To Solidify the Mist
Chapter Twelve

I picked up the book, but Orintious came to take it from my hands. “You need to get some rest, Vernallor. By morning this book will probably be in horrible condition, as I expect a good portion of my men would have read it.”

Heratin said, “They’re getting paid to read?”

To Solidify the Mist
Chapter Eleven

Heratin stood to declare, “My mother would never send me into harm’s way!”

Orintious replied, “Oh, come on, Heratin. The evidence is clear that the divine side of your family is not that aware of things. The presence of the peacock however does say that Hera became aware, and sought to protect you. What it does however speak of is that Mochsha’s mother, and possibly my mother, is not the nice, benevolent person you have for a mother.”

To Solidify the Mist
Chapter Ten

I really had no place to go. I had taken a bath and changed clothes to make myself presentable. I had no people dependent upon me, as did Orintious. There was nothing I needed to acquire, as did Heratin. I simply stayed seated. While Mochsha did rise, she turned to take a seat next to the place I sat.

I looked to her and said, “I have none of your issues. It is true that I do not know anything of my parents, but I cannot say that I ever sought them.”

To Solidify the Mist
Chapter Nine

While the great herds of horses were not seen upon the arrival, I had to blame my not seeing them upon having the wonderful sight of divine ladies. No sooner did I look out the window of the bedroom provided for me than I saw a great number of horses. Wondering what else the sight of the goddesses might have prevented me from seeing I stayed at the window and looked at the land around me.

To Solidify the Mist
Chapter Eight

The things we said would wait until we moved upon the other world did not get said. The birds were noticed immediately upon passing through the portal. There were crows, owls, swallows, and eagles sitting on the limbs of trees with vultures and seabirds circling overhead. What got said was something hissed by Heratin.

“Damn, Mochsha.”

Orintious said, “We have no other option except to make it to camp. We might want to head to one of father’s estates tomorrow.”

To Solidify the Mist
Chapter Seven

To Solidify the Mist
Chapter Six

We could only assume Mochsha had expended her energy on the demand, as we did not hear her any more. A number of voices however said such was for the best, as we really did not need to have a conversation. She had been found, or at least located. We needed to set ourselves to putting our energy to work on freeing her.

To Solidify the Mist
Chapter Five

We arrived in the Hantarrow Forest with it still early in the morning. Heratin just took off. Orintious grumbled, but then assigned patrols to his men. I was told not to get lost, then watched as everyone moved off into the forest in a manner that had me believe they would be the ones to get lost.

To Solidify the Mist
Chapter Four

World: Heracropolis to Hantarrow Forest step one (of three)
Ecology: Herbacious mega-fauna.
Destination for day: Heracropolis to Hantarrow Forest step two (of three)

To Solidify the Mist
Chapter Three

I threw up that evening. The troops were establishing camp with both of my brothers commanding their slaves to assure a place of comfort for me. As I found my body calming from the day of movement, the treatment of my body during the week finally sought some release. After I voided what was left in my stomach, Orintious announced something I really did not need to hear.