An hour had passed as Malnar was about to nod off. Her arrival to Dreamland was interrupted by footsteps. She got up from her seat to see Droka getting something from the cabinet. \u201cDroka?\u201d she asked. Droka jumped before assuring himself it was Malnar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAfter that nightmare,\u201d he muttered, \u201cI need something to calm my nerves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLOOK UPON ME!\u201d called a jolly voice, spooking both Malnar and Droka. A fat, jolly looking man in red was in the room. \u201cI do beg your pardon,\u201d laughed the man. \u201cDid I startle you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, I just like to yelp in surprise all the time! Sheesh!\u201d snapped Droka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMordek?\u201d asked Malnar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am, indeed, Mordek!\u201d replied the fat man. \u201cOne of the five Divine Ones that watch over the element of fire!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAre you the next guide?\u201d asked Droka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat I am!\u201d cheered Mordek. \u201cI\u2019m here to show you how the Solstice is celebrated by ALL walks of life! Come!\u201d The scene melted away to reveal the Ruling Castle, the seat of Power in the Under-realm and Orbak\u2019s home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat the?\u201d muttered Droka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay, why are we back home?\u201d asked Malnar. They heard footsteps approaching the castle gates. They whirled around to see a second Malnar approaching as she blew into her hands, then rubbed them. She then rang the buzzer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMay I help?\u201d asked an elderly gentleman\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s me, Dweemar,\u201d replied the second Malnar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCome on in, Your Highness,\u201d bid Dweemar. \u201cYour parents are eagerly awaiting you. I trust you had a pleasant night at your uncle\u2019s?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat man lives in a practical ice box!\u201d complained the second Malnar. Droka turned to the first and scowled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, you do!\u201d she protested as everyone followed the second Malnar in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMalnar!\u201d yipped a voice. The second Malnar was then wrapped in five pairs of arms all giving a simultaneous embrace. A white, fuzzy muzzle rubbed itself on the second Malnar\u2019s face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHey, Mama,\u201d chuckled the second Malnar. The hugger, Elmpam Emboramii, stepped back and rubbed a pair of hands down the second Malnar\u2019s face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood grief, you\u2019re frozen!\u201d she observed. \u201cThe walk must have been biting cold!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo was my uncle\u2019s apartment,\u201d replied the second Malnar. \u201cThat man never stokes his fire! And his attitude\u2019s no better! Do you know what he said to a pair of donation collectors?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe tossed them out without leaving a tin?\u201d called a voice. Orbak stepped into the foyer to join his wife and daughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe tossed them out without leaving a tin! Exactly!\u201d confirmed the second Malnar. \u201cI gave them twice my usual donation sum to cover for the verbal abuse they suffered! Leaving people to feel cold and miserable on the Solstice! What kind of man is he?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA rather stingy one,\u201d remarked Orbak. \u201cI take it he refused to dine with us?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe said he\u2019d see me in the Depths before that happens,\u201d replied the second Malnar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, there ARE people who accepted and are more cordial than my brother,\u201d mused Orbak. \u201cI believe they\u2019re…right there.\u201d He pointed to a door with five people Malnar loved very much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLARDETH! GORFANTH! ARSHA! FORESNA! FALNII!\u201d cheered the second Malnar happily. She rushed towards her future spouses and joined in the embrace. \u201cLardeth, Arsha, how did you finagle leave time?\u201d asked the second Malnar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAfter the Borsootha affair,\u201d replied Arsha, \u201cRokalla managed to convince Realmfleet that we needed a break.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, we chose the Solstice to celebrate with you,\u201d continued Lardeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, it\u2019s great to see you again!\u201d cheered the second Malnar. She turned to her parents. \u201cIs the ballroom ready?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cReady and eager for our feet and voices!\u201d declared Orbak. \u201cCome! We have a celebration to commence!