Crusade (novel)

Croisade is the third volume of the Romance of Anselm Audley in three volumes, Aquasylva.

First part: Flames of the obscurantism

Chapter first

Cathan, hidden behind the name of Atho, works for Dione Faraïnos Polinskarn (in fact a name of loan), a librarian of the Retirement, on an island isolated from Thétia.

Chapter II

The Retirement is invested by priests of the Field, under the command of Amonis, recently made. Dione being too suffering to work, Cathan goes to the oceanographical station of the city. His/her friend Iulio invites it to go to help Corvina (hidden behind the name of Raimunda) and Vespasia to remove a ship covered from an invading alga. Some time later, Amonis orders to them to remove its clean mante from this same unknown alga of all. Amonis teaches them just that one finds it in Qualathar, but the thétiens doubt that is true since none of them still saw it.

Chapter III

Corvina and Cathan wonder why the Field sends so many men here, in this place the variation of the principal sea routes, and who more is in one of only the mantes that it has. They are there of their reflection when they are called with the bedside of Dione, which is not in fact other than Saldéris Okraya Polinskarn, hérésiarque with the eyes of the field, since she wrote a prohibited book. With dying, they make the oath remain in life whatever is the price so that the knowledge that it transmitted to them, alone, is not lost. It warns them against the use of the storm, even if is to destroy the Field, and says to them that only those which are at the origin of those can help them to include/understand them. Then she dies after having received the blessing thétienne of Cathan, this hiérarque without throne… They are made awake in middle of the night by the irruption of the hiérophantes which take them along outside. There, they attend impotent the bag of the Retirement: the hiérophante burn all the work and the pieces of furniture in immense fires. The following day, the prisoners, treated like cattle, meet a magician empathician téhamais. Corvina knows it…

Second part: Memory of water

Chapter IV

One year later, Cathan and Vespasia are always slaves of the Field. This one qualifies them moderately the penitent ones. They work with other dissidents of various origin to the digging of a channel. Ithyen Eirillia, a thétien which étaut republican when Cathan knew it a few years before, arrives with a procession of hiérophantes to seek volunteers in order to carry out a work in aquatic environment. Cathan and Vespasia go voluntary in order to leave heat relentless of the jungle qualatharaise.

Chapter V

The soldiers carry out them to barges which go up a river. The companions of Ithyen are Salmanosa, a priest halettite, and Murshash, an engineer. When the barges cannot progress any more, the prisoners continue the way with foot in direction of the high mountains of Téhama. They arrive at a stopping where Sévastéos Decaris, the imperial architect L awaits the new arms impatiently. It makes them make a guided visit of the building site explaining to them what it awaits from them, but for Cathan and Vespasia something bell in this history…

Chapter VI

Initially, the slaves set up the scaffolding which will make it possible to work with the restoration stopping. Cathan surprises by chance a conversation between Ithyen and Sévastéos, which confirms its suspicions that them presence here has another reason that the repair of the stopping. Oailos, one of their companion in misfortune, joined their point of view. Curiously, one makes put in the patching mortar a red powder, which proves to be wood-of-fire, an extremely expensive substance… One evening that Cathan is with the variation on a large rock, admiring the twilight, Ithyen joined it and announces to him that Palatine is always alive.

Chapter VII

Whereas the work low depth is almost completed, the inquisitor Amonis arrives accompanied by Corvina captive of Memnon, the empathician whom they met with the Retirement. She thought of being able to trust him, but was betrayed… The magic of Corvina is used to push back the water of the wall of the stopping in order to allow an inspection of the major parts of this one.

Chapter VIII

The inspection continues, but the third day, Corvina shows weaknesses, which causes the death of seven people. To punish it, Amonis made it whip in front of the whole of the slaves. Later the priests must move away from the building site, and go down again in the valley. Ithyen benefits from it to propose in Cathan the release of all the slaves. It would kill the empathician, which would allow Cathan and Corvina to use their magic in order to neutralize the other representatives of the Field.

