{"id":5401,"date":"2022-02-07T13:51:07","date_gmt":"2022-02-07T18:51:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/?p=5401"},"modified":"2022-02-07T13:53:07","modified_gmt":"2022-02-07T18:53:07","slug":"3-realms-6-12","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/3-realms-6-12\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Realms 6-12"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The day after Malnar\u2019s coronation came too quickly for Arsha\u2019s taste. Sadly, she wasn\u2019t in a position to offer Malnar a lift. What made it worse for her was that she knew of Gorfanth staying behind too. She was talking to him before she had to return to the <em>Endeavor<\/em>. \u201cYou\u2019re sure you need to stay?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI know I helped in my home\u2019s reconstruction,\u201d replied Gorfanth, \u201cbut Malnar will need help too and I need to learn a few more things about royal life. I can\u2019t exactly do that on the <em>Endeavor<\/em>. I\u2019m sorry, but I need to stay here.\u201d Arsha sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI guess I\u2019ll see you later,\u201d she mumbled. Gorfanth then took her into his embrace. They hugged for a good minute. Just then, Malnar found them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCan I get in on this?\u201d she called. Arsha and Gorfanth saw her, then they opened the embrace to let Malnar in. She joined and smiled. \u201c\u2026I\u2019m gonna miss you, Foxy,\u201d she mumbled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019ll miss you both, Bonfire, Hooves,\u201d replied Arsha. They all sighed with a mix of happiness and longing. The hug then ended and Malnar looked up to Gorfanth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019ve already got my Queen\u2019s Portrait,\u201d said Malnar, \u201cnow it\u2019s time for yours.\u201d Gorfanth winced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDo I need to?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf I had to suffer through holding a pose for hours on end, so do you.\u201d Arsha laughed a bit at Malnar\u2019s teasing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cVery well,\u201d muttered Gorfanth. Arsha stepped back, holding their hands for as long as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGoodbye, Malnar and Gorfanth,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019ll see you soon!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGoodbye, Arsha,\u201d bid Malnar and Gorfanth together. Their fingers finally slid off hers. Arsha turned quickly so she wouldn\u2019t be tempted to stay forever. She still had assignments for Realmfleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Arsha returned to the ship, a little saddened and eagerly awaiting the next time she would see her Under-realm lovers again. Lardeth, Foresna, and Falnii were waiting by the landing ramp. They saw her face and hugged her. \u201cWe miss them already,\u201d sighed Lardeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd then you have your own coronation,\u201d muttered Arsha. \u201cThen you and Falnii will be leaving us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe\u2019ll come back to you when you\u2019re Queen,\u201d assured Falnii. \u201cOur separation will only be temporary.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe\u2019s right,\u201d agreed Foresna. \u201cYou and I will still be together.\u201d Arsha chuckled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYeah, I do have you for the entire trip.\u201d She then recentered her thoughts. \u201cFor now, we need to leave for the Drelda Forest. I\u2019ll be on the bridge.\u201d Arsha ended the hug and headed to the bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She sat in the Captain\u2019s Chair and looked around at her bridge crew, smiling at how they displayed courage during the Final War both when she was on the bridge and when she was absent. She then looked to Shalvey. \u201cMs. Shalvey, what\u2019s the word?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe\u2019re cleared to leave the Citadel,\u201d reported Shalvey. \u201cWe can go on your order.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMr. Nazay, set course for the Under-to-Over Realmgate, then take us to the Drelda Forest\u2019s Capital Tree,\u201d ordered Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCourse laid in,\u201d reported Nazay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNice and easy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <em>Endeavor<\/em> fired up its engines and rose into the air, retracting its landing struts and raising its landing ramp. It went higher and higher, then turned southwards to the Realmgate floating above Realmgate City once again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Malnar and Gorfanth saw the ship depart from the landing pad and waved goodbye until they lost sight of it. Malnar then rubbed her arm. Gorfanth saw this and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. \u201cWe\u2019ll see them again,\u201d he promised. \u201cWe\u2019ve lost Arsha once and she came back to us all. This will be nothing compared to what Oyed did to us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s because of what he did that makes me miss her even more,\u201d mumbled Malnar. \u201cAfter he hurt her, I was about ready to fall into despair without her. I know you and the others were in the same boat, but still\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWell, this time, Oyed\u2019s not part of the equation. We know she\u2019s in perfect health and we\u2019ll see her again once she is crowned Queen and Foresna learns of his future duties.