The view through the magus lens presented Meryn with the following scene:

Alex, poised for another jab at the Traveler, was positively radiating yellow and red spirals that flickered and spun and whirred all around him. He wore his heart on his sleeve and perhaps loved too much; the forms that surrounded him were hostile toward Spook and protective of the felidrakes and of his fellow cityfolk.

Emma's dreams were blue and green and white, except for dark spots like bruises that marked them; they flitted and pulsed like fireflies in the air around her, changing color, faltering only occasionally. At the moment they were spinning and sparking, alarmed that a child was missing. A few of them even moved forward ahead of Emma, as if to check around the trees for Lux's presence.

Lily's dreams were steely pink and deep blue, angled and deliberate and a bit fuzzy; they clung to her shoulders and sat on her head like wise little angels. At the moment their little wings were outstretched, angered and holding their ground. There was a sense that they had suffered a great loss, but remained bright through sheer determination.

Kelsier's dreams were jet black, sharp as knives and shimmered like oil. They hovered over his shoulders obediently, and they moved in flashes. There was something organic at the center of those jagged edges -- something that seemed to always be watching, maybe even hoping. It glowed slightly orange, flickering in and out.

Spook was . . . empty. Where everyone else was a tumult of motion and color, Spook stood calm and serene and void of any hint of a dream.

[b]"Why are you here?"[/b] Spook went on. He lowered the cage and tipped his masked head at Alex. [b]"You're bored?"[/b] He glanced toward Emma. [b]"Running away from something?"[/b] To Kelsier, [b]"Looking for something?"[/b] To Lily, [b]"Or maybe there's just nothing left for you back there."[/b] His grinning voice matched the mask's smile.

[b]"This is how all Travellers start: alone, unsatisfied, scared, determined. At first it's a field trip, the wonders of the forest and the discovery of magic and freedom. Then you make decisions."[/b] He held the cage over the void again for a moment, then thought better of it and instead shoved the cage into Alex's arms. With a scuff of his boot he broke one of the lines of the sigil, and the portal vanished without a trace.

[b]"If there's anyone back in that city that you'd like to keep safe, you'll come with me -- because this disease has already claimed half the surrounding cities, and I'm here to make sure Enn doesn't become one of them."[/b] He gestured to the cage in Alex's hands. [b]"If that starts to look or act strange, bring it to me immediately."[/b]

He wasn't smiling anymore.