{"id":3077,"date":"2020-12-29T20:57:18","date_gmt":"2020-12-30T01:57:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/?p=3077"},"modified":"2020-12-29T20:57:18","modified_gmt":"2020-12-30T01:57:18","slug":"3-realms-3-23","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/3-realms-3-23\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Realms 3-23"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Everyone who had seen the broom riders met with Arsha in the conference room on the Endeavor<\/em>. Nazay, Endea, Tornoth, and Bulshnak told them what they saw, causing Gorfanth to sympathize more with his brother. When Endea and Nazay explained what the riders were doing during their sighting, Lardeth threw his hands into the air. \u201cOf course!\u201d he complained. \u201cAfter experiencing ghosts, why WOULDN\u2019T Oyed come pay a visit?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat do we do?!\u201d gulped Falnii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPray and repent, by the sound of it!\u201d answered Tornoth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere isn\u2019t enough time in all the Realms for you to do that, Tornoth!\u201d snarked Gorfanth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cZIP IT, YOU REALM-TROTTING SISSY!\u201d snarled Tornoth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGuys, fighting amongst ourselves is the worst thing to do right now!\u201d called Arsha. \u201cWe need to come together. Nazay, Endea, get us to yellow alert. Malnar, Yunfeen, go tell the Royal Families about the White Riders and make sure you emphasize what Endea and Nazay saw. Lardeth\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEveryone, please!\u201d called Calandra\u2019s voice as she and Orbak entered the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy friends, there\u2019s no need to prepare for war just yet!\u201d urged Orbak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDaddy, there is EVERY reason to prepare for war!\u201d argued Yunfeen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe\u2019s right!\u201d agreed Malnar. \u201cThe White Riders are back, and it looks like Oyed\u2019s managed to seize control of them! Why else would they open a gate to the Depths?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey DIDN\u2019T open a gate leading there,\u201d replied Orbak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd the broom riders you guys saw aren\u2019t even the White Riders,\u201d supplied Calandra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026How do YOU know that?\u201d asked Tornoth, suspicion furrowing his brow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAllow us to present the leader of the broom rider band,\u201d answered Calandra. She and Orbak stepped aside to reveal the leader of the band take their mask of to reveal HIS features. Arsha\u2019s jaw dropped. The leader was a human of Arsha\u2019s skin tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTendrak!\u201d she snarled as she set her hairpiece onto the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou know him?\u201d asked Foresna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou guys haven\u2019t met him yet,\u201d hissed Arsha. \u201cEveryone, meet my cousin on my dad\u2019s side, Tendrak Royana, leader of the Whitefleet Broom Platoon!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHey, Arsha!\u201d chuckled Tendrak. Arsha stood up and grabbed him by the shirt, pulling him close to her face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re part of Realmfleet, aren\u2019t you?! What\u2019s the idea of terrorizing an Under-realm kingdom, Round Ears?! And you guys!\u201d She pointed to Orbak and Calandra. \u201cWhat\u2019s the idea of letting them?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPerhaps, I could explain myself, Pointy Ears!\u201d snapped Tendrak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, perhaps you should!\u201d agreed Arsha as she let him go. Tendrak brushed his shirt and began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet me start by saying it was never our intention to terrorize the Galdredan Lava Kingdom. We were summoned here to take part in a defense trial called \u2018Operation: Warning Web\u2019. The goal was to create an early warning system that would alert people of any potential threats Dr. Borg would fling at us. The Royal Families figured that, since this kingdom has the most broom riders, we would be inconspicuous enough to prevent any sightings. However, after Nazay and Endea spotted us last night, I had to declare the project a failure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen what about the fiery portal we saw you casting last night?\u201d asked Nazay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat was no portal, Commander,\u201d assured Tendrak. \u201cOne of my platoonmates is a smoker. He lit up a cigarette and I told him to snuff it for security\u2019s sake. Unfortunately, it still retained its light as he tossed it to the ground onto a patch of dry grass. I figured we should spare the fire department a headache and ordered everyone to douse it. That\u2019s what you two saw, the smoldering remains of us taking care of a fire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI heard the whistle of my late father\u2019s ghost train when Foresna, Falnii, and I saw you guys,\u201d called Lardeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat you heard, Your Highness,\u201d answered Tendrak, \u201cwas the after-effects of a wind-dispelling charm. We were hit with really hard crosswinds, so we had to get rid of them for a safer flight. The freight cars you guys were stuck between had a flat bed of pipes and the wind must have passed through them at the right pitch to simulate a ghost engine\u2019s whistle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, why wait until now to tell us all this?\u201d asked Foresna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was a Code Black operation,\u201d explained Calandra. \u201cThe Royal Families didn\u2019t want the details to leave the room they were using to discuss this. I was in on the conversation because Mother wanted to test me on whether or not I would blab about a Code Black operation to the ones I loved.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, even Elmar was ignorant about this?\u201d inquired Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe was until last night,\u201d replied Calandra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn order for a Code Black operation to be declassified,\u201d continued Orbak, \u201cthe people in charge would have to unanimously vote on it or the one carrying out the operation would have to declare it a failure. Queen Andwayla Narven, in all the times we discussed this after the first few sightings, voted to keep it classified. She wasn\u2019t happy when Tendrak took the decision out of our hands. Honestly, I\u2019m glad he did, because the rumor about the White Riders returning at any point in time was always proven false.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat makes you say that?\u201d asked Malnar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m surprised you and Yunfeen of all people don\u2019t know!