The Beggar

'Drivel,' as Brinn called it, was exactly what awaited the pair when they reached the throne room. On each side of the throne, a set of chairs had been placed for Xander, Baak, Cafer, Ravenna, Mairwen and, most surprisingly, Ezer.

Brinn wondered if Cafer was trying to exert his power over the Councilman or if Ezer had been brought in simply to keep him away from the rest of the Council. Either way, the message that Ezer was at the mercy of the new leadership was clear.

Brinn took her spot closest to Alaron on his left. She directed Renat to stand along a wall so that she could make eye contact with him without drawing attention. The spymaster was relieved that Ravenna was the one sitting on her other side. Apart from Ezer, Ravenna was the least objectionable option. Other than her ruthlessness, Brinn could almost sympathize with her.

The crowd of people who came to pay their respects was quite thin. The nobles who were captured inside the palace were paraded forward. They, like the servants, pledged their allegiance in exchange for their freedom. Then the noble allies who had provided troops to Alaron came forward or sent a delegation with gifts. That number was also not as large as Brinn thought it should be.

In order to add to the crowd, shopkeepers and local citizens were also brought in to pay their respects. Brinn wondered if Alaron noticed the lack of enthusiasm from most of his well-wishers. Or maybe she was the one that was unenthusiastic.

Another in the line stepped forward with his hat in hand. His face was different from the rest as he looked pleased to be there. Brinn could not help but wonder if the man was insane.

"Glory to the Emperor," he said with a half bow. "I have brought some beautiful chiffon from the desert people of the far south. Perhaps you might be able to make a fine robe for yourself or your most honorable sister, unless she is not with you…"

The man's eyes flicked to Brinn with a question on his face. He wanted to know if she was the princess. She held the man's gaze but did not react.

"Why would you suggest that my sister would be anywhere but by my side?" The anger in Alaron's voice was only thinly concealed as his countenance darkened.

The merchant brought his eyes back to the prince and blanched at his glare. "I just mean that I heard the 'Warrior Princess' fought only for the Empress-"

"Warrior Princess?" Cafer asked with a guffaw. "Who makes up this nonsense?"

"It is a long story, advisor," Brinn said with a tolerant smile. "But I am sure tales of my adventures have been stretched considerably from the truth."

Cafer wanted to know more, but realized that his ignorance would not look good in front of the audience of the throne room. "Ah yes, well, as you can see, Merchant, Princess Mairwen is right here at the Future Emperor's side." The gnome indicated the person to Alaron's left.

Brinn, who looked identical to Mairwen nodded slightly. "I have no desire for war just now, good merchant. If that changes, I will certainly let you know." The elf winked at the man in front of the throne. He got the message to let the matter drop. His hopes of seeing the princess in the flesh had been fulfilled and he would not risk his life any further.

"Glory to the Emperor," he said as he bowed and exited. The rest of the visitors followed his lead.

"Your words were dangerously close to inciting a riot," Cafer said through a fake smile to the princess.

Brinn smiled back sweetly. "I only told him what he wanted to hear. Now he can go home and sleep thinking he is not a traitor to my mother if he follows Alaron."

"But if you should change your mind and ask him to fight..." the advisor watched her carefully.

"How could I do such a thing when I am so safely stowed away here in the castle? Your guards would never let anyone get so near to let me start a rebellion. Not that I would want to." Brinn teetered on the edge but pulled back just in time to satisfy Cafer.

"Of course you would never do that to your brother," he answered. Cafer cut his eyes toward King Baak, who seemed to be having similar doubts. It would do no good to say those doubts in front of Alaron. They knew he would always defend his sister. "I think that was the last of our visitors for today," the advisor announced.

The front doors to the throne room were closing when suddenly they came open to admit one last being. She was dressed in rags, and her back was bent.

"No beggars here!" Cafer barked. "Who let her in?"

The soft voice resounded in every ear, "I am not beggar. And no one let me in."

Alaron furrowed his brow while Cafer tensed. "What are you doing here?!" the gnome demanded as he stood to his feet to protect himself. "Guards, stop her!"

Brinn also recognized the voice, but had no time to react before everyone in the room went still. Everyone except those seven on the platform.

"It is I who have come to stop you," Hanna boomed as she transformed into her full, blinding glory.

