Warlocks Index – Previous Chapter
After being forced and tied to an actual chair by three strangers, similar to the dream forced upon me but with my right attached to the back of the chair with the not-rope contraption, I was given a small serving of food. I was hesitant, confused by my experiences, questioning my sense of reality. The food felt and tasted real though so I took what they gave me.
I was vaguely aware of a shadowed figure that stood outside, but I was otherwise left alone. Exhaustion, heat, and a somewhat full stomach were making me drowsy, but I resisted the temptation to sleep. The thought that this was the point, to make me weaker and defenceless, gave me something to mentally hold on to.
Rather than give into the temptation to sleep, I pushed myself into a Walker dream state. This was something we did when preparing ourselves to walker another’s dreams, like I had done once before with Cassinda. It also could be used to slow the body and walk a Walker’s own dreams and memories. In such a state, the senses could be focused, or memories vague while awake could be refreshed, or even to simulate a restive state while still aware of the outside world.
My breathing shallowed, and my heartbeat slowed. With my eyes closed, I could focus on my hearing, while I reviewed everything I now knew about The Maker. His gift was aggressive and powerful, combined with the alluring effects of the Silver Tongue, it offered subtle ways to change the perceptions of others. Yet he demonstrated an almost youthful passion for acceptance and used his gift to force this upon his followers.
I thought of Murtain and his fearful aggression fuelled by superstition and the emotional claims of his daughter, and those that shared his views. It was a weakness we discussed at length in my academy days. Fear, driven by a lack of knowledge, was a useful level for those who sought control and power, much like the fear of that day in Haven when the wounded Tobus, powered by something previously unfathomable, terrorised the streets, and the fearful yet justified expulsion of myself that came from it.
“Mind the prize you have been given.” Master Talish’s words came back to me again and I recalled the crystal still in the cloak that weighed me down, and I felt the sweat drip down my back. I focussed on the crystal. While I hadn’t had much time to learn it’s structure, I had already tapped into its focus. Now I felt it intently. It was the purest and smoothest crystal I had ever interacted with. The pathways were wide and clean. Its heart was large and bright, full of warm energies, and a voice.
“Finally.”
*****
A room of crystal with no doors or windows. The walls glowed a soft blue with a subtle wave of intensity around the room. Their felt crisp and comfortably chilled.
“Welcome.”
I turned to see Toa Freyah standing behind me.
“Master?”
She looked down at herself. “Is that who you made me? I am not them. I am but a collection of thoughts and dreams.”
I was confused. “I made you?”
“You made how I appear. Someone close or important to you, or perhaps someone you oppose?” She smiled and began walking the space around me.
“You are the crystal?” Could it be that the crystals did have personality?
“The crystal contains me, but I am not it. It absorbs energies and memories. It stores them. I am but an amalgamation of those stored thoughts and so have no form of my own. The last to consult with me was Mistress Freyah.”
“This was Toa Freyah’s Dream Crystal?”
She nodded. “Indeed, it was, and now it is yours, Master Juth.”
“How did you know my name?”
“You just thought of Toa Freyah as your mother. She thought about you a lot and left a message for you.”
I was immediately flooded with images, memories, history, teachings and techniques. Lifetimes of learning and understanding, all seen from the point of view of the learner. I was both observer and the active participant. Mistakes and success. Trial and error. I was doing it all and none of it. I was overwhelmed, dazed, lost.
I felt my head fall forwards and I was back in the tent. Toa Freyah’s voice in my head said softly “Give it time.” then faded away. I blinked my eyes open, oddly energised. The space around me was unchanged, the shadow beyond the door remained in place, and the sweat continued to drip down my back. It dawned on me that what I had just experienced had taken a bare second of time. Barely enough time for my head to fall forward.
I found myself instinctually studying the bonds around my feet, a complex knot I now recognised, and with my free left hand, I began to tug them loose. In short time, my feet were free, and I then moved onto the metal straps that held my right wrist to the chair. It was like a yoke for wrists tightened with screw like clips, and after overcoming the initial tightness, I finally had both my hands free. Then I looked to the obvious point of exit, still with the shadowed guard outside. Looking around the tent, it was clear to me that while I may have been able to slip under the edge, it would require me to move some of the stored crates to make room for me.
A thought formed in my mind. At first, I felt unsure, worried how it may affect those around me, then realised my idea did not intrude beyond a superficial level. I stood and focussed my mind. I willed a desire to not be seen and pictured this desire spreading out from me in a wide sphere. Once satisfied, I opened my eyes and boldly walked out the tent.
The afternoon air was damp with forest life. The sun was disappearing behind the forest canopy on the far side of the clearing. I stood next to the guard outside the tent and yet he did not notice me. He looked away from me distracted by something else. I saw few others about, and they too did not see me. Their eyes either diverted away or slipped over me, but never at me. I turned and walked away, unnoticed.
*****
Long after I had made the tree line, gathered a collection of berries, and found a place to observe the camp safely, voices and muffled commands rang out. Figures darted in various directions clearly in search of me. I work very hard not to chuckle but there was no doubt I was highly amused and deeply proud of myself.
Now, I thought, if only I could track down Graciul.
Reflection of a Ham 