Castle & Conceit

by Jeremy Dwyer

  “I agree that is a good choice for you, Torin. If you spend some time there, maybe a few years, they can take care of you, and broaden your knowledge and deepen your understanding on many subjects,” Pradrock said.

  “A few years? Is that necessary?” Torin asked.

  “It will take years of study to achieve a sufficient depth of understanding. Proofs of many mathematical theorems are carefully and clearly written out in Emeth – in the Second (2nd) Hall – and these are what you will want to give much of your attention to. Those proofs are where you will find the genuine truth, the one that underlies the world, and connects all its principles, energies and materials,” Pradrock said.

  “It’s all about math, then. You’re not the first person I’ve had to hear that from,” Torin said.

  Pradrock continued, saying: “The knowledge of the world, going back hundreds of millennia, fills the many library halls in Emeth. Students and scholars from many parts of the world travel there regularly, to bring knowledge home and to improve entire cultures and enrich their local communities, or just satisfy their own curiosity. They even have star charts, both direct and indirect. You know the difference, right?”

  “What do you mean?” Torin asked him.

  “The direct star charts, also called the astrovisual charts, are the ones you make from observing the skies with ordinary vision, or with a telescope. The indirect ones, called astroperceptual charts, are made by listening to the stars, the way you do, after drinking the waters of the Atrejan Ocean,” Pradrock said.

  “I’ve been making star charts for people based on what I heard when I listened to the stars. I’ve never seen the different types of charts. I didn’t even know there was that big of a difference between what I heard and what I saw, except in a thick fog,” Torin said.

  “Well, you could learn to make the direct, visual charts, and also read them. That would speed up your charting and navigation,” Pradrock said.

  Torin was already good at land navigation, and had gotten better and faster. But there was much to learn, especially about sea navigation, and he knew that he needed someone to teach him more.

  Pradrock went on, saying: “And you could also learn to convert between the two types of charts. So, in a rare event, I must congratulate you for mathematical failure. You had Captain Keallach searching in the wrong location for the Droatik treasure. I can tell you right now, based on what you just said to me, that you failed to correctly convert between the visual and the perceptual positions of stars. Keallach’s star charts gave visual positions and you hear perceptual positions when you drink the waters of the Atrejan Ocean. I know the charts were visual because that’s what was always recorded, by the laws of navigation. All the star charts and other maps that were found and kept at Emeth are the same ones that Keallach and many other ocean voyagers have access to.”

  Pradrock paused only briefly for the boy to begin to absorb this.

  Torin wasn’t sure he understood, however.

  Then, Pradrock continued, saying: “While it is true that the Droatik navigators did have an Atrejan water drinker who could hear the perceptual star positions and make the perceptual charts, those perceptual charts were all converted to visual charts to be more useful. The Droatik navigators knew that, one day, they would no longer have an Atrejan water drinker: the skilled ones were as rare at that time as they are now, and when theirs died, they wouldn’t be able to retrace their ocean courses from astroperceptual charts and find their treasure, because that requires a drinker of the waters of the Atrejan Oceans to properly read and follow the charts, by matching their markings to the sounds of the stars they hear.”

  Pradrock paused to give the boy a chance to process this.

  Torin thought he understood, but was still uncertain.

  Then, Pradrock continued, saying: “Keallach steered the ship by visual star positions from those archived charts he would have found in Emeth. He wasn’t using the original Droatik navigator’s charts in their full detail and precision – because those were confidential – or Keallach wouldn’t have needed you. However, you were reading him perceptual directions without making the proper conversions to visual directions. He didn’t stand much a chance of finding that treasure.”

  Mordecai laughed out loud with delight at hearing this, saying: “Yes, my boy! Let that old black hearted devil of the sea work for nothing! You made my day, lad! You made my day!”

  “I guess it’s time for me to learn more about charting the stars – both types of charts. Then, everything you just said will make a lot more sense,” Torin said.

  “Let’s go,” Pradrock said.

