The Dream Walker

Chapter Three Ádlíc-2

“I've not heard of such a thing.”

“It's rare. The last case reported was so long ago it's but a reference in history. We had a senior member of the Physicians' Plexus attend after my first report, that's the only reason we know it by name. I have studied both of the people afflicted, it appears as if part of their essence has been corrupted. We can't even begin to comprehend its cause. We are hoping that, just as the body would, the spirit will heal. The only thing I can ascertain is both victims could channel magical energies, and that link is now sealed because of the corruption.”

“Is it contagious, Val, are you safe?” Fey pushed a hand through his hair in distress. He had brought this woman to her, if the disease could be transmitted when Val touched her she would have been infected.

“We're not sure how it passes, but I examined the first and I remain unharmed. You worry too much.”

“Val, is something—”

“I saw that, you put that away!” Val insisted, as Fey slipped three gold coins onto her table, thinking he had concealed them beneath the tray.

“No arguments. This will cover her care, and your expenses. Something tells me this is going to get a lot worse before it gets better. You'll be no use to anyone hungry. You can't afford to get sick, you need to take better care of yourself.” He could see her fragile frame had shed more pounds since his last visit. Her face was gaunt, her eyes sunken. Val would attend to people without rest, but the one person she always forgot was in need of care was herself.

“Fine, but I warn you, I'll be filling my cupboards, and the next time you come there'll be a steak and kidney pie with your name on it, and I'll watch you eat the whole darn thing,” she lectured realising that while she had been looking at the young woman Fey had taken an inventory of her kitchen, probably realising the only thing she had was the scones and preserve she had offered him. “Did no one ever teach you it's not polite to go poking around in people's cupboards when their backs are turned tending to the sick?”

“Did no one ever teach you that you need to eat?” he retorted, pulling out the chair at the table and gesturing for her to sit.

* * *

Xantara opened her eyes and knew herself to be within a lucid dream. She stood slowly, trying to become accustomed to the strangeness of her surroundings. Her body felt both light and heavy. It protested against her attempts to move and then seemed to execute her requests in quick succession. It was several moments before her mind and dream-form aligned to work simultaneously, and the world around her came into focus.

This was like no dreamscape she had witnessed before, but she knew dreams came in many forms. Dark ivy hung from the trees and the wind whispered, rattling the leaves to give the impression of sinister laughter. The deeper she advanced into the forest the darker the trees became. She swore each groan and creak was a cry of pain and torment from the dying giants. The thought sent ice-cold tremors chasing across her flesh and she hugged her arms around herself for warmth.

The drooping undergrowth reached down its decaying tendrils, filling the air with a rancid odour. Despite its coarse appearance, the grass at her feet felt soft and luscious. Looking down, she saw in this world—just as it had in the Earth Spirit's presence—life returned to the undergrowth at her touch, causing the putrid and rotting ground to revive, leaving soft blankets of flourishing grasses and flowers in her wake. The beauty lasted for but a moment until death ravaged it once more.

She focused on locating Leona. Her new master had instructed her on how to navigate her way into Leona's dreamscape. It was apparent something within was preventing her from waking, but Xantara had been instructed on the many things she could do to rouse her. In the distance, as if answering her request for guidance, the canopies of trees began to part, allowing sunlight to stream through.

Kneeling in the clearing Xantara could see the figure of a woman. Her tear-streaked face raised to look at her in horror. She called out, the animation of her movements showing the force behind the words, but no sound reached her.

“Xantara.” A deep voice penetrated the silence. It possessed a sinister delight in the way it spoke her name. Shadows began to take form behind Leona, her figure rose rigidly until she stood upon tiptoes, fighting for breath as an unseen hand choked her. “You're so full of his power, I can almost taste it.”

“Release her.” Her own voice trembled as much as her body as the shadows writhed and pulsed, their swirling mass never quite taking solid form.

“It was the only way to bring you to me. An invitation if you will. I know you've felt me on the tip of your dreams, watching you from the shadows. Your awareness stilled my approach but this time you came to me. I have no use for this impostor. It's you my soul craves.” At once the pressure surrounding Leona released, sending her rigid body tumbling to the floor.

“Run,” Leona gasped, choking out the words while clutching at her throat. “He has no use for me. Run!” The urgency forced her feet to move, pushing herself through the undergrowth. The grass that once bloomed at Xantara's touch turned to thorns, impaling her flesh and hindering her escape as it grasped and tore, shredding her skin. Leona's terrified cries of warning echoed just moments before a burning pain radiated through Xantara's back. Her insides lurched as the shadow's hand penetrated to tear something from deep within her core. She fought to breathe, her body growing weaker until she felt herself falling. A single shimmer of light danced within Xantara's fading vision, a glowing orb clutched within the hands of the writhing shadow. The illumination began to fade, devoured by darkness as its forming chest accepted the gift, and as it extinguished, so too did her awareness fade.

* * *

Daniel marched with a determined stride through the forest. All warding and magic aimed at disorientating him failed to cause even the slightest hesitation. He saw through them to the path he must walk. The voices of the ancestors, more specifically those who knew Kerõs, guided him desperately, as if they too could sense the unease. Alessia remained in step beside him, like himself she wore their everyday clothing. Her black hide trousers and brown leather laced top looked casual, yet in a blink her armour could appear on top of it, released from the crystal pendent she wore around her neck to transform her into the formidable warrior he knew. She refrained from asking him again about his reason for wishing to visit here. It had become apparent it was a question he refused to answer. She had caught him trying to leave undetected using the irfeláfa, which was the Eortháds' equivalent of portal travel, but without having to pass through Collateral.

