It was the next to last official night of the Under-union Festival and the 4 Fs\u2019 Beautiful Blues were performing their Felansi dance routine in front of a large crowd. The ladies passionately danced, their hands clapping to keep time for the gentlemen to strum their guitars. They were pouring their souls into the routine, closing their eyes and letting the music guide them, yet concentrating intensely on their steps. The music then reached its crescendo and the clapping and steps intensified until one last strum of guitars stopped the ladies in a flourish. The crowd applauded wildly as the ladies held their pose for a few seconds until they all opened their fans, fanned themselves as they curtsied slyly, then they pointed their fans to the men as they got up, holding their guitars and bowing, then hugging the ladies as they walked off aside from Tufarmem as she spoke to her husbands before sitting in a chair and fanning herself alone onstage. As the rest of the Blues exited stage left, Termaf came in stage right and cast her gaze over the audience with a worried expression, as if she were looking for something. \u201cHi, pal!\u201d called Tufarmem to Termaf. Termaf then turned to Tufarmem and approached her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDid you call me \u2018pal\u2019?\u201d she asked. Tufarmem looked a little confused but nodded. \u201cWhy, I haven\u2019t heard that word in years. You know, kid, I wasn\u2019t always a wandering floozy like you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026She call me a floozy?\u201d Tufarmem asked the audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAh, back then, it was a brighter time,\u201d continued Termaf, ignoring her question. \u201cI remember the days of yore when I was a happily married woman. Then, one day, a stranger came to my house, begging me for food and shelter, so I told her to make my home her home. Boy, she did.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOoh.\u201d Sympathy was strong in Tufarmem\u2019s comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, ooh, indeed. One night, I came home from work and called out for my darling husband. \u2018Lanswey! Oh, Lanswey! \u2026Lanswey? Lanswey, the bread-winner\u2019s here!\u2019 Then\u2026I found it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Found what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA note. A note on his pillow!\u201d Termaf looked like she was about to burst into tears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWh\u2026what did the note say?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was one of those cold-blooded notes. \u2018Termaf, I\u2019m running away with Yunfeen!\u2019\u201d Termaf then broke down as Tufarmem got up from her chair and rubbed Termaf\u2019s back in reassurance. Soon, Termaf stopped crying as her face hardened. \u201cI swore, then and there, to all the Divine Ones, that I would catch them and make them pay for breaking my heart! I packed my bags and left my house for a nomadic life, hunting them and gathering any information I could about them! My first stop was in the Over-realm in the Drelda Forest, and the Fae told me that I had missed them by three days! On with the chase! To the Gamfinar Jungle, then to the Coliamdii Kingdom! Then the Falchineve Drider colony! Then to the Mid-realm! Largandra! Vorkath! Aridu! Last, back to my native Under-realm! Crelima City! Frigandor! Realmgate City! Then, at last, I met my hated enemy, face to face, in the Grilthan Forest! Specifically, at Alanshi Falls!\u201d Her expression then turned crazed. \u201cALANSHI FALLS!\u201d She then turned to Tufarmem slowly. \u201cSlowly I turned! And step by step, smarg by smarg, I crept up to her!\u201d She did the same to Tufarmem, then took her chin. \u201cAnd, standing at the precipice, when I felt her hot breath on my cheek, I LET HER HAVE IT!\u201d She then started beating on Tufarmem!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHELP!\u201d shrieked Tufarmem. \u201cMURDER! POLICE! HELP!\u201d Termaf then stopped and appeared to regain her senses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWait, you\u2019re not my hated enemy!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo! I\u2019m the lady who called you pal!\u201d Tufarmem then readjusted her dress and tried to steady Termaf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cForgive me, I haven\u2019t been well. It\u2019s that place! Every time I hear it, it tears me apart!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDoesn\u2019t do ME any good, either!\u201d Tufarmem then turned to the audience. \u201cUngrateful, that\u2019s what it is! How do you like a dame like that?! I talk to her, try to be friendly, and she flies off the handle because she hears \u2018Alanshi Falls\u2019!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cALANSHI FALLS!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh no!\u201d gulped Tufarmem as Termaf turned to Tufarmem slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSlowly I turned! And step by step, smarg by smarg, I crept up to her!\u201d She did the same to Tufarmem, then took her chin. \u201cAnd, standing at the precipice, when I felt her hot breath on my cheek, I LET HER HAVE IT!\u201d She then started beating on Tufarmem again!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHEY! HEY! HEY!\u201d Termaf stopped and stumbled near stage left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s that man! I\u2019ll kill him! Her too! \u2026Blood?\u201d Termaf then looked down and cried out. \u201cRIVERS OF BLOOD! POOLS OF BLOOD! HA HA! THE BLOOD!\u201d She then went offstage, leaving Tufarmem to fix herself up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat a meeting!\u201d As she dusted herself off, Yunfeen came onstage and bumped into her. \u201cPardon me, pal!\u201d mumbled Tufarmem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Did you call me \u2018pal\u2019?\u201d asked Yunfeen, causing Tufarmem to gulp. \u201cIt\u2019s been a long time since I heard the word \u2018pal\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou too?\u201d quizzed Tufarmem. \u201cHaven\u2019t you got any friends?