A Dreamer's Tale Chapter 11

Fast healing. Size enhancement through personal-focused Folding. Precision telekinesis with Force. Imprecise area Force blasts. Combat training. Studying the arts. Dual Ability use. Meditation. Combat training. Endurance drills. Day-to-day running of an organization as large as the Order. History lessons. Dreamscape creation and control. Combat training. Dream elements interpretation and insights. 

Did she mention combat training? 

The next six months passed by both quickly and slowly to her, as she learned and trained in just about everything. Combat training was, undoubtedly, the hardest for her. It was hard for her to want to hurt someone else and led to hesitation in fights, something that Wengar had to beat out of her, semi-literally.

It didn’t work perfectly, but her defense had improved a fair bit, even if she still had difficulty bringing herself to hurt others. There were a lot of things to learn about how to fight: without weapons, with weapons, without weapons vs. someone with weapons and vice versa, fighting groups, etc. 

Both she and Victor had moved up to the more advanced combat class, where most of her other friends were. They didn’t have nearly her control over the five basic Dream Warrior powers (save Dalila, who was very polite but seemed to see Elizabeth as an unofficial rival), but they fought well. Derrick in particular had trouble using his Abilities to their fullest but was quite skilled at brawling. The Dream Warriors had more refined techniques and styles, which he quickly adapted, but he kept his own brutal, reflex-heavy style with them. 

Combat training wasn’t the most of what she did; it just felt like it when compared to the other classes. Her Abilities had grown quite a bit, far beyond what she’d ever imagined herself being capable of, and she was starting to believe that Dawn might be right in her estimation of Elizabeth. She knew she still had a long way to go, though, feeling the vast gap between her power and the power of any of the Masters, let alone Dawn. 

She sent letters to her family and friends often, not wanting to lose touch, yet she felt the content of the letters shrinking down. Too few big things to comment on, and yet missing the familiarity of the day-to-day communications to connect them. It wasn’t bad, though, and in a way it felt right as she was moving on with her own life. With her new friends around her and busy learning so much, the time seemed to fly by. Even with all the good, however, there were still some annoyances she couldn’t avoid... 

*** 

“You know, I’m getting really tired of your attitude,” Fergus said. Underneath that sneer and contempt, there was a bit of anticipation and nervousness. He was aiming for something here, which she felt was about time.

“Excuse me?” Elizabeth couldn’t help but say in response to his words. 

“Yeah, your attitude, always trying to get me in trouble.” He and his cronies had been steadily amping up their attempts to mess with her, and despite his friends supporting Fergus’ claims, they’d been getting to the point that the Adepts couldn’t overlook or miss it. 

“That’s because you always try to mess with me!” She spluttered. “Why don’t you just leave me alone?” 

“That’s actually a good idea. We can have a duel, and whoever wins has to leave the other alone.” 

She narrowed her eyebrows at him. “... Why? We could just agree to leave each other alone.” 

“Well, we could set up the terms so the other had to not take any classes the other one could take, so they have to change things around.” 

Elizabeth crossed her arms, seeing the trap for what it was. “Uh huh. So, when the loser tries to change their schedule, you don’t worry about it if I win, because I would just force you to change your current classes, while you would be petty enough to try and make me leave the temple, claiming that any class is one you ‘could’ take, right?” The look of shock on his face as she figured out his plan was priceless, and she wished she could frame it. 

“How- how could you-?” 

“I overheard you plotting against me, and even with all my training, I’ve learned a few facts about this place and the rules. You wanted to get rid of me to help your cousin - and wow, do I hate Margrave, really thought he’d stop being such a dick to me after I moved halfway across Engalia - but it didn’t work.” 

“I- fine! Yes, that’s what I wanted, and sure, you know you can kick me out too now. That doesn’t change anything; we can still have our duel, with the terms more clearly stated that the loser has to go to a different temple. I’ll even throw in promising that none of my friends will interfere with you more,” he bargained, looking a bit desperate.

