{"id":186,"date":"2012-09-28T10:19:34","date_gmt":"2012-09-28T14:19:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/?p=186"},"modified":"2012-09-28T10:19:34","modified_gmt":"2012-09-28T14:19:34","slug":"zervakan-free-fantasy-novel-chapter-48","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/?p=186","title":{"rendered":"ZERVAKAN – Free Fantasy Novel – Chapter 48"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\"\"<\/a>
Cover by TJ Lomas.<\/a>\n<\/div>\n
\nI’m posting a chapter from my latest fantasy novel for free every Monday and Friday (click Zervakan<\/a> above for a synopsis and to start from the beginning). It’s in a “pre-published state,” meaning you might find the occasional spelling\/grammar mistake. If you do, please leave a comment below or email me at robsteiner01 [at] gmail [dot] com.<\/p>\n

If you’re uncomfortable getting something for nothing, you can hit the PayPal Donate<\/a> button in the Tip Jar section to the right. If you donate more than $3, I’ll send you a non-DRM ebook once the book is published (summer 2012). If you donate more than $20, I’ll send you a printed copy.<\/p>\n

Thanks, and I hope you enjoy it!<\/em>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ZERVAKAN<\/h1>\n

by Rob Steiner<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 48<\/h2>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Now try what I just showed you on my harrower,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ladak said, pointing to the blank-faced Tuathan beside him.<\/p>\n

Taran retained control of the Angra tendril, and placed his left hand on the heart of the gray-faced harrower.\u00c2\u00a0 He felt the raging torrent of Angra consume his body, mind, and heart, but through the exhilaration, he maintained his focus.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The human body,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ladak said from beside Taran, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153is infested with bacteria.\u00c2\u00a0 With Angra\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s help, we can find them and destroy them.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

He used the Aspects of Earth and Spirit to search for the organisms Ladak described, bacteria that maintained life and distributed death.\u00c2\u00a0 His search through the harrower\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s body was like sticking his hands into a decomposing corpse\u00e2\u20ac\u201dit left Taran nauseous, but he continued the search.\u00c2\u00a0 Where were they…?<\/em><\/p>\n

There.\u00c2\u00a0 The harrower\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Tainted body still retained enough of its former biology to sustain the bacteria it once held in life.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran narrowed his focus on the bacteria in the harrower\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s small intestines, and then…strangled them.\u00c2\u00a0 He felt as if he were using his own hands to kill each one of the millions of bacteria swarming about in the harrower\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gut.\u00c2\u00a0 When he could find no more, Taran opened his eyes and reluctantly released Angra.<\/p>\n

Ladak looked at Taran.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Even killing something as small as bacteria makes one feel like a god, yes?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Mercy help me, it does,<\/em> Taran thought.\u00c2\u00a0 But he did not have to say anything for Ladak to give him a knowing smile.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Perhaps you will become one of us after all.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 Ladak turned his head slightly.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And it looks like you will have a chance to prove it right now.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

His right hand shot into the air and, simultaneously, his left hand pointed to the woods next to the road.\u00c2\u00a0 Angra struck Ladak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hand as fast as lightning, and Fatimah was pulled out of the woods, landing with a hard thump at Taran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s feet.<\/p>\n

Ladak bent to one knee and lifted Fatimah\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s chin with his fingers.\u00c2\u00a0 Her eyes held defiance, but her chin quivered.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I could smell you from a hundred paces,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ladak said.<\/p>\n

Ladak turned to Taran.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Now prove you are a man of your word and kill your first Tuathan.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran stared down at Fatimah.\u00c2\u00a0 Yes,<\/em> the voice said, kill her, and then kill them all.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Taran,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fatimah said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You are not one of them.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

She tried to stand, but Ladak forced her down to her knees again.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Is she right, Taran?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ladak snarled.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Kill her now, or my harrowers will.\u00c2\u00a0 After they kill you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

All three harrowers raised their hands, black tendrils of Angra connecting to each one.\u00c2\u00a0 Ladak also held an Angra tendril.<\/p>\n

Kill her,<\/em> the voice screamed in his mind.\u00c2\u00a0 Then kill them all!<\/em><\/p>\n

Taran looked down at Fatimah, the dark voice irresistible.\u00c2\u00a0 He began to raise his hand\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n

A crack sounded from behind him, and the top of a harrower\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s head exploded.\u00c2\u00a0 The harrower staggered backward, but he righted himself again.\u00c2\u00a0 Everything above his forehead was a mass of gray, glistening meat.\u00c2\u00a0 More firing erupted from the huts near the road, and from the trees near the huts.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran saw Shadarlak hiding behind trees and in the windows of huts, firing at the harrowers, hitting most of them but doing very little to knock them down.<\/p>\n

