Part 109: The Rite of…What Were We Talking About?

I believe it's possible, at least in Naxos if you come in at night, since it's less populated until guards start popping out of buildings. Still, if you know which is the right room, it's easier just to run past everyone to get to the goal.

Chapter 16: The Rite of…What Were We Talking About?


Invaders have been driven from our fishing villages, and the Rite of Freedom has been completed. All of Silmaria rejoices at your actions. This is the second Rite of Rulership. The invaders are led by a general named Claudius, who has the reputation of being a ruthless and powerful strategist. He and the rest of the Hesperian mercenaries are believed to be based on an island near Marete. You shall seek out this general, and make certain that he shall never invade our kingdom again. Return with his shield. This is the Rite of Conquest!


Greetings. Forgive me for being so solemn after your success. However, the murder of Kokeeno disturbs me greatly. This is but the first of the Rites, and already one has died.
Murder? I thought the Hesperians got him. They were all around his body.
No, the guards confirmed it when they recovered his body. He died by treachery—a dagger in the back. I mourn for Kokeeno, my friend.
So you think—
It seems that way. Kokeeno was assassinated. This could only mean that the assassin will be trying to kill off all who entered the Rites of Rulership. And I suspect there is more to Kokeeno’s death than that.
You mean the inscription?
What inscription?
“By the breaking of this Pillar, so begins the unbinding of the Dragon of Doom.” It was on the broken statue.
Dragon of Doom? I have not heard of such a thing. And if Kokeeno’s death was somehow responsible for this…there are too many questions, and I have so few answers.
And it’s still our mysterious enemy’s move. So, do I really have to do this Rite of Conquest thing? I don’t even know what island this guy might be on.
I would like you to at least try to find him. The other contestants may think that a frontal assault is necessary, but I believe a more subtle infiltration could work much better. General Claudius is a ruthless warlord, but he has some aspects of honor within him. His word is law, and if you can get him to surrender, all his men will follow.
So you think I can talk him down?
Maybe. I believe that honor demands that he get that chance. Something else to think about is getting information. The Hesperian mercenaries are very loyal to the one that hired them, and will likely not betray the secret of who is behind this. When you find them, see if you can also find some evidence of his identity. He must be brought to justice also.
So you want me to infiltrate Claudius’s secret base, try and get him to surrender, then look for clues about the guy that hired them?
Yes. None of the others would know to look for these things.
Well, I guess. Honestly, this one sounds a lot like my first job back in Spielburg.
And please be careful. I am certain that the assassin will strike again.


Rite one all done. Hero Nike do good.
It seems that you have done very well for the Rite of Freedom. I will do better on the next Rite, I assure you.
Did you know that was all a big accident? I forgot to ask for directions, and wound up picking the right village last.
Really? That was some fortunate “accident.” Did it not occur to you that you probably could have presented any of those sigils to the Hall of Kings and won the Rite? [Note: this actually works.]
Huh. No, that hadn’t occurred to me. Actually, it became a little mechanical once I figured out how to avoid the mercs. And it turns out that those guys are giant sissies who just run away once you kill their commanders. By the way, how come you weren’t at that north village? I figured I’d have found at least you out there.
I am not proud of my performance in this Rite. Minos insisted that I take his ship to the fishing village, and wanted to send in some goon guards to aid me.
I've been meaning to ask you how you're able to sail around the islands. Andre by the docks seems convinced that tritons attack anyone who travels too far out.
They do not attack because the goons who man the ship are more than a match for the sea creatures. And besides, I am on board.
Fair enough. I should try that line on Andre.
I did not need a ship for this Rite, though, and I had a difficult time convincing Minos that I needed no help. And sure enough, the invaders saw Minos’s ship, and were prepared for my attack, so I had to escape out of the ambush they set. As I was working my way through the rocks to the other side of the village, I saw several flashes of light coming from the town. I assume this was you?
Yeah. Turns out it’s a lot easier going when you’re the only one who can see anything.
So by the time I returned to the village, the mercenaries were gone and the stone was missing. I had no idea what had happened until the guardsman came to inform me that the Rite was over. Next Rite, I will insist to Minos that I shall do things my way.
Hey, that reminds me. I found a bunch of magic items with the sigil stones, and there’s no way I could use them all myself. Did you want one?

