My friend told me that it was and wished me well. The next thing I knew, pretty seamlessly, I was in the middle of the field of flowers. The soft floral scent washed over me, almost like that of night-blooming jasmine. I aimed in the direction of the farmhouse. Skipping lightly, I bounced down the row of blooms, my arms outstretched like those of a tightrope walker, touching the soft petals as I went.
Hallooo! Over here, dear!
Finally at the edge of the field, I broke through the flower line into the front yard, where the older woman stood on a patch of wild grasses. A big, welcoming smile lovingly nurtured the creases around her eyes and mouth. I felt warmth humming through the air surrounding us and in every practiced line of her face. Her dark gray eyes peered out at me under a snowy white bun.
I’ve been waiting for you. The woman came forward. Pere’seiunat told me he was bringing you.
He...did?
It’s a long story, not made for a single telling. It’s enough to know that it was time. You were expected. Let’s walk. She had a soft voice, a melodic voice that belied what seemed to be her advanced age. With purpose in her steps, she followed a path around the side of her house under what looked like a very old grove of oaks. A beautiful garden greeted us.
My name is Dreya. There was an expectant look to her face as she stuck out her hand and silently willed me to speak my name. Power swirled through the air between us, so much so that I could almost feel it crackling, but in a nonthreatening way. She was a protector. I knew instinctively I could trust her.
I’m Taylor.
Thank Pere’. As though she’d had some doubt that was just now erased, Dreya seemed to become overwhelmed with emotion and enveloped me in a tight, spontaneous embrace, which I couldn’t help but return. How could I not appreciate someone who was, for whatever reason, this glad to see me?
How is it you were expecting me?
We pulled apart. She held on to my upper arms a moment, staring deeply into my eyes. A somber expression smoothed the joyful lines from her face. As though satisfied with what she was looking at, she nodded and ran my hand through the crook of her arm, holding it tightly.
Our origin story is quite a curiosity, Taylor. How we came to be on this planet would interest you. Would you like to hear it?
Sure. I wondered if she was trying to put me off from my question or if she hadn’t really heard it. Either way, I was determined to reask it.
Come and sit. She led the way through a winding path in the garden to a pair of comfortable Adirondack-style chairs. Our people came from Earth about five thousand years ago. They lived in a tribal society in what you would now call Austria and Italy. They hunted food and fought off enemies to protect their territory and resources.
Dreya paused as we sat. Pere’ told us that the tribe was feeling desperate and grief stricken. Neighboring enemies were getting stronger. Sitting together in worship to the sky god, they wished for their home, their forest and mountain, to be bountiful and peaceful, praying for that time to come so they could heal their sprits. Unbeknownst to them, they were sitting over a large deposit of mylunate. It brought them here, to these mountains, which were calm and peaceful.
Mylunate? The stuff Ryder told me about?
Yes. There were eight major clans that arrived. They were visited by the Great Spirits, and each was guided to the different provinces of Sunan.
Sunan means seven, though. Doesn’t it?
Yes. The eighth clan refused to join with others, believing it would make them weak, and decided to forge an independent path.
They were the Brausa?
Yes. There’s more to the story, but it’s a lot to take in for one sitting.
To say the least, I agreed. I still expect to wake up at home in bed and find that all of this was a dream.
Tell me about growing up on Earth. She leaned toward me with a curious expression, seeming to be genuinely interested. What was your life like?
Some of the time I lived with my grandmother and some of the time with my aunt.
What happened to your mother? The woman paused, curiosity marking her face. I thought I caught a glimpse of some concern there, but that didn’t make sense.
No one really knows. She had problems. I didn’t want to make my mom look bad, so I chose to gloss over things.
Unresolved pain?
I frowned, thinking about it.
Maybe.
Dreya seemed to understand. A look of empathy passed over her face during the moment of silence. And yet you’ve done well for yourself. It couldn’t have been easy. It speaks to your strength that you have found a way here.
Yeah, about that... How did you know I was coming?
I promise we’ll talk more. Your questions will be answered in time. This was a meeting for us to learn of each other. Let’s not make this uncomfortable by revealing too much too soon.
Okay, but did you put those flowers in my dreams?
We all serve a purpose, Taylor...
The gentle words echoed through my mind, reminding me of another time. It was you!
Sleep well, dear. There’s a lot for you to learn, and the one who is set to show you isn’t known for his patience. Keep that in mind when you wake. Don’t be too hard on him. There are reasons for the behavior he’s about to show you.
She stood and again looked expectantly at me, willing me to stand.
With a hint of frustration, I did, but I kept up the questions. I didn’t want this to end quite yet.
What do you mean, the one who is set to show me? Are you talking about Ryder? What’s he going to do?
Welcome home, Taylor.
Welcome home? Why...
With a final smile, fragile-looking, elderly Dreya gave me the most amazingly Herculean shove, and a power beyond my control took over my body and yanked me away from her at a faster and faster rate. I fought the pull, struggled fiercely to try and stop the momentum that was taking me away.
Wait! No!
But the black void enveloped me and I felt myself return to the present. The dream was leaving me. I couldn’t hang on to it no matter how much I told myself to remember. I wanted to shout my frustration, not wanting to lose the warmth and sense of comfort and security I’d been submerged in.
Beep. Beep. Beep. I heard some kind of alarm, followed by Ryder’s low murmur. As I lay there, reality rushed at me like a freight train. I remembered everything from the previous day and night. Someone trying to kill me. Transferring to another planet. Really? Another planet? Could I just go back to sleep?