Maureen,youknowyourwaybae,right?”Maureenbarkedasifsayingindignantlyofcoursehedid,howcouldacleverdoglikehimnotknowhiswayhome?“Wellthen,Maureen,yougointotheircarwiththem.Ifyouwaur,looktotheleftandbarktwice.Ifyouwaurnright,lookthtandbarktwice.Ifyouwaoght,thenlohtaheadandbarktwice.Ifyouwaostop,barkthreetimes.Wouldthatdo?”Maureenbarkedhisagreement.Turningtohisfriends,Dimitrisaid,“AfterIamfinishedhere,Imayhavetoetardeeandstayforafewdays.BeingoreetsalldayincreasesmyeetingothermembersoftheKingdom.Doyouwele?”

“Hey,man”saidJamazhittingDimitriontheshoulder“Doyoueveoask?”

“We’llleaveyouthenandwaitforyouathome”saidRichard.CarryingMaureenonhisshouldershewalkedtowardshiscar.MaureenbarkedatDimitriasifsayinggoodbye.Dimitriwavedatthemuntilheheardthecarstartup,makeaquickturnanddriveoff.ThedipidatedpickuptrukedandrattleditswaydowreetwithlittleMaureeing.Soonhewouldbejumpingintohismistress’sarms.

“DidyounoticethatDimitriseemeddistressed?”askedJamaz.“Iwonderwhathewouldbefagtonightandwhatknothehopestountie.Hedidn’twantourhelpbutIworrythathemaybeindanger.”

“Don’tworryabouthim,brother”repliedRichardoptimistically.“Heisarealman,ofabreedapartfromusandhastheproteofthegods.Don’tworry.Hewilleoutsafelyfromanydanger.Nothingstophim.”

Dimitritemporarilyiddowntheheavyburdensonhisshouldersforamomentofpeadquiet.Byforceofhabithewalkedtowardsareeter.Hestoodbeforeastorethathadalreadyclosedupfortheday.Heneverknewwhatmerdiseitsold.Itwasolythathefoundouttheysoldallkindsinkcartridgeforputersandprinters,carryingargevarietyofinkofallbrands.Dimitriwasnotfamiliarwiththebyproductsofthemostadvancedbranchesofsdhadnoiihereasonhecameherewasbecauseeveryafternoonatduskwhenalltheshopscloseddownitracticetimeforthepianistwholivedonthesedfloorapartmentwhichhadaseparatestairexttothestore.Dimitriwouldsitonthegroundoutsideandlistentoafreecertofhighqualitymusic.Soonnotesfromthepianofloateddownfromthewindowsoftheapartment.Dimitritookoutacigaretteandlighteditwhileheehesmoothandflowingmusic.Heseemedtoseewavesierreflectthebrightandluminousmoonlight.Ashelisterandented,he

thoughtofhislifeintheKingdomofDreams.Hehadhiberherefortoolong.Nowthathehadreturhemundaneworldhefoundthatmuchhadgedduringhisabsenstrumentsfamiliartohimsuchastaperecorders,recordpyersandtypewritershadlongbeenobsoleteandrepcedbydigitalmaessuchastheputer.Hefeltasifhewasfromanotherturyandthatheasapersonwasabouttobeabolishedbythisnewage.Hedidnotknoaspyingthepiano,butfromtheskillfulfingersahofthemusic,themusiwasahighlyprofitamateurpianistandperformer.Fromthewaythefiouchedthekeyssolightlyanddelicately,Dimitrisurmiseditmustbeawoman.Hedidnotknowwhotheposerwasbuthewassureitwasatalentedoheexquisitemusic,Dimitriseemedtoseetheposerdescribestraightforwardlyandsuctlythemoonintheskyandtheswayingsheenofthewaves.Thenheseemedtohavesubmergedtothebottomofthewaterandwatchedthemoonfrombeheosciltingwaves.Themusicdescribedtheexquisitesplendorofthemoonfromeveryangle,marvelingatitsunmatchedbeauty.Thispositionmusthavestedforaturyortwoandhavebeeanimmortalpieusic,oryoucallittheeverstingquintessentialmodel.Dimitrihadastrahought.Therewasaeaabilitybetweencssicalcivilizationandmodernteologybutitwashardtodetermikindofeaabilityitwas.Thecharmandfasationofcssicalcivilizationisithatitcouldstforeverindefinitelyintime,whilemodernteologywastinuouslyreiingitself,strivingtobreakthroughandsoarintotheskies.Wastheretioweewooneofpetitionoroneofrestri?Itwashardtofathom.Suddenlythemusicstoppedandthelidofthepianocloseddown.Dimitrikhatpracticewashtfootstepssouhewoodenfloorandsoonmovedfartherandfartheraway.DimitriquicklycheckedtoseethewhereaboutsofhistwoservantsImaginationaivityandwasrelievedtofindtheywerestillfastasleeponthegreengrassofthemoorndsandhadnotbeenawakehemusic.Hekhatthemomenttheyawoke,thesetwoworkaholicswouldsurelybuzzaroundcausingsparksefrileadingtounimagiasiesthatwouldspreadoutandoutlikeripplesgettingwiderandwider.Dimitrigreatlyadmiredtheworkethicsofhistwoservants,buthealsotreasuredthetimetheysleptbecauseonlythencouldhegetsomerespite,afewmomentsofpeadtranquility.Hestoodupawastimeforhimtogotohismeeting.

Dimitrisquattedonthegroundunderadimstreetlight,eatingthefoodinhisbowl.Alroundhimwerehugetallofficebuildings.Itwaslongpastofficehours,sotheemptystreetswerequitedeserted.Attheerofthesquare,hehappeoastastoresellinamesefastfoodwhichwasstillopen.HewasveryhungryandrememberedthatCharinahadgivenhimabowndabagofdogfoodforMaureen.Takingoutthebowlhescoopedsomedogfoodintoitandateashewalked.Butdogfoodwashardanddifficultforhumanstoswallowanddigest.Dimitrithoughtitwouldbebetterifhecouldsoftenitbysoakingitinwater,sohewalkedbacktothesmallVietoreandaskedtheownerforsomewater.Thenstoopinguhestreetlights,heatethefoodinhisbowlfeelingquitecarefree.“It’sfood,isn’tit?Ifadogcouldeatit,whynothumans?“hethought.

Suddenlyheseemedtohearsomethingandstoppedchewiy,sightlesseyesstaredaheadatthenearbytgroundofthesquare,wheretherewasnograssorshrubs,butheseemedtohearthesoundofgrasshoppersorcricketsjumpingaroundinthegrassoritcouldbethefeeblerustlingofthegrassassmalnimalswalkedoverit.

“Ha,haDimitri”soundedMr.Finger’sfamiliarvoice.“Lookatyoueatingdogfood!Whatawretchedandmiserableendyouhaveeto!Ha,ha.”

5

“Isthatyou,Mr.Finger?”answeredDimitri,acordialsmileonhisface.“Veryhappytoseeyouagain.IsyourbrideViowithyou?”

“OfcourseIamhere”interruptedafemalevoicebeforeheevenfinishedspeaking.“Didn’tyousay‘aneyeforaneyeandatoothforatooth’?SoofcourseIamhere.”DimitrikhatmustbeVio.Hekepthisposureandhissmileandsaid,

“Good.Good.That’swhatIsaidandIwillkeepmyword.PleaseputeverythingoableandtellmeinpinwordswhatyouhaveagainstmeandwhereIhavewrongedyou.IfIwasinthewrongIwilltakefullresponsibilityformyas.”

“That’sgreat.Youarearealman”answeredVio.Outoftheblue,abrilliantfshofgoldappearedbeforetheireyesandthemagnifitpuregoldpacematerializedonthesquare.Dimitriwasshockedthathissenseofsighthadmiraculouslyrecovered.ActuallythiswasnotatallstrawasalltheworkofImaginationaivity,histwoloyalservants,whohadetohissideunseen.Viowalkedupthestepstothesolidgoldthroneandsatdown.Dimitrisaearingatiaraectacurrubyrgeasaneggmountedinfront.Alrounditwasanarrayofpricelessjewelsofallr.Fingerhadtransformedhimselftotheshapeofanormalmanandwasrespectfullyattendingtoher.ViomadeasignwithherhandandMr.Fiodowntohearherwhisperedinstrus.Dimitrikhatitwastimeforrealface-to-facebattle.Heremainedcalmlysquattingonthegroundscoopingsomemoreofthedogfoodinhisbowlwithhisfingersintohismouth.Beforehehadtimetochewedproperlyandswallowdownhisfood,Mr.Fingersaidloudlyinanarrogantvoice,

“Dimitri!Thoughyouhavebeenothingbutapitifulbeggareatingdogfood,ouresteemedQueenVihefactthatyouusedtobeapowerfulmonardakinginyourownrealm.Shepitiesyouandthereforehasorderedafeasttoaccordyoucourteousreception.”Sayingsohecppedhishandsthreetimesandmelodiousmusicfloatednaturallyihroughoutthepaceasifananizedorchestrawashiddeniroom,buttherewasnosignofanymusiusistrument.Thenaprocessionofattendantsdressedinesoftheirowntryandtribecamein,carryingsilvertraysoffoodsideredthebestintheirnds.Somedishesweresteaminghivingoffasizzlingsound.Thepacewassoonfilledwiththeentigaromaoffoodandwine.Dimitriscrapedthestofthefoodinhisbowlintohismouth,chewedthhlybeforeswallowingathebowlbatohispocket.Hekepthissmileonhisfacewhilehesaidtothem,

“AlthoughIhavenowbeerebeggaroreets,thereisnothingIhavenottasted.Tomefoodismerelynutritiontokeepmealiveandnothingelse.Pleasedismissyourattendantsandthefoodanddispehalltheseunnecessaryprotocol.Let’sgetdowntoessentials,talkaboutwhatenmitythereisbetweenusandetoaclusion.Thenweallgoonoureacefullyandliveourownlives.”Vionoddedinagreement.Mr.Fingerwavedhishandsindismissaendainanorderlymahewaytheycame,butthemomeeppedoutofthegoldpacetheyandtheirsilverptesoffoodalldisappearedlikeapuffofsmokeintothinair.Theywerelikeamirage,ingfromillusionanddisappearingintooneaswell.Themusictoostoppedawosidesreturheirfrontation.Theairatoncekeyedupandturense.

