The Razed Ruins Part I: Ill Tides

Chapter 14.1: The Great Death

Bayburg. Kingdom of Pent

"Nobody knows what killed the Vegar. All we know for certain is that all of the empires of the world collapsed simultaneously. Seemingly overnight, nearly every human in the world vanished," Master Aarren explained. Though Josafina was usually bored during their studies, talk of the Great Death had a way of piquing her interest. And thinking about the Vegar is different now after finding father's book. Since that night a week earlier she'd not had a chance for a second look.

"Jeffrey Greenborne, Lord of Pent, in his book Mysteries of the Vegar, elucidates his theory that it was a sudden catastrophe from the Earth—some terrible but natural process—that very quickly brought an end to the large civilization that dominated the world at the time. Today, this theory has largely been accepted as fact."

Josie was fully engaged now at the mention of the familiar book. "But Lord Greenborne's theory lacks a body of credible evidence to make any claim of absolute truth," Josie surprised herself saying. She noticed the others, especially Georgana, turning to look at her strangely.

Master Aarren smiled. "That's a very interesting point. But all of the best minds disagree. Based on the evidence as Lord Greenborne puts forth in his book, natural catastrophe is the most logical of all solutions. Now," he said, turning back to the class as if the matter was settled.

"But Lord Greenborne's argument is almost entirely speculative and anecdotal," Josie continued. "He even says on page 174, 'the lack of—'"

But Master Aarren waved her off. "Of course it is impossible to know for sure. There are almost no surviving works from the Age of Chaos of any sort, let alone any that discuss the Great Death. In fact, no one even knows for certain how long it took civilization to rise from the ashes. Official estimates range anywhere from 443 years in the Dehnish archives to 2,015 in the calendars kept in Suros. Here in America it was determined that the rise of King Omar Roberts I would be given the arbitrary year of 1000."

Josie leaned back in her chair and folded her arms over her chest unhappily. Her mind was elsewhere again, wandering mostly to the Vegar book and to Walden. It was Mid Fair and the tryst with him she'd been both anticipating and dreading would come at last that night.

At the front of the room, Master Aarren had moved on to a new topic. "Given the nature of this Five Years Fair, and considering this is our last lesson before Fair break, perhaps we should talk for a moment about the idea of term limits. What makes this Five Years Fair special, other than the Tercentennial, is the expiration of the fifteen-year term of Supreme Chancellor Sandra Gonsales. She has ruled the White Throne longer than many of you have been alive.

"You might wonder why, unlike all the other thrones in New America, the White Throne is subjected to this mandatory restriction. The history of this idea dates back to the 1500's and the dynasties of Greggon Rose I, II, and III. With the population of Seldor swelling and the economy strong after the sugar cane boom, Seldor held enough chairs at the Five Year's Council to re-elect their own House time after time again, much to the dismay of the other three kingdoms. At last, it was House Bromborne who proposed the term limit, and the Guild of Magistrates ratified the measure with the Council's approval. And ever since, for the last century-and-a-half, the supreme chancellor has been forced to abide this restriction.

"There are no other elected royalty in the realm, though some, including The Pike and the White Throne, are subject to oversight from a Guild of Magistrates in a process called a 'recall.' Though successful recalls are extremely uncommon, this is how House Thomas took The Pike from House Jorden 39 years ago. A group of surlords can bring their grievances in front of the Guild and if the case is deemed strong enough, the Guild can initiate a recall moot in which a new monarch can be chosen by a majority vote. This measure was enacted by Omar Roberts I in Rocklands and later was adapted by Omar Roberts II as he laid the foundation of the Union."

Through the small window facing the street, Josie counted the bells from the temple hopefully, having lost track of the time at some point during the morning. Ten. The ten-bell signified it was ten hours after first light and two hours after noon.

There was emphatic knocking on the door. Master Aarren frowned and marched to the door, opening it with some trepidation. A man wearing a slate-gray cloak and a feather inside a circle broach handed a parchment to their teacher. A featherfoot. But why would he interrupt the middle of a class? Only something urgent could warrant such a disruption.

Master Aarren thanked the man, tipped the messenger a coin Josie couldn't see, and walked slowly back to the front of the room with his eyes buried in the letter. Josie and Georgana exchanged a confused look. At last, their instructor glanced up and set the parchment aside on a nearby podium.

"As you all know we're going on hiatus for the second half of the fair," he said at last in a peculiar tone. "I trust you will all spend your time wisely." He fixed each of them individually with his stare. "For the present, my young disciples, go about and enjoy yourselves! It is Mid Fair and I know there are many celebrations. Be safe." He paused. "And when I see you again, the realm will be under the control of a new Supreme Chancellor."

"Yeah," commented an older boy, probably near his coming of age. "You mean Castrol Thomas."

Their instructor smiled lightly. "We can never be sure, can we? Anyways, in the meantime, peace be with all of you and yours," he said pressing his palms together with his elbows bent. The students repeated his salutation with varying degrees of enthusiasm.

Josafina stood and stretched dramatically, catching a younger boy staring. She smiled at him weakly. Her thoughts turned suddenly to the note from Walden in her pocket. I do hope her ladyship will come alone and in secret, for the topic is of utmost importance. An unchaperoned visitation during underage courtship was strictly forbidden by the rules of their temple. Such a scandal would be enough to coax her usually docile father into a swift and vigorous punishment. Even worse, it was potentially enough to lead to Walden Mooseberry's disgrace and possibly even incarceration. The last thing I want to do is spend Mid Fair secretly meeting with you. But nobles had power over commons. A small lie from Walden could disgrace her in ways she could never undo. I have to suffer him. And do whatever he wants. That was the advice her mother had given her and Josie supposed it was sage, even if it wasn't fair.

"Josie!" Georgana was shouting. "Come on!"

"Let's go to your house to get ready," Georgana said once she'd caught up. "Then we can head down to mine. I stole some of my mother's boiled wine to share."

It's going to be a night I'll never forget.