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A Wedding...and a Funeral
The gathering room looked gorgeous with cascades of red roses and wild indigo flowers adorning each tapestry and stone bench. On the podium stood Justum wearing a white robe, and Nurlan and Junayd in a copy of their soldiers' uniforms in crimson. Amid them in the center, Devrim, wearing a royal blue cape, white and gold tunic and blue and gold trousers, waited for his bride. As Aurora strode down the aisle, the Fates attending the ceremony stood.
Aurora held tightly to Zan's arm as she walked down the aisle. It all seemed surreal, and she hoped it was not just a fantastic dream. The scent of the bouquet in her arms, which matched those flowers on the wall, comforted her that this was real. When they reached the marriage altar, Devrim descended the platform to meet them. His face was one of pure wonder as he beheld his bride. Zan took the Empress's hand and gave it to the eager young man.
"Devrim," Zan said sternly to catch the boy's attention. His face was grim and for
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Empress of the World Returning Home
Aurora stretched in bed as light beamed in the window only to realize that there were arms wrapped firmly around her. The room she was in was not her own, and a brief panic overcame her as she tried to remember how she had gotten to this point. The memories came all at once, and the proof that it was not just a beautiful dream lay beside her. She cuddled back under the covers for a time, but eventually the thoughts of the day overpowered her calm. Stretching again to relieve the tension in her back, she got up to prepare to leave.As she exited the bath and got dressed, Devrim came in groggily. "I had no idea you were such an early riser." Travelling on the road had been rough and sleep patterns had been tentative at best."Get used to it, dear husband," she said with affection. "We have a big day ahead of us. It is time to return home."The others met them in the common area between the male and female quarters. They all had their packs and were ready to go. "H
Empress of the World Into the Passageway
Aurora found an extreme pleasure in the wonder that the soldiers expressed when they entered the glow-stone passage. 'This is how Hanna must feel when she reveals something to us,' she thought. She smiled smugly. Unaware of what normal human structures looked like, Brinn and Alvar were eyeing the passage as if it were a normal occurrence, and Zan and Gandr, having already used the tunnels to escape once, were only mildly surprised."I knew it," the Guardian muttered under his breath.Devrim heard him. "Knew what?""When I told you about the secret passages out of the castle, neither you nor Her Majesty even blinked. You have been here before!" Zan lifted his finger to punctuate his revelation."Many times, Zan. One of our hobbies has been to explore all these passages. They go to every room." Devrim put his hand on Zan's shoulder and smiled."What is this? I have been in the Council's meeting room and I have never seen this window." Nurlan gently t
Empress of the World Gathering Information
Nurlan and Junayd wandered through the tunnels, using their memory of the layout inside the palace. While they had both stood guard inside the Castle Valiant many times, they had not been inside in months, and their lack of practice showed."This way," Junayd insisted."We need to go up a level and then past the officers' quarters." Nurlan argued.The men stopped and squabbled for a moment. They used their chalk to draw on the stone floor and recreate the castle's floor plan. Finally they agreed and set off again at a more determined pace. When they reached the armory, many soldiers were selecting weapons and donning armor.Nurlan was surprised that he didn't seem to recognize any of them. "Do you see anyone that you know?" He asked Junayd in a low voice.The young soldier began to shake his head and then his eyes widened. "There! There is Captain Caleb. I don't see any of his men though. How can that be possible?"Nurlan pulled at his chin.
Empress of the World Forming a Plan
The others waited as Nurlan and Junayd were the last to arrive. To be fair, they had the least idea what they were doing and the furthest to go. Aurora smiled graciously as they joined the small circle. "Sorry Your Majesty," they bowed humbly.She waved off their apology, and they began the exchange of information. "The children are safe," Devrim said gently. "But Cafer has convinced the boy to dissolve the Council. Mairwen was as plucky as ever, but Cafer mostly ignored her.""Just as well," Aurora said. "If he considered her a real threat, he would have tried to kill her too."Zan told of Anna, Ezer and Birger. The Guardian had gone to the other Councilmen's rooms as well, but all of them were conveniently missing. When the Guardian told them of the Blue Guard, Nurlan confirmed that he had seen them. "Nasty looking buggers, and I would not doubt for a second that some of them are gnomes. They are led by some bully human lowlife named Ledford."Devrim an
Empress of the World A Plan in Motion
Following the chalk markings, Gandr returned quickly. "Everything went smoothly," he told the Empress.Aurora thanked him and turned to Zan. "This is where we part ways, Chief. Sow doubt among my people towards Cafer if you can, but most of all, keep them safe." Zan was proud of the Empress he served. She always put the well-being of others first."Be careful, Your Majesty. Cafer will not play fair." The Guardian placed his hand on Devrim's shoulder. "I know His Majesty will have your back. Together you will succeed." The couple was young but resilient. If anyone could succeed against magical creatures making a coup, it was them.While they spoke, Gandr left and returned with Birger. The red-headed Councilman wore a smug expression. "Your Majesty," he said as he bowed, "I waded my bedding like I am still there. They likely won't discover I'm gone until it's too late.""Are you ready?" Gandr asked the Guardian."I am." Zan released his grip on the E
Empress of the World It's a Trick
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Empress of the World Battle on the Stairs
Cafer stood on the balcony for some time looking at the people below. The crowd was loud and it was giving him a headache, but he could not shake the ominous feeling that he was missing something. Having sent word with the new Blue Guard gnomes, King Baak claimed that he had captured the Empress. Cafer knew how cruel the gnome king was, and he did not envy Aurora her fate. She would have been better off dead.But Anna going missing bothered the Chief deep down. He needed her body as a substitute for Aurora—he couldn't wait for Baak to return whatever actually remained of the Empress— and he was impatient to have the whole matter dealt with. To pass the time and ease his mind, he eyed the crowd carefully looking for trouble. Ledford appeared at his side, taking his attention. "Report," the councilman said."Everything is under control, Chief." Ledford said with arrogant confidence. He was used to things going his way."It better be," Cafer hissed. "Be
Empress of the World Securing the Little Royals
The guards on the long balcony were all facing toward the crowd in search of trouble. As they were not highly-trained, seasoned soldiers, they had succumbed to the boredom of inaction and most of them were only half paying attention.With minimal effort, Aurora, Birger, Brinn and Alvar snuck behind the tiered seats of the Council. The two rows of six seats each were only partially filled, but the platform on which they were seated provided ample cover for the four allies. Aurora peeked out tentatively, and spotted Mairwen and Alaron on the opposite side of the balcony in thrones with beautiful crowns weighing down their young heads. Aurora's stomach clenched. Mairwen was looking directly at her. The young girl never missed anything that went on around her, and she had been the only one to see the movement of the humans and elves. Unfortunately, the girl was too far away to speak to about what they had planned.Mairwen watched as her mother brought her finger to her lip
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