Chapter IX

Time is degraded at high speed with the approach of a storm. The slaves have hardly time to protect the scaffolding. The evening, they flee with the assistance of Sévastéos and Ithyen, but do not manage definitively to neutralize the empathician who escapes. Corvina ends up catching up with it and to release itself from its chains of which him only with the key. But separated from the other penitent ones, they must only flee in the night qualatharaise.

Chapter X

Then engage a mare through Qualathar. They skirt the lake initially, which brings them in the ruins of an old city, but crossing the jungle, they end up meeting the road of Tandaris with Kalessos. But they decide to take an old road, whose drawing is almost erased, and who is inserted in the mountains.

Chapter XI

They arrive in an abandoned city where they spend the night. Cathan makes nightmares which it can come directly from the spirit of Corvina. They carry on their way, but must face a climatic chaos, probably of magic origin, before reaching the seaside. There, they are joined by a empathician.

Chapter XII

This empathician, is Tekla, which was with the service of fire the Orosius Emperor. He carries out them towards a cave, where he questions them on their recent history. He makes them promise not to flee before going to make sure that téhamais them which is with their cases gave up the continuation. The come evening, it leads them on the beach where a line comes to seek them. Cathan perceives a luminous point in the sky, which he thinks of being a Eye-of-sky, before going up on board the line which joined with a mante, remained more with the broad one.

Chapter XIII

On board this one they find Ukmadorian, the Master of the Citadel of the Shade and Sagantha, which lost the control of Qualathar since the arrival of the Enquiry. The captain Malak Engare, the pansor of the edge, looks after them both, and learns in Corvina which it will not be able to never have children of the continuations of torture to the whip éthéréen that Orosius inflicted to him. The following day occurs a confrontation between them and Ukmadorian, in the presence of Sagantha. They are seen marked to be responsible for the disastrous situation of Qualathar, following the adventures which they carried out since their escape of the Citadel. Cathan recalls him that as hiérarque, and Corvina, Pharaonne, Ukmadorian owe them obedience and not the reverse. It makes the error to acknowledge its objective to him to use energy destructrtuce storms to destroy the Field, which Ukmadorian compares to heresy… The discussion envenime and Ukmadorian makes them lock up in their cabin.

Third part: Sands of the history

Chapter XIV

Prisoner of those which they regarded as allies, Cathan and Corvina seek a means of turning over the situation. They propose to escape and to learn mutually the magic from the elements which they do not control. Ukmodaorian makes abruptly irruption in their cabin declaring that Pharaonne is relieved and that the two prisoners must be maintained separately, because they represent a danger together. Apparently they were spies… But Sagantha intervenes this time in favor of Cathan and Corvina.

Chapter XV

Two days of way approximately, but without light for the prisoners… After accosting, Cathan and Corvina are taken along the eyes bandaged towards a jail. It is about a kind of large cage covered by a large curtain. When this one is raised, they are found in front of the court of the Circle of the Eight, a group of important characters related to the Heresy. The empathician Memnon shows what occurred when Corvina is turned over to Téhama in its company. How it put forward the idea to use the storms against the capacity of the Field.

Chapter XVI

Memnon shows how it drew information from the spirit of Corvina, of which the site of Aeon. Then is with the turn of Cathan to be judged, but not by the magic of the empathician whom it would be likely to kill, even involuntarily. As its answers are considered unsatisfactory, the court decides to use physical torture. Corvina suddenly makes use of the magic of the Shade, killing keeps it which attached Cathan, but it is quickly made neutralize and persecute. The treatment which it receives are enough to make Cathan insane of rage. Its anger provides him a force nécessaure to demolish influence of the empathician and to join together enough magic to put at bag the court, striking and killing the members and their guards… It looks after then Corvina and both flee in the fortress where they are retained with the search for information on their position and the nature of the Circle of the Eight.

Chapter XVII

After having found some information on the origin of the Circle of the Eight, they turn over on their steps to leave the castle on board a line. In way they find a fanatic captive venatician who was tortured. They decide to release it and take it along with them. At the time when they arrive at the port, they see a line which returns towards its cradle. With its orders Sagantha is who is obviously on their side since it killed a guard of the Circle of the Eight. It thus helps them to escape by the sea route, but the road is barred by four lines and a mantes…

Chapter XVIII

A battle under navy begins. By trick Sagantha manages to destroy the mante, the Meridian line, controlled by its subordinates… Then it poses the line on the bottom under a rock shelter and with half hidden in the mud, making it thus invisible with the detector receiving sets.

