Dare to Dream

Noble gathered the rest of the information over the following three days. Every time she thought she had gotten a handle on things, a new fact or figure would come to light.

During those days, troops poured into the port from various places. If things were crowded before, now they were positively cramped.

So Noble was quite relieved when a train was able to take them back to the NQSC.

"Do you have everything you need?" Fort asked as he picked up their bags to carry them to the station.

"I will probably never have all I need, but I know who to ask and how to get that information when we get back home. I only hope my mother is ready for all that I have to tell her."

The professor had been sending reports every evening to Lena, but there was something about a face-to-face meeting that would be far better for communication.

"Sorry I was not more help. I know I should have seen it coming, but I had not planned on being the point of contact for the NQSC while I was here." The Deputy Director had squeezed more meetings into his short time there than anyone should have in a year.

Other than his dinner the first night, Fort had not found any time to relax. Both of them had been exceptionally busy.

 "It is just as well. I am not sure what I would have done with you following me around like a puppy."

In theory, the professor might have liked a handsome man following her around listening to her every command, but in practice, it would not have worked.

In life, Fort and Noble were a team. But that did not mean they needed to spend every waking hour doing the exact same thing. Especially when that task was stressful.

It made their time together in the evening that much more precious. Now, it was time to head home.

Fortunately, Noble had gotten over her fear of the train. Their trip here had not quite been a worst-case scenario, but it was pretty close, and they had survived. The pull of home called to her louder than any Nightmare Gate.

After double-checking that everything was packed, the pair headed out of their quarters. The amount of activity had more than doubled since their first day, making it difficult for them to push their way toward the train station. 

 That is why when there was suddenly a wide hole, the couple took notice. 

A young man with dark hair and pale skin was moving through the compound. Rather than upset the Master, the mundane soldiers chose to crowd together and let him through.

Recognizing the soldier, Noble couldn't help but stare. The young man looked her way a moment later. Their eyes locked. 

 A small smile graced his face as he changed directions to head toward the couple. 

 "Master Sunless!" Fort greeted the young man as he approached. "You are a long way from home."

 "As are you," Sunless clasped the older man's hand. He dipped his head toward the professor. "Awakened Noble. I realize we didn't speak at the ball."

"I figured you didn't recognize me. I imagine I look a little different when I'm at the Academy or out gardening next door. Anyway, you were a little busy."

Noble remembered his dance with Lady Changing Star that ended poorly. Now the Master was here a week later while the news reported that the beautiful lady was being adopted by Clan Valor. 'Probably just a coincidence.' 

"Heading to Antarctica?" the Deputy Director asked, eyeing the captain's insignia with some curiosity. 

"I am heading up a company of Irregulars," Sunless answered with a shrug. He hesitated. "Are either of you…"

"Not just now," Noble answered quickly. "Currently, we are just here on government business. We head back to the NQSC in less than an hour."

"I see." Master Sunless nodded slowly. The young man seemed relieved, much to Noble's confusion.

'Shouldn't he want more help, not less? Maybe he just feeling protective.'

The idea touched her heart, and she felt compelled to respond in kind. "Since you are going to be gone for a long time. Do you need anyone to look after your home? I can keep an eye out, or I know my daughter would be happy to check in from time to time."

"Things should be fine for now. I'll let you know if that changes. Listen…" Sunless paused as someone called his name. A burly Awakened was trying to get the Master's attention. "I have to go. If you'll excuse me."

"Master Sunless?" Noble struggled to find the appropriate words for such a parting. She settled for speaking what was on her mind. "The world needs more Masters like you who are willing to help. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Sunless waved off her praise. "I should be thanking you."

"Oh?" Noble tilted her head.

The captain coughed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Ah, you know. Thank you for offering to look after my house. Just make sure you are taking good care of your family as well. Uh, keep the whole neighborhood safe while I'm gone."

"I will try." The professor was deeply moved by his sincerity and care. As long as she remained in the NQSC, Noble would honor the request.

"It was good to see you. We must be on our way as well." Fort tugged gently on his wife's arm. They really needed to get to the station.

"Safe journey." Sunless dipped his head and turned to leave.

"Safe journey!" Noble repeated toward his retreating form. She wished him all the luck in the world.

As the professor turned to the station, she could not help but feel that a meaningful exchange had taken place.

A burden was lifted from her.

------

Alighting the platform, Fort set down the bags to pull out his communicator. He showed the tickets to the conductor, who directed them to the appropriate car. 

"I cannot believe our neighbor is here. And heading to Antarctica, no less! I didn't think he was part of the military. He must have joined just recently." 

Noble steadied herself as the train began to move. "That is certainly big news. I know someone who will be very happy about that fact. And also, someone who will be quite upset." 

That was how it would probably be with most of those going to fight in Antarctica. They were very welcome to help in the effort to save the world, but would also be missed by those left behind. 

"I do wish him well." Noble looked out the window as they passed through the impossibly high walls.

It was hard to say when she would see the port again. Even if she joined up with the army just now, it was unlikely that the professor would make it on the wave of ships that had been floating at the dock. 

'Farewell for now.' Noble pulled her gaze away.

"What are you thinking about?" Fort could see his wife's far look.

He could always read her moods, sometimes better than she could herself. She moved away from the window, her eyes swirling. Their two suitcases lifted from the bed and moved neatly to a luggage rack. The professor floated to the spot on the bed beside her spouse.

"You want to know what I am thinking about? I am contemplating the scale of things. This is so much for all of us to bear. And really, what can we do? Looking at the port and thinking about the catastrophe to come I feel so…small."

"Hm." Fort looked out the window at the receding fortress.

"What?" Noble laid her head on the man's shoulder gently.

Fort wrapped his arm around his wife and pulled her close. "It's just at that same moment I was feeling the opposite." 

"What do you mean?"

Surely he didn't mean he felt big in the face of such an impossible task. Fort was too humble for such hubris.

Sighing, the Deputy Director collected his thoughts. "I know it sounds silly, but even with all your experiences with the Nightmare Spell, the problem always seemed far removed from me. Like I was dealing with the issue but still outside of it somehow. I only ever saw Seb fall asleep, so even that wasn't enough to make it feel real. It wasn't until the gate opened by our children's school that I got to see the Spell up close and personal. Now I cannot get those images out of my head. I dream about them at night. I envision what might have been if not for Mongrel and the heroes who protected them." 

It had been over a year since that fateful occurrence, yet Noble could feel the deep fear when he spoke just now. It was a fear she shared herself.

"But these past few days I've seen people from all over the globe communicating and coordinating. It reminded me that I am not alone. Humans may be frail individually, but we are a force to be reckoned with when we are united. So after seeing so many willing to plunge headlong into danger, I don't feel small...I feel like I am a part of something bigger." Fort closed his eyes and chuckled. "I am rambling, I am sorry." 

Shaking her head, Noble interlaced her fingers with her husband's. "I like it when you talk like that. It gives me hope that someday we will be safe from all this." 

"I want nothing more than to provide a safe place for you and our children. I would go most anywhere and do most anything for a chance to give you some peace." Fort's tone was solemn as if he was making a vow, though Noble was unsure if it was for her or for himself. 

"Peace? The Dream Realm is more peaceful than our world some days. Once in a while, I imagine us setting up house there. Life would be different, but in some ways, I think it would be simpler." Noble mused.

Fort kissed the top of her head with a wry smile. "A simple life? Dare to dream, my love. Dare to dream..."