1 00:00:06,400 --> 00:00:10,799 Speaker 1: Int request created by Michael Freiberg, a production of iHeartRadio 2 00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:14,400 Speaker 1: and Astro Media Listen with headphones for three D audio. 3 00:00:17,200 --> 00:00:20,440 Speaker 1: There's no oasis. This land isn't even fertile. We're standing 4 00:00:20,480 --> 00:00:22,640 Speaker 1: at the outer edges of the astral desert with nothing 5 00:00:22,680 --> 00:00:28,440 Speaker 1: for miles but death and decay. Ether, what serious have 6 00:00:28,560 --> 00:00:39,040 Speaker 1: pepper pot candy? Oh? Here? Serious? M According to the map, 7 00:00:39,159 --> 00:00:43,000 Speaker 1: the oasis should be right over this, dude. Ether, second 8 00:00:43,040 --> 00:00:47,760 Speaker 1: pepper pot for serious? I just gave you here. Take 9 00:00:47,800 --> 00:00:51,200 Speaker 1: the bag. Don't eat too many or you'll get pepper 10 00:00:51,200 --> 00:01:02,520 Speaker 1: pod madness really eats our serious more pepper pot candy? No, 11 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:06,679 Speaker 1: you just ate the bag. As I was saying the 12 00:01:06,760 --> 00:01:10,560 Speaker 1: oasis logo, look around, do you see an oasis full 13 00:01:10,600 --> 00:01:12,720 Speaker 1: of life in riches? Or do you see that the 14 00:01:12,760 --> 00:01:14,959 Speaker 1: only thing down in those dunes is an old, broken 15 00:01:14,959 --> 00:01:17,680 Speaker 1: down castle lost to the sands of time. A castle, 16 00:01:18,040 --> 00:01:21,319 Speaker 1: but either According to the map, rings close proximity to 17 00:01:21,360 --> 00:01:24,399 Speaker 1: an oasis and water is essential to our survival. If 18 00:01:24,400 --> 00:01:27,039 Speaker 1: we don't take proper precaution to replenish our canteens, we 19 00:01:27,160 --> 00:01:31,840 Speaker 1: risk dehydration and exhaustion from exposure to the desert sun. Serious, 20 00:01:31,880 --> 00:01:35,880 Speaker 1: no need water serious strong store water on back blood. 21 00:01:35,959 --> 00:01:43,520 Speaker 1: Camel go weeks without water, soaking desert sun can not. 22 00:01:43,640 --> 00:01:45,880 Speaker 1: Only is that not how nutrients are absorbed in the body. 23 00:01:45,959 --> 00:01:49,920 Speaker 1: That's not how camel store water either. Besides, even camels 24 00:01:49,920 --> 00:01:52,919 Speaker 1: stop at watering holes to drink and refuel. It's only 25 00:01:52,960 --> 00:01:57,400 Speaker 1: sensible we do the same logo. There is no watering hole, 26 00:01:57,720 --> 00:01:59,920 Speaker 1: only that stone castle at the bottom of the dune. 27 00:02:00,280 --> 00:02:02,240 Speaker 1: You led us all the way to the outer edges 28 00:02:02,240 --> 00:02:05,520 Speaker 1: of the Azral Desert for nothing. What we need to 29 00:02:05,560 --> 00:02:08,280 Speaker 1: do is return to the main path while there's still 30 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:10,280 Speaker 1: hope of finding the mole air or else. By the 31 00:02:10,320 --> 00:02:12,920 Speaker 1: time we reach Imperia, we'll have missed the solar eclipse 32 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:14,919 Speaker 1: and be as shriveled up as the pepper pod candies 33 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:17,919 Speaker 1: running away in serious as gold. But according to the map. 34 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:20,520 Speaker 1: According to the map, there shouldn't even be a castle. 35 00:02:20,720 --> 00:02:25,000 Speaker 1: The map is wrong. Precisely. The castle has fifty foot 36 00:02:25,080 --> 00:02:28,320 Speaker 1: high walls, four armored turrets, and a fortified central bell 37 00:02:28,400 --> 00:02:30,519 Speaker 1: tower that stretches to the sky, all of which is 38 00:02:30,560 --> 00:02:33,239 Speaker 1: surrounded by a dry moat at least thirty feet deep 39 00:02:33,280 --> 00:02:36,400 Speaker 1: and twelve feet wide. Whoever built this castle must have 40 00:02:36,440 --> 00:02:39,560 Speaker 1: done so to privatize and protect a most valuable resource. 41 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:48,519 Speaker 1: The otis water, water, pepper pod burn, hot and serious 42 00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:56,960 Speaker 1: billy makes serious thirsty. We've already wasted too much time. 43 00:02:57,000 --> 00:03:00,600 Speaker 1: We have to head back to the path. I forget 44 00:03:00,680 --> 00:03:03,119 Speaker 1: it while we're out here. I guess it couldn't hurt 45 00:03:03,120 --> 00:03:06,440 Speaker 1: the scabbnge for supplies. Lucky for us, the castle's drawbridge 46 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:10,079 Speaker 1: is already down. And second thought, no one builds a 47 00:03:10,120 --> 00:03:12,760 Speaker 1: castle like that because they welcome visitors. Maybe we should 48 00:03:12,800 --> 00:03:14,880 Speaker 1: turn back. How much water is left in the cancies? 49 00:03:18,680 --> 00:03:27,079 Speaker 1: They're empty? No water? No water? What serious? Need water? 