A Matter of Who I Am
Chapter Thirty-One
(Jelnaya)

No sooner did Namill rush off than Marekel announced, “She is not the threat! If we had turned her, which I still hope to happen, or we had killed her, there would be another. With her active, we could have the threats against us reduced.”

I had to admit, “That is possible even with a worst case appraisal. Okay, let’s get moving!”

While I was trying to stay positive, I cannot say that I appreciated Marekel asking, “Jelnaya, could you provide any help to my wife?”

A Matter of Who I Am
Chapter Thirty
(Namill)

I sensed something different among the men. While I could not recognize anything in their actions, they displayed more confidence as they went through their routines. For all I knew, their behavior could have been due to some minor event during the night, so might have lost its importance as the day progressed. What was apparent in me was the change in my daughter, and I turned as she realized something about her regular early morning discomfort.

“Namill, am I pregnant?”

A Matter of Who I Am
Chapter Twenty-Nine
(Jelnaya)

I rode along hearing Vulge call me Princess Jelnaya without voicing any complaint. In a way it did bother me, as it was my relationship with Fergush that I had set my life to reflect. Still, Vulge was from Davelda, a world that claimed a part of my history, and they had their Goddess that had proven Herself to care for Her people. Vulge could call me Princess Jelnaya, and I would not complain about it.

A Matter of Who I Am
Chapter Twenty-Eight
(Namill)

I awoke hearing Chering demand, “Damn it, Jelnaya! Get up!”

She moved to a sitting position as she asked, “What is it?”

“How do you know?”

“Know what?”

“You say that you are going to keep watch, and something attacks.”

She wiped her eyes, then glared at him while saying, “The something that attacked was me. I attacked.”

Chering crossed his arms as he stared down at the young lady to ask, “You’re saying it was not going to attack?”

A Matter of Who I Am
Chapter Twenty-Seven
(Jelnaya)

I am the champion of a god known as He-Who-Fights. That does not mean that I like to fight, but that I will take on a fight. I heard some mumble with worry about facing threat after threat until finally reaching the Spring of Cormorphin, and then facing a truly grand battle. The prospect of that happening did not bother me at all. I was a champion of He-Who-Fights, and I would prove myself as being able to handle the situations.

A Matter of Who I Am
Chapter Twenty-Six
(Namill)

A Matter of Who I Am
Chapter Twenty-Five
(Jelnaya)

A Matter of Who I Am
Chapter Twenty-Four
(Namill)

We did not leave this day in the same manner we left before. Three draft horses were loaded with gear, but everyone walked. Behind one of the animals was connected the buggy. While my daughter spoke of being determined to walk with the others, Marekel and others expected her to quickly tire. I spoke of moving on foot in a manner of being there for Ulemai, although truly wanted to be alert for my chance to act in some manner this day.

A Matter of Who I Am
Chapter Twenty-Three
(Jelnaya)

No one in the castle had any idea of Sennapre, Davelda, or any other world. They had some idea of fantasy, but only considered those stories as being flights of fancy and not a real history. Those of us that had come with Marekel were not treated graciously as legendary figures, but only as rare guests. I found no problems with the castle, although it was my nature not to relax.

A Matter of Who I Am
Chapter Twenty-Two
(Namill)

I re-entered the apartment for the ruling nobles only to hear Ulemai ask, “None, my lord?”

He replied, “You are more than free to check our storage and read the journals, Ulemai. I can say that the nursery should be a very well protected part of the castle. I feel certain that is where the previous ladies of this castle fled.”

“I have not yet found myself with child. Those at Davelda did say they felt they had helped, but only time will tell.”