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The Three Realms The Three Realms (Book 3: The First Strike)

3 Realms 3-35

Another day, another meeting for the Royals. This meeting was centered around how to divvy up those in attendance for each suggestion for keeping the people calm. “It looks like there are five categories for us to play with,” remarked Elgrad. “The way I see it, we can make teams based on each category and organize people based on them. I’ve only got one suggestion of a list, so if there are any more, put them forward.”

“I might have an idea,” called Jeefef. “Why not have each person who suggested their idea be a part of the categories each one fell under? How did you categorize them?”

“There’s the general category, which has Feymay, Hanako, and Orbak’s suggestions,” replied Elgrad, “the volunteer category, which consists of Emfam, Ufnamfa, and Pofomofo’s ideas; the tour category, consisting of Arsha and Lardeth’s ideas; the entertainment category, with Roomef, Olmarfa, Teefmanam, and Malnar’s suggestions; and home life, made up of Jeefef, Endram, Elmpam, and my suggestions.”

“Then I think we have a clear idea of how to form the teams already,” declared Jeefef.

“Gotta admit, the formation makes sense,” mused Lardeth.

“I’m down with that,” agreed Elmpam.

“Can I suggest something?” called Arsha.

“What is it?” asked Hanako.

“Yes, the idea is that these ideas can be used to calm people before the Final War starts,” explained Arsha, “but couldn’t they also be used at war’s end? If and when we win and begin reconstruction, I want these ideas to be put into effect as part of the reconstruction plan.”

“…You know, I think that’s a good idea,” remarked Roomef.

“All those in favor of doing this in reconstruction, say Aye,” called Elgrad.

“Aye,” called the room.

“Against?” No one responded to Elgrad’s question. “Sounds unanimous. Okay, then the next vote is to see if we should go ahead with the formation. All in favor?”

“Aye!”

“Against?” Silence again. “Then we’ve got our teams. I trust everyone will…” Domesta then burst into the room.

“Your Majesty! Come quick!” she called.

“Domesta, what’s going on?” asked Arsha. “Why are you panicked?”

“Because Queen Andwayla Narven is dead!” Domesta’s news echoed in their ears.

“…That’s…that’s impossible!” breathed Arsha.


It was VERY possible. Andwayla’s body was lying on a mortuary slab while doctors tended to Calandra, Rellmeer, and the Crimson Diamonds’ Staff. Calandra couldn’t speak, she was so grief-stricken, so Rellmeer, as she took an eye restoration potion, explained the whole incident to the Royals and Elmar. As she spoke, a pair of Nagas continued fixing any wounds, changing any bandages and mixing up potion doses.

“It’s time for another dose,” advised the woman Naga, Dr. Mika Erad. “Daren, how go her vitals?”

“They’re climbing to normal standards,” reported her husband, Dr. Daren Erad.

“So, Crimson Diamond techniques were used against you all,” muttered Elgrad. Calandra then turned to Headmistress Tanfa, her gaze turning from sadness…to rage. She leapt off her bed and pounced on Tanfa, beating on her in fury! She then picked the old woman up off the bed and slammed her against the wall repeatedly.

“THIS IS YOUR FAULT!” she shrieked. “YOU TRAINED THAT PSYCHO! YOU LET MOTHER DIE!” Her hands then went around Tanfa’s throat and squeezed!

“That’s enough!” called Elmar as he grabbed her arms and pulled her off.

“LET GO! LET GO!” roared Calandra. Elmar refused to let go, keeping his grip as Calandra flailed and howled in rage and grief. Tanfa coughed as she regained her breath.

“She’s not wrong,” remarked Elgrad. “You should have screened her more carefully.”

“She passed the Initiation Test!” gasped Tanfa as she pulled herself up.

“And you didn’t think to check her mental health? Her morals?”

“There’s hardly anything moral about assassination!”

“You’ve just justified my position. The Crimson Diamonds must disband as you’ve allowed someone like her to exist.”

“If we disband, you won’t be able to learn our secrets!”

“We’ve all received your school’s instruction in some capacity, I think we can easily add assassination avoidance to Realmfleet Academy’s curriculum. Your staff is to seek new work outside of assassination and your students will find new means of schooling.”

“Please, show leniency! Yamta never gave us any reason to consider her an enemy until her last days!”

“Your mistake!”

“Your Majesty…!”

“Your King has spoken!” Tanfa’s arguments died in her throat. She then looked at Calandra who had stopped thrashing against Elmar’s grip and simply contented herself to look at Tanfa in fury. Tanfa declined her head and sighed before she took out a paper and signed her name to it. She handed it to Elgrad, and he read it. It was a paper affirming that the Crimson Diamonds would disband and avoid assassination work.

“Your Majesties,” called Dr. Mika, “you need to see this.” She pointed to one of the screens. On it was Dr. Borg as she gave a speech.