50 00:03:28,360 --> 00:03:37,800 Speaker 1: Serious belly burn like like bapper pod fire? Serious? Stop? 51 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:56,040 Speaker 1: What's going on? Looks like we're storming the castle for water. Serious, 52 00:03:56,320 --> 00:03:58,440 Speaker 1: stay put at the end of the drawbridge. It's safer 53 00:03:58,480 --> 00:04:07,320 Speaker 1: if we entered the castle together. Serious wrong, serious water 54 00:04:08,640 --> 00:04:12,440 Speaker 1: water d well. We can't be positive this find your 55 00:04:12,480 --> 00:04:21,160 Speaker 1: water right logo? Uh sure? Ether hold on through the 56 00:04:21,200 --> 00:04:36,040 Speaker 1: castle entrueway together. Marble columns or Nate's tapestries, double winged 57 00:04:36,080 --> 00:04:39,799 Speaker 1: staircase in size and stature. The castle's reception chamber resembles 58 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:43,120 Speaker 1: that of a grand hall. Despite the neglect, you can 59 00:04:43,160 --> 00:04:45,440 Speaker 1: tell this castle was once home to a great king. 60 00:04:46,839 --> 00:04:52,480 Speaker 1: Look water what where overhead a banner of the royal 61 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:55,960 Speaker 1: coat of arms. It depicts a gilded chalice overflowing with water, 62 00:04:56,839 --> 00:05:00,280 Speaker 1: King Oran of water Land. My intuition about the place 63 00:05:00,320 --> 00:05:03,159 Speaker 1: was correct. It appears this castle once belonged to the 64 00:05:03,240 --> 00:05:06,080 Speaker 1: Great King Oran. Well, I'm sure it was a sight 65 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:14,720 Speaker 1: to see. Hello, anyone home Oran either stopped, someone might 66 00:05:14,800 --> 00:05:21,080 Speaker 1: hear hear that silence? What I tell you? Abandoned. We 67 00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:27,920 Speaker 1: got the whole castle to ourselves. Looks like this way 68 00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:38,000 Speaker 1: leads to the throne room. Come on, the throne room 69 00:05:38,080 --> 00:05:40,919 Speaker 1: must be one of the rooms down this hall. That 70 00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 1: immense blackstone door at the end of the corridor. Why 71 00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:45,679 Speaker 1: is there a mirror in the center of it? Huh, 72 00:05:45,760 --> 00:05:48,160 Speaker 1: I don't know. Maybe the mirror is to reflect the 73 00:05:48,240 --> 00:05:54,960 Speaker 1: light from the ceiling chandelier and brighten up the place blots. 74 00:05:55,560 --> 00:05:58,120 Speaker 1: I wonder where it goes. It appears to require a 75 00:05:58,200 --> 00:06:02,000 Speaker 1: hieroglyphic cipher to open one hundred different symbols. There's an 76 00:06:02,040 --> 00:06:08,000 Speaker 1: inscription over the door's arch. Simple eyes symbolize sinful lines. 77 00:06:09,040 --> 00:06:12,840 Speaker 1: What does it mean? Clue for water? We shouldn't stick 78 00:06:12,880 --> 00:06:17,600 Speaker 1: around to find out logo. Would you relax. There's nothing 79 00:06:17,680 --> 00:06:20,600 Speaker 1: to worry about. We're the only ones here. But if 80 00:06:20,640 --> 00:06:22,760 Speaker 1: that's true, who's been letting the torches on the wall? 81 00:06:28,000 --> 00:06:48,839 Speaker 1: What was that? Water? Water? Water? Serious? After him? Water? 82 00:06:49,800 --> 00:06:57,839 Speaker 1: War serious? Not another step either in center of throne 83 00:06:57,920 --> 00:07:01,880 Speaker 1: rooms water will We don't know what's down there. This 84 00:07:01,920 --> 00:07:03,839 Speaker 1: could all be a trap. I tried to tell you 85 00:07:03,880 --> 00:07:10,160 Speaker 1: that back on the dunes. You didn't listen. Yeah, sound 86 00:07:10,280 --> 00:07:16,240 Speaker 1: come from inside well at bottom? Serious, find source, find water, 87 00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:19,920 Speaker 1: don't be rash. The logical thing would be to consider 88 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:29,440 Speaker 1: all possibilities before arriving at such a conclusion. Fire water. Now, 89 00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:37,160 Speaker 1: he just leapt into the well. It's bit black down there, 90 00:07:37,160 --> 00:07:39,840 Speaker 1: with no visibility to the bottom. He could be injured, 91 00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:42,600 Speaker 1: that is, assuming he survived the fall at all. What 92 00:07:42,680 --> 00:07:45,840 Speaker 1: should we do? We go down after him? What? No, 93 00:07:46,360 --> 00:07:57,240 Speaker 1: that would only put us at risk too serious deeds us? Oh? Okay, okay, 94 00:07:57,360 --> 00:08:00,320 Speaker 1: I know. Water wells are essentially a simple rope and 95 00:08:00,400 --> 00:08:03,239 Speaker 1: pulley system centered on a fixed axle. If we lower 96 00:08:03,280 --> 00:08:05,600 Speaker 1: the empty water bucket hanging above the well for serious 97 00:08:05,600 --> 00:08:07,440 Speaker 1: to grab a hold of, we can use the other 98 00:08:07,520 --> 00:08:09,120 Speaker 1: end of the rope to safely hoist them up the 99 00:08:09,160 --> 00:08:12,280 Speaker 1: ground level. We can't pull them out ourselves. Serious, is 100 00:08:12,320 --> 00:08:14,600 Speaker 1: way too heavy and chalk full of pepper pot candies. 