Whispers of a Faded Dreamer

  The bus pulled up to my stop. I lugged the suitcase back down the stairs. The apartment building was less than half a block away. I pulled the suitcase handle up so that I could tow it behind me on its wheels. I walked the short distance to the building and then punched in my code on the keypad by the door. The lobby was spacious and clean but devoid of furniture, to discourage loitering. The tiled floor reflected the florescent lights from the ceiling. I pressed the elevator button. The monotony of life made me love my dream world even more. At least, there, I felt important and valued.

  The elevator dinged and the doors swooshed open. I stepped inside, onto the red carpet, lugging my suitcase behind me. On the sixth floor, the elevator released me into a darker, carpeted hallway. I followed the hallway and then opened the door to my room. After locking the door behind me, I sat on my suitcase in the barren apartment suite. Guess I’ll have to order some furniture or something. But that could wait. I looked at my watch. Yes! I could start my shift at the clinic now.

  I left all my worldly possessions in the middle of the floor and hurried to the clinic. Excitement began to swell in anticipation, pushing back the depression I tended to feel during my waking hours.

  ***

  I looked down from the castle wall at a large meadow and, beyond it, an old forest. It was nearly sunset. My velvet, royal blue gown fell to my feet, and my hair was gathered into one braid that went down my back. I felt something on my head. My fingers found a metal circlet there. I pulled it off to study it. A delicate crown. I must be a princess.

  Returning the crown to its place on my head, I looked down again on the scene of lengthening shadows. No one was there now. But I felt that, perhaps, something was coming, something ominous. I startled at a sound from behind me. Turning, I saw him. An unimpressive form but I knew it was the High King. His brown eyes were filled with joy and a majestic golden crown rested upon his head. He wore a kingly robe. His attire seemed to suit him perfectly and yet, at the same time, it seemed like he was playing dress-up because the trappings were so far beneath his true splendor.

  “It’s you!” I said.

  “Yes.”

  “You’re the High King.”

  “Of course.” He smiled and held out his arms to me. I flung myself into his embrace. He held me tightly. “You are my daughter. My princess.” I felt safe. When we parted, there was a serious look on his face. “I have an important job for you.”

  “Okay.” I would do whatever he asked. He led me down into the courtyard where we found a bevy of children playing and dancing. He took my hand and we watched them for a few minutes. I enjoyed their energy and the carefree smiles on their faces. They waved at us from time to time.

  “These are also my children,” he explained.

  “I am to care for them?” I asked.

  “In a manner of speaking, yes. But it is more than that.” We turned away from the happy scene and he led me to the castle gate, which was open to the meadow. “I must go now, on an important journey. It is imperative I leave right away. You must guard my little children while I am gone.”

  “But...” I stared into his deep brown eyes. “I can’t do that. Just look at me.” I looked down at my fancy princess dress.

  “Of course you can. I am leaving you my sword. If you keep hold of this sword, you cannot lose.” He pulled a heavy-looking sword from a jewel-encrusted sheath hanging from his belt. As the sword pulled free, it emitted a low hum and glowed blue. He held the sword’s hilt towards me.

  “I can’t do this!” I protested. “I’m just Cara the Dreamer.”

  “You are a Dreamer because I have made you such. And, today, I call you Cara the Warrior Dreamer. You were made for such a time as this. Take the sword.”

  I took the sword, wrapping my fingers around the hilt. It was not as heavy as it looked. The sword glowed with an inner life, even in my hands. “I will do as you say.”

  The king hugged his little ones goodnight and they scampered off to bed. I continued to hold the sword unsheathed. Its glow illuminated the courtyard. Dusk was coming to an end. Night was almost here. The High King mounted a white stallion and looked down at me.

  Authority rang in his voice as he spoke, “The sword – it’s part of me. As long as you hold onto it, you cannot fail.”

  “I will hold on to the sword. I will guard your little ones.” I would not doubt the High King. He said it. I believed it.

  “Stand here,” he said, indicating the gate. “Do not be surprised if the Dark Knight comes.”

  “Should I close the gate or something?”