Fourth part: Dust of Eden

Chapter XIX

They arrive at Ilthys with a message of Giuliana Barrati, panseuse, which gives them in the hands of its counterpart Khalia Mezzano. Giulinana, supervised by the Field could not look after Corvina and Amadéo correctly. This is why it returns them towards Khalia. This one wants to make them bring at it to look after them effectively, but they remained in the line hidden in a small bay one which been able further on the coast. The panseuse one is that which put at the Cathan world (or Caurosius as it was named with the birth). Having lived at the court of the Emperor, she knows already the history of Orosius, and wants that Cathan teaches him his true.

Chapter XX

Cathan and Sagantha turn over near the mante on board a small fishing vessel, the “Wake of money”. Another grinds, but moves away finally. Whereas it joined the line with the stroke, Cathan is attacked by a léviathan. It is helped by a woman curiously armed, but who is not fishing. It belongs to the soldiers of the governor who take by storm ke “Wake of money”.

Chapter XXI

They are the soldiers of Ithyen. It is accompanied by Palatine. After the episode of the stopping, it returned here where it has many contacts. Ihtyen proposes a new plan to lead the two wounded ones near the panseuse one. This one is accepted by Sagantha after the two men made knowledge. Cathan also finds former penitent companions, of which Oailos and Vespasia. From return to the port, they receive news of Qualathar: Eshar sent several tens of ships after the disorders caused by the destruction of the stopping which caused a tidal wave…

Chapter XXII

Cathan and Vespasia, while charging the “Manatee” with fruit cases, discuss strategy. For it, it is obvious that the use of the magic while drawing from the force of the storms represents the best means of destroying the power of the Field, by destroying the Holy City, its center. But Cathan after all that he already heard on this subject, remains held as for the consequences.

Chapter XXIII

Two hiérophantes come to nail a poster announcing of the sanctions on the population if Ihtyen, whose rumor of the presence arrived to the ears of the Field, were not delivered quickly. The remainder of the goods arrives and is quickly charged thanks to the reinforcements with arm… When the “Lamentin” takes the sea, Cathan and Vespasia turn over to their residence. In way they meets a crowd that Oailos goes up against the Field. It is based for that on the fact that Ithyen is always regarded as the true governor of Ilthys, contrary with the puppet set up by the Field. In reprisals with this meeting in front of the doors of its temple, the Field retorts by burning the trees of the place, wounding several people with the passage.

Chapter XXIV

The following day is announced the capture of Ithyen by the Field. Crowd in rage moves again towards the temple. Cathan follows it. The Abisamar priest, perched on the ramparts of the temple, threatens crowd of Interdict on the city, which would deprive it of fire… Cathan makes use of its magic to neutralize the magician, which makes it possible the population to bore the fortifications. Intedit however is set up, and a storm approaches. Cathan and corvina seek a means of stopping the storm. In full reflection, in way towards the temple, they are joined by Amadéo. Soudain Corvina precipitates towards an inn closing its doors where she asks a sheet of paper. While using its magic, which is however not that of Fire, she manages to ignite the bit of paper, in spite of the Interdict of the Field… That is interpreted by Amadéo like a sign of Ranthas, of which it was selected like witness.

Chapter XXV

They arrive all three at the plundered temple. They find Ithyen unconscious and some there their allies. Arrive then the Vanari governor accompanied by Hamilcar. He to them is proposed a fair trial in exchange of their redemption. But Corvina reiterates its exploit of the inn. Palatine proposes to thus make a large fire on the place of the city which can thus recover fire. Hamilcar announces then the assassination of the Eshar emperor.

Fifth part: Clouds of the war

Chapter XXVI

Palatine and Cathan arrive night on an island, before station of the thétia. In a house perched on a cliff overhanging the sea, they find Aurélia Such Mandra, the natural mother of Cathan, and empress of Thétia, drawn aside from the capacity.

