While Realmfleet attacked Oyed\u2019s occupation force, Rochak and Weltam awaited orders back at Plunder Island Stronghold. Rochak leaned against a tree, idly looking up at the sky. \u201c\u2026How do you think the siege is going?\u201d he asked Weltam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cProbably in our side\u2019s favor,\u201d answered the succubus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026One hour.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s how long the siege is gonna last before Realmfleet gives up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, half an hour.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Winner\u2019s on top tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a bet!\u201d The two then shook on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCAPTAIN ROCHAK!\u201d called a pirate. The pirate in question, a Revenant Goblin woman, ran up to them in a panicked state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhoa! Whoa! Slow down! Where\u2019s the fire?\u201d asked Weltam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBehind us!\u201d answered the Goblin. \u201cEnemy! Protectorate Pirates! Revenants are dying!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow can Revenants die? You\u2019re undead,\u201d remarked Rochak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLike so,\u201d answered a voice. \u201cEnsakunde!\u201d The spell hit the Goblin right in the back and she keeled over. The veins faded and Rochak checked for a heartbeat. His eyes widened when he heard none. Weltam then saw someone come out of the trees. The voice\u2019s owner gave a wicked grin as she oozed into view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cREB?!\u201d yelped Weltam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd how are we on this BEAUTIFUL day?\u201d asked Reb Rojam as she adjusted her new coat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026I see you succumbed to Legless Syndrome,\u201d remarked Rochak as he pointed to the slime below her waist. Judging by how the slime was shaped, her legs were now consumed by the slime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, my legs had to leave,\u201d sighed Reb. \u201cHowever, the gains outweigh this MINOR inconvenience.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhere\u2019d you learn that spell?!\u201d snarled Rochak. Melgem then approached the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFrom the Drows, if you can believe it,\u201d he purred. \u201cIt was quite the interesting bit of serendipity. We had a constant line between us and our new allies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat was the deal? That you would still retain your pirate ways?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPirate? Nay,\u201d replied Reb. \u201cPrivateer. Or Protectorate Pirate if you DEARLY wish to be PC about it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou of all people are a Privateer?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOn a sanctioned, CRUCIAL mission under the authority and protection of the most BELOVED All-realm Crowns.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve sunken low, you smug\u2026!\u201d Rochak was stopped by Weltam\u2019s tail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m SURE the female-exclusive slur that starts with \u2018C\u2019 was going to be used, but Weltam had the right idea in stopping you, so I MAY overlook it,\u201d said Reb. \u201cMy friends, face facts; our sands have all but run out. There\u2019s no shame in joining the WINNING side.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOyed commands the winning side, not Realmfleet!\u201d hissed Weltam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Then I am left with little choice. \u2026Rochak Toksar and Weltam Forsorna!\u201d That was when the rest of Reb\u2019s force appeared out of the trees. \u201cFor EGREGIOUS crimes committed up in the open air and out on the high seas, by the authority granted to me by their GRACIOUS Majesties, the Kings and Queens of the Three Realms, and with a goodly amount of PERSONAL satisfaction, I hereby place you in the custody of the DISCERNING Judicial Branch of the Combined Realm Governments and declare you HEINOUS villains to be my prisoners!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou are actually doing this, aren\u2019t you?\u201d scoffed Rochak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSuch crimes do include,\u201d continued Melgem, \u201cbut are not limited to piracy, treason, murder, torture of the cruelest sort, and for siding with a terrorist who robbed me of the limbs and eye all down my left side!\u201d He drew his cutlass and pointed it at Rochak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou, a cyborg Sea Elf, DARE go against a Lighting Dragon with a metal blade?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith the amount of anti-conduction spells coursing through my veins, prosthesis, and weapon, I would!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Aye. That be the cold breath of Fate I feel between my wings,\u201d said Weltam. \u201c\u2026But, I\u2019ll have one last fight, by the Depths!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKILL THEM ALL!\u201d Rochak\u2019s order was heard as far as the beach and assistance in the form of Revenants, Robots, Golems, and Pirates came flooding towards the jungle. With the Revenant-killing spell, however, Reb\u2019s Privateer crew had the upper hand. The Trinity Forces were reduced to a fourth of their capacity while Reb\u2019s crew only suffered a loss of one sixteenth. Then\u2026it all came to a head. Weltam was run through with Melgem\u2019s sword. Rochak shoved Reb aside and dashed to Weltam to try and help her. As he did so, Reb made her way to the communications tower in time to hear a call come through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPlunder Island Stronghold, this is the occupation force!\u201d came Dr. Borg\u2019s voice. \u201cWe\u2019ve lost the city! Prepare to receive us!