In the waking world, Artimus was on his horse, knocked unconscious by the potion his daughter had given him, and was on his way to Draco to be healed.
In the dream, he found himself standing in the basement of the Library at Draco.
Indis stood before him, dressed in a flowing white gown, smiling at him through the veil over her face. He smiled back and ran to her.
She remained where she was, arms held open for him.
He continued to run the 3 paces, each step seeming to bring him no closer.
Her white gown was, he realized, a wedding dress. A small red patch spoiled the look.
As he continued to run to her he realized the red patch was getting bigger.
Her throat had been cut!
He finally reached her.
"Who did this?" he asked her. She continued to smile and look at him through the veil.
He glanced down to his hand and saw a dagger - HIS dagger - in his hand, the blade soaked in blood.
"No..." he said softly.
"Yes" she replied, her voice full of the warmth he was used to. "You killed me, my Captain."
"No!" he said again, as if saying it would make it all go away.
"It's alright, I don't blame you. She made you do it."
"Who?" he asked.
Indis's face shimmered slightly and took on a slightly different look. He recognised the healer from Cape Salarain.
"Me." she said, then laughed.
"But..." He looked around him, the library seemingly fading away. "Jade will save me." he said with resolve.
"Jade? Jade who?" asked the healer with a sneering smile on her face.
"My daughter. Jade Marie Morningstar-Blake." He said proudly.
The healer laughed at him.
"She was never your daughter. She was mine from the start. Just another piece of the trap we set."
"No!"
"Oh yes. You don't realize it, but you're dreaming. But in the waking world, I have you. You are mine. Awake and look!"
There was a great flash and he covered his eyes. As they came back to focus, he could see bright daylight, and the countryside passing by at a swift pace.
He was inside a cage, on the back of a carriage. His hands were manacled behind him.
No, he knew he was still dreaming. His left arm was broken, there was no way anyone could manacle him without it hurting.
The healer appeared, sitting on a seat overlooking the cage.
"Ah, you awoke. You see, you truly are mine."
"You're wrong" Artimus smiled at her. "I'm still asleep. My arm proves that."
Once more she laughed.
"Oh yes, because there isn't any potion that can make one part of the body burn with fire. This is what you get when you interfere in my plans."
He blinked, unsure now what was actually happening. He glanced around to see if he could tell where they were, or where they were heading.
That laugh was back again.
"Oh yes, the great ever-observant mr. Morningstar. Don't worry yourself. We're going to Meriddia, where I am in the process of opening up a new shop. This time with a LOT more customers."
She laughed.
"A lot more, once the war starts."
"War?" he asked.
"Oh, did I not mention it. You are going to help me start trouble. I think a small rebellion should suffice. For now."
"I won't be part of your plans." he said.
"My dear Captain, you won't have any choice in the matter. You are now my puppet. And the first thing you're going to do is overthrow the crown and set yourself up as Emperor."
He felt his jaw drop.
"You can't force me to do anything, I can play you back."
"Don't you see? You have already danced the exact tune I wanted you to! That is why you are here right now, because of the trail I left you. Besides, you can't fight potions you know..."
She laughed, a deep and hearty evil laugh. Artimus curled up on the floor of the cage, wondering just where the hell he had gone wrong.
2010-09-03, 08:41