Forgotten Realm

    So here it was another Friday night, and here I was alone in my apartment.  I spent the day working like normal, then had a solitary meal and glass of wine.  I relaxed on the veranda with a glass of Sangria, reading my Lindsey Hall book and fantasizing that was me.  Eventually I took my book inside, soaked in a long hot bath and snuggled down in bed.  The last thing I remember was putting my book aside and being surrounded by soft, downy blankets and lush pillows.        I don’t know what startled me awake, but something did.  I look for the clock on my nightstand only to find it missing.  s**t it wasn’t just the clock missing it was the entire nightstand.  Panicking I look around my room, I know I only had one glass of wine last night, but something is off.  Everything is gone!  All my dressers, clothes and shoes.            “What the f**k!” I cry.        I scan what should be my apartment again, I am so not at home anymore.  I must be dreaming.  It must be some weird dream brought on by stress and a glass of wine.  That’s the only thing I can think.  I take a few deep breaths and settle back in, thinking this dream is just too bizarre.  I go to lay back on my bed only to realize it’s not there anymore.  This dream keeps getting stranger and stranger.  I pinch myself trying to wake up, that’s when I discover I am wide awake!           “s**t! s**t! s**t!”  I mutter, “What in the name of all that is holy is going on?”      I scan my surroundings once more. I stand on the precipice of a high cliff overlooking a glowing turquoise cove, there is lush vegetation here.  Beautiful emerald trees ripe with fruits in every color of the rainbow, yet I recognize nothing.  The grass beneath my feet is soft, luxuriant, and the oddest shade of green I have ever seen.  It’s like emerald and cerulean mixed together. Where the hell am I? I think.  I look up and find myself gazing at two gorgeous, luminous orbs of pearl.        “Oh Goddess, where the f**k am I?” I cry.      I’m starting to really panic now.  This is not home, and wherever here is I must have gone through the looking glass like Alice did. How is this even possible? I went to sleep tucked up like always in my cozy one-bedroom flat. I fell asleep listening to the waves crash against the shore.  Taking a deep breath, I scan around once more.  The illumination from the cove and the two moons give more than enough light for me to see, that I am completely alone.  I spot a path off to the side of the cliff; it looks wide enough to travel comfortably even in my nightgown.   I look down hoping for my slippers to have at least made this insane journey with me, but I am sorely disappointed and shocked again.  Nope, no slippers but my night gown is transformed into a spectacular dress that falls to my ankles.  This dress is breathtaking, it is pearlescent in the radiance of the moonlight.  It’s a cream color satin with a combination of Venetian and Alecon lace overlay.  The empire waist highlights my bust and shows off my hips and other curves magnificently.  If I had a man in my life, I might wear something like this for him, I laugh to myself.  Well I guess I will make the most of this and explore where I am.        I set off down the path, guided by the turquoise glow from the water and the soft cream light of the moon.  The path is worn smooth from time or travel I can’t tell yet.  Thankfully, it has been, so I don’t damage my feet since whoever brought me here didn’t bother with shoes.  I'm guessing that someone brought me to wherever this is, it can’t just be my imagination can it? I keep wondering if this is all a dream, I pinch myself a few more times thinking maybe I didn’t do it hard enough and I will wake up. Alas, I am awake.  Well might as well enjoy myself while I explore these new wonderful surroundings.  The trees are full, I can hear small nocturnal animals scurrying around looking for dinner.  I hum to myself listening to all the sounds of night creatures, it’s peaceful and restful here.  I round the bend in the path and come face to face with what resembles a horse.  It’s the strangest horse I have ever seen though.  The hide is silver, and the hooves and mane are blue.  He, well at least I think it’s a he, is staring right at me.  I stumble a bit when he looks me in the eye.  Thinking to myself I should ease around him using the rocks to my side, I jump when I hear him speak.      “And who do we have here?”        “What? What? YOU TALK!” I screech      “Well of course I do, young lady! What do you think I am, some common farm beast?”      “Well....well... well where I’m from horses don’t talk” I stutter      “A horse? Who are you calling a horse, peasant? I am the great Hyppolytos!”        Oh, where in the name of the gods have, I gone?  A talking horse that’s not a horse?  My mind swirls with all the possibilities.      “It’s very nice to meet you, Hyppolytos.  I’m Aoife.  May I ask you a question?” I stutter      He studies me for a while before answering me. “Why should I answer anything from a peasant such as you?”      “So sorry oh great Hyppolytos.  I am not from here; I don’t even know where here is”, I exclaim.      “What do you mean you aren’t from here?” Hyppolytos asks      “I mean I went to bed in my flat on the coast of Ireland and somehow I ended up here, in this outfit! I have no idea how this is possible, I thought I was dreaming but it would seem I am awake!” I exclaim      He looks at me like I am speaking a foreign language, and maybe I am.  He doesn’t seem to know where Ireland is or what it is.  His perplexed look continues as he studies me from head to toe.  I wait, standing there on display for this creature, to answer me.  He takes in my willowy frame, my waist length curly blue-black hair, my amethyst eyes.  I’m tall and slim, I have curves and I have never been afraid of dressing to accentuate what I have, but this dress while being beautiful definitely shows my womanly figure.        “Well peasant, I have decided.  You may ask your questions.”       Once I get the go ahead, it just pours out of me.  I can’t seem to stop the torrent that flows.        “Where am I? What is this place? How did I get here? How can you talk?  You have two moons, and and and ….grass that is multiple colors, and rainbow fruit! And water that glows!”      I rant for what seems like ages but, is probably about 5 minutes.      “Slow down, slow down!” commands Hyppolytos. “Firstly, you are on the Isle of Zorna, it’s a colony of settlers from Helm’s Bluff.  We are in the Realm of Deepwater.  I have no clue what this Ireland you speak of is, but if you are here then you have the heritage of a Dragon Witch.  As to how you came to be here, I can’t answer that only Declan, Aiden, Liam, Finn or Callum can.”       “Wait, a Dragon Witch! What’s a Dragon Witch?” I ask      “You don’t know your heritage, Aoife? Who are your parents? Your family?” he queries      “My parents were Sean and Maura O’Malley, my family has always lived and worked in the small town of Inishbofin” I answer softly. His questions startle me, why would he ask about my family.