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A Dance or Two
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Empress of the World Confession
Renat chuckled softly. "Funny you should ask, because..." He was unable to finish his sentence.Like some devilish imp, the music reached its climax, causing the group to spin at a dizzying speed. Out of nowhere, Metehan's two daughters appeared with their partners and the four surrounded the princess and scientist."What--"The quartet held their scarves over Renat and Mairwen, making a cross that lowered between the couple. They spun counter to the pair wrapping their long scarves around the two until they were entwined together. It all happened so fast, that Renat did not understand what was occurring until he was pressed firmly up against the girl of his dreams. She smiled sweetly at him, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. The song ended and those who had gatherer watched expectantly."It is customary that those caught in the web at the end of the line kiss to set themselves free," the younger sister offered. A ripple of laughter from those nearby brought the entangled pair
Empress of the World Sandstorm
"I still cannot believe he challenged you. I have half a mind to make a challenge of my own against Timur." Renat was complaining as he watched Mairwen train.The scientist had taken a break from setting up his laboratory in order to check in on his love. The past two days still felt like a dream, and Renat was afraid that if he did not seek out the princess at least a few times a day, he would wake up and find none of it had happened. This was his excuse for dropping in now."Do not waste your energy on Timur," Mairwen scolded after releasing her final shot."But did you hear him running his mouth yesterday? You would have thought he invented archery!" Renat had come close to blows when Timur had been bragging about his superior skill."He is scared. Even his few followers sense he is nervous. Why else would that one fool, Qulu, spend so much time propping up his ego?" Eira scoffed as she walked away from the pair toward the target."Exactly, we cannot let Timur or Qulu muddy our tho
Empress of the World Leadership
"I do not understand," Timur said as he tried to process his father's words. "Why would I have a problem if I did not do it? I am as angry as you that Princess Mairwen is hurt!""I doubt that very much. You are the one who benefits from the princess being unable to shoot her bow." Renat spat."If you did not do it, then you surely know who did," Devrim added. Although his words were calm, it was clear that his anger bubbled just below the surface.Mairwen looked at the two men with Timur. The first looked angry that the Chieftain's son had been accused, but the second was inching his way to the tent's exit. The movement was noticed by Orhan as well."Qulu!" Orhan called.The young man froze with a crooked grin. "Yes, Chieftain?"The Chieftain motioned the short man forward and furrowed his brow. "You have been very quiet. Normally you would jump to Timur's defense before he could get out a single word."Qulu became serious. Knowing all eyes were upon him, he held his nose high in the
Empress of the World The Fates' Dilemma
Even from the further distance, the second arrow also landed dead center.Mairwen watched with her father from the shade of the canopy. "Well, he is a good shot. I will give him that." Her voice was calm even though her body was tense. She was glad she had not watched him practice up until this point, or her nerves might have gotten the better of her.Orhan gave a pained smile. "Timur has enjoyed archery since he was young. He is the best shot among the Dunesmen."The scientist crossed his arms defiantly "He is not as good as the princess," he said without hesitation."When she is at her best, I agree," Devrim responded."Which I most certainly am not today," Mairwen added with a wry chuckle, finishing her father's unspoken thought.Timur walked over with an outstretched arm to welcome the princess to the field. His bow was slung across his back. "It is your turn, Your Highness."The girl gave a brief nod. "So it is." Mairwen took the man's hand, and he helped her from her seat.While
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
Empress 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
Empress 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
Empress 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
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