Dreamwalker

by J. A. Culican

“Beru has chosen you,” Xagu said calmly.

  “He didn’t even know who I was.”

  “Trust the process. How can I help?” Xagu sat back and placed his napkin on the table. Two ur’gel came out of nowhere and cleared his plates.

  “I don’t know how to dreamwalk. It just happens.” I looked around to see who was listening in on our conversations. Dreamwalking felt personal to me, and I wasn’t comfortable talking about it with people or ur’gel.

  “I have faith that you can harness it. You have proven to be very efficient.” Xagu leaned in to listen to me.

  “I am seeking out another dreamwalker. In Western March. I was headed there when we came upon your camp.”

  “Please let me send some of my men with you. It’s D'ahvol territory, as you well know. You shouldn’t be alone in your travels.” Xagu waved his arm again, not waiting on my reply.

  “No.” I leaned forward, putting my hand out for the ur’gel not to approach our table.

  “He will ensure your safety.” Xagu acted confused at my reluctance.

  “I have someone traveling with me,” I replied.

  “And they let you get captured by my people?” Xagu raised his eyebrows and sat back in his chair.

  “Well, she left me. But only because she said I’m stupid to try to rescue Gavin here.” I regretted my words as soon as I saw Xagu in a full belly laugh.

  “You would do well to listen to your friend. She is a wise woman.”

  “Yes, she is.” I smiled at his comment.

  “I will leave you for a few moments with your brother. I’ll gather more provisions for you. My men searched your bags, and I think we can do better.” Xagu got up from the table.

  I stood and shook his large hand and remembered how I once thought it would take my life. How things can change. Xagu left the tent, and all his people followed him.

  “You can’t trust him Aria,” Gavin said as soon as they left the room. “And what is all this talk about dreamwalking?”

  “I just learned I could dreamwalk. Apparently other people knew what I was, Mother Ofburg had intentions of teaching me but....” My voice drifted off at the thought of my last conversation with her. Thoughts of Noble followed until Gavin snapped his fingers.

  “Are you doing it now?” Gavin asked, wide-eyed.

  “No, stupid.” I half laughed at him. “I can’t control when it happens. It just happens.”

  “What is this Beru guy like?”

  “He’s okay for being beaten and barely eating for two hundred plus years.” I thought about our last encounter. The closeness of our bodies. One thing Xagu would not know.

  “What will happen when Beru is free?” Gavin wheeled his chair to face me.

  “I don’t know. I get you back.” I pinched his arm.

  “Is that worth what could happen?” Gavin’s eyebrows lowered, and his eyes hid partially under their lids.

  “Of course it is. You will go home, Gavin, and live.” I placed my hands on the arms of his chair. I needed him to want to live for himself, not for me.

  “Don’t do this for me.” Gavin grabbed my arms and pulled them toward him. “Your life is more important.”

  “Don’t say that.” I tried to hide the tears that wanted to form. His words shocked me.

  “I’m in a wheelchair. I’m limited. That’s all that I mean. I’ve heard the tales of what can happen to dreamwalkers.” Gavin released my arms.

  We both took a moment and finished our meal in silence. Neither of us attempted conversation.

  Xagu entered the tent, and two of his men followed and placed bags in the middle of the floor.

  “Please, take what you wish.” Xagu pointed toward the items.

  I nodded, and Gavin remained at the table, not paying us any attention.

  “Did I interrupt anything?” Xagu caught on to our disagreement.

  “No. We’re just saying our goodbyes.” I smiled, not wanting Xagu to worry about a sibling feud. I needed him to think I was at his beck and call so Gavin would be treated well for as long as his stay would be.

  I got down on my knees as I looked at the items Xagu had provided. Much better than I had packed, maybe even better than Sade’s kit.

  “Are you sure I can’t send one of my men with you?” Xagu asked again, concern in his voice.

  “No, but thank you for the offer and for these items. They will be very useful.” I used an empty pack Xagu had provided and loaded it as full as I could get.

