LOGINShare
A Son's Deception
Last Updated:
2022-02-23 21:19:21Cafer was impatient to reach the palace and traveled mostly underground to reach his destination. With his ground-crimping magic, he was able to arrive at the palace in less than a week, but he was utterly exhausted and drained of his power. He decided to find an inn for the night and regroup.
The gnome laid down in the fluffy bed and felt much of the angst leave his body. The other gnomes made fun of Cafer for his love of soft linen, but he had experienced perfection, and nothing else could compare. The others of his kind made their beds among the rocks. It was less than ideal.
Cafer pulled the mirror from his belt and checked to see if it was glowing. It was just as well that it was not. The prince and he had already made arrangements to meet the following evening. For now he would rest; tomorrow he would find the entrance to the Storehouse.
———————-
"You have been under a lot of stress. Have dinner with me toni
Related chapters
Empress of the World The Storehouse
"It is good to see you, my son," Cafer said as the boy entered the tunnel."Uncle Cafer!" Alaron embraced his mentor."Quick, close the entrance." The gnome pulled the door shut before the boy could react."But it is dark. How will we see?" The boy was worried until the light was shut out and his eyes adjusted to the glowstone. "Wow, that is amazing! Who built these tunnels, and how do they glow?"Cafer touched the wall gently. "The Fates built these walls and imbued them with magic stone."Alaron rolled his eyes upward. "Not you too! Mother mentions magic in hushed tones, but I know it isn't real. Don't treat me like a child and use fairy tales to explain things to me."Cafer was caught off guard. They had never had a discussion on magic, which now seemed strange. "You do know I am a gnome. I have told you such. I come from the land of magic. That is where I have been hiding these last many years. It is the reason your mother has not been a
Last Updated : 2022-02-25Empress of the World A Dinner for Two
Cafer and Alaron returned to the glowstone, and the entrance to the Storehouse disappeared."Do you know the way back to your mother's room?" Cafer asked."Yes, I can find it. What will you do?" Alaron was surprised to find the gnome would not make the return trip with him."I have some things to take care of. I will contact you with the mirror soon. It has been wonderful to see you in person after so long." Cafer patted Alaron on the shoulder."Good to see you too, Uncle Cafer. I wish you well."They parted ways. Cafer scurried quickly to check on the Royal couple. Having viewed the dinner preparations earlier in the evening, the gnome wanted to see if he could glean any new information by eavesdropping. Silently he approached the one-way window. From his vantage point, the couple seemed happy enough. The gnome fought the urge to open the wall and kill them both.But after his last murder attempt on the balcony, a visit from the Fates warne
Last Updated : 2022-02-27Empress of the World To Catch a Thief
Devrim and Aurora rushed down the hall with their growing entourage, taking turns giving orders."Call out the guard. We have reason to believe that Cafer has infiltrated the palace. Bring me a map and I can tell you some places to look." Devrim said."Find Anna, she has my necklace. I need it." Aurora ordered."Junayd, check my room and secure it." The Emperor called."Someone get Nurlan. He is packing to leave, but I need him now." The Empress was in a full out run. "Has anyone seen Alaron?""No, Your Majesty," a servant answered. They came to the boy's chamber, and Aurora burst into the room. It was empty."Alaron! Alaron!" Aurora frantically searched. Having been summoned, Lady Anna pushed through the knot of people to get to her mistress."Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!" Anna fell to her knees and held out a copper chain."What is this?" Aurora was too worried about her son to comprehend what she was
Last Updated : 2022-02-28Empress of the World Interrogation
"To whom are you calling for help?" Aurora asked sharply. She hoped that his quick answer would be the most honest."Blazing bees! You scared me!" Alaron yelled.Devrim hauled the boy to his feet by his collar. "Answer your mother's question."The prince realized he had probably been calling to Cafer for help, but there was no way he would admit that. "Anyone! It was just a reaction. It happened so fast and I was not sure who had grabbed me."Aurora did not believe him, but had no proof to the contrary. Instead, she directed all of them to sitting room. They made Alaron sit on a cushioned sofa, while the rest stood hovering around him. Alaron could not help but feel intimidated.The Empress addressed the broad-shouldered soldier. "Junayd, call off the search for the prince, but continue to look for intruders. If Gandr is outside, as I suspect he is, send him in.""Yes your Majesty," Junayd bowed and left."Intruders?" Alaron was
Last Updated : 2022-03-01Empress of the World The Arguement
