Dreamscape: Saving Alex

by Kirstin Pulioff

  “It’s her,” one man whispered.

  “She’s so young,” a woman said.

  “What does this mean?” another piped in.

  The silence grew into frenzied murmurs. I didn’t know which was worse. Both twisted me up on the inside. I spun around, choking back the instinct to be sick. My fingers slipped over the greasy door as I groped for the handle. I had to get out of here.

  “What did I tell you? She’s a showstopper.” Arrow’s deep voice came out of nowhere, an instant comfort. I turned back around and squinted through the tavern until I found his smile.

  “I told you not to worry,” he said, taking my hand and leading me away from the door. My gaze lingered on an etched window beside the entrance that disappeared under the haze of freshly blown smoke.

  “No, you didn’t!” I whispered.

  “I didn’t? Must’ve been an oversight. There’s nothing to worry about, we’re all friends in here.” He laughed as we walked through the crowd.

  I forced a smile, trying to ignore the stares as I banged into tables. People stopped mid-sip to watch, glasses resting on their lips. A man in the corner kept his eyes on me as smoke rings rose above him. Every eye turned to me, even those that had been leering down the blouse of the server moments earlier. The attention weighed on me. I hated that feeling.

  “Arrow, get me out of here. I’m not that hungry anymore,” I said, leaning in towards him.

  “And miss all the fun? Alex, remember, I promised to show you more highlights of Lockhorn. This, here, is one of them!” His voice grew louder, commanding the crowd’s attention. “What do you say? Let’s give Alex a warm welcome!”

  I shrank under the attention. Around me, the room erupted in cheers, and mugs clanked together in celebration.

  “On the house,” the server called out over the din, refilling the outstretched mugs, and with that, everyone returned to normal as if nothing unusual had happened. Except the man blowing smoke rings in the corner. His eyes never left me.

  “That’s how you make friends here,” Arrow said, pulling me over to the far corner. “Not that they wouldn’t have followed you anyways. Now, you are guaranteed their devotion.”

  I sat down beside him and leaned in over the table. “I don’t understand. How is this possible? The town looked deserted,” I asked, careful to keep my voice low.

  Arrow laughed loud enough to draw the attention of the table next to us. “Looks can be deceiving.”

  “Obviously,” I said, glaring at him. Now that my nerves had settled, my stomach growled, recognizing the smell of food. “So why haven’t they rebuilt the outside? They’ve clearly reinforced the interiors.” I traced the inside of the windows, void of any of the broken shards visible from the road.

  “If they did, Berkos would just return with more men. This way, he thinks he’s won.”

  “Hasn’t he?”

  “No, we’re just letting him think he has. Besides, if we fixed it, the memory of that battle would fade a little more every time we looked at the new bricks. Newer supporters might be aware of the history, but they wouldn’t see the full impact of what Berkos has done. No, leaving it deserted and dilapidated is a good reminder to us too, and the fact that it keeps him from coming back is a bonus.”

  A light bulb went off in my mind. I smoothed down my hair, tracing the small scar on my forehead. That’s why my mom had never fixed that wall in our dining room. They hadn’t wanted me to forget, and it worked. I shook my head, defeated. I had been played.

  “I’m hungry,” I said, although that memory of my parents soured my stomach.

  Arrow tossed something to me and leaned back to assess the room. I caught the hard roll and broke into it, looking more closely at him. Something was different. Ever since we’d entered Flourin, he seemed to have more confidence. His eyes had lightened as if the worries he’d carried all day had disappeared, and a smile played at the edge of his lips. He seemed at home with these people.

  I opened my mouth to say something, and then noticed the woman coming towards me with the steaming bowl in her hands. The yells, stares, and stench all became inconsequential to me. I was desperate for food.

  When she dropped the bowl in front of me, I almost wept. Arrow hadn’t underestimated the stew. I gave her the warmest smile my hunger would allow before diving into the bread bowl full of chunks of potato, beef, cheese, and carrots.