  “I will need to know when you speak with Beru again.” Xagu put his arm around my shoulder so that no one heard our conversation.

  “I’ll send word when I can.” I nodded, unsure if I would follow through.

  “I also need you to tell Beru we are going to free him and that you are part of this plan. I need him to trust you.”

  “That will take a few visits.”

  “You must manage him. That will be no easy task. I’m sure you are more familiar with what his life is like these days than I, but he wasn’t always like that. Please keep that in mind and have patience with him.”

  This mission was important to him, even though I didn’t have the full picture. I got that from his tone.

  “I’ll try my best.” I searched his face for answers, but I didn’t even have the questions.

  “Tell no one of your mission. There are creatures out there that will stop you if you do.”

  “Why would they stop me?” Who would want to stop me from talking to someone in a dream?

  “I promise, I will tell you more when you need to know more.” Xagu nodded to his human. She brought us over two glasses of wine.

  “May I toast to your trip?” Xagu held up his glass.

  I nodded my head and clinked my glass on his, and we both downed our drinks, as I didn’t want to insult his hospitality.

  “I should be on my way now.” I turned to Gavin, who twisted away. He sat in his chair with a wicked look on his face, angry I was going along with this plan.

  “I love you.” I walked toward him and kissed him on the forehead.

  Gavin turned his head, and I stepped back and gave him one last look over.

  “I’ll see you soon.” As I turned, his hand reached out for me. I leaned back in, and we hugged each other for a few moments.

  “Do this for Denny too.” Gavin wiped his runny nose with his sleeve.

  “We’ll avenge him. One plan at a time.” I nodded and wiped my own tears away.

  I walked toward the door, making sure not to look back.

  “What will happen to Gavin if I don’t make it?” I asked Xagu as we exited the tent.

  “I will make sure he gets home. And I will look after your family.”

  I believed him in that moment. I had to. He knew what I was giving up by taking on this task for him.

  “Thank you.”

  Xagu walked me to the edge of the woods, where not that long ago I thought Gavin and I would be free and I wouldn’t have to free Beru.

  “Take care of yourself.” Xagu stopped at the edge.

  “I will. I hope Beru will believe me. This is a bit far-fetched,” I said.

  “You will earn his trust. I have no fear of this. I hope this dreamwalker you seek will be able to help you on this journey.” Xagu fidgeted with his hands. “You’re our only connection to Beru in over two hundred years, Aria.”

  I nodded in acknowledgment. Xagu gave me one sharp nod, then turned his back and retreated to his tent. I gave the camp one more look then headed off by myself to find the dreamwalker.

  Blue light shone from above as I shifted my path to follow Gleet, the moon closest to Lynia and thought of as male. Gleet dominated the sky compared to the white moon Aupra, which we referred to as female. As Gleet was in the southern horizon, I would use him as a guide to navigate my way to the Western March.

  My feet ached as they trudged through brush, streams, and forest. Not long into my walk it was clear I had gotten lost. Not one thing was familiar. The brush was untouc
hed by human or creature with no paths to be seen.

  Darkness surrounded me. Every crack and chirp made me jump from my heightened fear of being alone. I dug deeper to remember everything I had learned about surviving in the wilderness. It wasn’t long before it rushed back to me. A lot of people depended on me, and I had no intention of letting them down.

  Rocks skidded below me as my feet stumbled along. My eyes roamed for any indication of anything living. Signs were rare in the forest, but some locals did use them. The warmth of the sun hit my face and took away the chillness the darkness had induced.

  I kept a steady pace as I once again prayed to whichever Gods would be listening that my navigation wasn’t completely off. I found what appeared to be a path and made my way toward it. I wanted to do a dance when I found the path, but I was still uncertain where it led. It provided relief, but only briefly as someone whistled in the distance. Excitement grew at the idea of having company once again, however, that disappeared as the dangers I had been warned against came to mind. Ducking behind a large tree, I waited for who or what was headed my way.