\u201d remarked Orbak. \u201cThe White Riders were laid to rest during the First Age of Unity! During King Rentar Emboramii\u2019s reign, Rentar gathered scientists and mages from across the Realms to try and cure the White Riders as a way of making reparations towards those families. They found a way and restored them to a peaceful rest, taking the bodies back to their families so they could be interred properly and rest in peace. Any time there were sightings, it was always the power of suggestion from a swindler or some young punks trying to scare people. Rentar made the details of their final rest public, so I\u2019m surprised you girls forgot that!\u201d Yunfeen and Malnar turned beet-red in embarrassment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMally,\u201d gulped Yunfeen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, Yunny?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think we goofed!\u201d Yunfeen hid herself behind her fan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a distinct possibility.\u201d Malnar put her head to the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, there\u2019s no ghouls flying around?\u201d asked Arsha as she set her hairpiece back into its usual place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, there\u2019s no ghouls flying around,\u201d confirmed Orbak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you friggin\u2019 KIDDING me?!\u201d snapped Tornoth. \u201cYou mean to tell me that Bulshnak and I embarrassed ourselves in front of Gorfanth because you guys wanted to play with your new toys?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026How did you embarrass yourself?\u201d asked Malnar as she picked her head up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat?!\u201d yelped Tornoth. \u201cForget I said anything!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCome on, Tornoth!\u201d chuckled Lardeth. \u201cOut with it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo! I won\u2019t!\u201d snapped Tornoth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou know what?\u201d giggled Arsha. \u201cWe don\u2019t need him! We can ask Gorfanth!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you dare, Gorfanth!\u201d snarled Tornoth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI won\u2019t,\u201d assured Gorfanth. \u201cSorry, everyone, but my staying mum on the details is all part of a contract with his company.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen Bulshnak can talk!\u201d suggested Falnii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, I can\u2019t,\u201d rumbled Bulshnak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCan\u2019t or won\u2019t?\u201d chuckled Foresna. As everyone had a turn ribbing Tornoth and Bulshnak, Orbak and Calandra stayed in the back, observing the whole thing. This incident would be going to the public after this, but they weren\u2019t so sure of the repercussions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cExcuse me, Your Majesty,\u201d muttered Calandra to Orbak as she left the room. She made her way to Elmar\u2019s quarters and found him running his hands over his face. \u201cElmar, sweetie?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI just had a call from Councilman Torrudai,\u201d he mumbled. \u201cHe\u2019s demanding to speak with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026He\u2019s not happy with Mother,\u201d sighed Calandra. \u201cI\u2019ll speak with him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCommunications console\u2019s over there.\u201d Calandra sat down and keyed in a command to connect with Torrudai. She then put in a passcode, followed by completing a retinal scan before an old man appeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYour Highness, I\u2019ve been looking for you,\u201d he grunted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cElmar told me you were looking for me,\u201d replied Calandra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be blunt, your mother\u2019s decision in light of the panic that went on has made many of my colleagues and people VERY unhappy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been told that by the people themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen you have a better grasp of the situation. I need to make this very clear; the Galdredan Council has just barely voted to let your mother continue ruling until you marry Elmar and he retires from Realmfleet. However, that was a pretty slim vote. Right now, people have no confidence in your mother\u2019s abilities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHer heart is in the right place, Councilman.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPerhaps, but you have frequently said that her head isn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026Yes, I did.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYour Highness, the only reason that she\u2019s still in command of our kingdom is that she DID propose effective methods of routing Splitter operatives for all Realms and imprisoning them. You must understand that if she does something like this again\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust give me a heads-up so I can return to claim the throne if the vote swings that way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026I\u2019m glad you understand, Your Highness. For now, safe travels.\u201d The call ended and Calandra put her head in her hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026I know she\u2019s my mother,\u201d she mumbled to Elmar, \u201cbut she\u2019s not doing our kingdom any favors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, we cannot change her so easily,\u201d muttered Elmar. \u201cWe can only hope that her future actions will be less\u2026absurd.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah\u2026\u201d Calandra simply sat in Elmar\u2019s lap as he wrapped his arms around her in a reassuring hug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026You know,\u201d mused Elmar, \u201cI believe the 4 F\u2019s are going to be performing within the last 10 days of this week.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026Yeah, I could do with some 4 F entertainment,\u201d chuckled Calandra.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Everyone who had seen the broom riders met with Arsha in the conference room on the Endeavor. Nazay, Endea, Tornoth, and Bulshnak told them what they saw, causing Gorfanth to sympathize more with his brother. When Endea and Nazay explained what the riders were doing during their sighting, Lardeth threw his hands into the air. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1646,"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-3077","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\/3077","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=3077"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3077\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3078,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3077\/revisions\/3078"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1646"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3077"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3077"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3077"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}