  Spoonful after spoonful filled my mouth until none remained, and then I broke into the bread until only the smallest of crumbs flaked onto the table. I licked my fingers to pick up the last crumbs, and cringed as they stuck to the table. It was gross, but not enough to keep me from doing it again.

  “Are you ready for another?” Arrow seemed amused.

  I shot him a look, but nodded and handed him a gold coin from the box. He slid it back to me. “Not this time, Goldy. This is my treat.”

  I didn’t argue. I watched him return to the bar and took another look around the room. Maybe my first impression was unfair. Sure, they were unruly, stained, and crude, but that didn’t make them bad people. No one had insulted me, chased me, or tried to kill me. Compared to my experience in the rest of Lockhorn, they seemed to be the good guys.

  In fact, since I’d sat down, no one paid me much attention. No one except the old man in the corner. Even in the dim light, I saw his eyes gleam. We locked eyes.

  Arrow broke through our stare by dropping two mugs on the table, red foam frothing over the rim.

  My heart plummeted. The few times I’d drank before hadn’t ended up well. Hours of holding my hair back and embarrassing confessions never seemed quite worth the effort. I looked at Arrow and then beyond him, wishing for the distraction of food.

  “It’s carrin root tea. A little bitter, I admit, but it’s the best we have now. And there’s enough diced vines in it to heal a village,” he said, as if he understood my discomfort.

  “Thanks.” I sipped the tea, unsuccessfully hiding my distaste.

  Arrow’s deep laugh made me smile. “I take it you haven’t had this before either?”

  “No, nothing like this,” I admitted. Although as I drank it, I couldn’t help but think it looked like the red healing potion I had been searching for earlier.

  “In that case, to new adventure—in drink and more.” He winked and raised his mug. I hit his mug with mine and choked down another sip.

  The next bowl of food arrived, identical to the first, and I grabbed it. It filled me to a new level. I was stuffed. Happy and content, I leaned back and closed my eyes.

  “Are you ready?” he asked.

  “Ready?

  He looked at me expectantly.

  “Sure, whatever.” I would have agreed to anything at that moment.

  I should have figured it out when the smile widened on his face. Or when he stood and straightened his vest. But the warning bells didn’t ring until he jumped on top of the table. What had I just agreed to?

  “Men, women,” Arrow called out, swinging his mug through the air as he walked the narrow table. “You too, Boris,” he said. The room erupted in laughter. I frowned as tea splattered my leggings.

  “I don’t know if you noticed the woman I came in with today.” He winked. “She’s quite remarkable.”

  I blushed and straightened my hair as the rush of attention flashed back to me. I hated it when people stared. It felt like everyone knew something I didn’t. The air tightened around me, and my stomach clenched with nerves. I shifted in the chair.

  The rush of whispers escalated as they glanced between Arrow, on top of our table, and me, slinking as far into the shadows as possible. An uncomfortable lump settled in the pit of my stomach, and I tried to keep from getting sick. I hoped Arrow knew what he was doing, because I was in no position to stop him.

  “But most remarkable is that we found her before Berkos,” he said. The room shook with cheers. More carrin root tea spilled over the rim of my cup as my grip tightened and my fingers shook. I wanted to disappear
into the shadows, but I couldn’t move.

  “She’s given me quite the adventure so far. See, I even have scars to prove it.” He raised his shirt, showing the scars crossing his defined abs. The server howled with delight, and my heart raced. He winked at the server before dropping his shirt. “But I have discovered something interesting. Not only is she brave, and stubborn,” he looked at me, “but she also has insider information about Berkos’ castle.”

  I swallowed hard. What was he doing? I shuffled uncomfortably as every person in the room turned to look at me. I wanted to hide. My face paled; sweat beaded on my temples. My palms slid over my sleeves, and I pulled the collar of my tunic away from my neck, hoping for fresh air. Nothing worked to calm the anxiety clawing at me.

  Arrow stomped on the table, quieting the room. “You all know what we’ve been up against these past five years. It’s not getting better. In fact, even as we speak, Berkos is making final plans to stomp out the rebellion. Why do you think the Golden Hero is here now? It’s time, men. Time to finalize our plans and strike before he does. Let’s take back Lockhorn for our queen.”

