“What?Whatdidyoudo?ortantmission?”askedCharina.

3

“That’sgreat!Ihaveothebakeryforalongtime.Let’sgotherequickly.IwouldliketovisitAmalia.”

“Look,Sire!”excimedVio,erchedontopofhishead,holdingontohissinglehorn.Cyclopslookedbadsawaweakgleamoflightasifingthroughthecrackofadoor.Hemadehiswaycarefullyinthedarkowardsthatcrackoflight,pushedatitwithhishandsandfounditwasindeedahugestonedoor.Cyclopswithhissuperhumah,hundredsoftimesstrohananormalman,pushedagainstthedoorwithallhismight,butmadeabsolutelynoimpait.Infactthedoordidnotevenbudge.Discedandangry,hepuhedoorfuriouslywithhismightyfists.Theboomingsoundoftheimpactresouhevalley,butthedoordidnotshiftintheslightest.TohaveesofarandreachedtheentraoGehenna,onlytobestoppedatthedoorwassomaddeningandinfuriatingthatCyclopsflewintoatrage.Viotriedtocalmhimdownbysaying,

“Iheardthathiswhitebeardhadbeensingedandhedisappearedaltogether.SoohatKingDimitri’sKingdomcolpsed.“

“Whoareyou?WhyshouldIbelieveanythingyousay?”Shelookedathimilyandsaid,“ButyoulookfamiliarsomehoherehaveIseenyoubefore…”

“Youarehere!”shesaid.“Iamsogd.ThefactthattwoofyouarewillingtobravethefieryfmesofHell,burstintotheunderworldtosaveme,makesmeverypleasedandhappy.Youaremytwodearestpersonsonthefaceoftheearth.JustnowIheardtheloudcrashofyourpushihegatestoJehenna.”Asshetalked,shewavedandcalledtothelowerpartofherbodypyingbythebankoftheke,“Quick,mydear!ebackhereaourlovedones.Youonlyknowaboutrunninghereandtherepying.Quiebackhere!”ThelongshapelylegswithdrewitselffromtheshallowwaterandwalkedsedatelytowardsIleen.Ileenpcedherhandsonitswaist,vaultedherselfupandectedwiththelowerpartofherownbody.ShecircledthebroadweepingwillowbeltshehadjustfinishedweavingaroundherwaistbeforewalkingslowlyandawkwardlytowardsCyclopsandVio.Hermovementswereslowbecauseherbodyhadbeentwoatthewaistandseparatedintotwopartssoherhandsacouldnotco-ordinatewellnaturally.bracedhiswomaly,mutteringindistinctly,“Thisissuchasurprise.Youarenotdeadbutstillliving!That’sgreat.That’sgreat.Itisgoodthatyouarealive.ThankGod.ThankGod…”andtearssprangfromhiseyes.Viotoocameuptoembracehermother.

“Haveadrinkbeforewetalk”saidRichardpagssofliquorforhim.“Whateveritis,weareallhereandputourheadstogetherandhelpetoaclusion.”DwarfMickeyacceptedthegss,fiinonequaffandthensaid,

“Sire,whyarey?Istheresomethingnottoyourliking?”

“Givemeabottleofgoodwhiskeyaherestforyourtip”saidhegrandly.Theowookthebill,happytogetaricherinsuchbadeictimes,buthewasalsoalittlesuspiciousofthisstrandish-lookingdwarfwithawhitebeard.Hetookacoloredpenandmadeafewstrokesonthebill,butnothingged.Thentakingtheneerandherubbedthehundred-dolrbillonitbutnoeoffeither.“Thislooksokayandperhapsisnotterfeit”hethought.Thedwarflookedonandughed.

“Good,good”sputteredDwarfMickey,soangrythathewasredintheface.“Youdon’tbelieveme?Iwillshowyou.”Hewavedhishandtowardstheemptystreet.Loandbehold!Aralong,brandnewbcklimousineappearedandcameslowlytoasthtbesidethem.Mr.Kaffee,thequintessentialfmboyantbigshotwithhisexpeandairofauthorityandpoweropehedoorandsteppedout.Hegreetedthethreeofthemandsaidrespectfully,

“Doyouwaelltheothersaboutyourreturn?”

“IamreallygettingoldandhavefottentheseswhichIhadgatheredtogetherexpresslyforthepurposeofhelpingDimitristageaeback.Mypremonitionshadbeencorrect.Dimitribeganwithnothingandthenhadeverything.Later,hewentfromhavihingbacktohavingnothing.Nowwearebeginningagainfromnothing,rebuildingDimitri’shugefinancialempiresopeoplewouldrubtheireyesandseeusinanewlight.OnlythenwouldyouappreciatethewonderfulpowersofDwarfMickey!Notonlythat,Iwouldmakeuseofthisopportunitytocatchthatthiefwhostolemytreasureonehundredyearsagoaallbackagain.”Hiswreatlyboostedeveryone’smoraleandanatmosphereofexultationpermeatedtheroom.Richardtookoutsomewinegssesandpreparedtopourliquorforeveryone.

“Whataboutme?”askedRichard.“Givemesomethingtodo,too.Ihavealotoftimeonmyhands.”

“Don’tlookatabookbythecover”saidRichard.“HemaybeshortbutheisarealMidas.Dohisgoldenopportunityslipaway.Ifyoudo,youwillregretitfortherestofyourlife.Youwillneverhaveasedce.”

“Yah,sherettyyoungss.”

“Hey,DwarfMickey”saidRichard“Whatareyoudoinghere?WasthatDimitriwhojustleft?Ithoughtthatretreatingbacklookedfamiliar.Howehehasalittledogwithhim?Whosedogwasthat?WasthatmanreallyDimitri?”DwarfMickeyturnedaroundandraisedhisheadtolookathistwotall,stalwartfriends.

Quickaslightning,themagicarrowflewstraightatitstarget,butastheairwasfilledwiththeaftermathofahugeearthquakewiththewindshowling,wavescrashing,anddeafeningsoundsofmountainsbreakingup,Dimitriwasnotawarethatsomeonewasungasurpriseattackathimbehindhisback.Theflyingarrowwasindeedamagicarrow.Asitgotoitstarget,itbecameawarethatitwasitsmaster,KingDimitriitwasshootingatandatoncegedcourse,streakedoodestinationsunknown.KingDimitriflewintotheskiesandsoondisappearedfromsight.Thiswideexpanseofkewatersawthegeographiomenaofahquakefollowedbyatsunami.

“Ofcoursenot”heamended,awarethathealmostgavetheshowaway.“Thisisagenuinebillsoyouwillnotfindanythingwrongwithit.”TheowookdownabottleofgoodwhiskeyfromtheshowcaseandgaveittoDwarfMickeytogetherwiththege.DwarfMickeytooktheliquorandpushedthegebacktotheownersaying,“That’sforyou.”Theownerwasveryhappyandthankedhimprofusely.TheyounggirlcarriedDwarfMickeyouttothepavementahimdownontheground.

“Hey,Dimitri,youson-of-agun!You’reback!Whydidn’tyouletusknowaheadoftime?”shoutedonehappyvoice.

Vileddesperatelyintheingwaters.Herstrengthhadbeelydepletedbythesteepclimbupthecliff,butnowiremelycriticalsituationshefoundherselfinshewasforcedtousethestremnantsofherstrengthtotinueswimmingusingbothhandsa.Shekhatifshestoppedmovingforwardshewouldbepulleddownintothebottomofthekebythewhirlpool.Herlimbsweresore,frozenandnumbbutshepersistedinswimmingonnonstop.Whatscaredhermostwasthefactthatwitheachstrokesheswam,herbodyseemedtoshrinkaninch.Assheswamonherbodyshrankinchbyintilitresumeditsinalsizehanafithispivotalmomentwhenherheartandherbodyalmostgaveoutinfatigue,herhandtouchedsomethingliveandslipperylikeafish’stail.Sheclutchedatitfranticallywithbothhands.Likeher,thefishwasstrugglingagainstthewaves,tryingtoswimforwardandnottobecaughtinthewhirlpool.Viomaograbholdofthefishfirmlywithherhandsandreoment’sreprieve.Severaltimestheushedthemtowardstheoppositeshoreandthenpulledthembackagaiugofwar,buttheroilingwavesgraduallycalmeddown.Thefishseemedtohaveetotheendofitsresources.Ittailflickeredforthesttimeandmovednomore.Clutgthedeadfishwithadeathlikegrip,Viofloatedoerwithit.Asluckwouldhaveit,theyfloatedtoshoreandwerecaughtbythemakeshiftpoleMr.Fihrewoutintothewater.ThusViohadanarroeandwasientlysavedbyMr.,Finger.

“Thatnightafteryouleft,that’salmostthreedaysagonow,Isuddenlysmelledanintoxigfragranceofflowersandimmediatelylostsciousness.WhenIcametoIfoundthatIwaspletelynakedandedinab.OpeningmyeyesIsaolianwassittingnearbykeepingguardowasthenthatIrealizedsomeonehadbrokenintomyhomeandattemptedtorapeme,andthatagoodSamaritanhadetomyresdroutedthesdrel.ThebrokenwindowsanddoorsshowedsignsofafiercestrugglebuttherewasoallthisotherthanmycleverlittledogMaureenhere.Heotspeakourhumannguageandthereforeisuobearwitopehepoliantookmytestimonya.Shecautioomakesurethatallmywindowsanddoorswereclosedandlockedatnightbecauseaserialrapistseemedtobetargetingthearea.”Dimitri’shandreachedcarefullyaantlyfssofwiulpbeforesaying,

“Nobigdeal?Nobigdeal?Doyouknowwhat’sinit?”shoutedDwarfMickey.“It’s…Oh,nevermind,Idon’thavetimetotalkaboutit.Whatdidtheyoungmanlooklike?”

“Sure,sure…”saidMr.Fingerughingly,happilyghishands.“Noproblem…Iwillobeyyouanddowhateveryousay.”Mr.Fingerdidnotputanystoreonhisowncredibility.Hecouldsanddownandnotmeanaword.Heookhisownwordseriously,sohemadethissimplepromisewithouttuningahair.“Let’sgobacktothetreeholeandcelebrate

Ashadowstreakedpasttheentrandthenturnedbadehealley.Itwastheyoungwomanwithshort,chichaircutwhohadjusthelpedDwarfMickeyattheliquorstore.Shewaswearingthefadedbluejeansandsleevelesst-shirtandwasseargthegroundilyasiflookingforsomething.Assoonasshegotonthebus,shediscoveredthatshehadlostherlottoticket.Thoughitwasworthonlyadolr,itrepresentedallthewealthshepossessed.Sheowedadebtofunimaginablesizeandhadtopincheverypenny.Ofcourse,thedebtwasofherownchoosing,somethiookonasherresponsibility,foritwasinceivableforayounggirllikehertohavegotteninsodeepallbyherself.EngrossedinhersearchshewasunawareofhersurroundingsanddrewowhereDwarfMickeywassitting.

“Youwon’tfindanythingfwswiththisbill”hesaid.

“Don’tworry.Yourptewillbemorethanfulndyourtroubleswillbelegiontoo”saidDwarfMickeylookingveryseriousandsolemellyou.IbelievethatMr.Fingerandhisso-calledbrideViohavereturhismundaneworld.Mr.Finger’sappearancehasbeelyaltered.Hehassomehowacquiredtheabilitytogethesizeofhisbodyatwill.Heowtaketheshapeofanormal-sizedman,talndmuscur.Whatisworse,hehasgottenholdofanartifactwhichlookslikeanoldrustybrooise,buthasapotentmixtureofpowderstoredisinterior.Whenspurtedonitsvictim,thispowdercouldcausethepersontoberenderedunsciousandbeepletelyvulnerable,uoprotectherself.I’mafraidhewouldusethisonKingDimitri’stwenty-fourbeautiesialiation.Yourjobistoprotectthetwenty-fourbeauties.Isthisworkimportantenoughforyou?”Hisaudienoreturnedsilent,theirhighspiritsdampenedbyhisominouswords.

“Whatdoyouwanttolookatitfor?Youdon’tknowanythingaboutit.”Takiicketoutofhispockethereadthesixfiguresoutloudandtoldthelittleman.“Therearesixfiguresonthisticket.Everyohemhastofitthehateoutofthelottomaeiowinthegrandprize.”

“Tohelpyougettothemundaneworld…”smiledMr.Finger,blinkingslyly,hiseyesrollingiion.“That’snotdifficulttodo.Youpromisemeinvaluableriches,buttreasuresnomatterhowvaluablemeannothingtome.Iamsosmall;whattheydoforme?Ihavethisonedition…Iwanttobeabletogemysizeatwilllikeyou.IwanttobeabletogrowtallerandstrohananormalmanandtoshrinkbaynormalsizewheneverIwanttoasyoudo.IfIcoulddothatIwouldreallybesatisfied.Ifyoudothatforme,Iwilltakeyoutothemundaneworld.”

“Youoldbumyou.Whyareyouheresote?”sheshouted.“Wherehaveyoubeenhiding?Ithoughtyouhaddiedlongagoandturodust!Whyhaveyouetoseemeafterallthistime?”

4

“Noproblem.Butwheredowetakehimto?Wheredoeshismistresslive?”

5

5

“No”saidVioshakingherhead.“Ihaveher.”Vio’spremonitionswerenotwithoutfoundation.Thatbigwhitefishwasbynatureverykindandlovedtohelpthesmalndhelpless.VioneverdreamedthatthefishcouldhavebeenrapedandkilledbyCyclops.Shelookedintothedistandhereyesstoppedatthenewlyemergedwaterfall,whoseveiloffastmovingandfoamingwatertumbledintothekewithathunderingcrash.

“That’shisvoice.I’msureofit””whisperedMr.Finger.Vionodded.

“Alright,alrightIsurrender.I’lltryandthinkofawaytogetyousomeliquor.Willyoustopnow?”HearingthatDwarfMickeywasbeginningtoturnaround,Mr.Fiooppedhiswailing,gotontohisfeetandopeninghiseyeswideasked,

“Goodidea!”“Goodidea!”agreedeveryoheycppedenthusiastically.

“Mydearlittlefriend,doyourecallthestofthatman?”askedDimitripattiledog.Maureenbarkedloudlyandboldlyasifsayingfidently‘OfcourseIdo.Thislittlethingisnothingtome!’.”TurningtoCharinahesaid,“MayIborrowyourlittledogforawhile?Iwillreturnhimtoyoubynightfall.Ineedhisstrongsenseofsmelltoleadmetotherapistwhotriedtoattackyou.Ialktothemface-to-faordertosettletheoldscorebetweenusanduhedeadknot.IdidnotexpectthemtomovesofastandIaminsedthattheychoseyouasthetargetoftheirrevenge…IneverdreamedthatthetimediffereweentheKingdomofDreamsandthemundaneworldweliveinissogreat.It’sreallyhardtocalcute.Butwehavenotimeforthatnowandwillleavetheproblemfortheastrophysiciststosolve.Wemusttrateonsolvingourimmediateproblems.”Charinaopenedhereyeswideasifabouttoaskanotherquestionbutdidnotquiteknowwhattoask.Dimitritinued,“Iottellyouthepletestoryjustyet.Pleasegobaeandwaitforme.Iwillreturnytoyoubynightfall.”

“Iknowhowtogetthere.Theentranceisjustbelowthatsheercliffwhichhasabottomlesschasm.Ioncefelloffthecliffandalmostdied,soIknowthelocation.”Fatheranddaughtercspedeachother’shandstightly.

