Ryan gestured for the others to precede him as they stepped off the dais. Dreams always centered around him and yet the others seemed focused on everything but him. And he had to admit that this felt real. He felt the heat of the sun each time he stepped into it. The voices around him had an accent he couldn’t have imagined if he’d tried. He took a deep breath through his nose and caught a subtle but acrid smell of sweat, as if those nearby didn’t bathe often. If this was a dream, his senses were far more alive than usual. A nagging feeling told him something was wrong and he began to frown.
“After this meeting,” he started, addressing Sonneri, “we could use some time alone to discuss matters, if that wouldn’t be too much trouble.”
“Certainly,” agreed the wizard.
Ryan brought up the rear, noticing that his finely carved, golden plate armor fit perfectly and was well adjusted despite the number of straps holding it together. Even the underlying chain mail was the right size. A golden sword sheath hung from one hip, where a helmet held fast to his waist, tightly tied to keep it from bouncing. That’s when he noticed how quiet the armor was. His RenFest made all sorts of noise, chain mail clinking and straps squeaking, but not this one. It seemed designed for stealth and actual usage.
As the throne room disappeared behind them, he cast a glance back, wondering if stepping onto the Stonehenge-like dais would send them home. That’s when the similarity between it and the monument struck him along with a suspicion as to the real nature of England’s most famous archeological site. Maybe they’d learned what it was really for after all.
Chapter 3 – The Quest
Eric entered the War Room behind the wizard Sonneri and Prime Minister, the others trailing him. He had already noticed that his comfortable black leathers were supple and well worn. Metal studs designed to deflect swords dotted both the tunic and the arm bands that covered his black linen shirt. His fingers discreetly picked his own pockets, discovering coins, an unworn ring, some small tools he guessed were lock-picking aids, and a hidden knife. Other blades were scattered about his person, some in view like the dagger and sword on opposite hips and the bandoleer of throwing knives across his chest, but smaller ones lay along his forearms, thighs, and even the back of his neck. He suspected more knives were in places he couldn’t reach now, like the soundless black boots that fit better than any he’d ever worn. A pouch at one hip held a white powder that reminded him of the chalk he used when rock climbing.
As he moved to a large table, he was caught between wanting to study every last item he saw, playing a part that he sensed required more nonchalance and confidence than he felt, and blurting out questions to his friends about their opinion of what was happening. He knew this was no dream, and yet how could it be real? Now appeared to be a chance to get answers from those who’d brought them here, so he focused on that. Getting reactions from his friends would have to wait. In fact, he hoped their own sense of decorum kept them from saying the wrong thing. Ryan in particular looked like he wasn’t taking this very seriously up until now, when Eric saw him frown and look concerned. He fixed each of them with a stern gaze, wishing that more than he and Matt understood sign language. He took the opportunity to sign a few comments to his supposed wizard friend.
He signed, I don’t know what’s going on but take this seriously until we’re alone, okay?
Yeah, no problem.
Try to influence the others with demeanor, etc.
Especially Ryan.
Exactly.
Eric saw Anna watching him intently, a question in her serious eyes, and he sensed she was on board.
They stopped around a large hexagonal table where Prime Minister Diam spread several maps of Olliana, in Kingdom Alunia, and nearby kingdoms. Along the walls hung swords, lances, other weapons, and tapestries of battle scenes. The standing suits of armor showed signs of use and suggested historical significance. Glass cases lined the room and presented peace treaties and other scrolls. Ryan leaned his lance against one wall, gazing up at the banner tied to the end. Eric wondered what was on it.
“It’s been some time since your last visit,” began the Prime Minister.
Eric tried to hide his surprise. If they were thought to have been here before, didn’t anyone recognize this wasn’t true? Did the four from Earth look enough like whoever had been expected that no one could tell the difference? That was a question he couldn’t ask.
“Yes, it has,” Eric said. “Can you remind us of the situation then and since?”
“Certainly,” the Prime Minister replied. “While both good and evil dragons exist on some worlds, only the latter existed here on Honyn. They long terrorized villages and towns in all kingdoms, but they generally acted alone, so the threat was manageable if not entirely satisfactory. Trouble arose years ago when a strong leader coerced coordination from the others. A female named Nir’lion rose to power and was the most aggressive we’ve ever seen. The resulting campaign of terror was so fearsome that when we last summoned you, you determined they had earned a banishment from Honyn.”
Eric saw his friends look surprised. They needed to control their expressions better. He tried to divert attention to himself by asking, “And is that what we did? Banish them? To…another world? It’s been a while. Please refresh our memory, almost as if we’ve never been here before. We won’t be offended if you tell us something we remember.”
“Yes, Andier.”
The martial artist cocked his head. “How did you say that name?” he asked as if it wasn’t pronounced correctly.
The Prime Minister looked concerned. “Did I not say it right? I beg
