\u201c\u2018Follow that man!\u2019,\u201d Calandra read the flyer aloud after breakfast the next day. \u201c\u2018Learn to be a detective in your spare time! Earn up to 900,000 golds a week! Glamor! Excitement! Official badge with first lesson! Galdredan National Detective Academy, Box 14\u2026Southern Resort District, Drelda Forest, Northern Continent, Over-realm!\u2019 Ones, help me, my mother\u2019s so gullible!\u201d Andwayla arched an eyebrow. \u201cMother, this is a gyp outfit, straight from the Fae Republic!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh no, it\u2019s not!\u201d protested Andwayla. \u201cThat\u2019s where I have you, Calandra. They sent me this official detective kit!\u201d She opened up the case in her hands and revealed all sorts of \u201cdetective\u201d equipment. \u201cSee? Here\u2019s my fingerprinting equipment, my magnifying glass, and these,\u201d she pulled out handcuffs, \u201care what is commonly known in the trade as \u2018restraining cuffs\u2019.\u201d The chain linking the two cuffs together then broke. \u201c\u2026Well, it doesn\u2019t matter. They didn\u2019t send me the key.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd what\u2019s this?\u201d Calandra pulled out a small booklet. \u201cA Drelda callbook?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, it\u2019s my easy lesson booklet.\u201d Andwayla opened the book. \u201cHere\u2019s a chapter on how to follow Elf men, here\u2019s a chapter on how to follow Minotaur women, here\u2019s a chapter on how to follow Minotaur men disguised as Elf women, there you have it! I AM a detective!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay, fine, good, you\u2019re a detective, Mother. What now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat now? Now I surrender my tedious job to you and pursue the highest rewards that come with a career in law enforcement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026NOW?!\u201d Calandra was about to panic; her plans were about to be upended! \u201cMother, you said you\u2019d pass on the crown AFTER I married Elmar and he retired from Realmfleet!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, that\u2019s still the plan.\u201d Calandra released a breath of relief at her mother\u2019s statement. \u201cI still need more experience, Calandra. That\u2019s why I\u2019ve been staying out late at night for the past week; I\u2019ve been practicing my shadowing skills.\u201d While Calandra\u2019s head was turned, Andwayla maneuvered herself behind Calandra\u2019s back. They circled for a bit until Andwayla lost sight of Calandra. \u201c\u2026Calandra?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRight here.\u201d Calandra was sitting on a stool. \u201cMother, not only are you going to make a fool of yourself with this whole idea, not only will the police get mad, but, if you keep shadowing people, you will receive what is commonly known in the trade as a BELT IN THE MOUTH!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cScoff if you want, Calandra, but I am on the verge of a career in law enforcement! Besides, I\u2019ve already sent in my application to the Mino Bros. Detective Agency near the castle\u2026and they said they\u2019d write me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026You sure about that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what they said. \u2018Don\u2019t write us, we\u2019ll write you.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMother, that\u2019s never a guarantee\u2026\u201d an owl then flew through the window and deposited a letter to Andwayla\u2019s hands. \u201c\u2026Oh no!\u201d Calandra\u2019s face went paler than usual. Andwayla opened the letter with a look of triumph on her face\u2026which promptly turned into one of stark surprise the instant she read the letter. \u201c\u2026Mother?\u201d Calandra wave her hand in front of her mom\u2019s face. She then took the letter and read it aloud. \u201c\u2018Your Gracious Majesty, we regret to inform you that your application has been rejected. The Galdredan National Detective Academy does not, has never, and never will exist, nor is any local school for detectives based in any part of the Over-realm, much less the Drelda forest. We\u2019re sorry, but we have no need for your services at the present time. Regards, the Minos Bros. Detective Agency.\u2019 I told you this was a gyp outfit! How much money did you give them?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u20268,000 golds,\u201d whimpered Andwayla before she started falling backwards. Calandra caught her before she hit the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMother, I love you,\u201d Calandra grumbled as she pulled Andwayla to a chair, \u201cbut it\u2019s this exact kind of thing that makes you a laughingstock!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s turn to some ACTUAL law enforcement, shall we? Tornoth was at the garage with Torolai and a Realmfleet Sector 1 Officer, a male Lamia named Dwasnay. The plan was simple, Torolai and Dwasnay would hide as Tuurk and Talair would talk to Tornoth and give him his next job. \u201cI don\u2019t like this!\u201d snorted Tornoth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re well protected, Sir,\u201d assured Dwasnay. \u201cTorolai and I will be covering the doors, ready to cut them off at a moment\u2019s notice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI mean I don\u2019t like that I\u2019M the bait!\u201d snarled Tornoth. \u201cWhy couldn\u2019t you get one of their flunkies to do this?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou became one of their flunkies,\u201d replied Torolai, \u201cthe instant you accepted. You could have said \u2018no\u2019, Tornoth. You could have refused to do their dirty work. Instead, you said \u2018yes\u2019, meaning that you accept the responsibilities that accompany a life of lawlessness and must suffer the consequences that go with such a life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou two have a stick up your respective asses, you know that?\u201d grunted Tornoth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat stick keeps us on the straight and narrow,\u201d replied Torolai. \u201cThey should be coming soon. We\u2019ll get into position. Keep them talking and don\u2019t let on that we\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI won\u2019t, I won\u2019t,\u201d grumbled Tornoth as the two law enforcers scuttled off into their hiding spots. \u201cI\u2019ll never do them a favor again!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, Mr. Steelhorn!\u201d called Tuurk\u2019s voice as the two financiers entered the garage. \u201cMr. Steelhorn, there you are! We heard a ghastly rumor concerning you, didn\u2019t we, Mr. Talair?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIndeed, Mr. Tuurk,\u201d replied Talair. \u201cWe heard you sang like a Harpy about our\u2026arrangements.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, well, those are unfounded rumors,\u201d snorted Tornoth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGlad to hear,\u201d praised Talair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, what job have you got for me?\u201d pressed Tornoth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou have a shipment of taxanite fuel rods meant for the shipyards, yes?