All Chapters of Empress of the World: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

322 Chapters

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

Last Updated : 2021-11-25

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

Last Updated : 2021-11-26

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

Last Updated : 2021-11-27

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

Last Updated : 2021-11-28

Back at the Palace/On the Road

Cafer sat across from young Alaron in the palace library. They had found a secluded room, and Cafer had brought over many books for him to read. Unaware of the councilman's presence, Alaron's personal guard stood outside the door to prevent anyone's entry. Alaron had told the guard that he wanted to study alone. "Are you sure we should be doing this?" Alaron asked doubtfully. "Chief Zan said he would be personally overseeing my tutoring lessons from now on. He said your ideas can be dangerous." Cafer looked saddened. "I do not want to speak out of turn, but I do not think Chief Zan has your best interest at heart. Does he put the same restrictions on your sister?" "Not exactly." Alaron furrowed his brow. But his sister also didn't spend as much time with Cafer. "I believe Zan wants to stunt your learning so that your sister will be the obvious successor. I just want you to have an opportunity to rule." Cafer sounded sincere and the six-year-old believ

Last Updated : 2021-11-29

Acquiring a Boat

When morning broke over the lake, Junayd and Nurlan were already awake and packing up their camp. "Best night ever!" Junayd said without hesitation. "I guess we know what kind of man you are." Nurlan joked. "What? I can't enjoy a good song?" The younger soldier asked. "As long as the song is all you enjoyed…" Phoca came up on the beach. Her wet, smooth skin and seal-like whiskers glistened in the morning light. "Good morning! I trust you slept well," she said amicably to Nurlan. "I did, ma'am, but I think we should be on our way. Could you lead us, please?" Nurlan asked with a politeness that was unusual for him. Phoca smiled, "A straightforward gentleman: how rare! I should like to know you better." She turned to Junayd, "My sisters think you are quite handsome. They would like to know if you have a lady back at home." Junayd straightened his shirt and puffed out his chest. "I am pleased to tell them I do not."

Last Updated : 2021-11-30

The Men and the Merfolk

The sky grew the color of pitch, and the men drew their swords. Their oars released, they slowed to a stop and listened for incoming danger. It was a strange feeling to believe danger was so near, yet not have an idea of what form it might take. Everything was quiet. From the black water, lights began to circle the boat. They were beautiful yet haunting. "Come with me to the sea…" the song began. "Cover your ears!" Nurlan shouted. Both men plugged the sound as the tune went on. The merfolk surfaced, and upon seeing that their song was unappreciated, abruptly went silent. The men lowered their arms and gripped their swords tightly. A slim mermaid, with her shining tail and mesmerizing gold-rimmed eyes, peeked over the side of the boat. "You do not like our song?" she pouted. Nurlan held up his sword for protection. "I have heard the tales of when sailors listen to the sirens' songs. They end up marooned or drowned…" The mermaid laughed musicall

Last Updated : 2021-12-01

Finding Home

Aurora opened her eyes wide. After sitting up and trying to move around the evening before, she had collapsed on the beach in a heap. Now, the rays of the morning sun woke her, and she willed herself to rise. Every part of her ached from trying to swim and then being deprived of oxygen as she was tossed about unconscious in the waves. When the Empress finally managed to sit up, she took stock of her situation. She was alone on the beach with the ice barrier towering behind her. It was cold, but beneath the Guardian's cloak, Aurora was protected from the chill. Devrim! She had no idea where Devrim was. The last time that she had seen him was when they were washed out of the boat by the merfolk's tidal wave. What could have happened to him? Had he drown? Was he freezing somewhere? She needed to find him. Struggling against her body, Aurora rose to her feet. 'This is how a toddler learning to walk must feel,' she thought as she took an awkward step. It was like he

Last Updated : 2021-12-06

The Ice Barrier

Aurora spent the rest of the day and into the night tending to Devrim. She wrapped him and herself in the Guardian's cloak, which magically stretched, and the pair were protected from the freezing temperatures as the stars passed overhead. By morning Devrim had recovered enough for them to continue their journey. Although both their bodies were scraped and bruised, they were optimistic. It was a new day and at least they could face the challenges together. "I found a path up the barrier, I think," Aurora told Devrim after they had eaten more dried food from their supplies. Their food stuffs were getting low, and so it was even more necessary that they get across the barrier as soon as possible. "That's encouraging," Devrim said with a smile. "How far away is it?" "Not far. If you are ready, we can go." Devrim stood and reached out his hand for Aurora. His dazzling smile made her heart skip a beat. "Then let us go, my lady," he said playfully.

Last Updated : 2021-12-07

Interrogation

Zan had been questioning the prisoner for hours. Gandr sat tied to a wooden chair with his feet off the ground. Thanks to some persuasion from one of the prison guards, the gnome had a gash over his left eye that allowed blood to trickle down his face. Now only Zan, Gandr and a couple of members of the Council were in the room. Cafer was noticeably absent. "Tell us who sent you to murder the Empress," Zan said coldly. "I told you it was the King of the Gnomes," Gandr reminded him. "Who from the palace alerted you to the Empress's whereabouts?" Zan continued his questions. "No one. I got lucky," Gandr shrugged. He had no interest in cooperating. "I appreciate your loyalty, but we will find out who the traitor is and your suffering will have been in vain." Zan said sympathetically. "You may as well tell us now." Gandr spat on the floor. His eyes stared daggers at the Chief. Zan sighed. He hated this, but the safety of the Empress and the

Last Updated : 2021-12-08

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