After some organizing, a tentative plan was put in place to catch the pirates that plagued the imperial group. Devrim could not help but smile at the thoughts of the other three. He was glad to be on their side and not battling against them."Let us head back to our group!" The Emperor said loudly, knowing that four someones were spying nearby.-------------The four pirates, who went simply by Angry, Shifty, One-eye, and Pungent, had been careful after two of their comrades died while they trailed the imperial troops. At first three of them had wanted to turn around and report the events to Xander, but then then Shifty reminded them that none of them had been close enough to hear the fugitives' plans.So instead they had been following the group for these past few days. The pirates had a good idea where the group was going but wanted to be absolutely sure. If they brought inaccurate news, Xander would have their heads on a platter. Shifty and the others were wary of the gnomes, and t

Back at the palace, the Council waited to meet with the future Emperor. While everyone else had been forced to swear their allegiance or be transferred to the dungeon that morning, the Council had been kept unnervingly comfortable. The room where they were held contained lovely couches and a balcony view of the city."A cage is still a cage, no matter how gilded," Nanny reminded them."I would rather have the gilding than being left in squalor like the rest," argued Councilman Meder."Our freedom is still gone. Either Cafer means to soften us up with good treatment or he plans to lull us into a false sense of security before killing us off," Ezer countered. He looked at the lush tray of leftover food on the table in the room. After much debate, they had decided to eat it, hoping that it was not poisoned."I wonder how long he will keep us here," Meder mused."However long it takes," Nanny answered with a yawn. She was used to the gnome's underhanded tricks. He would not get inside her

"We will return Ezer to the others and find out where Cafer has run off to…" Alaron said, not understanding the depth of Brinn's question. The elf nodded dutifully, knowing the soldiers were watching. They walked with Ezer back to the holding area. Alaron gave the guards at the door their new orders. Councilman Ezer would be able to leave the room with an escort. "Do you know where my advisor might be?" Alaron asked a servant. He was directed to a room down the hall. As the door swung open, Alaron and Brinn could see a small creature dressed in green suddenly disappear. King Baak, Xander and Cafer all snapped their heads toward the door as the royals entered. Something about their expressions made the prince feel uneasy. "Emperor Alaron! I was just coming to look for you. We are running behind schedule. You were expected to start receiving your loyal noblemen and citizens a half hour ago." Cafer spoke smoothly as if he was expecting to see the boy, but it was clear by the moment o

After a very brief night of sleep, Brinn woke to complete her latest mission. She had needed the rest, and the elf had fallen much deeper into slumber than she intended. If not for something in her subconscious prodding her to wake, she would have blissfully remained unconscious.As her eyes focused in the darkness, the elf could tell something was off in Mairwen's room. She stretched her aching muscles and sighed."You are so determined to come that you are watching me sleep?" Brinn asked.Renat sat quietly at the princess's vanity. "You and I both know your would not have woken me.""Yeah, but watching me like that is creepy," Brinn argued, forgetting all the times she had spied on others including the Empress when they had first met. "I could have you punished for stalking the princess.""You already made everyone believe I am a eunuch…" The boy glared."Alaron said that…but if you want to give me credit I could…" Brinn stroked her chin."Don't even think about it!" Renat blanched.

After a quick farewell to the Empress, Alvar wasted no time in climbing aboard the eagle and heading toward his elven love. The birds could move faster than even Alvar could calculate. Whether by the Fates or sheer determination, Alvar found himself entering Valiant an hour before sunset the following day.It was far easier to enter the palace than Alvar had anticipated. With all the attention on the people coming and going to pay respects to the new Emperor and the lack of recognition between the gnome and human guards (not to mention all the random pirates), no seemed to be paying him any mind. Alvar easily changed his appearance at each checkpoint to match whomever he needed.Once inside the building, Alvar tried to recall the map Aurora had drawn him before he left. He headed toward Princess Mairwen's suite of rooms while avoiding the main halls.He knocked on what he believed was the appropriate door, and was greeted by a lady-in-waiting. The girl told Alvar, who was disguised as