tothespecialenvirooftheKingdomofDreamsandbeexposedtothemarvelousexperienakingthingshappenjustbywishingforit.Thenshewoulduaernalworldcouldshapetheexternalone.Whenthismarvelousandmagicalexperieakesrootinherheart,itwouldbelikeholdingausefultookinherhand.Shewouldknowhowtouseit.RomitookDimitri’sadvidwentbacktotheKingdomofDreamsthatverynight...Samanthawasbusysocializinganddidnotebacktohavedihtheothers.MeganstilldressedasataxidriverandgaveDimitrialiftbacktohisapartment.

“Weottotallydisregardtheachievementsofmodernpsychology”shesaidontheridehome.“IfRomineedsmedicalcareweotig.”

“Ofcoursenot”repliedDimitri.“Mynewceptisnotamiracledrug.Norisitsuitableforeveryone.”Dimitrilivednotfarfromthebakeryandafterexgingashortversation,theyhadreachedhisdestination.Itwasagrandandmassivebuilding,butitwasoverahundredyearsoldandlookeditage.Dimitrigotoffandtappedhiswayintothebuildingusinghiswhitee.

Thebuildingwasgrandandmassive,butDimitri’sunitwasasmallstudioonthegroundfloorfagthestreet.Hetookouthiskeys,opehedoorandwalkedin.Hedidnotbothertoturnonthelightfortheywereuselesstoamanwhocouldnotsee.Butthestreetlightsandthemoonlightillumiheroom.Hewalkedtohisdipidatedsofaandsatdowookthehalf-emptybottleofwinehehadleftthereoableandpulledoutthecork.Thefssandpouredsomewioit.Itsbitterandsourtastetoldhim,itwasacheaplow-costwihinglikethe100-year-oldwinehedrankinhisKingdomofDreams.Butitwasnotthequalityofthewimattered.ToDimitridrinkwassomethingtobeenjoyedincarefreeleisure.Helightedacigaretteandpuffedtentlyonit.Suddenlyafamiliarseappearedbeforehiseyes–anendlessseaofflowers.Itwasnotamessagesentbyhisvisiontohisbrain,butratheritwasdirectlyprojectedontohisbrainbyhissubsciousness.Dimitri’sbrainwaslikeacamera,sometimeslookingpanoramicallyattheseaofflowers;sometimeszoominginoneaclose-upshotofadelicateandexceptionallybeautifulflower.ThesepicturesseemedtobedirectedbyDimitri’sbrain,butitalsoseemedtobetheproductofaneniusphotographer.Orperhapstheyappearednaturallyanditwashisimaginationaivitythatoperatedthecameralensaedtheseges.Dimitrididnotknowwhichitwasanddidnotwanttospendtimespegonit.Theyhecalledhimselftheprotectorofflowers;hedidnotknowthenamesofallthesefabulousblossomsbeforehiseyes.Butwhetheritwasaseaofflowersoronespecialblossom,theyallbroughthimapleasurablefeelingoftranquility,happinessandsatisfa.

Dimitrisatinthedarkerenjoyingtheblissofsolitude.Acarpassedbyoutside.Fromtheerofthestreetcamethetap-tapofhigh-heeledshoesonthepavement.Thehecallsofprostitutessoligbusinessandthesexualbaweenthemandtheirprospectivets.Fromtheparkinglotacrossthestreetcamethesoundofagssbottlecrashingonthet,mostprobablysomedrunkfallingtothegroundinastupor.ThesebeforeDimitri’seyesged.Arge,half-openlotusbudswamintohisvision.Itgraduallyopeoreveamanandawomaninsideholdinghands.Themanwastalndhandsome.HelookedlikeApollobutofcoursewasnothim.Thewomanwascurvaceousaiful.ShelookedlikeQueenAishabutofcoursewasher.ThetwoofthembowedtoDimitri.

“Iamcreativity”themansaid.

“AndIamimagination”saidthewomanivoice.”

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“Weareyourservants”theysaidtogether.“Whatareyourorders,master?”TheydidnotusethehumannguagetounicatewithDimitri,butratherexpressedthemselvesbyexgingideas.

“Ohno!”repliedDimitri.“Ihavenoorders.InfactIamverygratefultobothofyou.Iambutapabond.Thesesttwoyears,Ilostmysightandbecameablindmancursedbyfate.ButyoutwohelpedmecreatetheKingdomofDreamsandmademeherulerthere.Ibecamearemelyrigwithtwenty-fourbeautiestoapanymeandcarryoutmyeverywish.Ienjoyedeveryaspectofrespect,honorahonthisearth.Butthenohersideofthisunbelievablefantasy,Iwasalsoburdehasuffogay,acrisiswaitingformetoavert.Iameternallygratefultoyoutwo.Ihavenoordersforyou.Youmayleave.Iimetoreflectquietly.”Thetwoservantsboweda,disappearingintotheseaofflowers.

“Myfleshbodyisaging”thoughtDimitri.“Ionlywishforpeadquiet.Ihaveexperieingadventure,fabulouswealthaantpositions.NowIonlywantaquietandpeacefullife,calmastheever-stablehorizon.Butas,myheartisstillyoung.Itisevercurious,urgiodiscovertheunforeseeablefuture.”Thefiguresofthetwoservantsthathadjustleftwereintheseaofflowers,dangmerrilyintheserycreatedbytheythemselves.Ofcoursetheyhadtherighttoenjoythemselvesthere.Thewomandanceddivinely,herpradelegant.Theman’smovementswerelitheandstrong.Theirbodiesseemedtobestructureddifferentlyfromthoseofnormalpeopleastheycouldtwistandturnatimpossibleangles,makingtheirdanderfuic.Thespringbreezeblewmulticoloredpetalsaboutinitspathbutthetwodancedjoyfullyon.

“Mybodyisgraduallyaging”tinuedDimitri.Ieadquiet,butwhyisthereturbuleheeternalhorizon?Whydoesitcauseripplesi?Myheartisstillyoungandcurious,urgioadveotheunknown.”Thetwoservantsdanintheseaofflowers.

“Myheartmaybequiedbytheripples,butwillsoodowurbedhorizonwillgobacktoitseternalstability.”

ThebudofthergepinklotusappearedagainbeforeDimitri’seyes.Ascatteringofdewdropssparkledonitsclosedpetalslikeglitteringdiamonds.Asthebudslowlyoperevealedtheheadofahandsomemalyfocusedondoingsomething,butDimitricouldnotseewhatitwas.Themandidorealizethattheflowerinwhichhewasshelteredeningup.Asitdidso,Dimitrisawthatthemaningalong,shapelyfemaleleginhischestandimmediatelyuoodwhatwasgoingon.Furtherunfurlingofthepetalsclearlyunveiledtheprofileofthewomanlyingthere.ItwastheonecalledImaginationwholookedlikeQueenAisha.Dimitrisawherbeautifulfadquiveris.Shewassmilinghappilyasshegazedupatthepaleblueskies,seeminglyintoxicatedwiththemomentandhadblehtheblueskies.ThemancalledCreativitywasstilltratedonwhathewasdoing.Hispurposedidobegainingpersonalsatisfafromsexualintercourse,butratherseekingamoreperfectfutureandpersonadvahelotusflowerfullyopened,exposinganoverallseoftorridlove-makingbeforeDimitri’seyes.Thetwoofthemgedtoadifferentpositionandtiheircoitus.Sunlightshohemwithametallicsheen.Dimitriuoodtheywerenotdoingthistoproliferatetheirspecies,butrathertoseekpersonadvaoamoreperfectfuture.Hedidnotfindtheiraswantoheman’srigidpenisthrustpowerfullyhardaothewoman’sbody.Shewaspletelyintoxicatedwiththemoment,lostihroesofpassionasifherbodywasgraduallymergingwiththepaleblueskies.Dimitrithoughtitressionofaiment.Whathedidnotuandwaswhytheastakiaremelyshelteredandcealedspotwasrevealedtohiseyes.Dimitri’sheartacious,expansiveandharmonious.SuddenlyitcametohimthatCreativityandImaginatiowo-in-oneandone-in-two,bothpartofhisbrain.Theycouldcoexistaogetherwithhim,buttheyseemedtobeabletoexistindepelyoutsideofhisbrainaswell.Couldhetoobefreeofthestraintsofhisbrainandmergewiththemtoroamfreelytogetherintheboundlessuniverse?Dimitriwokefromhisreverie.Hesmiledwrylyandthought,

“Myfleshbodyisaging,butmyheartisstillyoung.Itisevercuriousandlovestopythesemindgames.IntheKingdomofDreams,Iamabrave,wiseandbenevolentking,butinthemundaneworldIamonlyadestitutevagabondroamingaimlesslyaround.Ihadbetternotwasteanymoretimeinthesewildflightsoffandgotosleep.Tomorrowisanotherbusyworkday.”Shiftingaroundinhisdipidatedsofa,hefoundamorefortablepositionaosleepinhisclothesandwassoonfastasleep.

