Happily, it turned out that things went badly for Cirithil from the very instant William had left. After the city guard left him, it got the priests very worried. Many found the occasion to go home and reconnect with family. Others, including Rundas, could be seen using their powers to heal the sick and injured. Like they should have been doing it ages ago.
Those who remained with Cirithil were the sort to be utterly disgusted with him. Or, in the case of Joffrey, the type sticking around for a bigger reward later. So things went all the worse from there.
Cirithil tried to bribe them with promises of part of it. But Coalmarsh told him he'd only do it if Cirithil resigned. This Cirithil would not be due, and he couldn't get anyone else to help him. Neither could go into town and hire anyone because he wanted to make sure this kind of money was paid for all finders.
No one had even felt pity for Cirithil because he really should have known better.
There was no excuse for being this stupid and irresponsible. It would be a long way before William held any respect for Rundas or the others. Joffrey, meanwhile, was apparently dispatched on business with an entourage of guards. Reports indicated that he had been followed by a drunken and armed knight.
"That's why Rundas thought Elranor didn't exist," blurted Jehair.
"What?" said William.
"He must have been in contact with people from this other world," said Jehair. "Some in the Demoration believe that gods are psychic manifestations. They believe the gods derive from something called the collective unconscious."
"I don't want to ever hear about Cirithil again," said William with a sigh. The High Priest's existence had burdened an already lovely visit. "My only hope is that he will be struck by a bolt of divine retribution as quickly as possible."
"I'd like to finish my thought all the same," said Jehair.
"So Cirithil liked the idea because it absolved him of responsibility," said William. He was guessing at her line of argument. "And it let him lead a life of unchecked hedonism without guilt. Since the gods were fake, and we were all fools."
"Yes," said Jehair.
"I don't care," said Auga, still reading. Uncle and his wife were back in town, making arrangements to keep Cirithil out of trouble.
"In that, we agree. What are you reading?" asked William.
"Book on experimental crossings," said Auga, flipping a page. "Made by the Sorcerers Guild. You don't physically cross over to the other world. Usually, anyway, there are exceptions, like when a god pulls you places.
"You send a phantom over that gets back the second you left when you're done. But what you do in the other world affects what happens to you in the other. If you die here, you probably die relatedly on the other side. Though, it all varies by the world."
"Where do you get all these books?" asked William, although it was foolish. Uncle had much easier access to books than Father, who had to import from the presses in Antion. The distance to Haldren was much smaller than the distance to Brisgald. Simple logistics raised prices, all the more so when Father had a book sent to be transcribed to print.
"Father collects them," said Vorn. "Got inspired to do by your old man." William let it pass, though his foreign way of talking irritated him. "So, mind if I ask where you got the scar?"
"In battle, a few marks of pride," said William with a smile. "You seem to have avoided the problem."
"Well, I mostly stick to merchant work. Someone has to run things," said Vorn. He'd gotten complacent. "Not much of a fan of the war scars.
"You ought to get that looked at."
William remembered the scar Arraxia had given him. "It's a mark of pride.
"It shows I was in battle with a powerful demoness and was victorious."
"To each their own kid," said Vorn. "But you're facing would drive the maidens crazy without it."
"I think it does already," said William with a smile.
"Harlenor is awash with experts in combat," noted Jehair. "Some variety can't hurt."
"So, how have things progressed in Brisgald?" asked William. "Other than what I've seen."
"Well, we've opened up some new mines," said Vorn. "Some of our people hit copper, and we've started digging. Even hired a group of Nakmar Dwarves to set up a colony to mine it, contracts and supplies being set up.
"Uncle, set that up for us. And my people are in the transport business. And as usual, we've got the supplies of bog iron and such.
"Your connections with them gave me a chance to do it. They seem to really like you."
"I remember the conversation with Kiyora about it," said William. House Gabriel's friendship with the Nakmar was a great boon to both. "Any trouble with the satyrs?" This conversation ought to have been had much before, but there was no time for it. He'd kept putting it off, and the letter still hadn't been given.
Vorn hadn't been there when he'd arrived, and it hadn't seemed right to give it to him. After that, everything was hectic.
"None at all," said Vorn. "Arraxia, the new demonic overlord, had rigidly enforced her agreement with Uncle. I've had no raids, and that's for the best.
"And the bandits steer clear of these lands. A lot of them have old friends who resettled out here."
"Now, our policy is to give them a chance to surrender," said Auga. "If they do, we provide them free transportation to one of the colonies. Whether they like it or not.
"Estal is a popular destination, as is the Islands of Power."
