In Search of Safe Passage

Over the next hour, negotiations continued until each side was clear on expectations. Really, it was a delay tactic while those inside the wall got into position.

If Devrim really wanted for the civilians to leave, then Livie had all the power. Yet the Emperor and his persuasive advisor managed a little leeway in the inspection and treatment of those who left. They were allowed to bring possessions with them, which boded well for the princess and her company.

When the final agreement was made, both promised a temporary armistice. Ever so slowly, the bar of the main gate was raised. The people waiting to exit stood behind a few soldiers, the old men shielding the children in case it was all a horrible trick.

Thankfully no charge occurred. Those creatures who seemed inclined to attack were pushed back by others who were more in control.

Livie waited patiently with her assistant and a wolf and a lizard for the first people to approach.

"I hate this so much," Devrim said from the top of the wall to Junayd as he looked on.

"The creatures were out there waiting before we could get the people out. What choice did we have?" Junayd sighed. He had helped to put down groups of bandits and violent movements before. War was messy.

Devrim looked at the little children filtering out of the crowd of monsters and into the open valley. They were safe. That was what mattered.

"Time will tell if we made the best choice. I will feel much better when this part is over." The Emperor looked warily at the wobbly hand cart being attended by three figures. The moment of truth was drawing near.

Unaware of the conversation going on above her head, Livie was carefully vetting those who exited Oblivion. Only those who were small, weak or with child were allowed to exit.

"Aren't you worried they will get reinforcements?" the assistant asked quietly.

"These people are slow and unorganized. By the time they try to get help, it will long be over. That is, if anyone is brave enough to come and face our mighty army. I think those people will be very few, don't you?" Livie pushed her hair behind her shoulder as they stopped a blue eyed woman carrying a child.

The wolf and lizard both sniffed a cloth that was wrapped around the little one and then snorted at the shaking woman.

"How old is the baby?" Livie asked with a sweet smile.

"A month, ma'am," the woman answered.

"Hm, too young to be the little prince." The lovely lady clicked her tongue.

The wolf and lizard both shook their heads. Her scent did not match the one which Livie held. Where she had gotten a handkerchief with the Empress's scent was a mystery, but it was clear the woman had come prepared to sniff out the woman one way or another.

Livie touched the terrified woman's arm. "Go in peace. I am sorry the Empress is putting you through this." To each she gave some apology, always letting the blame fall squarely on Aurora's shoulders for not facing up to her 'crimes'.

Being very isolated from the rest of the world, the people were not sure how or even if they should argue. Their confusion was very profound. The noblewoman seemed sincere despite her terrifying army. What was really true?

The next woman in the line seemed very fit, her broad shoulders suggested she was very able to stay and fight. But as the woman's blonde hair and light brown eyes, and young age meant she was clearly not the Empress. Just as Livie was about to tell the woman to return, she caught a stumbling old man, helped him up and placed his pack on her back. Livie decided to let her pass without comment.

The next group was two people in cloaks pulling a hand cart full of clothes and other possessions. This couple clearly did not plan on returning to Oblivion no matter what happened.

The wolf next to Livie sniffed at the handkerchief and then at the passersby. His nose crinkled. The lizard also seemed confused, unsure of what he was smelling. From the top of the wall, Devrim saw this and intervened.

"I do have a question for you," he yelled down. "I do not suppose you know what happened to my son-in-law."

Livie's attention was fully focused on the Emperor in an instant. "What do you mean?" she asked carefully.

"He was washed away by the flood and has been missing for days. Have you seen him? Princess Mairwen has been worried sick. You may not like my wife, but surely as a woman you can sympathize with the princess's grief." Devrim furrowed his brow. His explanation had been somewhat clumsy, but Livie nodded slowly.

"I have seen the person in question. He was very eager to help us in our cause once he knew what we had planned, but I could not in good conscience let him act against his own family in such a manner." Livie cocked her head to one side and smiled gently. "I would be happy to take the princess to him. Her safety would be assured."

Devrim returned the same cordial smile. He knew that if Livie got hold of the princess, she would have all the leverage needed to get the Empress.

But since the Empress was not even present, the result of that encounter would likely mean death for his daughter. It was good that he knew that Renat was no longer in her clutches or that would have put them in a difficult bind.

"Alas, my daughter went out on a boat in search of her husband before the draining began."

"Love makes us do crazy things," Livie responded, though her voice was no longer pleasant. It had a hint of longing in it, which quickly disappeared. "After we have finished here, I will go in search of her for you."

Livie's gloating smile returned as the noblewoman returned to her task. The grey wolf next to her whispered something in her ear. Livie's eyes narrowed slightly.

"You know? That's the first time you have spoken to me since we concluded our agreement, Your Majesty. Are you trying to distract me?" The woman tried to look below the hoods of the two people pulling the cart.

Neither face was visible even in the glaring morning sun.

"Who are you?" Livie asked. She sounded like a cat playing with a mouse.

The man answered in a craggy voice. "We are just trying to leave ma'am. Is there a problem?"

The lady next to him seemed ready to fall over. She was so hunched. Too hunched...

Smiling gently, the woman addressed the elderly pair. "My friend says you have a whiff of the Empress on you. Why do you suppose that is?"

As the noblewoman reached for the woman's hood, Mairwen began to panic. She knew that unwanted touches on the Guardian's cloak would send a shock through the offender. A jolt would certainly confirm Livie's suspicions that something was wrong.

The hunched over princess swayed to one side and leaned against her handle of the cart.

"This dress is from Duchess Ashleigh herself," Mairwen croaked as she held out her skirt. The wolf bent down and sniffed at the skirt and sneezed.

Livie was less than convinced. At her command, the lizard moved to rifle through the belongings on the cart to spot any stowaways.

His claws scraped against the wooden bottom of the cart, threatening to release the hatch to the hidden hideaway.

The lizard seemed slightly puzzled. Clicking her tongue Livie furrowed her brow. "Did anyone other than you pack anything in this cart?"

"Yes," Alaron said quickly. "We dropped some things and a brown wolf helped us reload."

"Hmmm." The noblewoman tapped her foot. Something did not add up. "Not to trouble you, grandmother and grandfather, but I need you to remove your hoods." Her look was apologetic but her tone was suspicious.

"I don't understand," Alaron shivered, "I'll catch my death of cold without this hood."

"Just for a moment…it won't take long." Livie's smile barely held. She would not ask again.

The twins looked at each other. Although no one else could see below the hood, the cloaks allowed each other to pierce the veil and see the other's face in a soft violet light. They had no choice but to show their faces.

At the same time both of them moved their tattered knitted gloves to their hoods and lowered them.

Livie surveyed the wrinkles on the two people's faces. The deep circles under their eyes made them look almost ghastly. The noblewoman ran her fingers through Mairwen's long, white hair.

"Lovely locks you have." Livie seemed disappointed to find her hair was real.

"Thank you." Mairwen averted her eyes and leaned even harder on the arm of the cart.

Alaron heaved and coughed, sending a spray of spittle in all directions and causing the slender brunette to take a step back and cover her own mouth.

"Do you mean to infect me?!" She called up to the Emperor.

Devrim allowed a ghost of a smile. "That isn't how I do things," he answered calmly.

The assistant handed his mistress a towel to wipe her dress. It was obvious that neither of these people were the Empress. The Emperor had meant to make a fool of her.

"Get out of here, both of you. If I never see your faces again, it will be too soon."

The old couple nodded, picked up their creaky cart and headed towards safety. And not a moment too soon. When the girl looked at her twin, the sweat from his brow was causing his 'wrinkles' to run.