Foresna drummed his fingers on his table at Barmek\u2019s. Recent events were making him worried. \u201cSomeone looks unhappy,\u201d rumbled a voice. Foresna glanced up to see Gorfanth standing by the table. \u201cMay I?\u201d asked Gorfanth. Foresna nodded and Gorfanth sat near Foresna. \u201cYou look like something\u2019s weighing on your thoughts, Farm Boy,\u201d mused Gorfanth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been at least a few days since the incident with the Scale-sword,\u201d remarked Foresna. \u201cFive Realmfleet officers who died last year came back to life, fought Arsha, then betrayed their master and helped Arsha, and I haven\u2019t seen hide nor hair of them!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey went with Orbak after he arrested Torsko,\u201d explained Gorfanth. \u201cThey\u2019re trying to find a way to rest in peace again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe could really use the Revenants in the coming fight!\u201d protested Foresna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith Oyed supposed to come?\u201d asked Gorfanth. \u201cForesna, that\u2019s way too risky. For all we know, the Titan could bring them under his control. Talking to him IS a part of creating a Revenant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd that\u2019s another thing!\u201d grumbled Foresna. \u201cWe\u2019re taking a fleet of ships to fight the Titan himself! The future\u2019s looking a little bloody!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2018Obsessing over a potential bad future does not change it\u2019,\u201d quoted Gorfanth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNeither\u2019s accepting our fate of fighting the Final War in our lifetime!\u201d argued Foresna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m not,\u201d answered Gorfanth, \u201cbut we can\u2019t change a future we don\u2019t fully know. The Divine Ones will guide us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCan we trust them right now?!\u201d demanded Foresna. \u201cIt looks like they\u2019re going to get us killed!\u201d His attention was then grabbed by an Elf woman sneaking by the restaurant\u2019s door. \u201cHey, is she a member of the crew?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think so,\u201d replied Gorfanth. \u201cCome on.\u201d He and Foresna followed her through the ship until they reached the Mana Stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell now,\u201d mused the Elf, Sorsha, \u201cI think I can get some of this to…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cExcuse me!\u201d called a security Elf. Sorsha yelped as she turned around to see him. Foresna and Gorfanth also made their presence known by clearing their throats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…Could have sworn I cast all sorts of stealth spells,\u201d muttered Sorsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWho are you and what are you doing here?\u201d demanded the security Elf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAren\u2019t you gonna ask them too?!\u201d asked Sorsha as she pointed to Foresna and Gorfanth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…They\u2019re the Captain\u2019s fianc\u00e9s,\u201d replied the security Elf. \u201cMost likely, they followed you at some point.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…Okay, I need your mana stores,\u201d explained Sorsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith a battle coming up? No way!\u201d snapped the security Elf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have a blight to take care of,\u201d growled Sorsha, \u201cand I can\u2019t do that without mana!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, we have a battle with Oyed and his forces,\u201d snarled Gorfanth as he summoned a massive axe over his head. He held it in one hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…Er, you know, I think I\u2019ll just leave,\u201d gulped Sorsha, not feeling brave enough to take on an armed, adult Minotaur. \u201cGood luck in the fight.\u201d She cast a teleport spell and vanished in orange light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you, Mr. Steelhorn,\u201d bid the security Elf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s gonna be 20 golds,\u201d remarked Foresna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWha…no way!\u201d argued Gorfanth. \u201cThe bet was if Oyed would send an assassin to kill Arsha! She was just interested in the ship\u2019s mana stores!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSemantics,\u201d countered Foresna. Gorfanth rolled his eyes as he dismissed the axe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Arsha was in her Ready Room, setting her head for the coming fight. She was sure that more would die than on Reb\u2019s island. As of now, she was thinking of a way to keep the casualties down as much as possible. Her thoughts were interrupted by the door chime. \u201cCome in,\u201d she called. Falheem then entered the room. \u201cLady Falheem!\u201d yelped Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPeace, Arsha,\u201d replied Falheem. \u201cI just came to check on you, see how you were doing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…If I tell you the truth, you need to promise that it never leaves this room unless at my discretion,\u201d sighed Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat serious, I see,\u201d mused Falheem. She snapped her fingers. \u201cWe\u2019ll only be interrupted for emergencies and what we discuss will not go beyond the door. You have the solemn promise of Falheem, the Second Black Divine One of Ending.\u201d With the Oath of the Ones spoken, Arsha began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs it bad that I feel like this shouldn\u2019t be happening at all?