The day of the party arrived. It would be held in the afternoon, so Lardeth and his lovers milled around a bit. Malnar took care of a few matters of state concerning the Under-realm, but there was nothing that needed her immediate presence there. Lardeth was in his new outfit and taking things easy. He simply snuggled with Arsha and Malnar on the balcony as they waited for Falnii\u2019s portrait sitting to be over. Like Gorfanth, she chose the most important thing to her family. \u201c\u2026You know,\u201d he mused, \u201cthere IS something on my mind.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s that, Princess?\u201d asked Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen we get married, how are we gonna split our time up among the Realms? I mean, how will we go from castle to castle?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou know that personal Realmgate network Dr. Borg had?\u201d asked Malnar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat about it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re making one for the castles. That way we can go from castle to castle without a ship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, that will make things-\u201d Arsha stopped as she looked across the grounds. \u201c\u2026Er, Lardeth, what are you doing over there in your old outfit?\u201d There, coming across the grounds and looking shifty, was Lardeth in his old dress. The Lardeth Arsha and Malnar snuggled with then got a sour look on his face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTemnobal!\u201d he hissed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI thought he was a full Zephyr,\u201d muttered Malnar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s supposed to be an actor,\u201d recalled Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no way we can get rid of him in time!\u201d groaned Lardeth. Arsha then snapped her fingers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLardeth, does he have any food allergies?\u201d she asked. Lardeth then grinned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs a matter of fact, he does! He\u2019s lactose intolerant AND he\u2019s got a peanut allergy!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, the REAL Lardeth can\u2019t say no to Peanut Butter Ballet ice cream, can he?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, he can\u2019t!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou two stall him,\u201d said Arsha. \u201cI\u2019ll get the ice cream!\u201d Arsha dashed off to the kitchens as Lardeth and Malnar then approached Lardeth\u2019s copycat, Temnobal. Temnobal saw Malnar and saw this as an opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMalnar, my love!\u201d he called in a dramatic fashion. He then \u2018fainted\u2019 in her arms. \u201cOh, my lovely inferno! It\u2019s horrible! A most vile man is impersonating me and-!\u201d He saw the actual Lardeth. \u201cYOU FIEND!\u201d He got out of Malnar\u2019s arms and pointed an accusing finger at him. \u201cDon\u2019t believe a word he says! He\u2019s an imposter!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, come on!\u201d argued Lardeth. \u201cOf all the roles you played, this has to be the least researched!\u201d Malnar decided to play along.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh no!\u201d she mockingly wailed. \u201cWhich Lardeth is which?! They\u2019re both the same!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHelp is on the way!\u201d called Arsha as she brought two custard dishes of ice cream. Temnobal saw it and goggled in horror.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNOPE!\u201d he yelped and dashed off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGUARDS!\u201d called Lardeth. The guards arrived and chased after Temnobal. He jumped into the pond, washing his make up off. Archers fired arrows near him, intending on warning shots. He then fired a magic rope, wrapping it around Malnar, and pulling her to him. He then held a sword at her throat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour letter shamed me in front of my agent!\u201d he shouted at Lardeth. \u201cIf I don\u2019t get invited, then no oneARGHAHAHA!\u201d Malnar shoved her hand onto his face and cast a branding spell on him. Her handprint was seared onto his face. He dropped his sword and released Malnar from the pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow no sane theater will have you!\u201d snarled Malnar. \u201cHold the Under-Queen hostage, you WILL suffer at her hands!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGuards, throw my traitorous ex-boyfriend into the dungeon!\u201d ordered Lardeth. The guards quickly dragged Temnobal away. A few stayed behind to make sure Malnar was okay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour Majesty, I swear-!\u201d Malnar cut the guard off with a raised hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m well aware this isn\u2019t normal for the castle,\u201d she said reassuringly. \u201cI\u2019ve been here numerous times. You lot already dealt with the problem. Lardeth\u2019s gonna be well protected when he becomes King.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou flatter us, Your Majesty,\u201d said another guard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m telling it like it is.\u201d The trumpets then sounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe guests are arriving!\u201d realized Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet the party begin!