The Realm of Dreams

chapter 5

Chapter 5: The introductions

“Hello, My lady.” The tall, muscular, deep tanned man with dark hair kindly greeted her. "My name is Raven, welcome here with us beautiful one."

She just looked at him cooly, and did not speak but she did move slowly and cautiously closer.

The man bowed toward her as he spoke, “May we help you? I, Raven am a master swordsman and I'm training the people how to fight. This man" he pointed toward his co-captain Tristan. “This is my co-captain Tristan.” Tristan, a pale gentleman with blonde hair and hazel eyes bowed at her and smiled gently.

“Where am I? I have been watching you for sometime now and want to know why are you fighting everyday?” She looked almost emotionless at them as she asked her questions. Her voice was like soft sweet fairy bells, it was new and mystical and she confused the men by her mannerisms. If she were a forest creature, such as a fairy these mannerisms might make some sense, however any fae that the men had ever spoken too were typically mischievous, the mischief that Raven felt from this woman’s voice reminded him again of being almost like a gentle bell ringing and calling them to come near her. Just like the fae, she was enticing and seductive by just her existence. Her voice entranced them and when they looked at her they felt she was otherworldly.

Raven and Tristan did their best to stifle their amusement at her terminology of fighting and looked at each other, wondering could this lady really not know about sparring when preparing for war or just even when trying to keep one’s self in shape. It was such second nature to them and to most people of the tavern that for her to call it fighting was amusing to them.

“Well my Lady,” Raven gently replied to her “We are preparing for a war, a more than normally dangerous war, one of the three prophesied great wars in fact. We have been training men here at this tavern in search of a way to set the stone warrior goddess free. If we can find where her statue is and if we can find a means in which to set her free then we will at least stand a chance to defeat the evil that will cause all of the great wars.” Raven’s smile faded as he looked sadly at the lady. He didn't know how much of this she would comprehend and he didn't know if she would understand the direness in the situation.

“My Lady, may I call you by your name please?” Raven gently asked.

“My name” she stood thinking what is a name, after sometime she replied coolly “my name is Emerald.” It was all she could think of. She longed for home, she longed to be out of this land that was preparing for war, and she longed to go back to her idle time at her lake before she had foreseen her death. So in her heart Emerald was a perfect name to title herself, due to her deep longing for her home. “If the stone warrior is so strong why will there be more great wars?” Emerald asked as she looked deeply and coolly into Raven’s eyes. She held his look with deep and stern consternation.

“Well,” Tristan broke in, “The warrior is a brave, powerful, great goddess. She was condemned by the greater old gods to stay a stone statue until the day that a great darkness fell over the land. At that time it was foretold that the statue would break and she would be freed. However, there are others that must find her and destroy the statue by means of the great sacrifice in order for her powers to be at their fullest, thus destroying the great evil one. The means in which this will be achieved is one of great trauma.” Tristan sighed as he explained this to Emerald. His head hung down in a look near to defeat.

Emerald looked at them in silence. Raven patted Tristan on the shoulder. “My friend, I don’t really think Lady Emerald is ready to understand all of this madness."

Emerald swirled her body around looking at them as she flashed a glaring stare into Raven, “Foolish mortal, how dare you think I don’t understand these things. I just don’t appreciate them. Stupid human folly, all of this war and speak of destruction. I tire of it.” She spoke with extreme disdain as she remembered the destruction of her first forest. “Just like when you destroyed my home, the forest of illusions!” Her face had been somewhat distorted and aggressive as she rebuked Raven.

Raven looked at her in shock and was taken aback. “We are sorry to have upset you, Lady Emerald. However, watch who you call mortals. We are the rulers of the dream realm and even you (no matter your power) cannot overthrow us in our own realm.”

"Pride will be your undoing Raven" Emerald said as she looked astounded at Raven; she didn't know she was in contact with the Lord of the dream realm. She should not have accused him of being merely mortal. “I didn’t know you were the leader of the dream world, for that I remove my last statement and realize you are not mortal. I have heard of your realm and hold respect for you and your work.”

Raven bowed toward her and smiled. “All is forgiven my Lady Emerald. Please follow us inside. It is nearing dark and this tavern is on the edge of the evil lands. It is not safe to be outside when it is dark, for that is when the shadows beckon to their evil master.” Raven accepted her half apology, thinking that might be the best he could expect from someone new, as she clearly was.

Raven, Tristan, and Emerald walked to the tavern. Within the Tavern Emerald noticed that there was a long wooden crafted bar along one wall. Many different types of drinks were placed on shelves behind the bar, the shelves went up four tiers high and were roughly four feet long. There was a staircase along an opposite wall which led up and another staircase to the side and behind the bar leading down. The middle of the room housed many tables with several men sitting and drinking. They were very loud and making jokes with each other.