"You know, I heard there was talk of a war there," said Vorn. "Sorn has been gathering ships, and there's talk they'll launch a new offensive.
"King Andoa though, well, he's been kept shut up in his palace as usual. Nobody knows what he is doing until everything is decided."
"Is that wise?" asked William.
"That depends on what you think is going to happen," said Auga. "Vorn believes the whole thing is going to be a stalemate. It'll be a waste of time. He wants us to adopt a wait-and-see approach."
"It's the only way it'll go down," said Vorn. "Looking at those plantations made me into an abolitionist, Auga. They are completely unstable; everybody is living in constant fear and hatred. All you'd need to do is land some troops, and you could start a revolution.
"That would put the Sornians out of business immediately."
"Yes, Vorn, but you're assuming their enemies know they are organized enough to do it," said Auga. "Dinis has been decaying for years. I've been there. They'd had one of their provinces gutted by a demonic invasion. So Kalthak will likely take the chance on the raid.
"So they can't put their full force on it.
"Meanwhile, Chaminus has a decent fleet, but they can't resist the Sornians. At best, they'll slow things down long enough for a good deal. And who else is there to resist them but a few islands of pirates?"
"Some of those pirates have Harlenorian blood, Auga," said Vorn. "Many of them are descendants of slaves who escaped from the Calishans. And King Nagos maintains relationships with them; he'll probably make an alliance."
"It would only slow them down," said Auga. "It would take either utter stupidity by the Sornians or brilliance by his enemies. King Nagos is competent but not an experienced soldier, and everything is against him.
"Who else can lead? Emperor Octavus is William's age and has never escaped his palace.
"And Dinis is already facing serious problems. Especially with Kalthak seeking vengeance on the border."
"What happened with Kalthak?" asked William.
"Eastern Kalthak, William, the country hasn't unified yet," said Jehair.
"Basically, the Prince of Kalthak Abdul Sahshir has a skin disease that is killing him," said Vorn. William wondered if he could heal it. "There was a power struggle between him and his uncle, Asim. Apparently, they worked something out since Asim stepped aside in the end. Nobody even died.
"But Zigilus staged a raid on Kalthak in the chaos that did a lot of damage. The Emperor dispatched his legions to destroy Zigilus. And a demonic invasion gutted the entire province.
"It's a perfect time for Kalthak to get even. And Sahshir is apparently both violent and desperate to prove himself.
"What do you think, Jehair? You were there during the sacking of Zigilus?"
Jehair bit her lip. "It would be more accurate to say that I was watching.
"Laevian wanted an observer, but I took no part in the conflict. And the Flower Maiden sent me there on unrelated business I had already completed. I had several business arrangements with Imogen there and a few others.
"As a druid, I am not so much neutral as in it for the woods."
William thought about the problem and tried to remember the maps he'd seen in Carn Gable.
"...What if Eastern Kalthak sides with Dinis?" asked William suddenly.
"Why would they not do that?" agreed Vorn.
"It's the smart move," said William. "Dinis has already gotten a bloody nose for their raid. And if Sorn takes over the Islands of Power, Eastern Kalthak is a logical next step. They are the weakest shore Sorn will be in reach of."
"They've got some ships," noted Vorn. "And I've heard that Sahshir invaded Zigilus alone during the fighting. He even allowed many of the survivors to enter his domain. And I have seen him as a formidable warrior, albeit slightly mad.
"Sahshir has some ships, and allying with Dinis allows him to make his mark. And it also leaves his borders much more secure. Dinis isn't going to invade a country they don't border anymore; Zigilus is abandoned. It'll be decades before they can repair it, and both sides need that border secure."
"Then the question becomes, is Sahshir smart?" noted William, certain the answer was yes for no reason he could comprehend. Had he met the man?
"He was smart enough to stage a coup without killing anyone. And to convince his uncle to abdicate," said Jehair. "And by all accounts, he has become quite popular.
"I think he may make a decent King for as long as he lives."
"Antion agrees," said Auga. "He's popular with Zigildrazians."
"Why?" asked William.
"Zigildrazians regard themselves as property," said Jehair. "Zigilus was chosen to be destroyed. But Sahshir managed to amuse Zigildrazia. Then, he saved many of them so that they had a new settlement in East Kalthak.
"Zigildrazia is not interested in intelligent foreign policy. Only in putting on a good show."
William considered the problem of Tavish and his operations. They would have to be dealt with.
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
"...What are we going to do about these bandits? We'll have to do something."
"Kill them all," said Auga, who had a very practical mind.
