The Dreamweaver

by Nancy Joseph Peterson

  Cath stood and looked around appraisingly, nodding in agreement with her own assessment.

  "This place, and much around as well. Where earth has been marked by the passing of Tylwythen deg Grymuster. Queen Aine will remove all and leave…I know not your word for this — nothingness?" She shrugged, her disinterest in the lives of humans or their realm clear.

  “Nothingness?” Blaise asked, alarmed at the implication, “What do you mean, Queen Aine would ‘remove all’ and leave nothingness?

  “Nothingness, the exact reverse of somethingness. There would be nothing here. No land, no air, no water, as I said; nothingness.” Cath waved her hand dismissively as her head turned sharply towards the entrance to the cave, her pointed ears flicking, hearing some sound unheard by the humans.

  Typical fairy attention span, Emrys thought in annoyance. As Cath wandered away to the cave, Blaise stepped to Emrys side to have a quiet discussion.

  "If what she says is true and Queen Aine does as Cath implies she would, I fear the results could be…catastrophic and not just to Caerfyrddin, but perhaps to the entire dimension." Blaise regarded his former student quietly.

  Emrys began to pace, thinking in his usual fashion, "She used the word, ‘nothingness.' A vacuum? 'Horror vacui?'" He stopped, his eyes widening at the implication.

  Blaise nodded thoughtfully, "Possibly. I know of no examples of such an abnomilly in this, or any other realm or dimension in the Universe. I am not certain what would happen." Blaise waited, knowing Emrys quick mind would assimilate the relevant information and hypothesise a likely scenario.

  Emrys rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "Assuming Queen Aine has the ability to do as Cath suggests, and could create an area of void in this realm, or 'nothing' using her word — it would have to affect the whole dimension." Emrys began to calculate the probabilities, "The removal of all atomic and subatomic matter in any environment could, theoretically, create an area of 'nothingness.' But, if such an event occurred within an area that was surrounded by areas with the atoms of the 'something' that normally exists, the ’nothing’ would create a vacuum." His eyes flashed with energy as he contemplated the outcome, "And since the laws of the universe abhor a vacuum, the denser surrounding material in the continuum would immediately fill the incipient void with dark matter, which would pull neighbouring matter into it, eventually collapsing all related dimensions upon themselves like a house of cards."

  Blaise's eyes widened in realisation, "Emrys, if your theory is correct, such an event would do more than close this rift between dimensions, it would effectively destroy this world and all its layered dimensions."

  Emrys frowned, turning as Cath Bodva returned to stand near them, his eyes narrowed in anger, "I brought you here in good faith. To show you the rift between this dimension and your’s, not to cause Queen Aine to retaliate in what would in all likelihood begin an effect that would cause multiple dimensions to cease to exist." His eyes flashed as he noted her cool demeanour, "You have seen the humans in this realm that have suffered as Fairy has suffered. It would be a gross miscarriage of justice for Queen Aine to punish innocents for the misdeeds of a small dark sect of druids, as well as potentially beginning a catastrophic event that could decimate multiple dimensions."

  Cath hissed in fury, "You didn't just bring me here, Merlin - you abducted me." She examined her sharpened fingernails in feigned disinterest, "Even if I were to care about this realm or its pathetic humans, the decision as how to remedy this abomination is not within my control. My Queen will decide the fate of all; it is her decision." She added dismissively, "I am nothing more than the messenger. I am not an advisor; I am a soldier. I hold no sway with my Queen."

  She paused, her eyes narrowing as an idea flitted across her brow, "You Merlin Ambrosius - you do hold sway. I recall our Queen thought of you as her pet when you last visited Sidhe. A clever pet that she would indulge perhaps? If you care so much about this dimension, perhaps you should accompany me to address my Queen on your own behalf." Cath looked smugly at Emrys, the implication of what she proposed written on her face.

  Blaise's eyes darkened as he looked upon Emrys, "If what Cath says is so my Son, you must approach Queen Aine with our entreaty. We cannot risk what she suggests may be Queen Aines retaliation."

  Emrys frowned. Thinking of Anna and knowing that such a journey could very well be a one-way trip.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Gifts for a Queen

  In a dank hole that had been carved from a wet cave wall, two children huddled together. Their tiny bodies shivering from the cold and damp. The boy was nearly ten but small for his age, his thin arms surrounded his little sister protectively, “Don't worry Alys, Da will find us."

  The meagre food and stale water they'd been given was shared with the rats that kept the children awake until they finally succumbed to exhaustion every night.

  "Adda, you need to eat too." The tiny girl whispered, shoving the portion of mouldy bread away that he'd tried to give her.

  The dark druid that had brought them food and water hadn't returned for a long time. Adda had tried to keep track of the grey light that faded periodically into night, he thought it had been four sleeps since his last visit. Adda had marked the level of the filthy water with a sharp stone. He thought the water that remained in the rusty bucket would last for another two days and the small amount of laverbread that he'd tucked into his shirt to keep it safe from the rats would be gone in the next few hours.

  "No. Alys, you're still little and I am the man. You gotta eat. Here it isn't too bad if you soak it in a little water." He tried to sound stern and manly but his voice quavered.

