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Turning Point
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Empress of the World The Final Straw
"You should have told me last night," Brinn, disguised as Mairwen, fussed quietly at the fake Renat.Alvar looked ashamed. "I was too caught up in the prince's magic and sickness. I really thought the assassin would be caught before he was able to go south."The two elves sat huddled in the corner of the prince's bedchamber. They turned and looked at the prince, who was lying on the bed. Alaron had had a fitful night, but he seemed still enough now. Satisfied, the spymaster continued her clandestine conversation."You are sure the guy--what did you call him? Hemel?-- Are you sure he has not been caught?" Brinn tried to keep her voice down. She would have preferred to have this conversation elsewhere, but the Doctor had warned her that Alaron should be monitored at all times until he was awake."I was just in the hall pretending to be worried for your safety...I mean Mairwen's safety. Do not look at me like that. I am always worried about you." Alvar ran his finger along Brinn's arm to
Empress of the World Resolve
"What do you mean, the final straw?" Brinn asked.The prince remained still for a long time before answering. "I had myself convinced that even with all I have done, I could still be a good Emperor. I thought in the end the good would make up for all the bad. I was wrong. All this time I was just being 'handled'. I pushed myself further into the grandeur of fame and honor and glory. All because Cafer told me I deserved it. That I was worthy. But deep down I knew: it was all a lie. I am a fraud." Alaron's voice was full of grief."You mean…" Brinn was not sure she was hearing correctly."I mean I cannot be Emperor." Alaron's tone was firm even as his eyes filled with tears. His shoulders slumped. "What am I going to do?"The spymaster patted the boy's back "There is hope for you yet, Prince Alaron," Brinn assured him. "Though you very nearly missed it.""I had good timing," Alvar smiled. "Managed to arrive in time for the battle to be over!"Brinn stared solemnly at the elf she loved.
Empress of the World Compliance
Cafer nearly dropped the tray of tea he was preparing to bring to the table."You what?" He asked through gritted teeth. Had he heard correctly?"I moved the coronation. My sister has fallen deathly ill, and I will not complete the ceremony without her." Alaron pretended not to notice the gnome's anger."Of course we want Princess Mairwen there, but you should really reconsider." Cafer brought the tray over and set it down. He hid his annoyance behind a placating smile."It is already done. There is nothing to reconsider." Alaron shrugged. "I am surprised," he said as he eyed the tea. "I thought the servant who came to me said you wanted to make amends, Cafer, and yet you did not even inquire after the health of my sister. Your thoughts went straight to how you were affected. It is as if you did not care at all." Alaron tapped the tips of his fingers together as he waited for the response.Cafer was taken aback. Somehow this boy had placed him on the defensive. Alaron was usually hang
Empress of the World Southward
Renat came out of the chute into a pile of mush and refuse. The stink was horrible, but thankfully he had not landed on anyone who went down before him."Everyone alright?" Faris asked, helping up Bukuri from the pile of compost.They all seemed to be in one piece and unharmed, save the cut on Renat's neck. "Has anyone seen Hemel?" The assassin was nowhere in sight, although that was not surprising as it was very dark compared to the white light only a moment ago. The scientist's face was grim. "I must go after him. The rest of you get Bukuri to safety."Renat ran off into the darkness, trying to follow what he thought was the path of Hemel. Assuming the assassin was wanting to get out of town as quickly as possible, surely he would take the most direct path. The boy ran with all his might, but he miscalculated. He did not think about avoiding the guards.Soldiers streamed into the streets. "Stop!" one yelled at him as they spotted him. But Renat did not heed their words. Cutting down
Empress of the World My Son
Gandr hastily took the glowing mirror from the Empress. His heart raced as held it firmly in both hands. He was very confused when Renat's face appeared in the glass. Based on he lighting, he had sent the message in the evening or the early morning before the sun had risen.Renat's voice was strained. "I have good and bad news. We made it out safely. Lady Bukuri is with us. However an assassin also escaped and he is heading straight for Emperor Devrim and Princess Mairwen. We are going after him. That means that it may be difficult to come and get Lady Bukuri just now. She is coming with us."The mirror's image shifted as Bukuri came into view. "My son, I am free. Do not worry. I will see you soon." The mirror faded as the message ended."Well, that was…unexpected," Zan commented, unsure what else to say after hearing the message. He wondered what had gone wrong for that to be the result of their escape. He hadn't mentioned anything happening to Nurlan or the centaur, so he could only
Empress of the World Halfway
Overhead, a griffin flew in a large arc across the sky. Its feathery wings were magnificent and its lion's body shining like gold. The griffin was one of the most glorious creatures the Empress had ever seen, and since it was not attacking her, she could fully appreciate its beauty.In her talons she held meat from her latest kill. It seemed some unfortunate creature had already met its demise. Those watching were thankful none of them had been the source of the griffin's meal.The Empress recalled another griffin who many years ago abducted Devrim into the clouds. Aurora shivered at how close she had come to losing her love. In the end, the creature had paid with his life. Fortunately, it seemed this griffin was not interested in the Empress or her crew. The lioness flew off without slowing down to investigate those below.The group released a collective sigh of relief. Aurora wondered if the unicorns were regretting their decision to help. If they were, they showed no sign, for Utku
Empress of the World The Water's Flow
"That's impossible!" Aurora walked to where the waterfall should have landed.She leaned into the icy dew. Maybe the flow was just hidden. The Empress's disappeared into the fog."Your Majesty!" Zan exclaimed. He and Gandr rushed after her, afraid of losing her to the white void. They groped their way through as the cold crystals of ice and snow tickled their exposed skin. It felt like walking through frozen spiders' webs.At last Zan and Gandr burst forth from the gossamer dew and into the open space underneath the Mystic Spires. The area was even greener than either of them remembered. It was still strange to think that the 'mountain' was actually hollow.In front of them, Aurora stared upward at the waterfall. Even from inside, she could see that it ended halfway to the ground in the mist. "How did I not see this before?" she asked in despair."I guess we just assumed that the falls were hidden from view by the mist. I mean, what kind of waterfall has no end?" Zan asked with a squi
Empress of the World Banished
"What do you mean, banished?" Aurora's mouth hung open. "Hanna is a Fate. You cannot just 'banish' a Fate!" Zan balled his fists. Something was very wrong with these creatures if they were willing to cast out one of their own who was so gracious and generous. "Hanna agreed to be banished. I cannot go into the details, but it was easier that way." Asha seemed to want to say more, but she pressed her lips together. "You must go. I am very sorry." Gandr tried to reason with her. "But all we need is a little water that comes from here. We would only be a moment. Maybe you could even…" "I cannot. They will throw me out along with you. But I will tell you that I found out..." "Not another word, Asha," the warning boomed. "Yes, Justum," Asha hung her head. Justum appeared at the top of the stairs that led into the spires. "Perhaps you should have gone with Hanna," he added in a softer tone. "She has always been your favorite." "This is my home, Justum." Asha would not meet his eye.
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