Havingdecidedontheirpnofa,Vioatoncemobilizedhersubjects,everysingleman,womanandchildinthebarbariantribestogointothedenseforestsandchopdownallkindsofsturdyrattan-likeclimbingviheyweretoldtopileuptheirgatheringsbythesideofthesteepcliffforCyclopstouse.Onlythesuperhumahofhisarmsandwristscouldtwistthesetoughviogetherintoresilientheavy-dutyropes.Thebarbariantribeswereoncemalvaoaandallofasuddenpeoplewerebusilyingandgoing.Viowalkedbacktoldpadsataloneohrohinking,“AmIreallywillingtogiveupallIhave,includingthisbrilliantgoldpadhandthemallovertoanotherwoman?”Butthentheimagesoftheragingfiresofhelppearedandshesawinhermind’seyehermotherIleenstrugglingfutilelytokeepafloatinthoserfmesenduringunimaginablepainandsuffering.Viofoldedherhandsinprayer,prayingtoheaventhatthistimeshewouldsucceedinsafelyresghermotherfromthefiresofGehenna.Therestcouldbesideredter.

Earlymthesunwasshiningaherwasmildaiful.Mr.Fingeropenedhiseyesarestedaic.Hesatupandgotoutofbed.Walkingdownthecrudestairsthathadbeensidethetreehesoonreachedthetreeholeontheground.Theserybeforehimgreatlyshockedhim.Thekewaterwasblueandcrystalclearasbeforebutthewaterlevelhadrisensiderably.Heusedtohavetowalkquiteadistaogettotheke,butnowthewaterwasonlyafewfeetfromhistree.Whatamazedhimmorewasthatthehorizontalgiantlyingontheoppositesideofthekehadfracturedintoseveralsesandnowlookedscatteredanddisorderly.Theheadwasstillclearlydisable,buthisbrokenbodyawereeitherpartiallyabovewaterorpletelysubmerged.Thesolidgoldpacesituatedatthechestofthegiantthatusedtoglitterwitheye-dazzlingbrillianderthesunlighthadpletelydisappeared,androbablyburieduheke.Mr.FingerlookedtotheleftandsawtheruinsofKingDimitri’sfnifitpacewhichhadlongbeenburnttotheground.Whereicy,crystalclearwaterflowedbetweewinPeaksintothemouthoftheke,ahugecliffhadsuddenlyrisenfromtheearth.Watercrashedagainstitandformedawaterfalbouttwentytothirtyyardswide.Mr.Fihought,“Ahyes,thesoundofwaterIheardstnightwasthatofwatercollidingagainstthecliff!ThegesMotherNaturemadeih’scrustwerereallymajestidfrightening.Nowthatthispcehadgedsodrasticallythatitisalmostbeynition,whereamItofindmylittlewife,beautifusaflower?ImayhavetoremainabachelorfortherestofmylifeforwhereelseIfindanotherwomanofmysize?”HisthoughtsturnedbacktothepastandMr.FingerdeeplyregrettedhavingtrickedDornawhichultimatelyledtothedestruofDimitri’smagnifitpadmysteriousKingdom.“IfIhadn’tdo,”hethought,“Iwouldstillbelivingtheeasylifewearingexpehesandenjoyingdeliciousfoodandmouth-wateringwine.Noweverythingisinruins.Oh!HrethavinglisteoVioandcausedallthisdestruaation!”

“Nonsense!”saidViogivinghimawhiteeye.“Idon’tbelieveawordyousay!Ifyouhaveanynewidea,justspititoutandstopkeepingmeinsuspense.”

“Whatwillbetheepafterwehaveraisedenoughfunds?”askedMegginn.

Byorbeforefour,fiveo’clothemearlyrisershadbegunarrivingatthequietkesidetowalkandweregraduallyjoinedbymanymoreasthemprogressed.Itwasofindsuchaspaciouspametropolitancity.Therewasaloretgwellintothemiddleofthekewherefewpeopledeigovisit.Ithadbeenoutofrepairforalongtimeandidatedandcoveredwithfeathersandfecesofbirdswhichreekedofanoffensiveodoruhesunshine.Dimitrilovedthequiettranquilityofthekesideaoehereoftentopteandbealohhisthoughts,neverseemingtomindthefoulsmellorthefilth.Butonedayaresourcefulentrepreneurcameuponthepce,sawitspotentiandappliedforapermittoredevelopthepierintoabusiness.Hespentalotofmoneyoningthepceupaifiedboththepieranditssurroundingenviro.HeisotedtheaquaticbirdstoapcefurtheraroceededtotransformtheptoaEuropeanstyleoutdoorcaféwhichbecameafavoritehauntofresidentsandtouristsalike.Onsunnyafternoonsinspringandsummer,thetablesuhemulti-coloredumbrelhesetupwereusuallyfullofers,dressedincolorfult-shirts,shortsandsandalswhichaddedyouthfulvigorandvitalitytothese,breathingnewlifeintothelonelykesidemakingitintoasicspot.Charinasatunderanumbrelasblueastheblueskiesatthefarendofthepierwhichprotrudedalmosttothemiddleoftheke.Shewaswearingasleevelessyellowshirt,narrowbckskirtandapairofGreeksandals,serenelysippinghercoffee,lookingverycool.Thepanionshewasversingwithwasnootherthanthehomelessman,Dimitri.Hewasstillwearinghisdipidateddarkbrownjacket,loosebcktrousersandill-fittingblock-headedshoes.Hissafarihatwassoolditwasalmostintatters,buthenevergedhisoutfit.Straosay,thoughhisclotheslookedshabbyaheynevergaveoffanyunpleasantodor.CleverandintelligentMaureensatonhisplisteningtotheirversation.Dimitrihadbeenwanderingaimlesslyaroundtheke,notreallyknowingwherehewaogo,lettieeinhishandguidehimonhisway.Maureen’ssharpnosecaughtthestofhisnewfriendandledhismistresstohim.

“LetmeintroduylittlefriendMaureen.”RichardandJamaztookturnsholdingandkissiledoging,

“Well”sighedDwarfMickey,“itseemsthatthejobofgatheringthenecessarycapitallyfallonme.Iwillhavetosacrificepartoftheremainingyearsofmylifeinexgeforit,butIhavealreadylivedpasttheturymarksoit’snobigdeal.Imyselfdon’tevenknowhowmanyyearsIgiveupforthisdeal.”

“Ihaveincurredthewrathofheavenandamsuretobeseverelypunished.Iwillstayherewithyourmothertokeepherpanyandtakecareofher.Irepentmysinsandamwillingtospeofmylifedoingpenandprayingforabsolution.”

“Hey,Dwarf”saidRichard,“Youseemdepressed.Let’sgoandhaveagoodtime;that’llcheeryouup.eoothecar.”DwarfMickeygotintothesilendsatbetweewofriends.Richardstarteduphisracketyjalopywhereeverythingrattledandonlythehornwassilent.Theyhadonlydrivenashortdistanceolicecarpassedby.Therewerefourpoliinitandtwoofthemturogreatthedipidatedpickuptruck.Richardkeptsalutihhishandinapologybecausenooneinhiscarwaswearibelt.However,thepolievidentlyhadbetterthingstodoandhadnotimetodealwithminormisdemeanors,sotheydroveoffinahurry.

SuddenlyDwarfMickey’schestfeltasifithadbeenheavilyhitbysomething.Hisheartpoundedrapidlyandirregurlyandhisinternalaohavebeenturopsy-turvy.Hebckedoutandcolpsedwithathudtotheground.Theothersimmediatelyrushedover,callinghisnamerepeatedly,somemassaginghischestandsomepoundinghimontheback.AfterawhileDwarfMickeycameto,buthiseyesstaredunseeinglystraightaheadattheskieswhilehemurmured,“Whataterriblemess!Earth-shakinggeshavehappenedinKingDimitri’sKingdomofDreams!Thatthief,thatrobberwhostolemytreasurehasre-appeared.Ihavewaitedforalmostaturyforhim.”Theothersweremystifiedbyhisalmostimutterings,notuandingwhattheymeant.Theyheardhimgoontosay,“Hemayusemytreasuretocauseasedtsunamiintheeicworld.Imuststopthembeforetheybegin;otherwisethepeoplewouldsufferandtheworldwouldghanothereiccrisis.”HestoodupslowlyandsaidtoDorna,

Viowasgreatlysurprisedandstooduptoseeforherselfwhatwasgoingon.

30页

Ileenhadlivedatumultuouslifefullofupsanddowns,lifeah.Herlove-hateretionshipwithDimitriwashardtodecipherandhadbeentoldinbook1and2ofthisseriessoIwillerateithere.Aftersheiedherownbloodinthter’sbody,shewasosufferthepenaltyofthedamnedandburnforeverinthefieryfmesofGehenna.Dayandnightshestruggledtostayafloatintherollingwavesoffireandwondereddespairinglyifhersufferingswouldeverend.Shecouldhinkingthatifshehadn’tfoughtwiththeotherbeautieshopingtogainDimitri’sexclusivefavor,shewouldhepositionshewasin.“Dimitrididofavorayinparticur,alwaystreatingeveryoneofusequally,withoutanypartiality.Thefactthathedidnotfavormeovertheeredmeandputmeinajeale.Thatangersoonturohatewhituredinthisuntenableposition.IreallyregretwhatIhaddowasIwhoseducedCyclopsandittedtheheinouscrimeoftreason,almostcausingthecolpseofKingDimitri’sKingdom.HundredsofDimitri’sloyalwarriorsdiedinbattlebecauseofme,acrimewhichmadeitimpossibleforhimtiveme.Hissentenniobehalffromthewaistwasaremepunishment,butinlightofmycrimesitwasafittingone.Iehimforit.IreallyshouldnothavedoIdid.”Thatfshofremorseandtritioninherheartbroughtaboutamiraculousge.Thefirethathadbeentormentingherforsolonglostmostofitspowerandhersufferingdecreasedasaresult.Ileenwasgreatlysurprised.Shetiolookintoherheartandtinuedherself-examinationandself-refle.“IshouldnothavepheseedforreveotheheartofmybeloveddaughterVio,leadioitcrimesaswickedasmine.ShetooksomanypreciouslivesaroyedDimitri’sKingdomofDreams.Thebuckshouldstopwithme.Iamtheculpritwhhtaboutallthisdestru.IamtheresponsiblepartyandshouldsufferforeverinthefiresofGehenna.Iffessionandtritioncouldlessenmycrimeauallygainabsolution,Iamwillingtostayhereforever.”Atthatmoment,thefiredisappeared.Ileewasfullofcalmandpeace.Shenolongerfelthatred,ret.Astrongfeelingoflovecameintoherheart.Itwasnotthesexuallovebetweenmanandwoman,butaloveforalllivingthingsoh.Thatfeelingofuniversallovegedthesurroundingenvirointooneofartistidpoeticbeautybrimmingwithharmony.

“Whatwasabovethewaterhassunktothebottom”shemuttered,“andwhatwasburiedatthebottomhasatstrisentothetop.Theearth’scresthasexperiencedhugegesjustasmybrainhas.Earth-shakingexperienceshavejoltedmybrainandIowrecallmemoriesofmypastlife.IhadburiedsuchahugetroveoftreasuresherethatitwassomethingIhadneverbeeet.ToretrieveitIhavereinatedtothispresentlife,hinkingIwouldhavetoghsuthinkablyharrowingtrialsofpainandhatred.

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“Yes,yes”excimedCharinaasifwakingfromadream.“ThepolidIwerebothpuzzledastowhocouldhavethestrengthtobreakdownthatthidsolidfrontdoorintosmithereens…Oh,bythewaythereissomethingImustgiveyou.Ialmostfot.Ifoundaheballooninmybackyardtoday…”Sayingsosheopenedherpurse,tookoutapieceofwhitepaperwhichshehaoDimitriandsaid“Hereyouare.”

“My,my,mypenis.Iliketocallitmypenis.Whatyoudotome?”

“Mr.Mickey”saidshe,“haveyottenthatoneintoourbakeryaiedargebagofagoldsontotheter.Icollectedthemtogetherandputthemintoasafeinourbaheyhaveremainedallthistime.Ibelievetheyareextremelyvaluableahmuchmorethantheirfacevalue.Eaeofthemisavaluablewitnessofthehistoricaldevelopmentofthehumaheyrepresentahistoryandtherefreathistoricalsignifice.Doyouthinktheseswillbeofhelptousuhepresentcircumstances?”Onhearingherwords,DwarfMickeyughedhappily.Hecppedhisforehead,saying,

“Iheardhimsaidhehasabeautifulbride,calledVio”saidRichard.“Idon’tbelieveshecamebacktoourworldwithhim.Hemusthavegonebacktoher.”Theotherswereallverymuchsurprisedattheturs.

4

“Evenifyoutakeallthemoheworldandputitbeforemyeyes,Iwon’tevenlookatit.Ofwhatuseismoney?moneybuyawomanofmysize?No.WhatIwantisawomanthatsuitsme.Ofwhatuseisallthemoheworldtome?all.”

“Letmethink,littlegirl”saidDwarfMickeywhoseemedtohavetakenaspeciallikingtonaughtygirlDoredherontheheadsaying,“Iwillgiveyouadetailedlistofstocksbondsandotheroditieseverymonth,tellingyouwhiestobuyorselodoso.Youjusthavetocarryoutmyordersfaithfullyandsoonwewouldhavequicklyaccumutedahugeamountofcapital…”ThenturningtoMegginnandSamantha,hesaid,“Theepwilldependonyoutwo.Megginn,youareainfinandknowmorethanIinthisfield.Whatdoyouthinkweshoulddo?”Megginnbitherlowerlipinthoughtforawhilebeforesaying,

“TheKingdomofDreamsandtheworldwearelivinginnowareintwodifferentdimensionsoftime.Thetimeframeispletelydifferent.ThoughMr.Fingerhadousforafewhours,intheKingdomofDreamsitisalreadyquitealongperiodoftime.Duringthistime,earth-shakinggeshadtakehere.Ifeelgesintheshelloftheearthasimmehosecausedbyearthquakes.Becauseofthatthetreasurestolenfrommeaturyagohadresurfaced.ItracedittoDimitri’sKingdomofDreamswheretheclueended.IhavealwayssuspectedthatthethiefhaddiedandhadnowreinatedtoanotherlifeintheKingdomofDreamsbecausehewasnotwillingtogiveupthetreasure.Ihavewonderedforalongtimewhothethiefcouldbe.Ihaveiigatedaedallsuspects.TheonlypossibilitythatremainedisMr.Finger’snewbride.”

“Ifyouwerealittleboy,youwouldbethemostloveableandcleverlittlestudent.Butyouarenot.Let’shopethatinyourinationyoucouldhaveahumanform.”Sayingso,hestoodupawoofthemtiheirway,lookingfortheirtarget.

“Sure,anythingyousay”repliedthetwooftheminachorus.“Saythewordanditwillbedone.”

“Ifthat’sthecase,I’mafraidtheyhavealreadymovedpartofmytreasuretothismundaneworldandmaybeintendingtomovestillmorehere”saidDwarfMickeyafterlisteningtoRichard’sreport.TurningtoMegginnheasked,“KingDimitri’sfinancialempiremayhavecolpsed,butsurelythereisstillsomecapitalleftsomewherethatweuse.Howmuchdoyouthinkwewegetourhandson?”Megginn’sexpressionturnedsomberasshereplied,

“No,no,mydaughter”repliedIleenfirmly.“ItisnotthatIdonotwanttolivewithyoubutIotleave.Thecrystalclearkewateryouseebeforeyouisaliveandmagical.Itisalwaystestingmeandmythoughts.Ihofmysoul,theseedsofrevengehavebeenthhlyrootedout.IfIleavehereandgobackwithyou,ifevermydesireforrevengeisreignited,IwouldreallyforeverbesighefiresofGehennawithoutreprieve.SoImuststayhereandprayaaspenanysinsuntilthedaythefireforrevengeisdousedoutforeveri.”

“GoandtelndseeifIcare.Ihavenomoneyanditmakesnodifferenyoutellyourstoryto!YougoawineyourselfifyouwantanyasIcertainlywillnot.”