Taran heard Ladak grunt.\u00c2\u00a0 He turned and saw Ladak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s black coat disappear into the woods on the left.\u00c2\u00a0 Without thinking, Taran ran past the harrowers\u00e2\u20ac\u201dwho were walking towards the firing Shadarlak, ready to call down lightning from the black clouds gathering above\u00e2\u20ac\u201dand plunged into the woods after the Fomorian.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When the firing started\u00e2\u20ac\u201dwhich seemed like an eternity after she had been pulled from the forest\u00e2\u20ac\u201dFatimah dropped to her belly and put her hands over her head, praying to Ahura that the Shadarlak aim was as good as they promised it would be.\u00c2\u00a0 The harrowers were concentrating on the concealed Shadarlak, and walked right past her.\u00c2\u00a0 Maybe they thought she was dead.\u00c2\u00a0 She did not know or care, just as long as they left her alone.<\/p>\n

She glanced about and saw Taran disappear into the forest.\u00c2\u00a0 Ladak was gone, so Fatimah assumed Taran was chasing the Fomorian.<\/p>\n

Or fleeing <\/em>with Ladak?<\/em><\/p>\n

She leaped to her feet and ran to where Taran had entered the woods.\u00c2\u00a0 As she passed the tree line, she heard the first explosions of lightning strike the Shadarlak positions.\u00c2\u00a0 Pine branches and thorny bushes scratched her face and clothes, but she gave another silent prayer that the Recindians would not pay too dearly for helping her retrieve Taran.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Taran raced through the woods, spotting Ladak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s black coat, then losing it for a time.\u00c2\u00a0 He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d hear rustling over the lightning strikes behind him to see Ladak dart out of sight again.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran kept on him, listening for Ladak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s footsteps over his own pounding heart and haggard breathing.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran lost the sound of Ladak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s flight, but then picked up a fresh trail of blood in the dead branches and needles on the forest floor.<\/p>\n

Find him and destroy him,<\/em> the dark, mad voice whispered in his mind, or he will find and destroy you.\u00c2\u00a0 And then go back and slaughter the Tuathans.<\/em><\/p>\n

The forest ended abruptly before a clearing of saw grass covered sand dunes.\u00c2\u00a0 Footprints in the sand led up and over one of the dunes.\u00c2\u00a0 Fearing a trap, Taran stopped, and then made his way around the dune, along the edge of the forest clearing.\u00c2\u00a0 When he rounded the dune, he saw Ladak laying on his back, the top of his head pointing down the hill as if he had fallen and slid on his back all the way down the dune.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran saw a large stain of blood covering Ladak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s entire chest on the white shirt beneath his black coat.\u00c2\u00a0 Ladak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face and lips were as gray as one of his harrowers.\u00c2\u00a0 He turned his head slightly and smiled when he saw Taran.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153All these gifts from Angra and I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even stop a bullet,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ladak said.\u00c2\u00a0 He started laughing, then coughed up a gout of blood.<\/p>\n

Taran walked slowly to Ladak.\u00c2\u00a0 Dark blood was caking the sand around Ladak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s back.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mind giving a bit of that Ahura healing, would you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ladak rasped, and then laughed again, which sounded more like a wet gurgle.<\/p>\n

Taran picked up a piece of heavy driftwood next to his feet.\u00c2\u00a0 He looked at it a moment, wondering how it had ended up so far from the seashore.\u00c2\u00a0 He swung it high above his head with both hands as if he were about to chop a piece of wood, and brought it down on Ladak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s head.<\/p>\n

The point of the driftwood hit nothing but empty sand.\u00c2\u00a0 Ladak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s body had disappeared.<\/p>\n

Taran did not have time to look around before the bolt of lightning struck the ground several feet from him.\u00c2\u00a0 He did not hear the bolt, nor did he feel its electricity, but he felt his body flying through the air.\u00c2\u00a0 He landed silently in a pile of dead seaweed.\u00c2\u00a0 He stared up at the sky, all blue except for the small black, roiling cloud above him.\u00c2\u00a0 The sun was higher in the east now, shining into Taran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eyes if he looked through a break in the woods a mile away.\u00c2\u00a0 Beyond that break, he saw the blue waters of the Gulf of Pagilah.<\/p>\n

Ladak stepped in front of the sun, his tri-corner hat blocking it.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran noticed that the sleeve of his left arm was stained with blood, slick and glistening.<\/p>\n

