"It is as though I glimpse the Dream." The words were spoken with
reverence as the old man watched the scene repeat over and over in the
crystal ball. Dolaron, Cygnusine Mystic of the Order of Valnurana, had
journeyed from the Temple of Sleep and Dreams far to the west of
Tasur'ke to view the strange orb, but he was as mystified by it as the
rest.

Eagerly the gathered adventurers led Dolaron to the Garden of Whispers,
showing him the very location seen playing in the crystal ball. As they
pondered the enigma, wondering at its meaning and source, Octavius posed
the tentative question: is it possible to enter the realm of Dreams?

It was possible, explained Dolaron, but extremely dangerous considering
the recent catastrophes and their clear tie to the Dreamrealm. "Some
dangers must be faced," replied Inuad Stormsong, eager to search out
Apollonia and some answers. Opinions amongst the Order of Valnurana
remained divided, and Octavius begged, despite the danger of death - or
worse - for the opportunity to see his long-lost wife again, even if it
were only within a dream. Finally consenting to a group dreaming,
Dolaron motioned for Misty Ta'sa to lead the group into the Dream.

Focusing on their purpose and succumbing to deep meditation, Misty,
Eloquay, Skye, Faolin, Amirah, Aelyn, Inuad, Cieran, Kruellagh,
Delphinus, Kunama, Aohara, and Larali soon found themselves in a waking
state within the Dreamrealm, upon a bleak, featureless plain. After a
brief, confusing visit by the nightmare spirits Dibbuk and Alp, the
troop set out to seek the Garden of Whispers.

Though they journeyed, however, they did not travel: they wove the
fabric of the Dreamrealm with words and memories, creating the garden
around them. From shifting mists of grey, the forms of tall statues
emerged as the aged images of the Gods that once stood on the cliff.
Tendrils of dreamflame became flowers and grass, and the scent of the
ocean drifted along a gentle breeze. Soon they stood in an exact replica
of the garden, enshrouded by the night and illuminated by the stars.

From behind the statue of Valnurana came a ripple of bluish-grey smoke,
solidifying into a the shadowy figure of a woman and moving toward the
cliff: Nomku, that mysterious figure who had haunted the dreams of
Achaeans in recent times. A second figure appeared, golden-haired and
clad in a nightgown, shuffling toward the ledge in a dream-trance.
Octavius cried out in recognition of his departed wife, but in vain.
With a brief, intense struggle, the shadowy figure overcame Auria,
violently shoving her off the unforgiving precipice then dissolving into
the firmament.

Once more, as in the crystal ball, a ripple of bluish-grey smoke
appeared in the garden, moving toward the cliff. "Nomku!" cried the
dreaming adventurers, demanding attention as the scene threatened to
repeat. The figure paused uncertainly, then spoke with defiance, "You're
just voices.... you're not real," continuing her movement to the edge of
the cliff.

"Apollonia? Is that you?" Octavius's question was hesitant, urging his
companions to call out to her by this name. The shadowy figure faltered
once more, crying out for the voices to leave her be. As they persisted,
the air around the shadowy figure shimmered like a desert mirage, and
two figures stood where one had been: the shadow-shrouded woman, and the
young woman once known as the Oracle of Mannaseh, Apollonia.

Then, again the dream image of Auria emerged, shuffling blankly toward
the cliff's edge at the Garden of Whispers. Again, Nomku stepped towards
Auria with grim determination, preparing for the dark deed once more.

"NO!" cried Apollonia, rushing towards the struggle at the cliff's edge.
She hurled herself between the two, knocking Auria to safety, but the
shadowy figure thrust her arms forward at that same instant, catching
Apollonia instead. Throwing her arms around the blurred form of Nomku,
the oracle tumbled off the precipice, vanishing with her shadow beyond
its edge.

Stunned, the onlookers watched as golden-haired Auria rose to her feet,
the dream-cycle broken. "...At last, I am free," whispered the woman as
she embraced her husband for the final time.

As the sombre scene faded, the dreamers awoke within Tasur'ke, the
Garden of Whispers unchanged, and a sorrowful but relieved expression on
Octavius's face. But the story did not end there: upon the rocks of the
beach far below the cliff now lay a young woman, her body broken and
bruised, near to death.

Descending the cliffside, Octavius knelt by Apollonia's side, speaking
tenderly as he thanked her for freeing Auria in the Dreamrealm and
forgave her past misdeed. As tears flowed from her eyes, the young
oracle lapsed into unconsciousness, the curses of her past finally at
rest.

Though adventurers applied healing salves to her wounds and brought
elixirs to her lips, Apollonia did not wake. Pitying the oracle, Dolaron
offered to shelter her, and she was taken to the Temple of Sleep and
Dreams.

As Apollonia rests, so the Dreamrealm finds respite from years of
turmoil. Adventurers, too, find their dreams returned to normal - as
normal as they can be, that is, as dreams remain a wellspring of
coexisting fantasy, terror, and elusive mystery.

Penned by My hand on the 15th of Phaestian, in the year 481 AF.