The Mercury Wars

Chapter 1 - Visions (draft)

What is the meaning of this dream, the man whispered. He sat, his chin resting on his chest, his wrinkled hands limp on the cool stone beside his legs. He shut his eyes against the memory, but the vision remained clear. The young woman’s expression, her pleading face. …

He sat still but for his breathing as the eastern sky grew pale. After a long time he opened his eyes. He looked down the forested ridges that fell away from his perch into the ravined foothills and the broad floodplain of the valley floor. The mountains on the far side of the valley darkened as the sky above illuminated. He would not close his eyes again.

--

Somewhere in the vast city in the valley below, another man woke from another dream. This was the kind of dream that comes once, as a solution to a persistent problem, after long days of pondering. The man was a scientist, an experimenter of feverish curiosity.

He had an interest in the healing properties of substances, of plants, herbs and minerals. He had made discoveries before, and a name for himself. But his accomplishments had made him neither more ambitious or less curious. The man had been up late the night before, working with a material that had brought to him from the mines in the western hills. It was a scarlet crimson stones. He had seen it many times previously, and knew it was common in some of the mining areas in the west and in the South Kingdom.

[He thought] the stones were beautiful and that something so beautiful must have some use. By many they were used as a decoration. But he had been experimenting with the substance. In the prior week especially. He had heated it in a fire and in boiling water to different temperatures, and tried it in various solutions. None of these had produced any new substance. But when he burned it at high heat he noticed a grayish film formed on the sides of the oven.

He went to bed with the film on his mind. He slept well, deeply, without waking that night. Toward the morning he dreamed his long, clear dream of the red ore. In the dream he had a clear understanding that the film was a substance trapped inside the red rocks. He understood that he would need to crush the rocks to small grains, then heat the grains to a high temperature to allow the substance to escape, then he would use a copper plate to catch the released material and gather it into a stone bowl. He saw all this clearly in his dream. And in the dream he felt certain he would be able to gather the gray substance, and tease out the hidden properties he knew it held. He would register the discovery with the offices of science and medicines.

He man had woke from the dream with these thoughts in his mind and his heart flying. He leapt from bed and pulled his tunic over his head, slipped his feet into his sandals and left his home without breakfast. The sun had just touched the tops of the mountains around the valley.

Chapter 4 - Ambitions (draft)

The young man crested the slope and stopped when the Acropolis was in view. Its terraces rose above the tree line, a small mountain. The upper levels glowed in the rising sun. He stood studying the thing. The distinct skyline of the seat of government as seen from across the valley was simple, from this distance a complex arrangement of administrative and residential structures. A map would have been helpful. Two minutes of scrutiny and he was satisfied he knew which stairs and turns to take to arrive at the north end of the sixth terrace. The appointment was set for the end of the hour. He would have extra time.

An immense grass field stretched from the base of the Acropolis to where he stood. Jonathan started across it, his eyes still on the spot he’d identified as their meeting place. Why would a High Judge wanna extend you his personal thanks? For taking that girl out? What else could it be? Do they trouble with this kind of small stuff? If that’s it there’s gotta be a connection to old man. This is going to be a short meeting. Or a hoax. But ain’t no way you’re passing it up.

Yesterday a messenger had come to the docks. The boys told him there was a man waiting for him in his office.

What/s he want?

He’s a messenger.

A messenger from who?

He was waiting for the pilot to come back. The cargo permit was insufficient and the man had gone to inform his employer, whose residence was nearby. The fine would be added to the port fees.

Chapter 15 - Wake-Up (draft)

Meyvv thought it must be after noon already. They had started that morning by following the river, uphill, against its flow. She looked up from the rough path, more of a game trail really. The young man and woman ahead of her were still holding hands. She had asked herself how old they were. She decided the young man was older, maybe 20, but the girl wasn’t much older than herself. It puzzled her. How do you get to be a slave when you are still so young? Born into it? How do you fall in love, with a slave, when you are a slave? She decided they were lucky that David wanted them both.

She could hear his footsteps behind her. She glanced over her shoulder. He had been watching her, but lowered his eyes when she looked. She turned back to the path. He puzzled her too. One moment he seemed to be overly concerned about her, the next he was almost uninterested. She picked her way along, stepping lightly from the top of one stone to another. He wasn’t quiet two nights ago though. Her mind coursed back over the last two days.

