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The Fellowship
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Empress of the World The First Reunion
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
Empress of the World Another Reunion
"I am so sorry! I did not know it was you all those years. Even so, I still should have freed you. Forgive me," the words ran from Gandr's mouth like water from a fountain. They would have kept coming had not his mother silenced him by covering his lips with her delicate fingers."I am here now. You are here now. That is what matters. We will not dwell on what should have been. The future will be our focus. We cannot let the past define us." Bukuri's words were salve to the halfling's aching heart. The emotional wound, which had been carrying for too long, could finally begin to heal.Gandr stood and kissed his mother on the cheek. She smiled, stepped back and used her wind magic to brush away the halfling's disguise. Under the gnomic facade, which looked mostly human, was the true form of the halfling.His ears were somewhere between rounded and pointy, as if something they were only half finished either direction. His skin was not the pasty paleness of the gnomes or the gold of the
Empress of the World Jailer
"I said to raise the taxes again!" Cafer screamed at the Councilman. The door to the ruler's office was closed, but the yelling could be heard clearly outside. "Why does Emperor Alaron keep you around if you cannot follow simple orders?"Councilman Meder tried to keep his cool, but the gnome was making him angry. "You are going to bleed the people dry. Already they complain about unfair treatment.""Let them complain! Humans love to grumble," the gnome was used to people always finding fault with something.Meder pinched the bridge of his nose. "You will push them too far. What does the Emperor need the money for this time?""Weapons, armor, fortifications, feeding the army… pick one. We need money for war." The King of the gnomes narrowed his eyes at the Councilman. "It does not matter in the end. His Majesty answers to no one. Meder, I let you out of confinement because I thought you would be useful, but so far you are just irritating me. Now make it happen."The Councilman swallowe
Empress of the World Strategy
The morning dawned and the Emperor and Empress exited their tent looking, for the first time in a long time, like the world was not resting on their shoulders."It is amazing what a good night's sleep can do," Devrim said as he wrapped his arms around his wife. "Perhaps we should go back and rest a little more, you know, to make sure we are at full strength."He tugged her slightly, and she nearly gave in. But her senses returned at the last moment and she resisted. "We need to rally and plan our attack. The New Emperor's army will come for us any day now that we are together. We cannot lose any more time on such…wonderful pursuits." The woman blushed slightly.Devrim wanted to press further, but knew he could not. He released his grip and reached for the Empress's hand instead. "Of course you are right, but at least we had one night. I know we had good men watching out for us, isn't that right, Junayd?"The General appeared from some hidden location. "Everything is in order, Your Maj
Empress of the World Meeting on the Mound
The New Emperor's army arrived a few days later on the Beachy Plains and set up their lines for battle. As Aurora suspected, the gnomes and humans were kept in separate ranks, with the pirates hemming the imperial army in on the third side like a deadly triangle.If not for the fairies ability to portal, they would have been truly surrounded and stuck. After a tense night, morning dawned without either side attacking.By the early morning light, the Empress and Emperor stared hand in hand looking out at the enemy troops."Today is the day. Whatever happens, things will be different." Aurora's eyes were filled with tears. It was better to get them out now. There was no place for them on the battlefield."Are you sure you want to do this?" Devrim asked quietly. He was holding back tears of his own. He had only just gotten his wife back, and she was about to leave him alone again.Aurora nodded. "I am.""I still think that I should go with you. I am sure I can help you accomplish your go
Empress of the World Valiant
*Two days prior*Brinn arrived in Valiant on the back of her unicorn just as the light was beginning to dawn. Her wind magic and the unicorn's speed brought them swiftly toward their destination: the palace.Finding a safe place to stow her steed, she used her stealth to approach the fortress unobserved. 'I hope Aurora was right,' she thought as she waited for the palace gates to open for the day.Brinn's mind wandered back to the morning after arriving at the Beachy Plains where Aurora had shared her concerns with the spymaster."If Alaron is as opposed to battle as you say, then there is no way that Cafer will bring him here," the Empress had said.Brinn considered her words. "You think the gnome will leave him at the palace.""I would bet on it. Cafer needs a competent leader for the human troops to follow. If he drugs Alaron and tries to bring him along, a lot can go wrong, and his soldiers will lose faith." Aurora reasoned."So…let me guess. You want me to fetch the wayward princ
Empress of the World A Miracle
In the darkness of night, Brinn took her usual path to Aurora's old room. When she had first come to the palace, she had seldom felt like using the appropriate entrance. It was a habit she found hard to break.The path was familiar, and even in the moonless night, Brinn had no problem picking her way up the wall. Her muscles remembered the way even when her eye could not see. 'This is much easier to do without Alvar,' she mused.Pulling herself onto the wooden bannister, Brinn held her breath. She closed her eyes, listening intently to hear if anyone was within.She could only hear and smell one occupant, and it was a human. Placing a tentative foot on the polished stone floor, Brinn tiptoed toward the pulled curtains that led into the bedchamber.She stopped short of entering as her fingers brushed the velvety fabric. Something did not seem right. The curtains were pulled very tight--too tight. Running her finger along where the two curtains met, she could feel needles pinning togeth
Empress of the World Regeneration
Alaron felt like his body was being torn apart. His broken insides were being shredded and knit together anew in order to rid the body of the cancerous magic that plagued his being. Each sinew and bone were being destroyed and remade. It was all more painful than Alaron could bear. He truly thought he would die before the process was complete. His only choice was to let his consciousness drift into the great unknown.Beside him, Brinn and Lukoss watched as the boy let out a blood curdling scream. The young man's back arched as his body began to glow with a light brighter than the sun. It shot upward into the sky, filling the entire night firmament with blinding brilliance. Bathed in its glow, Brinn expected to be burned, but only a feeling of warmth engulfed her as she shielded her eyes.Alaron's screams continued even as the light lessened. His body faded to the glow of a firefly, with strange sparks streaming across his skin at random intervals. Finally his cries quieted to little
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