Dream a Little Dream by Piers Anthony Page B

the source and you won’t remember, even if you stumble into it again, unless I tell you where it is. I think that’s the rule.”
    Again, she seemed to hesitate. She shrugged her shoulders and with that she turned and disappeared as quickly as she had appeared.
    Nola stared after her. What a curious encounter!
    Mich smiled at Nola. “I know you can do it,” he said supportively. “You’re the best. After all, you created me.”
    Nola laughed at his immodesty. She kicked her feet a little to alert Spirit, and he turned tail and leaped into the sky, following the river.

    Mich followed beside her and Snort also took to the air, but was quickly left behind, again.
    Nola hung on, reveling in the wonderful flight through the morning air. The landscape spread out below them like a richly variegated tapestry. She wished she could identify specific places, but she just wasn’t familiar enough with this region to get properly oriented. Still, it was a phenomenal experience, no matter where they were.
    They flew on for hours and covered much territory before Heat began to tire. He seemed to have gained strength now that his friend was with him once again. Spirit also was feeling strain in his wing muscles, though he could fly on if necessary.
    The day was beginning to lose light. Esprit and Heat were both exhausted. They were strong animals, but both had limits. Nola realized with a start that this meant that they had been flying all day. It had seemed like only an hour or so to her.
    They were still not yet in sight of the glade, but they landed to rest and wait for Snort to catch up. When the little dragon did, Snort galumphed over to Mich and snorted a puff of steam at him. He was angry for always being left behind.
    Night had fallen and the unisi could no longer navigate by land. Unfortunately, the sky was overcast and dark. No hope there; they would have to camp, which was just as well.
    They found a spot that was fairly clear of big rocks and sprinkled with soft grasses. Nola was still a bit shy around her dream man, but Spirit wanted to graze, so she was forced to choke back her shyness and lie down with Mich. The nights could be cold in Kafka, and Mich’s strong body should help keep her warm and safe.
    Nola was very tired. So much had happened. She wondered how her ornery cat was doing and hoped that Lori would stop by, as promised, and feed her. Since Snort was doing well enough, considering, she thought Kudo must be all right too.
    Despite Mich’s closeness, the chill air made Nola shiver next tohim. Mich covered her with the blanket he was using in lieu of a saddle. It smelled of sweat and horsehair, but it was warm. He put his arm over her shoulder.
    As Mich held Nola’s small body, he knew it would be only a matter of time before he lost his senses and fell for her. The Sorceress Madrid had predicted it. He hoped he could complete his mission before thoughts of love clouded his mind. He was king now and he had to prevail, for the sake of his people and for his father.
    Nola snuggled closer. His arms were strong and secure. He was so like the man in her dreams; how could she ever have thought he wasn’t? She wished she could lose herself in those green eyes forever, but that was ridiculous. She barely knew him. Or did she?
    Again she experienced the strange sensation of conscious sleep. Her body was relaxed and numbed while her mind wandered over die day’s events, fully aware of the sounds and smells of the night.
    Yet at the same time, it seemed like such a waste. Here she was with the whole night to pass away, unsleeping, in the arms of her dream man—and they were doing nothing but just lying here? She could think of a thousand things to make the time pass swiftly and pleasurably. Well, one thing, anyway. But until he thought of it, she wasn’t about to suggest it. A girl just didn’t in a situation like this.

In the morning, Mich got up early and picked fruit. He lay a large pile of it next to Nola.