RomitookDimitri’sadvidwentbacktotheKingdomofDreamstolearnhowtooperatehermind.Afteragoodnight’ssleep,shefeltfullofvigorandvitality.Gonewerealltheplicatedsehattiedandtangledherintoknots.Shewasnoloormentedbynamelessfears;nolongerinstantpaniddistress.TheKingdomofDreamswasreallyamagicaldimensiohought.Romiwassittingthereday-dreamiherewasaknockatherbedroomdoor.

“ein”shesaid.Thedooropewasthepaceattendantbringingherbreakfasttoher.Sheputthefoodoletablebyherbedandsaid,

“QueenAishaknowsyouarebadasksyoutogoandseeherafteryouhaveeaten.Thereissomethistotalktoyouabout.”Romiquicklywenttoherbathroomanddidhermablutions.Lookingintothemirror,shesawthatshelookedhealthyaieedednoetientherplexion.Afterbreakfast,shewalkedovertoQueenAisha’srooms.ThoughshewasqueenoftheKingdom,Aishadidnotinsistoncourtprotoherdailylife,soRomiopehedoorwithoutknogain.itwasalivingrooherwassheinherbedroom.RomiwentiudyandsawQueenAishasittingbeforeherputerwritihesis.WhenshesawRomi,sheimmediatelyputdownherworkandgotuptoembraceherwarmly.Handinhand,theywentbacktothelivingroomandsatdown.Afterafewwordsofcourtesy,QueenAishagentlyfortedRomisothatshewouldnotfeelinferiorandashamedofherselfbeforeothersandcouldnotholdupherhead.Shesaid,

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“IknowwhyKingDimitrisentyoubacktotheKingdomofDreams.Thebestwayforyoutouandwhatallthisisaboutistoshowyoutheroomsofthebeauties.Thenyouwillknow.”

QueenAishaandRomiwalkeddowairshandinhandandturnedright.ThefirstroomtheycametobelooDorna.

“Let’sgoinasheisdoing”saidQueenAishapushihedoor.Shewasgreetedbyaloudbstofrod-rollmusic.Theroomty.“Whyisthemusisoloudwhensheisn’tevenintheroom?”thoughtQueenAisha.Becausetheinsutionofthepacewassogood,itwasactuallysoundproofandnohemusicwasheardoutside.Shewasstunnedbywhatsheybeforehereyes.Outsidethewindows,wherethereshouldhavebeenpicturesquemountainsandke,letelydifferentsery.Theskieswerelightpinkandthewavesweredarkpink.Thecrestmooninthepinkskieshadastrangelookingsingleevileye,whichwaslookingattheGiantMountainacrosstheke.Aferociousandgrotesquebeastwassquattedthere.Itwasthefnifitgoldpaowcoatedwithiron,lookinglikeafierce,threateningmorikingfearintotheheartsofthebeholders.“Thatgirlisreallytoomuch!Shehasgedcharmingseryintosuawfulndscape.Butlookingatitagainclosely,itdoesseemtoreflectmodernartandhassomeaftertaste.Sincesheisn’there,let’sgosomewhereelse.”

TheroomtheycametobelooLotus.Whentheywentin,theyweregreetedbyidyllieofrusticlife,pletelydifferentfromthegrandeur,luxuryaravagahepace.Thefurnitureinandpractical,withnosuperfluouscarvingsags.Shebroughtherspinningwheelbathestrawhutbythekeainaeroftheroom.Outsideherwindow,afewstrawhutsdottedanendlessfieldofgreenrice,swayinginthespringbreezeuhewarmsunshiussatwbythewindow.WhenshesawQueenAishaandRomiein,sheimmediatelystoodupandbowedlowiing.QueenAishawalkeduptoherholdingoutherhandssaying,

“Pleasedon''''tstandonceremony.Thatwouldbeliketreatinguslikeoutsiders!”Thethreeofthemsataroundthesquaretable,QueenAishasaid,

“Iheardyougotholdofsomedeliciousesetea.Wouldyoumakeussomesowejoyit?”

“Ofcourse,yourmajesty”saidLotusandstooduptoprepareit.Sheputthekettleonthefiretoboindsprinkledsometealeavesintothreecups.Wheercametoaboil,shepouredsomeintothecupsbeforeputtilebathefire.Thenshepouredthewateroutofthecups.Thiswascalledteawashing.Whelestartedboilingagain,shepouredwaterintotheteacupsasedtimeandservedthemtuests.QueenAishatookuphercup,removedthecoveraheteabeforetakingasip.Thedelicate,refreshingfragraaueinhermouth.“Acupofteaearlyinthemisreallyararetreat”shesaid.Thethreeofthemofthemsippedtheirteaandchatted.

“Isaohingwhenwecamein”saidQueenAishatoLotus.“Whatwereyoudoing?”

“Nothingspecial”Lotusrepliedsmiling.“Thepeoplehavebeenbusythesestfewdaysdiggingironoresandwoe,sotheyhadnotimetodotheireverydaychores.Iwasjusthelpingthemmendtheirfishis.”

“Whyisn’tDornainherroomsoearlyinthem”askedQueenAisha.“Doyouknowwhereshewent?”

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“Lastnight,IheardDornaandDeannatalkingaboutmeetingwithVictoria.TheyalsomentionedaboutaskingWhiteFairytogotoo.”

“Victoria?”askedRomicuriously.“WhoisVictoria?Idon’tthinkIhaveheardofahatheKingdombefore.”QueenAishawentontotellRomialboutVictoria.Romiwasgreatlysurprised.Havingfiheirtea,QueenAishastoodupsaying,““Wewon’ttakeupanymoreofyourtimesothatyougobacktoyourwork.IwilltakeRomitoseesomeothersister’sroom”awoofthemleft.

TheroomtheyinteovisitbelooWhiteFairy.Standingbeforethedoor,QueenAishasaid,

“Shemaynotbein,butIdon’tthinkshewouldmindifwegoinandhavealook.”Pushihedoortheyenteredcloudlikewarmsteamandwalkedintoaroomwithbountiful,multi-coloredflowersbloomingineveryer.Romiquicklyclosedthedoorlestthetemperatureandhumiditywereaffected.Theroomwassunny,butalsoveryhumidwithwarmsteamandmist.QueenAishaledRomitowardsanopendoorwayleadingtotheveranda,whichwasuniquelydesigheverandaseemedtobecoveredwithseamlessgss.Itwasanenclosedspacebutfreshaircircutedfreelytheretinuously.Inthemiddleoftheverandawasaliveh,whichkeptgivingoffsteam.Whiteliliesandnarcissusgrewalroundit,soapersonlyingthereierwouldbesurroundedbyflowers.Becauseitwasalivespring,thereweresoundsofflowingwatermixedwiththemelodioushummingoffemalevoidthefragranceofflowersintheair.

“Whitefairyistheflowerfairy”saidQueenAisha.“Ifsomeoayedheref,shewouldalsobeedivine.”

“Wasallthiscreatedbyhermindandwill?”askedRomi

“Yes.Yinningtouand”saidQueenAishanodding.”Let’sgosomewhereelsea’snew.”Sayingso,thetwoofthemretracedtheirstepsandwalkedoutofthetropicalfairynd.

heycametoNatalie’sroom.QueenAishakhedoorbuttherewasnoresponse.

“Don’ttellmesheisn’tthereeither!”shemurmured.“Butit’salright;we’lljustgoinandsee.”Shepushedopenthedoor.Strainsofamelodypyedbyaviolinfilledtheroom.Themaestro’ssuperbskillofperformancewasmesmerizing.Inthefareroftheroom,Nataliewastakingoffherballetshoes.Outsidethewindow,aboficy,whitesnowcoveredtheuniverse.WhenNatalieraisedherheadandQueenAishaandRomiwalkingintoherroom,shehurriedoverandwasabouttobowlowiingwhenQueenAishastoppedhersaying,

“Pleasedon’tstandonceremony.Itisfrigidlycoldoutside.Howeyouaresweating?”

