Overhead, a griffin flew in a large arc across the sky. Its feathery wings were magnificent and its lion's body shining like gold. The griffin was one of the most glorious creatures the Empress had ever seen, and since it was not attacking her, she could fully appreciate its beauty.In her talons she held meat from her latest kill. It seemed some unfortunate creature had already met its demise. Those watching were thankful none of them had been the source of the griffin's meal.The Empress recalled another griffin who many years ago abducted Devrim into the clouds. Aurora shivered at how close she had come to losing her love. In the end, the creature had paid with his life. Fortunately, it seemed this griffin was not interested in the Empress or her crew. The lioness flew off without slowing down to investigate those below.The group released a collective sigh of relief. Aurora wondered if the unicorns were regretting their decision to help. If they were, they showed no sign, for Utku
"That's impossible!" Aurora walked to where the waterfall should have landed.She leaned into the icy dew. Maybe the flow was just hidden. The Empress's disappeared into the fog."Your Majesty!" Zan exclaimed. He and Gandr rushed after her, afraid of losing her to the white void. They groped their way through as the cold crystals of ice and snow tickled their exposed skin. It felt like walking through frozen spiders' webs.At last Zan and Gandr burst forth from the gossamer dew and into the open space underneath the Mystic Spires. The area was even greener than either of them remembered. It was still strange to think that the 'mountain' was actually hollow.In front of them, Aurora stared upward at the waterfall. Even from inside, she could see that it ended halfway to the ground in the mist. "How did I not see this before?" she asked in despair."I guess we just assumed that the falls were hidden from view by the mist. I mean, what kind of waterfall has no end?" Zan asked with a squi
"What do you mean, banished?" Aurora's mouth hung open. "Hanna is a Fate. You cannot just 'banish' a Fate!" Zan balled his fists. Something was very wrong with these creatures if they were willing to cast out one of their own who was so gracious and generous. "Hanna agreed to be banished. I cannot go into the details, but it was easier that way." Asha seemed to want to say more, but she pressed her lips together. "You must go. I am very sorry." Gandr tried to reason with her. "But all we need is a little water that comes from here. We would only be a moment. Maybe you could even…" "I cannot. They will throw me out along with you. But I will tell you that I found out..." "Not another word, Asha," the warning boomed. "Yes, Justum," Asha hung her head. Justum appeared at the top of the stairs that led into the spires. "Perhaps you should have gone with Hanna," he added in a softer tone. "She has always been your favorite." "This is my home, Justum." Asha would not meet his eye.
"Dragons...why did it have to be dragons?..." Zan rubbed his forehead."I mean that actually makes sense. They are stronger, bigger and infinitely more clever than any of the other flying beasts around." Gandr nodded. "Too bad they hate us.""This one doesn't." Aurora listened to the contented growl of the baby dragon in her arms. It reminded her of the palace cats who occasionally curled up next to her in between mice hunts."That one cannot fly you up where you need to go," Zan pointed out the obvious. The little dragon could fit into the woman's arms. There is no way she could ride it. "Even if he were strong enough to carry you, I doubt his wings are developed enough to get all the way to the waterfall."The little dragon cocked its head to one side and yelped like a puppy."I know that," Aurora said as she crinkled her nose at the Guardian. "But if this little one does not see us as enemies, maybe these dragons are different than the ones who attacked us. Either way, perhaps he k
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
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
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
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