Dragon in a Dream............."Strange Landscape"........Lady Blaze

*NOTICE* --For the safety and health of all viewers, readers, and repliers, a name has been changed. Those who have previously read this post will understand. Those who have not will think this is a riot or a joke, or whatever. Go ahead. I don't mind. His (current) name is now Kalb Dratsab.

When I left the inn I received disapproving glares from the elder populace for my blatant display of weaponry, but I did not care. There was no rule against it, though the need for serviceable blades had been greatly reduced in the Gem for a large amount of time. Gerath had been considerate enough to educate me about the city’s policies.

Before I knew it the West Gate loomed ahead of me, its mighty stone workings bold testimony to the Gem’s beginnings. I maneuvered my way towards them through the usual crowd. A stocky austere-faced man stopped me right before I slipped out the small side door and asked me sternly what my business was outside of the city. His whiskers reminded me of the hairy cactuses I had once seen so long ago. My answer was a mere “field research”, which would have baffled most. He let me go, albeit somewhat grudgingly.

I was probably more mystified than the man was, as I meandered off the main road down a side trail into the forest. Why had the gatekeeper felt it pertinent to ask people of their business in full daylight? It was not night, no war was being waged, no great troubles within city walls. He had no alibi. I dismissed these thoughts when the trail I was walking petered into nothing.

With no inkling where the Kalb Dratsab might be, I supposed my best bet was to wander all over the place, always within sight of the highest tower in the Gem, until something interesting presented itself. I enjoyed the light exercise and scenery, making the best of a not so great situation. Every other moment a bird would call and some foliage near me would rustle with fleeing wings. Birds seemed to be the main animal in the forest.

My mind wearied quickly over naming the various species of wildlife, but I continued to walk aimlessly. I did not disturb plants and shrubs unless I saw no other way but through them, and I rarely chopped away with a knife, as the forest was thin. It seemed like hours before I came across anything remotely out of the ordinary.

At first, I thought it was just a part of the landscape, but I looked twice. They looked to be poorly constructed trees made of paper. They were packed closely together in what had to be a man-made circle, like gathered wheat. I reached out to touch one and my hand met air. I made several passes through them with both arms. They were clearly not substantial.

I was tempted to leave the phenomenon but was more interested in what the ring was hiding. Taking a deep breath, I held both arms out and stepped through the trees.

No time was awarded me to yell or retreat. I fell, feet first, into a huge hole.

Fine dust filled my lungs and coated my eyes, packed my ears until I could no longer hear, talk, or see. The sensation of falling stopped abruptly, when I sprawled on my stomach, gagging and covered from head to boot in dust. It was pure agony to move my eyes. I fervently swiped at them, though it did little good, then remembered the small canteen I always carried. I could not recall if I had bothered to refill it or not, and I fell to my knees searching blindly for where my pouch had fallen. By chance my grabbing fingers touched its leather strap. It seemed buried in something, for I had to tug a little before it came free.

I had to rummage a bit before my dirty fingers found its round shape. Swiftly unscrewing it, I poured a goodly amount of it over my eyes while rubbing at them until my vision was blurry but functioning. My eyeballs still felt like they were burning, but at least I could see relatively well. I took a swig or two to clear my throat and sift the grit from in between my teeth.

It seemed I had knocked a ton of sandy earth loose in my reckless fall, and that was why I had had to dig for my pouch. I noticed my surroundings slowly and blearily, waiting for my eyes to naturally tear and swab away the remaining irritants.

-- Hmm, where do you think she is? :)

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