{"id":2847,"date":"2020-08-08T11:26:45","date_gmt":"2020-08-08T15:26:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/?p=2847"},"modified":"2020-08-08T11:26:45","modified_gmt":"2020-08-08T15:26:45","slug":"3-realms-3-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/3-realms-3-1\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Realms 3-1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dreams are a rather fickle thing. You may wish someone to have pleasant dreams, but their own minds will work against your wishes. For one night, in the Captain\u2019s Quarters of a Dauntless<\/em>-class skyship, the Captain\u2019s mind worked against the wishes of her lovers. Her ears twitching as her expressions grew more worrisome, she soon started mumbling. \u201cNo…no, please…no…NO!\u201d Arsha Royana then sat upright at lightspeed, wide awake, panting, and drenched in sweat. She ran her hands down her face, then looked around at her quarters, then looked down at the bed to see her fianc\u00e9s, Lardeth Felompha, Falnii Loftanaf, Malnar Emboramii, Gorfanth Steelhorn, and Foresna Falshenda, all still asleep. She looked at the clock to see that it was 39:25; 11 hours and 25 minutes until dawn, 1:00 of a new day. She got out of bed, crawling over Lardeth and Foresna in the process, and headed to the fridge to get some milk. After pouring it into a cup, she then cast a small flame, held it under the cup, and warmed her milk. She slowly drank her warm milk, wanting it to do the trick. After she finished, she yawned and returned to bed, climbing over Lardeth and Foresna again, and settled into her spot on the bed. \u201cThis is becoming a habit for you,\u201d mumbled Lardeth\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…The prospect of war terrifies me,\u201d admitted Arsha in a whisper. \u201c…Maybe I should visit Thengo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot a bad idea,\u201d replied Lardeth. He then pulled her close to him. \u201cFalnii can also help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to abuse her gifts,\u201d mumbled Arsha. \u201cBesides, my dreams are a little too bloody, even for her to dispel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWon\u2019t know unless you ask,\u201d mused Lardeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…Yeah, I guess,\u201d sighed Arsha. \u201cGood night.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNight,\u201d returned Lardeth. Both of them drifted back to sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Once the dawn broke, everyone woke up, ready to start a new day. Falnii had cooked up breakfast, bacon and eggs with toast and honey butter. \u201cSo,\u201d mused Malnar, \u201cwhat\u2019s the Endeavor<\/em>\u2019s Captain up to today?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGot a mission in the Kurontar Sea Merfolk Kingdom,\u201d explained Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEr, Realmfleet\u2019s not very popular there these days,\u201d reminded Lardeth, thinking of what Arsha explained to him about Oyed\u2019s first defeat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Caldoras asked for aid anyways,\u201d replied Arsha. \u201cMerfolk have been disappearing left, right, and center and their investigators are utterly baffled.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOkay, that\u2019s a little terrifying,\u201d gulped Gorfanth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA little?\u201d gulped Falnii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHas anyone found any…\u201d Foresna was almost afraid to say the word, \u201c…bodies?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, they haven\u2019t,\u201d replied Arsha. \u201cPeople are terrified right now and the Endeavor<\/em> needs to help, no matter the public opinion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

\u201cRealmfleet, Daddy?!\u201d protested Princess Jalmurna to King Fordro in the throne room of the Caldoras\u2019 undersea castle in the Kurontar Sea Merfolk Kingdom. \u201cAfter what they put Samuje through?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey have the technology needed to assist us,\u201d answered Fordro. \u201cLook, I know you have misgivings about Realmfleet, but, right now, we need to deal with this crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI won\u2019t suffer them in our kingdom!\u201d defied Jalmurna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not your decision to make,\u201d hissed Fordro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can\u2019t let them anywhere near Samuje!\u201d countered Jalmurna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWho do you think asked for them?\u201d called Samuje\u2019s voice. She swam into the throne room and gave Jalmurna a hard look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…You can\u2019t be serious!\u201d hissed Jalmurna. \u201cAfter what they did to you?! I\u2019ve been protecting you from them and THIS is how you repay me?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI never asked for your help!\u201d snapped Samuje. \u201cIt was never your job! Now, if you don\u2019t mind, I need to talk to Papa ALONE!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut…!