Ontheoppositesideoftheke,Viohadfullyrecoveredafterafewdaysrestandcareandseemedmorebeautifundalluringthanever.ShewastellingMr.Finger,whowasreingonthepalmofherhand,thehappeningsofthestfewdays,howsheandCyclopsclimbeddoweepcliff,brokeopeesofhelndfouher;howshethenclimbedboriouslyupthecliffalobacktothegoldpadexperiehefrightehquakeandthesubsequenttsunami.Shetoldofherstrugglesiurbulentwavesandhowshebattledtoswimawayfromthewhirlpool.FinallyshetoldhimshesawKingDimitri,mouthopen,bitingonhismagicswordbetweenhisteeth,jumponhisflyinghorseandflyofftotheunknown.

“Youdon’trememberme?ButIrememberyou.”saidDwarfMickeysmilingmysteriously.“Youwereohetwenty-fourbeautieswhooftenighttoasecretdarkroominthesidehallofKingDimitri’sAdministrationBuildingonTwinPeaks.Thereyoulighteddles,burntinseandgedthefoodyouofferedtome.NowdoyourememberwhoIam?”

“Youwantalimousine?I’llgetyouhtaway,butthenyou’llhavenoexcuse.”

WithDimitri’smagicbowandarrowsonherback,VioclimbedupthesturdyvisheandCyclopshadedownon.WhenshesaidgoodbyetoherparentsCyclopsathegateofGehenherhadgiveheons,cautionihattheywereforself-proteonlyandnottobeusedasaontokill.FromhiswordsitcouldbeseenthatCyclopshadgedandreallyrepeheerrorofhisways.HeremainedbehindwillinglytokeepIleenpanysothatbothofthemcoulddopeogetherandprayforabsolution.Vioclimbedsteadilyupusingallherstrength.Hermother’sadmonitioingbacktoher,“Iknowit’spainfultoextinguishthefiresofhatredinyourheartbecauseImyselfhavehadthatagonizingexperieitissomethingyoumustdo,orelselikemeyouwillbehefiresofhellforalleternity.Mydeardaughter,listentome.Pleasequenchthefiresofhatredinyourheart.”

“Yes,thatisso.Thepolicetookthemasevideobeusedagainsthimshouldhegetcaught.”

“No,no”saidMr.Fingerdisdainfully.“He’snothingthatgreat.TomeDimitriisonlyabrokenballbytheroadsidethatanyonekickaround.Whatisaman’sworsenightmare?Isn’titfindingoutthathiswomanhadbeenunfaithfultohimandhadsexwithsomeoneelse?Ifheisabletoenduresuchshamewithoutreag,heisnotarealman.”

“Wellsir,doyouwanttohaveyourfortuoldbytarotcards?That’s50.”

“EversingDimitri’sfinancialempirecolpsed,hisemissariesthroughouttheworldwhohadtresumsofhismoneydecredtheirindependendseveredalltactwiththeKingdom.Whentheyheardthehathehadmysteriouslydisappearedintothinair,theyaddedfueltothefirebyspreadingrumorsthatrockedthefoundationsofWorldBank.Itwasasiftheywishedtouprootalltraitri’spowerahfromthefaceoftheearth.TodayIwasinWashingtonD.aliziransferofWorldBank.Wearenowformallypenniless,withoutanyresourcesatall.”

Thesunwashighinthesky.Maureenwassniffingthegroundily,foghisattentiononfindingthesttohismistress’attacker.ItwasextremelyhotandpoorlittleMaureen,withhiscoatoflongfurwasfeeli.Heantingwithhistonguelollingout,breathingheavily.Normallywheoutwithhismistresshewasneverleachedandcouldwalkaboutfreely.ButasDimitricouldnotsee,hehadtoputtheleathedogioknowhiswhereabouts,whetherhewasgoingstraightrightorleft.Itwasawaytounicatewithhislittlefriend.Nofarfromthemcamethefamiliarsoundoftheice-barvendor,hawkinghiswaresthroughhisbell.Maureenbarkedexcitedlyandrantowardstheman.Dimitrikhedogwasthirsty,sohetookoutadolrbilndboughtabananafvoredpopsicletorewardhisintelligentlittlefriend.Maureensatdownintheshadebythewall.

“Yessir,Iwilldosoatonce”repliedDornaobediently.“ShallInotifyAishaaswell?Sheisthequeendom.”

“Liquor?Youwanttodrinkliquor?Whatdoyoutakemefor?Yourservant?”repliedDwarfMickeyangrily.“Ifyouwanttodrink,goasomeyourself.Idon’thaveasinglepennyinmypocket,soIcertainlyotbuyanyforyou.”

drovetowardsadistrictwherestreet-walkersgathered.Hereandthereoreets,stily-dressedhookersstoodonerstryingtodrumupbusiness.Richardstoppedhisdwalkedtowardsabeautifulyoungwoman,whoseshortaightclothingfullyexposedhersexyandcurvaceousfigure,andsaidcasually,

“Thankyou,mygood-heartedss”saidtheolddwarf.“YoodheartwillgetitsjustrewardandIamsureyouwillfindagoodjob.Youmayevenwinthegrandlottoprize.”Thegirlsawthebusshewaocatingtowardsherandranforit.TurningbacktoDwarfMickeyshewavedgoodbye.

“Mr.Fingerhadousforafewhours,butlookattheturmoilhehascaused!Heisreallyatrouble-maker!”Alleyesturohim.

“Didyouseethat?”sheaskedVio.“ThisisthestrictestsupervisionariuststayhereadayandnightforthecrimesIhaveitted,untillthoughtsofhatredandrevengearepletelyexterminated.”Vionoddedsilentlytoshowthatsheuood.ThenshelookedinquiringlyatCyclops,whosaid,

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InherdreamsVioseemedtoreturntothequietafternoonofthedayofthei.ShewassittingonKingDimitri’sgoldthrone,lookingaroundthedazzling,magnifitpuregoldpace.Shehadfaithfullyexecutedhermother’sinstrusgiventoherinherdreamsandiepssuccessfullydestroyedDimitri’sKingdomofDreamsandtookoldpaceforherself.Shewasdeliriouswithjoythatshehadsuccessfullyfulfilledhermother’sdyingwishforrevengeandwasnowthemistressofthegoldpacethathadbeenherdreamforsolong,butViosoonfoundthateuphoriaandcuriositysoonevaporatedandwasfollowedbyemptiness.Whathadtotauthorityandenormouswealthbroughther?Atthispointshewasactuallynostalgicforthesafehavenireeholewhichshehaddecoratedintoasmall,cozyhome.Everythingtherewassimpleandprimitive,buteverypieceoffurniture,everytable,everychairhadmadewithherownhands.Thesmallroomhadbeenfilledwithwarmthanddelight,especiallyaftershemetherhusband,Mr.Finger,atlepersonlikeherself.Hewasslyanddeviousattimes,buttheyhadbeenalovingcouple.Theybecameestrashecouldn’thelpwwhetherhewasaliveordeadorwhathadhappeohim.AhingonhermindwasthefactthatwhileshewasdestroyingKingdomofDreamsandaftershetookDimitri’sgoldpace,themanhimselfhadinanappearance.Couldhehavebuiltanerandmuagnifitkingdomiherdimensionoftime?Vio’shatredforDimitrihadnotabatedandthirstforrevengewasburningasstrongaseverinherheart.Shesatohrohonehandcuppingheranddrowsilydozedoffwhenthesoundofaman’ssobbingwokeherfromhernap.Itwastheexpressionofintensegriefandsorrowinhisheartwhichheseemedtobestrugglinghardtostiflebutfailed.ItcameoffandoninfitsandstartsanddisturbedVio’snapwhichmadeherveryangry.“Whodarestobesoboldastoearmythrone?”shethought.“Iwillcutoffhisweepingheadforsuchaffront!”Shecalledoveranattendantandasked,

Thesunwasslowlygoingdowniandthedaywasdrawingtoaclose.Richard

“Melissa!Whereareyou?IamMickey.Iamhere.eoutquick!”Theoldwomandressedasawitchwassittingbehindtheterwithhereyesclosedwaitingforerswhensheheardsomeoneshouting.Withhalf-openedeyesshecameoutfrombehindtheterinherwheelchair,withoutknowingwhoitwasthateakingtoher.

“Theclimatehereisperfedtheenviroisideal,”saidVioafteramomentofsilence.“Iamsurethetwoofyouwilllivefortablyhere.PerhapsonedayItoowillebadkeepyoupanyahreeofuslivehappilytogether…Butmother,youtellmeisthereanywaytoletthetwohalvesofyourbodybereectedtogetheragainandbeewhole?”Ileenthoughtofthetragiccircumstancesofherexecutionandherfacesaddened.

fortably.IwasafraidtocrushyouorcauseyouanydisfortsoItookgreatcautionontheway.Afterallthisyoudaretopointyersinmyfadcurseandshoutatme?IamdoingthisonlybecausemygoodfriendDimitriaskedusalltolookafteryou.Ifnotonhisbehalf,Iwon’tevenliftafingerforyou.”

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“Inotonlyknowthat”repliedDimitri,hisfaceturningserious.“Iknowheisbackhereohandhasbroughthisso-calledwifeViowithhim.TheirmissionistoseekrevengeagaiIdidnotthinktheywouldesofast…ThetimediffereweenourworldandthatoftheKingdomofDreamsissohugethatitisimpossibletofathom.Butwehavenotimeforthatnow,sowe’llleavethattothelearronomers.Myimmediategoalistofindthosetwolittlepeopleandtalktothem.Imustuhedeadknotthatisbetweenus.”

“Busyschedule?Howcouldthatbe?Ihavebeenrelievedofallmytitlesandduties!”

“Whatarewewaitingfor?”saidVio

“Alright,Idon’twanttodealwithyoueither.Idon’twanttoquarrelwithyouasitwouldbeawasteofenergy.”Hestretchedhimselfzilyandthentinued,“NowIamawake.Iodrink.Gogetmesomeliquor.”

“Thankyou,goodsir”shesaid.“Haveaniceday”andquicklyclimbedontoherbus.DwarfMickeysawalittlepieceofwhitepaperdriftdowntotheground.Hepickeditupandshookhisheadwhehatitwasthelottoticketshehadjustbought.HethenwalkedbatothenarrowalleywithMr.Fiillinhispocket.

“Thenthere’ssomethingwrongwithit?”askedtheowner.

TurbulentwavescarriedVioouttothedeepwaterswheretheonlythingshecouldseewaswater,wateralroundher,withsosightofnd.Giganticpilrsofwatercrasheddownaruggledagainstthetumultuouswavestryingtokeepafloatandhempushhertothebottomoftheke.Suddenlyaseriesofear-deafeningcrasheswereheard.WhenVioturnedbacktolook,shesawthatGiantMountainwhichusedtoliehorizontallyonthehorizonlitintoseveralpartsandintheblinkofaneyeherbelovedmagnifitgoldpaktothebottomoftheke.Theforcesofthetraumatigetotheearth’scrustwhichhadpushedherintothewaterandcarriedherfurtherandfurtheraway,suddenlyreversedcourse.Astrongsupulledhertowardstheterofgravity.Viledagainstitfrantically,knowingthatifsheletherselfbepulleddownintothisdeadlywhirlpool,thispoolofwaterwouldbeehergrave.Justatthismoment,sheheardthesoundofneighingandsawthehandsomewhiteflyinghorseriseupfromthewavesfppingitswings.KingDimitri,withhismagicswordheldbetweenhisteeth,gotonhishorseandtheyflewaway.ViokhenthatitwasDimitriwhohadcausedallthosedrastigestotheearth’scrustbutshecouldn’tfigureouthowhedidit.Extremelyangry,shetookthemagicbowandarrowfromherbadletitflystraightatDmitri’sback.Butjustthenahugewaveroseupandcrasheddownonher,fhertleforherlifeuoseewhethershesucceededinhittiargetandwhatbeitri.

“Sohereyouare,Mr.Finger”excimedtheyounggirngrily.“IfIhadakeninbyyourdastardlytrick,KingDimitri’sKingdomwouldnothavebeeroyedbyfireaainlywouldnothavebeentakehebarbariantribes.Doyouknowhowmanybravewarriorslosttheirpreciouslivestoprotecttheirhomendandtry?”Thegirlwasfurious.Sherolleduptheneerinherhandandluowardsthelittlemanswattingathimwithit.Mr.Firiedtorunawayandwhenhecouldn’tdoitfastenough,rolledandtumbledonthegroundtryingtogetawayfromtheneersheusedasaonagainsthim.

“No,it’snotatallstra’sjustanotherproofofhisslidevasivepsychologyoflife.Butwhenporisbroken,itcouldbemendedandlookgoodasnew,butthecrackwillwaysbethere.Wemustseizeeverycewehave.Wemakeuseofthistobreakuptheirunityforourownpurposes.”JustthenadogbeganbarkingfuriouslyandDimitri’svoioutsidethebuildingsoundedloudandclearintheroom.Mr.FingerandVioexgedalook,greatlysurprised.

“DoyourememberthefirsttimeIvisitedyouatyourhouse,Charina?ThatdayIwasverytiredandyouofferedmesomeverygood,rarewine,soIfelsleeponyoursofa…”

Thestscarletcloudsiernskies,solikethedrunkenblushoftheimperiale,disappearedinthedeepeningdusk.Theroarofpowerfulenginesrockedtheairasaluxurious,streamlinedairpneappearedandslowlytoucheddown.Itranoremelystraightrunwaytowardstheotherend.Afteritsloweddown,itmadeaturnandfourpowerfullightssho.Thepneslippedontotheapronandcametoastand-still.AdderushedovertothedoorofthepnewhichopenedandMegginnwalkeddownitlookiremelygauntandtired,herloifulhairblownaboutbythestrongwind.Wheotheststep,sheturhecrewwhocamedownbehindher,shooktheirhandsandsaidgoodbye.ShetookastlookatthepneespeciallyassighepresidentofWorldBankandwavedgoodbyetoit,whilethecrewsalutedherforthesttime.Thedaythepnewouldhaveanewboss.

“You’renotkiddingme,right?”askedthegirl,notsurewhethertobelievehimornot.“Willhereallyeback?Didn’thedisappear?”

“What!Someoookit?Youreallymessedmeupbadlythistime.“

“Thatrascal!”criedMr.Finger,“Iwasreallyblindtosiderhimmyfriend.Iusedtothinkhewaslikeabrokenballbytheroadsidethatanyonecouldkickaround.HelookedlikesuchaMr.Goody-good,soeasytogetalongwiththatIneverrealizedhewassuchawickedandviciousruffian!”Mr.Fingerwasalwaysanindiscriminateman,influenlybyhisownlikesanddislikes,regardlessoftruthormorals.Hewasficklelikeagrassthatbendswhicheverwaythewindblows,alwaysagreeingwiththepersonhewasclosesttoatthemoment.AcoldandghastlysmilepassedoverVio’sfadshesaid,

“That’sgreat!That’sgreat!Iwon’tcurseyouanymore.FromnowonIwon’tcallyouanoldson-of-a-bitcheither.Iwillcallyou‘white-hairedMickey’instead,how’sthat?Goquicklyamesomeliquor,otherwisethewinebugsinmystomachwillbecausingariot!”

“Thistimewearegoingtogotothemundaneworldnotjustforfunandsight-seeing.WeareonamissiontofindDimitriaourrevenge.Rememberthat!”

“Don’tfetIamblind”saidhesmilingwryly.“Iotsee.Pleasereadittome.”Charinatookoverthepaperandread,

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“That’sastrangename.Mypenis.Mypenis.Didtheyreallyy,mypenis?”

“Notimetotalknonsense”hereplied.Holdingouthisopenpalmhesaid,“Givemebackthethiwithyou.Thatbrooise.Giveitbae.”

“”Don’tbeinsuchahurry.Takeyourtime,”saidMr.Kaffeesmiling.“esitdowakearestbeforespeakingtous.”

“Don’tfetme.Don’tfetme!”interruptedtheimpatientDorna.“Iwanttoatoneformymisduct.IregretmypartinthefallofKingDimitri’sempire.Givemeasedce.”

