sosmall.Lifethereissimple,justfarming,fishingandhuntingandyouchoosewhatyouwanttodo.Ifyoudon’twanttodoanything,andwanttoshutyourselfinsideyouhomeahat’soktoo.Noonewillinterferewithyou.Thereisionofexploitingorbeingexploitedthere.Thereissomuchgrainandfoodpiledupinthegranary,thatnoonewilleverbeginanything.Childrenpyinthecourtyards;womenweaveihehut.Lifeissimpleandserene.oworryaboutfeedingthemselvesandtheirfamily.HowIwishtogobacktotheKingdomofDreamsandlivethelifethere.Yougetupwhenthesunrisesandgotowork.Yourestwhenthesus.ButourmasterKingDimitridoesoiogobackthere.”

“Right”echoedCreativity.“Everymwiththehoeonmyshoulder,Iwouldwalktowardsthefieldsatthedawn’sfirstlight.Iwouldworkhardasweatflowfrommybodyintothesoil,watgwithhappysatisfaastheseedsIpnted,sproutandgrowintowheat.ThehesusIwillgobayhut,eatafullmeandthenclosethedoorandhaveagoodnight’ssleep.Ilikethissimplebutfulfillinglifetoo.”

Afterleavingthenoisymetropoliswithitscrowdsofpeopleandunendingtraffic,ImaginationheldCreativity’shandandstoppedatapcewheretherewerebeautifulhillsandwater.Itwasaserenehouseinthesuburbs.Imaginationstoodbythekelookingatthecrystalclearsparklier.Thenshegazedatthenearbyhillswheretherewerequiteafewhouses,cssiclookingandartisticallybuilt,givingforthajollyatmosphereofliveliness.

“Howluckyarethesepeoplelivinghere!”saidImagination.“Theyjoytheserenehillsaer,butalsohavetheuseofallthemodernveniences.HowIwouldliketokeepthisverygoodmemoryoflifeohforeverdeeplyetchedinmymemory,obefotten.IcouldbringitoutandwonderuponitanytimeIwant.”Creativityughedandsaid,

“Youspendtoomuchtimepoverthisbeautifulsery.Itisonlyaseofyourimpressions.Everythingwillge.Don’tfetthatyournameisImaginationandmineisCreativity.Whateveryouimagine,Imakeitreality.Onlythusweimproveandadvance,right?”

“Yht,”saidImaginationsmilingandnoddingherhead.“Yht.YournameisCreativityandmineisImagination…”Amongthemanypeoplestrollingaroundthekeuhebrilliantbutserenesunshinewasayoungcouplepushingastroller.Theyoungmother’sfacewaswreathedinhappysmilesasshesaid,

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“ThanktheLordmydecisionwasthecorree.Lookhowhealthyandlivelyoursonis!”Herhusbandandfatheroftheboy,alkioher,said,

“I’llhavetoadmitthatyourdecisionwastherightone.However,youdohaveanirregurheart,whichcouldhavebeenverydangerousduringpregnandchildbirth.ButyouweresodetermioghwithitthatIcouldn’tstopyou.Luckilyeverythingturrightandbothyouandthebabyweresafe.Wehavereallybeeremelyfortunate.Godhasbeenespeciallygoodtoyou.”

“Atthetime”repliedtheyoungmotherreminisgaboutthepast,“wheorfirmedthatIregnant,Iwassohappy!ThattinyspeckoflifewasGod’sgifttometobetemporarilylodgedinmywomb.IdecidedtotakegreatcareandprotectituntilIcouldbringitsafelyintothisworld.Notonlythat,whenGodgavemethisgreatgift,healsoburiedhisinstrusinthemindofthisnewlife,tobegraduallyunfoldedashegrewup.”Justthentwobeautifulrgebutterfliesappeared,oneflyingslightlyhigherthaher.Theyhoveredarourollercausingthebabytogigglewithughter,wavinghistwochubbyarmsindelightasifmimigthedangofthebutterflies.Afterawhiletheyflewaway,disappearingintotheflowerbedscausingthebabytobreakintotears.Theyoungmotherquicklypickedhimupandhuggedhimclose,soothinghimwithwordsalekisses.Thebaby’sclearandchildishcriescausedhismothertoincreasehertender,lovingcare.Afterawhile,thebabystoppedgandsmiledthroughhistearsbecausehesawthetwobutterflieshoversomeflowerssughoneyfromthem.Toababy,hisworld,everylittlethingwasnovel,curiousandiing.Hisrettears,dryonhiseyeshes,sparkleduhesunlight.

“Youknow”tiheyoungman“thatwomen,withhealthproblemsandnotsuitedtnancy,justlikeyouusedtobe,oftenhaveabortions.Othershadnochoicebuttohavetheproceduredoofamilyormoralissues,suchasrapeori.Ofcoursetherearemanyotherreasonswhywomenchosetostoptheirpregnancysuchaseiilydifficultiesetc.Butsomewomendoitbecausetheydonotwishpregnancytointerferewiththeirhappyandcarefreelifeasabachelorette.”Theyoungmotherputthebabybatohisstrollerandpusheditslowlyforwardwithherhusbandbyherside.Hetiheywalkedalong,“Therearemanyreasonswhywomenchoseabortion.Butthewombisapartofawoman’sbodywhosemainfunisprocreation.Ofcoursewomenhavearighttouseandtroltheirownbodies,witharighttochoosetnantortohaveanabortion.ButtomebabiesaregiftsfromGodandhisinstrusareimbeddedihoughttobegraduallyunfoldedastheygrowup.InthatIbelievefirmlyandhavenodoubtswhatever.”Theyoungmanwalkedohought.Hisyoungwifeonlykhathewasawealthymedicaldoctor,butdidnotknowthathedidabortionsaswell.

DimitrididnotgehispositionashesquattedbythesquareinfrontoftheBARTstation.Witheverythingpitchbfrontofhim,hehadogoandtherewasnowherehewaogo.Davidytherebesidehimonthehard,icycoldpavement,snloudly.Inthisdenselypoputedmetropolisfullofbusytraffioisystreets,itwasamazinghowhecouldbetotallyobliviousofallthateningaroundhimandremainsoundasleep,afeatnotmanypeoplewerecapableof.Dimitriwonderedwhothehappierpersonwas:theworkaholicbusytoilingfrtonighttogetaheadathisjobandtosupporthisfamilyorthissnoozinghobolostindreamshehadwoven.Hardtosay.DimitrilisteentlytothedisorderlyfootstepsaroundhimtryingtohearifanyresembledthoseofhisloyalservantsCreativityandImagination.Thenherememberedthatthetwoofthemcouldhideintheairsotheirfootstepswouldnaturallybesoundless.

“Ohyes”rememberedDimitri.“Notlongago,thetwoofthemtoldmetheywereoffseargforout-standingandgood-heartedpeopletobecitizensoftheKingdomofDreams.Iwonderwhentheywillbeback.Mytwoloyalservantsarereallygreat.Theyareenthusiasticallygoingaboutrebuildingmypaanevengranderscalethanbeforeandmakeitintoamagnifit,grandioseandawe-inspiringstructure.ActuallyitwasthesetwowhinallyurgedmetoehismysteriousandmagicalworldandbuildmyownKingdomofDreams…Ah,thisisalongandfantasticstory,onefulloftwistsandturns.OnmyfirstdayinthiswonderfuldomainIhadjustdiscovered,IwaswalkinginthedenselywoodedmountainswhenIcameacrossasmalltempleaWhiteFairy,whogenerouslygavemegiftsofthemagicsword,bowandarrow.UsingtheseonsIwasabletodefeatandtamethegonMedusa,whoterbecametheproteyKingdomofDreams.IwasVioandCyclopswhowerejealousofmeandthroughtreacheryaioroyedmykingdombyfire.

Dimitrihadastrahought.“DidIcreatetheKingdomofDreamsallbymyself?Itdoesn’tseemso.siderthetalndmagnifitmountainrahecrystalclearandicycoldSunMooheyweretherelongbeforeIshowedup.IdidnotcreatethembecausetheywerealreadyiencewhenIeuponthem.SoIwasnotthecreatoroftheKingdomofDreams,Iwasonlythediscovererofthepce.Buttheaugustandresplepace,thetwenty-fourbeautiesfromallersoftheearthandmyloyalsubjectshadallbeengatheredtogetherbyme.IalwaysthoughtmycreationoftheKingdomofDreamswasclearddefinowitisn’tthatclearanymoreandIambeginningtohavedoubtsaboutit.IstheworldofdreamstheproductthatIsingle-handedlycreated,designedandbroughtience?OrwasitalreadyiencewhenIcameacrossitbyce?...PerhapsIputitthisway.TheworldofdreamswasalreadyquietlyandserenelyiencewhenIhappeostumbleacrossit.AfterIdiscoveredthepce,Itookgreatpainstometiculouslydesignitandthenbroughtmypnstosuccessfulpletion.LookatDavidhere.HehasalreadyenteredhisowndreamndandisbuildingaKingdomthatbelongstohimalone.EveryonehasaworldthatbelongstohimandthereforebuildhisownKingdomacctohiswishesandination.Thereisatreasuretroveinsideallofus,onlysomehavenotbeendiscoveredandthereforehadbeendeveloped.

Imaginationaivitywalkedamongthecrowdhandinhand,lookingforho,kiedandoutstandingpeoplefortheKingdomofDreams,butafterspendingalotoftimeontheirendeavortheystillcameupempty-handed.Imaginationsighedandsaid,

“Suchpeoplearehardtofind.Somearekiedbutnotveryintelligent.Thereforetheywouldnotbeofmuchuse.Othersarecleverandintelligentbutcraftyandschemingsotheyarenotagoodchoiceeither.Itseemsthatgood,kiedandout-standingpeoplewhoarealsocleverandintelligeeasytofi’sgoback.KingDimitriisstillwaitingforusandmightbegettinganxious.”Creativitynoddedhisheadinagreement,

“Yes,suitabledidatesarehardtofind.Wehavebeenwalkingaboutforquiteawhileandhavenotfoundasingleone.Yht,weshouldbeturningbadreportbacktoKingDimitri.Hemighthavethisustodo.Bytheway,doyourememberthewomanwithdisorderlyhairthatwemetatthepharmacy?Yousaidhertwonippleshadbeenbadlybittenandwasipain,soshewasatthepharmacytobuypainkillersandanti-infmmatorymedication.“

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“Humph”snortedImagination.“Whyareyoustillworriedaboutthatslut?Doyouknowwhatshedidtoday?Shetoldherfamilyshewasgoingtocssbutshefirstwenttoabeautyparlortolookforherlover,ahairdresserandmadeuseofthetimebeforehisfirstercameintohavesexwithhihetimewasearlysothecampuswasstillprettyempty.Shecameacrossthejanitorwithwhomshehadhadcasualsexwith.Theylookedknowinglyateachotherandmadefortherestrooms.Whiletheywerehavihere,thejanitorwassoedwithlustthathebrutallybithernipplesuntiltheyweresplitandbloodyanumerousbdbluebruisesalloverherbody…Whyareyouwaboutsuimmorandsluttywoman?”

“Ohno,Iamnotwaboutthatwoman”repliedCreativity.“ItisherhusbandthatIamsympatheticto.IfIwerethatwoman’shusbandahatshehadbetrayedmeinsuchawayIwouldreallybesoangrythatitmightevendrivemetoitaseriouscrime.Somanypeopleinthismundaneworlditspurofthemomentcrimesandthenhadtopayforitinthecourtof’sjustnotworthwhile!”