He had managed to convince her it was a task of the utmost importance, yet refused to disclose anything further. He had thought on what Zo had told him for days and had been suppressing the urge to act. Now he could deny this desire no longer. His spirit was in turmoil, and the ancestors advised the only way to quieten it was to follow his instincts.

It wasn't that he didn't trust Alessia with the details; he trusted her with his life and soul. However, he realised Zo had taken a great risk in revealing what she had. Many times she had been warned not to interfere with the preordained matters of Gaea's Star, and yet continued to keep vigil over its people whenever possible. If he were to reveal to Alessia the cause of his concern she would feel duty bound to inform Seiken. Zo's words had been vague, her warning cryptic, as if intended to shield its true meaning from any who could overhear. That such measures seemed necessary spoke volumes of the danger she perceived.

For the last mile Daniel had been aware of someone tracking them, concealing themselves within the shadows, but it was only as they reached the final enchantment the figure revealed himself.

“You've navigated our wards with ease, your focus never faltered. What brings one such as yourself to Kerõs?” the figure questioned, emerging behind them. His hands rested comfortably at his sides, ready to draw the weapons he carried if the need presented itself.

“I am Daniel Eliot, Wita of the Eortháds. Beside me stands Alessia, Master and Commander. I come regarding a matter of great importance. I must speak with your lady, Xantara.”

“I am William, soon to be named Fanger of our Maiden. Such an audience is impossible at this time,” William explained formally, instantly put at ease in their presence. He gestured forward, guiding them through the final stretch of the woods and into the small town. “She has been in healing for the past two days.”

“For two days, without food or water? Please, I mean no disrespect, but this is a matter of urgency.” Daniel realised from the look in William's eyes insistence alone would not convince him, no matter the desperation infused into his request. “I had a vision that she is in great danger. If I cannot speak with her can you at least confirm she is unharmed?” William beckoned for a priestess belonging to the temple to approach, their quiet exchange unheard against the rising murmurs of the gathering crowd. Strangers within their boundaries always set them ill at ease. Daniel watched as the slender figure hurried towards the distant structure, cracking the door slightly before daring to step inside. Seconds felt like minutes as an uneasy silence fell over the town. The priestess emerged from the door, her stricken face considerably paler than when she entered. No words were needed, her expression had revealed the truth of Daniel's concerns.

William advanced, the crowd parting to grant him passage. Daniel followed on his heels. Pausing at the threshold they waited to be granted permission to enter the sacred grounds. Before words of entry were uttered, the sound of boots and nails upon the wooden floor, chorused by strangled cries, saw all ceremony discarded. Alessia hurried within, instantly placing herself at the side of Leona's flailing figure, stroking her sweat-soaked hair and whispering softly. She became still for but a moment, her eyes opening and her body reacting on instinct as she thrust Alessia away, screaming and retreating until attendants rushed to her aid, sheltering and calming her within their embrace.

The silence became as piercing as Leona's screams had been as the Eorthád examined the figure of the one who had yet to stir. Daniel felt his stomach tighten as her eyes met his and she gently shook her head. He studied Xantara from afar, keeping a respectful distance, but approaching enough to see the rise and fall of her chest, but if she could not be roused—given the influence the Eortháds held within Darrienia—the warning he had received rang true. He felt himself cringe as Alessia rose, her expression knotted with concern as she marched towards him with intention, before pulling him away.

“How did you do that?” Daniel questioned, inclining his head towards the blond-haired woman, before Alessia had the opportunity to speak.

“She was trapped within Darrienia. I woke her.” There was a harshness to her tone which made him flinch.

“You can do that? Force—”

“You are rambling. You are attempting to distract me. What is going on here? She is not dreaming”—Alessia gestured towards the other figure—“and you do not have visions.”

“What do you mean not dreaming? All this symbology is to invoke just that,” Daniel observed, forcing himself to focus on the chalk symbols in a ploy to avoid Alessia's penetrating stare.

“Her essence is corrupted, your people had a name for it…”

“Ádlíc,” Daniel muttered. “Is there anything that can be done?”

“No. There is no means to assist her. It was once rumoured it could be contracted through healing magic, it is better if no one attempts such a thing.” Alessia raised her voice so that those present could hear her suggestion. “It was believed unfounded, but since healing will not assist in repair caution is best advised.”

“Alessia…” She looked up to him sharply, her expression softening as she saw his concern.

“I am unharmed, but I cannot risk remaining here longer, not when we live with beings who are essentially magical in nature.” Alessia turned her focus to the woman she had awoken. “Honoured elder, keep her warm and sustained. But do nothing else. Do not permit your master to approach, although I imagine he knows of the dangers already.” Alessia looked to the brighter rays of light as they receded and knew he had understood her warning. She pulled Daniel from the temple, marching him towards the town's border. “How did you know Ádlíc would take her?” she demanded.

“I didn't. I was told she was in danger.”

“What exactly were you told, and by whom?”