Excerpt from The Lucid War Chronicles
by William Forth
Elena drifted into sleep, the weight of exhaustion settling over her as the sounds of the waking world faded into silence. Her dreams had brought her to Ravenstone before, vivid and haunting, but always fragmented—shifting corridors, glimpses of faces half-forgotten, echoes of voices just out of reach. Tonight, though, the dream unfolded with startling clarity, like a stage play brought to life.
She stood in the great hall of Ravenstone Keep, and for the first time, it felt truly alive. The room buzzed with energy, the air heavy with the scent of roasted meats, spiced wine, and beeswax candles. Torches flickered along the walls, casting dancing shadows on the high stone arches above. Long tables groaned under the weight of a lavish feast, and the laughter and voices of lords and ladies filled the space.
Elena moved cautiously, taking in her surroundings. She realized she was dressed in a dark green velvet gown, its weight unfamiliar but fitting her perfectly. She ran a hand over the fabric, marveling at the detail. The hall was just as she had seen it in her studies, yet transformed—restored to its prime. She knew she was dreaming, but the richness of it, the depth of the sensations, made it feel eerily real.
At the center of the hall, musicians played an upbeat tune with lutes, flutes, and a drum that thudded in time with Elena’s heartbeat. Couples whirled across the flagstone floor, their movements graceful and rhythmic. The dancers’ faces were alight with joy, their laughter mingling with the music. The dresses of the women spun out in colorful arcs, and the men’s boots thudded lightly as they moved in intricate patterns.
“Milady, thou seemest lost in thy thoughts.”
Elena turned to see a tall knight approaching, his armor polished to a mirror-like shine, the crest of a banner etched into his chest plate. The steel of his armor caught the dim light, reflecting it like fractured shards of a mirror. A long, crimson cape flowed from his shoulders, the edges worn yet regal, swaying gently with each step.
His helmet bore an intricate visor, shaped like the face of a stern lion, and from beneath it, piercing blue eyes locked onto her. His words carried the rhythm of medieval English, each syllable deliberate and formal, as though carved from stone. The knight moved with a grace that belied the weight of his armor, his every motion purposeful, exuding both authority and an air of solemn duty.
“Art thou a visitor to Ravenstone, or dost thou call this hall thine own?”
She blinked, startled by his manner of speech but understanding it with ease. “I… am a visitor,” she said, her voice faltering slightly.
The knight studied her for a moment before nodding. “Aye, and a noble guest, I see.” He gestured toward the dancers. “Pray, partake of our revelry. The hour grows late, yet the joy of the hall wanes not.”
Before Elena could respond, another voice cut in. “A visitor, is she? And yet she bears no token of her house.”
A woman in a gown of gold and crimson stepped forward, her expression cool and appraising. She appeared to be in her early forties, her face smooth and meticulously made up, with a faint dusting of powder and a touch of rouge enhancing her sharp cheekbones.
Her dark eyes, framed by carefully arched brows, held a piercing intensity, and her lips, painted a deep shade of crimson, curved ever so slightly in a controlled, calculating manner. Her words, too, were formal, her tone edged with suspicion. “Milady, from whence dost thou hail?”
Elena hesitated. The language, though clear, felt like a thin veil that could trip her at any moment. She needed to take control of the situation.
“Pardon,” she said, raising her hand slightly. “Could we speak in a more modern tongue? It might make things… easier to understand.”
The knight frowned slightly, his brow furrowing, but he inclined his head. “If it pleases thee, milady. I mean… if it pleases you.”
The woman in gold raised an eyebrow but nodded, a faint smirk on her lips. “Curious you are, indeed. Very well. We shall humor you.”
The shift was immediate, the weight of their words lightening as they adjusted their speech.
The knight stepped closer, his tone now easier to follow. “You are unfamiliar to us, yet you stand as though you belong. Who are you, and what brings you to Ravenstone?”
Elena exhaled, relieved by the change. “I’m… just an observer,” she said cautiously, choosing her words carefully. “I’m trying to understand this place.”
The woman in gold narrowed her eyes but said nothing.
Another voice broke through the tension. “She speaks with purpose, and yet with secrets.”
Elena turned to see a familiar figure emerging from the crowd—Richard Morland. But this was not the Richard she knew. In the dream, he was garbed in the fine attire of a nobleman, his cloak lined with silver thread and a confident smile playing on his lips.
“Dr. Rivera,” he said smoothly, stepping closer. “It’s good to see you’ve finally found your way to the heart of things.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re here too?”
Richard’s smile deepened. “Where else would I be? Ravenstone has a way of pulling people in.” He glanced at the knight and the woman in gold. “Our guests seem curious about you.”
Elena hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. “I’m… learning. This place is unlike anything I’ve experienced.”
The knight stepped forward, his presence commanding. “Then thou shalt learn quickly, for the ways of Ravenstone brook no slowness. The keep’s history is heavy, and its truths heavier still.”
Before Elena could respond, a group of revelers swept past, pulling her attention back to the dancers. The music had grown faster, the drumbeat quickening as the couples spun in dizzying circles. One of the dancers, a young man with a mischievous grin, caught her eye and extended his hand.
“Care to join us, milady?” he asked, bowing slightly.
Elena hesitated but felt an almost magnetic pull to step forward. She placed her hand in his, and in moments, she was swept into the dance. Her feet moved instinctively, following the intricate steps with a grace she hadn’t known she possessed.
Laughter bubbled up in her chest as she spun, the music driving her forward. Around her, the other dancers cheered and clapped in time with the rhythm. For a moment, she allowed herself to forget the questions nagging at her mind and simply embraced the joy of the dream.
But as the music reached a crescendo, a distant horn sounded, cutting through the revelry like a blade. The mood shifted instantly, the laughter and conversation dying away. The dancers froze mid-step, their expressions turning solemn as all eyes turned toward the heavy wooden doors at the far end of the hall.
The knight straightened, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “The door stirs,” he said gravely.
Elena’s stomach tightened. “What door?”
Richard’s gaze darkened, his voice low. “The one that should never be opened.”
The knight turned to her, his expression grave. “Come, milady. You wish to understand Ravenstone? Then you must see what lies beyond.”
Despite the weight of his words, Elena felt herself stepping forward, drawn by an unseen force. Whatever lay beyond those doors, she knew it was only the beginning.
The Lucid War Chronicles
by William Forth
The Lucid War Chronicles tells the gripping story of individuals who master lucid dreaming to achieve extraordinary feats in their respective fields. Among them is Elena Rivera, a determined archaeologist unearthing the mysteries of Ravenstone Keep in the quaint English village of Waverly. Through her dreams, she connects with historical figures and uncovers long-buried secrets. Meanwhile, Dr. Miriam Locke, a celebrated neuroscientist and psychologist, leverages her team’s lucid abilities to solve a chilling murder in Sacramento.
Their remarkable skills, however, do not go unnoticed. Soon, they find themselves arrested and confined to a clandestine black site, severed from the outside world. But the dreamers refuse to be silenced. Over time, they unite, craft an escape, and spark a global conflict—a war between dreamers and non-dreamers. For those who dare to dream, this is where the story begins. More information…