  A young man, I couldn't tell if he was part creature or not from the distance that I was from him, whistled as he walked or rather danced down the path. He didn't look dangerous. I giggled at his silliness. The boy stopped, startled, and shook his head back and forth looking around. He’d heard me.

  “Is anybody there?” He tiptoed further on the path searching for someone.

  I stepped out from behind the tree slowly as not to alarm him.

  “Hello?” I called to him but kept my distance. He stood still, glancing me up and down to determine my fretfulness.

  “Hello. Why do you look lost? It’s not a safe place in the forest.” He walked closer to me at a slower pace.

  “I'm trying to find my way to Western March, but I'm afraid I've gotten myself lost.” I hoped he would confirm the correct direction.

  “Why, you’re not lost at all. I'm going that way right now.” His body loosened up as he approached me.

  “Would you mind a tagalong?” I asked coyly.

  He stood there for a moment and shrugged his shoulders. “Sure, why not. Astor Dell at your service.” He bowed to me like a character in a play.

  I couldn't help but giggle again. He wasn't much taller than I and had longer brown, wavy hair that just reached his nose. He was rather thin and wore a green velvet coat that appealed to his vanity. He was unlike anyone I had ever met. I guessed we would get along fine.

  “Aria Trevil.” I offered my hand.

  He skipped over to shake it.

  “Apprentice wizard at your service, madam.” He winked at me, and I got the feeling he was quite the little flirt.

  “May I ask why you are going to Western March?” I asked as we walked down the path together.

  “I’m going to meet my master there. Well, I hope so, anyway.” Astor skipped along, and I quickened my pace to keep up with his stride.

  “Do you mean he may not be there?” I was curious about his story.

  “Oh no, he's there. It’s more a matter of if he will see me,” Astor said with a sheepish grin that immediately made me want to know more.

  “I think there is a story here.” I laughed, and Astor laughed with me.

  “I’m afraid I may have gone overboard just one too many times. But isn't that the job of an apprentice? I'm sure he won't be mad long. He never is.” Astor stopped in front of me. “Now your story?”

  “I'm a Healer. I'm going to Western March to speak to someone to help me with the situation I'm in.” I walked past him. While I was at ease with Astor, I wasn't sure how much of a secret keeper he would be.

  “Sounds like a good story to me.” Astor skirted past and jumped in front of me to stop. “Scorned lover?” He asked dramatically.

  His silliness again made me smile. I had known many people who possessed the ability to perform magic, and it was easy to see how Astor could get himself in trouble with his personality.

  “Certainly not.” I gave him a side-eye as I passed him again. “Are we going on this journey together?” I joked as he stood there and watched me walk further up the path.

  “A passionate crush that you would give your life up for?” He caught up with me and dramatically flung his arms about.

  “None of the above. It’s rather boring. You have a much better story than I.” I knew instantly this would not be a silent walk. Astor loved the limelight and any attention he received. And I needed a good laugh.

  Astor fidgeted in his pocket and pulled out a small carving of a dragon. He held it up for me to see. “Is this lovely lady going to meet her destiny in Western March?”

  “What are you doing?” My eyebrows squinted with curiosity.

  “Ever since I was a wee one, I've always wanted a dragon to be bonded with, but that’s not meant to be. So I improvised.” Astor bowed again and lifted his hand with the small dragon. He gestured for me to take it.

  I picked it up, not wanting to be rude and also because I was curious. The small dragon was meticulously carved out of stone. There were several spots that were worn down, and I could tell he had carried this dragon with him for a very long time.

  “It's very beautiful.” I handed it back to him. As our hands touched, I was able to see another side of him, his loneliness. The reason for him being so outgoing and foolish.

  “Thank you. He accompanies me everywhere.” Astor smiled at me and placed his dragon safely back in his pocket. “Do you have any treasures you carry with you?”

  “A rock. My brother gave it to me. It's supposed to castaway fools.” I smiled at my brother's superstitions.

  “Well, you can tell him it didn't work.” Astor smiled mischievously at me.

