“Feel us Riani, like breath to life”
“See us Riani, the dancing lights that know no time.”
“Hear us Riani, the joy that lives in song”
The dancing lights twisted and turned around a fountain of sparkling water.
A faery world, a tiny meadow, an unbelievable twenty feet of glorious sun and green amidst a sea of ash and rock.
Shining like a jewel fallen into the sludge of a marshland track, or a beacon far away on a moonless night.
“Heal our love Riani”
“Cleanse our weave Riani”
“Like breath to life, out of time, the joy that lives in song”
Riani, lost in this most beautiful dream.
Herself childlike and splashing in the water of the fountain, dancing with them, and hearing music that laughed and cried and loved.
She woke with a start as a night owl’s call entered her senses.
Still hearing music that lived.
She fell back to sleeping wondering at the sight that had been gifted to her, and what it might mean.
---------------------------------------------------------
“Danid is betrayed, as a fool is betrayed”
“Danid sleeps whilst the robber is at his work.”
“Danid sits and waits whilst the rival schemes”
Darkness all around and no light.
Casting a light spelling Danid saw a few feet around him illuminated in a blood red glow.
No life .
He laughed, no cause for alarm.
There was nothing here.
Everything was as it should be.
Then, a table, a bishop and a king toppled on a board of squares, a queen standing triumphant.
He swept his hand sending the figure flying into the abyss of night, but the toppled figures remained, defeated.
“Avenge our loss, Danid”
“Take the thief, Danid”
“Take all that is yours, Danid…Take it all!”
Danid woke sweating, his heart racing, and his mouth dry.
A long time since he had last experienced anything like that.
Something was wrong.
He would check that all went well with Arrin in the morning.
Sleep came quickly, like a sudden death.