Chapter 43: The Gnome’s Motivation
Cafer headed into a daybreak Council meeting. It had been two days since receiving the mirror message from Gandr about the death of Aurora. Since receiving the news, Cafer had been practicing his most aggrieved expression so that no one would suspect his involvement. Although he seldom felt happiness, this was as close as he had come in a long time. "It's going to be a good day," he muttered to himself. With Aurora gone, he could mold young Alaron into a true Emperor and use him to bring the gnomes into power. Cafer's long years of service would finally bear fruit. The councilman was sure the news of Aurora's death must have come in the night. Why else would such an early meeting be called?
As everyone gathered around the table, they could see Zan's face was grim. "Councilmen, we have received word from the Empress's traveling party. Something has happened." Cafer braced himself for the wonderful news. Zan went on, "There has been an attempt on the Empress's life."
There was an audible intake of breath. Cafer was as shocked as anyone. "Did you say 'attempt'? Is the Empress…" he couldn't finish his question.
"She is alive and well. The attacker was unsuccessful," Zan said with relief.
"Thank goodness," Cafer said through his gritted teeth.
"How could this happen?!" Birger demanded to know. His face turned as red as his hair.
"Someone told the attacker how to find the Empress. We have a traitor in the palace." Zan's face was serious. He did not like to convey this news. He studied the reactions to see if anyone looked guilty or overly surprised. He spent extra time looking at Cafer, but could gauge nothing by his demeanor. The gnome's genuine surprise at the news had masked his guilt.
"Who is it?" Ezer hoped the Chief would have more answers.
"I don't know, but the suspect list is short, and it includes all of us. I will be interviewing each person separately until I can find some answers."
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Cafer stomped back toward his room after his interview with Chief Zan. He did not care that servants scattered in fear as he rounded the corner. The councilman put off an aura of quiet fury, and no one wanted to receive the brunt of that force. He slammed the door to his room. 'How could the Empress be alive?!' he fumed. The gnome could not let Aurora get to the Fates. If they were to help her, Cafer would have no hope to bring his brothers above ground. After all, it was the Fates' interference that had driven them underground in the first place. He needed the Fates to remain a neutral party. They were too powerful.
He picked up the magical mirror and sent a message to Gandr. "I thought you said that the Empress was dead, brother. I have just received word that she is actually alive and well. What happened?!"
He laid down the mirror and waited. The mirror was low grade magic, but effective for communication. It was also something Cafer believed even the Fates could not intercept.
The mirror glowed eventually. Cafer had grown weary of waiting. He lifted the glass and held it up firmly with both hands. Gandr's face came into view. "I am am sorry, brother. I do not know what happened. She should be dead, but I have seen her, and she is unharmed. I tried to stab her, but my body would not comply. I am still being affected by her emotions. I had no idea the price for using magic on humans was so high. I do not think I can kill her." Gandr sounded distraught, which was very unlike him. Cafer knew that using magic on Aurora would affect the perpetrator, which is why he had not tried to do it himself. The councilman contemplated his response.
As an idea formed in his mind, Cafer held up the mirror to send his reply. "You used a lot of magic and received much of Aurora's feelings in return. I fear the only way to fix your problem is to break that bond. Until Aurora is dead, her emotions will continue to sway you. You must kill her immediately." He set down the mirror and shrugged. It was probably true. Exhausted, Cafer sat down on the bed.
Even though gnomes did not need as much sleep as humans, he was tired: tired of pretending, tired of always deferring, tired of humans. If it weren't for the Fates and the Maker, he and his kind would have wiped humans out long ago. Years before, Cafer had been placed in the palace by the gnome king in order to infiltrate and subvert, something at which he was very skilled. Cafer gained power quickly, and the future of the gnomes looked bright at last. However, Cafer liked the extravagance of living in the palace, and in time he abandoned his brothers to live this life of luxury. But when his power as Chief was stripped, he returned to the mission that King Baak had given him: to bring the gnomes into power over the land. Cafer laid down, reflecting on the long history that had brought them to this point.
Many centuries ago, all magical creatures lived among humans. But the humans were jealous beings. They could not wield magic, and those who tried ended up with shortened lives and bitterness in their hearts. Finally the Maker (along with the Fates) separated the magic and non-magical creatures using an ice barrier to ring the northern most part of the planet. Inside the barrier, the Fates divvied up the land leaving only underground for the gnomes. It had made sense to do this because gnomes have earth powers and like to be left alone, but it angered the gnomes. The gnomes began to plot their escape. The rule of law stated that magical creatures could cross the ice barrier at will, as long as humans did not see their magic. And use of magic on humans was strictly forbidden. The Fates enforced these rules and those who broke them faced dire consequences. The Fates only desire was to please the Maker by keeping the world at peace.
Unlike the Fates, Cafer cared only for power. As head of the Council, Cafer had always pushed the humans into war. He wanted to weaken humans and make them need him and his people. But when the Last War was fought, he realized his error: now the humans were unified. Fortunately, he no longer cared. He was comfortable and he would let the rest of the gnomes rot underground. Yes, Cafer would have left things as they were forever had it not been for that bratty little Empress, Aurora. She had humiliated him, and the centuries of built up anger of his kind rose in him once more. With his help, the gnomes would take over before the Fates and other creatures could rally. Then the Fates would face the choice of letting the gnomes rule in peace or the annihilation of humankind. He knew what they would choose.
Finally, the mirror lit. Gandr's message was simple, "If this is the only way, I will complete my task. Or I will die trying."
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