“Thatnight,itwasyourcleverlittleMaureenwhofouhhisextraordinarysenseofsmelndmademeuandsomethingwasamiss.ButIamahelplessblindman,utterlyuselessinanemergency.IsuddenlythoughtofMedusa,theguardianofmyKingdomofDreams,soIsummonedherandtoldhertodealwiththecrisis.ItwasMaureenwholedhertoyourhome,anditisyourlittledogyoushouldthankforsavingyou.”

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“Iotdothat”thoughtVio.“Ieverfetthetragieofmymother’ssavageexecution,ofherbodybeinghalf.Imusthavemyreveheonlywaytodosowillbetoexpandmykingdomandmypower.IwillandmybarbariansoldierstolookforandcaptureDimitri.Iwilldraghimbeforemymotherandmakehimbegherfivenessforputtihroughsuchcrueltorture.IwillthenforceDimitritoputthetwopieother’sbodytogetherandmakeherwholeagain.UnlessIaplishallthat,Ieverrestandthefireofhatredotbeextinguished.”Hermindwasinawhirl,assheclimbedboriouslyupthecliff.SuddenlyitoccurredtoherthatwithoutthebagandsupportofCyclopsshemighthavetroubletrollingthebarbarianwarriors.“Thesebarbariansoldiersareprimitiveandwarlike.Theyhaveathirstforwarandbloodshed.TomaintainstatusquoIwouldhavetoaffordthemawaytoventtheiraggressionandbloodthirstinessbytinuallykeepiheath.IwillmakewarontheremnantsofthetribesloyaltoDimitrisomysoldierscouldsatisfytheirlusttokilndIcouldexpandmyterritoryandmypower.AtthesametimeitwouldforceDimitritoeoutandfacemesoItalkwithhim!Great!That’sagreatpnanditwouldbekillingthreebirdswithoone!”Viofinallyreachedthetopofthecliffandstooduptowalkwhensherealizedthathertwofeetrefusedtomove.Shehadspentallthestrengthinherbodyieepclimbandwasnowonthepointofcolpse.Buttherewasnotimetobelostforthiswasadangerouspcewhereferociousbeastsabouhedarkforests.Numerousfierdmalevolenteyeslurkinginthedarkwerejustlookingforacetoattack.TakingthemagicbowfromherbackViowaveditthreateninglyalround.ThewildbeastsreizedDimitri’smagicbowahatitrepresentedKingDimitrihimself,sononedaredtoeforwardandsoonallslunkquietlyaway.OnlythendidViherleadenfootstepstowardshergoldpace.

“IfyouwereiedIcouldeasilyletyouwinthefirstprize.Don’tfetIamthegodofwealthinchargeofallthewealthintheworld.Imakeanythinghappen.Howaboutit?Begme,kow-towtomeandIwillletyouwin.”

Vio’smindwasfullofsuspi,butthefactthattheterrifyingfiresofGehennawhichshesawinherdreamshadreallydisappearedwithoutatracewasanundisputablereality.

Theluminousmoonlightshonedownfromabove,almhtasdaylight.Thissamemooernandunging,hadmesmerizedpeopleallthroughtheages.Oryousaythatnothingisevereternandungingintheuniverse.Everysed,numerousnewpsarebornandjustasmanyofthemdieaway.Takeourearthforinstaheoturniilefarmndandfarmndturnintoo.Inonesed,GiantMountain,whichhadinpeacefullyonthehorizonsihebeginningoftimes,buckledandcrumpledintoseveralpieces,withonlyitsheadstilldisable,seemingmoreoddandbizarrethanever.

“Sure.Sure.Iampletelywonoverbyyicalpowers.But…he-he…Ifyoucoulduseyictocreatealittlewomanjustmysizeforme,Iwouldbemorethhlyvinced.InfactIwouldkneeldownandkow-towyou,he-he…”DwarfMickeywastakenabackthatMr.Fingerwouldasksuchathingofhimandsaid,

Everyonewasfranticallybusyathisorherownspecificpost,butthebusiestofallwereKingDimitri’sloyalservantsCreativityandImaginatiowoofthemdancedhappilyhandinhandaroundthebakeryandtheegYoungWomen’sBHouse.Theirwild,feverishtwirlingandwhirlingformsappearedineveryerofthebhouse,inthefrontofthebakeryaswelstheworkroombehind.Thoughnoonecouldseethemwiththeirnakedeye,theydairelesslyon,distributinghappyvibes.Handinhand,theydanandon,twirlingandwhirling,intoxicatedwiththeirdahepointettingthemselves.Perhapstheingeniousideas,thecleverstrategiesandiivepnsthatcametothebrainsoftheinhabitantsthereinatedfromthevibesofthedangcouple.

“Yes,Iremember”repliedCharinaafteramomentofreminisce.“Imadeyouyourdinnerwhileyouweresleeping.”

Thesebeforethemsuddenlyopenedup,startlingandsurprisingCyclopsandViowhocouldnotbelievetheireyes.Thefullmoonhungluminouslyinthesky,shiningoncalm,kewaterssocrystalclearthatyoucouldseerighttothebottom,withoutasinglewavetomarthemirror-likesurface.Thereweretwomoons,oheskyahewater,vyingforsplendor.Thesurroundingtreesandshrubswerequiet.Agentlebreezeruffledthetipsofthebrailtheyswayedslightlyinresponse.HowcouldthisbeGehenna?Wherearethefieryfiresofhell?Thisbeautifulseryseemedtobeaparadiseoh!CouldwehaveetothewrohisisnottheentraoGehenna?CyclopsandViowalkedonintendingtoexplorefurtherintothispicturesquepce.Buttheycameuponseafterseoftreesandflowersburstingwithblooms,whichseemedmorecolorfundresplehaneveruheradiantmoonlight.Thedroopingbraheweepingwillowsbythesideofthekeswayedintheirownrefleier.CyclopsandViodoubtedmorethahattheywereintherightpce.Justthen,theyheardsoundsingfromthekeasifsomeonewaswadinginshallowwater.Lookingtowardsit,theyweresoastouhattheyjuststoodtheretoofbbergastedtobeabletomoveatall,thinkingthattheireyesmustbedeceivingthem.Forthelowerpartofawoman’sbodywassittingbythebankoftheke,pyfullyspshingtheshallowwaterwhereshedippedherbeautifulshapelylohetoppartofherbodywasafewfeetaway.Uhemoonlighttheycouldseeherlonghairfallingaboutherfacewhileshetratedonweavingabroadwaistbandwithstrandsofweepingwillowshehadgathered.Thewomanraisedherheadandsuddenlyuhebrightmoonlightabeautifulface,calmandserious,glowingwithasacredsheenappearedbeforethem.TotheirastonishmenttheyfounditwasIleen!

“Soyousay!Dretitteron”saidMr.Fihbothhandsonhishipspugnaciously.

“Damnit,Iknewyourdisappearaothinairwasnotreal.YouleftyourFKingclothesbehindonthegroundintheparkjusttofoolus,right?”saidanotherhoarsevoice.AwarmandhappyfeelingpermeatedDimitri’sbody.Heknewwhotheywerewithoutturninghishead.Theywerehisbestfriendsandlife-longbuddies,RichardandJamaz.Thethreeofthemstoodonthesidewalk,ughingandshoutingiglee,happilysppingeachother’sbadpungeachother’sshouldersaswhileshoutingboisterousobsities.Thelittledogsittingonthegrouleftoutandbarkedinprotest.DimitristoopeddowntopickupMaureenandsaidtohistwofriends,

Shecametothegateofthegoldpacewhichlookedlikeanopenbloodymouth,pushedopentheheavygolddoorandwalkedontothenarrowwindingpathpavedwithgold.Theflowersandshrubsonbothsidesofthepathwerebloomingprofuselyinanexplosionofcolors.Thenshecametothefountain.Ninegonshadbeedifferentstrategicpositionsaroundthefountainsothatthewaterthatsproutedfromtheirmouthscrisscrossedandformedaravagantwebofwaterdispy.Brilliant,shimmeringdiamondscoveredthebottomofthefountainwhereglitteringgoldsandhadalsobeenscatteredandwhereallkindsoffishswamleisurelytoandfro.Whenshewalkedintothemajestidglitteringgoldpace,shewasastohattherewerenoattendantsvisible.Shewastheonlyoandinginthegrayhall.Wherehaveallthepeoplegoo?Shewasjustabouttoasdthegoldthroneaforawhile,whensuddenlyshefelttheworldspinningaroufirstshethoughtwhatshewasfeelingwasdizzinesscausedbyfatiguebecauseshehadexpeoomuergyclimbingupthecliff.Butimomentsthegroundunderherfeettrembledandshefoundithardtoremainstill.Theentiregoldpaceswungfrhttoleftandthenshookupanddownviolently.ThewholeofGiantMountaiobeonthevergeofdisiion.Viothenrealizedthismustbetheearth-quakethatpeopletalkedabout.Shehadneverexperienythingsohair-raisingandtempestuousinherlife.Vioquicklyrantowardsthebankoftheke.Whilelookingbackatthegoldpacewhichwasactuallyt,aviolentforcehitherandthrewherintotheke.

“Don’tbeimpatient,Sire”shesaid.“Letmehaveatry.Imaybesmallinstaturebutinthiscaseitmightbeastrongpointandhaveitsredeemingvalue.Letmetry.It’samethodofthestresort.”CyclopscarefullyliftedViofromhisheadandpcedherbeforethedoor.Shestoodontiptoesandsqueezedherbodysidewaysinchbyinchthroughthenarroerture.Thatfiningspacemiraculouslyallowedthepassageofhertinybody.Viodidherbesttosuppressthedeliriousjoyinherheartandtratedallherattentionherbodyinchbyinchthroughthenarrountilshegottotheothersideofthestonedoor.Whensheresumedherfullstaturesheimmediatelyrealizedthatshefaotherobstaclejustasdifficult,foracrossthedoublestonedoorwasargestologitiheboltwaslongandheavyandquitebeyorengthofayoungwomantolift,nottosayremove.Shekossibleforhertotrytoliftitbyhand,butwonderedifitwouldbepossibletousehershouldertodislodgeitandimmediatelyputherideatothetest.Pgherrightshoulderuhesto,sheusedallherstrengthtopushitupwards.Itactuallymovedalittle.Greatlyenced,Viotinuallyusedhershouldertoraisetheboltandpushittowardstheleft,owice,thrice….Whentheskinhtshoulderbecamebruisedandbloody,sheusedthesamemethodwithherleftshoulderuntilbothshouldersweregashedandbloody.Unbahestantnudging,theheavyboltatstleaowardsonesideandfellheavilytotheground.ViocalledloudlytoCyclopsohersideofthehugestonedoorsaying,“Sire,useyourstrengthandseeifyoupushopenthedoor.”mediatelypushedhardatthedoor,whichgaveoutharshscrapingsoundsandactuallycreakedopenseveralinches.Hisfidencefullyrestored,Cyclopsbuncheduphismightymusclesuntiltheveinsonhisforeheadandhislegsbulgedout.Pntinghisfeetfirmlyontheground,hepcedbothhandsonthedoorandpushedforwardwithallhismight.Thestonedooractuallycmoredopenwithathunderingdin.

“Believeme,Iwon’tdeceiveyou.”

“Whoisthatg?”

“PityIonlysawherbackassherantoherbusandneversawherface.Didyounoticeshetookthesamebusthatbroughtushere?Whichcitydidweefromatthetime?”

“Hereyirl”saidRichard,pullingDwarfMickeytowardsher.“Thisisabonafidebillionaire.Wewaogetyouforhimandbringyousomebusiness.”Theyounggirlsnortedrudelyandspatontheground,showiruecolorsofbeingjustacoarseanduncivilizedprostitute.

“Noneofyourbusiness”sherepliedshortly.“Arethetwoofyoucops?”

“Don’tbesogreedy.Gettingsomemoobuyyouliquorisquiteenough.Idonothavetheabilitytojureupawomanforyou.Sorry.”

“Sure,sure.Whateveryousay.Let’sgobaeanddrinktoourheart’stent.”

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Viogotupandwalkedtothetreehole.Shegedbacktoatinyperson,evensmallerthanMr.Finger,butasexyandcurvaceousbeautyheless.

“MydearMajesty:TherewasargeearthquakeintheKingdomtheotherdaywhichcausedgreatgesih’scrust.GiantMountainhasbeentotallydestroyedandthegoldpaktothebottomoftheke.Thebarbariantribeshavedisappeared.Thisisagreatopportunitytore-establishdom.PleaseebacktdomandleadusinthisendeavnedMedusa.”Afterreadie,CharinasattherestaringatDimitri.Hecalmlytookanotherdrinkfromhisgssandsaid,

DimitriandMaureenwasjustwalkingalong,whentheyheardahighandoldsoundingvoicecallouttothem,

“Don’tworry’smiledDimitri.“Iamnotgoingtofightaonight.Iamjustmeetingwithtwolittlepeopleandhaveaheart-to-hearttalkwiththehat’ssettledeverythingwouldbefine.Ohyes,atthemomentIhaveaproblemthatyouguyshelpmewith.”

“IamsogdIdidnotkillyouthatdayoryouwouldnotbeheretodaytosaveme.Weweresuchalovingandwell-suitedcouple.Idon’tknowwhythingsgedandwebecameapairoffieremiesbentonkillingeachother.Well,allthatisnowoveranddoh.Wearetogetheragaiiopart.”Mr.FingersawthatViowasstillveryokehaltinglyasifshortofbreath,sohestoppedhersaying,

“Ofcourseit’strue”repliedIlene.“Iproveittoyouandyouwilluand.”Topersuadeherdaughtertobelieveihofhersituation,Ileheremainingfireofhatredinherheartthathadbeeerminatedfretolifeagain.Thecrystalclearkewaterimmediatelyreactedbyingtoaboindsendingfmesbzinguptotheskiesinthemiddleofthekewhichthencamerandpoungtowardsthethreeofthem.CyclopseveralertimmediatelygrabbedholdofIlenewhowasnotabletowalkquicklyandcarriedhertoapceofsafety.Viofollowedbehindimmediatelyandsowasnottouchedbythefmes,butlookingbackatthepcewheretheyhadbeenstanding,theysawthattheshrubs,treesandflowerswhichflourishedtherehadbeenburnttodersandallthatremainedwasbck,burh.Ileenquicklydisciplinedhermindtosuppressallthoughtsofrevengeandhatred.Thekewaterreactedimmediatelyaedbacktoitsearliercalmandtranquility.

“ImadeuseoftheopportunitytovisitmyKingdomintheDreamsandfulfilledaveryimportantmission…”

Thesungraduallysowardsthewest.Timewasslippingawayfastbysedsandminutes.DwarfMickeyandDorseargforMr.Fiheareaaroundthenarrowalleyandtheliquorstore.Theysearchedeverynookandy,lookedundereverymovablerodstocameupempty-hahelittlemanjustwasn’tthere.Theirspiritsgrewheavierandheavierwiththepassingoftime.LuckilyRichardandJamazcameupowoofthemoreets.TheyknewDornafrombeforeandsoneedednointrodu.OnlearningthatMr.Fingerhaddisappearedfornoapparentreasonandcouldnotbefound,theyweregreatlymystified.Thelittleman’slegsweresoshortthatitwasinceivableforhimtohavegonefar.Theydecidedtoextendtheareaoftheirsearchtothenearbystoresandapartmentsandtheydidsometiculously,tothegreatperplexityandsternationofthefewstoreowhere.Theapartmentsintheareaweremorenumerousandwereheavilysecuredwiththefrontdoorslockedatalltimes.ThepossibilityofMr.Fingerslippinginwasent.Thelittlemanest,creatingtroubleanddiscordeverywherehewent,butatthesametimehealshtughterandlivelinessintotheirlives.Thewickedideasandtridtheoddremarkshispeculiarmindcameupwithoftehemsplittheirsideswithughter.HewasgreatlylovedbyDimitriwhodidnotseverelyreprimandhimevenwhenhealmhthisKingdomofDreamstothebrinkofcolpsethroughhisdastardlytricks.Dimitri’sloveremainedunabatedinspiteofeverything,sohisfriendswereworriedabouthowtoatforMr.Finger’sdisappearance.