  “But what about King Helio?” the server piped up, “We heard news...”

  Arrow’s eyes darkened. “You’ve heard correctly. We won’t be able to save King Helio. He’s gone. But his kingdom is not, and the queen is not. We can still rescue Queen Elin and reinstate the order they created.”

  The air thickened as everyone shared glances of stunned silence. I wondered about the shift, and saw the man in the corner narrow his gaze on me.

  “We’re not doing this alone anymore. We have our hero to lead the way. With her guidance, we maneuvered through Baron Marix’s manor and successfully retrieved his list of spies. Her information saved us from capture, and I have no doubt that had I gone alone, I would not be here.” His voice quieted. “She risked her life for me and our cause, and she’ll do it for you as well. The scrolls told the truth. Our Golden Hero is here, and so is the time to act.”

  Every mug in the room spilled, clinking in agreement while I tried to make sense of his words. He promised what I wasn’t sure I could give, the very thing I’d warned him about. My stomach soured, and I regretted that second bowl. If this continued much longer, I was going to be sick.

  Arrow raised his hand for silence and continued before I had the chance to move.

  “Berkos knows of us. He knows we broke into Marix’s manor, and he has already taken revenge on some of the smaller villages on the outskirts of the forest. We saw the plumes of smoke on our way here. There’s no way of knowing where he’ll attack next. The only thing we’re sure of is that he will.”

  “What do you want us to do?” asked the man in the corner, taking a moment to blow another ring of smoke.

  “Thank you, Cale. We need to regroup and get ready for attack. Time’s running out, and if we want to save the queen, we need to move now. We’re here to get all those who are ready and willing to fight. We’ll reconvene with the rest of the army at the Grove and make our final plans.” Arrow held his hand out to me.

  I shook my head, but he curled his fingers towards me, beckoning me to join him. Everyone followed his gaze. What could I do? I couldn’t say no. I didn’t have time to think things through. Arrow reached down and grabbed my hand, pulling me up beside him.

  I straightened my shirt and looked around the room. His arm slipped to my waist as he pulled me closer to him, and the jumbled nerves I’d fought before tumbled out of me. I was a mess. Hardly able to stand on my own, let alone do what he suggested.

  “Meet Alex, our Golden Hero!” He lifted my arm into the air. The room broke into resounding cheers.

  “What does she have to say about all this?” Cale asked, inhaling smoke, once the cheers wound down.

  They looked at me, their eyes hungry for confirmation. I looked at Cale, then back to Arrow. What could I say? Did I dare argue with Arrow’s declaration or share my fears?

  “Tell them how you’ve done this before.” Arrow nudged me. “Tell them about the insider information you have, the layout of the castle where they’re keeping the queen, the traps. Tell them.”

  “Well yes, it’s true, but...” I stammered, balling my hands into fists.

  “You know the king’s castle?” someone yelled out from the crowd.

  “Well, yes—”

  “And you made it through Marix’s manor?” Boris asked from up front.

  “Yes, we made it out, but…” I said, trying to find the right words to minimize my expertise.

  “You are the hero,” the server exclaimed, refilling the mugs around the room. “Another round of drinks on the house!”

  The cheers cut off the arguments resting on the tip of my tongue.

  “Let her speak,” Cale said.

  Finally, someone who shared my hesitation. “Yes,” I said, “I know these things, but that doesn’t mean I can lead you to the queen.” I met the old man’s eyes.

  Arrow pulled me back as the grumbles began. “She’s a bit hesitant, but make no mistake. She’s the one the scroll talked about. She knows what we have to do. Tell them.”

  My eyes pleaded with Arrow. I looked back to the crowd. How could I lie to them?

  “If you can do it, you have my sword,” Boris said. “Since they took my wife and my farm, my life doesn’t mean much anymore. I’m ready.”

  Arrow jumped down and patted Boris on the back. “Any others?”

  “You have me too,” another voice piped up from the crowd.