Although she will take flowers and chocolate, Elsa will only accept useful sorts of jewelry.

You are just letting me pick one? Very well, I will take the amulet of defense. Thank you, truly.
It’s no problem at all. So what do you think of the competition?
The others in the Rites, you mean? Well, Magnum is still irritating. He seems to believe that he is simply irresistible to women. I believe he is a braggart and a bore. He isn’t half the man he thinks he is.
No argument there. What about Gort?
Gort is very strange. The scientists lead him around as if he were a small child. They even speak for him. I’m not sure Gort even has a mind of his own.
It makes you wonder what they’re planning. What do you think about Kokeeno’s death?
It was most tragic. No one deserves to die that way.
I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but Rakeesh and I think Justinian’s assassin might be trying to pick us off one by one. We all need to be watching our backs.
I will keep that in mind. Farewell.
See you around, Elsa.

The billboard in the guildhall doesn’t update nearly as frequently as the one on Nob Hill, but one of the notices does update with the Rites.


You get the sense that Toro’s the one doing the updating.


Welcome, my friend, Finder of Baskets and He Who Will Be King. I have no doubt that you shall be whatsoever you desire to become.
If that’s so, would you mind not calling me that?
I’m sorry. I realize that finding my basket was not very important to you, but it means a lot to me. I thought I would never see it again.
That’s not quite what I was getting at. Never mind. So, how are you doing today?
Well as ever, many thanks. Though it seems from my sales that few in Silmaria have thoughts of romance at this time. They should know that life is too short without love. Were you interested in my jewelry? I have much that would please another as a gift, were you wishing to please someone. It is said by our people that all need someone with whom to share the joys and sorrows of life.
You know, I think I just might have someone in mind. Could I get a couple oddly-shaped piles of bracelets and necklaces?
Certainly, and thank you for your purchase. Farewell, and good luck with your quests.


Greetings! You have made my Sarra most happy by returning her basket. It was something she treasured. Thank you for your kindness. I have heard that you might be the next king of Silmaria. That is good news indeed.
Try not to get your hopes up too high. Anything looking good today?
The gyros are always delicious, made from savory spiced lamb, and the sour yogurt, sweet cucumber, and pungent onions offer interesting contrasts to the blandness of the pita bread. It is a symphony of complementary culinary experience. And the pepperonis are particularly appetizing today. Their perfume tickles my whiskers, and tempts me to try some myself.
That was some good pizza the other day.
You freed Naxos yesterday, did you not? Sarra and I used to gather shells on the beach near that village until the invaders took over and made it too dangerous to travel outside the city gates. Thank you for freeing it once more.
No problem. Heard anything interesting lately?
There are some nasty rumors that Magnum Opus is really a spy for the invading army. I don’t believe such things, but you should be wary of that man.
Nonsense! Magnum keeps talking about being from the Roman Empire, and the mercenaries are from Hesperia. I’m sure those places are nowhere near each other.
I’m sure you are right. Farewell, and good fortune on the Rites. May you always find what you seek, even as you found my Sarra’s basket.


Hey there! How’s the next king of Silmaria doing?
I’m here to make another deposit.
Another 10,000 drachmas? Impressive. You must really be on a roll out there.
Yep. Say, how’s the bank doing these days? I mean, I was a little worried there for a while after you got robbed.
I’m happy to say that we’ve completely recovered! Thanks in no small part to your own generous contributions, of course.
Really? How…interesting.
I know! I could count cash all day, myself.


The Rite of Conquest sounds like it will weed out the wusses. We’ll see who’s the real warrior around here.
I’ll bet. I got a couple items to sell you today.
You’re selling your magic chain mail? Wimp. If I was a few years younger and didn’t have to think about my family, I would have entered the Rites of Rulership and shown you what a real warrior is like.
But instead, you’ve gone all flaccid and can barely aim well enough to hit an immobile object with your hammer. Can we hurry this up, please?
Mangum Opus will win this one, you’ll see. He’s my bet for the next king of Silmaria.


