by J E Mueller
“No, stay a few,” Cane stated, all smiles. “You’ve been kicking butt lately and really finding new connections. Maybe not the way Clove likes.”
Clove raised an eyebrow at her. “My way isn’t for everyone, it’s true. Doesn’t mean I have to like it not being everyone’s path.”
Cane gave a snort. “It would help if you weren’t so salty all the time.”
Clove could be like the sea, but I bit my tongue. “I’m glad I can help. I really do hope I’m not here much longer, but while I am, I’d rather do what’s best.” I hoped that was a good enough answer.
Cane gave me a sad look. “I suppose you are still a Dreamer, aren’t you?”
“I’m sure I’ll end up visiting.” I tried to be optimistic.
“Probably. This place can’t get rid of you,” Clove teased.
“True.” I laughed and it turned into a yawn. “I think I’m ready for bed though.”
“Probably fair.” Cane yawned in reply. “Artifact hunting tomorrow?”
I shrugged, not sure what to say. “Why not? Where?”
“I sensed something near the third floor library today. If we start there I’m sure we’ll at least get it narrowed down quickly,” Cane replied.
“Works for me.” I smiled and waved as I made my way through the painting and into the common room.
That didn’t technically go against any of my plans. I just needed to get close enough to it to see if it was important or not. From there, it could get tricky, but hopefully not. I made my way back to my room and saw Mare was asleep on one of the extra beds in there. Tomorrow I would have to ask her several things, but for tonight, I let myself collapse on the bed and drift quickly to sleep.
Chapter 18
A rough nudge pulled me from my sleep. I was surprised when I opened my eyes and Mare looked concerned and not at all her chipper morning self. I pulled myself up quickly, heart pounding, more willing to move seeing she wasn’t acting normal.
“What’s up?”
She lowered her voice. “Ever just have one of those terrible feelings? I usually don’t first thing in the morning. Never first thing.”
I frowned, unsure how to comfort her. “Honestly, any gut feeling here is probably legit. We should take things carefully.”
Mare looked relieved that I was taking the situation seriously. “Good, hopefully it’ll be for nothing.”
I nodded and yawned, letting my body ease into the morning now that things had settled. I wondered what could set her on edge. Was it just a gut feeling? Not much made sense here to begin with. “What a weird week. Cane and Clove want me to help with artifacts today.”
Mare raised an eyebrow. “I thought they were gathering herbs and plant nonsense today. Maybe they changed their minds.”
I shrugged. “Things are always changing here. Not always for the best, but I did learn some fun facts last night.”
Mare raised an eyebrow once more at me. “Like actual fun facts or something terrible?” She sat down next to me, eyes searching mine for clues.
I glanced at the closed door and lowered my voice. “I know who Ze is.”
Mare’s eyes went wide. “How?”
“He told me. We had a good conversation over things. He explained some things about the Negza alliance as well.” It was really that simple, though the adventure after was getting more complicated.
“Well, at least that solves that matter. I wanted to try and force his hand and tell you today or soon, but I guess it’s done.”
I nodded as the door opened, revealing Cane.
“Oh, hey you’re both here.” She smiled widely. “That’s even better. Ready for some adventures?”
“Sure. What’s on the agenda today?” Mare asked casually. I noted the slight caution in her voice.
“I had a vibe about an artifact but we wanted to grab some things from the flower bed at the front steps first,” Cane replied.
Well, that explained that much. Still, I was annoyed I couldn’t explain more to Mare about last night.
“Are we low on something?” Mare asked genuinely surprised.
“Not so much as low as out of. We need more morning glories. I’ll be bringing a sack so we can carry things around easily enough,” Cane elaborated, patting the bag on her back.
Mare frowned deeply. “Why are we out of those?”
“They’re used to fend off a lot of poisons.” Cane shrugged. “It seems like people are being extra careless lately.”
“I hope not. That would really suck.” Mare sighed. That did seem to be a common theme lately. “Shall we be off, then?”
“Sounds good to me.” Cane led the way out, and to my surprise, went straight out the painting.
While I glanced around for Clove I didn’t see her. Mare shrugged but didn’t say anything. I remembered the bracelet actually had other functions aside from me hearing Lydia.
Mare, you okay? I asked.
She looked momentarily startled but nodded. Those plants coupled with the flowers we got from the back garden and some bottom mushrooms are needed for the cure for Polycoy poisoning. Why would that suddenly be common? She vanished through the painting, not missing a beat.
I followed, cringing at the jam-like feel once again. I was clearly just not going to get used to this thing, even if the other day wasn’t bad.
Cane glanced around with a frown. “Clove was supposed to be coming right back after showing Bastin, Eliza, and Ellena the way to the mini library. Where is she?”
Mare shrugged and I noted the slight glow of magic at her fingertips. “Almost back now. Shall we meet her?”
Cane nodded and motioned for Mare to lead on.
It only took one turn before we saw her heading our way. She looked surprised to see us, but shrugged and motioned for us to head back the way she came.
