Beyond the Dream

  *

  At halfday Prince Karmalaine called a break. He supped in his private chambers on a plate of flying ham and wilderberries. After this and several glasses of glinting glade which sparkled in the glass he went back to the raven chair. He prepared himself for another dreary afternoon of longing for the sunshine and was listening to the boring rain of petitioners.

  He was surprised, however, to see his first audience after lunch was with a tallow bear. The bears lived in the Mercurial Chambers which they guarded and it was strange to see them in the city. They were a reclusive bunch with whom Karmalaine rarely had contact.

  The bear had left his silver scythe at the bottom of the stairwell for none were allowed into the presence of the Prince bearing arms. Even unarmed the tallow bear had long claws, however. The strange, sunken and shrivelled skin did not stop him from being an imposing figure who, at nearly seven feet tall, towered over Clemen and the Prince.

  “Greetings, welcome to the Prince’s Palace. What is your quandary?” asked Karmalaine. The bear shifted from foot to foot and rubbed his claws together. It took only a moment for the Prince to realise the bear was nervous.

  “My Prince does not have all day guardian”, prompted Clemen.

  “Of course”, said the bear in a deep growling voice. “My Prince”, he said, focusing on Karmalaine with cold grey eyes, “it has been thrust upon me to bring to your attention a most grave matter.”

  Please don't be a lack of crystal fuel, thought Karmalaine.

  “I am from Mercurial-Pelegon, one of the mortal-earth-chambers. I am afraid, My Prince, that we have lost one of the dreamers.”

  Prince Karmalaine looked at the Tallow-bear with confusion. “You must forgive me...”

  “Clowen, My Prince.”

  “You must forgive me, Clowen, I am not certain how you can have lost a dreamer?”

  The tallow bear cleared his throat and continued, “He woke up in the chamber, My Prince. As soon as we became aware we pursued him. He fled and reached the edge of the chamber where...” A thin tongue wrapped nervously around the jaws of the tallow bear.

  “Where what?” pressed the Prince.

  “Where he was taken from us by a talented jackal riding one of the sorrow hawks.”

  Prince Karmalaine sat in stunned silence for several moments before turning to Clemen.

  “Which arbiter referred this to me?” he queried. Clemen consulted a sheaf of papers.

  “Arbiter Praxos, My Prince.”

  “You will send a messenger to Praxos telling him that he is relieved of his position and is to hand over responsibility to his deputy immediately. If he attempts to argue the point have the messenger thrown him into a chasm.”

  “Yes, My Prince”, said Clemen nodding his head.

  “Clowen, you will accompany me”, said the Prince, standing and belting on his ceremonial crystal sword.

  “Of course, My Prince. May I ask where?”

  “To see the King”, replied Karmalaine, all sense of boredom gone from his eyes.