Gandr had been looking at the shiny baubles in a jewelry stall for quite some time. He did not like humans at all, but they did have some pretty things. He could dig up stones and gems, but gnomes lacked the skills or patience to cultivate them into works of art such as these.

Gandr was also trying to keep his mind off the events of the day before. He hated what Cafer had ordered him to do. He was a highly trained soldier. In a real battle, Gandr had no trouble removing an enemy's head, but putting a poison needle in an unsuspecting girl was not the same. When he had danced with Aurora weeks before, he had sensed her feelings through his magic. The gnome had experienced her joy and fear, and it had affected him. 'Blasted humans and their feelings' he thought bitterly. But it didn't matter now; the Empress was dead by his hand, and the best distraction would be buying as many shiny things as his purse would allow.

"How much?" A sweet voice behind him asked.

For some reason, the sound made Gandr smile. "Oh I don't work here," he corrected the woman as he turned around. The woman had on a scarf wrapped tightly around her head. Only her dark eyes and nose could be clearly seen. His eyes went wide. He knew those eyes. It couldn't be!

"Oh, my apologies!" the woman said with smiling eyes. She turned her head to search for the shopkeeper.

Gandr reached out to touch the woman. He would try to erase her memory so she would forget that she had seen him. But using his magic on the Empress again would mean opening the channel to experience her feelings once more, and he wasn't sure if he could handle it. He could kill her now, but there were so many witnesses. It was possible he would be captured immediately. Was he positive this was the Empress? She had not reacted like she knew him. Maybe he was imagining things. He needed more information.

The woman in the headdress walked across the path to meet three men in wide brimmed farmers' hats. There could be no doubt anymore. Although they were well disguised, this was the group he had met on the road. Gandr cursed aloud, causing the shopkeeper who had come to attend him to narrow her gaze. "Here," he threw an extra coin her way, "for your trouble." The gnome followed his target through the streets to a small restaurant. He noticed the four split into two pairs before entering. Taking a deep breath, he walked in behind them.

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Aurora and Devrim situated themselves at a table near the kitchen. The smell there was beyond enticing, causing their mouths to water. Nurlan and Junayd sat a couple tables away but still close. The group had decided to separate in order to avoid suspicion…and because Junayd was trying to play matchmaker again.

"Does this mean this is a date?" Aurora teased. She knew that couples who were courting went out together. "And are those two lugs our chaperones?" She indicated the soldiers.

Devrim laughed awkwardly, resisting the urge to scratch the back of his neck. "Of course!" he answered mirroring her sarcastic tone. "What would you like to eat, my dear?" He asked in a deep manly tone.

Aurora giggled. She always enjoyed having fun with the handsome man in front of her. "Oh, good sir, there are just so many choices," she answered in a high, airy voice. Just then a plate came out of the kitchen that smelled of spices and happiness. "I want whatever that was!" she answered sounding normal again.

"Whatever you like." Devrim smiled just a little too genuinely, and it sent a thrill through the girl's whole body.

They were having such a delightful time that they barely even noticed the short man who took a seat at the table nearest them.

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Gandr positioned himself directly behind the Empress. She was giggling about something, and his heart suddenly filled with gladness. Pesky humans! They had far too many feelings that changed far too often. Gnomes lived far too long to feel so intensely. It was painful and unnatural. He had hoped the effects of his magic-use would have faded by now, but here he was chuckling like a fool at the boy's inane joke. Curse his luck!

He pushed down the emotion to focus. He had come with one purpose: to finish his assignment and murder the Empress. He gripped a small dagger in his right hand at his side so that it could not be seen by the main dining hall or the two soldiers. If he aimed correctly, he could hit Aurora in the abdomen from behind and leave in the chaos as people tried to discover what happened. He would head down an alley, shape-shift, and then pass out of town like any other traveler. It was simple, really.

The dagger felt heavier in his hand than usual. It was his preferred method of combat at close range because swords were too long and cumbersome for his short body. He planted his feet firmly on the ground and used his earth magic to "see" behind him. He could sense the four legs in Aurora's chair. When he closed his eyes, he could make out the shadow of the chair and the woman behind him using the weight and pressure on the dirt floor.

In his mind's eye, he pictured the quick strike and his escape. When he pulled his knife toward his knee and shifted his weight, he found he could no longer plunge it backwards. His mind was willing him to stab the Empress, but his body refused to comply. A new feeling gripped him: guilt. The knife clattered carelessly to the floor. What was wrong with him?!

"Excuse me, I believe you dropped this." A friendly voice came from behind him. He looked to see Aurora holding out his dagger to him. "It must have fallen from your belt."

"Thank you," he said trying to hide his face as he took back the weapon.

"Hey! I know you!" Aurora exclaimed. Gandr winced. "You are from the jewelry stall earlier! Did you get that beautiful piece from the shopkeeper?" she indicated the dagger.

Gandr relaxed slightly and gave a weak smile. "No I have had it a long time. I must go. Good day!" He stood and exited.

"What a strange fellow!" Aurora said as she turned backed back to Devrim. "He did not even order any food."

Out on the street, Gandr marched as his mind raced. Not only had he failed to kill the Empress, he was no longer sure he could complete the job. He needed to figure this out, or his next communication with Cafer might be his last.