“That’scorrect”saidImagination.“Thepeopleinthisworldaredividedintotwosexes,menandwomeionshipbetweenthemhasdevelopedintotlessever-gingvariations.Couplesthatgetalongwell,arenotthatnumerous.Mostcouplesareinastateofsemi-coldwar.Behindcloseddoorstherearealwayslotsofthingsthatarekeptfromtheoutsideworld.”CreativitycircledhisarmsaroundImagination’sslimwaistandsaid,

“Nomatterwhat,thetwoofuswillrayeachother.AtleastitissowithmebecauseIknowthereisnowomaninthisworldthatsuitsmebetterthanyou.”Imaginationgavehimawhiteeyeandthensmiledsweetly,showiwolovelydimplessaying,

“Don’tbesofident.Maybeoneday,justlikethetimewheheforbiddenfruit,Imaybetrayyoujusttofindoutiftheexperienceisasrousingandstimutingaspeoplesay“Creativityughedandsaid,

“IamveryfidentthatyouwillneverdosobecauseinyourheartyoualsoknowthatinthisworldthereisnoothermanthatsuitsyouaswelsIdo.Youareaboakenfrommyribs.Heaveustobeacoupleandwewillrayeachother.”Imaginatioeobeangry,gredathimandsaid,

“Let’sstopjokingaroundatoKingDimitrithatwedidnotfindanysuitabledidatebecausewehadnostandardorcriteriontogoby.Howarewetomeasurewhoiskind,goodandintelligentenoughtobeourchoice.”Sayingso,theyhadetothesquareandsawthatDimitriwassoboredthathewasyawningagainandagainaobegettingsleepy.

David’ssnoreswereevenandregur,nowhighnowlow,asifhewasmakingmusimingasongoutoftune.Dimitriwassquattingbesidehimwithogoandnowherehewaogo.ListeningtoDavid’ssnores,histhoughtsbecamemuddledandhiseyelidsseemedtogettingheavierandheavieruntilhewasgettingreallysleepy.HejureduptheimageofthemagnifitandgrandioseWorldBankandputitintohisbrain.Thehewholeworldandthewholeuniverseintohisbrain.HissciousnessbecamemoreandmoremuddledanddisorieimeandspacegraduallystoppedexpandingandseemedabouttosolidifyatzerobutDavid’ssnores,outoftuheywere,seemedtobearustiethatwasdrivingDimitriintoslumber.Dimitri’seyelidsbecameheavierandheavierasifdraggeddownbylumpsofiron.Soonhecouldnolongerresistandhiseyesclosed.Themyriadsofstarsintheheavenalsofell.Justasheoisedbetweenslumberandwakefulness,hisheartjumpedashisloyalservantsImaginationaivitycamebadwokehim.Heopenedhiseyesaeofzerowasbroken.Justnowtimeandspaterposedoneachothertoformzerowhioloed.Timeandspaceexpaward.Myriadsofstarswereagaiedbeforehiseyes.Everystarwasrotatinginitsorbit.Dimitriwasgreatlysurprised,andthought,“JustnowwhenIyeyes,didthewholeuniversedisappearandthenreappearedwhenIopenedmyeyes?“Dimitrisawthatafreshflowerjustopenedohemyriadsofstarsintheuniverse“Isn’tthatthepcewherehumancivilizationbegan?Thatflowerwillproliferateintwithitsprofusionofcolor.Buthumancivilizationhasbeenfullydevelopedtoitshighestlevendmayperishhalfwaybecauseitseemedtohavegorayonthewrongtradisonthecoursetodestru.Dimitrididnotthinksobecausehefeltthathumancivilizationstillhadtheabilitytoawakeandveerawayfromthewrongcoursetheywereon.Hewassuretheywouldgraduallygetbatracktopeadprosperity.DimitrididnothavetimetothinkmoreonthesubjectbecausehisloyalservantsCreativityandImaginationwerebadwaoreporttohimabouttheirquestfoodandintelligentdidatestopoputetheKingdomofDreams.

CreativityandImaginationheldhandsandtip-toedintoDimitri’sbrain.Herewastheirhomendandpergpendlessspreadoftendergreengrassnd,whereeverythingwassofamiliaritfilledtheirheartswithendearment.ButtheykhattheyhaddisturbedtherestoftheirmasterKingDimitri,sotheysatsilentlyoandfortablegrass,ntotalkhoutloud,waitingtobecalledaioheirmaster.Dimitrikhathistwoloyalservantshadreturned,sohegraduallywokefromthedrowsyandfusedstateofsemi-sleepandasked,

“Sothetwoofyouareback.YouhavebeenoutlookingfordidatesformyKingdomofDreams.Anygoodresults?”Imaginaionwasthefirsttoanswerandtoldhismasterabouttheirquest.Creativitytinued,

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“Wearesosorry,yourmajesty.Wehavenotbeeofindanysuitabledidateandthereforehavenotfulfilledourduty.Perhapsweshouldlookinpcesfartheraway…”Dimitrididnotreprimedthematall,butsmiledandsaid,

“Evenbeforeyouleft,Ihadknownthatyouwouldnotbeabletofindanysuitabledidates.PerhapsIshouldputitthisway.InthisworldthereisnopersonperfeoughtobeeligibletoliveintheKingdomofDreams.Butoherhand,thereishisworldthatisnoteligibletoeeither.ImeaneveryoneisqualifiedtoeheKingdomofDreamsbecauseinthisworldthereisis100%clever,intelligentandgood.heristhereapersonwhois100?d.Inotherwords,mostpeopleareamixtureofgoodandbad.Somehavemoodihanbadbutothershavemorebadthangood.”

“Yourmajesty”askedImagination,“Doyouhavesomecriteriorwhichweusetomeasurethepeoplewemeettoseeiftheyqualify?”Dimitrithoughtforamomentandthenaentatively,

“Idon’treallyhaveanyrulesorcriteriorforyoutwotofollow.Justasyousaid,somepeoplearegoodbutnotintelligentsoyoudidn’tchoosethem.That’sirelycorrectbecausethereasontheydidnotseemintelligenttoyouwasbecausethatpartofthemhadbeenfullydeveloped,justassometreasuretroveshavebeendiscovered.Oncedevelopedtheywillbeegoodandintelligentpeople.Youalsosaidsomepeoplewereverycleverandoutstanding,buttheywerecraftyandschemingsotheywerenotagoodchoiceeither.Thatisirelythecase.Thegoodpartoftheirnaturehadtemporarilybeencoveredupbythebad,likecloudsctheblueskies.Ohebckcloudsareblownawayanddissipated,theblueskieswilleoutagain.Ithinkthatman’struenatureispredominatelygoodandintelligent.IfwecultivateandguidethemontherightpaththeywilllbeeligibletoentermyKingdomofDreams.Theyonlyneedapositiveandupwardstrivi,endeavortoholdthemselvestothehighestlevendaimforperfe.Thatwouldbeenough.”ImaginationaivityrepeatedDimitri’swordsuheirbreath,“Theyonlyneedapositiveandupwardstrivi,endeavortoholdthemselvestothehighestlevendaimforperfe.Thatwouldbeenough.”

Seeingthatthetwoofthemdidnotreallygethismeaniioexpinfurther,

“YournamesusedtobeAdamandEve.YougreatlyangeredJehovahbygoingagainsthisordersandtastingtheforbiddenfruit.ForthatyoutwoweredrivenoutoftheGardenofEden.Jehovahkhathumanswouldnotbeabletousetheirintelligencewisely.Takethingsinourmodernworldforinstahemoredevelopedoursdteologyis,themoreflourishingourcivilizationwouldbe.Butmorality,oherhand,haddeteriorateddrasticallyandhadlostallsenseofhumandecy.ThereasonIgedyouroImaginationaivitywasbecauseIbelievedtheyarethebestpartofhumannature.Thosewhocouldretaiwotraitsaresuretobethebestandmostintelligentofpeople.Humancivilizationhasbeenfullydevelopedtoitshighestlevel.Theystillhavequiteawaytogo.Butsolongashumansaimhigh,seekperfeandtirivingupwardstheircivilizationwouldnotbelikeabrilliaeorthatfshesbrightlybutalltoobrieflyacrossthesky,onlytofallintotheeternaldarkabyssoftheuniverse.

ImaginationaivityweregreatlyinspiredandencedbyDimitri’swords.Theireyesbrighteharadiantlook,buttheirexpressionwasstillslightlyperplexedandmystified.SoDimitritioexpin,

“SiwoofyouhavebeeostructadreamndformewithaKingdomofDreams,Iamsurethatyouarealsofullycapableoftransferringthisdreamndtothemundaneworld.Whyshouldwebeactivelyseekingtoescapetotheworldofdreams?NomatterhowperfectthisKingdomofDreamsthatyouhavecreatedformeis,withtalndmagnifitmountainranges,crystalclearandicycoldSunMoonLake,augustandresplepace,alotofbeautiesandloyalsubjects,don’tyoufeelthatitistoopassiveaivetojusthideindreamndandbeafraidtofacereality?Whydon’twebringthiswonderfuldreamndtotherealworld?Weshareourdreamswitheveryouroidealsandrealizetheminthisrealworld.Don’tmistakemymeaningandthinkIambelittlingdreamnd.Orary,IthinkthatestablishingaKingdomofDreamsforoneselfisabsolutelynecessarybecausetherealwayswillbesetbacks,defeatsandreversesinone’slife.Noonetrolfate.Nooneknowswherefatewilltakeyou.Whenunfortunateandcatastrophicalthingshappen,dreamndisthebestpcetoretreatto.Therewerest,lickourwounds,gatherupourstrengthandwaitforanopportunitytostartawoareactuallyplementarytoeachother.Theycouldexgeinformationandlearnfromeachother.Youtravelfreelytoandfrobetweewoworldswithouthindrance.Everyonehasadreamndintheirheartsandeveryoherulerintheirndofdreams.TheearthisthemostpreciouspresentGodhasgiventothehumanrace.Everyflower,everytreeonthispshouldbetreasuredandloved.Noonewoulddestroytheenvirobyceaselessloggingorplunderingandpilgingnaturalresouroostobethebcksheepwhodestroysthefamilybyhisextravagance.Everyoneuandstheyshouldhaveapositiveandupwardstriviandendeavortoholdthemselvestothehighestlevendaimforperfe.Theneveryonewouldhavebeodelcitizenofthisearth.BythentherewouldreallybeolookforsuitabledidatesfdomofDreams,right?”

