It Only a Dream Can Be
Chapter Twenty-Seven
(Inchell)

…
“What?” I exclaimed, although spoke quickly to assure him I meant no disrespect. “I am not being secretive for any clandestine reason. I just want to be the first. Surely you know what is there. You live here.”

“Yes. I live here. If there is something up there, I should know. The fact that I don’t should tell you that it is not there.”

“But it is there.” I looked at Princess Jelnaya as I said, “I’ve had one of your Gods assure me it is there. He said you were at fault for not –“ I set my focus on the granddaughter of my empress, then asked, “What are we going to find?”

It Only a Dream Can Be
Chapter Twenty-Six
(Inchell)

…
“Might as well go for you as well, Inchell. You’re not going to find your rut, but there are answers. I am going for more than regaining my true form. Immortality and the hand of a wonderful lady are within my grasp. I will go for both.”

I could not help but reply, “That is a dismal poem.”

“The gifts are unappreciated, thus the title of the poem. Yours is no better. It only a dream can be. I am however out here not traveling with those of dreams, but real people. I promise you that I will appreciate the gifts I gain.”

It Only a Dream Can Be
Chapter Twenty-Five
(Jelnaya)

…
One agent did ask, “Honored Duchess Jelnaya, are those blades sharp?”

I admitted, “I could slice you in half.”

“When would you use something like that?”

“When you have run away and are cowering hoping for the dawn to come, I will be using this. It really is not good against a single skilled opponent. Against groups, there really is not a better weapon.”

It Only a Dream Can Be
Chapter Twenty-Four
(Inchell)

…
Makinor said, “It was pleasant moving with Jelnaya through her realm. The people were friendly. I had no problem until I advanced upon the castle of one of her vassals to meet her. They were protective of her.”

Krachern commented, “That should be expected.”

“I’m a representative of one of our gods.”

Princess Jelnaya said, “The one opposed to Fergush, and you were in your shiny armor.”

It Only a Dream Can Be
Chapter Twenty-Three
(Jelnaya)

…
“We don’t have any gods.”

The one I assumed to be the lad’s father pulled out some money, then gave it to his son while saying, “Sha Inchell, go ahead and detour to Felnaith. Honored Duchess Jelnaya, see that my son buys the item there.”

It took me by surprise when it was Makinor, and not Krachern, that asked, “Is there a reason, Jelnaya?”

“There’s always a reason,” I replied, “just sometimes not a very good one.”

It Only a Dream Can Be
Chapter Twenty-Two
(Inchell)

…
Master Lossurp declared, “I did it, Phissip! I killed that thing all by myself. There is however no honor in simply the story, but for something like this I need the head.”

From a distance came the voice of Sheik Brelask saying, “He’s right, Phissip. Help your brother take the head into the shop.” After all the youths moved into the building, Sheik Brelask said, “You promised that you would not hurt the boy, Honored Duchess Jelnaya. It however seems that you tried to do so.”

It Only a Dream Can Be
Chapter Twenty-One
(Inchell)

…
Krachern asked, “You sent her away?”

“Well, not as in ordering her to go. Still, we wanted her to be something she did not want to be. She was right to go.” I then mumbled more than said, “Munulva, why should our answers be out here?”

“Children are supposed to want to leave home. I’m sure your Goddess understands that you will return. Most children do.”

Accepting that my words had been heard, I went ahead and asked, “Krachern, you believe that?”

It Only a Dream Can Be
Chapter Twenty
(Jelnaya)

…
“Each of you have problems, Krachern.”

The large hands and height of the horse person made his bow rather evident, then he said, “You are a very lovely lady, Jelnaya, but I was setting my sights on Inchell.”

“I’m not going to get mad at you for that. I’m also not saying I was setting my sights on you.”

“Okay, but the other option is that you see this mission as dangerous. Complicated for you is deadly for others.”

It Only a Dream Can Be
Chapter Nineteen
(Jelnaya)

…
“I’m not going to become like you.”

I calmly replied, “I know. You are only looking for a better rut than the one you have been living in. I don’t live in a rut.”

“Maybe, but I am hoping to make my life better. At present I see it as getting worse.”

“Well, how long did you stay practicing?” Seeing her simply look at me I felt answered my question, so I said, “Maybe the rut you want is not one you will be happy with.”

It Only a Dream Can Be
Chapter Eighteen
(Inchell)

…
“I am out here for research purposes only. In fact, the group that funds my travels will actually chide me for what combat I do face. That is why I am doing my paperwork here. I can recuperate without the ridicule of being hurt for what was actually a necessary risk.”

I had to say, “But you won your battle.”

“I have learned things. I am cautious, but sometimes I can see success in facing a challenge. I can however make mistakes, and I must point out that I did get hurt rather seriously.”