet of altitude. He steered the vessel slowly across the region, passing over burning farmland.

  “Bring it down over there, just north of the Pika-Huojin Lava River,” Lieutenant Plamen said and pointed.

  “The field is on fire. The ship will be destroyed,” Captain Ibriy said.

  “The fire is not everywhere. It looks as if the farmers are putting it out. We will be quick,” Lieutenant Plamen said.

  “I cannot help you if the fire touches even a single plank of wood on this ship. I can repair ripped sails, but not burning masts. Where will you run? What other ship will take you? This is no naval fleet. What other ships do you see?” Captain Ibriy asked.

  “Are you not up to this mission, Captain?” Lieutenant Plamen asked.

  “You may plan on sacrificing me like you would a soldier, but that’s because you have so many to replace them. There’s no other ship and that fire is not under control,” Captain Ibriy said.

  A pulse of green light shot up from a point on the ground and started another fire. A bright flash lit the cabin.

  “What was that?” Lieutenant Plamen asked.

  “Lieutenant! Look! A new fire started!” one of the archers said while pointing out the window toward a fire below.