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what I was getting to, the dirty soul-leech! She tried to take him away from me! AH! But she didn\u2019t succeed! So, she trailed me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo the Drelda Forest?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Yes.\u201d Tufarmem swallowed nervously before continuing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen the Gamfinar Jungle, the Coliamdii Kingdom, the Falchineve Drider colony, Largandra, Vorkath, Aridu, Crelima City, Frigandor, and Realmgate City?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes! YES! But how did you know?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019d be surprised!\u201d Tufarmem then sat back in her chair. \u201cThen she found you at the Grilthan Forest\u2019s Alanshi Falls!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cALANSHI FALLS!\u201d A crazed expression crossed Yunfeen\u2019s face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot again!\u201d yelped Tufarmem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSlowly I turned! And step by step, smarg by smarg, I crept up to her!\u201d She did the same to Tufarmem, then took her chin. \u201cAnd, standing at the precipice, when got ready to swing, I LET HER HAVE IT!\u201d Now SHE beat on Tufarmem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSOMEONE HELP ME!\u201d She then stopped when Tufarmem cried out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat have I done?! Blood! The Judge! BLOOD!\u201d That was when Termaf arrived back onstage. Yunfeen caught sight of her. \u201cAh, it\u2019s you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, there you are, Yunfeen!\u201d snarled Termaf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy\u2026!\u201d growled Yunfeen as they inched towards each other\u2026then hugged each other! \u201cWhy, it\u2019s been too long!\u201d cheered Yunfeen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll say!\u201d laughed Termaf. \u201cI almost caught up with you in the Drelda Forest!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think I saw you in Aridu, but it could have been a mirage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShame he strung us along like that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen did you find out?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, I heard the news in Frigandor, but never believed it until after our encounter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGo on, where did you find her?\u201d Tufarmem urged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cForget about it!\u201d replied Yunfeen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, it\u2019s past history,\u201d agreed Termaf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy, you cowards!\u201d snarled Tufarmem. \u201cYou\u2019re afraid to say \u2018Alanshi Falls!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cALANSHI FALLS!\u201d repeated Termaf and Yunfeen with a crazed expression on their faces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou stay away from me!\u201d yelped Tufarmem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSlowly I turned!\u201d continued Termaf and Yunfeen as they slowly turned and approached her, their expressions still crazed. \u201cAnd step by step, smarg by smarg, I\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet them have it!\u201d called Tufarmem as she flung clouds at their faces and dashed off, stage right. The audience applauded as Tufarmem returned and joined Yunfeen and Termaf in a bow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you all for joining us!\u201d bid Termaf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is one of our family\u2019s best gigs ever, despite all the mishaps!\u201d continued Yunfeen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnfortunately, the Closing Ceremony is tomorrow, which means we must say good night and goodbye,\u201d sighed Tufarmem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWho knows where we\u2019ll perform next,\u201d mused Termaf. \u201cWe don\u2019t know, we just go where the wind leads our skyships. But, despair not, for we will never stop performing! With that, the Feisty Felansi Forsorna Family bids you all a fond farewell!\u201d The three gave one last bow as the audience applauded. They then exited stage right, waving goodbye and smiling all the while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The day finally came. The Closing Ceremony was prepared as the Royal Families sat in their respective positions. The announcer took his place at the podium and began. \u201cWell, it seems our collective memory of certain legends is rather\u2026lacking, for want of a better term. I personally can\u2019t believe I forgot that the White Riders were put to rest long ago. Still, we had fun and having the 4 F\u2019s perform here was a really nice touch. With all that, the reigning monarchs may now step forward and light their fireworks!\u201d Andwayla began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am Queen Andwayla Narven, ruler of the Galdredan Lava Kingdom!\u201d She snapped her fingers and fireworks launched into the air, lighting the sky with her home\u2019s colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am King Exarla Yunumtey, ruler of the Greltharg Merfolk Kingdom!\u201d He did the same as Andwayla, and thus was the way for all monarchs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am King Alnedar Yerudii, ruler of the Morgonthor Trench!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am Queen Yurmar Hanthuu, ruler of Crelima City!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am King Esirat Glasnita, ruler of Frigandor!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am King Enrel Wenshar, humble ruler of the Actanila Mega-shark Grounds.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am Queen Landuii Altror, ruler of the Calnthor Merfolk Kingdom!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am Queen Endomu Gokurah, ruler of the Greshkagh Mountains!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am King Endormak Tothen, ruler of the Grilthan Forest!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am High Priestess Torunath Lundalii, ruler of the Haldebor Drider Caves!