From a Far Land

by G David Walker

  Reyga's expression became one of sympathy mixed with steel as he made a small gesture. A chair shot out from the wall and slammed into the back of Jason’s legs, forcing him to sit. As he tried to get back up, Reyga gestured again. It felt as if iron bands were wrapped about his arms, chest, and legs. Try as he might, he couldn’t move from the chair. He started to protest, but with another motion from the old man, he found that no sound would come from his mouth. After several seconds of silent shouting and struggling to break free, he collapsed back into the chair and glared at Reyga, panting from his exertions while occasional drops of sweat ran down the side of his face.

  Reyga bent and looked into his eyes. “Listen to me. I will help you in any and every way I can, but you must understand two very important things. First, and most important, this is not a dream. It is very real, and the first time you are out in our land and you forget that may very well be your last. Second, there is no way back to your world, at least not yet. We are trying with all of our resources to create portals to other worlds, but we have not succeeded. That is not to say that we will not succeed, merely that we have not succeeded yet. Do you understand what I am telling you?”

  At first, he just glared at the old man. After a moment, he slumped back into his chair and nodded.

  “Very well,” Reyga said. “I am going to release you from this chair. If I feel you are losing control again, I will put you back into it. Do you understand?”

  He nodded again, and Reyga appeared to accept that as sufficient. Reyga stepped back and made another small motion with his hand. Jason felt the invisible restrictions fade away.

  He started to stand up. “How did you...” Before he could complete his question, his vision blurred and the room began to swim and spin around him. Everything seemed out of balance and the floor tilted underneath his feet. He heard Reyga saying his name, but it sounded as if the old man was at the far end of a long tunnel. With one last swirl of color, he fell into a blackness even more complete than the one that had brought him here.

  *****

  Reyga was unsure how to proceed. He had been pleased to receive a visitor from the Far Planes after so long, but the more he interacted with this Jason Bennett, the more he sensed there was something unusual about the young man. He had not wanted to use dimsai on him, but the boy had appeared to be on the verge of hysteria, and he felt there had been no other recourse.

  To use dimsai on another person could be an uncomfortably intimate, and sometimes even dangerous, experience. Usually nothing happened. Sometimes, however, the person’s deepest thoughts and emotions were revealed. And if the person had any significant dimsai ability of their own, the results could be unpredictable. Dimsai backlash had felled more than one saiken in years past. For this reason, one of the first things Reyga had been taught as a student was not to use his power on another sentient creature unless it was absolutely necessary.

  This time, he sensed something in the young man. It was as if some nocturnal beast, disturbed in its slumber, had sleepily opened one eye, glanced about, and then drifted back to its mysterious dreams. It had been a somewhat unnerving sensation, and one that Reyga had not experienced before.

  When Jason Bennett fainted, he knew he would not be able catch him. So, he used his power to prevent the young man from being harmed when he hit the ground. Again, he felt the sensation of something on the verge of awakening. It had been most unsettling, and he resolved that, barring the direst of emergencies, he would not use dimsai on Jason Bennett again.

  After getting the boy into the spare bed, he walked back into the main room and sat down to consider the situation. He picked up a nearby scroll and stared blankly at it, tapping it on his knee as he considered his next steps. After a few minutes, he roused himself with a small shake of his head. This was accomplishing nothing.

  He walked over to the portal on the wall and touched a spot on the frame. The image in the portal rippled, and then changed. He waited patiently until a figure stepped into view.

  “Greetings, Loremaster,” the figure intoned as the head inclined briefly. “May the mantle of wisdom ever rest upon your shoulders.”

  He bowed. “May your power be exceeded only by your honor, High One.”

  Formalities complete, both he and the High One assumed more relaxed poses. The High One was a tall, lean man who, even when relaxed, conveyed an aura of subdued power.

  “Hello, Reyga,” the High One said with a warm smile. “What can I do for you? I hope you are well?”

  He returned the smile. “Oh, I am quite well, thank you.” His smile faded. “I have received a visitor.”

  “Indeed? And since you felt it necessary to contact me, may I assume we are talking about a Far Planer?”

  “Yes, High One. It is a young man by the name of Jason Bennett.”

  The High One hesitated for an instant before answering. “Interesting. This would be the first in several years. We had almost decided the Far Planes visitors to be at an end.”

  “I was rather surprised myself,” he said. “Nevertheless, I was quite pleased to receive the young man into my home. But I have encountered something rather peculiar.”

  “Peculiar, eh? It must be more than just peculiar for you to have contacted me about it. Tell me.”

  He told the High One of the arrival of Jason Bennett, and their conversation. He recounted his visitor's rising agitation until he had been forced to use dimsai to restrain him. Then he mentioned the strange sensation he felt both times he used power on him.

  “So you see, High One, I decided to seek guidance regarding what to do with this young man. I had originally intended to take him to Drey's Glenn and entrust him to the village leaders, but when I had this most unusual experience, I became unsure as to the wisdom of that course.”

  The High One nodded. “You were right in coming to me with this. Tell me, did this Jason Bennett show any signs that he might have any dimsai ability himself?”

