The Mists of Sorrow_ Book Seven of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [19]
When he reaches his side, he sees sweat beading on his forehead and his lips are moving in silent conversation. James is lying next to his friend and Jiron quietly wakes him. Once James’ eyes open and he sees him kneeling beside him, he nods to Miko and whispers, “He’s having another dream.”
Instantly awake he looks over to where Miko has begun to thrash more animatedly. “Get Brother Willim,” he says as he moves to Miko’s side.
Jiron nods and goes to get him.
Just as before Miko thrashes, sweats, and his mouth works silently. James is about to awaken him again when a green glow springs to life and Brother Willim steps to his side. “Don’t,” he tells him.
James’ hand stops bare inches away and he turns to glance up at the priest of Asran. “Shouldn’t we do something?” he asks with a catch in his voice.
“Is it the same as before?” asks Jiron. He was told after the last time that Brother Willim had sensed another presence during the time Miko was affected by the dream.
Nodding, Brother Willim says, “Exactly the same.”
“But,” argues James, “we must do something.”
By this time the rest of the camp has awakened and stands in a semicircle around them. “I heard about something like this before,” Scar says. “It was back in…”
“Not now Scar!” exclaims James.
“Yes now!” he retorts back which draws everyone’s attention. “I know you guys don’t believe half the things we say but you need to listen now.” Beside him Potbelly nods in agreement.
“What is it?” asks James in exasperation. He turns back to his friend on the ground all the while keeping an ear to what Scar is saying.
“There is a way for you to help him,” he insists. “You need to understand what is being sent and why.”
“How is he to do that?” asks Jiron.
“You must join him in his dream,” replies Scar.
At that James turns and looks at him. “I can’t do that.”
“There is a way,” he tells him. “When a person is within a dream or vision sent by a god or being of power, it is possible to join them in the dream.”
“How?” James asks.
Scar glances around to the others before retuning his gaze to James. “Take hold of his hand and send magic without guidance into him,” he explains. “Whatever power has hold of him will latch onto it. If at that instance you push your awareness into Miko along with the magic, you will be drawn in.”
“How do you know this?” asks Jiron.
“Just believe me,” Scar insists, ignoring Jiron’s question. “You need to get in there.”
James sees the sincerity in Scar’s eyes. Turning to Brother Willim he asks, “Is it possible?”
“I don’t know,” he admits. “As part of the Hand of Asran, we were more into the practical use of Asran’s power. We didn’t spend much time on theory. It sounds plausible though.”
James turns his attention back to Miko and sees him thrashing about. Stig has taken hold of his arms so he won’t hurt himself. As James reaches out his hand to take Miko’s, Jiron grabs his arm.
“What if he’s wrong?” he asks.
“It feels right,” is the only reply he can give. “Let go.”
Jiron removes his hand from James’ arm.
Now free of Jiron’s grip, James takes Miko’s hand. He takes a deep calming breath then sends magic through the connections of their hands and into Miko. Immediately it’s grasped by whatever has hold of Miko and he thrusts his awareness along the magical stream.
“Catch him!” hollers Jiron as James suddenly stiffens and begins toppling to the side. Brother Willim reaches him before he can hit the ground and then carefully lays him down.
Indicating where James has hold of Miko’s hand, Scar says, “Make sure the connection isn’t broken.”
“Why?” asks Jiron.
“It could be bad,” he explains.
“Bad?” exclaims Jiron. Coming to stand in front of Scar he shouts, “What do you mean, bad?”
“It worked!” is all he can say when he all of a sudden is standing within a city. At a crossroads of intersecting streets, he looks first