Forawhile,Imaginationaivityhungtheirheadsdeepinthought.Theivitybrokethesilencesaying,

“Yourmajesty,IthinkIhaveaninklingofyourtrainofthoughts.Youmeantotellusthatiogetheworld,wemustbeginbygingtheeoplethink…Youmentiohatpeoplemusthaveapositiveandupwardstrivi,endeavortoholdthemselvestothehighestlevendaimforperfe.ThisIthinkIuand.Iknowwhatitistostriveupwardsandaimforperfe,butdon’tquiteuandwardstrivingmeans.Howdotheystriveupwardsandtowardswhichdireshouldtheygo?Couldyoupleasecrifythatpointforme?”Dimitrismiledandnoddedhisheadinsatisfa,saying

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“Thefactthatyouasksuchaquestionshowsmethatyouhavegottotheessehequestion.JustasIsaidawhileago,youtwoangeredJehovahbyeatingtheforbiddenfruitandweredrivenoutoftheGardenofEden.Butdrivingyououtdidnotsolvetheproblem.Jehovahwastoosoft-heartedtodestroythetwoofyouwhoweremasterpiecescreatedbyhim,hismostpreciousgifttotheworld.OutofthekindnessofhishearthedroveyououtoftheGardenofEden,castingyouadrifttoroamtheworldandliveordieasamatterofcourse…”TheexpressionsonImaginationaivity’sfacesbecameveryemotionalwhentheyheardthisandDimitripausedforamomenttoletthemregaintrolofthemselves.Theontosay,“Youtwogobackthroughthetimesandcarefullyreminisceaboutthepast,startingfromthetimeofyourrebirthasthemostbasicofelements.Manymillionsofyearsofevolutionhadwroughtgreatgestoyourexternappearances,especiallyyourbrain,whichbecamebiggerandcouldprocessmoreplexaiculousthoughts.Oryousaythatontheveryfirstdayyouwerebornintothisworld,theseedsofimaginationaivityweresowninyourbrain;butatthesametimetheseedsofavaridambitionalsogerminated.Imaginationaivitywereforcesthatpropelledcivilizationforward,butavaridwildambitiontookitinthewrongdire.Lookattheworldtoday.Itisfullofboundlesscravingstrendingtowardsthejunglewofsurvivalofthefittest.Theavarimaislikearelentlessfloodthatuncurbedflooditsbanks,overwhelmihingitmeets.Thewildambitioninmaislikeafringfmecapableofredugeverythingitentersintoders.TheDoomsdayprophesywillsoonberealized,soIsayJehovahdidnotsolveanyproblemsbydrivingyoutwooutoftheGardenofEden.Jehovahisbenevolentanddidnotwanttodestroyhismasterpiece,hismostpreciousgifttotheworldhimself.Whathedidnotexpectwasthatmankiedsuchabrilliant,gloriousaacurcivilizationthatitstunnedandamazedJehovahhimself.”Imaginationaivityagaiheirheadsdeepinthoughtandthenasked,

“Isourfatedestiobewalkingstepbysteptowardsdestru?Istherenowaytoreversethistragid?’twefindapathtosaveourselves?”

“Ohno,no”repliedDimitrismilingfidently.“Man’sfutureisnotthattragicatall.Ofcoursethereisawaytosaveyourselves.Itdependsoherornotyouarewillingtotakemyadvice.”TheeyesofImaginationaivitybrightehefireofhopewaslightediheyaskedurgently,

“Pleasetelluswhatwemustdotohelpourselves,yourmajesty…Pleasetelluswhattodotosaveourselves….”Dimitrimaintainedhiscalmandkinddemeanor,smilingashesaid,

“Don’tworry.Settledownandlisteuallyitisverysimpleandeasyandit’ssomethingyoutwoeasilydo…”Hestoppedforamomentandsaid,

“GobacktotheGardenofEden,tothetimebeforeyouatetheforbiddenfruit.Recapturethestateoféandinnoceofheartyouhadtheyourbrainbeptyandi.Everythingwillbedifferentthen.”Imaginationaivityweregreatlyarmedattheirmaster’swordsandexcimedalmostinonevoice,

“What?GobacktotheGardenofEden?That’simpossible!“criedbothoftheminshock.“ossiblydothat!Evenifillingtolistentoyouradviddoasweweretold,Jehovahwillneveracceptusbacktothegardenbecausewehadbrokenhisandaheforbiddenfruit.Howcouldhefiveusausgobatothegarden?”Dimitri’ssmilebroadenedandbecamedeeperandmoremeaningfusifheknewsomesecretthattheydidnot.Hesaid,

“Ohno.Don’tsaythat!Jehovahisbenevolent.IfyouarewillingtogobacktotheGardenofEden,tothetimebeforeyouatetheforbiddenfruitaurethestateoféandinnoceofheartyouhadthen.Ifyouletyourbrainsbeptyandi,JehovahwilltakeyoubadletyouliveoncemoreintheGardenenjoyingthecarefreelifeyouusedtotakefranted…”Seeingtheunbelievingexpressionsontheirfaces,Dimitritinued,“…alright,letmeexpressmyselfinanotherway.WhatImeantbyreturningtothestateoféofthetimebeforeyouatetheforbiddenfruitwasactuallyjustadjustingyourhearttozero.Iknowthatishardtodo.Aftermillionsofyearsofevolution,man’sbrainhadbeebiggerandprocessmoreplexaiculousthoughts.Manisusedtousingtheirimaginationaivityastheirmodeofthoughtandithadbeeahabitwiththem.Togivethisupandgetothezeromodeofthoughtwillbeverydifficult.ButthisistheoauouspathtairytotheGardenofEden.Therearenootherchoicesleft.Doifiedbymyzeromodeofthought.Itdoeshateverythingbeeszeroandthereforenolos,likethebckholeintheuniverse.Allthatessmagicfieldisabsorbed,swallowedanddisappearswithoutatradtheultimateouteisdeatharuyceptofzero,orary,incorporatesinfinitepossibilities.Zeroisralbetweenhaveandhavenot,liketheretionshipbetweenzeroandone.Zeroturntooneandonebeezero.Sotheretionshipbetweenzeroandoentandentisrepetitive,rotatingbackwardsandforwardsforever.Onlybyreturningtozeroebefreeofthestraintsofwildambitionandavaridtrulyreachthegoalofthought,introspeandholdingthemselvestothehighestlevel.”

AfterlisteningtoDimitri’sexpnation,Imaginationaivityseemedtohaveonlyavagueideaofwhathemeantandstillhadalotofquestions.Creativityasked,

“…Yourmajesty,youjustsaidthatwehadtogiveupourbrain’spresentmodeofthought.Idonotuandwhatthatmeans.Couldyoupleaseexpinitfurtherforus?”Dimitriwasstillsmilingandansweredcalmly,

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“That’saverygoodquestionandjusttothepoint!Iwillikethis.Iamverygratefulforyoodiionsandyourkindnessinrebuildingmyburntdowooisevengranderandmnifitthanbefore.Isawit.Butothershaveyetbecausetheyusethetraditional,physicalwayofthought.Eveniftheyusedtheteststificmethodsaintricatemathematicalcalcutions,theywouldstillnotbeabletoascertaiencedomofDreams.Buthercouldtheyeitsexistence.YouandIhaveseenit,sotheimpressionofthepaceisfreshlyengravedinourbrainsandotbeerasedbyanyoneelse.ThatwasbecauseIhadagaihestateofzero.Zeroisirelynihilbetweeentandent.Itisanareafullofallkindsofpotential.InthisstateofzeroIdimlysawagrandioseandmammothoutlihelinegraduallybecamemoredistinctbecauseieofzeroeverythingwilppear.UhebrightmoonlightoftheKingdomofDreams,Isawtheextravagant,magnifitandawe-inspiringpacewhiewthetwoofyouhadbuiltforme.SoioeheKingdomofDreams,one’sbrainmustgiveupusiraditionalwayaeadthesimplermoredirectway.youuandwhatImean?”Seeingtheexpressionontheirfacesturnto“Ah,sothat’swhatitis,”asifasuddenburstofuandinghadreachedthem,Dimitrigaveasighofreliefthatatsthehadexpinedhimselfclearlytohisloyalservants.Hetiosay,“Youterchedinmybrainsforalongtimeandhaveturhetendergreengrassthereintoyourhomeandyourselvesintomyloyalservants.Thatisanexpressionofyourmodestyandhumbleness.Idonotthinkofourretionshipinthatwayatall.Tome,thethreeofusareequals.Weareatrioofequal,co-operatingpartners.Butforthesakeofspiritualunityandiomarstep,thetwoofyoumustlistentomyands,margorhaltiellyouto.Weotactaswedidbefore,withthethreeofusridinginourchariotsbutpullingindifferentdires,eachdoingthingshisownway.Thatwillmakeamessofthematterausfromrealizingouraimofholdingourselvestothehighestlevel.Thetwoofyouareverygenerousandbuiltapacethatwasbigger,mrandioseandmagnifitthanmyoldothatwasnotwhatIneededorwaall.Liketwoiigableworkaholieofyhtherimaginationandintelligeofullpyandpainstakinglydrewtheblueprints,whiletheotherworkednightanddaywithoutstoptocreatethemammothpace.Yournon-stopbordisturbedmeandmadeitimpossibleformetohavetheeaseofmindtotrateoeofzero.Nowthatisnotgoodforanyofus.OfcourseIknowthatthetwoofyouhadusedimaginationaivitythetraditionalwayformillionsofyears.Itishardforyoutostopandgetoanotherway.Itisliketamingawildhorse,butdon’tbeafraid,Iwillwaysbehereforyouandhelpandadviceyoubecauseweareatrioofequalco-operatingpartners.Weareindispensibletoeachotherandotaplishanythingwithouteachother.Onlybyunitingtogetherandmarginstepwehavethestrengthtoaplishoal.Enterieofzerotakesyearsoflearning,gropingandpractice.Whenyougoinandoutofthisstatefreelyandeasily,anduseimaginationaivitywithieofzero,thenyouwilluanditssecret...

Somepassersbywerecuriousaboutthetwohobos,onesleepingaingbythesideofthesquare.Suchsightswerenotuniquebyanymeans,butthesetwoweresomewhatdifferent.Theonesleepingonthegroundwassnloudlypletelyobliviousofthenoisesandtrafficaroundhim.Theotheronelookedevenmorecurious.Hewassmilingwidely,sometimesnoddingandsometimesshakinghishead,allthewhilemutteringtohimselfasifversingwithsomeone.Sometimesheraisedhisvoidgesticutedwithhishandstomakehispointasifheweretalkiorically.Curiouspedestriansstoppedtohearwhathewasmutteringaboutandcaughtfragmentsofwordssuchas“…GardenofEden…Jehovah…KingdomintheDreams…stateofzero…”Thoughhiswordswerei,theywerefreshandcuriousenoughtomakepeoplestoptohearmore.Soontherewasasmallcrowdsurroundiwohobos.Somestoodoutsidethecrowdpointingtheirfingersandgossipingamongstthemselves.Jeeringsoundsandughtercouldbeheardhereandthere.

“…Lookatthatcrazyman!”excimedsomeohecrowd.“Helooksasifhewasgivingaspeech!...”

“…Hey,hiseyesarebnkandlohtatyou.Ithinkheisblind!...”

Inthishighlycivilizedsociety,mentallyillpeoplewithabnormalbehaviettingmoreandmorenumerous.Wasthisbecausesocietyisillorwascivilizationitselfbroken?Richardpassedbyinhisdipidatedjalopyandsawacrowdofpeoplesurroundingsomethingorsomeone.Hewonderedwhathadhappenedandgotouttofindoutforhimself.HepushedthroughthecrowdandwasgreatlysurprisedtoseeDimitrisittingtheremutteringtohimselfauringwithhishandsasifhewastalkingtosomeone.HewasindignanttofindthathisfriendDimitriwhomhehadbeenlookingforalldayhadbeetheterofattentionofthiscuriouscrowdofonlookers.RichardimmediatelywalkedovertoDimitri,pattedhimlightlyontheshoulderandsaid,

“HeyDimitri,……Areyoudaydreamingagain?...Iwaslookingforyoueverywhere,butallthistimeyouweresittingheredaydreaming!,Dimitri!Hey,,quick!Mr.Kaffeeisveryworriedaboutsomethingaallofustolookforyou,sopal!”Thenturningtothecrowdofcuriousspectatorshewavedhishandsatthemasifhewasherdingdudsaid,“Go!Go!Youpeople!Whatistheretoseehere?Scramallofyou,vamoose!!!”SeeingRichard’sbrutishfigureandferociouslooks,thecrowdscattered.Afewofthemstoodtheirground,waitingtoseeiftherewouldbeanymoredramaticdevelopments.Richardrolleduphissleeves,showinghisformidablemusclesandsaidthreateningly,“What?Areyouguysstillhere?Wantatasteofmyfists?”Notwantinganytrouble,theyslunkaway,muttering,“Badluckmeetinganothercrazyguy!”Turningbaitri,Richardhelpedhimupsaying,“eon,Dimitri.Let’sgoandseeMr.Kaffee.He’slikeaahottinroof!”