  Mordecai turned to Torin and said: “I wish the best to you, my boy! If a young lad were going to disappoint someone by giving the wrong answers, you sure picked the right someone!”

  Captain Pradrock and Torin boarded the Meticulous and set sail for Emeth, voyaging two (2) days southeast over the waters of the Atrejan Ocean, until they reached the western coast of the Wandering of Shadows land bridge.

  At that point, Pradrock pulled various levers to control the ship and the masts and sails were pivoted to its sides to form wings. Next, the Meticulous rose to an altitude of ninety-eight (98) feet so as to surpass the elevation of the land. Torin and Pradrock both wore protective cloaks and crystal lenses to shield them from the intense light and heat of the many suns as the ship traveled over the land bridge, in between its mountains.

  The Meticulous then returned to sea level in the Ikkith Tar Ocean, and its sails and masts were turned upright. The ship then sailed southwest along the slanted eastern coast of the Wandering of Shadows land bridge until reaching the northwestern coast of the continent of Revod. Travel was more difficult, due to a dark haze around them.

  “The dark haze is radiating from the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean, distorting the light around us. Many ships get lost in this ocean, crashing into unseen land masses. It’s sometimes called the ‘maze waters’ because of this. Travel is safest when staying near the coastline,” Captain Pradrock said.

  The ship then headed east along the northern coast of Revod. Along that leg of the voyage, both Captain Pradrock and Torin caught sight of an enormous castle near the coast, and it appeared to be on fire, with flames rising perhaps three hundred (300) feet into the sky. Looking more closely, Pradrock saw that the castle wasn’t actually on fire: it seemed to be almost made out of fire. Pradrock anchored the Meticulous when they saw this mysterious structure. He was attempting to ascertain the situation, as it was clearly extremely perilous, but he did not want to get too close too soon.

  CHAPTER 23: Castle of Fire

  Octavian’s newest castle – which was even greater in size than the previous one – was built on the northern coast of the continent of Revod, the homeland of the Jenaldej Empire. The castle only appeared to be on fire. In truth, it was still a crystal castle, much like the one made of ice that was constructed on the continent of Meridianus and like the one made of glass that was constructed on the continent of Volaraden. This one was made of topaz that the constructor extracted from the volcanic regions during the construction process. The castle was surrounded by a fire made of the light that shone from the crystals atop the innermost ring of twelve (12) stone pillars of the constructor, which now had three (3) such rings. The crystals shone their fiery beams of light upon the castle almost continuously. This constructor arrived and the castle was formed quickly, and surprised even the Jenaldej light scouts on the lookout. The sudden appearance of this castle startled them as much as the castle itself. They would have to act quickly to prevail. Imperial Prince Emerond, along with his subordinate, Admiral Cassandra, and her subordinate on the battlefield, General Joshua, were ready to put their battle plan into motion.

  Unbeknownst to them, additional forces operating according to their own sense of justice were at the ready, preparing to strike against Octavian’s latest castle.