“Hmph. I would really like to be able to work in peace, and more than that... I’d like you to send a message to Margrave Tukesh for me, that I’m sick of his actions here. So yes, I’ll accept your challenge if you also agree to tell that jerk to quit it once you leave.” 

“Alright then,” the older boy let out a breath of relief. “The duel will take place tomorrow, in the third sparring ring-” 

“With no stand-ins. Just you versus me,” Elizabeth interrupted. 

“What?” 

“Maybe I’m being paranoid, but I can’t help but notice you’ve taken the perfect time to challenge me to this while Master Florian is out of the Temple for a couple of days at least. So, if you really are willing to place that much on the line, Initiate Guiltjoy, then I want to make sure that you feel your convictions will be enough to carry you through. Hiding behind a higher-ranked Dream Warrior after challenging me would just feel cowardly.” All true points, which is why she thought he was willing to challenge her in the first place. She’d grown a lot stronger in the past few months, while he hadn’t been improving at nearly such a rate. Even with him having been an initiate with a few years head start on her, she felt she was stronger than him. 

He grimaced. “Fine, I accept those terms. See you at dawn in the sparring ring, he said to the shocked gasps of his friends, spinning around angrily. Elizabeth was surprised too. Had she underestimated him, or did he feel pushed back into a corner farther than she thought? She was starting to regret agreeing to the fight, since she could have easily just rejected his offer rather than taunt him. Pushing the doubts aside knowing they’d hardly be helpful now, she went off to get ready for her fight. 

*** 

“So that’s the situation?” Ali said as Elizabeth finished explaining everything that had led to that point. “He does not sound like great Dream Warrior material, honestly.” It had taken so long that she’d skipped dinner (save for a few snacks he kept from the caravan), and they’d found a quiet spot to talk about it all as she slowly munched on her food.

“He’s... not. I get the feeling that things are a lot more complicated in the hierarchies of Dream Warriors and nobles than most people give credit to, and some of the tests here don’t work.” 

“Maybe, but they brought you in, didn’t they? That much at least they got right.” He flashed her a reassuring smile, and she felt herself melt a bit, but then soon was filled with doubt. 

Those very thoughts she had towards him sometimes, they were part of why she worried she wasn’t fit to be a Dream Warrior. “I’m hardly perfect; I know there are areas I’ve failed at being a Dream Warrior, where I shouldn’t have passed the tests I did, and I’m not sure I even want to fix all of those flaws.” 

He actually thought about that for a moment before just shaking his head. “I’ve known you for some time now, and I can say you’re a good person. Maybe I don’t know enough about ‘Dream Warriors’ and all that to say if you’re a good one of those, but I know about people and right and wrong. You’re a good person: studious, caring, friendly, and determined. You’re incredible, and if that’s not what the Dream Warriors are about, then maybe they should be more like you.” She gazed at him, shocked by his words, and had to resist the urge to press her lips against his. That was exactly the kind of thinking she had to avoid! ... Even if she did think he was sweeter and more amazing than ever. 

“Thank you, but-” 

“But nothing, you’re a good person, I know it. Maybe you aren’t perfect, but who is? We all just have to try the best we can, and the fact that you keep on trying, that you don’t get complacent, that says a lot about you.”

“Alright, I’ll learn to take the compliment, your lordship,” she chuckled, and his face scrunched up in distaste.

“Ugh, please don’t refer to me like that.” 

“Not a fan of your station? Most people wouldn’t think that way.” 

“Maybe not, and it might be selfish or arrogant of me, but it’s not something I enjoy. All the people bowing and scraping just because of who my father is.” 

“Is that why you moonlight as a vigilante?” 

“Ehh, part of it. I like seeing people as just ‘me,’ but I also really like getting to know and helping others that I normally couldn’t reach. That’s probably the worst part of being a Duke’s son; my father’s educated me exactly well enough to know that I really can help a bunch more people once I take up my inheritance so I can’t just entirely ditch the simpering fools and jerks up in the capital.” 

