Chapter 51: The Viscountess Ana

[Ona].

"Good Morning, Viscountess."

Where am I?

I open my eyes in a room that feels both strange and familiar. My mind is expecting to see large cushions and a burning fire. Instead, I see long rays of daylight streaming through sheer curtains on tall windows that look out into a sunlit garden of roses and lavender, lilac and jasmine.

The room is fine, elegant, draped in silks, and crafted of gleaming hardwoods polished to a shine. The servant who just spoke, a human, is standing near the door of the room in a uniform of some sort, holding a delicate silver bell.

The last words of the Elf King are still ringing in my ears. He gave me very specific instructions and warnings.

First, I may be a bit disoriented when I arrive, look for something familiar, think of something familiar, to connect you to the real world so that you don't get lost in the mind fog.

Second, it is in the nature of the dream state to force me to conform to the shape of the universe within. In this world, I am little more than a string of thoughts, manipulated in design by the dreamers themselves.

Third, I am a dreamer but not a dreamer. I can control the world in small increments, but nothing grand, unless I give away a bit of who I am to join in the dreaming. I must not let that happen, or they might not be able to get me out. I must stay separate.

Finally, and most importantly, I must not interfere in their dreaming. I am there to guide and support, but I must not ever tell them it is NOT reality--not directly. If they become aware of the dream while they are so deep within it, it could warp the reality of the dream and force it into a nightmare.

"And I can't be sure, but I think there is something special about Queen Carnelia, something that would make it especially dangerous if she knows the truth and fully remembers where she came from. Something that could be devastating for all of us."

He wouldn't tell me more, but the way his eyes burned as he gave his warning was enough to make me take it seriously. Whatever I do, I must make sure that I stay to the script of what has been written. This world is the only real world they know. It is my job to help them find their true selves. But it must be their discovery. It can't be forced upon them before their minds are ready.

Carefully I stand from the bed. It is time for me to start my day.

Clanging around my wrist like simple bangles are the bands that connect me to Primus, Carnelia, Daax, Orion, and Ursa. Somehow I brought something of my real life into this reality. It has changed, but it is still real. Something to hold onto, to help me remember who I am.

Looking out the window, one of the jasmine flashes blue. Strange flower.

"Viscountess Ana?" the servant draws my attention to his presence once more. I blink. Looking down at my hands I see I slept in my jewelry again. I really must be more careful with my belongings.

Where was I again? Oh yes, it's market day. I must prepare.

"Ah, yes, Reggie. You can send the girls in now, I am ready for breakfast."

***

[Carnelia].

Leon didn't tell me he was royalty.

"So...." I cannot stop staring up at the massive castle sitting on the hillside. It has been the only visible landmark since we turned East from the river, and it has only gotten bigger the closer we are. "...I can see why you said that your sister wouldn't mind if we stayed a day or two."

"Remember," Leon looks over his shoulder, "You are my bard brother, Cornelius."

"And we're just two traveling bards with no relation to this woman," I confirm. "Two complete strangers."

Leon is convinced that it will bring us more trouble if we are honest, so like good bards, we will be acting. Unfortunately, I am not a very good bard.

"You do remember that I can't sing, right?"

He snorts. "I will never forget for as long as I live. Which is why," he pulls a hat from within his satchel, "I bought you this in the last town.

The hat is green and red stitched together roughly in the shape of a four-sided star. From the tips of the stars chains of bells hang so that they jingle with every step the horse makes.

"What is this?"

"You are going to be the fool." He pushes the hat towards me and I have no choice but to take it before it falls to the ground.

When we arrive at the outer gates, Leon announces us, showing the traveling papers we brought with us from the minstrel academy, declaring us official bards-in-training with free passage within any duchy between Emerald Cove and Keeper's Cove as we make our way south.

Leon assured me on the way that it isn't unusual for a bard to take a side trip along the way between two destinations. "In fact, it is encouraged. The more varied our experiences are, the better performers we become. Bards are never expected to take the same amount of time to cross a distance as ordinary travelers do, because we are expected to take every opportunity to perform and learn. A trip of three days can take a proper bard up to 3 months. I've even heard the story of a man who made a trip of a week take a single year."

I hope he doesn't get any ideas about how long this trip should take. The sooner we can make it to Keeper's Cove, the sooner I can start my new life.

I wonder if Master Jove is still looking for me.

Not that it matters, I have no intention of ever going back. Now that I've had a taste of the world beyond the tavern, I can't imagine being satisfied staying in one place too long ever again. As much as my company might annoy me, I love traveling.

"Oh good," Leon said as we made it into the main square where vendors were selling their various wares at colorful booths. "It's market day. Ana may be available to see us."

"Did you say, Ona," that name sends a chill through me, striking a deep chord in my heart. "That name..."

He laughs, "No, I said Ana. Viscountess Ana is open to meeting with the common folk on market day. The perfect time for two bards to make their introductions and maybe gain a few customers."

Nobody looks at us twice as we make our way to the grand hall. There are so many others gathered to meet with the lady of the manor, that two more young men make little difference.

If it weren't for the flash of recognition on the lady's face when we approached her chair, I'd think that maybe Leon had been lying about the entire thing.

"Thelonius," she smirks.

"Alas, you wound me fair lady for you have me confused for another," Leon bows before her with an extra flourish of his cap. "I am simply Leon Minstrel, and this here is my ap," he tips his hat, giving a little bow. "My compatriot and I were hoping to beg hospitality from your fine house."

"You may beg," she smirks. "But I make no promises."

She nods her head to the right, signifying that we follow her to an antechamber. A guard follows but she raises her hand. "I can manage a couple of travelers on my own, Samuel. Please make sure our other guests are fed and watered while they wait."

My hands are shaking to be in the presence of such a fine lady. Her hair is glossy and black like the darkest night and piled upon her hair in a regal style that keeps her cornet in place. Her velvet dress is adorned with jewels and hangs from her shoulders like the wings of a dragon.

Dragon. Hmm. She does remind me a bit of those regal beasts from fairytales with her pride and the way she commands a room. She also lives in a castle full of treasure and has men cowering before her. All she's missing are the talons and scales, although her skin does shine with a bright luminescence.

Once the door closes behind her, everything about her changes.

Her haughty expression and commanding proud demeanor fade away as she leans forward and grabs Leon by the collar.

"Thelonious Majere," she grabs him by the collar and shakes. "What game are you playing?!"

"It's Leon, dear sister, and has been for years," Leon grows taller. "And I am but a simple bard. There is no game."

"You are Lord Majere of Ridgewood!" she shouts. "If Father finds out about this game, he will lock you up this time. Worse, he will lock me up for not telling and..."

The door is pushed open as three guards filter through. "Mi' Lady, we have an emergency."

The Viscountess straightens her spine and looks towards her men. "Speak"

"The Viscount is home." His eyes are wide. "And he is not well. He says he was attacked by a dragon."