“For too long, the Realms have sunken to chaos,” she proclaimed. “Time and again, we’ve all tried to enforce order, but the rulers are content to let us squabble while they waste time and money on crude law enforcement methods. Well, the Realm Trinity Empire has had enough. We’re going to see the Realms change one way or another. Andwayla’s death is only the example of what happens when you waste our time!” The broadcast then ended, leaving the room silent.


After she was healed, Calandra started packing her things. Andwayla’s body was returned to the Galdredan Lava Kingdom to be interred the day after Calandra returned. Like it or not, she had to ascend to the throne and become Queen. She heard the door chime. “Come in,” she called. Elmar stepped into the room.

“You’re not facing this alone,” he insisted.

“Elmar, the Endeavor needs you.”

“I need to be there for my wife!”

“And don’t think, for a second, that I don’t appreciate it! Believe me, I do! …But the Endeavor needs its Chief Science Officer and Arsha needs all hands on deck.” Elmar shut his eyes in frustration. “…Could you at least accompany me at the Coronation?”

“I would be honored.”


Andwayla’s body was interred at the Royal Tomb, next to her husband’s. A day after the Funeral, the Coronation was set up. The Throne room was lined with people, the aisle to the Throne remaining empty. At the Throne were Calandra’s siblings and a Priest. The trumpets sounded and the doors opened, revealing Calandra and Elmar in new outfits. They walked down the aisle, Calandra holding Elmar’s arm all the while, and approached the Throne. The Priest then held out the Codex, the religious book for the Realms, and Calandra placed one hand on it while the other covered her heart. “I, Calandra Narven, do solemnly swear,” began the Priest.

“I, Calandra Narven, do solemnly swear,” repeated Calandra.

“That I will execute my duties as Queen of the Galdredan Lava Kingdom faithfully.”

“That I will execute my duties as Queen of the Galdredan Lava Kingdom faithfully.”

“I will uphold the laws and dreams of my people.”

“I will uphold the laws and dreams of my people.”

“I will care for those that are in dire straits.”

“I will care for those that are in dire straits.”

“With the help of the Divine Ones, I will not let evil corrupt my judgement.”

“With the help of the Divine Ones, I will not let evil corrupt my judgement.”

“If necessary…” the Priest faltered before continuing, “I will give my life to save my people, should disaster strike.”

“If necessary, I will give my life to save my people, should disaster strike.” The Priest then turned to Elmar.

“I, Elmar Narven, do solemnly swear,”

“I, Elmar Narven, do solemnly swear,”

“That I will execute my duties as King of the Galdredan Lava Kingdom faithfully.”

“That I will execute my duties as King of the Galdredan Lava Kingdom faithfully.”

“I will uphold the laws and dreams of my people.”

“I will uphold the laws and dreams of my people.”

“I will care for those that are in dire straits.”

“I will care for those that are in dire straits.”

“With the help of the Divine Ones, I will not let evil corrupt my judgement.”

“With the help of the Divine Ones, I will not let evil corrupt my judgement.”

“If necessary, I will give my life to save my people, should disaster strike.”

“If necessary, I will give my life to save my people, should disaster strike.” The Priest then stepped back and Calandra and Elmar sat down on the Throne.

“I hereby pronounce Calandra and Elmar Narven the Rulers of the Galdredan Lava Kingdom!” The crowd applauded as the two waved. Calandra then stood up for her speech.

“My beloved people,” she began, “this…this moment came from something sad. I am aware of my mother’s reputation for being headstrong and getting ridiculous ideas in her head, I frequently tried to stop her…keyword being ‘try’. Now…now I wish she were here with an idea. I will miss her greatly, as will those who loved her. She DID give us a method against Splitters that, despite Dr. Borg’s insistence, proved effective both in money AND time. Dr. Borg has proven that, while she has smarts, she doesn’t exactly think long-term. Well, we all have goals in mind that extend beyond my own reign, and, with everyone’s help, they will be fulfilled. Now, unfortunately, Elmar’s job still isn’t done. He’ll be going back to the Endeavor to help Arsha and her ship so they, like us, can teach Dr. Borg a lesson. She has told me that having a friend of hers get wounded or die in her own Realm is a stain on her pride and she’s angry enough to help us as we will help the Realms. My King…good luck and hurry back.”

“As soon as I’m able, My Queen,” promised Elmar. They kissed, then Elmar walked back down the aisle and left. The people followed and Calandra sat on the Throne again.

“…First order of business, get the kingdom’s security up to scratch,” she declared.


Back in the Royanas’ castle, Orbak fiddled with a silver quill, contemplating his next move. What he was going to suggest was bold, but it would unite his fellows under a common purpose. “…Right, I’ll do it,” he declared to himself. He pulled out a piece of parchment and started writing a Blood Contract.

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