“Whydoeshewanttoseeme?Hassomeemergeneup?”

“I’mnotveryclearaboutthis.You’llknowwhenyougetthere.”Richardsawthentherewasanotherpersonsoundasleeponthegrouookacloserlookandexcimed,“Hey!That’soldDavid!What’shedoinghere?Heissleepingsosoundlythatfireworkswon’twakehim!”

“Sh-sh-“shushedDimitriwithhisfiohislips.“Don’twakehim.Heisinhisdreamndweavingpleasantdreams…Let’sleavenowandnotkeepMr.Kaffeewaiting…”

Mr.KaffeeagbadforthinthesmallbackyardofDream-maker’sBakery,movingaroundtoreleasesomeofhistension.Onthegsswindowwasanotice,“Weareclosedforoneweekduetointernalrepair.Weleoldandnewerstoebackafterweopenforbusinessweek.”Mr.Kaffeehadnotbeennotifiedofthisgebeforehandandwasw,

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“CouldthisbeMaryandShei’syingaprankonme?”Butthisdidn’tlooklikeaprathatsomethingwaswrongwheMegginn’snightandcameherequicklytoseehowthingswere.HefoundthatnotonlywastheshopboardedandclosedbuttheluxuriousthreestoryapartmenthousepreparedformembersoftheKingdomofDreamswasalsoempty.ItwasthenthathewassurethingswereseriouslywrongaRichard,JamazandBig-OouttolookforDimitri.Justthen,JamazandBig-Orushedinpantingaing.Seeingtheirdejectedexpression,hekhattheyhadnotbeeofindDimitri.Hethoughttohimself,“Whatcouldhavehappened?Wehavelookedatallthepceshefrequentstonoavail.Couldhehavedisappearedintothinairagainfornoreasonatalljustlikesttime?”Greatlymystifiedandarmed,Mr.Kaffeefeltthattheburdenonhisshoulderswasheavierthanever.HecouldnotpossiblyshouldertheburdenofmanagingDimitri’sfinancialempirealone.Justashewaswwhattodo,hiscellph.WhenhesawRichard’snumberreflectedonthes,heintuitivelyfeltthatperhapstherewasgoodhistime.Heflippedopenhiscellphone,hisvoicetremblingwithnervousnessaement,

“HowisitRichard?Didyoufindhim?”

“Verygood…Verygood…You’llbehereintwominutes?Why,that’swonderful!”

“Thefasterthebetter.Thefasterthebetter.Goodbye.”

Mr.Kaffeegaveasighofreliefandcolpsedontoachairlikeanairlessball.Hewasthinkingthatifstepsweretakenrightaway,themaofDimitri’sfinancialempirecouldstillberetaiheirhands.Otherwiseitmightbetoote.SoonthefamiliarsoundsofRichard’singtoastopoutsidethegatewereheardandDimitriwalkedinquickly,hishandonRichard’sshoulder.Thefirstquestionheaskedwas,

“WhereisAmalia?Theycouldn’thavejustleftherhereallbyherselfwhentheyleft,couldthey?”TheappearanitriatoMr.Kaffee’smindatpeace.HealsokheimportantpositionAmaliaheldinDimitri’sheart,sohesmiledandsaid,

“Don’tworry.Don’tworry.YouknowthatSheiandYokotreatAmalialikeshewastheirownmotherandtakemeticulouscareofher.TheywouldneverleaveanolddysufferingfromAlzheimer’sdiseasealoneherewhentheyleave.Theymusthavetakenheralongwiththem.”

“Yes,Ithinksotoo…Butwhatcoulditbethatmadethemallleavesosuddenly,leavingjustaybuildinghere?”

“Ithinkpenedwasthis”saidMr.Kaffeewhohadcalmeddownbythenandregainedhissharpsenses..“NovelwillbemarryingMr.O’BriansooionshipbetweenthebeautiesoftheKingdomisveryclose,sotheymusthaveclosedupshoptohelpwiththewedding.Theymaybegatheredtogethersomewhereandhavingareunion!IthinktheyareprobablyatNovel’smansion.Itisbigenoughandhasenoughbedroomstoaodateeveryone…Iwilskaroundandwewillbeabletoknowmoredefinitelyhowthingsare.”

“That’sgood.That’sgood.Letthemgettogetherandhaveagoodtime…”ThenhesuddenlythoughtofsomethingandaskedMr.Kaffee.“Richardjusttoldmethatyouwerefranticallylookingforme.Issomethingwrong?”Mr.Kaffeeimmediatelytookouthiscellphone,scrolledittothetextthatMegginnhadsenthimandhaoDimitrisaying,

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“Look,that’sthetextthatMeggime.Howotgooutofmymindwithworry?”Thenhequicklytookhishandbadsmiledawkwardlyiembarrassmentsaying,“Sorry.Sorry.IamsoworriedthatIfotyouotsee.Letmereadittoyou.”Thenheread,“Ihaveestablishedanewfoundationcalled“TheDream-Maker’sFoundation”andputallKingDimitri’sastronomicalwealthentrustedtomeintoit.IthinkKingDimitriwilgreetothestepsIhavetaken.SignedMegginn.”Dimitrifellintoareverieafterhearingthosewordsandmuttered,

“Astronomicalwealth.Astronomicalwealth.Howmuchisthat?Howmuchisastronomicalwealth?DuringmylifetimeIseemedtohaveownedalotofwealth.Butitwasaccumutedandthenlost.Lostandgainedbackagain.Lostandgainedback;gainedbadlostforIknownothowmanytimes.However,nowIseemtohavebeeedfromthefihisastronomicalwealth.Howmuchreallyisastronomicalwealth?Ithinkitmustbeozero…”Dimitriroaredwithughteratthethought.Hecppedhishandsandshouted,“That’swonderful.Iamfreeagain.Iwasinallyavagabond.Noweverythinghasebacktozero!”

Chapter5WhereMyDreamIs

Thegentlespringbreezeblewonsoftly,overandover,badforthwithnooneknowingfromwhecame.Itveeredaboutasifithadlostitsdire,laimlesslyandleisurelyarouanttoleave.Thegentlespringbreezeblewonsoftly,overandover,badforthcaressingthepoor,barreh’switheredbrowngrass.Itblewonsoftlyaitivelyuntilthegrassndwascoveredwithdifferenthuesofgreelespringbreezeblewonsoftly,overandover,badforthlikeabeautifulgirl’sevehing;herswellisroseandfellfaintlywitheahalingandexhalih,exudingthefragranceofflowers.Nooneknowsfromwhenceshecame.Itonlyloiteredaroundaimlesslyandleisurely,reluttoleave.Perhapsitcamefromthevalleyorthefarawayo,orevenfromtheotherendoftheworldbeyondthehorizon.Perhapsithadlostitsdireandhadgoneadrift,Soitwaslaimlesslyaroundthepinsandprairie,loathetoleave.Thegentlespringbreezeblewonsoftly,overandover,badforth.

Thespringbreezewaslikeanaughtyuronhisfirstdayofadventuringtotheoutsideworld.Everythingwascurious,freshandohim.Atthemoment,herowlingaroundfreelyinAisha’sbackyard.Look!Anever-wideningcircleofripplesmarredthesmoothsurfaceofthewaterintheswimmingpool.Thatnaughtyurmustbestoopingbythesideofthepoolrufflierwithhissmallhandsforfun.Theswingbytheeroftheayingrhythmically.Itmustbehimagainoscilting,flyinganddangintempowiththebreeze.’tyouhearhisgurglingughterresoundingintheair?Inthegarden,buddingflowersswayedanddahespringbreeze,asifthenaughtyurwasshakingeveryoheirbranches,shouting“Springishere!Springishere!Whyaren’tyoushowingyourbeautifulfaces?”Thatmeddlingisquitesuperfluousofthelittlefellow,foryouwouldthinkthosebeautifulbuddingflowersalreadyknoringwashere!Thespringbreezeflewhighintothesky.Thenaughtyurflewwithittotheroofofthehouse,hiseyescaughtbythechimeshangingontheeaves.Outofcuriosity,heshookandhitatthemwithhislittlehands,fillingtheairwiththetintinnabutionofthemusistruments.Thetinklingsoundofthesemysticalchimeswaslikeabuglecalltotheflowers,tellingthemspringwasreallyhere;sotheyallbloomedatononeaccord,floodingthegardenwithblossomsofnumerousshapesandcolors.Thespringbreezehadreallyheraldedtotheworldtheadventofentingspring.

Thespringbreezewaslikeapettythief,aremarkablyskillfulohat,capableofclimbingwallsainginsidehouseswithoutmuchado.Therewasnowallintheworldthioughtostopher;nowindowshecouldhrough.Afterall,windowshavecradthespringbreezegetthroughalpertures,howevernarrowtheymaybe.Butspringbreezeneverhadtouseitsspecialtalentsinthisrespectforintheseasonwhenallthingsappearfreshandgayandtheairiswarmandfragrantwiththestofflowers,allwindoentoweletheing.Aishaisnoexceptiontotherule.Likeotherpeople,shehadopenedherFrendowstolettheringbreezeblowinsideherhouse.Whitecycurtainsflutteredinthespringbreeze,likethehemofsomebride’seborateweddinggown.Thespringbreezecircledaroundeveryroomlookingatthehundredsofbooksfillingthebookcasesaroundthewalls.Actually,itdidnotreallywanttosteanythingbutwasonlycurioustofindoutwhatthemistressofthehousewasdoing.Shewasnotputtingonmake-upbeforethemirror,butwasreadingquietly.Thespringbreezewasreallytoonosy!