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“Oh”repliedNatalie.“Ihavebeenpractigmydance.Iwasreallyhotay,soIgedtheserytooneofdeepsnowtohelpmecooldown.”

“Remembernottocatchacold”admonishedQueenAisha.“Drastigesintemperaturearenotgoodforyou.”

“Yes,yourmajesty”repliedNatalie.“IinteogodoortoWhiteFairy’sroomandsoakispringtoloosenmymusclessotheywoense.”

RomiandNataliehadn’tseeneachotherforquitesometime.Theygreetedeachotherenthusias–tically,eachexpressinghowtheymissedtheotherandtriedtocatchup.QueenAishabrokeuptheirreunionsaying,“ThisisRomi’sfirstdaybackattheKingdom.Iamtakinghervisiting.Don’tstaytoolonginthisrefrigerator-likeroomoryouwillreallyedownwithacold.”

“Yes,yourmajesty”saidNatalie,bowing.

AsQueenAishawalkedhandinhandwithRomidownthecorridor,shelookedathersaying,

“IthinknowyouhaveaninklingofwhyKingDimitrisentyoubackhere.Inthemundaneworld,itishardtobreakwiththedeep-rootedventionalideas.Everythingthereisalsostubbornandclumsy,ogebythemindorwill.KingDimitrisentyoubacktothismagicaldimensionoftheKingdomofDreamssoyouobserveahatthemindgetheexternalworld,buttheexternalworldotgetheinternal.OnlythenwillyougrowmentallyandfullyuandthemeaningofKingDimitri’snovelcept.Let’sgoinandtialk,”shesaidwhentheycametoRomi’sroom.Romiopehedoor,invitedQueenAishainadowninthelivingroom.

“WhatdoyouthinkofKingDimitri’suniqueidea?”

“Iwouldliketotryitoutaworksforme.”

“Good.Iwasgoingtosuggestitmyself.”

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“LastnightwhenIcamebackherefromthemundaneworld”saidRomimusingly,”Iwentthroughadreamjourney.I’llmakethatasmyexperiment.”

“Goahead.Thatwillbeiing.”

“Afterfallingasleepstnight,Irememberenteringadimensionthatisasboundlessandinfiheuniverse.Ifloatedinthisaerialdimensionwhichwasdarkblueincolor.SuddenlyIsawadimlightappeariahespotoflightgraduallybecamebrighterandbiggerlikearisingsun.Butitsradiancewasinternalizedandewards.Atfirstgsbrilliancewasblinding,butteritwasbearable.Itstemperaturetoobecamewarmandmoderate.Igazedattherisingsununtilmyheartwasfullofcalm,tranquilityay.”AsRomidescribedthewondroussesinherdream,theroombegantotransformintoanendlessdarkbluedimension,boundlessandinfiheuniverse.Astrhtrisingsusradiahese.Butthebrightnesswasatolerableoallowedoogazeatitwiththenakedeye.Romiwasagainimmersedinitsauraofpeace,calmandinfinity.QueenAishastoodupandsilentlylefttheroomwithoutdisturbingRomi.

QueenAishawalkedalohespaciouscorridor.Shesmiledasshethought

“IthinknowRomiisbeginningtouandKingDimitri’sheoryofhowtooperatethemind.Shewillbeabletofreeherselffromhermentaljail.”Apaceattendanthurriedtowardsher.

“Yourmajesty”shesaid.“Iwaslookingforyoueverywhere.”

“Whatisitthatsoflusteredyouandmadeyouhurrylikethattofihisearlyinthem?”

“Medusaiswaitingforyouinthegreathalldownstairsandsaysshehassomethingimportanttotellyou.”

“Really?Iwonderpened”saidQueenAishaasshehurriedafterthepaceattendanttowardsthestairleadingdowntothegreathall.

QueenAishasatdownoseatthtofKingDimitri’sthroneandaskedMedusatodothesame.

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“It’sbrightandearlyinthem”shesaid.“peheKingdomseemstobepeadquietbuteverydaythereareinnumerablethingsthathavetobetakencareof.”

“Yht,yourmajesty.”repliedMedusasmiling.“Naryadaygoesbywithoutsomeevents.ButthismtheeventswereratherpeculiarsoIcametotellyouofit.”MedusagncedsidewiseatQueenAisha,hesitantly,afraidwhatshewasabouttoimpartwouldscareKingDimitri’selegantroyalsort.

“Outwithit”saidQueenAisha,asifuandingMedusa’sdilemma.“IthinkIamabletowithstandwhateverhappens.”

“Yes,yourmajesty”saidMedusa,allthewhilethinkingofhowtophraseherreport.Shesaidevenly,“Lastnight,duringmyroutiurnaliion,IflewallovertheKingdom,visitingthevariousmountains.Ifoundthatinthewildernessacrosstheke,thereweretracesthatCyclopshadbeenthere.Hehassurreptitiouslysoourheartndandisactivethere.”

“Ohno!”criedQueenAisha,turningpale.“Thisisterrible!Whyisheback?”

“Myfirstreawastoflydown,fronthimanddrivehimoutofourheartnd.Butthen,IrememberedKingDimitri’sordersthatsolongasCyclopsdoesnotdoanythinguntowardtojeopardizetheKingdom,wearetoleavehimalone.SoIdidn’tdoanything,butjustsurveyedhimfromafar.”

“Whatwashedoingthereinthewildernessbytheke?”

“Don’tworry”repliedMedusaevenmorecalmlysothatthebeautifulqueenwouldookeyedupandonedge.“Somehow,hegotholdoffishiandwascastingitoutbytheke.”

“That’snottoobad!”saidQueenAishaheavingasighofreliefauroherusualcalmandfidentialself.“Isupposehegottiredofeatingredmeatallthetimeandwaogehisdiettosomefreshfishfromtheke.Ifit’sonlythat,lethimbe.Butif...”

“I’monlyafraid...”saidMedusa,haltingly“thebeautiesdonotknowCyclopsisbathehearthepace.Iftheyshouldmeethimandhebeesedwithlustatthesightofsuchbeauty,theresultwouldbedisastrous...”

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“Whatshouldwedothen?”murmuredQueenAisha,whoseheartwasoncemorefilledwithay.“IfIannouCyclopsisnearby,itwouldbesuretocausesternationanday.Iotbarthebeautiesfromleavingthepace.Itwouldbelikeimprisoningthem.ButifIdohem...Ohdear!WhatshouldIdo?”Shethoughtforamomentandthensaid,“Fromnowon,whehebeautiesleavethepace,theymustbeapahetwotigersandtheirsphereofactivitymustbecurtailedtotheviityaroundthepanoditioheytovehewildernessacrosstheke.”

“Yes,yourmajesty”repliedMedusa“thatwouldbealright.ButtheviityaroundthepaceisstillrathervastandiftheyshouldenterCyclops,thosetwotigersarenoprote.Youhaveseenhisamazingstrength.Hecouldeasilytearthetigersintwo.Ithipnistoaskthebeautiestocarryawhistlearrowwheheyleavethepace.TheyjusthavetoshootitintotheairwhehereisanemergendIwillgototheirrescueimmediately.”

“Good.Good.That’saverygoodidea.It’sthebestwaytodealwiththisandthesafest.”Afterawhilesheaskedagain,

“DoeseverydaytothestrawhutbythekewhereMr.Fingerhasbeenexiledto,tfoodanddrinktohim.WhatifshemeetsCyclops?Shewouldbeindanger.”

“Don’tworry,yourmajesty.NaughtygirlDornaisfulloftridshehasAmalia’sflyingbroom.EvenifCyclopsseesher,whathedotoher?”QueenAishanodded.AfterawhileshethoughtofsomethingelseandaskedMedusa,

“DornaandDeannainvitedWhiteFairytogowiththemaheirnewfriendVictoria,Didyouseethem?”

“Yes,Idid.Isawthemearlyinthem.Thefourofthemwerechattinghappilyandanimatedlyinthewildernessbytheke.”

“Quick.Quick.Tellthemtoebackhereandnotstaytherebytheke.It’snotsafe.”saidQueenAisha,beinganxiousagain.