In Ilthys, in a room of the Guild of the Dyers, Cathan and its friends and allies seek to know at which benefits the assassination from the Emperor. For Sagantha, it is clear that it is about an act of the Council heretic. For Palatine and Ithyen, that represents the occasion to take again the capacity of the thétia, and to found the Republic there. Only, Sagantha is persuaded that the Navy will not support a Republic since this one, would be directed by the Parliament, declining… But then which to put on throne? Cathan with wisdom to refuse it. Remainder Palatine, and Aurelia, but this one is too old.

Chapter XXVII

Departure for Tandaris, in Qualathar: Aurelia, Hamilcar and Ithyen in the rapid high-speed motorboat of the Field, the others on board a mante, slower, the “Crusade”. This one is surarmée, It was stolen by the Field with the Polinskarn clan, at the time of the abduction of the Retirement. It is equipped with the weapon able to destroy another vessel while making boil water with its periphery: “lance-of-fire”. In way, it decide to make stopover with Thétis, even if that slows down them, to seek reinforcement.

Chapter XXVIII

A ship not answering the messages, follows the “Crusade”. The night, Cathan and Corvina live same the dreams, Sagantha indicator to make use of torture. But they must trust him because these images are emitted by empathician Dracès, on board prosecuting mante of the Council.

Chapter XXIX

New dream of Cathan: It is in Consécration, at the time of a sunset. Orosius is there, like Memnon and Corvina. It is found then on roughing-hew it of Lépidor, where it failed to find death, but he is this time only condemned vis-a-vis the torch that tien Sarhaddon. When the flames start to lick the legs to him, it awakes to find Palatine to announce problems on board to him: the dreams introduced into the head of the sailors by Dracès are likely to involve a mutiny. The crew requires that lance-of-fire be used to get rid of the prosecuting ship. Finally Sagantha decides simply to neutralize it, since potential allies can be on board this one. Near Qualathar, they are four mantes imperial which awaits the “Crusade”. They are ordered by the Kauanhameha captain, with the orders of the Pharaon.

Chapter XXX

Ukmadorian is present at edge of the one of the vessels, and furious the threat of destruction. The combat is imminent, but the use of the magic is not possible, being given the proximity of Empathiciens. Thanks to some subtle operations, Sagantha manages to be more continued only by two vessels, of which Rhadamanthys, with on its Chlamas board, member of the elemental Council. The attempt at Corvina to rejoin its crew shows a failure. In spite of the magic of the shade which neutralizes the capture of the “Crusade”, Sagantha manages to put out of combat the unfavourable ships. On board second, the “spirit of the sea”, Laeas prevents them that all the fleet of the council is concentrated in the inland sea and awaits them, full magicians ready with the combat.

Chapter XXXI

Again the “Crusade” is attacked. When the combat turns to its disadvantage, in spite of three destroyed vessels and “Star of damaged shade”, Corvina, Cathan, Palatine, Oailos and Amadéo decide to leave on board a line help, renamed the “Apostate”, in order to create a diversion, and to divide the unfavourable troops. Thus, they engage in a channel, protected from “Star of shade” which continues them, by a coral barrier. They can attend a terrible naval battle between the fleets of the Field and the elemental Council. In spite of confusion, they remain a target for their prosecutors, but manage to join the coast thanks to a heroic but apparently suicidal action of the “Crusade” and the intervention of the “Aegeta” with on its Vespasia board, which gives them appointment with Tandaris…

Chapter XXXII

The arrival with Tandaris is placed under the sign of calm unusual. Oailos and Amadéo start from their side to inform the population of what occurred to Ilthys, while Palatine, Corvina, and Cathan try to join the house of Tamanès, the oceanographer which they ask of the assistance. With the door of the house they meet Cléombrotus, landlord of the oceanographers, then find Alciana inside. At the time when Tamanès proposes to them to accompany them to the Canadrath house, who will constitute a refuge surely more effective for them, the militiamans of the Council knock on the door. Hidden at the cellar, they attend impotent the arrest of Cléombrotus and Alciana, shown to have helped them to escape. Then Tamanès hunting, because they bring only misfortune everywhere where they pass.

