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Dinner and a Show
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Empress of the World Disturbance
Aurora cast her gaze across Valiant. While she was not at the highest point in the castle, she towered above the cityscape on a raised walkway. The walkway connected two of the tallest towers and was one of the few additions Zephyra made to the castle during her reign. Aurora could understand why she had done it. The narrow strip gave the sense of flying and reminded the young Empress of her time in the Mystic Spires with the Fates."I thought I might find you here," a friendly voice called.Aurora was pulled from her thoughts as a figure in a black cloak appeared beside her. "Am I that predictable?" she chuckled softly.Zan pushed back his hood to reveal his stunning silver eyes. "I could see your far off look in court this morning, Your Majesty. I felt you slipping away before you ever called a recess."Aurora looked out again at the world before her. Her expression was pained. "So many of them are hurting, Zan. I feel the weight of them on my shoulders.""You bear the burden heroic
Empress of the World Hold onto the Potato
"I do not think that is how the saying goes," Mairwen smiled as she corrected her companion. She and the scientist strolled through the Spring Garden while taking a break from work. Along with the other guards, Eira walked silently behind them, trying to ignore the silly banter going on between the teens.Renat twiddled his thumbs nervously. "Are you sure? That is how I have always heard it.""Say it again, please.""Hold on to the potato," he repeated more cautiously than before."And what does it mean?" The princess asked with a musical laugh."It means do not quit. Keep going forward even when it is hard." The scientist straightened his shoulders. He secretly liked her laughter, but narrowed his gaze in determination."Why would you have a potato in your hand in the first place? And how in the world does holding onto it gain you anything?" Mairwen's face scrunched as she considered his explanation."I do not know," Renat conceded. "What do you say to encourage someone to keep going
Empress of the World Assassins
"Renat!" Mairwen cried as she saw the shaft protruding from his back. "We need help!""I am fine," he responded hoarsely, trying to disentangle himself from the princess.Eira tackled the the sharpshooter to the ground before he could get off another shot, and the two began to tussle with their fists. Brinn took on the blond assassin: her sword against his knife. He gave a dazzling smile before feinting left. The elf swung at him, but he evaded her easily. His blade nicked her right wrist, which only increased his menacing grin."You jerk," she yelled. Her eyes lit with determination. Brinn leapt to an impressive height and came crashing down on her opponent. He never stood a chance.The third assassin barreled toward the couple with his sword drawn. The princess narrowed her eyes at him. Since returning from the garrison, Brinn had been honing Mairwen's fighting. "You've been slacking. You must be able to defend yourself," the elf had said. Now the princess was glad for the extra tra
Empress of the World To Oblivion
To say the males were impressed by the water nymph's stamina would be an understatement. The nymph, who they discovered was named Wai, could continue to move without stopping for hours on end. She did not seem to need to sleep or eat, but did take short rests when the other creatures needed it. As a result, they headed southeast at a near impossible pace.As the days passed, Alaron viewed the situation with resignation. Even if he escaped now, he was smart enough to know that he had no way to survive the wilderness on his own. When he was not sulking, he was complaining. Every part of him hurt and they needed to know about it. Especially the cut on his arm."It hurts," he griped. "I think it is infected. Are you sure your blade was not poisoned?""For the hundredth time in the last two days, I did not poison my sword. I would never do such a thing. It is despicable." Devrim was growing tired of the boy's attitude."I would like to remind His Highness that he injured the Emperor, and o
Empress of the World Danger
"That should do it," the Emperor announced.Alaron stood with his hair tucked under a borrowed woolen cap, a cape too short for him, and mud caked on his face. The boy lifted his bound hands to his cheek. "I feel like a fool," the prince moaned."Then stop acting like one," Gandr retorted before realizing he had spoken aloud. "Sorry, Your Highness…even though it is true," he muttered his half-apology.The Emperor held a cloth in his hand. "Don't bite me." He narrowed his eyes at the prince."Can we talk about this? How about if I promise…" the rest of his words were muffled as he received the gag."Nothing you could promise would be helpful just now. People may want to free you or kill you based on who you are and I do not need that added worry." Devrim tied the cloth firmly behind Alaron's head. He turned to Fedelmid and Ashleigh. "Please lead the way.""I recommend you say as little as possible until we are inside Oblivion's walls," the duchess advised the group. "My guards will be
Empress of the World Hospitality
Eventually their hearing returned well enough for the group to talk again. After seeing yet another terrifying thing that Alaron could do, his hands were retied. His mouth, however, was no longer gagged. It was unnecessary since the soldiers now knew the prince's identity.As they came in view of Oblivion, Ashleigh sidled up beside Devrim. "So the rumors about His Highness are true?" she commented quietly so that the boy would not hear."Depending on the rumor, it may actually be worse than you heard," the Emperor responded with a shrug. "If you do not want us to enter the city, I will respect your wishes."Duchess Ashleigh thought for a moment. "No, he has shown us a way to deal with the Monster. We at least owe him room to sleep in and a meal in his belly for his help.""How long has that…thing been bothering you?" The Emperor wanted to know. He had seen no reports on the matter."Tales of it have been spreading for years. At first incidents only came from the far north, but recentl
Empress of the World A Journey Home
The room fell deadly quiet as the male servant backed away slowly, refusing to make eye contact. "Parvan, what is the meaning of this?" Fedelmid asked. He motioned for the guards along the wall to apprehend the shifty servant. The Duke had noticed the strange plate switch and was going to mention it when Devrim spoke first. The Duchess's face was a mix of concern and confusion."Why did the prince need that particular dish for his dinner?" The Emperor asked in a commanding voice.The servant stuttered, "I-I do not understand, Your M-Majesty." His knees were quaking."Do not lie to The Emperor, Parvan!" Ashleigh screeched. She knew her servants well enough to tell when they were hiding something, and the thought of them doing anything to the royal family made her blood boil.On the other hand, Devrim was completely calm. He even allowed himself a slight smile. "It is alright, Your Grace. There is an easy way to clear up this matter."Parvan relaxed slightly. Perhaps it has really been
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
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