Spoiled

"But you are alright?" Mairwen asked through the mirror.

Aurora had just recounted the watery explosion and her miraculous healing. She held up the mirror to respond. "We are fine and fully healed. Once the mess was cleaned up, we let the towels dry in the sun before burning them. The Doctor thought it was the only way to prevent the black water contamination from spreading. We will have to find a better way to combat this in the future."

While effective, a solution that caused a new problem was not the best option. The waste produced was far too unpredictable and possibly toxic.

Having received a response, the mirror lit. "Did you say 'black' water…and you mentioned the earth shook?" Alaron was in the glass this time. By his tone, he seemed surprised but not just because the events seemed fantastic. Her stomach clenched.

Lowering and lifting the glass, she spoke quickly. "Yes, that is correct. The burst shook the ground, at least that is what the doctor said. I was not awake to remember it. Why do you ask?"

The time before the next communication felt like an eternity. Aurora wrung her skirt as she sat atop a velvety cushion in the sitting room of her suite.

Zan and Nurlan were nearby, listening to the communication as their ruler had requested. The Guardian noticed her frantic state. "What has set you so on edge, Your Majesty?"

The Empress turned her blue-flecked eyes on him. They were filled with an unspoken worry. "Did you hear the way he asked about how the earth shook? Do you not remember what he asked me about the liquid light that you Guardian's carry?"

"Your Majesty, I was not in the carriage with…"

Aurora pursed her lips. "I know you can hear a falcon flapping in the sky if you so desire. Don't play dumb with me."

Zan grimaced. "It is a bit of an exaggeration, but…yes. I heard Alaron ask if the vial could cause an earthquake. I had wondered what he meant. Do you think..."

"Your Majesty?" Nurlan interrupted to indicate the mirror's glow. Without hesitation, the woman scooped up the trinket from beside her and held it firmly.

It was her son again. "We may have failed to mention that Mairwen was hurt by one of the lizards. She's fine now, before you worry. But those purple veins you described were already forming on her skin when I intervened. I used my Guardian's vial--I did not know what would happen!--and, well, she lit up like you described and caused an earthquake inside Valiant. I guess we probably should have mentioned that..."

Aurora had heard about the ground shaking, but it seemed to have more rumor than fact attached to it. Each tale was more fantastic than the last and yet there did not seem to be any real damage.

"Is that liquid light of yours related to the healing water somehow?" The Empress asked Zan. His eyes flashed.

"I have contemplated this ever since we found out the water from the Mystic Spires is so life-giving. It seems that they may be even more closely related than I thought."

"But why would injuries from two different unknown beasts cause the same reactions from that vial and the water?" Nurlan began to pace. It was quickly becoming a habit of his that day.

"Too many coincidences for them not to be related somehow. I wish we could send Hanna to warn the Emperor." Aurora pressed the mirror back onto the cushion in frustration

"She is under the doctor's observation the same as you are. He would like you both to at least wait until morning before doing anything too physical."

"And that is why the Fate stormed out of the palace, floating just to spite him. I recall. I don't suppose you would consider reviving your role of spymaster, would you, princess?" Aurora asked casually.

Brinn, who had reached her limit of how long she could remain invisible, appeared next to Nurlan. The general was startled by her sudden appearance and swiftly brought his sword to the elf's neck.

"Really, General? I thought we were friends?" she said with an impish giggle.

"I can respect and appreciate the shape-shifting and disappearing," Nurlan grumbled, sheathing his sword, "just not when it is used on me."

"I like you too," Brinn smiled innocently and fluttered her eyelashes. Then she asked the Empress, "How did you know I was here?"

"You may be invisible, but your movements aren't. I'm already on edge and the door moving slightly caught my attention. Who else would the elven guards outside let into my chamber unannounced except you, hm?"

Brinn nodded. "Fair point. Everyone else would want some grand fanfare."

"I was meaning they would not be so presumptuous, but I agree that they would definitely not sneak in here like a thief." Aurora paused, realizing they were getting off topic. "Can you get a message to Devrim? I am not supposed to leave and even if I was, that particular skill you just showed would help you get to him faster. I would have to sneak around and find a way to get his attention."

Brinn bowed deeply. "It would be an honor to serve Her Majesty once again. If I am being honest I was a little jealous that Gandr got to go back to Valiant on a mission without me. But if I am going to go through the Storehouse, I am going to need..."

Aurora was already slipping the Fate's chain from around her neck. The gold chain shimmered, reflecting the late afternoon light from the window. Soon enough, lamps or torches would need to be lit. Brinn joined the human chain with the elven one already on her neck.

When the Cafer's War was finished, Zoltan had refused to take back the necklace just like he had refused to take back the crown. His spirit was nearly as broken as his body for a time. The redheaded elf had tried to give the chain to the new monarch, but Ithel had also turned down the responsibility. As such, Brinn wielded the elven chain and wore it constantly with her own marriage necklace.

The rose-copper of the elven Fate's chain rubbed against the one added to it, and both pieces of braided metal hummed softly for a moment. "I guess they are friends just like we are," the elf grinned. "Now what message do you want me to deliver?"

Nodding, the Empress found a slip of paper and jotted down the information of what had happened to her and similarly what she knew about Mairwen's experience. She emphasized that they were both healthy now.

Passing the words to Brinn, Aurora gave a sad smile. "Give Devrim my love. I hope to see him soon."

"Ew! I will tell him you love him and miss him, but I will not show him love. Not that elves can do that, anyway." The redhead gave a mischievous grin. Before anyone could respond, the elf hurried from the room on her quest.

"Thank you," Aurora called belatedly. She sighed as she thought of her handsome husband. She wondered what had happened in the palace in her absence. There was no use speculating; Brinn would bring news soon enough.

Aurora pulled herself back to the task at hand. She needed to send at least one more message to her children through the mirror. "I am sending a message to your father with this information. It is too much of a coincidence. I am glad, though, that you have an alternative treatment. Please stay safe, and steer clear of Oblivion. I love you all." The Empress was trying not to let the emotion into her voice but failed. Magical creatures might not love in the truest sense of the word, but she was human and she felt the emotion to her core.

When the mirror lit once more, the princess was there also looking somewhat teary eyed. "We love you too. We have no plans to go into Oblivion at present. Although Dania was last seen there, we think that is likely the last place she is now. We are heading into Abeyance now to find her sister. I will let you know when I know more. No more secrets."

"No more secrets," Aurora agreed. If they were not running down two separate problems, but just one, then sharing information was their greatest advantage. After her parting words, she set the mirror with her things and prepared to leave. Her mind drifted to the youngest member of her family.

"I will go get Colvyr from Nanny and Lanassa before dinner. They have had quite enough time with him, I am sure." Aurora had taken a respite from the nursery to send the message to the twins. She was thankful to see they were well, and now she needed to attend to her little corner of the world. By that, she meant the little bundle of energy waiting down the hall.

"I doubt that they will ever have enough of that little prince. When I left, those two were like dueling grandmothers vying for that little one's affection." Zan chuckled. He adjusted his tunic, which had been a gift from the elves, and followed the woman. Nurlan joined the pair as they headed into the hall.

"Both of those ladies are territorial enough, they are liable to tear His Highness in two." the soldier noted with a grunt.

Aurora quickened her pace. "Or spoil him doubly rotten. Either way, I should rescue him!"