Shana stared at the door to the Echo of Truth until Fae closed it. But once it was closed…
It vanished.
“So that’s it,” she said softly. “Until next time.”
“I’m sorry?” Tio asked.
Shana shook her head. “Nothing. I… guess I should go back.”
“Oh, but… did you have something you needed to do here?” Tio asked.
“We must inquire about the Key of the World,” Heart said.
Shana nodded. “Yeah, that’s right.” Her heart wasn’t in it. Altair picked up on that and nuzzled against her leg. When she looked down at him, he gazed up at her and wagged his tail, and that did a lot for her mood. “Right. Let’s go back and talk to the Artisan.”
Tio led the way through cloudy streets, amidst crowds of artists going to and fro, to the Artisan’s home. Every step, Shana’s spirit lightened. The Palette in the Clouds was a beautiful city, full of fascinating people. And stepping back into the Artisan’s home brought a smile to her face. The Artisan was an odd one, for sure, but in a truly endearing way.
“Ah, the Dreamer!” the Artisan said with gusto, pointing his paintbrush at her, splattering paint all over the floor. “I was just painting your portrait!” He swiveled his easel around, and Tio winced, watching for Shana’s reaction.
Shana cocked her head to the side, smiling with bemusement.
My portrait, huh?
Is this what they call impressionism?
It was a wild splattering of what looked, to Shana, like complete nonsense. Most of the colors were magenta and gold, bringing to mind both Heart and the Dreamworld itself, but what was there of Shana?
Well, art is often misunderstood. I’ll just have to resign myself to being a simpleton in this instance.
“It’s lovely,” Shana said.
Tio gasped, staring at her in shock. The Artisan’s eyes lit up, and he leapt down from his stepladder. “I’m glad you think so!” he said proudly. “I will endeavor to create many more successes in the years to come! But let us not tarry with such recreational pursuits.” He tossed aside his brush and palette, paint splattering everywhere. “You and your sister both came here at the same time, but that was not planned, was it? She had her purpose here… and you have yours.”
“Yes. I’m trying to learn about the Key of the World. My sister — my younger sister, not Fae — is seeking out information about it and its three locations in preparation to use it to stop the Endless Night and defeat the Lord of Night. At the Woven Nest, I saw that the Key is housed here, so I wondered if I could examine it.”
“Out of the question, I’m afraid,” the Artisan said, wiping his hands on his apron before taking it off. “The Key’s chamber is sealed. I believe in your good intentions, and I am sure you are right — the Key will be needed to stop the coming Darkness. But you are not the Keybearer. Your younger sister may well be, and if so, that is splendid! I look forward to her arrival, or to her setting events in motion that will allow you access to the Key housed here. But until then, the chamber must remain sealed.”
“That’s okay,” Shana said, which seemed to take both the Artisan and Tio by surprise. “As long as you can tell me about it, whatever you can, I can relay that information to Delilah.”
“The Key of the World was entrusted to us eons ago,” the Artisan said. “One, three, one-in-three it is, defying our understanding. And so the Key was not only entrusted to us, but to two others, and we know nothing of the other two. My predecessors watched over it… and my predecessors witnessed the Key used for great and terrible evil.”
“The Tragedy,” Tio said. “It is why we fled to the Dreamworld.”
“You weren’t always here?” Shana asked.
The Artisan shook his head, his expression grave. “We were not. The Dreamworld was a refuge, one of the most hidden places in all the world, and this the most hidden place within the Dreamworld itself. Even the Dreamer should not have been able to find it. The fact that you did speaks to purpose, to fate on your side. You found us because you were meant to find us, and so I believe you. More than that, I see in your eyes nothing but an honest, pure heart. You have seen and endured much, but it has not broken or even weakened you. You have been changed by great trials, but only changed for the better. That is a rare quality.”
Shana’s heart ached over those trials, and yet…
He’s right. I did falter at times, I was broken, but… I didn’t stay that way.
I really have been through so much. And I’ve come out the other side better than I was before.
