Parting - Part 3

"Minister Hod does," Oliver said. "Though it's… a small one," he added awkwardly.

The Princess brightened, ever so slightly, at that small ray of hope. "There's light, then?" She said, seizing on it. "Yes, if there's light, then miracles can happen. If there's anyone that can deliver miracles, it's you, Ser Patrick."

"I hope that is the case," Oliver said, clenching his fist. "There are many that do not deserve to die, caught up in this."

"You are amongst them," Asabel said, quickly enough that she made herself blush – but then a trace of her old ferocity showed, that lion-like nature that so resembled her appearance. "You had better not die, Oliver Patrick. I shall not allow it."

He smiled wryly at that. "Do you order me, as a Queen?"

"I do!" She declared, her voice commanding. "And as… Asabel. What you said to me the last we met, did you mean it?"