[Kettich] 7

And so, it has come to this. "This dream is entirely speculative." The dreams with Danger will, doubtless, end and Danger's implied promise of great opportunities for learning has been realized. I am disappointed in myself and with Danger, but he has taught me one extremely valuable lesson:
Danger is not to be trusted.
I am confused some more, but I believe it is necessary to write these things at this time; I will have much too much to do in the nearest future to straighten it out and remember correctly later.
It was a far clearer dream this last time, and it was for a fact from the beginning qualitatively different from any other dream I have ever experienced. Danger and I stood on the same plain as the first dream. I was glad to see him, which must have been a mistake, and he asked me to follow him. I went in the direction he chose, though I did recognize that neither of us had truly yet led one way or another, and it was odd for Danger to act in such an aggressive manner.
For awhile it was amusing to walk through clouds. I had not ever considered doing such on my own, so it became to seem reasonable for Danger to necessarily lead me into this action. Shortly we came to a spiral staircase where someone descended. I wondered why a prop was necessary, I should have wondered more. Danger asked me to go with this one without him, and I foolishly did his bidding.




[Written Sign]

This new one escorted me to a fortress made of crystal. And left me at its gates. This was my first indication of foul play. I should have done better.
The fortress seemed populated by children with pets. I know nothing (and did not learn anything) about the pets, though they struck me as important. I wandered about for awhile unnoticed, familiarizing myself with the layout of the city. A female child eventually accosted me with helpfulness, though I only call her a child because she insisted she was one. She became confused when I insinuated that she was a product of a dream (good thing I didn't mention she may have been generated by Danger for my own personal edification), and soon it became clear to me that she might not be a part of any dream. She managed to convince me that I am 1/2 child, and will always be a 1/2 child. The dream should have ended there, except that it did no longer seem entirely a dream.
The female child proceeded to take me to the castle (also constructed of crystal) so that we could become certain of certain things. At the gates was a male child who was supposed to be a guard. He was ridiculous, and only the knowledge that my escort to this place had been called "our father" seemed to settle him slightly. He became gratifyingly distressed when I explained that I was 1/2 child and had come there through a dream. But he sent the female away without her anwers, and escorted me into an audience room by myself.




[Common Elf]

A woman entered and sat on what semed to be a throne. It is interesting to make mention that no names have been given in situations where they might be used to regard their representative persons. I was not given a name for this woman either, though I am guessing she was supposed to be a queen.
For the third time I explained that I had come through a dream with no known purpose, and I received a third sort of reaction. This woman assured me that I was no longer dreaming, and that all of my question could and would be answered. What is there to question? If I am here now I am here now (wherever here might be). I expressed such to her, and she responded that she did have questions, asking me to retire to a sitting room with her. I do not know why I guessed that she would want to ask questions of me. In such a safe and helpful place, I am certain now that even one of the pets would have done his/her very best to answer. Why did Danger take me there? Why not? I never thought to tell him that I had no intention of extending conversation with either him or his associates into a reality.
The woman quickly admitted that some added help was needed, and left me alone for a time (while she got her help) in the sitting room.
That place was called the Mountain of Time.




[1/2ling]

I did not feel it would be an imposition to inspect the sitting room. These beings had been suspiciously helpful and kind in their own individual ways (I was suspicious at this point, but the only thing I could think to do was keep quiet and reciprocate until other action was required), and they seemed to live in similar ways to the beings I have met from Warthadell on Warthadell, so I amusd myself and waited.
The woman returned and had me sit with her to talk while we waited for her help to arrive. The help was for her, to assist her own understanding of my situation. I hoped that her questions would be intelligent and that her answers would edify me as well. I became confident that she would be satisfied because she was confident. She told me that I was welcome. She assured me that I could pursue knowledge there. She began to frighten me, as I could be anyone (though I had checked to be sure I was me and already found that I was complete though without my horse -- no matter; I kept forgetting I had a horse anyway). Perhaps she had that kind of goodness which allows one to assume the best of others until there is proof to the contrary.
Her help arrived, and was introduced to me by a name (Nicodeemus). Obviously this was not a dream anymore, if it ever really was to start with. If it was to start with, the most reasonable point for change is the stairway.




