Free A Warrior of Dreams by Richard Parks Page B

so I could observe his dreams. I did! I searched as long and as far as I could. It just wasn't there."
    Tagramon smiled, but there was no humor in it. "When I was a boy — about your age — on the streets of the city we had a riddle. Do they still ask it, Ter? It went like this: 'Many doors in, but out not a one. A wide bed within, but no dreaming's done.' What is it?"
    Ter licked his lips. "A tomb."
    "Well, then. Our client did call himself 'Ghost.' Did he have the odor of the grave about him?" Ter mumbled something. "Speak up, Lad."
    "No, Master."
    Tagramon leaned back in his ornate chair. "So. Twice the Temple of Somna has failed an augury, and perhaps this means the Dreamer is displeased with us. Or perhaps you and Alyssa have overtaxed yourselves. I'm sorry, Ter, but I think a week of rest is in order."
    Ter looked sick. "No, Master! We'll try harder — "
    "To try harder in this is to ensure failure. Be brave! I only ask a week. You may serve your time with your sister, if you like."
    Ter nodded, resigned. "Yes, Master," he hesitated, then added, "Thank you."
    The Dream Master rose and escorted Ter to the door, his arm about the boy's shoulders. He gave him over to one of the White Robes standing guard in the hall and watched until the pair disappeared around a corner. He returned to his seat looking thoughtful. "Belor?"
    A shriveled little gnome of a man in the robes of a priest stepped from behind a curtained alcove. His movements were stiff and precise, like a soldier on slow march. A few strands of wispy white hair framed his face beneath the cowl. His voice was the whisper of a razor on the strop. "Here, Most Beloved of Somna."
    "You heard?"
    Belor nodded. "Certainly. It is most disturbing."
    The Dream Master held his wand in one hand and slowly tapped the palm of the other. "There could be other explanations. Some Nightsouls have all the fire and presence of a cart-nag."
    "Which makes them difficult to read," Belor conceded, "but not to find. I'll admit the Supplicant isn't the first to try to hide his identity from us, but his Nightsoul cannot be found in simple dream by two competent — if uninspired — dreamers. And you and I both know that the true name belongs as much to the Nightsoul, two parts incomplete without the other. I'll wager this 'Ghost' didn't tell us his true name because he doesn't know it himself."
    Tagramon rose and began to pace about the chamber. A statue of the Dreamer gazed down on him through gilded eyelids tightly closed, one exquisite arm raised in blessing. Agmen stopped pacing and contemplated the image for a moment. "You play your part well, Belor, but I think I can make the rest of the journey myself: He's one of the Chosen Ones."
    "I believe so, Master. And he knows what has happened to him. More, he's held enough will together to try to do something about it. That makes him a danger to everything we've worked for, but there's much we don't know. The best way to deal with him, for instance. And we have to know, Master."
    "Then how may we learn?"
    "I have given that some thought, and believe I have a solution. But it will take time to prepare."
    "We have time. The man has requested another augury. I'm sure he'll remain till he hears it."
    "Another? Doesn't he know the first two failed?"
    Tagramon poured wine from a crystal bottle. "He does. But he listened serenely while Alyssa and Ter in turn spouted their nonsense, and each time requested another augury. Not a repeat, mind you — another. With a new Temple Dreamer. No indignation, no protests. He knows what he's after, and he knows he hasn't gotten it, yet."
    Belor bowed low. "Your command, Master?"
    Tagramon took a long lingering sip. "A Supplicant has petitioned the Temple for augury. He shall have it."
    *
    Joslyn moved with cautious speed along the corridor near the dreamers' quarters. It had taken far longer to sneak back into the Temple that she expected, and now acolytes were lighting the evening lamps and Joslyn had no