The Gods of Dream: An Epic Fantasy

by Daniel Arenson

  The scout ran fast, and soon was close enough to see clearly. It looked like a furless, nefarious fox with rotting ears and long fangs.

  "It must not see us." Cade hunched behind a boulder and drew Sunclaw.

  Soon he could smell the fox near, a smell like oil and rotting dead leaves. Cade heard it sniffing behind the boulders, perhaps a dozen feet away, moving in their direction.

  "Kill it when it turns!" Tasha whispered. With that, the mouse leapt from behind the boulders. She landed before the fox and began running.

  When the fox turned to chase Tasha, Cade jumped from behind the boulder, leapt onto the fox, and grabbed it. It struggled in his grasp, slimy and furless. It tried to yelp and bite, but Cade kept his hands around its mouth, holding it shut. The creature stank and whimpered.

  "Keep it quiet!" Tasha whispered. "The beasts below haven't heard us yet. Just kill it."

  Cade shook his head and pulled the fox back behind the boulders. "No. Not yet."

  He pushed his knee into the fox's back, pinning it to the ground. Holding the scout's mouth shut with one hand, he pulled out the rope Maninav had given him. After several moments of struggling with the fox, he managed to tie its mouth shut, then fashion a leash and collar. Soon he had the creature muzzled and leashed.

  With a shaky breath, Cade leaned back against the boulder. The fox struggled with all its might, but Cade would not release the leash. It glared at him.

  "Why didn't you just kill it?" Tasha asked.

  Cade examined the evil fox. Its claws were sharp and green, and insects crawled across its furless skin. "I couldn't kill it while its back was turned," he said. "Maybe it's best that I took it alive; it might prove useful. Its masters will seek it. We should move."

  Pulling the fox on the leash, they slunk down the mountainside, moving away from the valley where the monsters marched. The furless fox kept struggling against the leash, seeming never to tire. Its eyes were bloodshot.

  Cade walked for hours, haunted by the image of the dank bears with stilt-like legs. He could imagine them seeking their scout, following his scent. His Dreamblade was sturdy, but could not defeat two hundred monsters. He was bone tired, and the fox kept tugging at his arm, but he dared not stop until evening.

  In the gathering darkness, he stopped by a pool of brackish water where swam slimy eels. He sat between three tall boulders. Icy wind pierced his cloak and he hugged himself, shivering.

  "We'll be hidden from view here," he said, his breath frosting. "Let's rest for a while. Tash, let me know if you smell those monsters approaching again."

  Tasha nodded. "If I can detect them over the stench of our hostage here." The fox glowered at her.

  Cade tugged the fox's leash, pulling it close. The furless creature reminded him of the stories of Loor, Galgev's son, the god with the head of a furless fox. Is this how Loor looks? he wondered.

  "Can you understand me?" Cade asked the fox. It glared for a long moment, then finally nodded.

  "You must be hungry and thirsty," Cade said. "I'll remove your muzzle and let you eat and drink. But you must not make a sound, or I'll kill you. I've killed many of Nightmare's servants before. Do you understand?"

  The fox nodded again.

  "Cade, are you sure?" Tasha asked, perched upon a boulder.

  Cade nodded, never removing his stare from the fox. "He'll be good. Won't you, fox?"

  Gingerly, Cade removed the fox's muzzle, half-expecting the creature to bite his fingers. But the fox only pulled its way toward the pool and drank the brackish water.

  "I don't know how it can drink that stuff," Tasha said. "It smells like a sewer."

  The fox turned its head as it drank and glared at Tasha, but kept lapping the water.

  Cade opened the breadbox, pulled out some bread and cheese, and placed the food before the fox. "Eat this."

  The fox sniffed the food, then turned its head away.

  Cade pushed the food closer. "Eat it. It's good for you."

  The fox kicked the bread and cheese aside. It stared at Cade. "I must feed only upon the blood of the righteous," it hissed. It turned its head and eyed Tasha hungrily.

  "I do not like this creature," Tasha said. "I suspect he was a real fox before Loor touched him. He looks like Harmony did after the snake bit her." Without warning, Tasha jumped off the boulder, landed on the fox's back, and touched the wooden ring--the ring turned pure by laceleaf--to the creature.

  The fox screamed, a scream like a hissing frying pan. It twitched and rolled around on the ground, gray steam rising from it.

