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A Journey Home
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Empress of the World A Message?
Renat sat on a bench watching the princess and Brinn spar on the training ground with some interest. Despite being ordered not to be a nursemaid, Mairwen repeatedly tried to take charge of the poor scientist's care.This was his first time out of bed since the incident, and the princess had arranged a great multitude of pillows to be arranged such that the boy could recline and watch her. At least, she claimed she wanted him to watch her practice. Really, Mairwen wanted to keep an eye on her foolish rescuer.Renat liked the attention, but thought the pillows were a little overboard. He adjusted himself for the hundredth time against their softness. His left shoulder and arm were in a sling, which made it harder to get comfortable. But the scientist put on a brave face. He smiled and nodded each time Mairwen looked his way."Stop looking at that idiot and focus, or I will send him away." Brinn hit the girl with the broad side of her practice sword. "These soldiers here may go easy on y
Empress of the World A Day in the Life
The morning at court dragged more slowly than any the Empress could remember. After a poor night of sleep trying to decipher her husband's message, Aurora was exhausted.Each supplicant brought their request or complaint. Some brought gifts. One gentleman actually sang a song that he wrote about the glories of the Valiant Empire. He hoped to be admitted to the royal players."…glory, glory, GLOOOORY to the Valiant Empire. glory, glory, GLOOOORY to the Empress." He sang in a low baritone.Aurora rubbed her temple gently while smiling as big as she could. What the man lacked in creativity, he made up for in vibrato. The Empress gave him an application and sent him to her musical director. It was the least she could do.Her afternoon was filled with Council meetings. The bird's message was formally relayed. Zan spoke of the shortcomings of the bird system and as a group they discussed solutions."What if we tattoo the birds' feet so we we know where they came from?" Birger suggested."Bu
Empress of the World Delayed News
Bella and Candela prepared the sitting room for Aurora's arrival early the next morning. They had gone to sleep early also, and expected that the Empress would be wide awake at the crack of dawn and hungry. When she did not show up or even call for them, they became concerned."General Nurlan, have you seen Her Majesty recently?" Bella asked politely.Nurlan, who had rested in a chair next to the bedchamber door for most of the night, shook his head. "I have not seen her since the middle of the night.""We should wake her, or at least check on her," Candela suggested. "She will be needed at court in an hour.""I do no think that her Majesty will be attending court today," Nurlan disagreed. "She has other matters to attend to," he added with a mysterious grin."What nonsense are you spouting, General? Her Majesty never shirks her duties unless she is ill. Wait, is she sick?" Candela was suddenly worried."No, my lady, she is not sick," Nurlan chuckled."Then she must be woken." Candela
Empress of the World Control
Despite her strong exterior, inside Aurora was breaking. She had known that Alaron would not be very pleased at being forcibly brought home, but Nanny's words still stung. "Alaron does not want to see you." The sentence crashed around inside her mind, chipping at her nerves.As she walked down the hall and through the palace, the Empress tried to think of what she would say to the boy. Aurora had a million and one things that she wanted to tell him. They ranged from anger at his actions to fear for his life to joy that he was back safely. But none of them seemed appropriate just now.The dungeon was cold and drafty even in the summer. A thoughtful servant brought Aurora a shawl as she entered the stone prison. Taking a deep breath, the Empress walked quickly through the hall. Although her prison was cleaner than most, it still smell of unwashed bodies and others unmentionable odors. "See to it that these people get a chance to clean themselves," Aurora told the prison guard as she tri
Empress of the World Omission
Inside the small room, Aurora cried wholeheartedly. Tears seemed unending, but like anything else, they eventually ceased. She sighed, letting the calm overtake her as her queenly mask was put back in place.After regaining her composure, the Empress allowed Devrim to fill her in with all the adventures he experienced on his trip. The boatman, the gnomes, the duel, the escape, the water nymph, the Monster, Oblivion and even the food poisoning. The Empress listened as if she were hearing the tale of an epic ancient hero. Only the mention of names grounded her in his tale. She was surprised by the mention of Ashleigh and Fedelmid, but pleased by their help. But it was the attempted murder of her son that angered her the most."I cannot let that stand any more than I could let the assassination attempt on Mairwen go unpunished." Aurora said through gritted teeth. It upset her deeply that someone would act so contrary to her wishes on her behalf. In her fit of emotion, Aurora did not noti
Empress of the World Healing Water
Brinn was correct, and the doctor was indeed seeking the royals out. As he met them in the hall, his face was very grim. "My news is not good," the physician began."They know the prince is dying," Brinn interrupted."What?!?" a voice from a hidden alcove screamed."Mairwen, honey, come here," Aurora called gently. "I really should teach you my hiding skills." The Empress hugged the girl tightly. Tears were already streaming down Mairwen's pale cheeks.The princess had attempted to enter her twin's room earlier, but was denied. In her heart, she knew something was wrong beyond just her brother's actions. But the blue-eyed girl never suspected death to be an option for one so young."I am afraid the spymaster is right. I cannot explain all the damage he has suffered, but it is excessive. I am amazed that he can function as well as he is." The doctor gave his diagnosis."The damage was done by his practicing magic. I saw it more than once with my own eyes. Prince Alaron could not help
Empress of the World What Now?
Alaron's body shook violently as Aurora, Devrim, their guards, and Brinn raced into the room. Nurlan and Devrim held down the boy to keep him from hurting himself, while Junayd went to fetch the doctor.The convulsions went on for a minute before the prince went completely still. If not for his breathing, those present would have assumed he was dead."What happened?" Mairwen asked, horrified. She had promised her brother healing, and had instead brought terrifying tremors.Brinn watched him, wondering the same thing. She had seen many humans, including most of those in the room, drink the water with no negative side effects. The doctor had been using the water too and had not mentioned anything like this."I think perhaps the magic did not want to leave his body peacefully. Or maybe the damage was so bad, that his body fought the treatment," the elf tried to make sense of what she was seeing.Closing her eyes, Brinn used her wind magic to listen to the prince as she had before. His he
Empress of the World The Key
Aurora was certain it was night, yet the place where she found herself was bright as day. Everything around her was alabaster and pristine. The high arched ceilings gave the tower room an austere look, and the silence was profound. Running her finger along the windowsill, Aurora sensed another presence in the room."I thought we were done with visions," the Empress said with a sigh. She recognized the place as a room in the Mystic Spires, but clearly the room was only a dream.Hanna appeared next to her with a neutral expression. Even her colorless irises seemed void of life. "My options for reaching you are becoming increasingly limited as the events draw near." Her lack of smile made Aurora tense. She much preferred a smiling Fate to an emotionless one."What do you mean? What events?" The woman's throat felt so dry that the words almost would not come."Prince Alaron is tearing the world apart, just as I warned." the Fate was not gloating, she was mourning."If you have come to tel
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