  “I believe the scrolls. I’ll follow wherever she leads,” said another.

  One by one, they promised their allegiance. I watched them turn from Arrow to me and shrank under the weight of their hope. How could they blindly put their future in my hands? Didn’t they understand I couldn’t even control my own life, let alone theirs?

  Cale grumbled but took off his hat. “If what Arrow says is true, you may be our only hope. If destiny’s on our side, I can’t argue with that.”

  My voice cracked. Their blind devotion angered me. “Listen, I know the king’s castle, but there are dangers that I can’t begin to imagine. I’ve seen it firsthand in the north, in Lindle. I saw some of the demonstrations. Berkos knows who you are. I’ve already seen what his thugs do to supporters of this cause. Whatever you’re planning, it won’t be a surprise.”

  They looked at each other and smiled. I glanced at Arrow, suddenly angry. Why didn’t they understand? Even if I knew a few tricks, there were more dangers they weren’t aware of. Their efforts wouldn’t go unnoticed.

  “No, you don’t get it,” I yelled, angry at their lack of concern. “He allows your rebellion. I’ve seen it myself. He knows about all of this, all of you. He will be expecting it, waiting for you in ambush. It’s more than the rebellion at stake. It’s your lives.”

  Arrow walked over to me, smiling. “We know. We’re hoping he feels that confidence.”

  “I don’t understand,” I said. “If you know he’s aware of you and what you have planned, why go through with it?”

  “Goldy, this plan isn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. We’ve been building towards this for years,” he said, jumping back to the top of the table beside me. “And we’re already at risk.”

  “But—”

  “We’ve deliberately let him believe that this is all there is to the rebellion. If he’s too busy watching the fireworks, he’ll miss the preparations for the real attack.”

  “Then you know he knows?” I asked, confusion clouding my mind.

  “Yes, we’ve made it quite obvious,” he said.

  “Then what do you need me for if you have a plan?”

  “We have a plan, but with you, our success is guaranteed,” he said, reaching for my hand.

  “I can’t guarantee that for you. Just look at the people who’ve already died,” I whispered, remembering the faces of the men trapped in Marix’s manor.

  His smile faded as he looked around the room, then back to me. “We’re all awa
re of the price. That’s why we can’t give up now, or ever. Their lives can’t be wasted.”

  “What you’re asking me to do is crazy.”

  “Maybe, but it’s our only hope. You’re our only hope,” he said, squeezing my hand.

  “There has to be another way,” I pleaded.

  “But you’ve already said it, you know the way through the castle. You can get us in unnoticed,” he said. “You’ve already done it once.”

  “Yes, but—” I pulled my hand back, aware that he was no longer listening to my arguments. He had made up his mind.

  “You know how to defeat the king.” His tone didn’t allow for any disagreement.

  I shot Arrow a harsh look. Was this why he’d wanted to come here? “But what I know isn’t real,” I said through my teeth.

  “It’s what we have to hope for. You can’t let us down. We’ve been waiting for you.”

  “I don’t know what you’ve heard or how to make you understand, but I’m not your girl.” We stood in silence, staring each other down.

  “In the end of times, a Golden Hero will present herself,” Cale recited from the bar, breaking the awkward moment. The hoarseness of his voice added a level of authenticity to the ancient words. “Brought from the darkness to the world of light, the Golden Hero will fight to preserve humanity and restore freedom to the land. Place your trust in her in the darkest of days. She may be your only hope.”

  Wasn’t that what the back of the game said? I twisted my hair, tucking it into my cap and looking from face to face as their hope and faith weighed on my shoulders. Did they really believe this?

  “You’re our only hope,” a young boy said from near the front.

  I looked behind him to the other people. Their solemnity surprised me. The older men bowed their heads in respect. Others stood tight-lipped.

  I looked around uncomfortably. “Arrow,” I whispered. “I can’t do this. You have to understand.”

  But he didn’t, and in a voice louder than any of my protests, he raised my hand and, for a final time, proclaimed me their savior. One look at him, and I knew he wasn’t listening to my refusals.