Without a Light I See
Chapter Fourteen
(Jelnaya)

…
“I have shown you a number of items of gold that gave me evidence of you existing, Dirchein. This was once part of a shirt. I sold it when Terish identified it as a garment by an egotistical monarch, and not anything to do with a lady of gold.”

Lerdiyo asked, “Emperor, did you see the map?”

“Map? It had been woven in a manner that gave the appearance of a dragon, but that was all. I can see one of the legs on your piece.”

“It’s a piece of a map.”

Without a Light I See
Chapter Thirteen
(Jelnaya)

…
“He and I have the same problem. If either of us fails in our personal matters, the other has to come in and clean it up. It is best to have a heads-up.”

“You are not his only esteemed vassal.”

“I am his only duchess.” Not having studied the government of Oprillot’s world, I tried to imply some of the facts of our system as I replied, “If the viscounts are not eager to step up then it is assumed to be my problem.”

“Has that happened?”

Without a Light I See
Chapter Twelve
(Potorly)

…
“I see.” I looked to Oprillot to ask, “I guess you are willing as well.”

He replied, “Immortality is a gift. Why it did not come with maturity, I cannot say. There are those that speak against my condition, saying it was a type of death even though those of a religious nature have clearly stated that I am not a member of the undead. In any event, gaining the friendship of fellow immortals is a blessing whether I gain a wife or not.”

“That did not answer my question. Are you willing to pay the price?”

Without a Light I See
Chapter Eleven
(Jelnaya)

…
I had done as the lad said, so asked, “You are not a young boy?”

“Boy? I am sorry to say that I am. Young? I am fifty-seven.”

I looked to the one that had introduced the lad and informed him, “Take those of your party to my castle. There you need to speak to one named Vulge –“

A fairy flew into my face to declare, “You cannot be serious!”

Without a Light I See
Chapter Ten
(Jelnaya)

…
“I cannot believe Vulge did not know you were in here.”

Yenorma replied, “He has been kept busy by Queen Nichanay. It seems the lady is wanting to get her son married.”

“Vulge says that you are wanting to get him tied up. I believe you need to hear my lecture about leaving one rut to simply jump into another.”

“Marriage isn’t a rut, Princess Jelnaya. I can’t believe you are implying it will be.”

Without a Light I See
Chapter Nine
(Potorly)

…
I had to look the poem over to admit, “Uh, no. It’s in free verse. I didn’t come here to court you, Honored Duchess.”

“Just Jelnaya while courting. Relax Potorly.”

“Well, I’m really not a poetry person, Jelnaya. Could I read you a section from a romance novel?”

Mother told me to put the book back with my belongings, but I had not and was glad when Jelnaya replied, “This is supposed to be a period where you do something to help me like you. I however did not know fairies wrote romance novels.”

Without a Light I See
Chapter Eight
(Jelnaya)

…
That statement took me by surprise, so I could not help but retort, “What, Heroyu? What must the king know?”

“Why your betrothal to Prince Potorly.”

“There is no betrothal, Heroyu. I mean, how many men have come seeking my hand? Let me say that he does get my reports. The king speaks of laughing at what I had to say about those seeking my hand.”

“The status of Potorly’s mother does have weight, Honored Duchess. At the moment you are betrothed to the man.”

Without a Light I See
Chapter Seven
(Potorly)

…
“I am a queen, Potorly. I had my duties.” She then spoke of the part I was interested in. “Your father is noble as well, but had the lesser responsibility. I felt it was best that he raised you, and he did provide you with a good life.”

“So you felt you could ignore your duties of a mother? Why should I believe you?”

“I always felt you would be glad to finally realize your true worth.”

“Obviously not a very wise queen.”

Without a Light I See
Chapter Six
(Jelnaya)

…
“Gaunts are creatures of complete darkness. Any light keeps them from existing, and we were fighting during the day.”

“I was seeking Emperor Ferrigote, Honored Duchess, so just made assumptions from the stories he told of other worlds.”

Considering I had made a wrong decision in the combat with the creatures as well, I went ahead and allowed the conversation to move along. “And how were you able to come here?”

“The emperor left some items saying they could be used to come to him. Almost all were confiscated and placed in secure vaults. One was actually held by the nobles of my homeland, and it was entrusted to me.”

Without a Light I See
Chapter Five
(Potorly)

…
Just wanting to say something, I found nothing better than to ask, “Did you always like to fight, Honored Duchess?”

“If not, I would not have this life. Actually, I wanted to be like my Grandfather Terish. He is deadly, but that is not really how people think about him. I want the same for me. While I do promote Fergush, I like the fact that others will see me in a different light.”

“Like a wife and mother?”