Free Dream a Little Dream by Piers Anthony Page A

happen to her precious dreams if she let Kafka down. She couldn’t imagine going through life without being able to escape reality in her dreams. She hugged Esprit’s neck, and he blew air through his nostrils in response. How could a simple girl like her possibly hope to save an entire world? She decided she had to try, for the sake of Mich and Esprit. She just had to do it!
    Nola looked at Mich, who was riding ahead of her. He sat confidently on Heat’s back. He bounced a little, as there was no saddle, but he rode well. His broad shoulders were squared and his hair flew about wildly in the wind. He was very comely. He turned and smiled back at her and she was reassured. Actually she seemed to be keeping her place on Spirit’s back well enough; maybe there was some magic holding her there, because even if she had been an expert rider, she wouldn’t be able to ride well bareback sidesaddle.
    “We don’t have much time left! Come on!” Mich yelled. He delicately squeezed Heat’s ribs with his knees and Heat faltered, then lunged forward into a full run.
    Nola figured this would be a laudable time for her to show off. Esprit already knew what she wanted. He too lunged forward, almost dislodging her despite the magic as he thrust his body ahead. She clung tightly to his thick mane as he galloped. His great black hoovesbeat thunderously beneath them, kicking up large rocks and clods of dirt. The hairs of his mane were so fine and silky, yet it seemed as if each one was made of steel wire.
    It was only a moment before Esprit was in front of Heat, and he was still running strongly when Nola heard Mich call faintly for her to stop. He wasn’t very far behind but it was difficult to hear over the pounding of hooves. Nola started to wonder if something was wrong. Esprit slowed to a trot and stopped, his sides heaving.
    They had covered a lot of ground. Nola had dreamed that Esprit was fast, but this was incredible. She'd never experienced anything so pleasurable. She was pleased to read in Spirit’s mind that he felt the same. They had left the Forest of Imagination behind and were within sight of the River of Thought, on their left, and Welton Town was also nearby, though out of sight.
    “What’s wrong, Mich?” she asked, panting for breath.
    “Nothing,” he said as he caught up. “It’s just that we're almost to Welton Town and the townspeople wouldn’t like it if we just came crashing in. Besides, we left poor Snort far behind. He can fly pretty fast, but he’s not that fast.”
    She realized that she had been thoughtless, in her sheer delight of the ride. It had been fun to ride Spirit on the beach in the real world, but here in Kafka it was absolutely glorious. “Where is the town?”
    “It’s just over that rise in the meadow,” he said, pointing. “The Welties don’t like unisi. They are scared that their crops will get trampled.”
    “Welties?” Nola asked, perplexed.
    “Their name implies their state. They are people like you and me, but their bodies are black and blue and covered with lumps and bumps, otherwise known as, you guessed it, welts.” Mich looked up. “Here’s Snort.”
    Nola looked up too. Snort was flying downward to them on hisnearly inadequate wings, leaving a trail of steam behind. He landed with a thud on his short front legs and did a clumsy somersault. He shook himself and looked toward Mich, annoyed.
    “I’m sorry, little guy,” Mich said, patting Snort’s brown head. “We just got a little excited. We won’t leave you behind again. That is, except for now. I don’t think the Welties would appreciate you as much as we do, so you will have to stay with Heat and Spirit and travel to the southern fringe of Welton Town. We will meet you there. Be careful; the Fren might be wandering about. We'll see you soon.” He patted Snort again.
    “One question,” Nola said. “Why do we have to go through here at all? Can’t we just go around?”
    “We are going to need all