\u201d protested Jalmurna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJalmurna Enfeer Caldora,\u201d rumbled Fordro, getting her attention, \u201cleave us.\u201d Jalmurna floated in her spot before she swam off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re ungrateful!\u201d she hissed to Samuje. She left the throne room and the heavy doors slammed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd you\u2019re too damned overprotective,\u201d muttered Samuje.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSamuje, I hate to sound like her,\u201d began Fordro, \u201cbut are you ABSOLUTELY sure you can stand a Realmfleet presence here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs long as I don\u2019t go near the ship,\u201d declared Samuje, \u201cI\u2019ll be all right. I can handle the crew members.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cVery well,\u201d sighed Fordro. \u201cJust make sure you\u2019re properly taking care of yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI will, Daddy,\u201d promised Samuje. Father and daughter then hugged each other. Samuje then broke off the embrace a few seconds later. \u201cNow, I\u2019m going to be hanging out with Mama Thanmar, Mama Hurmu, Mama Brenmu, Marianes, Klarii, Drasada, and Diumal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGirl\u2019s day out today?\u201d chuckled Fordro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYep, got a whole day planned at the Succulent Tail spa,\u201d answered Samuje.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou girls have fun, then,\u201d wished Fordro. \u201cWe\u2019ve all handled matters of state today, so Papa Vorko, Lord Endrek, Skalomel, and I are going to spend the rest of the day in the Southern Courtyard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSee you tonight, Papa!\u201d bid Samuje as she swam out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

The Endeavor<\/em> was cleared to land at Docking Bay 2 and the landing ramp was lowered. After the land-dwellers had cast various spells to compensate for lower light and being able to breathe and move in water effectively, Arsha, Denstra, Dalengor, and Marshii swam into the city, escorted by guards as a few citizens glared at them. \u201cSheesh, feel the love here,\u201d muttered Denstra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSamuje was one of the people\u2019s favorites of the Caldora Princesses,\u201d explained Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAh,\u201d realized Denstra. They soon arrived at the police station and met with Chief Inspector Tanshwar. They shook his hand before sitting in his office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have to say, this whole thing baffles me,\u201d he muttered as he fiddled with a shell on his desk. \u201cWe\u2019ve been turning up absolutely nothing in terms of clues.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s certainly troubling,\u201d remarked Dalengor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou think there might be wounded?\u201d asked Marshii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOr worse,\u201d replied Tanshwar. \u201cI don\u2019t want to have to tell someone\u2019s mother that…\u201d He was interrupted by a knock on the door. \u201cNow, see, I KNOW I told Jenshee that I was busy with you guys!\u201d The door was flung open as a Merman angrily swam in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cChief Inspector Tanshwar, I demand a word!\u201d he shouted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCaptain Royana, may I present Mr. Gol. D. Iggir, head of the Kurontar Citizens\u2019 League,\u201d Tanshwar introduced. \u201cMr. Iggir, what, pray tell, are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHave you seen the news?!\u201d barked Mr. Iggir. He presented a data pad displaying the headline of the featured news article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2018Mysterious Kidnappings Panic Kingdom\u2019,\u201d Tanshwar read aloud. \u201c\u2018Police Shakeup as Serial Kidnapper Strikes Again\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere you are!\u201d snapped Mr. Iggir. \u201cThere it is, in written words! This kidnapper\u2019s making a clownfish out of the police department! Now, look here, Inspector, you\u2019ve GOT to catch that kidnapper!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust a minute, Mr. Iggir,\u201d soothed Tanshwar, \u201cwe\u2019re doing the best we can. In fact, with Realmfleet\u2019s help, we\u2019ll catch them as soon as possible!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRealmfleet, BAH!\u201d scoffed Mr. Iggir. \u201cLook here, this kidnapper MUST be caught! If you can\u2019t catch them, as head of the Kurontar Citizens\u2019 League, I\u2019m gonna have to demand your resignation! I don\u2019t want to make you any trouble, my friend, but this thing\u2019s gone far enough! In fact, it\u2019s gone TOO far and something\u2019s gotta be done!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMr. Iggir, if you would please give me a chance!\u201d snapped Tanshwar. \u201cWe\u2019re doing what we can with the resources we have! After all, police officers can only do so much! You know how the news builds these things up!