“Ohno,no’repliedRichard.“Dowelooklikecops?Wearejustmenwholiketowalkaroundhereandbringyougirlsbusiness,especiallyfreshmeatlikeyou.Howaboutit?Wanttogetinmycar?”Thegirlwasyoungbutseemedtoknowherwayaround.Shecertainlywasn’tabouttogetintothecarjustlikethat.

“Lifeisreallystrange.DwarfMickeymysteriouslydisappearedandnowhehassurfacedagainsouedly.Heiscallinganemergeingandisurgentlyaskingexpresslyforyouandme,sayinghehasimportantthingstoannounowonderDornawassoexcitedoverthephoshewasalmosti!IthinkithastodowithgettingDimitri’sfinancialempirebatoshapeagain.”Megginneyesbrightehefatigueofherjourneyanddespondencyofherspiritsmiraculouslydisappeared.Likeridinginarollercoaster,oneminuteshewasdowninthedeepestdumpsbutnowshehadclimbedontothehighestmentalcliffs.Shebecameexcitedtooandsaid,

4

Cyclops’imposingphysiquewascrouchedinaerofthecorridbitterly.Hetriedhisbesttosuppresshissorrowsothathissobswouldnothisbeloveddaughterwhopingohrone.Viocametohimalyasked

“That’syourbusiness,notmine.IamjusttellingyouIwantliquoranditisyourjobtogetsomeforme,otherwiseIwillgoandtellDimitri.”Thatmadetheoldmanveryangry.

“WhatIdoforyou?”askedMr.Finger.“Iamonlyastalsafingerandhavetroublefendingformyself.HowIhelpyou?”

“YouthinkI’mreallyna?veanddon’tknowwhatyouareabout?”saidViogivinghimawhiteeye.“Youwantastrongandmuscurphysiquesoyoucouldgoarounddallyingwithotherwomen,right?”

“Howarewetogetheseagoldsintocapital?”askedYoko.

“Yes,heisthegodofwealththatDimitribelievesin.NowhecallshimselfDwarfMickey.”

“Oh,youarethatpreciouslittledogMaureen.Lookhowcuteyouare.”

3

“No,youdon’tuand”sadViostoppinghisself-righteousupbraid.“It’sbecausehetoleratewhatnonormalmancouldthatmakeshimacutabovetheaverage.IsupposeIshouldreassessmyevaluationoftheman.”

“Mygood-heartedyoungdy,whatareyoulookingfor?Coulditbethislottoticket?”Theyounggirlraisedherheadandsawtheolddwarfholdingasmallpieceofpaperinhishand.Hereyeslightedupandexcimed,

CharinaledDimitritothefarendofthelongdockwhereitwasnotsocrowded.Afterthewaiterhadbroughtthemtheircoffeeandredwine,shebegantotellhimthehappeningsofthestfewdays.

Cyclopsclimbedslowlydownhisrope,pasttheclusteroftreesandbushesthathadbeencrushedandtornbythehugefallingrockhetosseddown,andcircumveherocksprotrudingfromthebare,steepsurfaceofthecliff.Whenhewashalfwaydowicedthatthesurroundingcliffwassheerandsteepwithnofootholdatalndnocover,makingtheirexposedpositioremelyvulnerable.SuddehoughtofsomethingandcalledouttoViowhowashangingontothesinglehornatthetopofhishead,

“Justmyluckthatthereisn’tasingleshredofaperaroundwhenIneedohere’sonlythisdirtytissue.Willitdo?”

“Sire,youthinktoomuch”saidViosmilinglypattingCyclops’strongmuscurshoulder.“MotherandIareveryclose;ourretionshipisthickerthanbloodandmorefierythanliquor.Youwerenotpresentatthetimeandsocouldnothaveimagihetragie.WhenIburstoutfrommymother’swombIwasjustanunformedfetus.Isawwithmyowhelowerpartofherbodylyinginapoolofbloodontheground,whiletheupperpartofherbodystillhungfromawitheredbranchofatree.Butshewouldnotgiveupherspirit,eventhoughshewassufferingunimaginablepain.Shewaswaitingformetogrowupandgotohersidesoshecouldiherbloodintomybody.ThiswayIwouldbeabletogemyphysicalsizeatwill.Sheformedathree-steppnforrevengeformetocarryoutsoIcoulddestroyKingDimitri’sKingdom.AhSire,myretionshipwithmotherissoveryclose.NowthatIknowmotherissufferinginthefiresofhell,howcouldInotgoandsaveher?Evenifonedaysheshouldwanttobeintotaltrolofthegoldpadthenewkingdomwehaveformed,Ihavenoqualmsaboutlettingherhaveitall.IwanttotinuemypursuitofKingDimitri.MythirstforrevengehasbeensatisfiedandIwillnotstopuntilIfinallyhavehimeredandkillhim…ThequestionishoegoaboutsavingmotherfromthefiresofGehenna?Whereisit?”

“Goodidea”saidthegirl,gettiedovertheprospect“I’llbuyone.”DwarfMickeywasgettingimpatient.Hejumpedupanddownshouting,“Ineedhelp!Ineedhelp!”Theyounggirllookeddownandsawawhite-beardedolddwarfshoutingatthem.Shegood-naturedlybentdoickedhimup.DwarfMickeytookoutthebrandnewhundreddolrbillfromthecrookofherarmandhaotheowner.

“IknowgreatgeshavetakenpydomofDreams.Weherearedoingourbesttohelpre-establishyourfinancialempire.Everyonehasbeenwhardandwehaveestablishedsecretheadquarterhere.”

“Noonehelpme”sighedtheyounggirl.“Ioweahugedebt.EvenifIwasabletohitthejack-pot,itwouldonlybeafraofwhatIowe.”

“Thiseiturnhasreallyharmedalotofpeople”shesaid.“Inthisclimateitisoimpossibletofindajob.”Flippingtheneerinherhandtotheseonjobopportunitiesshesedovertheads.

Dream-maker’sBakeryenforbusinessaobeoperatingastheynormallydo.Butappearancesweredeceiving;forbeheapparentcalm,numerousfranticactivitiesweregoingontabouttheresurreofDimitri’sfinancialempire.Mr.KaffeehadsuccessfullygatheredthenecessarycapitalbytheauoftheagoldsandgavethemtoDornatoiacctoDwarfMickey’sdetailedinstrus.DwarfMickeyonhispartwrotedowailwhichstock,bondorodityshewastobuyorselswelstheexacttimeanddateshewastodoso.Dornawasmeticulousincarryingouthisordersandasaresulthadmadekillingsafterkillings,whichgreatlyincreasedherrespectforDwarfMickey’spowersofforetelliure.Dorna’seyesweregluedtotheputersasshestudiedthenoffiguresdispyingtheupsanddownsofthestockmarket.Shecouldn’thelpexginsurpriseandchortlingingleewhehestockmarketperfjustasDwarfMickeypredicted.Thegodofwealth’sabilitytoforetellthefuturewasunyandinfallible.Dorna’sdeterminationtoredeemherselfmadehersoabsorbedinherworkastettoeatandsleep.Aisha,wholovedtheyounggirllikeadaughter,hadbeenwaboutthegirl’sfuturebecauseshekhatDornadidnotliketostudyandhadleftschooltoolongtobeabletotinueherformaleducation.ThereforeshewasgreatlyrelievedwhenDornadecidedtogobacktoworkinDream-maker’sBakeryaobedoingwell.Shethoughtitwastherightpathtotakeandsodohemove.MegginnandSamanthahadmovedbacktotheYoungWomen’sBHouse,whereroomshadbeenreservedforthemontheoheythoughtitwouldbeeasiertounicateiftheylivedoheylovedtobeoncemorereuhtheirsisters.Soonthepcerevivedandbecamelivelyandbustlingagain.Amalia’sAlzheimer’sdiseasealsogainedfromthegeandherditionimprovedquiteremarkably.Shewasmoreiedinhersurroundingsaalkingtothosearoundher,eventhoughherwordswereoftenoffthemarkandheranswersdidnotfitthequestionsaskedofher.Butallinallitwasagreatimprovementandajoyfulooherlovingfamily.

“That’stforus,”objectedSheiandMary.“We’tdrinkthat!”

“KingDimitri?”saidtheyounggirlfettingherangerandopenedhereyeswide.“Whereishe?Doyouknowwhereheisnow?Doyouknow?”

“AllthismusthavebeeiculouslypnnedaedbyDimitritodestroythegoldpaceIlovewithallmyheartandannihitethenewkingdomIcreatedwiththebarbariantribes…”

“I’mafraidnowisnotthetimeforsleep.Averybusyscheduleisaheadofus.”

“asitforreal?Whydidn’tyoumentionitearlier?Hey,that’saheaveopportunity,somethingwecouldusetospoiltheirfriendshipaetroversy.Whydidyouwaitsolong?Youshouldhavesaidsomethingbeforethis!”

“Noproblem”saidMr.Kaffee.“Iamacollectorofantiquesandknowquiteafewveryreputableoisseursofas.Itakeourstothemforappraisandhavethemwriteandsignanendorsement.Thenwewillholdanautogetthemaximumprofit.”

“Don’tfetthatonlyIamthegodofwealthandonlyIexgepartofmylifefeamountofmoney”saidDwarfMickey,pattingDornalovinglyontheshoulder.“That’snotintergeableotiable.”Theroomturnedsilentwitheveryone’sheartfullofworryandsadhehithertoquietandreservedYokosuddenlybrokehersilence.

“Youshouldrestnowandtrytosleep.Everythingwaittilltomorrowwhenyouhavegainedyourstrengthater.”Hetheoutsidetocolleearofflowersandotherwildfruitahemtoher.ThengViotightlytohischest,hetriedtowarmherstillcoldbodywithhisownbodyheat.Thetwolittlepeopleycspedtogetheronthebedandsoonfelsleep.

“Ah!nowIremember”saidtheyounggirlhittingherforeheadwiththepalmofherhand.“Youarethedwarf;theysayyouarethegodofwealth!YourappearanceheremeansthereishopefDimitri’sKingdom.”DwarfMickeyughedloudly,happyandproudthathisexaltedidentitywasnowoutintheopen.

“There’ssomethingevenfunnier!DimitriresumedhisclosefriendshipwithJamaz,thatbigbckguywhowashiswife’slover,asifnothinghadhappehey’recloserthanbrothers.Don’tyouthinkthat’sstrange?”

“You…you…you…”stutteredDwarfMickey,soangrythathecouldnotevenspeak.

“I’lnsweryourquestionster.Dimitrileftinahurrytosolveadifficultproblemthathadbeengivinghimalotofheadaches.HeistryingtountieaGordianknotwhichheientlytiedwithsomeo’snotdistracthim…”Sayingso,heshookhisheadrepeatedlywithaicalsmile.RichardandJamazexgedaknowingghetwoofthemhadbeenpartnersforsolongthattheycoulduandeachotherwithoutwords.

“Ah,poorme!Howpitifulmylifeis!Idon’tknowwhhtmeontothisworld…Iamsosmall…IlyletmyselfbebulliedbyanyonebiggerthanIam…Ah,poorme…WhereareyouDimitri?equicklyandhelpme,Ibegyou…Ibegyou…”DwarfMickeywasafearlesssoulwhowasnotafraidofanything,buthefelthelplessagainstMr.Finger’srascallybehavior.Hispitifulwordsabouthissmallstaturesomehowgainedhissympathy,sohesaidtohim

2

“No,no,Mother”repliedVio.“IwillcaptureDimitriandpelhimtoehereandbegyiveness.Iwillmakehimectthetwopartsofyourbodytogetheragainandmakeyouwhole.Ifhewon’tdoit,Iwillcuthiminhalfatthewaistandgivehimatasteofwhatdinhumaionfeelslike!”

“Quick.GoquicklytoMegginnandSamantha,KingDimitri’schieffinancialofficers.TellthemtomeetmeatDream-MakersBakery.Ialktothemassoonaspossible.”

“Couldyoutellmewhyyouwanttowinthejack-pot?PerhapsImightbeabletohelp.”

“Really?”saidViogreatlysurprised.“ThatDimitriisnosimplecharacterifhecouldtoleratewhatnonormalmanwould.It’slikeasharpknifepiergone’sheart.InsteadofbeingfuriouswithAisha,hemadeherhisqueen.Thatisnosimpleman.”

“Ifyoudon’thavealimousine,justgetoutofhere.Scram!Don’tblockmybusiness.”

5

“Howdiditgo?Wasitsmooth?”

“Oh,no,no”criedDornahastily.“Letmegiveuppartoftheremainingyearsofmylifeinstead.Iamyoungandaffordtodoso.IfeelthatIamrgelytobmeforcausialcolpseofKingDimitri’sfinancialempire.IfIdidnotfallforMr.Firick,theoutewouldnothavebeensoserious.Pleaseallowmetosacrificepartofmylifeinsteadofyou.Please,please.”

“Stop!Stop,youngdy.Pleasedon’tbesoangry.Mr.Fingerissmalndvulnerable.Youcouldreallykillhimwiththatrollofneerifyouuseallyourstrength.HowarewetofagDimitriandtellhimaboutthedeathofhisfriend?“

Uponwaking,Mr.Fingerfoundhimselflyingonasoft,fortablebed.Lookingaroundtheroominthegloaminglight,hesawminiaturetables,chairs,dressersandallkindsoffurnituredecoratingthesmallroom.Inaertherewereearthentainersusedtostorewine.Why,thiswastheloveheandViohadbuilttogether!HehadreturoKingDimitri’sKingdomofDreams.TheodorofdegflowerpetalstoldMr.FihatquitesometimehadpassedsinceViostvisitedthetreeholehouseshebuiltwithherownhands.Hesatupandwalkedovertothetreeholetopeekoutattheworldoutsideinthefaintlight.Thesethatmethiseyescausedhimtoblinkinsurprise.Inthedeheoutlookseemedtohavegedsiderably.Normallyeveninthedefogorhts,theshapeofGiantMountainwasclearlydisableiancelikeagiantlyinghorizontallyontheground.Daywasnowbeginningtobreak,buttherewasneshapevisibleacrosstheke.Whatsurprisedhimwasthesoundofrushingwaterwhichhehadneverheardbefore.Hereturohissoftandfortablebed,determioexploreeverythingmorefullywhenitwasbrighter.Lyingthereonthebed,hismindwasbombardedwithallkindsofthoughts.HethoughtofhisromahViososweetandtehebeginningbutwhidedabruptlysodrastically,resultinginVioaryingtokilleachother.Nowhewasback,tryingtomakeupwithhisbelovedwifeandwonderedifshewouldfivehihereforeshejustmightnottrytokillhimthistime.AtthemomentViowasholdingallthecardsaheweakandvulnerableone.Shecouldgehershapeatwillwhilehewasonlythesizeofafinger.Forher,tokillhimwasaseasyasswattingafly.Thewaytogowouldbetoappearrepentantandvulnerableandtrytogainhersympathyandpity.Ifhesucceededhewouldbeabletohaveabeautifulwifeagain.Thinkingso,Mr.Fingerwasgreatlyforted.Heturnedaroundandwassoonsoundasleep.

“Whattarotcards?Iwastheotaughtyouwhatlittleyouknow.OpenyousleepyeyesandseewhoIam.”Openingherdrowsyeyes,theoldwomanlookedatthespeaker.

“I’lltellyouaboutitoneday.Nowisnotthetimetodoso.Oh,youjustsaidthatrapistlefthisclothesatyourhouse.Isthatright?”

“Iwasoackedrightherebythevaliantsnake-hairedgonMedusa.TwiceshechargeddownatmefromonhighwhileIwasstuckheredefenseless,buttwiceshegedcourseamego.TodaywouldbethethirdtimeifsheshouldappearandIamnotsurewhethershewouldletmegooncemore.BeawareofyoursurroundingsandbeooanygesincaseMedusaattacksushereinthemiddleofourdest.”

