Ink drips onto the coarse paper, and the metal blade of the pen weaves it into words, symbols, and images. The book's pages turn, and in her mind's eye, she reads from it, unable to tear her eyes away...
Alison awoke in her bed. Light persistently pierced the ratty curtains that hung in a vain attempt to block it out. A loud yawn and a moaning stretch filled the room as she sat up. She blinked and rubbed her eyes. It felt strange, to awake from a familiar dream over and over again. Each time a new page, new words, and...
She looked down at her hand to see where the source crystal lay. She shook her hand and stood. It was time to get ready for the day.
Alison yawned again as she wandered down the stairs to the ground floor of the Brass Monkey.
"Good morning, Miss Jane Doe." a whisper said teasingly.
Alison spun on the stairs and nearly fell. Her head darted around to see who had said that, but nobody was there. It came as a raspy whisper, almost right by her ear. She stood there for a moment, pausing, listening, observing.
Nothing.
A shiver crept down her spine and Alison continued down the stairs. Ever since she touched that damned book, she had been experiencing these strange whispers. A word here, a sound there, it was always on the edge of her hearing, something she couldn't quite make out. But now, she heard it clearly, It was unsettling enough to imagine such voices in your ears. It was even worse when they were familiar.
Alison sighed, resuming her descent down the stairs. She needed coffee.
Working off of little sleep was something Alison was very, very familiar with. She had mastered the art of napping years ago and those skills have continued to serve her well ever since. So it was no surprise to her friends when they found her sipping her third cup of coffee as they just began to descend the stairs themselves. Pete gave a big, unapologetic yawn as he plopped himself down in front of Alison, a cup of fresh brew already poured in front of him by Septimus's wife.
"Yous an angel sent by the gods themselves! Septimus don't deserve yous in the slightest. Tell ya what. Why don't ya dumb the grump and lemme treat ya right?" Pete said with his usual exaggerated flair. The old woman hushed him and gave him a playful slap on the shoulder.
"Oh, hush you. Septimus is a fine man and you better be thankful to him! If told him what you told me, you may get some poison in this morning's biscuits!" she responded with her exaggerated flair. It was the morning routine for them, whether the city was getting shelled by an undead army or not.
Kerensa sat next to Alison and took a small sip of her own. Her usually calm and collected face ever so briefly scrunched up before returning to normal. She proceeded to pour a concerning amount of sugar and creme into the mug, turning the black brew into an almost brownish-white. Alison stared in abject horror as Kerensa took another sip and smiled.
"How your teeth haven't rotted out by now is beyond me. You realize we're under siege right? Conservation and all that?" Alison said. Kerensa merely responded by taking a longer sip from her coffee. Alison sighed and then spoke in a lower voice. "I heard them again, but this time I could understand it. Even sounded familiar too."
At this, Kerensa nearly choked mid-sip before quickly recovering. She sat the mug down and looked at Alison. There was something in her eyes that Alison didn't like. A sparkle that she hadn't seen before.
"Let us spar today before the big lunch. I think it's finally time for the book you stole to begin working for you." She said, a dangerous smile appearing on her face.
"Stole? Kerensa it vanished when I picked it up, we failed the job because of that. How the hell can I steal something that evaporates the moment I touch it? You and Olaf had to drag me out of there when that magic trap went off. Felt like my head was going to explode." Alison said confused. Kerensa leaned back and sipped from her cup again, that grin still on her lips.
"It was a wonder your head didn't explode. You must be very good at compartmentalizing information. I wasn't sure until recently, but that was no magical curse nor trap. That was, in fact, the intended use of that particular tome. Come, let me show you." She finished her coffee and put it on the table before walking towards the yard. By then Olaf had joined and had been chatting with Pete, the two distracted before seeing her get up. They looked at each other then Alison, who only shrugged and followed her.
The group entered the yard where Alison had introduced herself to Mackenzie. They found a clear spot and in a swift, elegant motion, Kerensa's blade flashed from its scabbard. Its curved shape glistened in the morning sun and she angled its tip towards Alison. Alison sighed, stretched a bit, then drew her dagger and took a fighting stance.
"Close your eyes, Master Walker," Kerensa said. Alison stared for a moment and Pete guffawed. However, the seriousness of the request and that dangerous sparkle in Kerensa's eyes was enough for Alison to take this seriously. She slowly closed them. "Now listen, Master Walker. Listen to the voices of those who rest but wish to help."
The breeze blew. The sounds of the yard become clear. Pete's mumblings to Olaf some joke. Olaf's stifled laugh. The shuffle of their feet. Her breath. Then, a whisper suddenly came, urgent and strained.
"Down..! To the right..!"
Alison ducked and her eyes opened. Above her was the curved blade of Kerensa slicing through the air she had just been in. "Dammit!" Alison thought as she was forced to use her blade hand to brace herself. Acting fast, her left leg came up in a kick aimed at Kerensa's head. Eyes widening, Kerensa barely blocked the counterblow with her left arm. Alison carried the momentum over, dodging a follow-up swing and flipping back some distance away into a fighting stance again.