  “No, Cara. You must never try to hide or flee. If you fight the Dark Knight with this sword, he will flee from you.”

  When I looked up into his face, I knew his words were truth. “I will do as you say.”

  “Cara the Warrior Dreamer, you must fight.” And, with that, he clucked to the horse and flicked the reigns. Soon darkness hid him from view.

  I stood with the sword out in front of me like I’d seen in movies. Whoever was out there, I hoped they would be intimidated by the glowing sword and not come near. I must protect the children of the High King.

  Though I stood there for a long time, I didn’t feel tired and my arm didn’t waver. Energy seemed to be flowing from the sword into me. Then I heard the sound of hoof beats. But I knew it wasn’t the High King returning. It was something evil. My skin crawled, as the hoof beats grew louder. I raised the sword higher and tried to brace my muscles. The hairs on the back of my neck rose. I was afraid but stood firm. Courage also seemed to flow from the sword, up my arms and into my heart. I would not fail the High King.

  Two figures dressed in black, atop black horses, pulled up just short of trampling me with their steeds. I didn’t flinch. The figures dismounted. They were wearing armor and helmets. One was as tall as a giant.

  “I’m the daughter of the High King!” I shouted. “So…be off with you!”

  The giant roared with laughter. Granted, I didn’t really sound that intimidating. I clung to the sword in desperation, as I held it out in front of me.

  As the evil giant rushed at me, he pulled a huge sword from his belt. He raised it, ready to strike. Then, faster than I was able to see it happen, the sword in my hand blocked the blow and then slashed, all of its own volition. It was all I could do to hang on. The sword beat back the giant. Striking his sword, his armor, his shield. I couldn’t even register all the lightning quick moves the sword of the High King was making.

  Somehow, the smaller, black-clad figure thought he had a chance and he moved in. The sword struck him across the faceplate from above. His helmet split in two and clattered to the ground. The man fell onto his back, blood gushing from a diagonal wound across his face.

  The giant took the opportunity to remount his horse and ride off into the darkness. The other horse followed him. I heard the hoof beats fade out into the distance. But I was still looking at the fallen man, too stunned to move. It was Bryce!

  Hesitantly, I stepped closer and stood over him, sword in hand. By the blue light from the blade, I saw fear in his good eye. The other one I couldn’t see for all the blood.

  “Cara...”

  “Why do you travel with the Dark Knight!?” I shouted at him. I knew it wasn’t really Bryce but I was still angry.

  He put his hands out in front of him, in surrender, as blood pooled around him. “Let me live and I will switch allegiances. I will. I promise. I’ll change. You’ll see.”

  The sword didn’t want to act against him further so I nodded. “Very well.”

  He stood, shakily. I thought I would help him then -wash his wounds - but he darted off into the shadows and was gone.

  I stood at the gate, with the sword in my hand, until the gray light of pre-dawn filled the sky. Then, as the sun crested the horizon, I heard hoof beats. It was the white horse and, atop the horse, was the High King.

  He dismounted and pried the glowing sword from my stiff fingers. “You have done well
, Cara the Warrior Dreamer.”

  “It was Bryce. The sword cut his face.” Tears filled my eyes. “I didn’t want to hurt him. Didn’t even know it was him until his helmet came off.”

  The king sheathed the sword and then looked down at me. “You did the right thing.” He pulled me into an embrace. “Just keep fighting the good fight, Cara.” He pulled away so that we could look into each other’s eyes.

  ***

  I woke up to the white ceiling of the clinic. Pulling the orange cap from my head, I tossed it to the counter. Waking up made me feel sad. I wondered if the High King in my dreams was really him. Somehow I knew it was. I had dreamed of him many nights now. Only, why would the High King want to come visit me in my dreams? Surely he had much more important things to do. Was I really Cara the Warrior Dreamer?