Thestoresoldantiques,usedgoodsandtoldfortuheside.ItwastheoneEmmanuelhadwalkedintobyact.Thoughthesurroundingstoreshadallclosedfortheday,thisonewasstillopen.Itserskepttehours,manyofwhomcameinthedeepofthenighttoaskforadvicewhentheyfeltlost,fusedordazed.Theyhopedthatsupernaturalpowerswouldbeabletohelpthemandwouldexpinatheunknownfuture.ItwasnotthattewhenDwarfMickeypushedopenthedoortothestoreshouting,

4

“Letmeseeit.Letmeseeit”heordered.

“Whatacleverlittledog!Whatanintelligentlittleone!”HethenstooduptotalktoDimitriabouttherethappenings,howtheyweregatheringcapitaltobuyaocks,bondsandotherodities,howtheywerebuyingbacktheenterprisesthatusedtobelongtoDimitrietc.

“DwarfMickeytoldusalboutyou,abouthowbraveandcleveryouweretosaveyourmistress.Youarereallyspecial!”Satisfiedbybeingmademuaureenpyasthethreefriends.Richardcarriedthelittledogonhisshoulderssaying,

“Alright”shesaid.“Iwilldoasyouask,butyoumustfirstsignauresellingyourselftomeandswearabindingoaththatfromnowonyoubelongtome,bodyandsoul.Youwillobeymyeveryorderortheoathyouhaveswornwilldesdonyouandyouwilletonogoodend.Howaboutit?Doyouagree?”

5

“Howmueydoyouowe?”askedMr.FingerwhohadfinallyfinisheddrinkingthewineinDwarfMickey’shandandraisedhisheadtojoinintheversation.“Thisoldguy,thislittledwarfwillbeabletohelpyou.”WhenMr.Finger’seyesectedwiththoseoftheyounggirl,bothofthemrecoiledasifstruckbylightning.

“Whywouldn’tIletyougoandsaveher?”askedViogreatlysurprised.“Infact,Ihavebeenthinkingofdoingjustthat,buthaven’thadthecetotalktoyouaboutityet.IwasabletotoppleKingDimitri’sKingdombysuccessfullycarryingoutmother’sthree-steppnofrevenge.Iammorethanwillingtosharethefruitsofourborwithher,whywouldn’tIwantyoutosaveher?”

“IwanttobuybackortakeovertheenterprisesthatusedtobelongtoKingDimitri.ThenIwilldealwiththoseemissariesallovertheworldwhowereissioakeitri’sassetsbutinsteadbetrayedhim.Byhookorbycrook,Iwilldealthemasevereblowontheheadatheyreceivetheirjustdesertsandareseverelypunished.”

“Yht.Mybusinessishurting,too.Whydon’tyoubuyalottoticket?There’sohahugeprizeingupinadayortwo.Ifyouarelucky,allyourproblemswillbesolved.”

DwarfMickeywatchedasDimitri’sretreatingfigurehurriedforwardwiththelittledogandsoondisappearedfromsightatthebendofthereet.Heshookhishead,sighedandsmiledsardonically.Theexpressiononhisfacewasveryplicated.Hewasthinking“Isitallworthit?DimitricreatedtheKingdomofDreamsforhimself,butithadalshthimalotoftroubleandworries.Iswhathegotfromitworththetroublesandworries,orisitveryhardtodecidewhethertheplusesandmiuallybreakeven?PerhapslovingtopymindgamesisjustpartofhumannatureandDimitriisnoexception…AhomelessblindmanlikeDimitrilovestodreamandusedreamstowhileawaythetimethathangsheavyonhishands;forwhatelseisthereforamaodo?Forwhileheisablind,homelesspersoninthisamundaneworld,intheKingdomofDreamsheisamightyking,richasMidas.Itishardtosaywhetherheisaluckyguyoralucklessperson.”DwarfMickeyughedwryly.Behindhimcamethefamiliarsoundofacarbrakingandheknewwhoitwaswithoutturninghishead.Everysinglescrearepartsinthatdipidatedpick-uptrukedandrattledwhenthecarwasinmotion.Theonlythingthatdidn’tmakeasoundwasthehorn.RichardandJamazwalkeduptohim.

“Whoknewwhatthatwas?Whenyougaveittomeyousaidyouwouldeforitsoon.

“Oh,no,no”repliedCyclops,hastilywipingawayhistearswhenhesawViohadetomakeinquiriesabouthisemotionaloutbreak.“Everythingisfine.Iamperfectlysatisfied.AftertakingDimitri’sKingdomandhisgoldpacewehavebeenlivingaveryluxuriouslife,celebratingwithsongs,music,liquorandbasnightandday.IwasjustthinkingaboutyourpoormotherwhoisstillsufferiureofthedamhefiresofGehenna,andmyheartfeelssuchpainthatitseemedtobetorninhalf.ThatiswhyIwasg.IwouldliketogoandsaveherbutIwasafraidyouwouldnotagree.”

“Theyounggirlwhojusthelpedyouattheliquorstore,wasshepretty?”askedMr.Finger.

“Ibelieveheisalreadybadwilppearatthesuitabletime.IamstillmystifiedaboutwhatreallyhappenedinKingDimitri’sKingdomtocausetheshelloftheearththeretoundergosuchdrastiges.”

“Don’tbesoimpatient”repliedMr.Fingeryawning.“Iwasjustonthevergeofabreakthrough,butyouinterruptedmewithyingandnowIhavelostthethreadofmythoughts.”

“Gobadguardmybelovedgoldpace.SeethatnoharmestoitorelseIwillcutoffallyourheadswhenIeback.”Hersubjectsbowedinsubmissionsa.CyclopstookDimitri’smagicbow,hisquiverfullofsharparroutthembehindhisback.ViothenturnedherselfintoatinylittlewomanandgtothesinglehornonCyclopsheadwhileheheldontotheropeandbeganhisdangerousdestslowlydownthedeepabyssadventuringintotheunknown.

“Nomatterhowmeticulousorthhhispnswere,DimitrineverdreamedthatIwouldhavesurvivedcatastrophesofsuchmagnitudeaillive.Perhapsheneverevehatsuchapersoed.Imustdemautionfromhimformymotherandmyself.Ihavetobethankfultothefishthatdiedtosavemylife.SomehowIthinkthatfishwasaninationofthebigwhitefishthatusedtocarryusinhermouthbadforthfromtheseshores.Doyourememberthatbigwhitefish?”

“What’sallthisabout,Mother?”sheasked.“IswhatIsawinmydreamsallfalse,alluntrue?Wasitonlyanightmare?”

ournewpartnership.Wewilldrinktillwe’redrunkaomorroillreadybeinthemundaneworld.”

“Iheardthatyouarehavingsometroublewithsomeenemiesandthatyouiomeetthemtonight.Areyougoingtofightwiththem?JustleavetheselittlethingstoJamazandme.Youdon’thavetodealwiththemyourselfatall.Ifyouthiwoofusarenotenough,IcallBig-O.”

Atthisjunctureitwashardtosaywhethertheversationwasbanteroraquarrel.DwarfMickeywalkedoutofthecarsaying,

Thefieryredsettingsunhadsunktoa45degreeahewestersfiertimidatihadabatedsomewhat,butthetemperaturewasstillunbearablyhot.Officehourswereoversothecrowdsofpedestriansandbumpertobumpercarshadalsodisappeared.ThecuteandcleverlittledogMaureen,coveredwithsoft,longhair,antingwithtonguelolling,hisonlymeansofdispersi.Dimitritooerspiringprofusely,hisclothesstigtohisbodywhilehehurriedafterMaureewoofthemmeandereddowreet,zigzaggingthiswayandthatasthelittledogtriedtocatchthestofhisquarryintheman-madeforest.Hewaslostinthemazeoffusisalroundhim.However,whenthecrowdsthinnedandtrafficsloweddown,Maureeivesenseofsmellwasagaininfullswing.HisspiritsliftedandheseemedtohavefottenhisfatigueasheledDimitrifullsteamahead.AlthoughDimitri’ssenseofdirewasbythenquitefused,hefeltthattheenviroaroundhimwasbeingmoreandmorefamiliar.Maureeobeleadinghimtowardsthealleywhereheusedtohaveadipidatedshackwhichwastertorndown.Ifthatwasthecase,hehadleftamattressagainstthewallthatsomeonehaddiscarded.Hehopedithadakenawaysohecouldhaveapcetoresthisheadthatnight.Nomatterhtheday,whatmorecouldoneaskoflifethantobeabletosleepfortablyatnightandhaveasweetdream?Maureeohavelockedontohistarget.Hebecameexcitedandagitatedrushinghtahead,pullingDimitrialongwithhim.Dimitricouldnotbutfollowbehier-skelter,holdingontothedogleadtappinghiswhiteefastandfuriouslyonthegroundtogethisbearings.Sureenough,Maureenturothealleyandstoppedinfrontofthedoorofthevatwarehouse,barkingloudly.Dimitriwasstartled.“Couldtheybehidingrighthereinthisemptywarehouse?HowwasitthatIhadnoinklingofitwhehenighthere?”Suddenly,Dimitrigedintohisheroicalteregoandspokeloudlyandmajesticallytotheclosedwindowsanddoor,“Mr.FingerandVio,Iknowbothofyouarehidingihere.Everywronghasitsculpritandeverydebtitsdebtor.Iamheretotalkthingsoverwithyou.IfyouhaveagrievanceIwillrightit;ifyoufeelIoweyouadebtIamheretopayit.Ialoneamresponsible.IfyoufeelIhavewrongedyou,Iamwillingtomakeituptoyouinwhateverwayyouwish.EvenifyouthinkIshouldforfeitmylife,Iamwillingtohandittoyouwithbothhands.Butdonottakeitoutonotheribystanders.Letoutyourwrathonmeandmealone.Iwillmeetwithyoutwotonight,bringthewholeaffairoutintheopenaleourscoreondforall,sothatfromnowonyouhaveoliveinhidingbutliveyourlifefreelyandopenlyinanywayyouchoose.Howaboutit?Seeyoubothtonight.”SayingsoDimitritookMaureenintohisarms,smoothedthehaironhissmallheadandsaid,“Goodboy!Goodboy!Youhavedoneagreatjob.It’stimetotakeyoubacktoyourmistress.Shehasn’tseenyoualfternoonandmustbemissingyou.”HeputMaureendownontothegroundandtappinghiswhitee,walkedwithhimtowardstheentrahealley.

“Well,well,hereyouareDimitri!Wehaveallbeenbustingourassesdayandnightforyou.Andhereyouareserenelywalkingy!”DimitriathevoiceasbelongingtoDwarfMickey,andcalledouthappily,

Likethelow-keyphilosophyofitsfounderDimitriwhopreferredtobeinspicuous,thesignboardofDream-Maker’sBakerywasatanunassumingerofthestreet.Initsheyday,thebakeryhadoncebeenflourishing,butafterDimitrileftitgraduallysliddownhill.Manyofitsolderspihatwhenthatblindandmysticalchefwasnolohere,thequalityofitscakesandpastrieswerealsonoloopar.Hewasrumoredtohavedisappearedfromthefaceoftheearth.WordspreadandthebusinessofDream-Maker’sbakerydeed.Perhapsitwasonlytheer’spsychologicalrea,butthegerendcouldnotbebucked.Nowtheirongateulleddownandbusinesswasclosedfortheday,butlightsshhtlyintheworkshopattheback.MegginnandSamanthahadarrived.SheiandYokohadputAmaliatobedandwerenowdownintheworkshopchattinganimatedlywiththeothers.Marywasgoiheatsanddoingthebook-keeping.LavernehadalreadygottenherR.N.lise.EverymshebroughtMarktoworkatthebakeryandafterworkbothofthemwouldhavetheirdihebakerybefoinghometogether.Mr.KaffeeandRichardweresittingdrinkingliquoraingsomedishespreparedforthemwhiletheywaitedataeroftherooheyeitherhadjobsorhadfoundtheirownnilifesothegloryoftheirformerlifewasnomore.Theexquisitelyremodeledhousedoorhadnotbeeedoutbutnowstoodemptyandunused.JamazandBig-OsatinRichard’soldvehicledoingsurveilnce.Fromtimetotimetheywouldstartupthedpatrolthesurroundihelookoutforanyunusuactivities.OfcoursetheywouldbenotifiedoftheresultsofthemeetingbyRichardorMr.Kaffee.Justaseveryonewasgettingimpatient,DwarfMickeycamerushingintothebakerythroughthebackgate,hisheadandfacewetwithperspiration,shouting

“No”headmohedogughingly.“That’snotthewaytoeatapopsicle.Letmeteachyouhowtodoit.”Hebitoffapiece,cheweditinhismouthandthenswallowedthesweet,soothing,icyslush.Maureenquicklyuoodanddidthesame.Someicefellontheground,buthepaiditnoheedanddidolickitfromthegrouherdidhesmelroundtelephonepolesorbushes,thusprovinghewasawell-mannereddog.Themanaookalteresofthepopsidsoonpolisheditoff.Acrossthestreetsomeyoungschoolboysjustletoutofschool,wereughing,talkingandhorsepying.Maureenbarkedatthem.Uandingthatthelittleeheboysandwouldliketogotoschooltoo,Dimitritookhiminhisarmssaying,

“Youifyouwantto”persistedVio.“IknowyoumovefreelybetweenthisKingdomofDreamsandthemundaneworld.IwantyoutotakemetothemundaneworldwithyouandlookforDimitri.Iwamypoundoffleshfromhim.Youonlyhavetotakemethere.”

“Help!Help!”heshouted.“Dimitrieandhelpme.Youoldson-of-a-gun,howcouldyoustandidlybyandseeherkillme?HowwouldyoujustifymydeathtoKingDimitri?”Seeingthattheyounggirlwasreallygreatlyinsedandveryangry,DwarfMickeybecameworriedaboutMr.Finger’sfate.Hewentforwardandclutchedherlegs,saying

“herbeforthemoment”repliedDwarfMickeyafteramomentofthought.“Letthebeautifundnoblequeenstayhappilyimmersedintheseaofacademicresearch.Wewillnotifyherwhenitisnecessary.Ihaveotherthingstoattendtoandmustleavenow.Meetmeatthebakery.”Sayingso,heleftwithoutanotherword.

“Ifyouwillhelpme,Iamwillingtogiveallthetreasurestoyouasapresent.Theirworthisastronomidiimable.Justhelpmeandallofitisyours.”

WhenCyclops’twofeettouchedtheground,ititchdarkalroundthathecouldseenothing.Helookedupattheskies,buttheywereinkywithnomoonorstarstolightupthedarkness.Heseemedtohavendedinadeepcrevice.“CouldthisbetheentraoGehenna?”hethought.

“Idon’treallyknowtheexactaddress…”saidDimitri.“Hey

“IjustgotacallfromDorna.Shesouremelyexcited.ShesaidDwarfMickeywantstoseeyouandmeforanemergeing.”

Thesunhadseti.Carsarianswerefewandfarbetween.DimitriheldMaureeninhisarmsandstoodatthecrossroadthinking,“It’salongwayfromheretoCharina’shouse.IfIreturnthisdogtoitsowner,Iwouldhavetowalkquiteadistance.GoingtherewouldbeeasyasIhaveMaureeheway,butingbackwouldbehardandtime-ingasIwouldbeentirelyonmyownwithonlythewhiteeasmyguide.Also,Charinawouldbesuretoaskmetostayfordinnerahediablewewoulddrinkandtalkaboutherfavoritesubject–storiesofwhatisbeyondtheblueskies.Iwouldthenmissmyappoiwiththosetwolittlepeople,therebymissingtheopportunitytotalkaboutourdifferenduheknotthathasbeeweenusforsolong.ButifIletMaureengohomebyhimself,Iamfullyfidenthewouldbeabletodoso,butthatwouldbeirresponsibleofme.Whatifhemeetsthedogcatcherandistakentothepond?HemayevehanasizedifwedoohimihatwouldbeaburdenonmyscethatIwouldn’teverbeabletoresolveinmylifetime.StandingthereDimitriwasinaquandaryanddidnotknowwhattodo.