“It’sOK,yourmajesty”fortedMedusa.“Justthink.Dornahashermagi.WhiteFairyisapuffofsmokeouch.DeannaisslipperyasafishinwaterandVictoriaISarge,whitefish.Cyclopslythrowhisweightaroundonnd.Heishelplessier.EveniftheymeetCyclops,whathedotothem?”QueenAishawasfortedbyMedusa’swordsandhersmilereturoherface.

Tranquilityreighefoggykeside.Soundsoffishjumpingoutofthewatercouldbeheardhereandthere,provingthisoolofwateralivewithmarinelife.Soonthefogliftedandbrightsunshiuptheworld.Aflockofbirdsflewbytowardsafaroffdestination.Normally,thispartofthekewaslonelyandsecluded,withlittlesignofhumanactivity,butthismfournakedwomenwerefroligintheshallowwaters,talking,ughinganddashingwaterateachotherinfun,addinglifetothelonelysery.ItwasDornaandDeannawhohadinvitedWhiteFairytomeettheirnewfriendVictoria.

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“Let’sstopnowadowntobusiness”saidDornafinallyandthefourofthemsatdownierwhichcoveredhalftheirbodies.

“Iknowyouwereinallyaflower”saidDornatoWhiteFairy.“Yougetoapuffofsmokeortohumanformatwill.WeinvitedyouheretoaskyoutoteachVictoriathesecrettoyourpracticeofasceticismsothatsheeashoreandlivewithusinthepaeon,telluswhatthesecretis!”

“Thepracticeofasceticismotbehurried.Ittakestimeandisatransitionthatfollorescribedorder.”

“Time?Howlongatime?”askedDorna.“Look,KingDimitrihastakehanhalfthebeautiesofthepacedowntothemundaneworld.Thepaceisalmostemptyandverylonely.Won’titbegoodifVictorialeavethewaterandelivewithusinthepaceassoonaspossible?”

“Don’tbeinsuchahurry.Iuandyourfeelingsbuteverythinghastogoacctothewofnature,whiransded.Forexample,uhebrightraysofthesunclearkewaterturntosteamandgouptotheskiestobeeclouds.Whensaturated,cloudsdense,beerainandfalgaintotheearth.Suchisthewofnatureandisungeable.”

“Iknowalboutthesesimplefactsofnature”saidDornaimpatiently.“WhatIwanttoknowisthesecrets”shestressed.“Youknow,likeintations,spellsetc.IwantyoutoteachthesetoVictoria.”

“Mysecretistime.”

“Time?Thisisjustemptytalk!”saidDornahaughtilybeginningtogetangry.WhiteFairykhisnaughtygirlbestubbornandunreasoheonlypeopleabletodealwithheratthesetimeswereKingDimitriandQueenAisha.Shethoughtforamomentandthensaid,

“Letmeputitthisway,Victoria,andperhapsyouwilluand.Whenyouwerebornintothesekewaters,wereyouonlyalittlefly?”

“Whyyes”noddedVictoria.

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“Whenyouleftyourmother’sbody,wereyouonlyatinyegg?”

“Yes.”

“Whenyouwereinsideyourmother’swombyouwereatinyfishegg.Whatwereyoubeforeyouwereatinyegg?”Victoriacouldn’tanswer.

“Atthattime,youwereonlyanabstracept,subsistiweeentandent.Ifyoureturntothatprimitivestage,itwillbefullofallkindsofpossibilities.”Thewindblewoveranintoxigfragranceofflowers.

“Doyousmelltheflowers?”WhiteFairyasked.Victorianoddedknowingly.ShegaveWhiteFairyamysterious,uandingsmile.WhiteFairyturoapuffofsmokeandflewaway.Victoriastoodup,walkedintothedeepwaters,ture,whitefishanddisappearedintothewater.OnlyDornaandDeannawereleftdumbfouheke.

“Didyousmelltheflowers?”askedDorna,turningtoDeanna.Deannanodded.

“Doyouuand?”sheaskedagain.

“Idon’t”repliedDeannamystified.“Doyou?”

“No”repliedDorna.“IsmelledtheflowersbutIstilldon’tuand.”

Itwas6:30sharpinthemwhenDimitriarrivedatthebakery.Hemixedtogetherflour,oil,abitofsaltandsuitableamountsofyeast,transferredthemintetubandturhemixingmae,whichswirledthemixtureautomatically.Becausetheyweresoshort-handed,Dimitrinolongerinsistedondoihingmanuallybyhandandpromisedaboutusingmaery.Lavernearrivedforwork,bringingMarkwithher.Theirlscamedownandeachbeganwmethodicallyatherallottedtask.By7:30a.veryoneworkedhardragagainsttimetosatisfytheincreasingdemandoftheirflourishingtele.Bytwo,threeo’clotheafternoon,businessbegantosckoffandeveryoneheavedasighofreliefandtookturnsfortheirbreak.Latepatronslookedattheemptyshelvesioreaawaydisappointed.ButsomeoldersstayedtobuyacoffeeandchatwithAmaliaahergirlswinthefrontofthebakerybefoinghomehappily.Theafternoonsunwasbrightandcheery,butitwasquitewindy.Dimitricarriedhisloungechairovertoashelteredspotbythewalndydowntoenjoythewarmafternoonsunshine.Laverne,MarkandYokowerechattingwithAmaliaioreupfrontkeepingherpany.Earlieriernoon,MaryandSheihadlefttodosomeshopping.Marawasalohekitbusypreparingdinnerasitwasherturntocooktoday.Inthebackyard,agatehadbeenopehewalltoectthebakerytothenewlyacquiredthreestoreybuilding.Alotoflivingspacehadbeenadded,soMegginnandSamanthaoftencamebacktostayonweekendsaimewiththeotherbeauties

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InDecember,daylightwasshort,sobyfour,fiveo’clotheafternoonitwasalreadydark.SheiandMaryhurriedinthroughthebackdoordenwithparcels,rgeandsmalndsawDimitristilllyingonhisloungechair.

“Dimitri!”calledMary.“It’scoldanddarkouthere.einsideoryouwillcatchcold!”

“OH,Isitalreadydark?”saidDimitri.“Wherehaveyoutwobeenalfternoon.Ihaven’theardapeepoutofyou.”

“It’sturningcold”saidMary.“Amaliahasbeenpiningaboutnotbeingabletosleepatnightbecauseherfeetarecold.Wewentouttogetheraheaterandanoldfashio-waterbag.Whenfilledwithhotwaterandputbyherfeet,itwillkeepherwarmatnight.Wealsoboughtherathick,warmsilk-paddedquilt.”Thethreeofthemwentihekitstilltalking.Marytinued,

“IthinkthatoursistersintheKingdomofDreamswillbeingheresooer,sowealsoboughtalotofbedding:sheets,pillows,bs,quilts,pillowcases,towelsofallsizesandthingsforeverydaylife.Alotofthemarestillinthecar.Also,Christmaswillbeheresoon.Thereismuchtobedoobuy.Weiohavethe3-storeynewbuildidoorallfittedoutanddecoratedtoweletherestofoutsistersherefortheholidaysifpossible”.Itwastimetocloseshop.Markpulleddowntheironsecuritydoorandeveryoheredintheba.Someofthemwenttohelpcarrythepackagesinthetothenewbuildidoorandjustleftthemthere,leavingthedecoratingandpreparationworkforsomefuturetime.MegginnandSamanthahadcalledtosaytheyhadsocialesandwouldnotbeabletomakeitbacktothebakeryfordinner,soMaracarriedthefoodshehadcookedtothetableandeveryodowastheywereallhungry.Afterdinner,Dimitri,LaverneandMarkpreparedtogohome.

“Whydon’tMarkandIwalkbackwithyoutokeepyoupany”suggestedLaverne.

“Thankyou,butno”repliedDimitri.“Iamfamiliarwiththerouteandwillbeokay.Don’twoodnight.”

“Well,goodnightthenDimitri.”Andtheyeattheirownway.Ihehouse,Amaliawastiredandstartedtoyawn.Mary,SheiandYokotookherupstairsandhelpedherprepareforbed.Theolddywassotired,shefelsleepassoonasherheadhitthepillowahreegirlswentbacktotheirrooms.Meanwhile,Marawasdownstairslogup,makingsurethatthedoorswerelocked,thewindowsclosedandtheelectricappliancesshutdowhenturnedoffthelightsaupstairs.

