Seeking the Dream

by Marcia J. Bennett

  Theon became uneasy under the golden-eyed gaze of Gi-arobi. He turned to see what everyone else was doing. Lil-el and Thura were standing together a few paces away from Bhaldavin and Amet. There was a worried look on Lil-el’s face.

  “What’s going on over there?” Theon asked, looking closer at Amet and Bhaldavin. “What’re they doing?”

  Lil-el answered without turning. “I’m not sure, but I think Amet has gone after Davin.”

  “Gone? What do you mean? He’s standing right there!”

  “He’s touching Davin’s crystal,” she said. “His body may be here, but his mind isn’t. Look at his face, Theon… at his eyes. I don’t know what they’re seeing, but whatever it is, it frightens me. I’ve seen Davin go into a trance many times while holding the crystal, but never for so long a time. We’ve got to wake them up and get out of here!”

  “I agree,” Theon said. “Just as soon as the Healer is finished with Gringers.” He glanced down at his friend. Color had returned to Gringers’s face, and his breathing was better. He knelt beside him and took one of his hands. It was warm, and as he squeezed it, there was answering pressure.

  “Gringers,” Theon said softly. “Can you hear me?”

  Dhalvad released his psychic link with Gringers and sat back on his heels, his body trembling with loss of vital energy. He opened his eyes and took several deep breaths, trying to regain his balance. He had not meant to expend so much energy, but it was difficult to stop healing once started.

  Gringers stirred at the sound of Theon’s voice and with some help, he sat up. “Theon—where did you come from? What’s going on?”

  Theon took a deep breath and released it slowly, shaking his head. “You aren’t going to believe what’s happening.” He looked at Dhalvad. “What just happened to you. Gringers, I would like you to meet Dhalvad. He’s a Ni Healer and he just saved your life. Dhalvad, this is my friend Gringers.”

  As the two nodded to each other, Theon glanced around. “Now—let’s get the hell out of here before any Wastelanders show up!”

  Theon helped Gringers to stand and steadied him when he started to slip back down.

  “I’m just a little dizzy,” Gringers murmured. “I think I’d better sit down for a few minutes.”

  “There isn’t time, Gringers,” Theon said, urging him to start walking. “Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, all right?”

  “Theon!” Lil-el cried. “I can’t leave Davin like this!”

  “Get him moving then, because we’re leaving!”

  Dhalvad struggled to his feet and stood swaying. “We can’t leave without the crystals! We have to have them to get back to Jjaan-bi!”

  “Well, get them!” Theon snapped. “But hurry. We’re wasting time. I want out of here!”

  Lil-el looked at Dhalvad. “Can you do anything?”

  “I can try,” he responded wearily. “Give me a few seconds.” He breathed deeply, trying to banish the fatigue that seemed to be creeping into every part of his body. Slowly his mind and body began to recover as he willed his energy levels back to normal by tapping into the reservoir of the kee, or spirit.

  Somewhat refreshed and in balance, he approached Amet and the one whom Lil-el would have him call brother. He turned to Lil-el. “I’ll try to join the link and break them free. If I’m not successful, you and your daughter must go with the two men and try to reach safety. We’ll join you when we can. Gi,” he said, looking down at his small friend. “You go with them if I’m not able to break the link.”

  “Not leave Dhal!” Gi whistled emphatically. “Gi talk to Gentle Voice, too!”

  “No. Not this time. It’s too dangerous with the other crystal involved. I’ve no way of knowing what’s going to happen, and I won’t be able to concentrate on what I’m doing if I’m worrying about you. Promise me that you’ll not interfere!”

  Gi whistled mournfully.

  “Gi, please,” Dhalvad implored.

  Gi-arobi’s head dropped. “Gi promise,” he lisped softly.

  Dhalvad reached down and rubbed the top of Gi’s head. “Don’t count me lost so easily, Gi.”

  Dhalvad gave Lil-el and Thura a smile meant to reassure, then turned to the task at hand. Theon and Gringers watched from the side.

