Clearing a Path Southward

Further north the magical army journeyed southward with Aurora, clearing out gnomes that had infested the towns.

They had met almost no human resistance, and the appearance of the magical saviors brought cheers from the downtrodden townspeople. The poor people complained bitterly about the gnomes. Much like the Warrior Princess tales, the stories of the gnomes got more outlandish as they went. Some had even exaggerated the gnomes into ten foot tall earthquake-makers. However, Aurora always tried to listen carefully, even when their stories seemed completely far-fetched.

Just now another battle had been won, but the fighting gnomes had disappeared with no casualties on their side.

"Those pesky gnomes are so irritating!" Brinn fussed with a curse or two that even Aurora hadn't heard before.

"I am sure they feel the same way about us," the Empress responded as she rode on Utku. While Zoltan had ridden back with Ithel to address the Elven troops, the two humans, Gandr and Brinn kept pressing forward.

Brinn would not let it go. "I mean it. Gnomes are scum. They have been ravaging the towns of resources and then moving on like nothing has happened."

"I cannot disagree," Gandr said quietly. "For creatures that make their life in the earth, they do not respect it the way they should."

"I cannot imagine being so arrogant that you just do and say whatever you want without consequences." Reyan grew from a small speck and walked beside the horses.

"Ha! So says the grumpy fairy who was just eavesdropping disguised as a summer wisp," Aurora teased.

Reyan grunted. "And I thought you were the nice one…"

"Do you have news?" The Empress asked.

Reyan's wings grew from his back as he lifted off the ground to fly closer to the Empress. "A few spring fairies stayed behind to help restore the town. They can at least help them give them places to grow food that the winter fairies will leave untouched. The fairies will catch up when their work is done."

The winter fairies had left the group two weeks prior to complete their seasonal trek across the globe. But they had promised to make a it a mild season and leave alone any spots marked by the spring fairies so that crops could continue to grow.

The Empress was glad that the fairies had been so understanding. She would forever sing their praises. "Excellent. Thank you, Reyan! I appreciate you taking the time to apprise me of what is going on." Aurora smiled warmly at the fairy.

"Guess you are nice after all," he blushed in pleasure before disappearing.

"That was flowery even for you," Brinn commented. Her unicorn seemed to have the same opinion, because it nodded eagerly, causing its beautiful mane to flutter through the air.

It was true, Aurora was in an unusually good mood. The closer they got to the Beachy Plains, the happier the Empress felt.

"Do not blame her too much, spymaster." Zan came to his leader's defense. "You would be happy too if you were about see your love after so long."

The red-headed elf looked backward toward the elven army. She could just make out her new husband among their ranks. He sat proud aboard his steed, looking every inch the handsome golden hero.

Aurora had been right about one thing: life with that crazy he-elf was just…better. Alvar caught her glance and winked at her. She pretended to scowl and stuck out her tongue before smiling back at him.

"When do we think the blessed reunion will occur?" Brinn asked as she decided to forget her grumbling.

"By sunset tomorrow. That is if we continue to make good time. Devrim is already there waiting for us. I would prefer no more delays." The Empress said both as a hope and an order. She looked at Zan, who understood immediately.

"I will check in with King Zoltan and Bolemir to make sure that things are in order, and I can see if anyone needs help." The Guardian had been conducting these routines at least a few times every day. He knew the drill.

"Tell them that we will rest and eat in an hour. That should quicken their steps." Aurora responded.

"Glory to the Empress!" Zan rode off to complete his task.

"You really hit the jackpot with Zan, you know that?" Brinn said.

"I know. I am only sad that his service came at so high a price." Aurora tucked her hair behind her ear. She was extremely grateful for everything Zan had done over the years. He never once complained about the injustice done to him.

"Is it weird that in one sense I am of relieved that things worked out the way they did? I mean otherwise I would not be here, at least not as a full-blood elf. Am I selfish that I like my life?" Brinn voiced her thoughts.

"I would not be here at all. Though whether or not that is a good thing, I cannot judge," Gandr added with a shrug. He ocellated between being happy that he was born and feeling guilty that a halfling like him existed at all.

