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To Catch a Thief
Devrim and Aurora rushed down the hall with their growing entourage, taking turns giving orders.
"Call out the guard. We have reason to believe that Cafer has infiltrated the palace. Bring me a map and I can tell you some places to look." Devrim said.
"Find Anna, she has my necklace. I need it." Aurora ordered.
"Junayd, check my room and secure it." The Emperor called.
"Someone get Nurlan. He is packing to leave, but I need him now." The Empress was in a full out run. "Has anyone seen Alaron?"
"No, Your Majesty," a servant answered. They came to the boy's chamber, and Aurora burst into the room. It was empty.
"Alaron! Alaron!" Aurora frantically searched. Having been summoned, Lady Anna pushed through the knot of people to get to her mistress.
"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!" Anna fell to her knees and held out a copper chain.
"What is this?" Aurora was too worried about her son to comprehend what she was
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Empress of the World Interrogation
"To whom are you calling for help?" Aurora asked sharply. She hoped that his quick answer would be the most honest."Blazing bees! You scared me!" Alaron yelled.Devrim hauled the boy to his feet by his collar. "Answer your mother's question."The prince realized he had probably been calling to Cafer for help, but there was no way he would admit that. "Anyone! It was just a reaction. It happened so fast and I was not sure who had grabbed me."Aurora did not believe him, but had no proof to the contrary. Instead, she directed all of them to sitting room. They made Alaron sit on a cushioned sofa, while the rest stood hovering around him. Alaron could not help but feel intimidated.The Empress addressed the broad-shouldered soldier. "Junayd, call off the search for the prince, but continue to look for intruders. If Gandr is outside, as I suspect he is, send him in.""Yes your Majesty," Junayd bowed and left."Intruders?" Alaron was
Empress of the World The Arguement
"What exactly are we looking for?" Brinn asked as they entered the Prince's chambers."It's only a hunch, but I think we are looking for a magic mirror," Gandr responded."That sounds very specific to be only a hunch." Brinn raised her eyebrows. She glanced around, deciding where to start searching."Well, Cafer and I used to communicate through two magic mirrors. Mine disappeared after I was stabbed by that selfish gnome. I thought Zan took it without knowing what it was, but he firmly denies having seen it. If Cafer took it, then it makes sense that he could have given it to the prince." Gandr pulled back the pillows of the couch and peeked below the chairs. "They use very low level magic, and Cafer believed that even the Fates could not detect it.""If what you say is correct, then Alaron and Cafer could have been talking for years without anyone knowing." Brinn rifled through a cabinet."That is my assumption, yes." Gandr stepped back. "If you
Empress of the World An Escape and An Intrusion
Leaving the palace from the closer exit, Cafer came out and mingled among the people as quickly as he could. There was a decent crowd in the streets as workers headed home and young children played in the streets.Suddenly soldiers appeared in the avenue. They headed directly for the alley from whence Cafer had just come. They were obviously looking for him. The gnome moved quickly down the road as more troops appeared and began to question those in the streets. He needed to get out but turning the corner revealed a blockade. The gnome was cornered.Cafer bumped into a woman with long flowing hair. She was too distracted by the soldiers to notice him. "Excuse me!" The woman said as she passed on. Thinking quickly, Cafer grabbed at a strand of her hair. It broke from the woman's head and remained in his hand as she hurried down the way. Cafer took the bracelet from his pouch and held it to the bracelet. Concealing the bangle in his cloak, the gnome shielded the bracelet
Empress of the World Lover Boy and Princess
"Why didn't you tell me about the tunnels?" Alaron asked his twin as they walked back toward his suite."It was only a theory until tonight. You do not like it when I give you a theory without proof. More importantly, why didn't you tell me about Cafer?" Mairwen countered."I knew you would tell our parents. And if you didn't , I didn't want you to feel the guilt." Although the twins had different interests and hopes for their future, they had an abiding love for each other that not even Cafer could hope to destroy.They arrived at the prince's chambers. "Do you need me to stay until you fall asleep?" The princess said as she put a hand on his door."No, I'm sure the guards will keep me company tonight." Alaron gave a sidelong glance at the detail of soldiers behind them who were pretending to ignore them."Fair enough. No more secrets, brother.""You know I cannot promise that," Alaron said seriously. He would rather be honest and hurt her
Empress of the World Jewelry
"Of course." Brinn slipped the ring on her finger. It was thin and silver, barely catching small amount of light from the morning sun. It would alert her if anyone tried to enter the tunnels unannounced."Speaking of jewelry, I have been mulling over what to do with the ruby necklace that Cafer blessed us with." Rest had served the Empress well. She was no longer the emotional wreck from the night before. Instead, she was calm and collected."We could just destroy it," Devrim offered. He would like to be rid of it as fast as possible."That would be my inclination too," Aurora agreed, "And we should try that first. But I do not think it will be that simple.""Magical things are tricky beasts. They follow their own set of rules." Brinn had been in some sticky situations with magical objects. She knew too well how fickle they could be."If we cannot get rid of it, we need to find a way to store it. We may have to make some space in the container wher
Empress of the World Dishonesty
"What happened after we parted last night?" Cafer prodded. Having received the Empress's message, he knew that something had happened, but he needed to play the fool.Alaron groaned. "I got caught, Uncle Cafer. I am sorry.""No need to apologize. Even the best plans can run into difficultly. What happened then?" Cafer sat down next to the boy, ready to listen. Alaron retold the events as he remembered them, down to the discovery of the magic mirror. At the mention of Gandr's name, the gnome took notice. It could have been another Gandr, a human one, but he doubted it. Somehow the halfling was alive."I am glad I came back so quickly, then. Aurora has done you a gross injustice." Cafer intentionally used the Empress's name without her title."What do you mean?" The prince was confused."You said Aurora had a vision that you destroyed the world, but that is not exactly true. I was there when she recounted her dream. You destroyed her, not the world.
Empress of the World Science and Magic
It was only a day and a half journey to the western coast on horseback, and by late morning Nurlan could just make out the line of the ocean on the horizon. He dug his heels into his steed, wanting to arrive before the noonday meal was served to the troops. Outside the small town, a camp of soldiers' tents were erected around a larger tent and cookfire in the center. Reaching the edge of the camp, Nurlan dismounted and headed for the largest canvas building."General Nurlan!" The senior officer inside the tent stood and greeted the newcomer. "We have been expecting you." Both Nurlan and Junayd outranked all but the highest commander in the military. They each held the title of General. Had they not wished to be the personal guards of the Emperor and Empress, they could have had shining military careers."You have a large group here," Nurlan observed as the men sat down to discuss business. "Have you run into any trouble since you got here?""No sir," Lieutenant
Empress of the World Departure and Discovery
The caravan was packed with all the necessities a prince could ever need. Aurora had even commissioned one of the Royal carriages to be fitted with wheels for long range travel. "You will enjoy the mountains," the Empress said to Alaron. "Despite the name, Oblivion is actually a lovely place." Alaron climbed up into the carriage. "Thank you for your well wishes, Your Majesty," he said coolly. "Remember to meet with Duchess Ashleigh. She is of the highest nobility. Please give her my regards." Aurora reminded him. "Are you sure I should not join you? I could be packed and ready to go within the hour." Mairwen's voice was hopeful. Alaron's austere expression softened. He gave her a smile. "You will be better off without me, sister. I need some time to think. Maybe you should ask Their Majesties if you can take your own adventure," he added meaningfully. Mairwen tried not to cry. This was the first time she would be separated from her twin. It wa
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