101 00:08:15,160 --> 00:08:19,960 Speaker 1: That's where you're wrong. By tying the rope ground several 102 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:24,160 Speaker 1: sturdy objects found around the room, such as the the 103 00:08:24,280 --> 00:08:29,800 Speaker 1: anister and throne itself, one can introduce sufficient counterweight to 104 00:08:29,840 --> 00:08:32,880 Speaker 1: anchor the system and significantly reduce the force required to 105 00:08:32,920 --> 00:08:40,480 Speaker 1: lift it out. Yet there, that should do it. Okay, serious, 106 00:08:40,720 --> 00:08:46,680 Speaker 1: I'm dropping down the bucket. Grab hold of it. We're 107 00:08:46,679 --> 00:08:51,839 Speaker 1: gonna get you out of their buddy logo. Tell me 108 00:08:51,880 --> 00:08:53,600 Speaker 1: when to pull them a raise them up together. That's 109 00:08:53,600 --> 00:08:57,280 Speaker 1: not necessary, huh. I've added sufficient oppositional force into the 110 00:08:57,280 --> 00:09:00,600 Speaker 1: system to extract a small boulder. Even someone of modest 111 00:09:00,600 --> 00:09:04,080 Speaker 1: strength like myself could raise him unaided simply by knotting 112 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:09,080 Speaker 1: the rope around their waist life itself and lifting at 113 00:09:09,080 --> 00:09:12,280 Speaker 1: an angle near parallel to direction of motion. Allow me 114 00:09:12,320 --> 00:09:15,320 Speaker 1: to demonstrate whatever, Just do it already, as soon as 115 00:09:15,360 --> 00:09:31,800 Speaker 1: you let go of the rope, logo, I'm a big rattle. Serious, 116 00:09:31,800 --> 00:09:36,480 Speaker 1: broke my fault. I guess she's heavier than I thought. 117 00:09:37,679 --> 00:09:42,760 Speaker 1: Get us out of here. Well, hell all right, I'm 118 00:09:42,800 --> 00:09:45,240 Speaker 1: gonna grab a torch off the wall and come down 119 00:09:45,280 --> 00:09:51,080 Speaker 1: there myself. The rope's anchored around the wells axle. I'll 120 00:09:51,120 --> 00:09:54,080 Speaker 1: repel down and then we can climb back up. Be 121 00:09:54,280 --> 00:10:06,280 Speaker 1: right there, Serious, you're right serious, okay, but but well 122 00:10:06,400 --> 00:10:17,800 Speaker 1: empty sorry never pot madness, water water, who's that? Hello? 123 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:22,440 Speaker 1: Who are you? Why are you down here? Water water? 124 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:26,000 Speaker 1: He appears to be in some sort of trance. Looks 125 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:28,360 Speaker 1: like he's had a rough go of it, bound, beaten 126 00:10:28,400 --> 00:10:30,200 Speaker 1: and left at the bottom of a well. We have 127 00:10:30,280 --> 00:10:34,160 Speaker 1: to want tie him, But remember what you said about 128 00:10:34,160 --> 00:10:37,240 Speaker 1: this being a trap. Maybe he's tied up for good reason. 129 00:10:37,480 --> 00:10:40,040 Speaker 1: If we leave right now, don't touch anything, then we 130 00:10:40,040 --> 00:10:43,040 Speaker 1: can leave him to die and we'll never learn who 131 00:10:43,080 --> 00:10:46,000 Speaker 1: did this to him and what danger lies ahead. Besides, 132 00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:53,840 Speaker 1: he's no threat to the three of us. Untie him, water, Water, 133 00:10:54,640 --> 00:11:01,920 Speaker 1: you'll never get your hands. I'm bone water water. Drops 134 00:11:01,920 --> 00:11:14,520 Speaker 1: of water in bucket on ground next to him. Serious, 135 00:11:19,080 --> 00:11:22,720 Speaker 1: forget it, help much, finish on tying him? Water, give 136 00:11:22,840 --> 00:11:29,800 Speaker 1: serious strength. Who are you three? We're travelers who wanted 137 00:11:29,840 --> 00:11:32,360 Speaker 1: in from the desert. What happened here? I'll tell you 138 00:11:32,440 --> 00:11:37,440 Speaker 1: everything I know, but first introductions are in order. I 139 00:11:37,480 --> 00:11:41,920 Speaker 1: am King of the Waterland Sage of the water Buffalo, 140 00:11:42,360 --> 00:11:47,600 Speaker 1: Guardian of flow is or welcome to my home, your 141 00:11:47,720 --> 00:11:54,680 Speaker 1: king and only king, or I'm ether that's serious and logo, 142 00:11:55,160 --> 00:11:58,679 Speaker 1: how long have you been in this well? I'm I'm 143 00:11:58,760 --> 00:12:02,840 Speaker 1: not sure. Last thing I remember is we were under 144 00:12:02,880 --> 00:12:05,959 Speaker 1: attack and I was headed to my escape tunnel to 145 00:12:06,040 --> 00:12:08,520 Speaker 1: wait it out. The entrance, which is hidden in the 146 00:12:08,559 --> 00:12:12,720 Speaker 1: wall behind my throat. My escape tunnel, leads to the outside, 147 00:12:12,800 --> 00:12:17,520 Speaker 1: and only I know the code to enter. Were you ambushed? Yes, 148 00:12:18,320 --> 00:12:21,760 Speaker 1: I must have been, and that's what I've blacked out 149 00:12:21,880 --> 00:12:25,800 Speaker 1: and fell into this stupor. He must have tied me 150 00:12:25,960 --> 00:12:30,000 Speaker 1: up and left me in this wealth. He must be 151 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:35,320 Speaker 1: behind this. He has returned. He who are you talking? 