The dream gripped me hard. But this time, I wasn’t on a cold, stone table with a jade blade hanging over my chest. There were no men in black surrounding me, crowding in on me like parasites hungry for my blood. There were no bones breaking or cries of children or wails of women. No, in this dream there was laughter.
In my mind, I opened my eyes to a bright, sunny day. Greenery enveloped me as far as the eye could see. I was in a forest. Off in the horizon, I saw mountains covered in foliage. I smelled the water in the wind, as well as on the fertile ground.
The tinkling of laughter came nearer, followed by a deep-bellied laugh. I wanted to run to greet the joy in the air, but I knew I had to hold still and watch.
Soon, figures made their way out of the forest. A woman dressed in colorf
