by Jen Robyn
“Good night, Julianna!” interrupted Crystal, passing her husband without a backwards glance.
“Maybe you should settle your present discussion first,” Julianna told her brother-in-law knowingly. “Otherwise, Sammy’s liable to remain an only child.”
“Ah, good point. I suppose I’d best switch to my alter ego of Humble Husband,” Jerry replied, his eyes twinkling. “Good night, kiddo,” he added, just before slipping out the door to follow his wife.
As Julianna heard him calling out to Crystal in a sugary voice, followed by her sister’s sarcastic reply not to use such a tone with her now, she couldn’t help but laugh quietly. She was glad her sister had found someone like Jerry. Despite their occasional bickering, they really loved each other, and she knew Crystal would be the first to agree.
Likewise, Vicki had been equally fortunate in finding her fiancé Luke. From the several times they’d chatted across the dinner table, Julianna could see that while Luke had an often reckless lifestyle, he certainly wasn’t reckless over his love for Vicki. Constantly, flowers would arrive at the door for her older sister, along with notes of love and adoration from her most un-secretive admirer.
Up until a week ago, seeing her sisters so happy would cause mixed emotions. She was certainly happy for them, yet saddened over not having a companion of her own.
But now that Dominick had come into her life, suddenly she didn’t feel so alone anymore. True, she could only see him in her dreams, but he still felt more real and wonderful to her than any man she’d ever known—including Roger.
To pass the time, she watched television until it was nearly ten, glancing at the clock repeatedly. Being a night person, she usually went to bed later, but tonight she didn’t want to prolong being away from her dreams. In fact, she practically willed sleep to come for her, since she knew Dominick would be there for her.
At least she certainly hoped he would.
After today, inwardly she really needed his strength to lean on, since Roger had shaken things up earlier. If only Dominick was truly here, so he himself could tell Roger to leave forever. It would serve him right to be fed the same harsh medicine she’d forcibly swallowed over his affair with Marilyn.
The only difference was, she wanted more than just a temporary affair with Dominick, for she was more convinced than ever that she was falling in love with him—if she wasn’t completely so already.
When caught absently sketching little drawings of him at work, a few of Julianna’s co-workers had inquired with interest about her mystery man. She mentioned him in passing, but declined their suggestions to introduce him to them in person. They seemed to take her dismissal as amused jealousy, but Julianna knew better. If only I could introduce him to you! she’d wanted to shout, but sadly couldn’t.
The night hours now erased her earlier sadness totally.
Against her shut eyes, Julianna smiled softly at the airy feelings sweeping across her mind. Her thoughts drifted away from Roger, her questioning co-workers, and all other problems currently in her life.
Soon she’d be with Dominick again, and all would be well.
*****
All was not well for one man.
Puffing for breath, Alarius Zaxelby was navigating the dark twisting corridor without much success. How he’d even ended up in this unforeseen mazelike territory, he had no idea, but there was no mistaking the loud growls of a distant creature heading towards him. Being half-elven, his ears could distinguish fairly well what it must be.
It was the sound of an angry dragon.
“Give yourself up, Zaxelby!” came a rumbling voice, no doubt from the dragon itself. A voice that was sickeningly familiar to the half-elf, who knew its owner well. “Relinquish the map now, and I might spare your life!”
“You’ll get neither from me this day, foul beast!” Alarius yelled back, losing sight of where he was going.
Tripping over a hidden stone to crash to the ground, the fairly young man let out a sharp gasp, turning in anticipation of seeing the creature right behind him.
Not yet. There was still a chance he could escape.
But where is the way out? his thoughts demanded as he scrambled to his feet, running down another passageway. Reaching into his jacket, he pulled free the map in question. Given to him as a gift a few weeks ago by a generous friend who also lived on the island of Barokka—who discovered the map during his many nightly travels—the map’s information granted its owner the whereabouts to a hidden portal.