  “I see they didn’t kill you,” a voice called from behind us.

  We both turned toward the voice.

  Astor fumbled with his coat tails as he tried to retrieve something from his pocket.

  After a few cracks from the woods, Sade stepped out onto the trail.

  “It's okay. She’s my guide.” I looked toward Astor, who was holding up a brittle stick for protection.

  “A guide who left you for dead?” Astor was confused as he glanced between Sade and me.

  “I left her because she’s stupid.” Sade joined us. “So, what happened? I don't see Gavin.”

  “Gavin is safe for now. They gave me their word. This is Astor Dell, a wizard. Astor, this is Sade Lemm, a great warrior wolf,” I introduced them.

  The two new friends shook hands with uneasiness. We were an unlikely clan, but our chances of making it to Western March together were now greater.

  “Will you join us?” I hoped indeed she would.

  Sade shrugged her shoulders. “I guess.” Then walked between us up the path. “As long as you don't slow me down.”

  Astor shook his head, still confused. “You two are friends? On purpose?”

  “I wouldn't go quite that far.” I linked arms with him, and we caught up with Sade, who walked much faster.

  “Going to get dark soon. We need to pick up the pace.” Sade glanced back, smiling. I wasn't sure what she thought of Astor.

  We walked for several minutes in silence as Astor seemed uncomfortable in Sade’s presence. I’d have to break the ice between them, but Astor beat me to it.

  “So part wolf, you said. That’s an interesting combination. White wolf, I would presume.”

  “How did you know that?” I hadn't picked up on that.

  “My studies. It was her hair that gave it away. I'm not just a pretty face,” Astor said with a jester’s smile.

  I laughed at his antics, but I was anxious for him and Sade to bond.

  “You say you’re a wizard?” Sade stopped and turned abruptly back to us and looked him over with an odd expression on her face. Sometimes it was difficult to know what she was thinking.

  “Why, yes, a deeply talented wizard, I may add,” Astor replied as he stood at attention.

 
Sade rolled her eyes. “What are you doing in the middle of the woods?” Sade directed her question to Astor.

  “I just so happen to be on the hunt to find my master.” I sensed a tinge of anger in his response.

  “You don't have a master, do you?” Sade folded her arms.

  “That's just a technicality.” Astor hung his head low to his right side.

  “I like you,” Sade said matter-of-factly, then turned on her heels and continued to walk.

  Astor shook his head with confusion and then began to follow her. This little clan would be all right.

  “And why are you going to Western March, Ms. Sade?” Astor jumped to her side.

  “You could say I have some unfinished business.” Sade walked past him and didn’t bother to turn to talk to us.

  “Sounds ominous. I'd like to get in on that.” Astor ran to catch up to her.

  I smiled to myself about having both of them on this journey. Sade, the protector, and Astor, the jester.

  “I'm betting you would.” Sade smirked at him.

  “I'm always up for an adventure. Would anyone have any food they could spare?” Astor’s head bobbed between Sade and me.

  “Let's find a spot to make camp. It's about that time.” Sade veered off into the woods.

  Astor and I followed as she found the perfect campsite.

  We all settled in and did our part to set up the camp. We’d only be here for a quick bite to eat and rest our feet. We still had a few days’ worth of travel and might need to stop frequently if we ran into more ur’gel.

  As we sat around the camp, Astor dug into his food as soon as it was plated.

  Sade and I watched in amusement and partly disgust as he used his fingers to shovel the food into his mouth as quickly as possible.

  Sade’s lips pressed together as her eyes narrowed.

  “What do you think of him?” I leaned in toward her with no worries Astor would hear us over his loud eating.

  “He’s easy to get rid of if we need to.”

  My eyes narrowed as I thought about what she meant by “get rid of.”

  “I’m joking.” Sade laughed.

  “On another note, I wanted to ask you if you could give me some tips on fighting. I'd like to learn from you on this journey.” I focused on Sade and hoped with Astor sitting next to us maybe she would give in and help me.