People in the Mist
Chapter Twelve

…
Simply to get my brother talking, I asked, “Why would Father be interested in a banker?”

“You’re thinking wrong, Vernallor. Why would someone take a baby and consider bringing him to Father? Maybe there wasn’t anything special about me, but somebody was able to move between worlds to bring me to Father. Same with you. Same with all of us.”

“But he found you interesting.”

People in the Mist
Chapter Eleven

…
“And you all can make breakfast. My valet can make breakfast. I traveled with you, Ochally. I have the best relationship with you.”

I kept my focus on the young lady as Heratin said, “No, Thursdeck. I do not want you making breakfast. As Vernallor said, I do have other ladies.”

As he left calling for another of his wives, I asked, “Ochally, what would it mean if you felt a need for an arcane source of power? Apostasy?”

People in the Mist
Chapter Ten

…
Actually knocking, the butler having horns and the general appearance of a goat opened the door saying, “I saw you arrive, Master Vernallor, but you are one to normally let yourself in.”

I replied, “I am in the wrong mood to do that, Genalda. I need to be pleasant and agreeable at the moment.”

Hearing a lady ask, “Are you certain you came to right place, Vernallor?” brought a smile to my face.

People in the Mist
Chapter Nine

…
The high priest went directly a question of his own, “Did you look at Galabur’s piece of the trunk?”

I answered, “I did not. What intrigued me was that my Father mentioned knowing where all the pieces were. That was enough information for me to fill certain holes in the narrative.”

“YOU IDIOT!”

People in the Mist
Chapter Eight

…
“What you told me is all true.”

“I am going to Orintious to tell him what I learned. What he wants to do with the information is what I now consider important. He knows why those people contacted him. I suspect that I know, but I cannot determine how they will react to what I tell them. Orintious should have a better understanding of the value of this knowledge.”

“I was going to tell you some things, but I believe now is not the time. I will wait to see if it is you or Orintious that comes.”

People in the Mist
Chapter Seven

…
I mentioned two books that I found referenced in the text I had been given. Certain specifications of another type of work I also requested. I felt that what I said was enough to let Father know things, so it surprised me when I found him coming toward me.

He asked, “Intrigued, Vernallor?”

“Not really,” I answered. “Dechapper just told me again that the best way to end up poor is to think you are rich. I also know that Orintious pays well.”

People in the Mist
Chapter Six

…
“This is not what I usually consider a mystery. I don’t feel like there is actually anything to solve, but that all the answers are there to be found.”

“If that was true, Vernallor, there would be nothing to resolve. Orintious and I said that we wanted you for a head-man. Well, put that head to work.”

Accepting the task as my assignment, I went to my room to look at the book. Going inside I was surprised by Thursdeck checking things in my closet. We spoke about my preference for fashion. Allowing him to continue with that assignment, I let him know I would be in the front room reading.

People in the Mist
Chapter Five

…
While I could sense where Father was, I could not see him even as I heard his voice ask, “And why is that, Vernallor?”

“Because he should know. He sent me here to ask you for one of the pieces of the Trunk of Veskagren, but I feel he could have done that himself.”

“Just the one piece, Vernallor?”

That response perplexed me, so I asked, “You have more?”

People in the Mist
Chapter Four

…
Heratin said, “It seems that our big brother is again turning to my youngest brother to have him solve the problem.”

Orintious replied, “I told him that he was being paid.”

“Yes, you did. Vernallor, let me advise you that next time to ask for your money up front.”

While I accepted the words as just a jest, I still replied, “I will only begin doing that after Orintious fails to pay me.”

People in the Mist
Chapter Three

…
“I did not find Orintious’ family by tracing the clues of how he came to Father, but clues I found in him. The mystery is you, Vernallor, not Thursdeck.”

My valet said, “I would have to support her words, Master Vernallor.”

I had to admit, “I really do not know much about myself.”

My sister replied, “And that is just something we all need to seek. You however do seem to be a good person, Vernallor. Don’t lose that.”