152 00:12:35,840 --> 00:12:42,360 Speaker 1: The King of the Shadowland, King of Shadows, the King 153 00:12:42,559 --> 00:12:47,200 Speaker 1: of the Shadowland, My greatest rival, who has long since 154 00:12:47,559 --> 00:12:57,120 Speaker 1: terrorized my kingdom, Lord Nero. Lord Nero. Nero has driven 155 00:12:57,160 --> 00:13:00,440 Speaker 1: away most of the Waterland people on fear and is 156 00:13:00,480 --> 00:13:04,360 Speaker 1: the reason the few who stayed behind remain hidden in 157 00:13:04,400 --> 00:13:08,120 Speaker 1: this kingdom like beetles, and now, with no one wants 158 00:13:08,120 --> 00:13:11,640 Speaker 1: to defend the castle, Nero really comes and goes as 159 00:13:11,679 --> 00:13:15,080 Speaker 1: he pleases me. He seems to be growing stronger each 160 00:13:15,120 --> 00:13:19,200 Speaker 1: passing day. What is his objective? Neros after one thing, 161 00:13:19,240 --> 00:13:24,600 Speaker 1: and one thing, only water. But as long as I'm alive, 162 00:13:25,200 --> 00:13:29,200 Speaker 1: he'll never get his hands on it, and Nero needs 163 00:13:29,280 --> 00:13:35,080 Speaker 1: me alive. I could explain. The water Lands oasis is 164 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:38,679 Speaker 1: in the Imperial Grounds, located behind the castle. The Imperial 165 00:13:38,760 --> 00:13:42,960 Speaker 1: Grounds containing the oasis is whole week nclosed on all sides, 166 00:13:43,200 --> 00:13:47,240 Speaker 1: with fortified fifty foot walls on the eastern and western perimeters, 167 00:13:47,280 --> 00:13:51,400 Speaker 1: and unscalable mountains in the distance. The only way to 168 00:13:51,559 --> 00:13:54,960 Speaker 1: enter the grounds is through the castle's rear door, made 169 00:13:55,040 --> 00:14:00,800 Speaker 1: of impenetrable black stone and secured by hiro affect cipher. 170 00:14:01,559 --> 00:14:04,760 Speaker 1: If a wrong coat is answered three times in a row, 171 00:14:05,360 --> 00:14:09,040 Speaker 1: the door will lock forever. The blackstone door at the 172 00:14:09,120 --> 00:14:10,640 Speaker 1: end of the corridor, the one with a mirror in 173 00:14:10,679 --> 00:14:14,840 Speaker 1: the center beneath the chandelier, so you've seen it. I 174 00:14:15,040 --> 00:14:19,120 Speaker 1: alone know the answer to the cipher and will never 175 00:14:20,040 --> 00:14:23,520 Speaker 1: surrender it to Nero. He must never reach the oasis. 176 00:14:24,320 --> 00:14:27,880 Speaker 1: The water belongs to the water Land Kingdom, and he 177 00:14:28,040 --> 00:14:38,120 Speaker 1: is mine and mine alone. Sorry, serious drink your water nonsense. 178 00:14:39,160 --> 00:14:43,080 Speaker 1: Because they refuse to willingly give him the water, Nero's 179 00:14:43,160 --> 00:14:45,720 Speaker 1: decided he'd take it by force, even if it means 180 00:14:45,840 --> 00:14:48,280 Speaker 1: ringing it out of me one tear at a time. 181 00:14:49,160 --> 00:14:53,280 Speaker 1: But despite all the suffering, he'll never break me. You 182 00:14:53,560 --> 00:15:02,920 Speaker 1: didn't drink my water, You drank my tears. Wait a minute, 183 00:15:03,440 --> 00:15:08,680 Speaker 1: water cipher oasis. If you have an oasis full of water, 184 00:15:08,920 --> 00:15:10,960 Speaker 1: why is there no water in this well or the 185 00:15:11,040 --> 00:15:17,040 Speaker 1: moat that surrounds the castle or in bucket? Do you 186 00:15:17,080 --> 00:15:20,560 Speaker 1: really think I'd allow the oasis water to flow freely 187 00:15:20,640 --> 00:15:24,760 Speaker 1: throughout the kingdom while Nero terrorizes it. Every drop that 188 00:15:24,800 --> 00:15:28,040 Speaker 1: graces his lips is one less for the water land people. 189 00:15:28,120 --> 00:15:31,720 Speaker 1: I've swore to guard the flow of water in this 190 00:15:31,880 --> 00:15:35,120 Speaker 1: realm with my life, and we'll defend the oasis for 191 00:15:35,200 --> 00:15:38,840 Speaker 1: as long as I'm the king with great hotter. I 192 00:15:38,960 --> 00:15:44,080 Speaker 1: wear the badge of my royal etom say, your badge 193 00:15:44,120 --> 00:15:46,280 Speaker 1: is a picture of a water buffalo with your name 194 00:15:46,320 --> 00:15:50,480 Speaker 1: across it and underneath the word flow. Yes, I am 195 00:15:50,680 --> 00:15:55,520 Speaker 1: the guardian of flow? Well or in guardian of flow? 196 00:15:55,880 --> 00:15:58,120 Speaker 1: Tell me how do you know that Nero hasn already 197 00:15:58,120 --> 00:16:00,160 Speaker 1: gotten his hands on your water? That the oasis this 198 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:05,880 Speaker 1: isn't dry? Would you like to see it? Yes? Yes, yeah, 199 00:16:06,040 --> 00:16:08,440 Speaker 1: we would. Then at the time we climb out of 200 00:16:08,480 --> 00:16:27,280 Speaker 1: this well. To the gentlemen, we've arrived the highest point 201 00:16:27,360 --> 00:16:34,320 Speaker 1: of the water Land Kingdom. The viewing balcony awakes. I 202 00:16:34,440 --> 00:16:44,440 Speaker 1: invite you three to step outside and behind my kingdoms 203 00:16:44,600 --> 00:16:55,360 Speaker 1: round jel the Waterland Oasis. Now come back inside with me. 204 00:16:56,120 --> 00:17:03,120 Speaker 1: There is something I must ask you three. You never 205 00:17:03,160 --> 00:17:05,359 Speaker 1: told me down on the well. What business brings you 206 00:17:05,400 --> 00:17:13,240 Speaker 1: to the water Land Kingdom. We came in search of water. 207 00:17:13,560 --> 00:17:15,480 Speaker 1: We have a long journey ahead of us, and only 208 00:17:15,480 --> 00:17:18,400 Speaker 1: wish to refill our canteens at your oasis, after which 209 00:17:18,400 --> 00:17:26,280 Speaker 1: will be on our way. I see, so you've come 210 00:17:26,560 --> 00:17:33,160 Speaker 1: for my water well. Perhaps an arrangement can be made. 211 00:17:34,080 --> 00:17:36,560 Speaker 1: Return with me at once to the throne room. We 212 00:17:36,720 --> 00:17:44,119 Speaker 1: shall discuss terms. So or in what did you have 213 00:17:44,160 --> 00:17:48,760 Speaker 1: in mind? An alliance of forces against a common enemy? 