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am Queen Rutalmer Worodai, ruler of Realmgate City!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am Lord Tomugath Varsek, Ruler of Falgreth!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am Chancellor Penshek Tolshoon, ruler of Dwelga!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd I am Under-King Orbak Emboramii, ruler of the Belsnath Citadel!\u201d The last fireworks launched, and the crowd cheered. As everyone left for their ships, Malnar gave one last goodbye to her family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be sure to come back the instant Arsha\u2019s completed her tour!\u201d assured Malnar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd we\u2019ll keep your room untouched,\u201d answered Orbak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Hey, where\u2019s Mama?\u201d asked Yunfeen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, crud! I forgot to ask!\u201d Orbak chided himself. \u201cArsha, Elmpam\u2019s going to her old home to give a sermon at the church. Could she bum a ride off you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCertainly!\u201d answered Arsha. \u201cWhere is she?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe\u2019s outside the Endeavor<\/em> with Denstra right now, waiting to get your word.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen we\u2019ll be there straight away! Farewell, Orbak!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMay the Divine Ones bless you with clear skies!\u201d wished Orbak. Soon, he left for his own ship, then they stopped by one of the ships the Forsorna family uses. They met with a female Troll in the same style and color of dress Yunfeen usually wore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEveryone, meet the Red Matriarch, Lantwee Forsorna!\u201d bid Yunfeen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA pleasure to meet you all,\u201d greeted Lantwee. \u201cI trust you\u2019ve all enjoyed our performances?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe certainly did!\u201d answered Malnar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen let me present a gift to you.\u201d Lantwee then pulled out a data crystal. \u201cThis contains all our performances throughout the existence of our family, even the ones from this week.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThank you, Ms. Lantwee!\u201d Malnar accepted the data crystal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnything for extended family. It\u2019s got a variety of menu options and will constantly be updated with each performance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI will be sure to binge all the performances when I get the chance! Break a leg!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd you too!\u201d Yunfeen and Malnar hugged each other one last time before Yunfeen joined Lantwee. Arsha then led her group to the Endeavor<\/em> and met with Elmpam and Denstra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCaptain, did you receive word of Queen Elmpam\u2019s journey?\u201d asked Denstra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOrbak himself told me,\u201d answered Arsha. \u201cWe\u2019ll happily take her. Queen Elmpam, welcome aboard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMany thanks,\u201d bid Elmpam. \u201cYou know, this is my first time setting foot on a Dauntless<\/em>-class vessel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen you\u2019ve picked the perfect one to board for the first time, now that she\u2019s gotten an overhaul.\u201d They went up the ramp and Arsha led Elmpam and her lovers to the bridge. There was a new addition to the bridge. \u201c\u2026Four chairs, I see. Is one of them for Endea?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYep,\u201d confirmed Denstra. \u201cSo, if we face the chairs with our backs to the screen, from left to right, they\u2019re the Ship\u2019s Counselor, the Captain, the XO, and the Ship\u2019s Mechanica.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen we\u2019re in business,\u201d declared Arsha as she sat in her new seat while Elmpam and Arsha\u2019s lovers watched the whole thing from the observation balcony. \u201cNazay, lay in a course for the nearest Under to Over Realmgate, then take us to the Coliamdii Kingdom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCourse laid in, Captain,\u201d reported Nazay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNice and easy.\u201d At Arsha\u2019s command, the Endeavor<\/em> rose into the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBridge, this is the Chief Engineer!\u201d called Thangred over the comms. \u201cEverything\u2019s running smoother than ever!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s no exaggeration,\u201d confirmed Endea. \u201cI feel 10,000 years younger!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood to hear!\u201d praised Arsha. \u201cJust keep us posted. Bridge out.\u201d The Endeavor<\/em> then went on its way to the Realmgate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It was the next to last official night of the Under-union Festival and the 4 Fs\u2019 Beautiful Blues were performing their Felansi dance routine in front of a large crowd. The ladies passionately danced, their hands clapping to keep time for the gentlemen to strum their guitars. They were pouring their souls into the routine, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1876,"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-3080","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\/3080","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=3080"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3080\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3081,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3080\/revisions\/3081"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1876"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3080"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3080"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3080"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}