Chapter1TheButterfly

Argeimposingmansion,whichtookupairesquareblock,stoodloftyandmajestidertheclearblueskies,itstwiowersseemingtoreachuptotheclouds.Thehuge,whitemarblepilrs,extravagantsculpturesattestedtoitspastglory.Thisusedtobethegatheriheridfamous,wherepresidentsaorsrubbedshoulderswithsuperstarsoffilm,musidsportsaswelstheprincesoffiheeliteofsociety.Now,withthepassageoftime,thedazzlingwhitepilrshaveturnedyellowwithageandthesculpturesonthewallshavebeediscoloredlikefadedflowers.Infact,thewholebuildinglookedshabbyandrundown,foritwasnowusedashousingfortheelderlyandthedisabledlivingongoversubsidy.

Thespacioushallwascrowded,foritwasthedaywhenthegoverhafoodtothehelong,disorderlyqueueinchedalongslowlyandDimitrimeicallymovedwiththeline.Hislifestylehasgreatlyimprovedsincehebecameblind.Hewasgivenasmalpartment.Thoughitprisedofonlyoneroomandwasaersuitewithwindowsfagthestreetontwosides,hefinallyhadapceofhisownandthenoisefromthestreetsaddedanimationtohisquiet,lonelylife.Everymonth,hereceivedseveralhundreddolrsinSSI,whiabledhimtohavethebasiecessitiesofasimplelife.Movingslowlyalongamidthehecrowd,Dimitriseemedobliviousofhissurroundings,forhewasagainimmersedinaworldofhisown,theworldofdreams.Suddenlyanenormouspeaappearedbeforehiseyes,onlytovanishatthetwinklingofaneye.Dimitribegantofeelimpatient,longingfaretteandacupofhotcoffeetopensatehimselfforthelongwaitwhichwasgettingonhisnerves.Hepodojustthatassoobacktohisroom.Thistime,thebagoffoodhebroughtbackwasahugekofcheese,twosbsofbutter,abottleofhoneyaswelspowderedmilkandflour.

Withthebagoffoodinhisarms,Dimitrileftthehall,walkedbrisklythroughthelongcorridorandtur.Hisroom,#102,wasthestohatwihisbagoterandpulledopentherefrigeratordoortoaddtheperishableitemstohishoardofeggs,hamandsausagesalreadyinthere.Heybecauseallthisfoodshouldsthimatleastaweekortwo,whichmeanthecouldroamfreelyinhislittlekingdthatintervalwithouthavingtosetfootoutsidehisdoor.Dimitrilovedtoliveinhisownimaginativerealm,unencumberedbyirrelevantoutsideintrusion.Now,withtheprivacyofhisownroomandallthisfood,hecouldliveinaworldofhisown,freefromtheinterferehemundaneworld.Hecouldliveassecludedalifeasthehermitwhobuildsashathedeepestvalleyofthemountainsinpursuitofthefeatofloivity.

ofpipinghotcoffeeinhishand,hewalkedintothelivingroomandsatdownonthesofabythewindohisersuitefacedthestreetontwosides,andthenoiseandvoices,itrasttohisquietlife,wereorohisloneliness.Occasionally,hewouldcallouttosomeoneheknewandexgecasualwordsorbanter.Hissimplelifewentquietlyon,alternatiweensleepandwake.Justthen,thatenormousresplepeaappearedagainbeforehiseyes,andthenvanishedasquicklywithoutatrace.Heinhaleddeeply,histhoughtsstillonthatfleetingglimpsehehadofthepinkpea.Someonepassedbyhisroom,boungabasketball.Dimitriwasdeepinthought.Whatwasthesignificeofhislife,nowthathewasblind?Anotherboutofboungbasketball.Hesuddenlyrealized:Thatyoungmanboungthebasketball,couldjumpupandthrowitaccuratelyintothebasketfromanyahatgavehimasenseofaplishmentandhappiness.Actually,thefleshbodywaslikeatool,adaptatpyingontheimagination,withnospecificgnifice.Butitveothedepthofthesoundtinuesonimagining,justliketheyoungmanboungthebasketball.ThatwasDimitri’sfavoritepastimeandthesignificeofhisexistence.

Thatenormouspeaflickeringinandoutofhissciousness,noearing,nowvanishiicedDimitri’scuriosity.Heuzzledastowhythatpeapersistedinintrudingitselfonhismindandthenvanishingwithoutatrace.Perhapsitwaoleadhimintenewsario.Whyyes!Perhapsthatwasmaterialforweavinganotherdream!So,hequicklystubbedoutthecigaretteinhishand.Whilethesmokewasstillpermeatingtheroom,Dimitrihadalreadyarrivedinhisdreamnd.Inhisdream,Dimitrituroamagnifitbutterfly,brilliantlystrippedandspotted,danglightlyalyispringbreeze.Beforehimwasnolongerasinglepea,butmyriadsofthem,faseaofdangflowers,withslimfiguresroamingfreelyintheirmidst.Thesewerenakedfemaleforms,somegatheredincasualgroupstalkingandughing,whileotherswereontheswings,rogthemselvestoandfrotowhileawaythezyspringday.

Attheotherendofthegardenwasaesepacelikebuilding,withglitteringencaustictilesandbrightredpilrs,especiallyeye-catguhesunlight.Thesplendoroftheluxuriousbuildingfullymaedtheopulehemysteriouskingdom.Themagnifitbutterfly,ridingontheslightspringbreeze,fleilyamidthebloomingflowers.“Ah!”thoughthe,“IambackagaininthisbeautifulKingdom.Inthemundaneworld,Iambutablindmansequesteredinatinyroom,butinmydreamsIamamagnifitbutterfly,danginthisvastarrayofdazzlingspringcolors.”So,thebutterflyflutteredfreelyonitsembzonedwings,revelinginthebeautiesofnature.Stickyshredsofsilkeenaciouslyattachedtoitswings,incapacitatingthem,alerteditthatsomethingwasamiss.As,hehadientlybeencaughtinatrap,andaferociousbckspiderwasmakingitsway,closerandcloser,alongtheweb.Dimitrisighed,

“Howunfortunate!MyfirstdaybatheKingdomandIbeefoodforthespider.”Justthen,delicatefingerslightlypickeditupbythewingsandcarefullypluckedawaytheremnantshredsofwebfromitsbody.Itwasthecharming,starry-eyedAsiay,Yoko.Herever-presentsmilemadethedimplesinhercheekmoreentingthanever.Afteringawayallremnantsofthespiderweb,sheletthebutterflygofree,saying,

“Ah!Youbelongtothespringandtotheflo!Gowhereyoubelong.”Shewatchedasthemagnifitbutterfly,whichhadjustexperiencedsuarroefromdeath,flyintothedepthoftheflowersinthegarden.

Themagnifitbutterfly,soresplelystrippedandspotted,tiozigzagitswayleisurelythroughthespaciousgardenuntilitcametoahalfopenedwindow.Itflewinsidealedoalofanenormouspinkpea,notforthehoosuckthefragrantflower,butbecausetiredafteritslongflight,itfelttheneedofatemporaryrespite.Itsdelicatewingscouldnolohstaigueoflengthyvoyage.Thepeaasilvervase,inidwithemeraldgreericatelysculpturedtogiveamostfasatinglylife-likeportraitofabeautifulgirlinae.Herfeatureswereclearlydisableandherclothing,elegantandsophisticated.Sheseemedtohavejustawakenedfrslumberoneearlymandwaswalkinginthegarden,stillimmersedindreamyindolenguorahargy,almosthypnotictotheviewer.

Atthemoment,theflowervasethewindowsillofabeautifulrgekit,wherenospeckofdustcouldbeseen,andthehardwoodfloorshoneshtahatitmirroreditssurroundings.Anakedbeautywaswilybefechoppingboard,herbeautifulfaceflushedwiththebloomofhealth,herrgedewyeyestratedontheworkathand.Itwasthegeus.Shewasslowlykneadingapieceofsoftdough,fitintoalong,uniformrollbeforebreakingitintosmallpieces,eachthesameinsizea.Shepcedthemirowbeforeher,likeagroupidly-trainedsoldierswaitingforherand.Shethentookafoot-longrollerandrolledthesmallpiecesofdoughintoround,thiners,eachthesameincircumfereakingpainstospraydryflourontoeachbeforestagthemintoapilesoastopreventthemfromstigtogether.Hereverymovementwasslowbutorderlyandsystematic,goingfromonesegmenttoarictlyacctopn,withnowastedmotion,allcarriedoutinabsolutesileerfinishingthisdemandingpreparatorywork,herbackmusthavefelttiredbecauseshegedherpositionandsatdownonaroundstooltorest.Howcouldherslender,willowywaistsustainherfigureforsolongaperiod?Theioworksilentlyon.Takingupaer,sheputitintoherleftpalm,scoopedupsomepre-preparedvegetablefillingfromthewhiteapteandputitinthemiddleoftheer.Dippingherfioabowlofwater,shewettheedgesoftheertoehemtosticktogethermoreeasily.Nimblefingersworkedquicklyaly;oeranotherarowofdumplingsemerged,readytobesteamed.Eachtastymorsertisticallyshaped,edgesstandingoutdistinctlyvisible.Shewaslikeasculptorpyingwithunmoldedcy,makioperfectspesofherowndesign.Soon,thirtywhitedumplingswerelyarrahesteamer,eachtheproductofherexagskill.

