Battle on the Stairs

Cafer stood on the balcony for some time looking at the people below. The crowd was loud and it was giving him a headache, but he could not shake the ominous feeling that he was missing something. Having sent word with the new Blue Guard gnomes, King Baak claimed that he had captured the Empress. Cafer knew how cruel the gnome king was, and he did not envy Aurora her fate. She would have been better off dead.

But Anna going missing bothered the Chief deep down. He needed her body as a substitute for Aurora—he couldn't wait for Baak to return whatever actually remained of the Empress— and he was impatient to have the whole matter dealt with. To pass the time and ease his mind, he eyed the crowd carefully looking for trouble. Ledford appeared at his side, taking his attention. "Report," the councilman said.

"Everything is under control, Chief." Ledford said with arrogant confidence. He was used to things going his way.

"It better be," Cafer hissed. "Be