Read Awakening into Dreams: Part II of the Fabula Fereganae Cycle Page 26

Interlude: Star’s Lament

  I did not want to harm her. Lady Serena, Lady Cédes, whatever her true name, the dream that once spurred me across Feregana deceived me.

  I wanted only for my disparate soul to find rest. It has been far too long.

  She promised respite at last. I have no doubt it will come.

  Though what it took is not justification enough.

  Stefi is hurt, her friends no more.

  Serena does not understand. To her all but Stefi are nothing more than insubstantial dreams. To natives of Feregana it is all they have known.

  Who is to judge whether Dream and Awakening are any less “real” than the other? Both are dependent on the other.

  She has made a mistake. Our pain, our suffering, it was all real enough to us.

  The other Lady Cédes, the Kalkic Sansonis, the Furosan Ifaut, the Otsukuné Rhaka, the ferret Gemmie… none can judge their trials as trivial. Least of all myself.

  Now they are gone, cast into nothingness with the beginning of Stefi’s–the Final Fieretsi’s–Awakening. Not dead. Just gone.

  It is not fair. She is not fair.

  All that is left is to help Stefi.

  The Dream may end. But so will the life of that Alzandian Devil.

  I, Keet the First, will to see to that.