Just within the doorway to this portal was a perpetual flowing waterfall, looking like a liquid rainbow. In actuality, this ‘rainbow’ of sorts constantly rained forth a cascade of colorful valuable jewels interspersed with its water, giving it its rainbow-like appearance. At the bottom of this waterfall—or perhaps more accurately, a ‘jewel-fall’—several useful magical items had also once been left there. A veritable treasure trove!
While planning to follow his friend’s advice to leave the magical items, Alarius planned to sell some of the endless jewels in order to give his poor family the life they deserved. Perhaps sparing a few colorful trinkets for his three children, soon to be four, and using some of the gems to create a beautiful necklace for his dear wife and now mother-to-be again.
He’d decided to seek this treasure after their fourth child was born in a few months, not wanting to be absent when his wife might need him sooner than expected.
But then a sudden twist had altered his plans.
Their youngest son Daric had become deathly ill.
An immediate cure was needed for the boy, whose swiftly ebbing life required the services of an efficient but expensive healer in outer Chavernos. Since the healer demanded full payment up front, Alarius needed to seek out the treasure immediately. Leaving Daric in the capable hands of his wife and the local doctor—a wise elder man who promised to do his best to keep the boy alive until his return—it was with a heavy heart that the half-elf began his quest.
Under normal circumstances, Alarius should have had no trouble succeeding in his mission. The silvery-blond-haired half-elf appeared in his late twenties and as strong, although countless years older in actuality—due to his youthful long-lived elven blood. The same was true of his half-elven wife, who was equally capable, and might have accompanied him on the journey if she’d been able.
Thankfully, the portal’s location wasn’t very far away.
Unfortunately, neither were the two men who followed him, who’d learned of the map and sought to steal it.
If they were reasonable men, perhaps Alarius could have seen negotiating with them. But knowing many from Barokka, he remembered well who these dark followers were.
Their kind never bargained.
And Daric’s life depended on him now.
The exit, blast it! he nearly yelled. Where is it?
As if in answer, a light began to brighten up ahead. Sighing thankfully, Alarius found an extra rush of adrenaline which helped carry him towards his destination. And then he saw it... the blessed exit!
Reaching his hands towards the sunlight just a few feet away, abruptly darkness fell upon the doorway leading out.
Replaced instead by the black scales of the dragon.
“Thought you could escape, did you?” it hissed.
Letting out a shocked yell, Alarius dropped to his knees, as the dragon loomed closer, its bloodstained talons outstretched. There was no need to ask whose blood would be added next to that already there, the half-elf considered dismally, feeling his heart race still faster.
“Please, let me go,” he pleaded in a whisper. “My son... he needs help.”
The dragon emitted a harsh laugh. “Right now, you’re the one who needs help, in case you’re blind, man.”
“You don’t understand...”
“No, you don’t understand!”
Hissing violet flames, the dragon slithered forward to grasp the collar of Alarius’s shirt, dragging him from the ground to hold him suspended in mid-air. Wh
ile the half-elf struggled to free himself, he found himself shaken roughly.
“I’m not a patient man, Zaxelby,” snarled the dragon, baring its sharp teeth of several inches long each. “That map should never have fallen into your hands. It rightfully belongs to me and my associate Quell. Either give it to us willingly, or you’ll find the rest of your family dead along with your son!”
“You’d kill them anyway, you black-hearted demon,” rasped Alarius.
The dragon broke into a fiendish grin, before tossing him to the ground. As the half-elf rubbed his shaken head, the scaly beast transformed itself into human form.
A human dreamphaser to be precise.
“I could indeed,” the dark-haired man murmured through a malicious chortle, his voice sounding normally human now. “Especially the brats. Chavernos, how I do detest those little scavengers.” If not for their kind, you’d still be alive, Caralei.
Waving his hand absently, he conjured up a regal-looking chair. Judging by his almost amiable smile now, one might easily neglect seeing past the coolly handsome features to find what really lurked within. Many had been fooled thus over the years by his seemingly dual nature.
