After a few days, Endea and Tenshal arrived at a transfer yard. Tornoth and a coworker of his, a male Troll named Yellug, were also there with Gorfanth simply observing the whole thing. \u201cNot taking part?\u201d teased Tornoth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot me,\u201d replied Gorfanth. He noticed the officer talking to the engine\u2019s driver. The driver looked incredibly angry while the officer, a human woman, was telling the driver what to do. The driver\u2019s shoulders then slumped, and he slunk off into the cab before pulling out a flag with a germ symbol on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re kidding!\u201d shouted Yellug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m afraid not,\u201d replied the officer. \u201cIf you lot were hoping to take the cattle on, you can forget it. They\u2019re quarantined. Foot and mouth was found among this lot. We need to cure or dispose of them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd I thrashed my engine to get here!\u201d snarled Endea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSorry, folks. Better luck next time.\u201d The officer then left for her next job as doctors tended to the cattle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, now what?!\u201d grumbled Yellug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know about you,\u201d mused Tornoth, \u201cbut I\u2019m just going to mosey around. I think there\u2019s a job up at the Walek Lava Pit, so I\u2019ll head up that way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou need any help?\u201d asked Yellug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, it\u2019s just a small job that needs to get to the castle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll right, see you later.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBye!\u201d Tornoth and Yellug then started the carriages and took off in different directions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow what\u2019s Tornoth up to?\u201d muttered Tenshal. \u201cThe only job up there is Yutt\u2019s cattle train. It\u2019s supposed to clear quarantine today and Wenshai\u2019s supposed to take it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKnowing my brother, he\u2019ll try and take it from her,\u201d muttered Gorfanth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou think he would?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course, the villain would. In a place that remote, who\u2019d stop him?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe would,\u201d answered Endea. \u201cCome on, Ensign. We better make sure he\u2019s up to only fair-play.\u201d Endea got her horse to move and the cart followed Tornoth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRealmfleet people,\u201d sighed Gorfanth. \u201cAlways wanting to play the hero. \u2026Then again, someone needs to these days.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wenshai approached a farm with a cattle train sitting by it. \u201cAll right, there\u2019s Yutt the mutt\u2019s farm and\u2026\u201d she trailed off when she saw the quarantine flag. \u201cBother! It\u2019s got infected cattle!\u201d Just then, she saw an Inu farmer man talk to the officer standing by the train. They exchanged something and the officer took the flag down. \u201cWhat the? So\u2026it\u2019s NOT quarantined anymore? Now that\u2019s strange. Should I…?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHey! You! Realmfleeter!\u201d called the farmer. \u201cTake me train up to the castle!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWho, er, me?\u201d squeaked Wenshai. \u201cEr, sorry, I can\u2019t, Mr. Mu\u2026I mean, Mr. Yutt. I\u2019ve, er, got another job, so\u2026I\u2019ll come back later.\u201d She then galloped off. \u201cI\u2019m not risking it, not me.\u201d As she galloped off, she heard the horn of a horseless carriage and stopped to see Tornoth pull up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, well, well!\u201d chuckled Tornoth as he stopped. \u201cWhat\u2019s a Realmfleeter like you doing out here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMe? Nothing,\u201d replied Wenshai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t tell me you\u2019ve come all this way for \u2018nothing\u2019,\u201d scoffed Tornoth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, Sir, I AM working.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not hauling anything. You\u2019re certainly not here for target practice, or your wand would have been out. What are you working on?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, er\u2026it\u2019s\u2026it\u2019s a secret Realmfleet project.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSecret? Don\u2019t give me that! You went up to Yutt the mutt\u2019s farm and found that his cattle train was waiting for clearance. What\u2019s secret about that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSorry, like I said, it\u2019s a secret Realmfleet project. I\u2019m not allowed to give you the specifics.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWenshai!\u201d called Tenshal\u2019s voice. He and Endea arrived in the cart. \u201cWenshai! Are you all right? You looked bothered.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo bothers on my mind,\u201d answered Wenshai. \u201cJust\u2026a mystery. You see, Yutt\u2019s cattle train WAS flying a quarantine flag.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou didn\u2019t get near it, I hope?