Back to the Dream Sequel 2 Dreamland (12 page)

McGann leaned over and felt my forehead. I noticed she was also checking out who was nearby. While the place was crowded, there weren't too many people near us. But she still kept her voice low when she was talking to me. I guessed she didn't trust anyone here. Why was I not surprised? “I feel that this isn't a good place to be."

"You gated here,” I replied in the same low tone.

"It's not like we can control it,” she said.

"Why not?” I asked, trying not to sound sarcastic. I didn't know much about creating gates, even though I was studying some of the magical tomes in Tamazusa's library. Samojirou hadn't found someone he trusted to teach me magic yet. Creating a Gate was blood magic and something Samojirou didn't want me to do. Plus, I really didn't need to know how to do something like that, with either Samojirou or Tamazusa around to do it for me without someone having to die. But I knew the theory well enough; you had to have a pretty good idea of where you wanted to go or things got messy real fast and the caster usually got lost. I wondered if that had been the problem the first time they were here, why they hadn't known where they were. Fairinox had had no idea how to anchor a gate or direct it. That was probably why Heiseg had gotten monsters when he had opened his; he had opened his Gate into one of the areas of the Dreamlands where only monsters lived, so that's why he had gotten those
Hakarl
that had attacked and eaten almost everyone on Boylston Street. Or he could have been insane and hateful enough to have planned it that way on purpose. “Are your magicians so incompetent that they can't control their own spells?"

"And what would you know about that?” she asked.

"I studied it,” I said, knowing she wasn't going to believe anything else.

"So you can open a gate?"

"I know the theory, but my lord doesn't want me to dabble in blood magic,” I said scathingly. “And I wouldn't even if she hadn't told me not to."

McGann winced and pulled back. “I—"

"Don't act innocent,” I said softly. “We both know what the cost is to come here. Does Wolf?"

"I follow the orders of the Trustees, as does everyone else with me,” she said evasively. She wasn't looking at me, though; she was staring at the ground. She wasn't happy, but she couldn't get away. I still couldn't feel sorry for her, though. Back when I had been a prisoner of the Trust, she could have told the Trouble Consultants not to bother me, and she hadn't.

I noticed that she hadn't answered my question. “Like Fairinox?” I asked sarcastically. “Collins's pet magician. The man was unclean."

"And what happened to Collins?” McGann asked me, looking up from the ground.

"He died,” I told her shortly. “And are you asking me how to throw yourself upon Tamazusa-sama's mercy?"

"Partly,” she said. “I feel that we would be good allies."

"Here and now,” I clarified. “But what about the future? When you...
we
leave this delightful place, what then?"

"I don't understand,” she said.

"Is this to be an alliance of convenience?” I asked. “Or something more permanent? And since when do the Trustees want allies? I thought we were the monsters."

"Things have changed,” she said quietly. She didn't look happy that I considered myself one of the monsters.

"Have they?” I asked her, deliberately cynical. “If you can look me in the eyes and tell me that, I might believe you."

"I....” She shook her head. “You've changed. You seem more confident now."

"I hope I have changed,” I said. “It's been over a year."

She looked shocked. “Really? But.... Time really does pass differently here."

Wolf walked back then, holding a small bowl in his hands. He looked at McGann with a small smile on his face. “I think that Keno needs to have something to eat."

I shuddered at the thought of mutton, and McGann shook her head. “Wolf. Keno informed me that he doesn't eat meat. I don't think he'd be interested in the stew."

"This is gruel,” Wolf said, frowning slightly. “I thought it would be easier on his stomach."

"Thank you,” I said with a smile. “Where exactly are we?"

"Hoppsfjord,” Wolf told me.

"I think that it's on what might be the Faeroe Islands,” McGann explained. Wolf acted embarrassed that he hadn't explained that better. “I'm not really sure, but you're a long way from Nippon."

"Hundreds of
ri
,” I said softly, remembering the map of the Dreamlands. I straightened up and looked at the two of them. “And where is my lord?"

"She's with Mason,” Wolf said. “He's taking good care of her."

I threw the covers back and swung my feet over the edge of the bed, ignoring how dizzy and tired I felt.

"Keno—” McGann started and then helped me up. Wolf looked at the two of us like we were nuts. “He's not going to rest or eat until he sees her,” she explained.