“Yes,yht.IamDorna.Dornaisme”smiledthegirl.Seeiwoofthemhappilyengrossedintheirversation,Mr.Fingergrabbedholdofthisopportunitytoslipaway

“Idon’treallyknowwhereheisnow,butIamsurehewilppearpresently.”

“Thetwoofthemareextremelysuitableandshouldbeveryhappytogether”saidMr.Kaffee.“Whatmorecouldtheywant?Whatdotheywanttodo?”

“Iuandyoursorrow”sighedDwarfMickey.“IknowbecauseIsufferfromthesamemady.Whereyoufindawomanthesizeofafihatwouldsuityou?Takemeforinstance.Iambiggerandtallerthanyou,butIamamidget.WhereIfindfemalemidgetforamate?I’mafraidthatyouandIaredestiobesolitarybachelorsourwholelives.”Onthisbeautifulspringday,whenthewarmsunwasshiningandflowerswereblooming,thetwolovelornbachelorsisatinthenarrowalleytryingtodrowntheirsorrowwithliquor.Butas,noamountofwineakethemfetthesorrowintheirhearts.

5

“IsthatyouMr.Mickey?It’sgreattomeetyouhere.Howhaveyoubeendoing?”MaureenbarkedandcameinghisshortstemofatailtositbeforeDwarfMickey.Heofferedtheolddwarfhisrightpawiing.DwarfMickeyshookhispawaakinghimintohisarmskissedandpattedhimsaying,

DwarfMickeycuppedhishandandpouredsomeliquorintoit.Mr.Fingeryprostrateontheedgeofhishand,leahisheadanddrankgreedily.Whenitwasallgone,DwarfMickeyagainpouredsomemoreforthelittlemanwhilehehimselfdrankstraightfromthebottletimeandagain.Afterafewroundsbothofthemweremorethansatisfied.Mr.Fingerraisedhisheadandhiccupped.DwarfMickeytookoutapackageofchipsandsaid,“ehavesomesnacks,it’snofunjustdrinkingliquor.”Mr.Fingerrubbedhismouthwithhishandtowipeawayremnantsofthewineandbeganknawingonapieceofchip.

“IthinkyournameisDorna,theyouofthetwenty-fourbeauties.AmIright?”

“Don’tyourememberthatthereusedtobeasecretdarkroominthesidehallofKingDimitri’sAdministrativeBuildingonTwinPeaks?Nooneisallowedtogointhereexceptthetwenty-fourofusandIleneawelvepaceattendants.Everyevenihere,worshipattheshrineandbringfreshs.”

“IfyouwerethePresident,IwouldreendMedusatoyouasyourMinisterofDefense.Onlyshecouldstopthewarandterroristactivitiesaroundtheworldandbringaboutworldpealyshehasthatpowerandability,right?”Thetwoofthemlookedateachotherandughedboisterously,tilltheyalmostdoubledover.Maureen,affectedbytheirhappymood,ranaroundthemincircles.ThenDwarfMickeyturoDimitriandasked,“DoyouknowthatMr.Fingerhasdisappeared?”

Mr.Fingerlookedalroundhimandsawonlywater,watereverywhere.Hedidnotknowwheretogofromhereorwhattodo.Suddenlyhisgazewasarrestedbysomethiahweedsintheshallowwater.HewadedirieveitandreizedthatitwasalittleembroideredbagLotususedtoweararoundherwaist,andwonderedhowitcametoturnuphere.Immediatelytheimageofthegentle,endearinggirlcametomind.Heundidthebuttonofthebagandfoundasewingkittainingsomesewingneedlesandsilkthreadbelongingtothecalmandquietbeautyoffewwordswholovedtodoneedlework.Hisstomachrumbledjustthenalemanhadasuddeninspirationastohoeasehishuakingthesmallestneedleinthebag,hesmashedatitwitharotilitbentandtookontheshapeofahook.Hethreadedtheeyeoftheneedlewithsomesilkthreadandtiedadeadknot.Thenwadingintoshallowwater,hemaocatunnamediwhichhepiercedwithhishookedouseaslivebaitanddecidedtotryhisluckatfishing.Hetimisticbecausethepreviouslydeadkeseemedtohaverevivedashehadcaughtglimpsesoffishandshrimpsswimmingaroundjustnowwhenhewadedintoit.Thebluewatersofthekewereoncemoreingtolife.Hethrewhisbaitfaroutintothewaterhopingtobeluoughtocatallfishorshrimpforbreakfast.Hesatidlybythebankoftheketowaitfortheoute.Boredbynotreceivinganynibble,hebeganpullingathismake-shiftfishingrodandsawhisthreadsinkdownasifthehookhadcaughtohing.Greatlyexhirated,hepulledhisthreadinchbyinchbacktowardsndbutbegantohavedoubtswhehreadthoughheavyshowednosignle.Surelyalivefishorshrimphoweversmallwouldputupastrugglewhencaughtandhewouldfeelthetensionohread.Hefeltnothing.Whenthefishhookfinallyemergedfromthewater,Mr.Fingerwasgreatlydisappointed.Hehadcaughtadeadfishwithitswhitebellyturnedupwards.Justthenheheardabarelyaudiblecryforhelp.“Helpme!Helpme!Dome!Please,Ibegofyou.”Mr.Fingerexaminedhiscatchmorecarefullyandsawthatatinyfigurewasgingdesperatelytothetailofthedeadfish.Hisheartfeltasifpunchedbyaheavyobjedhethoughtthatinthiswide,wideworld,therecouldneverbeatlewomanthesamesizeashe.Thismustbehisbelovedwife,Vio.Butwhatwasshedoingfloatingier,gingtothetailofadeadfish?Therewasnotimeforsper.Fingerusedallthestrengthofhislittlebodyandfinallysucceededinpullingthedeadfishtoshore.HepriedopenVio’sicycoldhandswhichwasstillgraspingthefishwithadeathlikegrip.Shehadbeeninthecoldwaterfortoolongandhadlostsomuchbodyheatastobealmostonthepointofdeath.

“You’rekidding!Alimousine?”repliedRichardsarcastically.“DoIlooklikeaguywhoownsalimousine?AndevenifIdo,areyouworthyofsuchacar?”

“YoutellRichard,Jamaz,Big-OandMr.Kaffee”saidDimitriafterapause.“Butdohebeautiesknowaboutityet.”Atthatmoment,Maureensuddeaedyapandstraihisleachtryingtorushforward.Hissensitivenosehadcaughtthestofthesdrelwhoattackedhismistressandwasiogethim.

“No,nochild”saidIleen,lovinglycaressingthefaceofheronlydaughter.“Allthisistrue.Butasone’sdispositionges,everythinggeswithit.”

“Hewasameanlookingguy,talndmuscur.Thefunnythingissometimestherewasasly-lookingexpressiononhisface,butitwasstillsomehowbothna?veandi.Ihaveafeelingthatthoughhelookedfierdvicious,hewasnotareallybadman…”

ptuouslyatDwarfMickey’sshortstature,notquiteupthsandthoughthewasold,uglyandhadawhitebeard.

“Don’tbeinsuchahurry.Weotgodressedlikethisaainlynotinthiscar.Wemustgobaypce,getgedanddrivethereinouroldtaxitothrowdustinpeople’seyes.There’salotofpepperasiaround.AlthoughIamnolongeraworldfamousmodendyouarenotthepresidentofWorldBankanymore,thetwoofusarestillpeopleofiothemandhavenamereition.”Sayingsobothofthemughed.Thecarmadeseveralturnsanddisappearedintothenight.

“Noproblem”saidDwarfMickey.“Solongasit’spaper,itwilldo.”HegrabbeditfromMr.Fingerandclosedhisfistoverit.Thenheopenedhishand.Loandbehold!Lyingonthepalmofhishandwasacrispy,brandnewhundreddolrbill!DwarfMickeyroudofhisabilitytogedeagic.HegncedsidewaysatMr.Fingerandasked,“Didyouseethat?Nowareyouvinypowers?”Mr.Fingersnoddedhisheadrepeatedlysaying,

“Heybabe,areyounewhere?Ihaven’tseenyouaroundbefore.How’sbusihisevening?”TheyoungwomanlookedatRichardeatyandwhoseclothesweredirtyandoily.Hecertainlydidnotlooklikeagoodprospect.Sheghetalndmuscurbstandingbesidehim,justasbadlydressedaainlydidnotlooklikeagoodguy.

“Perhapsyoudonotquiteknowwhatkindofpersonyourmotheris”saidCyclopsafteramomentofhesitation.“Sheisveryambitiousandhasaninsatiablelustforpowerandauthority.Iwasafraidthatifwesavedherfromthefiresofhell,youandshewouldeintoflidcauseaastrophewithterriblesequehatiswhatIwaswaboutandthatisthereasonwhyIhavealkedtoyouaboutit.”

4

“That’snotthewayhome.Whereareyoutakingme?Iamverytiredandwouldliketogotosleepassoonaspossible.”

“Heyyouoldbumyou!eback.Youjustgothere,howcouldyouleavejustlikethat?eback…Istillwanttotalktoyou!”

Actually,thispairoflittlepeoplestayedattheirhomeireeholeforanothercoupleofdaysbecauseVioinsistedongoingbacktochethetreasuretroveandmakesureeverythingwasalright.Mr.Finger,whocouldneverresistherf,hadtogivein.Thateveniwoofthemgedtothenormalhumansize,walkedtothebankofthekeandmaogetholdofaboatthatthelohabitantsnormallyusedtogetaround.Mr.Fiookuptheoarsandrowedvigorously.Chestheaving,musclesbulging,heseemedtobestrongerandmorepowerfulthananordinarymanandsittingatthebowVio’salluringandcurvaceousfigureemphasizedallthemoreherwildanduntamedbeauty.Theboatflewdowntheke.Becausetheearthquakehadcausedgreatupheavalsih’scrust,thetopographyofthispartofthekewasgreatlyaffected.Ahugerockroseoutofthewaterattheriver’sestuaryandthekewaterspshingagainstitformedawaterfall20-30yardsinwidth“Quick!Quick!Dashthroughthewaterfall”criedVientlyastheboathewaterfall.Mr.Fingerrowedmorequicklythaneverandinamaddashpiercedthewaterycurtainmadeupofinnumerabledeerparticleswhichraineddownontheirheads.BeforethemwasacurvingcoveandMr.Fingermadeforthebankoftheke.VioquicklyjumpedoutoftheboatfollowedbyMr.Finger.Sheseemedveryfamiliarwiththeterrainandsoonfoundanarrowflightofsteps.Shewalkedquicklyup,madeafewturnsandcametoacave.Thecavewasnotpitchdarkaswasnormallythecase,butwaslightedupbythelusteroftwelveenormouspearls,asbigasgooseeggs,embeddedinitswalls.Ihespaciouscavewereafewdozensturdyandmagnifitlycarvedwoodes.Viotedthemandsmiledbecausethenumbercidedwithwhatsherememberedfromherpreviousination.Sheopenedsomeofthechestsandsawthattheywerefullofallkindsofbrilliant,glitteringgems.Shegrabbedahandfulfromeatilshehadfilleduptheclothbagshehadbroughtwithher.ShethenclosedthechestsandhappilyledMr.Fingerfromthecavewithalightstep.

“FromMilpitas,notfarfromhere.”

Pop!Pop!Pop!wentthechampagles.TheyallraisedtheirgssesandgratutedeachotherinhighspiritsbecausethechipsforresurregDimitri’sfinancialempireseemedtobefallinginpce.Sooneveryonewasfeelingthewarmandfuzzyeffectsofthechampagne.

“Alright,alright.Iknownow”interruptedDwarfMickeyimpatiently“Youdon’thavetobesolong-winded.”Sayingso,heturnedandsmmedoutofthestore.

It’sbeenfiftyyearsnow.Well,what’sgoneisgone,what’sthebigdeal?”

“Notbad.TheguywhotookoverwasnootherthanthenewmanagerMr.O’Brian”saidMegginnmorosely.“HeisNovel’sfiandwasverycourteousanddidnotnitpickoverdetails.TherewasnohagglingsowequicklyweheagreementandWorldBankwastakenoverbyitsnewowner.AsIsignedmyhetractIsaidtohim,‘OnedayIwillrepresentDimitritaintheownershipofWorldBank.”Hepolitelyrepliedthathewouldbewaitingforthatdaytoarrive.”Samanthawassilentasshelistened,tratientionondrivingtheflyingracecar.“Whocouldhavepredicted”tinuedMegginn“thatahugefinancialempirelikeDimitri’swouldsoquicklyturntodust,colpsinglikeahouseofcards.Itreallymakesmefeelregretfulthattheaccumutionanddispersiohinlifecouldbegedintheblinkofaneye.”Samanthaslowedthecardownaftersheleftthefreewayanddrovedownthelocalstreets.Megginnrealizedthatitwasnotthediretoherhouseandaskedinsurprise,

“It’salrightSire.Iamnotafraidofher.Ionlyworrythatshewouldnote.Ifshedarestoeandattackuswhilewearehangingheredefenseless,Iwillgebaynormalhumansizeanduseyicbowandarrowtokillher.Yes,Iwillcertainlykillher.”Justtheninthewaningsunlightabckspotappearedonthehorizon,flyingswiftlytowardsthemasifcurioustoiigatewhattheywere.VioatoncegedintoherhumanshapeandsteppingfirmlyonCyclops’broadshoulderspulledanarrowfromthequiver.Fittingittightlytothebow,sheletitflyfastaslightningtowardstheapproagbckspot,hittingitrightet.Thebckspotgaveaheart-rendingscreamandfellintothebottomlesschasm.ItwasnotMedusa,butonlyargemountaineagle.“ityitwasnotMedusa!”excimedVio.“Ifitwerethatsnake-hairedgonIkilledjustnow,itwouldhavebeenthebe-alndend-allhereandwouldhavesolvedtheultimateproblem.”InBook2CyclopsusedthemagicbowandarrowtowoundMedusa,whowassavedbyQueenAisha.SoKingDimitri’stwostatetreasureswereseparated.ThebowandarrowfellintoCyclopshandswhilethemagicswordwasstillheldbyMedusa.UnfortunatelybothoerstolenbyKingDimitri’senemyandcausedabrutandbloodybattle.ItwillbedealtwithterinthisbookAstheytalked,thesunwasgraduallysettingi.Cyclops’speedofdestwasalsogrowingfasterandfaster.ThebottomofthecliffwaswheretheentraoGehennawas.ItwasthepcewhereIleenrisoned.

“That’stoohard.I’mnotiedinitatall.”

“Youractivitiesandendeavorsshouldnotbeformealoalsoodofthepeopleofthewholeworld.Itshouldbeusedtopropuptheslidingglobaleyandfortherestorationofglobaleicorder…It’sapityIamnotthePresident,orIwouldnominateyouasmyTreasurySecretary.Onlyyourextraordinarybrainpowercoulddealwiththepresentcrisisaothetaskoftakingcareoffihewholetry.”DwarfMickeyughedloudlysaying,

“ItwasKingDimitriwhoorderedMedusatobetheexecutionerandcutmeinhalf.Ifanyoneterthisand,itwouldhavetobethepersonwhogavetheand.IthinkonlyKingDimitriwouldbeabletoletmebeewholeagain.Perhapsevenhewouldnotknowhowtthisabout,soit’snousebegginghiperfectlysatisfiedwithmypresentlife.Letmeliveherepeacefullyandtranquilly,doingpenanysins.IwouldbegratefundhappyifIcouldspeofmylifelikethis.”

“Whydon’twebreakoutsomechampagne”suggestedSamantha.Everyoneagreed.

“OfcourseIdo,butstraosayIhaven’tseenherforalongtime.Haveyou?”

3

“Youmeanthatrustypieetal?Nobodyeveitforfiftyyears.RetlyayoungmancameinandjustboughtitbyforceeventhoughItoldhimitwasnotforsale!”