\u201d The scene changed to the ballroom where a violinist played and everyone gathered in a circle. Elmpam had a small handkerchief in her hand and danced as if she were hiding behind it while everyone clapped in tempo of the violin. While she danced and twirled clockwise, everyone else danced counterclockwise. Elmpam kept twirling until she danced towards her husband and danced with him before passing the handkerchief to him and taking his place in the circle. This time, Orbak was dancing as if he were hiding behind the handkerchief while everyone else circled him. He then danced towards one of Malnar\u2019s sisters, Twentha, and she took his place in the middle. This went on and on until everyone had a turn. Soon, everyone was clapping as the violinist finished and bowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI played that game when I was a child,\u201d mused Droka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou ARE missing out on a great deal,\u201d replied Mordek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet\u2019s see, how about a game of Similes?\u201d suggested Foresna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSimiles?\u201d asked Lardeth. \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOne person has to start a simile,\u201d explained Foresna, \u201cand the person that is chosen by the speaker has to complete it. If they fail to do so, then they\u2019re out. Allow me to demonstrate. Arsha, sly as…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSly as a fox!\u201d finished Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd she\u2019s safe,\u201d continued Foresna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow will we know when we\u2019re out?\u201d asked the second Malnar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe person who\u2019s out is the one sitting down,\u201d declared Orbak. \u201cDo you all mind if I start?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBe our guest, Your Majesty,\u201d replied Foresna. Orbak then turned to Lardeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLardeth, proud as…\u201d he proclaimed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA peacock,\u201d finished Lardeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cElmpam, tight as…\u201d began Orbak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour brother,\u201d snarked Elmpam. That got a laugh from everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, ha ha,\u201d grumbled Droka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot the simile I was thinking of,\u201d answered Orbak. \u201cSorry, sweetie, but you need to sit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, tell an Inu to sit,\u201d Elmpam comedically grumbled. She had an exaggerated pout as she sat down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI believe that is enough for now,\u201d mused Mordek. \u201cCome, we must go to Delga\u2019s castle.\u201d The scene faded and changed into the main courtyard where Delga, Larbuu, and their respective harem partners cuddling on a bench.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m afraid it\u2019s true,\u201d sighed Enfanti, \u201cDad can\u2019t come to our Solstice bash.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a pity,\u201d sympathized Delga. \u201cThen the mine\u2019s atmosphere is taking its toll on his health too much.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCan\u2019t we send help him?\u201d asked Dorbu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you have 90,000 golds to cure him?\u201d asked Enfanti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c90,000?!\u201d yelped Larbuu. \u201cThat\u2019s robbery! And at the Solstice too!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, the fact remains, your father won\u2019t be joining us,\u201d sighed Delga. \u201cA pity. We haven\u2019t seen him for months.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat is her father\u2019s name?\u201d asked Droka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAlnam Glarosa, I believe,\u201d replied Malnar. Droka then went quiet. \u201c…Refused a loan in his name?\u201d she guessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI had…no idea,\u201d muttered Droka. The scene then changed again to a small, two story house with only one room for the entire family. It was a family of Flame Elves. A mother was cooking as her children were helping. \u201cWho in the…?\u201d quizzed Droka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTwelmek\u2019s family, I believe,\u201d mused Malnar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCome on, Dweena,\u201d called the mother to the eldest daughter. \u201cCome set the table.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, Mother,\u201d replied Dweena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHey! Dad\u2019s home!\u201d called one of the twin boys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd Teegar, too!\u201d cheered the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet them in!\u201d directed the mother. The twins opened the door to let Twelmek and a young girl in. The girl was on Twelmek\u2019s shoulder and had a crutch in her hand. Both cheered when they saw their family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHappy Solstice!\u201d cheered Twelmek. He set the girl, Teegar, down and she was helped to the table. A goose was set in the middle of the table and drinks were poured for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA rather small goose for two adults, an adolescent, and three children,\u201d muttered Droka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s probably all he can afford,\u201d replied Malnar. Twelmek then raised his glass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019d like to propose a toast,\u201d he called. \u201cTo Droka, the founder of this banquet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFounder of the banquet, my ears!\u201d snapped his wife as her ears moved so the flat tops were level with the floor. \u201cI\u2019ll tell you what, I\u2019d send him a piece of my mind to feast on!