Wolf handed McGann the bowl he was holding and scooped me up.

"I can walk,” I protested.

"And Tamazusa's going to be furious that we let you,” Wolf said. “I don't want to make her upset. You've both had a bad time of it. Let me do this."

I wondered why they were both worried about making Tamazusa mad. I felt like an idiot being carried, but I was exhausted. I wanted several days of rest and pampering by Samojirou, but I didn't think that was going to happen anytime soon. I had to get Tamazusa to safety, no matter what it cost me.

While I was being carried to Tamazusa, I noticed the people here. Mostly men, all were tall and light-haired. I felt like I was seeing McGann's and Wolf's families. I didn't know if that was a good thing. They were all staring at me, and I heard more than a few comments being made in a language I didn't understand. Wolf knew it, though. I could tell from the way he tightened his grip on me once in a while. I didn't think the comments were nice ones, judging from his reaction.

Wolf thankfully set me down when we got to Mason's bunk. I didn't know the man who was with them, but I knew he was from the Trust, not the Norse, by his hairstyle and what he was wearing. Tamazusa was also dressed in someone's T-shirt, but she looked all right other than that.

"I'm taking good care of your sister,” Mason told me before he gave me a hug.

"You better,” I said quietly. I was surprised he had said that, but it made sense. It would give me an excuse for me to be worried about her, but it wouldn't let any one of these barbarians know who she was exactly. I wondered who had thought of that ruse, because I knew it hadn't been Wolf. “You really don't want to piss me off."

Mason laughed, “I know you kick ass.” He looked around casually, checking to see if there was anyone near us but our party. There wasn't anyone within earshot. “Fuck, I would've gone with married, but seeing that she was in bed with me, that would open a whole new can of worms."

"Mason,” I practically growled, amazed that he had been the one to think of such a clever ruse.

"Shit, she's a nice lady,” Mason said seriously. “And she's got this trick with Jell-O that I really don't want her to show me, so I'm treatin’ her good. Fuck, it'll be like I'm doin’ it with McGann. So don't worry about her, no matter what it fuckin’ looks like."

"Keno, Mason has been most considerate of me,” Tamazusa said in Japanese. “I simply have to accept his attentions at this time."

"Tamazusa-sama?” I started.

Tamazusa shook her head slightly, and I didn't continue my question. We were in enemy territory, and I didn't know if Wolf and the rest of them were friend or foe. I hated thinking that about Wolf, but it was true. I didn't trust him not to grab me and take me back to the real world because he thought it would be better for me. And then there was McGann's talk about an alliance. With what had happened last time, did they really think it would be a good idea? Did they think Tamazusa and the others would forgive them for what they had done? Or forget it? If they did, then they were insane.

One of the Norsemen came over to see what was happening. He was tall and graying; I'd have said he was in his midfifties if I had seen him in the real world. He was dressed in coarse woolen trousers and a rough linen shirt like a peasant. I guessed we were in some sort of peasant village. At least I hoped so, because this place was really poor if the nobility dressed like that.

"You know these
skraelingjar
?” he barked, trying to take control of the situation.

I saw Mason make a face at the word
skraelingjar
and guessed it was some sort of insult.

"You should talk to my master about that,” Mason said. I was surprised he didn't sound angry; he wasn't too happy when someone, usually Murphy, threw nasty names around. And him using the word “master” just confused me. “It is his business to tell you."

The guy glared at us and then looked at Wolf, who looked at McGann quickly before telling the man, “Grima, we are travelers. We have met these two before. Let us talk alone. They are tired and still ill."

They moved off, and I wondered what was going on here. Why was the Trust here? How was I going to get Tamazusa home? How much could I trust Wolf or Mason?

"'Master'?” I asked Mason, wanting some answers

"Wolf told these guys that he was in charge and that he was married to McGann.” Mason grinned. “But I don't know how good everyone's English is, so talking about it...."

"I understand,” I told him.

Mason shrugged. “It ain't like I know shit anyways."

"I'm Logan Sawyer,” the other man said.

"Inuzaka Keno,” I said with a bow. “And you've met my sister, Tamazusa-sama."

