Ellie Swan's Dream

A magnificent stone castle looms ahead. A wooden draw bridge stretches across a moat, which separates the castle from the rest of the land. Across the bridge, two tall men in shining silver armor stand alert. The knights have their hands on the hilts of their swords, which are sheathed at their side.

The area around the moat is a lush, deep green forest. Wild flowers of bright oranges, sharp violets, and deep blues appear in patches in occasional clearings. A massive hawk screams as it flies overhead, above and across the moat. The predatory bird lowers its talons and perches on the highest castle spire. The bird screams a second time.

Stepping out of the green forest, all four feet treading carefully toward the draw bridge leading up to the stone castle, the black wolf suddenly jumps back and gazes at the large hawk flying overhead. It comes to rest on one of the spires. The wolf resumes his pace right up to the wooden bridge. He stops as he sees two men in silver, standing still on the other side of the moat. As the animal slowly walks forward he begins to transform. The wolf blurs and rattles and
becomes a very familiar man. Now it is Cliff Alset walking across the wooden draw bridge. His hair is messed up something awful. He waves his right hand at the two guards.

Jackson found himself astride a horse, staring skyward as the hawk takes its perch on the highest castle spire. It was obvious by his attire, that Jackson appeared to be someone of authority, but not royalty. Captain of the Castle Guard perhaps?

His throat was dry, as if he had been shouting all day, but he didn't know why. Everyone but his lieutenants seemed to fear him in some way, as all the soldiers kept their eyes averted from his gaze. Jackson suddenly dismounted from his horse. For a moment, he lost his footing, as if he were in a dizzy spell. But it soon passed as he closed his eyes tight shut. Jackson got a sense of familiarity with this castle, which soon became a realization to him that he knew the place inside and out.

"There's someone at the gate, Captain!" Shouted one guard, as all the archers took aim from the tops of the walls. Jackson ran upstairs to the lookout to see who it was. Grasping a spyglass, he peered through it to see one Cliff Alset. "Open the gates! Let him through!" Jackson commanded. And it was so. The gate lifted, allowing Cliff to enter easily.

As Cliff passed over the bridge, his attention was suddenly drawn downwards into the moat. He peered into the water and saw what appeared to be severed human heads floating under the bridge. He rushed to the other side and awaited for the heads to reappear. They were large maple leaves that were now floating away to his right. "Damn! I coulda swore." He heard a scraping sound and gazed up as the gates of the castle were opening. Cliff looked at each silver-clad guard, who stood silent and frozen as he walked through.

Jackson moved down to the front gate, then eyed Cliff, but motioned the way inside. "This one's a little different, eh?" Jackson asked, chuckling a bit as he moved along with Cliff.

Gazing with an open mouth, Cliff was mesmerized by the beauty of the massive castle. He stared across the courtyard at the steps leading to the doors of the castle. He then turned around and his eyes wandered over the walls he had just entered. As he walked with Captain Lee, he felt a sense of helpless anxiety. "I... don't understand what this is all about. I'm not even sure who I am anymore. Is this real? Is this a fantasy? I came here for a reason."

"This dream's got detail... a lot of it. Its like I know who I am, and what my job is here. I know this castle inside and out. We're here for a reason Cliff. We gotta find out what it is," Jackson states as he walks with Cliff to an entrance to the fancier side of the castle.

Jackson and Cliff arrive at the Royal entrance to the castle. Cliff suddenly stops in his tracks. He gazes up to the top of the door."Wow. So beautiful. Look at that artwork. It's....amazing."
Then the Royal door opens slowly. The two of them walk in.

Jackson paused a moment, allowing his eyes to adjust to the lower amounts of light inside the castle. Escorting Cliff in, Jackson couldnt help but nod in agreement. "It is some amazing artwork here. This dream is a beautiful one."

The foyer is indeed decorated beautifully. Many paintings hang on the walls: both landscape paintings and portraits. The landscape paintings depict various fantastic lands, which some might recognize as places in Narnia and Middle Earth, and others depicted mythical places described by Homer in The Odyssey and by Jonathan Swift in Gulliver's Travels. All of the portraits are of men, many of whom would be very familiar to Cliff and Jackson. Included among the portraits are their own faces, as well as the faces of every man in Stakeford, except for Cameron's. There is an empty spot between the portraits of Max West and Special Agent David Spencer. Most of the men in the paintings are wearing prestigious royal clothing befitting of princes, and others, like Jackson, are dressed as knights and even captains.

Several knights in shining armor stand on guard along the wall. A red stretch of carpet cuts down through the foyer and heads up the stairs, where it splits into two halves. At the top of each end of the staircase, a figure is standing. On the left side, Samson Ackermann is looking down on them. His head is shaved, such that he is hardly recognizable at first glance, and is dressed as a monk. He takes a long, satisfying drink from his flask and scowls down at the pair. On the right side is Danielle, who would be almost entirely unrecognizable, were it not for the bright purple hair visible under her feathered cap. She is dressed as a medieval bard, but it is clear from her bulkier dress that an effort has been made to diminish her feminine appearance. Danielle smiles invitingly toward the two men.

