The Drowned Gods, #2
Stranger Skies
by Pascale Lacelle
Contents
Chapter 36: Romie
Overview
Romie reaches Tol in the sleepscape and urges him to hold on as rescue plans proceed. She then shares a tender memory-dream with Emory, confronting their longing for lost innocence. The moment darkens when Kai appears at the dream’s edge, hinting at a looming threat or intervention.
Summary
Romie follows the pull of a song through the sleepscape and locates Tol. She enters his warm, familial dream and recognizes him from Aspen’s earlier scrying. Noting his shorn head and warrior’s build, Romie carefully addresses him and introduces herself as Aspen’s friend.
When Tol does not recognize Aspen, Romie names Caius, which Tol knows. She delivers the message: endure, rescue is coming. As confusion unsettles the dream and it begins to collapse, Romie calls, “Patience. Take heart,” echoing the Song of the Drowned Gods to steady him before he wakes.
Romie then drifts into Emory’s memory-dream of their childhood by the sea with Baz. The real Emory appears beside Romie, both moved by the bittersweet scene. Romie asks if they can return to such peace; Emory rests her head on Romie’s shoulder, wordless.
As they watch, darkness encroaches at the edges of the dream. Emory notices a presence in the distance. Romie looks and recognizes Kai standing within the encroaching dark, signaling an intrusion into their dream.
Who Appears
- RomieDream-walks to Tol, delivers a message to endure, then joins Emory’s memory-dream and recognizes Kai in the encroaching darkness.
- Tol (Anatolius)Imprisoned warrior seen in a warm family dream; recognizes Caius; hears Romie’s plea to hold on as rescue nears.
- EmoryAppears in her own childhood memory-dream with Romie; shares quiet grief and notices the approaching darkness and Kai.
- KaiManifests at the edge of Emory’s dream as darkness presses in, signaling an intrusion or looming threat.