{"id":5375,"date":"2022-02-02T09:56:15","date_gmt":"2022-02-02T14:56:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/?p=5375"},"modified":"2022-02-02T09:56:15","modified_gmt":"2022-02-02T14:56:15","slug":"3-realms-6-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/3-realms-6-10\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Realms 6-10"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Endeavor<\/em> arrived at the Belsnath Citadel and Malnar led her lovers to the throne room. Orbak and Elmpam met them there. \u201cHere she is!\u201d called Elmpam. She gave Malnar a hug from all her arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy daughter, all grown up!\u201d chuckled Orbak. Once Elmpam broke off the hug, Orbak pulled something out of a pouch. It was a gold collar choker with pearls laid onto it. \u201cThis was your mother\u2019s choker,\u201d explained Orbak. \u201cShe wanted you to at least wear it for your portrait.\u201d Malnar then drew in a breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, my Royal Portrait!\u201d she groaned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDull as all get out!\u201d agreed Lardeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the Honest-to-Ones truth,\u201d said Arsha. Malnar and Lardeth goggled at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhenever we have a portrait together,\u201d remarked Lardeth, \u201cthe artist doesn\u2019t say so much to you about trying to look happy!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s because I\u2019m thinking about something else,\u201d explained Arsha, \u201csomething much more enjoyable than the tedium of sitting for hours on end while a painter tries to capture my likeness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know that\u2019s not one of your favorite things of royal life,\u201d remarked Orbak, \u201cbut it IS necessary for us. Society wants us to start our reign looking good.\u201d Malnar grumbled but conceded that he was right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh well, at least it lets me update my wardrobe,\u201d she said. She then got an idea. \u201cDo you think the Royal Painter could do a portrait of me on the south tower\u2019s balcony looking out?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d asked the Royal Painter, a Stone Dragon woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, I want my kingdom to be in the shot,\u201d explained Malnar. \u201cIt would be nice to have the backbone of my Realm be included.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI mean, I CAN do it, if you\u2019re certain that\u2019s what you want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI DO want it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn that case, all I need from you is your outfit and when you want to start.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

As Malnar spent the day looking at dresses, Arsha and the rest of her lovers looked over a history book in the library. This one was talking about a Ring of Power and a Magic Sword. Long ago, when such items were numerous, Intrag ordered their creation, using a Shadow Dragon\u2019s fang to construct the sword and treasure from the Drows\u2019 vaults to make the ring. \u201cLook at this,\u201d said Arsha as she pointed out the Ring. The illustration showed it as a golden ring carved to look like a Drow Priestess with rubies for her eyes, charging a great spell, centered around Beginnings and represented by a pearl. Arsha read the text describing it. \u201c\u2018The Ring of Nal-Mahar was forged within the workshops of the old Drow fortress. Legend has it that the Ring can make the wearer pass into the Invisible After-realm. By rights, the Ring belonged to Nal-Mahar, the Drow High Priestess, but the Drows were lost to time before the Ring was returned to them. It is believed that the Ring would have brought prosperity to the Drows.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cInto the After-realm?\u201d shuddered Lardeth. \u201cI\u2019d rather stay away from that until I\u2019m dead.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou know, if the Ring is still in the Emboramiis\u2019 possession,\u201d mused Falnii, \u201cmaybe Malnar should give it to Tanta.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd give the sword back to the Shadow Dragons,\u201d muttered Gorfanth. He pointed out the illustration of the sword he was talking about. The hilt looked like a Shadow Dragon in flight. Its jaws were open and made up the cross-guard while the blade looked like its tongue. \u201cThis one\u2019s public knowledge; Thantauglamir, the Shadow Tongue That Slays Evil. Intrag had a Shadow Dragon in his service. He promised to make the Shadow Dragon the new leader of his people but needed a symbol of office for him. The Shadow Dragon tore his fang out and gave it to Intrag. Intrag had his mages and blacksmiths forge a sword out of it and imbue it with spells that targeted only evil beings. When the Shadow Dragon saw the completed sword, he asked for it and leadership of his people. Intrag refused, calling him too evil to wield the sword in his Realm. When Intrag tried to touch the sword, however, the handle burned his hand. The Shadow Dragon took that as his que to take the sword and wrest control of the Under-realm from Intrag. He successfully grabbed the sword without pain and dueled with Intrag. Before the Shadow Dragon could deliver the killing blow, Intrag\u2019s Black Captains burst into the throne room and defended their King, slaying the Shadow Dragon and locking the sword away in the Emboramii Family\u2019s vaults.