eleastbitdiminished.Mydearsisters,wilnyofyoudisappointhimthen?No,Idon’tthinkso.NoneofyouwilldisappointDimitriwholovesallofussomuch.So,fromnowoliveeverydayofourlivestothefullestandseekouroiness…KingDimitrihaspromisedusthatourfuturehappinessiswithinourreach.Iamsureallofyou,likeme,believehiswords,right?”Sheagainpausedforamomentandthenaddedsorrowfully,“Actually,weshouldbesatisfied…Hoeopleinthisworldcouldhavehadthefabulousadvehatwedid,livingitering,gmorousandunbelievableworldintheKingdomofDreamstogetherwitheachotherandourbelovedKingDimitriforsuchalongtime...AlthoughKingDimitrihadoftenbeefintervalsoftimefromtheKingdomroamingaroundthemundaneworldaswashiswant,andthoughmanyarmingandhair-raisingishadhappehisquietaifulhide-a-way,butweallghitsafely.Hoeopleinthisworldhavehadsomanywonderfulmemoriesaswedo?hiheonlyohesememorieswouldbeourstosavorandruminateoverfortherestofourlives…AmIright?NowKingDimitrihasleft.Hisretreatingfigurehasdisappearedintothebroadhorizonlikeanexcmationmark!Itistimeforoursisterhoodtodisbahemostbeautifundimmortalepichastoendwhenpunctuatedwiththestfullstop.Don’tyouthinkso?Withthegreatestregretandsorrow,IannouhatallmembersoftheKingdomofDreamsarenowontheirown.Fromnowoneaustgoherownway.Timeanddistancewillneverseverourretionshipandlove.Iweleeveryoneofyou,mydearsisters,toetomewheneveryouwanttojustlikebefore.Mydoorisalentoyou.Ithankyouforyoursupportandco-operationalltheseyears..Thankyou…Asthesayinggoes,“allbasmustetoanend”;wherethereisaget-togetherthereissuretobeabreak-up.Nowitistimeforustobreakupandgoourseparateways…Goodbye,mybelovedsisters…”Thebeautieswentpletelysilentatherwords.Sisthatoccurredhadmadetheouteunavoidable,theycouldonlybowtotheevitable…

Thebeautiesleftbythebackdoorofthechurdsilentlyboardedtherge,supersizedtrailersthathadbeenassighem.Theretheyquicklygedintotheireverydayclothesandpackedtheirweddinggownintotheexquisitecaseitcamein.SoontheyarrivedatNovel’shugemansion.ThehousekeeperYondapaidthedriversahemoff.Thebeautieswenttotheirownrooms,hastilygathereduptheirbelongingsandpackedthemintosuitcases.Sooneveryoneassembleddownstairsinthelivingroom,eachcarryingtheirluggageaswelsthelovelyacasethattaiheirweddinggown.Itwasamementoofanunfettableperiodoftheirlives.Timetickedonandthefinalmomenthade.Thesebeautieswhodidnotnormallygathertogetherwillbescatteredtothefourwinds,eachseekingherownfuturedestiny.Lookinganxiouslytowardstheirunforeseenfuture,theysaidtheirgoodbyes,wishedeachotherludiablyshedafewpartingtears.AishastoodatthefrontdoorseeingthebeautiesoffonebyoilonlysheandDornawereleft.

“Wherewillyougo,Dorna?”sheasked.

“Idon’tknow…Sinceeveryoneisgone,Ihadbetterbegoingtoo”repliedDorna.

“Ifyouhaven’tanyspecialdestinationyouwanttogoto,youhadbetterstickwithme”saidAisha,whokhatthenaughtygirlwasatroublemakerandmightgetintoallkindsofmessesifpletelyonherown,soforherownpeaindshedecidedtokeepDornawithher.So,thetwoofthemlefttogether,thestoodepart.

21

Anarcoflightfshedovertheblueskies,tracesleftbyKingDimitriandhisenteastheyhasteowardstheKingdomofDreams.KnowiastrophethathadhappenedinhisKingdom,KingDimitriwasihurrytogettothosebeautifundserenekes,hillsandmountainsthatwerenowthreatenedbyhisenemies.Butnotbeingabletogetthereinananosed,hecouldonlytravesfastashecould.penedwasthis.DeannawasinthekehelpingCyclopswiththeHerculeantaskofpushingthegoldpacestepbysteptowardsnd.Thetaskwasalmostpleted.Thegoldpacehadmostlyemergedfromthewater,withonlyaboutasmallpartstillleftier.DeannalookedtowardsndahetorcheslightingupGiantMountain.Thedawnwasabouttobreakandthousandsofmightywarriors,strippedoftheiruppergarmentswereshoutingloudlyandrhythmicallyinunisonastheypulledwithalltheirmightontheropesthatweretiedaroundthegoldpace,pullingitinchbyinchupthehill.Thesoundoftheirunitedroarsastheyexertedtheirutmosteffortechoedinthehillsandmountains.Afterawhile,thunderouscheersburstforthfromtheonlookersandresouhesurroundihegoldpacehadepletelyoutoftheushedbythesuperhumahofCyclopsandwasbeingpulleduptheslopeofGiantMountain!DeannasawthatherworkhereasCyclops’assistantwasdone;soshedivedagaintothebottomofthekeandbeganseargamidthewhitesands.WhilehelpingCyclopsonhistasktogetthegoldpaceoutoftheke,shehadseenpreciousjewelryandtreasures,halfrevealedandhalfburiediwhitesandatthebottomofthekeaheyusedtobelongthebeauties.Deannathoughtitwasawastetoletthemliethereuhekeanddecidedtogatherthemupandtakethembad.Shealsosawtherewerelotsofhugeksoldscatteredaboutaheywerepiecesthathadbeenbrokenofffromthemoreprotrudingpartsofthepaceduringthehurrieandtsunamiwhenthegoldpacetoppleddownintotheke.ersofthepacehadbeeroyedonitsdestdownthehillintotheke,butthemainpartofthegoldpacehadbasicallyremaiactwithouttoomuchdestru.DeannasawthattheseksofgoldweretooheavyforhertocarryanddecidedthatshewouldteronatasuitabletimeseekthehelpofMedusaandmagicHorseLightningtoairliftthemoutsotheycouldbeusedtofixthebrokenpartsofthepace.Thinkingso,sheturnedbacktothetaskshehadsetforherselfandbeganrifflingthroughthesoft,whitesandgatheringupthelostpreciousjewelryandothertreasures.Deannawasinthehabitoftyingonamedium-sizedleatherpoucharoundherhipswhediving.Iwereafewrgeroundpearlsshehadacquiredpreviouslyinanotherpartoftheke.Nowsheaddedinthejewelryandtreasuresshehadgathered.SoonthepouchwasfilledtocapacityandDeannadecidedtogettondandputthetreasuressomewherebeforeingbacktolookformore.WhensheresurfadlookedtiantMountain,shewasshockedtoseeaseofbloodybattleandmassacre.

“Shu…shu…shu…”Dozensofwhistlingarrowswereshotuphighintothenightskiesbythesentries,signalsthateroopshadiheKingdom.Soontheneighingofhorses,shoutsandcriesofsoldiersinbattlecameoutofthedenseforests.Ats,thenewchiefofthebarbariantribesrodeonhismightybcksteedaheadofhismenwithhislongswordraisedasheledhistroopsinasurpriseattatheKingdom.Medusawasrestingonthedome-liketopofthegoldpapletelyexhaustedafterherarduoustaskofhelpingCyclopspullupthegoldpacethatshewastootiredtoevengebaanform.Oheinvasionofthebarbariantroops,sheimmediatelyrose,fppedherwingspreparingtoflytothedefeheKingdom,butherwingswereweakandfeebleandshecouldnotflyhigh.Regardless,shemadeanefforttoswoopdownontheenemy,buthermovementswereslowanddull,withnoneofherformerdeftnessaerityandshehadlostherspeed.Atssawthisandtakinghismagicbowandarrowtookashotatthebigbckbird.ThearrowpiercedMedusa’sthroataoppledtothegroundwithashrilescream.WhiteFairycouldnotbelievehereyes,thatherpartnerMedusawassoeasilykilledbyjustonearrow.Shecouldonlyflyaroundintheairinpanic-striarm,toodistraughttogrieve.Cyclops,whohadusedupallhistremendousstrengthinpushingthegoldpatheLake,yprostratedandfcthestepsofthegoldpapletelylimpandwornout.HekhatenemieshadiheKingdom.Usingtheremainderofhisstrength,hestoodupandwalkedunsteadilywithwobbliowardstheinvaders.AtsdrewouthisglitteringmagicswordashedashedtowardsCyclopsandwithaileswipedmightilyathisneck.As,theheadofthebraveone-eyedCyclopsflewfromhisheadasbloodspurtedfromhisneck,buthisbodyremaiandingandrefusedtofall.Seeingthis,Eileeandfainted.Herjustjoinedbodyseparatedandbecametwoindividualpartsagain.Deanna,whowashiddeniers,wasgreatlyarmed.ShehadreizedthattheoheleaderofthebarbariansoldierswerestatetreasuresoftheKingdomofDreams.

“Howthisbe?”shethoughtinarm.“HowdidhegetholdofKingDimitri’smagicswordandhisbowandarrows?Thereisnofightinghimwiththosemagiconsinhishand!Wehavelostwithoutevenstarting.Ifourwarriorstakeuparmsthereisdahetotaldestruofourarmy”.Deanhemagicpowersofthebowandarrouckilyshewasierandhadnotbeendiscovered.Otherwise,shewouldneverbeabletoescapethearrowaimedather.“IfIgouptondanddomybesttofightagainstthebarbariantroops,IwouldonlyendingivingupmylifeinvaithingformetodoatthistimeistogoandfindKingDimitri”.Justthentheloudandferociousroftigerswasheardandtwoferocioustigers,KojakandCortez,leaptoutoftheforestandjoihebattleagainstthebarbariansoldiers.Deannamadeuseofthisopportunitytodiveagainlikeafishtothebottomofthekeandswamaway.

Furtherdownfromnd,therewasashallowsanddunerisingoutofthewaterrownwithreedstalsaman.Aftermakingsurethatshewasasafedistanceawayfromthebattleground,Deannasilentlyclimbedontothesandduneandpeekingoutofthereeds,shelookedaround.Twosmallboatsweremakingswiftlyfortheshore,andDeannasawMr.KaffeeandagroupofKingDimitri’sgoodfriendsgoashoreandwereferringwiththepanic-striWhiteFairyaboutsomething.Mr.KaffeeandhisfriendshadwitnessedMedusa’sbeingshotandfallingtothegroundandhadalsoseenCyclopsbeingdecapitated,butinsteadofthinkingoftheirowyandfleeingthesefraughtwithdangerandchaos,theychosetorushforwardtohelpandstandfirmlywiththewarriorsoftheKingdomastheyfoughttothedeathagainstthebarbariansoldiers.DeannanoddedinrespedthoughttheywerereallyworthyofbeingKingDimitri’sgoodfriends.Thesuddenappearahetwoferocioustigersstoppedforamomenttheonsughtofthebarbariansoldiers.TheshortrespiteallowedKingDimitri’swarriorstroupandrecovertheirfightingspirit.Thoughthetwotigers,KojakandCortezwereferociousandbrave,theywerenomatchforthethousandsofbarbariansoldiersarmedwithspearsandknives.Kojakkilledafewbarbariansoldiersandhismightypawsswipedandwoundedmanymore,butintheendbruteforcewasnotequaltoonsofsteendKojakydeadolefield,hisbodybloodyandmangled.Cortezwasfrehangerwhenhesawhisgoodfriendkilledbythebarbariansoldiers.Withbloodlustinhiseyes,heturnedawayfromthefightandmadestraightforAts,theleaderofthebarbarians,whowassittingonhisbackhorseataedspacediregthebattle.Sittingonhisbckhorse,Atssawwithfrightthatahugeferocioustigerbloodywithgoreesprintingtowardshisbeinganexcellentrider,Atstrolledhishorsebyghislegstightlyaroundit,Twistinghiswaist,hereachedforhisbowandarrow;andswiftaslightniflyanarrowtowardstheforeheadofthechasi.Cortezjumpeduponimpact,wobbledforwardafewstepsandthenfelldeadtotheground.AtssoothedhisfrightenedbcksteedandrodebacktothebattlegroundpreparedtoleadhissoldiersintheirfightagainstKingDimitri’swarriors.KingDimitri’swarriorstoowereprepared.Theystoodtheirground,preparedtofighttothedeathindefeheirhomend.Theairwasteaut.Likeanarrowonthebow-stringanotherbloodybattlewasabouttobegin.Deanherewasnotimetobewasted.Shecalledtiwhichimmediatelyflewtoherside.Jumpingonit,Deanofthereedsandflyingclosetothefaceofthewatertoavoiddete,shemadeforthehighlydevelopedcivilizedworldtoloDimitriatohimthecatastrophefaghisKingdom.