It was true in a weird way, given our relationship. It wasn't like what was between my brothers Shino and Sousuke and Shino's wife Hamaji, but Tamazusa and I were close. What wasn't being said was that he better respect the two of us, but I thought he was getting a hint of that from the look in my eyes. Most of Tamazusa's samurai thought of me as their younger brother, but they also knew I was a warrior like they were.

"And the ship?” I asked.

"Kindling,” Logan said.

"A pity,” I remarked with a shrug. I didn't want him to know how badly that shook me. How had the two of us survived? Why hadn't anyone else?

"Keno-chan, you are still ill from our experience,” Tamazusa said in Japanese, looking annoyed.

"I needed—” I started in the same language. At least she wasn't scolding me in a language the others understood. “I am supposed to protect you. I promised Samojirou-sama that I would."

"I have accepted Mason's protection for the moment,” she said. “He is a man of honor. It is not that you cannot protect me. It would just be better that Mason appears to be my protector."

I nodded and regretted doing that when the room shifted. Logan caught me and sort of guided me to another bunk. “Sit. And when's the last time you ate?"

"I don't know,” I said truthfully. “Wolf had a bowl of gruel for me, but I insisted on seeing how my sister was doing."

"I'll get it,” Logan said. He left, and I looked at Mason.

"New guy,” he said shortly, knowing what I wanted from him. “Lab rat."

I nodded and then, when the room spun around again, decided that lying down was a good idea. Tamazusa slipped from the bed and checked on me. I didn't know if I should be surprised or shocked to see she was only wearing a T-shirt. I had never seen her this undressed, and I thought that I blushed.

"Our clothing's ruined,” she said calmly. “And for now, we're going to have to depend on these people, as well as deal with the Northerners. That is why I agreed to Mason being my protector."

I looked at her and knew how much she hated that. But there was something wrong here. Why did we have to depend on Wolf's protection? “Big Sister?"

Tamazusa smiled at me, proud that I hadn't called her “my lord.” “I fear I have fallen victim to part of Iida's plot. I haven't left Nippon voluntarily."

My eyes widened, but other than that, I fought not to react. I knew what she was hinting at. All of her power was tied to the land, the
kuni
she had fought for and claimed. She had been driven from her land; therefore, she could no longer draw upon it for power. She was as powerless as if she had been a mere mortal. Not helpless, I'd never think that of her. Then it hit me: Samojirou would know this, too, and think we were dead—or worse. He'd know it and have to try and claim Tamazusa's
kuni
before someone else did. If he wanted to.

"I understand,” I whispered. I had to get back. I didn't know what Samojirou might do if he thought I was no longer with him.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Samojirou

I was restless, for some reason. The scroll of poetry I was reading wasn't holding my attention. It wasn't like Keno hadn't been gone from me before. There had been several days in the beginning of our relationship that we had been separated because Fuse had taken him away while Tamazusa and I were dealing with Collins. Then there was the time he spent with his family upon occasion, without me, even if it wasn't often. So why was I so restless now?

I wandered out of my study and into the iris garden. For some reason, all the Reavers seemed to be gathered in this spot. I didn't know how many of them were on the estate; they paid more attention to Tamazusa and Keno than to me. Reavers and creatures like that were attracted to unusual power. They had decided to form a guard for Tamazusa, but very few Nipponese lords had allies such as they were. I had seen other such arrangements in other lands, with other intelligent beings of the Dreamlands, but they were rare. While we
oni
and other beings like that lived here, it was the Reavers and the Hakarl that were natives of this place. We had simply moved in and claimed it as ours, it seemed, from what little that I have discovered about the history of the Dreamlands. Tamazusa hadn't been wrong when she'd said that the Dreamlands just
are
.

A handful of the Reavers had gone with Tamazusa when she had decided to negotiate with Iida. I wondered what kind of alliance the man wanted. There had been a rumor or two that he was interested in taking a consort, which was why he probably approached my lady. I believed he thought that since I had Sakura to amuse me, Tamazusa would consent to his proposition. That he was stupid enough to believe that she would let a
man
run her life, much less her
kuni
, showed me she would never ally with him. She had decided to talk with him, because he was powerful enough that she'd didn't want to unnecessarily insult him by ignoring his request. Besides, Iida might be getting something out of this, just not my lady or her lands. And she would get to plot and plan to her heart's content.