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuilds things up?!\u201d repeated Mr. Iggir. \u201cI had six calls yesterday! Six calls from irate citizens, demanding action! I refuse to be the lobster!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCome on, Mr. Iggir!\u201d protested Tanshwar. \u201cNobody\u2019s asking you to be the lobster! We\u2019ll catch this kidnapper!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re supposed to have an efficient police department!\u201d snapped Mr. Iggir. \u201cYet, you can\u2019t catch a third-rate hoodlum who seems to be Depths-bent on making mothers cry in worry and fear that they\u2019ll never see their kids again! This is your last chance! Good day!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMr. Iggir, let\u2019s understand each other!\u201d called Tanshwar. Mr. Iggir wasn\u2019t in an understanding mood as he angrily swam out of the office and slammed the door. Tanshwar was trying to keep a lid on his temper in front of Arsha and her party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMr. Iggir sure sounds pleasant,\u201d muttered Denstra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat man\u2019s been hounding the police department for too long,\u201d explained Tanshwar. \u201cHe can\u2019t seem to understand that investigations like this require an uninterrupted investigation. The Kurontar Citizens\u2019 League and the police used to work together, yet nowadays, we\u2019re always at odds! I COULD demand his resignation, but he hasn\u2019t done anything to warrant such a demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to even remotely sound like him,\u201d interjected Arsha, \u201cbut are you absolutely sure there AREN\u2019T any clues?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust two audio files that we couldn\u2019t decode at all,\u201d answered Tanshwar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMay we see them?\u201d asked Denstra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKnock yourself out,\u201d replied Tanshwar. He activated his intercom. \u201cJenshee, could you send up the two audio files?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou got it, Sir,\u201d confirmed a woman\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d bid Tanshwar. He explained more of the case to Arsha\u2019s party as they waited, revealing when this all started, who got kidnapped, the lack of any ransom notes, and who recommended that Realmfleet got involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSamuje? Really?\u201d asked Arsha. \u201cI thought she wanted nothing to do with us anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe\u2019s trying to snap herself out of her trauma,\u201d explained Tanshwar, \u201caccording to official sources.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s dangerous,\u201d remarked Marshii. \u201cIt could fracture her mind even more. Thengo and I will need to see her.\u201d A middle-aged Mermaid then entered the office with two data crystals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPerfect,\u201d praised Tanshwar. \u201cThank you, Jenshee.\u201d Jenshee nodded before swimming out of the office. \u201cEach crystal contains one of the two audio files we can\u2019t decode. I hope your crew can make heads or tails of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShalvey is a master of communications,\u201d answered Arsha. \u201cWe\u2019ll get them decoded or die trying.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd I\u2019m going to the Caldoras\u2019 castle with Thengo to make a house call for Samuje,\u201d declared Marshii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlease do what you can to help us,\u201d pleaded Tanshwar. \u201cAs Mr. Iggir mentioned, mothers are too afraid to let their children out and are scared they won\u2019t see them again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe WILL fix this, I promise,\u201d assured Arsha.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dreams are a rather fickle thing. You may wish someone to have pleasant dreams, but their own minds will work against your wishes. For one night, in the Captain\u2019s Quarters of a Dauntless-class skyship, the Captain\u2019s mind worked against the wishes of her lovers. Her ears twitching as her expressions grew more worrisome, she soon […]<\/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":[97,236],"tags":[482],"class_list":["post-2847","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-three-realms","category-the-three-realms-book-3-the-first-strike","tag-fantasy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2847","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=2847"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2847\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2848,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2847\/revisions\/2848"}],"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=2847"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2847"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2847"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}