Deabeforetherealbattlebegansoshedidwithherowneyes.WhiteFairywastheoerreportedthewholeproceduretoKingDimitri.WhenMr.KaffeeandhisfrieheirboatsaashoretheycamefacetofacewithWhiteFairy.

“Hi,WhiteFairy”saidMr.Kaffee“youaretheonewearelookingfor.Wecaughtthisspyontheoppositeshoreandhavebroughthimforyoutodealwith.”WhiteFairylookedatthemantheypushedinfrontofherandreizedhimtobethe“mole”sheandMedusahadpntedihebarbariantribes.

“Thereisnopointinyourremaininghereanymore”shesaidtotheman.“Ithinkyouhadbettermakeyourescapewhileyou.Go…”Themanthankedherprofuselyandsoondisappearedihedenseforest.

“Thisisnosimpleinvasion”saidMr.Kaffee.“Thewholethingwasmeticulouslypnnedandcarriedout.ThefactthattheydidnotgohefortifiedfortressbutcarriedoutasurpriseattathewideopenpihereisnoproteordefenseshowthattheyhadscoutedoutKingDimitri’sKingdomandmaogetinsideinformationastowhatwasgoingoimingwasalsocrucial.Theyattackedthemomentthegoldpacehadbeenraisedfromtheke,wheneveryonewasexhaustedanduofightanymore.TheymeanttowipeoutthewarriorsoftheKingdom.ButthemostsinisterofalltheiractsbyfarwastosneakinandstealKingDimitri’sons,hismagicbowandarrowandhismagicsword,thestatetreasuresoftheKingdomofDreams…Today’sbattlelookstobeacloseshavewhichwecouldwinonlybyafluke.Ohyes,WhiteFairy,ifyouthinkIamtobetrusted,pleaseputtheandofyourarmyintomyhandssothatthewarriorsmoveuniformlyasonebody…Evenifwelosethisbattle,whimymindisalikelyoute,wewillfighttothedeathwithfiranddiegloriouslysothatwewouldnothavelivedinvain…”WhiteFairynoddedherheadpositivelysaying,

“IknowthatyouusedtoandthewholeRomanLegionthatoncesurroundeddom.Ifyouareabletodiresandthousandsoflegionnaires,youaremorethanqualifiedtooverseethissmallbattle.Iwillgoimmediatelyandnotifythemthatyouarenowinfullandofourarmyofwarriors.”Sayingso,WhiteFairyquicklylefttoflyaroulefield,veyingtothewarriorstheheirnewander,Mr.Kaffee.Mr.Kaffeethenstooduponamoundandsaidloudlytothethousandsofwarriorsstandingatattentionbeforehim,

“Bothersinarms!ItseemsthattodayisthedayweareallcalledtoproveourloyaltytoKingDimitriandtheKingdomofDreams.Letusleaveourlivesonthispiedwealllove…Ifthereisanyoneofyouherewhoisafraidtodie,youarefreetoleavenowandfleeforyourlife.herKingDimitrinorIwillbmeyoandfleeforyourlifenowifyousowill…”Mr.Kaffeestoppedandlookedaround.Thewarriorsstoodtall,straightandunmovingunderhisstare,notohemattemptingtoleave.KingDimitri’swarriorstoamanatriots,notafraidtogivetheirlivesfandtry!

21

“Sineofyouaredeserters”tinuedMr.Kaffee,“letusthenfighttothedeath.Killoneandyouareeven.Killtwoandyouhavemadeagaihisbeyourstabattle!Brothersinarms,we’llmeetagai’shopethatinourinationwewillstillliveonthisfantasticpiedahersindefendingthepeadsafetyofthisKingdomofDreamsandbeloyalservantsofKingDimitri…”

“KingDimitri!”“KingDimitri!”“KingDimitri!”shoutedthewarriorsinunisontoshowtheirloyaltyandsupportandsuddenlyasifbymagicthemoraleofthesoldierswereboostedskyhigh.Mr.Kaffeethendividedthemintroupseatainingabout250to300men,ledbyRichard,Jamaz,BigOandMr.Fingerwhohadassumedthepersonaofastrongandhuskyman.Separatetheycouldfightasanindividualunitbythemselves;assembledtogethertheycouldbeaunitedwholetotakeontheenemy’sassault.Thewarriorswerewell-trainedandseasonedfightersandbecameeffitsoldiersoheywereanizedunderapetentander.

Waveafterwaveofbarbariansoldiersledbytheirleaderridingonabcksteedunchedaferociousattackagainstthenativewarriors.TheleaderwasofcoursethebarbarianAts.WieldingKingDimitri’smagicswhintheair,herodeaheadofhissoldiersanddashedstraightintothemidstofthenativewarriors.HismagicswordwasastatetreasureoftheKingdomofDreamswithlegendarypowersandwassosharpthatitcouldeasilytometalsandrocks.Whatevertheswordcameintotactwith,beitknives,swords,orspears,allbrokeaothegrounduseless.Onepowerfulswingofthemagicswordandadozenbloodyheadswereseveredfromtheirbodiesaotheground.Bloodspurtedfromthenecksoftheheadlesscorpseswhichdroppeddownonlyafterafewmomentsasifjustrealizingtheyweredead…afrighteningtributetotherazor-sharppropertiesofthesword.Thebarbariansoldiersrushediheirleaderandbeganmassagtheiroppos.Thenativewarriors,ionprotegtheirndanditspeoplewouldnotgiveaninchofground.Fierdsavagebattlecriesresouheair,makiheearthtremble.Bloodflowedcheaplyandfreelyasifitwasnotworthat.Atsridingonhisbcksteedwasinvincible.Leadinghisbarbariansoldiers,hestormedfromonesideofthebattlefieldtotheother.Thenhewouldturnbadchargeinanotherdire.WhereverhewentDimitri’swarriorsfelllikewheatbeforethesickle.Standingonaedmound,Mr.Kaffeewaskeenlytheseofbattle.TurningtoWhiteFairyhesaid,

“Quick.Quiformourfourleadersthattheyaretodisperse.Tellthemtooutfnktheenemywhileevadingtheleaderonthebckhorse.Makeuseofdevioustactianeuverandsurroundtheehenkilltheybyinfligmoredamagestotheenemywebeonanequalfootingwiththem...”WhiteFairyimmediatelyflewdowntothebattlegroundtodeliverMr.Kaffee’sorderstothefourleaders.Atswashaviimeofhislifesughteriiveswithhismagicswordwhenallofasuddenherealizedtheyhadsomehoeared.Hefoundokilroundhim.Helookedtowardstheleftandsawasmallgroupofhissoldiersbeingsurroundedbynativewarriorsandbeingkilled.Heimmediatelyrodetowardsthemattemptingtoetotheaidofhissoldiers;butwheohisdestinatioivewarriorsslippedawaywithoutdirectlyengaginghimaiohelpanroupoftheirfellowsoldiersinanotherpartofthebattlefield.WhenAtswenttowardsthatgroup,thenativewarriainscatteredandgavehimtheslipdispersingtosomewhereelse.Atspanickedwhenhefoundhimselfinthepositionofhavingnooppoofightandkill.Hesawthatthecasualtiesonhissideweremountingand50%ofthedeadbodiesonthefieldbeloohisbarbariansoldiers.Hewasworriedthatifthingstihisveinhewouldsoonloseallhissoldiers.Puttinghisfingersintohismouthhedeliveredaseriesofshrillwhistlesthatalertedhissoldierstothefactthatageoftacticswasdueandthenwavedhishandtowardsoneendofthefield.Hissoldiersallgravitatedtowardsthatend.KingDimitri’swarriorsalsomadeuseofthistimetowalkovertoMr.Kaffeetroupandreahebattlegroundcametoastandstill.Therewerehundredsofthedeadandwoundedlyingontheground.Theairermeatedwiththemetallicsmelloffreshbloodasalmosthalfofbotharmieshadperished.Thesulesslyandunsteadilynotquitereagthemiddleofthesky,coldlywatgthebattlegroundfullofheadlesscorpsesandmutitedbodies.Thedeadweredead,butthemoansandgroansofthewoundedwereheartwrengireme;forknowinggoingbaealiveossibledream,theywishedonlyforaquickdeathasextricationfromtheunbearablepaintheywereexperieng.

Witheyesnarrowedintoslits,Ats’gncesweptovertheextelefieldaeredhisattentiononthecampofKingDimitri’snativewarriors,whohadalreadybeenre-athemomentmanyofthemweresittingontheground,makihisbriefrespitetorestawhilesoastobereadyforthebattle.Atskheremustbesomeohatcamp,acutabovetheothers,whowasassessiuationolefieldandgivingorderstothetroops.Justtakethegingoffightingtactics,forexample.Theirwarriorswereextremelynimbleandflexibleintheirmaneuvers.Amassedasonesquareunittheywerereallylikeawallofsteendbronze,almostimperable.ItwasonlybecausehewaswieldingKingDimitri’smagicswordcapableofcuttingthroughrodsteelthathewasabletostormeasilyfromonesideofthebattlefieldtotheother,cuttingdownariedtostophim.Butthentheirbattleformationsuddenlygedandthesquareunitmagicallydissolvedintofourindividualfightingunitswhichoutfnked,outmaneuveredandsurroundedhissoldiers,killingalotofthem,fAtstopullhismenoutofthebattletoavoidfurtherdamagetohistroops.

“Theremustbeawaytofindthefwiactidputthemtorout”Atsthought.“Otherwise,thevictorythatseemedsocloseathandamomentagowouldbegoheydividedtheirtroopsintroups,sothatmeanstheremustbefourleaderstoheadthegroups…IfIcouldbutfindoutwhotheseleadersareanddrawthemout,Icouldkillthemwithmymagicbowandarrow.Thentheirmenwouldbeagroupwithoutaleader,arudderlessshipthat’seasilydealtwith.Nomatterhowgreattheirheyarebutmbstothesughter.Right!That’stheidea!”Atscalledhisowntrustedlieutenantstohimandgavethemtheirordersintheirbarbariantribedialedtheyimmediatelyscatteredtocarrythemout.Atsmeanwhilerodehisbcksteedtoaedmound,tookouthismagicbowandarrowinpreparationforaandpatientlywaitedfordevelopments...Seeingthemovementsintheenemycamp,KingDimitri’ssoldierskwastimeagainfora.Theyjumpedtotheirfeet,tookuptheironsandformedanorderlyrow,mentallypreparedforanotherbloodybattle.