Although its source is unknown, a strong impulse tells Cliff and Jackson that if they go up one path, choosing either Samson or Danielle, they cannot go back and choose the other later. They can both go together up one path, or they can split up-- but there is no returning. However, this decision may not necessarily matter; all that is suggested is that it is permanent.

Cliff stands silent for a moment. He glances back and forth at the two figures atop each staircase. Without turning to look at Jackson, Cliff says, "Let's split up. I'll head up to purple hair if that's OK. I have a feeling we're about to learn why we are here."

Suddenly the painting of Cameron became filled with a flash of light. There were muffled screams coming from the frame.

Cliff stops midway up the stairs and turns his eyes and ears to the painting of Cameron. "Dear God, what is that?" He holds onto the rail. "Someone is calling for help in the painting! That strange light! What the hell!"

Jackson followed a few steps behind the monk, eyeing him carefully, suspiciously. Finally Jackson stopped in the middle of the hallway. Hairs stood up on the back of his neck, as he spied on the monk ever so carefully, a hand gently sliding down to the sword on his belt.

Cameron's throat has become coated with blood. His screams have become hoarse and pitiful to hear. "Damn it. Cameron said quietly to himself. Suddenly Cameron sees Cliff turn toward the painting. "Cliff for the love of god help me! Get me out of this hell!!"

"You're in a painting in a dream." Cliff examines what he just said and repeats it loudly. "THIS IS A DREAM! YOU ARE IN A PAINTING...IN A DREAM!" Cliff looks all around the room below, the stair cases and hallways. "We are all in a dream!" He looks back at the painting where Cameron's voice is screaming. "Think real hard! Think of another painting. The one in the library lobby back in Stakesford! Think yourself OUT of the painting you are in at this moment! The real world is out there! I will think with you! Let's get the hell OUT of here!"

"Stay your weapon, Jackson." Samson the monk raises his hand slightly. "Why perpetuate violence? If you live by the sword, you die by the sword. I mean you no harm." Samson bows slightly toward him. "Is there any way I can be of use to you? Perhaps you'd like to see the lady of this castle?"

Meanwhile, Danielle the bard addresses Cliff. "My sweet and silly old man," she calls. "Must you shout so loud? You hurt my ears! Your thinking... It's most strange, and it's most unproductive." She gestures toward the painting. "Telling him that this is a dream will not make it any less real to him," she explains. "He doesn't know the difference between what's real and what's not. He's a silly little boy. You cannot reach him where he is now. Rather, you and I, we have to go somewhere quickly-- so make haste! Come hither!"

Cliff closes his eyes tightly, and turns around toward Danielle. With a deep breath, he softly utters, "I just want to know what's going on." Cliff opens his eyes. "I need to know it's really happening. Is that crazy?" There is a long pause. "Lead the way!"

Jackson let his hand rest on the hilt of the sword, but did not draw it. He was still suspicious of the monk Samson, but gave a nod. "I think I will see the lady of the Castle. Take me to her." He commanded.

Seeing Cliff go off with Danielle made Cameron's hope finally vanish completely. He knew he was royally fucked. Doomed to be stuck in this painting forever. "It doesnt even matter. I've been useless throughout this entire investigation anyway. I havent provided anything useful and I couldnt even save Brandy even though I told her everything. I'm what my high school gym teacher always said I was. God, I never thought I'd admit that he was right. I'm just a pathetic loser who can't throw a football. No matter how much I try. I just want to give up and let the guys go on without me." As Cameron was repeating to himself, "There's no place like home, There's no place like home, There's no place like home" and clicking his heels together while trying to see through a thick veil of snot and tears, the painting began to glow. He was suddenly transported into another room in the castle but he was no longer stranded in the painting. The room was large and lit with a ornate chandelier that caused miniature rainbows when the light cascaded onto the diamonds that were incased with in the arms of the fixture. The floors were pristinely shined hard wood with a velvet rug on top of it. The rug stretched the length of the room and in the middle of it was a bed. The bed had 4 expertly carved poles coming out of the 4 corners and ontop of the poles was a canopy. It went down the length of the bed and almost touched the floor. There were curtains on the 4 poles that were tied to them with golden rope. The curtains and canopy were both deep purple. The bed was covered in elegant white sheets that seemed like they were changed every day because of how white and new they looked to Cameron. On the bed was a Ellie. She was dressed in a dress that was red and was simple yet the way it was fitted made her look stunningly beautiful. Her hair was curled in a way that looked like it took hours to perfect and her make up was done in a similar fashion. After Cameron took all of this in he said, "Ellie, you are without a doubt the most beautiful woman I've eve- He was cut off. Outside the door to the room he could hear Danielle saying to Jackson, "We have arrived at the lady of the castle's private quarters. Are you happy now you sword crazed, power hungry maniac?"