"What exactly are we looking for?" Brinn asked as they entered the Prince's chambers."It's only a hunch, but I think we are looking for a magic mirror," Gandr responded."That sounds very specific to be only a hunch." Brinn raised her eyebrows. She glanced around, deciding where to start searching."Well, Cafer and I used to communicate through two magic mirrors. Mine disappeared after I was stabbed by that selfish gnome. I thought Zan took it without knowing what it was, but he firmly denies having seen it. If Cafer took it, then it makes sense that he could have given it to the prince." Gandr pulled back the pillows of the couch and peeked below the chairs. "They use very low level magic, and Cafer believed that even the Fates could not detect it.""If what you say is correct, then Alaron and Cafer could have been talking for years without anyone knowing." Brinn rifled through a cabinet."That is my assumption, yes." Gandr stepped back. "If you
Last Updated : 2022-03-02Empress of the World An Escape and An Intrusion
Leaving the palace from the closer exit, Cafer came out and mingled among the people as quickly as he could. There was a decent crowd in the streets as workers headed home and young children played in the streets.Suddenly soldiers appeared in the avenue. They headed directly for the alley from whence Cafer had just come. They were obviously looking for him. The gnome moved quickly down the road as more troops appeared and began to question those in the streets. He needed to get out but turning the corner revealed a blockade. The gnome was cornered.Cafer bumped into a woman with long flowing hair. She was too distracted by the soldiers to notice him. "Excuse me!" The woman said as she passed on. Thinking quickly, Cafer grabbed at a strand of her hair. It broke from the woman's head and remained in his hand as she hurried down the way. Cafer took the bracelet from his pouch and held it to the bracelet. Concealing the bangle in his cloak, the gnome shielded the bracelet
Last Updated : 2022-03-03Empress of the World Lover Boy and Princess
"Why didn't you tell me about the tunnels?" Alaron asked his twin as they walked back toward his suite."It was only a theory until tonight. You do not like it when I give you a theory without proof. More importantly, why didn't you tell me about Cafer?" Mairwen countered."I knew you would tell our parents. And if you didn't , I didn't want you to feel the guilt." Although the twins had different interests and hopes for their future, they had an abiding love for each other that not even Cafer could hope to destroy.They arrived at the prince's chambers. "Do you need me to stay until you fall asleep?" The princess said as she put a hand on his door."No, I'm sure the guards will keep me company tonight." Alaron gave a sidelong glance at the detail of soldiers behind them who were pretending to ignore them."Fair enough. No more secrets, brother.""You know I cannot promise that," Alaron said seriously. He would rather be honest and hurt her
Last Updated : 2022-03-04Empress of the World Jewelry
"Of course." Brinn slipped the ring on her finger. It was thin and silver, barely catching small amount of light from the morning sun. It would alert her if anyone tried to enter the tunnels unannounced."Speaking of jewelry, I have been mulling over what to do with the ruby necklace that Cafer blessed us with." Rest had served the Empress well. She was no longer the emotional wreck from the night before. Instead, she was calm and collected."We could just destroy it," Devrim offered. He would like to be rid of it as fast as possible."That would be my inclination too," Aurora agreed, "And we should try that first. But I do not think it will be that simple.""Magical things are tricky beasts. They follow their own set of rules." Brinn had been in some sticky situations with magical objects. She knew too well how fickle they could be."If we cannot get rid of it, we need to find a way to store it. We may have to make some space in the container wher
Last Updated : 2022-03-05
Latest chapter
Empress of the World Be Better
Alaron told the Empress his story. She was amazed by his words. However, it made his altered appearance make sense. His white hair had been gained by meeting the Maker while visiting the Mystic Spires, and his now silver eyes were earned in answer to his call."A Guardian," the Empress mused. "It is a high honor."The young man lowered his head humbly. "Not an honor I deserve, but one I will try to be worthy of.""But…it has been a year since all this happened." Aurora looked at him with a thousand questions in her eyes.Alaron nodded. "The Fates thought it best if I remained gone for a time. Let the world begin to heal. I spent the last year among the Fates in the Mystic Spires and got to know some of them quite well. But I knew that my time there had come to an end, and before I could return to take my place as a Guardian to help mend the world, I needed to mend our family first. That is, if you will forgive me." He bowed low again. "Will you?"There was a king painful silence. So l
Empress of the World What Happened?
