Melandra studied the readings that Denstra took of the pink mist and tried to find something, ANYTHING, that would indicate its origin. \u201c…ONES DAMMIT! NOTHING!\u201d shouted Melandra as he threw the clipboard. One of Denstra\u2019s legs caught it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, tossing something across the room is SO helpful,\u201d snarked Denstra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no mana in the mist!\u201d snapped Melandra, overlooking Denstra\u2019s comment. \u201cThere\u2019s no electric field in the mist! What\u2019s going on here?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaybe it\u2019s one of Dr. Borg\u2019s weapons,\u201d guessed Denstra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf it is, it\u2019s not very effective,\u201d remarked Melandra. \u201cThe mist seems to affect vehicles only; trains, skyships, sea ships, horseless carriages, that kind of stuff. On top of that, why us?! This is more in Elmar\u2019s department!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve already got Elmar working on it,\u201d replied Denstra. \u201cMaybe his findings can help us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnything could help,\u201d muttered Melandra. \u201cYou know what else could help, getting Hunmur to a dentist! Her moaning about her tooth is nothing but a distraction!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow there, you\u2019ll get no argument,\u201d sighed Denstra as her ears flattened against her head. \u201cI get why she doesn\u2019t like the dentist; I don\u2019t like it either, but it\u2019s not as evil as she makes it out to be!\u201d Just then, Latinora stormed in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat money-grubbing, price-gouging, tax-supporting, pure-blooded leech!\u201d she snarled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs…something wrong?\u201d asked Denstra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, but someone is!\u201d growled Latinora. \u201cOur city\u2019s collector has increased donation amounts for our public needs! He\u2019s saddling the poor with tribute! They CAN\u2019T pay up!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI always believed that collectors were trained better than that,\u201d mused Melandra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, well, we can\u2019t enter the vaults to figure this out,\u201d muttered Latinora. \u201cThe collector\u2019s using this crisis to make a profit, an offense punishable by death. We need to figure out what\u2019s going on so the Queens can pass judgement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, Hunmur can\u2019t really make the best decisions when her tooth\u2019s bothering her,\u201d sighed Denstra. Her ears then perked up. \u201c…I have an idea!\u201d she chuckled. \u201cLatinora, I\u2019m going to need your help.\u201d She whispered the idea into Latinora\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hunmur was looking over the collection figures with the city\u2019s collector, Yulduk, the Blaze Elf. She snarled when she finished. \u201cHow dare you bring me this miserable report when I suffer like a dog with a toothache!\u201d she accused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut, your Majesty…\u201d replied Yulduk in a regretful tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEnough!\u201d barked Hunmur. \u201cCollections are 40% less than last time, and that time was 30% less than the previous and so on and so forth! How can you possibly explain that?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause the crisis is making industry grind to a halt,\u201d answered Yulduk. \u201cNo one\u2019s producing money or…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSilence!\u201d shouted Hunmur. \u201cCrisis or not, the rich are supposed to take care of the poor\u2019s needs! This is disgraceful! Away!\u201d Yulduk bowed and exited the throne room. As he left, Latinora dragged Denstra into the room. Her hands and legs were bound together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m gonna get me a lawyer for this!\u201d warned Denstra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLatinora, what is the meaning of this?\u201d demanded Hunmur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour Majesty, this woman swindled me!\u201d accused Latinora. \u201cI demand her head! I paid 400 golds for a new scanner and it fell apart on me when I tried to get readings on the pink mist!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have no time for trifles,\u201d dismissed Hunmur. \u201cThrow her in the dungeon! After that, find someone who can cure this Ones-damned toothache!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy Lady, weep no more!\u201d called Denstra. \u201cI\u2019ll cure your tooth! I\u2019ve brought my delicate instruments with me!\u201d Her bound hands gestured to the tool belt she wore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSurely,\u201d protested Latinora, \u201cYour Majesty won\u2019t permit this charlatan…!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll try anything to avoid a trip to the dentist!\u201d declared Hunmur. \u201cUnbind her!\u201d Her gaze then turned to Denstra. \u201cI warn you, if you fail, your soul will be cursed with fading away completely!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI never fail,\u201d assured Denstra as she was released from her bonds. She then approached Hunmur. \u201cNow, let\u2019s see what we\u2019ve got here. Open, please.\u201d Hunmur opened the mouth and Denstra saw the offending tooth. \u201cOh WOW! That is…just…wow!