  Dhalvad had never tried to break into a link between Ni and crystal. He was not even sure it could be done, but it was imperative that he try. He believed that the Tamorlee would never knowingly harm him. He was not so sure about the other crystal and so decided to try to enter the link by touching the Tamorlee, not Mithdaar. Amet had placed the Tamorlee against Mithdaar so there was little room for maneuvering between his hand and Bhaldavin’s; that plus the glare of light made it difficult to position his hand.

  There was a blinding flare of light behind his eyes as his first finger touched the Tamorlee. It was followed by a darkness that threatened to engulf him. His next awareness comprised a cacophony of voices that flowed around and through his mind, words so quickly spoken that he could not even begin to guess at their meanings.

  Once, twice, three times he spoke into that waterfall of sound, each time calling a different name. Amet. Tamorlee. Bhaldavin.

  There was no immediate response, then suddenly the words slowed and he began to understand.

  Who… not now… come… they listen… Healer… me out… listen… afraid… brother … speak to me… friend… out… Thura… break link… no… learning… must stay…

  Dhalvad tried to speak over the flow of words, expending energy he did not have to spare. Tamorlee, it’s Dhalvad. Release us now. We’re all in danger!

  No danger… wait… much more… no… who are you… they come… out…”

  Dhalvad cringed inwardly as he tried to separate the four minds all speaking at once. It was an impossible task. Tamorlee! Release us now! I beg you! Dhalvad pleaded.

  The words faded as a curtain of darkness drew around him. Dhalvad felt himself falling.

  Everything happened so quickly that there was no way Lil-el and Thura could help all three Ni. Thura was nearest her father and literally broke his silent fall to the floor by catching him around the waist and falling beneath him. Lil-el grabbed one of Dhalvad’s arms as he slid down, lowering him carefully to the floor. Amet crumpled forward and struck his forehead against the machine as he fell.

  Lil-el quickly checked all three. Bhaldavin’s face was drained of color and his skin was clammy cold, but his breathing was regular, and though his heartbeat was slow, it was steady; the Healer was unconscious but already beginning to stir; Amet was bleeding from a cut on his forehead just over his right eye.

  “Are they all right?” Theon asked.

  Lil-el used her knife and cut a piece of cloth from the bottom of Amet’s robe and pressed it against his forehead. “They’re alive, but I don’t think they’ll be moving anywhere for a little while.”

  “How long?” Theon demanded.

  “I don’t know. Thura, come here and hold this cloth in place while I check on your father again.”

  Gringers poked Theon’s shoulder. “Go down to the next floor and out onto the roof. See if you can see anything happening below.”

  A look of relief passed across Theon’s face as he helped Gringers to sit down. Gringers was giving orders again, back in charge, and Theon’s world was instantly transformed. “Sure, I’ll take a look. Are you going to be all right here alone?”

  Gringers gave Theon a tired smile. “Who’s alone? Lil-el and Thura are here. Go on. Keep watch and warn us if anyone heads up our way.”

  Dhalvad opened his eyes and slowly sat up. His head ached, and his stomach was unsettled from the abrupt breaking of the link. He saw Theon leave and noticed that Thura was holding something to Amet’s head. He moved over and pulled the cloth away. The wound was bleeding but not badly. The Healer within him started to reach out to seal the cut and ease the swelling that was taking place, but a cry from Lil-el stopped him.

  “Healer! Davin’s stopped b
reathing! Hurry!”

  Later, Dhalvad never remembered crossing the floor to Bhaldavin’s side. One moment he was sitting near Amet, the next moment he was kneeling by Little Fish, one hand placed on his forehead, the other hand hovering over his chest. Seconds later he was one with the body beneath his hands, seeking the vital organs and stirring them to action. He stayed within the body until he was sure everything was functioning properly; then and only then did he seek the inner being known to him as Little Fish, his need to know the truth about their possible kinship driving him to delve deep within Bhaldavin’s mind.

  The gift of healing had brought an understanding of the many levels of consciousness found within the mind, so when he touched upon the most conscious level and discovered only wisps of images that made no sense to him, he went deeper and reached the level wherein memories resided. He touched and relived the last few days of Bhaldavin’s life; he felt his fear for his daughter, his pain at the hands of the man called Sola; he experienced Bhaldavin’s surprise at Sola’s death at the hands of Gi-arobi.

