Sleep was short and the dreams made up for that with intensity. The first dream, which I had initially dismissed as too much Rift before bed, had me as a battle mage. While my build was for OPDPS (over-powered damage per second), I wound up not directly participating in the fray. When the invasion began there was no leadership in the crowd and everyone was just striking out at random. The dimensional invaders were picking us off one by one.
I used my powers to throw a cone of light on one target and shower a plate-geared warrior with roses. “Damage dealers! Your target is lit! Healers! Save the roses! O Chosen Warrior! Keep that bastard’s attention!”
Slowly, the assembled mob realized the advantage I was giving them. I wanted to contribute to the damage, but any offensive spell would blind me to the state of the field. No one else stepped up to take over the strategy. I used different colors to light up different threats, with white being the main target, red for the secondary target, and blue for people that required heals or support. The main tank was showered in roses, anyone that needed emergency heals was highlighted with sparkles.
I didn’t have to say any further words. The mob quickly realized the symbols and took proper action. By the time reinforcements arrived, we had destroyed 85% of the initial invasion force despite being low level.
The cavalry commander made quick work of what forces were left. Everyone was cheering. All characters leveled up several times except for me. I was too high level for this area and I didn’t throw one offensive spell. The commander had encouraging words for everyone. Except me. For whom he saved all his derision.
Why didn’t I help? Why did I stand out of range of the invaders? Why did I let these low level people take the brunt of the invasion? How cowardly!
The group tried to tell him that I had led the defensive forces. Tried to tell him that I alone had organized the rabble, selected targets, and focused the group’s abilities. They tried to tell him that his anger was misplaced, but he was having none of it.
“You are a mage, not a commander! Your place is in the field to bleed and die if necessary! You magic users are all alike! You hide when anything larger than a spider approaches, but brag about your theoretical numbers! I will show them what you are!” He raised his sword to cut me down.
With a gesture, I sent him flying over his forces into the nearest pond.
I realized then I was dreaming.
“What business is it to you what my station is? I could have ignored the others and taken the giants down myself, yes. And it would have been a massacre. They had no one leading them. No one teaching them. No one waking up dormant instincts. No one giving them hope. There was no flashy armor on the field to inspire them. No bought positions to remind them that theirs is not to think, only to obey, and to die in obedience.” I called my horse and mounted up. “I am a mage, not a commander. I am the one that did your job better than you and saved this village. They will remember, that the day was saved not by well packaged nostalgia, but by the dirt and sweat of their own hands. They have tasted autonomy, and you will never be able to wrench that out of their mouths.”
I looked around the field at the survivors. Many of them were in shock that I abused the high-born commander so. But every third face was stern and nodding in agreement with me. I wondered if this was more than just a dream after all. I felt my work there was done and to remain would risk undoing whatever purpose I had accomplished so I left village, realm, and dream.
…
Dream #2 opens with me as arbiter. Again. I was lucid on arrival and internally bitching like fuck. Arbitrations never go well with me. My presentation is always gentle, and dipshits tend to mistake gentility for vulnerability without ever considering just why I could be so relaxed around such dangerous things.
I shall not fear because I’m the most dangerous bitch in this valley.
The two clan chiefs were all ready to begin open war right in front of me. They felt insulted that they were forced to come to the Arbiter’s Stone, insulted that they had to do so in front of all the other clan chiefs, and super-mega-duper insulted that the arbiter was not only an outsider, but a woman!
What’s that? Anything inside the circles of stones is mine? As long as no blood is spilt, I can do what I want?
Okay!
One quick asswhipping later, two bruised and chastised clan chiefs knelt on the ground before the Arbiter’s Stone. I stood before it.
“If there is any that feel I am wrong to stand here, let them come forward and state their case!” No one responded. “Then let us proceed.”
And we did.
…
Dream #3 was interrupted by the phone. But it overshadows the other two because of the content.
I was mounted on my realm-jumping steed, dressed in the robes and light armor of a battle mage. Fully lucid, I was on the edge of a cliff, watching two strong forces go to war in the valley below. One force had a banner of a golden maned lion on a red field. The other force’s banner was a red lioness on a black field. I had the knowledge that these two forces should be allies, not enemies.
I sensed someone approaching me from behind, stealthed and armed. I didn’t turn around, but sent my shadow minions to capture the sneak. They did so quickly, to the sneak’s surprise.
I continued watching the field. I was guarding the area behind me. If the conflict appeared to threaten it, I was to sound the alarm and take action. “Your name, your case, and your preferred method of death.”
The bound sneak stopped struggling. “High Lady, my name is [Nothing]. I am a messenger from the [House of the Golden Lion]. My lord and master seeks audience with you and your lord, High Lady. He seeks those evil-doers that have taken refuge in your lord’s lands.”
I recognized the house, and the connection with the forces on the field. This was the same house that sent the lions after the weasels and incurred a Naga Lord’s wrath.
“The Naga Lord has forbidden me from becoming further involved in the tragic mistakes of your master. He has roused the Lord of the Waters into action, I have no influence there.”
The messenger shifted in the minions’ grip but remained securely bound. “It would bring this war to an early end, High Lady. My master has been falsely accused of what those [weasels] have done. Those two must be brought to justice if not for the love of truth then to prevent bloodshed!”
“You do not know to whom you speak if you are appealing on such grounds. Justice has raped me with lawful power. As such, I always thirst for blood.” I tilted my head towards him but kept an eye on the battleground. I allowed him to see the displeasure on my face then turned forward. “The matter is out of my hands! The Lord of the Waters has been roused and angered. The only action I have available is what to do with you.”
I silently told the [region] behind me of the messenger. In answer, two large elementals came forward. “By agreement, none of the [people of the lion] are to even step foot upon this ground. The [region] has listened to our conversation, by it you shall be judged accordingly.” The elementals took the messenger from my minions.
I heard a whistling sound coming from the valley. My human memory identified it at once. “Incoming volley!” I solidified the air in front of me as a shield. Something like explosives boomed around me, deafening me. My steed danced in distress under me but did not run.
Needless to say, I sounded the alarm.
I heard a serpentine voice, like Snake but not Snake, yell for me to withdraw from the edge. Another volley, stronger than before exploded around me. It occurred to me that I was the target. My horse stumbled. I fell. Strong hands gripped me and pulled me away from the crumbling cliff edge. I saw my steed racing to follow me.
The elementals that had grabbed the messenger were now fertilizing the ground with fresh paste. The creature that grabbed me took a breath to speak.
The phone rang.
Fuck.
Could not go back despite all attempts.
Time for me to take a closer look at those weasels and how they presented themselves to me on that initial dream.