  General Joshua, who was forty-six (46) years old and quite physically f
it – in no small part due to the waters of the Nabavodel Ocean that he drank – ordered one company of one hundred forty-four (144) light benders to move in. They were positioning to turn back the energies of the beams fired by the constructor’s twelve (12) innermost crystal-tipped pillars. Each of these persons began drinking deeply from their vials of highly purified potions of the waters of the Lujladia Ocean. They held out their hands, and walked into the fire, deflecting the beams backwards, and onto the constructor. The reflected beams hit the stone pillars, cutting them cleanly, and they fell to the ground and crumbled. There were two (2) more rings of crystal-tipped pillars, but these were not yet shining light beams, so there were no light beams to bend back at them for their destruction. Thus, this initial strike only partially destroyed the constructor. However, the fire that surrounded the castle burned no more, and they were able to see it more clearly – its purple topaz shining brightly: it was an outwardly beautiful jewel, made by a force of pure evil on the inside. This light bender company stood where it was, and two (2) more companies stood outside the perimeter. Each of the three (3) companies of light benders remained at the ready, in case more destructive beams of light began to shine from the two remaining rings of twelve (12) crystal-tipped pillars each.

  ~~~

  Cassius, Nikolai and Gregory observed all of this from an upper room of the castle made of purple topaz. They became concerned that the first line of defense for the castle had been penetrated, and then destroyed.

  “Illuminating more of the surrounding crystals would not be wise, as the light benders are prepared to reflect the light back at the constructor pillars, and that would further weaken our arsenal,” Gregory said.

  “The topaz of which the castle is constructed will not readily give way, however,” Nikolai said.

  “Perhaps not. Yet, an adjustment to our plans will be necessary,” Cassius said.

  Imperial Prince Octavian was also there, and he held his scepter, which was now tipped with a purple topaz, extracted during the construction process.

  “Purple is an imperial color, and it majestically reflects my face, surrounding it in glory,” Octavian said. He was more pleased than ever.

  Neither Cassius, Gregory nor Nikolai said anything to him, knowing that the Imperial Prince was now more lost than ever, and had nothing of value to contribute.

  ~~~

  General Joshua then ordered one (1) company of twenty-four (24) crystal benders to move in. They were positioning to transform the crystal topaz that made up the castle, and break through its walls. Each of these began drinking deeply from their vials of highly purified potions of the waters of the Kazofen Ocean and became energized.

  Then, the crystal benders approached the castle directly, working in pairs, holding out their hands to touch and reshape the outer walls. By the powers of the Kazofen Ocean waters within them, their touch began melting the solid topaz crystal into liquid topaz crystal, changing the flow of the liquid topaz crystal, and then cooling it, thereby creating twelve (12) large breaches in the castle walls. There was one (1) breach on each side, through which the Jenaldej Empire forces could enter the structure. They planned to surround Octavian’s forces inside the castle.

  ~~~

  Imperial Prince Octavian’s own spies within the castle saw all of this, and followed a maze of passages leading to an upper room. Once there, they alerted Octavian, Cassius, Nikolai and Gregory.

  “The walls of the castle have been breached, Your Imperial Majesty. The enemy is preparing to enter from each of (12) different directions,” one of the spies said.

  Octavian didn’t notice. He did speak, however, saying: “Nikolai, I wish for another purple topaz. I now see that this one is cut unevenly, and when I turn it about, to some angles, I see less than perfection.”

  “I shall soon make you another, Your Imperial Majesty,” Nikolai said.

  “Your Imperial Majesty, the world is full of imperfections, with so many of its finest things still not fully worthy of you. Yet, we see you in all your true glory,” Gregory said.

  “In time, you shall have a crystal that is as perfectly clear as you deserve,” Cassius said.

  ~~~

  Unseen by all, a force of thirteen (13) Hidden Paladins was standing outside the topaz castle. In their estimation, Imperial Prince Emerond’s plan was reasonably clever, considering its adaptability to the surprising suddenness of this castle’s appearance. The light scouts assigned by the Jenaldej Empire to guard their coast did fail to notice the castle’s arrival and construction, and that was a disappointment, to be addressed later, but that was a problem for Imperial Prince Emerond to solve, not for the Hidden Paladins. The execution of the remainder of these other phases of Emerond’s plan was still successful, and the crystal benders provided just the opening that the Hidden Paladins could use. They could have found – or made – their own entrances, but the Imperial Prince’s plan was a welcome acceleration of their own battle plans. They knew of it in advance, by their own secret means, and they let it take shape, for it was plausible and well provisioned. Of the Hidden Paladins, twelve (12) entered the newly formed breaches, one (1) to each side of the castle, with the thirteenth (13th) standing at the ready, for a later strike, should it be needed.

  ~~~

  General Joshua then ordered one (1) company of thirty (30) dark scouts to move in. They began drinking deeply from their vials of highly purified potions of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean. The light around them turned dim, then dark, and then they were encompassed in darkness. They entered the topaz castle unseen, to survey the interior and recognize the weaknesses, and not be caught by a trap of transforming castle walls. The castle was immense, and they began searching diligently for the seat of power, and for Imperial Prince Octavian and his advisors.

  Next, General Joshua ordered another company of twenty-four (24) crystal benders to approach. These began drinking deeply from their own vials, filled with potions of highly purified waters of the Kazofen Ocean. They then moved into the castle, and reached out their hands, touching different parts of the castle’s interior. The walls and portions of the ceilings began to melt into liquid topaz crystal, and create openings to expose more of the castle’s interior. It was gigantic and mazelike when they first entered. They focused intensely, and the interior began to look more like a wide open, empty space instead of a maze.