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe feeling itself isn\u2019t bad,\u201d replied Falheem, \u201cthe actions you take because of that feeling are what are judged.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t get me wrong,\u201d assured Arsha, \u201cI want to help you guys take down Oyed and imprison him in the After-realm, but I feel like he shouldn\u2019t have broken out in my lifetime.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe shouldn\u2019t have, no,\u201d remarked Falheem. \u201cWe were trying to keep his prison secure so he wouldn\u2019t break out until, at least, the Third Age has lasted 50 more millennia.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just…\u201d Arsha floundered for a bit, moving her hands to find the right words. She finally sighed, giving up. \u201cI don\u2019t know. Lately I\u2019ve been wishing it were Reb Rojam I was fighting or the Splitters.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…I know the feeling,\u201d sighed Falheem. \u201cFor us Divine Ones, it would be a lot simpler if our enemies were mortals. But life is rarely that simple.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d sighed Arsha. They sat in silence for a few seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…If I may change the topic for a minute,\u201d mused Falheem, \u201cwhat happened to Reb and Melgem?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019re serving a life sentence now,\u201d replied Arsha. \u201cWithout them, the Scarlet Stream Pirates would have been directionless.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…Would have been?\u201d repeated Falheem. \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRochak\u2019s gathered mutineers and threw in his lot with Dr. Borg,\u201d explained Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat in the Realms for?!\u201d yelped Falheem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey think profit\u2019s in their future,\u201d replied Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith Oyed?! That\u2019s a load of rubbish!\u201d snapped Falheem. \u201cWho are these people and why is Oyed associating with them?!\u201d She took in a breath before continuing. \u201cAll right, let\u2019s forget about Oyed\u2019s current followers, let\u2019s talk about his previous ones. How did you know to trust the Realmfleet Revenants?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDuring their accusations,\u201d explained Arsha, \u201cEltan spoke to me over mental channels. I DID inherit the Kitsunes\u2019 lack of mental powers, but I managed to piece together what their real intentions were, so I got everyone to play along.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank goodness,\u201d sighed Falheem. \u201cWho knows what could have happened if they actually DID join with Dr. Borg?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking of a certain Cyborg Sprite, she was busy drafting up a proposal for materials for a new machine. As she worked, she heard a knock on the door. \u201cEnter,\u201d she directed. Tormo then came in. \u201cWhat can I do for you?\u201d asked Dr. Borg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about what Oyed said yesterday,\u201d replied Tormo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAbout Intrag commanding an eternal Under-realm empire?\u201d recalled Dr. Borg. \u201cI offer something greater than that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d asked Tormo. Dr. Borg motioned for him to come to her side of the desk. He did so, then bent over a little to hear her whispers. She kept her words in the lowest voice possible. Tormo\u2019s eyes goggled. \u201c…Me? A Divine One\u2019s replacement?\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cExactly,\u201d confirmed Dr. Borg. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019ve called you one of my Chosen Ones. The prophecy says that when the Final War\u2019s over, by Mortal\u2019s hands, the Titan falls. Oyed believes that the Titan will be some old monster. Well, he\u2019s in for a nasty surprise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn that case, Intrag can have his puny empire,\u201d chuckled Tormo. \u201cI\u2019ll take godhood any day. Sorry for disturbing you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNonsense,\u201d replied Dr. Borg. \u201cAnything to help out.\u201d Tormo left the room and Dr. Borg returned to her work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf all the times to be refused,\u201d grumbled Sorsha as she returned to the jungle\u2019s sandy eastern shore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo help, huh?\u201d asked a voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot an ounce of…\u201d Sorsha trailed off as she recognized the voice. She turned around to see the three Giant Spiders from earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you for joining us for supper!\u201d purred the first Spider. He turned to his comrades. \u201cGet the cooking fire set up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, you called me fat earlier!\u201d snapped the third Spider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNO?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN NO?!\u201d shouted the first Spider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd it\u2019s not the first time you called either of us fat!\u201d snarled the second Spider. As they argued, Sorsha tried to get away. The attempt failed as the first Spider\u2019s pedipalp grabbed her and set her in front of him and his friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re going nowhere!\u201d he hissed. \u201cWe\u2019re going to make a nice stew out of you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t recommend it,\u201d gulped Sorsha. \u201cUs Elves are pretty fattening.