Horizon of Glory
"The Annals of Exploration and Empires," Book III, Chapter XVII, Page 211 In the annals of history, few epochs have been as rife with the promise of adventure and the peril of the unknown as the Age of Discovery. It was a time when the very fabric of the world was being stretched, its edges frayed by the bold hands of explorers and conquerors. Among these intrepid souls, one name, has been etched into the annals of legends. The Wars of the Roses, a conflagration that had consumed the heart of empires and forged kings from the crucible of blood and fire, had at last given way to an uneasy peace. It was in this aftermath, amidst the smoldering ruins of a world reshaped by conflict, that Byron's journey began. Armed with a relic of untold power, the "Navigation Logbook," he set forth into the uncharted waters of the world, where the mundane and the magical intertwined in an intricate dance. The high seas, a vast and uncharted canvas, stretched before him, a horizon that whispered of untold riches and the promise of peril. Great ships, their sails billowing like the wings of colossal birds, traversed these waters, their cannons thundering a challenge to the very gods of the deep. It was an age of ambition, a testament to the unyielding spirit of mankind's quest for dominion over the unknown. Beneath the waves, ancient beings from epochs long past slumbered, their legends carried on the creaking timbers of ships and the roar of cannons. Byron, undaunted by the shadows that lurked beneath the waves or the tempests that raged above, carved out a kingdom from the chaos that enveloped the world. His fleet, a specter of doom, became a symbol of his indomitable will, a force that would not be challenged lightly. This is a saga, a tale woven from the threads of history and magic, adventure and power, and the eternal quest for glory. It is a narrative that compels the heart and captures the imagination, a story that resonates through the ages, a reminder of the heights to which humanity can aspire when driven by the winds of ambition and the tides of destiny. Let this account, penned by the hands of the most esteemed historians and literature masters, serve as a beacon for those who seek to embark upon their own voyages of discovery. For within the pages of this epic tale lies the essence of the human spirit, a spirit that seeks, that conquers, and that endures.
HoG - Chapter 7
Chapter 7: The Pirate Ten Commandments
Gout, a malady characterized by the accumulation of urate crystals in the joints due to elevated levels of uric acid in the blood, is a condition often associated with the rich and powerful. It is a consequence of an imbalance in purine metabolism and is exacerbated by the consumption of rich foods and alcohol. The pain is so intense that sufferers liken it to walking on their own eyeballs.
In this era, gout is considered the affliction of kings and nobles, a silent testament to their opulent lifestyles. It is not merely the pain that concerns those who suffer from it, but also the potential for kidney damage and a host of other health issues such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, and coronary heart disease.
How severe was 'Blood Eye' Salman's gout? The phrase "unspoken issue" was a telling indication. Byron, his face a mask of indifference, had already pronounced a silent verdict on Salman's condition. As a chef, Byron knew all too well how to exacerbate the situation. He recommended a diet rich in purines and fats—lamb, seafood, and ice-cold beer—all of which were like purine bombs to Salman's ailing body.
In an age where medical knowledge was limited, gout was not only incurable but also poorly understood. Even the mystical "Hospital Sequence," a branch of the "Silver Law" that encapsulated the pinnacle of human medical knowledge, was powerless against it. Byron could have poisoned Salman openly, and the man would have been none the wiser.
Byron's sharp eyes had also caught sight of the golden "Signet Ring," a symbol of the Lancastrian royal lineage, adorning Salman's swollen finger. The ring, a supernatural artifact in its own right, concealed an unsightly gout stone, offering a semblance of dignity to Salman's condition.
As a chef aboard the pirate ship, Byron had ample opportunity to gradually increase Salman's intake of purines and retrieve the ring without resorting to violence.
"Lamb, seafood, and ice-cold beer?" Salman echoed, dabbing the corners of his mouth with a napkin, the air around him tense. Despite his skepticism about the novelty of Byron's offerings, the chef's noble background and confident demeanor intrigued him. "I'll be eagerly awaiting your culinary creations," Salman said with a dangerous smile. "But let's be clear, Chef, you don't want to disappoint my palate."
With a gesture, Salman summoned 'Bone Crusher' Miles, who presented Byron with a parchment, yellowed with age, bearing the emblem of a skull and crossed cutlasses. The document was nearly obscured by the bloody fingerprints of those who had come before, yet the "Pirate Ten Commandments" inscribed upon it were still discernible. To Byron's 'Spiritual Vision,' the parchment was a nexus of power, intertwined with the vast 'Silver Law.'
