"Mairwen!" Devrim shouted in spite of himself. The few night sounds around them suddenly ceased at the intrusion of noise. The girl looked sheepishly up at him with her big blue eyes. The Emperor's heart melted a little, but he tried to keep a stern face. "What are you doing here? You should be at home!"Junayd uncovered the buried embers from their evening fire and placed some dry brush on top. As it caught fire, the sudden light caused all of them to shield their faces.Mairwen tried to back up slowly, but the forbidding gaze of her father stopped her in her tracks. "I am waiting for an answer, young lady." Uh oh. The princess knew she was in trouble. Her father only called her 'young lady' when she was very good or very naughty. Mairwen doubted that her actions qualified her for the first.Her eyes grew watery. "I…I had hoped we would be further along when we finally met. Then you could not send me home."There was movement in the edge of the fi

When the potion from Cafer wore off, Alaron found himself in an inn far from home. He had travelled with his adoptive parents to many places, but never this far north. "Where are we?"Cafer gave him some food as the boy sat up. "The edge of human civilization." He told him calmly. "When you are ready, we will continue on to my home, the land of magic."The prince's opened his eyes wide. "What about my throne?""We will talk to the gnome king, Baak. He would not support me these past ten years, but now that I have you and a growing list of allies, he may rethink his position. Either way, I have a plan." The gnome gave a mysterious smile.Alaron nodded. Cafer usually knew exactly what to do. The prince was glad he could follow his mentor's lead. As the prince ate, every part of Alaron ached. "I should heal myself," he thought aloud. The boy began to chant a healing spell that he had memorized, but Cafer stopped him."That will do you no good, my boy.

The meeting with General Beadu took precedence, and the ladies were escorted into a large building that was designed for such gatherings. It smelled of musk and dirt, and Mairwen was glad that the windows along the walls were open wide to let in the sun and fresh air. This meeting was not particularly secretive, which would have been held in a more private location. The General wanted to make a good impression.The room held a rectangular table, and the kitchen staff brought in some food and water from its stores to set on it. Brinn and Mairwen were directed to sit while Eira took a place along one wall. She was also offered food and water, but only took the second. Since the princess was merely tagging along on this part of the expedition, Brinn asked all the questions."You received our communication about what happened at the palace four days ago?" The elf raised her eyebrows and unconsciously scratched at her ears. It had been a long while since she had shape-shift

"Please tell me that you didn't bring your musical instrument," Devrim begged as he heard Junayd humming softly. This was their third day on the road. The man's humming had brought unfortunate memories to the Emperor's mind."Which one?" Junayd asked innocently."You have more than one?" Gandr furrowed his brow."I have a pipe, a hand harp, a lute, and a beautiful stringed instrument," the soldier announced proudly."I see," Gandr looked at him sidelong."But do not worry. I did not bring any of them," Junayd told them. The other two breathed a sigh of relief. From the pack on his horse, the burly man pulled out two small cymbals with leather straps to slip on his fingers. "I brought these instead. That way I can sing, play, and have one hand still on the reigns. Isn't it brilliant?""It is something alright." Devrim tried to smile but it came off as a grimace.Without permission the broad-shouldered soldier broke out in song. The tun

Duchess Ravenna ducked into the dark alley with two of her more burly servants by her side. She looked sideways to make sure she had not been followed. When the coast was clear, she entered a back door of an abandoned dwelling. The room was dank, and Ravenna turned up her nose at the smell but said nothing. Her fluffy blue hair sat like a crown on her head as she made herself comfortable on a less than sturdy chair. The man sitting opposite her was grimy even by commoner standards. His teeth were black and his hair looked infested. Ravenna unconsciously leaned back in her seat. "You are not the Prince, Cafer, or even Xander," she snorted as she pulled out a handkerchief to cover her nose. "Quite perceptive." The man smiled and his teeth made the woman wrinkle her nose in disgust. "Where is your boss?" The Duchess demanded to know. She tapped her foot impatiently. The large dirty