  "It's having a seizure," Cade said.

  "No, just watch," Tasha said.

  Fur began to sprout across the fox, and the fire left its eyes. All evil abandoned it, and soon upon the ground lay a small, normal fox with tawny fur. The fox moaned.

  Cade and Tasha gazed in wonder.

  "You were right," Cade said to his sister. He knelt by the fox and laid his hand upon him. The fox licked his fingers.

  "Are you all right, fox?" Cade asked.

  The fox struggled to his feet. He gazed around, bewildered, seemingly overcome by emotion. "I-- I thank you, sir! I... I've been awakened from a terrible nightmare, I...."

  The fox could speak no more. He lowered his head and whimpered. Cade patted him.

  "You're safe now," he said. "Loor's curse has left you."

  The fox curled up against Cade and wept.

  * * * * *

  The fox slept deeply all night, and in the morning introduced himself.

  "My name is Cloverfoot," he said, "and I thank you again, my friends. You have saved me from a nightmare I cannot describe to you, nor dare recall." The fox shuddered.

  Cade opened the breadbox, and they all shared the bread and cheese inside. The fox ate voraciously. "I have not eaten true food in many days," he said. He raised his head, crumbs covering his mouth. "What are you doing here, my friends? This place is dangerous. Phobetor has claimed it. You should flee."

  Tasha and Cade looked at each other. The fox examined them.

  Tasha finally spoke, "Thank you for your advice, Cloverfoot."

  Cloverfoot tore off a piece of bread and chewed slowly. He swallowed. "You mean not to flee. You are heading toward Nightmare." He nodded carefully. "You work for Yor."

  Cade opened his mouth to speak, but the fox shook his head.

  "Say no more," Cloverfoot said. "If you indeed work for the Father Elk, you are sworn to secrecy, and I would not ask you to foreswear that. But let me tell you this." He stepped forward and placed a paw on Cade's leg. "You saved my life. Let me help you. I have been to Nightmare, though I shudder to remember it. If you are heading into Nightmare, I can show you the way."

  Cade and Tasha looked at each other again, and Cade knew they were thinking the same thing. Can we trust Cloverfoot?

  Cade looked into the fox's solemn, amber eyes. Here was an animal who hated Nightmare--perhaps more than anyone Cade had met. Yes. I can trust him.

  He nodded.

  Cloverfoot turned and began leaping down into a valley. He turned his head and looked back to them.

  "Nightmare is only a few days away," he said. "Follow me."

  Nightmare... so we're almost there.

  Cade packed his things, tossed his cloak over his back, and they headed into the valley beneath a leaden sky.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Into Nightmare

  All that day, Cloverfoot led them across a landscape of black stones and burnt grass. Monster prints covered every patch of earth. Bits of fur, monster droppings, and the occasional spot of monster spit appeared every few steps. The sky was charcoal, flat and still but for the occasional wisp of smoke. More smoke covered the horizons. They saw nothing living.

  "This used to be a green field of marigolds and bluebells," Cloverfoot said. "My kin and I would live here in trees and burrows. It is named Lam-Elien in our tongue, though others in Dream simply knew it as Fox Fort. They say Galgev created it years ago, in days before
Tam wrote the Dreamsong."

  "And Phobetor destroyed it," Tasha said from Cade's shoulder. The mouse was thin, her brown fur matted. The diet of old cheese and bread, and the fetid air, had not been kind to her. Or to me, Cade thought. He was thinner than he had ever been, and he often felt weak and dizzy.

  "It was Loor, acting on Phobetor's behest," Cloverfoot said. "Loor hated being reminded of his fox heritage, so he burned the land and made the foxes evil." Cloverfoot hung his head low. "If not for your laceleaf ring, dear mouse, I would be Loor's servant still."

  "It was my pleasure," Tasha said. "I--" The mouse paused and sniffed. "Evil coming close," she said, her voice almost a sigh. They encountered monsters every day here.

  They looked ahead and saw a shadow crawl upon the ground.

  "What is it?" Cade asked. A sound like crackling hay came from the stain, growing louder as the stain oozed forward.

  Cloverfoot stared. "Beetles," he said with disgust.

  Cade grimaced and drew his blade.

  Cloverfoot tensed. He has seen these things before. "There is no use for swords here, Cade. But I would suggest you tuck your pants into your socks."