214 00:17:49,240 --> 00:17:53,560 Speaker 1: Common enemy? It appears you in the shadow Land king 215 00:17:53,600 --> 00:17:57,439 Speaker 1: are both after my water. But if he reaches the 216 00:17:57,440 --> 00:18:02,080 Speaker 1: oasis first, there will be nothing left for you three. 217 00:18:02,119 --> 00:18:07,040 Speaker 1: But send Nero will stop at nothing. But I've studied 218 00:18:07,080 --> 00:18:13,159 Speaker 1: his nature, uncovered his secret weakness. I can defeat him. 219 00:18:13,160 --> 00:18:18,240 Speaker 1: What need us for? Alas two weeks to do it alone? 220 00:18:19,440 --> 00:18:24,959 Speaker 1: While the Waterland's castles made of stone. My people are 221 00:18:25,040 --> 00:18:30,000 Speaker 1: not as I've noted. Those subjects of mine who have 222 00:18:30,600 --> 00:18:34,960 Speaker 1: yet to flee, stay coward away and hide. But if 223 00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:39,359 Speaker 1: you join me in fighting the Shadowland King, together, we 224 00:18:39,520 --> 00:18:43,080 Speaker 1: can end his reign of terror upon my kingdom and 225 00:18:43,359 --> 00:18:47,480 Speaker 1: defeat him. And for your troubles, I will shower you 226 00:18:47,600 --> 00:18:55,000 Speaker 1: three with so much water your cups will overflow. We're 227 00:18:55,080 --> 00:19:00,440 Speaker 1: civilian mercenaries, not sell swords. This is your battle to fight. Ah. 228 00:19:01,560 --> 00:19:05,120 Speaker 1: But even in my stupor down in the well, I 229 00:19:05,160 --> 00:19:13,480 Speaker 1: recognized you three persis the inherent qualities of great soldiers. Serious, 230 00:19:13,560 --> 00:19:17,959 Speaker 1: with your pulking strength and fierce heart, you'd make a 231 00:19:17,960 --> 00:19:20,760 Speaker 1: great warrior chief, in charge of training the last of 232 00:19:20,840 --> 00:19:26,879 Speaker 1: the Waterland people and leading them into battle. Logo. You 233 00:19:26,960 --> 00:19:31,880 Speaker 1: have a most impressive mind an unrivaled acumen. You would 234 00:19:31,840 --> 00:19:36,440 Speaker 1: have had our military strategy, responsible for formulating battle tactics 235 00:19:36,480 --> 00:19:41,359 Speaker 1: and managing the logistics behind out. Winning our opponent sounds 236 00:19:41,400 --> 00:19:45,280 Speaker 1: logical to me and eat her. You have the spirit 237 00:19:45,359 --> 00:19:49,640 Speaker 1: of a natural born leader. My second in command, you'd 238 00:19:49,640 --> 00:19:52,280 Speaker 1: help me understand the mind of our enemy, solve the 239 00:19:52,320 --> 00:19:56,440 Speaker 1: puzzle of his soul, and lead our kingdom against Nero 240 00:19:56,960 --> 00:20:00,359 Speaker 1: when the time comes. When the time comes, the black 241 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:04,320 Speaker 1: bell atop the Kingdom sounds the alarm. Three rings from 242 00:20:04,359 --> 00:20:10,040 Speaker 1: the bell tower signifies the Shadowland King's return. Here's some 243 00:20:10,240 --> 00:20:15,240 Speaker 1: tune I know all too well. When Nero is finally 244 00:20:15,320 --> 00:20:20,040 Speaker 1: defeated and peace restored to the Waterland Kingdom, the black 245 00:20:20,080 --> 00:20:23,200 Speaker 1: bell will ring out all through the night in celebration 246 00:20:24,359 --> 00:20:29,600 Speaker 1: with your help, its victory song will be heard throughout 247 00:20:29,640 --> 00:20:33,520 Speaker 1: the realm uh huh. And exactly how big is Nero's army? 248 00:20:33,880 --> 00:20:37,800 Speaker 1: He will come alone. I can assure you that. Now, 249 00:20:38,400 --> 00:20:47,640 Speaker 1: will you three join me in this final fight for freedom? Okay? 250 00:20:48,359 --> 00:20:56,240 Speaker 1: D I propose atoms. They keep a special reserve bottle 251 00:20:56,240 --> 00:20:58,240 Speaker 1: of the purest Waterland water in my throne room for 252 00:20:58,359 --> 00:21:03,400 Speaker 1: rare occasions like this. You're defeating Mero and restoring the 253 00:21:03,440 --> 00:21:09,000 Speaker 1: flow to the Waterland Kingdom here here, after our victory. 254 00:21:09,359 --> 00:21:11,679 Speaker 1: There's much more where that came from, much more, I 255 00:21:11,920 --> 00:21:24,400 Speaker 1: promise now, we don't have long until Nero's return. Serious, 256 00:21:25,160 --> 00:21:29,960 Speaker 1: my warrior cheek, report to the armory on the main hole, 257 00:21:30,240 --> 00:21:33,359 Speaker 1: last room on the left. You'll have free reign of 258 00:21:33,359 --> 00:21:37,400 Speaker 1: the arsenal containing the Waterland's best weapons and equipment. Use 259 00:21:37,440 --> 00:21:40,920 Speaker 1: it's to arm the infantry. After the armory, make your 260 00:21:40,920 --> 00:21:43,000 Speaker 1: way to the barracks in the next room. Over the 261 00:21:43,000 --> 00:21:46,119 Speaker 1: barracks is where you'll find the remaining Waterland people. Hide 262 00:21:46,119 --> 00:21:49,639 Speaker 1: them each trust us knights, but do not be fooled 263 00:21:49,640 --> 00:21:52,520 Speaker 1: by their silver suits of armor. There are our soldiers 264 00:21:52,560 --> 00:21:57,639 Speaker 1: and them I trust, though you'll make warriors out of them. Yet, logo, 265 00:21:58,160 --> 00:22:02,080 Speaker 1: my head of strategy. Off to the war room for 266 00:22:02,240 --> 00:22:04,719 Speaker 1: you down the main hall, last room of the right. 