The Dream Walker

Chapter Two Xantara's Plight-3

“It's been an eventful day,” Zo whispered, tenderly stroking Alana's hair as her eyes began to close. When she spoke again, she maintained the same soft tone. “So, you were telling me about the Daimon,” Zo prompted. Daniel barely hid his surprise at the sudden change in conversation. He had been telling her about his encounter with Kitaia Ethelyn, but then, as soon as Seiken was otherwise distracted, she had interrupted to tell him of something of such magnitude that her sudden return to the topic at hand was unexpected.

Daniel had so many questions about what she had just revealed. He glanced towards Seiken, understanding that perhaps she was once more interfering in forbidden things. She had been warned countless times about involving herself in the mortal realm, and that was only for the times her indiscretions had been discovered. Perhaps this secret was better kept between the two of them, for now. How she expected him to forget it was another matter. He could not leave it unaddressed, but perhaps that had been her intention.

“Yes, as I was saying, she was the one who had Remedy attached to her. I never imagined they would look so much like us. Every book I've ever seen depicted them as monsters, yet aside from the additional bones she did not differ from you or I. I've been meaning to visit their land, but Alessia thinks I should wait until I've mastered the voices from these lands first.”

“Of course, Seiken explained what it meant to be selected as Wita. I can't believe you've advanced so far already. Do you hear them now?” Zo questioned eagerly, her eyes sparkling with intrigue and pride. Seiken had told her in great detail the path that awaited her closest friend. Being the Eortháds' Wita meant he possessed a talent surpassing those of a sage. Daniel could commune with the spirits of the ancestors. He would see things beyond the scope of man, and be given insight most could only imagine.

“I'm still learning. I can't always control when I hear them, or focus enough to retain a link to ask for specifics, but I am improving.”

“You are doing amazingly. Grand Master is impressed by your progress. You have come so far in such a short time. We have never known one to have the aptitude you do and view ourselves fortunate our paths crossed when they did. You were already a sage, even if you were unaware of it the spirits were not. It would have been difficult to understand the transition if not for our presence. I must give my thanks to you for guiding him to us, Lady Thea.” Alessia noticed the subtle shifting of Zo's position as she tried to make herself comfortable under the weight of the sleeping child. “My home is available, she is welcome to rest there.”

“Thank you, Commander, but we really must be returning.” Seiken approached Zo, lifting his daughter into his arms with a well-practised skill. He adjusted her slightly, holding her close, without waking her.

“Of course, it's nightfall already,” Daniel observed, much to his surprise. It seemed his friends had only arrived mere moments ago, and already they were having to leave. “We're keeping you from your duties.”

“Not really, we are expecting a quiet night this evening. There's very little preordained.”

“Preordained, you mean you know when someone will suffer terrors?”

“It's complicated, but many of the negative areas present omens before a dreamer arrives, otherwise we would be unprepared to protect them. However, there are many we cannot anticipate, and of course there's the Epiales interference and corruption. Tonight we have the easy task of the expected, whilst others walk the land.” It surprised Daniel when it was Seiken who answered. He had always circumvented the details wherever possible, often leaving his answers vague and open to interpretation.

“I still don't understand how it works,” Daniel complained. He hated not comprehending it fully, but there was no one who could offer him information on that world except for the Oneirois themselves. Any of their race who passed away had either taken the blind-step to become mortal—and as such lost all insight into that world—or had been corrupted and joined the ranks of the Epiales. There was no insight to be gained from either.

“It's relatively simple when you stop thinking about it in your own terms. Our entire existence is forged from energy waves, and within a dreamscape they adapt to become a visual representation of what the dreamer sees. When an area of negativity begins to form we know those entering there will be subjected to terrors, as you call them. We have the added benefit of the fact our kind do not require sleep, and thus are keeping constant vigil should something untoward occur.” Seiken glanced to Zo, so far they had kept the fact she still dreamt a closely guarded secret. It was unfathomable for one of their own kind. Until it became apparent it was occurring with her they had thought it impossible.

Seiken noticed Daniel glance towards his daughter questioningly. “Alana herself is unusual. Our kind don't possess the ability to procreate and yet, like myself, she was born to our world. Since we exist in a world of REM we can't dream, but we do enter a sleep-like state we call NREM which allows us to absorb the theta waves we use to sustain ourselves. It helps the younger of our kind to learn and process information, but the same can also be achieved by eating. Our sustenance is nothing more than condensed energy,” he revealed. Daniel exchanged a curious look with Zo, who simply nodded, her eyes crinkling in amusement at Daniel's curious expression.

“You're the Eortháds' Wita, as such you already know who my husband is to them. Concealing information from you serves no purpose now,” Zo offered, explaining Seiken's sudden openness. “On that note, whilst it is restful to be here the benefits are far less than those of our own world, and this young lady needs all the rest she can get.”

“It has been an honour to see you again.” Alessia dropped to one knee to bow before them.

“You too.” Zo smiled awkwardly. Alessia's people bowed before her and Seiken whenever they visited. It was a show of respect they insisted on as Seiken was the reincarnation of the Wyrm god. He was an ancient being, born near the time the universe first began to hold life. His divine form had been slain and reborn into Darrienia, but the Eortháds and wyrms remained his to command; as such they offered him and his family this tribute. Zo understood the importance this ritual held for the Eortháds and whilst it made her uncomfortable to have those she thought of as friends kneel before her, she had been warned asking them not to would be disrespectful. Even knowing this she doubted it was something she would ever become accustomed to.

* * *

Xantara let the refreshing water of the small natural pool wash over her, soothing her aching body and cleansing the earth and sweat from her flesh. The gown she had approached the Spirit in had returned to the earth, and in its place he had presented her with clothes of his own design.

