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Survival

last update Last Updated: 2022-03-15 08:31:47

"Hanna?" Aurora could not believe what she was seeing. As the Fate reached out and touched the Empress's hand, the world slowed and froze around them. "What is happening?"

"I have stopped time to speak to you." Hanna said.

"You like to do things in a dramatic way. This must be important." The Empress remembered that the first time Hanna had visited, it was as part of her horrible vision.

Hanna clicked her tongue. "Hush! This is serious. Not even the High Fates know I am here and Justum will be quick to bring me back to Mystic Spires when he realizes that I am gone."

This was serious indeed. "I am listening."

"Young Alaron did not go the mountains."

She and Mairwen were right to be concerned. The Empress's heart sank. "Where did he go?"

Hanna's words were barely a whisper. "To betray you. You were supposed to remove Cafer from his life…"

"We thought that we had!" Aurora defended herself.

"As did I, my dear. But u

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  • Empress of the World   A Gift

    Preparations for the birthday party filled the princess's days for over a week. Despite her hope, her twin had not returned. Mairwen was beginning to doubt that he would come back at all. "Where are you, Alaron?" She whispered as she looked out her bedroom window into the distance. "You promised that you would come home." In the meantime, Aurora and Devrim had been preparing for the prince's arrival. Once the Empress had shared the news about the Fate's visit with the Council, the castle began to mount its defense. Unlike Mairwen, the Empress and Emperor had no doubt that Alaron would come, but whether in peace or some other method remained to be seen. They hoped for the best, but prepared for the worst. The Emperor sat in the war room discussing plans with Captain Caleb, who was captain of the palace guard, a few generals, and Chief Zan. Aurora was present, but was only a passive participant in this particular conversation. Devrim pointed to the kitchen entr

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  • Empress of the World   The Prince Returns

    Two days before the birthday party, a messenger ran looking for the Empress. "Your Majesty, Prince Alaron's caravan was spotted entering Valiant!" Aurora stopped mid-bite and looked down the breakfast table at Devrim and Mairwen. They were equally concerned. Although the princess was unaware of all the details, she knew that Aurora had received another visit from the from the Fates and that the news was not good. She worried what her twin's return might bring. "Is his caravan with him?" Devrim asked the servant. The messenger nodded. "Yes, Sire, everything seemed to be in order." She was confused by the royals. They looked more like they were about to attend a funeral than a joyous reunion. "Tell Spymaster Brinn that we need to see her, please," Aurora requested. "Glory to the Empress." The servant bowed and exited to complete her task. Before the elf could arrive, Gandr was announced and hurried into the room. He bowed. "I am sorry fo

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  • Empress of the World   A Present for the Princess

    With Cafer's training in deception, deceit and double-dealing, Alaron played the dutiful son for two days. By the morning of the party, he felt the suspicion of those around him had all but disappeared. Early that morning Aurora went to visit the boy early to give him the present she had personally selected. Alaron caught her in the hallway. "You wanted to see me?" "Happy birthday! I was going to give you your gift. Could we go somewhere private?" The Empress wanted to give her son a hug, but she knew that he disliked public displays of her affection. So she held still. Alaron dismissed Warin, but when the guard was out of sight, he changed his mind. "Actually, can we do this later? I am sure we will find time in a little bit." By the look in his eyes, Aurora could see he was uncomfortable. There was some unspoken wall between them. "Oh, uh of course. There is no rush…" The Empress watched the prince turn his back on her to leave. An anxious feeling t

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  • Empress of the World   Security

    Brinn watched the servant's entrance into the palace with an eagle's eye. If she were sneaking into a palace, this is where she would come. There were many unfamiliar faces and unknown names. One more would not be suspicious.Gandr was watching all the nobility at the front of the palace, and the red-headed elf had happily let him take that post. "If there is one thing worse than evil gnomes, it is self-important nobility," Brinn had said.Gandr tilted his head quizzically, "Aren't you a princess back home?"The spymaster narrowed her gaze. "So I should know!" She turned her nose up in the air, very glad that only a few knew her secret.After that they had parted ways, and now Brinn was pretending to be distracted by a roasted bird while monitoring those entering next to the kitchen. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see a band of rough looking entertainers enter rowdily asking for scraps of food. The elf was instantly on alert."Can't a man

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  • Empress of the World   The Party Begins

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  • Empress of the World   The Show Must Go On

    Out in the Spring Garden, much of the ground was cleared and a stage erected. Many of the guests were gathered around ready for the performers to begin. Led by a servant, Aurora and Devrim took their seats.The first act was an acrobat. His strange patchwork costume, made his tumbles interesting to watch as he moved round the stage. He was joined by a woman and the two bent their bodies in ways that were equally fascinating and horrifying.Then a group of women took the stage and showed off a variety of exotic animals. Birds flew through the air to retrieve thrown grapes, and beautiful large cats of many colors pranced around with their tamers. Aurora wondered if the cats and birds ever got accidentally mixed.That would end very poorly indeed.A fire breather with a large tattoo across his bare chest took the stage. Although the platform on which he stood was wood, he assured his audience that they were perfectly safe. Taking a swig of a clear liquid, he b

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  • Empress of the World   Divide and Conquer

    Anna ran up to the Aurora. "Your Majesty!" She had obviously seen the display. Her face was deathly pale. Nurlan also appeared at her side. The soldier looked so angry that he might burn the entire stage to the ground to repair the damage done to Aurora."Please get the Empress out of here," Devrim advised the other two. "Can I get you anything?" He asked his wife."I just need a moment. I will go back to my room to freshen up and compose myself. I will be fine, I promise," Aurora gave an unconvincing smile. Her heart was breaking, but she was too well trained to show her sorrow. "Please carry on as normal if you can. Everyone should be alert. I do not think this is Cafer's only move tonight." The Empress left with her escorts. The audience parted to let her through.Alone, Devrim bravely faced the crowd. Some were wisely avoiding eye contact and acting natural. Others were staring while they gossiped with their neighbor. And a few blessed souls had already forg

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  • Empress of the World   Trapping the Empress

    Pulling herself back together, Aurora knew she would have to go back to the party if she had any hope to salvage the situation. On one hand she was slightly relieved that the secrets were out, but she was mortified by the twisted way the story was presented. She had to admit that Cafer's version seemed more believable than what had actually happened. Aurora hoped that her kindness to her people would keep them from thinking the worst of her.Anna fanned the Empress gently, unsure what to say. Nurlan was equally at a loss for words. "Anyone who believes that words cannot hurt them has never had a cross thing said to them in their life," Aurora said bitterly to break the silence."I am sorry, Your Majesty. That was a cruel trick to play." Anna felt motherly compassion for her mistress."Cafer is a master manipulator," Nurlan added angrily. "Warfare on the mind is very effective." The soldier was not good with comfort, but

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Latest chapter

  • 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

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  • 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

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