“And in truth, we will need your help,” the Artisan said. “We escaped here out of necessity, but we must not stay here. Despite our great charge, we cannot hide the Key here forever. A dream… is meant to be woken from.”
Shana nodded, bowing her head in understanding. How well she knew that.
“We will be counting on you when the time comes,” the Artisan said. “We cannot wake from this dream without your help.”
“But you got into it without the Dreamer, right?” Shana asked.
“They used the Key,” Heart said, gazing at the Artisan as if she’d just realized it.
“Yes,” the Artisan said. “Only slightly, and only the Key stored here. After it brought us to the Dreamworld, we sealed the chamber so that only an accepted Keybearer could open it. And… we should not use the Key for our own gain ever again. Once is one thing, but repeated use makes it more acceptable, and leads only to tragedy.”
“Can I really… take so many people from the Dreamworld to the Waking World?” Shana asked.
“You can,” Heart said, smiling. “I will help you. But we cannot stay much longer. You have been sleeping longer than you should. We must return to your friends, and the Waking World.”
“Can we get back here again?” Shana asked. “I… it felt like an accident.”
“Yes,” Heart said. “But I believe I understand how it was done. The next time should be easier. And you may be able to take others with you, as well.”
“You will always be welcome here,” the Artisan said. He put his apron back on and retrieved his palette and brush. “Until next time! I will perfect your portrait!” He leapt onto his stepladder and charged right into painting, a wild gleam in his eyes.
Shana smiled. “Until next time,” she said.
They didn’t have to go anywhere special to leave the Palette in the Clouds. Just outside the Artisan’s home, Shana and Heart bid farewell to Tio, and then Heart led the way. One moment they were in the cloudy city, and then…
Pop!
Just like when she’d come here, there was a sudden decompression of air, Shana’s ears popped, and the city was nowhere to be seen.
“Shana!” came the excited cry of Kathryn. Before Shana even saw her, she was tackled in a tight embrace. “We’ve been looking all over for you!”
“I’m sorry,” Shana said. “It wasn’t exactly an intentional departure.”
“Are you all right?” This from Shias, who flew up beside her. He had a worried look in his eyes, so Shana smiled.
“Yeah,” she said. “Thanks. Where are the others?”
“Spread out all over the place looking for you,” Kathryn said. “I’ll go find ‘em!” She let Shana go and zipped away through the clouds, calling out for Ben, Rae, and Annabelle.
“You were gone for ages,” Shias said. “What happened?”
“I’m not really sure how it happened, but…” Shana began, and then explained her journey to the Palette in the Clouds, her brief reunion with Fae, and all that she had learned before returning.
“She still hasn’t regained her body,” Shias said softly, bowing his head.
“But she’s getting closer!” Shana said. She flashed a smile, partly to fight the reemergence of tears.
Kathryn returned with Rae, Ben, and Annabelle, and they decided to return to the Waking World first before talking over anything else.
When Shana awoke, she understood exactly what Heart meant. Normally, when returning from the Dreamworld to the Waking World, she awoke quickly, refreshed and ready to go. But this time…
She was groggy. It took her several minutes to wake up. Her body felt numb and heavy, and even as she blinked and rubbed at her eyes…
The Waking World didn’t feel real.
“Shana?” Annabelle’s voice seemed so distant, though the little girl was right beside her. “Shana, are you all right?”
So everyone else can wake up easily.
Shana smiled.
That’s good. I’m the only one who has to deal with this.
It took her a few tries, but she managed to sit up. Even then…
“Where am I?” she asked, staring.
The bed was huge, way bigger than her bed at Greyson Manor, and that one was a king-size. She didn’t know they made beds this big. And the room was spacious, bright, with golden sunlight streaming through tall windows to the right.
This isn’t…
“Alexandra’s mansion, remember?” Kathryn asked, smacking Shana lightly on the back of the head. “Come on, sleepyhead. Pull your brain together. You’ve got a perfect memory, last I checked.”