TheredrubyonVio’stiarashohabrilliantsheenassheandMr.Fingerwhisperedtogether.Thenstraighteningfromhisultrasubservientpositionandpyingthejackaltothetiger,Mr.FiuroDimitriandsaidinaloudanddomineeringvoice,

“InowrepresenthermajestyQueenViingyoutoatfordestroyingtheKingdomofDreams,devastatingthebeautifulndscape,breakingGiantMountainintoseveralpartssothatthepowbeynition.YouevensankQueenVio’sfavoldpacetothebottomoftheke.Youhavebroughtaboutahquakeandatsunamithatalmostcausedhertodieiurbulentwaves.Doyouaowledgeyuilt?QueenViowouldhavehandeddowhpenalty,butsheiskindandgenerousbynatureandgivesyouthiscetoexpinanddefendyourself.Speak!fessyourreasonsfordoingso.”Dimitri’sfacialexpressiondidnotgeaontospeakcalmlyandfidently.

“Thatbeautifulndscapedidnotbelongtoanyoneinparticur.ItwasIwhofirstwentthereaablishedmyKingdomofDreams.IerectedbuildingsandpaditwasIwhobuiltthesolidgoldpace.Butitwasyou,Vio,togetherwithCyclopsaidedbythosebarbariantribeswhosetfiretomypace,overturnedmykingdomandforciblyoccupiedmygoldpace.

Whatreallyhappenediseasilydisibletoalobeexpinedordebated.”Lookingaroundhimhesawthatthegoldpacehewasstandingilythesameastheonehehadbuilt,accurateineverydetail,sohewentontosay,“Ihadalreadysunkthegoldpacetothebottomofthewater,butitsimagehasremainedinyourbrain,andyouareabletomakeitappearinthismundaneworldatwill.Toyou,itwasnolossatalsthereisnorealboundarybetweentrueexistendphantomimpressions.Itishardtodistinguishbetweeendence,oritbesaidthatthereisnorealdiffereweenthem.Sinceyoumakeyourbelovedgoldpaceappearwheneveryoudesire,whyentangleyourselfneedlesslywiththeohasalreadybeensunktothebottomoftheke?Isn’tthatwyourselfovernothing?”

5

“Nonsense!”shoutedMr.Fihat’sameexcuse!Doyouknowwhoyouarespeakingto…”ButViowavedherhandandstoppedhisharangue.

“Youhavenotexpinedwhyyousankmygoldpatotheke”shepoi.

“Also,howdidyoucausesuaturaldisastersasearthquakesandtsunamis?Iwasalmostsutothewhirlpoonddied!Shouldn’tyouberesponsibleforthat?”

“Iotletyouinoailsofthisyet”herepliedearly.“Onedaywhehestolight,youwilluand.IamsorryIalmostcausedyoutodieiurbulentwaters.Thatismyfault,mymiscalcution.BeforeIstartedtheearthquakeImadecarefuliigationsintheareaandknewforcertainthatyourmajestywasnotinthegoldpadthatyouandCyclopshadclimbeddoweepcliff.Iusedastratagemtosendawaythebarbariantribesandmadesurethattherewashegoldpadthesurroundingareawhehquakeandtsunamihappened.IhopeyourmajestywilltakeintoatthefactthatIhaddoneallIcouldnottoharmlives.”ViosawthatDimitriwastellihandwassoaccurateineverydetailsoastomakehisexpnationsimpregnable,pgherintheunenviableandembarrassingpositionofhavingnothingtosay.Afterafewminutesofsilence,shecalledMr.Fiainandwhisperedinhisear.

Thetwoofthemlookedateachotherasifhavingetoaondecision.Viowavedherhandandseveralcasesappearedmagicallyonthegroundofsolidgold.Theywereexquisitelycarvedandmadeofrosewood,whichwasthehardestofallwoodandcouldsthundredsofyearswithoutrotting.

“Listentomecarefully,Dimitri”saidMr.Finger.“YouusedearthquakeandtsunamitoattackGiantMountain,almostdrowningherroyalmajesty.ButQueenVionotonlysurvived,sheactuallymadeamiraculousdiscovery.Therefore,shewillnotpunishyouforyourcarelessnesssincesheprofitedfromitandfoundareasuretroveofimmeasurableriess.ItisagiftfromGod.SheispgasmallportionofherdiscoverybeforeyousothatyoupoorhomelessbeggarwidenyourhorizonandknowledgeandseeQueenVio’sboundlesswealth.”Dimitri’stwoloyalservantsCreativityandImaginationshooktheirheadsatthosewords.

“Pridegoesforafall”saidCreativitytohisparthathasalwaysbeenman’smostonfailing.TheyareshowingofftheirwealthtoDimitri.Isn’tthatridiculous?Infactitisreallyfoolishofthem.”

“Letthembe”answeredImagination.“Ithinkthereisaivetowhattheyaredoiientandwatch,there’smoretoe.”Mr.Fingerwalkeddowepsahecase.Thebluestsapphires,bluerthantheowerepiledtothebrim.Thesedcasewasfullofrubies,morefierythanfmesandbrighterthanblood.Thethirdcasetainedemeraldsandthefourthcasewasamixtureofdazzlingdiamondsofallcolors.Thedazzling,brilliant,multi-coloredlusterwassharpaskwasnurturingtotheeyesthatbeholdthem.ThenMr.Fingeropehestcasefullofpinkdiamonds.Straosaythereairofexquisitegoldstilettolyingontopofthediamonds.BothDimitriandVio’seyesweredrawntowardsthem.Dimitriwassurehehadseenthispairofexquisitegoldshoesbeforeandsearchedinhissub-sciousnessdeepasthesea,fortheeventsofhispastdreamswherehehadseenit.Vioexcimedsoftly,“Ah!Thememoryofmypastlifehasebae!Thispairofstiletto,whichIhavelongsincefotten,washiddehiscase.ShesaidtoMr.Finger,“Gmethatpairofshoes.Iwanttogeintoit.”

ThesoftvoicesoundedinMr.Finger’searslikeanightingale’ssong.HepickedupthepairofshoesasifinatrandwalkedupthestepstoVio’sthrone,kdownandtookoffthepairofgem-studdedshoesshehadonherfoot.Thesightofherwhite,jade-likefootbeforehiseyesfullyarousedhimandhefoundithardtotrolhisexcitement.Heheldherfootinhishandandcarefullyfo,evenputtinghisfacedowntokissit.Intheend,herelutlypickedupthestilettoandputitonforherveryunwillingly.ButMr.Fiillkonthegroundcaressinghercalfmurmuring,“HowluckyIamtohaveputmybodyandsoulfullyintoyourhands.”Thenhittinghisrightpalmwithhisleftfistheadded,“SigningthatiurewasthebestthingIhaveeverdoneinmylife…Iamwillingtobeyoursveforever…”Hewentonhysterically,“Iamsoproudofmyselfforsellingmybodyandsoultoyou…”Viogavehimawhiteeyesmilingfaintly;itwasaflirtatiousgesturethatcouldensveanyman.

“Lookatyou…“shesaid.“Youactwithoutthinkingoftimeahereisathirdpersohere…Actaccly.Don’ttouchmeabovethekandup…”Thoughherslightlyreproachfulwordsimpliednation,itwasmusir.Finger’sears,whofeltgoodandfortableatsuchreprimand.Heknewhisaswereamisstep,sohestoodup,wenttostandbesideQueenVioandnolongerdaredtoindulgeinhisformertransgressions.Dimitripoheretionshipbetweewolittlepeopleashelisteheirdialogueandwatchedtheirexpressionsandas.AtfirsthehadfrowMr.Finger’sservileandfawningattitude,thinkingitwasbehhimtoactso.ButterseeinghimsoenthralledwithViothathewasalmostatthepointofpubliclyseekingsexualfulfillmentatthemostinopportunemoment,Dimitriwasreallydidn’tknowwhethertocryh.Mr.Fingerwasjustsuchaperson.Youcouldsayhewasna?veandi,alwaysdoingwhathewahoutthinkingofthesequences.Buttobeperfectlyfrank,heersonwhocouldnotdistinguishbetweenrightandwrong,goodandevil.Heactedonlyacctohisownlikesanddislikes,sohisas,nomatterheordeviatedidnotsurprisepeoplewhoknewhim.Hewasalittlepersonpletelyginlogicalthought,soDimitriwasnotsurprisedatanythinghedid.

5

“Dimitri”saidVio.“Youseeallthiswealthbeforeyou.Theirvalueisastronomidimmeasurable.Allthesepreciousgemswillbeyoursifyouwouldpromisemeohing.Myditionisverysimple…”

“Hereites”thoughtDimitri.Notwaitingforhertofinishspeaking,Dimitriinterruptedhersaying,“Yourmajesty,pleasedonottellmeyourditio.Letmeproveohingtoyou.IwantyoutoseewithyourowneyesmyillusiicsoyouwouldbelieveihfulnessofwhatIsay.”