  Chapter 10 – Making Castles and the Masquerade

  The sun was shining down on a beach and I was standing with my bare toes in the sand. And I was short, really short, and I had very little feet. I squinted down at them. Oh, yeah. I laughed. It was because I was just a kid. I scanned the beach. It wasn’t familiar to me. I had never played here before, as far as I could recall. Large waves lapped against the shore. Was this the ocean? Was this a vacation? I looked around again. I couldn’t see my parents anywhere. But then I saw a dark-haired little boy nearby. He was starting a sandcastle. I thought I recognized him. Slowly I approached. He looked up and saw me. A tentative smile formed on his face.

  “Hi,” he said. It was Bryson! Did we play together? Were we friends? I continued walking slowly towards him.

  “Whatcha working on?” I asked.

  He gestured to the pile of sand he was standing beside. “It’s going to be the best sandcastle ever. I’m going to make one so big a person could live in it!”

  “That sounds fun! Can I help?”

  “Sure!”

  I dropped to my hands and knees. I felt the dry hot sand of the pile he had gathered. “I think the sand needs to be more wet to stick together.”

  Bryson nodded. He picked up his red pail and walked to the water’s edge. Scooping up some water, he walked back and dumped it on the sand. Sand washed away, leaving a groove where he had poured. “That’s cool!” he said. “A river!”

  “Let’s make this pile even bigger!” I suggested.

  “Yeah! Let’s make it up to the sky! …Or at least as big as me!”

  “Okay!” I pushed with my hands and he dug with his white plastic shovel. Then we switched off and he pushed the sand with his hands and I dug with the shovel. We made a pile as high as Bryson’s shoulders and twice as long as I was, when I lay down beside it.

  “This is super-cool!” said Bryson.

  “It totally is!” We added more water to the sand and patted it with our hands to form it. We made towers with his pail. And we used driftwood sticks for flagpoles. We worked on the castle until the sun was setting out over the ocean.

  “Well, guess that’s it,” I said.

  “It’s the most perfect sand castle ever!” Bryson declared.

  I looked around. Some dark clouds were in the sky and the wind was picking up. “It’s getting dark.”

  “Yeah.”

  “I wonder where my parents are.”

  Bryson shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  “But it’s almost nighttime.”

  We looked around the beach again. There was no one else there. It was just the two of us. I sat down beside our sandcastle and wrapped my arms around my knees. Bryson sat down beside me. I looked out at the water as the sun set. It was pretty but more and more clouds were gathering. Soon the wind was making me cold. I shivered. It was dark now.

  “Bryson, what are we going to do?” I asked.

  “I don’t know. I don’t even remember how I got here.”

  I looked beyond the beach. There was a large, rocky hill at the edge of the sand.

  “We could climb up that hill to get a better look around. Maybe we could see someone who can help us,” I suggested.

  “Right. Let’s go.” Bryson stood up and brushed the sand off his legs. Large drops of rain began to fall. “Race ya!”

  I scrambled to my feet. We streaked across the sand as the rain pelted down on us. The hill was steep and the rocks were slick because of the rain. We had to use our hands to help us get up the hill. When we reached the top, we saw a cabin. There was a light on in the window. Surely someone was home. Bryson reached the door first and knocked. Lightning split the sky as the door opened. I gasped in fright, but then I saw that the man at the door had a kind face. Somehow, I recognized him…It was the High King! Wherever I went, there he was. And here he was in a cabin by the sea.

  “Hello,” I said.

  His eyes twinkled. “Hello.” He knew that I knew who he was. But Bryson didn’t seem to notice. “Come on in. You can sit by the fire. I’ve been expecting you.” In the hearth, a fire blazed. On the table was a big pot of chicken noodle soup and two bowls.

  “I’ve also made some supper.” He gestured to the table.

  “I’m starved!” said Bryson, abandoning the fire and veering towards the large wooden table. I followed him and sat on a wooden chair beside him. The High King took the ladle and served us the soup.

  “Thank you,” I said.

  “Yeah. Thanks,” said Bryson.

  It was good to know there was someone who was always taking care of me, even when my parents weren’t there.

  The soup was hot and salty. It warmed me up from the inside. After supper, we sat with the High King by the fire. Bryson told him all about the sandcastle we had made.

  “It was the biggest castle I’ve ever made! The highest flagpole came up past the top of my head! Maybe, tomorrow, we can go down to the beach and I can show the castle to you.”

