"It has been three days. Why are the Fates stalling?" Brinn said as she pushed breakfast around her plate. The food was delicious, but she had no appetite. "We should do something!"
Their stay at the Mystic Spires had been interesting at first. They explored and saw what only few could even imagine. The Fates had mostly kept themselves hidden with the exception of Hanna, who appeared without warning and left just as abruptly. Occasionally a soft breeze would touch Aurora in the hallway or brush her on the stairs, and the Empress knew that a Fate had clandestinely passed.
The most notable feature of the Fates' dwelling was the waterfall which flowed from the most central spire. It tumbled fiercely and from it the mist of Dew Mountain was formed. The water eventually hit the ground below and split into the rivers of the land of magic. This was why the land was so lush, but it never seemed to rain. The source of the rivers was magical.
"I do not know what else we can do but be patient. If we try to rush them, they could just send us packing," Aurora said to calm her friend. She was also frustrated, but short of a demand to see whoever was in charge with the threat of leaving, they were at the Fates' mercy. 'Aren't we always,' the Empress thought wryly to herself.
Just then, the door to the ladies' suite opened. Their three male companions entered dressed in white flowing robes just like Hanna wore. "Is it curious that we always eat in our quarters or some random balcony? Do you think they have a banquet hall?" Devrim had given this a lot of thought. In all their explorations they had found only a small kitchen and no dining room. They had also found no sleeping quarters beyond their own.
Aurora ran her fingers through her dark hair as she contemplated. "Perhaps the Fates do not need to eat or sleep. They do not seem like normal magical creatures."
"Whatever that means." Nurlan was more than ready to be gone from the land of magic and go back to where the world made sense.
"Why was the Fate considered cruel?" Junayd asked with a grin. Everyone stared blankly at him. He continued, "Because her name was Miss Fortune!" Chuckling at his own joke, the young soldier looked to see that no one else was laughing. "You get it? Miss Fortune…misfortune is cruel?" No one responded, and Junayd realized they were all staring past him.
"I do not know that particular Fate, Junayd," came an ethereal voice behind him. "You will have to introduce me."
Junayd blanched and bowed to Hanna in order to hide his embarrassment. "My apologies, I was merely trying to be funny," he said an octave higher than his normal voice.
Hanna's smile widened as she observed his discomfort. "Do not worry. I have not come to remove your head…this time." When everyone looked at her wide-eyed, she shrugged. "That is my attempt at a joke. Removing humans from existence is not usually my job."
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Devrim shot Aurora a worried glance. 'Usually?' He mouthed. No one dared to ask her what she meant.
"Anyway, I have come to bring you tidings. The Fates are ready to convene. If you would follow me, Your Majesty." Hanna motioned for Aurora to accompany her.
"We have made it all this way. I will not go alone. Everyone is coming," the Empress said firmly.
"Have it your way." Hanna floated toward the door expecting the group to follow. After a moment's hesitation, they nearly tripped over each other to fall in line.
"Finally something interesting is happening!" Brinn said excitedly. She skipped nimbly down the stairs.
Devrim winced, "Interesting, yes. Good or bad? That remains to be seen." His walk was more sedate, knowing that each step took them closer to the apex of their journey. Aurora was right, they had come very far. But now that they were nearing the finish, Devrim was unsure if he was ready for it to end.
They filed neatly to a spire that as of yet they had not seen. This one was lower and wider than most of the others, which is why it was used to hold the gatherings of the Fates. Aurora entered the large rounded chamber without announcement or ceremony. Inside, all she could see were hundreds of statues lining the walls, many more statues sitting on alabaster stones, and a platform with four statues clothed in white sitting on what could only be described as clean, unadorned thrones.
Then one of the statues blinked. They were not statues at all. These were the Fates! Their translucent skin and colorless irises made them seem like marble, but they were indeed alive. On the platform, a male Fate looked at all of them with a critical eye as they approached. "Are there five Empresses?" The Fate asked rhetorically.
Aurora was caught off guard. "Excuse me? No. I am the Empress." She curtsied.
The Fate spoke to Hanna, who had stayed by the entrance of the gathering room. "Did you not tell her that only the Empress was summoned?"
Hanna's smile, instead of fading at the redress, grew wider. "I relayed your message, Justum, and the Empress made her choices. She has been kind enough to identify herself should you have further questions."
Justum's frown deepened. The female Fate next to him, Ime, glared down at elf. "And why are you here, Brinn, daughter of the Monarchs of the Elves? What business do you have in the affairs of humanity?" Her message was clear: you do not belong here.
Brinn tried to remain calm, but her natural defiance failed her in front of these imposing beings. "These people are my friends. I have come to help them."
"It seems far more likely that you are escaping the life you loathe, and these humans are your way out." The other female Fate on the platform, Eunomia, claimed as she arched her brow.
Brinn flushed but nodded. "That was true at first, but I hope my motives can be found to be less self-serving now."
The final Fate on a throne, Salah, spoke. His voice boomed. "And what of these three men? Why have they come? They are merely two soldiers and a fraud."
Aurora had been nearly mute since entering the Fates' presences. Unlike the elves, who seemed equals, or the gnomes, whose actions she reviled, the Fates were nearly all-powerful beings. Their magnificence far surpassed her own, and she felt very small. But when Salah had maligned the men, especially Devrim, she found her voice.
"These men are some of the truest, most loyal, and most honorable men in all the human world. These soldiers are beyond reproach and Devrim, I owe my very life to him." The Empress stuck her chin defiantly in the air.
"Tell me again when you wed the supposed Emperor Consort," Justum challenged, his voice cold and unfeeling. "This 'honest' man has lied to the world about his position." He tapped his finger on the marble throne, which sounded like a judge's gavel.
Aurora took a step towards the throne and spread her hands. "Devrim has done all that was asked of him by his Empress. Any guilt in that matter lies with me." They could insult her all they liked, but she would not let them malign the man she loved.
The four Fates looked at one another and then at the girl before them. She was a child, and a human child at that. Justum cast his gaze across the gathering of Fates and nodded decidedly.
"If you insist on having your company here, then we will allow it. After much deliberation, we have reached our verdict." Justum motioned to the four Fates on the platform. "We will not help you."