Something which accounted perfectly for his known name... Dual.
Reclining lazily, he rubbed his chin knowingly. “But before killing all of them,” he drawled, “I might spare your fair wife for a while, just so I could... sample her charms once or twice.”
Alarius’s eyes lit up like bright flames. “I’ll see you rot in the demonworlds below before you set a finger on Laelea!” he hissed.
Dual quirked one eyebrow up. “Admirable, Zaxelby,” he laughed. “I’d imagined you hadn’t the spirit to threaten a dreamphaser. To find otherwise, I salute you.” Stretching out his legs, he shook his head. “No, my dear Alarius, I have no wish to set my sights upon your wife presently. After all, she last appeared quite heavy with your latest offspring. I’m merely reminding you that I can make your life quite miserable, or end it as well, unless you cooperate.”
The half-elf gave a forced laugh. “Cooperate! You mean for me to trade my son’s life for my own!”
“Did I leave you with that impression?” Dual asked in mock surprise. “Surely, you simply misunderstood. You see, you’re trading that map for all of your lives. Refuse to surrender it, and we’ll kill your ailing son, followed by the rest of your limitless brood.”
Seeing his hesitation, Dual waved a hand to reveal a floating image of Alarius’s family waiting for him. The half-elf silently cursed the dreamphaser for his most effective cruelty. Just seeing Laelea again as she smiled upon the children, so far away, was a bitter torment to him now. As if she knew he was watching from afar, his wife looked up with a sad smile, one hand resting against their unborn child.
Alarius could also see the too small house they lived in, which would be even less suitable for yet another child. And his gaze fell upon little Daric, his pale form resting beside his attentive mother. The boy’s eyes were closed from the fever, which held him in its deathlike grip, yet neither Laelea nor the doctor were willing to let him slip away... not while the hope of Alarius still remained.
A hope slowly dying like a candle flame being snuffed out.
“Think about it, Zaxelby,” whispered Dual, his voice snakelike. “As you can quite clearly see, you’ll soon have another brat if you lose this one, and you might even get back in time to see its arrival in person. One life for all... if you agree to the terms.”
The vision faded instantly as Alarius glanced up in alarm. “Terms?” he repeated. “If I give you the map, you’ll have what you seek, and I shall lose my son! What higher price must you ask, you cursed bastard?”
“A simple favor. The necessity of one word or two really.” Spreading his hands amiably, he continued, “I just wish to know the party responsible for giving this map to you when it was meant to be ours alone.”
Alarius’s mouth drew into a tight line. “I found it myself,” he said quietly. “No secret as to how. People often find things when they least expect to.”
Dual’s ill laughter cut him off. “Am I to believe that you merely stumbled across it, when the map was hidden in the deepest stairwell of one of the multiple towers on the hills of ice beyond?” Alarius wouldn’t reply. “No, Zaxelby, don’t debase yourself as a liar as well. We both know that only a few unique magic abilities would know exactly where to seek it, and both you and your wife have minor ones that wouldn’t aid in such a search.”
“Maybe you underestimate us,” Alarius suggested lightly.
“Don’t try my limited patience,” hissed Dual, transforming into the dragon again. “Since you reside in Barokka, it’s likely someone there gave you this rather valuable item. Either you give me the name of the culprit who did this, or I’ll send Quell out to use his powers of silencing to finish off your family before you see them alive again. Now, Alarius... choose whom you wish to protect. Your traitorous friend who got you into this to begin with, or the family you cherish so much. Choose!”
Traitorous... The word echoed in Alarius’s mind, but it could bear no truth to him. His friend of many years had given him the map in good faith to help him and his family to have a better life, knowing he wouldn’t need the treasures himself. And despite Dual’s words, he knew that the map did not rightfully belong to him or Quell.
His friend had merely found it first.
“He’s no traitor,” hissed Alarius. “Nor am I!”
“You’d best learn differently then,” sneered Dual, “or this will be the next sight you see!”