Dimitrisatinhislittlestudioapartment.Helikedsolitudeandenjoyedhisprivatetimealohumanbeingsaresoimalsandcravepanionshipafterbeingalooolong.SuchwasthecasewithDimitri.Atthatmoment,howhewishedsomeonewouldeknogathisdoor!Hewouldopenthedoorandfinditwasanoldfriend.Hewouldwelehimwithopenarmsintohisroomandbringoutallthefoodinhisrefrigeratortoshowhishospitality.Ifhehadabottleofwiwouldbebetterstill.Theycouldtalk,eatanddrink,enjoyingthepleasureofreunionwithanoldfriend.Butnoonekhisdoor.However,someonewasknogathiswindow.

“Hey,Dimitri!Dimitri!Areyouthere?”Dimitrikhevoice.ItwashisoldfriendRichard.IfRichardwasthere,Jamazcouldnotbefarbehind.Hepulleduphiswindowandexcimed,

17

“Hey,youson-of-a-gun!Wherehaveyoubeely?Whatbringsyouheretoday?”HefeltapaperboxbeingshovedintohishandsandRichardsaid,“Takethisinfirst.”Dimitrifeltitallovertheboxawasaboxofbeer.Afterthat,Richardhandedhimbottlesofwhisky,brandy,vodkaandeseGaoLiangthroughthewindow.Thencameariandafewdishesoffood.Richardleaptinthroughthewindow,followedbyanotherheftyfigure,Jamaz,whoalsojumpedin.

JazzmusiedinDimitri’ssmallroom.Itcamefromanold,dipidatedradiowhichDimitrihadpickedupinthegarbage.

“Ihaven’tseenyoutwoafteryhtMarkbadleftsohastily.Whathaveyoutwobeenuptoretly?”

“Nothingmuch”repliedRichardwhowascookingthedifferentchopshehadbrought.“Doingoddjobshereandthereuntilwehaveenoughmoobuybooze.Whenwearedrunk,wewouldfindapthestreettosleepitoff.OneofJamaz’soldersaskedhimtogoandfixupahuge,amansionwitharge,ugarden.Thatrgeoldhousehadbeevatforalongtimeandlookeddesertedandspooky.Jamazsaidheoheghostofitsmaleowhere.”Dimitriwasgreatlystartledandaskedurgently,

“IsthehefemaleownercalledNovelSilkise?”

“Yes,that’sher.Doyouknowher?”askedJamaz,greatlysurprised.

“Thepersonyousawthatnightwasnoghost”excimedDimitri.“Itwasme,dressedupastheghostofherhusband,Mr.Silkise.Iputonhissuitandtophat,powderedmyfatoawhitemess,usedMrs.Silkise’slipsticktodrawtwoscarletcirclesaroundmyeyesandreddeodepictthebloodymouthofavampire.Iwaoscareyouoff.Youlostyourfootingandfelldownthedder.Ithinkyoubrokey.”

“Yes.Yes,Ididbreakmylegthatnight.Whatwasallthisabout?”Dimitrithentoldthemthewholestory.SeeBook1“TheDreamMaker”.“Thinkingthingsover”saidJamaz“itwasreallytoobadofme.ItwasallthatfatsooldwomanMarsha’sfault.ShewasMrs.Silkise’snannyandhadbeenwithhersinceshewasababy.Sheshouldhavebeenloyaltohercharge,butshewasgreedyandwaogettroloftheSilkisefortunebyusingmeasherdecoy.Iwasalmosttakeninbyher.IfIeverseeMrs.Silkiseagain,Iwillfessalltoherandaskfiveness.”

“Right,youshoulddothat”saidRichard.“Arealmanaowledgeshisfaultsanddoeshisbesttoge.”

Jamazhunghisheadandmutteredlikeachildwhohaddonesomethingwrong.“IoncedidsomethingverybadthatIhavenevermentiooanyone”hesaid.TodayIfeeltheellyouguysknow.Oneday,myfriendStahegardener,wassidaskedmetoworkinhissteadthatday.WhenIgottotheaddresshegaveme,Ifounditwasagrandresidehrgeyardsandaswimmingpool.Thegateen,soIwentinandsawthefrontyardwasclutteredwithfallenleavesleftunattendedfordaysonend.Iwentstraighttothebackyardandsawaremelybeautifundalluringnakedwomanlyingonherloungechairbytheswimmingpool.Shedidobeallthereandwasinakindofstupor.Icouldn’ttrolmyselfandhadsexwithher.AtthetimeIfeltextremelyfortuobesolucky.ButterIkhatifthewomanhadfulltrolofhersenses,shewouldnothaveallowedmetotakesuchadvantageoverher.Normally,RichardandItrytobelikeyouandbeaproteen,butItookunfairadvantageofahalfscious,vulnerablewomanforwhichIfeltveryguiltyaremelysorry.ThatihasbeenonmymindeversiodayIfeelbetterforhavingfessedaingitoffmychest.IfIeverhavethecetoseeheragain,Iwillkneelbeforeherandbegherfiveness.Hernameis....”

17

“HernameisAishaWhite”saidDimitri.

“Yes,yes.That’sright.That’shername”noddedJamazverymuchsurprised.“Howdidyouknowthat?Doyouknowher?”

“Inotonlyknowher”repliedDimitri.“butsheisamemberofmyKingdomofDreams.Ihavemadehermyqueen.Butshedoesn’tknowthemanshehadsexwithisyou,mygoodfriend,Jamaz.”

“I...I...I...”Jamazwassoashamedhedidnotknowwhattosay.

“Itellyoushehasfivenyou.”

“Howyouknowthat?”

“BecauseIhavefivenher.IfIfiveher,shewillsurelyfiveyou.SinceIfiveher,Ialsiveyou.Letthisiophere.Wewillnevermentioniteveragain.”

“Yes.Yes.Yes.”

“I”saidDimitri“thereisreallynodefiniteliweenrightandwrong,truthandfalsehood,goodandevil.Therearenoabstractideasandtherebynosharptrasts.Butlivinginthemundaneworld,everyoobeythew,whichistheminimumcriterionwithwhichtojudgeone’sownmorality.Youmaydobadthingsandnotbefoundout,butyouescapethepangsofyourownsce?Todayyourfessionandtritionshowsyouhaveasce.Iamgdofit.Youarestillmygoodfriend.”DimitrifaveAishaforherindiscretionbecauseheknewshehaddrunkalotofbrandyaooksomesleepingpills,thebinationofwhichmadeheraserratic.

“IfJamazdidn’ttellusaboutit”entedRichardwhowascookichops“noonewouldknowbecauseevenyourqueendidn’tknowwhothemanwas.”

180页

“No.No.Idoknowbecausetherewasalsoanesswhotoldmeeverythingthathappened.”

“What?Therewasaness?Whocouldthatbe?”askedRichardandJamazinamazement.

“ThesnitchwhoinformedmewasnootherthanyoursaviorMr.Finger.”

“Mr.Finger?Wehaven’tseenhimforalongtime.Whereishenoouldliketoshratitudetohimforsavingourlives.”

“HeisinmyKingdomofDreams.Butthatlittlemancouldrustedtoliveharmoniouslywiththebeautiesbecausehewasalwaystryingtoharassthemsexually.Itgotsobadthathearousedpubliger.SoIexiledhimtoastrawhutacrossthekethatIusedtoliveinmyselfwhenIwasthere.There’safieldoftulipsandtheseryisreallybeautiful.Isupplyhimwithgoodfood,goodwineandmagnifitclothes,soIdon’tthinkhemindsstayingthere.”

“Notbad!Goodfood,goodwineandhes...thatthegoodlife,buttooufundsolitary.IfIknowthatlittleman,hewon’tlikeit.Soinsteadofbanishinghimtothewilderness,whydon’tyhimbackhereandleavehimwithJamazandI?Wewilltakeasrestitutionforsavingourlives.Wepromisetotakegoodahimleadthegoodlife-eating,drinkingandpying...Hewillhaveallthewinehedrink.That’ssomethinghelovesjustasmuchaswedo!”

“Bringhimbackhere?No,Idon’tthinkhewouldwanttodothat.”

“Whynot?”askedJamaz.

“I’vebeentoldhemarriedaremelybeautifulwoman,soIdon’tthinkhewouldbewillingtoleavehisnewbride.”

“What?Thatlittlemangotmarried?Youmeaninthisworldthereisatlepersonofhisdimensionswhojusthappeobefemale?Howthatbe?”

18

“I’vebeentoldhegotmarriedbutIhaveneverseenhermyself.”