  ~~~

  The Hidden Paladins observed all of this, including where the crystal benders stood, and noticed how they created openings in certain places, but not others, presumably so as not to cause a collapse. This was strategic, and enabled the Hidden Paladins to navigate more effectively. It would be unfortunate to have their plans be somewhat decelerated by the castle collapsing beneath their feet, although they could walk on unsteady ground as they had before. However, this misfortune did not occur, so long as they followed the paths created by the crystal benders.

  ~~~

  Various rooms were exposed by the melting of the liquid topaz crystal walls. In these rooms were hidden the many companies, of thousands of troops, who were under the command of Captain Dominic. These troops were quickly struck down by the Hidden Paladins, as they were surely in service to the evil liege of this castle. Captain Dominic himself was found and killed by them. Not one of these troops saw anything, or had any warning. It was a quick moving sword: the Vague Blades of the Hidden Paladins brought sudden death, from out of the darkness.

  As more walls melted, and interior chambers were exposed, even the secret room of Octavian and his advisors was discovered. The Hidden Paladins struck each of the advisors, killing them swiftly. However, his chief advisor, Cassius, was unseen, having escaped by shadow guard. This was not Cassius’ day to die, but it was the end of Gregory and Nikolai.

  ~~~

  The spirits of Gregory and Nikolai each awoke in a place of darkness and confusion. A deep and terrifying voice spoke to each of them, saying: “For your lives of deception and manipulation, enabling murder and theft,
you are now condemned to eternal suffering.”

  “What is this place?” the spirit of Gregory asked.

  “Who are you?” the spirit of Nikolai asked.

  “I am Gadamalto, the Master of Spirits in the Maelstrom of Vengeance. Here you will be tormented without end to pay for your cruelty,” the voice said.

  Nikolai and Gregory were subjected to ferocious pain that continued forever, and they screamed in agony throughout.

  ~~~

  The Hidden Paladins saw Octavian, but did not kill him. The Jenaldej plan, which the Hidden Paladins knew in fullest detail, by spying from a hidden location, was to capture Octavian and his advisors, then interrogate the advisors to discover the secrets of the castle constructor. They would then imprison Octavian, and make a lesson of him. The Hidden Paladins did not fully approve, however, and wanted the very knowledge of the castle constructor destroyed, along with the constructor itself, as it was far too dangerous. However, the foolish Imperial Prince Octavian represented little threat on his own, and shaming him would be wise in their sight.

  Certain that Octavian would be dealt with appropriately, the Hidden Paladins turned their attention to the greater danger. They moved swiftly, leaving the topaz castle to attack the constructor itself. They wielded their Vague Blades against the remaining twenty-four (24) pillars of the constructor, cutting them down to rubble.

  ~~~

  The final stage of Imperial Prince Emerond’s plan was put into motion. Two (2) dark scouts approached Imperial Prince Octavian, held him captive, and removed him from the topaz castle. They took him into the presence of Emerond, who stood outside its gates.

  Imperial Prince Emerond then spoke directly to Octavian, saying: “Imperial Prince Octavian, of the Empire of Emptiness. You are Master of No One and Respecter of Nothing.”