Free Gateway to Fourline (The Fourline Trilogy Book 1) by Pam Brondos Page B

respond to Barba being in the room.
    “No.” Barba poured a few ounces of green liquid into a bowl and began to stir with what looked like a metal chopstick. An earthy smell filled the room. Nat’s nose crinkled. Barba watched Nat carefully. “The smell will go away. Ethet had to come up with something that wasn’t permanent, and unfortunately, it smells like decaying leaves.” The metal stick scraped against the bowl as she continued to stir. “I need you to dress before I start with this.” She gestured to the wardrobe. A long green shift with slits, green leggings, and a cloak embroidered in leaves hung on the door.
    “It’s an old cloak given to me by a Sister from the Warrior House. I thought it best that we present you as a novice of the exiles, or a ‘fringer.’ It may keep certain elements away from you.” Barba stopped stirring for a moment and waited. Nat remained in bed, confused. It was only a dream. This must still be a dream.
    “The conversation with Estos was real, Natalie,” Barba said, as if reading Nat’s mind. “Your money is right here.” She pointed to a thick envelope next to the bowl. “Are you still willing to go now that you are awake?” she asked while holding the metal chopstick over the bowl.
    Nat slid her feet to the floor carefully, as if the surface might give way. She walked to the table and picked up the envelope. She flipped through several hundred-dollar bills with her fingertips. Staring at the money, the image of the forest surged to mind, as if the path Estos had shown her was now a permanent part of her memory. She looked at Barba in disbelief, feelings of wariness and unease growing inside her. “You need me to deliver a message, that’s it?” Nat put the envelope down and crossed her arms.
    “More or less.” Barba failed to meet her eye.
    “It’s the ‘more’ I’m wondering about,” Nat said. “Aside from the whole entry into my subconscious, it’s a lot of money for just delivering a message.” Nat waited for a response, expecting a catch.
    Barba tapped the end of the stick against the bowl. “We haven’t asked you to do anything illegal.”
    Nat wondered if she was reading her mind. If they could get into her dreams, could they get into her thoughts?
    Barba continued, “None of us can deliver the message, but for reasons that will have no effect on you or your ability to do so. I know we have little history with each other—certainly nothing upon which you can honestly base any sort of trust. But that is what I am asking from you, Natalie—to trust us. This is a simple errand for which you are receiving generous pay, nothing more.”
    Nat sensed there was much more she wasn’t being told. She glanced at the fat envelope of cash. The amount was generous—absurd, in fact. No one would pay her that kind of money to deliver a message unless she was still dreaming.
    “Please dress and drink this. I’ll explain a few things while I mark your arm.” Barba handed her a cup of what smelled like herbal tea. Nat took a sip. It smelled faintly like marigolds but tasted buttery. She placed the cup on the edge of the table and eyed the clothing. After opening the wardrobe, Nat slid off her pants and unbuttoned her flannel shirt. She watched Barba through the crack by the door’s hinge. Her back was to Nat as she dipped the chopstick back into the metal bowl.
    “All your garments must come off, Natalie. Undergarments are tucked under the leggings. No jewelry.”
    “I don’t have any jewelry on,” Nat responded, blushing. She would have preferred to do all of this in the bathroom. “What is this thing?” She flung a thin, fibrous piece of clothing that looked like a unitard over the door.
    “The undergarment. It’s made of a material that can deflect sharp objects. Not that you’ll need to worry about that,” Barba added hastily.
    “So it’s like body armor?” Nat stepped into the material, and it instantly conformed to her shape. Why she