40 A Dream?

It has been two days already, but Angrod still didn't wake up. When the healers arrived, after he went unconscious, they already wanted to file a death report before even looking at him! 

After hours of uncertainty they healed his body but because he was severely weakened, he hasn't woken up till now. The medicine of this world is amazing. Within hours, they announced his wounds to be healed. 

I already thought myself a widow before marriage. Even with the ring, Angrod gave me, I am bad at magic, so I left the first aid to Ireth and Katrine. 

Right now I am at Angrod's side and trying to wake him up by stimulating the flow of mana within him. If there was enough of it... he feels more like a corpse. By gripping his hands directly, I am able to feel it somehow.

We are inside his room and the healers are paying visits every hour. Stupid idiot hermit! What should I do, if he leaves me alone now! Couldn't we have just fought together?

I don't know how this was possible yet. Somehow he gained a huge amount of mana for this fight. I hope he didn't go to the streets and suck some people dry! But if he did that, it would already be known. 

The fight itself shocked all the nobles. There are already some voices that a king shouldn't attack bystanders. But there are very few of them. I guess everyone is afraid of being added to Angrod's crown next. 

I hope nobody finds out that I intervened. My parents gave me a day's worth of lectures. But the opportunity was so great! After Angrod had penetrated the ceiling and Markorn fired that shock-wave after him, a huge part of the ceiling caved in. That created a huge cloud of dust, which was enveloping them. 

Just reacting on the spur of the moment, I pulled a hairpin out of my pinned up hair and threw it. Everyone was concentrated on the fight and no one paid attention to me. 

The small hairpin disappeared inside the dust cloud and struck the figure I had identified as Markorn. By paying attention, I had a pretty good idea which figure was the right one. 

Katrine had given me a shocked look, but didn't say anything. I was right next to her, so she became aware of my action. 

I know myself that I took a huge risk. Interfering in such a manner could have easily tipped the delicate political balance. Even if our reputation is very good at the moment, if something like this would become public.... I don't want to think about it. 

I hope he wakes up soon, his hands are so cold! He has to be warmed up somehow. Hmm, he isn't conscious right now, so I can do everything I want to him. Hohoohohhoho! This is the perfect chance to get a whole lot of items from my check-list. 

I carefully lift the sheet and hug the stupid hermit, while sneaking under the cover. Hahaha, you can't run away now! 

His mana feels so familiar. Like in the old times, when he was Johann. I relax while I fall asleep. 

***** 

I am sitting at a bench. Behind me is a house of wood and fields stretch to the horizon. Before me is a valley with a forest and a lake. 

Is this a dream? I know this place. Am I dead and this is the real afterlife? I pinch my cheek, but I feel the pain. And this bench feels too real. But this is my house, from the time I was with Sandra. 

"How is it?" 

I jump up and turn at the voice behind me. "Seria, You!" 

"Hiiiii." The goddess waves at me with a smile. I try to ignore the almost transparent dress. 

"What are you here for? Am I about to be sent to the next punishment?" I ask her. 

"Nope, I just wanted to say hello and ask how it is going." She sits down on the bench and pats beside her, signalling that I should sit down too. 

I sit down, no point in opposing a god. "Why would you need to ask me? Can't you check for yourself?" 

"I am just talking to you via long range telepathy. I didn't visit your world for quite a while. If I did, Tjenemit would immediately get access and I am not quite ready yet." She explains to me, but I understand exactly nothing. 

"Could you please start at the beginning? I know that some fanatics are currently trying to summon a god to my current world. But a council member at that? And why would any god have the need to be summoned?" Seria will have to do some explaining here. 

"Unfortunately I don't have very much time. Just until you wake up. But to make it short. Your world is inside a void zone. It is my personal playground, no other god has access to it. I grabbed you two for myself, because I like you two. Tjenemit isn't too fond of me and has found out about my little rebellion against the council. Although he has no proof, he is trying to get access to this world. I plan to let him enter your world to fight him there. I can't come to the world, because it would help him to get access and I am not ready to fight him, yet." 

"A rebellion against the Council?" I ask her. 

"Just a little long term plan of mine." Seria smiles an innocent smile at me. 

"And what if I stop him from gaining access at all?" I ask her. 

"Feel free to try, but when I interpret the stuff in your head correctly, it's unlikely. Other questions?" -Seria 

"How do you know this place?" -Me 

"Hmmm, I wonder? It's a nice and peaceful place isn't it? That reminds me! How is it going with your wife? Did you two already make up?" -Seria 

"You are trying to evade the question... It is going okay I guess?" I answer. 

"Wonderful, I wish I could show up to the marriage! Maybe I will project an image of myself to visit you for a few hours." -Seria 

"Why are you so enthusiastic about this?" -Me 

"Why shouldn't I be enthusiastic about the marriage of two people, I brought together? But I fear our time is up." Seria pats my head. 

"What? You still have some explaining to do!" Somehow the world distorts and starts to fade away. 

"Don't forget to take a close look at that soul, you captured..... and be nice to your wife." 

…. 

…. 

I open my eyes and look at the ceiling. "That's what I would call a nightmare." I look to the side and see my mother smiling at me. 

"I am glad you woke up." She whispers and I become aware that something is lying on top of me. I lift the sheet and discover Celes. "Why are you using a sick person as a body pillow?" 

"She was at your bed for three days now, like me. The healers already started to dig your grave." -Ireth 

"Is that so? I guess I will have to disappoint them. Anything else?" -Me 

"Nothing that couldn't wait. After your little demonstration, everyone was surprisingly docile. I never heard so few complaints." -Ireth 

Ireth pats my head with a relieved expression and leaves the room. Wait! You have to take Celes with you. I try to slip out of her grasp, but suddenly she tightens down around me like a vice! OOWW! I need the healers again! 

"Nyahahhaha. You won't get away... the body pillow has no right to sneak off..." 

What the hell are you dreaming!?