the prophecies of Jacoa (the missing book of Seren), john Pallister [best fiction books of all time TXT] 📗

GENERAL NOTES

The Gods and Goddesses of Carlexon

GOD of everything – Unknown if he exists and what his name is. Seren supposedly serves him.

Five Main Gods
Seren _ Goddess of serendipity (Now banished)
Prida – Goddess of pride
Brawa – God of bravery
Justan - God of just and willing
Foran – God of force and strength.

Minor Gods
Spee – Goddess of speed
Musac – God of music
Weat – God of weather
Charma – Goddess of charm and beauty
Fortuna – God of wealth and fortune

Banished or evil gods

Malex – God of the undead

Tempie – Goddess of temptation and perversion.

Death – God of death (obviously)

Suff – Goddess of suffering and disease.

Neutral Gods

Borea – God of boredom

TRutha: God of sheer truth and non judgmental on any actions. Used to settle disputes

Prologue

Wind was bellowing, cold shivers were running down Estern’s neck. Looking around he smiled at Terec who was at the helm. It was dark and visibility was poor but it was the reason why they had choosen the night. The harbour at Talobay would be quieter and less attention.
The ship was a small fisherman vessel, manoeuvrable and just equipped to carry the contraband from Sederia.
Several hours had ticked by but Terec was sure that they could dispatch the goods when on shore unchallenged.
Estern’s long blonde hair was tied back, he was from the north of Talobay. Popular fisherman now entangled into a band of honest thieves and smugglers. They were honest because they had a purpose, a true goal, not just to better their own pockets but to fund something more precious then the loot.
Terec had approached Estern in the local tavern and while over a few drinks entrusted his knowledge to him; well the small parts. There was a heirarchy within this organisation and you only knew what you had to.
The goods were a forbidden plant from Sederia, it gre out in the wild. A picker was the person who picked it, skilled in the art of selection and botany. By itself it was relatively harmless and if eaten would probably only cause a stomach upset. However if local ingredients were added or if it was smoked it could be used for a various number of things. Often used by wizards and Warlocks or certain alchemists.
Terec didn’t know how to do anything with it and it didn’t care. Once it was off the boat it would be delivered to Marcus Certan who had the ability to distribute it and sell it to certain outlets in the village.
Estern’s mind was clear. Do this one task and his family would be made for life. He didn’t care too much about the consequences and the errands the group performed.
A third man on lower deck Armatus came up the hatch.
“We are nearly there, Master Terec.”
“Very good, I shall bring her in slowly.”
Terec smiled as he brought the ship to the bay. The wooden planks on either side formed a kind of square and a small rope bridge would be thrown from ship. It was just as they planned.
“Right Armatus grab a sack, I’ll follow you up with Estern.”
Armatus agreed and put the sack over his shoulder and smiling went forward off the ship onto the rope bridge to shore. The bridge was creaking and wobbling but relatively safe.
He clambered on shore and waited for the others. Terec and Estern grabbed a sack each and followed the same route. Estern heard a voice.
“Oh hoy there, who goes there.”
Terec signalled quiet and as they were half way on the boat and half way off he decided it would be safer on the boat. Estern was on the shore but he did as he was told and headed back to the boat via the rope bridge. As Estern headed back he tripped over a loose rung making a crashing sound. He didn’t even have enough time to blink before two men (guards) appeared and grabbed him.
Terec was on board the ship noticing Estern was in trouble, he let the boat go and started sailing out the bay with the rope ladder still attached.
“Terec help.” Estern shouted.
Terec didn’t look back, he couldn’t, there was no way HE was going to be caught ;me?; Terec? I am too important. Estern’s just a fisherman.
Armatus had heard the commotion and ran to Estern’s aid, but was grabbed by the two guards.
“You’ve violated the law, surrender your goods and come with us.”
Armatus tried to run, but that was his last mistake, he felt a warm sensation as a short blade had entered his sternum and he clutched himself as he fell to the ground, bleeding heavily. The goods were still in the sack, he crawled to them as quick as possible, but the guards were watching. Armatus grunted and shouted out
“Salac will be avenged.” And felt the life seeping out of him.
Estern in shock dropped the sack and put his hands in the air.
“I will come with you, just don’t kill me.”
“Wise choice coming peacefully gives you more hope and credibility.”
The guards led Estern off.


