He must have come back into the time where I left as he was talking to someone. After a few moments, he called my name several times ever so softly with a silvery voice tilt to it. It was silky, yet very gentleman like. Cold, yet with some warmth. His voice gave an ever knowing sort of feel to the world, for he did know the world and its happenings. My eyes flickered open as he gently whispered my name again. He laughed with slight knowing eyes, “Dear me, you sleep too heavily. Or did I put an extra dose of that sleeping spell on you?”

His laugh was so familiar…I looked away from the man, staring out towards the moon, the dark silver crescent. If life was just like a moon, that would be — It took a few moments to realize in the silence that I was being carried in his arms flying under the stars. Terror occurred to me. What am I doing with him! Up here! And where’s Belcourt?

The man spoke, “You are just like that lady, such a fragile flower. So easily terrified.” He laughed once again. “So you finally see, ignorant child, where we are.”

He had put an exaggerated emphasize on the word, “we”. I did not understand what he meant. Was he playing around with my thoughts? I gave him a helpless look trying to look away from his stare.

“Didn’t understand that, did you?” He laughed with amusement. The laughter was indeed very familiar. “Maybe I should put this in different words. We are going to do something together. Oh yes, together. And you’ll be the loved goat. Would you like to comment on anything?” I ignored him. He continued on talking. “Are you sure? Nothing? Not a word? Don’t tell me. You’re another mute!” He laughed.

I bit my lip, trying to hide my anger. I had a hundred words to say but yet I dared speak none. He was a powerful magician, and I did not wish to acknowledge that I was the helpless one of us two.

“So you finally accept that we are going to work together and that you are to be the goat.” He paused. “Good, wonderful! I just needed to know and to have your permission. After all, this is a job for two. You and me. Yes, we’ll work together like how we always did.”

Painful silence swished through the wind. I waited angrily for the next commentary. It was still silent. I could not help myself but break it with the building anger. “I will NOT be your scrape goat! And you do NOT have my permission that I will work with you, a despicable gentleman. And note that I have NEVER EVER worked with you and never will I.” Silence again permeated through the air once again.

The man gave a wicked smirk. “But the problem is I was never a gentleman and I have worked with you, but you never realized, did you?” He laughed ominously. “Oh yes, you have, Artemis.” How did he know my name? He laughed even louder than before. The laughter now so familiar to me after hearing it over and over again and yet no recognition aroused. His laughter was like someone. I knew that fact by heart. I just couldn’t find the right person. Again and again, I searched for a match. The fact stamped on me suddenly. Him. Yet, a different version of Him.

“So now you remember. Slow to the uptake, I should mention. To business now as you like to say. First, though I need to make a stop somewhere so we can talk.”

I was startled and grieved for myself. It was not fair. Life was an attractive center of evil. Where goodness lay was where evil entered. Why could he have just stayed in my dreams? Why did he have to be real? I knew I deserved to be the scrape goat of his coming plan for I did not keep my promise which I made ever so blindly. I cried silently to myself as we flew over the Hall and closer towards the street between Drakesheath and the nearest train station. We landed. The time of dread was about to begin and I was to be the messenger. I spoke not a word. “Not we must walk to the Portal Tree. Hurry up! Come along. I can’t always be carrying you. We haven’t got much time. Soon total darkness will befall us and everyone else.”