267 00:22:04,960 --> 00:22:09,200 Speaker 1: I grant you full autonomy over the Waterland's royal archives 268 00:22:09,280 --> 00:22:13,239 Speaker 1: and vast capital reserves. Use them wisely to deploy our 269 00:22:13,320 --> 00:22:16,720 Speaker 1: resources and ensure where battle ready. I have faith in 270 00:22:16,800 --> 00:22:22,320 Speaker 1: you to formulate our path to victory. Affirmative either, my general, 271 00:22:22,840 --> 00:22:24,200 Speaker 1: you are a remain of my side here in the 272 00:22:24,280 --> 00:22:27,000 Speaker 1: throne room, and help me dissect the psyche of the 273 00:22:27,080 --> 00:22:33,240 Speaker 1: Shadowland King. His mind is a murky enigma, but deciphering 274 00:22:33,640 --> 00:22:38,760 Speaker 1: its true nature is the way to our victory. When 275 00:22:38,840 --> 00:22:43,560 Speaker 1: the bell tolls three times, you will lead the Waterland 276 00:22:43,760 --> 00:23:00,359 Speaker 1: Kingdom to war. I will now go. Thank has your stations, swords, stacks, 277 00:23:00,480 --> 00:23:09,000 Speaker 1: chests of supply, all stock of barrels, pile high. Serious 278 00:23:09,080 --> 00:23:13,879 Speaker 1: approve of waterland armory from Arsenal built great army to 279 00:23:14,040 --> 00:23:25,639 Speaker 1: take down Shadow King? What in parrels? Bottom barrels mark 280 00:23:25,960 --> 00:23:32,720 Speaker 1: black powder? Black powder must be for bomb. Top barrels 281 00:23:32,840 --> 00:23:40,040 Speaker 1: mark Oran's oasis, Oran's oasis. Top barrels must have water 282 00:23:40,240 --> 00:23:48,040 Speaker 1: from waterland oasis. Big barrel pile reached ceiling. One small 283 00:23:48,119 --> 00:23:51,880 Speaker 1: sip for serious or no one knows the barrel even 284 00:23:51,920 --> 00:23:57,159 Speaker 1: have cork cloth to drink water makes serious strong or 285 00:23:57,280 --> 00:24:01,560 Speaker 1: in need serious strong or in need serious drink from 286 00:24:01,600 --> 00:24:07,840 Speaker 1: barrel h serious take a small ship from barrel for 287 00:24:08,440 --> 00:24:24,359 Speaker 1: oord ah barrel do have water only sand sand? Ye? 288 00:24:25,560 --> 00:24:38,000 Speaker 1: We need water anyway? When half swords swords so many 289 00:24:38,240 --> 00:24:44,240 Speaker 1: swords on war? Which sword worthy of great warrior chief? 290 00:24:45,280 --> 00:24:57,480 Speaker 1: Which sword serious? Uncheethe m hm m hm hm This 291 00:24:57,720 --> 00:25:04,080 Speaker 1: one handle of gold lion had sneaks, he creep crossbars 292 00:25:04,080 --> 00:25:10,200 Speaker 1: shaped like leather b or victory with lion sword serious 293 00:25:10,320 --> 00:25:18,919 Speaker 1: defeat Shadow Kingdom unshe Huh no blade only sword handle 294 00:25:19,920 --> 00:25:26,200 Speaker 1: mm hm hm ah with this sword now serious wind 295 00:25:26,280 --> 00:25:32,480 Speaker 1: battle unshe ah? This one no have bladed either a 296 00:25:33,680 --> 00:25:47,359 Speaker 1: huh all right, no sword here have blade only handle? Huh? 297 00:25:50,960 --> 00:26:01,000 Speaker 1: Chest empty? Two stacks of royal archives steeled bang vault 298 00:26:01,200 --> 00:26:04,680 Speaker 1: and an oversized oakwood writing desk upon which rests a 299 00:26:04,800 --> 00:26:08,400 Speaker 1: multitude of scientific instruments and sundreams all the base essentials 300 00:26:08,440 --> 00:26:11,080 Speaker 1: for the modern military strategists. Now, this is the type 301 00:26:11,080 --> 00:26:13,000 Speaker 1: of war room where I can dedicate myself fully to 302 00:26:13,080 --> 00:26:21,200 Speaker 1: the intricacies of my work. Well, time to get to it. Huh, 303 00:26:21,440 --> 00:26:23,760 Speaker 1: there's a tea kettle on the desk. Oran must have 304 00:26:23,800 --> 00:26:25,960 Speaker 1: sent up a fresh pot in advance of my arrival. 305 00:26:26,240 --> 00:26:28,520 Speaker 1: It'd be a root of me not to partake. Besides, 306 00:26:28,720 --> 00:26:30,760 Speaker 1: a few SIPs are to relax my nerves and put 307 00:26:30,800 --> 00:26:36,119 Speaker 1: me in the proper mindset to take on such taxing work. Okay, logo, 308 00:26:36,600 --> 00:26:42,720 Speaker 1: coordinate brain to hand, steady spout to cup. Poor. What 309 00:26:43,640 --> 00:26:50,119 Speaker 1: that's not tea, it's sand Okay, Well, logo, looks like 310 00:26:50,200 --> 00:26:52,040 Speaker 1: you'll have to rely on your own mental fortitude to 311 00:26:52,080 --> 00:26:55,600 Speaker 1: get you through this one. Okay, military strategy. Where to begin? 312 00:26:56,160 --> 00:27:03,359 Speaker 1: The possibilities are limitless. I know, I'll peruse the bookshelves 313 00:27:03,359 --> 00:27:11,640 Speaker 1: to simulate my thinking. Excellent idea. It's a military warfare 314 00:27:11,680 --> 00:27:18,320 Speaker 1: section due the art of military strategy and subterfuge. Sounds promising. 315 00:27:21,280 --> 00:27:27,000 Speaker 1: That's odd. The pages are blank. Let's be a misprint. Okay, 316 00:27:27,119 --> 00:27:31,480 Speaker 1: let's see. Oh, here we are combat, counter attacks, and 317 00:27:31,520 --> 00:27:37,200 Speaker 1: operations critical building blocks to a solid foundation. This book's 318 00:27:37,200 --> 00:27:43,040 Speaker 1: blank too, all right? Third Times the Charm Warfare Principles, 319 00:27:43,320 --> 00:28:05,360 Speaker 1: theory and practice the Blank. As my second in command, 320 00:28:05,520 --> 00:28:10,600 Speaker 1: you're my most trusted adviser. It would be an honor 321 00:28:11,160 --> 00:28:15,440 Speaker 1: if during battle you wore my badge as the guardian 322 00:28:15,560 --> 00:28:20,640 Speaker 1: of flow. It looks dignified beside your abunance the eye 323 00:28:20,680 --> 00:28:25,600 Speaker 1: of imperiad. Now orn, If I'm to understand the mind 324 00:28:25,640 --> 00:28:27,760 Speaker 1: of the Shadowland King, I need to know how this 325 00:28:27,840 --> 00:28:34,600 Speaker 1: all came to be. I suppose where should I begin? 