Dimitrigotupfromhissquattingpositionandwalkedtoohecasesofpreciousgems.HistwoloyalservantsCreativityandImaginatioheirmasterKingDimitritosomethingandsotheyheldhandswiththeirfiightlycspedandquicklyfollowedhim.Dimitripickedupasparklingdiamondthesizeofaquaileggandsaid,

“Yourmajesty,Mr.Finger,pleasecloseyoureyesameshowyouoneofmymagictricks.”Thetwoofthemwerequitecooperativeandclosedtheireyes.Dimitrithrewthediamondinhishandhighintothesky.Histwoloyalservants,CreativityandImagination,quicklypoiheirfreehandtowardstheskyandallofasuddenmurmursofthundercouldbeheard.Theheavensopenedandadelugeofrainfallpoureddownfromtheskies,followedbythesoundepiecesofhailhittingtheground.Mr.Fingercouldn’ttrolhiscuriosityandslittingopenhiseyesatinybit,peekedout.Hesawthatititchdarkbothinsideandoutsidethegoldpadnothingcouldbeseen,soheclosedhiseyesagain.Afterawhile,theyheardDimitrishout,“Stop!”andtherain,haindthunderhaltedabruptlylikewell-trainedsoldiersobeyingtheordersoftheirsuperiorsinstantaneously,withouttheleasthesitatiohingwasquietandDimitrisaid,“OpenyoureyespleaseyourmajestyandMr.Fiheydidsoandwereshockedtofindthattheground,bothinsideandoutsidethegoldpaceevenbeyondpceswheretheeyescouldreach,werepiledwithpriceless,sparklingdiamondsofallcolorsandsizesthatdazzledtheeyes.Whatwasevenmoreamazing,somediamondswereforcedtohaltinmidairwhenDimitrigavehisandtostop,andhadnotimetofalltotheground,solookingalroundthemVioandMr.Fingersawthattheskieshighandlow,farandnearwerefullofexquisitediamondsofallshapes,colorsandsizes,twinklingintheair.Theywerestunnedandastouhesightwhichleftthemspeechlessanddumbfounded.

“Youmaythinkthisisonlyanillusion,atrickoftheeye,orakindof”saidDimitriashepacedleisurelybeforethethrone.“Iwillnottrytoexpinbecausethisisadeepphilosophythatotbedescribedinafewwordsanddependsonone’suandingandenlighteoprehend.SufficeittosaythatIthinkyourmajestywilluandwhatImean.TheimageofthegoldpacethatIsanktothebottomofthekehasbeendeeplyimprintedinyourbrainandmemory,andyoureproduceitatwillsothatthebrilliant,glitteringpaceisagainbeforeoureyes.Ifyoudothis,why’tIgethemyriadsofstarsintheskiesintosparklingdiamondsandrainthemdownonthemundaneworldlikerainfalndhale?Itshouldraoyou.AsIjustsaid,thereisreallynomarkedboundarybetweentrueexistendphantomimpressions.Inotherwords,thisboundaryisbetweeentandeweenmaybeexistentandmaynot.Orperhapsitdoesatall.Ofcourseallthisisalluptoone’sownprehensionanduanding.Sayingso,Dimitriwavedattheskiesandthequail-sizeddiamohrownupwards,fellintohishands.Histwoloyalservants,CreativityandImaginative,quicklyletfallthehandstheyhadpoiheskiesandloosehefingerscspedtightlytogetherastheystoodhandinhand.Straosay,itwasasifasoftbreezeblewovereverything.Thedarkcloudsintheskyandthesparklingdiamondsthatcoveredthegroundandtwiheskiesalldisappearedwithoutatrace.Everythiuronormandmyriadsofstarsdottedthenightsky.

“Iinallyinteousethesecasesofgemsasbargainingchips.”saidVioself-sciouslyandnotalittleembarrassed.“ButIseethatthesethingsdonotmeananythingtoyou.Pleasedon’tughatme…”

“No,no,pleasedon’tsayso,yourmajesty”interruptedDimitribeforeshefinishedspeaking.“Thereisatreasuretroveinallourhearts.Youhaveit.Ihaveit.Mr.Fingeralsohasit.Itisdistributedimpartiallyandequallytoeveryoneandisinexhaustibleandimmeasurable.”HelookedatMr.Fingerandsaidtohim,“Mydearfriend,youtoohaveatreasuretrove,inexhaustibleandimmeasurable.Whydidyousignaureandsellyourselfbodyandsoultosomeoneelseasasve?Isn’tthatridiculous?”

“Thisismypersonalbusiness”repliedMr.Fingerarrogantlyandrudely.“IdowhateverIwantwithmyownbody.IsellittowhomeverIwishandnotevenaskforanythingiurn.IamwillingtobeauredsvetoQueenVio.Whatbusinessisitofyour?”

“Yes,yht”repliedDimitriwithamirthlessugh.“It’snoneofmybusiness.ItisaprivateaffairbetweewoofyouandIwon’tsayanythingmoreaboutit.”Dimitrilookedatthergediamondthathadfallenbatohishandfromtheskyandthrewitbatothecasehehadinallytakenitfrom.TurningtoViohesaidseriously,“Yourmajesty,IthinkyoutookthesecasesofgemsfromtheKingdomofDreamsoutofthetreasuretroveofDwarfMickey,thegodoftreasure.AmIright?Isuggestyoureturnthesecasestowhereyoutookthemfrofcourseit’snotmine.Youshouldreturnthem.”

“Sure”saidVio.Shewavedherhandandthecasesofpricelessgemsanddiamondsdisappearedfromsight.Vihtenedupandgedherposture.Shewasstillweariiarawithahugeredrubyierandsaidfrostily,“Ithinknoeakfranklyabouttheproblembetweenyouandmeandmymother.”CreativityandImaginationlookedguardedlyateachother,knowingthatthedialoguehadfinallyetoitstruesubject.DimitriwasgreatlyagitatedandsaidearlytoVio,

60页

“Yourmajesty,iIhaveoftenwonderedwhetheryoureallyexisted.Normallyspeaking,anunformedfetushaslittleceofsurvivalifshelefthermother’swomb,butIprayeddesperatelyforamiracle,fordivineclemencythatwouldallowyoutolive.Onlythenyguiltysdtheself-nationdeepibeslightlyassuaged.Therewasatimewhehatyoureallyexistedsomewherearoundme,sometimesnear,sometimesfar.IfeltyourexisteheKingdomofDreams,withinthesphereofthosemiraountainsahenonedayIheardthatMr.Fingerhadmarriedalittlebeautyofthesamesizeasheis.ItwasthenthatIwassureMr.Finger’sbridewasyou.Youhadsurvived.ForthatIyaantforalongtime.Becauseofthemanythingsthatrequiredmyattentioninthemundaneworld,mystayintheKingdomwasusuallyshort.Iwouldstayonlyforafewdaysandthenwouldgobaundaneworld.Child,alltheseyearsIhavefeltremorsefuboutmytreatmentofyouandyourmother.IdeeplyregrettedtheextremetortureIinflictedowasanactthathaspguedmenightanddaygivingmenopeadplungedmeintothedeepestdespair.But,child,IhoughtthathatredwashereditarybutinyouIcouldseetracesofyourmother.ThefactthatshehasenduredindescribablepainandsufferinginthefiresofGehennashouldhavebeenenoughofalessonforyoutolearnfrom.

Child,listentomysincereadvidrestrainyouras.Ifyoudoso,yourtussledheartwillbefreedandyouflylight-heartedasawhitedoveintheblueskies.Howcarefreeandfortablethatwouldbe!Whyletrevengeandhatredoccupyyourheart?Listentomywords…”

EversineintotactwithDimitri,shehadlostineveryenter.Furthermore,Dimitri’swordswerereprovingandadmonishingasifhewasreadingheralecturewhichirkedhernoendandarousedtherebelinher.Shefretfullyinterruptedhimsaying,

“Letthedeadpastburyitsdead.Fetallthatlifeah,rightandwrongstuff.NowmymotherisstillsufferingintherfmesofGehennawithherbodyhalfatthewaist,whichwasallyourdoing.Ibelievethatyouhavethepowertomakeherbodywholeagain.NowIaskyouonlythisquestion:AreyouwillingtogobacktotheKingdomofDreamswithme,healherandjoinherbodytogether?”

“ThefiresofGehennahaveturoaparadisebecauseIleenhasmadea180degreegeiateofmind.Hersurroundingsgeashermindges.Onlywhentheremnantofthefireofhatredinherheartisextinguishedwillshebeabletofreefromthefiresofhelndherbodybeewholeagain..Noonehelp.Everythingdependsonherselfalone.Shealonehelpherself.”

“Thenyouarenotwillingtogowithme?”askedVio.

“No,it’snotthatIamunwillingtohelp,it’sthatIot.ThefireofrevengeinIleewillbeextinguishednaturally.Onlythenwillshebesaved.Haveyouheardofthewords

“Morehaste,lessspeed?”Viodidnotknowwhattosay.ShewavedherhandatMr.Fingeraeoher,stoopinglowtohearherwhisperedwords,

“Ishetellihorlying?”

“He’sjustmakingexcuses”saidMr.Fingerprovocatively.“Hedoesn’twanttogobackwithyourmajesty.Hedoesn’twanttohelpyourmother.He’sjustshirkingresponsibility.”

6

Mr.Fingerwasjustsuchaperson,anxioustostiruptrouble,happyonlywhenthingsaroundhimareinturmoil.Vio’seyeswerealreadyirateandMr.Finger’swordsjustaddedfueltofirefanningthefmesofangerinhereyes.

“Thentellmewhatweshoulddo?”hissedViognashieeth,herexpressionferociousandfearsome.

“Isay‘inforapenny,inforapound’”saidMr.FiryingtostiruptroubleandinciteViointodoingafoolishthing.“WhydokidnaphimandforcehimtogobacktotheKingdomofDreamswithus.Oncewehavehiminourhands,wefearhewouldnotdoasweask.Hewouldhavetocapitute.”Thismeetingwasmeanttosolveaseriousproblemandwasabouttoendsuccessfullywhelemanstuhisoarandmuddledthingssobadlythatitbecameimpossibletosolve.

“Didn’tyousayhehastheproteofthegodsanditwouldbehardforustogetnearhim?”

