Another World of Dreams-The Escape

Half-blood

Liv's father was a short man whose black hair had recently assumed a gray shade. His first name was Gabriel and Liv often called him father, but everyone else greeted him by his surname, Shannon. He worked as Sommerfort's first lawman, and spent his days discussing how various crimes ought to be judged. Shannon loved his work and lived a lawful and methodical life. It did not bother him that his days lacked excitement and adventure. Important people surrounded him, but no colleague at the Town Hall appreciated the beauty in interpreting the law, and it made him feel isolated.

He scraped the mud from his leather shoes before stepping inside his house. On his way home he had walked into a storm. The rain had drenched his cotton clothes, but he had continued by foot instead of taking a coach. As always, unresolved issues occupied his mind after a day's hard work. During his hour-long hike, the troublesome thoughts dissolved and stayed behind in Sommerfort.

He was thus relaxed when he stepped into the vestibule of and peered into the living room. A bonfire blazed in the tiled stove. Liv sat on a stool in front of the fire, her head resting against her hands, not paying any attention to her father. Her gaze followed the dancing flames. Shannon put a hand on her shoulder and brought his daughter back from her deep thoughts.

"How are you?" he asked.

"I've cooked dinner," she said and smiled as if every muscle in her face ached. "Food is on the table."

Without sharing a word, they ate a modest serving of thin soup each, then moved to two armchairs by the fading fire. Shannon poured himself a glass of strong wine and started browsing through a book. It told of Captain Matheussen, an explorer from Lyria captured by pirates on a voyage to the far north. He was now the captain onboard the ship Gibbsen, the most feared vessel in the Northern Sea.

"I always view the law from a perspective where it was less condemning against criminals than one would believe," Shannon said to himself. "When it comes to Captain Matheussen, I reckon it's the opposite."

Liv clutched the soft armrest and twisted uneasily. She had experienced this evening countless times in the past. It was like rehearsing a boring play no audience would ever pay to watch.

"I visited the Dream Park today," she said, interrupting Shannon from his thoughts.

Her father shut his book and looked at her puzzled. He was about to talk in his most serious tone when she continued. "It was important for me to see."

"Liv, I believe I made myself clear. That is a dangerous place." His voice was low and sharp, but he kept it under control. "They might realize what you are."

"There is nothing they can do to me," said Liv, sounding resolute. "I'm as much an elf as a human." They fell silent while Shannon struggled to find the right words.

She had the hair and physique of an elf, but her ears were different. They were not elegant and leaf-shaped. Instead they looked shriveled, as if they had been crushed in a wrestling match. Unlike Beings born in captivity, she knew how humans functioned and could behave around people. That she would end up in a cage appeared less likely than her father being thrown into one of Sommerfort's dungeons.

"I'm not afraid," she said.

"I know, but I am."

"You always are, and it makes life dull." Liv could not tell if the insult offended her father. "They will never dare lay a hand on the first lawman's daughter, even if they find out what I am," she sniffed. "I spoke to their first officer today without getting hurt. His name was Wilder, and he said he knew you."

Shannon uttered a shriek as he heard the name.

"Joseph Wilder? He and his men have no limits. You don't know the people running the Dream Park, but I do, and they are evil. Promise me to never go back there. I lost your mother and I won't lose you too. Promise me that."