  She took the corner of bread he offered and nibbled it to please him, "Do you think Da will come soon, Adda?" She asked in a hoarse whisper.

  Adda pulled her closer to him, "Yes, I know he will. Da is brave and big and he will find us soon, the bad men won't be able to stop him."

  They held each other in the dark and cold as two amber eyes regarded them dispassionately from the ledge above them.

  Cath looked down upon the small, dirty humans below. They were trapped, but in no immediate danger. She sniffed the air. No other humans were near besides Merlin and Blaise, who were still discussing their problems outside.

  Cath smiled humourlessly, she could tell Merlin about her discovery, but why? What did she owe them? He had torn her from her duties in Sidhe, and caused her untold troubles with the Queen as a result. This discovery may be just be what she needed to recover her losses; her Queen liked human children. Pretty little things that she petted until they got too old to be considered cute, and Cath needed a gift before returning to Fairy. Although she'd been caught by Merlin through no real fault of her own, the Queen still wouldn't be pleased that her chief assassin had been so easily captured. It would be good to bring two new pets as a peace offering. Yes, Cath thought to herself, this would lessen Queen Aine's displeasure with her.

  Turning to leave, Cath Bodva warded the entrance to the cell that held the children with her protection symbol. It would keep them safely hidden until she could return. With her powerful ward securely in place, no one would be able to see or hear their cries; not even the stupid druids. Cath quickly left before Merlin thought to question her absence.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Dark Plans

  Nivane stood in front of Acclon, examining him carefully, "You are the image of Emrys.” She said with a mixture of distaste and pride.

  "How long will it last?" Acclon asked, his voice changed to sound like Emrys as well.

  Nivane smiled, her nearly toothless grin and vile breath nauseated Acclon, he backed up a step.

  "It will last long enough. You will have twelve hours to bring her to me. After twelve hours, your face and voice will be your own again."

  Her arrogant tone rankled Acclon as he stood looking at himself in Nivane’s mirror.

  "I wield the Charm of Making better than Myrddin ever did. You are Emrys! Exactly his image, h
is voice…even his horrid plaits." Nivane cackled with glee as she tugged on one thick plait.

  Acclon stepped back, repulsed by Nivane's presence as well as the odours emanating from her mouth as she spoke.

  Nivane cackled in amusement noticing his aversion, "Once you've captured our dove, my love, I shan't be so repulsive to you."

  Acclon nodded but kept his distance.

  Nivane was beginning to dislike Acclon as much as she did Myrddin, wishing she didn't need his help.

  She'd tried to use the casting urn to transport herself into the weavers room, but her power was not strong enough to materialise completely, and thinking it would be unwise to share the fact of her weakening skills with Acclon, she’d remanded his service.

  But Nivane's casting to the dreamweaver’s room hadn't been a total loss; she'd spotted a small silver bell directly in front of a dream tapestry, and upon seeing it glow with the same bright aura she'd seen emanating from the girl as she’d walked beside Emrys in Caerfyrddin, she’d realised it contained what she needed to locate her.

  Nivane had been gleeful that she'd found a link to a pure dove that held all the crucial elements she’d needed for the transference rite.

  She smiled inwardly, Acclon was a fool. But, he was her fool, and using his pathetic love for her youthful self was currently her best option. Once Nivane regained her youth and beauty, it would be easy enough to dispose of him. She already had a plan in mind.

  "You will go to Myrddin's weavers room where, in the far corner, you'll find a dream tapestry. In front of the tapestry you'll find an object; a small silver bell. Bring it to me and I can create a path that will lead you directly to our dove. Bring it to me within the hour." Nivane rubbed her bony hands together in anticipation.

  Acclon moved toward the urn and began to cast to enter Myrddin’s room in the dreamweaver’s realm as Nivane had instructed. His aura, still strong with the power he'd leeched from Fairy, caused the thick liquid to respond to his commands quickly.

  As Acclon’s form slowly became transparent, Nivane added,"The moon is full tomorrow and the Solstice will be upon us. You will bring this girl to me, and have your six druid priests gather at the fairy ring altar tomorrow at the gloaming. This innocent, our dove, is the perfect sacrifice that the Elegy of Transference requires. Once done, I shall again be your Morgan Le Fay.”

  Acclon's closed his eyes briefly imagining her returned to him, shutting out the creature that held his love’s spirit within her rotting flesh — he envisioned his Morgan Le Fay restored, whole and beautiful once more.

  He nodded, dematerialising from Nivane's cavern and misting and into the weavers room.

  As Nivane had foretold, Myrddin's old dreamweavers room was as he’d left it. The frame that held the girls tapestry was in the corner as described, and in front of it was the prize they sought — a small silver bell.

  Anna sat silently on the train back to the city. Her father was out of danger, and had insisted that she go home knowing she needed to attend to her own problems.

  Once the hospital released him, Dad was going to stay at Mom's house to recover, but Anna knew that it was probably going to be a permanent arrangement. She was happy for them both and felt good knowing they were going to be together again.