  “No more than any other Far Planer. But I only conversed with him for a short time before he fainted. No doubt from portal sickness.”

  The High One considered for a moment, then said, “Proceed with your original plans, but after introducing him to the local authorities bring him here. While no Far Planer save one has yet to show any dimsai ability, until we know what caused your unusual experience it would not be wise to allow him to roam freely in our land.

  “Do not use a portal for your transportation. It may unsettle him again, and the time spent on your way will allow you to learn more of him. I will send Captain Gatlor to accompany you. While you travel, I will consult with the Circle and see if there is anything I can find in the ancient texts that might help us to determine the best course of action.”

  “Thank you, High One. You are most wise. Tell me, if he should ask questions, which he almost certainly will, how much should I tell him? I have already given him a general history of our world.”

  “Hmm. We dare not give him too much information until we know more about him. On the other hand, we do not want to arouse any suspicion on his part, and create an enemy where none may exist.”

  He was silent for a moment, then continued. “Very well, you are free to tell him anything he wishes to know about our society and its laws and customs. You may also tell him of the different races of Teleria. But unless he asks, make no mention of dimsai, and do not use any more power in his view. I have no doubt that he will ask how you restrained him, but tell him only enough to quench his curiosity, then change the subject if possible. Do not tell him any more about dimsai than you absolutely must.”

  “I will do as you say, High One.”

  “One more thing, Loremaster Reyga. Do not mention our adversary to him. Until we know more about him, we cannot be sure where his loyalties will eventually lie.”

  A New Day Dawns

  Misshapen trees with gnarled, twisted trunks surrounded Jason. He thought he saw tortured faces in the bark, frozen in expressions of horror and despair. Where
am I? He didn’t see anyone else, but the primal sounds coming from the shadows told him he wasn’t alone.

  He spun to his left at a sudden blur of motion. Nothing was there. Lightning flashed overhead, but not the bluish-white lightning he knew. The incandescent streaks tearing at the dark sky above him were garish shades of red and purple.

  He couldn’t see a way out in any direction. How did I get here? His breath came in hard, short gasps, and his heart felt like it was about to burst from his chest.

  A glimmer of light caught his attention through the dark trees. A voice called his name. That sounds like Dad! If he could only get to the light, all of this would go away and he would be all right.

  He crashed through the underbrush toward the light, fighting his way through the vines and creepers. Branches tore at his shirt. The voice calling his name grew louder as he got closer. After what seemed an eternity, he broke into a small clearing where a bonfire clawed at the darkness, illuminating everything within its reach with a fiery, orange glow.

  A figure stood silhouetted before the fire. His father! He ran forward, almost overcome with relief. As he reached out, the figure turned toward him. He found himself staring into the slate gray eyes of an old man who began laughing maniacally, while shrieking Jason’s name over and over again.

  Jason jerked upright, drenched in sweat, looking into the same gray eyes as the ones in his dream. Hands grasped his shoulders. He knocked them away, expecting to hear the insane laughter again. But these eyes weren’t filled with the lunacy from the dream, but with concern and compassion.

  “Jason Bennett.” The voice in his dream.

  “Jason Bennett,” Reyga repeated. “Wake up, my boy. You were having a bad dream.”

  He shook his head and took a deep breath, blinking to clear his vision. Once he was sure he was awake, he looked around the room. It was small, with little more in it than the bed he was in and a couple of chests. Against one wall was another bookshelf filled with books and scrolls. A small window let in a cool breeze.

  “Oh, man,” he groaned, “it wasn’t just a dream.”

  “No, Jason Bennett, that was most definitely a nightmare you were having.”

  He flopped back on the bed. “I was talking about being here. Until just now, I had been hoping this was all a dream and I would eventually wake up in my own bed.” He looked at Reyga. “But that’s not going to happen, is it?” It was more a statement of harsh reality than a question.

  “I am afraid not,” Reyga said. “This is your home now. At least it will be unless and until we find a way to open portals to other worlds and dimensions. And we have been trying to do that for many, many years.”

  Jason was silent as he tried to assimilate the fact that he was trapped on another world, separated from his family, friends, and everything he had ever known.

  Reyga stood up. “Come. The morning is half spent and we have a bit of a journey ahead of us. It is time to get up. I have brought you something to eat while you get ready.”

  The mention of food brought a wave of nausea. “Please don’t mention food. I think I’m gonna puke.”

  Reyga cocked his head. “Puke?”

  His stomach churning, Jason replied miserably, “Yeah, puke.” At Reyga’s blank look he said, “You know…puke. Barf? Hurl? Blow chunks? Toss your cookies?” Still seeing no sign that Reyga understood, Jason added, “Um, throw up? Be sick?”

  At last, recognition dawned in the old man’s face. “Ah, finally I understand, Jason Bennett.”

  “It’s just Jason. Bennett is my last name. You can just call me Jason. Anyway, what the heck did you do to me?”

  “Do to you? What do you mean?”

  “I mean, how did you knock me out like that? Whatever you did, I’ve got one whale of a hangover from it.”

  Reyga looked confused again. “Hangover…hangover…ah.” He nodded. “The way you feel right now is not due to anything I have done, Jason Ben...pardon me...Jason. You are suffering from what we call portal sickness. It is harmless, and will pass soon, but it is not a pleasant experience.”