The supernatural framework of this world was straightforward. The 'Silver Law' was a magical tapestry that enveloped the known world, connecting every supernatural being and, indeed, every human. According to the church, it was the Creator's 'Silver Law' that brought order to humanity and safeguarded the faithful. From this law sprang the sequences of the Sanctuary, the Judiciary, the High Tower, the Hospital, the Colosseum, the Fortress, the Gold, the Lighthouse, and others, forming the extensive 'Stairway of Glory' system.
Byron's gaze lingered on the parchment. "Sequences," he mused, "are the societal structures through which we wield power, and 'ranks' signify our standing within them."
The most illustrative example is the hierarchy of titles: king, duke, marquis, earl, viscount, baron. These are not merely honorifics but also embody the prevailing power structure within society.
Human society, from the realms of religion, nationhood, ethnicity, guilds, and clubs, is meticulously organized into a rigid web. Divine authority reigns supreme, royal power holds sway in the middle echelons, and industry forms the base. In essence, humanity is paramount, and glory is a collective achievement.
It is common knowledge that every organization has its charter and operational rules. Consequently, each supernatural sequence under the 'Silver Law,' as well as every profession, has its own set of precepts and commandments.
Take, for instance, the 'Pirate Ten Commandments' that govern the pirate crews. While each ship may have its own variation, the commandments are generally uniform. Their origins can be traced back to the 'Pirate Code' established by the first Bayman Pirate Emperor a millennium ago.
"The 'Pirate Ten Commandments' (Maneater):"
All members have an equal right to vote, but the captain's orders must be followed without question.
Fairness shall prevail; the capable shall ascend, while the mediocre shall descend.
Lights out at 8 p.m. No drinking afterward, and it is forbidden to go on deck between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.
Weapons must be kept in pristine condition and ready at all times.
Women are not permitted to join the crew; any sailor who brings a woman aboard will be executed, with the exception of supernatural beings.
Those who delay battle or flee from the enemy will be put to death.
Personal conflicts are strictly prohibited; those who kill their comrades without cause will be buried at sea with the corpse.
Those disabled in battle may remain on the ship without duties and will receive 40 gold pounds from the 'common savings.'
Betrayal of the pirate group is forbidden.
All plunder must be declared; the captain receives 15%, officers and specialized crew members such as the assault team, carpenters, doctors, and cooks take 25%, ordinary sailors receive 40%, and the remaining 20% is allocated for maintenance funds and common savings.
Amendments to the Ten Commandments can be made through a vote of all crew members."
Byron had studied many captured 'Pirate Ten Commandments' during his time at the Royal Naval Academy. After reading the document twice, he found no hidden traps, save for the captain's extensive exemption rights. Nevertheless, he signed his name with a quill pen, exercising caution. He chose not to leave a bloody fingerprint like the illiterate pirates, knowing from his studies of natural history that any bodily material could be used for curses or prophecies.
As he signed, a spiritual glow descended, anchoring him further and providing a sense of security. He was now an official member of the 'Maneater,' part of an organization that would share in the risks.
The 'Navigation Log' recorded the first official entry:
"Date: Silver Calendar Year 1471, October 17th.
According to 'Talent: Weather Intuition': The fog will lift today at 1:35 p.m., followed by a northeasterly wind at force 6, which will intensify to force 7 within 3 hours, accompanied by moderate waves...
Course: North Sea, vicinity of the Channel Islands, sailing with a tailwind
Ship's Supplies: Pirate ship (small galleon), cloth, ironware..."
Just then, a strong northeasterly wind dispersed the sea fog. Clang! Clang! Clang! The alarm bell atop the main mast of the 'Maneater' rang out urgently, and a lookout cried out in alarm:
"We've got trouble! It's the navy!"
Byron spun around to face the northeasterly direction of the Channel Islands. Approximately four or five nautical miles away, a sailing ship larger than the 'Maneater' had emerged. At its mast flew the black flag emblazoned with a blood-red cross of England, the noble standard of the York family adorned with a white rose, and the distinctive forked pennant of the captain. It was a fifth-rate cruiser from England's Channel Fleet, riding the fierce wind and bearing down on the pirate ship.