Inaerofthisluxuriouskitwasafortableday-bed,whereaall,slender,nakedbeautyysoundasleep.Afewstrandsofblondhairwerescatteredonhervoluptuousbreasts.Herhalfcurvedleftarmreedonthepillow,whileherrightarmysoftlyonherabdomen.Herslightlycurledrightlegrestedonherleftone,whichrexedlengthwiseonthebed.ThisVenus-likeposeatedthecurvaceousrhythmure.Shewasindeepslumber,onewhichshehadnotenjoyedforalongtime.Yes,shewasthebeautifulpoetess,Angelica,longtorturedbyinsomnia.Ragherbrainsinpursuitoftheperfe,sheentrappedherselfintheshackleoftensionandworry.Herclearblueeyes,fullofintelligence,werereadilyfrightenedlikeapieceofpurecrystal,beautifulbuteasilyshattered.Justthen,Lotusraisedhereyesandlookedatthesleepingform;asmileofsatisfatouchedherlipsbecauseshefoundthathermovements,slowahodical,whichwerecharacteristicofheralone,hadthepowertosoothAngelica’stautnervesandrescueherfromtheabyssofworryandtension.AngelicalovedtosleepwhileLotusbusiedherselfwithherwork.Whetheritaintinginherbrightlylitstudio,embrinherfragrantbedchamber,orcookingi,ongelitratedherattentiononLotus’slowmovements,shewouldfeedrowsytirednessovertakeherandwouldsoonfalsleep.Theslowahodients,naturalborncharacteristics,wereinperfectharmonywithherquiet,geure.

CookingwasherLotus’dutynorherdailywork.Tourmetcookingassion,soshethrewherselfintoitheartandsoul.Treatingitasaformofarttoberesearchedandpracticed.Theresultwastheinspiredcreationofaninalteique,ingeniousandunique,whiotonlysatisfiedherpersonalurgeofcreativity,butalsowontheappuseoftheBeauties.EvenKingDimitri,thepickygastronomer,rofuseinhispraise.Thisgreatlyencedher,strengtheningherresolvetotinueimprovieique.Differentmaterialsputtogetherindifferentwayswillproducedishesofdifferenttastes.Sheprizedthelessofromherfailuresjustasmuchasthejoyandsatisfathatcamefromsuccesses.Dayafterday,sheimprovedhercooking,whichbecameamagiackfusedinherheart.ThefactthatKingDimitriandhisBeautieslovedtoeatthefoodandDimSumshesometiculouslypreparedgaveheradditionaliandimpetustoimproveherskillsothateventhechefsinthepacewereimpressedwithherexpertise.

Thenumerousbeautieslivingieriouspace,togetherwiththeirretinueofpersonattendantsandassistantscametoquiteanimpressivetotal.Therefore,argestaffofexperiencedchefswasinstitutedintheroyalkittoseetotheirneeds.Asidefromthethreesumptuousdailymeals,allkindsofcuisiobepreparedtomeetalltheoccasionsthatmightarise.Thekitwasalwaysbuzzingwithactivities.Whenanyofthebeautieshadanurgeorcravingforsomespecialkindoffood,sheneededonlymakeherwishesknownandthechefswouldbusythemselvesfillingherordertothebestoftheirabilitiesandhaveitbroughttoherwherevershewas.Theirservicewasreallyimpeccable.Notonlywasthefoodservicesoperfect,otherneedsofdailylifewerejustaswellanized,withspecialpersoendingtoeveryneed.Inaword,KingDimitrihadmadethhprovisionsforhisBeauties,atteoeveryceivabledetailofdailylife,likeagardenercarefullynurturienderblossomsinhisgarden.Towardoffthelonelinessandboredomoflivinginmountainspletelycutofffromtheworld,everybeautytookonsomeformofwork,thepurposeofwhichwastowhileawaytheinordinatelyexcessivesparetimewhichcouldotherwisehangheavyontheirhands.Ifthebeautiesfeltirritatedordepressedorjustdidnotfeellikedoinganythingfornoreasonatall,theycouldjuststbecauseitwouldautomaticallybetakencareofbythepaceattendants.Normally,theonlythingthatcausedthebeautiestofeeldepressedwastheabsenceofKingDimitri,whoteogowanderingalroundtheworldformonthsonend.

WheneverKingDimitrigottiredofwanderingandcamebacktohisKingdom,thewholeatmosphereged.EveryeroftheKingdomwasfilledwithughter,musidjubition.KingDimitriwasagastronomer,aooffood.Whenhewasinthepace,thepaceattendants,mostlybeautifulyounggirls,werekeptbusy.Theycouldbeseencarryingrge,exquisitely-madesilverpteswithtransparentcoverstoandfrofromthekittothepace.Hewasalsoanepicureaioreonhowtogetmaximumenjoymentoutofdailylife.ht,sunnydays,hewouldtaketothecalmwatersinhisluxuriousbark,iingthebroadexpanseofhiske,wideasthesea,ingafollowingofsmallnativeboatsandoesonhistail.TheywereallKingDimitri’sloyalvassals,whosideredcatgsightoftheirsglory.Sometimes,onmoonlitnights,hewouldtakeabottleofgoodwineandgosailingaloneinasmallboat,leisurelyenjoyingnaturebetweentheskyah.Hewouldstayoutallnight,causiamongthebeauties.hemdaredtosleepearly,butherdidtheypin,fortheynotonlylovedhim,butalsoknewhimandhisetricitiesverywell.Sometimeswhenthemoodtookhim,KingDimitriwouldtakethemallonaridingtrip,lettingtheeedsgallopfreelyontheendlesspinsasfastaswindandlightening,untiltheytiredofit.SuchamanwasKingDimitri,theteroflightawhichreflectedintoeveryerofhisKingdom.Whehere,lifewasmultifariousandfullofi.Buthewasavagabondatheart,wholovedtowanderaboutunhamperedbymuraints.Therefore,hisdaysinthepaceattendingtaldutieswerefewwhenparedtohisdaysofwanderingabouttheearth.Retly,hehadbeeforquiteawhile,givingthebeautiestheimpressionthattheylivedonlyinhisdreams.Sincedreams,nomatterhowlongalwayshadanawakening,solongasabeautifulmemoryremaiwouldbesuffitforalifetime’sreminisce.Justlikeaclouddriftiheblueskies,KingDimitrihadlefthisheartinhisKingdomofDreams.

Themagnifitbutterflythatwasrestingoalofthepeahadflownaway.Osdelicatewingsrecoveredfromfatigue,ithaditsownookihofthemyriadofblossomsthatbelooitaloherewasacircurvitalityinitsbeautifulbodywhichkeptremindingitthatspringwasshort,thatitshouldmakethebestpossibleuseofthefleetingopportunitytoenjoylife.Orperhapsthebutterfly,uowithstandtheincreasinglyhotandhumidroomtemperatureescapedtothegardenfullofsunlightandspringbreeze.Atthemoment,cloudsofsteamemanatedfromtheseveralbamboosteamers,stackedoneupoheroove.Releasedfromtheboilingpointofwater,theytiopermeatetheair,lettingoutrelievedandgratifyih,liketheevehingfromthenoseandmouthofthesleepingAngelica.Thewarmandquietafternoonwasmostsuitableforanap.AsmileappearedonAngelica’sface,herhappythoughtswerelikethewillowswayinginthebreeze,flirtatiousandcapricious.

Lotussattherewquietlyandsteadily,everynowandthencastingaghesteamersoove,assessihertheyweredo.Suddenlyfrombehihinsofsteamappearedbeautiful,ifaces,wreathedismiles,lookingather.SeeingitwasthenaughtygirlDornaandherpanions,Lotuswavedtothem,invitingthemin.Theslendernakedformsofgolden-hairedMary,Shei,whosefoothadjustrecovered,thehealthyandagilenativegirlDeannafollowedtheirleaderintothekitandsataroutable,withDornaloudlyprogherhunger.Lotustouchedherfioherlipsandwarned,

“Sh!Don’twakeAngelica!Shedidn’tsleepatallstnight.”

“Whynot?”askedDornamystified“Whydoessheturnnightintodayanddayintonight?Shedoesn’tsleepatnightandnapsduringtheday.Isn’tthatawasteoftime?”

“Shewaskeepingthenew-erellepany.”expius.“Thetwoofthemwerewalkingaroundthekeenjoyingthemoonlightandposiheydidbacktilldawn.”

“What!”saidDorna,gherhandstoherforehead,“Notgotosleepatmidnight,butgoforwalksandposepoemsbytheke?Heavens!Whataretheythinkingof?”

“There’salotyoudon’tuand,Dorna.”Lotussaid.“Perhapsyou’lluandmoreafteryoueatmyvegetablesteameddumplings.”TheirlsughedattheartlessandnaiveDorna.Theywereallseventeeeen-year-oldgirls,likebuddingflowersabouttobloom.Howcouldtheyclearlyprehendthehiddenmysteriesoflife?

“Doyouknowsomething,”saidgolden-hairedMary.“elleandAngelicalookverymuchalike.Eventheirheightandfiguresareidentical.”

“Notonlyaretheirphysicappearancesso,”addedtheshyShei.“Theybothhaveanaturalbornnobledispositionandbreatatpoetry.Nowoheygetalongsowelltogether.”