That night after he had talked to her she had lay awake for a long time. She had tried to not think about what he had explained, but her imagination showed her over and over what things could have happened if he had not been there to intervene. Finally she had made her self fall asleep by crying. She hadn’t been loud, even though she was sure he couldn’t have heard her.

When she woke up yesterday she felt awkward and dirty, especially when she knew he was paying attention to her. It was like she needed to wash something off of herself. The feeling irritated her all morning yesterday. At noon they had stopped to rest and eat. She sat down across from him and looked him in the eyes while they ate. At first he tried to ignore her, waiting for her to get tired of the game. Meyvv smiled to herself -- of course he doesn’t know me. It took maybe ten minutes, and he had asked what she wanted. “I’m not one of your slaves,” she said. That had brought him off guard completely. His face changed. He looked like a child. She had expected an argument, but he didn’t say anything. She had broken the spell. Whatever it was that was stuck in her head all morning had evaporated. For the moment she felt really satisfied to herself.

David had stayed quiet the rest of the day and didn’t reply if she asked him a question. She stopped doing it. The couple had clung to each other the whole time and she didn’t see herself pushing in between them for a chat, so she had spent the day in her thoughts, sometime humming to herself. When it became dark they had left the path and gone into the forest to camp. Aside from giving brief orders to the slaves, David stayed quiet. He stayed by the fire when the rest of them had rolled up in blankets to sleep. Meyvv had felt confused by his behavior. She thought maybe she needed to apologize for the way she had spoken to him. She had fallen asleep secretly watching him where he sat by the fire.

In the morning she had told herself that she wouldn’t bother him today. But as the morning progressed she felt regretful again, and found herself looking for some hint that he might want to talk. She had realized that after they arrived at the village she might not get the chance. Her aunt and uncle would be there and who knows what they were going to do. Probably just tell her to go out of the house while they talked with David. I would rather they get upset and punish me. At least then I would know what is happening.

The path had been getting much steeper. Meyvv looked up and saw that a short way ahead the trees thinned and the path merged with what looked like a road.

As the young couple approached the road David spoke from behind her, “Go to the left.”

They stepped over the channels cut by rainwater and entered the road, still headed uphill. There was not much shade on the road. Her steps caused small clouds of dust that settled over their legs and feet and Meyvv felt sweat begin to run down her back. Suddenly she realized she knew this road. It connected the village to the great valley of the capital. They must nit be far from the village. She hadn’t expected to arrive home until after the sun had set. The rough trail they had followed must have been a shortcut. She felt uneasy at the thought of seeing her aunt and uncle again. What had she been thinking, leaving like that? They would surely be unhappy. They may try to punish her. No. She wasn't going to let that happen anymore. She was almost of age. Strangely, the experience of being deceived and all the potential horrors she narrowly missed didn't scare her. It surprised her that the experience made her feel confident. Just a few days ago she was so naive. Those two who had lied to her, couldn't do it now. She’d see right through it.

Meyvv was pulled from her thoughts by David ordering everyone to stop walking.

“Be quiet,” he said.

She stood, listening. There was yelling from beyond the bend in the road not far ahead.

David looked tense. She felt her heart began to race a little. Suddenly, he made a definite gesture to the thick foliage just of the road. “Get out if view. Lie down and stay until I call you.”

The slaves were already moving. She followed, jumped a log and fell flat, her head toward the road. She lay still for a few seconds, her heart pounding. The voices louder, but she couldn’t make out what they were saying. It was a few people, men, but she could tell it was a dispute. Then the sound of creaking wood, like a cart, was noticeable. It got very close, then stopped. Had David stopped them?

A man spoke with irritation. “Move out of my way.”

David spoke. “I have an interest in this matter and you will wait. Tiamon, what’s happened?”

The name stabbed Meyvv. Was he speaking to her uncle. What could he doing here? Should she come out of her hiding spot? She decided to stay hidden.

“I’m not sure.” It was her uncle’s voice. He sounded winded, as if he had been running. “There was a dispute today over the stockpiled crimson ore and Ab-dem was injured by the Duke’s men.”

David swore, cursing the Duke. “Yes, and what of these men?”