Yeah. I do. But…
Wow. I was really… really tired, huh…? I still feel tired. If I don’t get up, I could fall right back asleep right here.
What would happen if I did? The pillows and mattress are so soft… the blankets so fluffy… the —
“Ow!” Shana yelped at a harder smack from Kathryn.
“Wake up, wake up!” Kathryn said, grinning. “Up and out of bed, lazy bones!”
“Okay, yeah, I’m going,” Shana muttered, but she wasn’t moving fast enough for Kathryn’s tastes. Kathryn kept urging her on, and was pushing and lifting her, forcing her out of bed. “I said I’m going!” Shana finally reached the edge of the bed and stood…
And wobbled.
Whoa…
She managed to keep her balance, but her legs felt like jelly. After a couple of steps, she actually did fall —
“Be careful.” Shias spoke in his reassuring voice as he caught her. “It’s okay if you need help, but don’t hesitate to say so.”
“Y-yeah…” Shana said. She leaned against Shias for a while longer.
When… did he get so strong?
He’s still skinny. But he never felt so solid.
“Hungry?” Shias asked, watching her.
Shana looked up at him. She was about to say no, but her stomach spoke first.
“Only one cure for a rumbly stomach!” Kathryn said, hopping out of bed. “Come on, let’s get some food!” She left the room with Rae and Ben, but Annabelle lingered a moment.
“Shana,” she said. “Think of Fae.” And then she left the room.
Fae…?
“That’s… what I was gonna say,” Shias said, rubbing the back of his neck.
Shana stared at him, and he back at her. Silence stretched between them.
And Shana understood.
I don’t have to… I shouldn’t… carry this stuff alone.
Don’t just pretend you’re okay. Don’t shut people out.
Right. I’m not alone.
“I think… I need to stay out of the Dreamworld for a while,” Shana said.
“Wanna talk about it?” Shias asked.
Shana nodded, and stood under her own power. But even though she could, she still allowed herself to lean on her brother a little bit, as they walked together. As they walked, she talked, telling him about Heart’s warnings, and about how spending too much time too frequently in the Dreamworld could cause the line between dreams and waking to blur in her mind.
“You could get trapped there,” Shias said. “In the Dreamworld.”
“Or worse,” Shana said. “I think… I could get trapped in Nightmares. Or even… trapped in between. A place of neither dreaming nor waking, just… lost.”
Shias’ hand found hers, and he gave it a gentle squeeze. “Don’t you dare,” he said softly.
Shana nodded, smiling. “I won’t.”
Altair, who walked a little ahead of them, barked happily as he found the others, and then they were all together in one of the smaller dining rooms in Alexandra’s mansion. A meal was spread out, Alexandra being the ever-generous host, and they dug in, eating happily. Shana hadn’t realized just how hungry she’d been, and when Rae teased her for eating too fast, Shana didn’t get defensive, but just laughed.
It was really good to be with friends.
“The only problem,” Shana said later, sitting with everyone in one of the mansion’s libraries, “is that I don’t know what to do when I’m not in the Dreamworld. I’m supposed to stay here, because it’s safe. So I can’t leave and go purify Nightmyrn. But while I’m awake… what am I supposed to do?”
“Train!” Ben said, raising his arm and flexing. It wasn’t a very impressive gesture — he was way too skinny — but it got Shana to laugh. “Come on, don’t make fun! Shias and I have been getting some great moves together, but we’re all a team, right? So you guys should train with us more often.”
“We never know when we might end up in a fight,” Rae said. “Even though we’re safe here, this isn’t forever. We need to be ready for anything.”
Shana looked at Altair, who sat on her lap, gazing back at her. “I guess you’re right,” she said. “We haven’t actually worked all that hard on our Support and Healing Magic. We could use more training.”
“We can also do research,” Shias said. “There are so many books here, and we’re surrounded by knowledgeable people from all over the Dominion. Maxwell especially knows so much.”
“Where is Maxwell, anyway?” Shana asked. “I didn’t see him or Tock today.”
