Selina led them to the meeting room and Howard observed their guests.

{Strange,} Zandra mused, {I have never seen anything quite like this before. It is both familiar and strange.}

{Thank you?} Selina replied, her confusion a bit too obvious. Had the year of living in this world robbed her of her stage presence?

{We sent you the information we had to tell you,} Howard broke in, {You should start by telling us why you came here and what you want.}

Zandra turned her focus to him. {Blunt. Not bad, but you could easily get strung along in plots,} she noted, {We came here to make a deal..}

{What kind of deal?} Selina asked with interest.

Zandra nodded to Koko, and a small ceramic jar was produced. {This is a cream we have produced that protects against the sun’s rays. It isn’t perfect but it allowed us to move around during the day.}

{Supersunscreen!} Selina exclaimed when she heard the explanation.

{What would you like in return?} Howard asked before Selina could make any hasty promises.

Zandra smiled. {You changed the name of Power so well I cannot even remember the original. It stands to reason that you can change other things too. I want the Three Sages of Concordia to change the sign of Dream.}

Selina froze. {I mean, I also think that it is bad the way things are but changing a physical attribute is completely different from changing a name.}

{I have already asked the Oracle of Feroz,} Zandra informed them, {They claimed it was possible as long as they had the help and influence of those who brought change. It could be none other than you.}

{So it is possible but we would need the Oracle’s help,} Howard checked, {It seems we need to have another conversation.}

Dorian entered just then. {The guest house is ready,} he announced. He looked a bit tired. Sanders had definitely left something weird behind.

{Perfect timing,} Zandra said and stood, {Lead us to the guest house and we can rest there while you talk to the Oracle.}

She definitely had the confidence of someone used to giving orders, and no one had a reason to refuse, so Selina took them to Sander’s old house so Howard could catch Dorian up on what had been discussed.

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{Changing the sign of Dream, and you are certain she said it was possible?} Dorian asked.

{The Oracle told her so, but it would be difficult,} Howard explained.

{And that is why she wants us to talk to the Oracle,} Dorian concluded, {That makes sense but then what?}

{Yes, changing, not removing,} Howard agreed, {What could we possibly change it to that wouldn’t end up exactly the same?}

{Any physical sign has the potential to end up that way,} Dorian agreed.

{Let’s think about this when Selina returns and we talk to the Oracle,} Howard suggested, {Changing the sign might just be a temporary measure in the first place.}

{Dorian are you certain you removed everything strange from that place?} Selina asked as she came in.

{I at least removed everything in plain sight,} Dorian replied warily.

{It came back. Unless you have a different definition of strange. Zandra found the crystal tree too,}

{The poisonous one?} Howard asked.

{Either that or a perfect recreation someone carved.}

{Let’s just talk to the Oracle. I am sure if we manage this miracle she will be willing to overlook it.}

{I will contact Nova and Denewulf in case this is a plot to attack us while we are busy,} Dorian said and quickly sent a message before they all headed to the hidden room where the hearts of the fountain were kept.

Howard barely had the chance to reach out to his before the voice of the Oracle’s husband came.

{You have changed much since we last met. My hopes and expectations are rising. However, the task you came to speak of this time will be difficult. When you changed the name of Power we were able to make it instantly universal, but this will be a much longer process and we will need your help more.}

{What does that mean?} Howard asked.

The Oracle’s voice was still overwhelming, but it was as if he had become immune to the pressure after visiting the garden and seeing the pillar of light.

{We can change the sign of Dream for the future, but those who already bear the previous sign will not change so easily. You will have to change the sign for them personally.}

{How will we do that?} Dorian asked. Howard could hear him this time.

{First we must decide on the new sign of Dream. Once we have changed it, you will be able to feel those within your range who carry the old sign. It will feel wrong, as if it should not exist. Once you feel it, it will be easy to change.}

{Everything here seems to do with the color of hair and eyes, so what if we did something different?} Selina suggested, {Maybe something like a small tattoo appearing somewhere on their body.}

{That could work,} Dorian agreed, {but what should the symbol be? It could be dangerous if we don’t specify.}

{Since it is for Dream, maybe something like a moon and stars?} Selina guessed.

{Or perhaps a dreamcatcher,} Howard mused.

{Maybe a butterfly that has a sky design on its wings,} Selina added.

{How about all three,} Dorian suggested, {If they are not all the same that will help it so that they are not collectively discriminated against.}

{Will they mean anything?} Howard asked.

{Perhaps their attribute of Dream.} Dorian suggested, {Everyone has different talents, so all of the tattoos should be different.}

{Is this your final decision?} This time Howard could hear the voices of both Oracles.

{I think it is,} Howard replied, {We can’t debate forever.}

{Then I will put it into practice. Be prepared when you return. With how many of those with Dream are nearby you will feel a great amount of wrongness.}

Howard felt an overwhelming power wash over him and then he became conscious of his surroundings again. It was the same as when they contacted the Oracle except for one major thing. Howard could feel the wrongness everywhere nearby. It was like the buzzing of a fly or a prickly itch like when legs fell asleep. Even if he tried to ignore it, it would probably bother him until dealt with.

Partially subconsciously, Howard did something and the wrongness vanished. All three of them let out a breath of relief.

{Do you think we succeeded?} Selina asked.

{Only one way to find out,} Dorian replied and headed for the exit.