“Let’s get this started then. Wasn’t expecting you all to actually be ready,” Clove admitted, her sword vanished from her grip.
“I told you I’d get everyone up,” Cane stated proudly, resting her hands on her hips for a moment before continuing down the hall.
“Or were they already up?” Clove smirked knowingly.
Mare laughed. “Up with the sun!” she cheered a bit too happily. No one seemed to notice, likely because it was true. Mare was an early riser.
“I’d be asleep still if I could,” I admitted, not even bothering to hide the fact that I seemed to be the only non-morning person here.
“Sans is that way too,” Cane scoffed. “I swear she’d set me on fire if she could.”
Clove snickered. “She really would. Lo would let her too.”
Cane frowned. “Yeah, he’s not a morning person either, but at least he’s not scary about it.”
“Is that why you’re not dragging them with today?” I asked curiously. “Avoid the angry morning people?”
Mare laughed at the thought but Cane shook her head. “She claimed she needed a day off. I probably do too, but it’s just so close. After we get this, and if I don’t sense another one, I’ll take a break.”
Clove laughed. “You’re worse than me most days.”
“But it’s so close!” Cane argued back.
I couldn’t imagine Clove taking a break so it was amusing that someone was admittedly more ardent about tasks and adventures. Their slight squabble and babble took us quickly to the front door and Mare sighed as we all looked out the windows. They really weren’t of any help at all. Everything could change with the opening of a door.
Tentatively, Mare pulled it inch by inch open until she saw nothing was going to bust through. After carefully looking around she took a step out and shrugged. “Coast is fairly clear. Let’s get this thing done.”
Clove didn’t hesitate and was out the door before anyone else could react. I followed behind everyone, still not wanting to be out here. I just had a weird feeling, even if we were only on the porch.
Someone’s close.
I was surprised to hear that, but how close is c
lose?
Think of the rooms. I can tell if we stop within a three, maybe five, room radius exactly where they are. I need a moment to be able to search but here on the poarch, I can feel someone.
I glanced around. Mare was standing on the stairs just before the flower beds as Cane and Clove shoved several plants away. It didn’t look like we’d have time to look.
Wait… If Cane wasn’t saying anything about artifacts, she knew about these. Were they just useless then? Or hidden? It was too hard to say which, but considering how much they seemed to talk about them and how they were always looking, I didn’t think any would be too worthless for them.
We’ll come back then?
I felt bad, but that seemed to be the best plan. If they were hiding them, they likely weren’t going to give them up easily. Would they?
I would be cautious.
Later it would have to be then. With no more time to decide, everyone was already coming back up the steps.
“See? Easy.” Cane shook the bag in front of me.
“I love hearing that. Can more adventures be like that?” I asked longingly.
Cane laughed. “Oh, how I wish.” She opened the door and happily led the way back inside.
I followed behind her, wondering how overall, everyone seemed so light hearted. Maybe just making the best of a bad situation. I wondered if this plan was even necessary. There had to be a better existence for lost souls than this.
We had to move the demons and angels someplace where we could monitor them. A world they wouldn’t harm just by existing. Not that it did us much good in the long run. The very long run. I suppose they got more desperate over the centuries and we became more oblivious to their dealings.
I followed Cane carefully as I thought of what Lydia said. That would be something to take up again later but for now… I stopped as Cane stopped, midway up to the third floor. She motioned for Mare to take the lead and I relaxed a bit. Whatever troubles with creatures that may come, I knew she’d make sure we steered clear of them. Likely, she had already been keeping an eye out and just remained silent on it.
In no time, we were at the library entrance and Mare motioned back to Cane. “Do your thing. You’ve got a little time to work with.”
Cane nodded and a rosy glow flecked with gold glittered at her fingertips as her magic went to work. She walked in a slow circle with her eyes closed for a moment before coming to a standstill back where she started.
“I was wrong,” she declared, opening her eyes. “There are two artifacts nearby.”
Clove raised an eyebrow. “Well, where at?”
“The closest one I believe is actually in the library on the fourth floor. The other one is on this floor but several halls over.” She motioned vaguely to the west.
Clove bit her lip as she considered the options. “Well now, if we’re that close to one on the fourth it might be worth it.”
Mare raised an eyebrow. “The fourth floor is small, with less creatures, but with less space for them to move. We won’t have much time, and we don’t have any way to defeat any of them.”
Clove nodded. “Well, Cane, can you narrow it down further?”
Cane shrugged and headed into the library with Mare close at her heels. Together the two of them slowly ascended the spiraling stairs that lead up to the next level of the library. Clove followed as far as the first stair while I remained at the bottom. As soon as they reached the top, both women put a foot onto the floor and summoned their magic. Mare’s hand was engulfed in green as she worked hard to pinpoint all she could while Cane looked the same as last time.
Clove’s face remained neutral while the women worked. She had been doing this too much to be bothered or surprised by the time something like this could take. However, I hadn’t. I was certain my face was giving away exactly how much my heart was racing.
“It’s along the shelves,” Cane declared, pointing to the wall that naturally was at the far end of the room.