  The last nearly made Dhalvad lose his hold on Bhaldavin’s mind because he had never conceived of Gi as a killer! It did not seem possible, yet he had witnessed it through Bhaldavin’s eyes.

  He drifted deeper and deeper, searching for memories that would satisfy his curiosity. He skipped through the years of Bhaldavin’s life in Barl-gan, saw the bizarre creature who had ruled the city when Bhaldavin had first arrived, felt Bhaldavin’s love for the beautiful Lil-el as they left the rafters and climbed over the Draak’s Teeth, searching for the home of the First Men. There followed memories of life with a simpleminded man called Garv, Theon’s brother, and before that—pain, fear, and rage all muddled together as Bhaldavin ran with his father before Sarissan blades. He saw Bhaldavin’s father cut down, and found his mother and baby sister lying dead in the grass. He ran on, carrying his small brother in his arms; they were found by a tall dark-haired man who took them in. The man’s name was Haradan.

  Dhalvad released his hold on Bhaldavin’s mind as Haradan’s face surfaced in his brother’s memory. Haradan! The man who had become his own foster father! It meant that Bhaldavin was his real brother!

  Dhalvad swam quickly up through the different levels of Bhaldavin’s mind, elated with his find and eager to share his knowledge with his brother upon his waking. He reached the upper level of Bhaldavin’s mind and suddenly experienced a tremor in the body. He quickly checked the body again and discovered constriction of the muscles controlling the breathing passages in his chest. He eased them by applying a stroking pressure from within, then carefully monitored Bhaldavin’s breathing.

  What is wrong with him?

  The words flowed easily through Dhalvad’s mind; they were tinged with concern. Bhaldavin? Is that you?

  No. It is Mithdaar. I recognize your energy pattern. You are one with Tamorlee.

  Mithdaar? Dhalvad was shocked by the discovery. I thought the link was broken!

  It is not. I need him. We wait for the others. You seek within us. Why? Is Bhaldavin ill?

  I came seeking my brother and have found him. I’m here now because he needs help in breathing.

  You are the Healer?

  Yes.

  Tamorlee speaks highly of you. Please, continue with your healing. I trust you to help my friend.

  It was obvious that the link between the two crystals, though brief, had been enough for each to share with the other; the question of how deep the sharing had been would have to wait for later. At the moment, Dhalvad had something more important on his mind.

  Mithdaar, Dhalvad began, I have healed my brother to the best of my ability, but he is weak. Your link with him draws upon his energy. You must release him or he’ll grow so weak that his muscles will not respond as they should.

  There was a pause. He will cease to live?

  Not if I can help it, thought Dhalvad. Yes.

  What of the others?

  What others?

  The Ral-jennob, the Star Travelers. They come.

  Dhalvad had heard legends of the Ral-jennob, but that was all they were to him—legends. If they come, they come! They’re not important right now. Bhaldavin is! Release him, please, before it’s too late!

  I sense the Tamorlee is near. May I link with him again?

  Yes, Dhalvad assured the crystal. After we’ve all rested. The Tamorlee has searched for you a long time. Believe me when I say that you’ll speak to your brother many times in the future. You have all of time before you. Now, please—release Bhaldavin.

  Bhaldavin’s hand dropped open and the green glowing crystal rolled free onto the floor. Moments later Dhalvad stirred from his kneeling position.

  Lil-el’s glance touched the crystal, then returned to her husband’s face. Bhaldavin’s eyelids fluttered open. She took a shaky breath and released it slowly.

  Dhalvad’s head lifted. There were tears in his eyes as he looked at Lil-el. “My brother is going to be all right. The crystal was draining his energy. It didn’t understand.” He glanced down at the crystal and felt a dizziness come over him. “Wrap the crystal in cloth and put it away,” he said. “Keep it safe.”

  “Dhalvad, I need you.”

  Dhalvad turned at the sound of Amet’s voice. He was sitting up, holding his head with both hands.

  “I can’t right now, Amet. I’m exhausted. Lie back and try to rest a little while.”

  Amet muttered something but did as Dhalvad told him.

