In the two days that passed since Alaron's return, no discernable progress was made beyond the initial healing. Mairwen spent all of her time with her brother, leaving Renat to fend for himself for the time being. He understood; family should come first. Since Brinn was technically still under house arrest--though she knew there was no real way the Empress could enforce it--the elf found herself helping the young scientist make as many of his burst balls and other defensive contraptions that they could. Once Devrim had informed the palace that the gnomes would be attacking soon, they began to prepare in earnest.

The two had reached a temporary truce. The elf had 'accidentally' left a small magical slab of unmelting ice below Renat's workspace causing him no end of confusion until it was discovered. Then scientist had 'unintentionally' made a cloud of smoke with one of his experiments that made Brinn sneeze in and out of her human disguise like a flickering fire. After that and a few other escalating pranks, the pair decided to put their rivalry aside for the time being.

With their goals aligned, they had made quite a small arsenal of unconventional weapons. Renat liked the quick-wittedness of Brinn, and a small part of her respected his creative ingenuity.

Renat was finishing up a ball of what looked like sticky brown chocolates when he sighed aloud. It was the third time in as many minutes.

"I know I am a poor substitute for Her Highness, but you do not need to make it so obvious," Brinn teased. She also missed the Princess's smiling face.

"I am sorry." Renat looked truly aggrieved. He sighed again without meaning to. "There I go again. Feeling sorry for myself. I should get used to it. Princess Mairwen has better things do with her life than spend time making gadgets. She is a princess after all. And her brother is back. I would never want to get in the way of that bond."

Renat was truly trying to be thoughtful, though the thought that Alaron might turn him into a fiery crisp had entered his mind once or twice. The stories Renat had heard made the prince sound quite volatile. The scientist had only one good arm at present. He was no match for a wizard.

Brinn wanted to tease the boy further, but found herself comforting him instead. "Do not get too used to the princess's absence. I would bet my last coin that she will be back."

"Do you really think so? This is not another of your jokes. We have a truce, remember?" Renat raised his eyebrows and shot her an accusing glare.

"I know, I know. It is not a joke. Princess Mairwen feels something for you. But as I do not feel love, I cannot say if that is what it is." Brinn was going to punch the boy gently in his good arm when she realized the ball he was holding was incredibly fragile. If she was not careful, they would both be stuck until someone found them. The elf lowered her arm gently.

Renat could see what she was about to do and was relieved that she aborted the plan. "I will take this and put it with the others," he said as he cradled the orb in his right hand.

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Brinn scratched at her rounded ears. "Good idea," she agreed. "I do not have a chisel on me to dig us out if we get encased." She paused. "Are you sure you do not want me to take it? I could get there and back much quicker."

"No, thank you. A walk will do me good. I think I need some fresh air."

The scientist gave an awkward smile and left the infirmary behind. He held the ball carefully but loosely as he traversed the maze of halls. Servants darted in and out of rooms, nearly hitting him head-on at least twice. "Quite a game," he mumbled to himself.

At last he made it to the special building that now held all his weapons. The Council had deemed them too volatile to keep inside the palace, but they also wanted them near in case of attack. This spot outside the castle but inside the walls was a perfect compromise.

Placing the ball in the appropriate spot, Renat closed up the building and decided to spend a little more time outdoors. He had been cooped up all day. The late afternoon sun of the coming fall felt delicious on his face. He could not help but smile and close his eyes to bask in its glory.

"You seem happy," someone commented, pulling the boy from his reverie.

Renat opened his eyes to view a well dressed man with a personal guard in tow. He was obviously nobility. The boy bowed deeply. "I am, sir," he responded, not sure how to address the man before him.

The grey-eyed man chuckled at the incorrect address. "You must be new here."

"I am," Renat agreed as he looked up and gave a genuine smile.

"This is His Majesty, Emperor Devrim," Junayd announced to clue the boy into what was happening.

Renat's smile faded and he dropped to his knees. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I had no idea."

"There are no hard feelings." Devrim brushed aside his apology. "What exactly are you doing out here?"

The boy realized how it must look. He was just loitering outside the palace on the royal grounds. "I was stowing away some of the experiments in the building. I will head back inside." Renat struggled to stand, but his slinged arm prevented him from doing it smoothly.

The Emperor saw his predicament and helped him up. "You work for the scientist?" Devrim asked with a curious gaze.

"Well, actually…"

"Is he as distinguished as he sounds? I keep meaning to go down and meet the gentleman," the Emperor went on.

Junayd, on the other hand, had been warned by both Nurlan and Brinn of the Emperor's misapprehension. The soldier recognized the boy for who he actually was. "Perhaps another time, Your Majesty," Junayd interrupted. "I am sure the boy needs to be getting back."

"That is quite a sling on you arm. How did you get injured?" Devrim asked, ignoring the general.

"I hurt it saving a lady's life, Your Majesty." Renat was not sure how much more to say. 'Your daughter, in fact,' he wanted to add, but Renat did not want to embarrass himself or the Emperor. The boy had no idea how much His Majesty knew about the events of that day, and Renat did not want to be the one to tell him.

"Junayd, we have a hero in our midst!" the Emperor dipped his head with a nod of appreciation.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Junayd agreed, copying his action.

"Please don't, Your Majesty," Renat began to panic. He had no idea what to do with the ruler's kindness. "I am nothing compared to you. Tales of your bravery are beyond compare. As a boy, I wanted to be just like you."

Devrim suddenly felt very old. "You do not want to be like me any longer?" He arched his brow. 'Kids these days! Huh, perhaps I am old,' he grumbled inwardly.

The lanky boy realized his mistake. "No, Your Majesty. I just realized I would never be you, and I should just try to be myself. There can only be one Emperor Devrim." Renat stared at the Emperor's shoes. It was all he could do to keep from stuttering. He felt like a fool.

The Emperor relaxed at the answer he received. A satisfied smile touched the man's face. "You are very wise for your age, my boy. I hope that lady you saved is truly grateful."

"She has said as much, Your Majesty," Renat answered.

"Good. Tell your master I will visit him soon. I would like to discuss his scientific discoveries." Devrim turned to leave.

Renat bowed once more. "Glory to the Empress!" He at least managed to remember the formality.

As Devrim walked away from the stunned boy, he nodded to Junayd. "You know," he mused, "that tall boy reminds me a little of myself. Brave and humble. I rather think I like him. If his master is anything like him, we shall get along quite well."

Junayd hid his smile. "I believe, Your Majesty, that you will find his master is a copy of what you just witnessed."

Devrim gave his guard a curious glace. "Oh, have you met the scientist?"

The general nodded knowingly, "Only once, Your Majesty."