“Yourmajesty,doyouseeanyonebyhissideatthemoment?No.Whydon’twemakethemostofthisluckybreakandkidnaphim?Ifwemissthisopportunity,itmaynevereagain.Pleasemakeupyourmind,yourmajestyandgiveyourorders.”Viohesitatedandcouldn’tquitemakeuphermind.

“Didn’tyousayhewasblind?”sheasked.“Howehiseyesarebrightandpierg?Theyseemtobeevensharperthananormalhumanbeing.

“Thisisstrange…Iwonderwhatthisisalbout…Theotherdaywhehimoreet,Iamcertainhewaspletelyblind.Couldhebepretending?Orperhapssometimeshesee,butatothertimesheot…?Butnomatterwhat,wemustmakefulluseofthiscewehavewhenheispletelyaloakehimdown.Thatshouldbeeasilyaplished.”

“Siisso”noddedVio“let’scarryoutinalpn.”

“Theydooknowofourexistence”saidCreativitytoImagination,bothofwhomwerefollowingcloselybehindDimitri.“Whatdoyouthinktheywilldo?”

“Whenhumanswanttoluresomeoodosomethihergoodorbad,theydoowothings”repliedImaginationsmilingly.“Firsttheytempthimwithmaterialgain.TheyhavealreadytriedthatbutfailedtoseduceDimitriwithpricelessgems.TheirepwouldbesexIthink.Waitahere’smoredramaahead.”BeautifulImaginationmiscalcutedthistime.TheydidnotiousesextoovereDimitri.Theyinteousedirectforcetokidnaphim.

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Mr.Fioodupstraightandsaidinaloudvoice,“QueenVioiseverbenevolentandfivesallDimitri’stransgressions.Whatisdoneisdoneandotbeundone.Shewillnotprobeintoitanymore.TopreservepeadtranquilityintheKingdomofDreams,QueenVioiswillingtoceasetheenmitybetweenthemandmakepeacewithDimitri.Inspiteofthegreatdisparityoftheirrespectivepositionssheiswilliendherhandinfriendship.Hermajestyhadchosentwelveofthemostbeautifulyounggirlsofourrealmandtraihemherselftoperformadancewhichsheisnowsharingwithourillustriousguest.”Hecppedhishandsthreetimesandmusicagainresouhegreathallofthegoldpace.Thesoundofinvisiblemusispyingallkindsofdrumsfilledtheair.Atfirsttheitsbeatwasslow,likeraindropsfallingonleaves,butgraduallygatheredmementoandbecameterseandfastandloud,likehordesofwildhallopingonthegrassnds,theirpoundinghoofstramplingthegrouingaloudcresdo.Justthentwelvenakedyoungwomeheirentrydangswiftlyintothehallfromdiffererawirlinganddanglight-footedandagileastheantelopesthatroamthegrassndonthehorizon.Theyflewalroundthehall,dipping,turningandjumping,theirsupplemusclesaifulfiguresperfebinationsoffemininegradbeauty.JustasDimitriwasshakenbythemusidtheunbelievablesebeforehim,thetwelvenakedbeautiessuddenlyclosedinaroundhim,fthebattlearrayofhunterssurroundingandgoingaftertheirprey.ItwastooteforDimitritomakeabreakandtrytoescape.

Dimitri’sloyalservants,CreativityandImagination,sawthegravityofthesituation,soholdingeachother’shandandgtheirfiightlytogether,theypoiheirfreehandtowardsthesky.Theseaofflowersbehindthem,boundlessandlimitless,begantoswayandrolllikewavesinthesea.ViogavetheorderforthedaoadtheyimmediatelysprangtowardsDimitrilikebeastsofprey.Somegrabbedhimaroundtheneetackledhisarmsandlegswhiletheothersworkedtogethertotrytocarryhimawayastheirhostage.CreativityandImagination’sfingerspointedaheadandinaheirandtheseaofflowersbehindthemrushedaheadlikefloodwaterburstihedam.

Waveafterwaveofflowers,majestidunstoppable,swelledandrapidlygainedspeedastheysurgedforwardtowardsthegoldpadswalloweditupwhole.Theseaofflowersrolledonandon,waveafterwave,obliteratingwhateverwasintheirpath.Ihesurroundingpaces,skyscrapersandtallbuildingswerealleradicatedbythegepersistentandever-movingseaofflowers,leavingbehindnothingbutemptiness.Wavesoftheseaofflowersroseandfellgentlylikeamotherbathingherpreciousinfant,sprayingwateronthebaby’sbody.Wavesoftheseaofflowersmovedon,ushingwaveonandoly,likeamother’shandsprayingwateronherbaby’sbody,carefullywashinghim.Wavesoftheseaofflowersmovedolyandnurturingbutwhereveritpassedeverythingwasdestroyed.Eventhewavesthemselvesdisappearedattheendofthehorizon.Thegoldpacewasgone.SowereVioandherobsequiousattendant,Mr.Finger,whowerepushedbytheseaofflowerstoweknownotwhere.CreativityandImaginationhadalsodisappearedandDimitrihadnonotionofwheretheywentbecausehehadstoppedusinghisbrains.Sincehehadstoppedusinghisbrains,therewasnowayforhimtoknowwhathisloyalservantswereabout.

Dimitrisquatteduhestreetlightsasthoughhehadnevermovedhisposition,butunfortunatelyhewasagainblindbecausehisloyalservantsCreativityandImaginationhadtemporarilylefthim.Normallythosetwowerealwayswithhim.Whyhadtheyleft?BecauseDimitrihadstoppedusinghisbrains.Whearts,histwoloyalservantswouldnaturallybebacktobeatthebedcalloftheirmaster.

Dimitrifelthewasinawilderness,surroundingbysilendlessexpanseofgrassnd,boundlesswildernessalleerilysileewardsindefinitely,withonlyhimasthelonesolitarymaehisearth.Itwasasifmankindhadfullyevolvedandthereforehadpoputedtheearth,soDimitrifeltlonesomeandisotedastherewasnootherhumanbeingonthiswideexpanseofwilderness.Buthowwastheearthformed?Whatwasitlikebeforetheearthcameience?Beforethis,everythingwasahugeballofrfire,unimaginablyfrighteningandterrifying.Whenthefiredieddown,allthatremainedwerewhiteashesblowingabouttheearth.Thatwasbeforeheaveharated.Itwasonlywhentheashesgraduallycooleddownandsolidifiedthatndwasformed.Laterthendcametolifeandgreenpntsandtreescoveredtheearth.Dimitrifeltasifhewastheonlyhumanoh.Therewasnobirdinthesky,nootheranimalwalkingonthesurfaceoftheearthandnofishandotheraquaticlifeinthesea.Hewastheonesolitarylivingthiewasn’tthispceametropolisnotlongago?Why,hundredsandthousandsofpeopleusedtoliveandworkhereandcarsandtruckspackedthestreets!Peopleusedcretetosealuptheearthandusedcreteaobuildaman-madeforestthatrepresentedhumanintelligendskill.Thatwasnotsolongago.Sincewhendidallthisrevertbacktowilderness,silentandlonely?Wasn’tthispceinallyaseofdesotionwithhotashesfloatingeverywhere?Dimitriwasbaffledandperplexed.Ashes,wildernessaropolis,areallstopsinhumandevelopment.Eaeseemedtobeastartingpoint,butalsoaterminal.Therewasreallynosignifitdiffereneaniweenthembecausetheyfolloweachotherinacycle.Timemoveson,butitsspeedwastooslowortoofastforustofeelthemovement.Thingsge.Perhapsthespeedofgewastoofastorslowforustofeelthege.Sometimeshugegesocafshfastaslightning,butatothertimesslightgeshappenonlyafterhundredsofyearsofpatientexpectations.DimitrithoughtofhisretversationwithVio,ofhowhetoldhertherewasreallynomarkedboundarybetweentrueexistendphantomimpressions,thatthediffereweeentandencewasvagueandindistinorespecific,thesetwostatesofexistenceareintergeable.

Iance,afgwasflutteringinthewind,awindowleftopenbyacarelessemployeealsocreakedandsqueakedinthebreeze.Dimitrisuddehathewasbathemetropoliswherehundredsofpeoplelivedtogether.Becauseitwasafterofficehours,therewasnooneabout,therebygivinghimtheimpressionofsolitaryisotionandloneliness.Healsoheardcriesof“Dimitri!Dimitri!”fromafaringcloserandclosertohim.HekwashisgoodfriendsRichardandJamazingtolookforhim.SoonheheardrunningfootstepsandRichardwassaying,

“Dimitri!We’vebeenlookingforyoueverywhere!Whatareyoudoinghereallohisemptysquare?eo’sgobacktothedesertedrosegarden.Mr.Kaffee,Big-OandDwarfMickeyareallwaitingforyouthere.reparedasumptuousdinnerandalotofgoodwine.equickly.Wewanttoweleyoubadcelebratethereunionofoldfriends.”RichardhelpedDimitriupwithoutwaitingforhisreplyandJamazpickedupthewhiteeonthegroundbesidehimahreeofthemquicklyleftthedesertedsquare.

