In a patch of green lamb's-ears, Starlight knelt before the goddess. "Niv," the pegacat whispered, lowering her head. "Princess of Eloria."
Niv turned to face them, and her stare caught Cade's eyes. Her acorn eyes, a soft brown speckled with green, were so delicate, so deep, so ancient, that he dropped to one knee. They were not penetrating eyes. They were not even powerful eyes. They were eyes of such arcane beauty that tears streamed down Cade's cheeks.
Niv, Princess of Dream, Daughter of King Yor and Queen Alandria, walked toward him on elk legs. She moved with the grace of a butterfly hovering over flowers. She looked upon Harmony, and her fingertips trailed over the pegacat's gray, twisted body.
Niv raised her eyes and stared at Cade. "Harmony has passed into Nightmare," the goddess said, her voice soft as gosling wings, hovering like a breeze, a voice that spoke both into the air and directly in his soul. "But it is not too late. We can save her still. Follow me, into the mountains! We will seek laceleaf."
Niv turned and ran, hoofs flying. Harmony in his arms, Cade followed. His muscles ached, and he knew he could not run much longer. He felt close to collapsing. He was about to call Niv to stop when, in a flash of red and blue, butterflies fluttered to him, bearing flowers. They tipped the flowers over his lips, and he drank nectar, and felt strength refill him. More butterflies brought him bluebells full of honeydew, which cleared his mind and banished the weariness from his bones. He ran with new vigor.
They ran to the feet of mountains of granite and chalk. Pines grew among the boulders. Niv leapt from stone to stone, quick and graceful upon her elk legs. Cade followed as fast as he could. In his arms, Harmony was limp. Her breath was shallow and her fur was moist and sticky. Her scales were spreading and pus oozed from her swollen tongue and eyes.
"We are near," Niv called from ahead. "I smell the laceleaf."
Cade struggled up the mountain, Starlight at his side.
"I smell something evil," Tasha cautioned, riding on Cade's shoulder.
"Maybe you smell Harmony," Cade said quietly.
"She smells evil too, but I don't mean her. I smell something worse from ahead. It reminds me of the smell of the Incubus in the mountain passageway, but even more powerful. It smells important, though I'm not sure how importance can have a smell."
They continued running up the mountain between the boulders and pines. Glancing behind him, Cade could see Butterfly Valley below, a patch of colors among the hills. Far behind, miles away, he could make out the lush Tropical Canopy, the home of Maninav. The place where the snake bit Harmony was too far to see.
We've traveled so far. I hope we're not too late. Harmony hardly looked like a pegacat anymore, more like a demon of Nightmare, a creature of rotten fangs and scales.
"It is here," Niv called from ahead. "Come quickly, bring Harmony."
Cade ran. He caught up with Niv on a steppe of flat earth and stone, a hundred yards wide, covered with pines and grass. In the center of the platform, surrounded by a ring of boulders, grew pale green leaves.
"Laceleaf," Starlight whispered.
Cade took a step toward the ring of boulders.
"Cade, stop!" Tasha said. "The smell... it's here."
Cade froze. Niv stood beside him, frozen too. They stared at the ring of stones. In the silence, a cold breeze blew, rustling the leaves. Cade stood still, listening, but could hear nothing. He reached over his back and grasped Sunclaw's hilt.
"Who dwells here?" Niv called out.
For a moment there was silence, broken only by the breeze. Finally a low growl answered from behind one boulder.
Slowly, Cade placed Harmony down and drew his Dreamblade. The crystal hissed and shone in the sunlight.
"Show yourself," he demanded.
The growl came again. From behind the boulder, stepped out a heavy wolf with maggoty fur, red eyes, and long fangs that dripped drool. It was large as a horse, decaying and cruel.
A wolf of Nightmare.
It made a sound halfway between a growl and a laugh. "Here I am: Baelish the Wolf of Kar." Its voice was deep as thunder.
Niv took a step toward it. Her hair swayed in the breeze and her eyes, which had seemed so gentle to Cade, now burned with fury and ancient power.