Thetwosidesfacedeachotherandcshesbegan.SomehoearedthatthebarbariansoldiersdidnothavemuachforfurtherbloodshedforafterafewminutesofbattletheybegantogivegrounduheaggressiveattacksofKingDimitri’swarriors.SooerioratedintoafullfledgeretreatwhenthebarbariansoldiersturaindranasfastastheirlegswouldcarrythemwithKingDimitri’snativewarriorsfollowingclosebehindinfullpursuit,refusingtoletthemgetaway.Ats,whowassittingonhishorseonamoundnearby,sawthathishoaxwasw.Hegratutedhimselfonhissuccessatdrawingouttheleadersoftheenemycamp,forhesawthereweremenrunningattheforefrontofthefroupsinpursuitofhismenandassumedtheyweretheleaders.Targetihemwithaile,heletflyhismagicarrow.Thefleet-footedMr.Finger,akaEmmanuel,waschasingafterabarbariansoldier.HecaughtupwithhimandpiercedhischestwithalohesoldierhowledandwasstillstrugglingwhenMr.Fingerkickedhimonthebaseofhisspineandpulledouthisspear.Thesoldierfelltothegrounddead.Mr.Fingerwasabouttorunafteranotherbarbariansoldierwhenaflyingarrowcamestraightathimpierghisthroatwithdeadlyaccuracy.Hefelltothegrounddeadwithoutknowingwhathadhappealocationnearby,Big-Owieldingasharphatchetwasrunningafteranenemyandhadjustcleavedhimintheskull,whenoutoftheerofhiseyehesawEmmanuelsuddenlyfalltothegroundanddied.Beforehehadtimetoreaotherarrowcameflyingthroughtheairandpiercedhisneck,hishatchetstillburiedintheheadofthefallensoldier.Big-Otoodiedaotheground.Atthesametime,Jamazhadpsychedhimselftotallyintobattlemodeandwaschoppingandsligvehementlyattheenemykillingandwoundinginnumerablebarbariansoldiers,thelongswordinhishanddrippingwithblood.Itcouldreallybesaidthathewasabraveandfiercewarrior.Hewasjustrunningaftersomeothersoldierswhenallofasuddeumbledahealertandcool-headedRichardsawthesuddenwayMr.FingerandthenBig-Ofelltothegroundanddiedandknewsomethingsinisterwasafoot.HethrewhimselfatJamazawoofthemfelltothegroundatthesametime,barelymissiwoarrowsthatflewbyabovetheirheads.IfnotforRichard’squicka,theytoowouldhavefallenvictimstothemagicarrows.Atssatonhisbcksteedontopofasmallmoundlookingalroundhimandsaoflightsmokeflittingaroulefield.HehadheardpeopletalkingaboutWhiteFairy,theinationofawhitelily,wholivedintheKingdomofDreamsandoftenappearedintheguiseofwhitefhtsmoke.Hewohatwispoflightsmokecouldbeher.Ifso,hethoughthehadbetterkillher,too,insteadoflettingherglidealroulefield…Atsagaintookuphisbowandarrow,targetedthewispofsmokeaflyanotherarrow.Swiftastheowerfulenoughtopiercethroughhardrock,thearrowflewunerringlyatitstarget;butthewispofsmokefloatedleisurelyonunharmedanduerred,foreventhesharpestandmostlethalofonscouldnhtsmoke.ThelightsmokeflewtoRichardandJamazaothemMr.Kaffee’sorders.

“Mr.Kaffeewaellthetwoofyouthattheaheenemysoldiersisveryhardtodealwith.UsingKingDimitri’smagicbowandarrow,hehastargetedandkilledyourfriendsMr.FingerandBig-O;sohewantsthetwoofyoutotakespecialcareandnotexposeyourselves.cealyourselfwithinyourtroopssohewouldnotknowyouarestillive.YoutwoaretotakeovertheandofthetroinallyunderMr.FingerandBig-O,assimitethemintroup;forsoldiersotfightwellwithoutleadership.Mr.Kaffeeisalsosurethattheenemy’sretreatwasonlyapretense.Soontheywillturnaroundandter-attack.Orderyourwarriorstotakeapronepositionandriseupandfightwhentheeurnsbagagingtheminhand-to-handbat.Thiswayyouavoidthedahemagicarrows…”OnhearingMr.Kaffee’sorders,Richardimmediatelyraisedhishandintheairandmadeasignal.Thewell-trainedwarriorsoftheKingdomimmediatelyscattered,ylowonthegroundandcrawlingontheirhandsandkneeswenttofindcovertohidebehind.

Seatedonhisbckhorse,Atsraisedhislefthandandhistroopsatooppedtheirretreat.Thenhebrandishedhishandinamightydownwardmotionandhistroopsturnedaroundandter-attacked.Astheygotclosetotheformerbattle-field,thenativewarriorsleaptoutfrombehindtherodotherimpedimentstheywerehidingbehindandaseofhand-to-handclosebatbegan.Atthattime,thearmieswerecloseinnumbers,eachpossessingapproximatelyfivehundredmen.ClosebatwasBig-O’sstrongpointandhecouldtwistaman’snedkillhimaseasilyashedidachi.As,hehaddiedandcouldnolongerperformhisparticurspecialskill…Seeingthisurs,thecoldgrimaAts’facebecamemoreandmoresinister.

“Doyouhopetoescapefrommybowandarrowbyusingthistactic?YourhavefottenIhaveanotheron.Doyoupntouseyourheadtotryoutthesharpnessofmymagicsword?Then,sobeit!Letyourbloodfeedmybutcheriswhippedhishorseandflewdownthemound,brandishinghismagicsword.KingDimitri’swarriorswereonlytooawareofthesharpnessofhisonandsotheyalltriedtododgethebruntofitandemptedtofacehiminbat.AsforAts,hewasinnetobeginhissughter.Helookedaroundhimassessiuation.HekhatKingDimitri’ssoldierslikedtousethetacticsofoutfnkingtheirenemyaersurroundingthoseofsmallernumbersandkillingthem.Hedecidedtooutmahembyusingthesametactics.Heorderedhissoldierstouseterattadteroffensives.Shoutsandcriesilefieldrosetoanewcresdo.Outfnkingandsurroundingversusterattagandteroffensivespyedoutrepeatedly.Apowerfulbckhorsecouldbeseensprintingfromoneendofthebattlefieldtotheother.ThatwasAts’steed.ThenativewarriorswereatadisadvantagebecausetheyhadalleinaoMedusa’scalskiohelppullthegoldpathewater,sohemhadbroughttheirhorseswiththemandhadtofightonfoot.Atsdashedfreelyfromoneendofthebattlefieldtotheotherasifinnoman’snd.Whereverheappeared,hisswordfshedandadozenheadsofKingDimitri’swarriorsfelltotheground.Thenbloodspurtedandgurgledfromtheneckwoundsandthebodiesfelltotheground.RichardandJamazeachledonegroupofwarriors.Thetwoofthemwereclosefriendsandpartnersandkneweachother’sthoughtswithoutneedingverbalunication.Theybinedasawholeforfrontattackstooutfnk,surroundandkilltheenemy.Whentheenemyterattacked,theydispersedtoterbineagain.Richard’sbloodylongswordfshedagainandagainandheadsandlimbsfelltotheground.Bloodoppedflowingfromhisbde.Oherside,Jamazwastotallyimmersedinbattle.Eyesredwithbloodlust,hechoppedandslicedvehementlyattheenemykillingandwoundinginnumerablebarbariansoldiers,thelongswordinhishanddrippingwithbloodaswell.Hehadgohroughtlessspearsandswords.Whenoneonwasbluntedanddulled,hewouldthrowitaside,piotheronefromthegroundandtinuefighting.Suddeagreattension.Turningarouhatallhissoldiershadfallenandhewassurroundedbysevebarbariansoldiers.Jamazwascoveredwithbloodanditwashardtosaywhetheritwasbloodfromtheenemyorfromhisownwounds.Thebckhorserushedoverandcametoastopbeforehim.Atsughedloudlyandsaid,

2

“Youbig,bckbrute!Youactuallyescapedfromundermyarrow.Nowtryaawayfrommymagicsword!”Sayingso,hesshedhisswordatJamaz.Jamazhelduphisownswordreflexivelytobatthemove,fettingthathisoppoheldKingDimitri’smagicsword,astatetreasureoftheKingdomofDreamswithlegendarypowersandwassosharpthatitcouldeasilytometalsandrocks.Jamaz’sswordbrokeintwoandfelluselesstotheground.AtsthenssheddownwardsandbeforeJamazovetoavoidtheonsught,hisheadwassshedintwo.RichardwasedwithgriefandrageonseeinghisfriendandpartnerdiesicallyinthehandsofAtsandwasabouttorushoverandfight,buthewassurroundedbyseveralbarbariansoldiersandwasnotabletobreakaway.Atthesametime,thebckhorsehadturnedaroundaoberushingover.Mr.KaffeesawthatcrisiswasinthebuildingandsaidhurriedlytoWhiteFairy,

“Richardisintrouble.Isthereanywayyoustoptheleaderonthebckhorsefromgoiohim?Ifhegetsthere,Richardwillbedonefor,too.”Beforehefinishedspeaking,WhiteFairywasalreadyonthemove,saying,

“I’lltry…IamnotsureIwouldbeabletostopthatferoan…”Mr.Kaffeebentdoickedupalongspearsaying,

“Ifallmybrothersdie,whywouldIwanttotinuelivingalone?Iwillleavetheseoldbonesofmiogetherwiththeirsonthispied…”OldDavid,whowasstandingbesideMr.Kaffee,alsopickedupacurvedknifefromthegrouraightenedhisslight,bentoldbody.Fullofprideandasenseofheroism,heughedaloudandsaid,

“Good!Idonotwanttoliveonwithoutmyfrieher.Goon,whatarewewaitingfor?Worseestotheworse,Iwillleavethisbodyofmihismysteriouspiedwithyouall.IfIlosemyhead,it’sonlyaneckwound,right?”Andso,holdingtheironsfirmlyintheirhands,thetwoofthemrantowardsthebattlefield.

SwiftasthewhirlwindAtsrushedoveronhismajesticbckwarhorse,whirlinghismagicswordintheair.Richard’sheadwouldbeseveredfromhisbodythemomenttheswordssheddownwards.Justatthatcritient,Atssuddesomethingchiseyes.Allbecameablurofwhiteasifhewassurroundedbyathickwhitefogandhecouldhing.Heimmediatelytuggedonthereinsandtightlyreinedinhishorsethatneighedloudlyinprotest;itsfrontlegsrosehalfintheairandthenpranpceferociouslyseveraltimesbeforeitcouldstopitsonwardsurge.SittingonhishorseAts’bodyswayedandbouncedviolently.Heimmediatelyspurredhishorsetoraceawaywildlyinwhicheverdireitchose.Ashiseyeshadbeencoveredbythewhitefog,hehadtogetawayfromthebattlefieldimmediatelyorbeevulnerabletoattacksofenemy’sspearsorkniveswhichhecouldayingwherehewaswouldbetoodangerous.ThebckhorseracedaroundwildlyswiftasthewindandafterawhileAtsfoundthathehadfinallyshakenoffthewhitesubstancechiseyes.Lookingbacktowardsthebattlefield,hefoundthatthewhitefogwasWhiteFairyofKingDimitri’sKingdomofDreams.Herememberedshootingatherwithhismagicbowandarrow,butsomehowshehadnotevenbeeedbyit.WhiteFairytioflyabovehisheadlookingforacetoplungedownagaihatshewasonlyapuffofsmoke,Atsthoughtshecouldbeeasilydealtwith.ghisthighsagainsthishorse,hecameatherwithhisswordraisedandssheddownear.ButWhiteFairywasonlyaflimsy,unsubstantialpuffofsmoke,whichbrokeapartwhentheswordslicedthrough,buttheogetheragainasawholesoonafter.Esusedhisswordtosshatthepuffofsmokesevetimes.Thepuffofsmokebrokeapartandcametogetheragain,brokeapartandcametogetheragain.IntheendshewasnottheslightestbitaffectedbytheattadtiofloatlightlyintheairaboveAts’head.Theindomitablerazorsharpmagicswordthatcouldcutthroughrodsteelwasnomatchforthesoft,flimsy,unsubstantialpuffofsmokeandhewasnotabletoharmherintheleast.Seeingthatsheregoallhismagicons,Atsdecidedtoignoreher.Afterall,ossibleharmcouldapuffofsmokedotohim?TurninghishorsehedecidedtoletherbeandgobacktothebattlefieldtodispatchallthenativewarriorsoftheKingdom,whichwashismaingoal.SeeingthatAtsinteogobacktothekillingfield,WhiteFairyplungeddownandcoveredtheeyesofhismagnifitbcksteedwithherhands.Thewarhorsereactedwithviolebeingsuddenlyblindedbysomewhitesubstastoodonitstwohindlegsneighingloudlyinprotestandthehegroundviolentlyjumpingupanddown,tryingtothrowoffanddislodgeitsattacker,neighingloudlyallthewhile.WhiteFairyquicklyloosenedherhandsandfloatedtoonesideandAtstiorushtowardsthebattlefield.WhiteFairyagainfleardstowardsAtsandcoveredhiseyeswithherhands.Atsshookhisbodyfromsidetoside,tryingtodislodgeherahhishandstoclutchatherasiftryingtothrowofftheentaofthepuffofwhitesmoke.Thehorseneighedandagainstoodupstraightonitstwohindlegs,almostthrowingoffitsrider.WhiteFairyquicklyloosenedherhandsandfloatedtooneside.Shekherewasaweaknessiicssheusedandcouldnotbliherthehorseorriderfortoolongwithherhands.SuddenlyshecaughtsightofasheepskinsathebackofthehorseAtswasridingahoughtsflewtothetimeshewastrickedandcapturedbyEileenusingasack.IfAtsusedthesacktocaptureher,shewouldneverbeabletofightbackagain.Withthat,WhiteFairydecidedtokeepherdistantheman.Thus,themanandhishorseandthepuffofsmokeintheairremaiastandoff,hersideabletohurttheotherbutnoneabletocimvictory.ButWhiteFairydidsuccessfullycutoffAts’routebacktothebattlefield.