\u201d The tooth was brown and had multiple breaks in it. \u201cBetter get started,\u201d declared Denstra as she got the pliers out. Hunmur yelped in fear and tried to close her mouth, but Denstra used her legs to keep it open. Her pliers then got a grip on the tooth and yanked hard! Hunmur cried out in pain!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYOU DARE BRING HARM TO…\u201d Hunmur stopped her rant as she noticed an absence of something. Just then, Hindra came in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy love!\u201d she called. \u201cAre you alright?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy tooth!\u201d cried Hunmur in happiness as she saw it. \u201cThe pain is gone! She\u2019s cured me!\u201d She turned to the guards who had restrained Denstra after the operation. \u201cUnhand her, she\u2019s free! Give her full access to the castle, even to the vaults!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut, your Majesty…\u201d argued Latinora.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe\u2019s got sanctuary here! No one may harm her!\u201d insisted Hunmur as she left. The Guards followed her and left Hindra, Denstra, and Latinora alone. Latinora dropped the act and whistled at the sight of the tooth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat a tooth!\u201d she muttered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cQueen-sized!\u201d observed Denstra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d asked Hindra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA plan to figure out why Yulduk\u2019s burdening the poor with tribute,\u201d explained Latinora. \u201cThe Endeavor<\/em>\u2019s crew figured they needed someone outside of our city to figure things out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Yulduk\u2019s getting money from the POOR now?!\u201d interjected Hindra. She turned to Denstra. \u201cSince you were granted full access, follow me! I\u2019ll not have tribute from the poor in my city!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA fine piece of acting,\u201d Denstra praised Latinora.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, I DID join my High School\u2019s drama club,\u201d replied Latinora. \u201cMight as well use that experience. Good luck!\u201d Denstra followed Hindra into the castle\u2019s lower levels and they made their way to the vaults to see someone dressed in black key in a code and enter the vaults\u2019 door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWho\u2019s the black banana?\u201d muttered Hindra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCan we find out from here?\u201d asked Denstra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe communicator above the key pad,\u201d answered Hindra. They arrived at the door and Hindra keyed in a code to just listen in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, as you can see,\u201d explained a voice, ignorant of being overheard, \u201cI DID collect the money, I simply \u2018forgot\u2019 to turn this part in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s Yulduk!\u201d whispered Hindra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd over here,\u201d continued Yulduk\u2019s voice. A clatter of priceless objects could be heard. \u201cVarious antiques for you to sell on the Black Market.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYulduk, you DO realize,\u201d mused another voice, \u201cthat the Queens WILL kill you unless you\u2019re aboard our ship.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRojam!\u201d whispered Denstra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI know,\u201d replied Yulduk. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m giving you all this as a down-payment. I simply need your crews to protect me as I take the throne and set up a line of tribute for the Scarlet Stream Pirates.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat a racket!\u201d cheered a third voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMelgem!\u201d gulped both Hindra and Denstra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYulduk, old friend, you\u2019re a chiseler after my own heart!\u201d praised Melgem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ve heard enough!\u201d hissed Hindra. \u201cYou got your wand?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRight here,\u201d replied Denstra as she gestured to her holstered wand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHere,\u201d directed Hindra as she passed Denstra a sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOoh, swanky!\u201d praised Denstra as she observed how intricate the sword was. Hindra keyed in a command and the door opened as they approached Reb, Melgem, and Yulduk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat did I tell you, sweetheart?\u201d Melgem asked Reb. \u201cI said that my old friends would give us a good profit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI apologize for doubting you, my WONDERFUL husband,\u201d bid Reb. \u201cYulduk, if you play your cards right, you will command the most EXCELLENT ship of my fleet!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf the pure-blooded black banana lives that long!\u201d hissed Denstra. Yulduk turned to Melgem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s a fine crack to make!\u201d he snarled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI didn\u2019t say a word!\u201d argued Melgem. \u201cThat was a woman\u2019s voice!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, don\u2019t shift your UNWARRANTED gaze at me!\u201d retorted Reb as both Elves looked at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou can gaze at me!\u201d called Denstra. The pirates and their ally turned to her and Denstra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWelmeva, DARLING,\u201d advised Reb, \u201cdo stay out of this.