Though Taran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hearing was beginning to return, he could not make out Ladak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s muffled words.\u00c2\u00a0 He did understand, however, Ladak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s actions.\u00c2\u00a0 He raised his right hand to Angra, and a black tendril snaked down and connected with Ladak.\u00c2\u00a0 He bent down and put his hand over Taran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s heart.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran knew what was going to happen.<\/p>\n

You were too slow,<\/em> the dark voice said.\u00c2\u00a0 You are now his slave.<\/em><\/p>\n

Unable to do more than groan, Taran closed his eyes and pictured Mara\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s smiling face in his mind, the kind of smile she used to give him before the Blood struck.\u00c2\u00a0 At least his last free thought would be of his daughter.<\/p>\n

Ladak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hand abruptly lifted away from Taran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s heart.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran opened his eyes to see Ladak staring at his hands and body with a horrified expression.\u00c2\u00a0 A blue, glittering shield surrounded him.\u00c2\u00a0 He raised his right hand to Angra again, but no black tendril appeared.\u00c2\u00a0 Ladak cried out in frustration, and then his gaze stopped on the top of the sand dune.<\/p>\n

Fatimah stood at the top, her hand raised to Ahura and a beautiful, multi-colored tendril caressing her body.\u00c2\u00a0 She had cast a barrier around Ladak, and he was now powerless.<\/p>\n

But no less murderous.\u00c2\u00a0 Ladak picked up the driftwood Taran had used to dispel Ladak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s illusion, and scrambled up the sand dune toward Fatimah with a feral shriek.\u00c2\u00a0 Seeing the danger, she released Ahura and ran back down the other side.<\/p>\n

Taran found the strength to turn over and make himself stand.\u00c2\u00a0 On shaky feet, he raised his right hand to Angra and felt the chaotic power fill him.\u00c2\u00a0 As he remembered Ladak doing, he Wielded Air and Spirit to form a hand around Ladak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s torso, and then dragged the Fomorian back down the dune.\u00c2\u00a0 Cursing and screaming at Taran, Ladak tried to stand, but Taran Wielded Ladak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s arms to his sides and his ankles together.<\/p>\n

Still holding on to Angra, Taran stooped down to both knees in front of Ladak and snarled, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Now you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re my<\/em> slave.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Ladak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s terrified eyes bulged satisfactorily.<\/p>\n

Yes,<\/em> the dark voice said, use him!\u00c2\u00a0 He will make a powerful harrower for you.<\/em><\/p>\n

Remembering the Wield Ladak was about to use on Taran, he put his left hand on Ladak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s heart\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n

Gunfire filled the air, and several holes appeared in Ladak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s chest.\u00c2\u00a0 Ladak grunted, and then a third shot shattered his skull, spraying blood into Taran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face.\u00c2\u00a0 Startled, Taran fell onto his back, losing his grip on Angra.<\/p>\n

When he looked up again, Fatimah was striding down the sand dune with a smoking revolver in her hand.\u00c2\u00a0 Then she aimed the gun at Taran.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do I have to kill you, too?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fatimah said in a shaky voice, her eyes welling with tears.<\/p>\n

Taran sat motionless, propped up on his elbows, staring at the surprising figure of Fatimah.\u00c2\u00a0 She held the revolver in both hands pointed at his chest, her stance wide like a trained soldier.\u00c2\u00a0 She must have studied the Shadarlak well.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I saw what you were about to do,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she said, stopping five paces from him.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I had to kill him.\u00c2\u00a0 Or you would have made him a harrower.\u00c2\u00a0 And for the sake of my people and the sake of your soul, I could not let you do it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran closed his eyes and lay on his back.\u00c2\u00a0 I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m every bit the monster Ladak was,<\/em> Taran thought with despair.<\/p>\n

Yes,<\/em> the voice said.\u00c2\u00a0 So take that gun from her and shoot her with it.\u00c2\u00a0 Then wipe out the whole lot of them on the beach.\u00c2\u00a0 They would do it to you…<\/em><\/p>\n

Taran put his hands on his head.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Stop…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Fatimah thought he was talking to her, because she said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I will not.\u00c2\u00a0 You told me just a few days ago that our choices and actions are what define us, not the stations we were born into.\u00c2\u00a0 You are a Zervakan, and that means you can Wield Angra.\u00c2\u00a0 But that also means you can choose not to.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Oh, Fatimah,<\/em> Taran thought, you have too much faith in me.<\/em><\/p>\n

