The room fell deadly quiet as the male servant backed away slowly, refusing to make eye contact. "Parvan, what is the meaning of this?" Fedelmid asked. He motioned for the guards along the wall to apprehend the shifty servant. The Duke had noticed the strange plate switch and was going to mention it when Devrim spoke first. The Duchess's face was a mix of concern and confusion."Why did the prince need that particular dish for his dinner?" The Emperor asked in a commanding voice.The servant stuttered, "I-I do not understand, Your M-Majesty." His knees were quaking."Do not lie to The Emperor, Parvan!" Ashleigh screeched. She knew her servants well enough to tell when they were hiding something, and the thought of them doing anything to the royal family made her blood boil.On the other hand, Devrim was completely calm. He even allowed himself a slight smile. "It is alright, Your Grace. There is an easy way to clear up this matter."Parvan relaxed slightly. Perhaps it has really been

The morning at court dragged more slowly than any the Empress could remember. After a poor night of sleep trying to decipher her husband's message, Aurora was exhausted.Each supplicant brought their request or complaint. Some brought gifts. One gentleman actually sang a song that he wrote about the glories of the Valiant Empire. He hoped to be admitted to the royal players."…glory, glory, GLOOOORY to the Valiant Empire. glory, glory, GLOOOORY to the Empress." He sang in a low baritone.Aurora rubbed her temple gently while smiling as big as she could. What the man lacked in creativity, he made up for in vibrato. The Empress gave him an application and sent him to her musical director. It was the least she could do.Her afternoon was filled with Council meetings. The bird's message was formally relayed. Zan spoke of the shortcomings of the bird system and as a group they discussed solutions."What if we tattoo the birds' feet so we we know where they came from?" Birger suggested."Bu

Despite her strong exterior, inside Aurora was breaking. She had known that Alaron would not be very pleased at being forcibly brought home, but Nanny's words still stung. "Alaron does not want to see you." The sentence crashed around inside her mind, chipping at her nerves.As she walked down the hall and through the palace, the Empress tried to think of what she would say to the boy. Aurora had a million and one things that she wanted to tell him. They ranged from anger at his actions to fear for his life to joy that he was back safely. But none of them seemed appropriate just now.The dungeon was cold and drafty even in the summer. A thoughtful servant brought Aurora a shawl as she entered the stone prison. Taking a deep breath, the Empress walked quickly through the hall. Although her prison was cleaner than most, it still smell of unwashed bodies and others unmentionable odors. "See to it that these people get a chance to clean themselves," Aurora told the prison guard as she tri

Brinn was correct, and the doctor was indeed seeking the royals out. As he met them in the hall, his face was very grim. "My news is not good," the physician began."They know the prince is dying," Brinn interrupted."What?!?" a voice from a hidden alcove screamed."Mairwen, honey, come here," Aurora called gently. "I really should teach you my hiding skills." The Empress hugged the girl tightly. Tears were already streaming down Mairwen's pale cheeks.The princess had attempted to enter her twin's room earlier, but was denied. In her heart, she knew something was wrong beyond just her brother's actions. But the blue-eyed girl never suspected death to be an option for one so young."I am afraid the spymaster is right. I cannot explain all the damage he has suffered, but it is excessive. I am amazed that he can function as well as he is." The doctor gave his diagnosis."The damage was done by his practicing magic. I saw it more than once with my own eyes. Prince Alaron could not help

Aurora was certain it was night, yet the place where she found herself was bright as day. Everything around her was alabaster and pristine. The high arched ceilings gave the tower room an austere look, and the silence was profound. Running her finger along the windowsill, Aurora sensed another presence in the room."I thought we were done with visions," the Empress said with a sigh. She recognized the place as a room in the Mystic Spires, but clearly the room was only a dream.Hanna appeared next to her with a neutral expression. Even her colorless irises seemed void of life. "My options for reaching you are becoming increasingly limited as the events draw near." Her lack of smile made Aurora tense. She much preferred a smiling Fate to an emotionless one."What do you mean? What events?" The woman's throat felt so dry that the words almost would not come."Prince Alaron is tearing the world apart, just as I warned." the Fate was not gloating, she was mourning."If you have come to tel