***
My muscles tightened and my eyes flew open. All motion had stopped. I was staring up at a white ceiling. That had been a fun one! I sighed. It was a pity I had to wake up. I looked at the clock: 6:00 am. I might as well get up and get ready for school.
Chapter 5 – The Prince and the Dragon Slayer
The days passed quickly. It was great spending most of my time at the clinic and not much at home. After school, I’d stop at home for a snack and then I’d head out to the clinic. Mom didn’t get physical with me anymore – mostly because we hardly ever saw each other. And the money was probably helping too. Sleeping twelve hours or more each night was actually super fun. The dreams were great. They were so vivid and I almost always remembered them. The stories were better than most things I used to watch on TV. My dreams made me feel happy. And I was sure they were making other people feel happy too.
Each night, I pulled on my orange sleeping cap and settled into my cot. After a couple of weeks, this place and the routine had become familiar and safe. The room with its faint hum faded away as I drifted to sleep.
***
The King watched from a window in the throne room. He feared that he already knew the outcome. Every man who had come at the dragon had perished.
The knight charged the red dragon like no one they had seen before, headlong, horseless and without hesitation. The seven princesses crowded around a second window, their colorful dresses like flowers in a basket. They clung to each other and exchanged whispers as they leaned out. Would this be the hero to save the kingdom from the fearsome beast that had terrorized them for these many months? If he vanquished the dragon, he would win the right to choose one of them as his wife, along with one third of the kingdom’s wealth.
The crown prince watched as well, but from a window one floor up, away from his father’s scornful eye. He clenched his fists. Why couldn’t he fight the dragon? His father had forbidden it; that was why. Though, in truth, the prince didn’t really want to fight it. His father knew that. The king knew his son was no hero and would have only gotten himself killed in the attempt. But whoever won would be the prince’s rival for the throne. Perhaps his father meant to have a more worthy heir through one of his sisters. The prince loosened his hands and observed the crescent shaped indents that his fingernails had made on his palms. His father said his nails were too long. But they had to be long to pluck the strings of his instruments. He and his father had never been close. And his mother was dead. Music was all he had.
His eyes were drawn back to the action. The knight ran at the monster, sword upraised. The monster blew its terrible blue fire and hit the knight dead on. He would be cooked in his armor, as the others had been. But, valiantly, the knight ran on, surprising the prince. Evidently, the dragon was surprised too as the knight got past the fearsome claws on the forelegs and sank his long sword into the creature’s chest. The animal shuddered, reared up and then collapsed to the ground, quivering. The knight pulled his sword free from the dragon’s flesh. A flow of red blood spilled from the mortal wound.
The crown prince crossed his arms over his chest. With any luck, the man would soon die from the wounds he had received during the battle. But, as the knight hacked the creature’s head off, the prince began to doubt his assessment. The knight’s steps did not falter as he approached the castle. The prince stared incredulously. He started down the stairs to the throne room at a brisk pace. The king would expect him there as the hero received his reward.
As he entered the throne room, his father motioned impatiently.
“Hurry up!”
The crown prince cringed. His father always spoke to him like he was a child. The prince’s pace quickened as he approached the king. Neither spoke as the prince took his place, standing to the right of the throne.
His sisters stood in a bunch on their father’s left. One of them was to be the prize, part of it, at least. And the royal priest was also in attendance, just beyond the young women. The king intended to make good his word immediately. One of his sisters would soon be wed. Their eyes were fixed on the open doors, waiting to see what kind of man this would be.
Any hope the prince had of the knight’s being gravely injured fled as the tall, armored hero strode into the throne room. Quickly, he clattered to the throne and knelt on one knee.
The king stood. “Brave Sir, I now offer you one of my children in marriage, as well as one third of my kingdom.”
“Thank you, your Majesty. I accept.” The voice was higher than the prince had expected. He must be a very young man!
“May one of my servants help you with your armor?”
“Yes, thank you.” The hero stood.
A servant rushed from the wings with tools for removing armor.
“That is a fine sword you carry,” remarked the king.
“Thank you, your Majesty. It was a gift from my father.”
“I thought you were cooked for sure,” said the prince.
The king shot him a disapproving look but said nothing. The servant was having a difficult time dismantling the armor.
“I designed this suit myself,” said the knight. “It has water pouches inside which help to absorb the heat.”
“Ingenious!” said the King. “I am so glad to welcome such a brave and intelligent man into my family. What is your name, Sir?”
The servant was finally able to pull the helmet free. The crown prince gasped as he saw the fair face that was revealed.
In my dream, what had been playing like a movie twisted. Now, instead of merely watching the scene, I was one of the characters. To my surprise, I found myself clad in armor, looking up into the face of Bryson.
“I’m a woman actually. My name is Cara,” I said, smiling. The astonished looks on all their faces only added to my delight.
The servant stood gaping for only a second before he recovered and continued to remove the armor. When he had carefully removed my armored gloves, I said, “I’m very excited and honored to become a part of your family, your Majesty. I’ll take that one.” I pointed a bare finger at Prince Bryson.