“Also,”addedthehealthyswimmerDeanna“itissaidthenew-erClementiobeafairyfromheaven,willingtoedowhandliveasahuman.Isn’tthatstrange?”

“Whydidn’tyougirlsinviteClementinehere?”askedLotus.“Sinceshegotafleshbody,sheisgreatlyiedinhumancuisihinkseverythingistasty.Perhapsshewouldenjoymydumplings.Ifanyofyouseeherter,tellherIinviteherovertotrymytestco.”

“ShewenttoGiantMountainwithMegginnandRomi”saidDeanna“toseehowCyclopsisgettingonwiththestruofthegoldpace.Theprojectisggingbehindscheduleandtheywenttoseehowtheycouldhelpthissimple-mindedgiantofHerculeah,hopingtohavethepapletedbeforeKingDimitrireturns.”

“IheardAishaisgoingtocalmeetingtonightaboutthis.”addedDorna.

“Ihaven’tseenAishaalldaytoday,”Lotussaid,lookingatDorna.“Doyouknowwheresheis?”

“Whereelseexceptherstudy”poutedDorna.“flippingthroughthoseinnumerablebooksonhershelvesforathesisorreportorsomethingofthekind?Sheisturningintoarealbookworm.Notonlyisshebeingabookworm,sheisfallofustobeebookwormsjustlikeher!”Beforeshefinishedspeaking,everyonewasbenthter.Aishawasafamousschorandslightlyoldertha,sothejobofsupervisiudiesoftheyounggirlsnaturallyfellohoughDornaoutwardlypined,inherheartshehadagreatloveandrespectforthismaturewoman,whowasbothamotherandabigsistertoher.

“Don’tbemad,mylittleprincess,”Lotusughinglysaid.“Itwilffectyourappetiteandthat’snotworthit.I’llgoasomethingforyoualltoeat.”

Lotuswalkedovertothechoppingblockbythestove,tookapieceoftendergingerandusingaspecialteiquequicklychoppeditihihesesheputintoseveralsmallsaucersandpouredvinegaroverthemassauceforhersteameddumplings,whichaddedgreatlytotheirfvor.Thegirlsbuzzedaround,helpihetable.Soohingwasreadyatledaroundthechoppingblocktoenjoytheirsnack.Lotusytoseethemeatingwithsuchrelish.Suddenly,shefoundthatthehairofallfirlswerewet,especiallyMary’slonggoldenhairfallingtoherwaist,wasnowcloselypsteredtohernedherback,makingherlookslightlydisheveled.Sosheasked,

“Whathavethefourofyoubeenupto,togetyourhairallwet?”

“Dornatookuspearldiving.”Sheiproudlytoldher.“WithmycrippledleftlegIusedtohavetroublewalking.WhowouldhavethoughtthatnowIamabletoswimlongdistances?”

“Isawargewhitefishier,asbigasahumanbeing.”Marysaid.“Thesunlightshiningthroughthewateronitsdensescaleswhichcovereditswholebody,gaveforthdazzlingsparks,makingitlooklikeawarriorinaagnifitarmor.”

“What’sstrangeris,ithastwoswellisjustlikeawoman!”Dornaadded.“Itswamalroundusandwouldnotleave,asifitwaoleadussomewhere.”

“Itissaidthatthatfishisthemotherofalllivingthingsierandithasbeensightedfloatingonthesurfaceoftheke.”Deannasaid.“Peoplerespectitasagoddessandwouldneveryafingeronitorharmitinanyway.Itseemedtowanttoleadustothedeepwatersattheheartoftheke.Iwasafraidthattheswimmingteiquesofthegirlswerenotquiteuptoswimminglongdistanderwater,soweturnedbackhalfretitforeverifanythinguntowardactallyhappened.ButifIshouldseethatwhitefishagain,Iwillfollowittothedeepwatersattheheartofthekeait’salbout.”Deannawasanativegirlwhogrewuponthispieceinsoil,untouchedbycivilization.Shecouldswimlikeafishandwasfreeandfortableinwaterasshewasonnd.

“Iwanttogo,too”criedDornarebelliously.“Idon’tbelievemyswimmingisworsethanyours!”

“Nowdon’tbenaughty!”interruptedLotus.“Thisisnoughingmatter.BecarefulthatAmaliadoesn’tsmackyouwithherflyingbroom.”

Amalialookedlikethetraditionalwitfairytales,butsofarasherbehaviorinDimitri’sKingdomofDreamswased,shewasreallyakiedelder.Herasweresometimessobizarrethatthebeautiesdidn’tquiteknowwhethertoughorcry.Butshewasveryprotectiveofthem,andtheywillinglycametobeonintimatetermswiththissinister-lookingbutkiedoldwoman.Sometimesshewasfusedandsilly,butsometimesshrewdandcapableandthebeautiestreatedherliketheiroldgrandmother.Yoko,theAsiayairofentigdimplesonhercheeks,eciallyclosetoAmalia,whopickedherupfromthestreetsaftershewasdesertedbyherparents,andpracticallyraisedherfrominfancy.Butthatwasinthebygonedaysofthesmokypast.OnhearingLotus’wordsDornasaid,

“Don’ttrytoscareme.Amalialovesmeandwouldneverliftafiome.Anyway,sheisnotinthepaceatthemomentandhasgoneroamingsomewhere.Whensheesback,Iwilskherwhereshehasgoneandwhyshehadn’ttakehher.Thatwillmakehersorepentantthatshe’llnevereventhinkofspankingme.”

“OK.OK,mylittleprincess!”ughedLotus.“Stoptalkingamoreofthesedumplings.Afteryouhavefinished,goandaforawhile.It’steandIheardAishahassomethingimportanttoannouonight.”

Thefirlssataroundthechoppingboardaowithzeal.AsDeannaate,shewasthinking,

“Imustswimtothedeepwatersinthemiddleofthekeassoonaspossibleait’salbout.IfDorna’scuriosityisnotsatisfied,thestrong-headedgirlwillbesuretosetoutbyherself.Ifanythinghappenstoher,itwouldbebecauseofmeandIwouldneverfivemyself.”Theirappetitesfullysatisfied,thefirlseatherownway.Soon,otherbeautieshearingofLotus’freshandtastyrefreshmentscameintwosandthreesfollowingoneachother’sheelstotrythesteamingdumplings,whicheveryohemdecredtobeuniqueanddelicious.Lotus,everthegracioushostess,talkedtothemandsawtoitthateveryonewasserved.Soonitwasduskandthebeautieshadallleft.Therewerestillthreebamboosteamersleftoove,whichLotuskeptwarmingfinn,RomiainebecauseshekhattheywouldsurelybehungryafteradayofiiononGiantMountainandwouldneedasnack.Also,theever-vigintMedusa,whoflewaroundtheskiescarryingoutherdutyasGuardianoftheKingdom,wouldbehungry,too.

JustasLotuswasclearingawaythetables,ate-iywalkedin.ItwastheAsiay,Yoko,witheyesfullofafasatingsmile.TheytalkedwhileLotuswentonwithherworkathandandYokosatdowntotrythevegetabledumpling.

“Yoko,Amaliahasbeengoneforquitesometimenow,hasn’tshe?”

“Yes,”sighedYoko,andherbeautifulfaceclouded.“Itoldhertimeandagainthatshewasgettingoldandshouldtakebettercareofherselfandnotgoroamingabout.Butshewon’tlistentome,andkeepsdisappearingfperiodsoftime.Itworriesme.”

“HercharacterissomewhatlikeKingDimitri’s”observedLotus.“Theybothlovetoroamaroundtheworldanddon’tliketosettledownathome.”

Simirityincharactermaybecausedbybloodretionship,ortheycouldbetraitsdirectlyiedfromone’sparents.Stistshavenotbeeoetoanydecisiveclusiononthat,buttherewasundeniablysomestrangeboweenDimitriandAmalia.Firstofall,Amaliadidhaveason,whohadbeenlostandshekhingofhispresentwhereabouts.Dimitri’smother,fromwhomhehadbeenseparatedsincehisyouth,wasalsocalledAmalia.Ofcoursethesecluesdidnotproveanything,butithadgiveoallkindsofsurmisesandjectures,whiglikeapuzzlingcloudoverthemysteriouspaoonewaswillingtosolvethepuzzle,fearingohingswereoutintheopen,unforeseeablegesmighthappenthatcouldwrenchthetwolong-lostmotherandsonapartagain.hebeautieswahattohappenaherKingDimitrinorAmaliawerewillingtoreopenwoundsofthetraumaticpastburiedsodeeplyintheirhearts!Soonthesurfacethingsremaihesame,aingsleepingdogslieseemedtobethemostexpedientofpns.Atthispoint,LotusandYokobecamesilent,bothwishingtoavoidtheissue,sotheygedthetopicoftheirversationquitenaturallytothemeetingthatwasbeingcalledthatevening.ItwassaidAishawaogatherthebeautiestogether,hopingtousetheirbielligeoformatapusiblepnofathatwouldexpeditethepletionofthegoldpace,soitwouldbefinishedbeforeKingDimitricameback.ThatmadehisreturntotheKingdomseemmorereandimmihisfirmatihtsmilestothefacesofthetwoAsiaies.SuddenlyYokosaid,

“DoyouknowLotus,whileIwaswalkinginthegardenatnoooday,Isavedageousbutterflytrappedinawebago.Italmostbecamefoodforthatfiercebckspider.”

