I wonder if Liri will be there tonight…
The thought had come unbidden, but even as he closed his eyes to the nighttime silence of his room he could see the waifish Accepted, her smile welcoming, yet holding a defiant fire as well. They’d met only briefly and his reflections of her had been scarce with the whirlwind of events that surrounded him now. Still…he couldn’t deny there was a certain longing to see her that won out against his usual exhaustion.
His body slumbered instantly, but his mind rumbled with activity. No sooner had he left the physical world behind did the eerie glow of Tel’aran’rhiod fill his senses. Here he had no body and his thoughts were his limbs. As excitement spread through him it seemed silly now that once he’d been frightful of this beautiful other world. Entering the Dream had become much easier since he’d first stumbled upon the ability. Lirievin had been the only one to tutor him during that time of turmoil, providing the foundation with which he would later tame his powers. Much of his facility in the Dream was owed to the Accepted. Tis only right I pay her visit his disembodied existence hummed.
Before him a vast of host of lights dotted an empty canvas. Intuitively he knew the lights to be the dreams of everyone that was sleeping. The dreams of those he’d come to know or had known in the past called to him, the recognition of something familiar beckoning to his presence with the promise of home. He’d taken time to visit the Four Kings before. Much of it had changed—much of Andor had changed. The world was evolving in a rapid and violent storm of events implemented by powerful forces that pulled at the Pattern, distorting its shape with such impact that all worlds felt the transformation. Even the World of Dreams seemed subject to subtle changes since he’d known it.
Calm.
Forgetting his past and the problems of the world, his essence hunted for the Dream of the one he sought now. When he found her could feel the lips that he didn’t have shape into a smile.
Liri was here. In the World of Dreams.
Focusing upon the desire to see the Accepted once more, the scene shifted with warbled images of lights and places he couldn’t fathom. When everything coalesced into tangibility he found himself in a place he hadn’t quite expected and soon spotted someone in the distance.
Moving warily towards the figure, a sword materialized at his hip and the briefest of thoughts garbed him in rich Asha’man blacks. His knee-high boots polished and his Sword pin proudly adorning his the collared coat’s lapel. Danger prowled the Dream. He’d learned to avoid it, but if he encountered it he’d be ready.
“Accepted Lirievin?” his projection called out uncertainly. “Lirievin, it’s Valadin Manelle. You…you knew me when I was a Soldier? Say somethin’ Liri…”