{"id":1959,"date":"2020-06-15T13:54:40","date_gmt":"2020-06-15T17:54:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/?p=1959"},"modified":"2020-06-15T13:54:40","modified_gmt":"2020-06-15T17:54:40","slug":"3-realms-1-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/3-realms-1-2\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Realms 1-2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Endeavor <\/em>was flying with random bursts of speed through the darker skies of an Under-realm morning. You could hear it coming before you saw it, not something that should happen to a vessel with stealth in mind. Enfanti and her Frostik master, Lord Delga Larkentha, winced as it arrived in Falgreth\u2019s airspace. \u201cHad I know it was THAT bad, Master,\u201d muttered Enfanti, \u201cI would have begged Realmfleet to let the crew borrow another ship.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow could any of us have known?\u201d asked Delga. The Endeavor<\/em> finally landed, though it was a rough landing. The crew came out, a little shaken. Arsha\u2019s hair was almost blown over from the stops and starts along the way. \u201cYou look like you tried to solve the Endeavor<\/em>\u2019s problems on the way,\u201d observed Delga to Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThangred asked me to see if you could spare anyone from the Engineer\u2019s Guild,\u201d replied Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t have any clients right now,\u201d remarked Delga. \u201cI can bring the entire Guild, if you wish.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat would be splendid,\u201d thanked Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhile I organize the Engineer\u2019s Guild,\u201d directed Delga, \u201cEnfanti can show you the crime scene and give you the details.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMalak, Dalengor,\u201d called Arsha, \u201cI\u2019ll need your help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAye, Captain,\u201d remarked Malak as he and Dalengor departed with Arsha and Enfanti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be frank,\u201d sighed Enfanti, \u201cthis is a case with few leads. I\u2019ll be as clear as I can with the picture I got. Lord and Lady Varsek were hosting a massive celebration for the anniversary of Falgreth\u2019s independence from Dwelga.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDwelga once worked us Trolls like dogs,\u201d explained Malak, \u201cstunting our intellectual growth. We\u2019ve had a tenuous peace with Dwelga for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHence why you mentioned the uglier side of Trolls,\u201d recalled Arsha. \u201cThere\u2019s gonna be some people thinking this murder was Dwelga\u2019s fault.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBingo,\u201d confirmed Malak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAfter the celebration,\u201d continued Enfanti, \u201cthey retired to their chambers. Given that their clothes were on the floor, I\u2019d say a naughty night was planned. They had a sip of Drakh before they died of a heart attack.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDrakh\u2019s the softest alcoholic drink Trolls have, though,\u201d countered Malak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd Trolls don\u2019t get heart attacks unless they were poisoned,\u201d remarked Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd poisoned they were,\u201d replied Enfanti. \u201cHowever, the crime scene was engineered to look like a Splitter job. The first bit that clued me in was that there was a bit of thread on the doorknob, glove thread.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo a Troll couldn\u2019t have done it,\u201d guessed Malak, \u201cour gloves are mossy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSecond,\u201d continued Enfanti, \u201cthe room was clearly entered AFTER Lord and Lady Varsek had died. The footprints left behind were fresher than theirs. If they were the same, perhaps I could consider the Splitters. However, even the ruined bed was engineered to look like a struggle had taken place. Third, the needles that were stuck into their necks had no traces of poison anywhere on them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNeedles in their necks?\u201d quizzed Dalengor. \u201cIt\u2019s impossible to stick anything into a dead Troll. They turn to stone when they die.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a process that takes a few minutes,\u201d recalled Malak. \u201cThe murderer had a window of opportunity to plant the needles.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFourth,\u201d finished Enfanti, \u201can older Splitters card was used, not the ones we see today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, for once,\u201d guessed Dalengor, \u201cthe Splitters were framed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBesides,\u201d supplied Malak, \u201cthey resort to stabbing, not poison.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEven then,\u201d continued Enfanti, \u201cthis was not an immediate poisoning. Lord and Lady Varsek had had small doses in their drinks over a period of two months.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCan\u2019t trolls process the poison?\u201d Arsha asked Malak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat takes days,\u201d answered Malak. \u201cIf the same poison were introduced into the Troll\u2019s body a day later, it would build up. Now, the dosage would have to have been miniscule because I\u2019m surprised they lasted two months.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have to say,\u201d sighed Enfanti, \u201cI\u2019ve seen plenty of poison-based murders in my day. This beats the Depths out of me.\u201d As she finished, they arrived at the hotel with a crowd gathering in front. Enfanti waved and the Head Watchman saw her. She cleared a path by roaring and waving her club. Once the crowd parted, Arsha, Malak, Dalengor, and Enfanti were allowed access to the hotel. The Head Watchman then waved one of her subordinates over. He handed her a report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe chemical makeup of the poison Enfanti requested,\u201d she reported as she handed it off to Enfanti. She tried to make something of it, but to no avail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre any of you familiar with this?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI might know of a contact that could help us,\u201d replied Malak. \u201cRegretfully, it\u2019s not one of my more\u2026legal contacts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe need whatever lead we can get,\u201d commented Arsha. \u201cWho is this contact?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Malak had to go through a lot of secure channels to get to his contact, a male Slime by the name of Recanth. His green, gooey face filled the screen of Malak\u2019s communicator. \u201cMalak, you solid friend!\u201d he burbled. \u201cIt\u2019s been too long! Are you and Anya still together?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLife would just be barren without her,\u201d replied Malak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat I wouldn\u2019t give to see her again,\u201d sighed Recanth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI bet she misses you,\u201d chuckled Malak. Recanth gave off a burbly guffaw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI bet she does!