I stood on the edge of the path out of the dream. Another small dragons step, and I would be out and flying among the dreams - something I haven’t done in four years.
But I didn’t dare move closer. They might be out there.
I realized now that with my supremely good hearing I have concentrated over the last four years on the inside of the dream rather than on the outside. Out of fear, perhaps, of learning that they are waiting for me just outside.
But now…
Now I was ready to at least listen.
I crouched and the world outside opened to me.
Humans would think there was silence. But there wasn’t.
I heard it… Wind. Soft wind between the eternal dreams. From faraway, from nearby.
I exhaled without noticing. I know that wind. I know its origins. I have ridden it and ridden against it over the centuries.
My first priority was to listen if there were breaths or movements of monsters, waiting for me just outside the dream.
I listened.
There was nothing. Perhaps they were masking themselves, but most likely they were not nearby.
How about farther away?
I heard the Tiny Ones, flying around from dream to dream.
Farther away…
There’s that breathing! One of my enslavers!
My heart almost stopped in fear.
No, that monster was not that far away but he was far enough away for me to realize he didn’t know where I was.
I calmed myself down and listened to softer voices… even farther away…
Two more vile monsters.
And… a dragon! No! Three dragons! Flying in unison!
Tears welled up in my eyes. My friends! Still enslaved!
I had to collect myself. Even now, remembering that day, I need time to gain control of myself.
Tomorrow I will tell you of the other things I have heard.
—Told by The Red Dragon