The voice of the figure was one etched deep in Aurora's memory. It was almost as familiar to her as her own. It was the voice of a ghost now, yet the figure before her she was sure was flesh and bone."Clear the throne room," the Empress ordered.Nurlan stood behind her close to the throne with his hand resting lightly on his sword. "Your Majesty?" he asked, uncomprehending."Everyone out except him," she motioned to the cloaked man. "You may stay, Nurlan, if it eases your mind. And see if someone can find Hanna."The general quickly went to work. With the help of the other attending soldiers, every soul was removed from the room except the Empress, Nurlan and the mysterious figure. The man waited patiently, seemingly unconcerned with the flurry of activity his few words had caused.Aurora took a deep breath. While the figure had allowed them to be alone, she was still slightly scared that he might disappear at any time. "What forgiveness do you seek?""I seek the forgiveness of the
Empress of the World That Voice
"Wake up! Rise and shine, Your Majesty!" Hanna said cheerily as she threw back the thick curtain that blocked the balcony. Light streamed into Aurora's bedchamber, but the woman pulled the covers over her head like a child. "You're back," the Empress groaned in a muffled voice. "I think it is sweet that you think I actually ever leave these days. Now get up!" Hanna yanked the covers back, but Aurora held on tightly. "Go away!" The stubborn woman wouldn't even open her eyes. She would not let the Fate win. "Where are my ladies-in-waiting?" "Anna, Bella and Candela are busy." Hanna answered unapologetically. "And my husband?" "He took over your very important duties and told everyone to let you sleep. It is a good thing I do not answer to him." Hanna fluttered her eyelashes innocently, but of course, Aurora did not see. Sensing the Fate would not give up her chipper attitude, Aurora pulled the only card she had left. It was, in the end, what made her unwilling to get out of bed "
Empress of the World One Final Song
With slow progress, the prisoners and the victorious army headed for Valiant. Since the city was still empty of human citizens, there was no fanfare or grand welcome for them. That was fine; they were all just happy to be one step closer to being home.Only a small skirmish awaited the Imperial Army from those left behind. The palace was easily reclaimed without the catastrophic results of the last battle fought there. The sight of the large human force in the wrong shade of blue made the gnomes flee immediately, and those left of the ill-named New Emperor's Army only put up minimal resistance.The servants on the inside of the palace, seeing their rescuers in sight, freed those in the dungeon and set off a myriad of traps and clever devices that had been left behind by the scientist but never deployed.One such device covered the unlucky recipient in a slimy goo that made them slip and slide, never able to stand in that area again. Renat was thoroughly chastened for it later and force
Empress of the World Together
Brinn hurried to Ithel and her father in the corner of the tent. Out of respect for the king, Zoltan had a curtain hung around him, so it was only natural that Aurora had not spotted him and Ithel earlier."Father, I thought you were dead!" Brinn said a she rounded the partition. Her face went from hopeful to grim."I may yet be," Zoltan answered with a gentle smile. "However, the unicorns think I shall live, even if I am not exactly whole."Zoltan's body from the waist up seemed normal enough, but his lower half and legs looked horribly wrong. His legs and feet twisted awkwardly, and his pelvis was much flatter than it should be. The boulder from the giant had done irreparable damage."Oh Father!" Brinn eyes were wide with fear."It is not as bad as it looks. Well, maybe it is, but I do not feel any pain." The king received a cup of water from a servant. With Ithel's help, he sat up slightly to drink. The elven princess just stared, not knowing what to say or how to comfort her fathe
Empress of the World Alive!
