Roby Ward

It Only a Dream Can Be
Chapter Seven
(Jelnaya)

…
She replied, “You just came back, Princess Jelnaya. Are you sure you want to go anywhere?”

“I said ‘need,’ so the answer is, ‘yes.’ Also, I don’t consider being about my domains as being away. I assure you that I was handling business.” Hoping to inspire her to get to work, I added, “The one we are supposed to rescue is from Davelda.”

“The book is from Davelda. What am I looking for?”

It Only a Dream Can Be
Chapter Six
(Inchell)

…
“Inchell, how old are you?”

While a question of my age, it came from another lady. “Seven hundred thirty-six.”

“I don’t even believe the thirty-six.”

It Only a Dream Can Be
Chapter Five
(Jelnaya)

…
“Yes. Fergush, well Samayer, gave me this realm. I will not leave it.”

“Well, uh, so you are going to marry some second son, or… who?”

I laughed while saying, “Well, I am interested in that as well. Still, I will not be a stranger, Dagrouch. You keep checking on me, and I assure you that I will bring the man around to get your approval.”

“Me?”

It Only a Dream Can Be
Chapter Four
(Jelnaya)

…
“Yes, well, Honored Duchess Jelnaya, Sir Vidoyer challenged me to sing under your balcony tonight. Said I had as good a chance to win your hand as anyone else. I believe he meant none at all.”

“Now, Dagrouch, I did make Fergush promise me that I would have it all. That does mean a husband. There will be certain requirements, but you are far too young to dash your hopes. You said sing. Are you good?”

It Only a Dream Can Be
Chapter Three
(Inchell)

…
“’A spy as you would define it?’ A spy is a spy. You, my lovely, are going to learn things about being a spy.”

I replied, “I said I was a soldier. Out of duty you may do with me as you will, as letting you learn things about being my enemy will not serve me well.”

From a distance, I heard, “Yes, it will. Do it!”

It Only a Dream Can Be
Chapter Two
(Jelnaya)

…
“I hope that is Cloript speaking and not you.”

She seemed disturbed by my words, although said, “Well, yes.”

“Good. Listen, your god is opposed to the goddess of this realm. I am dealing with a Champion of Onathia, who is opposed to my god. Admit it, something really bad is coming.”

It Only a Dream Can Be
Chapter One
(Jelnaya)

…
“Glad that I could clear up that misconception.” Just so we did not get stalled on matters of the family business, I rose to look at the one being held. “Is this Ferrish?”

“That’s him. He’s to be the next one to live under the threat of continuing the family or having you in control of Kallotech.”

“And he’s third instead of second.”

Balerk’s wife, Punollin, said, “May the gods help us if we have two like you, Jelnaya.”

Aden of Aden
Chapter Thirty-Three

…
Screams sounded as the royal lady moved to take some items from one of the ladies, as a reverberating voice could be heard to exclaim, “NO!”

The head that came up was almost larger than the pond. Body and wings came from the ground. The grand dragon rose not as a physical creature. The water, ground, and trees were not disturbed as it made itself known. We all however felt its presence once it came onto the surface of the land.

Aden of Aden
Chapter Thirty-Two

…
“Tell Yelnoth that he better not lose you. My land has again found hope, and I cannot have them lose it.”

“He will need to come to Thiminy to spend time courting me.”

“Ah. Well, at the moment I have other things on my mind. Help me, Aden of Aden, then I assure you that I will have a conversation with the heir to my one remaining realm.”

I moved to the risers while asking, “Queen Tiolotha, why? Surely this land concerned you. While you were born elsewhere, you came here to live, raise children, and have this land claim you for their own. Surely you cared. Surely you were willing to do what was necessary.”

The queen-mother spewed, “It was gross, menial labor. It was beneath me.”

Princess Turponia asked, “And all the other things you do about the castle are not?”