Away from the Blue Guard, who refused to mingle among the unwashed masses, a brown cloaked woman bumped into someone seemingly by accident. "Oh, excuse me," she said shyly.

The gentleman bobbed his head politely, "No need to apologize, I.." the man's face changed to astonishment as the woman's hood fell from her head, revealing her dark hair. The man fell to his knees. "Your Majesty!" he exclaimed with appropriate awe.

The woman shushed him, "Rise please. No one can know that I am here." But those around him took notice.

"That's the Empress!" A man in a black cloak whispered loudly.

Another cloaked gentleman nearby also began to spread rumors of the Empress's presence. Before long, the entire courtyard was abuzz. Anna, who was posing as the Empress, was impressed by Gandr's performance. They had not even really needed the men to start the people talking, but Zan and Ezer were currently doing an excellent job fanning the flame.

"The Empress is so kind to spend time among her people," Zan said to the older woman next to him.

"She is a very conscientious leader to make time for us," Ezer commented to the men behind him. Others also started to sing Aurora's praises.

Gandr rose, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will tell no one." The gnome dipped his head humbly.

Anna was handed a flower by a little girl. She bent to the girl's height. "Thank you, little miss. I do love flowers." The girl smiled shyly before hiding behind her mother's skirt amid ripples of laughter. Anna chuckled. "I get shy too sometimes. You were very brave. I must be off. I should get changed."

Anna straightened amid applause and cheers of "Glory to the Empress!" Zan was suddenly worried. He was at the woman's side in a flash. "We are attracting the Blue Guard's attention. Best be off." He was right; the Guard, which had been only half-heartedly looking for threats among the useless rabble, was suddenly on high alert.

The crowd began to part to let her through. She pulled her hood up over her head. "No, no! My guards do not know I am here. Please allow me to leave quietly! I would hate for a misunderstanding to break out among my men and you."

"Let Her Majesty leave in peace. She is a humble ruler," a voice called from the crowd. As everyone looked toward the speaker, Zan and Anna slipped out of sight. He quickly exchanged his cape for hers.

"This will hide your face as long as the hood is up." He pulled it up, and Anna's face disappeared. He laughed lightly. "You are the second person I have lent this to. I must be getting soft. I will need my sword and knife from the cloak."

"…from the cloak?" Anna was confused.

Zan sighed. There was so much to explain and they did not have time. "I will show you."

——————————

There was a heated debate between Nanny and Aurora with what the Empress should wear. "Trust me, this gown will move easier and leave room for that." The old woman pointed to the bow and quiver of arrows. The dress she had selected had a decorative cape that attached loosely at each shoulder. It was perfect for concealing her weapon.

The sixteen-year-old stuck out her lip petulantly. "But I hate that dress! It makes me look like an overripe tomato."

"This is not time for vanity. You can look gorgeous after you have regained control of your throne." Nanny turned the Empress around like a child and began to help her change. Aurora wanted to fight her and made a few angry comments to show her displeasure. But in the end, she succumbed to Nanny's persuasion.

Finally they were ready. "Brinn and Alvar will bring you the children," Aurora said, her mind back on her mission.

Nanny hugged her. "Good luck, and glory to the Empress!"

The five allies snuck into the hallway and were generally successful at avoiding the guards. Disguised as servants, Brinn and Alvar cleared the way, while Birger stayed in the rear. He was the only one expected to be in the palace, and so he figured that he could easily stall while the others got away.

Devrim stayed glued to his wife's side, prepared to take on any foe. At one point, an unlucky servant came out of a room just as the Empress and Emperor were passing. She took one look at them, cried "Ghosts!" and fainted.

"I told you that I looked terrible in the dress," Aurora muttered bitterly. Together the pair continued onward, hoping the poor woman would not tell what she thought she saw.

As they got to the long staircase leading up to the balcony, the elves waited for the humans to catch up. Alvar spoke at barely a whisper, "There are many guards at the base of the stairs. Brinn and I can make ourselves invisible long enough to get up, but what about the rest of you?" For elves, invisibility required a lot more magic than just changing one's appearance. So although it was effective, it was exhausting and highly temporary.

Birger quickly chimed in, "They should let me pass because I am a Councilman. I am supposed to be there for the announcement. Perhaps I can cause a distraction?"

Aurora adjusted the plan slightly. "Brinn and Alvar, you disappear and cause a disturbance which will allow Devrim and me to pass. If anything goes wrong, Birger will step in and try to distract them. Otherwise, just enter like you normally would."

They agreed and Alvar and Brinn disappeared from sight. The Blue Guards were positioned closely together. It seemed like Cafer was expecting trouble. Brinn hit the wall loudly at one end of the soldiers. They jumped and turned to face the danger.

When nothing appeared, one superstitious soldier began to shake. "It's a spook." Alvar banged at the other end, causing the guards' nerves to be tight as a bowstring. Brinn allowed wind to ripple through the ranks. Even the gnome soldiers, who did not believe in spooks, were becoming uncomfortable.

Alvar went around the corner opposite the humans and called loudly. "They are over here! Help! Hurry!" Most of their soldiers abandoned their post to investigate, and the few that stayed were fixated on the corner from which the call came.

Aurora and Devrim saw their chance. They slipped quietly past the guards and began their ascent. Waiting for a moment, Brinn began her own climb, hoping that Alvar was not far behind.

Meanwhile, the soldiers returned. "Weren't nothing but the wind," a short, surly soldier said.

"There's not wind inside the palace. I think perhaps it was a trick. We should investigate…" the guard stopped short as Birger approached them with a stately countenance.

"Councilman Birger," one of the human soldiers greeted him. "We thought you were ill. Chief Cafer said you were not to attend today's announcement."

Birger eyed him coolly. "How interesting…I am perfectly healthy, and Chief Cafer just summoned me himself. Would you like to ask him which is correct or should I?"

The soldier withered under his gaze and did not respond. They parted ways and Birger passed. The councilman felt something brush his arm and realized that one of the elves was near. Unfortunately for both of them, Birger could not see Alvar and bumped into him on the stair. "Excuse me," Birger said reflexively.

"Did you say something?" The guard was suddenly suspicious.

Birger turned to address him, but was unlucky a second time and knocked Alvar into the wall. The elf lost his concentration for a second as his head hit the stone. His body materialized.

"See!" the vindicated soldier called. "It IS a trick. Get them!"