\u201d Arsha whistled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou know, the Mid-realm\u2019s got artefacts of similar nature concerning the Sphinxes and Manticores,\u201d she recalled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs does the Over-realm with the Gryphons and Gorgons,\u201d said Lardeth. The doors to the library then opened, revealing one of the maids leading Tanta and Dotan into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHer Highness will be with you shortly,\u201d the maid said to the Drow and Shadow Dragon. \u201cPlease wait here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTank you,\u201d bid Tanta. The maid bowed before leaving. Tanta and Dotan then noticed Arsha and her lovers. \u201cYou are Malnar\u2019s lofers, yes?\u201d asked Tanta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are,\u201d confirmed Arsha. \u201cPrincess Arsha Royana, at your service.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAh, yes, Dalengor\u2019s best friend,\u201d recalled Dotan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe was fery goot in freeink us from Oyet\u2019s service,\u201d purred Tanta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs were you,\u201d supplied Dotan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you, my Lord and Lady,\u201d replied Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cForgive me for saying this,\u201d called Falnii, \u201cbut Malnar\u2019s coronation is ten days away. What brings you two here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMalnar sait tat she has gifts for us,\u201d explained Tanta. \u201cWe ton\u2019t know why she would want to gif us sometink.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPerhaps to acknowledge your part in ending the Final War?\u201d guessed Gorfanth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cExactly,\u201d called Malnar\u2019s voice. She entered the library in a new dress and hairpiece, wearing her mother\u2019s choker and carrying a sword slung behind her back with something in her hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHello, Queen Malnar!\u201d purred Foresna and Arsha together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStill a Princess right now,\u201d replied Malnar. She then turned to Tanta and Dotan. \u201cThank you for coming so quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI must atmit confusion,\u201d remarked Tanta. \u201cWhy gif us sometink?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecause you two already own these things by all rights,\u201d explained Malnar. She opened her hand to reveal a ring. Tanta and Malnar\u2019s lovers gasped as they recognized it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTe Rink of Nal-Mahar!\u201d yelped Tanta. \u201cBut why-?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was forged from treasure stolen from Nal-Mahar\u2019s vaults, yes?\u201d asked Malnar. \u201cAnd Nal-Mahar was your first ancestor, right? Therefore, this ring is yours. And General Dotan, this sword is yours.\u201d She took the sword and sheath off her back and handed it to Dotan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThantauglamir!\u201d he whispered as he recognized the design of the hilt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have a feeling it won\u2019t burn you,\u201d mused Malnar. Tanta and Dotan stared at their respective artefacts, then cautiously took them. Tanta slipped the Ring on her finger and Dotan slung Thantauglamir and its sheath onto his back. He drew it and looked at the blade, marveling at how well maintained it was and registering a comforting warmth from the handle. He sheathed it and knelt at Malnar. Tanta looked at the Ring, moving her hand to see how it looked on her finger, smiled, then knelt as Dotan did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMalnar Emboramii,\u201d she said, \u201cI name you Trow frient and blest. My life is at your commant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI name you Shadow Dragon friend and blessed,\u201d supplied Dotan. \u201cMy life is at your command.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you, both of you,\u201d replied Malnar. The two Leaders then left the library to give their delegation the news. Malnar sighed. \u201cThat\u2019s that out of the way, now I gotta spend tomorrow morning for the portrait!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s gonna look great!\u201d Arsha said in reassurance. Malnar smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGiven the Royal Painter\u2019s talent, yeah, it will.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Endeavor arrived at the Belsnath Citadel and Malnar led her lovers to the throne room. Orbak and Elmpam met them there. \u201cHere she is!\u201d called Elmpam. She gave Malnar a hug from all her arms. \u201cMy daughter, all grown up!\u201d chuckled Orbak. Once Elmpam broke off the hug, Orbak pulled something out of a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1462,"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":[97,239],"tags":[482],"class_list":["post-5375","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-three-realms","category-the-three-realms-book-6-the-eternal-age-of-unity","tag-fantasy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5375","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=5375"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5375\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5376,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5375\/revisions\/5376"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1462"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5375"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5375"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5375"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}