  Soon they were steps away. Millions of beetles raced forward under the white light. Each beetle was large as an apple. Their eyes were mean and pink.

  There was nowhere to flee or hide. The beetles covered the ground like an oozing puddle. Soon they were swarming around Cade, Tasha, and the fox. They chirped as loud as thundering rain. Most of the beetles ignored the companions and continued racing forward, but some climbed onto Cade and Cloverfoot. Cade flapped them off, but for every one he removed, two more climbed him. One bit his neck. It stung like a burning cigarette. Cloverfoot was busy biting off beetles of his own.

  "Tasha!" Cade called over the beetles' chirping. "You okay?"

  The mouse was battling a beetle on Cade's shoulder. It was larger than her. The mouse used her ring as a weapon, slamming it against the bug.

  Cade lifted Cloverfoot, tucked him under his arm, and began running through the swarm. Tasha raced over Cade's body, shoving beetles off. Another beetle found its way into Cade's sleeve and bit him.

  Finally Cade reached the end of the swarm. The bugs were all behind him, continuing their race to Dream.

  Cade placed Cloverfoot down and sat on the ground, breathing heavily. He could still feel the tiny claws racing over him.

  "Foul creatures," Cloverfoot said. "Phobetor is sending them into Dream to eat all the leaves and flowers and leave the land barren."

  Cade kicked his legs about, as if there were still beetles to kick off. With a collective shudder, they kept walking.

  They walked for a long time across barren plains. Clouds filled the sky, dark and grumbling. After several hours, the clouds began to rain black, sticky water. The companions walked, wet and miserable, through the syrupy rain. Cade hugged himself for warmth.

  "What a miserable place," Tasha finally said, after hours of walking in silence.

  "This is how all of Dream will look if Phobetor takes over," Cloverfoot said, padding along silent and grim. "We are close to Nightmare now. In some ways, we are already in Nightmare, for Phobetor has claimed ownership of these lands and corrupted them."

  Cade thought of Autumn Forest, where golden leaves glided through the air to land upon green mossy rocks, and the air smelled crisp and leafy. He thought of Grass Sea, where the green plains swayed like waves and trees grew along streams of sweet water. He thought of Seashell Shore, where parti-colored shells twinkled on the sand and palms grew tall and green. If those lands should fall to Phobetor, should rot away and decay, it would be a tragedy of such magnitude that Cade could not grasp it.

  At night, they could find no escape from the foul rain. They took turns guarding and slept under Cade's cloak. Cade could barely sleep. He kept scratching at the beetle bites, and the rain's stench filled his nostrils.

  Dawn finally broke, yellowish and sickly. They stretched in the light, rain still falling. They shared some cheese and bread from the breadbox and drank from the wineskin. The wineskin produced old water, but compared to the rain, it was heavenly. They washed themselves as best they could, but the rain dirtied them again.

  The rocks became more plentiful, the boulders larger. They moved slowly. A few hours into the morning, they spotted an army of creatures ahead, too far to see clearly. By noon they could see that the creatures were wingless dragons like Galgomoth and Kelra, the creatures Cade had fought outside the Begemmed City. It seemed so long ago.

  The great reptiles numbered in the thousands. Cade and his companions huddled behind some boulders, peeking to see the monster army march past. The creatures' eyes dripped malice, their claws scratched the ground, and lava trickled from their gray, warty beaks. Cade remembered the havoc only two had wrought. Dream can't defeat thousands of these creatures.

  "We're but a day away from Nightmare," Cloverfoot whispered, "and this land crawls with its servants."

  Cade shuddered at the thought of Nightmare being only a few miles away. I've traveled so far, yet now, I just want to turn back and run.

  Finally the wingless dragons passed them by, and they emerged from hiding. They continued journeying all day. The rocks gave Cade's feet blisters and every step hurt. By afternoon the rain stopped, but the relief was short lived. Mosquitoes the size of pickles emerged from the puddles, and soon Cade was scratching mosquito bites alongside the beetle bites. That night he could barely sleep, and the air became hot and humid.

  "I miss Dream," Tasha whispered to him that night. "I miss home, even. I wish we had never come here."

  Cade sighed. "Though I miss home too, I would not turn back now. Not after I've seen what Phobetor can do. We have to stop him, Tash."

  Tasha sighed too. "Yes, I know, but... do you think we really can? We're not even in Nightmare yet, and look how bad things are."

