Seeking the Dream

by Marcia J. Bennett

  Chulu shook his head. “No. If there’s another crystal out there, it’s best we find it.”

  “So why the worried look?”

  “Did it seem to you that Dhalvad was acting strangely—preoccupied?”

  “He was quiet, but he answered all of our questions quite openly. I don’t doubt but that this whole thing has made him think about what happened last year; World Gate hopping, the shattering of the Tamorlee, his narrow escape from Ariel. This search may not prove as dangerous as what he did before, but the not knowing can be worrisome.”

  “Perhaps,” Chulu said softly, continuing to rub his arms. “But I thought I saw something in Dhalvad’s eyes just a moment ago, a look that—I don’t know how to explain it, but it bothers me.”

  “Don’t worry so,” Chiilana chided gently, touching his shoulder. “He’ll be fine. Amet is levelheaded, and Paa-tol is an excellent fighter. Between the two of them, they’ll keep him safe.”

  Chapter 12

  TWO MALE NI carried a large wooden crate down the ill-lighted tunnel and never noticed the small bundle of fur pressed tightly against the base of the wall near their feet. They were in the underground portion of Jjaan-bi known as the Old Quarter, where the fayyal rocks used to light the tunnels were not changed as often, thus creating a dusklike atmosphere that made hiding easy.

  Gi-arobi uncurled, poked his head out into the tunnel-way, and watched as the Ni paused at a door just a short distance down the tunnel. They set the crate down, opened the door, then picked it up again and carried it inside. Gi’s eyes shifted back and forth as he kept a wary eye on the tunnelway both in front of him and behind. He knew he was being hunted by Amet and his followers and had been careful not to be seen as he scampered down one tunnel after another in search of some trace of Poco, Jiam, and Big Fur. He had been at it all night long, and he was growing weary and hungry.

  He licked at his right forehand, then his left. Both sets of fingers were sore from prying open doors not made for the convenience of an olvaar.

  The two Ni came out of the room, closed and latched the door, then turned right down the tunnelway leading back toward the newer section of the underground city. Gi had remained in the Old Quarter, reasoning that if one wanted to hide something or someone, one would most likely secrete it away in a less populated area such as the lower tunnel storage areas.

  He waited until the last echo of their footsteps had faded before moving out into the tunnel. He paused at the door they had used and flexed his fingers. Sharp claws appeared, and he used them to climb up the door to the wooden bar. He pushed the bar back until the door was free, then dropped to the floor and put all of his weight against the door. It opened slowly, its hinges squeaking noisily. He inspected the room quickly; a good sniff or two told him that those he sought were not in the room. He left the door open and moved down the tunnelway. He found another door and sniffed around the doorsill, then moved on. He was growing more and more worried as time passed, for Dhalvad as much as for the others.

  Gi wrinkled his nose as he remembered Amet’s smell the last time he had seen him. The Ni’s sweat had held the sourness of fear, and Gi knew that fear made all creatures a little mad. If he did not find Poco, Jiam, and Big Fur soon, he knew he would have to return to Dhalvad and try to help him escape from Amet.

  He reached an intersecting tunnel and paused. He could not read the markings on the sides of the tunnel walls, but he had an excellent memory. He had seen the same carved squiggles before and knew he had searched the right-hand tunnel earlier. He turned left and continued on. He was nearing the first door to his left when suddenly he smelled something familiar. It was Big Fur’s scent! He sniffed under the door, but the odor did not seem to be coming from there. He crossed to a door on the other side of the tunnel and sniffed again. Not there either.

  Disappointed but not discouraged, he continued down the tunnel. He hurried as the scent became stronger. He saw a door ahead; it was slightly ajar. Down on all fours, he ran on. His rush almost carried him past the doorway.

  His small heart beat rapidly as he nudged the door open and went inside. Different smells assailed him as he made a quick survey of the two rooms. Big Fur’s scent was the strongest, its musky odor almost overpowering in the small rooms. He also smelled Poco and Jiam. But the rooms were empty. As he neared one side of the far room, he smelled urine, and when he moved back into the first room, he caught the scent of blood and found a partially dried puddle of blood near one of the beds. He was sure it belonged to Big Fur.