Chapter3GiantMountain

ThecrystalclearbluewaterofStar-MoonLakerippledgentlyuhestarlitskies.Adarkfigurefshedbyinthemoonlightastrideaflyingbroom.Itwasnottheinalowhebroom,butasvelteyoungwoman.EversinceAmaliafellill,shehadbeenlivinginDream-MakersBakeryuhetenderlovingcareofSheiandYoko,soitcouldnotbesheearedintheKingdomofDreams.BeforeleavingtheKingdom,DornahadgiventhebroomtoDeannaandithadbeeavemeansoftransportationfortheyoungnativegirlinherworkasliaisoweeivetribesspreadartinthemountains,savingherfromhavingtoclimbmountainsandwadethroughwaters.DeannacircledaroundGiantMountainsonherflyingbroohiswasherfirsttripbacktoassessthedamageafterthehugeearthquakeandtsunami.Shestoppedinmidairtofurtherchecktheheadofthegiantwhichwasstilldisable.FagthedecapitatedheadalohedeadofnightmadeDeanna’sfleshcrawl.Theatmosphereofhorrorandfrightraisedthefinehairsofherbody,butshefeltshehadtoexamiheremainsofthegiant’shead.GiantMountainwasindisarray,havingbeenbrokenintoseveralses.Partsofithadsunkallthewaytothebottomoftheke,butpartswerevisibleabovethewater.Thebestpreservedsewastheheadofthegiantwhichwasstillgazingupattheskies.ButDeannanoticedthattheupwardgazingheadwastiltedslightlytowardstheright.Theshiftwasbarelyperceptible,butcouldnotescapethesharpeyesoftheyounggirlwhohadgrownupinthesepartsandwhokneweverymountairee,andeverybdeofgrass.“Butwhywastheheadtiltedtowardstheright?”sheaskedherself.“Perhapshishugebodywhichhadinparalyzedonthehorizonsihebeginningoftimewasbeginningtofeeltheeffeobilityandwasnumb,stiffandtired.Hemayjusthavewaogehispostureabitandturntht.Hehadininthesamepositionfortoolongcausinghisfleshtorotandhisbooloosensotheslightestgetohisposturebroughtaboutahquakeandatsunami,breakingGiantMountainintoseveralses.Butromptedthegiantwhohadbeenlyingmotionlessonhisbathehorizonsihebeginningoftimetomovehisbody?Didhereceivesomestimution,someunbearablepainorperhapsanintolerableitchthatcausedhimtowanttomovehisbody?TherehadtobeacauseandIhopeIwillbeabletogettothebottomofthis.”Deannagearedherbroomfordestuntilshehoveredtwothreefeetabovethewater.Shesaidtothebroom,

“Begoodandwaitformehere.Don’tyougowanderinganywhereelsebyyourself.IwanttodivetothebottomofthekeandtakealookattheditionofKingDimitri’sgoldpace.Iwillbeupveryquickly.IotletavaluableassetoftheKingdomlieburiedatthebottomofthewaterwithouttakingalook.”Beforeinghere,Deannahadalreadypleatedherlongandlustroushairintoabraid,whichshenowwoundaroundhernedtheothebluewaters.

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Deannawasanexcellentswimmerandagileasafishierbecausethiskewaslikeasedhometoher.Theluminousmoonlightpeedthecrystalclearbluewavesand

lightedupherway.Thenasshedesdeddeeper,thelightgraduallygedtoametallicyellowhuewhichlightedupbluewatertogetherwithsilvermoonlight,creatingamysteriousandfantasticworldoflights.Assheswamabitlower,themajesticgoldpacesuddenlycameintoview,restingpeacefullyaelyonalongstretoothwhitesand.Deannawasamazedatthesight.Whohadthepowertotakethehugegoldpadsettleitmagicallyonthisrgestretchofuerbeach?WasitjustcethatamidthechaosofthehugeearthquakewhichbrokeupGiantMountainandtheensuingrtsunami,thegoldpacejusthappeosinkdowntothismostsuitablelocationwithouttheleastbitofdamage?Thiswasreallyunimaginable!Sheswamaroundoutsidethepadfoundnodamagewhatsoever.gherteethoailendbraidaroundherokeepitfromgettingloose,sheswamintothepace.Shelookedaroundandwasoverjoyedtoseethatthelifelikesculpturesofthetwenty-fourbeautieswerenotatalffectedbythenaturaldisastersandwereperfectlypreserved.Asshewasbusyiingthepremises,shefottobiteontoherbraidwhichgraduallyuncoiled,falongpigtailbehindherheadwhichlookedlikeagleamingbckwatersnakefollowingcloselybehindherhead.Justthensherealizedthattheoxygeninherbodywasgettinglowawastimetoswimoutthroughthewindow,gouptothesurfaoreairbeforeingdowntoresumeheriion.Onherwayoutshefeltsomethingpultherheadandherastwassomewhatslowedbyherbraidwhichhadbeencaughtohing.ShelookedbadsawthattheendofherbraidwascaughtbyKingDimitri’smagicbowwhichwashangingonthewindow.Deannawasoverjoyedandalmostshoutedoutloudiement.Shetookthemagicbow,slungitaroundhershoulderandquicklyswamtothesurface.Shebrokeoutofthewaterjustuhepcewheretheflyingbroomwash,waitingpatientlyforitsrider.Shehungthebowontothebroomandsaidhappily,

“Mypreciousbroom,seehowfortuoday?Iactallycameacrossohemostimportanttreasuresdom-KingDimitri’smagicbow!IwanttogodownagainandseeifIfindthequiverofarrowsaswell.IfIcoulddoso,itwouldbefantastic!Wishmeluck!”Sayingso,Deannaagaiothecrystalclearbluewaters.Thistimeshewasevenluckier,forshesawthequiverofarrowshalfburiedinthepurewhitesandandinnotimepulleditoutandswambackagaintothetop.Hangingthequiveronthebroomwiththebow,shecriedexcitedly“Seehere,myluckhasheldandIgotthemagicarrowsaswell!”ThemagicbowandsarrowfelltothebottomofthekewhileViowasbattlingforherlifeamidtheferociouswavesofthetsunamiandtheyjusthappeohegoldpace.Itcouldbesaidthatthusthesetwomagiconshaveatstbeeurheirrightfulowner.Deannajumpedontotheflyingbroomandswiftlyflewawaytowardstheforests,hurryingtoreportthegdtidingstoMedusaaeFairytoletthemknowthatthereishopenowandthatKingDimitri’sKingdomofDreamswouldbesuretorevive.

Dimitriwokegraduallyfromhisdreamsamidthetwitteringofbirds,silveryandmelodious.Inthisdesertedrosegarden,ytheruinsofahouse,mostofwhichhadbeenburntdownyearsago.ThesmallpartthatwasleftstandinghadbeethetemporaryhomeofRichardandJamaz.Thedazzlingafternoonsunfilteredthroughthebrahetreethatscattereditsraysontheflightofsteps.Dimitri,whowasusedtoanomadlifehavinglivedmostofhislifeintheopenairoreets,didnotliketobecoopedupindoors.Therefore,hethgunnybag,spreaditonthecretegrounduheeaves,andsideredithistemporarybed.Heydownonitandbyforceofhabitputhisolive-coloredsafarihatoverhistummyandfoldedhishandsbehindhisheadashispillow.Lastnightoldfriends,exuberanttobereueralongseparation,ate,drankandtalkedallthroughthenight.Dimitridranktoomudwasstillfeelinggroggyandhalfawake,buthewasabletoectthedotsaogetherthereteventsasreportedtohimbyhisfriends.

LastnightafterRichardandJamazfoundDimitrisittingaloneinaerofthedesotedsquare,surroundedbyskyscrapers,theybroughthimbacktotheloedrosegarden.Fromafartheycouldhearpleasantjazzmusidsmellthefragraneatbeingbroiledoverthefire,butastherewasalsoasniffofsomethingbeingburnt,forMr.Kaffee,Big-OandDwarfMickeywerenottheoisseurofBBQingthatRichardwas.Richardwasindeedaowledgedtobeasgoodasafirstcsschefinthisrespect,forhismeatwasalwayscookedtoperfe:tender,juidjustdoheoldfriendshuggedeachother,geachotheronthebacktalkinganimatedly.RichardimmediatelytookoverthembchopinDwarfMickey’shandandfoundthatonesidewasburntwhiletheothersidewasstillraw.Hesaid,

“Watchme!Iwillturnthismbchopintoohaspecialfvor!Doyoubelieveme?”

“Ofcoursewedo.”Hisfriendsresponded.

“Youaretheaowledgedchef!“

“Weknowwhatyoudo.

Theoldfriendssatdownaroundthefire.JamazpoppedopetlesofliquorandhahemaroundbefoingtohelpRichardwiththemeat.Richardworkedeffitlyandquicklybecausehekneweveryonewashungry.Mr.KaffeetulpofliquorandsaidtoDimitri,

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“Theywerelookingforyoueverywhereahattheyfinallyfoundyouatthesquare.Thatpceisalwaysdesertedafterofficehourswithscarcelyapersoninsight.Whatwereyoudoingthere?”

“IwasjustpassingbywhenIhappeoear.FingerandhisbrideVio.””repliedDimitri,alsotakingargegulpofwine.“IgotentahthemandingthatIakeuseofthismeetingtouheGordianknotandresolveourdifferences.Butintheendnothingwasaplishedandthedeadknotwasstilltherebetweenus.”

“Oh?”excimedhisaudiencewhentheyheardthathehadmetwithMr.FingerandVioandalleyesrivetedtoDimitri.SoDimitritoldthemwhathadhappened…

“Well,well,well…”saidDwarfMickey,“IkhetreasuretrovewasstillintheKingdomofDreams.Ifitweren’tforthosegreatgestotheearth’scrust,itwouldbehardtotellwhentheywouldresurface…It’shardtoimagiVioisthatmasterthiefafterseveralreinations…Heisabletomovecasesofpreciousdiamondsaothismundaneworldandshowthemtoyou…Hmm,hisabilityisquiteimpressive…”

“Actuallythat’snotveryhardtodo”saidDimitri.“Justthinkaboutit.Takeacaseofjewelry,forexample.Youeasilyuseyinationtomoveittosomewhereelse.”

“Youmean…“saidM.Kaffee“thatyouusecreativityandimaginationtotakethepceofobjectivereality?Youmeanyoueasilymakeimpossiblethingspossible?Isn’titabitlikecheatingyourself?”

