Squinting and shielding his eyes in the bright sunlight, Ryan tried to make out his surroundings. The air tingled and he felt invigorated and refreshed, as if awakening from a deep sleep. Words of blue fire were fading from the stone pillars around them, but it wasn’t Stonehenge. These were a foot in diameter and well kept. The tallest were at the back and they decreased in size to an inch high in the front. A raised dais lay underfoot, where more decorative markings faded from view. Above them in a towering hall of grey limestone, sunlight poured in from huge stained-glass windows depicting dragons, elves, knights, and other fantastic sights.
And there were people, standing at the far end of the room, staring in amazement. Dressed in finery befitting a royal medieval court, scores of them stood against the tapestry-covered walls, fur-lined or silken tunics and leggings as well-kept as their brushed hairs and trimmed beards on the men. In the room’s center stood a tall, robed figure, white hair and a matching beard flowing past his belted waist. A large book lay open on a podium before him. He lowered a staff similar to the one in Matt’s hand to the floor and looked every bit the wizard. Behind him stood a pair of thrones, one empty, the other bearing a regal woman in an elaborate gown, a golden crown upon her head. Nearby stood people that looked like they might be her advisors, one of whom rose and came toward them with an outstretched hand.
“The gods be praised! They have come!”
The crowd murmured and the queen rose slowly, eyes moving from one arrival to the next, studying their faces. Ryan didn’t know what to say or do and sensed that little of either was probably best. At last the queen raised her chin regally.
“Welcome,” she began in a clear voice, a smile growing. “Welcome to Olliana, capitol of the Kingdom of Alunia, on the world of Honyn. I am Queen Lorella, ruler of this land, and I have summoned you for a noble quest, to free our land of dragons as before, and return peace to our world.”
While a round of cheers greeted this announcement, Matt leaned over to Ryan and quietly repeated, “Quest?”
“Did she say ‘dragons’?” Anna whispered, wide-eyed.
“Yes,” replied Ryan in amazement, wondering if they were sharing a delusion. He was dreaming. That was it. He was back at their hotel room having a cool dream. He relaxed.
“We are most excited by your return to Honyn,” the queen continued, “and word will go forth at once that the Ellorian Champions have answered our call, for so many worlds depend upon your aid that all will rejoice at your return after these many years.” She paused expectantly and Ryan realized all the important-looking people were staring at him. The queen clearly thought they were someone else but now was probably not the time to ask who. He cleared his throat.
“Thank you for this reception, Your Majesty,” he replied, voice booming off the tall walls as he played a part just like at RenFest. Improvising this sort of thing now came naturally. Why couldn’t all of his dreams be this awesome? “What is the nature of this quest?”
Queen Lorella announced, “You must fight your way to the Dragon Gate, defeat the dragon guarding it, and reseal it. If you fail, every life on Honyn shall perish, as shall each of you.”
Under his golden armor, a sheen of sweat soaked Ryan’s clothes. Kill or be killed? Dream or not, that struck a nerve and brought up old, painful memories. Distracted, he slowly became aware that Anna was urgently whispering his name and that everyone was waiting for his response. He cleared his throat. “We’re honored to answer your call,” he said, projecting confidence, “and look forward to fulfilling your quest.”
That brought happy murmurs from the crowd but not Eric, who whispered, “Ryan, don’t promise anything like that.”
Fingering the lance, the supposed knight murmured, “Well I had to say something, didn’t I? Besides, this isn’t real.”
“Well, maybe not,” Eric began, seeming less confident than usual, “but watch what you say.”
“You are most welcome, Lord Korrin of Andor,” Queen Lorella replied to Ryan. “Please accept our invitation to a great banquet in your honor tonight. While your suite is prepared, my Prime Minister and the Arch Wizard of Olliana, Sonneri, will explain what lies before you. The quest will begin tomorrow.” She regally turned to leave, an escort of pages following.
“Great, this dream will probably end without anything cool happening,” observed Ryan. He pinched himself, surprised that it hurt. It felt real.
As the queen disappeared, a tidal wave of chattering sycophants plunged toward them until guards intervened, cleaving a path for Sonneri and the queen’s Prime Minister. The latter wore golden trousers and a sash over his embroidered tunic – a rectangular piece of cloth slipped over the head and belted at the waist. Sonneri’s pine staff thumped on the floor as he approached, one hand on his prodigious belly, grandfatherly eyes bright. He pulled a pipe from his blue robe and lit it with a snap of his fingers. He looked pleased as he bowed.
“Greetings,” said the wizard in a gravelly voice. “We are most surprised to see you here.”
“So are we,” Matt wryly observed.
“If you, uh, summoned us,” began Anna, coming forward, “why are you surprised to see us. Were you expecting someone else?”
He bowed even lower to her. “My lady Eriana, no one could possibly come in your stead, but you have not graced a world with your presence in many years, and so we did not expect you to come.”
“I see,” she said. Her eyes lingered on a slender figure observing them from beside the empty thrones. As if noticing this, the man turned away, the cloak on his back swirling to reveal an embroidered tree. Fluid, graceful steps carried him away.
Sonneri continued. “If you’ll come with us, the Prime Minister