His mouth opened in surprise and he looked to his father. Though he was technically of marrying age, he had made it clear that he wasn’t interested in getting married yet. And to her?! Bryson noticed, with chagrin, that she had shorter fingernails than he did. Which was probably true in real life too…but the thought drifted away as I was swept along in the dream story.
“Well…yes…” stammered the king. “That is only right and proper, I suppose.” He looked helplessly towards his only son. The king didn’t see any way around it. He had promised that the hero who vanquished the dragon could marry one of his children. Though his son’s dark brown eyes pleaded with him to reconsider, there was no alternative. “Well, yes. You shall now be wed to my son.” He motioned to the priest.
“One moment, Sire. Might I be permitted to change my clothing?” I was wearing only an off-white, one-piece undergarment. “It is not fitting that I should marry the prince wearing this.” I gestured to my humble attire.
The king nodded. “As you wish. My daughters will help you find something suitable to wear.”
The seven princesses stepped gracefully from the raised dais and fluttered around me for a moment. Then, like a flight of colorful butterflies, they led me out of the throne room.
The prince stood awkwardly at his father’s side. Neither of them spoke. Now Bryson was to be a reward for the dragon slayer. He didn’t even know what to feel anymore. He wouldn’t get to marry some cultured beauty who would respect him and adore his music but, instead, he would wed some base woman who wore less makeup than he did. Bryson looked at his father. Was he punishing him? Did he really hate him so? But no. The king had no choice but to honor his word. No one would have ever expected that the hero could be a woman.
Only a short time later, his sisters returned, accompanying the tall, red-haired woman, now wearing a beautiful green dress. His eldest sister curtsied befor
e the king. “This dress was the only one we could find that was the right length and of suitable quality.” The princesses resumed their places on the king’s left.
“Go stand with her.” The king motioned Bryson towards me.
Though her hair was short and she was taller than he was, Bryson had to admit she was attractive. And she did have a kind smile, which she was directing his way at that moment.
“I don’t think I’ve ever worn anything so foolish,” I whispered to him as he took his place beside me.
“You look lovely.” And it was true. She really did.
“I clean up well, I guess.” Beckoning, I led the prince away from the priest and the king, just out of earshot. “Look, you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. If you hate the idea, I’ll tell your father that I’ve changed my mind and I’ll just take the third of his kingdom.”
“You don’t want to marry me?” he asked with a half-smile. “Guess that shouldn’t surprise me.” Not only could he never live up to his father’s standards, this peasant girl didn’t even want him. No, of course she wouldn’t. She was a dragon-slayer. A hero. What was he? A fop. Not good for anything useful at all.
I stared at him until I got his attention. “Of course I want to marry you! But I’m an orphan. I don’t want you feeling trapped with me when you could have had a princess.”
Bryson considered her words as he looked into her open face. “You want to marry me because then you’ll be queen.” He figured it was as good a reason as any other. Anyone who married him would want to do it for that reason only. At least the girl didn’t despise him.
“I do want the security that a marriage with you would bring. But, at first, I was thinking I would take only lands and money. But then I saw your face.” I laughed lightly. Nothing like being honest.
Bryson flushed at her boldness. “You find me attractive?”
“Yes. And you don’t look like an angry or harsh man. I feel safe in my armor but, as a woman…” I looked down at the dress and shrugged. “I don’t feel safe.” Gazing into his face, I asked, “I would be safe marrying you, wouldn’t I?”
“Yes.”
“And do you want to marry me?” I asked hesitantly.
Bryson smiled and took my hand.
“Of course, I want to marry you. You’re the dragon slayer.” He led me back to the dais where the king and the priest were waiting. “We are ready,” the prince announced.
The priest spoke some words but Bryson couldn’t concentrate. Now he would spend the rest of his life with this woman he barely knew. He came to himself and realized the priest had just asked him a question.
“I do,” the prince replied. And so it was done and he led her away as his bride.
***
The scene shifted and we were in his chamber. A harp lay on a small table in the corner of his room. “Do you play this?” I asked.
“Yes.” He walked to the harp and plucked a few strings.
“May I watch you play?”
“If it would please you.”
“It would please me very much.”
Prince Bryson sat down on a stool and began to play. I sat at his feet, looking up at him, smiling. A peculiar warmth spread into my heart. He played and played and I watched him, content.
There was a rattling at the doorknob and then the door flew inward. “Why have I been waiting for you all afternoon?” A stout man with wild white hair filled the doorway.
I startled instantly to my feet. “Who are you, and why do you interrupt my lord and dare to enter his presence without knocking?”
“He’s my tutor,” Bryson explained.
“And just who are you?” asked the large man.
“I am the woman who will one day be queen. Leave now. And never again enter our lord’s presence without first knocking.”
“I don’t have to listen to you, Strumpet.”
“You have not heard word of the dragon slayer who has come to the castle?” asked the prince.
“No.”