“It’snotsurprisingthatyouhavethesedoubts”saidDimitri.Wheainthingshappen,yourdoubtswillnaturallymeltaway.Wheernalworldofyoursouerobjectivephysicalworldareinfulccordahelevelofperfectharmony,thenallinfientialitiesbeepossible.Therewillbenomorequestionsofcheatingandbeied…”DwarfMioddedhisheadinagreement.Helookedupatthemyriadsofstarsintheskyandsaid,

“Thedireofthedevelopmentofhumancivilizationviedmoretowardstheexplorationofthematerialworldandthedeepanddarkuhantowardstheinnerworldofone’sheart.Thedireofthedevelopmentofmodernspletelyigheexplorationofman’sinnermostworldandtratesohoftheexternalos.

Actuallythesolutiontotheirproblemwhichtheyweresoactivelypursuingwereburieddeeplyiernalworldofone’sheart,likemytreasuretrovethathadbeenlostforalmostaturyandwhoseworthisiimableisstillburiedinthesoiloftheKingdomofDreamswholeanduntouched,Isn’tthisratherlikerejegwhatishandandseekingforwhatisfaraway?”

“Youmeanweshouldgiveuptheexplorationofmodernsdtrateonpursuihoftheinnerworldoftheheart?”askedMr.Kaffee.

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“No,no,no”interruptedDwarfMickey.“ThatisnotwhatImeant.Ithinkweshouldpayequattentiononbothworlds.Thatwouldbetheidealmodeofapproach.”Thefatichopsbegantodropontothecharcoalfireandproducedasizzlingsound.SoonRichardbroughtepteofmouth-wateringcrispymbchopsperfectlygrilledtoagoldenbrown,givingoffaigaromaandservedthemtohisfriendssaying,

“Heyguys,youmustbehungrysolet’sallstarteatingandstoptalkingaboutthisbtroublesomephilosophicalstuff.Leavethattotheintellectuals.Weshouldtrateoingourmeatanddrinkingourliquor.Isn’tthatmorepractical?”Everyoneughedaowithgusto.

“Youguysjusttalkedaboutsomecasesofjewelry.Whatwasthatabout?”askedmr.Kaffee.Afriendofmiioomeretlythathewaoselloffhisjewelrybusiness.Ithinkthatheishavingmoroubleinthiseiamiorhewouldnotbewillingtogiveuphislucrativetrade.ImentiooSamanthawhoisaoisseurofjewelryaurnpersuadedMegginntolookintoit.Theytoldmetotalktothisguyandwewillbegoingtejewelrystoresoonahingsgo.”Dimitritookanulpofhisliquoraafieryhotlinegodownfromhisthroattohisstomach.Extremelysatisfied,hewipedtheremnantsoftheliquorfromtheerofhislipsandsaid,

“NowadaysIamnoloerestedinthebusinessofmakingmoney.LetthetwoofthemdecidewhattodoandIwillbebehindthem100%.”DwarfMickeytekofmeatfromhischopandswalloweditwithoutchewingitthhly.Theoogulpedsomewineandsaid,

“Humansareiredofaccumutih.Toputitheywaisfathateswithself-aplishment,buttoputitbluntly,itisjustpinavarice,apartofhumannaturethatcamewiththematbirth.Butnomatterwhat,theaccumutiohisoheforcesthatpropelhumancivilizationforward.Youngpeoplenowadaysareeloquentaiculouscalcutors,veryambitiousabouttheirfuture.Iamout-of-dateandshouldretiresoonahenewgeiontakeover…”Thewhite-beardedgodofwealthshookhisheadandughedwryly.

Dimitriyftonhisbathecoldtgroundwithonlyaroughgunnybagunderhim.Hisbodyfeltstiffandunfortableafterhavihesamepositionfortoolong,soheturnedsidewaystht,curleduphisbodyandputoneofhisarmsunderhischeekashispilloideawakebythen,butkepthiseyesclosedanddidnotsitupbecausetherewasn’tmuchtodoandhepreferredtoliethere.Thediffereemperatureandthenoisefromthecitytoldhimitwasaboutthree,fouro’clotheafternooytherequietlyanddidnotfeellikegettingupbecausetherewasnothingforhimtodo.Theonlythinghecoulddowastolettimeslidequietlybyunnoticed.Eversincehewasayouthhehadknownthatonedayhewouldbeeblindsoheusedtoblindfoldhiseyeswithadark-coloredkerchiefandtrytoexperieitfeltliketobeablindman.Buttheaonlygavehimgreatpressurebecausehefounditimpossibletodoanythingwhenblindfolded,sohequicklytookdownthekerchief.Heytheremotionlesslydoingnothingbecausetherewasnothingtodo.Theonlythinghecoulddowastolettimepasshimbyquietly,unnoticed.Heopenedhiseyesandfoundthattheworldwasdarkbeforehiseyes.Heraisedhishandtopulwaythekerchiefbutwassurprisedtofindtherewasnothingchiseyes.Itwasthenthatherealizedhewasblind.

Thedesertedrosegardentookupquiteabitofspace.Yearsofresultedinrownweedsanddryandwitheredleavesctheground.Wasn’titstrainthemidstofthebusymetropolisagardehiscouldremainforsakenandabandonedforsolong?Therosesinthegardenbloomedinspiteofckofcare,asiftryingtoshowofftheirbrilliantcolors.Buttheirpetalswerecoveredwithdustandtallweedsalmostcrowdedouttherosebushes.Theywerelikehigh-born,aristocraticdiesdownontheirluck.ThefamiliarsoundofbrakesbeingappliedwasheardandsoonDimitriheardfootstepswalkingtowardshimthroughthegrassandbushes.Dimitri’sempty,sightlesseyesturowardsthenoise,knowingRichardandJamazwereback.SeeingthatDimitri’seyeswereopen,Richardsaid,

“Hi,Dimitri.Hadagoodnap?Didyouhaveanygooddreams?”Dimitriwassurprisedtheywerehomesoearly,soinsteadofanswering,heasked,

“Issomethingwrong?”

“No,no”saidRichard.“Mr.Kaffeetoldustoebadgeintooursuits.HewantsustoapanySamanthaandMegginnteexhibitionafamousjewelerisgiving.Samanthareceivedaninvitationtwoweeksago.Mr.Kaffeesaidalthoughthetwoofuswerebodyguards,westillhadtobesuitablydressedinourbestes.”

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“Ihatetodressup”pinedJamaz.“Itfeelssofinedaricted.I’tstaieseither;it’slikethedogcolr,really,reallyunfortable!”Sayingso,thetwoofthemwentintotheburnthouseandstartedrummagingthroughtheirchestsandboxes,lookingfortheirformalsuitswhichtheyhadn’twornsiheyresignedfromtheirpostsaspresidentandvice-presidentofWorldBank.Finallytheyfouom-madeclothesatthebottomoftheirtrunk.Carryinghisinhishand,RichardwalkedoutandsaidtoDimitri,

“Havetoleavenow.Wemustgotothebakery,washanddressedupbeforejoinihers.tihyourrest,Dimitri,we’llbringdinnerhome.”Thetwoofthemwalkedthroughtheweedieddesertedgardentowardsthegate.HalfwaytowardstheentranceRichardsuddenlyrememberedsomethingandturnedbacksaying,

“Ohyes,Ifottotellyousomethilyagroupofhomelesspeoplehavebeenhangingoutarouhinkingofmovinginonus.Atfirst,Ididn’tmindandhadnoproblemsharingtheuseofthispcewiththem.Ithoughtweoorandhomelessvagabondsandthisquietgardenisrgeenoughforusalltoco-existpeacefully.Butassoonastheygothere,thesehooligaosms,indulgeinsexies,FKeachotherfrombehind,throwusedneedles,bottlesandwastealroundaswelsurinateandrelievethemselvesaheyfeltlike,stinkingupthewholepce,makingourlittleparadiseutterlyunlivable.IdrovethemalloutaupanyoneIseelurkingaround.Theirleadercameoverwithagunandtriedtointimidateus,butJamazandItookhisgunaway,beatthecrapoutofhimandthrewhimoutagain.Iftheyebackherewhilewearegone,don’ttahtheminanyway.Theyareruthlessandbarbaric.Justgotosomeremoteerofthegardenandighem.Waitforustodealwiththemwhenweeback.Betteryet,leavethegardentemporarilybutdon’tgofar.Youareblindandhavetroublemakingyourway.Leavethemtothetwoofus…”

“Don’tworry,Iwooafightwithanyone”saidDimitrismiling.“Didn’tMr.FingersayIwaslikeabrokenballbythesideofthestreetthatanyonekickaround?IfthesepeopledoehereIwillgotoaquiet,isotederorleaveherealtogether.Youguyshaveworktodo.Goanddoyourjob.I’llbealright.”

RichardandJamazleftasquicklyastheycame,buttheirwordsremaihDimitri.

“Yes,”hethought,“Inthisworldtherearepeople,rottentothecore,livingmiserable,detandcorruptlives.Theircreedseemstobethemorecorrupt,thebetter.Buttheyarenotofthemajority,infacttherearen’treallythatmanyofthem.I,too,amahomelessvagabondandonewholovestodream.Ifmylifeisanexperiment,aretheresultscorrectorincorrect?Acctothenormalpatternoflife,whenaboygrowsuptobeamaearnhisownliviajobsomewhereasaclerkorcivilemployeeandtrytolivewithinhismeansonameagersary.Hewillmarryandhavechildren.Thepihewife’sappearahemorepthislifewillbe,andhewillfeelsafeandfreefrompressure.Asforchildrewoistheidealnumber,ashewouldnotbeabletoaffordmore.Theyscrimpandsaveandgoonafamilyvacatioheycouldaffordto.Afterafewsuchvacationsanditwouldbetimetoretire…Butmymodeoflifehasgoheoppositeway.Iunsciouslywalkedohtowardsbeingablindhomelessperson,ahomelesspersonwholovestodream.Peoplemaypitymeandfeelsorryformyplight,butiy,Icouldnothavemetmygoodfriendsotherwise.FriendsaretherichesIhaveaccumutedinlifeandwhomIotlivewithout.Friendsareindispensible,especiallytoablindmanlikeme.MyloveofdreamseobuildmyKingdomofDreamswithitsmagnifitpaces,twenty-fourbeautiesandmyKingdomfullofloyalsubjects.ThoughIamapenniless,blindhomelessperson,inmydreamsIamthepowerfulsnofakingdomandricherthanMidas.Whosaythatmyexperimentoflifeisafailureandnotasuccess?