  He let loose with a soft low whistle of apprehension and returned to the tunnel. He quickly picked up Big Fur’s scent along the floor. A tuft of fur caught on some rough stone told him that Big Fur was being dragged. He moved away from the center of the tunnel and stood up, sniffing the air. He smelled Poco’s scent, and Jiam’s, and several others he did not recognize. He dropped down to all fours and continued his hunt, concentrating solely on the scents he followed.

  He left the narrow tunnels of the Old Quarter and a short time later had entered better lighted, wider tunnels that led straight to one of the larger city caves. There he ran straight into trouble, for with the coming of morning, there were Ni in the tunnels going about their daily tasks and there was no way to hide from all of them.

  Gi hesitated in the shadow of a tunnel wall and looked out into the main cave where the Ni set up a series of hourly markets where one could buy and trade any number of things from food to clothes, from animals to weapons. There were four other marketplaces within the underground city and several outside. Gi was more familiar with the outside markets, but he had, upon occasion, ventured inside with Dhalvad or Screech.

  Fearing to lose the scents he followed, he took a chance and plunged into the open, his nose kept close to the ground while his glances darted to the people he passed.

  A few Ni noticed him and pointed as he passed by. Several even called his name, but he did not stop to investigate because he was losing the scents of his friends to the food and people smells wafting around him. Then Big Fur’s scent, the one he had been able to hold onto the longest, suddenly evaporated.

  He began a slow circle, widening it each time around, searching frantically for some smell he would recognize. A few minutes later he stopped his circling and sat down, defeated. He had lost Big Fur’s scent, which probably meant that his friend was being carried. He whistled his frustration and proceeded to lick at his sore forehands. All the while he studied the market tables nearby. The enticing food smells coming from them were difficult to ignore.

  “Hai, Gi! What are you doing here by yourself?”

  Gi turned at the sound of that voice and saw Caaras standing at one of the market tables, a half-eaten sweet bun in one hand. Caaras had light-green hair, a wide mouth with strong white teeth, and upward-slanting eyebrows that gave his face a mocking, amused look. He was one of Dhalvad’s best friends.

  Gi whistle clicked a greeting and ran toward the young Ni, oblivious to the several pairs of feet that almost stepped on him as he dashed by.

  Caaras grinned when he saw Gi coming and reached down, offering Gi a lift to his shoulder. As he settled the olvaar in place, he glanced around, looking for Dhalvad.

  “What have you got there, Caaras?” one of the merchants asked as Gi whistled in Caaras’s ear.

  Caaras set the bun down on the table and covered his ear with a hand. “Easy with the whistling, Gi!” He laughed. “You’ll deafen me.” He smiled at the merchant. “You haven’t met Gi-arobi yet? He’s Dhalvad’s little friend. Here, let me introduce you. Gi, this is Benha. Benha, this is Gi-arobi.”

  Gi glanced at the merchant, then caught at Caaras’s ear. “Gi needing much help, Caaras! You help?”

  “Help you how?” Caaras patted Gi’s round stomach. “Find you some food maybe?”

  Gi’s small claws extended. “Not food! Help Gi find Poco, Jiam, Big Fur!”

  “Ooch! Let go, Gi! What’s wrong with you? You know better than that!” Caaras
caught Gi’s wrist and gently disengaged his claws; then he drew him from his shoulder and held him in one arm. “Gi?”

  “Needing help! Dhal be in trouble!” Gi searched his mind for the right words. “Amet hiding Poco and Jiam. You help Gi find! Hurry. Hurry!”

  “Gi, what are you talking about?” Caaras demanded.

  “Amet make Dhal go away. Say hurt Poco and baa-bee. Big Fur hurt! Blood on floor! Gi trying to find them. You help!”

  “Yes, Gi. Yes, I’ll help, but first you’ve got to tell me what this is all about. Where’s Dhalvad? And what’s this about Poco and Amet?”

  “Amet making Dhal use fire stone. Saying—”

  A hand closed on the back of Gi’s neck and plucked him from Caaras in one smooth movement. “We’ve been looking all over for you!”

  “Hai!” Caaras cried, startled. “That’s a friend you’re mishandling!”

  The Ni who held Gi-arobi was dressed in the red tunic and pants of the city watch; a sword of authority was strapped to his waist. “Easy now,” he said, raising a hand as Caaras stepped forward to take Gi back. “I’ve orders to find this one and bring him to Amet. We’ve been looking for him all night long.”

