The day of the Regatim Camel Race had arrived. Everyone had gathered behind a rope line while the camels and Drenii took their positions. Tormo and Tensur saw the crowd. \u201cGood, no one can get a good look at me,\u201d observed Tensur. \u201cWell, wish me luck at losing!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHold it!\u201d called Tormo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow what?!\u201d snapped Tensur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not leaving until you tell me what you\u2019re gonna do!\u201d hissed Tormo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCome on!\u201d protested Tensur. \u201cWe already discussed it last night! Multiple times even!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll those people placed their bets on you, right?\u201d reminded Tormo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRight! I\u2019m the mystery camel!\u201d replied Tensur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd?!\u201d asked Tormo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s only been 25 hours since last night\u2019s discussion!\u201d protested Tensur. \u201cAs soon as the race hits the high dunes, I let Drenii pass me because no one bet on her! Then, when she wins, we collect all the money and pay off Dr. Borg! Happy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHappiness with you is temporary,\u201d remarked Tormo. \u201cHit the road!\u201d Tensur headed off to his position. \u201cTry not to draw attention to yourself!\u201d called Tormo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, yeah!\u201d Tensur snapped back as Tormo ran back to his betting booth. As he arrived, he turned the sign to \u201cOPEN\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTwo minute warning!\u201d he called. \u201cLast chance to bet on the Regatim Camel Race!\u201d Just then, Bashoon approached with a grin. \u201cBashoon! My favorite niece!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere you are, Uncle Tormo!\u201d greeted Bashoon. \u201cI was afraid I\u2019d missed you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI had it open just for you and your parents!\u201d replied Tormo. \u201cI had a feeling at least one of you would show up. So, is this a social call?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, it\u2019s business,\u201d replied Bashoon. \u201cI\u2019m here to bet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs it a big one?\u201d quizzed Tormo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA real big one,\u201d assured Bashoon. \u201cCaptain Arsha Royana herself granted me permission to shoot the works!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…Are you saying…?\u201d gasped Tormo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFeast your eyes!\u201d declared Bashoon as she held up a piece of paper with her signature on it. \u201cThis is my marker for the Realmfleet Skyship, Endeavor<\/em>, registration CRS-2784!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy dear niece, you\u2019ve declared an excellent…!\u201d began Tormo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd I\u2019m betting it all on Drenii to win!\u201d interrupted Bashoon as she slammed the marker down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWh…wha…?\u201d stammered Tormo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI understand the payoff is 100 to 1,\u201d remarked Bashoon as she sauntered off. \u201cSee you in the winner\u2019s circle! Oh, and for your sake, my dear uncle, you better have the funds to cover that bet!\u201d Once she was out of sight, Tormo decided now was a good time to close his betting booth and rush to Tensur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCould we have everyone behind the ropes, please?\u201d called the announcer. \u201cWe\u2019re about to start the camel race! Did the mystery camel show up yet?\u201d Tensur poked his head out. \u201cGood! Okay, this is it, folks! On my signal!\u201d Tormo then tapped Tensur on the shoulder. Tensur looked and tried to wave him off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGet out of here!\u201d he hissed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere\u2019s a change of plans!\u201d replied Tormo. \u201cYou have to win!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat?\u201d whispered Tensur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBashoon was granted permission to bet the Endeavor<\/em> on Drenii to win!\u201d explained Tormo. \u201cYou gotta beat her! We\u2019ll be ruined if you don\u2019t!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOn your marks!\u201d called the announcer. \u201cGet set!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLet me on!\u201d snapped Tormo as he clambered onto Tensur\u2019s back. \u201cI\u2019m helping!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHey! Get off!\u201d he snapped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGO!\u201d shouted the announcer. The gates opened and Drenii and the camels took off. The crowd roared in jubilation to see them go at such a fast pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWho\u2019s first?!\u201d called a spectator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s Drenii!\u201d called another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, it was the mystery camel!\u201d argued a third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEveryone!\u201d called Merrim. \u201cFollow me to the finish line! We\u2019ll get a good view of who\u2019s first there!\u201d Everyone left the stands and followed Merrim to the stands at the finish line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGo! Go! Go! Win! Win! Win!\u201d urged Tormo as he slapped Tensur\u2019s hump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWill you cut that out?!\u201d snapped Tensur. Neither were aware of Drenii approaching them until she spoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAll right, little miss mystery camel!\u201d she hissed. \u201cI think it\u2019s high time I got a good look at you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cKEEP AWAY FROM HER!!\u201d yelped Tormo as he leaned heavily on Tensur\u2019s hump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI SAID, CUT THAT OUT!\u201d shouted Tensur as his hand reached for Tormo. Unfortunately, he lost his balance and crashed into Drenii, causing all three to tumble down the dune…right into a spot belonging to a species that, up until now, was declared extinct, a Sphinx resting ground. The impact caused the Sphinxes to wake up suddenly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGET OFF ME, YOU FAT MORON!