\u201d asked Endea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was tempted to,\u201d replied Wenshai. \u201cYou see, the flag came down, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe flag came down?!\u201d cheered Tornoth. \u201cThat\u2019s your secret, huh?! It\u2019s been cleared! Right! That\u2019s my job!\u201d He gunned the engine and his carriage roared off towards the farm!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo!\u201d called Tenshal. \u201cNot if I\u2019ve got anything to say about it!\u201d He unharnessed the cart\u2019s horse and mounted it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWAIT! STOP!\u201d shouted Endea as she attempted to mount Wenshai. She then cried out in pain and fell to the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cENDEA!\u201d called Wenshai. Tenshal gave up the chase and dismounted, heading to Endea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s the idea, gunning your own engine like that?!\u201d he protested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNever mind me!\u201d insisted Endea. \u201cEnsign Tenshal, what were you thinking?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was trying to stop Tornoth from taking one of our jobs!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEven one that would have gotten you quarantined?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou heard Wenshai, the flag came down!\u201d Endea turned to Wenshai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWenshai, you said \u2018but\u2019 before Tornoth took off. How was that sentence going to end?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, just before the officer took the flag down,\u201d answered Wenshai, \u201cYutt spoke to him and then handed him something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou see?\u201d Endea asked Tenshal. \u201cYutt probably bribed the officer into clearing his cattle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, for Balmo\u2019s sake!\u201d snarled Tenshal. \u201cYutt, you mutt!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEndea, are you all right?\u201d asked Wenshai.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFraid not. My engine\u2019s coolant pipes fractured. They had to flush the engine core with water. That means a replacement or, more likely, the end for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot if we have anything to say about it!\u201d declared Wenshai. \u201cTenshal, help Endea to the cart and harness me to it. You take the horse and run ahead to explain the situation to Denstra. I\u2019ll follow you as swiftly and safely as allowed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tornoth arrived at the farm and met with Farmer Yutt. \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d he barked. \u201cHere to not take me cattle?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAbandon a client?\u201d replied Tornoth. \u201cPerish the thought, Mr. Yutt. The Galdredan Reliable Road Services NEVER forsake their clients.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood,\u201d grunted Yutt. \u201cTake it to the castle and give it some speed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAt once, Sir.\u201d Tornoth then chuckled to himself. \u201cEat my dust, Realmfleet!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once more, Arsha\u2019s quarters were set up for a dream-weaving session. \u201cAre you ready?\u201d asked Falnii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cReady,\u201d replied Arsha. She breathed deeply and shut her eyes, feeling Falnii touch the back of her head with her own, then felt Falnii\u2019s cloud wrap around her. Falnii then chanted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dream your dream with me.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Tell your woes to me.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Show your troubles to me.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dream your dream with me.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Arsha fell into a deep sleep once more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arsha woke up in the ruins as usual, but this time, she didn\u2019t call out to her lovers. \u201cI know you\u2019re lurking somewhere!\u201d she called to the monstrous version of her. \u201cShow yourself! No waves, no flooding the fjord, nothing! Just show yourself!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWant to go off-script, do we?\u201d laughed Monster Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYour script needs a rewrite.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s yours as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJust show yourself, you freak!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs you wish!\u201d Arsha was then struck from behind by one of Monster Arsha\u2019s tails. Arsha picked herself up and forced herself to stare into Monster Arsha\u2019s eyes. \u201cA real nightmare, isn\u2019t it?\u201d cackled Monster Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat brings you here?\u201d asked Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe truth, of course! The truth you\u2019ve been denying yourself!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat truth?