Paul Gilles
Letters to Charmilla Softspeak, Eldest Daughter of Xiola Umbar From That Which Cracks Eggs, Dragonewt Ruler of Ormsland
355th Dancing of the Seasons
I am overjoyed at the response this project is receiving. The coming together of so many peoples, both Real and Shadow, make me wonder if our Dreams really are the only things that are important.
I have met so many interesting people, and have come to a new understanding with my fellow Dragonewts. We have shared our Dreams and found them to be as one: of balance, and of unity. Such camaraderie and singleness of purpose is unprecedented since before the time when The Dream Was Saved.
Of course my heart soared when I was finally able to meet with you, my dear Charmilla. I am glad to find you well, and salute you and the Only Old One for your endeavors here.
I must warn you though, an evil lurks within the troll domain. Eriayalaia, from the Blue Moon Plateau, disturbs me greatly. I have sensed her Dreams, and they are of death and of That Which Must Not Be. Be wary of her and of her followers.
Aside from this though, my coming here has given me the opportunity to meet many new people. I have received gifts from a number of them, as tokens of friendship and of bonding. I shall attempt to describe to you some of these strange creatures.
Gita Flatsnout is one case in point. He who has united the Hsunchen tribes of Ormsland, and has responded submissively to my gesturing, is human, but seems to be more Real than human. Almost Draconic.
There is Raltosar, a Brithini, who does not sleep, and who does not Dream. How can he be Real? How can he be Shadow? Yet he is respected by the Council, and is allowed to observe our project.
Seri-Phy-Ranor, governor of Dorastor, is a very rational and honorable fellow, who introduced me to the Ambassador of Seshnella. In my short conversation with him I thought that he was insulting me by calling me a "Krjalki". I had thoughts of swallowing him to help him on his way back to his nest, but Seri explained to me that people of the culture that Sir Homalton comes from consider any creature that is not human, by their limited definition of human, to be Shadow. Hmmm, interesting view but skewed 180 degrees. I also have found that Cragspider is not Enverina the Firewitch, who I knew from the True Dreaming, but that this was her mother, and by consuming her, she gained her memories and powers. I must speak more with her on this subject, for she seems to be on the Left-Handed Path.
I was also honored to share grubby worms with Kwaratch Kang, a Zorak Zorani troll who is also the warlord of the Council.
As the opening introductions and interactions were taking place, I was pleased to learn that through the unity of my Dragonewt brothers, a Dragonewt road shall be constructed joining my Nest in Ormsland to the Dragonet, and thusly, connecting it to the Dragon's Eye, and allowing my colony an Inhuman King! The road should be finished in time for the Hatching. May the Dragon of the Void be praised! The joy I feel I shall share with all present. I shall share my Dreams with as many of the ambassadors as I can.
360th Peregrination of the Sun
HORRORS!!! I AM WEEPING!!! After all of the anticipation and excitement. After all of the preparation and good will. One of my worst nightmares has come true.
I am sorry that I have to burden you again, my dear Charmilla, but it must be said. The Evil of Evils, Eriayalaia of the Veil has been chosen as Mother to That Which Emerges. I have sensed the death of a True Dragon upon this being. I am beside myself with Panic.
I have shared Dreams with Sibilant Tongue of Ouroboros about this, and he has said that all will be well as long as a balance is maintained in the creating of That Which Must Be. He has assured me that all is well at present, but I still feel that I should do something to stop her. She does smell Tasty....
Despite this setback though, construction of the Dragonewt road continues on schedule, now with the consent and approval of the Council. And although there are marauding bands of barbarians roaming Ormsland, my allies and friends are banding together with my troops to deal with the raiders. This is but another act of unity that will bring my neighbors closer to harmonious relationships with each other. This is a powerful omen that will help to balance any setbacks.
I have also sent some of my dinosaur troops to help my brother,
Master Herds Allosaurs, to further his goals. I wish him well in
his quest to return the misshapen dragonewts to their proper forms,
so that they may dream again.
At this time I must take my leave of you. With the developments
here going in unexpected and startling directions, I must find a
new way. Sharing Dreams with Mind of Golden Dragon has given me
new hope. His visions are as bright and unclouded as they were the
first time I sensed them. His youthful outlook has given me the
courage to continue upon the path of my Dream.
I will go to all the rulers here gathered in the City of Miracles and ask permission to soar to the highest mountains in their homelands so that I may dream and reflect upon the developments here. I will return renewed and refreshed and ready to continue the task that lies before us.
Mountains are excellent places to Dream....
365th Parade of the Days
My dear Charmilla, my time away has been well spent. I have found the will to continue and the courage to face the New Dream. My mind is set to see this task through until That Which Emerges becomes Real.
