The Sphinxes were invited to the Manticore Kingdom to negotiate how the Manticores would make amends for what they did, regardless of whether or not Oyed had ordered it. The meeting was going to take some time, so the fleet was ordered to make their way to the Falchineve Drider Colony in the Over-realm’s Southern Continent. On the way, Arsha had rediscovered Mordek in his quarters. “My Lord!” she yelped. “I didn’t expect you to come back!”
“I had to come back when I felt a Candidate’s Aura,” explained Mordek. Arsha’s face fell. “…You fear that power, don’t you?”
“Yeah, big time. It’s too much power for one person.”
“Would it ease you if I said other groups of Divine Ones felt a Candidate’s Aura from your lovers?” Arsha then gave Mordek her full attention. “Yes, you’re not alone, neither in power, nor fear of that power.”
“You mean…any of them can cause physical damage to Oyed?”
“That’s one of the perks.”
“But…but I thought…I mean, the prophecy said only one person can be the Champion!”
“That’s not entirely correct. Yes, historically, one person has become our Champion, but we made it possible for multiple Champions. In this war, I’d say we need all the Champions we can get.” The instant his sentence finished, Arsha beamed. “Just keep this between you, your lovers, and me and my brethren.”
“Of course, Lord Mordek.” Arsha bowed before she headed off to her quarters to tell her lovers what she learned.
As the fleet made its way to the Falchineve Drider Colony, Oyed was listening to a report about his forces. “My Lord, there’s no use arguing facts,” muttered Dr. Borg, “we don’t have the numbers to fulfill your goals. And with an enemy fleet on the way here, we don’t stand much chance!”
“They wouldn’t dare bombard the Falchineve Colony,” replied Oyed. “They would have to destroy the mountains to get to us. This is no retreat; this is us taking the Colony hostage.”
“And suppose Arsha gets a better handle on her Candidate’s aura?”
“I have a plan in mind to prevent that.”
“I hope so, morale’s dipping drastically. Our troops are at risk of losing their blind loyalty to you.”
“…I really wish you didn’t say that.”
As the Endeavor entered the Over-realm, Arsha made her way to the conference room. She had been told by Falnii that the All-realm Royals wanted to speak with their children and Aldarval. She had been held up as an Engineer needed something signed off. When she finished, she entered the conference room to see Aldarval putting her foot down on something. “Out of the question!” she barked.
“Admiral, that isn’t your decision to make,” replied Orbak.
“Daddy, you can’t be serious!” argued Malnar.
“Ah, there’s my daughter!” called Elgrad.
“Everyone, what’s going on?” asked Arsha as she took her seat.
“Our parents are joining us on the front lines in the Falchineve Colony!” replied Lardeth.
“Says who?!” argued Arsha.
“Says us!” replied Elgrad.
“And you’re in charge?!”
“Elgrad, King, yeah!”
“Arsha, Princess, no! You’re painting a big, honking, red and white target on your backs! You really think Dr. Borg won’t catch wind of this and order her soldiers to target you guys?!”
“My arguments against this exactly!” supplied Aldarval. “Your Majesties, I must insist that you stay in the castles!”
“We’ve been conducting this war from the sidelines for too long!” shouted Emfam. “We need to join our troops!”
“We’ve already made the decision! Whether or not you approve makes no difference!” snapped Elmpam. “We’re joining you, end of discussion!” Their part of the call ended, leaving Aldarval and the heirs alone.
“…I say this with all the loyalty I have for them,” growled Aldarval, “but your parents are being stupid!”
“That’s putting it mildly, Admiral,” remarked Malnar.
“Well, there’s nothing for it,” sighed Arsha. “They’re probably going to be deaf to any arguments we have.”
“I hate to admit when you’re right on matters like this,” muttered Lardeth as he folded his arms.
“In the meantime,” interjected Aldarval, “we know why the enemy’s retreated to the Falchineve Colony. Apparently, the Gryphons and Gorgons pledged their allegiance to Oyed a while ago.”
“But they aren’t extinct! We’ve had interactions since the First Age!” reminded Arsha.
“They’re also isolationist societies,” recalled Malnar. “They don’t like to interact with outsiders, not even those loyal to Oyed.”
“So their ancestors may have pledged their loyalty to him,” mused Lardeth, “but not their current descendants.”
“Not according to intelligence reports,” sighed Aldarval. “They’re threatening to join him unless we ‘remove our property’ from their lands.”
“Our property?” asked Arsha.
“Yes, a Realmfleet fortress is trying to encroach on their lands, according to them, and there’s something invisible that’s preventing them from expanding.”
“We better take care of it,” mused Arsha. “Do we have any idea who’s in charge of the fort?”
“Reports say it’s a two-headed Troll,” answered Aldarval.
“Two-headed?” asked Malnar. “Usually those with two heads argue constantly with each other.”
“Yeah, well, it’s rumored that this one’s wicked smart and agreeable with themself.”
“Do we have any two-headed Trolls in our ranks?” quizzed Lardeth.
“We had one, my brother. He died defending Rokanth.”
“Then who’s the mystery two-headed Troll?” mused Arsha. “Like I said, we’ll take care of the fortress and the invisible thing. …You know, this might be what keeps our parents off the front lines!”
“I think you got something there!” replied Lardeth.
“Darn right, she does!” agreed Aldarval. “Captain Royana, make a pair of teams and inform your parents of the situation! By taking care of this, they’ll still be fighting against Oyed!”
“Will do! Arsha out!” The call ended and Arsha breathed a huge sigh of relief.
“Arsha, you just saved us from an early coronation!” breathed Malnar.
“No kidding!” agreed Arsha.
“Well, how shall we do this?” mused Lardeth.
“We’ve got two hours to plan this out,” declared Arsha. “We need to decide who takes care of what.” Arsha, Lardeth, and Malnar then spent the rest of the trip planning out how to take care of the situation with the Gryphons and Gorgons.