"You do not have to stay here on my account. We will be heading south soon, and I know you must be tired of being around others all the time. Feel free to go home and have a rest of your own." Aurora offered as she walked around the Celestial Garden.It had been two weeks since the Empress had arrived in the candled palace of the elves. They had been planning tirelessly with those on the other side of the mirror, but just now she was taking a respite in the fresh air with her thoughts. That was until the cranky fairy, Reyan, had decided to join her on her otherwise quiet walk.He complained of the weather, the hospitality of the elves and of how much better his own home was. It was the last complaint that had led to Aurora's impassioned plea. Really, she would have offered anything short of her already lost kingdom to make the griping stop."I would never think to leave you alone in this den of jackals. The elves would walk all over you if not for me..." Reyan asserted. He looked indi
Lanassa strode up to Brinn. The younger elf curtsied as Alvar bowed."Your Majesty," Brinn honored her mother with the proper title."Princess Brinn," the queen's cool tone made Brinn flinch.The elven princess had expected this reception, but it was too late to turn back. "I have returned," she said with her head still bowed."…And you are married? To him?" Lanassa indicated the elf who previously had his arm wrapped around her daughter."I am, Your Majesty," Brinn answered. She straightened and took her new husband's hand. His face brightened at her touch."And you…are happy?" the queen asked tentatively. Her brow furrowed slightly creating a slight wrinkle on her perfectly smooth face.Brinn was shocked by the question. Was it a trick? "Yes, I am happy," she responded once her jaw was finally able to shut after dropping.Then, in the most uncharacteristic move, Lanassa wrapped her arms around her daughter in a warm hug. "I am glad you married the man you chose. Welcome home, my dau
After conferring with the other half of the group in the mirror, the magical army assembled and prepared to head southward. It took far more time than Aurora would have liked, but she knew that patience was key. Rushing things would lead to disaster.At last they were assembled and ready to go. The elves and fairies, together at last, stood in all their shining glory.Led by Ithel and Zoltan, the elves stood in perfect straight lines in their resplendent armor. If nothing else, their shining helmets would blind the enemy. Silently, the agile creatures awaited orders while staring ever forward. They were the picture of military prowess. Their golden skin against their steel armor made them looked like a shining sea of metal.On the other side of the spectrum were the fairies. They had no discernible lines or ranks as they waited for instructions. The plump creatures were grouped by their season chatting pleasantly with one another. A few were even flying, and the gentle whirring of the
Back in the desert, Renat walked outside of his workshop tent to survey the work being done. In the passing weeks those who were too weak, old, or otherwise unqualified to fight had been sent to him to help with his inventions.Many people were working to make the tinted orange glasses to fight against the Merpearl. However there was ample labor, and Renat had found some other inventions that might be helpful in battle.Getting some of the materials had been tricky, but humanity was known for their creativity. Just now Renat was observing the last piece of a massive weapon being lowered into place. It was a delicate maneuver, but the scientist had made a system of pulleys to help."Careful! Slowly now." Renat told his assistants."Yes sir!" They answered as they worked the woven ropes.Being called 'sir' was a compromise the boy had made when he took on the extra help. Renat did not feel like he was worthy of the honorable title, but it caught on quickly, and even those not under his
"The resistance has been less fierce than I feared, Your Majesty," Nurlan commented as he wiped the sweat from his brow and the blood from his sword.The most recent skirmish in their northward sweep had been anticlimactic. A small band of men had tried to ambush the grey-eyed Emperor. The battalion seemed to be solely intent on killing Devrim and the Princess at the expense of their lives. Surprise had been their biggest asset.Fortunately they had been unsuccessful. A scout has told warned that the men were lying in wait, but it was decided that the imperial troop should deal with them now rather later. The more of Cafer's allies they could eliminate, the better in the end.Using himself as bait, the Emperor along with Mairwen and a dozen others rode into the high grass. They appeared to be alone."I love the ardor of our men," Devrim said to Nurlan, "but it is also nice to get away from the noise.""I understand, Your Majesty," Junayd responded woodenly. "I am also glad we left beh
Further north the magical army journeyed southward with Aurora, clearing out gnomes that had infested the towns.They had met almost no human resistance, and the appearance of the magical saviors brought cheers from the downtrodden townspeople. The poor people complained bitterly about the gnomes. Much like the Warrior Princess tales, the stories of the gnomes got more outlandish as they went. Some had even exaggerated the gnomes into ten foot tall earthquake-makers. However, Aurora always tried to listen carefully, even when their stories seemed completely far-fetched.Just now another battle had been won, but the fighting gnomes had disappeared with no casualties on their side."Those pesky gnomes are so irritating!" Brinn fussed with a curse or two that even Aurora hadn't heard before."I am sure they feel the same way about us," the Empress responded as she rode on Utku. While Zoltan had ridden back with Ithel to address the Elven troops, the two humans, Gandr and Brinn kept press
"...Zan?" the other man threw back his hood to reveal a set of silver eyes exactly matching Zan's. His hair was the color of brown oak and his face was of a man in his early thirties. Despite the fierce voice which he had used with him before, he seemed quite delighted just now. "Zan! We thought you were dead!""It is not the first time and I fear it will not be the last. The life of a Guardian is anything but peaceful, as you know." Zan laughed. Vahan stowed his sword within his brown cloak, and the two men embraced."Why did you not come and join us in the Fellowship this year?" Vahan scolded."I have just now made it this far south. I thought about dropping in now, but figured all of you would have joined His Majesty and the army already." There was a slight accusation in Zan's voice, but it did not seem to bother the other Guardian."And we intended to, but then the rumors of more and more magical creatures coming down from the land of magic reached our ears. You know we could not
The camp was abuzz as a scout returned after spotting the approaching magical army. Devrim put on the best clothes that he brought to welcome the esteemed guests. Or so he told everyone. Really, he wanted to impress his beautiful wife.Some soldiers were scrambling to get the final shine on their armor while others were cleaning up the camp to make it look as regal as possible. One recruit was getting scolded by his superior for leaving his undergarments out on the line like unholy flags.From outside the camp's headquarters, orders were being barked. "General Nurlan, have everyone who is available assemble at the north end of the camp," Devrim directed the General."Yes, Sire!""Captain Caleb, make sure my quarters are ready to receive the Empress. She is likely to be exhausted." Devrim watched the Captain smile broadly."At once, Your Majesty!""What about me, Your Majesty?" Junayd asked. He was slightly offended that others had been given tasks before him.The Emperor ignored his q