"First I see a cold and snowy path. There is a girl trudging through the snow with snow shoes on. She is all bundled up in a parka and leggings. She wears an emerald scarf. She is traveling in earnest and has a grim but pretty face. She appears to be looking for someone. When I think of her, I get a warm feeling in my heart. She says: "Winter has never hit here so hard before!" She wears a bow and sword.
Then I get afraid: I watch as a white panther jumps her. It is agonizing to me as I observe the leap. Then, as it holds her down, I realize that it means her no harm.
Next, I hear a shout: "Nakiah! Timbah Ho!" while the panther jumps back to the side.
A man approaches her. It is a Ranger, I am quite sure. He has a cold iron walling staff. I guess that it is an ice pick type.
They talk and I learn both of their names: The Ranger is "Ice Walker" and the girl is "Norda..."
Then the Ranger tells her that he will go with her. They ride away together on some tofereet or Snow Kestrels...
Can any of you help me with this dream?
Can you Elkin?"
"I will not speak on what I suppose."
"Can you Flippie?"
"I'll not tell! Think so well!"
"Then I will ask Byc. What do you think, huntsman?"
Byc closed his eyes for a moment and began to speak in a woman's voice:
"I am no yayele!... Castle of Frost..."
Byc opened his eyes and shook his head. "Boy is she strong! I feel that this woman is very close to you, Tato, as a blood relation!"
"My SISTER!!!..." voiced Tato in sudden revelation. Overjoyed and terrified at the same time, Tato looked at Elkin for support--almost reaching out to him in desperation.
"Should I go to her, Elkin?"
Elkin lowered his head and dug at the ground with his right foot.
"Tato, dear companion, it is not expedient that we stop what we are doing to go and find her. I am sorry, but I recommend that for safety's sake, we press on. At least you have some idea that she does exist, and she DOES...." Elkin's voice trailed off.
Tato lowered his head in sadness for a moment, then smiled and voiced a happy thought: "Galahad is there, isn't he!"
As hard as it was for them to believe, Elkin blushed in embarrassment:
"Yes, Tato, he certainly is."
"Well, then we ought to hear Rollvag's plan of attack!" he said happily as he sat down...
Rollvag, although still amazed at the turn of events, stood up and voiced his plan in a commanding fashion: "It is clear that a group of Drog is still between us and Kanokai. Therefore it will be necessary for us to travel up the Vivar. The area there is supposed to be controlled by the Elves, and it will be a short hop from the start of the Vivar to the lake of Bahkir around Mount Arbor. We must fly a few feet above the river, a feat that will not be easy, in spite of our practice with the mounts. The basic plan is to arrive at the Elven caves at around midnight of the second night. We must darken our faces and hands and wrap our weapons in dark cloth. Our cloaks should cover us enough, and Elkin tells me they are more that meets the eye. NO fires, NO lights, NO mirror flashes. We can communicate with Elven hand signals, and I imagine that they will be quite useful in this event. NO shouting, repeat: NO shouting or loud talking. When we get to the caves, we will discuss how the group is to break up. Finally, we will travel at night, as Elkin has said already; and rest during the day. (Pause) Any questions?"
There was a long time of silence.
"Very well, then. Let us put out the fire quickly and rest for the few short hours that we have. Who will take the first watch?..."
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© Copyright 1999 by Abram Paradies.
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