Aisha,wearingherlonghairlooselycoiledinaonbun,wassittingtranquillyonthesofabeforeawindowleisurelyreadingabook,withherhairlooselySheoftenliftedherheadtolookatthewhitecycurtainsflutteringinthespringbreezelikethehemofsomebride’seborateweddinggown.Slightwriheersofhereyesonlyaddedtohermatureandentiyandlimpidandlucideyes,deepasacrystalclearautumnpoheverysymbolofwisdom.Lookingdown,shebegantoreadAngelica’stestbookofpoems.Aishareadonslowlyandatteryioutthemeaniweenthelineswherethepoetessusuallyunwittinglyrevealedthesecretsofherheart.AishaseemedtouandwhatAngelicawastryingtosayandgainedpleteknowledgeofherthoughts.Angelicawasaverytalentedpoetess;butherquestforperfectbeautyalwaystahself-destruwhichleaowardsasuicidaltendency.KingDimitrioftenwarnedAishathatAngelicawaslikeanexquisitelybeautifulbutfragilecrystaleasilyshattered,soAishawasveryatteoallAngelica’swordsanda.ShewasgratifiedtofindthatAngelica’stestpoemswerenoledwitharming,terrifyingorshogsensations,butoraryrevealedtypicallyfemiimentssuchastenderness,elegandrefi.Hermodeofwritinghadges,whichmeantthatherwayofthinkinghadgedaswell.FormerlyintheKingdomofDreams,AishawastheQueenoftherealm,belovedbyallhersubjeowbathemundaneworld,sherevertedbacktothestatusofaoncitizen,butstillkeptintactwithalltheyoungerbeautiesofthekingdoheyalwayssultedherwhenfrohproblemsorunhappinessandAisha’sadvicewasalwaystreasured.Aishaalwayssetasidesometimefromherstudiesandresearchtospendwiththebeauties,takingseriouslyhermotherlike positionastheirfriend,sisterandfidant.Shespeimeonattendingventionsandrefusedallopportuogoabroad.ThatdayshehadmadeanappoiohavebreakfastwithAngelicasotheycouldhaveaabouthowthebeautifulpoetesswasdoing.Aishalookedattheclothewall.Itwaseighto’clocksharp.Thedoorbellrang.AishakmustbeAngelicawhowasalunctual.Shestooduptoopenthedoor,neverimaginingthatoutsidethedoortherewasastrahAngelica,ayoungwomanshehadbefore,holdingacleverlittledog,Maureenonaleash.

Abrandnewimposinglookingbcklimousinedroveslowlyuptothegasstationandcametoastop.Nooneknewwhichbigshothadarrived.Thepersonwhopushedopenthecardoorandsteppedoutwasnotaliveriedchauffeur,butasvelteyoungwomanwithaigfigure.Shewasdressedforthesummerinaminiskirtandatanktop,exudingthevigorandvitalityofyouthandthesophisticationofthecitydweller.Shestoodbeforethegaspumplookingabitperplexedasshehadn’thadtodriveherselfforquiteawhilenottomentiongasupthecarbyherself.Shewassurprisedthatshehadfottenhowtodosuchasimpleandfamiliartaskandwasn’tsurewheretobeginnow.Perhapsitwasbecausethesestfewdaysherheartwasbesetwithplexandinprehensiblesesmakingherfeeltense,uneasyandfearful.Shelookedupatthewideexpanseofblueskiesaboveherhead,asifonlyitableofcalmiroubledspiritsahermindtorememberiepsoaddgastohercar.Takingacreditcardfromherhandbag,shepusheditintotheslotbesidetheputersandtypedinherzipcodeandpocketedthecreditcardwhenitslidout.Thentakingthelonggaspipenozzleinherhandshewalkedtoherdwasaghastthatshecouldn’tfindwheresheposedtoplugitinto.ThelimousinewasboughtexpresslyfinnbyMr.KaffeewhensheasdedtothethroneofCEOofWorldBank.Thelimousinewasforherownprivateuseandcamewithitsownchauffeurtodriveheraround.Afterall,thecarwasnotonlyameansofveyaalsoastatussymboswell.Therefginnneverhadtodriveherselfaainlydidnothavetogetgasforit.Shewalkedaroundiingthedatstfoundanopeningontherightsidejustbeforethefrontdoor.Sheuncappeditquicklyandpluggedthegasnozzleintotheholeagasflowintothetank.Thehecaptightlyonandrepcedthegaspipeonitshanger.Shetoreoutherreceiptfromthemaeandwalkedtothedriver’ssideofthelimousiintothecar,steppedonthegasanddroveslowlyoutofthegasstatiohewideexpanseofclearblueskies.

Megginndroveonhandsclutgthesteeringwheel,eyesontheroadstraightaheadandfootsometimessteppingontheaccelerator,thhlyenjoyingtheexhiratingexuberanceofspeed.Thelimousineperformedspectacurly,maintainingasmoothandevenbahroughout.EverynowandthenMegginnwouldlookupattheblueskiesaboveasifafraiditwouldhavedisappearedwithoutherknowingit.Retlyshehadbeenexperiengsuchfeelingsofrestlessuneasinessforquiteawhile,afraidthattheblueskieswouldsomehowsuddenlyescape.“Whywouldtheskies,sohigh,sodeepandhugeandsofar-reagthatitcoversthewholeearth,wanttodisappear?”shethought.“Wherecoulditgo?Ithasoescapeto!ButwhywouldIwanttodisappear?Everythingisgoingsosmoothly...TheownershipandmaofWorldBankhasbeentakenback.AllDimitri’sformerindustries,paniesandpropertieshavealsobeenrecovered.Hishugefinancialempirehadnotonlysufferednoloss,buthadoraryexpandedquiteabit.WhateverIpainstakinglydesignedandcarriedoutmyselfworkedperfectlylikeclockwork,sowheredidthisfeelingofuanduneasinessefrom?”Shediagasherownpsychologicalditionedreflex.Theonewhowishedtoescapewasherself;onlyshetransferredsuchfeelingstotheblueskiesaboveherhead.Justthentheprofound,psychologidinsinuativewordsAishaoncesaidtohersuddenlycametomind.‘Everyoneoneislikealongstringofastronomiumbers,followedbyseventeeeenzeros.It’sreallyhardtoreadoutsuumbers.Ifthefirstofthesehecapitalletter‘I’disappears,thenwhatmeaningdoallthezerosthatfollowhave?’Megginnsuddenlythought,“Why,that’sjustwhatishappeningtome!IhaveworkedtirelesslytoseethatWorldBankandallhisotherassets,whichhadstruckouttobeetheirownindepeentities,werefullyrecovered.Dimitri’shugefinancialempireisnowevenstrohanithadeverbeenbefore.Buthisastronomicalwealth,withallthezerosafterit,ismeaninglesswithoutthecapitalI,Dimitri,whohaddisappearedwithoutatrace.IworkedthishardbecauseofmyloveandloyaltytoDimitri.WhatmotivehaveItogoonwithouthim?Aishawasright.Ifthefirstofthesehecapitalletter‘I’disappears,thenwhatmeaningdoallthezerosthatfollowhave?”LastnightMegginnmadeherfinaldecisionaedittoMr.Kaffee,afterwhichallthefatigueandexhaustionaccumutedfrommonthsofhardworkcolpsedonher.Layingherheaddownonherdesk,shefellsoundasleepanddidnotwakeuntilthefollowingm.Shestareddumbfouheblueskiesoutsidethewindowlostinthought.Thenhereyesfellontothestringofastronomicalfiguresonherputers,gingeverysedasiftheywerealive.Hereyesmovedbackwardsandforwardsbetweentheblueskiesandtheputerstwoorthreetimes.Shesuddenlystoodup,asifshehadetoacertainenlighte.Walkingtoherprivateroombehindtheoffice,shetookoffhersomber,dullbutveryexpensivebusinesssuitandgedtothecasualbutlivelyandyouthfuttiresheusedtofavor–miniskirtandtanktop.ThewholebuildingwassilentwithnosoundofhumanactivityasshewalkedoutofherCEOoffice.Itwasthesilencebeforeanotherbusyaicday.Megginntooktheelevatorfromthe24thfloordowntothespaciouslobby.ShewalkedoutofthefrontdoorofWorldBank,andcrossedovertotheparkingstructurereservedfortheseniorstaff.Raisingherheadtotheblueskies,sheagaiherowninsignifioddingtotheparkinglotattendantshewalkedovertoherddroveaway,eagertotalktoAishaassoonaspossibleaboutthedecisionshehadmade.ShehadetothisdecisioninspiredbyAisha’swords,soMegginnthoughtAishawouldapprove.Asshedrove,Megginnthoughtaboutthedramatichappeningsthatenfoldediwenty-fourhours.Shedrovemoreslowlyandjustgotoffthefreewayexit,whichwasabouttenminutesawayfromAisha’shome,whensuddenlytheemergencyarminhercarsoundedandredlightsfshedonandoffonallthegaugesandinstrumentsonthedashboard.Thespeedofhercarsuddenlyslowedtoalmostastopandcrawledalonglikeanoldoxpullingabrokencart.Megginnwasgreatlyarmedandimmediatelypulledhercartoastophesidewalk.Shequicklyturnedoffalthesystemsinherdsatthereataloss,notknowingwhathadhappened.

Megginheblueskiesasifhopingtooncematherstrengthfromtheeretchofblueatmospherehighabove.Shegraduallyclosedhereyeswhilekeepingtheimpressionoftheclearblueskiesbeforeher.Shetookthisimpressiooherheartaherfearandarmquicklysubside.Shewasoncemoreatpeace,herbraincalmandcool,hersensessharpandagileasbefore.Afteradjustingherselfmentally,sheopenedhereyesandtriedagaintostarthercar.Owice.Thriothinghappehisluxuriouslimousinehadreallystalledandbrokedownbytheroadsidelikeapileofrubbish.Thestrahingwasthiscarracticallybrandnew,havingjusteofftheassemblinglisolongagoandhadbeenperffwlessly.Thebrandselfwasaguarahehighestquality.Howcouldithavebrokendownsoquickly?Fromthewayitwasagup,thetroubledidobeaminorone.Somethingwasdrasticallywrong.Butwherewastheproblemandwhydidthishappennow?Megginnagainlookedtowardstheblueskieswhilehermindracedbackfranticallytothetimeshedrovethecaroutoftheparkingstructureaovereverythingshehaddonesihen,notoverlookihesmallestdetail.Suddenlyshefoundthecruxofthematterandexcimedoutloud,“Ohgosh!That’sit!”Sherealizedthatthemistakehadbeenmadewheookthegasnozzleoffthehanger.Shehadieddieselfuelintastankinsteadurunleadedgas!Faseheinfluxequantityofdieselfuelwasdetrimental.Megginnsppedherthighwithherhandasifangrywithherselfandmuttered,

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“WhatafoolIwas…Ihadnotbeenfeelingquitemyselfsinceearlythism,buthowcouldIbesoabsent-mioadddieselfuelinsteadofgasintomycar?WhatIdidwasequivalenttomurderingthisnoblebrandnamecar.Evehadbeeslifespanwouldsurelybeshortened.”Megginnwasaverysealpersonarmlyattachedtopeoplesheknewandthingsshehadusedandneverdiscardedoldthingslightly.Itwasnotthatshewascheap,butwasbecauseshewasseal.Takethatoldbeige-coloredsedanofhersforexample.Itwasthecarshehadriddeninsinceshewasachild.Itcouldbesaidthatthecargrewupwithherandtoheritwasadearoldfriend,olderthanshewas.Althoughtheehejalopydidnotworkwelnymoreandtookalongtimetostart,Megginnwasnotwillingtodumpitinthejunkyardtobedismemberedandcrushed.Shethoughtthatwasnowaytotreatanoldfriend.Sotoosoft-heartedtodisposeofit,sheletthatoldbeige-coloredsedanstayinhergarage,nolongerused,butretireditinfort.Ifthatwasthewayshetreatedoldfriends,shecouldfeelnolessforherbrandname,newfriendwhomitseemsshehadunwittinglymurdered!Thatregrettablefactcouldn’thelpbutmakehersadlyrepentant.Buttheblunderhadbeehereossiblerecoursetoresortto.

