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Another Visitor
Aurora told the soldiers what she knew about the gnome that was tied to a tree. They had not heard about the events at her birthday party, and they were astonished.
"You are trying to tell me that magic is real?" Nurlan was still skeptical. Nothing about the sleeping powder thrown in his face had seemed particularly magical.
"You didn't see it," Junayd interjected. "He looked exactly like you."
"Exactly, huh?" Nurlan rolled his eyes. When all three nodded, he sighed. Maybe they weren't joking with him after all.
Gandr had had enough of their banter. "Magic is real. You humans cannot even comprehend the power that comes with magic! My kind will come for you. The gnomes will rule over humankind or destroy you all."
"But since you can't use magic on us… you have to be more sneaky." Devrim was catching on.
"Magic and humans don't mix. I am paying the price
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Empress of the World The Stag
Another week of traveling passed with just Devrim and Aurora. They had expected their companions to catch up with them, but it had yet to occur. The Empress and Emperor Consort took turns leaving marks on trees so that the soldiers would be able to find their path more easily. Overall, they were slow moving, and the Empress began to question her own ability as a leader.Fortunately in this sparsely inhabited forest, game was plentiful. The Empress had stored a bow and quiver in the Guardian's cloak, and Nurlan had taught her the rudimentary skills of field dressing whatever they shot. She could cut away the meat and cook it. Aurora and Devrim lived mostly off of meat and a few known plants. They were careful not to consume anything that looked unfamiliar, and that list grew by the day. The further north they traveled, the more beautiful and strange the foliage and animals became."Do you think any of these things are edible?" Devrim whispere
Empress of the World A New Concern
The road to the military outpost was difficult. The soldiers and their captive kept running into sheer walls of rock or canyons that were not marked on their maps. What should have been a day or two of travel stretched into a week. Gandr was completely unhelpful. He alternated between a vicious grin and groaning in pain from headaches as he felt Junayd's emotions. Every time Gandr stopped, Nurlan threatened to pick him up and carry him. It was enough to force the little gnome onward.After the fifth dead-end wall that morning, Junayd turned to Gandr, "You are the one doing this, aren't you?! The only place I've seen cliffs like these is west of Oblivion and we are nowhere close to them." Junayd pointed backwards. "And behind us, there is only flat, beautiful ground. I swear that ground to the left was a canyon not fifteen minutes ago."Gandr smiled but it did not reach his eyes. "You must be mistaken. I see no canyon."Nurlan shoved the gnome. "I think you are o
Empress of the World Pas de Deux
The forest thinned and the air became cooler. They were growing nearer to the ice barrier. Aurora found once again that she was very glad for the Guardian's cloak. At times in the evening, she could see her breath, but the strange black cloth kept her warm. As Devrim had no such luck, he wore a thick fur-lined coat that he bundled around himself to sleep. The days were still warm, but not hot like they had been.Since leaving Junayd and Nurlan, Devrim had given up his overtures of love for the time being. They were alone, and despite his desires, he was afraid of making things awkward. If she accepted him, then they might do something they would regret. He longed to hold her tightly, but he wanted it to be her genuine desire and not a decision based on fear of the unknown. Devrim wanted to do things right. Her honor was his highest priority. On the other hand, if Aurora rejected him, they would still have to finish their journey and return home together. He pictured her stayi
Empress of the World What's a Selkie?
Aurora's and Devrim's eyes grew wide. Not only were the gnomes stopping, they were going fishing! Was the seal wrong; could gnomes swim? Or did they possibly have a boat?"Why do I have to fish? I did it last time!" a gnome with a smashed nose whined. It was obvious that confrontation was a specialty of his."Because you are a hair taller than everyone else so you can walk a little deeper…and because I don't like you!" The red cap dwarf answered. The other dwarves jeered at the complainer. He quickly separated from the group along with a mousy-looking gnome in a light brown cap. The two gathered nets from their supplies and trudged into the water. The gnomes on land set up a makeshift camp complete with a fire and stools pulled from their packs. For mostly living underground, they were well equipped for life above the surface.Aurora and Devrim clung to the boulder in the water. Although they were not in danger of freezing, the constant lap of the small w
Empress of the World Singing in the Moonlight
The gnomes, full of fish and well-rested, packed up their things and continued their march down the shoreline. "Where do you suppose they are off to?" Aurora said as she watched them leave.Phoca unconsciously shivered. "They have been above ground more than normal these days and messing about outside the ice barrier. We water-loving creatures are usually safe outside the barrier. We have a water cavern to get ourselves back home when we need it. But the gnomes, they rarely venture beyond their own little holes. To see them out here is truly frightening.""Will they come back?" Devrim asked.The selkie under his left arm, named Luna, answered, "I do not think so. They seemed pretty intent on heading east. They may be trying to get around to the other side of the lake, though why they would not do that inside the ice barrier is beyond me.""They are trying not to be seen doing anything suspicious where magical eyes might be spying," Aurora mused."D
Empress of the World Oh, What a Night!
Aurora awoke when it was still dark. The songstresses had stopped, and the wind was whipping against her tent with a meaningful force. The moon was gone and the sky through the tent's canvas was dark. A storm was rolling in, just as Phoca had predicted. The Empress wondered how long she had been asleep. Her mind was groggy, so she was not able to think clearly. She felt a light tickle on her arm. Aurora initially dismissed it as a piece of stray hair brushing against her skin. But then she felt a similar tickle on her leg and face also. Something was wrong, very wrong. A streak of lightning lit the sky like day, and Aurora could see that the interior of her tent was completely covered in ants. They were crawling on her body, tickling her skin and getting tangled in her hair. The Empress froze, panic taking full hold of her body. Another crack of lightning galvanized the Empress into action. She fled her tent and shook her body vigorously. The wind helped clear her ha
Empress of the World The Boatman
"My tent was dislodged by wind, and I hit my head," Aurora explained without relaying too many details. Some of them were still fuzzy, but the things she could remember were embarrassing. "I must have blacked out. When I woke up I was back on the beach with my tent and head mended. I do not know who helped me." Aurora tried to recall the voice from the night before, the one that had spoken. "It was not me," Devrim said. "Why didn't you come when I screamed?" Aurora was a little angry that her friend had not come to her aid. "For the first time in weeks, someone else was standing guard. I trusted the selkies to alert us to danger. I slept very deep. Plus, I imagine this hard wind might have carried your screams in the wrong direction." Devrim reasoned. His explanation made sense, and Aurora was in no mood to argue. Actually, part of her felt guilty that he was burdened down with keeping her safe. She wanted Junayd and Nurlan to return, and wished
Empress of the World Meeting a Mermaid
Phoca, Luna and a few other of the selkies took turns pushing the boat for a time. Eventually the boat slowed, and Phoca peeked her head up over the side. "This is as far as we go, dearies." "I understand. You have helped us so much! Thank you." Aurora bowed her head to the selkie. "I will watch for your friends and lead them to the boatman also." Phoca told them. "I hope they can rejoin you on your journey soon." "Is there some way we can repay you?" The Empress asked. "If you are indeed Favored of the Fates, mention our service to you when you arrive. If you are not favored, please forget forget that we helped." Phoca said. "We will," Devrim confirmed. "One more thing: you are entering the waters where the merfolk roam. They are just as likely to drown you as help you. They are highly unpredictable. Stay on your guard, my dears." Phoca smiled at them as if they were her children. Aurora reached out of the boat and hugged the selkie a
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