Emerging from the waters refreshed and rejuvenated, she slid the silver cloth of the sleeveless, high-necked bodysuit over her head, amazed at the silken feel of its texture. The Spirit had informed her that this top had been spun from his own mane, and whilst delicate in appearance it possessed a strength and durability that the finest warrior would envy. She fastened it carefully between her legs before pulling up the dark brown, hide trousers. As she fastened them, she couldn't help but wonder how she could be so covered, and yet feel so exposed at the same time. The fabric clung to her like a second skin, made tighter by the belts around either thigh which held hunting blades, and yet as she moved it felt almost as if she wore nothing at all.

Finally she pulled on the boots, fashioned from the same hide as the trousers and edged with golden stitching. They felt rigid as she pulled on the laces to fasten them over her shins but, like everything else, once in place, they felt comfortable. As a final gift he had presented a long coat, mottled with the colours of earth that altered subtly to provide the most beneficial camouflage.

The Spirit had informed her that this attire would identify her as his chosen Maiden, and that just as her clothes were an embodiment of all the earth had to offer, she would recognise the chosen Maidens of any other Spirits by a similar aura. He had warned her that from this day forth she should only wear garments fashioned by himself. They appeared delicate, but the Maidens chosen by the Spirits were their mortal warriors and this was the armour he had bestowed upon her.

It was only as Xantara returned to her home and gazed upon her reflection she realised how different she looked to the current Maiden. Her freckles, since joining with the Spirit had become more pronounced, altering to appear the subtle red and brown shades associated with autumnal leaves, and her brown hair shone in multi-toned shades of earthen brown. The current Maiden, the one whom she would now replace, was fair, and wore a flowing gown woven by the tailors in a fashion they thought would appeal to their guardian. Looking deeper into the mirror she noticed the brown shades of her eyes had now intensified, showing intense golden freckles.

Despite everything she had just experienced, the power surging through her veins from their encounter, her body trembled. It was time to take up the mantle preordained by her birth. She had been called to become the Maiden prematurely and had to prove herself worthy. Now more than ever she feared failure. After a decisive stare at her reflection in the surface of the looking glass she once more stepped out onto the streets.

Unlike moments ago, when she had returned, the streets were no longer deserted. On seeing Xantara the town had become animated, awaiting eagerly the re-emergence of their Spirit's chosen Maiden.

“My lady.” A figure awaited her at the door. “It is my understanding that there are no Fangers awakened, perhaps you would permit me the honour until your protector makes himself known to us?” Xantara looked upon her childhood friend in astonishment, her freckles seemed to grow more pronounced as her skin flushed. For as long as she remembered he had trained to be their village's protector. He was their most competent hunter and their greatest scout.

“William,” she whispered, her voice almost failing. A murmur of excitement delayed her answer as her attention was drawn towards the small man pushing his way through the gathering crowd towards her.

“My lady, what of Leona?” he asked when she acknowledged his presence. Before giving her answer she extended her hand to William, beckoning him to rise.

“Have her taken to the temple's prayer room. You, and you”—she gestured towards two of the larger men within the crowd—“help move her. Deliver this to the apothecary, I need it prepared without delay.” She handed a scrap of parchment to a nearby villager who scurried away, her face beaming with happiness at being called upon. With purposeful strides Xantara made her way towards the temple, with William falling into step beside her. “You have always been my guardian,” she whispered. “Once this is official I shall name you such.” He gave a slight bow. “But that stops this instant.”

“My lady?” he questioned with a mischievous smirk.

“You are still ten years my senior. I have not changed since yesterday, and yet now you distance yourself from me with titles. You're my friend, my brother in all but blood.”

“Xan, I—”

“I know. You mean only respect, but do you not think my heart already knows. Since I was born and named so many have been guarded around me. You, however, dragged me into trouble.” William laughed at her words.

“I swear, the first time I put a knife in your hand your father almost slaughtered me.”

“You didn't go easy on me because I was born with this privilege, although sometimes I wished you had. If anything, you were harder on me because of it. I shed many tears because of you.”

“And I don't regret causing you a single one,” he admitted in earnest. “I couldn't stand how people spoilt you. How did they expect you to learn when they were afraid to challenge you? I swear they were more afraid of you at six than they were of any wild beast. If not for me you'd have never seen the forest outside the town.”

“Yes… although I've never forgiven you for abandoning me out there.”

“The whole town was looking for you.” He laughed. “Besides, you were never in any real danger. I was never far, but it taught them a valuable lesson. You may have been their future, but you still needed to learn the skills to fend for yourself.”

“They punished you though,” she whispered, looking to the scarring across his arms. When she had been found they had decided that William needed to be disciplined. Given his natural skill he had become arrogant and at sixteen had thought himself invincible. They pitted him, unarmed, against one of their trained wolves. It had taught him a valuable lesson, and even now he bore the claw and tooth marks as a reminder. He had never endangered her again, but he would change nothing. His actions had made them realise the importance of Xantara being able to defend herself, hunt, and track.

“I think I did rather well,” he chuckled light heartedly, seeing her gaze towards his old scars.

“Raff used you like his own personal gnawing bit.”

“I learnt, and became stronger because of it. Now, my lady, your temple awaits.” Xantara raised her hand as he moved to follow her inside. She alone could prepare the area for what must be done. There could be no distractions. The symbols she had to reproduce from memory were complex.

As she entered the sanctuary her thoughts returned to her time resting beside the Great Spirit upon the flattened grass. He had listened as she had explained what ailed the current Maiden, and had offered her the solution. But a warning had also been imparted. Within the lands of Darrienia lay many dangers and, in order to retrieve the part of Leona which had become ensnared, Xantara would first have to face whatever force had detained her.