Eyesreddenedandmoistened,Meggiobeonthevergeoftears.Shewastrulyremorsefusicktobetheonewhohadactallycausedhernewfriendsuchseriousharmwithoutmeaningto.Sheusedherhandstosoftlystrokethesteeriheluxuriousleatherseatbesideher,hopingtofortthisnewfriendwithhercaressingtouch.Butwhatwasdonewasdoneandcouldnotbeuerawhile,shebegantoughdisparaginglyandhysterically,

“Thesestfewdays,mymoodhadbeensoabnormandabsent-miomakemeadddieselfueltomygastank…It’sreallylikeafarce.Ifpeoplekhis,theywouldreallyughtheirheadsoff.”Megginntookoutatissueandwipedtheersofhereyes,opehecardoorandwalkedout.Shelookedaroundandsawherorpedestrian,forwhowouldbeoutandaboutsoearlyonaSundaym?Mostpeoplewouldbetakingiteasyathome.Infact,subsciouslysheingthatDimitriwouldsuddenlyappearbeforeherasheusedtodo.ActuallyDimitrididetoherrescuequiteafewtimeswhenheroldbeigejalopywasstrahestreets.Megginnwouldsitinthedriver’sseatandDimitriwouldpushwithallhismightandtheenginewouldpurrandetolife.Butthistimethingsweredifferent.EvenifDimitriappeared,hewouldnotbeabletohelpbecausetheehisluxuriousbrandnamecarhadbeentotaled.Nomatterhowhardyoupushitwouldnotbeabletomove.AlsoDimitrihadvaporizedfromthefaceoftheearthforsolongwithoutatracethatthere’snoknowiherhewasdeadoralive.Megginnwaitedforafewminutesloheroadside,butofcourseshewasdisappointedforDimitrididnotappear.Butthatwasonlywhatsheexpected.Megginnsighedandlookeddownonthebeautifulbutflimsysemi-highheeledsandalsshewaswearing.ItwasonlytenminutesbycartoAisha’house,butwouldtakeatleastanhourormoreonfoot.Thestreetswerenotevenandsloppedupanddown.Megginnagainsighedandthought,

“Ijusttrashedmybrandnewcaralmostbeyondrepair.NowIwillbesubjegmybeautifulsandalstothetortureoflongdistancewalkingoreetswhilecarryingtheweightofmybody.It’sreallydisheartening!”Buttherewasnothingelseshecoulddo,soMeggiteherwayforwardcarefullysoherbeautifulshoeswouldnotetotoogreatharm.

Megginnhadonlytakenadozenorsostepswhensuddenlyfrombehindhercametheexplosivesoundsofapowerfulengineasloudastheroaroftenortwelvewildpuppybeastsaswelsastringofhonkingofthecarhornthatseemedtobecallingher,“Megginn!Megginn!”Sheturnedherheadandsawabrightredvertiblefshbyandcametoastopjustalittlebeyondher.Shejoyfullyreizeditasbelongingtoodfriendandpartner,Samantha.IhedooropenedandSamanthacameout,wavingtoherandshouting,

“Hey!IsawyouassoonasIgotoffthefreeway.Isawyouparkthecarbytheroadsideandstartwalkingoreetalone.Whydidyoustop?Whydidn’tyoutinuedriving?”WhenMegginnwalkedoverandtoldherthestoryofhowshehadieddieselfuelintastankinsteadurunleadedgas,thusruiningtheengine,Samanthabegantoughsohardshecouldhardlystandupstraight.Afterawhile,sheturnedseriousandsaid,

“No,no,thatotbe.Youarethesmartestoneofusall.YourunKingDimitri’senormousfinancialempiresoeffitlythatnowitisevenstrongeraerthanitwasbeforeandyousawtoitthatallhisotherassets,whichhadstruckouttobeetheirownindepeentities,werefullyrecovered.Howethatafterjustanabsewodaysyouhavebeesoabsent-mihatyouallowsuchcrazythingstohappentoyou?Areyounotfeelingwell?Doyouwanttoseeadoctor?”

“No.No.Iamperfectlyfine,”answeredMegginnshakingherhead.“It’sjustthatthesefewdaysIhavenotbeenmyself.IwasgoingtoseeAishaandtalktoher.Sheseemstohaveaparticurlyattractivemagicfieldthatjustingnearhercouldsettlemedownandbringpeace.Herwordsarealsof,soIalwaysvisitherfromtimetotime.SheisreallyworthyofbeingourQueenAisha.”

“Right,”saidSamantha.“Ifeelthesameway.I’llgiveyouaride,asIamjustgoioo.”SoopeningthedoorofthecarSamanthawavedherhandtoinviteherfriendin,sayingatthesametime,“Iamtakingherwhiteweddinggowntoherforthefinalfitting.Shehadtrieditoimesalreadysoitshouldbeperfectthistime.BecauseAishaisourqueen,Iampayihespecialrespectingittohermyself.ThedressesofalltheothershavebeeoNovel’smansion.They’veallbeentriedandfittednumeroustimesandshouldbealright.Ihopeyouwillgoandtryyoursonwhenyouhavetimeandhavewhatevergesyouwantmadedonebeforetheimportantday.Thechoosingofmaterialsandpatterns,themakingoftheweddinggownsaswelsfittingsandsubsequentgeshavetakenmemorethanhalfayear.Noweverythingisfinallydone.”SeeingMeggiledinherseat,Samanthawalkedovertothedriver’ssideofthecar,gotin,turheehecarflewforwardtoAisha’shouse.

TysmilingfacesgreetedAishawhensheopehefrontdoor.OnewasofcourseAngelica;theotherwasanequallybeautifulface,butoneshedidnotknowandhadneverseenbefore.

160页

“HiAisha,go”saidAngelica.“IbroughtalonganewfriendthatIhavementiooyouseveraltimesbefore,theauthoressCharina.Iamsorryfornotaskingyouforpermissionfirst.Hopeyoudon’tmind.”

“HiAisha”saidCharina.“I’veheardalotaboutyou.It’sanhonortofinallymeetyouinperson.”

“Wele.Wele“saidAisha.“eonin.OfcourseIdon’tmind.”

“IhavemylittledogMaureenwithme.MayiteinaswellorshouldIleaveitoutsideintheyardaroamaroundbyitself?”

“Ohno,no,ofcourseiteintoo”repliedthehospitablehostess.“That’sacutelittledogyouhavethere.Itismynewfriendtoo,soeoninallofyou.”BeforetheyhadtimetowalkintoAisha’shallway,thesoundofapowerfulenginewasheardareamlinedsportscarquicklyappearedandstoppedaccuratelyonthedriveway.Twocardoorsbangedshutandavoicewasheardsaying,

“Hey,waitforus.Don’tclosethedoor.Wewanttoeinaswell.”Thethreeofthemlookedbadsauests,SamanthaandMegginn.Inthislovelyspriher,Samanthawasnotoomisstheopportunityofshowingoffhercurvaceousfigure.Shewaswearingwhiteshortsandauniquelycutet-shirt.AngelicaquicklyintroducedthemtoCharinaandthefiveofthemwalkedtogetherintoAisha’slivingroom.LittleMaureenfollowedtheirhostessintothehousewithadignifiedair,hermeekandjoiheciransociety,sittingsilentlydownonthecarpetatthefeetofitsmistresswheneveryoleddown.ItlookedupatAisha,uandinginitsintelligentmindthatthiselegantandregal-lookingdywouldhaveagreatimpathefutureofitsmistress.Charinahadtraiwell,soitrestraisnormallyoutgoingandbubblynatureandsattheredocilely,afraidtosetawrongfootforward.Itwasobvioustoeveryothiswasanaplishedaraitledog,areallylovableone.

“Aisha”beganAngelica,“IhavebroughtalongsomethingsIwantyoutosee.Iamsureyouwillbeverymuterestedinthemandwillsobeverymuchsurprised…”Sayingso,shelookedsearchedinherhandbagandtookoutanoldandrustic-lookingporbottlethatusedtotain100-year-oldmao-taiwine,whichshehaoAisha.

“Thislookslikeawitlefromaimes,”saidAishaaftershehadlookeditovercarefullyforalongtime.Thenshepulledoutthecork.Althoughthebottlety,astrranceofwinepermeatedtheairofAisha’sspaciouslivingroom.

“Thisbottlemaynotbefamiliartoyou.Youmaynothaveseenitbefore…Hereissomethihatwillbequitefamiliar.It’ssomethingyouhadusedbefore…”Sayingso,Angelicarummagedinherhandbagandproducedagem-studdeddouble-barreledtelescopewithaflourishasifshewasamagiperfamagicfeat.Aisha’shandsseemedtotrembleasshetookovertheinstrument.Thiswashers.HowcouldsheeverfetthetimewhensheusedittowatafarthetragicbattleonGiantMountain?Shehelditup,lookedthroughitslensesaitdown,softlycaressingitwithherhandssaying,

“This…thistelescope…Wheredidyougetit?IrememberitwasburiedintheruinsofthemagnifitpaKingDimitri’sKingdomofDreams!Howdiditfallintoyourhands?...Couldyouhave…couldyou…you…”AngelicaseemedtobebentonteasingAisha.

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“Don’tbeimpatient,”saidAngelica,whoseemedbentonteasingAisha,“Therearestillmoreastonishingthingstosee…Lookatthis!Whosepapersdoyouthinktheseare…”Sayingso,shetookoutastackofpapersandhahemtoAisha,whocaughtaglimpseoftheheadingolepagesaying“OnLifeinMatriarchalSociety”.AishaquicklysedoverthefirstfewpagesandfirmedthatitwasindeedherunfinisheddissertationthatwaslostintheruinsofthepatheKingdomofDreams.Thesestfewmonths,shehadbeenboriouslywragherbrainstryingtoreproduorythematerialshehadwritten,buthadnotbeeodosotohersatisfa.Shewasonlyabletorememberpartsofitandhadbeenfrustratedinhereffortstoputtogetherthewholedissertatioherewashermanuscript,magicallyreturoher.Happyandastonished,sheheldthestackofpaperstightlyinherhands,herpricelesspossession!Butthehoughtthatsomethingwasnotquiterightaboutthis.Ithappeoosuddenlyanduedly.Herfaceturnedsolemnandseriousassheasked,

“DidyougobackbyyourselftotheKingdomofDreams?Otherwise,howyouhavegottenthismanuscript?Ihaverepeatedlytoldyouallnottogobacktherebecausetheareaisstilloccupiedbythebarbariantribes.Iftheyshouldgetholdofyoutheresultwouldbedisastrous!WhydidgoagainstmyexpressrequestabacktotheKingdomofDreamsallbyyourself?”MegginnandSamanthahadneversee-spokenAishasoangrybeforeaooscaredtospeakoutandtohelpAngelica.ButAngelicakeptsmiling.Takingoutsomepiecesofpaperfromherbosom,shesaid,

“Don’tbeangry,Aisha.Readtheselettersfirstbeforeyoureadmetheriotact.”AishaunfoldedthepapersandsawatfirstgtheboldhandwritingbelooMedusa.ShelookedforthesignatureattheendoftheletterandfirmeditwasreallywrittenbyMedusa.Eyesopenedwide,expressionfearfundagitated,shebeganreadientsoftheletterandeveryone’shearttighteoo.Butasshereadon,herexpressiongraduallycalmeddown,untiltowardstheendherlipscurvedinaslightsmile.Itwasonlythenthateveryone’shearteasedandtheybreathedasighofrelief.AishathenpassedtheletterstoMegginnandSamanthaandaskedthemtoreadthemtoo.HervoitledassheturoAngelidasked,

“youtellmewhatthisisalbout?”

“Youwanttoknowwhatthisisalbout?”repeatedAngelicawithagrimace.“I’mafraidI’tmakeheadortailsaboutiteither.Ithinkwehadbetteraskourauthoressheretotellusherstoryfrombeginningtoend.”