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGleemar, it\u2019s the day of the Solstice,\u201d replied Twelmek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd, from what you\u2019ve personally said,\u201d continued his wife, \u201che won\u2019t have anything to do with it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMama, isn\u2019t the Solstice a time for forgiveness?\u201d asked Teegar. The mother drew in a breath, knowing her crippled daughter was right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll do it for your sake,\u201d she sighed, \u201cyour siblings\u2019 sake, your father\u2019s sake, and the day\u2019s sake, but not for his.\u201d She raised her glass. \u201cA Happy Solstice to Baron Droka Emboramii. May he be very happy, wherever he is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBaron Droka,\u201d answered everyone before they took a sip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…I suppose I deserve that,\u201d sighed Droka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHm?\u201d asked Malnar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNothing,\u201d dismissed Droka. \u201c…Mordek, tell me about the young Teegar. How full will her life be?\u201d Mordek winced before answering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI see an empty place at the table and a crutch carefully preserved,\u201d he sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…A pity,\u201d grunted Droka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPity?\u201d hissed Malnar. \u201cYou still believe what you said earlier?! How she should hurry up and die because she\u2019s not productive enough?! I would advise you to hold your tongue until you know what the unproductive are and where it lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMan, if man you are,\u201d continued Mordek, \u201cyou will find that, as it stands now, you are worth less in our eyes than MILLIONS like that poor man\u2019s child, even BILLIONS worse off than her! Believe it or not, she is one of the lucky poor in having a roof over her head! Come!\u201d The scene abruptly changed to a village of poor people. This was nothing more than a collection of raggedy tents with families huddled around small fires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat in the…?!\u201d spluttered Droka. \u201cWhy are we in the bad part of town?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is one of the poor villages,\u201d explained Malnar. \u201cYou know, one of the places where you said people badly off should go?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut…but I thought they were better constructed than this!\u201d protested Droka. \u201cI thought there would be, you know, actual buildings!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey can\u2019t afford the upkeep of such buildings,\u201d answered Mordek. Droka\u2019s eyes were then grabbed by something beneath his robes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLord Mordek, what\u2019s that behind the robes? Is it yours?\u201d asked Droka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, THEY belong to all of our children, no matter the species,\u201d corrected Mordek. He pulled them back to reveal a boy hissing and spitting with fingernails broken into claws and a girl with the telltale sagging stomach. \u201cI present to you Young Master Ignorance and Young Miss Want,\u201d introduced Mordek. \u201cThey desire warmth of any kind, whether it be from an actual fire or the flames of kindness, hence why they cling to me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t they have ANY help?!\u201d wailed Droka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAre the shelters still in operation?\u201d asked Malnar coldly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy are you using my own words against me?!\u201d snarled Droka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause you\u2019ll find that your words and actions,\u201d hissed Malnar, \u201care more deadly that ANY weapon that can be constructed! Lord Mordek, I think we\u2019ve…Mordek? Lord Mordek?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s off on an errand,\u201d whispered a voice. A woman in black robes then approached them. There was an uneasy air around everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cL…Lady….Lady Balmo?\u201d gulped Malnar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am,\u201d answered the Divine One, one of the five that watch over death.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
An hour had passed as Malnar was about to nod off. Her arrival to Dreamland was interrupted by footsteps. She got up from her seat to see Droka getting something from the cabinet. \u201cDroka?\u201d she asked. Droka jumped before assuring himself it was Malnar. \u201cAfter that nightmare,\u201d he muttered, \u201cI need something to calm my […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1462,"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":[463,466],"tags":[318,502,526],"class_list":["post-2645","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-standalones","category-ttr","tag-christmas","tag-malnar-emboramii","tag-stave-3"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2645","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=2645"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2645\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2646,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2645\/revisions\/2646"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1462"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2645"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2645"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2645"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}