Across Worlds

Ch 9 - Dreams

...and awoke in her bed in Massachusetts, the familiar surroundings instantly flooding her with relief. Oh, thank God, she thought, it was all a dream...a really fucked up, weird ass dream.

The clock on the bed side table said it was just after six in the morning. She got up, dressed, and went to the bathroom, washing her face, and then made her way to the kitchen and made a pot of coffee. She took a cup to the little balcony their apartment had overlooking the side street. She took a deep breath and looked over the familiar houses, the trees on the street just starting to change their leaves from green to an autumn golden-brown.

"Fascinating," a man's voice said from beside her, causing her to jump and yelp in surprise. "Your world is quite different from ours, Wren."

Solas, the name came to her mind as she looked at the elven man beside her. "Solas," she said out loud, remembering him from her dream. Or is this the dream? she asked herself, feeling confused. "What are you doing here?"

"Trying to learn more of your world, so we can help you get back here," he said.

She felt her hands start to shake as things came back to her. Thedas...their world. That's where I am right now and this is a dream in the Fade. She hastily set down her cup on the small table on the balcony and scrubbed her hands down her face. "This isn't real," she sighed, trying to accept that fact.

"Well, that is a matter up for debate," he said with a cryptic smile. "But regardless, I would like to see more if you're willing."

She took a deep breath and nodded, leading him into the apartment and then out into the hallway. She pushed the button on the elevator and stepped inside once the doors opened. Solas followed cautiously.

"I thought you said there was no magic in your world?" he asked as the doors closed and they started their descent.

"It's technology, but I suppose to someone not familiar with it, it would look like magic," she admitted.

She led him out onto the street, where they passed cars and various shops. Solas took in the buildings, street lights, and power lines with the curious gaze of a born scholar.

"You look like you have questions," she observed.

"Many," he admitted with a grin. Wren was surprised at the expression. Solas seemed much more at ease here, more open.

"Ask away," she offered.

He had her explain combustion engines and electricity, and she told him about the businesses they were passing, what they were for and what functions the various things they sold served – TVs, boomboxes, microwaves.

As they were passing an alleyway, Wren suddenly felt the same sibilant whisper she had heard from the strange red crystals, the red lyrium, when she was held captive. She stopped in her tracks and glanced warily into the darkened alley where she caught sight of a mound of the glowing rocks beside a dumpster. No! she thought frantically, They can't be here...this isn't right.

"Wren?" Solas asked, noting that she had stopped while he had continued walking. "What is it?" He came to stand beside her and looked into the alley, then back at her frightened expression. "What are you seeing, Wren?" he asked with concern.

She couldn't bring herself to answer him, as her throat closed in fear from the red knights that emerged from the darkness of the alley. She started backing away, shaking her head in denial. They couldn't be here...it wasn't possible. Evan said I was safe, she told herself.

He lied, the evil whisper answered her in her mind. He can't protect you...little bird.

"Wren?!" Solas called after her as she turned and bolted down the street, sprinting for all she was worth. The voice of the red lyrium laughed at her in her head. The scenery around her blurred and changed. Greenfield was gone. Solas was gone. They had been replaced by the dark and dank walls of the underground building she had been held in. She ran through them, twisting and turning, until she hit a dead end.

No, no, no no! she thought, looking around frantically.

Sinister laughter came from the darkness beyond the circle of light cast by the sputtering torch on the wall followed by words, "Well, well lads...what have we here?"

"Wren?!" she heard Evan's voice distantly, as if it was muffled by her being under water. "Wren, wake up!"

The red knight smiled at her sinisterly, "No one's coming to save you, girlie."

She pressed herself further back into the wall.

"Wren!" Evan's voice was louder. "Wake up, little bird! Please! Wake up!"

Her eyes flew open with a startled gasp and she bolted upright in her bedroll. Her breath came in shuddering gasps. Evan was kneeling beside her. His hands were gripping her shoulders, but quickly moved to frame her face and guide her to look at him. "It's all right, Wren. It's me, I'm here. You're safe."

She nodded, trying to calm her racing heart by taking deep breaths. His hands dropped back to her shoulders and slid down her arms to hold her hands in reassurance. She looked to her other side and saw Solas sitting cross-legged on the ground on the far side of the burned down campfire, his eyes just opening as if coming out of a meditation.

"Inquisitor," he addressed Evan, "Is she all right?"

"Yes, I believe so. What happened?"

"Something that shouldn't have," Solas replied, tilting his head at Wren with a curious expression. "Our reality is becoming hers very quickly. It bled into the dream and she..." he paused trying to find the right words, "kicked me out."

"Wouldn't she have to be a mage to control the Fade like that?" Evan asked.

"In theory, yes. But she is not. I sense no magic in her."

Wren's gaze darted between the two men in confusion. She had no idea what any of this meant. "Did you get what you needed, Solas? Before I kicked you out, that is," she asked, trying to change the subject.

"Yes. I believe I saw enough of your world to recognize it through the Fade. I will keep you both apprised of any progress in my search," he replied, standing gracefully and moving to leave.

"Solas," she called after him, trying not to let her voice sound too panicked, "Can you reset your wards, please?"

His gaze softened in sympathy, "Of course, Wren," he nodded.

"I've got to take over the watch," Evan said, his gaze full of concern as he squeezed her hands gently before dropping them and standing up. "I know it will be hard, but you should try to sleep some more."

She nodded absently and laid back down. Surprisingly, she did sleep more and, thankfully, it was dreamless.