YoungDornawasfastasleep.Shewasreallytootired.Thenightbefore,sheswaminthepoolmostofthenightbeforeshandgoingtobed.ShewasmakiheweekthatDream-Maker’sBakeryclosedshoptovisitAisha.Normallyeachwasbusywithherownscheduleanddidnothavemuchopportunitytomeet.ThetwoofthemwereverycloseinthekingdomofDreams.Itwasalmostamother-daughterretionship,soDornamadeuseofthisrareopportunitytospendsomequalitytimewithAisha.Theentigfragranceflowersseemedtowaftthroughthecracksofdoorandwindowsintotheroom.Dornahalfopenedhersleepyeyesandsawthatitwasalreadybrightandsunnyinthegardenoutsidethewindows.Springflowerswereinfullbloomandtreesrichwithtenderbudsdahespringbreeze.Dainclosedhersleepyeyeswhilethechirpingofbirdsmixedwithsofthumanversationfilledherears.ShedrowsilyrememberedthatAishahadtoldherAngelicawasingforbreakfastearlythism,buttherewasmorethantwovoicesoutside.Thereseemedtobeathirdoneaswell.JustthenloudsoundsofafamiliarginewereheardwhichshekobeSamantha’sexpensivesportscar.AllofasuddentheairoutsidebecamelivelywithgreetingsandughtersoDornasurmisedthatotherbeautieshadalsoarrived.ThensheheardthemallwalkintoAisha’slivingroomandweresoonchattinghappilytogether.Dornawasasociablegirlwhodearlylovedhustleandbustle,soshescrambledoutofbedexcitedlyandquicklydonnedherclothes.Hasteningthroughhermablutions,shewalkedtowardsthelivingroomandsawthatastrangeyoungwomanwastellingastoryaboutKingDimitri.Notwishingtointerrupther,DornasilentlygreetedtheguestswithhereyesandsatdowlybesideAisha.Shesawacutelittledogsittingonthecarpetlookingather.Beingadog-lover,shepickeditupquitenaturallyaonherpihatlittleaherthefirmfriendshipofthisnewvisitor.

CharinawastellioryofunderwhatcircumstancesshemetDimitri,howshegottoknowhim,howheofferedtoprovideherwithmaterialforherwritingandpersonallybroughthertotheKingdomofDreamstoletherseethepceforherself.Beinga,shemadesuchgooduseofherpowersofnarrationthatheraudienceturedbytheeloquent,dramatidvividportrayalofherstorywhichshedescribedidetailinhereasy,flowingstyle.ShewasintheprocessoftellingabouthowshewaslookingformaterialforherwritingintheburntoutruinsofthepacewhileDimitriflewuptotheseventhheavenonthebackofhismagicsteedLightningtomeetwithKingZeus,whenahugeearthquakefollowedbyathunderingtsunamishookthearea.ShetoldofhowKingDimitriceouslyridingonhissnow-whitesteedflewupanddownthealmost180degreessheercliffthatwasthebottomofthegiant’sfeet.Hedrewhismagicswordandthrustitintothecliff,tryingtofindtheweakestandmostsensitivepartofthefeetbutwasnotabletolocatetheprecisepointtostimutethegianttomoveorgehisposture,whichwasthecauseofthegigahquakethatrockedthewhiantMountainbrokeintoseveralses,shruggingoffthegoldpatheprocesswhichfellintothebottomoftheke.Everyoeinmouthwithabatedbreath,atthemostscaryanddramaticparts,onlybreathingasighofreliefwhentheyheardthatKingDimitrisurvivedandarrivedbacksafelyandunscathed.

“ThenKingDimitrireturnedbaundaneworldafterthat?”askedAisha.

“Yes,heisback”repliedCharina.“ThatissomethingIdon’tuand.Withsomaiesaroundhim,whywouldhechoosetolivethenomadlifeofahomelessperson?”Aishawassilent,herexpressionsadandsorrowful.

“Thatolddogisreallytoomuch!”criedDornainexasperation.“Hepromisedtotakemewithhimonhisadvehewentintothisallone.Heknowsthat’swhatIammostiedinbutheleftmeout!WaittillIseehimime.Iwillcertainlygivehimapieind!”Thesewordsfullyexposedthewillfulnatureofthiswildgirlwhosooftenactedbeforeshethought.ItalsoshowedhowKingDimitrispoiltthisyouofhis24beauties.

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“Hey,don’tinterrupt,littlegirl”interruptedAngelica.“Charinahasmoretotellus.Youmayexpressyourthoughtaftershehasfinished,okay?”Bytheneveryonehadbasicallyputtogetherthewholestorybybitsandpieceslikeajigsawpuzzle,butatthesewordsalleyesagainswitchedtoCharina.

ThenCharionwithherstorystartingfromhowshedisguisedherselfbysmearingherfacewithdustandmudastobealmostunreizable.Shecutoffherbeautifulflowinglonghairandputonanoldolive-coloredsafarihat.Thenshedressedherselfasahomelesspersonbyputtingedybrownjacket,dirtybckbaggypantsandapairofover-sizedblock-headedbckshoes,lookingfromafarlikeareplicaofheroldfriendDimitri.ShedidallthisbecauseshewasdetermiobumaroundwithDimitriandexperiencefirsthandthelifeofahomelessperson.TheoldofhowwhilesheandDimitriwerehavingdinneruhemoonlightinaeroftherosegarden,hecalledtohisfemaleservantImaginationtoeoutaCharina.Shetinued,

“Thatbeautifulfemaleservantappearedsuddenlyfromoutoftheemptyairandscaredmetohalftodeath.Itseemedthatshecouldhideherselfintheairandappearanddisappearatwill.Tothemitwasaonpceoccurrence,soItoograduallytookitasamatterofcourse.Dimitriwhetheractallyorbydesignhadpartakenofquitealotofwineaosleepitoffuheshadeofsomerosebushes,leavingImaginationandItochatbyourselves.ImaginationcalledouttoCharmaineaihetwobeautifulnymphscamefloateddownfromtheskylikefallingleavesandthefourofussatdownandtalkedfacetoface.Justatthistime,somelocalmobstersandhooliganswhopreyonwomenrushedintardeivity,anotherofDimitri’sloyalservants,stoppedthemahemup.Thehrewthemallintothekeaspunishment.CreativityisDimitri’smaleservant.Hewassaidtobeatall,huskyman,veryhandsomeandresembledthesungodApollo.Knowiiquetteofoursociety,hedidnotshowhimselfbecausehewashetime.Thesetwohidintheairandthereforehadnoneedforclothes,soIhaveonlyheardhimspeakbuthadneverseenhim.LaterImaginationalsodisappearedintothinair.Shedidnotgofar,butatrollingtheareawithherpanion,agaslook-outsandbodyguardstoassureoursafety.Ichattedforawhilelohthetwonymphs.TheoolefttogobacktotheSeventhHeaven.BeforeleavingtheygavemetheirblessingandgratutedmethatonedaymymostcherishedwishwouldbegrantedandIwouldbeethe25thbeautyintheKingdomofDreams…”CharinaloweredherheadandgncedsurreptitiouslyatherhostesstogaugeAisha’sreatothesewordsaherewasanygeinherexpressionandattitude.

“ClementineandCharmainegratutedyouonbeihbeautyintheKingdomofDreams”teasedAngelica.“Whataboutyouyourself,Charina?Isthatwhatyouwish,too?”Charinablushedandloweredherheadevenmorebeforereplyinginaverylowvoice,

“Ofcourse,itis.OnlyIfeltshyaboutbeioask.”

“Whatistheretobeshyabout?”tinuedAngelica.“Whydon’tyoujustsayloudly‘Iwanttobeethe25thbeautyoftheKingdomofDreams?’Oryousayevehrightly,‘IwanttomarryDimitri’.That’sallittakes!”Youngandwarm-heartedDorna,whowasabusybody,pushedAisha’sarmsbegging,

“eon,sayyes,Aisha.Pleasesay‘yes’.SuchabeautifundintelligentauthoressisnaturallyeligibletobeemberoftheKingdomofDreams.Say‘yes“quicklyAisha!Ibegyou.”Aishakhatitwastimetotakeastand,soclearihroatsheturoCharinaandsaidseriously,

“Iuandyourwish.SingDimitrihadtakenituponhimselftoshowyouhisKingdomofDreams,theveilofsecrecyaboutitisnolongeraandIhaveoythingfromyou.Orary,Italkfranklyanddidly.Afterthemagnifitandgrandiosepacewasstructed,IwasthefirstpersonDimitriiolivethere.Asthepacewastoobigay,hedecideditneededmoreinhabitantstoliventhingsupsothatthepacewouldbeahappyaingpcefulloflife.Sograduallyovertimehebroughtmorememberstolivethere.Everyohemhadtheirownuniquepersonalhistoryandbackgroundandcamefromdifferentstrataoflife.Thereasonswhytheywishedtoetolivetherearealsodifferent,whichIpresumeyouwellknow,orwecouldtalkaboutthatter.ThetimewespentwithKingDimitrionthewholewasfullofhappinessaement,thoughtherehavebeendangersandcatastrophes,allofwhichareeventswewillneverfet.KingDimitriseemedtobeaprophetwhocouldforetellthefuture,forheknewinadvaagreatdisasterwasabouttohappeoldthebeautieshehadgatheredfromdiffereheworldtoleavetheKingdomofDreamsandgobaundaneworld.Indeed,soohathisaremyCyclopsledanarmyofbarbarianwarriorsiheKingdomofDreamsandburntdownDimitri’smagnifitpace.IwasthestooleavetheKingdoveryoherighttofallinlove,marryaupahappyfamily.KingDimitrithoughtthathispresencecouldhihebeautiesfromseekingthisfuturehappinessforthemselves,sohesimplyevaporatedfromthisearth.Justnowyouaskedwhywithsomanyfloralbeautiesaroundhim,wouldhechoosetolivethenomadlifeofahomelessperson.Thisisthebestanswer.Hepurposefullysteeredclearofthebeautiestogivethemembersofhiskingdomampleroomttheirintelligendabilitiesintofullpy.Actuallytherewasnoneedforhimtodoso.BatheKingdomofDreams,althoughwelivedinthemagnifitpaceashisroyalspouseandimperiales,iymostofthebeautieshadneverhaveintimatephysicalretionswithhim.OurloveaeemforDimitriesincerelyfromthebottomofourhearts.Hedoesnotoweusanything.Therewasnoyatallforhimtodisappearfromtheearthsototallyandabruptlyashedid.Butsincehehaddecidedtodoso,Ithoughtitwasmydutytorespecthiswishes.IfIacceptyouintoourmidstasthetwenty-fifthbeauty,thenumberofbeautieswouldbeincreasedinsteadofdecreased.ThatwouldgopletelyagainstKingDimitri’swishes.So…so…I…I…otgrant…”SeeingthatAishawasabouttodenyherrequest,Charinasaid,

“I’msorry.Wouldyouexcusemeforinterruptingyou,yourMajestyandallowmetosayafewmorewords?Iknowitwasratherimpertiofmetoarriveatyourdoorstepsuninvited,especiallywhenIcametomakesuchaboldandtroublingrequest.Butthatismydearestwish,somethingthathasbeenlodgediforsometimeandwhichIfindIsimplymustactupardlessofsequences.Iusedtoberatherproudofmylooks,buttodayaftermeetingyouall,Ifindthateveryoneofyouisamatchlessbeauty.OfcoursetherearedozenothersIhave,butIamsuretheytooarediamondsofthefirstwater,whichmakesmefeelembarrassedthatIdaretopresumetojoinyourranks.Onthesurface,Dimitriisanon-prepossessingblindman,apennilesshomelesspersonwhonowaybeamatchforyouallinanyformorway.YetyoualllovehimandwillinglyfollowhimtotheKingdomofDreams.Thereyoufoundhimtobeawise,goodandbraveking.Heisgenerous,kindandnevercrueltoanyone,soheisbelovedbyallhissubjects.Asaresultheeasilycapturedyourhearts.Iwasfortunateenoughtogettoknoentsometimewithhim.HepersonallytookmeonaguidedtourofhisKingdomofDreams,whereIsawanothersideofhimwhichmademefallihhiwouldthinkitanhonortobeallowedtobeemberoftheKingdomofDreamsandjoinyourranks.IwillbesatisfiedevenifIlyget1/25thofthisman’slove.ThatiswhyIhaveidoffallpretensesandpersonallyetoyourmajestywithmyboldandtroublingrequest…”Charinaloweredherhead;withheralmosttougherchest.Sheblushedfuriously,hereyesmoistahtearsthreateningtofall.Foraproudaifulyoungwomanlikeherandanotableauthoresstoboot,tohumbleherselfbeforesomanytopetitiontomarryanoldanduglyhomelessmanandberefusedreallyputherinanuntenableandembarrassingposition.AngelicastoodupandwalkedovertositontherightsideofAisha,whileDornasatoside,sandwigAishabetweenthem.