“Well”answeredLotushappily,“There’saproverbina‘thosewhodogoodwillberewarded’.Heavenwillrepenseyouforyooddeed.”Whatthetwobeautiesdidnotknowwas,thatthegeousstrippedbutterflywasactuallythereinationofDimitriinhisdreams.

ChapterTwoGoldPadtheBigWhiteFish

Acrossfromthepace,separatedbythewideexpanseofcrystalclearke,wasGiantMountain,socalledbecauseofitsresemboaparalyzedgiant,stretchedhorizontallyonthehorizon.Thepoolofcrystalbluewaterwascrestshapedanddeeplyembeddedierofthemountainrangeslikeanewmoon,justshowinghalfherfaceamidthehazy,obscuremoonlight,peepingdownohbelow.Therefore,itwasalsocalledStar-MoohisbinationofmountainandwaterreflectsthepletedomainofKingDimitri’sKingdom.Geographicallyspeaking,thesurroundingmountainsformedanaturalwall,likeanimpregle,easytodefendbuthardtoattack.Theonlypassageleadingtotheoutsideworldwasasmallmeanderingriverthatultimatelyvergedintotheopensea.Fnkedonbothsidesbylusciouswildflowersandtalreesrisingtotheskies,itremainedacovertroutehiddeniouchedprimitiveforest,knowntoveryfew.Thelocalresidents,isotedfromandindepeoftherestoftheworld,retainedman’snaturalkiheywereextremelyloyandsupportedKingDimitriwholeheartedly,strivingtoprotectthisstpieceofparadiseoh.

Dozensofboatsinastragglingformationplowedthroughthecrystalclearwater,makingtheirwaytowardstheGiantMountain,likeanorderlynofcamelsploddingalongonsolitudeintheendlessdesert.OntheshoresofGiantMountain,pyramidsofthepurestgoldbrickswerestackedupintheopenair,tobeusedasstruaterialforthepace.Atemporarydockhadbeenbuilt.Itwastherethattheformationofboatswereheadedfor,makingtheirwayslowly.Thisonlywaterrouteectedwiththeseawastoonarrowforthebulkyfreighterstonavigate.Therefore,topreservetheanonymityofthemysteriousKingdom,thetaskingthegoldtoshorewasgiventothenatives,whowereexcellentsailorsahewatersthhly.Theboatsweregregatedatthepcewhereseaandriververged,towaitforthearrivalofmertvessels,ownedsolelybyKingDimitri.Thegoldurchasedindiverseamountsfromallovertheworldiionalmarkets.Therefore,sometimesonlyadozenortwoboatswereneeded,whileatothertimesveritablefleetshadtobeamassedbecausetheboatscouldnotbeoverloadedwiththeheavycargoortherewouldbethedangerofoverturningandevenlossoflives,whichwaswhatthekindandmagnanimousKingDimitriwasloathtoseeorhear.Theseeminglytranquilriverhadpceswherethecurrentswereveryswiftandsubmergedreefsandunseenobstacleswerescatteredaroue,soonlythemostexperiencedsailorscouldhopetonavigateunscathed.IntheblueskiesofthismysteriousKingdom,nimblehelicopters,toolsoftransportationofthebeauties,couldsometimesbeseen.Theywerenotveryoftenused,andthebeautiestriednottotakeofforndfrombasesotherthanthoseiheKingdom,topreveionandtragbyradarsofothertries.KingDimitrididnotwanthisprivafringedupoherdidhewishtointerferewithothers.Thathasalwaysbeenhislifestyle.Inaword,theproduofstaplefoodandoditieswereenoughtomaketheKingdomself-suffit.Butmedieandotheriesthatthebeauties,whichcamefromhighlycivilizedoutsideworlds,wereusedto,hadtobeimportedbyseaandair.KingDimitrialsowaoimprovetheprimitivelivingstandardsofthenatives.Therefore,thiscovertroute,hiddeniouchedprimitiveforest,becamethemainsupplylineofKingDimitri’sKingdom.

DozensofboatsarrivedatthetemporarydockofGiantMountain.Aftercarryingthegoldbricksashore,thecrewleft.Frombehindtherocksofthemountain,afigurewithonesinglergestrathebackofhisheadcouldbeseenpeeringdownatthesebelofterhisfronteyewasblihepiergironedusa,Cyclopsbecameextremelysensitiveandashamedofhisdeformityandwouldnotshowhimselfuntileveryonewasgone.Soonlyaftermakingsurethatthecoastwascleardidheeoutofhidingandwalkdowntothedock.Hehoistedtwoheavygoldbricks,oneoneachshoulder,andwalkingbackwardsclumsilyandboriouslyuphillwithhisunwieldyload,ataskmademoredifficultbecausehecouldrelyonlyonhisbackeyefht.Buthisbulgingmusclesshowedtherewerelimitlessamountsofenergystoredinsidehisbody.Perhapsthismonotonousphysicalborwasonehelikedmost.

Oopofthemountainwasahugeironpotofmeltinggold,overabzingfire.Cyclopsputdowwoheavygoldbridwehepot,usinganironsticktostirthemeltedgold.Fromexperiencehekwasnotquitereadyyet.Morefuelobeaddedtothefirebeforethegoldwouldbefullymelted.Oppositetotheironpotwasabroadfoundationofthegoldpacewithfegoldpilrsrisingtotheskies;makingthebarrenmountainseemwilderandmoremysteriousthanever,liketheruinsofaructure.ThesoundofhelicinesgrewlouderandCyclopssawasmall,exquisitehelicopteringtiantMountainpreparingtond.Havingohide,heslippedbehihepilrsandpeeredoutasRomi,Megginnaine,whohadetoihestrusite,steppedoutofthecraft.Romi,whohadandarchitecturalbackground,rolledouttheblueprintsofthepnswhichshehaddrawnacctoideasandguidelibyClementine,whointurnbasedherdimensionsonthepaceofZeusintheSeventhHeavenwhereshegrewup.OnlyZeus’pacewasmadeoflightcopper,whileKingDimitri’swasofsolidgold.Aftermakingtherounds,MegginnsaidtoRomi,

“Ithinkwehavesuffitgoldheretobuildthepace,butthespeedofstruistoosloanttofinishitbeforeKingDimitrireturns.”

“That’stobeexpected”repliedRomi“ifwerelyontheborofonlyoneman.”

“MaybeI’llbeabletohelp”saidClementine.“Let’sgoandihewidthahofthefoundationfirst.”ThethreewalkedupthestepsandcircledthefoundatioablydiscCyclopsbehihepilrs.Clementine,whoseemedtoknowhimcalledout,“Cyclops!Cyclops!eout.Youdoohide.Wemeanyounoharm.”ButCyclopstooktohisheelsanddisappearedintheneighbmountainranges.“Whyishesoscaredofus?”Clementineasked.

“Idon’tknow”repliedMegginn.“Ionlyknowheisanoldmanwhodoesnotliketobewithpeople.”

“No”answeredRomi.“HeonittedadulterywiththetraitorIleen,oneofKingDimitri’sbeautiesandcausedacatastropheintheKingdom,forwhichIleenuttodeath.KingDimitriatfirstmeanttocastrateCyclops,butthenpardonedhimoutofthekindnessofhisheart.IthinkCyclopsisgrateful,soheshunsallfemalepanyandgoesasfaraspossiblefromthebeauties.HeworkshardfrtillnightbuildingthegoldpagratitudetoKingDimitri.”

“Let’sgobacktothepace”suggestedMegginn“andtalkaboutourideasandsuggestionsatthemeetingAishaiscallingtonight.”Thethreeofthemwalkedbacktothehelicotin.

“Iusedtobeabletoflyaroundtheheavensatwill”excimedClemealgically.“NowIouseman-mademaes.Thegeisgreatindeed.”Frombehindtherocks,CyclopswatchedasthehelicrewsmallerandsmallerasitmadeitswaytowardstheairbaseonTwinpeaks,hisheartfullofinferioritya.Perhapsthesewerethemoodyemotionsburiedihoftheheartofawidower.

Thedaintyshadowofthesmall,exquisitehelicopterstreakedacrosstheclearblueskiesaheairbaseontherightoftheTwinPeaks,asthefierysungraduallysanktowardsthewest.ThepurringoftheheliciractedtheattentionofAishawhohadbeenimmersedinherbooksandstudies.Sheraisedherheadandsmiledasshelookedtowardsthehelicopter,knowingthatthethreebeauties,whohadgooihestrusite,wereback.Feelingstiffaftersittingatherrge,white,exquisitelysculpturedandiniddeskforaendedperiodoftime,sherosetostretchherself,aedhereyesgazingfromacrossthewideexpaheketothefar-offmountains.Thehorizontalrangesresembledaparalyzedgiant,whohadintherehopelesslysihebeginningoftime,hismuscles,bonesandtendonsbeingstiffandrigid.ButinAisha’seyestheydidnotresembleapriant.Infact,sheseemedtoseetheprofileofanguid,nakedwomanlyingtheresidewise.Itisstraheperceptioernal,objectiveenvirobeinfluehesightandimaginationtosuchadegree!ThecauseandmotiveofthistransformationofobjectiverealitywasmerelyafeelingoffatigueinAisha’stiredbody!Theiioernalobjectiveenviroandinternalphysicalfacultiesisreallystrangeandamazing!AtfirstAishawassurprisedthinkingthatthegianthadetolifeandturoabeautifulwoman.Sherubbedhereyesandlookedagain.Themountainrangeswerethesameandhadnotbeengedintheslightest.

