Share
Another Song
"Please tell me that you didn't bring your musical instrument," Devrim begged as he heard Junayd humming softly. This was their third day on the road. The man's humming had brought unfortunate memories to the Emperor's mind.
"Which one?" Junayd asked innocently.
"You have more than one?" Gandr furrowed his brow.
"I have a pipe, a hand harp, a lute, and a beautiful stringed instrument," the soldier announced proudly.
"I see," Gandr looked at him sidelong.
"But do not worry. I did not bring any of them," Junayd told them. The other two breathed a sigh of relief. From the pack on his horse, the burly man pulled out two small cymbals with leather straps to slip on his fingers. "I brought these instead. That way I can sing, play, and have one hand still on the reigns. Isn't it brilliant?"
"It is something alright." Devrim tried to smile but it came off as a grimace.
Without permission the broad-shouldered soldier broke out in song. The tun
Related chapters
Empress of the World Plan B
"But I sound nothing like Duchess Ravenna!" Gandr argued as he realized the plan. Not only his ears, but his cheeks were burning, and no amount of shape-shifting would hide it. He thought about turning invisible and running off until they thought of a better plan, but did not want to appear afraid.Devrim pulled his chin. "Just tell them you have a cold and make your voice scratchy. I have heard you try to imitate voices before. You can sound like a sick old lady easy enough.""You were right. I hate this plan." Gandr responded dejectedly."It will be fine. Junayd and I will be right there with you." The Emperor patted him on the back to comfort him. It was a big ask, but if it worked, lives on both sides would be saved."Can't you just announce you are the Emperor and tell them to disband?" Gandr was grasping at any possibility that did not end with him as a woman.Devrim considered his suggestion momentarily but gave a negative gesture. "Even if
Empress of the World A Meeting and a Message
Duchess Ravenna ducked into the dark alley with two of her more burly servants by her side. She looked sideways to make sure she had not been followed. When the coast was clear, she entered a back door of an abandoned dwelling. The room was dank, and Ravenna turned up her nose at the smell but said nothing.Her fluffy blue hair sat like a crown on her head as she made herself comfortable on a less than sturdy chair. The man sitting opposite her was grimy even by commoner standards. His teeth were black and his hair looked infested. Ravenna unconsciously leaned back in her seat."You are not the Prince, Cafer, or even Xander," she snorted as she pulled out a handkerchief to cover her nose."Quite perceptive." The man smiled and his teeth made the woman wrinkle her nose in disgust."Where is your boss?" The Duchess demanded to know. She tapped her foot impatiently.The large dirty
Empress of the World In the Workshop
"Could you hand me those pliers, Your Highness?" Renat asked politely.Mairwen held up two different sizes of the same tool. "Which one?" She cocked her head to one side and raised one eyebrow. The boy might be brilliant, but he was not very good at instructions.Renat reached for the one in the the Princess's left hand. "This is what I am looking for. Thank you." His fingers accidentally brushed hers as he took the instrument. The boy blanched. "I am so sorry, Your Highness! I did not mean to touch you!" Mairwen stopped him from dropping to the floor in another bow.She rolled her eyes and chuckled softly. "You have been saying sorry for days for every little thing. Sorry for asking for the wrong tool. Sorry for the steam coming too near my dress. Sorry for tripping over the edge of the table and landing at my feet. Sorry upon sorry for not knowing I was the princess…""I am still sorry about all of those, especially the last one. I am such an idi
Empress of the World The Attack
"An attack?!" Renat was in shock. He was not trained for battle and had never seen so much as a minor skirmish.Mairwen's face was serious. "We have to warn the garrison."Eira shook her head. "You have to stay here, Your Highness. You must stay safe.""I am of the Royal Family. I will not stand idly by and let others suffer or die." The Princess fled from her hiding place. Eira and Renat were forced to follow her as she ghosted along the ground. Fortunately the enemy was coming at an oblique angle and not focused on them. By the time the opposing force noticed them, it was too late to intercept the trio. Trying to do so would have given away their position. Instead, a lone arrow whizzed wide as they shut the small kitchen entrance.Mairwen looked for the night watch. She spotted the one guarding the door, who had drawn his sword at their entrance. He lowered it as he recognized the newcomers. "Rouse the troops. An attack is incoming. Find the spymaster."
Empress of the World The Attack II
"Get the water buckets!" Beadu screamed. A company of flaming arrows came toward the wall. The first missed, landing in the dirt. The next few lodged but missed the pitch and hissed out in a fit of steam. Finally one landed in the pitch. A quick thinking soldier dumped his water down the wall at just the right moment and doused the flame before it could catch.Those on the wall relaxed for a moment. Then another set of flickering stars lit along the ground before arcing through the air. Had it not been fiery arrows meant to kill her, Mairwen thought the sight was almost beautiful. More of the arrows hit high enough on the wall this time; the archers had moved closer. The princess used the origin of the lights to take out as many of the archers as she could while the others fought off the flames.One, two, three of the fiery arrows were extinguished, but the forth bit deep into the wall in the center of the pitch. For a moment it seemed that nothing would happen. Perhap
Empress of the World Dawn
Captain Caleb could see something lighting up the sky far off. His troops were marching through the night hoping to get some rest and relief when they reached the garrison. Aurora had sent him personally to secure the fort, and he took that charge very seriously. But now the pillar of light and smoke—for he could see now that is what it was—caused him to quicken the pace."I hope the troops from further south have already made it," he said to no one in particular.The officer on the horse next to him grunted. Caleb had expected to run into the other division at some point, but so far they had not made contact.Over two dozen loud bursts of energy shook the air, causing the Captain to nearly fall from his steed. He had never heard anything sound so violent. Caleb was glad his horse had nerves of steel, or he would have been thrown clear. As they entered the twilight of the morning, the soldiers could feel their bodies tense. Something was very wrong.
Empress of the World Water
Aurora stared, reading the same page for the hundredth time. Her mind could not focus. Having received a brief account of what had happened at the fort from a messenger late the night before, the Empress had been unable to sleep. Instead Aurora found herself pouring her time into working on her son's problem: ridding his body of magic and its damage.After sunrise, Councilman Birger had joined her in scouring the books for a solution. As promised, he had diligently come every day to read with her, and when she was particularly tired, he would read aloud to her. Just now they were sitting quietly in the palace library when Aurora slammed the book shut in frustration."The princess should have been here by now. Perhaps the messenger did not know to find me here. Nurlan!" Aurora called. The guard appeared instantly. "Make sure the front gate knows where to find me. I want to know the minute Mairwen and Brinn enter the city so I can meet them when they arrive""Yes,
Empress of the World Return to Castle Valiant
At last the victorious party entered the gates. They were weary from their journey. Thanks to all their prisoners, they were also an entire day later than expected. Brinn contemplated bringing Mairwen home ahead of the group, but hoped that all the extra people would stunt the anger of the Empress. Mairwen would not have gone with her anyway. She wanted to ensure the troops made it safely into Valiant.The Empress, clothed in all her splendor, looked over those entering. Her troops saluted her, proud to see their leader. The prisoners bowed their heads before her fierce gaze, knowing that their fates were in her powerful hands. Aurora was only partially paying attention to those who entered. While her face showed strength, her eyes searched relentlessly for the person she was aching to see.Finally, Mairwen rode proudly through the gate and dismounted. Her long dark hair framed her delicate face, and Aurora struggled to think of a time when she had ever seen a sight so
Latest chapter
