Enfanti sat in Delga\u2019s lap. She always did so when she was distressed in some way, allowing her master\u2019s fur to sooth her as his arms wrapped around her. \u201cThis doesn\u2019t make sense,\u201d she muttered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis isn\u2019t like the Diamond Consortium,\u201d mused Delga. \u201cThey don\u2019t allow for gaps in their security.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not what I meant, Master,\u201d corrected Enfanti. \u201cIt\u2019s the motive of the case. Why kill Lord and Lady Varsek? They\u2019ve done nothing to threaten the stability of the Troll Republic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaybe it has nothing to do with the Diamond Consortium,\u201d guessed Delga. \u201cMaybe this was another red herring.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen why use a poison the Consortium uses?\u201d asked Enfanti. \u201cI ran over the crime scene using my right eye to see if magic was involved and it wasn\u2019t!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat other clues are there?\u201d quizzed Delga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll we have is a copy of Lord Varsek\u2019s speech,\u201d sighed Enfanti. \u201cI don\u2019t know, maybe there\u2019s something magical in it. Then again, maybe not.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s worth a shot,\u201d suggested Delga. Enfanti sighed, then stood up and walked to the table the speech laid on. She picked it up and started reading it. As she did, she noticed something magical WAS laced into the speech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaster, I think I got something!\u201d she said, excitedly. Delga hurried over to her and listened carefully to her explanation. \u201cIt\u2019s a modified truth spell!\u201d she explained. \u201cWoven into the speech\u2019s words is something that relates to a world-shaking truth! If read aloud, the truth would be heard in the heads of all who listened to it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaybe we should read it!\u201d declared Delga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll do it!\u201d replied Enfanti. She cleared her throat and began. \u201cTroll-kind was not treated kindly long ago. For a long time, we have been treated like dogs and our intellectual pursuits were halted. One Troll then stood up and told his masters \u2018I am a living creature that deserves dignity!\u2019 That one Troll sparked a revolution during Dwelga\u2019s enslavement of all Troll subspecies. It took our ancestors a lot of time, but we soon became free. That one Troll\u2019s sacrifice was not done in vain. Now, here we are, enjoying life as is our right, free from fear of the Slaver\u2019s lash! Free from fear of being declared too clever. Free from fear of being watched! To this day, I thank that one Troll for getting us to where we are today! Let Belnak\u2019s sacrifice be forever immortalized. Today, as I said in the past and will continue to say in the future, I do not fear those who would try to enslave us! I will fight them every step of the way!\u201d As she read, the truth entered their minds. \u201c\u2026I don\u2019t believe it!\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Diamond Consortium is attempting to bring slavery back!\u201d hissed Delga. \u201cWhy?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou will never know!\u201d boomed a voice. Mr. Bling\u2019s fist then smashed into Delga\u2019s skull. Enfanti quickly summoned ice armor all over herself, but she didn\u2019t have time to harden it fast enough as Mr. Bling knocked her out with just one punch. His goons then came in. \u201cGet them to headquarters quickly!\u201d he ordered. \u201cI will not allow our plans to make Dwelga whole be ruined!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thangred was busy pounding out any dents the Endeavor<\/em> suffered on the trip to Falgreth. The problems the ship had suffered were being solved in record time. \u201cThank goodness for the Under-realm Engineer\u2019s Guild,\u201d he sighed. \u201cHey, Borshek, where\u2019s Delga? I want to give him my thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI haven\u2019t seen him in a while,\u201d replied a female Orc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHuh?\u201d quizzed Thangred. \u201cThat\u2019s not like him at all. Could someone find him?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll take a gander,\u201d called Lorsek, a male Werewolf. He took off, sniffing all the way, until he stopped at an alley\u2019s entrance. He then took deeper sniffs and smelt fear, panic, blood, and secrecy. He took an even deeper sniff and determined the people that went down the alley. Panic seized his heart and he ran back to the Endeavor<\/em>. \u201cWhere\u2019s Arsha?!\u201d he yelped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe and Dalengor are at L’obscurit\u00e9 Belle,\u201d answered Borshek. \u201cThat caf\u00e9 down the street. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI have reason to believe that Delga and Enfanti were kidnapped!\u201d revealed Lorsek. That got their attention!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll get them here!