To Face the Ugly Deed
Chapter Thirty-Four
(Jelnaya)

…
I did look to Makinor, although had to accept that as the one telling the story I was the one up. I pulled from a pocket an icon of Fergush, and breathed upon it the words of honor having been gained. Giving the lady the gold item showing red and yellow bands, I accepted the basket stating my thanks, although I then added something personal.

“You take care of Nebard. He proved himself. He’s worth every trial he puts you through.”

She nodded while saying, “I believe I will never regret making certain promises to him. Nebard told me to wish you the best in finding loves of your own.”

To Face the Ugly Deed
Chapter Thirty-Three
(Nebard)

…
It was disconcerting to hear Makinor scream in pain before yelling out the name of our lady, although I felt her words were the only things needed to be said. “Just fight, Makinor!”

“How do you fight this thing?”

“How are you fighting it, Makinor? Just keep doing what you are doing.”

There were a number of sounds from the man. I made out grunting, and I believe a scream of actually feeling pain. I then heard him again scream out the name of the lady.

To Face the Ugly Deed
Chapter Thirty-Two
(Jelnaya)

…
The sounds of the other man approaching could be heard with his voice letting it be known that he had heard. “You already warned me, Jelnaya. I’m ready.”

Makinor said, “Wait. You’re going after the demons?”

I said, “Yes, Makinor. That is the source of the evil.”

“You mean into Hell?”

To Face the Ugly Deed
Chapter Thirty-One
(Nebard)

…
“If you have a degree of experience, I will respect that. Someone has to be able to understand their faults to see what I show them. There are a number however that believe fighting is just taking a weapon in their hands and using it.”

“Some believe love is smooching, cuddling, and reading poetry.”

I saw her ready her drahaberd as she replied, “The one who loves me will not believe that. All three sound nice, but they are not what is going to be required to love me.”

“That I can believe.”

To Face the Ugly Deed
Chapter Thirty
(Jelnaya)

…
Makinor pulled me out of my thoughts by saying, “We were advised not to get the taint of Hell upon us, Jelnaya.”

I kept walking as I replied, “Do you believe Fergush is going to allow any taint on me? You already noted that there were no scars on my body.”

He moved up to walk beside me while commenting, “I actually believed you of Fergush would go around bragging on your scars.”

To Face the Ugly Deed
Chapter Twenty-Eight
(Jelnaya)

…
“Quafrey is not speaking of having me travel to other worlds, but of just needing these experiences to help in dealing with the variety of deities and individuals on my world.”

“Are my lectures helping you?”

“Yes.”

Her eyes went back to her armor after saying, “You’re welcome.” She continued to work while letting me know, “Now, we are really going to need to fight. It could get deadly, and I definitely expect it to get scary. Get something to eat. Makinor cooked it.”

To Face the Ugly Deed
Chapter Twenty-Eight
(Jelnaya)

…
Makinor replied, “That is actually a good philosophy, Jelnaya. I however don’t see how it applies here. We fight this.”

“Why?” I glared at Makinor for a moment, but seeing him just look back I went ahead and explained myself. “You’re here. You are a champion of a goddess of love. Why aren’t you seeing love apply? You should definitely be looking at me and thinking that I am focusing on the fight.”

“Honestly, Jelnaya, I am looking at you and thinking what a fine looking lady you are.”

To Face the Ugly Deed
Chapter Twenty-Seven
(Nebard)

…
“NO IT DOESN’T!” She moved her hand that was pointing at Makinor to also point to me as she said, “Think about it. Say I go to another world and just start slaughtering people. Even if it is at the command of Fergush, what do you think is going to happen?”

Makinor blathered, “I doubt Fergush would have gained permission –“

“THAT IS NOT WHAT HAS HAPPENED!”

Feeling that I could at least state the obvious, I said, “The god of that world stops you.”

To Face the Ugly Deed
Chapter Twenty-Six
(Jelnaya)

…
Attempting to explain things, I said, “I am not as I was. Actually, it is just my hair that is different, but there are other things about me that I know is not like most people. Our close association with the gods affects us. It makes us better. It is not just my beauty, but my health and being able to show off the aspects of Fergush that has others look to me as I proclaim him. I would say the same of you, Makinor.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“That’s not my point, Makinor. Look at these. They’re gross. They look gross, and how they acted was gross. Why would anyone look to them and want to be like them?”

To Face the Ugly Deed
Chapter Twenty-Five
(Nebard)

…
When Makinor tried to offer me a cloth, I said, “I took her. I just took her. Yes, she made me promises, but it didn’t matter. I know it didn’t matter to most of the others with me. She was just a prize. I took her.”

The other champion of a goddess of love said, “And you are loving her.”

“Both of you did things to earn what you have. I killed people. I did nothing to gain blessings. I gained honor for doing something ugly and wrong.”