Elmpam stirred in the Emboramiis\u2019 room, rolling over to her side to see that her husband was absent. She woke up fully and sat up. \u201cOrbak?\u201d she called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn the bathroom, sweetie,\u201d called Orbak\u2019s voice. Elmpam then sighed in relief and got out of bed, joining him in their bathroom. Orbak was looking himself in the mirror. \u201cElmpam, we need to discuss my mustache.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll say,\u201d muttered Elmpam. \u201cI\u2019m supposed to be the one with furry lips here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo kidding.\u201d Orbak scratched his lip. \u201cThis thing\u2019s itchy and I swear I saw yesterday\u2019s food in it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, shave it off!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026I\u2019m gonna give it \u2018til tonight. After that, if I still feel the same as now, it\u2019s gone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026All right then. I can go with that. Now, we better get ready. Much as I like seeing your bare chest, we DO have something on the agenda involving other people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYep, better get started.\u201d The two then got themselves dressed. They were halfway done when they heard a knock on the door. \u201cHello?\u201d called Orbak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBreakfast is being served in the Main Dining Hall,\u201d answered the maid outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll be out shortly,\u201d replied Elmpam. After they put their clothes on, Elmpam fastened her hairpiece next to her ear and Orbak set his crown around his head. They then left the room and were escorted to the Main Dining Hall. The other Royals and the Borkshorms soon filed in and sat around the table with the Royanas and Arsha\u2019s lovers at the head. Bacon, eggs, sausage, pancakes, and breakfast rolls were all laid out on the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMhm! Elgrad,\u201d declared Bermak, \u201cyour staff are superb when it comes to\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaster, don\u2019t talk with your mouth full!\u201d admonished Jamula. Bermak blushed a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all right,\u201d chuckled Elgrad. \u201cI\u2019ll make sure my kitchen staff hear of your appreciation, Mr. Borkshorm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, forgive me if I\u2019m prying,\u201d began Foresna, \u201cbut when are you guys going to meet again?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSame time as yesterday,\u201d answered Elgrad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll right, just wanted to know. My sister\u2019s been asking me to walk her down the aisle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe\u2019s getting married?\u201d asked Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn two days,\u201d answered Foresna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCongratulations to the Bride, then!\u201d wished Hanako. \u201cWho\u2019s her lucky partner?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPartners, Your Majesty,\u201d replied Foresna. \u201cAn Orc man named Torsharko, a Sea Dragon woman named Ramsural, a Zephyr lady named Sumfem, and a Human woman named\u2026well\u2026Ars.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, poor girl,\u201d sighed Arsha. \u201cHer name\u2019s so short.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cArsha, there\u2019s nothing wrong with being called Ars.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaybe for you, but for me, it sounds so\u2026soft, you know?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, well, that\u2019s not HER view, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026No, no, it\u2019s not.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, good luck,\u201d bid Elgrad. \u201cMake sure to give them my best.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWill do, Your Majesty!\u201d replied Foresna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCome on, it ain\u2019t that bad!\u201d protested Endram as he and Orbak held a less-important discussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s right,\u201d agreed Elgrad. \u201cThe mustache is a proud tradition, just like a beard!\u201d He stroked his own for emphasis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow you put up with a perpetually scratchy chin is beyond me!\u201d scoffed Orbak. \u201cIt looks like a caterpillar\u2019s trying to weave its cocoon on me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, it doesn\u2019t!\u201d countered Elgrad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOrbak, you look great with a mustache!\u201d urged Endram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI really don\u2019t!\u201d argued Orbak. \u201cThis thing catches more food than I thought possible! I swear, I could just run my tongue through it and have a ready snack! It\u2019s gross!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJust be a little more thorough with cleaning your face!\u201d answered Elgrad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s too much effort for me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt ain\u2019t THAT much effort!\u201d remarked Endram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWait, Elmpam didn\u2019t protest, did she?\u201d asked Elgrad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot as hard as you think,\u201d answered Orbak. \u201cI was the one who voiced my own complaints about it to her this morning, so she felt no need to complain about it. I made a deal that if I still feel bad about this thing, then it\u2019s shaved off tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, give it another day!\u201d protested Endram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, my mind is made up!