“Are they really so bad?” 

He waved his hand back and forth in a ‘so-so’ sort of gesture. “I guess a lot of them are just more ignorant and a little full of themselves than ‘bad.’. Would still rather spend my days with you, though.” The heat she’d tried to push down rose back up to her cheeks.

Trying to get the conversation back on track, she asked, “Have you been in any duels before? I know you have fighting experience, but...” 

“A couple of times, usually when some noble tried pushing the bounds of decency way too far with someone else just because they were of a ‘lower station.’. Honestly, I can’t give you a bunch of advice - sure, I won all those duels, but most of the noble sons I fought weren’t all that well trained. Magnus was actually decently skilled with a sword, I suppose, but he didn’t know how to fight dirty.” She looked at him in askance. “Ah, never mind, long story. Anyways, most of my experience comes from fighting in the real world, not duels. Those things are usually too formal and stiff, but pay close attention to any rules of conduct you have to follow and don’t psych yourself out.” 

“That’s it?” She was a bit disappointed that that was all the advice Ali had to offer, but he shook his head.

“It’s all the advice you need. You’re strong, but it can be easy to mess with your own head before a duel starts, not like a brawl on the streets where you don’t have the time to second guess yourself. I guess that applies during the duel too. You can tell when someone’s lost the will to fight, and it almost always happens before they’re knocked out or truly beaten. Just don’t give up, even when it’s tough.” 

“Alright, I’ll keep that in mind. And thanks, Ali.” 

“What are friends for?” He smiled again, and Elizabeth thought that this was the moment, even if it wasn’t prope- 

“Lord Ali, we really need to leave now!” The caravan driver’s voice cut out into the night, ruining the moment. Ali groaned slightly at that. 

“Ugh. I guess it is getting kinda late, though. Gerord probably wants the chance to get back to the capital in time to tuck his kids in to bed. I’ll see you again in a week?” That was a bit later than the usual gaps for his visits, but Ali had mentioned something about Duke Bellsworth finding some new tutors for him to help ‘further [his son’s] education.’ 

“Wait, but what if I lo-” He put a finger to her lips. 

“None of that now; remember what I said was most important?” 

“Don’t doubt yourself.” 

“Exactly. I’m sure things will work out.” The driver called out again, and he called back, “I’m coming! Give me a second!” He turned back to her, “Ok, I really have to go now,” and started walking away, waving goodbye. 

It was annoying to be interrupted, but she felt kind of glad for it too, not ready to face what spilling her heart to him may mean. She also had a bit of time to take in his advice before she went to bed. 

*** 

Mount Dawnbreaker was quite tall, and it being night out didn’t help the chill she felt as Elizabeth ascended to the peak. The ‘peak’ was really a wide rim, the top branches pushing near to the surface but not actually cresting over the top. It looked like a solid blanket of leaves in the dim moonlight, but she was certain it would prove far less so if she tried hopping down.

She’d heard the funny rumors about Dream Warriors trying to gain more power by going to the top, a few of them even losing their balance and hurting themselves, or through exposure to the elements (something she avoided through making a small fire to keep herself warm and using Folding to breathe in some of the less thin air from down below). She wasn’t trying to gain more power, though, just... perspective. Thinking about the fight ahead, what it would mean if she won or lost. 

She’d miss the friends she made and knew that Dawn would be disappointed in her agreeing to such a duel, possibly never seeing the Master Dream Warrior again. She really didn’t want to leave, just as she was getting used to being an Initiate. Even through that, her purpose wouldn’t end if she lost. Even if agreeing to the fight was a mistake, if she wasn’t a perfect Dream Warrior yet, it was the path she’d chosen, and she’d try her best here or in any other temple.

In a way, the thought brought her some peace, and she felt ready for the battle ahead. No matter what, she’d try her hardest and do her best, and that was all anyone could do.