  “Portal sickness?”

  “Occasionally, a first time traveler will find his system upset by the trip through a portal. It is similar to the problem some people have of becoming ill while on a boat, although a bit more intense.”

  That's the understatement of the year, he thought. The only time he could ever remember feeling like this was when he had developed a case of stomach flu, a sinus infection, and mono all at the same time.

  “When you fainted,” Reyga continued, “I realized what had happened, and, anticipating your condition this morning, I brought you a particular fruit to eat that is a known cure for portal sickness.” He held out a small tray with five or six slices of something that looked like a miniature grapefruit on it. “Here, eat this. It will help you recover more quickly.”

  Jason didn’t reach for the plate.

  “Please. I promise that within the hour the way you feel right now will be nothing more than a memory.”

  He took the tray, frowning at its contents.

  Reyga muttered something under his breath, picked up one of the slices of fruit, and took a bite from it. From the look on his face as he ate it, Jason guessed this was one of Reyga’s favorite foods. The old man’s pleasure was evident as he chewed slowly, his eyes half closed and a slight smile on his face.

  After he swallowed, Reyga sighed in obvious contentment. Then he looked at Jason once more. “Again, I ask you to eat. You have nothing to fear, and I assure you it will make you feel better. After all, had I wished you harm, I did have all night.”

  He couldn’t argue with that, so he slowly picked up a slice, and, with one more look at Reyga, placed it in his mouth. Trying to hide his trepidation, he bit down.

  Instantly, succulent juices exploded into his mouth. The plate almost fell to the floor at the intense flavor of the fruit. It tasted like a cross between an orange and a lemon, but without the sour bite one would expect from such a combination. A hint of sweetness served as a counterpoint to the tangy citrus, while weaving in and out of the other flavors was an echo of mint. The mint was more pronounced in the odor, which filled his nostrils and immediately began to clear the fog from his head. Reveling in the unexpected flavor, he got completely lost in the experience.

  He came back to reality when his hand reached for another slice only to find that he had already eaten them all. He looked at the empty plate, and then looked at Reyga, as if to accuse him of stealing the other pieces while he wasn’t looking.

  The amused look on the old man’s face seemed to confirm his suspicions. He was about to say something, when Reyga’s face broke into a broad grin. The old man’s eyes opened wide as he leaned forward. “At last, Jason Bennett, I have you!”

  At Jason’s recoil and alarmed look, Reyga burst into laughter. Between guffaws and snorts, he managed to say, “Peace, Jason Bennett, peace. I merely jest with you.”

  Reyga’s merry laughter continued for several seconds. At last, his mirth began to subside. As he wiped the tears from his eyes, he took a deep breath and exhaled noisily. With one last stifled giggle, Reyga regained his composure and said with a twinkle in his eye, “Please forgive me, Jason. I am sorry for alarming you, but you seemed so certain that I meant to poison you with the calintha fruit that I simply could not resist.”

  As Jason sighed in relief, he tried to look annoyed with the old man, but the lingering taste of the fruit on his tongue refused to allow such a mood. Almost against his will, he grinned sheepishly.

  “Ah, Jason, at least now I can be sure that you no longer believe yourself to be dreaming.” Reyga looked at the window. “In any event, we must prepare. I trust you are feeling better?”

  He had to confess that Reyga had been right. The fruit had dispelled his feelings of nausea and sickness as if they too had been nothing more than a dream.

  “I’m feeling better,” he said, “but would it be possible to get some more of that?�
��

  “I am afraid I do not have any more,” Reyga replied. “It is a very rare fruit that can only be harvested one sixday out of the year. It is only given in cases of portal sickness, such as you experienced, and for occasions of state. And even in the state occasions, each guest is allowed only two pieces. What I gave to you was the last I had.”

  “Ah. Okay.”

  His disappointment must have been plain to see, for Reyga said, “Perhaps we will see if we can get a bit more. After all, it is not every day that we get a visitor from the Far Planes. I suppose that should qualify as a special occasion.”

  As Jason climbed out of bed, Reyga gestured toward the chest by the window. “There is a basin of water for you to wash and refresh yourself, and I found some clothes that I believe will fit you. The ones you have on, besides being rather unusual for Teleria, are somewhat damp from whatever you experienced in your dreams. If the clothes I brought do not fit as well as you would like, they will at least suffice for now. We can find other clothing on the way.”

  Jason went to the basin, removed his shirt, and splashed water on his face and arms to wash away the drying sweat from his nightmare. He picked up a small towel lying beside the basin. “On the way? Where are we going?”

  “There is a village not far from here. We will go there first, where I will introduce you to the village leaders, and you may get some more exposure to our culture and society. We can also purchase some clothing for you if you wish, and we will need to secure supplies for our journey.”

  “Journey?” Jason dropped the towel and picked up the rough cloth shirt Reyga had supplied. “Journey to where?”

  Reyga hesitated a moment before answering. “There are some people who wish to meet you. It has been several years since we have had a visitor from one of the Far Planes, and they would like to find out more about you and your world.”