\u201d called Thangred. He took off at an impressive speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOkay, how?!\u201d asked Lorsek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHaven\u2019t you heard?\u201d chuckled Borshek. \u201cDwarves are natural sprinters.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat was sprinting?!\u201d gasped Lorsek. The instant he asked the question, something sparked on the hull of the ship. \u201cOh for\u2026I JUST FIXED THAT!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLet\u2019s try again!\u201d sighed Borshek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arsha and Dalengor were treating themselves to the richest dark chocolate cake in all the Realms, found only in the Under-realm. They had a special outdoor seat at L’obscurit\u00e9 Belle, the finest caf\u00e9 in the Under-realm, serving the best pastries and coffee, Chocolate was a favorite with Arsha. She ate slowly to savor the taste. Dalengor had already finished hers and was waiting for Arsha to finish. \u201cWhy you insist on eating dessert slowly,\u201d she growled, \u201cI can\u2019t fathom. We have a five-year mission to get cracking on!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSometimes, one needs to make time for enjoyment,\u201d replied Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis isn\u2019t a pleasure cruise!\u201d insisted Dalengor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLook, we\u2019re here until the case surrounding Lord and Lady Varsek\u2019s deaths is closed,\u201d countered Arsha. \u201cBesides, savoring sweets during a case like this helps me to think clearly. I would rather not be crashing into walls in a panic or act so uptight. Captains who are totally authoritarian tend to have their crews wound up so tight that there\u2019s no joy in their work. In short, I\u2019m doing this for my health and the health of the crew. Also, I can give a more accurate description of my food if I savor it.\u201d A teasing grin then crossed her face. \u201cShall I describe it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, thank you,\u201d grunted Dalengor as she folded her arms across her chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLook, if an emergency comes up,\u201d Arsha assured her best friend, \u201cthen it\u2019s all business. I can take this to go and we\u2019ll make the necessary prepar\u2026do you hear that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt sounds like a Dwarf sprinting,\u201d realized Dalengor. Arsha held her hands up to her eyes like binoculars and cast a spell on them to have the same function as binoculars. She looked up the street to see a ball of dust coming down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt IS a Dwarf sprinting!\u201d she revealed. \u201cIt\u2019s Thangred!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy\u2019s he sprinting?\u201d asked Dalengor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re about to find out,\u201d replied Arsha. \u201cHe\u2019s slowing down.\u201d Thangred stopped at their table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYour Highness, the situation has gone bad!\u201d he called. \u201cWe have reason to believe that Delga and Enfanti were kidnapped!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat?!\u201d yelped Arsha as she stood up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat happened?!\u201d roared Dalengor as she followed suit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLorsek found their scents,\u201d explained Thangred. \u201cHe can explain better than I could.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLet\u2019s get going!\u201d declared Arsha. She keyed in a command on the table and a box appeared for her cake. When she got the cake in the box, she waved a crystal cube the size of her palm over the table. The resulting cha-ching was an indication that her payment was successful. She and Dalengor then joined Thangred out on the sidewalk. Arsha then made teal flames appear at the tips of three of her tails and formed the points of an equilateral triangle with them. She then snapped her fingers and they were instantly transported back to the Endeavor<\/em>. She handed her take-out box to a Drider crewman and told him to put it in her ready room\u2019s fridge. As the Drider hurried off to obey, Arsha approached Lorsek. \u201cI understand you sniffed out a kidnapping?\u201d she asked. Lorsek then explained the story up to the point where Thangred sprinted off to find Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou sprinted an entire street to get to us?\u201d quizzed Dalengor. \u201cThat\u2019s impressive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat\u2019s even more impressive,\u201d remarked Arsha, \u201cwas that someone successfully kidnapped Delga and Enfanti. Delga\u2019s a knight for the Under-king and Enfanti was trained by Rekarshii herself. They\u2019re not the easiest of targets.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOrders, Captain?\u201d asked Dalengor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI want a constant two-member patrol,\u201d ordered Arsha. \u201cThey are to do everything in their power to find Delga and Enfanti.