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lords and Ladies from all over Wysper City arrived to bid Happy Birthday to Lardeth. Once the day was done, the kings and queens arrived the next day and made their way to the throne room for the Royal Tradition. The future ruler would be the monarch presiding over a comedy trial, then they would be crowned after the trial was completed. This one was a special one as the Three Maidens would be involved. When everyone assembled, Lardeth thumped the Ruling Staff. \u201cWe hereby call this court to order!\u201d he called, using the Royal We. \u201cThis court shall determine the innocence or guilt of Ms. Sho Girla as she stands accused of murdering her lover, Mrs. Milnaf Wilnurma! Ms. Girla, approach the throne!\u201d A priest stood by with the Codex as a Zephyr woman in a rather flashy outfit placed her hand on it and raised her free hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDoyousolemnlysweartotellthetruththewholetruthandnothingbutthetruth?\u201d the priest said in one breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI do,\u201d said Ms. Girla. The prosecutor, another Zephyr woman, then approached the stand as Ms. Girla sat down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat is your name?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSho Girla,\u201d replied Ms. Girla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat is your occupation?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m a dancer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOn the night of Jamfaf the forty-second, were you working at the Flights of Fancy caf\u00e9 when this murder was committed?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, but I didn\u2019t do it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen who killed Milnaf Wilmurna?!\u201d The prosecutor was trying to get a reaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know!\u201d pleaded Ms. Girla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPerhaps you\u2019re trying to-!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI object, Your Majesty!\u201d called the defense lawyer, an Elf man named Bujamiso, Curlandii\u2019s husband. \u201cI ask that such a question be stricken from the records! It is merely an attempt to influence this intelligent, broad-minded, and most intellectual jury assisting you.\u201d He was referring to the fifty Lords and Ladies seated to Lardeth\u2019s left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cObjection sustained,\u201d replied Lardeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you, Your Excellency,\u201d said Bujamiso. The prosecutor looked back at Ms. Girla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat is all,\u201d she grunted, her strategy discovered. Ms. Girla sat back with her lawyer. A parrot-sized wyvern in a cage screeched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFind the letter!\u201d it called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cQuiet, Wacky,\u201d commanded Bujamiso. He then turned to Lardeth. \u201cIf it pleases Your Grace, I would like to introduce my three main witnesses; Hanorfal, Finbragill, and Hanorfal.\u201d He turned to see that their seat was empty. Annoyance crossed his face. \u201cThey were here a minute ago! Would you pardon me, Your Majesty? I\u2019ll be right back!\u201d He ran out of the throne room to find her witnesses. After a few minutes, they ran into the throne room. They were the Three Maidens dressed in gowns instead of their usual Elven peasantry clothes. Curlandii\u2019s ensemble included a bowler hat and a cane for fashion\u2019s sake. They ran through the gate at the end of the aisle with the gate knocking into Moru\u2019s knees. Curlandii dodged it and stuck her tongue out. Bujamiso then locked the gate and swung himself over it. Curlandii then rattled the gate and tried to swing herself over it but ended up falling to the floor. As Moru and Larima picked her up, Lardeth thumped the Staff of Ruling to call order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWill you ladies,\u201d he said, \u201cplease try to be a little more quiet in this court?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCertainly, Kingaloo!\u201d replied Curlandii. \u201cThe gate is locked!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWill you please step forward?\u201d Bujamiso asked Curlandii. She stepped forward one step. \u201cNo, no, no! Prepare yourself for the witness box!\u201d Curlandii then dusted herself off and pointed the end of her cane at Bujamiso while rapidly knocking her bowler against her scalp. Moru then shoved her to the stand. The priest then approached her with the Codex.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The day of the party arrived. It would be held in the afternoon, so Lardeth and his lovers milled around a bit. Malnar took care of a few matters of state concerning the Under-realm, but there was nothing that needed her immediate presence there. Lardeth was in his new outfit and taking things easy. He […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5416,"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-5446","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\/5446","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=5446"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5446\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5447,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5446\/revisions\/5447"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5416"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5446"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5446"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5446"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}