I slid a cast iron poker from near the fireplace. “That’s unfortunate for you.” Faster than he could perceive my movements, I had struck the man several light blows and he was sitting on his derriere, looking up in stunned confusion.
“Prince Bryson is your lord and master. Treat him as such. Be sure there is never such a breach again or you shall find yourself very much the worse for it. Now get out!” I held up the fire poker.
The man scrambled backwards to his feet. Then he turned and fled. I pushed the door closed behind him to the sound of Bryson’s laughter. As we gazed at each other, his mirth subsided.
“May I hear you play more? That was beautiful. In my travels, I have heard many minstrels and even musicians who have played before royalty. But I’ve never heard anyone play as well. You have great talent for music.”
“Thank you. You flatter me.” He bowed to me.
“But it’s true. Your music is beautiful, just like your heart.”
“Thank you.” He stepped closer, as though he would hug me, but then he didn’t, clasping his hands in front of him instead. “Some people have made me feel like my music is a waste of time. And that somehow I’m less of a man because I like a violin bow better than a crossbow. But you make me feel…worthy.”
“You have been made for this. And you have been made very good. Now, will you play more?”
The prince smiled. “Gladly.”
Prince Bryson played for me into the early evening. When a timid knock sounded on the door, I walked over and pulled it open. A quivering lad stood just beyond the threshold.
“My Lord the king bade me to call you for supper.”
“Thank you.” I dismissed the servant.
“Shall we go sup?” The prince held out his elbow to me.
“Yes. I’m famished.” I took his arm and he led the way to a grand dining hall. We took a seat at a large, polished wooden table, with the king and his daughters.
“I hear the palace tutor has been abused,” said the king, tearing a bun in half and smearing it with butter.
The prince looked straight at his father. “The man has been chastised. He will knock before entering my chambers.”
Father and son looked at each other and the king pursed his lips. “I suppose that makes sense,” he said finally. “But he said you were idling with music again instead of focusing on your studies.”
Bryson inhaled deeply and seemed to grow taller even as he sat there. “Father, it is my wedding day! And playing music is not wasting my time. Music is a gift I’ve been given. I will play.”
The king put down his food and nodded, looking at me. Then his eyes drifted back to his son. “Marriage suits you. I can see you’re coming into your own.”
And the prince and the dragon slayer lived happily ever after.
***
I woke up and sighed. Dreams were funny. Most often, you were yourself but, sometimes, you were someone else. Sometimes, your perspective changed and you knew what other characters were thinking. I should totally get a raise for that one though! Funny I dreamt of Bryce, again. Wouldn’t it be great if he became a nice guy and loved me like that? And imagine being so bold! I laughed. Guess I dream of him because I sit beside him in Math class every day. I stood up, bare feet on the cool, tile floor. Still, it was an uplifting and entertaining story. Someone must have gotten joy out of that one. I must be doing some good by working for Kingcade Worldcorp.
Later that day, I sat with Bryce again during Math. “I had a weird dream last night,” he announced.
I looked at him. He seemed to be waiting for a response. “Oh yeah?”
“Oh yeah!” He laughed and rocked his chair. Then he let it slam down onto all four legs again and looked at me expectantly.
“I had a weird dream too,” I confessed. Then a sudden panic clenched my gut. He didn’t somehow see what I had dreamed…did he? “Hey, you don’t ever use Eclipsesys, do you?”
“Pfftt…Nope. That’s stupi
d stuff. I don’t want to peer in on random people’s dreams. That’s for losers.” He was quiet as his eyes stared into mine like laser beams. “Why, what did you dream?”
“Never mind. What did you dream?” I asked sharply. What was his problem? He knew I worked there.
“Never mind,” he mimicked in a high voice. Then he laughed.
Why was he such a jerk? I stood and picked up my books. “I’m getting pretty sick of your attitude, Bryson. Seriously, just leave me alone.”
“It’s Blaze. And you came and sat beside me.”
“A mistake I won’t repeat.” I walked across the room and sat beside some girl whose name I didn’t know.
“Hey, Angel, I’m sorry. Come back,” he called as he patted the empty seat beside him. Several people nearby snickered.
But I ignored him. He didn’t love me. We weren’t even friends. Why had I started sitting with him anyway? I couldn’t let my foolish romantic dreams influence me in the real world.
Chapter 6 – Not Incorporeal
The days passed quickly. I kept attending school and I still tried to do my best and to help people there – because that was the right thing to do. But I didn’t really care about school anymore. My marks dropped a little because studying seemed pretty meaningless to me now. I ignored both Dennis and Bryce, which was easy because they both ignored me too. I started sleeping longer at the clinic. The longer I slept, the more money I made. The dreams started seeming more real to me than my life at school. Soon I was sleeping about sixteen hours a day and stopping in at home only to shower, change my clothing and grab a quick bite to eat before heading out the door. I was giving most of my paychecks to my mother. She seemed really happy whenever I saw her, and she started leaving little notes on the table for me. Today’s message read: