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The Fates' Dilemma
Last Updated:
2022-06-01 05:59:48
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Empress of the World Awake Again
The light faded slowly as Brinn regained control of her senses. She had no concept of how much time had passed, but the fatigue of her muscles suggested it had been quite sometime since they had been used."Welcome back, princess…" Xander said in a silky smooth voice as he reclaimed his Merpearl and held it up. "…if that is indeed who you are."Brinn looked down to make sure that her disguise was still in place before responding defiantly. "How dare you! Of course I am the princess! Who else could I be?""The Princess's look alike or something more magical perhaps. I do not know. What I do know is that someone who looks very much like you who was an excellent archer left the palace when the dragon's attacked. I had brushed it off until Cafer and I had a frank discussion about a week ago. Then he became suspicious too."Brinn sat up in her bed quickly. Xander chuckled. "I am so glad you are feeling better. Time can do wonders for healing."Brinn saw that the pearl was still glowing fai
Last Updated : 2022-06-01Empress of the World The Coronation
Blue and white banners adorned the palace and flapped outside in the breeze. The balcony was the outfitted with all manner of royal finery to accept the participants in the coronation. Below, nobility and commoners waited for the ceremony to begin.Dressed in a fine gown of blue and white, Brinn, disguised as the princess, took her place in the seat on the balcony for the coronation. Earlier, the terrified ladies-in-waiting could only tell her that Alvar had been dragged from the room after being knocked unconcious and that the guards commented that he was heavier than he looked. They had no idea where he was nor how to find him. So she was forced to attend the coronation without back-up and blind to the situation.She fingered the lace of her gown idly, but really she was sizing up the two guards standing on either side of her throne. They were wide but not tall and smelled of dirt: obviously gnomes. Brinn could probably take them out and leap to the ground hoping for the best, but e
Last Updated : 2022-06-01Empress of the World Examination
In the infirmary, Birger had been placed on a cot in a corner away from the patients. A white sheet was laid across him to conceal him, and a gnome guard was lazily watching his body."Where is the lead physician?" Ravenna asked one of the healers.The woman hesitated. "No one is allowed to see the doctor. He is confined to his room."Ravenna adjusted her pink hair with indignant disgust. She glared at the young woman and lowered her voice. "You think I want to be here? I am here on official business. Now where is the doctor?"Her words recieved the proper amount of respect, and the healer pointed toward the doctor's room with a shaky hand. Ravenna turned her back on the young woman and strode confidently toward the surgery room behind which the doctor lived.Human soldiers guarded the door to the doctor's quarters. "No one see the doctor without permission."Ravenna turned her nose up at the soldier. Who did these people think they were? "Do you not recognize me? I do not need permis
Last Updated : 2022-06-01Empress of the World Reception
Brinn was heavily guarded by the two short gnomes during the reception. It was frustrating because she could not escape to conduct her search for Alvar, but at least none of the nobility were engaging her either. She knew most of their names, but she had no idea how close Mairwen was to any of them. It could be a problem that would only add to the suspicions Xander was having about her identity.The throne room was packed with people. Brinn watched from beside a pillar as people bowed before an expressionless Alaron. Whatever Cafer had done had been enough to take all the personality from the boy.Cafer was doing his part to distract from the muted monarch. Like a magician, he would pull the attention of whoever approached the throne to himself. The advisor would then direct a pleasant question toward the boy and encourage him to nod or respond in some simple way.For the most part, people seemed unbothered by the quiet ruler. If they were honest, it was a nice change from the impulsi
Last Updated : 2022-06-01Empress of the World Quite a Show
Brinn stood and the guards instantly came to her side. She groaned inwardly. Losing the goons would be no small task.Xander was still engrossed with the heiress. The girl laughed musically at something the pirate said. Her lovely strawberry-blonde hair danced around her shoulders as they shook up and down in delight. The girl was half the man's age, yet Xander was still handsome enough—or perhaps powerful enough—that the girl did not care. His advances were clearly welcome.'Disgusting,' Brinn scoffed. 'She looks like she would throw herself at him at a moment's notice, and I am sure he would tell her any little secret to get her to that point.' An idea began to form in the elf's head. She walked over and stood near a group of commoners and then waited until a couple of them left. The elf stifled a laugh."What is it?" one of the guards asked, noticing that she had not spoken to anyone before laughing.Brinn quickly straightened her face as she folded her hands gently against her gow
Last Updated : 2022-06-01Empress of the World Hold On
The coronation feast was only for nobility, gnomes that Baak thought worthy, and a small group of Xander's pirates. The captain and king were becoming more picky with their company, and with Alaron now officially in power, they felt they could act more freely.It was this attitude that had earned Xander his injured jaw. He believed he was untouchable. He was wrong."Are you sure you do not want one of the servants to mash up your food, Xander?" Baak teased. "Or perhaps that young lady you were flirting with would like to come in and cut up your meal in small bites for you."Xander snapped his head toward the king in a flash of anger. His purpled and slightly swollen jawline only made the king chuckle louder. The pirate inhaled deeply through his nose and gave a pained smile. "Perhaps I can give you a matching injury, Your Majesty. Then we can both call back the lovely Miss Loane for assistance."The Captain shot a wary glance far down the table at Lord Ulrich. Why the man had been all
Last Updated : 2022-06-01Empress of the World Breaking Free
It took some time to avoid the soldiers, pirates, and even some leftover guests in Brinn's movement around the outside of the castle. She could make herself invisible for short times, but she was hoping to save up her magic to use only in dire emergencies.Fortunately the short spurts of windy jumping that she was doing were only minor magic. Brinn had done such maneuvers for hours on end when patrolling through the trees. By comparison, this was easy.Coming to Xander's balcony, Brinn jumped slightly short and landed lightly atop the railing. With her hands and feet, Brinn balanced on the polished wood. She froze, listening for any sign of life within.It seemed like Xander was not inside. No one was. He might have still been in the infirmary tending to his broken hand. Brinn smirked slightly. Stepping onto the cold marble floor of the balcony, the elf moved quickly through the shadows to the other side. There was always the chance, however small, that she was wrong about someone bei
Last Updated : 2022-06-01Empress of the World Escape
Xander looked at the two ladies, the sleeping prince and the unusually calm Cafer. Something did not add up, but he was not sure which thing to address first."Cafer, you sneaky jackal! Already trying to find new ways to control the young man?" Baak laughed. The group lowered their weapons.Brinn giggled, and Alvar did his best impression of a coquettish woman. He pushed out his chest and wiggled his hips. Brinn was equal parts amused and offended by his acting. She would make him apologize later for sinning against womankind, but she was glad that the men in the room did not seem to notice his awkward manner.Baak furrowed his brow. "Your efforts will not do much good if the boy is sleeping. He has not even woken with all this commotion."The king was right. Tired from the day and sedatives, Alaron had not stirred since everything began."Where did these women even come from? I did not see them enter," Xander did not sheath his sword, holding it firm in his unbroken hand."The servan
Last Updated : 2022-06-01
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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
