Dreamwalker 9
I must have fallen asleep. I didn’t mean to dreamwalk again.
SoYa decided it was exhaustion taking him, even though he didn’t mean to sleep or dream. Not right now. Not when so many other things were happening.
At first, he considered waking himself from the dream. There were more important things he should tend to rather than dreamwalking. But he found it interesting where his dream led him. It wasn’t the floating islands. He didn’t have wings as normal. Instead, he was walking through the forests, a place that he identified as being near his home.
It was early morning, just a touch after dawn, and the new sun danced over the dewy grass. The hem of his robes were damp as he moved forward, eyes squinting against the morning blush in the far sky. He could hear the sound of forest life stirring and scampering between the trees.
It almost feels like I’m really here.
Sometimes dreamwalking felt quite real. But this was something else. No muted senses. Even the chill of the morning air rasped in the back of his throat, which ached for a drink, just as it should. Eventually, SoYa stopped walking, peering around him. Nothing looked familiar. He had no idea where he was going or why he was there.
A soft chirp earned his attention, sounding not too far, from somewhere in the trees. Thinking it must be some forest creature, SoYa turned. To his surprise, he saw a swirling misty image of light, floating and winding in a shimmering wind-pattern.
His lips parted in silent astonishment, feet carrying him stumbling over the hillside towards the vision. As he drew closer, he could make out the slender shape, bright teal eyes and tiny draconic head. It looked very much like…
The dragon I saw in my other dream!
The mist-creature stopped weaving about, turning its head towards SoYa, as if sensing his realization. It offered another chirp before dancing off through the air, capering lightly through the tall tree trunks.
There must be a reason it’s here!
SoYa rushed after the tiny dragon, pushing aside branches and bushes that threatened to obscure the glowing light. He could feel his heartbeat rising, the breath whistling between his teeth, his feet slip-sliding over loose debris of last-year’s fall. Every now and then, the dragon gave an encouraging chirp, which reinvigorated his chase.
Before he realized it, the ground dropped away sharply into the bank along a dark riverside. SoYa reeled with windmilling arms, unsuccessful in maintaining his balance before he dropped feet-first into the shallow water. A sudden chill raced through his body, his mind clearing with a jolt of surprise. Staring down at his feet, he realized this was no dream.
How can this be? This is really happening!
The soft chirp sounded from across the river, encouraging him forward. SoYa paused, catching his breath as water logged down his boots. He stared over the distance of flowing shadows, frothed with stones and shifting white. That’s when he recognized where he was.
No…
The Torlan was the wide river that drew the southernmost natural boundary along the lands that the Manor claimed. SoYa wasn’t sure why the Manor chose not to build along the source of water, as would be most natural. Rumors of danger and wild lands on the other side, as well as the bewitching effects of the water itself had grown up over the years. Whether the stories were justified or merely superstition, the people of the Manor did not venture to the river, much less beyond it.
Even now, SoYa could feel the tenseness as he stared to the dark opposite bank, as if something was working on his mind, pushing him away from that place. In realizing this wasn’t a dream, part of him wanted to turn back there and then. However, this wasn’t a dream. And the white dragon still capered ahead of him, leaving streams of sparkles on the other shore.
You’re kidding right? You want me to cross this?
He winced, pulling up his trouser legs, despite his already drenched cuffs. His green eyes fixed on the white glimmer that swirled and teased. Shaking out his limbs, SoYa took a deep breath and hoisted himself up on the nearest rock. Sliding from one stone to the next, he made his way over the foam.
Looking down, he could see that the river wasn’t actually that deep, perhaps reaching to his waist, maybe his chest in spots. The water moved fast, but didn’t appear to be overpowering. In fact, the shadows of fish slipped under the surfaces, calmly tracing silver paths in the dawn light. Why the Torlan had such a foreboding feeling became ever more mysterious.
Making the last jump to the other side, SoYa planted his feet on the rocky bank and peered around. So far, he saw and heard nothing. Still, his senses prickled with the feeling of discomfort, as if he was treading in a place where he was not welcome.
I’ll just see where the dragon is going… then I’ll go right back. This won’t take long.
The shimmer was already vanishing, twisting eagerly into the limbs and leaves of the looming forest. SoYa pursed his lips in a determined frown and started after it, ducking through low hanging vines and squelching over quiet stones and tall forest grasses. For a while, he continued, led into the depths of the forests, working to keep sense of direction between the trees.
Then, as he stumbled out into a wide glade, he completely lost sight of the dragon vision. SoYa turned around and around, so concerned about the missing presence that he almost overlooked the majesty before him. Once his eyes adjusted, he staggered back, staring up at what had to be the largest tree he had ever seen.
Amazing! Is this… what the dragon wanted me to see?
Massive roots rose up, like the hollow arches of ancient towers, supporting the impossible pillar trunk. The branches swept across the sky in every direction, a canopy that sheltered much of the forest below its branches. Shimmering light capered over the soft trunk, almost rune-like in shape and design.
The mind mage crept towards the tree, growing dizzy as he attempted to measure it with his head craned back. He made his way along the roots, finding footing surprisingly easily, almost as if the tree grew with hospitality in mind. Reaching out, SoYa placed his palm against the cool trunk. The glimmering lights that pulsed just under the tree’s bark diverted, growing more dense in the form of a handprint outline, responding to his touch.
This isn’t anything like the trees at the Manor. It almost seems aware…
A crackle came from the brush behind him a moment before a strange, melodic sound filled his ears. Something like words passed through his mind, words formed from the sound. A speech without real speech.
-Do not move-move.-
SoYa froze, breathing in sharply. Carefully, he turned his head to peer back over his shoulder. The warning sound of a creaking bowstring made him think twice.
-I said-said no moving.-
He stopped, feeling the shadow of something much larger than he not so far away.
-Both hands. Put-put against the Tree.-
SoYa did as he was instructed, watching the pattern of light gather around both of his palms now. Swallowing, he held as still as possible.
-You do hear-hear?-
He nodded, “I hear you.”
-Curious. What do you magic-magic to the Tree?-
“No magic,” SoYa answered. “I’m only touching it. The light is what the tree is doing.”
-Also curious.- There was a moment of silence. –You will come-come with me. But no suddenness.-
“I’m not going to do anything. You have my word,” he lifted his hands slowly from the tree, but kept them up, where they could be seen.
-The words of Strangethings mean-mean little to Ingway,- came the response. –Turn-turn.-
SoYa swallowed and slowly turned around. There before him stood a tall, lithe figure, caught somewhere between person and animal. The features were decidedly feline – pointed ears, slanted green eyes, flicking tail. A creature of the forest, the fur was painted in dark stripes and woodland colors. Yet, it wore what appeared to be hunter’s garments, not too unlike what his own people would wear.
Bow notched, the point of the arrow was pointed directly between SoYa’s eyes.