\u201d Reb then took the call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy DEAR Doctor, we would be DELIGHTED to host your CHARMING forces.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cREB?!\u201d Dr. Borg was clearly flabbergasted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDid you just say Reb?! As in Reb Rojam?! What\u2019s she doing on the line?!\u201d demanded Oyed\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cActing very calm about it, which means she\u2019s not in any danger in OUR headquarters!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMeaning she\u2019s reclaimed it somehow!\u201d realized Oyed. He then roared in frustration. \u201cThe Under-realm is lost to us! Retreat to the Mid-realm!\u201d The Plunder Island Forces got word of the retreat and activated their Realmgate, evacuating as Oyed ordered. Rochak picked up Weltam\u2019s body and made it to the last ship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCaptain Rojam!\u201d called one of her crew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAye?\u201d she called down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe enemy must be pursued!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur ship may be one of the strongest, but it IS one. Even it cannot withstand the might of a fleet of the enemy\u2019s DREADFUL size. Nay, we were ordered to hold our position once we secured my old home. \u2026And look at the DREADFUL state it\u2019s in! We MUST clean it up!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCaptain!\u201d called another member. Reb sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAye?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWonderful news! They forgot to purge sensitive information! We know where their fallback position is!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou understated this bit of news! This is JOYOUS! Contact Arsha at once!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAye, aye, Captain!\u201d The crewman rushed off to obey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cReb, I never thought I\u2019d say this, but thank you for this news,\u201d said Arsha once she was told of the Enemy\u2019s retreat. \u201cYou served us well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2018Twas an EXCELLENT honor,\u201d returned Reb. \u201cShall we call up our BELOVED Admiral Aldarval?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSounds like a plan. Shalvey, connect us to Aldarval.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAye, aye, Captain!\u201d replied Shalvey as she obeyed. Aldarval soon appeared next to Reb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI understand you have news for me?\u201d she asked Arsha and Reb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe do, indeed, my DEAR Admiral,\u201d answered Reb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAdmiral, the enemy has fled to the Caltem River,\u201d reported Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy DARLING crew,\u201d continued Reb, \u201cis so TREMENDOUSLY clever, they were able to decode their location with ease.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat explains the reports I\u2019ve been getting,\u201d grinned Aldarval. \u201cThere\u2019s been a build-up of enemy activity in that region! So, from what I\u2019m hearing from you girls, it\u2019s the result of a panicked evacuation!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe need to strike now!\u201d urged Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd we have the ships to do so now,\u201d agreed Aldarval. \u201cArsha, join up with the fleet congregating on the Northern Continent\u2019s south islands. Reb, hold position until you feel that Plunder Island Stronghold is secure, then join Arsha when you can.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAye, aye!\u201d replied the two Captains. Aldarval then left the call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, it looks like things are looking up,\u201d mused Shalvey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet\u2019s not be TOO hasty,\u201d advised Reb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe\u2019s right,\u201d agreed Arsha, \u201cAldarval wouldn\u2019t be asking the fleet to go to the islands if she were sure this would be the final battle. We need to play it smart. Reb, I\u2019ll see you when you get to the Mid-realm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a date! Ta-TA!\u201d Reb then ended the call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNazay, lay in a course for the nearest Realmgate, then take us to the islands south of the Mid-realm\u2019s Northern Continent.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAye, Captain,\u201d replied Nazay. He laid in a course and took the Endeavor<\/em> up.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" While Realmfleet attacked Oyed\u2019s occupation force, Rochak and Weltam awaited orders back at Plunder Island Stronghold. Rochak leaned against a tree, idly looking up at the sky. \u201c\u2026How do you think the siege is going?\u201d he asked Weltam. \u201cProbably in our side\u2019s favor,\u201d answered the succubus. \u201c\u2026One hour.\u201d \u201cHuh?\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s how long the siege is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3952,"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":[97,237],"tags":[482],"class_list":["post-3951","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-three-realms","category-the-three-realms-book-4-trials-of-light-and-dark","tag-fantasy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3951","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=3951"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3951\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3953,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3951\/revisions\/3953"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3952"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3951"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3951"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3951"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}