Chapter 23: Soul

“So what’s the Soul Plane?” asked Joey. 
   Brinelock fingered one of her long-bladed knives. “The Soul Plane is a world, like our own. Everyone you know, and have ever met, exists in the Soul Plane. However, there are certain people who can detach themselves from their bodies and enter the Soul Plane. I am one of them. All Dragon Keepers can do it as well. It is very difficult, but worth it.”
   “What does the Soul Plane do?”
   “While in the Soul Plane, you can move at incredible speeds. You cannot interact with the material world, however, but if you meet someone else also in the Soul Plane, you can interact with them. In the Soul Plane, power is limitless. You can wield thoughts and ideas as you would weapons. You can pick up a city and throw it at the other person. Anything you can imagine.”
   “Okay, but why would I want to do that?”
   “You have already learned the secrets of the Dragons, correct? Dragontongue, Dragonsight, and Dragonsense? What are they?”
   Joey rested his chin on his hand. “Well, I can talk to Aydahar with my mind, and sometimes my eyes allow me to see people’s feelings. Dragonsense… I guess that’s like when I first fought Therkin. I knew what he was doing before he did it.”
   “All of those access the Soul Plane, but leave you safe from attacks, because you are not in the Soul Plane. While in the Soul Plane, you can access people’s thoughts, spy on conversations, anything like that. But it consumes a massive amount of energy. Many have died while in the Soul Plane, too far from their bodies to return. Some have gotten lost. Some have had their bodies attacked while in the Soul Plane. It’s dangerous, but if you master these abilities, your power will increase.”
   “So, how do I do it? Enter the Soul Plane, I mean.”
   “Simply enter Dragonsight and concentrate on the thoughts and feelings around you. Imaging floating. You must place your hand on your Dragon’s head. You cannot enter the Soul Plane without your Dragon. Your Dragon can follow you, but I think she should stay and protect your body.”
   Joey placed his hand on top of Aydahar’s head.
   Joey, I don’t know about this.
   Why not? asked Joey.

What if she enters too and fights you? I can’t do anything. You’ve never done this before. If it came to a fight now, I don’t know if either of us would win.
   I have to try. Besides, I’ll have Dragonsight. I’ll know if she’s planning to betray us. Joey glanced back at Brinelock, sitting by the fire. She had run around setting up camp, but now was just sitting still.
She could be listening to us right now. Aydahar sounded nervous. It scared Joey a little bit. Aydahar had always been confident.
Do it. 
Joey’s sight faded, and he felt himself drift out of his body.