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Forming a Plan
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2022-02-06 22:13:11The 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
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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
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Away from the Blue Guard, who refused to mingle among the unwashed masses, a brown cloaked woman bumped into someone seemingly by accident. "Oh, excuse me," she said shyly.The gentleman bobbed his head politely, "No need to apologize, I.." the man's face changed to astonishment as the woman's hood fell from her head, revealing her dark hair. The man fell to his knees. "Your Majesty!" he exclaimed with appropriate awe.The woman shushed him, "Rise please. No one can know that I am here." But those around him took notice."That's the Empress!" A man in a black cloak whispered loudly.Another cloaked gentleman nearby also began to spread rumors of the Empress's presence. Before long, the entire courtyard was abuzz. Anna, who was posing as the Empress, was impressed by Gandr's performance. They had not even really needed the men to start the people talking, but Zan and Ezer were currently doing an excellent job fanning the flame."The Empress is so ki
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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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"The Empress is dead. I saw her body myself." Cafer knew that only definitive proof would work at this point, and yet he technically had none."Is that so?" An all-too-familiar voice said behind him. "Tell me what my body looked like, Chief Cafer?"The crowd cheered, "Glory to the Empress!"The Chief balled his fists and turned to look at the Empress. She looked so fierce, that he unconsciously took a step away from her. Her blue-flecked eyes exuded confidence. Cafer marveled at the transformation.A blur of movement caused him to notice the prince and princess disappear in the arms of their rescuers. "After them!" Cafer barked under his breath to the guard closest to him. The guard and three others ran after the children."I asked you a question, Chief Cafer." Aurora looked down on the gnome."And were you the Empress, I would answer." He addressed the crowd, "What cruel joke is this? You send me an imposter Empress, and now she has abducte
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"I will defeat you!" Alaron yelled with fury. He sliced his sword through the air at his opponent."Over my dead body!" Devrim responded, his mouth set in a determined line. The Consort deflected the prince's blow."That can be arranged, old man," Alaron taunted. He took a step back and then burst forth in a fit of motion. Each stroke was more vigorous than the last. Yet, Devrim was able to keep pace and even force the boy to retreat."You will not get very far with all that backing up, unless your goal is to end up against a wall." And just like that Devrim had the prince between his sword and the outer palace wall, fighting with all his might. Alaron made two upward strikes in sequence that nearly disarmed the Emperor, but the seasoned warrior was just a hair too quick. With a skillful blow, Devrim knocked the weapon from Alaron's hand and hit the padding on the boy's chest with the broad side of his sword. Hitting the wall with his back, the prince slid to th
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