Aishatransferredherroviheyethalf-fihesisonherdesk.Itwasthefruitofherborofmanydays.Olepagewaswritten“OnLifeinMatriarchalSociety”.Shehadmadeextensiveresearchthroughinnumerablevolumesofanthropologyandhistory,analyzingandfilterierial,choosingandusingonlythoseworthyofreference.Evenso,shedidnotbaseherthesisonlyonsubjectiveopinion,butmadeexpansive,on-the-spotiigations,makiailedandotesofactualsituations.ThenativeslivinginKingDimitri’sKingdomhadadheredtothestyleoflifeiedfromtheiraorssiheaimes.ItwasaformofsocialorderteredohisproximityfacilitatedAisha’sobservationtoanalyzefromeveryahesocialphenomenaandlotsthathappehusculminatingintheproduofacise,well-dotedthesis.Inaword,thenativespracticedpolygamy,onewomanmarriedtoseveralmen.Whenanygirlorboyreachedtheageoffifteen,theylefttheirhomesandhadtherighttoformtheirownfamily.Themenfarmed,huntedandfished,whiletheironwifewasheadofthehousehold,withabsolutepowerofjudgmentandwasloyaltohermother.Thus,matriarchywasformed.KingDimitriapprovedofthiswayoflife,promptedperhapsbyhisownworshipofwomen.Aishawasinaquandaryastowhattodowithitowasfinished,notknowiheritwaswisetopublishitisideworld.Iyears,withtheestablishmentofKingDimitri’sKingdom,manyoftheolderbeautieshadmarriednatives,fanewnucleus,whichwaseasilyassimitedintotheoldohus,anewkindofmanwasformed,worthyofresearchbyanthropologistsahnologists.Ohesisublished,itwouldbesuretoattracttheattentionoffellowschors.Wavesafterwavesofresearchteamswouldarrive,breakiranquilityandlife-styleofthisKingdom,hiddeninmountainranges,exposingthemalltounweleattention,whichwastrarytoKingDimitri’si.Intheend,Aishadecideditwasbettertoputawayherthesisandtemporarilyexileittoherbookcase.

Aishawalkedoutofherstudy,leavingbehindhershelvesofbooksforthetimebeing.ingintotactwithfreshoutdoorairvitalizedherandgaveherfleshbodyafeelingofwell-being.Wheure,curvaceousbodyosedtothegrandeurofnature,everysinglecellseemedtobebreathing.Shewalkedtoandfrointhecorridor,enjoyingthebeautyoftheslowlyvanishingsuoheturns,shecaughtaglimpseofthebackofabeauty,whoselongbckhairreagdowntoherankleswasruffledslightlybytheeveningbreeze.Itcouldoephanie,fornooneelsehadthatheadoflongbcktresses.Shestoodtherestaringintothedistance,eyesteredhypnoticallyoingsun.Aishawalkedoverandpattedherontheshoulder.Stephaurowardsher,herindescribablybewitgeyessuggestiveofdeeplyhiddes.“Whatareyoudoingherealoneimmersedinthoughts?”askedAisha.

“Iwasjustmeditatingandpting”repliedStephaniesmilingslightly.“Iseemtohavegonebacktothepasteedathousandtimesfasterthannormal.Iwentfrompasttopresentinonlyafsh,buteverythingthereseemedsotrueahethings,peopleandpceswerestillthereandhavenotvahthepassingoftime.SoIthoughtifthepastwasstillthere,thefuturemustalreadybehere,onlywehavenotexperieyet.”

“Youmayberight”shruggedAisha,“butwhybeedwiththesethings?”

“Iseemtohaveanunfortunatepremonition...”saidStephanieinprofoundmencholy,onceagaintakingalookatthesettingsun.

“Dobotheryou,Stephanie”saidAisha,pattiheshoulder.“Thinkofsomethingpleasant.DidyouknowKingDimitriwouldbeingbaadayortwo?”

“Iknow.Everyoalkingaboutit.Butwhatdoyoubaseyuesson?”

“KingDimitri’sfavoritehorse,thesnow-whitesteedLightning,hasdisappeared.Everyohihavegohismaster’sbidding.”

“KingDimitrialwayscameawheneverhepleasedandneverneededhishorsetogotohim.Whydidhecallforitthistime?”

“We’realfraidhiseyesmightbebhim.Youknowhiseyeshavebeenbhim,don’tyou?Butit’sonlyuessandnooneknowsforsure.We’llknowforcertainwhenheisback.Let’sgoindoorsnow.TherewillbeameetingthiseveningtotalkaboutpreparationsforwelingKingDimitri.”Withthat,thetwobeautieswalkedbatothepace.TherubyraysofthesettingsunreflectedonthecrystalclearbluewaterofthekeaddedaprofusionofbzingcolortotheKingdom.

ThestoryofLightning,KingDimitri’sfavoritehorse,wasanendthataddedtothefvorofmysteryoftheKingdom.Everyyear,thenativesoftheregionheldahorserathemeadows.Oneday,seeingathinedhorseatthemarketpce,Dimitriboughtitforaverylowprice.Itlookedonandmediocre,buthecouldseeintelligendambitiongleamingfromitseyes.ItmaysienLiMa”-ahorseoflightningspeedandtremendousstayingpower–butitcertainlyhadtheambitionofooDimitri,thatwasbetterthantherealTsienLiMawithnoambitionwhatsoever.HecalleditLightning.Aftercarefulfeedingandexercise,itgrewstrongerandstrongeranditsluxurianthairshone.Dimitristartedtrainingittobearacehorse.Onclosetact,hefoundthatLightningwasnotonlyclever,butalsohadhighselfesteem.Ifadaywentbywithoutaplishment,hewouldrefuseallfeed.Ifamobywithoutmuchimprovement,hewouldfacethewalateonhisshortings.Thus,Lightning’sspeedbecameasswiftasthewindandliveduptohisname.Dimitritookittothemeadowslikeacoach,butsoonitcouldtrainitself.First,itwouldstretddowarm-upexerciseswithitslegsandmuscles.Then,itwouldjogslowlyaroundthemeadow;graduallyincreasingitsspeeduntilitwaslikeastreakoflightning.Throughmonthsofselftraining,itdevelopedaseriesofmovementsthatformeditscheetah-likerunningbodyintoastreamlineioavoidthepressureofair.Winningthechampionshipseemedasurething.Unfortunately,anacthappened.MoleshaddugholesinthegroundandLightningsteppedintoonewhilehewasflyingby.Itfelndbrokeitslefthindleg.Lightnisragdayswererewthinnerandthinnerandmoredespohasproudtemperamentneverged.OnedayDimitriahree-leggedhorseploddedwearilyonawindingmountaintrailtowardstheradiantbloodybeautyofsuheshadowstheycastseemedlohahehorse,withlusterlesseyesanddulldrycoatofhairstoppedbesidethecliffandlookedlonginglyatthevastexpanseofgreeninfrontofit.Itdidthatwhepassedthisway.Itwashisonlyhope.Itseemedtoalwaysbethinkingiestobeatrivalstallerandstronger.Buttoday,thiswasfarfromitsthoughts.Thebloodysufromthefarwestattractedit.Itraiseditshead,neighedsorrowfullyandplungeddownintotheravinebelow.Dimitriwascaughtbysurpriseandcoulddonothingstopreventit.Butknowingthehigh-mettledcharacteristicsofhishorsesowell,hehadknownthiswouldhappensooer,buthedidn’texpectittobesosoon.Lightning’swasthestoryofallunsuccessfulheroeswhodied,grievedandindignant.Therewerealltoomanyofthemthroughouttheages.Dimitrithoughtthattheirfateandhisweresimir,butLightningwasmoreceous–itdied.Them,Dimitriwasastouhefamiliarneighingofhisfavoritehorsepiergtheskies.HelookedupandsawcloudsetogethertoformtheshapeofaFlyingHorse.“Ah!Lightninghasebae.Withpowerfulwingsathisservicehedoesnotneedhishoofsanymore.”