  I looked at the High King’s face. It felt wonderful being with him, under his care. The High King pulled two sleeping bags from a closet. “These are for you. In the morning, we’ll go down to the beach like Bryson wants.” He laid the sleeping bags out on the floor. Bryson and I crawled in. Suddenly, I felt so tired and so comfortable. I looked over at Bryson. He was already asleep. My eyelids felt heavy. I let them close.

  The next thing I knew, it was morning. I opened my eyes to see the timber roof of the cabin. With a start, I sat up. It was odd waking up here…wasn’t it? I looked and saw that Bryson was still sleeping beside me. He woke up to find me looking at him.

  Bryson grinned. “Liking what you’re seeing?”

  I blushed. “I was just seeing if you were still asleep.”

  “Nope. I’m not.” He scrambled out of the sleeping bag and stood up, just as the High King walked into the room.

  “Did you two have a nice sleep?” he asked politely.

  “Yeah, but it was weird.” Bryson replied. “I didn’t dream. I always dream.”

  The High King smiled and half-shrugged. “This is a different kind of place.”

  “Can we go down and look at the sandcastle now? I’ve just got to show you!”

  “Sure.”

  I was hungry. I had thought we would have breakfast first. But Bryson’s enthusiasm won me over too. “Yeah, it is a really great sand castle. We worked on it all day!”

  The High King and I followed Bryson out of the little cabin and down the steep, rocky hill. It was much easier walking down, in the daylight and when the ground was dry.

  We had almost reached the beach when Bryson spoke from the front of our little group. “I don’t see it.”

  I stepped past the High King to get a better view. The sandy shore was littered with driftwood and seaweed. Bryson ran out across the sand. The High King and I followed along after him. Bryson stopped at the place where our sandcastle had stood.

  “It was right here.” He kicked at a piece of slimy seaweed.

  “It stormed last night,” explained the High King.

  “I guess it got washed away,” I said.

  “Aww…That’s too bad,” said
Bryson.

  “Guess that’s why they say you shouldn’t build your house upon the sand,” I said.

  “That’s right, Cara.” The High King smiled at me and I smiled back. “You should build your house upon the rock.”

  “Like you did?” asked Bryson, looking back at the hill where we had come from.

  “Like I am.” The High King smiled at him. “Blaze, it’s me.”

  ***

  I startled awake and sat up. Only this time, I was in the clinic. I wasn’t a little kid anymore. And neither was Blaze. And we didn’t get to play together on the beach. We weren’t even in school together anymore. In fact, I’d probably never see him again. That thought left me a little sad. It had been…nice. Hopefully he never engaged in Eclipsesys. How embarrassing it would be if he knew I dreamed of him almost every night! But he probably wouldn’t start using Eclipsesys. He had scorned the idea when we had spoken of it years ago. And movie stars were super-busy, right? I sighed and eased down from the bed. I seriously had to get a real life. Waking up was getting to be a real drag. I looked at the clock. Hmm…actually I could sleep a little longer. I lay back down and closed my eyes, eager to escape into a different world.

  ***

  It was evening, the sky lit with twilight’s glow. I walked down the sidewalk. There were voices coming from beyond the tall hedges up ahead - happy voices - and a slight swooshing of fabric coming from me. I looked down at myself. To my delight, I saw a fancy evening dress, gold and…probably dark blue, but it was hard to tell in the fading light. Perhaps I was going to a ball. I rounded the hedge.

  Torchlight reflected off water. Flickering torches lit a glorious fountain in the center of a pool on a large patio. Groups of people stood here and there, laughing or engaging in lively conversations. They were dressed in finery. And - they were wearing masks! I put my hand to my face and found a mask there also. How fantastic! I had always wanted to be invited to a masquerade ball! As I joined the party, no one remarked on my presence. So far, so good. You could never tell how these sorts of things would go. I realized I didn’t even know who the host was. Hmm…guess I’m crashing this party. I joined a small circle of people near me. They made room for me and several nodded in my direction. I noticed, in particular, a man with a very large feather coming out of the top of his mask.