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll organize it immediately,\u201d affirmed Dalengor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThangred,\u201d commanded Arsha once Dalengor set off to do her duty, \u201cI need all wands tuned. It may be possible that a firefight may occur.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll tune them twice if I need to,\u201d replied Thangred. He headed off to obey and Arsha moved into the elevator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDeck?\u201d asked the computer more clearly than last time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBridge,\u201d she directed. The elevator took her to the bridge and the door opened all the way. \u201cThank you, Under-realm Engineer\u2019s Guild,\u201d she bid. Shalvey and Nazay were talking about something when they saw Arsha. \u201cShalvey, patch me through to my father and the Under-king,\u201d ordered Arsha. \u201cDelga and Enfanti have been kidnapped and I want them informed. I\u2019ll take it in my ready room.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAye, Captain,\u201d confirmed Shalvey. She called up the two Kings as Arsha entered her opulent ready room. The wall mirror then changed to show Elgrad and the Under-king, Dark Lord Orbak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cArsha,\u201d said Orbak in his usual booming voice. \u201cI wasn\u2019t expecting you yet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYour Majesty, I have grave news,\u201d reported Arsha. \u201cLord Delga Larkentha and Enfanti Glarosa, Head-member of the Larkentha Family\u2019s Blue Rose Harem, have been kidnapped.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThose two?!\u201d yelped Elgrad. \u201cThat\u2019s not an easy feat!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIndeed not,\u201d agreed Orbak. \u201cDo you believe it to be in relation to Lord and Lady Varsek\u2019s deaths?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI see no reason to believe otherwise,\u201d replied Arsha. \u201cThis is too much of a coincidence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat have you and Enfanti uncovered that may lead to this?\u201d asked Orbak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe discovered,\u201d reported Arsha, \u201cthe Varseks were poisoned with something the Diamond Consortium would use.\u201d Orbak then went quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOrbak?\u201d asked Elgrad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere have been rumors,\u201d revealed Orbak, \u201cthat the Diamond Consortium has been infiltrated. Hence why their methods are more brutal and primitive these days. I need these rumors investigated now, but I cannot ask you to investigate them, Arsha. I CAN, however, send Malnar to assist.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt will be nice to see her again,\u201d said Arsha with a grin. \u201cI just wish it was under better circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe will enjoy seeing you as well,\u201d replied Orbak. \u201cI would expect her early tomorrow morning. Orbak out.\u201d His image faded from the mirror.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLook at you,\u201d sighed Elgrad. \u201cAll grown up and settling into the Captain\u2019s chair comfortably. I predict a great future ahead of you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThank you, Daddy,\u201d gulped Arsha, \u201cbut I\u2019m still nervous. Does it ever go away?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTo be honest,\u201d replied Elgrad, \u201cthose nerves never fully go away until the tour\u2019s over. But, as long as you remember your crew and help them as much as they help you, you will be a successful Captain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI hope so,\u201d sighed Arsha. \u201cI\u2019ll see you around. Arsha out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLove you, sweetie! Good luck!\u201d bid Elgrad as the call ended. Arsha sighed as she sat on her sofa, a small smile on her face.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Enfanti sat in Delga\u2019s lap. She always did so when she was distressed in some way, allowing her master\u2019s fur to sooth her as his arms wrapped around her. \u201cThis doesn\u2019t make sense,\u201d she muttered. \u201cThis isn\u2019t like the Diamond Consortium,\u201d mused Delga. \u201cThey don\u2019t allow for gaps in their security.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s not what I […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1715,"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-1961","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\/1961","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=1961"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1961\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1962,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1961\/revisions\/1962"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1715"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1961"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1961"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1961"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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