  Her organised mind began to departmentalise her concerns in order of urgency; Emrys - where was he? Had something bad happened? And if so, how would she ever know? Emrys had left to go to 576AD, and whatever had happened would have occurred so long ago that her only resource would be history books, if the event was even recorded. Anna felt entirely helpless and sick at the thought. The idea of never seeing Emrys again had her stomach in knots and her eyes tight with unshed tears.

  She swallowed hard to get past the lump that had formed in her throat.

  Next on her worry-agenda; her job. Well, it still was her only means of financial support, and she was loath to give it up until she had another way to pay her bills. Anna frowned, she hated the way Alexander had treated her yesterday, his dismissal of the importance for Anna to be with her family during her father's heart surgery was thoughtless and cruel. She resolved to check her email and if nothing was there from the company, she'd call him today. One way or another she'd get an answer and deal with the aftermath.

  And there was Py. Emrys had said he'd feed him, so Anna guessed he was fine. But would he stay if Emrys was gone? Could her cat still transgress dimensions as easily as he had before? Anna tried to remember some of the explanations Emrys had given about Py's ability to move through…what was it called again…wormholes? Hadn't Emrys said he'd closed them all?

  And lastly, Emrys had been worried that something 'else' threatening might come after her because of something to do with her DNA and portals. So did she need to be concerned about sleeping now? Not that it would be a problem given how her mind was quick-firing multiple worries; Anna doubted she'd be sleeping for a while anyway she thought dryly.

  The train slowed to her stop, Anna stood and stretched wearily. Her mother had insisted on paying for her taxi from Grand Central to her apartment. Anna was relieved, she didn't want to waste time waiting for a bus, putting up with stop after stop before the one nearest her apartment.

  As Anna climbed the stairs to her apartment, the tears she’d been holding back finally began to fall. She was worried about Emrys, and the smell of his favourite Indian Take-a-way finally broke her into pieces.

  Key into the lock, a bump with her hip on the sticky door, and she was greeted by Py's plaintive meow. "Py, sweetie, have you been lonely?" Anna knelt down to pick him up and comfort both of them by burying her face in his silky fur.

  "Let's get you a treat, are you hungry?" Anna asked as she carried him to her kitchen counter. Setting Py down, she found a can of tuna and flaked it into his bowl. As Py settled down to his meal, Anna went to the bathroom to splash water on her face and change her clothes.

  Just having changed, the phone rang. Checking the caller ID as a matter of habit, Anna answered, "Hi, Mom." Slipping on soft slippers, she poured a glass of cold water from the jug in her fridge before sitting down at her kitchen table.

  "I just wanted to be sure you made it home okay, honey." Anna's mother's voice sounded bright, "Have you heard from Emrys yet?” She asked, knowing her daughter had been worried.

  Anna sighed, "No, but I knew it could be awhile, so it's okay." It made her sad that she couldn't tell her mother everything like she would normally. What could she say, 'Mom Emrys may have been killed around fifteen hundred years ago and I'll never know what happened.'

  "Honey, I'm sure he'll call soon. He seemed like a nice man, and he was so supportive of you bringing you to the hospital like he did. Dad will be home in a few days and I thought maybe, if Dad feels well enough, we'd have a nice family dinner with all of you, including your Emrys."

  Anna smiled, loving that her Mom had used the word 'home' when referring to her ex husband.

  "I think we should wait, Mom." Anna swallowed the lump in her throat, not wanting her mother to hear her sadness, "I don't know Emrys schedule so I can't really say if he could come."

  There was a pause, "Honey, I can tell something is wrong. What happened? Don't tell me 'everything is okay' if it's not." Her voice became tight with concern.

  Anna shook her head in wonder, her mother was strangely psychic about her children's problems. Anna tried to reassure her, "There's nothing I can tell you, Mom." That was the truth, "I am a little worried because I haven't heard from him since yesterday. I thought I'd hear from him at least to ask about Dad." That was also the truth, but the 'little worried' part wasn't exactly right though.

  "Well, please call me if anything happens, Anna. I know you, honey, and you wouldn't have introduced Emrys to us as your 'boyfriend' if you weren't really serious. Don't worry, Anna. I'm sure you'll hear from him soon."

  "I am sure you're right. I love you, Mom, I am so relieved Dad is going to be okay." Anna said wanting to get off the Emrys topic, "It’s won
derful that the two of you are going to be married again. He really loves you, we all could see how much at the hospital."

  "Thank you, honey. I love him too. Sometimes holding onto anger is pointless, I think we're going to be better than ever now. I am so relieved that you kids are all right with it, your Father and I were a little worried." Anna could hear her Mother pursing her lips on the other end.

  "Mom we love you both, and although it was awful that Dad cheated, we forgave him and are just glad that you're together again and happy." Anna said truthfully.

  "Thank you, honey…that means everything to me, and, Anna, please call me as soon as you hear from Emrys, or if you don't. Just call me tonight, okay"? Her voice had that concerned Mother tone again that Anna feared she was causing too much of lately.

  Anna smiled weakly, "I will, Mom. I'll be okay. Please don’t worry. Bye…I love you."

  "Bye, honey, I love you too — don't forget to call me."