"Good evening, Vex, this is Lady Emerald." As Raven nodded toward Emerald. Vex nodded his head toward Emerald and she returned the acknowledgment.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Emerald. If I may be of service please let me know." Vex replied in his kind and warm voice, welcoming her into his home.

"What would you like to order tonight Raven?" Vex asked as he looked from Emerald to Raven.

"Well seeing as we have a new life with us tonight we would like both food and drink. We trust that you will provide something nice for our new guest." Raven politely acknowledged.

Vex nodded excitedly. "I have the perfect idea for this occasion. Give me about an hour on the food. I'll bring you some wine and bread while I prepare the meal." Vex scurried off quickly and brought three glasses for the water, a clay holder holding more water, and fresh bread. He then returned with a bottle of wine and placed it nearest Raven.

Raven replied with gratitude as Vex disappeared down into the cellar and from the sounds in the cellar he was gathering many cooking supplies and then he went back upstairs and out the side door.

Raven looked at Emerald, as did Tristan. "I would like to ask you some questions and get to know you better Emerald, if you are fine with that?"

Emerald looked at him with less cold eyes, but still not warm nor friendly eyes "ask away."

Raven nodded, Tristan silently listened paying attention and following Ravens lead. "This is a dangerous time, a dangerous place, and yet you are here alone. No mount, no men protecting you. Again, all alone. This confounds me because as I've stated this is a very dangerous time and place."

Emerald pondered, wondering to herself how to explain where she came from without giving herself away, and she didn't want to tell strangers that her nightmare had brought her here. She still wasn't fully sure she could trust them. "Well I lost my mount and I always prefer to travel alone or with some of my dearest followers. This time I was not able to bring my followers with me so I came here alone. I saw you and your men fighting outside and decided to approach you. I have been watching you for quite some time and out of fear I stayed hidden. However, out of deep curiosity I could not resist the temptation to meet you." She answered him truthfully and openly, her green eyes sparkling in the cloudy tavern air.

This answer didn't really help Raven nor Tristan understand her much more, but they could feel that there would be no more progress tonight and they allowed the conversation to run where it wanted.

"Emerald, do you have a safe place to stay tonight?" Raven asked kindly, looking gently at her.

"Here I suppose, but it doesn't look like this has a place to sleep." She looked around the tavern at all the tables and men eating, drinking, and laughing. Noticing nowhere to sleep.

Raven and Tristan looked at each other confused. "Well, no we don't sleep down here. Those men at the tables split up between two rooms. Tristan has a single room upstairs, as do I. Do you have money for a room?" Raven asked politely.

"No, I don't." Emerald said as she looked around the room again and then looked to the staircase leading to the second floor, she supposed that flight of stairs led to the second floor and the mentioned sleeping rooms.

"I will sleep on the floor in Tristan's room tonight and you can have my room. We will make adjustments as needed." Raven kindly explained.

"Thank you," Emerald politely acknowledged.

As she said this, Vex came around the corner. On a huge tray he carried three plates full of food. A small plate of cheeses and another plate of fresh fruits. He set the plates down on the table. "I put the meats separate on their own plate because I was not sure if Lady Emerald eats meat".

"This meal looks fit for a king. I thank you for your time and effort at such preparations." Raven gave Vex many gold coins, more coins than what the meal was worth. To Raven this man was a kind man and deserved as much graditude as he could pass on to him. Vex smiled at Raven and thanked him for the monetary replacement as he slightly blushed. "Raven this amount of coin is too kind of you my friend."

"Please accept it, it is the least I can do for all you have given to us these last many months."

Vex nodded his consent and made himself busy around his bar.

The plate with meat was varied; ham, bacon sausage, eggs, and deer. The plate with vegetables had potatoes, greens, carrots, and ears of corn. The fruit plate contained berries, melons, peaches, and apples. The plate of cheese had the only cheese that the tavern owner could provide. It smelled good and looked fresh, but Raven had not seen it before.

Raven let Emerald choose first. She chose apples, pears, strawberries, and cherries from the selection of fruits. The vegetables that she chose were corn, peas, and carrots, she also chose more bread, and some cheese. Vex had brought out more Crystalize Wine and she drank that as well with vigor. Raven and Tristan ate much of everything presented. When they were finished they took their left overs and gave out evenly to the men that were still downstairs. Once Raven finished passing out food he thanked Vex once again and went upstairs with Tristan and Emerald.

Once everyone was upstairs Vex whistled his happy song and cleaned the bar, tables, floors and went to his bedchamber to sleep as well, he had also had a long, good, but very tiring day.

"Goodnight Emerald." Raven said as he briefly showed her various aspects about the room in case she had a need for them. She thanked him and he left the room. She laid down on the bed and almost instantly fell asleep.

Raven went to Tristan's room. Tristan had set up a pallet on the floor for Raven to sleep. The men discussed Lady Emerald, pondering her story and her mannerisms and then both men fell asleep.