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Hunter or Hunted?
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2022-05-26 18:47:04Related chapters
Empress of the World Hunter or Hunted II
Pungent was the largest of the four pirates, but not the smartest. He was a skilled fighter and a hard worker, which actually made him more valuable in Xander's eyes. Pungent followed orders without question, making him an ideal minion.But now that Pungent had no one to order him around, he felt uneasy. He liked smashing heads and brawling, not wandering through the woods without a ship. He would make these people pay for crashing his home. Pungent smiled as he imagined all the ways he could kill whoever her found."Surrender!" Junayd called with a sword at the pirate's back. The general had managed to sneak silently up behind his foe.Pungent was surprised but not afraid. "You are the general. Good. I like a challenge."The large pirate turned around suddenly and pushed away the sword with his arm. A large gash appeared on the man's bicep and began to bleed, but Pungent did not seem to notice. I lost feeling in that arm a long time ago."Junayd got a sinking feeling as Pungent gave
Last Updated : 2022-05-26Empress of the World The Council
Back at the palace, the Council waited to meet with the future Emperor. While everyone else had been forced to swear their allegiance or be transferred to the dungeon that morning, the Council had been kept unnervingly comfortable. The room where they were held contained lovely couches and a balcony view of the city."A cage is still a cage, no matter how gilded," Nanny reminded them."I would rather have the gilding than being left in squalor like the rest," argued Councilman Meder."Our freedom is still gone. Either Cafer means to soften us up with good treatment or he plans to lull us into a false sense of security before killing us off," Ezer countered. He looked at the lush tray of leftover food on the table in the room. After much debate, they had decided to eat it, hoping that it was not poisoned."I wonder how long he will keep us here," Meder mused."However long it takes," Nanny answered with a yawn. She was used to the gnome's underhanded tricks. He would not get inside her
Last Updated : 2022-05-27Empress of the World His Own Path
"What do you mean the tunnel is gone?" Cafer asked when he had calmed slightly.The gnomic guard followed the advisor into a room where Xander and Baak were playing a game of chess. The two males, having only met that morning, seemed to have gotten along better than expected. Baak, who wanted to appear cultured, had allowed the pirate to teach him the 'gentleman's game' on the checkered board. They were so engrossed in the game that they barely acknowledged when Cafer entered."How did the meeting with the Council go?" Baak queried, not taking his eyes off his oponent's bishop.Xander gave the advisor only a passing glance. "By the looks of it, not well...'Baak placed his rook as he shook his head. "I told you we should just kill the Council and everyone who opposes us...""But then who would be left to serve?" Xander countered. He moved one of his pawns to punctuate his point.Baak captured it easily and nodded thoughtfully. "Fair point. We should kill the annoying ones though.""Ag
Last Updated : 2022-05-27Empress of the World That's What Friends are For
"We will return Ezer to the others and find out where Cafer has run off to…" Alaron said, not understanding the depth of Brinn's question. The elf nodded dutifully, knowing the soldiers were watching. They walked with Ezer back to the holding area. Alaron gave the guards at the door their new orders. Councilman Ezer would be able to leave the room with an escort. "Do you know where my advisor might be?" Alaron asked a servant. He was directed to a room down the hall. As the door swung open, Alaron and Brinn could see a small creature dressed in green suddenly disappear. King Baak, Xander and Cafer all snapped their heads toward the door as the royals entered. Something about their expressions made the prince feel uneasy. "Emperor Alaron! I was just coming to look for you. We are running behind schedule. You were expected to start receiving your loyal noblemen and citizens a half hour ago." Cafer spoke smoothly as if he was expecting to see the boy, but it was clear by the moment o
Last Updated : 2022-05-27Empress of the World The Beggar
'Drivel,' as Brinn called it, was exactly what awaited the pair when they reached the throne room. On each side of the throne, a set of chairs had been placed for Xander, Baak, Cafer, Ravenna, Mairwen and, most surprisingly, Ezer.Brinn wondered if Cafer was trying to exert his power over the Councilman or if Ezer had been brought in simply to keep him away from the rest of the Council. Either way, the message that Ezer was at the mercy of the new leadership was clear.Brinn took her spot closest to Alaron on his left. She directed Renat to stand along a wall so that she could make eye contact with him without drawing attention. The spymaster was relieved that Ravenna was the one sitting on her other side. Apart from Ezer, Ravenna was the least objectionable option. Other than her ruthlessness, Brinn could almost sympathize with her.The crowd of people who came to pay their respects was quite thin. The nobles who were captured inside the palace were paraded forward. They, like the se
Last Updated : 2022-05-27Empress of the World The Anna Rescue
After a very brief night of sleep, Brinn woke to complete her latest mission. She had needed the rest, and the elf had fallen much deeper into slumber than she intended. If not for something in her subconscious prodding her to wake, she would have blissfully remained unconscious.As her eyes focused in the darkness, the elf could tell something was off in Mairwen's room. She stretched her aching muscles and sighed."You are so determined to come that you are watching me sleep?" Brinn asked.Renat sat quietly at the princess's vanity. "You and I both know your would not have woken me.""Yeah, but watching me like that is creepy," Brinn argued, forgetting all the times she had spied on others including the Empress when they had first met. "I could have you punished for stalking the princess.""You already made everyone believe I am a eunuch…" The boy glared."Alaron said that…but if you want to give me credit I could…" Brinn stroked her chin."Don't even think about it!" Renat blanched.
Last Updated : 2022-05-27Empress of the World Planning
News of Anna's escape and a strange feline attack on the palace walls reached Cafer's ears early the next morning. Wondering if they were connected, the gnome wisely kept the news both from the Council and his allies. There was no need to worry yet. As long as Ezer thought that they had Anna, that was what mattered.Anyway, the gnome had other matters on his mind. He sought out Ravenna and found her watching the gnomes and servants clear and rebuild the palace. "They work so quickly," the woman in a dark blue wig said as she saw Cafer approach. "How long do you think it will be before I can move into a more permanent set of quarters?"Cafer watched the progress. "A couple of days at the most. You are anxious to get settled?""I want as much distance from the dungeon and myself as possible. His Majesty was very gracious to give me the suite I requested." Ravenna did not take her eyes off of the construction as she spoke. There was an obvious mix of magic and masonry occurring, but it w
Last Updated : 2022-05-27Empress of the World A Kiss
After a quick farewell to the Empress, Alvar wasted no time in climbing aboard the eagle and heading toward his elven love. The birds could move faster than even Alvar could calculate. Whether by the Fates or sheer determination, Alvar found himself entering Valiant an hour before sunset the following day.It was far easier to enter the palace than Alvar had anticipated. With all the attention on the people coming and going to pay respects to the new Emperor and the lack of recognition between the gnome and human guards (not to mention all the random pirates), no seemed to be paying him any mind. Alvar easily changed his appearance at each checkpoint to match whomever he needed.Once inside the building, Alvar tried to recall the map Aurora had drawn him before he left. He headed toward Princess Mairwen's suite of rooms while avoiding the main halls.He knocked on what he believed was the appropriate door, and was greeted by a lady-in-waiting. The girl told Alvar, who was disguised as
Last Updated : 2022-05-27
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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
