Elizabeth Faustina

“Perils?" Sairu said. "Highway robbers? Hustlers? Cads, perhaps? Pickpockets? Pestilence?" Her brows lifted, her eyes widened. "Toll gates?”
― Anne Elisabeth Stengl, Golden Daughter

“Falling on her face, she knew she could not walk a single step more on this road, this Dragon's Path.
But suddenly there were arms around her, strong arms drawing her close. She fell into them, leaning against a warm heartbeat. She heard a voice he recognized, felt it flowing over her like a covering, a shield, a protection.

"Beyond the Final Water falling,
The song of spheres recalling,
When all around you is the emptiness of night,
Won't you return to me?”
― Anne Elisabeth Stengl, Golden Daughter

“I'll have you know that Dumpling, Rice Cake, and Sticky Bun are the noble offspring of the great Bright Mane," Sairu said, "descended in a long line of royal canines bred from the deified lineage of the Lordly Sun's own watchdogs."
The cat gave her a look. "Really?"
"Well, the come from the same kennels as the emperor's dogs, so that's close enough."
"Useless yapping things, hardly what you'd call proper dogs. What's the point of them?"
"They ward off devils."
"Yet I'm still here. What else?"
"They're fluffy."
"I'm fluffy," said the cat.
"You're a monster," said Sairu.”
― Anne Elisabeth Stengl, Golden Daughter

“It means starflower," Sairu said. "The temple is named for the Gardens of Hulan."
"Oh," said the cat. "You don't say."
Sairu, startled by the tone of his voice, looked down. But he was gone.”
― Anne Elisabeth Stengl, Golden Daughter