A forest at twilight can be quite ominous.
(“Landscape in the Forest at Compiègne” by Paul Huet (1803-69))

Daphne Vane has three and a half days to find her father in the very strange land the dwarves of legend now inhabit. Pity she only had one hour to be briefed on conditions and prepare any gear. But given a choice between braving the unknown dangers of an alien forest, and marrying one of the pathetic demigods the Council has chosen as her suitors, she’ll take Exile, thank you! Still, Daphne can’t escape unwanted attention while in the woods, as she finds out in “A night in Exile,” chapter 14 of To Ride the Lightning Bolt, my weekly serial about a young woman whose life is definitely not the cat’s pajamas right now.

I expect that due to weather and other circumstances, I won’t be on the Internet for a few days. That’s why I’m posting this chapter two days early. So I might be a bit slow in approving and replying to your comments. Please be patient.