“Yourmajesty”saidAngeliabeseegvoice“Letmesayafewwords.NowweknowKingDimitrididnotevaporatefromtheworldbutisstillliving.Buthechoosestoavoidus.YouarenowourQueenandyourwordisreallymovedme.Ithinkyoushouldaccepther,orelsehowarewetoresolvethis?IthinkonedayifweseeKingDimitriagain,hewillnotbmeyouforit.”

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“Yes,yes”saidDornashakingAisha’sarms.“Angelicaisright.IthinkthatCharinahasdoneyouagreatfavorbybringingbackyourunfinisheddissertationthatwaslostintheruinsofthepatheKingdomofDreams.Justforthatgreatmeritoriousdeed,youshouldgrantherrequest.Lookathowyouhaveembarrassedher.Ifyoudon’tgrantherrequest,sheisgoingtocry!Thatwouldbetoobad.YouareourQueen,belovedbyallyoursubjects,whyareyouinsuchaquandaryand’tmakeupyourmindaboutsuchasmallmatterasthis?”

“Idon’tthinkKingDimitriwillhaveanyobjes”tinuedAngelica.“WheookCharinatotheKingdomofDreamshimselfandshowedheraround,IthinkhehadalreadythoughtaboutherbeingamemberoftheKingdom.Yrantingherrequestwouldjustbecarryingouthisinaliioonlywon’tscoldyou,Iamsurehewouldpraiseyourintelligence.Don’tyouthinkso?”

“IfKingDimitriscoldsyou”interruptedDorna,“Iwilljumpoutandarguewithhimtilltheend.HedaredtogobacktotheKingdomofDreamsandexperieheearthquakeandtsunamiandallthosegrandadvehoutme,afterhehadgivenmehiswordthathewouldtakemealong!YouknowIloveadvehihquakeandtsunamiwouldbesomethinglikeridingonthoserollercoastersIhaven’tgottenonhiscaseyet,sohewouldnotdaretoscoldyou.Don’tbeafraid.Withmeasyeneral,standingbymybeautifulqueen,protegyou,whodarestosayanythingobjeabletoyou?”Withthetwoofthemchatteringbyhersidenon-stop,wheedlingandcajolinghalfpyfullyandhalfinear,Aishabegantohavesedthoughtsaboutherposition.ShelookedinquiringlyatMegginn,whowasintelligentandcalmandwasherrighthandintheKingdom.Megginnlookedathersteadilyasifsaying,“Goon.Grantherrequest.It’shardtofindsuintelligentandcleverauthoressevenifyoulightedanternalookingforone.ShewillbeaheKingdom.Sincesheisadamantaboutjoiningus,lether!”

“Thisisaveryharddecisionformetomake”saidAisha.Shefinallynoddedandsaid“Alright,sobeit.IwillmakethedecisiDimitriandgrantyourrequesttobeethe25thbeautyintheKingdomofDreams.IureifKingDimitrishouldreprimandus,Ialonewillberesponsible.”Atherwords,everyoneughedandcppedandexpressedtheirsatisfaandagreement.Charinawassohappysheburstintotears.Herheart’sdesirehadatstbeengranted.Encedbythehappyatmosphere,LittleMaureenjumpeddowntothefloorandbeganshakingitsheadandtwistingitsbodyandrumpbutt,dangthechachawhichitsmistresshadtaughtit.EveryoneughedheartilyandDornashouted,

“Hey,greatdangMaureen.That’sjustgreat.Let’sbreakoutthechampagneandcelebrate!”

“Ohno,Dorna,yettingtooexcitedagain”saidQueenAisha.“It’sstillmandtooearlyfordrinking.Drinktoomudyouwastethewholedaybeingbefuddledandnotabletodoanything.ThereisaintheKingdomofDreamsthatwheneveranewmemberjoinsuswegiveapartytoweleher.Ihoughtwewouldholdanothersuchawelepartyagain,buttodaywehaveanewmemberjoiningus!Whydon’tweanizeagrandpartytoformallyweleCharinatoourmidst?Wehaven’theldsuchapartyforquiteawhileandit’stimeforustohaveagoodtime.”

“Leaveittome”saidSamantha.“Iamgoodatanizingparties.Iwillmakesurethatthereisgoodfood,gooddrinksandeveryonewillhaveagrandtime.Iamsureyouwilllbesatisfied.”

“Speakingoffood,I’mfeelinghungry.Mystomachisgrowling”saidDorna.“Iknowanewlyopeaura’sgothereandtryitout.”Sayingso,shebeganwalkingtothedoor.

“eonbackhere”orderedAisha,pretendingtobeangry.“Youarealwaysinsucharushyoudon’tthinkfirst.Therearestillotofthingstotalkoverthatisunsuitabletobedoneinapublicpce.ThingsabouttheKingdomofDreamsarenotforotherears.Let’sallsetaboutmakingbreakfastourselveshereinmykit.Thatwouldbebothcozyandmerry.”EveryonecurredtoAisha’ssuggestion.QueenAishahadtheirheartfeltadmirationandcouldalwaysvihemwithhersensibleandpracticalideas.

Theentigaromaofcoffeeperking,breadtoasting,badeggsfryingpermeatedAisha’skitamidthechatteringandughteroffivesixwomen,allwbusilyi,cuttingupfruit,tossingsadsorsqueezingjuice.Sooablereadfullofsimplebuttastybreakfastfoodandeveryodowandtalk.Inthisrexedandcasuatmosphere,theynaturallynolongeradheredtostrictcourtprotocolbutactedandspokeinformallyasoncitizens.

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“OhyesAisha”saidSamantha“Ihavebroughtyourweddinggown.You’vehadseveralfittingsnow,soitshouldfityouperfectlythistime.Tryitonterandsee.”

“Good”repliedAishaputtingdownhercoffeecup.“I’lldosoter.”

“What...weddinggown...?”excimedCharina,herfaceclearlyshowinghershodmystification.TurningtoAishashestammered,“Areyou…areyou…gettingmarried…?”Aishasighedandthenreplied,

“Asthememberdom,youarenaturallynotawareofourpns.Actually,Ishouldhavetoldyouaboutit.It’slikethis...Novel,amemberdomwhomIdon’tthinkyouhavemet,isgettingmarriedtoMr.O’Brianaohaveabigandvishwedding.AllofussideritaprivilegeandhonortobeoneofKingDimitri’swivesbutthoughwearenominallyhisQueenandroyales,itisreallyregrettablethatnotoneofushadevergohroughaformalweddingceremony.SosomeofourmemberssuggestedthatweshouldmakefulluseofthiseborateweddingofNovel’sandformallysayourmarriagevowstoKingDimitriatthesametimeinagroupwedding.Inawayitwillsobeastiousandresponsiblesummaryofoageofourlives.AtfirstIhadreservationsaboutthis,fearingitwouldbeeheadlihatwouldbringdowntheunweleattentionofthepaparazziandnewsmedia,therebycausingusallkindsofinveniendmischief.ItwouldalsobeagainstKingDimitri’sarylow-keystyleoflife.Justthinkofthis:seventeenofusmarryingonesingleman,andthatmanisnoteveattheceremony,hiswhereaboutsunknown.Aweddingwithnogroomisunheardofandwillbeeafiasockedandughedatinsociety.Sihiswassuretoturnintoamockeryandfodderforthesdalsheets,itwouldbebetternottoghitatall.Butthehinkingthingsover,Ifeltthatthissuggestionhaditsmerits.AsIjustmentioned,weareallKingDimitri’swives,butmostofthebeautieshadneverhadphysitimacywithhimandbecameoneofhiswiveswithoutgoingthroughanyformalceremony.Irealizethatthiswasnotfairtothem,soparticipatinginagroupweddingwouldbeoomakeamendstothempsychologically,whilesatisfyingtheirwishtobemarriedtohim.Atthesametime,wewouldbesayinggoodbyetoonechapterofourlives,thatbeautiful,happyaingtimewespentintheKingdomofDreams.Thoughwehatetothinkthatthingshaveetoanend,butitisareality.Fromthistimeon,allofuswilldoasKingDimitriwishesandgoforthandseekwhathecalls“ahappylife”.Sothisgroupweddingisnotonlyabeautifulfullstop,butalsoabrandnewbeginningofourfuturelife.”

“Whatbeginning?Whatfullstop?”criedDornaimpatiently.“Idon’tknowwhatyouaretalkingabout.Fromwhatyoujustsaid,itseemsasifmarriageanddivorcearealmostthesamethingandthere’snotmuchdiffereweenaweddingandafuneral!It’stoofrustratinganddisappointing.Idon’twanttowearthatdarnweddingdress.It’ssotight,stiffandunfortable.What’sitallforanyway?Idon’tcareaboutsayinggoodbyeandallthatstuffyoujustsaid.WaittillIseetheolddogagain,Iwohimgetawaywithitsoeasilythistime.Iwillfollowcloselyonhisheels,evenifhegoestotheendoftheworld!Whereverhegoes,Itoowillgo.Youjustwaitandsee.”AishagredatDornareprovinglyandAngelicamurmured,

“Heyyounaughtygirl,don’tmonkeyaround.What’swrongwithwearingweddinggowns?Theseventeenofuswilllbewearingthesamestyleofformalwhiteweddinggownandwilllooksogood.Andyou,mypet,willbetheprettiestofusall.Sosh-sh,don’tgripeanymore,Aishaislookingmencholy…”GngupandseeingAisha’ssorrowfulexpression,Dorhequeenwasangry,sosheimmediatelyshuthermouthandsaidnomore.

“Ifthatisso…”saidCharina,“sinceIamnowamemberoftheKingdomofDreams,shouldIalsogoandhaveaweddingdressmadeandtakepartinthegroupwedding?”

“Ofcourse”saidAisha,noddingherhead.TurningtoSamantha,sheasked,“Buttimeisshort,wouldtheybeabletomakeanotheroime?”Samanthahastilyswallowedthelettuhermouthanddranksomefreshejuicebeforereplying,