\u201cThe elephant is\u2026dead?\u201d gulped Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBy multiple claws, teeth, and giant scorpion stinger wounds,\u201d confirmed Aldarval. \u201cThe distinct warped soul signature confirms Revenant activity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s no coincidence. There must be Manticore Revenants.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re moving out now. Arsha, prepare your team.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAye, Admiral.\u201d The call ended and Arsha left her ready room. \u201cWe\u2019re moving out,\u201d she announced to the crew. \u201cHave the infiltration team ready on my command. Nazay, take us up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAye, aye!\u201d confirmed Nazay. Shalvey then got a signal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCaptain, Merrim\u2019s hailing all ships,\u201d she reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMerrim?\u201d asked Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe says she has information that can help the infiltration team.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCan it wait? We\u2019re about to launch.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe claims it\u2019s vital information that can\u2019t wait.\u201d Arsha sighed. She really didn\u2019t have time for this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Make sure the channel is secure, get the infiltration team to the conference room, and have Aldarval listen in on this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Arsha\u2019s infiltration team consisted of herself, her lovers, Orthena, Delselii, Bashoon, and Patrica. Merri was on screen as she explained what she learned. \u201cIt turns out,\u201d she began, \u201cthe Manticores were the ones who gave the Sphinxes\u2019 ancestors the designs on the barrier at the behest of King Velkor\u2019s advisor, Overseer Toonsar Lortem. He used the barrier for his own ends in an attempt to satisfy some twisted debt. The more immediate way is to find the key to lower the barrier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd that\u2019s where we come in?\u201d asked Malnar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFrom what I\u2019ve heard from my spies,\u201d continued Merrim, \u201cthere are six trials that you must pass, trials of physical strength and impeccable intellect. The Manticores were the original masters of riddles before they passed it onto the Sphinxes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Can we even afford to go through the trials right now?\u201d sighed Gorfanth. \u201cWe may have an impressive fleet, but what if the trials turn this whole thing into a siege? We don\u2019t exactly have the manpower OR firepower to make such a thing possible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe other option is to kill King Velkor and that would enrage the Manticores something fierce. I don\u2019t know about you, but I DON\u2019T want to start a relationship with Manticores on that note if we\u2019re trying to get them away from Oyed\u2019s influence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd it would keep the Sphinxes trapped in the barrier or kill them if we use the wrong key,\u201d sighed Arsha. \u201cLooks like we have no choice. We HAVE to complete the trials. All right, thanks for the information. We\u2019ll do what we can. Arsha out.\u201d The call ended and Arsha received a message saying that Aldarval heard the whole thing and authorized the completion of the trials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDammit, this ain\u2019t gonna be smooth,\u201d grumbled Patrica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnderstatement of the millennium,\u201d replied Malnar. \u201cOyed could get wise really easy!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t have that many options,\u201d remarked Lardeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s our move here?\u201d Bashoon asked Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe enter the Manticore kingdom as planned, but we try to assure them that we come in peace and declare our intentions to pass the trials.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause a foreign power entering a kingdom while its forces are sieging said kingdom is SO peaceful,\u201d snarked Foresna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo we really have much choice?\u201d asked Delselii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot really,\u201d replied Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll ships ready,\u201d reported Denstra as the fleet hovered over the sands where the Manticore Kingdom dwelt underneath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAdmiral, my people are MOST excited to begin,\u201d called Reb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen let\u2019s do so,\u201d declared Aldarval. \u201cI\u2019m transmitting the different coordinates. Fire on them at my command.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHere we go,\u201d muttered Arsha as she and her team entered a cave. They arrived at what looked like the end of the cave and were confused. \u201cThat\u2026that doesn\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt might be a concealed entrance,\u201d remarked Orthena. \u201cWe need to tap around.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou and I might have a better chance at finding the right sound,\u201d mused Bashoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEveryone, find the entrance,\u201d ordered Arsha. \u201cWe\u2019re on the clock.\u201d Everyone tapped the rocks and felt around for any hidden levers. Orthena then stopped as her hand felt something. She lowered her hand near the floor and felt a breeze coming from behind the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Bashoon, come here for a minute,\u201d she called. Bashoon headed over to her. \u201cPut your ear to the wall.\u201d Bashoon did so and Orthena tapped it. Bashoon\u2019s eyes went wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a hollow echo if I ever heard one!\u201d she called. \u201cThere\u2019s a way in behind this wall!\u201d Everyone heard her and joined her and Orthena in locating an opening mechanism. Delselii then felt his hand sink slightly into the wall and part of the wall slid aside to reveal a tunnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood work, you three!\u201d praised Arsha. \u201cNow, let\u2019s\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNOT ONE STEP FURTHER!\u201d roared a voice from inside the tunnel. Everyone drew their wands and waited intently. After a few seconds, Bashoon\u2019s ears flicked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSomeone\u2019s coming!\u201d she warned. \u201cSomeone with four feet and said feet covered in something soft!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA Manticore guard?\u201d guessed Falnii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMost likely.\u201d Bashoon\u2019s confirmation was made more solid as a male Manticore with a lightly-colored mane stepped towards them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am the Mouth of Velkor!\u201d he introduced himself. \u201cI am his emissary, his ambassador, and his means of communication with the outside world! Through my words, you will know my King\u2019s intent! Why are you here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSir,\u201d began Arsha, \u201cmy team and I heard rumors that your people have six trials which will determine whether or not those that take them can be trusted both in body and mind.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSuch rumors are true. You wish to take them? If Oyed himself could not pass them, what hope do YOU have?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe wish to show you that Oyed\u2019s plans will only lead to ruin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere are ships bombarding the circumference of our kingdom!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOnly so we may prove ourselves with no interruption from Oyed\u2019s forces.\u201d The Manticore snarled at Arsha\u2019s counterargument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou consider your actions appropriate to treating with us?! Know this, we EAT those who are unworthy of our trust!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd you trust someone who has not passed the trials?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBe warned! Oyed has power beyond your capabilities!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur decision is made! Lead us to the trials! We will pass them and prove we are worthier allies than Oyed and his followers!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Very well, you may take them. Ordinarily, only one would take all six, but I will allow you to send one per trial. However, once that person has completed the trial, they will not take another!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll accept this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen follow me!\u201d The Manticore then turned and led them into the tunnel. As they walked, the secret door shut behind them. \u201cThere are three trials of various aspects of strength and three of intellectual pursuits. Choose your people wisely. There will be no do-overs. Fail even one trial, we will kill you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026No pressure,\u201d muttered Foresna.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cThe elephant is\u2026dead?\u201d gulped Arsha. \u201cBy multiple claws, teeth, and giant scorpion stinger wounds,\u201d confirmed Aldarval. \u201cThe distinct warped soul signature confirms Revenant activity.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s no coincidence. There must be Manticore Revenants.\u201d \u201cWe\u2019re moving out now. Arsha, prepare your team.\u201d \u201cAye, Admiral.\u201d The call ended and Arsha left her ready room. \u201cWe\u2019re moving out,\u201d she […]<\/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":[97,237],"tags":[482],"class_list":["post-4062","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\/4062","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=4062"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4062\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4063,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4062\/revisions\/4063"}],"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=4062"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4062"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4062"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}