\u201d asked Tuurk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYep, where do you want me to have an issue?\u201d asked Tornoth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA public place of your discretion,\u201d answered Talair. \u201cThe rods would clearly interfere with your horseless carriage\u2019s engine, wouldn\u2019t they, Mr. Tuurk?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, yes, Mr. Talair,\u201d agreed Tuurk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cToo bad that delivery will go uninterrupted!\u201d called Torolai as she and Dwasnay sprung from their hiding places and leveled their wands at the two crooks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat the?!\u201d yelped Tuurk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou two,\u201d announced Dwasnay, \u201care under arrest for industrial sabotage to discredit Realmfleet!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou DID sing!\u201d shouted Talair as he pointed at Tornoth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re quick!\u201d scoffed Tornoth. Tuurk and Talair then pulled out concealed wands from their canes and fired a levitation spell on Dwasnay before throwing him onto Torolai. They then fired a magic blast at the scaffolding above Tornoth and ran out the door as it tumbled down. Tornoth got out of the way and looked out the door to see them fire a magic blast at a Minotaur woman, knocking her to the ground. That did it! That Minotaur woman was Tornoth\u2019s wife and he was VERY protective of his family! He charged out the door and slammed the two crooks to the ground, holding them until Torolai and Dwasnay came out. Dwasnay took over holding the two men as Tornoth and Torolai checked his wife over. She gave her statement as to what happened and Tornoth confirmed her relation to him. Torolai then turned to Tuurk and Talair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow we\u2019re adding assault on a witness\u2019 family to your rap sheet!\u201d she snarled. \u201cAny other laws you want to break?\u201d The two men said nothing. \u201cSilence, huh? Smart.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the two men facing criminal charges and a reliable witness, Tuurk and Talair were found guilty of sabotage of essential resources, bribing citizens, resisting arrest, and assaulting a witness\u2019 family member. The instant the judge proclaimed them guilty, their spouses divorced them on the spot. Their wands were confiscated and destroyed, and they lost their jobs. They were sentenced to life in prison and so they remained. Throughout the trial, they swore fierce revenge against those who double-crossed them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As for Tornoth, he got off lighter. He was fined an amount equal to the money he had accepted from the two crooks. His boss then ordered that he was to have a partner on his deliveries, no matter what. His partner was a strict by-the-book person, which grated on him, but he couldn\u2019t say too much for fear of losing his job. He wasn\u2019t divorced, thankfully, but he was going to be sleeping on the couch for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Realmfleet replaced Tuurk and Talair with a pair of more reliable financiers, a husband duo by the family name of Ralnath. They argued for giving the Mechanicas all the overhauls needed until they expire and, now that they were in a higher position, Mechanicas were given as many overhauls as needed. Many a Realmfleet Captain, including Arsha, blessed the two men to the highest of the Heights for giving people like Endea a new lease on life. With her mind settled and her troubles over, Arsha took a walk through the streets of the Galdredan Kingdom, taking in the sights. \u201cFunny how something can look different with a new mindset,\u201d she mused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou seem cheerful,\u201d chuckled a voice. Arsha whirled around to see Elmpam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour Majesty!\u201d greeted Arsha. Her future mother-in-law then gave her the signature ten-armed embrace as her tail wagged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow\u2019s life treating you so far?\u201d asked Elmpam once the hug broke off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA lot better now,\u201d answered Arsha. \u201cThe Endeavor<\/em>\u2019s getting a much-needed overhaul and it\u2019s sticking to the original time-table. I\u2019m just taking in the sights.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd your mental health?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Malnar knew?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re rather terrible at hiding your emotions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah, I am.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cArsha, I ask this as someone who loves you, are you doing all right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m actually in a better place, mentally. Falnii helped me via her dream-weaving and I managed to confront my inner demons. However, I did something I don\u2019t think many people do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI promised them that I would use them if and when I fight Oyed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Actually, that\u2019s something most people in the Under-realm do to keep their dark passions in check.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cReally? I guess Malnar and Gorfanth rubbed off on me. \u2026That\u2019s what helped me against my inner demons, all of my fianc\u00e9s rubbed off on me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, it\u2019s good that you\u2019re drawing on other sources of strength. So, what do you intend to do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026I think I\u2019ll help set up the Festival.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy crew and I can do anything!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s the way! Come on, I could use some help for the stage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLead on!\u201d Arsha followed Elmpam down the street with a new outlook on the future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201c\u2018Follow that man!\u2019,\u201d Calandra read the flyer aloud after breakfast the next day. \u201c\u2018Learn to be a detective in your spare time! Earn up to 900,000 golds a week! Glamor! Excitement! Official badge with first lesson! Galdredan National Detective Academy, Box 14\u2026Southern Resort District, Drelda Forest, Northern Continent, Over-realm!\u2019 Ones, help me, my mother\u2019s so […]<\/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-3050","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\/3050","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=3050"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3050\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3051,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3050\/revisions\/3051"}],"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=3050"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3050"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3050"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}