\u201d declared Orbak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Fine, fine,\u201d sighed Elgrad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everyone went about their day, then had lunch before the Royals and Rokalla went into the Conference Hall. \u201cOver-Queen Feymay Felompha in attendance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOver-Queen Emfam Felompha in attendance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCrown Over-Prince Lardeth Felompha in attendance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOver-Queen Roomef Felompha in attendance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOver-Queen Jeefef Felompha in attendance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOver-Queen Olmarfa Felompha in attendance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOver-Queen Ufnamfa Felompha in attendance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOver-Queen Teefmanam Felompha in attendance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOver-Queen Pofomofo Felompha in attendance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOver-King Endram Felompha in attendance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMid-King Elgrad Royana in attendance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCrown Mid-Princess Arsha Royana in attendance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMid-Queen Hanako Royana in attendance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder-King Orbak Emboramii in attendance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCrown Under-Princess Malnar Emboramii in attendance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder-Queen Elmpam Emboramii in attendance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThird-Level Admiral Rokalla Borkshorm in attendance as witness.\u201d Rokalla recorded the meeting again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDay two, everyone, let\u2019s get talking,\u201d declared Elgrad. \u201cWhen we ended the last meeting, the question was how patient do we need to be before we call one of Dr. Borg\u2019s moves the first strike?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJeefef, you\u2019re still an active military member,\u201d called Elmpam. \u201cWhat would you recommend?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere are three scenarios that would suit as a good first strike,\u201d answered Jeefef. \u201cBurning a farmer\u2019s field, killing a top citizen, and stealing money from every citizen in a civilized area, even a village, they would be avenues to pursue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen the question becomes,\u201d remarked Lardeth, \u201chow do we keep the people from panicking until then?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaybe we actively help them in their day-to-day lives?\u201d suggested Malnar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m not so sure that\u2019s a good idea,\u201d winced Pofomofo. \u201cThat would make us easy targets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot if we use cloaking spells and disguises,\u201d replied Malnar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe\u2019s right,\u201d mused Olmarfa. \u201cIf Dr. Borg is saying that we\u2019re ineffective in keeping them safe, we need to see to it that we can keep them brave. What better way than to be more active in helping them? Besides, Dr. Borg may be smart, but she can\u2019t anticipate everything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe IS capable of being surprised,\u201d remarked Arsha. \u201cThis would go against her simulations of us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI say we put it to a vote,\u201d called Ufnamfa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAgreed,\u201d answered Elgrad. \u201cAll those who wish to go along with Malnar\u2019s idea until a disaster that Jeefef gave examples of, say Aye.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAye!\u201d called Feymay, Emfam, Roomef, Olmarfa, Ufnamfa, Teefmanam, Elgrad, Arsha, Orbak, and Malnar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd against?\u201d asked Elgrad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNay!\u201d replied Lardeth, Jeefef, Pofomofo, Endram, Hanako, and Elmpam. Arsha and Malnar stared wide-eyed at Lardeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRokalla, what\u2019s the total?\u201d inquired Elgrad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s ten votes for Aye and six votes for Nay,\u201d reported Rokalla. \u201cThe Ayes have it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen we need to draft a plan to be more active in helping people,\u201d declared Elgrad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking of drafting plans, Yamta was pouring over the plans for Castle Narven. She seemed a little distracted by something. As she worked, the door behind her opened. \u201cThought you could use some food,\u201d called Remsu\u2019s voice as she entered the room with a tray of food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot hungry,\u201d replied Yamta. Remsu set the food down on a table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEven assassins need to grow big and strong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t need food right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYamta, you DO need food! You know I\u2019m half Succubus, right? Lust Demons can smell when a person\u2019s hungry about a por away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Really?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course not! The mere fact you believed such a lie tells me you\u2019re not thinking straight and need to eat!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI need to come up with a plan to\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re waiting on Castle Security reports, remember?!\u201d The silence hung in the air for a few moments. \u201cLook, this is the perfect time for you to take care of yourself. Don\u2019t let the future spin you up so bad.\u201d Yamta stared in silence, then headed to the food tray. She then picked up the fork and started eating. \u201cThere we go. Isn\u2019t that better?