Darknesscoveredtheskiesandthemoongraduallyroseiwithallitsmagnifice,castingitsluminousraysonthemeadowsofthemysteriousKingdom.Swarmsoffirefliesrosefromthegrass,addinglifeandvivaciousothemysteriousmeadows.Durihesoilhadabsorbedenormousenergyfromthepowerfulraysofthesun.Now,thefadeddryrottedgrassyonthewarmsoil,enjoyingtheremnantwarmthofthesunandthecaressesofthegloriousmooheyy,pcidlybaskingintheraysofthesunandthemoon,appearingtobeasleep,butnotquiteasleep;seemingtobeawakebutnotquiteawake.Therereallywasnodefiniteborderliweenwakeandsleep.Eveniftherewere,itwasblurryandindistinct.Thus,theyquietlyreedthere,thechemicalelementstratedintheirbodygraduallydeposedanddeposedandtheuallyreposedandreposed.Thus,theyslept,imperturbablyenjoyingtheremnantwarmthofthesunandthepacifyingembraceofthemoonlight;seeminglybutnottrulydreaming;appearingtobebutnotreallyawake.Therereallywasnodefiniteborderliweenwakeanddream.Eveniftherewere,itwasblurryandindistinct.Dreamisthetinuationofreallife,andreallifeisoofdreams.Theysleptquietlyonthewarmsoil,seeminglybutnotquitetipsy.Whilestillgrowinginthesoil,theyswayedhappilywiththesoftspringbreeze,greatlypleased.Therereallywasnodefiniteborderliweenintoxicationandsobriety.Theirideologywassosimple;theironlymotiveoflifebeingtogrowandgrowuntiltheyreachedtheirlimit,prophesyingtheapproachofdeath.Theyhadreveledinthejoysoflifeandmustnowexperiehehappinessofdeath.Nowtheyyonthewarmsoil,pcidlybaskingintheraysofthesunandthemoon;appearingtobebutnotquitealive,seeminglybutnotreallydead.Therereallywasnoborderliweenlifeah.Eveniftherewere,itwasblurryandindistinlythosewhohadreveledinthejoysoflifecouldexperiehehappinessofdeath.Deathislikeanunfathomablebckabyss–theinescapablefiinationofalllife.Likethedemiseofastelrsystem,itleavesabckholeintheuniverse.Thisfearinfluencedallliviures,butthefadeddryrottedgrasshadoverethisfearandquietlyreedonthewarmsoil.Thechemicalelementstratedintheirbodiesgraduallydeposedanddeposed;andtheuallyreposedandreposed.Theyhavereveledinthejoysoflifeandmustnowexperiehehappinessofdeath.Theyytheresereneandquiet.Firefliesroseupinswarmsfromthegrass,addinglifeandvivaciousothemysteriousmeadows.Ah!Theyhaveresurrected,transformedfrrasstolivingfireflieswithtiny,exquisitenternsoail,flyingtoheraldnewsoftheirresurrethroughouttherealmsofNature.

Ohefirefliesflewtowardsthepace,illumihepatchesoflightinthewindows.ButintheGreatHallintherightwingofthepace,therewasabzeoflight.Thefireflyflewinthroughanopenwindowandsawagroupofnakedbeautiesgatheredaroundatable,talkinganimatedlyaboutsomething.Thebrilliahelightsovershadowedthetinynternonitstail,andthehumofhumanvoicesrushedatitlikesoundwaves,makingitimpossibleforittoremainlongintheroom.Itthought,“Whybeedabouttherightandwronganddisanbeings?Whybebotheredbythehumdrumthingsoflife?Imusttreasuremypreciousshortlifebecauseitmaybeoverbytheingofdawn.Whynotvisitthelonelyblossomsinthepacegarden?Theymustbedesoteattheprospectofwitheringanddying.Iwillheraldnewsofresurre.”Decisionhavingbeeflewoutatohroughanotheropenwindowintothedarknessofnight.

Inthebrilliantlylitroom,thebeautiescalledforthbyAisha,weregatheredtogethertodiscusstheexpectedeventofKingDimitri’shomeing.Aishawassaying,“KingDimitrihasbeengoneforalongtimeandnowisaboutthetimeforhimtoreturn.MarahasbeenlookingathercrystalbalnddiscoveredamanridingaflyinghorsedesdfromonhighintotheKingdom.AhereisthetaldisappearanceofLightning,KingDimitri’sfavoritehorse.SoIthinkthemanonheflyinghorsemustbeKingDimitri.”TheactiveandvivaciousDornahadgraduallygrownintoacharmingfairyoungdywithoutknowingit.UnderAisha’sinfluenceshehadbeorequietandtrolledandlookedlikeacultureddebutashestillretainedherfrankandstraightforwardnature.Shesaid,“Whenheesbackthistime,Iwillstilikeglueathathedoesn’tstealoffagainlikebefore.OrifhedoesIwanttogowithhim.Iamwillingtosharehisnomadlifeinthemundaneworld.”Whitefairy,withhersnowwhitehair,lookedlikeapure,unsulliedlily,especiallyendearing.

“ThenewpaceissupposedtobefihetimeKingDimitrireturns”saidshe.Nowheisingback.Willthegoldpacebefinishedaspnned?NatalieandIhaveposedanewballettocelebratethepletionofthestruandpntodedicateittoKingDimitriandperformitforhim.”

“TocelebrateKingDimitri’shomeingandthepletionofthegoldpace,”saidSamantha,hereyeslightingup“Ihavedesignedapleteoutfit,grandpolishedanddistinguished,andhaditmadebyworld-cssclothingtailors.IthasbeenfinishedandmailedbacktotheKingdom.Whenwillthenewpacebepleted?”

“WewilskMegginn,Romiainewhowenttoihesitetotellusaboutit”saidAisha.

“Severalmilliontonsofgoldhavebeenpurchasedthroughdifferentelsfromallovertheworld,”repliedMegginninherslowfidentandsystematier.“TheyareatthemomentallpiledoemporarydockbythefootofGiantMountain.Thespeedofstruiswaybehindschedule.WeeCyclopsforthisbecausehowevergreathisphysicalstrength,heisonlyonemanandthejobisHerculean.”

“ThedesignandblueprintweredrawnupbymeacctoClementine’soralinstru”saidRomi.“ThearchitectureisGreek.Itisawesomeandaugust.Iaddedafewtouchesfororalpurposestitmoreuptodateandlively.Butthepaceismoresuitedtograsandbasandnotfordailyliving.TofinishitbeforeKingDimitriesbackisimpossiblebecauseweckexperiealsmithstocastthegold.”Everyone’seyeswenttoClementine.Shethoughtforawhileandsaid,

“Ifitwerebefore,Icouldeasilyflybacktoheavenandrecruitthenecessarymetalsmiths.ButnowthatIhavethisfleshbody,Iolongerflybadforthfromheavehlikebefore,but...”Beforeshefinishedspeaking,theimageofhertwinsister,Charmaine,reflectedinthemirrorpthetableinterrupted,

“Youotdosobecauseyouhaveafleshbody.Idonot,soIamfreetoflybadforthatwill.Whynotgivethejobtome?Iwillbeabletotakeitup.”

“Really?Areyousure?”

“Tryme”saidCharmainesmilingmysteriouslyandherimagedisappearedfromthepolishedsurfaceofthemirrnifyingthattheimpulsivenymph’sdecisionhadbeeninitiatedintoa.Theroomwasinanuproar.Everyonewassurprisedattheturs.Theyneverdreamedofthenovelideaofrecruitiialmetalsmiths,thatClemewinsister,Charmaine,wouldfidentlyvolunteerforthejob,boastingshecouldsuccessfullyfulfillthemission.Nowthatthewheelswerealreadyinmotion,theycouldonlysitbadwaittoseetheresults.

Duriervalofwaiting,Samanthatookoutthebeautifullyedrgepaperboxesshehadpreparedforthebeauties,eachwithacardindigitsrecipient.Theytaihefitsshehadspecificallydesignedfortheupingoccasioheyopeheboxesandsawthegeous,adegowns,excmationsofastonishmentanddelightfilledtheroom.Thegownswereloose-fittingrobeswithgoldastheirpredominantcolor.Thepartabovetheflowing,floor-lengthskirtwasmadeofmaterialwovenwithpuregoldthread,eachwithauniquedesignofabstractimpressionism.Athreeinchwidegoldesecuredtheflowingrobe,givingitanairofgrandeurandsteadiness,likethearmorofwarriors.Butthematerialusedontheskirtandthebroadsleeveswasdelicate,softandlight,addihereandout-of-the-worldauratothesplendor.Eachofthebeautieswasequippedwiththesameaccessories–goldanddiamondearringsandbraceletsandneckobleandsplendid.High-heeledslippersgildedwithgoldandedgedwithsmalldiamondspletedthisoutfit,embellishingtheivoryfeettheyadorned,addingadegreeofsexualluretothemagnifice.Thebeautieswerebusytryingontheirnewgowns.Althoughclotheswerenotnecessarytocovertheirnaiveandnaturalbodiesinthismysteriouskingdom,andKingDimitrihatedtohaveanymaterialhihefreedomofhisfleshbody,theloveofdressingupandenhangtheirbeautywasanaturalfemiendenottobedeniedorcriticized.Aftertheyhadtriedontheirnewdresses,theyhelpedeachotherwiththeaccessories,plementedeachother’sbeautyandexcimedoverthewondrouseffectofthisextraordinaryoutfitandughterfilledtheroom.Theywereantaedmerelybecauseoftheirnewclothesandtheimmipletionofthegoldpace,theirmainsourceofjoyandexuberahehatKingDimitriwouldbeingbacksoon.Dimitriwastheteroflighta.Hisretionshipwiththebeautieswassimirtothatofthesunanditsps.Solongasthelightaofthesus,thepsofthesorsystemwilltiorevolvearoundit.ThosenearKingDimitrifeltthattheywerebeingcaressedbythewarmsunandspringbreeze.