Lifemaybeexperimental,butfateotbeged.Theingredientsthatmakeupfatehadbeeihemomentlifebegan.Theseplicatedandhardtouandingredientsotbecalcuted,evenbythemostadvanputersiedbyman.Whenamanisborn,helivesacctotheroutesetoutbyfate.Somelivesaresmoothandsuccessful,pavedwithfameandfortuherswalkonahardandtortuouspath,fulloflonelinessandmisfortuheposofpeople’slivesmaybeasdifferentastheinnumerablebinationsofthekaleidoscope,buttheendisinvariablythesame–death,thegreatequalizer.BeforethegodofFate,weareallhelplessandinsignifitbecausehisdecreesarefinandnottobebargaih.Welyacceptourfatewithoutresistance,forresistanceisfutileanyway.DoyouthinkthatI,Dimitri,waswillingtoacceptmyfateasablindmaainlynot,butwhatcouldIdo?BeforeFate,Iaminsignifitandhelpless,uoresistinanyway.Mywayofg,myullwoolovertheeyesofthegodoffate,istodevelopabeautifulsecretgardenintheinnermostpartofmyheartwithouthisnotioomecouldtouchthispce.

Dimitrigedfromsleepingsidewaystolyingftonhisbathetground,ilythesamepositionasthatgiantonGiantMountainwhoypeacefullyonthehorizohfacedtheblueheavensasifaskingitapuzzliionthathadneverbeenansweredforthousandsofyears.Dimitrikhatstepbystephewassinkingdeeperintothatpcedeepinhisheartadrowsinessagaineoverhimlikeateasinglightfog.Unwillingtogiveupenjoyingthebeautiesofthisspringdawedtheeofsleep.Soshoulderingashovendholdingsomegardeningtoolsinhishand,hewalkedalongthewindingpathtothetopofthesmallhill.Hestoppedataspotfagthewaterbutwasshelteredfromthewind.Thesoiltherewassuitableforpntingflowers,soDimitrihadchosenitasthelocationforthebeautifulsecretgardenihofhisheart.Thegardenwasne,butherwasitsmall.Dimitrihadpulledupalltheweedshereandinthebareas,andhadpruhetrees,shrubsandpntsusingsuitabletools.Multi-coloredflowerswerepntedeverywherefillingeveryer,allvyingtooutdotheothersincolorandfragrawasreallyawonderfulsight.Whatwasmorewondrousandcouldnotbeseeninardenswas,flowersofdifferentseasonsallbloomedatthesametime.Dimitristraighteotakeabreakandtostretchhimself.Hegheoppositeshorewherethegianthadbeenlyingonthehorizonsihebeginningoftimeaurnedbacktohisgardening.Heworkedonhappilyanddiligentlyuheblueskies.Whehestooduptotakeabreakandgncedagainatthegiant,hisheartseemedtogivealurdhesuddenlyrememberedthatthemountainhadbeenpletelydestroyedandonlythegiant’sheadremaiact,therestofhisbodyhavingsunktothebottomofthewater.Howcoulditbeuntouched?Howcouldthegiantbelyingthereintact?Assoonastheideafshedacrosshisbrain,theworldaroundhimbegantoshakeviolentlyandtheverygroundunderhisfeettrembled.Aseriesofear-deafeningcrasheswereheard.TheworldshookandspinnedandGiantMountainsplitintoseveralparts.Theearthquakecausedtraumatigestotheearth’scrustwhichbroughtaboutatsunami.ItwasasiftheearthquakeasunamiwereagaiedbeforeDimitri’seyes.

Dimitrisatuponthetground.Hispanic-stri,sightlesseyesstaredstraightahead,murmuring,“DidIunknowinglykillthegiantwhohadinonthehorizonsihebeginningoftime?Ithoughthemustbestiff,numbandinpainafterlyinginthesamepositionforsolongandonlywaoeasehisdisfortbyginghispositionalittle;neverdreamingitwouldcausehimtodisiepletelywithonlyhisheadremainingabovethewateruntouched.Ihaveunwittinglyittedanotherheinuouscrime,forwhichIcouldone.”

Aslightwindblewoverthedesertedgarden,causingflowerstoflutterandruffledtheleavesandbrahetallweedsrustledwithaooslightforhumanfootsteps.Itwasasifsomeanimalwasquicklymakingitswaythroughthem.Theringofbarks.BeforeDimitrirealizedwhatening,asmallplumpfurrydogjumpedontohisp.HekwashislittlefriendMaureenwhenhishandstouchedthoselongfurryears.

6

“Hey,mydearlittlefriend,howdidyouknowIwashere?”ThelittledogjumpedtothegroundandtuggedatDimitri’strouserswithhismouthasifurginghimtogetupandfollowhim.Dimitriwasgreatlyarmedandasked,“Issomethingwrong?Whereisyourmistress?HassomethinghappeoCharina?It’sbroaddaylightnow,howIedusatohelpher?

As,beautifulwomenaremoreapttogetintomessysituations…”Dimitriwaswhimselfupintoafitofaynotknowingwhattodowhenheheardafamiliarvoicecallingfromoutsidetherosegarden,

“HeyMaureen,whereareyou?Maureen?DidyoufindDimitri?Ifnot,eoutandwewilllookforhimsomewhereelse.”DimitriwasgreatlyrelievedwhenherealizedthatitwasCharinaahatnothinghadhappeoher.Hequicklystoodup,tookuphiswhiteeandtotteredoutofthedesertedgardenafterMaureen.

WhenCharinasawDimitriappearattheentrahegardentappinghiswhitee,shegotholdofhiselbowandsaidinatremblingvoice,

“Getintothecar.It’snotsafehere.Somehooligansarerunningtowardsus.Hurry!eoothecar.”Fromthetremblingofhervoice,Dimitrikhesituationmustbegettingtense.Hecouldnotsee,buthismovemeillquidnimble.Whenhisfiouchedthecardoorthathadalreadybeenopenedforhim,hequicklygotinandMaureenjumpedafterhimaledonhisp.Charinaclosedtheircardoorandquicklywehedriver’ssideandgotin.Nosoonerhadhersideofthecardoorclosedwhensheheardfistspoundingosideofherdaroughvoicesaying,

“yprettylittlefilly!eout.Don’tleavesofast.Stay.Let’spyawhile.Itwillbefun.”Luckily,shehadlefttheenginerunning,sosteppingohecarstreakedaway,itswheelssquealinginprotestwhenthecarmadeaquickturn.Aftertheyhadfinallylefttherosegardenbehindandthecoastseemedclear,Chariocalmdown.Dimitriwaitedtillhercheststoppedheavinginagitationtoask,

“pened,Charina?”

“Whydidn’tyougetintouchthesestfewdays?”shesighed,givinghimawhiteeye.“Ihavebeenlookingforyouaroundthekemanytimesbutsawnosignofyou.ItookMaureenandvisitedallyouroldhaunts,alwayssettinghimfreetolookforyou,hopinghissensitivenosewouldfindyou.Whearden,theweedsweresrownandthepceseemedtobesodesertedthatIdidnoin,afraidtheremightbeunscrupulouspeoplehidingthere.IsentMaureenintochedyouwerereallythere!Luckilywegotoutinanie,otherouldbeirouble!.AfterIsentMaureenintothedesertedgarden,Isawsomehomelesspersonsdressedindirty,dipidatedclothes,sittingaroundwithwoodenexpressions,doingnothing.Whentheysawmetheyughedmaliciouslyutteringobsities,withsalivarunningdowntheeroftheirmouthsandstooduptocloseinslowlyonme.Igotreallynervousandscared,butluckilyyouappearedwithMaureen.SoIopehecardoorforyouahepcequickly.Howcouldyoubestayithatreallyscarypce?Iwasscaredtodeath!”

“Sorry.Sorry.Thatwasallmyfault.Sorryyouhadsuchascarebutthecauseofitallwasyourbeauty.It’sbeautifulwomenwhoeasilygetintotroubleandndinthesemessysituations,don’tthey?”saidDimitriinanapologizingbutalsoftteringtone.Charinasighed.

“Inthisrgemetropoliscriminalelementsareineverydarkerandwehearofcrimesbeingitteddayht,dayinanddayout.Whereverpeoplegregate,thereissuretobeallkindsofundesirablepeopledoingallkindsofbadthings,bigandsmall.Whyaretheresomanystraraordinarypeoplethatotlivepeacefullywithothers?Itwouldbereallywonderfulifeveryonecouldjustco-existpeacefully,livealive!”ptedCharinainhersadaoneofvoice.

6

“Don’tbesopessimistiddisappointed”saidDimitri.“Thegardeninsomepeople’sheartsaredriedupaed.Butifheavenwillsenddownmueededrainfalndsomeseedsaresown,flowerswillgrowintherichsoil.”

“Hey,Dimitri”saidCharinawithasmile.“Sincewhenhaveyoubeeapoetandspeakwithrhymesaaphors?Soundsgood!”

Charina’shandsstayedoeerihecarrolledsmoothlyoreetsbesidetheke.Sheturnedofftheair-ditioningahewindowstoletinfreshair,whichwassoinvigorating.

“Let’sstophereforamomenttoenjoythiscoolbreezeahethisfreshair”saidDimitri.Charinastoppedbytheroadsideasrequestedainthejoyingthedrefreshingair.

“Whathaveyoubeendoingwithyourselfthesestfewdays,Charina?”tinuedDimitriinaversationalvoice.“Youseemedtobeinahurrytogetme.IstheresomethingIcoulddoforyou?”

