It was evening on the Festival\u2019s last day. The Closing Ceremony was set up. Arsha had put her hair back into its signature bun since the bet she made with Thengo was over. All of the royal families had taken their seats and were ready to begin. Merrim had taken the podium to give her speech. \u201cQuite the interesting festival this year,\u201d she began. \u201cI will admit, the race was a little soured by the scandal, but I can\u2019t say that it was entirely unsuccessful. When trouble came at us, what happened? Like our sister Realms, we banded together to get answers. Only through unity could we make this festival possible, only through unity can we get answers, and only through unity can we achieve anything. Yes, some may say that we need freedom more than anything, but freedom and unity aren\u2019t mutually exclusive. With the rediscovery of the Sphinxes, we need to unite with them so they can regain their long-denied freedom. To that end, I will be making frequent visits with our excess livestock to help negotiate better relations. May the Sphinxes join us in next year\u2019s Mid-Union Festival. With that said, it\u2019s time to close this one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWould the reigning monarchs please stand and introduce themselves?\u201d called the announcer. Merrim started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am Queen Merrim Laumfim of the Regatim Oasis!\u201d she proclaimed. She and her family and Royal Guard Captain then produced balls of light and encouraged them to float high above the crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am King Fornam Erremak of Varshenta Beach,\u201d announced Fornam. His family and Captain followed Merrim\u2019s example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am King Dranser Ironfist of the Borompek Dwarf Kingdom,\u201d called Dranser. More lights joined the others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am King Slamfal Dromema of the Borsootha Slime Oasis,\u201d introduced Slamfal. More lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am King Drogo Eragar of the Slempay Kingdom,\u201d proclaimed Drogo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am Queen Lurmir Sklandar of Aridu,\u201d called Lurmir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am King Derromer Hejek of the Gafinar Cecaelia Kingdom,\u201d introduced Derromer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am Queen Dimorea Handra of the Glasna Kingdom,\u201d rumbled Dimorea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am King Vorko Caldora of the Kurontar Sea Merfolk Kingdom,\u201d announced Vorko. \u201cI don\u2019t think we need to strain any vocal chords or put people to sleep by announcing our names.\u201d That elicited a chuckle as the Caldora family and their Royal Guard Captain offered their lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am King Emberam Tormote of the Midoran Forest,\u201d called Emberam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am King Dremek Hanradar of the Borthoo Jungle,\u201d introduced Dremek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am King Dremmir Jahelma of the Algarda Merfolk Kingdom,\u201d announced Dremmir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am King Dwermal Galmudii of the village of Rokanth,\u201d proclaimed Dwermal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am Queen Hindra Havemik of Galthar,\u201d called Hindra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am King Elgrad Royana of Largandra and of the Mid-realm,\u201d finished Elgrad. All the lights offered by the royals and their Guard Captains hung in the air far above the crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow, to finish things off,\u201d called the announcer, \u201cthe Crown Princess of the Mid-realm shall finish this evening!\u201d Arsha stood up and raised her hand, snapping her fingers and causing the lights to explode into fireworks! It was a spectacular sight, with colors across the spectrum dancing over the crowd and causing a tremendous noise!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo beautiful!\u201d breathed Malnar. The show lasted a good while before ending. Everyone applauded wildly at the show. Once the rush died, everyone headed back to their ships. Arsha, her spouses, her parents, Irmalii and her wives, Nazay, and Merrim headed in the same direction. The Royanas and Ralmamps were the first to bid goodbye as they arrived at their ship, the Sky Dancer<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen your tour ends,\u201d promised Irmalii, \u201cwe\u2019re gonna watch Dr. Snood<\/em> until our eyes fall out!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019d like that,\u201d answered Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoodbye, my Precious One,\u201d bid Hanako as she and Elgrad hugged Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood luck, Captain,\u201d bid Elgrad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThank you,\u201d replied Arsha. \u201cAnd I\u2019ll see you around!\u201d The embrace was broken off as Elgrad led his family and friends onto the Sky Dancer<\/em>. The next ship was Malnar\u2019s, the Meteor<\/em>. She and Gorfanth hugged their lovers goodbye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMay our separation be temporary,\u201d bid Gorfanth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf you guys can make time out of your busy schedules,\u201d offered Malnar, \u201cI\u2019d like you all to come for my birthday in a few months.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ll have to check with Realmfleet,\u201d replied Lardeth, \u201cbut I see no reason to refuse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNeither do I,\u201d agreed Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ll try to make it,\u201d promised Falnii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019d never miss it!\u201d chuckled Foresna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen good luck and farewell!\u201d called Malnar as she and Gorfanth boarded the Meteor<\/em>. Next up was Foresna\u2019s ride, King Dwermal\u2019s ship, the Chaser<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLook at you!\u201d Arsha remarked to Foresna. \u201cTraveling in luxury!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s a chance most peasants would jump at,\u201d agreed Foresna. \u201cI\u2019m gonna be taking a carriage ride back to the farm after that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLucky guy!\u201d chuckled Lardeth. \u201cSee you later!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBye!\u201d called Foresna as he followed Dwermal up the Chaser<\/em>\u2019s ramp. Next was the High Sky<\/em>, Lardeth\u2019s ship. He and Falnii gave Arsha one last hug goodbye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHopefully, we\u2019ll meet in Wysper City,\u201d suggested Lardeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf Realmfleet allows it,\u201d replied Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSee you later,\u201d bid Falnii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoodbye,\u201d returned Arsha. Falnii and Lardeth then boarded the High Sky<\/em>. Arsha, Nazay, and Merrim then reached the Endeavor<\/em>. Merrim gave one last hug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCome home soon,\u201d she begged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs soon as I\u2019m able,\u201d assured Nazay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDon\u2019t stop calling me,\u201d urged Merrim. \u201cIt\u2019s all I have.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEvery day, my dearest Desert Rose,\u201d promised Nazay. They kissed, then broke off the embrace. Arsha and Nazay then boarded the Endeavor<\/em> and headed to the bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re a lucky man,\u201d observed Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re not exactly lacking in luck yourself, Captain,\u201d replied Nazay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…Yeah, you\u2019re right,\u201d conceded Arsha. They soon arrived at the bridge and took their positions. Shalvey, Malak, and Oak were already there. Arsha settled into the Captain\u2019s chair and Nazay took the helm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNew mission from Realmfleet,\u201d reported Shalvey. \u201cWe\u2019re to deliver some equipment from the Haldebor Drider Caves to the All Ones Cathedral in the Galdredan Lava Kingdom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cElmpam\u2019s stomping grounds,\u201d mused Oak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNazay, lay in a course for the nearest Realmgate,\u201d ordered Arsha, \u201cthen make all available speed for the Haldebor Drider Caves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLaying in a course,\u201d replied Nazay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ve just been given clearance on departure flight path two,\u201d called Shalvey. \u201cTransferring to helm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFlight path received and course laid in,\u201d reported Nazay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNice and easy,\u201d directed Arsha. The Endeavor<\/em>\u2019s mighty engines then exerted power to lift itself off the launch pad as its landing struts retracted into itself. It then moved itself onto the designated flight path and followed it out of the Regatim Oasis\u2019 airspace on course for the nearest Realmgate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It was evening on the Festival\u2019s last day. The Closing Ceremony was set up. Arsha had put her hair back into its signature bun since the bet she made with Thengo was over. All of the royal families had taken their seats and were ready to begin. Merrim had taken the podium to give her […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1374,"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-2058","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\/2058","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=2058"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2058\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2059,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2058\/revisions\/2059"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1374"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2058"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2058"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2058"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}