Amidtheughteraterthatfilledtheroom,oneloystoodbythewindow,herheartuneasy,herheadraisedtowardsthecloudlessskywithitstwinklingstarsandfullmoonthatlitupthegrouhtnesssimirtoday.Herheartwaswithhertwinsister,Charmaine.Hadshereturnedsafelytoheaven?WhatexcusewouldsheusetoehemetalsmithstosomedowhandworkonKingDimitri’sgoldpace?Justthen,aheavyfogciantMountain,throughwhichbzingfmescouldbedised.Crowdsofsingingangelsflewdownfromtheskyontheirmightywings,fillingtheairwiththeirheavenly,majesties.Thebeauties,attractedbythisunusualse,crowdedaroundthewindow.Medusagedintoahuge,fierce,bckbirdandcircledthepaguardagainstanyuntowardhappenings.Intheheavyfog,thehubbubofvoices,thegorofgmetandthemelodiousandsynizedshoutsofborerscarryingheavyloadsofgoldresouhroughoutthemountains.Thesoundoffppingwingstiobeheardasyetmorecrowdsofangelsdesdedfromtheheavenstojoieamsalreadyatworkonbuildingthegoldpace.Thebeautiesweresoenthralledbythespectacursebeforethemthattheywerespeechless.Itwasonlyafterafewmomentsthattheycametoatheirbreathtogiveashoutofjoy.ClementihiswasallCharmaine’sdoing.Herpnhadsucceeded!Rushingtothemirrorshecalledently,

“Charmaine!Charmaine!Whereareyou?”

“Don’tworry”saidCharmaine’sbeautifulimageasitappearedonthemirror.“I’mback.”

“Quick!Quick!”saidClemeellmehowyoumaogetholdofsuchahugeworkforeandworkonKingDimitri’sgoldpace.”

“It’squitesimplereally”saidClementine.“WhenIgotbacktoheaven,Isawsomemetalsmithspolishingacoppermirror.IappearedonitssurfadtoldthemFatherZeuswaobuildapaearth,simirtothatintheseventhheaven;onlythematerialwastobeofsolidgold.Itoldthemtogetholdoftheirradesandgodowhatoheyneverdoubtedforamiheauthentiyorderaocarryitout.Itwasassimpleasthat!”

“What!”Clementinewasshockedandcriedoutindismay.“YedFatherZeus’imperialdecreetogetthemhere?”

“Yes.”repliedhersister.“Haveyouabetterpn?”

Clementinedidn’tknowwhattosay.NotrealizingtheserioussequencesofCharmaine’sa,thebeautiescrowdedaroundandpraisedherclevernessandquickwit.Charmaiooroudofherself,thinkingshehadmadeagreattributiontoKingDimitri’sKingdom.icedthecloudedtenanceofClementine,whokoowellthejealousnatureofherfather,Zeus,whowouldbeveryangrytoknoace,simirtohisownhadbeenbuilt,andofsolidgoldatthat,muchmorepreciousandexpehanhispatheseventhheaven.IfheeverfoundoutthatithadbeenbuiltbyhisowialmetalsmithsunderordersfedbyCharmaine,hewouldbefuriousandwouldsurelyedowhhimself.Thenhersecrethavenwouldbeexposed.WhatwouldFatherZeusdotoadaughterwhoranawayfromhispacetoliveohbelow?WhatgreatmisfortunewouldthisbringtoKingDimitri’sKingdom?Clementinedidnotdaretothinkmore.Charmainehadfulfilledhermission,butatthesametimeshehadmadeafatalmistake.Butwhat’sdoneisdoneandcouldnotberemedied.Theycouldonlywaitforthingstotaketheirnaturalcourse.

JustastheworkonthestrusiteofGiantMountainwasgoingonintefullspeed,aslimsolitaryfigureappearedontheoppositeshore.Itwasthenativegirl,Deanna.alkingslowlyintotheicywateroftheke?Wheerreachedherwaist,shebegantoswimtowardstheGiantMountain.However,hergoalwasnotthemountains,butthedeepwatersinthemiddleoftheke.Havinggrownupamidthesemountainsawasnowohatshebecameaionallyskilledswimmerwhothoughtnothingofstayingierfortwo,threedaysonendwithoutgoingashore.Wheired,shewouldfloattothesurfacetorestoreventakeashortnap.Shewaslikeafishwhokneweverynookanderoftheke.Buttonightwasnotquitebusinessasusual.Deaensebecauseshewasnotjustgoingforacasualswim.Heregoalwasthedeepestpartoftheke,apceshehadneverreachedbefore,ahedepthmightbebeyondnormalhumancapacity.Hermotivewassimple:severaltimesretlyshehadenteredthergewhitefish,motherofalllivingthingsier,whoseemedtowanttoleadhertothedeepwaters,whereperhapssecrettreasureswerehidden.Deannawascertainthergefishmeanthernoharmbecauseitwasamemberofthelivingpoputionoftheke,andtherebyKingDimitri’ssubject.Shewasmerelyfulfilliiesasavassal.Curiosityfullyaroused,shedecidedtogoontheadventureofdiscovery.Ice-coldwaterstimutedherskin,increasingthebloodcircutionofherwholebody.Sheswamonquickly,hopingtogetoutoftheelongatedshadowsofthemountainsassoonaspossible.Inthedarkhesesteepcliffscrowdedaroundthekelookedominouslylikefierstersimmersedintheke,withonlytheirheadsshowingabovethewater.Billionsofyearsold,theyseemedtobegrowingoutofthebottomoftheke,lyieopoundswallowDeanna.Luckilyshequicklylefttheshadowsbehindherandswamintotheluminousmoonlight.Suddenlyshesawnotfarawayfromher,theshinyscalesofthergewhitefishsparklinguhesilverymoon,likearegalqueeninatight-fittingsequinedeveninggown,herfullbreastsasymbolofhersex.Tailswitg,sheledtheway,withDeanafollowingclosebehind.Thegirndthefishswamtowardstheheartoftheke.

TheheartofthekewasmidwaybetweenGiantMountainandthepacewhereallthebeautiesresided.Theclottoit,thenearershecametoGiantMountain.Inathickfogwhichcoveredthemountain,shecoulddisfiguresmovingbusilyaboutamidthebzingfireswhichreddenedhalfthenightsky.Angelscouldbeseenflyingtoandfro,andshekhestruofthegoldpacewasgoingonred-hot,atfullbst.ThergewhitefishswaminacirclearoundaspotnearbyandDeahatwasthepcetodivedownintotheheartoftheke.Afterraisingherheadhighabovethewatertoinhaleasmuchoxygenasherlungscouldhold,shenose-divedintothewater.Herabove-averagelungpowerenabledhertoremainierlohanmosthumans.Asshecarefullydesdedintothestrangeunfamiliaruerworld,anindescribablefellingoffearcameoverher,butthefamiliarfigureofthergewhitefish,alwayshnearby,bolsteredherfidenusualrockseandgrotesquesizesandshapesresembledfiercebeasts.Theyhadneverseenthelightofdayastheyweretheproductsofhugegesoftheearth’scrustmanymillions,nayevenbillionsofyearsago.Theywouldhavetowaitbillionsmoreyearsforthehuge,earth-shakingmovementtoraisethemabovegroundsurface.Butthen,itisalsopossiblethatthemovementmightburythemevendeeperintothewater.AsDeanadesdedslowlyandcarefullytowardsthebottomoftheke,itgotdarkeranddarker,ainctivelyfeltshehadetoasortofuervalley.Ablurrylightappearediance.Justasshewasabouttogoforwardandiigate,thedwindlingamountofairleftinherlungswarhatiterativeforhertosurfadinhaleorshewouldbeirouble.Decisively,shegedherdireandslowlyasded,tempivingupherurgeofdiscovery.

Assheytherepantingonthesurfaceoftheke,wavesofheatinatingfromtheGiantMountainhitherintheface.Thebzingfireshadraisedthetemperatureofthearea.AwispofsmokeflewbyoverheadandDeawasWhiteFairy,whohadetoseehowthingsweregoingandwouldthengobadreportherfindingstothebeauties.Shehadtheremarkableabilitytoassumeanyshapeshewanted,whetheritofsmoke,ageouswhitelilyorhumanform.Deanamarveledandenviedher,thinkinghowwonderfulitwouldbeifshecouldgeherselfatwillintoafish.Afterrestingawhile,Deanaagaintookadeepbreathanddiveddeepintothewater.Thistime,shewasmorefamiliarwiththeuerworld,soshemaneuveredherwaythroughthegrotesquemonsterbeasts,carefulnottodisturbthem.Thoughtheywereonlyinanimaterocks,theyseemedtopossessinordinateamountoflifeandenergy.Iftheyfoundoutshewastheretolookfortheirtreasures,theywouldbesuretopounherandswallowherwhole.Shesuccessfullyreachedtheentrahevalleyandfoundthergewhitefishpatientlywaitingforher.Wheredidthevalleyleadto?Coulditbetheentraohell?Followingherguide,sheswamtowardsthelight.Thistime,shesawclearlythelightemanatedfromarockwhichlookedlikeanopenhumanhand.Inthehandwasanenormousoystershellwhichheldasinglegiganticpearl.Fromherpceseveralfeetaway,Deanacouldseethatthepearlwasasrgeasahumanskull.Deana,whohadbeenroamingthesepearl-produgwatersatwillltheseyears,hadseenallkindsofpearls;butneveroomatchthisiexture.Afolklorehandeddownthroughturiesiribe,suddenlycametomind.Itwassaidthattheeweretreasuresinthekewhichinallydroppedfromthemoon.Thereasonwhythemoonwassoluminousirictwasbecauseshewasroamingouttherelookingforherlosttreasures.Butnoonehadeverseereasuresorknewwhattheywere.Regardlessoftheauthenticityofthisfolklore,thatenormouspearlwouldhavetakenloonurturethanhumancivilizatioed.JustasDeanareachedouttotakethepearl,theoystersuddenlyclosedupandDeaherstoreofoxygendwindlingdangerously.Soshehadtoresurfaceagain.

