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Oh, What a Night!
Aurora awoke when it was still dark. The songstresses had stopped, and the wind was whipping against her tent with a meaningful force. The moon was gone and the sky through the tent's canvas was dark. A storm was rolling in, just as Phoca had predicted. The Empress wondered how long she had been asleep. Her mind was groggy, so she was not able to think clearly.
She felt a light tickle on her arm. Aurora initially dismissed it as a piece of stray hair brushing against her skin. But then she felt a similar tickle on her leg and face also. Something was wrong, very wrong. A streak of lightning lit the sky like day, and Aurora could see that the interior of her tent was completely covered in ants. They were crawling on her body, tickling her skin and getting tangled in her hair. The Empress froze, panic taking full hold of her body.
Another crack of lightning galvanized the Empress into action. She fled her tent and shook her body vigorously. The wind helped clear her ha
Melissa N. P. So this chapter, although fictionalized, is based off of a real event that happened on a camping trip in Malawi, Africa. Moral of the story: camp on the beach, not in the grass! And with enough wind you and your tent can fly like a kite. ;)
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Empress of the World Meeting a Mermaid
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Empress of the World Back at the Palace/On the Road
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When morning broke over the lake, Junayd and Nurlan were already awake and packing up their camp. "Best night ever!" Junayd said without hesitation. "I guess we know what kind of man you are." Nurlan joked. "What? I can't enjoy a good song?" The younger soldier asked. "As long as the song is all you enjoyed…" Phoca came up on the beach. Her wet, smooth skin and seal-like whiskers glistened in the morning light. "Good morning! I trust you slept well," she said amicably to Nurlan. "I did, ma'am, but I think we should be on our way. Could you lead us, please?" Nurlan asked with a politeness that was unusual for him. Phoca smiled, "A straightforward gentleman: how rare! I should like to know you better." She turned to Junayd, "My sisters think you are quite handsome. They would like to know if you have a lady back at home." Junayd straightened his shirt and puffed out his chest. "I am pleased to tell them I do not."
Empress of the World The Men and the Merfolk
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Empress of the World Finding Home
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Aurora spent the rest of the day and into the night tending to Devrim. She wrapped him and herself in the Guardian's cloak, which magically stretched, and the pair were protected from the freezing temperatures as the stars passed overhead. By morning Devrim had recovered enough for them to continue their journey. Although both their bodies were scraped and bruised, they were optimistic. It was a new day and at least they could face the challenges together. "I found a path up the barrier, I think," Aurora told Devrim after they had eaten more dried food from their supplies. Their food stuffs were getting low, and so it was even more necessary that they get across the barrier as soon as possible. "That's encouraging," Devrim said with a smile. "How far away is it?" "Not far. If you are ready, we can go." Devrim stood and reached out his hand for Aurora. His dazzling smile made her heart skip a beat. "Then let us go, my lady," he said playfully.
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Zan had been questioning the prisoner for hours. Gandr sat tied to a wooden chair with his feet off the ground. Thanks to some persuasion from one of the prison guards, the gnome had a gash over his left eye that allowed blood to trickle down his face. Now only Zan, Gandr and a couple of members of the Council were in the room. Cafer was noticeably absent. "Tell us who sent you to murder the Empress," Zan said coldly. "I told you it was the King of the Gnomes," Gandr reminded him. "Who from the palace alerted you to the Empress's whereabouts?" Zan continued his questions. "No one. I got lucky," Gandr shrugged. He had no interest in cooperating. "I appreciate your loyalty, but we will find out who the traitor is and your suffering will have been in vain." Zan said sympathetically. "You may as well tell us now." Gandr spat on the floor. His eyes stared daggers at the Chief. Zan sighed. He hated this, but the safety of the Empress and the
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