He opened his eyes and stared at her.\u00c2\u00a0 Without raising his hand, he called on Angra, and a flash of the black power surrounded him in an instant.\u00c2\u00a0 Before Fatimah could fire, he blocked the blood flow into her brain, causing her to pass out.\u00c2\u00a0 She fell to the sand in a heap, the gun falling from her hands.<\/p>\n

Taran stood and walked over to her.\u00c2\u00a0 He turned her over so that her face was not in the sand, and then gently picked her up.\u00c2\u00a0 He trudged up the dune, and then placed her in the sand at the top, in plain view of anyone coming from the forest or from the beach path to his right.\u00c2\u00a0 Someone would come soon\u00e2\u20ac\u201dif they were not attracted by the gun shots, then they would surely notice the Angra and Ahura trails that had been Wielded here.\u00c2\u00a0 He removed some hair from her sleeping face.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Good-bye,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said.\u00c2\u00a0 When he heard movement in the woods, he ran into the trees in the opposite direction.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sir,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Captain Laesh shouted to Dylan, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153over here!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Without the long legs of the Shadarlak, Dylan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s jog through the forest was more of a sprint just to keep up with his men.\u00c2\u00a0 At least the low hanging branches were not as much of a problem for him as they were for the Shadarlak.\u00c2\u00a0 Trade-offs,<\/em> he thought.<\/p>\n

When he reached the sandy clearing, he saw Laesh bent over Fatimah on top of a steep sand dune.\u00c2\u00a0 Four Shadarlak stood around him, their eyes scanning the forest.\u00c2\u00a0 Another eight Shadarlak surrounded Dylan.<\/p>\n

Dylan trudged up the dune and stopped before Fatimah.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Is she alive?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes, sir,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Laesh said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No wounds that I can see.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Dylan scanned the clearing and saw Ladak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s body at the bottom of the other side of the dune.\u00c2\u00a0 From the looks of him, he was surely dead, but after the things he had seen the past two months, Dylan was not going to take that for granted.\u00c2\u00a0 He ordered three Shadarlak to train their revolvers on Ladak and fire if he should move.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Any sign of Abraeu?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Dylan asked Laesh.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Not yet, sir,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Laesh said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153There are a lot of tracks about, but we should be able to pick up his trail.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Fatimah took in a sudden breath, and then opened her eyes.\u00c2\u00a0 She blinked several times and squinted up at Laesh.\u00c2\u00a0 She looked confused for a moment, and then her eyes widened.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Taran,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she said.\u00c2\u00a0 She tried sitting up too quickly, and then fell back on her elbows.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Easy, miss,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Laesh said.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Taran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not here,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Dylan said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What happened?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Fatimah told him.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I really thought he was going to kill me,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she said, her eyes brimming.<\/p>\n

A single cannon blast rung out from the ships at Tsall\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s piers.\u00c2\u00a0 There were no other blasts, which meant the ships were calling him back so they could depart.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Captain,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Dylan called out to Laesh, who was conferring with one of his lieutenants at the bottom of the dune.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Abraeu\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s trail?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, sir.\u00c2\u00a0 His footprints end at the edge of the forest here.\u00c2\u00a0 Beyond the tree line…there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s nothing.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Dylan looked at Fatimah.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Can he just…disappear?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Fatimah shook her head.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I do not know the extent of his abilities.\u00c2\u00a0 Maybe.\u00c2\u00a0 I never thought anyone could Wield without raising a hand to one of the rings, but he proved me wrong there.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

She put a hand on Dylan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s arm.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He does not want to be found.\u00c2\u00a0 Perhaps it is best we not look for him.\u00c2\u00a0 My people still want to judge him and they would certainly find him guilty, especially after what I witnessed.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153But isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t he dangerous?\u00c2\u00a0 If what you say happened, should he be allowed to roam free?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Fatimah slowly said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He could have killed me.\u00c2\u00a0 But he did not.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

She stared at him for a few moments, allowing the words to sink in, and Dylan nodded.\u00c2\u00a0 He turned around and said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Captain, we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going back to the ship.\u00c2\u00a0 Recall your men.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes, sir.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Fatimah smiled.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He is the Zervakan.\u00c2\u00a0 He will do the right thing.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Dylan scanned the forest into which Taran had disappeared.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I hope so.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Cover by TJ Lomas. I’m posting a chapter from my latest fantasy novel for free every Monday and Friday (click Zervakan above for a synopsis and to start from the beginning). It’s in a “pre-published state,” meaning you might find the occasional spelling\/grammar mistake. If you do, please leave a comment below or email me […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,28,14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-186","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-free-stuff","category-novels","category-zervakan"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/186","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=186"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/186\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=186"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=186"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=186"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}