“We might have time.” Mare nodded as the two of them moved without further discussion.
Clove rushed the steps taking them two and three at a time as I made my way up normally. I had no idea what I was looking for. Neither did they, I guess.
As I joined them, I looked along the lower shelves. They weren’t filled with much else other than books, but did have enough useless odds and ends to make you question if that was the thing you were looking for.
Someone is close.
Of course. Hopefully in this room so we could be done with it.
Now why would it be that easy? I could hear the humorless laugh in her voice. No, it’s close but not close enough to be whatever she originally sensed. This one was likely just too far for her to note being on the third floor.
Okay, that was just great. Where exactly could it be?
For several moments Lydia was silent as I pretended to continue to look among the shelves, my interest gone from the artifact that didn’t house a Creator.
Just at the far end of this floor. So, four halls down, on the left. Maybe the fourth room. We’d have to get closer for finer tuning, but there isn’t a way for you to get it as you currently are. You would run into something.
With Mare’s help it wouldn’t be impossible.
There are creatures that can go invisible to her here, remember? Strong as she may be, we need to awaken your final gift in order to continue.
“Found it!” Mare declared with more relief than excitement. “We need to leave now.”
Clove and Cane were heading to the stairs before she even finished her sentence, leaving me trailing behind once more. Not that it mattered much. They both waited at the foot of the steps until Mare reached the bottom, letting her do her magic search for creatures once more.
“Crap!” she almost screamed as soon as the magic hit her fingers. “Run, and if you see it close your eyes!”
Every one of us ran for the door. I vaguely remembered her talking of a creature that was so bad you did not want it to look you in the eyes. From the corner of my vision, I saw something move, and screamed. Everyone turned to look back and closed their eyes. The creature was almost what I would picture a ghost to be. White, mostly see-through, with hair and long robes billowing in a wind that didn’t exist. It had approached the others first, and as I saw it start to turn I closed my eyes.
In a moment I felt almost a wind on me as the creature moved carefully around me. I had no idea how long it would linger and if it would continue to go from the others to me until it got bored or until something came and killed the others. They were just in the doorway, not giving the creature the proper time to see and attack something else. I was for once, probably the safest lingering just off the spiral stairs.
I could hear down the hall, very much still in the distance but too close for comfort, the sounds of an Agmon’s claws being dragged along the ground, carpet tearing in its wake. The bat-like creature from my first day here still haunted my memories. If it looked me in the eyes, I wasn’t sure if the other creature could kill it in time.
The wind had stopped, and I chanced a look, slowly opening my eyes to see the creature was not attracted by the sound and just staring at the group.
You’re going to do something stupid, aren’t you?
I could hear the acceptance in Lydia’s voice, her already knowing the situation from my thoughts.
Of course I was, but this time, I had a back up plan. I was fairly sure I was still a Dreamer, after all.
You’ll have to find me again, Lydia reminded me.
But no, no I wouldn’t.
I willed the bracelet to come off.
“Mare!” Me calling to her and throwing the bracelet at her caused the creature to come over, its white face became more solid, the wind stopped moving. “Just do it,” I sighed at the creature.
Its face tilted at me then a voice came to mind that was not Lydia’s. You wish to save them? Two wish you dead.
I nodded. Not actually surprised by her words. D
isappointed was a better feeling for it.
Well then, no one usually spares another. This is quite interesting. It’s made my entire day better. Can you do me a favor?
I nodded, more confused than not.
Please see to it that you visit me again. Alone. I wish to give you a gift.
I nodded and in a blink, she vanished from sight.
“What just happened?” Clove demanded.
I looked over at them, feeling as confused as they all looked. “I tried to save you and it spoke in my head wanting to know why. I guess she liked the change of pace?”
Mare shook her head. “The Agmon’s coming. We have just enough time to dodge it if we leave now.” Mare shoved the bracelet on her wrist, leaving the room quickly, knowing we would all follow.
Just as we left the room I could see it a fair distance down the hall. I could see it though, so it could see me, its eyes glowing.
“Why me?” I groaned and took off faster.
Mare and Clove had their swords out in an instant, Cane a moment after them. I didn’t bother with my bow, instead I concentrated on running as fast as I could will my legs to go. Mare turned to face off with the creature just before it caught up to us. Clove sighed and turned to join her while Cane ran a few more steps with me. Just as I heard their swords clash with their claws, I tripped and landed hard on the ground. Cane stumbled with me for a moment, her legs tangled with mine but she recovered quickly, continuing to run and reach the stairs. A moment later I heard Mare scream and knew before it struck what happened.
Agony filled me as something speared through me and I could feel something else, slowly draining from me. That’s right! My magical essence! Could I block it from doing that? Would that determine if I made it back as a Dreamer? Fear filled me. I might not wake up from this. Then, the world went black.
Chapter 19
Mare
There was nothing we could do but dodge around it. While I knew Remi wasn’t the fastest among us, it was a surprise to see she had tripped and fallen. A surprise I didn’t trust. Something felt raw and wrong. My heart screamed as loud as my lungs.