\u201d Malnar nodded, then a wicked grin crossed her face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSpeaking of a consort\u2019s future duties as King, there\u2019s something we need to get out of the way.\u201d Gorfanth arched an eyeridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd that is?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWell\u2026how did Daddy put it\u2026society wants us to start our reign looking good.\u201d Gorfanth got the hint, and a look of panic crossed his snout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWait a minute-!\u201d he gulped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCome on, Hooves, if I needed to suffer through a portrait sitting, so do you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBut I\u2019m not King yet!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI wasn\u2019t exactly Queen when I had mine done! Come on, Hooves!\u201d Malnar grabbed one of the ends of his belt and led him away. Gorfanth didn\u2019t resist. There was no point to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Arsha sat in her ready room as the ship traveled through the Realmgate Vortex. She lightly stroked her desk as if it were a pet, her thoughts looking towards the future. The door chime then rang. \u201cCome in,\u201d she called. Bashoon then came in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou wanted to see me, Captain?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI did, Bashoon. Tell me, why did you turn down Penshek\u2019s offer of being his Secretary of Goblin Finances?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c\u2026I saw no real growth in that position. I have a bit of a wanderlust, and that position won\u2019t satisfy it. I was thinking that, after Realmfleet, I\u2019d be a Freelance Captain. The Realm Freelance Board\u2019s always looking for experienced officers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou\u2019ll need training in that regard,\u201d remarked Arsha. \u201cYou see, I called you in for a reason. You know that, once our Drelda mission\u2019s done and Lardeth\u2019s crowned, I have one last mission in the Mid-realm? In Largandra, no less? Once the Largandra mission\u2019s done, I\u2019m having my Tour\u2019s End Ceremony. I have been thinking hard about who would take my place\u2026and I can think of no better person than you, Bashoon Barmek.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c\u2026ME?!\u201d yelped Bashoon as the weight of Arsha\u2019s declaration sunk in. \u201cYou want ME to-?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI only have a few of the bridge crew remaining once the Largandra mission\u2019s done,\u201d explained Arsha. \u201cDenstra and her spouses will leave, Shalvey and Thangred will be getting married and moving to Varshenta Beach, Dalengor\u2019s gonna move to Rokanth and find someone, Nazay\u2019s heading back to the Regatim Oasis to marry Merrim, Elmar already left us, and Thengo\u2019s gonna be establishing a counseling practice here. Now, Anya\u2019s gonna be taking Thengo\u2019s place and she\u2019ll be marrying Malak, Laverda\u2019s staying behind, Falnimam will be coming to the Mid-realm to marry Melandra and move onto the ship with him and he\u2019ll be the new Chief Engineer, Orthena\u2019s still the Chief Science Officer, Endea\u2019s staying, and Marshii will be CMO for a little while longer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI heard about Denstra and her spouses leaving,\u201d replied Bashoon. \u201cDad was cussing up a storm when Jaltor told him the news. And I kind of figured Endea would stay. I mean, she IS the <em>Endeavor<\/em>. \u2026In fact, if it\u2019s possible, I WOULD like to make her my First Officer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWell, the successor DOES have the right to choose their First Officer. I think she\u2019d make an excellent one for you. Now, I still need to work with Rokalla to write the Commission Letters for the new Bridge Crew.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cUnderstood. Thank you for the opportunity, Captain. Let me tell you, you\u2019re gonna be leaving big shoes to fill.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think you\u2019ll fill them nicely in peacetime.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIn the meantime, I still have a few odd jobs to do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAll right then, I\u2019ll let you go. Dismissed.\u201d Bashoon saluted and smiled, then left the room. Arsha smiled happily. \u201cBashoon Barmek, you\u2019re gonna go far!\u201d she said to herself.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The day after Malnar\u2019s coronation came too quickly for Arsha\u2019s taste. Sadly, she wasn\u2019t in a position to offer Malnar a lift. What made it worse for her was that she knew of Gorfanth staying behind too. She was talking to him before she had to return to the Endeavor. \u201cYou\u2019re sure you need to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5383,"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-5401","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\/5401","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=5401"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5401\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5403,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5401\/revisions\/5403"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5383"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5401"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5401"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5401"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}