"Dog of Phobetor!" called the goddess of Dream, and her voice rang upon the mountains, and Cade almost bowed to her presence. "This is the realm of Yor, King of Dream. Return to your master now, I command you, and never revisit this place."
Maggots rustled through the wolf's decaying fur. The creature laughed a terrible, deep laugh. Drool dripped down its chin and landed, steaming, on the ground. "Princess Niv!" it said, a voice like an echo, its deepness unearthly. It laughed again. "Phobetor the Fearsome sends his regards." It snarled, eyes burning. When it spoke again, its voice was deeper and more terrible than before, burning with hatred. "The reign of Ælor, whom you call Yor, is over. Phobetor is returning to Eloria to reclaim his birthright. For too long has my master lived in banishment while the Twig Eater walks among the mountains. The seasons are changing." The wolf tossed back its head and howled to the skies, and the mountain itself trembled. "Phobetor the Fearsome is true king of these lands, and none but he commands me!"
Though every fiber in his body screamed in terror, Cade took a step toward the wolf, Dreamblade in hand. His heart hammered so hard, he thought it would burst from his chest, and blood pounded in his ears. I've lived through war; I've survived more than anyone should, he told himself. I can face this wolf.
"Step aside, Wolf of Kar," he said slowly, not knowing where he mustered the courage. "We've come for laceleaf. We will have the plant."
For Dream. And for Earth, and everyone in it.
The wolf stared at Harmony with taunting eyes. "She will be Loor's pet. You cannot save her." It raised its gaze to meet Cade's eyes. It smirked. "So Tam has carved a new Dreamblade. Come! I hunger for mortal flesh." It opened its mouth wide, drool dripping, and a terrible growl left its throat. It leapt at Cade.
Cade swung Sunclaw. As the crystal blade cut through fur and wolf-flesh, Baelish's teeth sunk into Cade's shoulder. He cried in pain. The wolf howled and laughed. Dimly, Cade was aware of Starlight and Niv clawing at the creature. Pain overwhelmed him and the wolf tugged, digging its teeth into him. Cade pulled Sunclaw free and swung again, and light exploded.
All thought faded.
He hit the ground with a thud.
Effulgence filled his eyes, blinding him. He could see and hear nothing. He lay breathing slowly, deeply.
"Cade!" came a dim voice from above. It seemed miles away. "Cade, can you hear me?"
He opened his eyes but saw only feathery light and a thousand swiveling stars. He felt a soft hand clasp his hand. The hand of Niv, the elk-daughter.
"Cade...."
Hot tears fell against his face, and he gasped for breath. The blinding light pulled back like a curtain, and he saw before him blooming flowers and butterflies strewn through blond hair. There above him gazed the eyes of Princess Niv, soft brown deeper than the most ancient forest.
Tasha sat on the goddess's shoulder. When she saw Cade open his eyes, she leapt onto his chest and hugged him. "You dummy," the mouse said. "You almost got yourself killed."
Cade pushed himself up and saw that the body of Baelish lay, seared and bleeding, upon the steppe. Sunclaw lay beside the corpse, covered in black Nightmare blood.
"Where is Harmony?" he asked urgently, and then saw her. The pegacat lay among the laceleaf, still bloated and gray. Starlight leaned above her, feeding her from the bright green leaves.
Cade stepped forward. He leaned over Harmony. Laceleaf filled her mouth, but she would not swallow. Cade worked Harmony's jaw with his fingers, helping her chew.
"Eat it, Harmony," he whispered, caressing the clammy dark fur. "It will heal you."
Suddenly Harmony took a ragged breath. Her eyes shot open.
"Cade!" she cried. "Starlight!"
Both Cade and Starlight let out sobs. Tea
rs ran down Cade's cheeks. Niv stood behind them, weeping, while Tasha watched silently from atop Niv's shoulder.
"Eat the leaves, Harmony," Cade said softly, and shed tears as she chewed. Held in his arms, Harmony ate, and the grayness left her fur, and her scales dropped off, and goodness refilled her eyes.