“I don’t know these men but they have been at the mine every day for a week or more.” There was a pause while her uncle caught his breath. The men in question remained quiet. “I wasn't there when they disputed, but people said Ab-dem tried to stop the Duke’s workers from taking ore; there was a fight and he was struck by a club. People thought he was dead. The Duke’s men took some of the ore. Some of our men at the site ran home to get their clubs or slings, and some followed the Duke’s men a way down the trail, throwing rocks at them. When they got back they couldn’t find Ab-dem’s body. That’s when they came to find me. We searched everywhere for Ab-dem. We began to think he had partially recovered and wandered away. It was almost an hour before someone noticed a cart was missing and I realized these men were gone too. I ran the road from the mine and just caught them at the bend back there. They wouldn’t stop and that one threatened me with a club, so I am glad you are here.”

“Who are you? Lose your tongues quickly and explain yourselves.” David’s voice was calm but there was no mistaking the authority.

“We know this man. It was the irritated speaker. “We are taking him to a physician. Move away. This is no longer your concern.”

David replied with a tone of force. “I am the owner of the mine.” Meyvv was again struck. He owns the mine? That means he owns the village too. His behavior over the last two days seemed both more understandable and more obscure. “He continued. “The injured man is in my employ. So this is my business. You won’t take him without my leave.”

“This is a free man, is he not?” It was a different man who answered. He sounded like one who is attempting to reason rather than fight. “I was sent by our employer to observe your mine. He has an interest in your mine. I have also been authorized to act on behalf of the free men under your employ, in cases of advocacy. I believe this man’s state speaks to his need for advocacy, and I believe a judge would agree with me, don't you think? Besides, his injuries are such that without a physician he is not likely to survive.”

David paused, then, “Who is your employer?”

“He lives in the city, but I don’t know him personally. Nor am I authorized to speak for him. But I can show you written proof of advocacy for this man.” There was a sound of paper unrolling.

After a moment David spoke. “Very well. Tiamon will go with you to ensure this man is cared for. As I pay this man yearly, and he has sent the money for this year to his family already, I have an interest in this matter. I believe a judge would agree with me. Don't you think so?”

There was a short silence where David waited for a response to his repartee. There was none and Meyvv imagined the man modding.

David punctuated his victory. “And besides, this cart is my property and it is likely you would do him more damage if I refused to allow you to use it for transport. Tiamon, help them with the cart. If you can find out who employs them do so. Take the time required. I will leave word for you at your home.”

Her uncle may have made a face. David said, “Tiamon, this is no longer a dispute between you and these men. Do as I instruct.”

The creaking of the wooden cart wheels resumed and faded. When it could no longer be heard David said, “All right. Come out now.”

The struggled past the bushes. Meyvv realized she was scratched and bleeding in several places on her arms and legs.

David immediately turned up the road toward the bend from where the wagon had come.

“Follow me. Quickly.”

She followed after him. He’s the owner of the mine. He gave me the flute. Something seemed to make sense but it was even more frustrating, like a small question was answered by a larger one. She wanted to ask him about the conversation, and about him. She sped up to draw level with him and began to speak but he cut her off, waved her back.

“Not now. I’m thinking.” Then he slowed just enough to turn to look at her and added, “There will be a time to talk.” Then he turned back and continued his hurried pace, so quickly he may have been running.

They followed him in silence, just able to keep up with his pace. Despite herself Meyvv fell behind, the young man and young woman passing her. Ten minutes later, covered in sweat and dust, she was relieved to see the place where the path to the village broke from the road and wound off through the trees to the right. David continued so quickly Meyvv thought he may just continue, but when he reached it David stopped abruptly and turned to them.

“Meyvv, I need your help.”

It was a statement but the look in his face said he knew he was dependent on her willingness. She was irritated that he couldn’t just ask her.

“You need my help.” She stated it back to him.

He didn’t answer immediately, just looked at her, curiously, and for a moment he lost all urgency. It was such a contrast to his mood a few seconds ago Meyvv was unsure what would happen. Then with the smallest smile he continued.

“I must go to the mine. Will you take Ladan and Erishti to their home?”

His pause was too short for an answer. But she was surprised at how pleased she felt.

“The small stone dwellings to the southeast of the village pavilion, you know them? The one on the far end is vacant. Show them where it is. And show them where the well is.”

Turning to Ladan and Erishti he said, “You may build a fire and bring water from the stream.”

He reached into his purse drew two small coins. “This will be enough to buy meal at the market. Put your house in order. Someone will come to give you instructions for work. Until then gather materials from the woods to build a pen. You will care for a goat and chickens.”

They looked astounded and he had to ask them if they understood and they nodded.