AburstofappusecamefromthesideofthenativewarriorsoftheKingdomwhentheysawWhiteFairybravelytahAtsandsuccessfullypreventedhimfromingbacktothebattlefield.Thesuccessofthefragilepuffofsmokeoverthebruteofafighteronamagnifitbcksteedwasaboosttotheirdroopingspirits.ButtheappusewasnotasloudandstrongasbeforeandMr.Kaffeewasnotasoptimistic.Hesawthatthebravewarriorsaroundhimhadbeendecimatedtolessthanahundred,whilethenumbersoftheenemiesmorethandoubledtheirown.Bothsideshadsacrificedthelivesandlivelyyoungmenwhowerenowlyingonthegroundalloverthebattlefieldascorpseswhosebodytemperaturehadcooled.Someofthosebodieswerestillseepingblood.Mr.KaffeereanizedhistroopsintoanaggressivearrowheadshapeheadedbythebraveandceousRichard,sayinginaloudvoice,

“Wewillnowmakeourfinaldashagainsttheenemyandwewillnotbackdownuntiltheverystofushadgivenupourlivesforourbelovedhomend.For,ifweotdestroytheeheywillkilleveryoneofusandnotleaveonesinglepersonalive.Soletuschargeandkillthebarbarianinvaders.Letusgiveourlivesforthissacredpiedwelovesomudwhichwearewillingtodietoprotect!”Upoheaationofthenativewarriors,thebarbariansoldiersknewatlewasabouttobegin.Theyshiveredinapprehensionknowingthiswastheultimatebattle.Whenfagdeath,menalwaysgtolifeandfeardeath.Thatisnormalhumanbehavior.Butthebattlefieldisastrangepcepcedthere,thebrainsofthesoldiersseemtosolidifyandbeenumb.Theonlythingtheycouldthinkofwastokilltheenemyorbekilledthemselves.Seeingtheirleaderentahapuffofsmoke,thebarbariansoldiersdidnotknowwhattodo.Sinoorderhadbeeoretreat,noonedaredtomoveafoot.Theystayedputandbothsidesremaiastalemate.Wheivewarriorsreformedtheirranksaoattack,thebarbariantroopscouldohemhead-on…

Thetwosidescshedliketwbutopposingwaves,resultinginargewhirlpoolwhichtersubdividedintosmallerwhirlpoolsalroulefield.Somewhirlingclockwise,someterclockwise.Amidstthesewhirlpools,headandlimbsseveredinbloodlustwerescatteredeverywhere.OldMr.KaffeeaandcrookedDavidwerethefirstoodieiialcshofthetwosides.Mr.KaffeeiercedbyalohroughthechestandDavidwasbeheadedbyabarbarianktlecriesandshoutsroseeverywhere.Corpsesmultipliedandpiledup.Mankilledeachotherlikeblood-thirstyanimals.Butwhirlpoolsbroaden,widenandfinallydostop.ThestpersoandingwastheindomitableandceousRichardwhowasthemostskilledfighterofthemall.Buthewasbadlywoundedandhisbodycoveredwithbrownish,reddishblood.Hewashandclutgontoalongspearwithhisrighthand,whileholdingabloodyknifeinhisrighthand.Eyesdazed,helookedaroulefieldthinking,“WhydidIkillsomanypeople?Whydidallthesethousandsofpeopledieonthekillingfield?”Lookihebattlefield,hegncedoveratWhiteFairy.

Atslookedatthewhitepuffofsmokecirgoverheadandwasfastthinkingofawaytocaptureher.Ahideousgrinmarredhisyounghandsomefaceashereturnedhisswordtoitssheath.Hetookasheep-skinsathebackofhishorse,opewideandwaveditthreateninglyatWhiteFairyasifhewasgoingtocaptureherwiththesack.Atshadlongheardofthefamoushundred-flowerwinemadeintheKingdomofDreamsandloasteit.Butitwasmadeonlyonrareoccasionsanditwassaidthatoed,iterieobefotten.KingZeusoeditandneverlikedanyotherwierthat.AtshadthesheepskinbagmadeespeciallyforthehundredflowerwinehemeanttogetfromtheKingdomofDreams.Remindedofherformerexperience,WhiteFairybhthethoughtthatthemanhadthoughtofawaytodealwithher.Justthen,fromtheerofhiseye,Atscaughtsightoftheonlymaanding.ItwasRichardwhohadescapedfromhismagicshiteFairycoveredhiseyes.Heturnedhishorsearoundanddashedtowardsthebattlefield,asnothingakehimleaveasinglepersonalivefromthisbattle.Richardwassoexhaustedhecouldhardlyholduphisswordandsowasinnopositionforanht.Hecouldonlywaittobesughtered.Seeingthat,WhiteFairyflewoverwithfullspeedandwithardforherownpersonalsafetyplungeddowntowardsAtsagainchishead.ShecouldhimkillKingDimitri’sonlysurvivingfriend.Atsgriohimselfashethought,“Aha!Youarenotascleverasyouthink.I’vegotya!I’lltakecareofyoutrouble-makerfirstandthendealwiththisstsurvivor.EvenifIhavetoputmyheadinthebagfirst,it’sokay.Iknowhowtoextricatemyself.”Takingouthissheepskinbag,hewasabouttothrowitoverthepuffofwhitesmoke,whensuddenlyastronggustofwifromnowhereandtossedWhiteFairyintotheair,whereshestruggledhelplesslytonoavaindhadtofloatwiththewind.Ah!Thewindwashernemeses,butitwasalsothisnaturalehatsavedherfromthehazardofcapture.Whenthewindstopped,WhiteFairyhadbeenblownquiteadistanceaway,sowhenshelookeddownfromonhighandsawAtsjustasheraisedhisswordandssheddownwards,severingRichard’shead,shewasincapableofdoinganythingtostophim.Atsughedheartilyanddashedawaytowardsthegateofthegoldpaotevensparingaghefieldofdeadbodieshehadleftbehindasiftheyweren’tthereatall.WhiteFairyfollowedcloselybehind.AtssatonthegoldthrostheeriengwhatitwasliketobeakingwhileWhiteFairyfloatedontoapilrbytheeaves.Manandsmokewereatastandoff,herpartyg,whiletheywaitedforthearrivalofKingDimitri.

22

KingDimitriandhisentewerehurryingposthastetowardstheKingdomofDreamswhentheyheardtheshrillneighingofahorse.Withhandsshadinghiseyesfromthesun’sdazzlingrays,KingDimitrilookedtowardsthedireofthenoiseandsawasmallbckspotianingveryfasttowardsthem.Asitgotnearer,hewasveryhappytofinditwashisflyinghorseLightning.Hewhoopedindelightandwavedtohisbelovedsteed.Thefactofthematterwas,onthenightofthecatastropheafterLightningflewdownfromtherounddomeofthegoldpace,itwenttograssndsbythesideoftheforestandbegangrazihewhistlingarrowsshotbythesentrieshighintothenightskytoldLightningthateroopshadiheKingdom;butfidentinthepowersofMedusaandCyclopsitwasnotworriedinthebeginning.However,itwasfbbergastedwhenitlifteditsheadfromgrazingonthegrassandsawMedusadiewithanarrowtoherthroatandtersawtheleaderofthebarbariansoldiersrideuponhismagnifitbckhorseandwithoneswipeofthemagicswordinhishandseveredCyclopsheadfromhisbody.Itreizedtheswordintheenemyleader’shandastheonebelongingtoitsmaster,KingDimitri;andlookingstillmorecloselyrealizedthatthebowandarrowthemanhadoverhisshoulderswasalsoKingDimitri’s.HowdidthesestatetreasuresoftheKingdometobeinenemyhands?ItwasthenthatLightnihatacatastrophehadhappenedandtheKingdomwasindangerofbeingtoppled.TheclevermagichorsedidnotrushouttochalleheaggressorsbecauseitkwasnomatchfortheleaderofthebarbarianswhohadsomehowgottenholdofKingDimitri’sonsanditwoulddieinvain.LikeDeanna,itdecidedtofindKingDimitriandtellhimaboutthetestcatastropheintheKingdom.However,unlikeDeannaitwasnotfortunateenoughtoeuponImaginationaivity,KingDimitri’stwoloyalservantswholedDeannatotheirmaster.Feelingthepainofanexilewithnohometoreturnto,Lightninggotlostiexpanseofblueskies.Justasitwashesitatingastowhatcoursetotakeandwhichdiretogo,itsawKingDimitriandhisenteflyingswiftlytowardshim.Neighingloudlyinsalutation,itfppeditswidewingsandflewswiftlytowardsitsmasterwhenhewaved.KingDimitriwentstraighttothepointandaskedanxiouslyandurgently,

“HowarethingsgoingintheKingdom?”Onhearingthequestion,tearssprangintoLightning’seyesandKingDimitrikmustbeverybadindeed.Hestoodupstraightandjumpedontohishorsewithoutquestioningitanymore.Thissuddenvaultingmovementofhisgavehispanionsagreatscare.TheywereallflyingintheblueskieswhenDimitrisuddeontoLightning’sback.Theslightestmiscalcutionandhecouldhavefallentohisdeathfromtheskiesandbeensmashedtopieces.Luckilythisdidnothappen.KingDimitriwasacautiouspersonandwhateverhedid,hedidwithdeliberatecalcution.Hewouldnotactwithoutfidenceofsuccess.KingDimitrisatmajesticallyonhismagichorse,hisheroidradiantbearingthepleteoppositeofhisformerpersonaofashabby,dispirited,homelessman.Heresumedonceagainhistruecolors,thatofabrilliant,resoluteandadaptmilitaryking.DeannainallyrodeontheflyingbroomwithKingDimitri,thedoubleweightslowingdowntheirspeedsomewhat.NowthatthepressurehadlesseheyspedattopspeedtowardstheKingdomofDreams.

Thesunwashighintheskiesandshonedazzlinglyontherounddomeofthegoldpace,refragoffbrilliantlyglitteringrays.Ihepacestructuredwithsolidgold,theatmospherewascolorfundmajestic.Apuffofwhitesmokefloatedarouopoftheeaves,keepingaclosewatthegloatingAtssittingonthesolidgoldthroneseemiremelysatisfied,asifhealreadywastheowhegoldpadthekingofthiskingdom.Seeinghimthus,WhiteFairywasveryangryaedhimsaying,

“Don’tyouhavetheleastbitretinyourheartforwhatyoudid?Don’tyoufeetalpologetictowardsthewholefieldofsoldierswhojustdiedtogetyouhere?”