\u201d shouted Tormo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI see that hand, mystery camel!\u201d roared Drenii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m not a…uh oh!\u201d gulped Tensur as he saw that his glove was off. \u201cEr…I can explain!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCamel meat!\u201d shouted a Sphinx. All three then saw the Sphinxes and gasped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cImpossible!\u201d breathed Drenii. \u201cYou\u2019re supposed to be extinct!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCamel meat!\u201d repeated another Sphinx.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, it IS a camel meet!\u201d replied Tensur, fear gripping his heart. \u201cAnd, if I wanna win, I gotta get back on the path!\u201d He grabbed Tormo and took off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWAIT FOR ME!\u201d shouted Drenii as she followed them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWas…that a Naga?\u201d quizzed a Sphinx.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShould we…go back to napping?\u201d asked another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy should we do that?\u201d protested a third. \u201cWe haven\u2019t had a decent meal in months! GET THEM!\u201d The Sphinxes ran after the camels, some staying on the ground while others took to the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHold on, everyone!\u201d called the announcer at the finish line. \u201cI think I hear them coming!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat was fast!\u201d remarked Malnar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere they are!\u201d shouted Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHere they co…wait, is that a Camel Anthro near Drenii?!\u201d roared Dimorea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat cape belongs to the mystery camel!\u201d shouted Lurmir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ve been tricked!\u201d screamed Twundrii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGuys, can we save revenge for later?\u201d gulped Merrim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy?!\u201d demanded Dimorea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBecause I think I see hungry looking people from a race thought to be extinct right behind the racers!\u201d explained Merrim as she drew her wand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAre those…Sphinxes?!\u201d yelped Lurmir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTHEY\u2019RE AFTER THE RACERS!\u201d called a spectator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWEAPONS!\u201d shouted Merrim as she fired a magic bolt at a Sphinx. The shot hit the Sphinx\u2019s wing and it fell onto its compatriots on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSHE\u2019S GAINING ON US!\u201d wailed Tormo as Drenii drew closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOUT OF MY WAY, CHEATERS!\u201d shouted Drenii as she passed them. Nearer and nearer to the finish line as wand fire attacked the Sphinxes behind her. Nearer, nearer, nearer, until…\u201dHA! I WON!\u201d declared Drenii as she slid across and past the finished line. She skidded to a stop and drew her own wand to fire on the Sphinxes until they could be contained. The Sphinxes stopped their advance and waited at the edge of the town. People were catching their breath as they processed the scene. \u201c…WOO HOO!\u201d cheered Drenii as she danced in happiness. \u201cBEST! RACE! EVER!\u201d Merrim just fainted from exhaustion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After the racers were checked over to make sure none of them had any injuries, Merrim and Arsha approached the Sphinxes staying on the edge of town. \u201cI am Merrim Laumfim, Queen of the Regatim Oasis! Explain yourselves!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy name is Tursu,\u201d answered the lead Sphinx, \u201cQueen of the Sphinxes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe were under the impression your people were extinct,\u201d remarked Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot extinct,\u201d replied Tursu, \u201cmerely hiding.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, attacking our livestock and nearly killing some of my subjects,\u201d hissed Merrim, \u201cwas not the best way to come out of hiding! Why did you attack?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe have been starving in the sands,\u201d explained Tursu. \u201cYour livestock would have been the only decent meal we\u2019ve had in months.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy have your ancestors believed eking out a meager existence away from a decent source of water was a good idea?\u201d demanded Merrim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBecause it was the only way to fight the Sickness,\u201d replied Tursu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…Some kind of virus?\u201d asked Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes,\u201d confirmed Tursu. \u201cIt attacked our people around the time you thought us extinct. It was an artificial virus that spread through touch. It destroyed our bodies, ravaged our genetic codes and cellular structures. Our ancestors had left the Oasis to try and find a cure. They built a machine that projects a barrier and keeps us from crossing into any densely populated areas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd keeping you away from any decent source of protein,\u201d realized Merrim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes,\u201d replied Tursu. \u201cWe\u2019ve long been cured but the barrier is still up. That\u2019s why we cannot enter your town. Our ancestors destroyed their notes on the barrier\u2019s operation. You and your livestock can pass through freely, we cannot! We\u2019ve been reduced to picking off any sickly animals and making plants two thirds of our diet! We simply have no other way to survive!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI have a great…sympathy for what you\u2019re going through,\u201d hissed Merrim, \u201cbut future attacks on our livestock need to stop. We can help you lower the barrier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…I fear that is impossible without making us extinct,\u201d sighed Tursu. \u201cThe generator is tied to the survival of our species. The only way to lower it is to kill us all.