Father Maman

Tanial arrives home to discover Maman left!

She hitched a ride shortly after Tanial's argument with Pa and very shortly after Liam snatched her out of the mud to stand for his dead princess.

Pa's taken to spirits, possibly thinking to ease this pain.

She sees the path she must follow, in contrast to the one they point toward. She chooses Liam and his goals.

A packet of parchments from her Maman lies in her pack, undeciphered. Those only add to her questions, questions she fears only Maman can answer.
Again, Tanial chooses Liam and his quest.

Lady-at-Arms Bitte takes up the challenge of seeking Maman in the great western city of Slot Minear. Her motivation is lots of time alone with kriger Ejvind Strand. She gets that, and more, with answers that do not satisfy even her.

A novella in the Dragons Run My Life series; this version has a revised cover and front and back matter, and minor changes to the story.