[Minotaur]

The fourth time is a charm, though that was not the popular tradition on Warthadell. I came through a dream (or not), I do not know why (or maybe I do, if I were willing to speculate widely). Yes, I was escorted, yes I was escorted here. It seemed to be going very well for the woman until her assistant told her to leave. Did she ever get her answers? Will she yet? And has/will the female child?
And I was rushed off yet again (4th time's not yet proven a charm). To a keep which seems to be Nicodeemus' property, where I was told I had and shown a place to sleep and a separate place to attain what knowledge I could if I would. I was told there would be things which might shock me in the keep. I was told that both Nicodeemus and his own personal library were at my disposal whenever plausible. Pardon me? I was told that I may use the horses from the stables to travel, and where a town is located.
During the tour one of Nicodeemus' friends stopped by, bringing a wench from a town. N.s friend was drunk and N. spelled him to sleep. The tour was over with that, and I was told that I might like to go to the rooms set aside for me.
This place has familiar plant and animal life, the cities are constructed and formatted similarly. And more. There are so many extras here. As though I need the challenge. I need to see all of this for myelf.




[Common Man]

And, because of my ignorance, I came to the conclusion that there was no significant difference (which I could determine through brief study) in the dreams of the beings here. I suppose I should have tried to ascertain any possible difference in the things which influence dreams and dreaming here. So I slept.
Is dreaming really prudent? There was a dream. I was asked by someone who said he was a jester "what do you do?" and offered some "animal crackers." I do not know if they were food for animals or food from animals, but as this one (naming himself Mojo) was eating them I guess they would be acceptable as food for me in either case. They were also evidently designed to remotely resemble animals. He asked me if I had gotten his invitation. To take these "animal crackers"? Or something more general, such as to dream? Well, I received nothing like an invitation for that. To leave Warthadell? And the dream ended abruptly with nothing to its credit, yielding to a deep, quiet and safe, dreamless sleep.
Today I start living here. It's obvious that I can survive on this place, so I shall. If ever I should meet Danger here I (presently) feel tempted to discuss this thing with him and perhaps kick him in the stomach. Which brings back to me the concern I have had over learning more about swords. It is important to me at this time to know if that was all just shipboard anxiety or if I have a real interest in it. Today I'll know.
And so, for starters, breakfast and a good solid look around. There is a cliff around here somewhere that I should very much like to see. Now I do have some technical questions about being here, but I will not worry myself over them just yet.




[Minotaur] 8

It is going well. Also, I am assured that I am incurring no debt by remaining in this keep, which is reasonable since it would seem that my presence is a sort of dissipation for the host. From what I have heard (which did not seem a lie), he should have enough to keep him busy and, for a fact, he is not about this keep equally to his being here. Yet he claims occupation with ennui and lack of business. Any road, I have offered what very little help I can, and only hope it has not been another mistake.
My greatest advantage on this world would seem to be that I am (so far) considered very young, and will be underestimated in new and interesting ways. I find myself to be intensely eager to complete the book studies I have begun so that I may go and see the society of this world for myself; it promises to be far more actively interesting than Warthadell.
Unfortunately, I am being plagued by thoughts of my parents and grandparents. Though I do neither miss them any more than I have nor want to return to them for any price, it seems to be becoming important that I remember who I am because of them. It could make sense because I am so separated from what had become familiar. To lose my memory of these things would essentially be to lose the greater portion of myself.
As I have implied, I am getting somewhat restless. Never have I remained in such quarters without some physically active purpose. I will try to learn a form of patience from it.



[1/2ling] 9

No dreams. The host has given me a mixture to prevent it. For nearly two weeks I have been here, studying. It seems that I will need to cut the studies short; I am finding it difficult to tolerate confinement again, though the host has been kindly and taken me on one or two of his business trips. Makes sense to me...I was on the Vulcan for nearly two months, had not spent a day --a full day-- free of that when I was brought to this place. Whatever I need to know will just have to take care of itself. I only have one regret.
Tonight I will dream, to determine if I can. I am truly hoping that my first dream here was just a confusion dream, caused by whatever mental adjustment it takes to transfer from one world to another.
It is an interesting world, all that I learned and experienced on Warthadell will not be entirely a waste. I am tempted to write down the knowledge I have that applies there, but does not apply here; I am certain that it could be valuable to someone . What is stunting this temptation presently is the painfully LONG amount of time which would be required and the fact that I have no use for whatever price the information could bring (except to repay Nicodeemus, except that he is offended when I suggest using my own funds for ANYTHING AT ALL -- positively infuriating, since he has now purchased things for me that I do not need).
I will stay for one more week, unless I absolutely cannot, to find patience and finish --partially-- one area of study.


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