\u201d Merrim looked at the Sphinxes, starving and forced to be alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…I only speak for the Oasis when I say we can at least offer non-Sentina livestock,\u201d she offered. The Sphinxes looked at her with hope. \u201cOne condition, though, you must not attack those who bring the livestock.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAgreed!\u201d answered Tursu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy people can certainly help,\u201d offered Lurmir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy wife speaks for me,\u201d supplied Ormu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cQueen Tursu, you are no longer without allies,\u201d offered Arsha. \u201cI\u2019m sure Realmfleet can help you lower the barrier without committing genocide.\u201d Tursu sniffed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThank you,\u201d she sobbed. \u201cAll of you!\u201d She spoke for all Sphinxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI have a little too many non-Sentina cattle,\u201d offered a farmer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA little too many non-Sentina camels for my family,\u201d answered another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBring your excess here,\u201d ordered Merrim. \u201cThese poor people need meat.\u201d The farmers hurried off to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI always like it when negotiations are completed with both parties benefitting,\u201d sighed Drenii. \u201cNow, where\u2019s that cheater, Tensur?! I need to get my coils around him!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tensur was found alone and promptly arrested for deceiving the public and the visiting royal families. The people of the Regatim Oasis were calling for his blood, but Merrim wouldn\u2019t hear of it. \u201cDeath would be an escape for him,\u201d she announced. \u201cHe will be working to pay you all back by splitting his time cleaning the castle under our harem\u2019s watch and working the Traversing Tail\u2019s bar.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor how long?!\u201d demanded a Naga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUntil we say so!\u201d answered Drenii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd if we\u2019re paid back?!\u201d called another Naga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHis service is still tied to our word,\u201d explained Merrim. \u201cSo it may be a few years after he pays you back until we release him!\u201d The crowd seemed to be placated by that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNEVER!\u201d shouted Tensur as he struggled to get out of Drenii\u2019s coils. \u201cI WON\u2019T DO IT! YOU CAN\u2019T MAKE ME!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe way I see it,\u201d hissed Drenii as she tightened her grip, silencing him for a bit, \u201cyou\u2019re lucky to be alive!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019ll be in the dungeon until after the closing ceremonies!\u201d declared Merrim. \u201cGuards! Take him away!\u201d The guards grabbed his arms and dragged him all the way to the dungeon. \u201cIf only we grabbed Tormo as well,\u201d sighed Merrim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ve already issued an arrest warrant for him,\u201d answered Elgrad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI can convince Daddy to issue a warrant for him as well,\u201d supplied Malnar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI doubt any of my parents would argue against issuing such a thing as well,\u201d continued Lardeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, not exactly what I wanted to show you guys for our Mid-Union Festival,\u201d sighed Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry, I can safely bet that the next one will be better,\u201d chuckled Foresna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll take that bet,\u201d giggled Falnii. Everyone had a laugh after the bet related jokes and Arsha brought her fianc\u00e9s into a hug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Tormo gasped to himself. \u201cIt\u2019s all here and I\u2019m far enough away.\u201d He took out a communicator and keyed in a channel code. \u201cThis is Tormo, calling Dr. Borg! Dr. Borg, come in please!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDr. Borg receiving,\u201d replied the cold voice of Dr. Cytanek Yavenag Borg. \u201cReport.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI have 75,000 Golds from the Mid-realm festival!\u201d reported Tormo. \u201cA little more than our arranged deal, but it offers more money to obtain resources with!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cExcellent,\u201d praised Dr. Borg. \u201cYou shall be a splendid member of my council. Are you near a Realmgate?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAffirmative!\u201d confirmed Tormo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen return to base immediately,\u201d ordered Dr. Borg. \u201cWe have plans to make.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAt once!\u201d complied Tormo. He activated the Realmgate and returned to Dr. Borg\u2019s lab.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The day of the Regatim Camel Race had arrived. Everyone had gathered behind a rope line while the camels and Drenii took their positions. Tormo and Tensur saw the crowd. \u201cGood, no one can get a good look at me,\u201d observed Tensur. \u201cWell, wish me luck at losing!\u201d \u201cHold it!\u201d called Tormo. \u201cNow what?!\u201d snapped […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1510,"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-2056","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\/2056","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=2056"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2056\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2057,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2056\/revisions\/2057"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1510"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2056"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2056"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2056"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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