Sun

Two ten-years have passed since I rose to lead the Fifth Water Column. Our designated route leaving John’s Crevasse near Bal-Biliad took us straight Seaward and then east through the driest regions of this parched land. Twenty times have I overseen the filling of the great urns during the annual flood of John’s Crevasse, and twenty times have I returned with them empty. As the Column’s Pacesetter, I have been responsible for the well-being of the Zhuman Empire’s citizens settled along the Fifth Route, and have organised the defence against countless raiders, arbitrated disputes between settlements, maintained roads, collected taxes and tithes, and watched with joy as they prospered under my hand.

Our people have been kept safe from harm and have acted with guided restraint and wisdom. Our people have grown, and their needs as well, yet the Water Witch does not allow me to bring even one more camel or cart. Last year, some villages’ stores had been empty for weeks before I reached them with life-giving moisture. In these villages, the strongest had taken their share, and the weakest were left without and survived by cutting down the slow-growing Saksak, which draws moisture from the night air.

I cannot bring more water, and yet the people depend on me. I write this on the hundredth night of the Columns outward passage. More children have come of age than old ones have died, and so we have built a number of new homes. Water has been allocated them as necessary, but now we have nothing at all for the last in this row of villages. To arrive in a settlement without water, my throat is tight with shame and worry.

Must we hope for rain? This far east, it is a possibility, but I can see that the pale yellow straw that passes for grazing is low and rain hasn’t come since I came by here last.

To reduce my people to nomads again, forcing them to wander in uncertainty between ancient and muddy water holes, this is my only option. And the Water Empire will be diminished.

But what about this book, found among strange ruins among the wandering dunes? It speaks of magic and mirrors, with strange words like Phlogiston and Aether. It hints at wondrous powers that multiply gold, turns men’s minds, and heals the sick. Could I use it to find a magic that saves my people?