“Regret?”askedAtsboldfadself-fident.“WhyshouldIfeelregret?Ibelievethatevenmytribesmenwhoarelyingdeadilefieldoutsidewillnothavetheleastbitret.Youshouldknowthatourndsaresobarrenthatweseldomreapanythingfromtheseedswesowthere.Thepasturesareileeitherandourmbandcalvesdiebeforetheymature.Iledmymentothisbeautifuilendahoughtheyalldiehere,Iamsuretheywillbehappyandsatisfiedtoknowthattheyareburiedinsuchawonderheywillbegratefultome…”Beforehefinishedspeaking,WhiteFairyinterruptedhimindignantlysaying

“Nonsense!Rubbish!Thisisonlyyourpersonalopinionandisnotrepresentativeofyourtribe.Tobeperfectlyfrank,you,fueledbyyreedandambitioheculpritthatcausedthisirreparabledisaster.Lookatallthecorpsesolefield.AtleasthalfofthemareinativewarriorsofKingDimitri’sKingdom,theirlivesdefendingtheirhomendagainstyression.Areyounotfullyresponsiblefortheirdeaths?”Atsshruggednontlyandspreadhishandswidesaying,

“WhatresponsibilitydoIhavetowardsthem?OccupyingKingDimitri’sKingdomartofmypn.ThesewarriorsoftheKingdomdiedbecausetheytriedtopreventmefromaplishingmygoandwerekilledinsteadbymysoldiers.Itistheirownfaultandnoresponsibilityofmine…Youknow,youhavereallystraheories…Yousee,ifIdon’toccupythiskingdom,IotbeetheroyalruleroftheKingdomofDreams;andifIamnottheKingofthisKingdom,IaminnopositiontopursueZeus’,twobeautifuldaughtersClementineandCharmaine.IfIdon’tpursuethesetwobeautifulnymphs,Iotbeetheirhusband.Willyouberesponsibleforallthat?Youarereallycuckoo,youknow.DoyoumeantotellmethatyoupeoplewithKingDimitriareallsobrainless,withnopowertothinkatall?”WhiteFairywassofbbergastedwiththearrogandselfishnessofthisirrationalmanthatshewastoiedforamomentanddidn’tknowhowtochallengehim.Shecouldonlysay,

“Alright…alright…NeverinmywholelifehaveIevermetamoreunreasohanyou.Notonlyareyouavariciousandgreedyandcovetdom;youaresoptibleandshamefulthatyoueveKingDimitri’sbeauties,ClementineandCharmaineandwantbothasyourwives.Youareadespicablerascal…”AtswasnottheleastashamedbyWhiteFairy’swords,herepliedcarelessly,

“Despicable?Foramantowantawifeisreasonableandjustified.TocourtwomenIloveisperfeormalbehavior.What’ssodespicableaboutthat?Ohyes,IheardthatyouareoneofKingDimitri’s24beauties.Whydon’tyoushowyourselfameseeifyouarebeautifulenough.PerhapsIwouldevenbewillingtoincludeyouinmyharem…”WhiteFairy’sheartburhrageandanger,butverysoonawaveofsorrowoverwhelmedher.

“Thisman’sarroganowsnoboundsanddarestoflirtwithme”shethought.“IfMedusawerehere,hewouldneverdaretotakesuchlibertieswithme.Why,Medusawouldpeckhiseyesout,butas,sheisdeadandtothinkshewaskilledbyKingDimitri’smagicarrow!Whatatragedy!”Theverythoughtofherpartnerboostedherspiritsandsheaddedangrily,“Good…Good…KingDimitriwillbeheresoon…Don’tbesococky.Lookatallthecorpsesolefield,youhadbetterthinkofhowtoexpinallthistohim.Ifyouareaman,gofacethemusiottrytoslinkaway.KingDimitriwillbebacksoon.”Atsughedheartilywithunbridledandefferentarrogancesaying,

22

“YouguysareafraidofKingDimitri.Iamnot.Look!Hismagiconsarenowallinmyhands.Killinghimisassimpleassnappingmyfingers!Imostcertainlywouldnotrunaway.IwillwaitforhimheresittingonthisgoldthroneandIwillmostdefinitelykillhim…OnlythenIwhollytakeoverhiskingdomaerofthisfertileandmagid…”

“Ah,youignorantandcocksurecock-a-hoop”thoughtWhiteFairy,“youboasttooearly!It’salljustwishfulthinkingonyourpart.TheswordandbowandarrowyoustoleweremygiftstoKingDimitrionthefoundingofhisnewKingdom.Theyaremagicalonswithsuperhumanfacilitiesandmostcertainlywillnainsttheirownmaster.YouareacrazyfoolifyouiousethemagainstKingDimitriandthinkyouwillsucceed.”JustasWhiteFairywasdeepinthought,thefamiliarneighingofahorsewasheardfromhighupintheblueskies.SheraisedherheadandsawthewhitehorsefppinghishugewingsflyingtowardstheKingdomofDreams.“Why,that’sthemagichorseLightning!”thoughtshe.“Ihadfortheloimeandwaswpeoitduringthisturmoil.Soitwenttofinditsmasterandhasreturhhim.”Astheyflewnearer,WhiteFairysawthatKingDimitriwassurroundedbyImaginatioivity,Charmaineaineandcriedhappily,“Ah,KingDimitri,youareback!domwillbesaved!”Withthatsheswiftlyflewtowardsthem.Beforethat,DeannahadleftthelittlegrouponherflyingbroomtogotothenativetribeswhichhadbeenevacuatedtothesurroundinghillsandforestswhenthefightiotellthemthegoodhatKingDimitriwasback.ShetoldthemthatalthoughtheenemyhadattackedtheKingdomandmanyofthenativewarriorshaddiedprotegit,everythingwillbealrightnowthatKingDimitriwholovedhissubjedweredevotedtotheirwelfarewasback.Shetoldthemnottobeafraidanymore,thatKingDimitriwillprotectthem.

Leadinghislittlegroup,KingDimitridesdedsedatelyfromtheskies.LightningchosetohespotwherehispartnerMedusayontheground.KingDimitrigotdownfromhishorseahersalsodriftedtothegroundandstoppedatthefrihebattlefield.WalkioMedusa’sbody,hesawthatsheretainedherinalshapeofabird’sbodywithahumanface.Eyeswideopen,herfacialexpressionwasoneofsurprise,asifunbelievingofthefactthatshecoulddiepiercedbyanarrowtothethroat.KingDimitrikbeforeher,pulledoutthemagicarrowandthrewitbehindhisback.Creativityimmediatelysprangforwardtocatchitwithhishands.KingDimitriusedhishandstoedusa’seyesandsilentlyprayed,saying,

“Thankyou,youbraveproteyKingdom.ThankyivingupyourpreciouslifetoprotectmyKingdomofDreams.Butdeathisnotthebealndendallhere.Iwillresurrectyouonceagain.”KingDimitristoodupandwalkedslowlytowhereCyclopswas.Hishugeheadhadbeencutoffandhadrolledoverontothegrassnearby.Hishugeeyeenverywideasifhediedwithgrievandinjusticethathadnotberesolved.Hisbodytoostoht,asifshowinghisstubbornspirit.KingDimitrimadeafistandshookhisthumbatCyclopsinendation,saying

“Cyclops,youarearealhero.Yougaveyourlifeselflesslytoprotectmykingdom.IgiveyoumywordthatIwillraiseyoufromthedeadandgiveyouyourlifeback.However,forthemomentpleaseliedownaawhile…”Sayingso,hegaveCyclops’sshouldersalighttapandtheheadlessbodyfelltotheground.Lightninghadfollowedbehinditsmasterashewalkedabout.NowKingDimitriputonehandonhishorseandvaultednimblyuptoitsback.Lookingaroundatthecorpsesthatpiledupolefield,hecouldnotdistinguishwherehisgoodfriendscouldbe.Thenlookinguphesawamansittingonthegoldthrohepace,whowaslookingilyathimahatmustbeAts,theleaderofthebarbariantribes.Heowerfullyatthemansignallyforhimtoeoutofthepatotheopenground.AtskhatthetimeforadecisivebattlebetweenhimandKingDimitriwashere,soheleaptupfromthethrone,walkeddownthegoldensteps,ranlightlyonthegoldenpaths,sprangontohisbckwarhorseandcameridingover.WhehetwobeautifulnymphswhomhewasinfatuatedwithwasbyKingDimitri’ssideashefloateddownfromtheskies,thebarbarianleaderwasfilledwithjealousyanddecidedthattheonlythingtodowastokillKingDimitriandprovetothetwobeautifulnymphsthathewasatrueheroandworthytobekingoftheKingdossawanotherbeautywithlonghairthatfloatedwiththewindandknewshemustbeWhiteFairy,thatpuffofwhitesmoke.Hemarveledatherbeautytooandwassorryshewashisenemy.HeworriedthatifsheagaingedintoapuffofsmokeandcoveredhiseyeswhenhewasfightingwithKingDimitri,itcouldbedetrimental.HealsosawnearbyKingDimitri’stwoloyalservants,whomhehadlongheardabout.Imaginationaivitywerenoteasyoppoodealwitheither.Hedecidedthatthesewerefactorsthatmustbedealtwithbeforehisfight…Withthesethoughtsgoingoninhismind,herodehishorsetowardsKingDimitriandstoppedataspotadistanceaway.

“Areyouthebarbarias?”askedKingDimitri.“Thisfieldofcorpsesisallyourwork,Ibelieve.yougivemeareasonableaojustifythisruckusyouhavecausedinmyKingdom?”

“OfcourseI”answeredAtsarrogantly.“Ihisfieldofcorpsesdiedbecauseofme.Butitcouldbesaidthattheydiedbecauseofyou,too…”

“Really?”excimedKingDimitriinsurprise.“Howdoyoujustifythat?”

“Mytribalndsarebarrenandpoor.Ieinsearchforbetterndsforthesurvivalofmytribesmen.Ydomisridfertile,butyoursoldierspreventedusfromtakingover,sotheseyouseebeforeyouwithcorpsespiledupolefieldisanaturalresultofourfrontation.Whatistherenottouand?”

“SoyouleadyourtribesmenandattackmyKingdomnotreallytoseeksurvival.Yourreasonsarereallytosatisfyyourownpersonalgreedandavarice…Perhapsyoualsowanttokillme,becauseotherwiseyouwillnotbeabletowhollytakeoverwhatismihoutfearofreprisal…,right?”

22

“Ifyousayso…Yes,Iaowledgeitisso,forhowelseItakeoverydom?”

WhiteFairydidnothavetimetorevealtoDimitrithefactthattherealreasonforAts’sinvasionwashewaopossessthetwonymphsCharmaineaine,soatthetimeKingDimitriwasnotawareofAts’truemotive.

“Well,”sighedKingDimitri,“Itseemsthatafightbetweenusotbeavoidedthen…Mankindhasgonebacktotheoldpathofbloodshed,ofkillingeachotherasthefatalisticmethodtoresolvehumantroversy.Sobeit.eonthen,whatareyouwaitingfor…?”

“Ifthisistobeaduelbetweewoofus”interruptedAtsbeforeKingDimitrifinishedspeaking,“itshouldbejustbetweenyouahirdpersonshouldbeallowedtoparticipate.Isthatright?Butevenifyouhavepeopletohelp,Idon’tmiher…eonthen,allofyou,Idealwithyou…”Sayingso,hegWhiteFairy,Imaginationaivity.KingDimitriughedloudlyandanswered,

“Ofcourse…ofcourse…Thisisjustbetweenyouandme.Don’tworry.Ithasnothingtodowithathirdpartyandnothirdpartywilltakepartinitatall.IwilllowyoutousemymagicswordandbowandarrowsagaiheonlyonIwillneedissomeropetodefeatandkillyou.”HeheldonehandhighupintotheairaivitythrewoveracoilofropewhigDimitrideftlycaught.ItwastheropethatKingDimitrihadused,oiedtohiswaistaiedtohishorseLightning,whenheexploredtheketofindtheweakestpointofGiantMountain,itsAchilles’heelsasitwere.“Iwillusethiscoilofropetokillyou.Ikillyounotinrevengeforallthepeoplewholiedeadonthefields,buttohelpyouandsaveyreedyanddegeesoul.”

