All That We See or Seem...

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Chapter Nine

Summary

Aboard the Cloudship, Zoe, Brian Westhouse and Crow are headed to the Dark People's Library on a long voyage. Zoe asks Brian about his background and how he ended up in Arcadia; he tells her his history, and a little about the Tyren and Marcuria itself. Zoe can talk to Crow to distract him from his violent airsickness, and ask about himself and about April. Crow relates a little of their history together, including his personal perspective on April's change in attitude and his... unique approach to psychology. Finally Zoe goes to rest in the back of the ship.

When they reach the Library, they are met by one of the Dark People. He tells Zoe that the White Dragon is waiting for her inside; Crow suggests in an aside that Zoe get used to fate and destiny popping up everywhere. As they descend into the Library, Zoe is entranced by its exotic beauty; Brian is impressed by the volume of knowledge there.

The White of the Kin is sitting at a desk in the Library, and gets to her feet as Zoe approaches. She is fascinated by Zoe, saying "you're here, and yet you're not. Can I touch you?" Zoe is disturbed by this, but the White's attention is snatched to Brian. She says he's somehow familiar; his presence unnerves her and gives her goosebumps, but she puts it down to unfamiliarity with her human form. Brian excuses himself to explore the Library, and the White addresses Zoe once more.

She can tell that Zoe is not only lost in Arcadia, uncertain of her path, but stuck in life. The White of the Kin tells Zoe that she is special; she belongs to the Storytime, she is unique. The White says Zoe is dreaming: this is not a dream, but Zoe is dreaming. If she wishes, she can go anywhere. Her faith will take her home. Zoe doesn't understand any of this. Neither does she understand how she is in Arcadia or what's happening. But she knows she wants to stop WATI, and save Reza. She asks for the White's assistance. The White Dragon beckons her close and whispers: "You must find her, Zoe. You must help her. Wherever she is, that's where you're needed the most." Zoe promptly vanishes.

Crow is amazed. He asks if the White used magic, but the Kin says Zoe did it on her own. Crow shrugs: from his experience, all human girls have a special destiny.

From above, Brian Westhouse has witnessed Zoe's disappearance. He voices no surprise, but simply comments: "Most interesting."

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Themes & References

The title of this chapter refers to a poem by Edgar Allen Poe. The full quote is "Is all that we see or seem but a dream within a dream?"

This phrase is also quoted in the opening to Ragnar Tornquist's Anarchy Online novel, Prophet Without Honour. There it appears cited beneath the description of Jacob's Ladder from Gen. 28.12.

Aboard the airship, in the optional conversation with Crow, he mentions that the Azadi were after "everyone with special powers, everyone from Stark." This suggests:

• The Azadi are aware of Stark and see people from there as a threat, though anyone able to travel from Stark to Arcadia would be tarred with the 'Magicals' brush anyway, and
• As was implied by Emma's comments at the Fringe, there may be other Northlands locals who are natives of Stark apart from April and Brian Westhouse.

It also adds another dimension to Brian's visit to Sadir, which he just describes as being "...educational". If the Azadi had discovered he was from Stark, he would no doubt have been executed, so he either kept his origins a secret or he was somehow given dispensation.