Brinn felt overjoyed to see the Fate. Ravenna seemed speechless. Alaron was frozen to his seat while Baak and Xander looked ready to crawl out of their skin and hide. The power emanating from the Fate was so oppressive that the the pirate and the gnome king thought they might suffocate. Only Ezer seemed to be emotionless. The blinking of his eyes was the only indication that he was not frozen in time too.

Hanna approached Cafer with all her fury. "Have you forgotten the condition of letting you live? You were not to harm the royal family!"

His features softening, Cafer relaxed and sat down in his seat. "You are missing one crucial little word. I was not to physically hurt the royals. Indeed, I have not hurt any of them. I have actually helped Young Alaron take his rightful place."

"Rightful place, ha!" Hanna scoffed. "You would not know the right place for something if it had instructions."

Cafer crossed his legs. "Get on with it, Hanna. If you had come to end my life, then you would have come with the entire legion of Fates and smote me before I could breathe your name. And yet, here you are…alone. So I ask: have you come give the new Emperor your best wishes?"

"I have come with a warning: this coup will not stand." Hanna's voice was ice.

"Your bark has no teeth. And coup is such a dirty word; this is just a legal change of power." Cafer countered.

"So you plan to follow the letter of the law?" The Fate's voice became more subdued. The storm in her colorless irises swirled more slowly.

"Of course. The coronation will be next week." The gnome announced proudly.

Hanna tilted her head with a ghost of a smile. "Then when will Empress Aurora renounce her claim to the throne?"

Cafer looked stupefied.

"If it is not a coup then a change of power can only legally occur when the previous ruler dies or renounces the throne. And as you probably have guessed, Her Majesty is very much alive."

Cafer sighed. This was the second time he had been challenged to have Aurora at the coronation. He was annoyed, but the gnome had a solution. "The world will see Aurora renounce her throne to Alaron. Then you will have to leave us all in peace."

"You crafty gnome! I know you are up to something." The storm in the Fate's eyes shot lightning from her pupils to the black rim around her iris as Hanna made a fist. Cafer gripped his chest. He could barely breathe.

"You cannot kill me and you know it," the gnome said through gritted teeth. "The future Emperor thanks you for your visit. Will we see you at the coronation?" Cafer's voice was thin as the last air from his lungs was expelled.

Hanna finally released her fist. The gnome gasped for air. The Fate affirmed, "You will be seeing me. Be on your guard."

Hanna disappeared in a brilliant flash of light as time around them began to move once more. The guards, who had stopped mid run, crashed into each other in the empty space left behind by the Fate. Renat looked confused as he could see things had changed.

Other than the ability to see and hear, Brinn had been suspended in place like the guards and scientist. She, too, felt a release and was able to move and view the others on the podium.

Ravenna rubbed her her eyes in disbelief. "Was that.."

"A Fate," Brinn confirmed.

Ravenna called angrily to Cafer, "You did not tell me that the Fates were against you!"

Cafer waved off her concern. "Just one Fate. The rest are apathetic. If they had cared about the humans, they would have intervened when the dragons attacked. You do not need to worry."

King Baak was also quick to voice his concern. "How can you guarantee that Aurora will be at the coronation? We have no way to capture her."

Xander agreed. "You promised the Fate something you cannot deliver."

Cafer looked at both of them feeling quite superior. "It is all in good hands. You will see."

Alaron was pale. "I could feel the Fates anger. It was so painful."

"Do you need a doctor?" Cafer motioned for a servant.

"No, but I will go down to the infirmary. Would you attend me, Mairwen?" Alaron requested.

Renat came and helped Alaron from his seat. Cafer left the prince with some parting words, "If only one Fate is against you, then the rest are for you and your rule. Do not take Hanna's words to heart."

Alaron nodded. "Thank you, Uncle."

Brinn, Alaron and Renat moved down the hall toward the infirmary.

"Are you going to be alright?" Brinn was genuinely concerned.

"I think so. My chest just feels so tight." Alaron responded. He breathed deeply as Renat supported his arm. Another thought came to the prince's mind. "Did you hear what Cafer said? He said he cannot hurt the royal family. It would be safe for Mairwen to return!"

Brinn shook her head. "You heard what you wanted to hear. Cafer said he cannot physically hurt the royal family. He emotionally destroyed all of you..."

"He did not emotionally destroy me!" Alaron argued.

Brinn's eyes narrowed. "Oh? That pain you are feeling that you think is from the Fate? It is your own guilt..."