A new vision appeared, this one distorted and twisted. His house was engulfed in flames, the children screaming as they ran from it. Quell’s image stood close by, using his malevolent powers to only partially ‘silence’ each one with paralysis as they passed through the flaming doorway, dropping them instantly to remain in the fire’s path. All remained conscious, their agonized screams filling Alarius’s ears, as the vision allowed no mercy. If not horror enough, he witnessed his beloved Laelea struggling weakly from the house, carrying the lifeless Daric, until Quell paralyzed them too...
“No!” yelled the half-elf, drowning out Laelea’s screams with his own anguished cry. Dropping to the ground as the vision persisted to taunt him, Alarius’s eyes shot fire. “Damn you, Dual! I won’t let you harm them!”
The dragon’s eyes softened knowingly. “Of course you won’t,” he purred, finally allowing the horrific vision to fade out. “Just give me the name, Alarius.”
Alarius bit his lip, shutting his eyes painfully. “Damn you, Dual,” he said once more, brokenly, adding in an equally shattered whisper, “Forgive me, my friend... and my poor little Daric too. I had no choice...”
Dual leaned forward, his eyes glittering. “The name, Alarius!”
The half-elf wouldn’t face him as the name slipped from his tongue. “Dominick…” he sighed. “Dominick Westbrooke.”
The dragon remained motionless for what seemed like forever.
“Dominick,” he hissed finally, with no absence of venom. “So... once more, the familiar sword in my side has struck again.” Glancing up to face the bemused Alarius, his expression retained its anger, but his words were calm. “You’ve done well, Alarius. You and your family are free from harm, and you may return to them as soon as this dream ends and you relinquish the map. We’ll arrive to retrieve it shortly.” The half-elf stared at the ground, unanswering. “You should feel proud, my friend. You’ve saved many lives this day, your own included.”
While feeling unable to speak, lest he bring renewed threats of destruction upon his family, Alarius continued to keep his gaze lowered, remorse filling his mind.
I shall never be proud of betraying a loyal friend, he thought silently, and what life shall I have knowing I’ve forfeited my son’s? None I can bear...
“Damn you,” he whispered, feeling the chilling winds tugging at him to announce the ending of the nightmare.
As he vanished, so
did Dual.
*****
Reappearing in a place not far from the dreaming Alarius’s actual slumbering form, the dark dreamphaser was once more in his human body. The dragon form was merely an illusion that solely existed in the dream-state, albeit it was certainly effective enough there.
Ignoring his ally Quell’s enthusiasm regarding the map, Dual’s thoughts traveled instead to the revelation he’d learned. Until tonight, he wasn’t certain who had cheated the valuable map from him. And from Quell too, of course, although that was a more minor consideration. But now he knew the thief, and the name brought no surprise.
“Dominick, my old enemy,” he hissed softly, “ever you plague me. And once more, you’ve earned another dose of retribution for your interference.” His eyes narrowed with malice. “You’d best be on guard, my persistent foe. For when next we meet, you’ll wish the day had never come!”
Chapter Eight
“I must be dreaming,” whispered Julianna.
A moment later, she remembered how true this was.
Smiling as she glanced down at her attire, she found herself standing in a gown of aquamarine, made of a material that felt softer than silk. No doubt a complimentary gift from her nightly—or rather ‘knightly’—companion.
She was a short distance from the castle they’d shared, located beside a beach of golden sands and a sparkling ocean that looked to be made of silver. Just in front of her stood a fountain that brought forth a similar translucent liquid through a shining marble statue. Glancing wide-eyed at the shimmering pool, she leaned against the edge and stared within. Through the countless ripples, she could see hundreds of rainbow stones twinkling up at her from the bottom of the fountain, like diamonds, winking back at the stars up above.
“Care to make a wish, my lady?” asked a softly familiar voice, causing her to turn. In formal white-jacketed attire, he looked even more handsome than before if possible, and she felt her heart beat faster at the loving look in his eyes.