History could be rewritten, the future explored, and the depths of space and of the undiscovered corners of the mind could be unlocked.
The greatest power of all, the ability to encounter new worlds of existence, could be discovered with this single ability to dream.
I heard footsteps outside and stuffed the book under my jacket. My mind swam with information. New worlds of existence? What had the author meant by that? It seemed an odd choice of words. I had to read more. The key to saving my godson could very well be in this book.
Kull stuck his head in the tent. “Would you ask if these people have seen my sister?”
“Why don’t you?”
“And demand the return of my weapon.”
“Kull—”
“Thank you, Olive.” He left without another word. I rubbed my throbbing shoulder, wishing I’d found someone else as my traveling companion.
The tent’s fabric rustled behind the desk, and a man entered the room. My heart rate spiked. I wished Kull would come back, even with his brainless remarks and cockiness. I wished I didn’t have to be alone with this man.
Geth, I assumed, strode toward me. He wore the same clothing as the rest of the nomads, his dark fur cloak covering a leather tunic and breeches, though I noticed his muscled frame made the clothing stretch tight. His skin looked tanned and careworn, although he appeared to be in his mid-thirties. Gold earrings shone from his nose and ears—the same pointed ears as the rest of the group. His hand rested casually on a bone-hilted knife at his waist.
Geth’s eyes were what made me fearful. They were hate filled. He looked as though he held a grudge against me, though I had no clue how I’d offended him.
He stopped inches away from me.
Should I stand? I felt as though he expected me to bow or kiss his knuckles or something. Instead I sat petrified.
“Where is the Wult?” he demanded.
“Gone,” I said, finding my voice. “He is still unwell and thought it best to return to the healer’s tent.”
“To rest?”
“Yes.”
Geth laughed. He moved back and leaned against his desk, arms folded. “I wasn’t aware that Wult warriors needed rest. He must be less of a fighter than I realized.”
I didn’t know how to respond.
“My healer tells me the Wult has been inflicted with a strange malady.”
“Yes.”
“A black wound that seems to move beneath his skin.”
I nodded.
“I have heard of such a thing. The illness is caused by a creature of dark magic. I encountered the being not long ago. Your friend is lucky to be alive.”
“Do you know what the creature is?”
“I’ve never heard its name, but I know this.” He leaned forward. “These lands are not safe. The dark creatures, though dangerous, are not the only threats to us. My men claim to have seen a Dreamwalker. They saw its true form—a woman, possibly elf or human, who used her spells to disguise her identity and capture her victims in their dreams.”
Until now, I’d assumed the Dreamthief to be a spirit, perhaps even a Regaymor. For the creature to be an actual person came as a surprise. “The Dreamwalker is a person?”
“Yes. The creatures that afflicted your Wult friend follow this person, this Dreamwalker, the spellcaster woman.”
“Where did they see the Dreamwalker?”
“Near the Wultland’s border.”
“Are they certain it was a mortal person?”
“Yes. And you,” he waved his hand at me, “are female. Human, or elf? Both, perhaps?” He leaned forward. “How is it that you discovered us?”
What should I tell him? I wasn’t sure who he was, and I certainly didn’t think it wise to trust him. I was certain he didn’t trust me. “I am a traveler from Earth Kingdom. I wished to tour Faythander and employed the Wult as my guide. I’d hoped to see the Wult Mountains, though my guide got us lost and we found our way here.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “He got you lost?”
I nodded.
Geth rubbed his chin. “I see. Then our meeting is merely a coincidence?”
“Yes.”
“We don’t get many visitors in these lands. You must understand that I find it quite odd to find you here, in these unforgiving lands, without food or shelter.”
He was toying with me, trying to find my real purpose for traveling to the goblin lands, but I refused to tell him more than necessary. It was time to turn the tables. “One could ask the same of you—why would a group of people choose the goblin lands as their home unless they needed somewhere to hide?”
He barked a laugh and then circled behind his desk. “We’ve got our reasons, ones I will not divulge to you. But tell me,” he leaned forward, knuckles pressed to the table, “have you seen this Dreamwalker?”
I crossed my arms. “I haven’t.”
“You are sure about this?”
I nodded.
His glare deepened. He didn’t believe me, but he didn’t press the issue further. “Will you stay long? Or can we expect you to leave shortly?”
I stood, meeting his gaze. “We will leave as soon as our injuries are healed.”
“Then, for your health, I hope you heal quickly.”
I couldn’t mistake the hostility in his voice. He turned and left the same way he’d entered. I watched him go, fear making my heart beat wildly. I took a step toward the opening and exited the tent, the book still tucked inside my coat.
Chapter 19
Walking quickly, I hoped to make it through the camp as soon as I could. Only a few people remained outside. They gave me unfriendly glares as I found the healer’s tent.
I stepped inside to find Kull sitting in front of the coals with his eyes closed. His hair was damp, and he wore a clean white peasant’s shirt with ties in the front and leather breeches. I knelt beside him