"Starlight!" she sobbed and leapt onto her sister and hugged her. The pegacats held each other, weeping onto each other's shoulders. Niv knelt by them and embraced them.
Cade fell onto his back and gazed into the sky. His right hand reached out and grasped the hilt of his Dreamblade.
* * * * *
They burned Baelish's body in the evening. It raised a black fire upon the steppe, from which rose foul smoke like a pillar. Sitting on Cade's shoulder, Tasha wrinkled her nose at the smell, struggling to hold down her lunch. It smelled like burned plastic and gasoline.
"This is an evil fire and an evil smoke," she said. "It smells like nothing I've ever smelled here." She coughed.
Beneath the stench of the fire, she could still scent the laceleaf, a smell of freshness and healing energy. I have an idea. With a twitch of her whiskers, Tasha leapt off Cade's shoulder and darted toward the laceleaf. She placed the iron ring, which had cursed Harmony, among the leaves. With a soft light, it transformed into a simple wooden ring.
I knew it.
"Its evil is gone," she said, ran back to Cade, and climbed onto his shoulder. "It smells healthy now." She placed the wooden ring around her neck, feeling its good magic spread through her. "Let Loor know that I've destroyed his token."
"Hold onto that ring, stout mouse," Niv said, butterflies in her hair. "The plant's magic is in it still, and you can use it to combat future poison by Loor." The princess gazed into the black flames that rose from Baelish's carcass. "Phobetor will hear of his wolf being slain," she cautioned. "Chief of the six Incubi was Baelish, and dear to his master. This smoke can be seen for miles. Let us leave this place."
The princess began walking back down the mountain, back toward Butterfly Valley. Cade, Tasha, and the pegacats followed.
"Tell me about Loor," Tasha said as they walked. "How did he get this evil curse?"
Niv looked at her, her eyes troubled and sad. The butterflies in her hair closed their wings, as if wilting at only the name of Loor.
As they walked down the mountain, the Princess of Dream sang from the Dreamsong.
In Dream, beauty blossomed aside sadness
as Galgev bemoaned the fall of Phobetor his son
In time he begot another son
a son with Maninav
the goddess of flowers, his wife
They named their son Loor
which means "beloved" in Elorian
for he was beloved by all
more than there are leaves in Autumn Forest
or sand grains upon Seashell Shore
Loor was born with the head of a fox
like his father
but his head lacked fur
and was coated only with gray, wrinkled skin
His body was frail and gangly
and his appearance caused flowers to wilt
and unicorns to flee
Some say that Loor was born so
for a curse of Winived
the banished ghost woman
Niv fell silent, and a tear streamed down her cheek. The evening's golden light glistened on her cascading blond hair. Harmony, walking by her princess, raised her voice and continued to sing.
Loor, god of sadness!
How we have prayed for joy upon you
Loor, sad god of Dream
left the kingdom of Eloria
and traveled to find his half-brother
to find Phobetor, the son of his father
to find a new home
Dressed in black robes
he found the land of Nightmare
found a place to belong
When Phobetor saw his twisted half-brother
he embraced this god with the head of a furless fox
and gave him a palace atop a mountain of flame
and made Loor a Lord of Nightmare
There Loor lives
even unto this day
above the fires and monsters of Kar
a god of bitterness and shame
It was growing dark around them, and the sun was sinking behind the mountains. The flowers were closing for night. They reached Butterfly Valley in the darkness, and Niv took the first watch. Tasha fell instantly asleep, the ring around her neck, comforting her. She had never been so weary.
In the morning, they fed upon honeydew and nectar as butterflies fluttered around them and flowers bloomed.
"You must leave now," Niv said. "The journey is still long, and danger grows."
Cade nodded and rose to his feet. He smoothed his woodsman clothes, the enchanted clothes of Galgev, and straightened the Dreamblade strapped over his back. Tasha sat as ever on his shoulder, holding her ring. If I meet Loor, I'm going to shove this ring down his throat. Even a mouse can carry a weapon; this one is mine.
"Princess Niv," she said, "thank you for everything. I hope to see you again in better days."