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDoesn\u2019t matter to me,\u201d cackled the first Spider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy should it?\u201d grumbled the third Spider. \u201cHe\u2019s not the one who\u2019s fat!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPlease, I\u2019m hungry!\u201d whined the first Spider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you think we\u2019re fat, just say so!\u201d snapped the second Spider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPlease!\u201d begged the first. \u201cI don\u2019t think you two are fat!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen why do you always call us fat?!\u201d demanded the third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWha…ALWAYS?!\u201d protested the first. \u201cI don\u2019t ALWAYS call you two fat!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo tell you the truth,\u201d grumbled the second, \u201cit can get a little much to take.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGuys, be reasonable!\u201d pleaded the first. \u201cI wasn\u2019t thinking! I was trying to catch our dinner! This isn\u2019t the time…\u201d he finally caved in. \u201cI take it back, you\u2019re not fat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cToo late!\u201d snapped the third. \u201cI know your true feelings!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPlease!\u201d begged the first. \u201cLet\u2019s just prepare her for supper!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI suppose her limbs will make for decent subs,\u201d mused the second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd we can finish it all off with cinnamon rolls,\u201d suggested the third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSUBS?! CINNAMON ROLLS?!\u201d wailed the first. \u201cImagine what Quaynus would say if she heard you! Please, let\u2019s just chop her up for the stew!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAgain with the stew!\u201d protested the third. \u201cWhy can\u2019t we make nice subs out of her?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPlease! Guys!\u201d whined the first. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing wrong with stew!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t remember the last time I had a cinnamon roll,\u201d mused the second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAgain with the cinnamon rolls!\u201d snarled the first. \u201cWhat kind of food is that for a Giant Spider to eat?! Tell me, what kind of self-respecting Giant Spider would bother with any kind of sandwich or pastry?! STEW is what we shall make out of her and we don\u2019t need sweets!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t get greedy with me!\u201d snapped the second. \u201cI can make enough cinnamon rolls for all of us! Besides, we only need her arms and legs to make the subs!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s nothing to do with greed, it\u2019s a matter of principle!\u201d argued the first. \u201cI\u2019m only trying to protect your reputation!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou mean YOUR reputation!\u201d countered the second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHave you no pride?!\u201d snapped the first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, please,\u201d groaned the second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGiant Spiders do NOT eat subs or cinnamon rolls!\u201d insisted the first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat would you know about Giant Spider feeding habits?!\u201d snapped the second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s THAT supposed to…?!\u201d snarled the first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHey, did we order our dinner to go?\u201d asked the third, grabbing their attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, why?\u201d asked the first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen WHERE\u2019D SHE GO?!\u201d yelped the third. Sorsha had taken off during the argument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…WHY DIDN\u2019T YOU IDIOTS STOP ME?!\u201d roared the first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy should we?\u201d asked the second. \u201cYou\u2019re SO smart!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy I oughta…COME HERE!\u201d The first lunged at the second and the two locked their legs to try and score a blow onto the other. The third just rolled its eyes and looked out to the ocean, waiting for his friends to exhaust themselves.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Foresna drummed his fingers on his table at Barmek\u2019s. Recent events were making him worried. \u201cSomeone looks unhappy,\u201d rumbled a voice. Foresna glanced up to see Gorfanth standing by the table. \u201cMay I?\u201d asked Gorfanth. Foresna nodded and Gorfanth sat near Foresna. \u201cYou look like something\u2019s weighing on your thoughts, Farm Boy,\u201d mused Gorfanth. \u201cIt\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1843,"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-2723","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\/2723","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=2723"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2723\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2727,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2723\/revisions\/2727"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1843"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2723"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2723"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2723"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}