“Mr.Fimarriedeh?...”mutteredRichardafterapause.“Asforme,Idon’tthinkIeverwillmarry.YokoandIhavebeenengagedforalongtime,butthatwasonlyahalf-jokingreementmadeinagamblinghallthatotbetakenseriously.herYokonorItookitseriously.Evenifwewereseriousaboutit,Idon’thavethehearttomakeherleadthenomadlifeIdo,roamingalloverthepdsleepingoreets.No,I’tbesoselfishastosubjecthertothat...Youarereallyverylulove,Dimitri.Yokotoldmethatallthebeautiesprivatelyiostaywithyoutheirwholelivesandkeepyoupany.”

Onhearingthat,Dimitriwasuneasyandfullofplexthoughts.Theburdenonhisshouldersfeltheavierthanever.

AcarstoppedattheerofthestreetandfootstepsoftwopeoplecouldbeheardwalkingtoDimitri’swindow.

“Dimitri!Dimitri!Areyouthere?IheardmusiingfromyourwindowandIsmellthearomaofmeat.Ithinkyoumustbethere.”

“Whoisit?”askedDimitri.

“IamOliverKaffee.WithmeisBigO.It’sveryte.Areweinterruptingyou?”

“Ohno.No.No.eonin.”BigOstoopeddownandMr.Kaffeesteppedontohisshoulders.BigOstoodupgradually,gavehisfriendamightyshoveandpushedMr.Kaffeethroughthewindow.Afterthat,he,too,jumpedin.Dimitri’slittlestudioapartmentwasinglivelybutcrowded.Therewasonlyasingleloveseatintheroom.DimitriandMr.Kaffeesatonit,sotheothershadtositonthefloor.RichardandJamazwereco-hostsforthisoccasion,soRichardcookedthechopswhileJamazstooduptopourthedrinks.ButDimitrihadonlyonegss,sointheendeveryonedrankstraightfromthebottle.RichardandJamazhadbeegoodfriendswithBigOafterthethreeofthemfoughttogetheragainstHawkherewasaradeshipbetweehatdefiedvention.Mr.KaffeeandDimitrichattedforawhileandDimitritoldhimabouthisfightolloandhowtheyterjoinedhandstokilltheninemonsterswhomasqueradedasninesuns.Hisaudiencewasallcaptivatedbyhisstoryaasiftheywerelisteningtoamyth.Justthen,arockwasthrownintotheroomandhitJamaz’shead.Hejumpedupaothewind,“Whi-of-a-bitchthrewthatrock?Scramoutameseeyou!”Helookedoutofthewindowbuthere.Jamazwassurprisedandwonderedwhocouldhavemovedsoswiftly.Heexpectedatleasttoseeafleeingfigure.Hesworeattheemptystreetabacktositonthefloor.

“Retly”saidRichard,“astrangeoldmanhasbeenseenaroundhere.Heisadwarfwithalongwhitebeardandfieryeyes.Heisverynosy,pokinghisnoseeverywhereandisiedihing.Hekeepsaskiionsandisreallyannoyingpeople.Nooneknowswherehelivesbuthehangsaroundhere.Ireallywonderwhoheis...”Beforehefinishedspeaking,anotherrockcameflyingintotheroomandhithimonthehead.Richardwassoangryherushedtothewindowandbegancussingout,“WhotheFKisoutthere?Whinedson-of-a-bitchthrewthatrock?Whatthehelldoyouwant?eonoutyoufriloser,fricoward....”Richardlookedoutofthewindow,buthetoosawnothinginthedark,emptystreets.Astrange,cragughtersoundedandaricolddwarf,withalongwhitebeardwhohadbeenhidingagainstthewallrightuhewindowsill,cameout,saying

“Youguysdaretothrowhandgreootherpeople’shouses,why’tIthrowsomerocksatyours?Dorocksscareyou?Ha-ha-ha-ha!”Hiswordsterrifiedeveryoheroomandtheywonderedwhothisstrangemanwaswhokneweverything,includihrowingofhandgreheycautiohemselvestobeoasthiswassomeoobeonguardagainst.

18

“Hey!”tiheoldman,“Youpeoplehavegoodfoodandliquor,whydon’tyouoffermesome?Iamdrooling!Someoneeoutandcarrymein.”RichardlookedatDimitri,whonodded,soRichardjumpedoutofthewindow,cspedhimbythewaistfrombehindandraisedhimtothewindowsill.Theoldmanjumpedontothefloorverynimbly.Richardfollowedsuit..

Theoldmanswaggeredintotheroom,wentstraighttothesofaandsqueezediweenDimitriandMr.Kaffee.Hegrabbedholdofambchopinhisrighthandwithoutbeinginvitedaotakebigbitesoutofit.ThechedupabottleofGaoLiangandstarteddrinking.Aftereatinganddrinkingtohisfull,thestrangeoldmasatisfied.Hewipedhisoilymouthandburpedloudly.Lookingaroundatthepeoplebeforehim,hesaid,

“Well,well,well!Iseethatallofyouarepoverty-stribums.Sinceyouhavebeensogenerousastoshareyourfoodandliquorwithme,Iwillrewardyoubymakingyourich.Whowantstoberiooneanswered.“That’sstrange.Everyostobeamillionaire!Doesn’tanyoneofyouwanttoberich?WhataboutyouMr.Kaffee?Youusedtobeabigshotinthemafiaandaprinceoffinance.Don’tyouwantmoomakeaeback?”

“That’stheoldme”expinedMr.Kaffee.“Yes,IusedtobeaMafiadon.Ididalotofbadthingsandmadeatonofmoney.ButthemoremoneyIhad,thebckermysce.Thankfully,DimitripoihesethingsouttomeandIdeeplyregretmypastas.IwilldevotetherestofmylifetohelprestorethesocialorderIhadsosenselesslydestroyed.Iwilldothingsthatareforthepublicgoodandraisefundsforcharitablecausestomakeupformypastsins.Moneyisuselesstome.”

“Charitablecausesneedmooo.”

“ThesupportofWorldBankisquiteadequate.”

“Whataboutyou,professionassassin?”askedtheoldmanturningtoBigO.“Yourhandsarecoveredwithblood.Didn’tyoukillformoney?”

“Right.Iusedtobeaprofessionalhitmanandkilledalotofpeople.Yht.Myhandsarecoveredwithblood.ButDimitrimademeseetheerrorofmywaysandIhaveturnedoverapletelynewleaf.Iwillspeofmydaysinprayerandthepracticeofascetics,hopingthatinafterlife,Iwillhrownintothehugepotofboilingoindbeburnttohumanjerky.Iwillyselfasluckyifitwerenotso.Astomoisabsolutelysuperfluoustome.’

“Andyou,pettythiefandgambler”saidtheoldmanturningtoRichard.“Don’tyouwanttoberich?Isn’tmoneywhatyoulivefor?”

“You,olddwarf,aretoopresumptuous!Yah,Iusedtobeathiefandagambler,butIwasfortunateoobeethepresidentofWorldBank.ButthemoremoneyIhad,themorepressureIfeltonmyshoulders.Ijustcouldn’ttakethepressure,tensionandtroublemoneybrings,sned.Ionlywanttobeaoncitizen.”Richardlookedattheoldmanptuouslyandsaid,“Tome,moneyisn''''tthatimportant.Ihaveitorhaveitnot.It’sirrelevant.”Theoldman’sfieryeyesrestedonJamaz.

18

“You.Don’tyoulikewomen?Withmoney,youhaveallthewomenyouwant.Don’tyouwantmoney?”

“oman?”stutteredJamaz,whowasnoodatexpressinghimself.“Don’tneedalot.Oneisenough.ButIhaven’tfou.”

TheoldmanturoDimitri,butbeforehecouldsayanything,Dimitriturhetablesonhimbytakingthereinsoftheversationandasked

“Howdoyouknowalmosteverythingaboutus?Whoareyou?”

“Ha-ha-ha-ha...”crackledtheoldman.“YouaskmewhoIamandhowdoIknowsomuchaboutyouguys?Listen.InydomofDreams,don’tyouhaveagreathall?Doesn’tithaveasidehallthatleadstoasmallroomonlyyouandyour24beautiester?Iamthegodofwealthyouputonyouraltaralltheseyears.Ihavebeeremelywell-treatedbyyou.NowIetorepayyou.VerysoonydomofDreamswillcolpseandbepletelyannihited.Whyareyoustillhereeating,drinkingandtalkingwithyouroldfriends?Youshouldbethinkingabouthowtodealwiththeaftermathofthatcamity.ButIpromisetosupportyouandhelpyoumakeyoureback.”