“Asforme”repliedRichardughingly“there’snowayIwillleavemypreciousjalopybehind.It’sbeenwithmeforsolongit’salmostlikeafriend.JamazandIwillmeetyouthere.”

“OfcourseIremember;howcouldIfet?Iremembertheshrinewasdedicatedtothegodofwealth.HeworetherobesoftheQingDynastymadeofgoldthreads,andasmallmelonshapedhat.Healsohadalong,whitebeard.HeisstrangelookingbutIhaveheardthathewasmiraculouslyeffective.Doyoumeanhim?”

“WhereisKingDimitri?”askedMr.Kaffee.“Whyisn’thebackherewtogetherwithustopullthroughthiscrisis?”

“WedoolookforthatlittlemanMr.Fingeranymore.IbelievehehasgonebacktotheKingdomofDreamsbecauseonlytherehefindhiswoman.Inourworldtherearenolittlewomenofhissize.Heisreallyobsessedaboutwomenandmusthavegoneback.”

“That’sdaringofhim!”shesaid.“Wehaven’tbeeofindhimbuthehasfoundus!That’sgood.Itwillsaveusalotoftrouble.Wewillsettleeverythingtonight.”

40页

“Thetreasureistherebehierfall”answeredViopointingtothewaterfalliance.“Iburieditthereandnowithasagainemerged.Thevalueofthistreasuretrovefarsurpassesthatofthegoldpace.Iwasfortunateenoughtosurviveunthinkabledisastersandhaeprofitedfrommymisfortunesinregainingmytreasures.”Mr.Fingerlookedtowhereshepointedanduheluminousmoonlightwiththefrothyarticlesdangintheair,hesawamagnifitmulti-coloredrainbowinthenightskyspanningacrosstheke.Thesightwassogloriouslyrespleandawe-inspiringthatbothVioandMr.Fingerexcimedindelightaement.

“Oh,mil–pee–tas.Mypenis.”DwarfMickeygawkedathiminsurprisewithwideopeneyes,hiseyebrowsraisedandhairalmoststandingupstraight.

“Treasure?Whattreasure?Whereisit?”askedMr.Fingerurgently.

“Youwaogowithhim?Amidget?I‘drathergowithadog!”shesaid,gng

3

“Youartists”saidsheughingily.“Youguysarereallygreenifyouthinkyoutakemein.ThinkIwasjustborerday?I’vebeenoutmaneuveringintheworldsinceIwasachildandknowmywayaround.Scram.Getoutofhereandstopobstrugmybusiness.”

“He-he…”hesnickeredanddidnotanswerherquestion.Viothoughtforamomentandcametoadecision.

“I’mafraidthingsarenotthatsimple”saidRichardaontotellhowheandJamazmetSalina.Theothersalsofeltthemeetingwasnotactandthattherewasmuchthatobecleared.TheywereafraiditlottogetinformationaboutDimitriandthewhereaboutsofhistwenty-fourbeautiesthroughhisfriendsRichardandJamaz.

unnoticed.Bythetimetheyrealizedsomethingwasamiss,thelittlemanwaslonggoheylookedeverywhere,butafterjustthefewshortmihattheystoodversing,theycouldnolongerfindanytraaheywereafraidforhissafety,andwereembarrassedtoletKingDimitriknowoftheirckofsupervision.

“Iwantsomemorewine.Pourmesomemore.”DwarfMickeypouredsomemoreforhimandheagainyontheolddwarf’shandanddrank.Whenhisthirstwasfinallysatisfiedafterafewmorerounds,Mr.Fitedhistummyandsighedtently,“Thewinebugsinmytummyarefinallysatisfied.Ohyes,thatyoungwomandroppedapieceofpaper.Whatwasit?”

“No.No.No.No.Yougotitallwrong”correctedDwarfMickey.“It’sMilpitas.Misinmilk,piasinpeepeeandtasasinus.Milpitas.”

“What?Oh,mygoodness,whatdidyousay?Milpitas,youimbecile.Pronoucorrectlyorpeoplewillughatyou.”

“Mother”shesaid,“siisso,whydon’tyouewithustoourhomeabovethesteepcliff.WehavetakenDimitri’sbrilliantandmagnifitgoldpaceforourowhethreeofuslivehappilythereimostluxuryandfortoneeverimagine.Iwillstaywithyouandserveyoutomakeupforallyoursuffering.Won’tthatbegreat?”

“Iaskedyoutouseyourbrainsandthinkofawayoutofourpresentstagnantsituation.IwantedyoutofindtheweaklinkinDimitri’sinnercirclesowegetinandlookforanopportunitytotakeohebeautiesashostage.Didyoueventhinkaboutit?”

“Letmethink”saidDwarfMickeyrollinghiseyes.Thenhesaid,“Getmeapieceofpaper,anypaper.Iwillshowyouoneofmymagictricks.”Mr.Fingerwalkedalroundlookingforscrapsofpaperbutcouldnotfindanyinthenearbyarea.Suddenlyhiseyeslightedonadirtytissuesomeonehadusedandthendiscarded.HepickeditupgingerlyandgaveittoDwarfMickeysaying,

“Waogetintoyourcar?That’spossible,butIdon’tlikeyourold,broken-doy.Ifyouwaogowithyou,gogetaralonglimousine!”

“It’salottoticket.Itmightbringhergreatluck.”

“Good.Good”saidDwarfMickey.“Youjustmissedohing.Youmustpaygreatattentiontothefinancialmarketathethiefwhostolemytreasurefromusingittocreatehavocresultinginanotherfinancialtsunami.Thisissomethingyoumustremembertokeepinmind.”ThenturningtoSamanthahesaid,“Iamsureyouknowverywellwhatyourpartinallthisis.Yileandflexiblesocialskillsbefullydispyedandwillbemueed.”

Adipidatedpick-uptruckcttereddowreetwitheverysirattlinginunison.ThefamiliarsoundofbrakesbeingappliedsoundedbehindDimitri’ssolitaryfigure,followedbythesoundsofsmmingcardoorsandrunningfootstepsbihgdshouts.

“It’sKingCyclinthecorridoroutside.”

“Alright,callitwhateveryouwill”repliedDwarfMickeyresignedly.Walkingtoaerofthestreet,Mr.Fioodwithhisfeetspreadapartanduriohimurinatingwhereverandwheneverhepleasedhadbeeahabit,asnaturaseatinganddrinkihenturoDwarfMickeyandsaid,

“Isthistrue?”Viofouher’swordsinprehensible.

Dimitrisatbesidehim,toreopenthepapercoverandofferedittoMaureenwholickedgreedilyatthestick.

Mr.Fingerpcedhisbelovedlittlewifeobed.Evenhehimselfdidnotknowwherehefourengthtocarryherfromthebankoftheketothetreeholeandthenclimbupthestairsireewithheronhisback.HefeltpletelyexhaustedbuttherewasnotimeforrestasVio,beingseriouslyhypothermieededimmediatehelp.Hesuddenlyrememberedthatthereshouldbesomeofthewinewhiadebeforeleftihentainersintheeroftheroomandimmediatelywenttogetthehehesametotherestofherbodyincludingherhandsa.SoonVio’sbloodlesstenaoshowsomecnallythatshehadpassedthedangerzoshewasstillveryweak.WhenVioopenedhereyesandsawMr.Fiirelesslymassagingherwholebody,tearsofgratitudefloweddownhercheeksandshemurmured,

Megginnable,experiendafinandmoneyma.ThesedaysshewentalloutwnightanddaypnningtheresurreofKingDimitri’sfinancialempire.Sherackedherbrainsthinkingofwaystoachievehergoal.Withthetinuousinfluxofcapital,herpnwasbeingrealizedstepbystep.PreviousenterprisesthatusedtobelongtoKingDimitriwereintheprocessofbeingboughtbackorwereexperienghostiletake-over.Samanthawaseveryinchthepromisocialite,ashermissionwastohob-nobwiththemoversandshakersandmakeherselflivelyandactiveonthesocialse.Sheattendedribbon-cuttingceremonies,registeredthetheirvariousnewlyacquiredpaniesaerprises,andjoihedizzyingwhirlofnon-stopsociactivities.Shewassobusythatshehadhardlyamomenttocallherown.Whenshecouldnotdisengageherselffromsomeimporta,shewouldr.Kaffeeforhelpandhewouldgdlyobligebygoingiead.Soonrumantofloataroundthattheexbigshotwhousedtodomihtheunderworldandtheworldoffinancewasreadytore-emergeasapowertobereedwith.Richard,JamazandBig-Owerealsoitgforaandwerebusypreparingthemselvesforanyemergency.TwoofthethreewouldapanyMegginnorSamanthaasbodyguardswheheywentout,whileohemalwaysremainedbehindatthebakerytoehesafetyofKingDimitri’ssecretheadquartersinthemundaneworld.

“Look,howbeautifulitis!”saidMr.Finger.“Ihaveseenight.Howmagiatureis!ThatperhapsbecalledoneofNature’streasures.”Vioyasalittlegirwavingattherainbow,crowinggleefullyandsendingitkisseswithherfiheuroMr.Fingerandsaidseriously,

Sayingso,thetwoofthemgotintotheirddroveaway.Mr.Kaffeedidn’tevenspareaghehookerstandingoreet.Hegotintothelimousineanddroveaway,leavingtheknow-it-allyoungstreet-walkerwhothoughtherselfsosmartandsavvy,standingthereonthepavementdumbfounded.Shestaredatthedepartingcarsthinking,“I’vebeenwalkireetsforsomanyyears.I’vealwaysdreamedofaPrinceCharminginvitiogetintohislimousiodayitreallyhappened,butIletthisrareopportunityslipawaythroughmyfingers.Wasitreallyasthatoily-tonguedguysaidthatIletthatceofalifetimeslipaway?IfonlyIcouldbelikethatolddwarf;justwavemyhandintheairandwhateverIwishforwilletrue.Won’tthatbegreat?”Subsciouslyshetoowavedherhandintheair,wishingforadazzlingdiam,butnomiraclehappened.

Ohersideofthewarehouse,justseparatedbyawall,Mr.FingerandViowerefastasleepoemporarybedinasecludederoftheirsecrethideout.Mr.Fingerwasthefirstto.Gngatthefierysettingsunoutsidethewindow,heyawned,feelingitwastooearlyandtherewasstillotoftimetokill.Thevarioussexuallypredatoriactivitieshehadretlyattemptedtocarryouthadallfailedandhadbroughtdownafirestormofedprotestsfromtheresidentsandtightenedsurveilnthepolice.Asaresultthetwoofthemhadtoworksurreptitiously,onlygoingoutundercoverofdarknessandyingltheday.Nowthathewasawake,Mr.Finger’seyesweresharpandagileasever,lookingalroundhimasifplottingsomethingnefarious.Vioopenedhereyes.SeeingMr.Finger’sexpression,sheasked,

“Ohyes,that’sit!IwaslookingforthelottoticketIjustbought.Imightjusthitthejack-pot.Whoknows?”

“Iosendmytlefriendbaetohismistress.HehasbeenwithmethewholeafternoonandIamsuresheisworriedandmissinghim.”

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“ImeanwhatIsayandneverregretmyownwords.”DwarfMickeyrepliedresolutely.Notbeingabletogethiswaythroughthreatsandintimidation,Mr.Fingergedtactics.Hethrewhimselfonthegroundandbeganrollingaroundthumpinghishandsa,allthewhilewailingandgwithtearsandmucusalloverhisface,saying,

“DwarfMickey?That’sastrangesoundingname!Whoishe?Whydoeshewanttoseeus?”

Megginnwalkedquicklytothebrandnew,luxuriousaerodynamicracecarthatwaswaitingforherattheparkiwasevidentlyaremelyexpensivedifitcouldfly,itwouldprobablybenoslowerthanthatphadjusttoucheddownhere.Meggihedoorofthedealmosthalfreing.Theenginerevveduplikeadozenyousrinunisonaookoffatanarminglyfastpace.Thedriverwasheroldpartner,vice-presidentofWorldBank,Samantha.Sheghetired-lookingMegginnandasked,

Therewasaliquorstoreheentrahenarrowalley.Ayounggirlwasstandingbythetertalkingtotheowner.Sheairofold-fashionedfadedbluedenimjeanswhichshowedoffhersuaveandslenderfigure.ShehadonasleevelessT-shirtandherhairwasshortandsassy,emanatinganauraofyouthandvitality.DwarfMickeywalkedtowardstheyounggirl,butbecausehewassoshort,theywerenotawareofhisapproachatall.

“OnyselfinthebackyardofAisha,oneofDimitri’sbeauties.Shewasswimmingpsinherpoolextremelyfastaicallyasiftryingtoexpendasmuergyaspossible.Ihidinoneofhersandalsandsocouldseehereverymoveclearly.Whenshecameoutofthepool,sheguzzleddownhalfabottleofbrandy.Hereyesbecamedazedandlusterlessandsheseemedtobeirrationandsemiscious.Aishawasnormallyacalmanddecorousperson,well-respectedbyall,includingDimitri.Ididn’tknowwhyshebecamelikethatallofasudden.Later,Jamaz,astrongandstalwartbckguy,anoodfriendofDimitri’sappeared.Thetwoofthemdidnotsayaword,justlookedateachotherily.Aishagaveanodawoofthembegantohavesextherebythepool.Theywentatitthreetimes.Isawitalndwasitafeastforone’seyes!”

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“Mr.Mickey,thisisthevehicleMegginnorderedespeciallyforyou.Wouldyouliketotryitoutasuitsyou?”Openingthedoorofthelimousine,heinvitedDwarfMickeytogetinandthenrespectfullyclosedthedoor.TurningtoRichardandJamaz,heasked,“Howaboutthetwoofyou?Wanttoealongfortheride,orwouldyoupreferyourowncar.?”

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Thewindwashowlinginthemountains.Bythesheercliffthebarbarianshadpiledupmoundsofrattan-likevineswhichCyclopsformedintoatough,thickrope.Hetiedoneendofitaroundahugetreebythecliffwhichrequiresseveralpeopletogethertoembrace.Theotherendwasedaroundanenormousstoneweighingseveralhundredpounds.Cyclopsraisedthestohhishugearmsandthrewitdowntheabyss.Onitswaydowohroughthetreesandbushesthatgrewonthesideofthecliffgivingoffaloudrustlingnoise,andgedandcrashedasitimpactedtheprotrudingrocks.Thelongropesliddownwardsquicklywiththestone.Finallyafteranintermi,camethefinalboomasthestoroandcametoastop.Cyclopstriedtuggingattherope,whichwasjustlongenoughandytofinditintadhadnotbrokenonitswaydown.Viowavedthebarbariansawaysaying,

“Dosoexcitedaboutit”saidMr.FiingagVio.“ItoldDimitriaboutit,butnotonlydidhenotpunishhiswomanwhoittedadulterywithhisgoodfriend,hemadeherhisqueeninstead.Isn’tthatstrange?”

Viopassedsafelythroughtheforestsandhillswithoutbeingattackedbyanywildanimals,buttheangerinherbreastgrewbecausethehillsandforestswereallunguarded.Shehadsetseseveralstrategicspotsbuttherewasnotasouround.Shethoughtthatthezyandundisciplinedbarbariansoldiersmusthavetakenadvantageofherabseosckoffandgocarousingwiththeirfriendsandbuddies,fettingalbouttheirdutytostandguardandprotecttheirkingdostfaintingwithfatigue,Viedherheavyfeet,aonwalkingtowardsherpaceusingallthestrengthshehadleft.Whenshepassedtheencampmentofthebarbariantribes,shewasgreatlyupsettofindthatthecampwasquietay,withnosignoflife.Shenoticedthatthecampfireswerenewlyputout,sotheremusthavebeenpeopleherenottoolongago.Wherecouldthemen,womenandchildrenallgoo?Hassomethingdrastichappethegoldpace?Shequiedherstepsandwalkedon.