"What had just happened? That voice again..." Alison's mind raced. Her breath was heavy from the shock and sudden excursion. Kerensa's surprised face suddenly turned into a big smile. She sheathed her blade and in a moment of uncharacteristic intimacy, nearly tackled Alison in a hug.
"I knew it! I knew it was you who could learn. So many years, so many months, I was so worried that it had all been for nothing!" Kerensa said, tearing up. The group was shocked. Alison awkwardly put a hand on her back, motioning to Pete to come grab the dagger still clutched in it. Kerensa leaned back, hands on Alison's shoulders. "You, Master Alison Walker, are the inheritor of a legacy. That book you were meant to steal, was something only you could do. No mere petty thief could ever steal it! I thought it was lost. When the family line died out I thought there was no longer that Dormes's blessing would carry on. It was why I joined you on your job back then. I wanted to know if someone, anyone, would free me from the guilt that I couldn't even protect the memory of the house I served, and carry on the blessings of Dormes." Kerensa said, tears now flowing freely down her face.
Alison stared in bewilderment. "Kerensa, calm down. Take it slowly." Alison waited for Kerensa to compose herself. Ever reliable, she quickly seemed to steady herself. Alison moved the group over to a table nearby and sat down. "Okay. Explain. You know I'm not from here. What does it mean?"
Kerensa took a deep breath and nodded. "Listen again to that voice. I'm sure he or she has something to say." Alison sighed and silently sat for a moment listening. The familiar whisper seemed to return faster now.
"Always here. To help. To listen. Never alone, Jane Doe." the voice said. Alison's eyes widened.
"Johnny...? But how..." Alison said quietly. Kerensa nodded.
"I take it he is someone you knew in life but has since passed? What you are hearing is one of the blessings of Dormes. Dormes is the son of Hades, God of the dreamlands, guardian against Nightmares and of the moon." Kerensa said. At this, Olaf shook his head in a huff.
"I don't like it. Dark Domain affinity is dangerous stuff." Olaf said. Pete merely shrugged at this.
"It's no different from a knife like? All about hows yous use it." Pete countered. Kerensa ignored them both and continued.
"These blessings come in many different forms, some manifest as chosen powers granted directly, others are rewarded, but Dormes's domain is dreams. He has always reached his followers in their dreams. Dreams are the space of the soul between life and death, thus the son of death is chosen to protect those soles while they float through those lands. It is why that book disappeared when you grabbed it, Alison. It didn't disappear but entered your soul, your very dream. It is why you have dreamt of it ever since. The other point is this. If Pete, Olaf, or even myself had grabbed that book, we would have at best gone mad, or at worst, closed our eyes and entered a sleep we could never awaken from. Alison, you were different. I don't know how or why, but your mind was able to handle the blessing. Tell me again your dream." Kerensa asked.
"Well, I usually see that book. A page is opened. The paper is blank, and then a pen starts writing on it. It's almost like I'm writing it but not really?" Alison answered with a shrug. Kerensa nodded.
"Your soul is slowly absorbing the power of the tome." Kerensa tapped Alison's Source Crystal. It was always a dark color, ever since she had arrived in this world, but now it had taken on an even darker shade of purple. "The family I served in turn served Dormes. They safeguarded his few teachings as he guarded our dreams. They gathered forbidden knowledge, to keep it out of the hands of dangerous people. This made them a target for many, so I was raised to protect them. But by the time I was ready, they had been wiped out by the war. All that was left was their most valued estate, The Library. I could never hope to enter, so I traveled with you once I found out about the job. I was worried that their most valued book, the Whispers of Dormes, would be lost forever in that accursed place. But... but..."
Kerensa paused for a moment, her hand shaking. She took Alison's hand in hers and smiled sadly. "We fought side by side. All of us. You led us through the horrors that had been unleashed by the seals that had been left broken. When all our minds threatened to fail, you kept us alive through it. That's when I knew you were no mere thief, but someone special. I cannot be happier that you now carry on that blessing. Use it well, Master Walker, and I will stay by your side and protect you as was my duty before."
Alison smiled softly at Kerensa. Olaf nodded confidently and Pete gave his trademark stupid grin. That familiar whisper passed by her ear.
"In good hands..." it said. Alison nodded.
Later that day, around noon
Alison arrived at the Mended Drum, her compatriots in tow behind her. She stared up at the building and took a deep breath. It had already been an emotional day, and now came a new hurdle.
"You sure about this? I don't like you going in alone boss. Zell seemed like a good enough man, but what of his other compatriots? That girl may have been just being nice and singing their praises." Olaf said. Alison shook her head.
"This is something I should take on alone. You guys take up your spots, make keep an eye out for enemy spies and unwanted ears. With such a prominent group gathered in one place, this is our opportunity to catch any unwanted guests who are still in the city. Olaf's up high, Pete, you're working the street, and Kerensa in the alleys." Alison then lowered her voice. "Can I count on you as well?" she whispered.
A whispered response came. "Eyes... up... ears... open..."
Alison looked to the door of the tavern and entered.
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