The Dream Pools
Banyon’s thoughts returned to the present. What if Rathos had finally decided to break the rules? Could he? Would he? And in such a way??? Banyon was unsure – he felt somehow that Rathos would not have taken such a drastic step on his own. Was there someone else with him, encouraging him? And if so, who? Isha? They had spent a lot of time together lately.
A sound disturbed his thoughts, rapid footsteps, light ones, coming towards him. He stood up quickly and reached for his shirt. At that moment the curtain was pulled back, and Thaiya stood looking at him, her pale eyes fixed on his wet body, her breath coming in short bursts as if she had been running.
“Thank The Balance I have found you!”
“Pelanso told you where I was going?”
“Yes, but he didn’t know which pools! I went to the South pools, and the East and you weren’t there!” She sounded so desperate, and the look on her face was one of sheer panic.
“Come here!” he said gently, instinctively taking her into his arms, holding her close to him, feeling her rapid breathing and fast beating heart. “Calm down! You’ve found me now!” He stroked her hair with slow rhythmic movements, feeling its softness like a returned caress beneath his fingers. As they stood there, her body so close to his, the old longing returned, spread through his veins like a forest fire. He wanted more than anything to drink in her warmth, to possess her again.
But now was not the time. With a great effort of will he regained his senses, became once again the Traveller guide, Grand WaveMaster of Logos. He dropped his arms to his side and moved away from her and quickly began to put on his clothes.
“What brings you here so urgently?”
“It’s Beatrice!” Tears began to dribble down her cheeks, slow tears, accompanied by gentle sobs. She leaned up against the wall as if she had no strength to stand by herself.
“I’m so afraid, so afraid!!”