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Dizzying Heights
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Empress of the World Meeting with the Maker
Aurora was home in the Castle Valiant dressed in a gown of blue and gold. She looked around the Spring Garden and sighed. It was a perfect day and the weather could not have been more stunning."What a cruel dream!" The dark-haired woman cried to herself. "For I want nothing more than to be at home.""I was wanting to make you feel comfortable, Young Empress," a deep, rich voice answered her.The events of a moment ago came back to Aurora. She had fallen into the pool at the top of the Mystic Spires and been transported here. That could only mean…The woman fell to her knees and pressed her face to the floor before The Maker. "Forgive me. I did not mean to offend." Her whole body trembled involuntarily.The voice chuckled. "You do not need to apologize. I would not have made humans with their own opinions if I could not handle them. Please sit, Aurora."The Maker spoke with such fatherly tenderness that Aurora moved to a stone bench in the main part of the garden. She could not explai
Empress of the World The Challenge
Mairwen stared at the Cheiftain's son. "I accept your challenge," she stated again, "on the condition that the trial by combat be against targets and not each other."Timur nodded. "I think that is a wise compromise. I do not want you to get hurt.""Nor do I wish to hurt you. You are far more valuable to your father and men if I leave you in one piece." The blue-eyed girl gave a bright smile and an encouraging nod. Her confidence made Timur pause. It did not help that those on her side of the tent were hiding their grins at her words.'It is just a mind game,' Timur reasoned. "I am the challenger, therefore you can pick the type of challenge," he offered graciously."That's very kind. If it is all the same to you, an archery competition will suit me just fine." Mairwen held her poise even when Timur smiled broadly."You have chosen poorly. You think the stories of the Warrior Princess will scared me into submission, but it will not work. No one is that good of a shot." The young man c
Empress of the World The Assassin
Hemel had tracked his way to the Southern Fort even after running into the gnomes who had abandoned it. They claimed that they had sent the humans into the desert to die, and Hemel was eager to confirm their kills.But after finding only a few makeshift graves that were hastily dug, Hemel grew suspicious that most of the fugitives were likely alive. The assassin was not sad. Instead, he was excited for the thrill of the chase.Like a deranged predator, Hemel wanted his unsuspecting prey to suffer a little before finishing them off. He rode his stolen horse further into the desert knowing his targets could not have gone far.His hunt was cut slightly short as a leprechaun pointed him in the right direction. Pesky devil! No matter, it would not affect the overall outcome. Coming upon two ladies in the desert one morning, Hemel stopped to observe them practicing archery. One was clearly a soldier, yet the other, whose face was wrapped to block out the sun's heat, was the one who was sho
Empress of the World A Father's Revelation
Devrim started in horror at the scene before him. Mairwen's dress was torn, exposing part of her leg. Her head covering was ripped and thrown to one side and a dark cloak was now draped across her shoulders. However, that was not the most disturbing part. She had her arms firmly wrapped around a handsome young man who Devrim did not not fully recognize. It was only when both Eira and Nurlan called the boy's name that recognition began to sink in."Wait, THAT is Renat?" Devrim yelled in astonishment. "B-b-but that is the servant boy who was supposed to serve the scientist," he stammered.Nurlan shook his head. "That is the scientist himself, Your Majesty. He has endured much to be here.""But the scientist is old. I am sure of it..." Those soldiers around him began to chuckle. Of course they had the courtesy to cover their grins behind coughs and yawns, but it was not enough. The Emperor turned red. "All of you knew?! Why did no one tell me?""Her Majesty was waiting for the right time
Empress of the World Mirror Messages
It took some time for Devrim to receive the response to his sarcastic communication. He was beginning to wonder if he had been too harsh, but the frustration he felt made him refuse to send a second message to apologize.Nurlan and Junayd were in the Emperor's tent with him. Everyone else was too busy getting the new arrivals situated in the camp. Mairwen and Renat had gone to change and clean up in the proper areas, leaving the three men alone."Renat is a good lad, though a bit awkward." Nurlan had finished recounting the events from the palace until now. He told of the dragons leaving, prison, Brinn and Alvar and even of Alaron letting them leave. Devrim had listened closely and even wrote down a few things that he thought were of particular importance.Now that Nurlan was finished, he felt obligated to put in a good word for Renat after all his effort. "Renat has been dead-set on stopping the assassin ever since Hemel escaped the palace. He even asked me to train him so that he wo
Empress of the World Mirror Messages II
Just then there was a disturbance at the flap of the tent. A servant escorted in Renat and quickly left without a word. Upon seeing the loving scene between father and daughter, the scientist averted his eyes. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I was told you wanted to see me.""He apologizes a lot," Mairwen whispered into Devrim's ear.The Emperor hid his smile and ignored the intruder. "You should get ready for the feast tonight, Mairwen. Orhan has been curing the meat since we arrived. It should rival even the royal kitchens!"Mairwen made one last silent plea with her eyes and then sighed. Passing Renat on her way out of the tent, she made an apology of her own. "I am sorry," she said, leaving the boy as confused as ever.Renat bowed before the Emperor. "I am sorry for the ripped clothes of the princess. That was all due to the assassin. Please believe I would never..."Devrim cut him off. "I am aware of what has happened. I have received your account as well as the princess's from my sol
Empress of the World A Dance or Two
Because wood was scarce in the desert, other sources of fuel were used to create the bonfires for the evening's feast. The acrid smell could not dampen the excitement of those who danced and sang in time to the music.Mairwen was clad in a dress of purple with silver trim. Orhan's wife had made it especially for the princess, and the effect was magnificent. The fire played off the silver thread, giving the girl the appearance of flickering starlight along the fitted bodice. On anyone else, the dress would have outshone the girl, but the princess rivaled its beauty in every way.The feast was meant to honor the princess and Emperor, as well as to mark the upcoming Fate's Dilemma. Orhan has spared no expense when it came to the festivities. And his people, who had graciously accepted all the extra visitors, were happy for the change. Even Timur attended with his small band of followers, but they made sure to situate themselves far enough away not to cause any trouble.Seated between Orh
Empress of the World Confession
Renat chuckled softly. "Funny you should ask, because..." He was unable to finish his sentence.Like some devilish imp, the music reached its climax, causing the group to spin at a dizzying speed. Out of nowhere, Metehan's two daughters appeared with their partners and the four surrounded the princess and scientist."What--"The quartet held their scarves over Renat and Mairwen, making a cross that lowered between the couple. They spun counter to the pair wrapping their long scarves around the two until they were entwined together. It all happened so fast, that Renat did not understand what was occurring until he was pressed firmly up against the girl of his dreams. She smiled sweetly at him, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. The song ended and those who had gatherer watched expectantly."It is customary that those caught in the web at the end of the line kiss to set themselves free," the younger sister offered. A ripple of laughter from those nearby brought the entangled pair
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