“They’re seeking out another person of importance,” Annabelle said. “Not everyone is gathered yet for their grand plan.”
“I wanted to talk to Tock more,” Shana said with a sigh. “I want to hear more about Caleb’s adventures at the Edge of Time.”
“Well until she gets back and you can…” Kathryn said, leaning forward, “what are you gonna do?”
Altair pawed at Shana, and she smiled. “Let’s do some training,” she said.
The Dawn Riders made their way to the spacious training hall that Adelaida and Andrea, Alexandra’s attendants and bodyguards, made frequent use of. The twins weren’t there at the moment, leaving the hall empty and free for Shana’s group to use.
Everything started out clumsy. The girls were clearly out of practice, having been spending more time in the Dreamworld than the Waking World lately, while Shias and Ben had kept up with their training as a duo. But Shias quickly got things under control, assigning tasks to everyone and monitoring their progress.
Shana couldn’t stop smiling. Even as she pushed herself and Altair, even as she got exhausted and out of breath, she kept smiling.
I missed this. Shias leading us, keying in on everyone’s strengths and weaknesses. And he’s gotten so much better. He’s so steady, so reliable.
Ben’s a goof, and he’s great at making us laugh, but he’s gotten so much more reliable, too. He and Shias are a really great team.
Kathryn hasn’t changed at all. She’s always so energetic, so positive. That smile of hers lights up the room.
Rae… she and Brutus have become so strong. She used to be so meek, used to hide and stutter and hesitate, but she’s so steady and confident now. And she’s finally letting her hair grow out. Kathryn and I always told her it would look great longer.
And Annabelle’s here with us. She’s not a fighter, but she has such good insights, and it’s great having someone watching and seeing us all from an observer’s view, to catch the things even Shias doesn’t.
Shana was taking a break on a bench, and Altair hopped onto her lap, then stood on his hind legs so he could lick her sweaty face.
And then there’s you. Ever faithful, ever energetic, ever reliable. You were just a pet and a friend when I first Summoned you. But now look at you. You’re a real part of the team. Maybe even the glue that holds us all together.
Shana laughed, ruffling Altair’s fur. “At least, you’re the glue that holds me together,” she whispered.
There were only two things to do after a long, strenuous training session: bathe and eat. With clean bodies, clean clothes, and full stomachs, Shana’s team relaxed in the late afternoon and early evening. Shias and Rae spent most of the time reading. Shana, Kathryn, and Ben taught Annabelle various card games, and when they discovered Alexandra had some board games they knew from Earth, they taught her how to play those, as well. Alexandra joined them for most of the play sessions.
It was a good day, the kind of day Shana hadn’t realized she’d been missing. And she was able to stay awake, to relax without dozing off. The more time she spent back in the Waking World with her friends, the more awake she felt, the less worried she was about getting trapped somewhere between.
There’s a lot to do. But what I can do sometimes requires me to take breaks like this. And none of it is a waste of time.
All was well, pleasant, and good, until dinner. Just as Shana’s group were sitting down to dinner with Alexandra and several of her other guests, a sudden, resonant thrumming sounded from the next room.
“It’s Maxwell’s study!” Shana said, hopping to her feet. “They’re back!”
And so they were. But as everyone gathered round the door that appeared in the room, it was clear that something was wrong. It took several moments for the door to open. And when it did, Maxwell, Tock, and an unfamiliar woman spilled out, coughing and gasping.
“We… we did it,” Tock said, adjusting her clock-adorned hat, blinking her blue eyes in amazement. “We made it back!” She leapt to her feet, and then suddenly sunk to her knees, as if all the tension had gone out of her. “Thank goodness. I…”
“What happened?” Alexandra asked. “Are you all right?”
“We… encountered unexpected danger,” Maxwell said, rising and adjusting his bowtie. “Herald’s Way has been… devoured by the Darkness.”
