The Gates of Night_ The Dreaming Dark - Keith Baker [100]
“Whenever you are ready, captain,” Pierce said.
Xu’sasar knelt next to Daine as he swallowed the potion. His eyes unfocused, and his eyelids began to flutter.
“Return,” Xu’sasar said, touching her palm to his. “Do not leave me alone.”
Daine smiled at her.
And then he fell asleep.
Perhaps you’d introduce me to my new guests, Master Daine. I dislike surprises in my house.”
Daine felt dizzy, disoriented. The world was a blur of color and noise, conversation and laughter. And the woman’s voice, terribly familiar.
Alina Lorridan Lyrris.
The surroundings pulled into sharp focus. Alina’s hall in Metrol, the walls lined with stained glass, revelers dancing to the strains of ghostly music. The gnome woman stood before him, staring up into his face. Illusions were woven into the fabric of her gown, so that it too appeared to be made from stained glass. Crystal shards were pinned within her pale golden hair. Barely three feet in height, still she had the charisma of a queen—a stronger presence, in fact, than the young queen of Cyre whom Daine had seen near the end of the War. And there, at his side, stood Jode, dressed for a celebration in a doublet of red and brown. His dragonmark was unusually vivid, an even deeper blue than the glass panes in the windows.
“My apologies, Lady Lyrris.” Another voice, just as familiar. “May I introduce the Lady Lei d’Cannith, and her bodyguard, Pierce. My name is Jode, personal physician to the Lady Lei. It was never our intention to take undue advantage of your hospitality. My lady has swift business to conduct with your servant Daine, and then we will depart.”
“How intriguing.” Alina said, raising a perfect eyebrow. “I’ll expect a full report this evening, Daine—after our own swift business, of course.” Her smile was cold and predatory, and she departed without another word.
“You know, I’ve always wondered,” Jode said. “Did she reduce you or enlarge—”
“Leave it be,” Daine said.
“Jode?” Lei said, a note of wonder in her voice.
Pierce and Lei stood just behind Daine, and both appeared just as they had in the Riedran monolith. Pierce held his golden flail, and spots of ogre’s blood were still spattered across his armor.
“That would be me,” Jode said, with the brilliant smile that was forever fixed in Daine’s memory. He darted around Daine, and Lei knelt to embrace him.
“This is just a dream. You’re not—” Her words faded as she gazed into his eyes. “It really is you, isn’t it? How is this possible?”
“Doesn’t Daine tell you anything?” Jode said. “Blue bottle?”
“Yes,” Lei said. “The essence of your dragonmark.” Now her eyes became distant. “When I tried to touch your spirit, there was nothing there at all. You’re saying that they bound your soul to the dragonmark? And Daine drank it?”
“That’s about it,” Jode said. “Things are very vague before that, but once Daine drank the potion … it’s hard to explain. I was alive again. And I could feel Daine. I think our souls are merged, somehow.” He looked at Daine. “Is something wrong with our back?”
“Yeah, you could say that,” Daine said. He looked around the hall. It was much the same as the dream he’d had in Thelanis, and yet there was a fundamental difference. Everything was sharper, more focused. More than that, he felt completely aware. More often than not, he watched his dreams from a distance, the world and people changing around him. But now … if anything, this felt more real than the world he had left behind.
Jode looked up at Pierce. “As much as I’m thrilled to have this little reunion, the fact that you’re here suggests there’s something very odd going on,” Jode said. “Care to fill me in?”
Lei spoke first. “It seems that the natives of this place …” She paused, looking around at the party. “Well, not this place, but this plane—”
“I understand,” Jode said. “I’ve been here longer than you have. Trust me, you’ll know