  Caaras eyed Gi, who dangled by the scruff of his neck an arm’s length from the city watch. “What’s Gi done?” he demanded. “And where’s Dhalvad, the Healer?”

  “I don’t know the answer to either of your questions, Caaras. You’ll have to speak with Amet. I’m only following orders.”

  “Well, you don’t have to hold him like that!” Caaras objected. “You’re hurting him. Let me have him and I’ll go with you to—”

  “No.” The watch pulled Gi back out of Caaras’s reach. “I think it’s best if I hang onto him.”

  Gi had had enough. He caught at the Ni’s wrist with one hand and swung himself around and up high enough so he could sink sharp teeth into the Ni’s arm. The Ni cried out and dropped Gi. The olvaar bounced as he hit the ground, got his feet under him, and scurried off between the legs of the crowd that had gathered to see what was going on.

  “Find Chulu!” Gi-arobi piped as he disappeared around the end of a market table. “Tell about Dhal and Poco! Hurry, Caaras! Hurry!”

  The officer dove after the olvaar, pushing people roughly aside as he tried to keep the small fur child in sight. Caaras followed in his wake, intent on getting to the bottom of the strange encounter, concern for his friends suddenly blossoming into fear. What was going on between Amet and Dhalvad? And what did Poco and her child have to do with it?

  When it became evident that Gi had successfully lost his pursuer, Caaras headed for the outside. At that early hour Chulu was most likely to still be at home. Perhaps he could answer some questions.

  Dhalvad woke tired and irritable. He had barely slept all night, worry about Poco, Jiam, Screech, and Gi keeping him awake and tense. Their safety and well-being depended on his actions, and though he detested the half-truths Amet had forced him to tell, he knew he had had no other choice, and that only added to his frustration.

  Unsure of the time, he went to the corner of the room where a chamberpot and a bucket of water sat. He used both and returned to sit on the edge of the bed, his thoughts moving from his family and friends to the Tamorlee and the search that lay ahead of them. It might be a short search if the Tamorlee had picked up further sendings from the second crystal; if it had not, their journey could take a lot longer. That worried him, for each minute they spent seeking Mithdaar was a minute Poco and Jiam would remain prisoners.

  If only there was a way to alert the Tamorlee to Amet’s underhanded persuasion without putting his family in danger, he might be able to circumvent Amet’s threat of retribution. But Amet was no fool, and he would be sure to control Dhalvad’s access to the Tamorlee.

  He rubbed at his eyes. Damn! Is there no way out of this mess? he thought in frustration.

  He was startled by the sound of a wooden bar being drawn back. As the door swung open he stood up and saw Paa-tol and one of the city watch, a Ni by the name of Anwhol.

  Paa-tol motioned him forward. “It’s time.”

  They walked in silence to Amet’s quarters. The Speaker was seated calmly in a chair when they arrived. He motioned for Anwhol to close the door, then looked at Dhalvad.

  “I believe everything is ready for the search to begin. I placed the Tamorlee in a new ring setting last night, which should make it more convenient for our journey.” His glance flicked to Paa-tol. “Are you ready?”

  Paa-tol nodded and raised his hand, his own Seeker ring glowing opalescent green.

  “One question before we go,” Dhalvad said. “Who’s taking care of Poco, Jiam, and Screech?”

  Amet’s crystal-gray eyes met Dhalvad’s squarely. “Anwhol will see to your loved ones. He is extremely conscientious, and I’ve left him explicit orders.”

  Dhalvad suppressed a shiver. Amet’s veiled threat was all too clear.

  “Come,” the Speaker said, motioning Dhalvad closer. “We waste time. Paa-tol?”

  Paa-tol picked up a pack and slipped into the harness, then took his place beside the other two. As the three moved into place shoulder to shoulder to form a tight ring, Anwhol stepped back a few paces and watched, his face impassive.

  Anwhol was one of Amet’s younger cousins and had followed his leadership for so long that he had ceased to question his much-revered relative. He would do as Amet had directed and trust to his cousin to protect him should anything go wrong. He knew enough of the task Amet had set himself to understand that the Speaker was risking his position in the current venture; but he also believed that the honor to be gained was worth the risk—for all of them. As for Dhalvad’s mate and child and the half-tamed derkat, they, too, had a part to play, and though it was against Ni law to knowingly take the life of another, he would kill all three as Amet had ordered if it became necessary.