Terec had reached the North side of Talobay, he could clear his head and report his failure to the factor. Unlike the Empire the factor had a loyal faith in each other classed themselves as friends and they would not punish him, just re-organise plans.
He walked past the temple towards town, then he thought about popping into Estern’s shack. He knew where it was he owed it to Estern to tell his wife and maybe the factor would have enough to pay for his bounty if he was alive. When he got to the shack entrance he could hear voices, it was not Elen (Estern’s wife).
He listened in closer without opening the door.
“Nothing here except a few fish, he may have been telling the truth.” whispered somebody.
“Any sign of his wife?”
“Yes she’ll be back soon, lets hope she has enough money to pay for the crime. The conversation was broken short as the back door opened and Elen came in. She screamed in shock.
“Get out my house!”
“Calm down, you must be Elen, we are officers of the Empire.”
“Oh I see, if it’s about the stolen bread and um cheese; here take 2 gold coins, it’s all I’ve got, I don’t want any trouble.”
“No it’s ok, it’s about your husband.”
“What about him?”
“Do you know what type of things he’s involved in?”
“He’s a fisherman, a good honest trade.”
“Well he’s been seized in a contraband raid. We’ve been told by Marcus Certan our informer that he joined the notorious smugglers factor some weeks ago. You must have known, better meals, more gold….”
“I thought he was doing well with the fish, but he was always busy, We’ve got Jacoa to feed.”
“How bad is it?” She asked
“He’s facing certain death if the bounty can’t be paid to the Empire.”
“How much?” She added.
“2000”
“I haven’t got that much, you can’t kill him.”
“I don’t make the laws, I just put them into practise, and it’s out of my hands.
Terec was listening in, he could just go in there now and hand them 2000, but he knew that the corrupt Empire officers were like, they’d keep the gold and go back on their word.
There had to be another way. So he trudged off quickly and stealthily towards the tavern. He’d deal with Marcus the informer later. Luckily only a fraction of the factor had been involved with him and the exposed members who were compromised only will give brief facts on that one mission.
“We are going to take you to Fort Bonah, where you will be staying with your husband. You can discuss what you want to do.” The guard said to Elen.


Captain Luca sat at his desk.
“Empire State law clearly states that anybody found in possession of contraband is to be executed unless the fine can be paid.”
“I know that sir, but have pity; He’s got a young boy and a wife.”
“If they can’t come up with the gold then I have no choice.”
“Yes we do.” Another guard pointed out.
“Section 7 of the Elders law states here that if the bounty cannot be paid the authorities’ has the right to take something with or without force off the accused.”
“Yes but they have nothing worth 2000.”
“It also says that a baby boy can be substituted for any amount of gold.”
“What do you mean?” the intrigued Captain asked.
“Well if the woman surrenders her boy to be brought up here in the Empire, she goes back to her shack and Estern goes to some penile colony for the rest of his life.”
“What will happen to the boy?”
“He will have no contact with Father and Mother and be brought up by a decent honest member of the Empire, where he will train and become an Imperial and do his duties to our God’s, His king and country.”
“Settled then, God have mercy on their soul, bring them in.”
“Elen, Estern (carrying little baby Jacoa) entered the office.”
The captain explained that he would give them an option which he would be keen to enforce that would avoid any bloodshed.
Elen resisted lashing out but was restrained.
“You can’t do this.” Estern shouted.
“I’m bending the law slightly I’m doing what’s right for you, you’ll live.”
“Yes as a slave while my son joins the corrupt Empire serving under the false Gods.”
“Enough of this blasphemous treason speech, He will get enough support to have a very good quality of life, I will see so myself.”
“What do the high council of decisions say?”
“This will be done.” The head of the council nodded.
“Very well seize them.”
“Under section 8 of the Elders laws, it is an offence punishable by death to ever see your own child again purposely or to tell him who you are. It is an offence to escape the penal colony with the same consequences.
Estern was led away in chains and screaming Elen was sent back to Talobay. The boy Jacoa was taken by the guards.