Domain of Power-The Dreamer (Book 3)

Chapter 16: Hide and Seek

A bead of sweat rolled down my brow. I twitched in my seat, hoping to catch any passing breeze. I scooted towards Priscilla in the seat we shared, but her eyes were focused ahead. I mirrored her fixed gaze at the towering mountain peak to the north of us. She had not bothered to look back at the city we left behind with its red-tiled roofs and bustling markets brimming with textiles, spices, and jewels.

After some time, the chariot jolted to a stop. We had reached the end of the paved road. From here on out, we would either endure a bumpy ride on grass and gravel or trek on foot.

Priscilla shifted her gaze to a stone rotunda surrounded by a field of wildflowers. Its domed roof reminded me of the basilica in Cyrene, only much smaller. "Troy," she began. "Why are we at a mausoleum?"

I frowned. An old burial chamber being overtaken by vines was not at all what I envisioned. Without memories, it was almost impossible to know for certain if we were going the right way. But I knew it had to be past the stone tombs peeking among the tall grass.

She rolled her eyes. "So, where exactly are we going? I keep asking you the same question, but you keep giving me the same cryptic answers."

I was starting to think she hated surprises.

A sigh escaped my lips before I leaned into Alexander's ear. "This is the way to the forest, right?

"Yes, my lord," he whispered back. I hopped off the chariot and then offered Priscilla a hand as I escorted her off.

"There is something I want to show you in the forest. My brothers and I used to come here when we were younger. Something enchanting happens at night, and I wanted to share it with you. You might even remember it when we make our way through the trees. Alexander will lead the way. We have nothing to fear. I promise you are in good company. Do you trust me?"

She heaved a sigh. "I do."

We approached the first clearing surrounded by a ring of towering trees before plowing our way into the thickets to the east. Decaying leaves and broken twigs blanketed the ground we crunched on. But there was something familiar about this path. Like I have been here multiple times. And then I remembered why. I dreamt about this place. Every week, I was transported to the same clearing, where the trees reached up to the blue sky. In an endless loop, I found myself darting into the ring of trees, hoping to find the Pool of Aurora on the other side. Now everything was starting to make sense.

My eyes darted around the thickets, searching for the birds that hid within the canopy. Now I was thinking about something more than fireflies. The fireflies I once dreamed of faded from my thoughts.

My eyes brightened when we reached the next clearing. On the horizon was a glistening mirage of turquoise waters where the ground dipped below. I scrambled towards the circular pool with Priscilla and Alexander trailing behind. After unfastening my leather sandals, I stripped off my long toga and tunic, leaving me with nothing but my loincloth. I handed my toga and tunic to Alexander to hold before dipping my right foot in the water.

"How is the water, Troy?" Priscilla asked.

The warm waters swished around my ankles. I took a few steps towards the center as the water rose to my calves. I felt like I was in a heated pool at the Baths, except there were no manual laborers to heat these waters.

I waved over to Priscilla, who stood back with her arms tucked beneath her bosom. "Step inside and see!"

For the first time on the trip, she smiled.

"So this is what you wanted to show me? The legendary Pool of Aurora?"

Aurora... This was the pool I had been dreaming about. Now I was standing inside it. Blood warmed my cheeks as I blinked away her gaze.