“Devoured?” Alexandra asked, eyes wide. She looked to the stranger, a woman who looked to be in her mid-thirties, dressed in a suit and waistcoat, her vermilion hair tied up in a tight bun. Her tie was askew, and she only wore one glove, while her bare hand was marked on the palm with what looked like rope burn. She stood, staring at her shaking hands, her shimmering green eyes wide. “Fina,” Alexandra said, stepping forward, “what happened? Where’s your brother?”
“He…” Fina said, her voice trembling. “He… sent me ahead. The Darkness, it… it came like a flood, and it was so quiet, but so fast, and he… he put himself between it and me. He gave himself up so I could escape. The Darkness… it took my brother. It —” Her voice broke, and she bowed her head. She gave in easily when Alexandra enfolded her in a gentle embrace.
“I had no idea,” Tock said, a faraway look in her eyes, a haunted tone in her voice. “The Darkness… it… it destroyed an entire Location. So many homes, so many lives. But… it was so quiet. It was almost… peaceful. I think that was the scariest part. It was evil, pure evil, swallowing up all the light, and yet… it wasn’t loud or vicious or destructive. It was so, so quiet.” She wrapped her arms around herself as if for warmth, though it was pleasantly warm inside the mansion.
“We may not be able to get everyone we need,” Maxwell said. He pushed up his glasses, a serious gleam in his eyes. “We’re going as fast as we can, but the Endless Night is coming on faster than we expected.”
“And if we can’t gather everyone…” Alexandra started.
Maxwell nodded. “I’m… not sure how much we’ll be able to do. But we will need to adjust the plan, at least. I can start working on alternative solutions.”
“Do you think the Lord of Night has learned of our plans?” Adelaida asked.
Maxwell shook his head. “I… find that unlikely. And it does not appear to be so. These are… cruel coincidences. But, well, we do have backup plans in place. I’m just not sure… I mean… well. We’ll work as quickly as we can.”
“Tock, will you be all right?” Alexandra asked.
Tock stared at her for a moment, then suddenly jumped to her feet and snapped a sloppy salute. “Yes!” she said. “I was scared — I’m still scared, I’ll admit. But that won’t stop me! I know what’s at stake here. And I know that Maxwell and I are the only ones who can do this.”
Alexandra smiled kindly. “Yes, you are. And that means you also need to keep yourselves, and Maxwell’s study, from coming to harm. Do not risk yourselves too greatly, understand?”
Tock smiled. “Right. We’ll stay safe. Thank you!”
“Come with me, Fina,” Alexandra said, keeping one comforting arm around Fina as she began to walk with her. “I know that you must fear for your brother, but do not grieve. If we can succeed, then he will not die. We can still save him from the Darkness. Him, your home, and all who have been swallowed up by the spreading Night. But we will need your help to do so.”
“I understand,” Fina said softly, nodding. “I… I will do what I can. But without Ferris… you needed both of us, didn’t you?”
“But we must all make do with what we have,” Alexandra said. “Come, now. Let’s get you warm and comfortable, first. Some tea will warm you right up, and some cookies won’t be useless, will they? Don’t rush yourself. There is time, but you’ve been through a lot, and should take at least a small moment to recover.”
The pair left, and Adelaida followed to attend to them.
“Are we really gonna be okay?” Shana asked. “If you can’t get everyone for your plans…”
“Please,” Maxwell said, adjusting his bowtie. “We’ve prepared several alternate strategies. Our first plan was always the best, but even if it is lost to us, there is still hope.”
“Right!” Tock said, nodding. “So you just keep doing what only you can do, and we’ll keep doing what only we can do. It’ll all come together. And…” She got that faraway look in her eyes again. “And… we can’t fail. So many Locations, so many homes, so many people, have already been swallowed up, devoured, lost to Darkness. If we give up, we’re abandoning them.” She turned to Maxwell, a smile returning to her face. “I’ll be counting on you, okay?”
“You…” Maxwell started, staring at her in surprise. But then he nodded. “R-right. I will do my best.”
“We all will,” Shana said. “If there’s any way that we can help, too, let us know!”