\u201d he called. \u201cShe would have bankrupted me within a matter of minutes! But, I\u2019m sure you didn\u2019t contact me for funsies. What can I do for you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow would you like to earn a little extra cash?\u201d asked Malak. \u201cEnough to buy a good seat in the Slime Senate?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cContinue,\u201d invited Recanth, interested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI need information on a specific poison used on a pair of Trolls,\u201d explained Malak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPoison?\u201d asked Recanth. \u201cHardly a difficult bit of research. What kind of poison?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the snag we\u2019re hitting,\u201d answered Malak. \u201cAll I have is the chemical formula.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s more than enough for me to start,\u201d assured Recanth. \u201cLet me see it. I\u2019ll find your mystery poison.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI had a feeling I could count on you!\u201d praised Malak. \u201cHere it is!\u201d He waved his communicator over the formula, copying it over to the device and sending it to Recanth. \u201cThere we go, transmission complete,\u201d said Malak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis shouldn\u2019t take long,\u201d replied Recanth as his slimy fingers danced across his work-station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re in no rush,\u201d Malak lied. After a few seconds, Recanth\u2019s work-station started flashing red as his simulated eyes went wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMalak, you IDIOT!\u201d he snapped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIs\u2026something the matter?\u201d asked Malak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ll say something\u2019s the matter!\u201d gurgled Recanth. \u201cI\u2019m ruined! My career is over, thanks to you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat did I do?!\u201d Malak said in an uncharacteristic yelp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou and your poison\u2019s chemical formula!\u201d hissed Recanth. \u201cIt\u2019s for a classified poison! Even the chemical symbols are classified! Where did you get this?!\u201d As Malak opened his mouth to speak, Recanth cut him off. \u201cNever mind! The less I know, the better! If I\u2019m lucky, I can get through this with my core intact! Maybe they won\u2019t trace the request back to me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWho?\u201d asked Malak. Recanth took in a breath before responding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Diamond Consortium,\u201d he revealed. Malak\u2019s eyes went wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you for your time,\u201d gulped Malak as he prepared to terminate the call. \u201cWe should meet for lunch sometime.\u201d The call ended and he turned back to Arsha, Enfanti, and Dalengor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Diamond Consortium?\u201d gasped Enfanti. \u201cThat\u2019s bad news.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the Diamond Consortium?\u201d asked Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Intelligence network for the Troll Republic,\u201d answered Malak. \u201cThey spy on everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE. You couldn\u2019t sit down for dinner without the ingredients and preparation being duly noted and recorded by the Consortium.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat happens if you eat something that doesn\u2019t meet with their approval?\u201d asked Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI knew a Troll grandmother who disappeared for less,\u201d revealed Dalengor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhether or not you agree with their methods,\u201d continued Enfanti, \u201cyou can\u2019t help but admire their efficiency.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf I may be a little boastful,\u201d supplied Malak, \u201cnot even the Largandra Intelligence Bureau could compete with them when it comes to intelligence gathering and covert operations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy would they authorize poisoning Lord and Lady Varsek?\u201d asked Enfanti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think they did,\u201d countered Dalengor. \u201cThey don\u2019t usually release their poisons to any kind of market.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s true,\u201d agreed Enfanti. \u201cAnd they were the Consortium\u2019s staunchest supporters. Why poison their allies?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think we need to find a member,\u201d declared Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOr let the Consortium find you,\u201d called a voice. A large Olog, twice Malak\u2019s size, came towards them in a black trench coat and hat. \u201cMr. Bling, at your service,\u201d the Olog introduced himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPrincess Arsha at yours,\u201d answered Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe rumor is,\u201d muttered Malak, \u201cthat you would need to commit a crime to find the Consortium.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have proof that none of you killed Lord and Lady Varsek,\u201d assured Mr. Bling. \u201cThe conversation alone told me that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen, perhaps, you can account for one of your poisons being used?\u201d asked Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRegretfully, I have no answers,\u201d sighed Mr. Bling. \u201cI will keep in touch if any new developments come to light. Good day.\u201d He went back down the street, leaving Arsha and her associates to ponder their next move in the red light of an Under-realm afternoon.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Endeavor was flying with random bursts of speed through the darker skies of an Under-realm morning. You could hear it coming before you saw it, not something that should happen to a vessel with stealth in mind. Enfanti and her Frostik master, Lord Delga Larkentha, winced as it arrived in Falgreth\u2019s airspace. \u201cHad I know it […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1628,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[97,94],"tags":[482],"class_list":["post-1959","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-three-realms","category-the-three-realms-book-1-her-highness-the-captain","tag-fantasy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1959","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1959"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1959\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1960,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1959\/revisions\/1960"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1628"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1959"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1959"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1959"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}