Aurora breathed deeply. "If I have learned anything as a human, it is that happiness and sadness can exist together at the same moment. It is neither of your faults that any of it happened, and I do not blame you for wanting to make sweet lemon juice out of the sour fruit."

The elf and halfling nodded. The Empress's wisdom belied her brief life. How could someone so young always know the right thing to say to those hundreds of years older?

The spymaster did not have time to ponder these this as her golden ears perked up. "Hush!" Brinn held up her fist to call the trio to a stop. Aurora knew better than to argue her and reigned in Utku to a halt. Behind them, the magical army came to a standstill. Both Zoltan and Bolemir came up to join the Empress.

"What is it?" Bolemir asked as he portaled beside Aurora.

"Brinn called the halt." The Empress stared at the beautiful elf and then at the thick trees that they were about to enter.

"Do you hear it too?" Brinn asked her father.

The king's face was pulled tight as a bow. "I do," he answered briefly as his eyes scanned the trees. He was not used to being able to hear something but not see it. The sound was so subtle that were it not for his daughter's attention, he would have missed it all together. "It is like the flutter of butterfly wings, but less consistent."

The princess nodded. "Precisely. What kind of creature can do that? Not even the graceful dragons can be so stealthy."

A shadow passed between the trunks of the trees. Then a chorus of hurried whispers ensued that even Aurora could hear but not decipher.

"What is going on?" Gandr wondered aloud. "Are we under attack?"

"Come out!" Brinn called bravely. She grabbed the hilt of her sword and prepared for what would appear.

Aurora drew her bow, which signaled the others to prepare to fight as well. The group had been weary of travel, but now all of their senses were heightened thanks to this unseen force. Gandr moved his horse in front of the Empress. Should the mysterious creatures want to harm her, they would have to go through him first.

Out of the shadow of the trees, a figure appeared in a dark brown cloak. His hood was pulled up to conceal his face, but everything about his presence was unsettling. By his confident air, he was either very powerful or not alone. Or both.

"Who represents the elves and the fairies?" the man asked in a commanding tone.

Aurora was surprised by the question. The figure had not asked who was in charge, but instead asked about specific creature groups. He was not just some passer-by.

"I represent the elves," Zoltan moved his horse a few paces forward.

"I represent the fairies," Bolemir flitted forward with his wings outstretched behind him.

"Turn back to the land of magic and we will have no trouble between us," the man said as he remained eerily calm. His posture was relaxed, but the tension in his body suggested that he would attack if provoked.

"What business do you have to tell us to turn back?" Zoltan challenged.

The man closed his fists at his side. "The land of magic was made for those with such abilities while humans were left to roam the earth. We only want to restore that balance."

'We?' The Empress caught the word's meaning. There were many of them, which made sense with the whispers that were heard. The question was, how many?

"These good creatures are trying to help restore balance!" the Empress intervened. "They are here to help."

The man looked at the Empress. He tilted his head to one side in confusion. "Do you not know what the gnomes are doing to our land? Why should we believe these magical creatures will be any different?"

"These noble creatures are coming to help get rid of the gnomes. They mean you no harm." Aurora assured him.

"Did you use magic on this woman? Release her at once!" The figure pointed accusingly at Zoltan.

"I did no such thing!" the king guffawed.

Aurora interrupted them. "No one used magic on me. I am in my right mind. We are on the same side against the gnomes, I assure you."

"Then encourage your 'friends' to go home. We do not want to fight them and the gnomes." The man reached for his side, and a sword materialized from his cloak. "The Empress has enough problems as it is. If these magical creatures join the gnomes, we are doomed."

The beautiful woman could see things were about to turn for the worst. She lowered her bow and dismounted. Stepping between the man and the king, she quickly intervened. "Do you know who I am?" Aurora asked softly.

The cloaked man hesitated. A spark of silver flashed beneath his hood. "Should I?" The challenging tone is his voice wavered.

"You should. You invoked my name just a moment ago," the Empress folded her hands elegantly in front of her.

"You cannot be the--" the man's words were cut short by thundering hooves. Zan rushed forward from his patrol and maneuvered his unicorn between the Empress and the cloaked figure.

The Councilman alighted and took the cloaked figure firmly by the shoulders. His silver eyes shone brightly, trying to pierce the darkness of the other man's hood.

"Vahan, is that you?"