“MyKingdomofDreamswillcolpsesoon?Ijustgotbathereahingseemedcalmandpeaceful!”JustthenRichard’scellph.Hetookitout,flippeditopenandsaid,

“Yes?IamRichard.Dimitri?Yes,heishere.We’redrinkingandtalkingwithsomefriends.Oh.Alright.Iwilllethimknow.”HehungupandsaidtoDimitri,

“ThatwasYoko.ShesaidWhiteFairyjustflewbyourwindowandsawalotofmenhavingagoodtimeinyourroom.Shedidnotwanttoappearbeforeallofus,sosheflewtothebakeryandiswaitingforyouthere.Shesaidshehasimportantmessagesforyou.Yokoisdriviogetyou.Ifyouleavenow,sheshouldbewaitingatthemairaheapartmentbuilding”

“Really?”saidDimitribothsurprisedandmystified.Hestoodup,gothiswhiteeandmadeforthedoor.

“Don’tworry,Dimitri”saidMr.Kaffee.“Weareallquiteedaboutthis.Ifthereisanythingyouodo,justcall.Allofuswillbewaitiohearfromyou.”

18

Dimitrinoddedandwalkedalooftheroom,leavingbehindhisanxiousandperplexedguests.

Theworkshopwasbrilliantlylitbutominouslysilent.AmaliawassoundasleepupstairsandMarkwasnotthere,buttherestofthebeautieswereallgatheredintheroom.Mara,Mary,SheiandLaverherequietly.WhatwasunusualwasbothMegginnandSamanthawerethere,stilldressedintheirelegantaraplesseveninggowns.Theyhadnotimetogewhetheurgentmessagetoreporttothebakeryatoheyleftthesocialeventbeforethebawasover.WhiteFairywasthere,stillwearingMary’sskybluedress.Thescreegoftireswasheardatthebackdoor.Sheijumpedupandsaid,

“Dimitriisback!I’llgoahebackdoorforhim.”Sheranouttotheyardandpulledopenthebackdoor.Dimitristrodeinquickly;hislefthandholdingontoYokhtshoulder.Assoointothehouse,heaskedurgently,

“Whatisit?pened?”

“Thesituationisdire,yourmajesty”saidWhiteFairy.“QueenAishasentmeheretofindyou,expresslytoletyouknowthattheKingdomofDreamsisabouttofaextremeordeal.WemustmoveupthetimetableofevacuatingthebeautiesstillintheKingdomandbringthembaundaneworldoeranotherassoonaspossible.Shewantsyoutomakeallnecessarypreparations.”

“pened?”askedDimitrianxiouslyagain.

“Letmetellyoufromthebeginning,yourmajesty”saidWhiteFairy.

Thatevening,thewindwasblowinghardandthemoonwasdidusastoodalohehighestpinhepacelookingalroundher.Shekhatifenemiesshouldattasuchapitchbight,theKingdomwouldbevulnerable.Sheimmediatelyflewuptotheskies,fppinghermightywings.SheencircledtheKingdomandtheothevariousmountaintopswherethetribalwarriorswerestandingguardandtoldthemtokeepthefiresburningbrightlyandbeonhighalert.Shethenquicklywentbacktoherpositionoopofthepace.Shesawthatthetribalwarriorshadobeyedherordersandbrightfirescouldbeseenoopofmountains,butas,thefireswerenhtenoughtolightuptheeveningskies.

“IfIuseKingDimitri’shodofgiernalworldbyusingmyinternalpowers,IcouldgenightintodayandguardtheKingdommoreeasily.Butthedayandnightrotationisawofnature.gingitsocasuallyonawhimwouldbegoingagainstnaturalfIgenighttoday,itwoulddisturbthepeople‘soldandtraditionalwayoflife,whichwouldnotbeappropriate.Iwilljusthavetobemorecarefundvigint.Ithinkthatwillbealright.

Thewindblewovermelodioussoundsofasweetvoiceraisedinsong,onandoffandindistinct.MedusakhatitmustbeVictoria,therge,whitefishthathaspracticedasceticismforoverathousandyearsandwasonthevergeofachievingimmortality.Suddenly,thesongendedabruptlywithachokedscreamthatbroughtMedusa’sseofullert.Shewaoflyoveratooseeifanythingwaswrong.Butthekewaswideandflyingbadforthoveritandseargthenearbyareaswouldtaketime.Shewasafraiditmightjustbearusetogetheroutofthewaybysendingheronawildgoosechase.MeanwhileCyclopswashidingiontheforestsnearbyandinherabsencewouldattackthepace.Shethought,“OnceCyclopsgetsinthepace,wherethespaceiscramped,Iolongerspreadmywingsandswoopdownonhimandattaonhigh.HowIeverfagDimitriagainifIlosetoCyclopsandtheKingdomfallsintohishands?”WhileMedusawasstrugglingtoetoadecisioernskiesbeganthten.Thenighthadpassedwithoutianddaylightwouldsoonbehere.Medusafinallyrexedherpent-uptension.

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Actuallydisasterhadalreadyhappeneddurichbight.Carryinghisfishingwebonhisshoulder,Cyclopswaswalkingtowardstheke,intendingtocatelivefish,whenhewasmesmerizedbyasweet,melodiousvoice.Hehidbehindarodpeekedouttoseewhoshewasandsawanakedbeautywithskinwhiteassnowandsmoothassilksittingtheresingingwithherbacktowardshim.Cyclopshadheardthattherge,whitefishinthekehadpracticedasceticismforathousandyearsandwasnowabletogetohumanform.

“Couldthisbeher?”hethought.

“Whydon’tI...”Thelustthathadbeensuppressedforsolongburstforthlikethefmesofavolo.Hecameoutfrombehindtheroeakedontiptoetowardstheunsuspegwomanandthrewhisfishingweboverherhead.ThechokedcryMedusaheardwasmadebyVictoriathen.CycledVictoriaonshore,slungheroverhisshoulderandwalkedtowardsanearbycave.Shestruggledhardagainstherabductor,butCyclopshadthestrengthtoliftthousandsofpoundsofweight.Thereossibilityofescape.

Cyclh,harshandhurriedpantingandgasping,somuchlikethesnofanangrybull,filledthecave.Soon,thesnescatedtoafullfledgedbellow.Thelustthathadbeensubjectedtolongyearsofsexualrepressionnowburstforthlikeavolpossibletorestrainortrol.Hislong-hiddenlibidoturovathatgushedoutwaveafterwave.Thepoor,helplessrge,whitefishVictoria’sheartbrokeasher1000-yearpracticeofasceticism,whichwasjustabouttobearfruit,waspletelydestroyedbythissuddenattack,aswasherbeautifulthousand-year-olddream.Herheartbled.Herlowerbodybled.WasthisthefirststepofCyclops’revenge?WhydidhechooseVictoriaashisvictim,thisirge,whitefishthathadpracticedasceticismfor1000yearsandwasonthevergeofachievingimmortality?WasVictoriadoomedbyFatetobethesacrificialmb?It’shardtouand.It’sreallybeyondprehension.

Cyclops’pantingtinued,likethesnofanangrybullortheeruptionofavolo.PoorVictoria’s1000-year-oldpracticeofasceticism,her1000-year-olddreamoroyedeverbemadewholeagain.Herfeethadleftthewaterfortoolong.Shewassuffog.Shekneweverythingwasdestroyed.EverythinghadperishedwithFate.Thevolofinallystoppederuptingandhispantingquieteddown.Buttheheartinhischestwasstillpumpingfast.HeghewomanlyingbesidehiyhadVictoriasuffocatedanddied,butshehadbeearge,whitedeadfish.Cyclopswaodonothingmorethanrunfar,faraway.Butthehoughtheshouldatleastthrowthefishbacktothekewhereshecamefrom.Therefore,holdingthedeadfishinhisarmshewalkedtothekeandthrewitintothecrystalclearwater.Hestoodtherewatgasitroseandfellwiththewavesanddriftedtowardsthemiddleoftheke.

JustasCyclopsturoleave,aloudnoiselikethatofahugeirongatebeingpulledopencamesuddenlyfromthepitchbckskies.Ashaftofeye-dazzlinglightshotoutfromthatdoorandshonedownonCyclops,cuttingoffhisretreat.Noisy,disorderlyfootstepsandangryaccusationsheraldedtheappearanceofhundredsofcelestialbeing.TheseinhabitantsofheavenpoiheirfiCyclops,denounghimsaying,

“Thisisthesdrelthatrapedandkilledthergewhitefish.”

