Read Online Faun and Games by Piers Anthony - Free Book Online Page B

live in Xanth, and all the
    folk who ever might live in Xanth.   So there are a lot of folk there.
    But what's really strange is the way they live.   They-do you know
    anything about quantum mechanics?"
     
    "Huh?"
     
    "I guess not.   It's a concept I picked up from the mind of a former
    Mundane scientist.   His dreams were really weird!   I think Ptero is a
    quantum world.   That is, nothing is certain there; everything exists in
    all its possible states at once.   It's only when the folk there visit
    regular Xanth that things start making some sort of sense, for a while."
     
    Forrest shook his head.   "I don't want to go there.   I just want to find
    a faun for the tree."
     
    "But maybe that faun is there."
     
    A glimmer began to form.   "A faun for the clog tree?"
     
    "Since all the folk who ever might exist in Xanth are on Ptero, your
    faun could be there.   Then you could bring him to the tree."
     
    The glimmer expanded.   "I think I am beginning to make some dim sense of
    the Good Magician's attitude.   I don't need his Answer; I just need to
    go to Ptero and fetch that faun myself."
     
    "That must be it," she agreed.   "And I must guide you there, and through
    Ptero too, as well as I am able."
     
    "Can you get me through it and back home within a month?"
     
    "I can do whatever you wish.   But you must decide how long your search
    is.   I don't know how long it will take to find him.   I have delivered
    daydreams there, but I don't know the actual landscape.   I may not be
    much help, though I will try my best."
     
    Forrest nodded.   "I'm sure you will help a lot.   At least I won't be
    blundering there alone." Then he thought of something else.   "This is
    your Service.   What was your Question to the Good Magician?"
     
    She smiled wistfully.   "I was foaled as a night mare in 897, and became
    a day mare in 1067.   I wasn't the best night mare; I was too tender
    hearted.   It has been better as a day mare, because at least I bring
    pleasure to dreamers instead of horror, but I'm still not quite
    satisfied.   Now I would like to gallop in some other pasture.   The Good
    Magician will find me that pasture, after I have completed my Service."
     
    Forrest was impressed.   "You are as old as I am!   You were foaled the
    very year I adopted a sandalwood seedling and became a responsible
    creature.   You were a night mare for a hundred and seventy years, and a
    day mare for thirty years.   So you are two hundred years old."
     
    "Yes.   I don't mean to complain, but it does get dull after a while.
    Maybe I'm just a misfit."
     
    "Well, I hope the Good Magician has a good new pasture in mind for you."
     
    "I'm sure he does.   Let's find your faun."
     
    "Let's find my faun," he agreed, feeling better.   "Where is Ptero?"
     
    "At Castle Roogna."
     
    "This strange land with uncountable folk is at the human capital?"
     
    "In its fashion."
     
    "Oh, you mean that's where the magic is to reach Ptero?"
     
    "That is where the access is.   Humfrey will have to give you a spell to
    cross to Ptero."
     
    "Then I had better wake up and get that spell.   I don't want to waste
    any time."
     
    "I will be with you.   Just clear a little place for me in your mind when
    you want to talk to me."
     
    "I will.   Thanks."
     
    He opened his eyes.   There was the cell, the same as before, but now it
    didn't seem so dingy.   "Wira?"
     
    In a moment he heard her light footsteps approaching.   "Have you
    finished talking with Imbri?"
     
    "Yes, for now.   I need the spell to-"
     
    "Here it is.   The Good Magician said to give it to you when you asked
    for it." She held out a tiny stoppered bottle.
     
    "How do I use it?"
     
    "Imbri knows.   Just keep it safe.   You may need it to depart Ptero, too.
     
    "I'll keep it safe," he agreed, putting the spell into his knapsack.
     
    "Would you like something to eat?" Wira asked.   "I'm sure the Designated
    Wife will be glad to fix you