"Dad! Dad!" Cassius shot up, back to life for the first time in days. He did not recognize the large room, the smoldering fire or the strange bed, but it seemed familiar.

"The dreams!" Cassius leaped from the bed as his memory came back to him. He bolted toward the large wooden door. On the other side he found a stone grey hall that looked to be an endless curve stretching in both directions. The flickering light of evenly spaced candles on the wall did little to brighten the area.

He dodged right and sprinted, panic driving his weakened body. The silhouette of a black robed figure walking away appeared around the curve. "Elisor! Where's my dad!" Cassius shouted, grabbing the figure.

It was a woman, much younger than the ancient Druid Cassius had expected. "Oh, sorry. I don't know where I am. Where's- where is anyone?" He pleaded, fighting back tears.

"Easy there, young Juliei," A familiar, unsettling voice called from behind Cassius. "It is alright Yen, I will take this one," Elisor said, waiving the woman on. He took his time with each step. Cassius shook with nervous anticipation causing his pain to creep back into his consciousness.

"Elisor! Where am I? Where is my father?"

"Yes, yes," the Druid placed a hand on Cassius's shoulder. It was a soft, comforting grip, much more gentle than Howlen's. "Come with me. I am glad you're up. We thought for sure you would regain your faculties yesterday. No matter though. Let us head to the study to sit. You should be careful not to overdo yourself."

He's right, Cassius thought. His panic subsided and he felt unsteady.

"Here, take this." Elisor offered his walking stick. "It is a strange burden you feel. I know." It was strange, like a heavy cloud hanging over his thoughts. It was a force that consumed his attention but would not reveal itself.

Cassius was seated in what Elisor had called the study. He hadn't noticed walking through the hall or passing through any doorway. It was a large circular room. In a moment of clarity Cassius reasoned the room must be in the center of the hallway. The realization brought him confidence, but the fear of his circumstance took him again. He tried to distract himself. The better part of the room was divided in rows by high shelves. Countless books from thin pamphlets to large leather bound tomes packed the shelves. Cassius knew how to read, a rare thing for a boy who tended sheep all his life, but his mother had insisted. He had hated it then as he did now, but it became a great source of pride. I hope he won't make me read all this.

Elisor joined the boy at the small table set between two stone stairways; one ascending and one descending.

The druid offered him a cup. Cassius eyed the steam rising from its contents and reached for the cup. It was lighter than expected, or he had been too quick. The hot liquid splashed onto his hand. Scalding. Cassius startled and dropped the drink, spilling the clear liquid on to the table and floor. The cup rolled, teetered on the table's edge for half of a moment, then shattered on the floor.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Elisor sipped from his cup with no reaction. "It's ok," he said as Cassius lifted himself from the chair. "Don't trouble yourself. Here, have mine. The heat will be good for you."

Cassius sipped. He nearly spit it out. His twisted face said everything.

"Vinegar, young Juliei. We are not well-to-do wine drinkers up here. I know. It is not meant to be enjoyed, but the heat will help. Drink what you can. Take your time. Ahh, indeed, I have much to say and I'm sure you have many questions."

"Ya! Where is my dad?" Cassius exclaimed. He straightened up, but the sudden movement was too much for his weakened body.

Elisor brushed his outburst and the pained expression away. The Druid's motion struck Cassius as too dismissive, but he was not sure. "I'll go first. Your family has roots here. I'm sure you feel the pressure of the Way even now. I heard your dreams, Cassius Juliei. That was the Way, entangling itself in to your mind. Your entire being."

"Dreams? I don't know. I just want to go home. Where is my dad? He came with me! He was with me!"

"I know. I know, child. Your father has chosen to play his role in the coming trial. As will you and I. He will be back. Soon, I hope."

"Where did he go?" Cassius asked but didn't hear the answer. Trial? Why would he leave me? "How many days was I- what happened?"

"Good. Yes, indeed this is a better question." Elisor leaned back in his silk upholstered chair and rapped his fingers on the small table between him and Cassius. "You have a connection to the thing that gives us power, Cassius. We call it the Way. You have been overtaken by the Way for the better part of four days, but as you adjust you will come to know more." Elisor leaned forward revealing his bright green eyes from beneath his hood, "Now tell me, while you slept you were yelling a word. Do you remember the word, Cassius?"

Cassius remembered, but something worried him. He didn't understand what it was about Elisor, but something seemed dark. Dangerous even. "I, in my dream I saw you say it."

"No, no. That part was not a dream. Indeed, I heard you yelling Hagsbane over and over while you crawled out of your room and down the hall. An odd word to yell for someone as young and foreign to our ways as you."

Cassius sunk further into the chair. His thoughts fell with him from despair that he had been left by his dad to the dread about what happened to his mother. Why is this man asking about dreams?

"What happened to my mom?" As he said it, he felt selfish. He remembered that long line and all those people who had filed in and out through the Longhouse so quickly. "Why us?"

"Regarding your mother, I'm afraid I do not know for certain. But I think her connection to us had something to do with it. That connection is why you are here. It is also why your father felt it best to keep you here while he set out to help us."

"What do you mean? He doesn't like Druids."

"Does he not? He seemed to be a rather pleasant fellow to me. And I'm sure he cared for your mother."

"I don't know." Cassius put his head in his hands. "Why do you think we're safe here?"

"That is a very good question, Cassius. I think it is best to show you." Elisor stood, pushing himself up with all his strength. "It is such a chore getting old, Cassius. You should count yourself lucky."

Cassius followed the Druid to the precipice of the descending staircase. "Help an old man down some steps, would you? I'd like to show you the sanctum."