There is but one obstacle. I have learned that the gifts which I received from the gathered ambassadors have entangled me into their Dreams. I must be quick, and free myself from them, and them from me. I shall return these gifts with no apologies, no regrets, with only the memories of better understanding and friendship remaining. Although entangled, we have learned from one another and will remember.
Just as I have remembered what you have done for me. Although we are apart and always will be, your generosity and compassion at the time when The Dream was Saved, is what has allowed me to grow and remain, unlike so many of my brothers who could not change and hence have returned to the Void. I can only hope that I was able to give a part of myself to you, as you gave of yourself to me, so that we always will remember each other.
And as another example of change for the good of all, it is my privilege to announce an occasion of great joy, and an omen of the Great Dragon's wisdom.
Gita Flatsnout has transformed into a Dragonewt. We brothers are very happy for him. We are glad that he can now lead his people according to the Left-Handed Way.
The Dragonewt road is nearly complete, which also brings me great
joy. My people will finally have an Inhuman King. With this task
accomplished I will better be able to concentrate on the Hatching,
and nurturing of That Which Must Be.
I also watch with amazement as The Only Old One works his magics to
form coalitions of followers to further the goals toward balance.
For even if he himself becomes stronger, the opposing forces are
pulled taut and then pull back, for they are strong also and will
not break.
We have only a few short years remaining until completion, with still much work to do. The tension level seems to be rising. I can only hope that this is in anticipation of the Blessed Event, and not from some self-serving desires beginning to form. Our work has gone on for quite some time.
I will resume my Dreaming in preparation of the Hatching. Soon all our questions will be answered and we will be that much closer to the True Dreaming, and the banishment of the powers of the Void.
370th Cycling of the Powers
I am the INHUMAN KING. I always was. This has become clear to me now.
But being the leader of my people wasn't enough. The beings of Shadow and all other Real people, all belong in this world. And we must strive for all of our survival. The powers of the Void are hungry and strong. But with our combined strength we shall defeat them.
All I have done was in preparation for the Hatching. I sensed the Egg before it was even revealed to the world, and once sensed, I knew that my one true goal was to see that That Which Emerges becomes That Which Must Be. So I have set aside being the Inhuman King for the greater good.
But alas, the tension has been broken, and splintered, and now it seems that the wait has been too long. For although we brothers have long been devoted supporters of the project, our influence has waned and our voices are no longer heard as they once were.
Gita desperately tried to gain a seat on the council, first by intimidation, then by force, and then by treachery, but failed each time. He was then in turn freely offered a seat, through friendship, by the one he tried to usurp, "as an example for him to learn from and emulate".
Mind of Golden Dragon, our Inhuman King, foiled an assassination attempt upon himself.
He Who Herds Allosaurs's people are surrounded by enemies. And Sibilant Tongue of Ouroboros has gone to war with the Council, and has the City of Miracles surrounded. We have no choice but to withdraw from the Council, for the blood-lust which has come upon Sibilant has affected us all.
In his battle lust, Sibilant has risen up and transformed into a True Dragon. He is both wondrous and mighty, but yet his powers are not enough to destroy the city, for Gonn Orta has also risen to the occasion and called forth a True Giant to battle Sibilant.
They cannot defeat one another, but soon enough they do defeat Sibilant's lusting for blood. Sibilant is repentant and the Hatching continues.
It is at this point, my dear Charmilla, that I made a great blunder. Instead of continuing upon the True Path, I allowed the lust for power to overcome me. I became caught up in what was best for the Dragonewts, forgetting what was right for the world. Why couldn't I help myself? There is no time left. The Hatching is upon us. No time left to Dream. I don't know if I can change paths again.
I need to Dream....
375th Marshalling of Moments
I was destined to be wetnurse to That Which Emerges, but in my weakness, and giving in to the lust for blood, I was not considered for this position by the Council. Those that are chosen are worthy, but my destiny and purpose have both been destroyed by my own hand.
Do I return to the Void? Is this the end of my Dream? What remains for me to do? My people have a King. That Which Must Be will be tutored without my help. What is left to give?
Alas, I seem forsaken, but the essence you gave me, Charmilla, gives me respite, and the ability to change once again. There IS something left that I can do.
That Which Must Be will have many protectors, teachers, benefactors and worshippers. He/She will learn and grow under the guidance of all those that helped in the Creation. The balance has been achieved.
But who will teach our god how to Dream?
I have found a new destiny.....Are there mountains where you live, Charmilla?.....Mountains are excellent places for Dreaming.....
Copyright 1995 by Mark Gilles
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