“Don’tbesosureofyourselfandboasttooearlyofsuccess”criedAts.Thestoandingwillhavethestugh.Let’sseewhoisthebetterman!”Sayingso,hehelduphisswordandrushedover.

KingDimitrifacedhisenemy’ssharpandagileswordthrustscalmlyandfidently.Atssshedathimsevetimesinarow,butKingDimitrisittingonhishorsemaogetoutofthewayoftheseattacksbydodgingnimblyrighta.Hewouldlieftonhisback,orslipoffthebackofhishorseosideonlytainontherightsideasifhehadataderstandingwiththeswordinAts’handandknewbeforehalywhichdireitwouldbeingfromandthereforedodgedatpreciselytherighttimeandangle.AsAtsthrustedandsshed,hegrewperplexedandfusedbythefactthattheswordinhishandwasnotashandyasitusedtobeandwasnotobeyinghihatreallytookhimbysurprise.Examiningtheswordinfusion,hecouldfindnothingabnormaboutitbutforsomereasocouldclosetoKingDimitriwithit.Atsbecameimpatientanddecidedtogetactidsshatthehorseinsteadoftherider.Thisway,nomatterhowgoodKingDimitriwas,onhorsedhewouldnotbeabletofight.Suitinghisatohisthoughts,AtsbegantosshatLightning’shead.ThenhewouldboonhisownhorseandsshatLightning’slegs.WhathedidnotknowwasLightningwasamagichorse.ItturnedandcircledlightlyandeffortlesslyasifitweredangandAts’swordcouldclosetoiteither.AsolemnandvictorioussmileappearedonKingDimitri’sfaceasifsaying,“Well,nowyouknowwhatitisliketoeagainstme!”whifuriatedAts.HeswunghisswordwithallhismightatKingDimitri’swaist,thinking,“Takethat,youceitedman.Thisisorikeimpossibletohidee.Seehowyougetoutofthis!”HeneverexpectedKingDimitritojumphighupwardsfromthebackofhishorse,makingtwosomersaultsintheair.Lightningtoomovedquicklyawaytoescapethesword.AsKingDimitri’sbodydroppeddown,hepassedrightbehindAts,sohemadeuseofthisopportunitytogivethebarbarianleaderamightykihisbadthendroppedbahismagichorsewhichwaswaitingforhimatexactlytherightspot.Atswasseverelyhurtandbloodspurtedoutofhismouth.Hespurredhishorseandrushedawayfromthebattlefield.AfterhewasquiteadistanceawayfromKingDimitri,hestopped.Whilehewasrushingaway,heputhisswordbatoitssheath,knowingitwasuselesstouseitagainstKingDimitri.Straheswordseemedtobeinarapportwithitsformerowner,whoseemedtoknowinadvaAtswasabouttodoandreparedtodealwithhimaccly.Couldtheswordbeinleaguewiththeiroldainsthim,thenewowner?WhatAtsdidnotknowwasthatboththeswordandthebowandarrowsusedtobelongtoKingDimitri,whomtheylovedaillloyalto.ThoughAtsstolethemahemtokillhundredsofnativewarriorsoftheKingdom,nowingfacetofacewiththeirformerowheyhadnosedthoughtsaboutbetrayingAtsastheywereunwillingtoharmKingDimitriinanyway.Atstookdownthebowslungaroundhisshoulders,pulledoutanarrowfromhisquiver,turnedaroundandshotitstraightathisenemy’sthroat.Thearrowflewintheairquickaslightning,makingstraightfDimitri’sthroatasifithadeyesofitsown;butwhenitcametobeaboutafootfromitstarget,itseemedtsformerownerandstoppedinmidairrefusingtobudge.KingDimitristretchedouthishandandtookthearrow.Swoosh!Swoosh!Swoosh!AtsshotsevemorearrowsoertheotheratvitalpartsofKingDimitri’sbody,buttheyallstoppedshortinmidairaboutafootorsofromhisagaingedtactidshotatthehorse’sthroatinsteadoftherider,butthearrowseemedtoknowLightningaswellitsownerandstoppedinmidairhehorseandKingDimitricollectedthatarrowaswell.AsAtsreachedforanotherarrow,hefoundthathisquiverty.AppalledthatnoneofhisonsworkedagainstKingDimitri,thedesperateAtscouldonlyturntaindrun.KingDimitritiedaslipknotonhisropeandpattinghishorsesaid,

“Hey,youwanttorunnow?Nowsofast…”Lightninguoodandranswiftlyafterthefleeingbarbarian.Swinginghiscoilofropewithhishand,KingDimitrisatonhishorseandtookaimatAtsashetriedtoescape.Accuratelycalgspeedanddistance,heswungouthisropeandcaughtthemanaroundtheneckpullinghimfromhishorsetotheground.Dimitrishoutedhisorder,“Up!”andhismagichorsefppedhishugewingsandroseuptotheskies.ThegreatpulloftheropebrokeAts’neck.Hiseyesbulged,histouckoutandhedied.Thencraghisrope,KingDimitrilooseheslipknotahecorpsefalldownfromonhigh.Lightningcoastedaroundandslidesteadilytotheground.KingDimitridismounted.Lightnihatthefightwasoveranditwouldnolongerbeneeded,soittrottedtothosestandingatthefrihebattlefieldtoawaitfurtherorders.

KingDimitristoodsolitaryandalohegrassndstrewnwithsoldiersfalleninbattle.Hisheadboweddeepinthought,hewouldsometimesraisehisfacetolookattheskies.Hisentekeptsilentsoasnottodistracthissomberthoughts.Suddenlyacloudfloatedoverthewideexpanseofblueskiesandhunglowovertheseaofcorpsespiledupolefield.WhenKingDimitriraisedhisheadandsuddenlysawthatcloud,hewaselectrifiedbythemysteriousinspirationthathithim.

“Isn’tthatthesamecloudthatrosefrommyKingdomofDreamsandthenfloatedtothemundaneworldtolookforme?NowithasfollowedmebayKingdom.Themysteriousexperiencedeepinhisinwasagainresurrected.HeseemedtobeabletokeepanintimateanddirekwiththecloudwhichwasactuallythedivineembodimentofGodappearingtoKingDimitriasacloud.Dimitrifelltotheground,raisedbothhisarmstowardsthecloudfloatingoverheadandgenuinelyandsincerelygeedinworshiptothealmightyCreatorofHeaveh.Hisente,seeingtheirsnkneelinginworship,didnotdaretoremainstanding,sotheyallkdowntoo,eventhemagichorseLightning.KingDimitriprayedinhishoarseaionalvoice,

22

“Oh,GodmyGod!Pleasehavemertheseheadless,limblesscorpseslyinghereinapoolofblood.Theywereallyourcreaturesmadetoyourownimageandlikeness,buttheydidnotiyourkindandgenerousspirit.Orary,theyadheredtotheanimalinstinctsofgreed,arrogandignorance.OhGodmyGod,pleasetakepityontheseignoranthumanbeingsfortheyreallyknownotwhattheydo.Theydidnottreasurethegloriousbodyyoubestowedonthem,butferociouslykilledeachotherinmeanirifeuntilbloodflowedlikeriversandcorpsespileduplikemountains.Thesemassacreshadhappeimeandtimeagaininhumanhistory,butnonehavelearnedanythingfromthem.Sadtosay,theyhadonlyincreasedinferocity.”

“OhGodmyGod!Pleasetakepityontheseignoraures.Sometimestheybead,irrationandunreasonableanddothingsthatevehemselvesdonotknowwhy.OhGodmyGod!Pleasetakepityontheseignoraures.DidyoueheretocastthelostsoulsoftheseunfortunatepeopleintothefiresofGahannatoeernalpunishment?Ohno,GodmyGod!Pleaseshowmercytotheseignorantbutna?vesouls.Pleasegivethemonemorece.Ifgiventhecetoriseagainfromthedead,theywillsurelyuandthatlifeistobetreasured.Iamsuretheywillrepentandreform.OhGodmyGod!Lookingatthisfieldofthedead,IotsayIambmeless,forthismassacre,tooheart-rendingtosee,didhappeninmyKingdom.Ifsomeobebmedforthistragedy,letthebmefallsolelyonmebecauseIdidhereoopreventthismassacrefromhappening.OhGodmyGod,pleasetakepityontheseignorantpeoplefortheyknownotwhattheydo.OhGodmyGod,please,pleasepitytheseignorantpeopleandfivethemtheirtrespasses…”KingDimitriprayedferventlytothecloudhabovethekillingfieldandpouredouthisinnermostthoughtstohisGod.

“OhGodmyGod!Pleasetakepityontheseignorauresofyours,fortheyreallyknownotwhattheydo.Humanbeingshavealwaysusedwarsandkillingtosettletheirdisputes,butdisputeshadneverbeeledthisway.Historyshowsthattheyhadonlygivenwaytoevenrgerscaledandmicwarsandkillings.OhGodmyGod!Pleasedonotbeangrywiththeseyourpitifundunfortunatecreatures.Humanbeingssometimesbead,irrationandunreasonable,whicharetraitshardtotame.Theyarealsogreedy,arrogantandignorant.OhGodmyGod!Ihavealwaysthoughtthathumancivilizationhasreacheditspeakbecausetheyhadalwaystriedtosettledisputesbybloodshedandwar.Ifoneday,theycouldfindanotherwaytosettletheirdifferehenhumancivilizationwouldreallyhavereachedthepinnacle.OhGodmyGod!Iworryandamterrifiedthatbeforethatdayarrives,humancivilizationwouldbepletelydestroyedforeverinaninstant.Afterabrightlightbangandallwouldbeeternallysilenddestroyed…Ihopeandpraythatdaywouldnevereandhumanbeingsfindawaynottoresorttobloodshedandwartosettledisputesandhumancivilizationreachitssummit.OhGodmyGod,Ibegyoutotakepityandfivetheseunfortunatehumanbeingsfortheyarena?veanddonotknowwhattheydo.Isincerelybegyounotonlytivethem,butalsotogivethemasedceatlifeforonlybyrisingagainfromthedeadwilltheyappreciatethepreciousnessoflifeandreformtheirpastdeeds.Ibegyoutotakepityonandfivetheignoranceofyourcreatures.”KingDimitri’shoarseaionalvoiceechoedinthewilderness,movingireme.Thecloudhabovethekillingfieldsighedandrepliedinavoiceloudasthunder

“Truthisinyourhands.Letthingsproceedacctoyourthoughts.”Sayingso,thecloudbrokeup,shatteredanddisappeared,leavingbehindthewideexpanseofblueskiesassereneasever.IfGodcouldappearasacloud,hecouldalsoappearasaflowerorinanyotherpossibleform.

WheesawKingDimitririseupfromhiskheytoostoodupstraightagainandwatchedashewalkedtowardsthematthefrihebattlefield,hisexpressionsolemnbutfulloffideheywereallmucedbecausetheyknewKingDimitriwasabouttodosomethiaacur.Hewalkedtowheretheywerestandingandturnedaroundtofacetheseaofcorpsesolefieldsaying,

“WhereareyouWhiteFairy?”

“Iamhere,yourMajesty”repliedWhiteFairywalkiohim.Iamreadytocarryoutyourorders.”

“IwantyoutoorderallthefreshflowersintheKingdomofDreamstogatherhere…”saidKingDimitrisolemnly.“Iwantthiscruel,uglybattlefieldofmassadkillingtobepletelyburiediifulflowerswhichpersonifiespeadlove.”

“Yessire”repliedWhiteFairyeicallyaostandatthesidelines.Shecspedherhandsandwasmurmuringsoftlybutnoonecouldhearwhatshewassaying.