"Father has offered dispossessed soldiers the chance to resettle," said Vorn. "I think I mentioned that earlier.
"It was my idea. We've had a lot of abandoned space, and raids by satyrs drove many people from the borders. And there were a couple of plagues in the days of Borinius that decreased things.
"Setting up some new people there seems good. It is not as profitable as slaves, maybe, but it isn't evil.
"It also gives us a ready supply of fighting men who have a grudge against our neighbors and owe us everything."
"Convenient," said Auga.
Their journey led them out of the green lands and into a place much less green. There was underbrush closer to the road and unkempt trees. The air went from cool to cold, and the land became drab. Soon, the clouds were getting very thick and dark. Perhaps foreshadowing a downpour that had not yet come. Low rumbles could be heard. William wondered if the rain would symbolize redemption or grief.
Soon, the trees that dotted the area around them became thicker. There was less open space, and towns needed William's help a bit. He provided without fanfare, accepted hospitality for the night, and moved on. During this time, they learned that House Marn had been approached by Cirithil. He had been asked to transport the High Priest's flocks.
Letan had shut it down because only a madman would court famine.
"The real problem is House Marn," said Vorn.
"Why are they a problem?" asked William.
"They control access to Savior's Run, which is situated right by the mouth of the river," said Vorn.
"And they are the primary contact for most offworlders.
"A lot of Cirithil's contacts come from there. If he sold the livestock to them, they could move it off-world in a day, and nobody would notice. And they have dealings with the Sorcerer's Guild that are off the books.
"I've been in one or two meetings, and he's on them. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't make a bit of use of their services."
"Surely not," said William, feeling obligated to defend nobility.
"I don't mean prostitutes," said Vorn. "I mean information.
"Politics in Antion has a lot of secret-keeping and blackmail in it. Letan operates almost entirely in Antion, so he's got to be really good at it. But when you deal in those circles, they deal in you.
"Maybe someone has leverage on him."
"Why does that make him the problem?" asked William.
"Well, they've got territory near the mouth of Savior's Run," said Vorn as thunder roared overhead. "And because of some deals they cut ages ago with the spirits, they can move through it quickly. No one ever attacks them on Savior's Run, ever.
"It's never happened.
"So they don't have to pay river guards, they don't have to worry about losing ships or cargo. That means they can undercut the prices of everyone who uses the river with less risk. As a result, they've practically got exclusive access to trade there. Everyone else must take a long way, and most can't get to Qor'Dana.
"Unless you want to risk pirates in the Islands of Power. That means goods made near the river are much more expensive."
"They've never forgiven us for ruining their neat and tidy system in Artarq," said Auga.
"Yeah, see, when they bought Artarq from King Andoa. They more or less gained absolute control of the entire malas trade," said Vorn. "Not to mention trade into Khasmir and a lot of other places. They allowed huge amounts of corruption in the ports, so everyone relied on the river.
"Then they got paid bribes from corrupt officials. They, in turn, undercut the competition. A lot of them want payback; maybe House Marn wants payback. We gotta hit them before they hit us again."
"I know; I've been living there Vorn," said William. "Father has spent years ripping the system to shreds. All of the areas are directly run by competent officials loyal to Father."
"Oh, right," said Vorn. "Well, that kind of brute force approach won't work in Antion. Andoa deliberately made it so it couldn't work. He didn't like violence."
"And as a result, we got Kafka," said William. "House Marn was very unpopular during its reign in Artarq. Father exposing Borinius saved the entire region. If he hadn't been in that Castle, the Calishans would have walked in unopposed."
"...Do you think that House Marn set Reg up?" asked William. "Neral Dinis can't have acted alone."
"Reg?" asked Auga. "Mother's brother? What about him?"
"Haven't you been listening, Auga?" asked Vorn.
"I've been reading," said Auga.
"Give me that thing," said Vorn, snatching it and putting it in his pack.
"Give me my book back," said Auga.
"You can get it back after we finish planning our revenge scheme," said Vorn. "Not before."
Auga fumed.
William then explained, again, how Reg came to take over Ascorn, and Auga was very bored by it. She kept eyeing the mountaintops as the wind howled at them.
"Anyway, the answer is no," said Vorn. "Noble houses control their people because they are afraid of losing prestige. If you abuse your authority and break your oaths, you'll be disgraced. Duke Letan is very big on that, and that's why he runs the operation.
"Everybody knows he'll only do what is necessary and no more.
"Atravain didn't benefit from it. And a foreign power would need a go-between. So it's either Neral Dinis working alone, House De Chevlon using him for deniability."