Chapter XXXIII

As soon as left Tamanès, apparently supervised, they are taken in hunting by téhamais, helped their jaguars. They quickly are caught up with, but begun again by the hiérophantes of Amonis, which lead them to Sarhaddon. This last their offer to join the order of the venaticians, which will make them untouchable, if not they will be tortured and carried out.

Chapter XXXIV

They are brought in top of the ramparts of the temple, joined soon by Midian, Amonis, Hamilcar Barca and two leaders of large commercial houses of Taneth, two admirals thétiens, two senior officers pharassiens and one montferranais in the paces of senior official, some Ecuadorians and an admiral cambressien, Xasar Karoa which had led Cathan and Sarhaddon until Taneth, seven years before. Représetants of the elemental Council arrive on other side of the place, announcing that its, troops are on the way to hold an important fleet of mantes and to release Qualathar of the yoke of the Field. Corvina is made trap by Sarhaddon which removed its bond to him. It appears now with the eyes of the population like a traitress with the service of the Field. Crowd claims her death then. Palatine tent to attack Midian, but quickly is neutralized by the hiérophantes and is taken along. Well with the shelters behind its shield éthéréen, the temple prepares with the attack. Cathan and Corvina are then taken along to undergo the question.

Chapter XXXV

It is Cathan which is tortured, suspended, of the weights attached to its feet, in order to make speak Corvina. At the end of one moment, furious, it uses the magic of fire, thing which the priests of Ranthas consider impossible since it is not magician of this element. That generates a great disorder on behalf of the priests, and throws them into a panic when they learn that all the inhabitant of Ilthys were pilot similar facts. Indeed, if the news is spread, it is the authority of the Field which is likely to be called in question everywhere. Cathan and Corvina are saved in extremis death thanks to the intervention of Sarhaddon which persuades the other priests to use them, them and their magic, for the propaganda of the Field.

Chapter XXXVI

Cathan, Corvina and Palatine are again brought on the ramparts of the temple. On the place, the Council announces the establishment of the nouvem Empereur, Arcadius. But little time afterwards, they attends a true hecatomb in the rows of the Council which however took the precaution to attack the walls of the temple with weapons primitive allowing to bore the shield éthéréen. When the exit of the combat seems decisively in favor of the Field, the three prisoners are taken along by the hiérophantes, since Midian finally decided that he preferred to see them dead. But suddenly the door of the temple flies in glare, which allows a new offensive of the Council.

Chapter XXXVII

The surprise of the breach makes it possible to the three prisoners to be released from their hiérophantes. They attend the entry in the temple of soldiers of the Council and a magician of Water. Cathan and Corvina lend strong hand to the new arrivals accompanied by Sagantha. Sarhaddon declares that it is itself which opened the breach and which Cathan must now kill Midian. Ithyen is killed, just as Sagantha. Amadéo launches to the archers, who threaten Cathan, to listen to this one. He thus repeats once again the use of the magic of fire, showing thus that it is not the prerogative of the magicians of the Field. Sarhaddon benefits from the moment to show that Ranthas is not the only god of fire, but also of all the elements. Reglath Eshar, the emperor, who does not have in fact not poisoned, is let convince that Cathan is a prophet. He blesses Cathan before being killed by Amonis, whereas Ninurtos attacks Cathan. The died emperor, the Tanaïs marshal orders has his men to kill touts the priests of Ranthas of the city except Sarhaddon and Amadeo. Khalia arrives then and looks after Cathan which for it has great need. Tanaïs is inclined in front of Cathan before this one is not taken along by the stretcher-bearers in sure place.

Epilog: Spectra of the paradise

Palatine was named empress of Thétia. She addresses herself to her people preparing it with the war against the Field. After the speech, Tanaïs learns in Cathan, Corvina and Vespasia that they are not Tuonetars which are responsible for the storms, but in fact him and the Emperor, on board Aeon… Cathan then makes the decision of the utiser to cancel the disordered state of the climate, to thus destroy the influence of the Field and the thétia so that never more its family does not exert her harmful influence on the world. This very brave decision, causes at Corvina the confirmation of its love for Cathan…

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