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A Trial and a Shallow Grave
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Empress of the World Remorse
Devrim ducked in and out of caverns and passages, trying to find any trace of either Gandr or Alaron. The greyish light of the underground world meant that he couldn't hide in the shadows; there were none. There were very few gnomes around, which the Emperor found strange.The couple of beings that Devrim did run into refused to make eye contact. Instead they scurried along to make sure that they would not be seen with a possible intruder. The Emperor was thankful for their silence. After a much longer walk than he had bargained for, Devrim could hear a crowd jeering around the next bend. Pulling the hood of his cloak tight, the Emperor braved the crowd of gnomes, stooping to be closer to their height.It quickly became clear that the group was shouting and throwing mushy food at a poor creature on a pedestal. He was so covered in dripping pulp that Devrim at first did not recognize him. Then the bulky figure looked up and the Emperor could see Grisley's marred visage looking out sull
Empress of the World Duel
Devrim woke with a start as Cafer spoke loudly in the room outside the cramped wardrobe. "Time to get up, Your Highness," he boomed. "The king will be expecting to see you."Alaron groaned as the fog of sleep had not yet left him. "He can wait. I am not ready to get up."The prince rolled over and groaned again as the rocky bed was unforgiving. Cafer sighed. Humans needed far more sleep than most magical creatures, and the teenagers of the species seemed to need extra rest."Fine," the gnome conceded. "I will be back to get you in a little while. But you will not waste the whole day by sleeping."Alaron waved his hand dismissively and completely ignored the slamming chamber door. He did not hear the subtle creak of the wardrobe hinge or the nearly silent footsteps across the floor to his bed. It was only when a hand came across the prince's mouth that he was alerted to another's presence."Sh," Devrim called as he restrained the boy. "I just want to talk."Alaron relaxed, and the grey
Empress of the World A Rock and A Hard Place
Coming up from the ground outside the gnomes' compound, Gandr was breathing heavily. "That's not as easy as it looks," he said as he set down the unconscious boy to catch his breath. "You think that looked easy?" Devrim guffawed. His brow crinkled. "You look spent. Have you been looking for me for a while?" Gandr nodded. "When you were not back in the room where we parted, I looked all around the area, popping in and out of each room through the ground. Then the thought occurred to me to try Cafer's rooms." "I am glad you found me, but I am sorry you had to waste your magic. We could really use it now." The Emperor was also weak, but he picked up Alaron across his shoulders. Together, they slogged along around the side of the lake. It was mid-morning, and the sun was beginning to beat down on them in earnest. They were far north, but somehow that did not lesson the heat that they felt. Both males were sweating heavily before long. "Part of me hopes the boy will wake up so we can fo
Empress of the World Water, Water Everywhere
The stag raced towards them, giving them little time to think. Devrim and Junayd drew their swords, but the mighty creature flung them aside like they weighed less than a feather. He bore down on Gandr, who stared wide-eyed at the beast.To everyone's shock, the stag gathered up Prince Alaron in his branchlike horns and gave a guttural cry before racing off into the trees before them."Did he just abduct our abduction of the prince's abduction?" Junayd queried.Gandr ignored him. "After the stag!" The halfling used his wind magic to push along the the trio just as the gnomes came into the clearing. The men needed no more coaxing. They ran full out after the stag and away from the gnomes in a life-or-death game of tag. The close proximity of the trees made them difficult to avoid, but the agile warriors remained focused. Their lives depended on it.The gnomes could not move as easily through the trunks and exposed roots, and so many of them opted for an underground route. The stag's ru
Empress of the World Scientific Inquiry
Having finished as many of the orange-tinted glasses as the pair could manage, Renat and Mairwen turned their collective attention to other projects. Renat's mind was beautiful but scattered, and the princess took great pleasure in directing it more carefully. The scientist had a million ideas, but not all of them were worth pursuing."What about a a machine that will milk a goat for you?" Renat queried. He tapped his chin with a feathery pen."Surely a machine to milk a cow would be more useful," the princess countered."More poor people can afford goats than cows, but I believe cows can produce far more milk per day. What if I could make something that comes in two sizes, large and small? Then both animals could be serviced. Or better yet, one machine to milk them both! Two attachments to milk both animals at the same time. We could create a super hybrid milk!"Renat's mind whizzed on as his eyes glowed with excitement. He began to scribble feverishly on the page before him. The sci
Empress of the World Dinner and a Show
"Is everything alright, Your Majesty?" A soldier called from the infirmary after hearing the unnerving thud."Yes, we are fine. Do not worry," Aurora called back as she looked down at the poor scientist.Nurlan uncrossed his arms, grunted, and headed over to the boy. Having felt the effects of sleeping powder, the large soldier could sympathize. "All a bunch of foolishness," he muttered. "No offense, Your Highness," the General added when he saw the wetness in Mairwen's eyes. Hoisting Renat over one shoulder, Nurlan carried him to a cot on the doctor's side of the shared workspace. The doctor checked the scientist's condition."Renat is fine. Just sleeping," the physician announced."I do not get it. Why didn't the effects happen immediately," Mairwen asked.Brinn, finally gaining control of her laughter, answered, "The powder is activated by the words of the person who releases it. You said the word sleep, which is the magic word in this case, and he did." The elf breathed deeply les
Empress of the World Disturbance
Aurora cast her gaze across Valiant. While she was not at the highest point in the castle, she towered above the cityscape on a raised walkway. The walkway connected two of the tallest towers and was one of the few additions Zephyra made to the castle during her reign. Aurora could understand why she had done it. The narrow strip gave the sense of flying and reminded the young Empress of her time in the Mystic Spires with the Fates."I thought I might find you here," a friendly voice called.Aurora was pulled from her thoughts as a figure in a black cloak appeared beside her. "Am I that predictable?" she chuckled softly.Zan pushed back his hood to reveal his stunning silver eyes. "I could see your far off look in court this morning, Your Majesty. I felt you slipping away before you ever called a recess."Aurora looked out again at the world before her. Her expression was pained. "So many of them are hurting, Zan. I feel the weight of them on my shoulders.""You bear the burden heroic
Empress of the World Hold onto the Potato
"I do not think that is how the saying goes," Mairwen smiled as she corrected her companion. She and the scientist strolled through the Spring Garden while taking a break from work. Along with the other guards, Eira walked silently behind them, trying to ignore the silly banter going on between the teens.Renat twiddled his thumbs nervously. "Are you sure? That is how I have always heard it.""Say it again, please.""Hold on to the potato," he repeated more cautiously than before."And what does it mean?" The princess asked with a musical laugh."It means do not quit. Keep going forward even when it is hard." The scientist straightened his shoulders. He secretly liked her laughter, but narrowed his gaze in determination."Why would you have a potato in your hand in the first place? And how in the world does holding onto it gain you anything?" Mairwen's face scrunched as she considered his explanation."I do not know," Renat conceded. "What do you say to encourage someone to keep going
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