Brinn used her keen hearing to listen for her husband as she scanned the carnage of the battlefield. Alvar was many things, but quiet was not one of them. She was sure that with enough patience, she would hear the elf she was searching for.Along the ground, some fairies were popping in and gathering up the wounded and taking them to the healers. Other fairies had the more difficult task of collecting the dead. Separately she passed by elves who were still gathering the gnomes in groups to hold them until the peace talks were complete.It was amazing how quickly things had been organized. Brinn realized that these plans must have been made before the battle began because neither the fairies nor elves seemed to need direction or supervision.Even more amazing was the new King of the Gnomes. The timid, mousey gnome that Brinn had witnessed at the palace when she was pretending to be Mairwen was gone. The difference was night and day.Lukoss was walking around and ordering his new subjec
Empress of the World More Time
Justum considered her words. "I cannot control how you feel," he answered at last. "But the victory is yours. It is over. We will leave you to your tasks."Aurora stared past him with empty eyes. He was right about one thing. It was over.Turning to his fellow Fate, Justum held out his hand. "Your mission is complete, I assume," he said with an arched brow. "Either way, your banishment is over. Will you be coming back with us?"Hanna smiled demurely, "As welcoming that invitation was…" Her face changed to be one of concern as she looked at Aurora. "Now that I am permitted to see the Empress, I shall stay a while to make sure things run smoothly."Expecting an argument, Aurora was surprised when Justum simply nodded. "I understand."He turned to the fiery-haired woman and bowed respectfully. "Farewell, Your Majesty. May the rest of your reign be a peaceful one.""Thank you," Aurora curtsied, her years of training taking over. She then moved forward toward the Fate holding her son.Just
Empress of the World The Seal is Broken
The entire company of the Fates exited through the celestial portal and filled the sky with their terrifying presence. Their light magic emanating from them was oppressive even to the other magical creatures.As soon as Hanna grabbed the Empress's arm, Aurora blinked and was instantly across the field beside the slowly waking Cafer. The Fate slapped the magic blocking cuffs on the gnome and stepped back as he came to his senses.Cafer grabbed his head, unsure of what had happened. The last thing he remembered was being blasted by a light before everything went dark.He had seen, but been unable to process, the source of the light on the other side of the battlefield. Whatever it was had power beyond anything he had ever seen.As he opened his eyes, he was greeted with a reproachful look from his least favorite Fate. He instinctively tried to use his earth magic to repel Hanna. That is when he noticed the cuffs on his wrists. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded as he stood to hi
Empress of the World Deliverance
Mairwen and Nurlan had finished dispensing with the leprechauns and were monitoring the capture of the dark blue troops. Minor skirmishes were going on here and there, but overall the New Emperor's army had surrendered."I want to know how Mother and Father are doing," the princess told the general. They both glanced behind them and toward the sea. They could see neither of the battles clearly. However, they could hear the sounds of war wafting over the Beachy plains and see that at least some of the ships were still floating in the sea. The Emperor and Empress still had work to do."A fairy will come and get you once it is safe," Nurlan assured her. "Until then, we will stay put."Mairwen sighed and bit the inside of her cheek. "The waiting is harder than the battling."Not wanting to contradict the princess, Nurlan shrugged. "The time certainly seems to go slower when nothing is happening," he mused.Listening quietly, Eira was glad for the moment of peace. There were far too few of