  Dhalvad turned back to Bhaldavin and saw that his brother was conscious. He smiled at him and took his hand. “Feeling better?”

  Bhaldavin stared up at his father. He was confused, and his mind felt sluggish. “Kion?” No. That was not right. His father was dead. He looked around and saw Lil-el on his other side.

  “Lil-el—where are we? Who is this?”

  “Davin,” Lil-el said gently, “this is your brother, Dhalvad. He’s come a long way looking for you.” She leaned down and kissed him on the lips, her own tears starting. “He’s a Healer, and he just saved your life.”

  “It was Mithdaar,” Dhalvad explained. “The link was draining you of energy.”

  Bhaldavin frowned. “Where is Mithdaar?”

  “Right here, Davin,” Lil-el said, holding the cloth-wrapped crystal out to him.

  A look of relief touched his face as Lil-el shoved the crystal into his tunic pocket. “We’ve been far together,” he murmured dreamily. “Even now I’m not sure what part was dream and what part was real.” He looked up at Dhalvad. “You’re—my brother?”

  Dhalvad nodded.

  Bhaldavin studied the face above him. “I left my brother in the Deep years ago…”

  “With a man named Haradan,” Dhalvad finished for him.

  Excitement lighted Bhaldavin’s eyes. “Yes! Haradan! You’re Dhalvad!”

  Dhalvad smiled. “Yes.”

  “I can hardly believe it, after all these years… and you found me… not I, you.” He squeezed Dhalvad’s hand. “Haradan,” Bhaldavin said softly, memories flooding back. “I alway wondered whether or not he’d take care of you. I was afraid he’d turned you in to the Sarissans long ago. I tried to get back to you, but…”

  Dhalvad saw tears brimming in Bhaldavin’s eyes and knew the guilt his brother had carried with him so long. “It’s all right, Davin,” he said, helping him sit up. “I know you did all you could, and my life with Haradan was happy. I’ll tell you all about it one day, after we get out of this mess we’re in.”

  Bhaldavin wiped the tears from his eyes and looked at Lil-el, and beyond her to Thura, who was hovering over her mother’s shoulder. “What’s happening?” he asked.

  Gringers, who had been a silent witness to the two brothers’ reunion, spoke up from his place near the door. “Nothing at the moment, Davin. Theon’s below, watching for Wastelanders, and we’re all just catching our breath. What about you and him?” he asked, indicating Amet, who still lay on the floor. “What were you doing with the crys
tals?”

  “I’m not really sure. Everything was so strange. It was like a dream. Mithdaar was talking to someone when I joined him. I could hear him this time in real words, not just feelings; and there were lights that spoke back to us. They said they were coming. Then another voice entered my mind, and Mithdaar became ecstatic. He spoke so fast that I couldn’t understand any longer.”

  “It was probably the Tamorlee joining the link,” Dhalvad explained. “It’s another crystal like Mithdaar. We have a lot to talk about, but right now I think we’d better concentrate on getting down out of the tower to a place where we’ll all be safe.”

  “I agree,” Gringers said as he used the wall behind him to stand. “Everybody up.”

  Gringers took a step toward Amet, then stopped at the sight of shimmering light coalescing to the left of Amet’s body. “What the…”

  Dhalvad turned and saw the light and immediately knew its origin. “It’s a Seeker. Don’t be afraid.”

  Gringers looked at Lil-el as she helped Bhaldavin to his feet. “What the hell is a Seeker?”

  “A Ni traveler,” she answered. “It’s how they all came here, Amet, Dhalvad, and Paa-tol. They came to find Davin’s crystal and stayed to help us find you. Paa-tol was working with Kelsan and the others to distract the Wastelanders.”

  The shimmering light faded as the displacement of air and matter worked itself out, leaving Paa-tol standing in their midst. He glanced around quickly, then knelt beside Amet, who had made no move to get up.

  “Dhalvad,” Paa-tol snapped. “Get over here! Amet needs you!”

  Dhalvad went to Amet and knelt beside him. He was nearing the edge of his limits and knew he did not have much strength left for healing. He also saw Paa-tol’s frown and knew it was useless to argue.