The Twenty Second Dream Of The Waiting Prince

This morning my Lord spoke to me of his dream of the night before. And of this dream he now said, “My dear scribe, last night as I slept, I dreamt. And this dream was as cold as the ice that I find upon the walls of this Palace each morning when I rise. For in it I was a child again, and so frightened was I, and in need of such comfort and support, that I ran from the chamber. And I searched the halls for my mothers, but none were there to be found. And I searched then for my handmaidens, but none were there to be found. And I searched then for my sisters, but none were there to be found. And I searched then for my servants, but none were there to be found. And I searched then for my brothers, but none were there to be found. And I searched then for my guards, but none were there to be found. And I searched then for my teachers, but none were there to be found. And I searched then for my friends, but none were there to be found. And I searched then for my betrothals, but none were there to be found. And I searched then for the prisoners, but none were there to be found. And I searched then for our slaves, but none were there to be found. And I searched then for our subjects, but none were there to be found. And I searched then for the horses, but none were there to be found. And I searched then for the dogs, but none were there to be found. And I searched then for the crows, but none were there to be found. And so I had to return to my Father, the Emperor, who waited for me still in his hall. And as I stood before him, so frightened was I, and in need of such comfort and support, that I ran from the chamber. And I searched the halls for my mothers, but none were there to be found.”