“Thergewhitefishhadpracticedasceticismforoverathousandyearsandwasabouttobemortal.”

“SheisthemotherofalllivingthingsiarMoonLake.Killingherisacrimeagainstheaven!”

“Yoursinisheinous!”

18

“Youaredepraved,wickedanddisgusting!”

“Thereisnopceforyoubetweenheaveh.”

“Youhaveincurredthewrathofheavenandwillbestruckbylightning!”

Thunderrumbledmenaglyasifemphasizingtheiranger.Cyclopskhathehadbroughtuponhimselfthefuryofthegodsandhavebeetheculpritdenouncedbyoneandallinheavenah.Suddenlyapeelofthunderapaniedbyaboltoflightninglituptheskies.Cyclopswasscaredoutofhiswitsandsubsciouslyhadonlyohoughtinhismind–run!

Cyclopsranmindlesslyinthewilderness.Hedashedintotheforestsandmountains,cirgaroundheedlesslyuntilhecametoasecludedge.Hestoppedwithhisbackterocktocatchhisbreathe.Helookedupatthedarkskiesandthought,“HaveIreallysinnedsobadlythatInolongerhaveapthisearth?No.Idon’tbelieveso...”Butregardlessofwhathethought,suchwasreality.Ithappenedagain!Aloudnoiselikethatofanirongatebeingpulledopenrippedthesilehenight.AblindingshaftoflightagainshonedownonCyclops.Noisy,disorderlyfootstepandangryaccusationsheraldedtheappearanceofcelestialbeings.ButthistimeitwasadifferentgroupofheavenlyinhabitantswhoseclothingandtenanceshowedthemtobefromadifferehaheyshoutednationsatCyclops,whohadnochoicebuttogetbahisfeetandrun.Rumblingthundernowturoear-deafeningthunderdamightyboltoflightningcamedownlikeasharpkhrownfromheavenstraightatCyclops,whofledforhislife.Somehowhesurvivedthiscamityandlightningstruckahugetreewhichtookseveralpeopletoencirstead,whichfellburninginthewilderhus,drivenbythunderandlightning,hecametoasheercliffwhichcutoffhisescaperoute.Cyclopssawacavethtanddoveinwithnofurtherthought.Thatcavewasdestioecthimtothephaseofhislife.

StandingatthehighestpointofKingDimitri’space,Medusawasnotatalwareofthemightythunderandblindinglightningthathadhappenedduringthenight,forallthiswasdirectedatCyclopspersonallyandhadnothingtodowithanyoneelse.Cyclopsalonesawandheardheaven’swrath.Thedaywasdawningandwouldsoonbreakupthedarknight.Anhthadpassedufully.Medusabreathedasighofreliefandherheartrexedinpeace.Alightfogcoveredtheearthahingwasnormal.Butwhenthefogdispersed,anunusuandhorrifyingsightmetMedusa’seyes,whichmadeherflydown,getohumanformandgointothepacetoreportthetestshognews.

Itwasdaybreak.Thefirstcrackofdawnlighteduptheeasternskies.Normally,sunshinewouldshtentheuniverse,butthisdaywasdifferentfromanyother.Darkcloudscoveredtheskies,fathickleadenshroudovertheKingdomofDreams.Drizzlyrainfloatingdowheatmosphereofforebodingandmisgiving.QueenAishawassoundasleepwhenshewasawakenedbyurgentknogatherbedroomdoor.Sheopenedhereyesdrowsilysaying,

“ein.Whoisitthatesknogsoearlyinthem?”

“Iamsorrytodisturbyourrest,yourmajesty”saidapaceattendantwalkingquicklyintotheroom“butMedusaiswaitingforyouinthegreathallwithurgentmatterstoreport.Sheseemedtobegreatlyagitatedandispagthefloorrestlessly.”

“Ohdear!Iwonderwhathashappenednow.”QueenAishasatuponherbedandsaid,“Pleaseaskhertoeuphere.Iwillseeherinmylivingroom.”

18

“Yes,yourmajesty”saidtheattendantaocarryoutherorders.QueenAishahastehroughhermablutionsandcasuallytwistedherhairintoaknotatthebackofherhead.Theearlymairwaschilly,sosheputonhermgownaherluxuriousapartment.Inthespaciouscorridor,shesawMedusawalkingquicklytowardsher.Medusabowediingsaying,

“Iamsorrytodisturbyourmajestysoearlyinthem.Ifmatterswerenent,Iwouldnothavedoneso.”

“Don’tstandonceremony,Medusa.Quick,tellmepened.”

“Yes,yourmajesty.Pleaseewithme.”saidMedusa,leadioawidewindow.QueenAishalookedoutandtoherhorror,sawthatthebroadexpanseofkewaterwascoveredwiththewhitebelliesofdeadfishfloatinglifelesslyonthewaves.Shewasthurudspeechlessatthesight.Afterafewminutes,sheasked,

“Whatisallthisabout?”

“It’sallCyclops’doing.”

“Didhepoisoersoftheke?”

“No.IthinkVietwithdisaster.”

“Howyoubesosure?”

“Justthinkaboutit,yourmajesty.ThergewhitefishVictoriaisthemotherofalllivingthingsiarMoohemotherdies,everylivingthinginthekewillsacrificethemselvesahher.Thishasthelooksofmasssuicide.”

18

“But...but...Ijustsawherafewdaysagoandshewasfine.KingDimitrievehenameofVictoria!”Medusathentoldheraboutwhatshehadheardduringthenight:thesingingandtheabruptlybrokenoffscream.Theotherbeautiesheardsidetheirbedroomsandcameouttoiigate.QueenAishasaid,

“WhenZeusandhiscelestiarmycamedowntdomfromseventhheavensttime,wesurvivedonlybecauseKingDimitrihappeobeheretodivertthecamity.Nowthistragedyhappens.HowwillIbeabletoshoulderthisalone?”Allthebeautiesweresilent.

“PleasebringmeKingDimitri’smagicsword”saidQueenAishaturningtoWhiteFairy.

“Whatdoyouheswordfor?”askedWhiteFairyquitemystified.

“Nevermind.Justgetitformeplease.”repliedthequeentersely.

“Yes,yourmajesty”saidWhiteFairy,walkingoutoftheroomandsooncamebackwithKingDimitri’sswordwithitsscabbardstuddedwithmagnifit,glittering,multi-cems.ittoQueenAishawithbothhands,shesaid,

“Hereyouare,yourmajesty.”QueenAishatooktheswordandhuggedittoherbreast,takingfortinthefeelingofsafetyofferedbythemagicon.Shemurmured,

“Solongastheswordishere,itisasifKingDimitriishere.”ThenturningtoDeanna,shesaid,“Deanna!”

“Yes,yourmajesty.”

“Pleasegotothetriballeadersandaskthemtodividethesurfaceofthekeintodesignatedsesandahepeopletorowtotheseareasandscoopupallthedeadfish.Also,sendagroupofwarriiantMountainanddighugepitsheiron-gildedgoldpacetoburythefish.Ifleftunatteo,theywillrotuheheatofthesun,iheairandwaterandspreaddiseasetothehumanpopution.”

18

“Yes,yourmajesty”saidDeannaandturoleave.

“Justaminute,Deanna”saidQueenAisha“there’ssomethingelse.PleaseletthepeopleknowthatIwaolookforthebodyofVictoria,therge,whitefish.Oncefound,theyaretotakegoodottodamageitinanywaybutbringittothepace.”

“Ohno!”criedDeannaappalled,onlythenrealizingwhathadhappenedandburstintotears.ShethoughtofhowgoodVictoriahadbeentoher,howthergewhitefishgraduallyshowedheritsfriendshipaherheartateasesothatshefinallydaredtorideonitsbacktothedeepestpartofthekeandbringbackthatrge,roundpearl.Sheremembereditsbringingherbacksafelytothesurfaceoftheke.Itwasaroundtripshecouldnothavemadewithoutitshelp.Victoria’smeritoriousservicetotheKingdomcouldnotbefotten.Herloveandfriendshipfortherge,whitefishwasnodifferentahatwhatshefeltfortheotherbeautiesofthepace.Itssuddehwasagreatblow,alossshecouldnotcopewith,Deannathoughtsobbing.