You know where I haven’t been lately? Science Island. I wonder what the scientists are up to these days?


Afternoon, Praetorius. How’s Gort doing?
Good day. I’m happy to see you taking such an active interest in scientific research. We could use a new junior scientist or two here.
Sorry about jacking your village. It was kind of an accident.
Oh, that’s all right. I am looking forward to the next Rite of Rulership and a new set of experimental results. This time, Gort will do even better.
How is the big guy doing?
He is doing quite well. Like myself, Gort may be said to be truly a product of science! Knowledge runs through his veins and drives everything he does.
And where’s that other guy? Mobius, right?
Oh, he’s around, although you should wait until after dark if you want to see him. We may disagree on methods, but we have many things in common. For instance, we both believe that science should rule the world. Perhaps you’re starting to get an idea of what can be accomplished with the aid of science. You know what they say—“Science is Golden!”
That doesn’t sound quite right. But you entered the Rites so that you could get science to rule the world?
One step at a time, after all. But you should ask Mobius when you see him; he’s the one who’s really in charge of that affair.
I think I will.


*One Pleasant View Later*


Oh, it’s you again. Watch if you must; maybe you’ll become worth something some day.
Evening to you too. So where did Praetorius go this time?
I’m hardly the one keeping track of him.
You guys don’t get along?
Praetorius is more than a bit lacking in the ruthlessness it takes to pursue a scientific trail to its conclusion. Still, he is a scientist and has occasionally been of great use to me. Now Gort—he performed magnificently in the last challenge. He is coming along just as we hoped he would.
So you’re not angry that he didn’t win?
There are no failures in science; I believe I told you that before. Besides, there are more than enough Rites left for Gort to defeat you in. In fact, my experiments have gone just as I expected. With science there are no mysteries, only phenomena to be explored. Some day I shall publish my results and astound them all!
You guys love getting worked up about science.
And why not? Science is what separates man from brute animals. Or, in the case of dissection, it’s what the scientist uses to separate brute animals. You’d be surprised at what a true scientist can do with a few loose body parts.
…Can I go now?
Very well. I shall return to the very important research you have been interrupting.


Just you here today?
So it would seem. Congratulations on the success of your mission.
How’d the bet go?
Ferrari was suspicious when I wished to raise the stakes so soon after your visit and did not accept the new terms. Still, I won quite a sum of money off of your performance.
So I suppose you heard the news about Kokeeno?
Yes. It is sad that one of your competition in the Rite is dead so soon. There is speculation that one of the competitors is the murderer. There is also talk that the person who killed poor Kokeeno also killed King Justinian. It does seem a little much of a coincidence that they both died by a poisoned dagger.
Yeah, I heard that too. So how’s our little…deal coming along?
It has been slow, but I am making progress. The two thousand drachma price still stands. It will certainly be worth every coin you spend.
If you say so. At least the price is well within my means these days. Get back to me when you get the info.
I look forward to selling you the information you desire.


Evening again, Nawar, Budar. You two always perk up my evenings.
Thank you. I always look forward to having you near me.
What would you like today, handsome?
I’m feeling a little chilly tonight. How would you like to warm me up?
I…that’s…well…
Now Nawar, let’s give the poor boy some room. You’ll have to excuse her, Nike. Nawar is looking for a generous man—one she can take to, and from.
Yeah, uh, yeah, I know. So, ladies, I got a new sword recently. Did you want to see it?
It’s not the size of the blade, but how well you wield it.
Oh, I don’t know about that. I like a man who knows what I like.
I like a man who likes what I know.
I don’t get that one.
That’s because you don’t know what Nawar knows. Let’s just say that once you find out what she’s skilled in, any man would like what she knows.
…Oh. I…I think I need to go to the bathroom quick.
Let me know how it goes.