326 00:28:35,240 --> 00:28:40,920 Speaker 1: The start tell me everything, and I guess you'll want 327 00:28:40,960 --> 00:28:44,800 Speaker 1: to know the history of the Waterland Kingdom and how 328 00:28:44,840 --> 00:28:49,640 Speaker 1: I became king. In my youth, I was the prince 329 00:28:49,760 --> 00:28:52,960 Speaker 1: of a foreign rith, one of the most prosperous and 330 00:28:53,040 --> 00:28:58,240 Speaker 1: old of the Azrael Desert. My parents started as mere 331 00:28:58,320 --> 00:29:03,160 Speaker 1: soldiers and built their kingdom brick by brick, all to 332 00:29:03,400 --> 00:29:07,760 Speaker 1: leave their life of war behind them. Under their rule, 333 00:29:07,840 --> 00:29:12,040 Speaker 1: the kingdom flourished and our people enjoyed a life of prosperity. 334 00:29:13,000 --> 00:29:15,400 Speaker 1: Our army, though though we never went to war was 335 00:29:15,480 --> 00:29:19,640 Speaker 1: the most fear in the land. As their only child, 336 00:29:20,040 --> 00:29:23,040 Speaker 1: I should have been next in line for the throne, 337 00:29:24,440 --> 00:29:29,360 Speaker 1: But I was spoiled by their success. Ignorant of my privilege, 338 00:29:30,440 --> 00:29:36,040 Speaker 1: having never known true hardship, I grew salts. Pains me 339 00:29:36,160 --> 00:29:42,080 Speaker 1: to say, but I was the prodigal prince. Neither they 340 00:29:42,320 --> 00:29:48,440 Speaker 1: nor our people respected me. But when I came of age, 341 00:29:49,720 --> 00:29:54,440 Speaker 1: I was determined to prove my merit. If they wouldn't 342 00:29:54,480 --> 00:29:59,240 Speaker 1: give me the crown, my birthright, I would establish a 343 00:29:59,400 --> 00:30:04,400 Speaker 1: kingdom of my own, a kingdom more prosperous than any 344 00:30:04,520 --> 00:30:09,080 Speaker 1: before it. Accompanied by a few of our most loyal soldiers, 345 00:30:09,160 --> 00:30:13,040 Speaker 1: in carrying the royal chalice in hand as a token 346 00:30:13,080 --> 00:30:16,920 Speaker 1: of good faith, I led an expedition deep into the 347 00:30:17,040 --> 00:30:21,560 Speaker 1: desert in search of fertile land. Weeks into wandering the 348 00:30:21,720 --> 00:30:26,920 Speaker 1: dunes would all seemed hopeless, and on the brink of collapse. 349 00:30:27,160 --> 00:30:36,800 Speaker 1: I happened upon this ass o asis, which would give 350 00:30:36,920 --> 00:30:41,640 Speaker 1: rise to my kingdom, redeem my honor, and return meaning 351 00:30:41,800 --> 00:30:45,840 Speaker 1: to my life. Soon after its discovery, we built this 352 00:30:46,120 --> 00:30:50,920 Speaker 1: castle in the name of the Waterland Kingdom, and I 353 00:30:51,760 --> 00:30:57,520 Speaker 1: its ruler, King Oran. And what happened from there under 354 00:30:57,600 --> 00:31:01,840 Speaker 1: my rule. The kingdom flourished. It grew quickly in size 355 00:31:01,960 --> 00:31:06,560 Speaker 1: and fortune, and became a central point along the desert 356 00:31:06,680 --> 00:31:11,960 Speaker 1: trade routes. I was generous with my wealth. The oh 357 00:31:12,720 --> 00:31:17,840 Speaker 1: ass water flowed freely throughout my realm like rivers. I 358 00:31:18,040 --> 00:31:22,200 Speaker 1: loved my waterland people, and at last they loved me. Agather, 359 00:31:22,360 --> 00:31:27,320 Speaker 1: we live prosperously in this waterland Kingdom, our own desert paradise. 360 00:31:28,440 --> 00:31:36,560 Speaker 1: But that all ended with Nero. I suppose all good 361 00:31:36,680 --> 00:31:40,400 Speaker 1: things must come to an end, as if a creature 362 00:31:40,480 --> 00:31:44,960 Speaker 1: of the abyss. He arrived one evening on a full 363 00:31:45,080 --> 00:31:50,360 Speaker 1: moon sky seam as tonight, and so began Nero's reign 364 00:31:50,480 --> 00:31:54,480 Speaker 1: of terror. As the days passed, his hold over me 365 00:31:54,640 --> 00:32:00,440 Speaker 1: increased and slow, the Waterland Kingdom crumpled. My people deserted. 366 00:32:00,800 --> 00:32:03,440 Speaker 1: They they fun to the dooms, where they hide out 367 00:32:03,480 --> 00:32:09,080 Speaker 1: in desert caves like exiles. Those poor souls who stayed 368 00:32:09,200 --> 00:32:14,240 Speaker 1: behind stay hidden my bugs and the barracks. But I 369 00:32:14,280 --> 00:32:17,480 Speaker 1: don't blame them. They feared for their lives, and I 370 00:32:19,360 --> 00:32:22,680 Speaker 1: I failed to protect them. If I could only prove 371 00:32:23,280 --> 00:32:26,880 Speaker 1: that there's something still here worth fighting for, that that 372 00:32:27,320 --> 00:32:30,800 Speaker 1: I'm not a lost cause, I know they come back 373 00:32:30,880 --> 00:32:34,200 Speaker 1: to me. But you know the Schadowland King's secret, his weakness. 