\u201d She returned her attention to the Elves with her. \u201cI do apologize MOST…\u201d All three then did a double take! \u201cDENSTRA?!\u201d yelped Reb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd Hindra!\u201d squeaked Yulduk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019ll be hanged for this!\u201d threatened Hindra as she drew her sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTry it!\u201d challenged Reb as she turned her slime-mound into a skin-tight suit and donned her tricorn. She drew her cutlass and flintlock and fired! Denstra deflected the shot with her own sword as Hindra pressed a button. The alarm then rang throughout the castle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI assure you, Hunmur,\u201d Arsha was telling Hunmur, \u201cI WILL find an explanation for…\u201d The alarm interrupted her. \u201cWhat in the…?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s coming from the vaults,\u201d reported Hunmur as she checked the alarm\u2019s source. She activated the security cameras and discovered Denstra and Hindra\u2019s fight with Reb, Yulduk, and Melgem. \u201cPirates?!\u201d she yelped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPirates that I know personally!\u201d snarled Arsha as she transferred her hairpiece to her waist. \u201cIf you\u2019ll excuse me, I need to assist my First Officer and then get an explanation about her swindling Latinora!\u201d She snapped her fingers and formed armor. As she dashed to the vaults, Latinora came in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?!\u201d she called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI was trying to tell Arsha about her First Officer swindling you,\u201d explained Hunmur, \u201cand then pirates appeared at the vaults. She\u2019s gone off to assist those fighting off the pirates.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEr, about Denstra \u2018swindling\u2019 me,\u201d gulped Latinora. Hunmur then glared at the female Blaze Elf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t try to trick your Queen, did you, Young One?\u201d she hissed in a warning tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cErm, well, you see,\u201d stammered Latinora before she told her the whole story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arsha found the vaults and the fighters busy with their clash. She whistled sharply and attracted their attention. Reb snarled. \u201cAnd WHAT, pray tell,\u201d called Reb, \u201care YOU doing here?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cInvestigating a pink mist, that\u2019s what!\u201d replied Arsha. \u201cYou had a little trouble with it when we first met! Are you the reason the city\u2019s machines are going haywire?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd if I am, what\u2019s the big deal?\u201d argued Reb. \u201cAt least WE\u2019VE learned what it is. So will Galthar IF they pay up!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDo you know many businesses you\u2019ve shut down with this stunt?!\u201d snarled Denstra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDon\u2019t YOU go high and mighty with me, Welmeva!\u201d snapped Reb. \u201cYou helped in a few of THESE kinds of jobs!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI take it Reb\u2019s the thug you served?\u201d Arsha guessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes,\u201d replied Denstra. \u201cAnd thug is being too generous with this pure-blooded wench!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s IT, you mutinous bilge-rat!\u201d roared Reb. \u201cGET OVER HERE!\u201d A slimy tendril grabbed Denstra and yanked towards Reb. Reb\u2019s cutlass then punctured Denstra\u2019s skin. With her remaining strength, Denstra shoved Reb aside. Melgem and Yulduk steadied her. \u201cI\u2019m fine, boys,\u201d assured Reb. \u201cMy former Chief Engineer, on the other hand, ISN\u2019T.\u201d She pulled out a communicator. \u201cBlack Money<\/em>, this is the Admiral. Three to return to the ship.\u201d The three then vanished in light as Hindra and Arsha tended to Denstra while she covered her wound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll be fine,\u201d she gasped. \u201cShe didn\u2019t hit any organs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou still need medical attention,\u201d declared Hindra. She managed to get through to a doctor.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Melandra studied the readings that Denstra took of the pink mist and tried to find something, ANYTHING, that would indicate its origin. \u201c…ONES DAMMIT! NOTHING!\u201d shouted Melandra as he threw the clipboard. One of Denstra\u2019s legs caught it. \u201cYeah, tossing something across the room is SO helpful,\u201d snarked Denstra. \u201cThere\u2019s no mana in the mist!\u201d […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1492,"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":[97,95],"tags":[482],"class_list":["post-2581","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-three-realms","category-the-three-realms-book-2-the-rise-of-living-metal","tag-fantasy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2581","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=2581"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2581\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2582,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2581\/revisions\/2582"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1492"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2581"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2581"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2581"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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