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat you are unworthy! Unworthy of your lovers, unworthy of being a Captain, unworthy of your own pride! You think yourself a capable commander, but people still died! Dr. Borg still has a means of coming back from the dead! The Realmfleet Revenants are still undead! You know they DO blame you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey told me otherwise!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMere words! They still actually hit you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJust to keep up the act!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd you never regretted losing them in the first place?\u201d Arsha went quiet. \u201cI thought so! Normally, I would have gnawed on your bones and soul! \u2026But I sense you have a higher calling! There\u2019s a spark growing within you! A spark of rage!\u201d Monster Arsha then vomited searing hot liquid onto Arsha\u2019s face. It burned Arsha and twisted her emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat are you doing?!\u201d she strained. \u201cWhat is this\u2026this rage?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou may have fought for the good of Realmfleet,\u201d continued Monster Arsha, \u201cbut you still have five deaths on your conscience! They became Revenants because you didn\u2019t monitor Dr. Borg closely enough after she told you she had developed a machine that transfers her soul to a new body! How can you ever forgive yourself?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2026I can\u2019t!\u201d gasped Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen BURN!\u201d Arsha screamed in agony, the liquid searing her flesh. She got angrier and angrier. \u201cBecome vengeance! Learn from me!\u201d Arsha almost took Monster Arsha\u2019s hand\u2026until she slammed her fist into the ground, forcing the liquid to evaporate. She then caught her breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d she gasped, \u201cI DO hate myself for not paying enough attention to Dr. Borg. However, my willpower is stronger than my self-hatred!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWillpower won\u2019t save you!\u201d cackled Monster Arsha. Arsha then noticed the formation of the fjord. There was a pair of rocky, curved spikes on the highest hill. Arsha then grinned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, it won\u2019t. But who says it\u2019s just my willpower that drives me?\u201d Monster Arsha cocked an eyebrow. \u201cMy lovers have told me that my willpower inspires them. One of my biggest regrets is that I never told them that they have aspects that inspire me. Gorfanth\u2019s steel-shaping strength, for starters.\u201d It was then that the hill with the curved spikes\u2026stood up! The rocks fell away and revealed a giant Gorfanth! \u201cThen there\u2019s Lardeth\u2019s talent of on-the-fly innovation!\u201d Another hill stood up and fell apart to reveal a giant Lardeth! \u201cAnd there\u2019s Malnar\u2019s ability to keep a person\u2019s spirits up!\u201d More rocks fell away as a giant Malnar stood up. \u201cDon\u2019t forget Foresna\u2019s hope in a bright future! I\u2019m willing to bet that bright light that appeared as the wave came took his shape!\u201d Rocks fell away as a giant Foresna stood up. \u201cAnd let\u2019s never forget the compassion Falnii is known for!\u201d The last hill stood up and crumbled away to reveal a giant Falnii. Monster Arsha looked terrified! \u201cYou may be a part of me, but you will NEVER be dominant again!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Realms you know and love are burning!\u201d shouted Monster Arsha. \u201cWhen they are ashes, you will beg for vengeance!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI won\u2019t let that happen! Now go back to the darkest parts of my mind!\u201d Monster Arsha hissed. \u201cIf you do, I promise you, I\u2019ll let you out in the final battle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026You mean it?\u201d asked Monster Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou may be the darker aspects I don\u2019t like, but you ARE a part of me. I would be a fool if I didn\u2019t acknowledge you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Arsha Royana,\u201d purred Monster Arsha, \u201cthere may be hope for you yet! Until then, farewell.\u201d She slunk off as the giant Falnii looked at Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAwaken,\u201d she said softly.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" After a few days, Endea and Tenshal arrived at a transfer yard. Tornoth and a coworker of his, a male Troll named Yellug, were also there with Gorfanth simply observing the whole thing. \u201cNot taking part?\u201d teased Tornoth. \u201cNot me,\u201d replied Gorfanth. He noticed the officer talking to the engine\u2019s driver. The driver looked incredibly […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3027,"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-3026","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\/3026","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=3026"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3026\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3028,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3026\/revisions\/3028"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3027"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3026"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3026"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3026"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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