  Amet held up his fist so the other two could look into the depths of the Tamorlee, set securely into a common ring setting. “Close your hands around mine,” he ordered, “and look into the Tamorlee.”

  Paa-tol raised his right hand; the fire stone he wore winked brilliantly as it drew near the Tamorlee. Dhalvad placed his ringless hand on top of Amet’s. Instantly the Tamorlee grew lighter in color, and a pulsating white light could be seen moving around and around within the crystal.

  Anwhol was so caught up in the scene before him that he did not notice the door behind him opening as if by a draft of air.

  Dhalvad, Amet, and Paa-tol were quickly drawn within the Tamorlee’s mind, its presence wrapping around them with a feeling of impatience. Dhalvad. Amet. There was a hesitation in the greeting. Paa-tol?

  I come at Amet’s request, Paa-tol answered for himself before Amet could respond. You may have need of a strong arm and a quick sword when Mithdaar is located.

  Dhalvad? the Tamorlee queried.

  Dhalvad hesitated, then compromised, refusing to lie outright to the Tamorlee. If it comes to a fight, Paa-tol will be useful.

  Have you had contact from the other crystal lately! Amet asked, trying to direct the Tamorlee’s attention away from Paa-tol’s presence.

  There was a brief jolt of Mithdaar’s energy pattern this morning. Nothing since, the Tamorlee replied.

  Do you have a visual picture to help us make a clean transfer? Dhalvad asked, impatient to get under way. The sooner gone, the sooner back.

  No, but I have the general direction, which is east and south. There is a transfer point in Tre-ayjeel that should serve to get us closer to Mithdaar.

  the Reaches are both east and south. Wouldn’t they serve better than Tre-ayjeel? Amet asked.

  The Reaches aren’t far enough to the east.

  But there’s nothing south of Tre-ayjeel but desert, Paa-tol said. It’s a vast wasteland that we know little about.

  It is from there my brother calls me.

  As you would have it, Amet said. Please show us the transfer point in Tre-ayjeel. Paa-tol and I have bo
th been there. Dhalvad hasn’t.

  The green light that surrounded them slowly faded, and a scene formed within Dhalvad’s mind. The first thing he saw was a wide expanse of rolling hills interrupted by a number of lakes scattered like djong pieces across a playing board. Then the scene changed slightly, and he saw the edge of a plateau and a city of ivory-colored walls and towers rising out of the forest. At the southern edge of the city, down a sheer drop of several thousand feet, lay the desert. The fringe of green growth at the bottom of the cliff quickly gave way to browns, yellows, and tans that spoke of dry, desolate lands.

  The scene shifted once again to a great tower with a large courtyard below. The scene grew sharper in his mind, and Dhalvad knew that it was the transfer point the Tamorlee had chosen.

  Do you have it firmly in mind, Dhalvad? Amet asked.

  Yes.

  Together then, Amet said.

  Anwhol stepped back another two paces as the air around the three Ni shimmered. Suddenly he caught a movement out of the corner of one eye. He turned just as Gi-arobi darted toward the three Ni and wiggled his way in between Dhalvad’s and Paa-tol’s legs.

  Anwhol started forward, then stopped when he felt the static tingle in the air surrounding the three Ni and their uninvited guest. “Amet! Wait!” he cried. “It’s the olvaar!”

  Dhalvad felt the sharp prick of claws as Gi quickly climbed up his pant leg. He knew in an instant who it was and tried to draw out of the link, but the Tamorlee’s energy pattern was too strong.

  Gi whistled sharply to get Dhalvad’s attention.

  No, Gi! Dhalvad cried, fearing for his small friend. Get away!

  Gi could not hear the mental command and clung on all the tighter as he grew aware of the strange prickling air surrounding him. His glance fastened on the fire stone ring in Amet’s hand. He was suddenly afraid, but he was also determined not to be left behind. He had seen Dhalvad use a fire stone ring before and knew what he had to do. He leaned out and set a small furred finger to the green stone. He knew one terrified moment of disorientation, then he was held tightly by invisible bonds of energy.