“Doestherehavetobesomethingspecialformetoetoyou?’tIlookforyouifthereisn’tanemergency?”teasedCharina,herrgebeautifuleyesgngathimsoulfully.

“Alright,alright,teasingaside,I’lletothepointquickly.Stimutedbyourtalks,Ihavebeenfloodedwithinspiratiofewdaysandmybrainhadrecovereditscreativity.Ihadposecludemyselffromtheoutsideworldandtaketwoweeksofftotrateonmywriting.ThismIdrovetothesupermarkettogetenoughgroceriesandsuppliesforthewoweeks.PerhapsIwastooexcitedandgotuptooearlybecausewhenIgottothestore,therewereveryfewcarsintheparkinglot.Isawawhitedoveflyingaroundintheblueskies.Itcircledabovemyhead,sometimesswoopingdowntoflyinfrontofmeasiftocatchmyattention..LookingcloselyIsaieceofwhitepaperinitsbeakaowasamessageforyoufromthatmysteriouspcebeyondtheblueskiessoIheldoutmyhandtowardsit.Thedovedroppedthepaperlettingitfloatdownontomyhandanditflewquicklyawaybacktotheblueskies.

“Whatdidthenotesay?”askedDimitriurgently.

“Takeiteasy.I’llreadittoyou”saidCharina,openingherhandbagtolookforthepaper.Shefounditandreadaloud:DearKingDimitri:Severaldaysago,DeannadivedintoourStar-Mooohersurpriseshesawthatoldpacewaspletelyuntouchedandwell-preservedsittingonaerbeachofthesmoothwhitesandatthebottomoftheshallowwaters.Shewasalsoveryfortuorecoveryicbowandarrowthereatthebottomoftheke.NowthetwonationaltreasuresarebaourhandsagainandIhavepcedtheminashriogetherwiththemagicswordinWhiteFairy’stemple.Thebarbariantribeswhooccupieddomhaveretreatedbacktotheirndanddoohaveanyaggressiveiions.Inafewdays,Iioleadourpeoplebacktoourbeautifulhomendagainsothattheycouldresumetheirtasksoffishing,hunting.Everythingwillbebaandourpeoplewouldagaiheirpeadharmoniouslife.Mydearmajesty,pleaseebacktdom.Yourpeopleareawaitingyourpresendleadership.SignedMedusa.”AfterhearingCharihelettertohim,Dimitrifellsilent.

“IfIreturntotheKingdom,”hethought“Iwoulddisruptthepeadharmoniouslifeofthepeople,wholivesecludedfromtheworld.Whydon’tIjustpretendIhadneverbeenthereahemtotheirpeacefullife?Itwouldbeasifnothinghadeverhappehere,nopaoroyales,noloyalsubjects…Butoherhand,ifIdon’tgobayKingdomwillIbetenttoroamaroundinthismundaneworldasablindhomelessvagabond?Whatandwhereismyfiination?AmItoroamforeverinthismundaneworld,thisinfiniteuniverse?Orperhapsroamingismydestination.”Charina’sbeautifuleyesglitteredasshewatchedDimitri.

6

“ThefirsttimeIreceivedmessagesforyoufromthemysteriouspcebeyondtheblueskies”shemurmured,“ittoldyouthatZeus,thegodofheaven,waalktoyou.Thentherewastheseessagetellingofthenaturaldisastersofearthquakeandtsunami.ThistimetheytoldyouyoldpacewasintadyournationaltreasuresofthemagicbowandarrowhadbeenrecoveredandareinsafekeepingatWhiteFairy’stempleinthemountains.Don’tyouthinkthatthesethreeletterswouldgivemeenoughmaterialtowritealong,movingandmysteriousnovel?Couldyougivemethelowdownandtellmethefullstory?IwouldprefertoknowallthedetailsbeforeIbeginwriting.Ijustwanttowritedownthisamazingstoryfortheworld.Thechtbelongstoyoualone.”

“Cht?”ughedDimitri.“That’sridiculous.IjusthadafewdreamsandIgetachtforthat?”ThoughDimitriwasblindandcouldnotsee,heturnedhiseyestowardsthatfar-ace.HekhatCharina,theyoungaifuuthoress,wasmesmerizedbyhisstoriesandwaspletelyedbythem.“OfcourseIcouldtellyouthestory.Butitislongandplicatedandmaytakemorethanthreedaysandthreenights.”

“Welltheakemorethanthreedaysandthreenights”shereplied.“Ihavepreparedaguestroomforyouinmyhousewithpajamas,slippersandallyourfavoritefoodanddrinks.Whynotstaywithmeforafewdaysandtellmethefullstory?”

“Youmeanrightnow?”

“Ofcourse”sheanswered,“whatarewewaitingfor?”

“Whehedesertedgarden,IdidnotleaveanynotefoodfriendsRichardandJamaz.Theywouldbeveryworriedandwouldthinksomethingbadhadhappeome.TheymighteventhinkIhadbeenkidnappedorkilledbythosehobosoutsidethegarden.”

“Leaveanote?”inquiredCharinainsurprise.“That’ssoantiquated,sosttury.Noohatanymore.Nowadaysweneverleavenotes.Don’ttheyhavecellphones?Whynotjusttextthemorleaveamessageontheirvoicemailtotellthemyouareatmypce.”

“Hey,that’sagoodidea.Ireallyamoutoftouchwiththepresentdayteologies.”

“AreRichardandJamazthetwoguyswhoreturnedMaureeheytalkhandinglovewitheachother,oftenfinishingeachother’ssentehey’rereallygreatpartners.Siheyareyoodfriends,theywillsurelybeineaswell.”

“Ihavesomemoodfriends.Mr.Kaffeeusedtobeabigshotintheunderworld,butnowhehasreformed.AnotherisDwarfMickey.Fromhisnameyouknowheisadwarfandheisawhite-beardedoldman.Butdon’tlookdownohereisBig-Owhousedtobeaprofessionassassinbutisnowadevotedmonk…Ofcoursethereisanotheronewhohasrayedmeandmyfriends.ThatisMr.Finger.Iamsurethatonedayhewillrepentandebacktothefold.Heisaverysmallperson,onlyastalsafinger,hencehisname.”

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“Wow!”excimedCharina.“Yourfriends’backgroundsaresodiverseanduheyseemtobevaudevillians!Well,iftheyareyourfriendstheyaremyfriendstoo.Whydon’tIopenmyhousetoallofthemandihemherefordinner.Wehaveawonderfultimetogether.”Themessagewassentandwithinfifteenmihereplycamebacksaying,“Thankyouforyourkindinvitation.Wewilllbethere.Yhtinsayingwearelikevaudevilliansandwearealsoalcoholidlovetodrink.Besuretohavesomegoodwineandliquorreadyforus.Thankyou.”

DimitriworethelooseandfortablepajamasCharinahadpreparedforhimandrexedonthesofa.Hehappilyenjoyedahotbathandwasfeelingpleasantlyrefreshed.Hehadshavedandlookedtobeinglowih.Buthishairhadnotbeendwasratherlong.Charinasaidshewouldcutitforhiminadayortwo.DimitriwasdrinkingsomeeseOolongtea.Heknewhisgoodfriendswouldbecmfordrinkswhentheycamesohedidnotwanttostartdrinkingtoosoon.Hisfriendscouldeatanddrinkalot.DwarfMickeymaybeoldandshortinstaturebuthisappetitewasthatofastrappingyoungman.SoCharinahaddrivenbacktothesupermarketandboughtalotmoreoffoodandawholecaseofhardliquorforDimitri’sgoodfriends,sothatafterherguestshadhadenoughtoeatanddrinktheywouldfeelrightathome.CharinawasbusyiwheretheentigaromaofFrenionsoupstewingoovefilledtheair.Othersidedishessuchaskingcrablegsandlobstershadbeenboughtready-made.BeefsteakhadbeenmarinatedandwouldbereadytobecookedassoonastheguestsarrivedandCharinahummedhappilyasshepreparedafruitsad.DimitrisippedhisOolongtea.Onthecoffeetablewereanotebook,apenandavoicerecorder,forCharinawouldbeingsoontohearhimtellthestoryofthekingdombeyondtheblueskies.Hewaswwhereheshouldbeginthisplicatedandintricatetaleiedininnumerableways.Hethoughtforamomentandthenmurmured,“Yes,thatwouldbeagoodpcetostart.”

Uhehazymoonandmistyfog,awispofsmokeflewoutofthedenseforest,ndingamidabedofflowersattheborderofthetreesandgedintoawhitelily.Inappearawasmuchthesameastheotherflowersandbloomedsilentlyintheirmidstuhegentlemoonlight.Themeanderingliheforestextendedindefiowardstheskies,wherethefppingofmightywingswereheard.Ahugesnake-hairedbckbirdwithahumanfaceflewdownfromonhigh,somersaultedwhenithegroundandgedintohumanform.Shendedhebordersoftheforest,hereyesseargalroundthesurroundingarea.

“That’sstrange!”shethought.“ThisisthetimeaeFairyandIagreedo.Whyisn’tshehere?”Herpiergeyesiedeverywhiteflowerarouilshesawawhitelilyandsaidwithasmile,“eout!Ihavefoundoutwhichwhitelilyisyou.Ifyoudon’tshowyourself,Iwillpullyououtbytheroot!”Awhitelilygedintohumanform,ranswiftlytowardsMedusaandembracedheraffeately,throwingherlovelywhitearmsaroundMedusa’sneck.MedusaloweredherheadandkissedWhiteFairy’srosylips.Thetwoofthemstoodtherekissingandhuggingforalongtime,untilWhiteFairyutteredstranglingnoisesasifsheneededairtobreathe.HerfeeblearmspushedMedusaawayandgaveherawhiteeye.

“Youarereallygreedy”shescolded.“YouhavesuckedoutallthearIhavebeengatheringforalongtime!”