374 00:32:34,360 --> 00:32:52,920 Speaker 1: You can defeat him. Yes, serious, go through barracks, training 375 00:32:53,000 --> 00:33:06,160 Speaker 1: Waterland people, making through war pears, h barracks better. Waterland 376 00:33:06,200 --> 00:33:09,920 Speaker 1: people stand guard and rolls head to toe in armor 377 00:33:10,040 --> 00:33:17,760 Speaker 1: like silver Knight, ready to fight Shadowland King. Waterland people 378 00:33:18,600 --> 00:33:24,240 Speaker 1: fear no longer serious great warrior from distant land. Together 379 00:33:24,800 --> 00:33:29,440 Speaker 1: we take down Shadowland King, restore glory to Waterland Kingdom. 380 00:33:30,040 --> 00:33:38,280 Speaker 1: Who stand and fight with sirious Now it's not time 381 00:33:38,360 --> 00:33:42,960 Speaker 1: for quiet. Scared mouse, be brave like lion. We fight 382 00:33:43,120 --> 00:33:56,280 Speaker 1: for king Urn. Roar with serious in front. Brave Knight. 383 00:33:56,680 --> 00:34:06,840 Speaker 1: Tell serious name, don't be shy, serious hand here, shake 384 00:34:06,960 --> 00:34:14,000 Speaker 1: serious hand. If night no shake serious hand, serious shake 385 00:34:14,200 --> 00:34:21,440 Speaker 1: night hand. All right, h Night hand come off. You 386 00:34:21,600 --> 00:34:25,400 Speaker 1: must lose hand in battle. Brave warrior, a very brave warrior. 387 00:34:28,080 --> 00:34:31,200 Speaker 1: Any of you brave like Night with one hand will 388 00:34:31,280 --> 00:34:41,840 Speaker 1: give flesh for freedom. Ah, Hello, have you no honor? 389 00:34:42,520 --> 00:34:53,200 Speaker 1: Serious speak? Anyone in armor? Listen Hello, Armor Nights topple 390 00:34:53,719 --> 00:35:07,719 Speaker 1: empty good toy. Well, without the archives, I suppose I'll 391 00:35:07,760 --> 00:35:10,400 Speaker 1: have to devise our military strategy relying on the cerebral 392 00:35:10,440 --> 00:35:15,040 Speaker 1: powers of pure mental ingenuity. Alone m to optimize output. 393 00:35:15,160 --> 00:35:16,840 Speaker 1: It might be prudent the first take stock of the 394 00:35:16,880 --> 00:35:22,760 Speaker 1: pool of resources available to us. AH the military ledger. 395 00:35:23,320 --> 00:35:26,560 Speaker 1: Capital allocation has always been a favored pastime. Don't mind 396 00:35:26,600 --> 00:35:29,839 Speaker 1: if I take a look. Yeah, all right, let's see 397 00:35:29,880 --> 00:35:32,640 Speaker 1: how financially sound the Royal Bank of Waterland really is. 398 00:35:35,160 --> 00:35:38,680 Speaker 1: Here we are recent entries, three hundred thousand opals towards 399 00:35:38,680 --> 00:35:40,799 Speaker 1: the purchase of military armor and armament, one hundred two 400 00:35:40,800 --> 00:35:43,040 Speaker 1: thousand opals spent on travel and trade, seventy thousand for 401 00:35:43,120 --> 00:35:46,040 Speaker 1: fortress maintenance and repairs, two hundred thousand four celebratory power 402 00:35:46,080 --> 00:35:48,040 Speaker 1: technique sething the grand total that leaves the Royal Bank 403 00:35:48,120 --> 00:35:53,120 Speaker 1: with just over one million black opals. We're rich. We 404 00:35:53,239 --> 00:35:55,040 Speaker 1: can hire an army to defeat the shadow Lin King 405 00:35:55,280 --> 00:35:58,359 Speaker 1: for us. Or better yet, forget the shadow Link King. 406 00:35:58,480 --> 00:36:00,839 Speaker 1: We can build a whole new castle. It's all right 407 00:36:00,920 --> 00:36:05,400 Speaker 1: here in this ledger. The one million black opals are 408 00:36:05,400 --> 00:36:08,200 Speaker 1: all right here in this bank vault. I've never seen 409 00:36:08,280 --> 00:36:10,879 Speaker 1: that many opals at once before. Would it be unprofessional 410 00:36:11,080 --> 00:36:15,080 Speaker 1: if I took a small peak? No, logo, don't be ridiculous. 411 00:36:15,120 --> 00:36:19,239 Speaker 1: It's my responsibility, Nay, my royal decree to ensure every 412 00:36:19,280 --> 00:36:23,360 Speaker 1: opal is properly accounted for. King Orn deserves such immaculate 413 00:36:23,400 --> 00:36:37,759 Speaker 1: attention to his treasury. It's more magnificent than I could 414 00:36:37,800 --> 00:36:43,680 Speaker 1: have ever imagined. One million black opals piled high to 415 00:36:43,760 --> 00:36:47,520 Speaker 1: the ceiling. What if I were to what's one opal 416 00:36:47,600 --> 00:36:51,040 Speaker 1: out of one million, one percent of one percent of 417 00:36:51,200 --> 00:36:54,160 Speaker 1: one percent to be precise? A mere rounding error. A 418 00:36:54,360 --> 00:37:15,440 Speaker 1: military strategist has Gotta Eat InterQuest created by Michael Freiberg, 419 00:37:15,800 --> 00:37:19,680 Speaker 1: a production of Ihart Radio and Astro Media Executive produced 420 00:37:19,800 --> 00:37:23,359 Speaker 1: by Michael Freiberg and I Hear Radio, co produced by 421 00:37:23,400 --> 00:37:27,000 Speaker 1: Adam Raimunda and Chelsea English. Sound design and mixed by 422 00:37:27,040 --> 00:37:32,919 Speaker 1: Dennis Dembeck. Music by Trey Toy, Performances by Matthew Bursard, Ether, 423 00:37:33,560 --> 00:37:40,360 Speaker 1: Mike Leibovitz, Serious Mike Kaplan, Logo, Lucy poul Umbra featuring 424 00:37:41,000 --> 00:37:45,440 Speaker 1: Dancy and Germaine born director and head writer Michael Freiberk, 425 00:37:46,000 --> 00:37:51,040 Speaker 1: writers Tom Delgado and Will Julian, story editor, Chelsea English 426 00:37:51,520 --> 00:37:57,480 Speaker 1: dialogue editor Adam Raimunde. Additional music Matthew blacka fully post 427 00:37:57,560 --> 00:38:01,480 Speaker 1: fret fulcast and crew in the discription. Find more podcasts 428 00:38:01,520 --> 00:38:05,280 Speaker 1: from Myharradio on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever 429 00:38:05,360 --> 00:38:06,400 Speaker 1: you listen to podcasts.