“Whereareyou,Imaginationaivity?”askedKingDimitri.

22

“Wearebothhere,yourmajesty,awaitingyourorders”repliedthetwoloyalservantssteppingforward.

“Iorderthetwoofyoutostopusingyourbrainsandclearyourheadofallmedleythoughts.Iwantyoutwotoehmeintothestateofzeroandreleasethelimitlesspossibilitiesofzero.”

“Yes,sire”repliedthetwoinonevoidwalkedhandinhandtostandbehindKingDimitri.Withonehandtightlygthatoftheirpartneraherhandpointingtowardsthewideexpanseofblueskies,theyfollowedtheirmasterintothedeepandmysteriousstateofzeretosay,amiraclehappehefragranceofflowerssomehowcoveredupthemetallicsmellofbloodrisingfromthecorpsesolefieldandbecamestrongerandstroilitdrownedandintoxicatedthesethesametimethespringbreezewaftihebattlefieldmadeonefeeldrowsyandtipsy.Multicoloredflowerpetalsandfloateddownfromtheskies.Fromthesouthcameacloudofredorchidsandotherbeautifullocalflowerswhipletelycoveredthebodiesstrehazardlyaroulefield.FromtheeastappearedcolorfundodoriferouspeoniesmixedwithotherrarefloranativetotheKingdomofDreams.Fromtheeastfloatedexoticroseswiththeirownuniqueperfumeandfromthenorthcametherareandseldomseenbcktulip.Verysoonfromthesoutheastandnorthwest,fromthenortheastandsouthwest,cameinnumerablefreshflowerswhichtraveledoverhillsandmountainstopourdownolefieldinoverpheseflowersthatsymbolizedthetwenty-fivebeautiesoftheKingdomofDreamsfloatedoverlikeacloudandonebyonedroppeddown,cthemeadowwithafragrantmulticoloredb.Wavesbegantoappearonthesurfaceofthisseaofflowersfordeepdownwithinit,theehattheycoveredwererestlessanditgfora.

Slightquiversweredisableonthesurfaceofthecalmandquietseaofflowers,butdeepinitsteranundercurrentwassilentlyamassingandsoonturomighty,crashingwaves.Suddenlyargebckbirdbrokethesurfaceoftheseaofflowersandshhtupintotheskies,sendingdownatorrentoffloralrainassheshookherself.Shehadawoman’sfadhairofserpents.ItcouldohebraveandindomitableMedusa!Sheflewswiftlytowardsthetorridsunandwassoonjustatinybckspethedistanthorizon.Butshesuddenlyturnedbaddovestraightdowicallytowardstheground.Beforetougdowassuddenlypulledherselfuphighintothesky.Sheencircledtheseaofflowerstwothreetimes,ginaloudvoice,“Ihaveebathedead.Ihaveebathedead.Allthosewhodiedwillberesurrected,too.Wehavedefeatedtheangelofdeath.”Shemadeasomersaultinmidair,turohumanformanddroppeddowh.WhenshesawKingDimitrileadinghistwoloyalservantsImaginationaivityimmersedieofzeroandWhiteFairysilentlyprayingwithfoldedhands,shekhatitwasacritidvulnerabletimeforthefourofthemandnooneshouldbeallowedtodisturbthem.SoafterexgingknowingghCharmaineainewhowasstandingnearby,sheoncemoretookupherpositionasProtectoroftheKingdomandstoodontherightsideofKingDimitri.Soontherewasanotherdisturbancedeepintheseaofflowersandtheheadofagiantwithtwoeyesohefrontahebackofhisheadbrokesurface.ThesinglehornoopofhisheadprocimedhimtobenootherthanCyclops.Whenhewokeupatthebottomoftheseaofflowers,hegropedaroundwithhishandsandfoundhisseveredhead,whichhequicklyputbahisnehishaste,hedidnotpositionitcorrectly,soheusedhishandsthtenitsothatitcouldbeinitsinalposition.Hewadedintheseaofflowerswhichreacheduptohiswaist.Then,hequicklywalkedover,oMedusaawonymphsandstoodoofKingDimitri,alsotakingupthedutyofguardinghissn.Afterawhiledisturbancesappearedfromdeepuhesurfaceoftheseaofflowers.Wheleofwaterheboilingpoint,bubbleswouldriseuptothesurface.Theywouldquicklyincreaseinnumbersuntiltheybeepartofanagitatedwaveaerestoaroilingboil.Itwasthesamewiththesituationonhandhere.Firstfragmentsofhumanvoiceswereheard,justlikethetimewhenoneleaveshomeearlyinthemaswiththeneighbors,onewouldchatcordiallyandsayafewwordsofcasualgreeting.Thenasoneproceedstotheopenmarketwheremorepeoplearegathered,theatmospherewouldbeorelivelyandbustling.Itwasthesamehereattheedgeofthebattlefield.Theformerquietandsilencewasbrokenaswavesappearedontheseaofflowersandvoicescouldbeheard,untiltheygrewlouderandlouderandbecameanoisycmorofshoutsandughter.Thedeadbodiesofthebarbariansoldiersandnativewarriorscametolifeagainandwereloudlyexpressingtheirsurpriseandjoywithboisterousshoutsandexcmations.

Fromdeepintheseaofflowerscouldbeheardthefollowingshoutsandexcmations:

“Hey,brother,.Weseemtoberestoredtolife!!”

“Ar-r-r-rh!”yawheso-called“brother”ashestretchedhimself,“Why,yes,wearealiveagain.Irememberyouwererunningaftermeandpiercedmybackwithyourspearrightthroughmybreast.IthoughtIwasdonefor,butnowIamaliveagain.”

“Yes,yes.Iamsosorry.Idon’tknoassohellbentonkillingyou.Areyhtnow?Ihopeyouarenotinpainanymore…IiercedbyanarrhmythroatandIdied.It’sreallystrange.HoweIambacktolifeagain?Areweenemies?”

“No,Idon’tthinkso.Ihaveneverseenyoubeforesowecouldn’tbeenemies…”

“Ifwearenotenemies,whyarewekillingeachotherasifwewere?That’sreallyunreasonable.Anyway,nowthatwe’vegotourlivesback,letburythepastandstartahetwoformerenemiesshookhandsandhuggedeachothertocelebratetheirsedlife.

22

“Hey,hey,brother.Willyoutakeyourhatchetfrommyheadwhereyouburiedit?Iamhurting!”

“Oh,sorry,sorrybrother.Ifottopulloutthehatchet.IwasgoingtodothatbutanarrowpiercedmythroatandIdiedbeforeIcoulddoso…Okay,nowit’sout.Areyoustillinpain?”

“Noproblesn’tthatmiraculous?IthoughtIdiedwhenyouhackedatmewithyourhatchet.HoweIamaliveagain?Areweenemies?”

“No,Idon’tthinkso.Idon’tknoearesofilledwithbloodlustthatwearedetermiokilleachothereventhoughwehadneverseeneachotherbefore…Butnowthatthepastisgo’sstartanew.Astheyusedtosay,“Friendshipgrowsfromexgeofblows,Ha-ha.Let’sbefriendsfromnowonandnevergoonakillingrampageagain,okay?”

“Heybrother,thisishalfofyourhead.Ijustpickeditupforyou,putitbaquickly.Yourswordsmanshipisquitegood.Severalofourbrothersdiedwhenyoucutofftheirheads.”

“Ofwhatuseisgoodswordsmanshiptome?Wasn’thalfmyheadcutoffbysomeoneelse?…Whywearesofilledwithbloodlustthatwearedetermiokilleachotheralthoughwehadneverseeneachotherbefore…Anyway,IhaveputhalfofmyheadbaandIagainenjoysomegoodwine.Oh,yourbrotherswhoseheadIcutoff,havetheyebacktolifeagaintooandhavetheyfoundtheirheadsyet?Let’sgofindthemandIwilltreatyoualltogoodliquortoexpressmyapologiesforhavinghurtyouguysandalsotocelebrateoursedlives…”

“It’sreallystrangewhywekillpeoplewedon’tknowatalndaresogung-hoaboutit.Arehumanbeingsignorantanimals?Notreally…”

“Hey,youwhite-hairedoldgent.Youarereallyquiteasavagesoldier.Pullyourspearfrommychestplease.Ihavealreadypulledminefromyours.Iamipain.Ifyoudon’tpullitout,Iwilldieasedtime…”

“Oh,sorry,sorry…Iwilldosoatonce.Areyouokay?Yourwoundwillcloseupverysoonjustlikeminedid.It’sstrange,isn’tit?Wearealiveagain.Ihaveheardofsuchthingsbutit’squitedifferentwhenweexperieourselves…It’ssomethingworthcelebrating,right?…”

“Thefaultisreallywithus.Weshouldneverhavefollowedourtriballeaderandcrossedthebordersintdom.Hewaooccupyyournds,ensveyourpeopleandtakeoveryourpaces.Thatiswrongbutwejustblindlyfollowedhimwithoutusingourheads.Iamreallyashamedofourbehavior.”

22

“Isupposeyouhadyourreasons….Thendonyoursideispoorandaridandlifeishard.Weknowthat.Ifyouneedfoodorsheepandcows,youjusthavetoaskandwewouldgdlysharesourswithyou.KingDimitriisaverybenevolentandgenerouskingandwillfreelysupplyyouwithallyouhingsbesolvedwithoutsheddingblood…”

“Really?Whyisitthatwewerenotinformedaboutanyofthis?Ifwekhetruth,whowouldbewillingtorisktheirlivesneedlessly?”

“Yht,butthisbattlewasstillworthit.Ifwedidnotdieandthenwerebroughtbacktolifeagainlikewearenoouldnotsofullyuahandsignificeoflifeandwhylifeshouldbetreasured.Lifeesonlyowediedondarenowbeinggivenasedceatit.Weshouldappreciateitallthemore…”

“Hey,oldman,Ibroughtyourheadbacktoyou.Putitbayourneck.Yourfaceisfullofwrinklesandyoulookprettyold,whyareyousowickedthatyousneakuponmeandygenitals?WithoutitIdon’treallywanttolive.”

“Ohnobrother,I’mnottheonlywickedone.Ididcutoffyourreproductiveans,butyouraisedyourknifeandyhead,didn’tyou?Thankyoufingitbae,Iwillputitbackwhereitbelongs.Hey,howeIamaliveagainandhavebeeyoungerbyatleasttwentyyears…Lifeisreallyastrangeandwonderfulthing.IfIdidnotdieondebacktolifeagain,Iwouldnotbeasappreciativeofitspreciousnessandofitsmeaning.Ikilledyouandyoukilledme,solet’scallitquits.Whydon’tyougobacktowhereyoucamefromandIwillreturntomyhome.Fromnoillliveapeacefullife.Let’scallitatrudneverfightagain.”

“Yht.Whatisthemeaningofceaselessstrifeandkillingeachother?Itismuchbettertolivesidebysideinpeadprosperity.Iwillgobadreporttoourchief…”

“Hey,hey,brother.Theheadyouhaveinyourhandismiheoneinmyhand,Ithink,belongstoyou.Lookatalltheheadsontheground.Ithinktheywerecutoffbythesameman…Thatmanwasreallybrutal.Hey,brothers,lookcarefullyandbesureyou’vegotyourownhead.Itwouldreallybeaedyoferrorsifyouputsomeoneelse’sheadonyourneck…Hey,thatheadbelongstothatohere,giveitba.”

“Thankyou.Thankyou.IamreallysorryIcutoffyourheads.Intheend,myheadwasalsocutoffbysomeoneelse.Youshamemebygivingmebackmyheadinsteadofgettingbackatmeforkillingyouguys.Thankyou.Thankyou.”

“Nothankshewrongpartywasuswhoinvadedydom.Ifwedidn’t,youwouldnothavecutoffourheadsandyourswouldbesafelyonyourownheadaswell.Let’scallitquits.”