Jackson:
Samson the monk bowed his head toward Jackson. Samson then turned around and continued along the path behind him. He led Jackson along the left side path until they reached a large white door. "The Lady's quarters are this way," Samson explained. He looked gravely at Jackson. "If I were you, I do not think I would proceed any further. The closer we get, the more you will know, and the more you know, the more difficult it will be to turn back. Not everyone here wishes you harm, Jackson, but there are those who do." Samson opens the white door. A long and narrow hallway stretches out before them. The hallway is self-lit by a deep, pulsating red glow. "I will go on. Decide as you wish." Samson passes through and starts his walk down the red hallway.

Cliff:
Danielle the bard grabs Cliff's arm and drags him along the right side path. She said nothing and was ready to shut Cliff up if he tried to say anything either. They continued along the path until they reach a large white door, at which point, Danielle lets Cliff go and addresses him. She folds her hands and looks Cliff in the eyes. "Right now, Jackson is on his way to the lady's quarters," she explained. "But so are we. These paths do not connect. There are two ladies of this castle." She looks around before resuming. "There are two, but they are one and the same. Dreams are illusory, yes, but do not underestimate the reality of a dream either. Cliff, we've watched you, and I do not think you will be a target. However, the other two, Cameron and Jackson... There are creatures in this castle that would wish them harm." Danielle opens the white door, revealing a long hallway lit by a dull blue glow. "I will take you to the lady," she says. "You should be safe. Along the way, however, you will face troubling things. I am just forewarning you. I do not think you should turn back. If you go back, you will be in more danger."

Cameron:
Ellie turned her head toward Cameron and smiled toward him. "Cameron, I–"
The door opens. Danielle walks forward, followed by Jackson.
"Lady Swan," Danielle announces with a bow. "Sir Jackson has most urgently requested to speak with you at this time. I apologize for any inconvenience this might cause you."
Ellie waved her hand. "It's fine," she said. She looked carefully at Jackson. "What is your business here, Sir Jackson?"
"You are in great danger, my Lady," Jackson said. There was a tremor of concern in his voice. "The Red Knight has infiltrated the castle. He approaches in haste to find you. We must either make a stand or flee. The other guards have been alerted, but the Red Knight is powerful. I fear he may still reach us."
Ellie nods slowly. She looks at Cameron. "You know magic, yes?" She looks back at Jackson. "Perhaps good Cameron here knows a spell that might protect us. We cannot keep hiding like this. We must defeat the Red Knight once and for all."

Jackson looked down the hallway, eyeing the path and the monk who traveled it. Jackson mulled over the monk's words, "But... I save lives. I help people," He spoke to himself. Taking a deep breath, Jackson stepped forward and moved down the hall. After a few steps, a pair of doors slammed shut behind him with a resonating thud. Jackson jumped and turned, staring at the two heavy black doors. Exhaling, Jackson turned back, continuing to follow Samson down the hallway.

Thoughts came to him, pieces of a vast puzzle were coming together. Whispers of familiar voices played in his head, voices he confided in, and they in him. Some of those voices he knew were liars, but some were telling the truth, and this included Samson the Monk. Something was amiss, a conspiracy was afoot. Jackson realized he had been played. "Monk! Samson!" Jackson called out. "A word, please."

Remaining silent while looking at Danielle The Bard, Cliff thinks to himself: *Creatures in the castle. Troubling things ahead...* He turns to stare down the blue-lit hallway. He whispers as they continue, "What kind of troubling things?"

Cameron looks at Ellie with a look of shock and surprise and looks at Jackson with a look of confusion before speaking. "Ellie, what are you talking about? Magic isnt real. This isnt Harry Potter. I can't just say expecto patronum and expect something to happen. That isnt how it works. What gives you the idea that I can do magic? Is it because of the fact that I popped into your room without knocking or you even knowing I was in the castle? To tell you the truth what happened was I took some inspiration from the Wizard of Oz. I thought of going home and clicked my heels together 3 times but while I was focusing on that I got caught up thinking about your beautiful face and how I would go mad if anything happened to you and I guess I got transported here to your room instead." Cameron looks at her pleading and worried knowing that his inability to help may be the end of him and everyone with him. After a short pause Cameron turns to Jackson and Danielle. "What's this talk of a red knight? Is it like the red robot in Rock em Sock em Robots or something? What makes this guy so powerful? Why is it our job to fight him? We arent the United States military force. We cant just go out and attack people for no real reason or get involved in conflicts that have nothing to do with us. Plus, what does this have to do with finding the well killer? It seems kind of off the course a bit." Cameron looks at Jackson puzzled. "What are you thinking?" Cameron wonders to himself under his breath.

Cliff continues through the blue cast of the hallway that stretches out a long way. He turns to his right and catches the oil painting of a flowing river among tall evergreens. He stops for a brief moment to notice a yellow row boat which seems to be moving. As he looks closer, Danielle The Bard pushes his back to urge him onward. So be it!