  "I don't know if we can stop him, but I have to try. Even," he added quietly, "if I die trying."

  He wondered if he was heading into certain death. Would Dream fall soon? Had it fallen to Phobetor's monsters already? If Dream fell before he completed his quest, the bottle would lose its magic, and then truly all hope would die.

  With dawn, they continued walking through clouds of mosquitoes until, at noon, they saw heavy fog ahead.

  "This fog is the entrance to Nightmare," Cloverfoot said. "To walk into it is to enter the realm of Phobetor."

  The words sent shivers down Cade's spine, even in the heat. Cold sweat washed him, drenching his shirt. He stood frozen, staring at the fog ahead. Nightmare. Here it is. They had walked for so long through Dream. Cade had almost believed they'd never see the end of it.

  "Dream... so we've crossed it," Tasha said, echoing Cade's thoughts.

  The fog roiled and gurgled. Cade felt hypnotized. He could not remove his gaze. Faces seemed to form in the fog, mocking faces of demons and enchantresses, hissing, whispering his name in voices of thunder. The foggy spirits formed and dissipated so quickly, Cade wasn't sure they existed at all, or if he was simply seeing things. He tightened his lips. Every instinct in his body screamed to run the other way, run back to Dream, to find a portal back to Earth. The horrors he had seen in Dream--the Crunge, the Silent Man, the snakes and vultures--none would compare to what lay ahead, he knew.

  Tasha too stared at the fog, paralyzed. She whispered into Cade's ear, echoing his thoughts. "I can't believe we're going to willingly enter the land of nightmares. How could we do this?" She clung to Cade's shoulder. "I want to go back, Cade. To Dream. To Earth."

  Cade shut his eyes and clenched his fists. "There won't be anymore Dream, Tash, or anymore Earth. Not if we don't stop Phobetor. The ash and fire would burn Sunflower Corner, and the rot would consume Seashell Shore. And then, when Dream is gone, Earth would be next. We have to go on." The fear aching in his belly, Cade opened his eyes and looked at Cloverfoot. "So we just step in?" he asked. "As easy as that?"

  "No," Cloverfoot said. "Th
at would lead to death. This fog is watched, and all who enter are seen by Phobetor's guardsmen."

  "So what do we do?" Cade asked. "You said you knew an entrance."

  The fox nodded. "We wait. Every few hours, hordes return from Dream carrying loot. I used to be a guardsman of the fogs. That's how I know. Wait for a returning horde, then hide in the wagons of treasure."

  "How will we enter the wagons unseen?"

  The fox spoke softly. "I will distract them."

  They hunched down behind a boulder. As they waited under the dark clouds, Cade again wondered if he could trust the fox, and then decided that he could. Loor had destroyed Cloverfoot's home and enslaved him. This fox would do anything to defeat Phobetor.

  Time passed slowly. Tasha fidgeted nervously. Cade felt weariness overcome him and he longed to lie down and sleep. He wished he could return to his bed at home, if only for a night. The fear and pain and homesickness carved out a hole in his stomach and sat there, breeding and swelling.

  It seemed hours that they sat under the grumbling sky, weariness in their bones, before finally a glint in the eastern horizon caught Cade's eye. He peered into the distance, eyes narrowed. At first he saw nothing, but soon the glint flashed again.

  "Do you see that?" he asked Tasha.

  "Where?" the mouse replied. "I see nothing. Wait." Tasha stared. "Yes. I see something. It's heading this way."

  Cloverfoot gazed into the east, eyes dark. The cold breeze ruffled his fur. "These are Nightmare's forces returning from Dream. I have oft joined the devilry of Kar as it returned triumphant from its conquests."

  The glint soon grew into a patch in the distance, then eventually revealed itself to be a train of wagons heavy with plunder. As the convoy drew closer, Cade could see that the wagons were built of black iron and bone, stretched with crimson leather. Beasts of horns, fangs, and sores pulled the wagons, whipped by demonic drivers with huge drooling grins.

  Cade crouched behind the boulder. Soon the wagons were by them, trundling across the stones. The monsters reeked and their grunts and snorts filled the air. Cade risked a peek and saw that treasures filled the wagons: jeweled chalices, crystals like the ones he had seen in Tam's caves, and cages full of deer, wolves, birds, and other denizens of Dream, now prisoners. Cade even saw several chained Elorian women.