"Who are we technically allied with?" said William.
"Hawkthorne has it easy," said Vorn. "The House has utterly destroyed any semblance of honor or never valued it. His grandfather ran brothels for Elranor's sake.
"At the same time, other nobles disliked Baron Hawkthorne enough that he could never be a threat by himself. He needs outside support. So, while everyone hates him, he is never dangerous enough to justify wiping the family out. This leaves House Hawkthorne in a limbo where none of the normal means of chastisement work.
"Vladimir plays proxy to a lot of criminal groups who hate vampires. Neral Dinis doesn't fit everyone. And I heard he's even done some off-world business."
"So what would you suggest?" asked William.
"I have no idea," said Vorn. "We can't hit them directly. That's not how it works. But messing with the economy is dangerous. Every market is connected to another; if you hit one, you hit them all.
"We need a way to hit the criminal markets without hitting legal ones."
"When a man who invests his money into an honest market decides he has had enough," said Jehair. "He takes his money out with any profits and puts it elsewhere. When a man who invests his money into a criminal market decides he has had enough, his throat is cut. Then he is tossed into a river to float away."
"What's your point?" asked Vorn.
"...It was merely an observation," said Jehair.
"I'll keep it in mind," said Vorn.
And then Kiyora appeared, blue hair flowing behind her as she descended in her school uniform. "William?! Where have you been?
"I've been trying to get in contact with you forever!"
"Yes, what is it?" asked William.
"I'm sorry, who are you?" asked Auga.
"I'm Kiyora Yagos, Dreaming Goddess; I've got business with my champion," said Kiyora. "Now, first, what is it with you calling on my power?
"This whole place is seeped in dreams and intersects with my world, but I've been shut out. I swear someone has been embezzling my power or something because this makes no sense."
"I was wondering when you would show up," said William. "How can I help?"
"I've been getting a lot of reports from Seathorius of strange movements," said Kiyora. "And some mention the dead rising, though only after everyone is gone.
"I sent scouts after them, and they are all marching by stealth to a place called Blackfear."
"A move by Neral Dinis, perhaps?" asked Jehair.
"Or by Sylvar," said Vorn.
"I don't care who it is, Will," said Kiyora. "There's a village near here that has serious problems.
"I just returned from it, and all the children disappeared. There was also a rat problem, and several other villages had the same problem. So take care of it."
"Wait, so there's an undead army rising, and you're assigning me to kill rats?" asked William.
"It's on the way," said Kiyora. "It's important. Geeze, you need to stop getting so deadset on grand events. Undead zombie armies are great fun to kill off.
"But it's not good if everyone is eaten by rats."
"This is the first I heard of it. And I went through not long ago," said Jehair.
"And who are you?" asked Kiyora.
"I am Jehair," said Jehair.
"Let me guess, you're a secretly evil guest star," said Kiyora.
"I prefer to think of myself as an objective observer," said Jehair.
"Well, observe somewhere else," said Kiyora. "William already does that."
"I'm on my way," said William. "Auga, Vorn-"
"We'll come with you," said Vorn. "This is the sort of thing we've got to handle, too. And I think I may know the village she means." What did that mean?
"Great, I'm out of here," said Kiyora.
And she was gone in a flash.
Auga thought and then turned. "You go on ahead."
"What about you?" asked William.
"I'll deal with the Babarassians personally," said Auga.
"Wait one moment," said William. "I was given a letter for you and Vorn. Take this."
Auga took it.
Then William turned and gave Vorn his letter. Vorn pocketed it. "I'll look at it when I get a chance. If this thing doesn't go well, it won't matter what Uncle wants."
"He is the head of the Family, Vorn," said William.
"Yeah, and I can't think about letters when I'm outside," said Vorn. "You need to be in the right mindset when you read these things. Otherwise, you rush off and do something stupid.
"Whatever it is, it wasn't sent by faster methods. So, he doesn't want a public display and doesn't feel the need to rush it. You have to learn to take it easy sometimes. Rushing things is only going to make you operate badly.
"Good luck, Auga.
William turned to Auga. "What about the slaves?"
"I'll pick my targets," said Auga.
And then Auga Gabriel leaped into the air and transformed into a giant, red dragon. Her scales gleamed as she beat her wings and flapped skyward with a roar. Jehair stared in shock. "Auga is a dragon?!"
"Yes," said William. "Didn't you know?"
"Can we just go?" asked Vorn.
And so they headed out as Auga flew across the sky at breakneck pace beneath an onslaught of wind. What was Jehair so worked up about?