“Yes,let’scallitquits.WeareallmadetothelikenessofGod,butwekilleachother,cutoffeachother’sheads.Doesthatmeanwehumanbeingsareirrationandmad?Isbattletheonlywaytosettlematters?Nowthatweallhaveourheadsbadthebrainsinourheadsarethetoolbywhichwethihinkoverwhathadjusthappened.Ioavoidfuturebattlesandbloodshed,letusthinkofanewandmorereasoosettlematters.Dowereallyuandwhatwearedoingwhenwekilleachotherandcutoffeachother’shead?”

22

Uhisgeouslycoloredseaofflowersyseveralthousanddeadsoldiersfrombothsides.Tothemitwasasiftheyweretrappedinanightmarewheretheykilledandbutcheredeachother;butthesebarbaric,savageandhorrifiesdisappearedwhentheywokeup.Luckilyitwasonlyabaddreamwhichdissipateduponawakening.Theygropedaroundintheseaofflowerslookingforthemissingpartsoftheirbody.Somewerelookingfortheirheadwhichhadbeencutoffinbattle;somewereseargfortheirseveredarmss;whileothersweretryingtoseetothefatalwoundsthatkilledthem.Inaword,theywerealltryingtomakethemselveswholeagainandregaintheimageandlikehatGodgavethem.Theynotonlywokeupfromtheirnightmare,theyactuallyroseagainfromthedead.Fromthebeginningoftimesinthelonghistoryofmankind,therehadbeeninnumerablebattlesonscalesmoremassivethanthisothisonewasrareanduhatthesoldiersthatdiedallcamebacktolifeagainbecausethebattlehappenedinamysteriouskingdom.NothingisimpossibleintheKingdomofDreamsorinotherwordsanythingispossiblehereincludingtheresurreoflife.

KingDimitriwokeupfromhisextremelyquietandsereeofmindandcameoutofthestateofzero.Hefoundhimselfsittingcross-leggedograssandstoodup.HistwoloyalservantsImaginationaivityputdowntheirhandswhichhadbeenpointingatthesky.KingDimitrituroWhiteFairywhowasstandingbesidehimandsaid,

“Everyonehaswokenup,sothisbeautifulseaofflowersowbewithdrawn.Thefreshflowersyoucalledfromalroundhavealreadyfulfilledtheirmission.Pleasedismissthemandaskthemtogobacktowheretheycamefrom…”WhiteFairycspedherhandsandmurmuredwordsinanguagethatonlysheherselfuoodandthousandsofflowersflewwaveafterwaveinaveryorderlyfashionintotheblueskieslikepigeonsthatsymbolizedpeace.TheseinnumerablefreshflowershadbloomedatamostunseasoimeinahecalloftheFlowerFairyandtheyallflewhereatherand.Nowthattheirtaskwasdoheyflewbackagaintowheretheycamefrom,bythesideoftheclearstreamorbrook,intheemeraldgreenmeadows,ontreesandshrubsorinmountainsandvalleyswherenohumanshadeversteppedintobefore…Myriadsofbeautifulflowersflewupintotheskies,fillingtheheavenswiththeirgradcolorfulformswhichcouldbeseenineveryerofthevastdomainoftheKingdomofDreams.Itwasamajesticsighttobeholdihecorpsesofthetwo,threethousandbarbariansoldiersandnativewarriorsolefieldcametolifeagaialenemieswhohadbeeonkillingeachotherwerenowshakinghandsinfriendship,huggingwarmlyorwalkingtogetherarmsaroundeachother’sshoulders.Someofthebarbariansoldiersandnativewarriorsevensataroundinacirclehandinhandtalking,ughing,singinganddangtogetherinhighspirits.KingDimitrismiledinsatisfaohesesofullofpeace,warmthandhappiness.Fromdifferentdiresofthemeadows,figureswereseenmakingtheirwaytowardshim.KingDimitrigazedfixedlyatthemandsawthatthetwofiguresingfromtherightwerehisoldfriendsRichardandJamaz;thetwoingtowardshimattheterwerethesilver-hairedMr.KaffeeandthewrinkledDavidawomenwalkingtowardshimotalkingandughingwereMr.FingerakaEmmanuendBig-O.KingDimitri’sfacewaswreathedinsmilesashesawhisoldfriendswalkingsofulloflifetowardshimknowingtheymusthavebeenamongthedeadwhowerenowresurrected.Hewavedhishandswildlytothemshoutingtheirnamesaheysawitwashim,theycamerunning.KingDimitrihuggedeadeveryohemwarmly,sayiedly,“Scaredyoueh?Nowit’soverandweallbetogetheragain…”Justthen,ferociousroarswereheardandhekhatthetwotigersthatsatbeforehisthronewereheretoo.HelookedintothedistandsawCortezandKojakeboungjoyfullytowardshim,closelyfollowedbytwowomen,EileenandVio.penedwasthis.Atthebeginningofthebattle,whenEileensawCyclops’sheadflyfromhisbodyasbloodspurtedfromhisneck,shebckedoutandherbodyonceagainbrokeintotwoparts.Viowhowastherewithherwasdevastatedatwhatbefellherparentsaoofainted.Luckily,nativewarriorsputVioontothebacksofthetigersCortezthatcarriedhertosafetyintothedenseforestbeforerunningouttofacetheenemieswhowereattagtheKingdom.WhenthedawnbrokeandViocametoagain,shefoundherselfinaseaofflowersahathermothermustbesomewhereioo.Shesilentlydivedtothebottomandfouher.WhenCyclopssawhiswifeanddaughterwalkingtowardshimsafeandsouohugthemclosetohisheart.CortezandKojaksofierdsavageagainsttheenemywereliketwobeautifulgeensbeforetheirmaster.KingDimitrigentlypattedtheirheads,ruffledtheirthickstripedandspeckledfurandhuggedthemaffeately.CyclopssolicitouslybroughtesmoothrockfDimitritositooneweighedseveralthousandpoundsandwouldhavetakenalotofpeopletojustmoveit,butinCyclopshandsitwaslightasafeather.BeautifulImaginationgottwopiecesofanimalfurfromsomewhereandcoveredtherockwiththemasatemporarythrotingonit,KingDimitrilookedatthepeoplealroulefield,seargfortheculpritwhostartedthisbattle.

Barbariansoldiersandnativewarriorsweregatheredonthegreenmeadowsexhibitingtheirphysicalprowess.Theywererunningrapetinginswifthrowingstoestthestrengthoftheirarmsalingtoseewhoseteiquewasbetter.petitivenessispartofhumannature.Itstooptothelevelofmutuannihitionormutitionusingknivesandspears,butcouldbecarriedoutthroughpeacefulmeans.ThelivelyandbustlingatmosphereonthemeadowsgainedmomentumandwasinfullswingwhenallofasuddehingquieteddownandthepetitorssteppedasidetomakewayforatallhuskyyoungmanwhocamewalkingquicklytowardsKingDimitriwithbowedhead,carryingthemagicswordandmagicbowandhisemptyquiversinhisarms.OfcourseitwasAts,thechiefofthebarbariansoldiers.Hewasthesttodieandthereforewasthesttofromthedead.Whenhewokeupandsawthepeacefulseinfrontofhim,heuoodwhathadhappened.HefoundthatthemagicswordwasstillhangingonhiswaistandthemagicbowwasstilroundhisshouldersawastimetofagDimitri.Hewouldaowledgedefeat,swearfealtytohimandpromisetobealoyalvassalforever…AtswalkedbravelytowhereKingDimitriwassittingonhistemporarythrone,kbeforehimholdinghighthemagiconsinhisarmssaying,,

“Yourmajesty,Iamyourmosthumbleservant,Atschiefofthebarbariantribes.Iamdeeplyashamedofmypastbehaviorofsendingmyunderlingstostealyourpreciousstatetreasures,andtheninvadingyourterritoriescreatingthedevastatingtragedywhichcausedthedeathofthousandsofyoungmenonbothsidesofourtries.Butyou,yourmajesty,didnottakemetotaskonsucheousandatrociousbehavior;orary,yavemeandgavemeandmysoldiersasedceatlifeandresurrectedus.Mylifewasgivenbaebyyou,soIherebywillinglyswearfealtytoyouasmyoverlordandwillbeloyaltoyouasyourvassal.Iwillobeyyourandsandserveyouloyallyforever.…Hereareyourstatetreasures,yicswordandmagicbow.Pleaseacceptthembackwithmysincereandhumbleapologies…”KingDimitrilookedoveratCreativity,whouoodandwalkedovertotaketheonsbaAts.KingDimitrithenstoodup,walkedovertoAtsandhelpedhimupwithbothhandssaying,

“What’sdoneisdone.Fromnoillbelikebrothers.IamafewyearsolderthanyousoIwillbetheelderbrother.Ourtwotrieswillbeonequandfriendlyfootingwitheachother.Wewillliveinpeacefulcoexistendhelpeachother.”

“Yes,yourmajesty.Itwillbeasyoudecree.”HoldingAts’handhighintheairwithhis,

KingDimitriturhepeopleofbothtriesandtheycriedoutenthusiastically,“KingDimitri!KingDimitri!KingDimitri!”Themountainsandvalleysresouhtheirshouts.AtsbowedlowtoKingDimitriandsaid,“Thankyou,yourMajestyforyourkindnessandgenerosity.Iwilltakemyselfandmysoldiersbaenoillguardthesafetyoftheboundariesofydomwithourlives…”

“Notsofastyoungman”repliedKingDimitri,hisfacefullofsmiles.HoldingAts’handhesaid,“YoudonotvisitmyKingdomveryoften,whynotstayafewdayslonger?Lookatoursoldiers!Seehowwelltheyaregettingalong?Makingthemgohomenowwouldreallydampentheirmood.Everyobehungryandthirstybynowafterthebigbattle.Letmedothehonorsasyourhostandgivethematreat.”

“Thankyou,yourmajesty”repliedAts.KingDimitristoppedforamomentandtinued,

22

“Nowthatuteverythingiandhaveputourselvesonanewfootiusjusttalkaboutthepastonemoretime.Yourndsmayhemostfertile,buttheyarenotreallysoaridthatfood,sheepandcowsareinshortsupply,whythendidyoureallystartthisbattlewithus?”Onhearingthis,Atsagaiohiskneesandreplied,

“Itisallmyfault…Iamguilty…Idon’tdaretotalkaboutit…”whilehegealthilytowardstheleftwiththeerofhiseyestowhereWhiteFairy,ClementineandCharmainewerewhisperingtogether,ahreepairsofeyessntedeverynowaowardsKingDimitriandAts.KingDimitribeingthecleveranddisingmonarchhewas,hadalreadysurmisedwhatitwasalbout.HeughedaloudandcalledtoClementineandCharmaioeover.HeagainhelpedAtstohisfeetsaying,

“Ah,littlebrother,Itoldyouwewerebrothersandthereforeareequalineveryway.Douthefiningandstiffcourtetiquette.Let’streateachotherasfamilywhichwillbemuchmorecasuandharmonious.”

“Yes,sire.Yesyourmajesty”repliedAts.

“e,e”saidKingDimitriasClementineandCharmainewalkedover.“Letmeintroduceyoutoeachother.“Thisismynewbrother,Ats.Givehimahugyoutwotoshowyoursincerewele.”AtswasaghastanddidnotknowwhatKingDimitri’siionswerebutClementineeverpoisedandgraciouswalkedoverandhuggedandkissedhimquiteinitiatively.Atswassurprisedthatthebodyheheldinhisarmsdidobeonemadeoffleshandblood.Orary,itseemedtobejustairwithnosubstaall.Charmainealsocameandhuggedandkissedhimanditwasthesamewithhertoo.Ats’expressiorayedhissurpriseandchagrincausingCharmaiochuckleandsay,

“Doyouuandnow?Althoughwesistersareheavenlynymphs,wehavebeautifulfeaturesandshapebutnosubstance.OurretionshipwithKingDimitriisohepurestptoniclove,whichfewpeoplederstand…”

“Thehumanbodywithitssexualdesireshasbodytemperature”tinuedClemewillgrowoldanddecay.Butspiritualloveiseternal.Doyouuandnow…?”Atskdowntothetwonymphssaying,