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, I guess,\u201d muttered Yamta as she ate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLook, what\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026I never really gained any admiration from my old classmates. All my life, I wanted to show everyone that there IS no reason to refuse contracts. Money is money. We\u2019re not mercenaries! \u2026But the Crimson Diamonds want to water assassination down. I ask you, is it really assassination if we can\u2019t collect big scores?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, just hired help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just\u2026no Crimson Diamond\u2019s killed a Royal since the First Age.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNervous?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Yeah, I am.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, starving yourself won\u2019t do you any good.\u201d Yamta nodded slightly and continued eating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The meeting finished and everyone headed off to do their thing. \u201cLardeth, a word,\u201d growled Arsha. Lardeth followed Arsha to somewhere private.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t afford to paint targets on our backs like that!\u201d he hissed once they stopped and Arsha took out her hairpiece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou know Malnar wouldn\u2019t suggest that,\u201d replied Arsha, \u201cunless she has several precautions laid out!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPrecautions that any sap could undo if they had at least a shred of intelligence! Dr. Borg\u2019s got that in spades!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe\u2019s also very rigid in her thinking! We continue to help people despite disaster, she\u2019ll slip up!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou sure of that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve fought her longer than anyone else in that room! Trust me, Malnar\u2019s idea is the best we\u2019ve got! What would you have done?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTamper with her machines, for starters!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe\u2019d figure that out a lot quicker than helping people through disasters!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why we strike at random intervals!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLardeth, she\u2019d probably anticipate that!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKids!\u201d called another voice. It was Jeefef. \u201cI trust you\u2019re not debating on what was already decided?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMama, you don\u2019t like the idea any more than I do!\u201d protested Lardeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, I don\u2019t,\u201d replied Jeefef, \u201cbut the decision\u2019s been made and, like it or not, you are duty-bound to honor it. There will be NO further discussion on this, is that clear?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Yeah, it\u2019s clear,\u201d grumbled Lardeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood,\u201d declared Jeefef. \u201cNow, I\u2019m going to bed. You kids should do the same.\u201d She then walked off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026I still say you\u2019re supporting an unnecessary risk,\u201d grunted Lardeth as he left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI DO know where he\u2019s coming from,\u201d remarked another voice. Arsha turned to see Elgrad. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t want your mother to paint a target on her back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf I can play Destroyer\u2019s Advocate for a minute, why did you agree with me? By that logic, you wouldn\u2019t want Malnar hurt either.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause I know Malnar, she\u2019s a good planner and wouldn\u2019t suggest something so risky unless she had back-up plans, much like you and your mother.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf only Lardeth would see it that way!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think Jeefef\u2019s given him reason to think and remember how she works.\u201d Arsha thought for a minute, then smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe tends to do that. Though, I think Lardeth\u2019s gonna take a little more time to accept it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTrue, but that\u2019s how he is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYep. Honestly, I wouldn\u2019t have him any other way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s my girl!\u201d Elgrad then yawned. \u201cI think we better go to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo argument there. Good night, Daddy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood night, sweetie.\u201d Arsha and Elgrad then went to their respective rooms.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Elmpam stirred in the Emboramiis\u2019 room, rolling over to her side to see that her husband was absent. She woke up fully and sat up. \u201cOrbak?\u201d she called. \u201cIn the bathroom, sweetie,\u201d called Orbak\u2019s voice. Elmpam then sighed in relief and got out of bed, joining him in their bathroom. Orbak was looking himself in […]<\/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-3159","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\/3159","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=3159"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3159\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3161,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3159\/revisions\/3161"}],"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=3159"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3159"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3159"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}