Silvie glanced up at the treetops to their left, then gave Thomas a look that seemed to ask if he’d seen it. What? Thomas had no clue, because the trees were empty.

“Of course, we believe,” she said.

“That there are Books of History that contain a perfect record of all that has happened?”

“Yes.”

“Then you’re wiser than some who’ve lost faith in what they can’t see.”

“How does this lead us to Billos?” Darsal demanded.

“You asked if it was true that I’ve been to a different reality,” Thomas said. “If you didn’t believe in what can’t be seen, I wouldn’t want to waste my time answering. But since you do believe—and I’m assuming that includes you, Darsal—you’ll find it easier to accept the fact that I have been to a place beyond this world, as you put it.”

They stared at him, waiting for more explanation.

“In fact, there are millions of people who would swear to you that I’m asleep in a hotel in Bangkok at this very moment. That I live in the histories, two thousand years ago. They could show you photographs of me in bed, where I’ve been sleeping for the last thirteen years.”

“Thirteen years?” Darsal said. “You look quite awake to me.”

“I’ve only slept part of one night in that reality, dreaming of the last thirteen years here. They would tell you that you yourselves are just a dream.”

He shrugged into his shirt. “You, on the other hand, might tell me that my dreams of Bangkok are just that, dreams I had while asleep here. Now ask me, which reality is real?”

“Which is real?” Johnis asked.

“Both,” Thomas said. “The fact that none of us can see Bangkok doesn’t mean it’s not real any more than the fact that we can’t see fuzzy white Roush in those trees means they aren’t there.”

Darsal’s face lightened a shade. “So, you’re saying that it’s possible for someone to step beyond this world? That Billos could easily have vanished into this dream world of yours?”

“What have you been drinking? I’m sure you’ll find Billos hiding behind a wood pile, sleeping off his ride through the desert.” But Thomas could tell that none of them believed it.

“Please, you’re not suggesting that Billos actually vanished into thin air,” Thomas continued.

“No,” Johnis said. “It was you who suggested it.”

“I was talking about me, and then only about dreams.”

“Either way, it sounds as preposterous as Billos vanishing. Not that he has, mind you.”

“It does,” Thomas said. “But my dreams were true; I can assure you of that. Do you know what they call Elyon in that reality?”

“Billos?” Darsal suggested.

Thomas ignored her. “God.”