Dream Plain by uschibear

"Are you sure you want to do this Alanna?" Liam asked.

Tonight, as she prepared to enter the dream plane, she removed the amethyst and black tourmaline from under her pillow. The sachet of herbs Cardamon put together when she studied with him for those fateful months of her senior high school year was refreshed every few months. Earlier as she cast a circle of protection around their home, she sprinkled a steady stream of salt alongside her.
"I know the way is safe. We haven't had an indication of a magical enemy in years; not since Fagan." Alanna shrugged out of her sheer robe and lay down on the bed.

Liam bent over to kiss her, and said, "Go quickly and bring back your answers in safety. I'll be here watching for your return."

"As you always seem to. I don't think I've journeyed without you being there on the return except the dreams before we met."

"Once you found Riona, they stopped in any case. But this one is the first you have deliberately embarked upon. In some ways they are more visions than dreams," Liam said.

"You sound like you're trying to convince yourself this is okay." Alanna reached up to smooth a carrot orange curl away from his eyes. "I will be. I promise. I shouldn't be gone for more than ten minutes. It's a simple recipe. I just need the names of the herbs. He did write it down, except the page is so worn I can't read the last two ingredients."

"Then sleep tight my love. I'll be here when you wake." Liam pulled the blanket over her shoulders and smoothed it down.

"Love you," she murmured.

"I love you too."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


Alanna paused as she walked through the narrow gap into the open green fields of the Otherworld. The only thing she could do was use her spirit to search for her mentor. Directing herself to him was a skill beyond her, and those who regularly traveled, like Grammie said it wasn't a direct a to b process. Entering the dream plain was difficult in the first place and foolhardy if you did not have anyone to call you back. Dreams gifted to you in sleep were different than those a soul took into their own hands.
The wonder of peace here was addictive. Why would anyone want to go back?
"Because there are things for you to do child."
Alanna whirled in a circle, the green meadow shifted as plants bloomed in all colors and trees appeared. The sweet scent of magnolia brought an image of Grammie's home in Texas. The turret towers, and the trees. Row upon row of magnolias lining the streets for which their hometown was named.
"Magnolia bark, or rather the essence there of," Cardamon and Roarke followed the path her bare feet trod.
She threw her arms around him, and felt the firm press of approval in return.
Roarke kissed her forehead before he spoke. "Your gift of healing, especially for those hurt in heart and mind, is precious. We heard your call before you entered our realm. What was the other herb? I can't remember them like you do my sweet man."
"Extract of holy basil leaves. A rare herb. It took me many months to search it out. Now, with the internet, you should have no issues. Get the seeds and grow them. There are many more uses. There is a type of rose that goes into it too. No, no, that is rhodiola rosea leaf extract again. Take the knowledge, you will remember. The Goddess gave to me what I pass on to you," Cardamon assured her.
"Listen, Alanna. He calls you now. Go home to your love and your children. Bring healing to many more," Roarke turned her gently. "The path back is clear."
"I'll miss you more for having seen you now," Alanna said, her voice thick with tears.
"But we are where we should be and you are not," Cardamon said. "You have been here far longer than you promised. Time flows slowly here, and not there." He gave her a good natured shove toward the Earthly plain.
"Alanna, Love, come home." Liam's plea reached her, and she fell through the mist, gathering speed as her soul tore through the ether. Her body lay still under her, no tether like travels in the mirror world.
"So much for ten minutes," Liam grumbled as she felt her eyelids fluttering before she opened them to his worried green gaze.
"How long?"
"Four hours. Was it worth it?"
"I've got it. The recipe makes perfect sense now. But the Otherworld is a beautiful seductress. Her pull will be irresistible when our time comes, my love. Fortunately, we have a long life ahead of us before the Goddess calls us home."