The goddess smiled, a smile as warm as sunlight and as beautiful as anything in Dream. "Before you leave, I have gifts for you," she said and stepped toward a golden chest which lay among the flowers. From the chest, she took a wineskin and a breadbox. "These will always be full of drink and food," she said, handing the gifts to Cade. "They will provide for you in the bleak lands of Nightmare."
As Cade walked into the distance, leaving Butterfly Valley behind, shivers ran along Tasha's spine. The bleak lands of Nightmare. Yes, that was where they headed.
She looked at the pegacats who walked beside Cade.
"Thank you," she said to them, "for coming with us."
Starlight, black and sparkly like stars at midnight, smiled. Harmony, white and golden as dawn, flapped her wings and kissed Tasha gently on the head.
Cade checked his compass and breathed deeply. Tasha on his shoulder, the pegacats at his sides, he kept walking into the horizon.
Chapter Thirteen
The Begemmed City
They rested that noon in fields of grass and jasmines in the shade of a chestnut tree. Cade opened the magical breadbox and delicious smells tickled his nose. He pulled out wheels of cheese, grainy bread speckled with sesame and sunflower seeds, a host of vegetables, a stick of butter wrapped in paper, chickpeas, and walnuts. The breadbox even produced cutlery, and from the wineskin poured sweet apple wine. He shared the food and drink with the pegacats and Tasha.
For several days, they walked through forests of dogwood, maple, and birch, eating from the breadbox and drinking from the wineskin. Bluebells covered the forest floor like a carpet. They traveled through the forest for two days, singing songs as they walked, and talking about many things. How much farther is Nightmare? Cade wondered. We've gone so far, but the land seems endless. He placed his hand in his pocket and felt the small golden bottle.
One day, as they were walking between the trees, Cade saw beams of light ahead. The light glistened like golden faery powder, a holy light. He could hear a soft song in the breeze and smell flowers.
He paused.
"What is this place?" he whispered.
Starlight and Harmony paused too and gazed to the golden light.
"Caterpillar Meadow," Harmony said softly, her voice awed. Cade had never seen her so solemn.
"Queen Alandria's home," Starlight whispered.
Cade felt a tremble pass through him. He could feel his heart beat, and strangely, tears filled his eyes. Alandria. Queen of Dream. Maninav had awed him, so had Niv, and their holiness still haunted him... but here dwelled the greatest goddess, the true Mother of Dream.
They took hushed steps into the light. The curtains of golden rays parted, and they found themselves in a meadow. Bindweed, milkweed, and many flowers Cade could not name grew here. Chubby caterpillars with stripes of all color l
ived upon the plants, chomping relentlessly. Ladybugs fluttered from flower to flower.
The words of the Dreamsong returned to Cade, the words the lightdragons had sung.
He fed upon the bindweed and milkweed
and lay upon carpets of goldenrod and bluebells
Cade gazed around him at the flowers and caterpillars, awed by the beauty and solemnity of the place. The birthplace of Queen Alandria.
There, in Caterpillar Meadow
as Yor rested
sunlight fell upon the flowers
and a sylvan was born of light and petals
and she was named Alandria
Yor beheld her beauty
and made her his wife amid the flowers
"There!" Harmony whispered. "Ahead!" The white pegacat paused, staring forward, golden mottles of light on her milky fur. Tears filled her eyes.
Cade followed her gaze and saw a woman of light walking among the flowers. Her clothes were woven of blossoms, and her skin glittered with golden and blue sparkles. Emeralds chinked around her neck, and sapphires hung from her long pointy ears. A halo of fireflies lit her head, and her hair was woven of light itself. She was Alandria, Queen of Dream, and she was holy, so holy they hesitated to approach her.
She saw them, turned toward them, and smiled. Her teeth seemed made of pearls, and she hovered toward them over the field of flowers.
"Hello travelers," she spoke in a sweet voice. Damselflies hovered around her head, and the scent of flowers and wonder clung to her. She leaned forward and kissed Cade's forehead, her lips warm and soft. "Bless thee, child of Earth," she whispered.
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