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The Gnome's Motivation
Cafer headed into a daybreak Council meeting. It had been two days since receiving the mirror message from Gandr about the death of Aurora. Since receiving the news, Cafer had been practicing his most aggrieved expression so that no one would suspect his involvement. Although he seldom felt happiness, this was as close as he had come in a long time. "It's going to be a good day," he muttered to himself. With Aurora gone, he could mold young Alaron into a true Emperor and use him to bring the gnomes into power. Cafer's long years of service would finally bear fruit. Cafer was sure the news of Aurora's death must have come in the night. Why else would such an early meeting be called?
As everyone gathered around the table, they could see Zan's face was grim. "Councilmen, we have received word from the Empress's traveling party. Something has happened." Cafer braced himself for the wonderful news. Zan went on, "There has been an attempt on the Empress's life."
There was an
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