Deanaburstoutofthewaterbreathinghard.Usingherhands,shewipedawaythewaterorperspirationfromherfadraisedhereyestowardstheskies,wherethewest-boundmoonseemedalmostreadytoslipbelowthehorizonintothewater.Thefoghavingrapidlydispersed,shecouldclearlyseetheGiantMountain.Thebzingfirehaddieddowernskywasbrighteningaremainingangelswerefppingtheirwingspreparingtoreturntotheirheavenlyhome.Utterlyexhausted,almostcolpsingwithoverexertion,Deanayonthesurfaceofthewatertorest.Howswiftlythenighthadgonebyshethought,depressedbythefactthatinspiteofadozenorsotripstothebottomoftheke,shewasnooalingupthetreasure.Thenaturalbarrierswerereallyformidableaewastoolong.Bythetimeshegotthere,shehadexpendedalotofenergyandusedupmostoftheairinherlungs.Thenarrowuervalleyhadtobenavigatedcarefullyandslowly.Insuchdeepdarkwaters,shemustnotcollidewiththejuttingroeithersideofher,fortheslightestmistakecouldbefatal.Whenevershegotothepearl,eithertheoystercloseduporsheoresurfaoreair.Afteradozenorsoattempts,shewastiredanddisced,butwasalwaysbuoyedupbythehopethatshecouldtakethatenormouspearlwithherainthenewlystructedgoldpace,shiningtherelikeahmoon,anaturalilluminator.WheneverDimitrigavebahere,thehallwouldbeillumiwomoons,oheskyandoneihehall,thetwoplementingeachother,famystidmiraculoussight.Thinkingso,shedecidednottogiveupthateasily,buttomakeasttry.

Whileshewasresting,thergewhitefishtiohovernearby.Itrockeditsbackather,asiftryingtounicate.Suddenly,anideacametoDeana’smind.“Whydon’tIattachmyselftothefish,grabholdofitsfins,aakemedowntothebottomoftheke.”Asaninhabitantofthewaters,ithadbeenequippedbiologicallytolivedowninthedeep.”Thefishseemedintuitivelytoknowwhatshewasthinkingof;boththegirndthefishappearedtohaveetoataderstanding.Holdingontothebigwhitefish,Deanadesdedquicklyintothewater.Thisideawasreallyfantastic.Thequickagileandstreamlinedmovementsofthefishquicklybroughtthemtothebottomofthekeandsuccessfullyapproachedtheuervalley.Astheygotothetreasure,Deanasawthattheoysterenandthepearlythere,givingforthitsluminousglohevigintoysterseemedsuspiciouswhehemapproagandwasabouttocloseupwhenDeanamovedquickaslightningandwithbothhandssnatchedtheenormouspearndhuggedittoherbreast.Shehadfinallysucceeded!Heartbeatingfast,shefeltlikeshoutinginjubition,butatoncerealizeshewasstilluer.Shewarnedherselftokeepcalmatthisfinalstageofheradveheslightestmistakecouldcauseirreversibledamagetobothherselfandherpearl.gherpreciousloottightlytoherbreastwithonehand,sheheldontothefinofthefishwiththeirndfishsoohesurfaceofthewater.Whensheresurfacedthistime,shefoundthattheskieswerebrighteningwiththeflushofdawn.Inthelightfog,theprofileofthegoldpaceroseawesomeandmajestic,itstroofcouldbeseenshimmeringingoldenmagnifice.Deanawassohappythatthestruhadbeenpletedinthespaceofanight.However,shewastootiredtomoveahebigwhitefishcarryhertoshore.Hereyelidsfeltsoheavyshecouldhardlyfindtheeoopenthem,butshecouldhearthebeautiescallingouttheirwelefromtheshore.

Chapter3ReturnofKingDimitri

Inthefierysuheyoungmancamebatheballfield,bounghisbasketball.Theclear,crisp,staccatosoundoftheboungballpassingunderDimitri’swindowwokehimfromhisreverie.Theyoungmanhadexhaustedhimselfontheballfieldandnowhiselongatedshadowapaniedhistiredfootstepsonthewayhome.Butafteragoodnight’ssleepandasumptuousmeal,hewouldbere-energizedtheday.Freshandeager,hewouldberunningaroundandpyingagain.Suergyandunworriedhappinessbelongedonlytotheyoung,atraitworthyofenvy.Awakenedfromhisdreams,listeningtothebouheball,Dimitrithought,“Thisyoungmanisusinghisbodyinmotion,shootingthebalccuratelyintothebasketfromanyangle,whileIusemybodyieofstillness,venturingintotheinnermostrecessesofthemindanddiggingforthetreasuresburiedinmybrains.Althoughmybodymayseemstilndmobile,mybrainisactive.LetmeliveoutmylifethisretendingIamatoolofimagination.Isn’tthatagoodlife,too?Listeningtothedisappearingsoundofthebasketball,Dimitriraisedhiseyestowardsthewindow.Hestillretaiinymorselofhissight,enablinghimtodistinguishbetweenlightanddarkness.Itshouldbedusknow,hedecided.Bowinghishead,hefoundthecigarettewasstillbetweenhisfingersahatithadgobyitself.Inhismind,lifewaslikeacigarette,burningwhileitturoashes.Couldthesuddeinguishmentofthecigarettemeanthattimehadnearlystoppedtoo?No.Noonecouldstopthepassageoftime,healmightyGod.Theultimateendoflifewasdeath,anirrevocabletruthnoonecouldeverge.Herelithiscigaretteandpuffedaway.Suddenly,hisgastromicalsystemwashitwithatremendoushunger,likealong,rtrainsweepingbyoraightrailstowardsacertaiination.

Drivenbythisstronghunger,Dimitriputouthiscigaretteirayandslowlymadeforthekit.Hisslowclumsymovementswerelikethoseygraybearientlyawakenedfromhibernationandwanderingaimlesslyaboutthewilderness.Enteri,Dimitriopenedhisrefrigeratorandtookoutaofsh,whichheproceededtoopenandrolloutotable,separatingthedoughintoseverallumps.Hethenkneadedeachofthelumps,shapingthembypulliolongstripsandrollingthemup.Hismovementswerenecessarilyslow,ashecouldonlyrelyonhisseouch.Extremehuackedhisgastronomicalsystem,likethertrainsweepingbyhtrails.Whatistheultimategoaloflife?Isitdeath?Hedarednotthinkmore.Heworkedonsteadilyandslowly,hisimagefromthebackresemblingargegraybear.Dimitrisettheovenatapproximately425degreesandturon.Thegraybearactallyawakenedfromhibernationworkedtofindafortablecave.WhatdidDimitriworkfor?Wasitfortheultimategoaloflife?Hetihhiswork,liningtherolledupdoughlyinabakingpanandputtingitioven.What’ssobadaboutusioolofimagination?Isn’titwonderfultoliveoutlifelikethis?Havihewholeafternooncoopedupinhisroom,Dimitriwaogotothelobby,wherehemightmeetotherresidentsandwhileawaysomeloime,socializingandchattingwiththem.Hefumbledhiswaytothedoor,whichheclosedafterhim,leavinghisextinguishedcigarettebuttiray.

Dimitrithoughtoftheominousnewsheheardthatm.Theelderlycoupleintheapartmentoppositehim,werebothdiagobesufferingfromcer.Theywerenice,kindpeoplewhoalwaysgreetedhimcheerilywhehemstrollinginthehallway,helpingeachotheralong.Passingthedoorofhis-dhboralwaysbroughthimapangofremorse.Thelittlegirlwholivedtherewithhergrandmother,wentonvacationonedayaherpets,twobeautifulgoldfish,withDimitri.Hefedthemeverydaybutdidnotkogethewater,sotheydiedduetockofoxygen.Whenshecameback,shesawhertwobeautifulgoldfishfloatingier.Theyhaddied,butnotbeingabletosee,Dimitrikeptonfeedingthemeveryday.Turningtheer,hecametotheapartmentofMrs.Washington,whohadastrokeandalsosufferedinsomnia.Sheliesawakeatnightandsleepsduringtheday.Iernoonshecouldoftenbeheardlogherdettingreadyforbed.Atduskshealwaysdrewhercurtainsasifshewasafraidthefierysuhitsvividrayswoulddisturbherdreams.Carsspedby,noisypedestrianspassedunderherwindow,butamidthesechaotidsofabusydowntownarea,shesleptlikeababy.

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Dimitricametothelobby,whichthe1989earthquakehadbadlydamaged.Afteryearsofrestoration,ithadbeenpletelyrenovatedahturystylefurnitureanddecor,withitsgradrefi,addedanairofgraothepce.DimitritookhisseatbeforetheFrendows.Thoughhecouldnotsee,hepicturedtohimselfthemagnifit,multi-coloredcloudsthatmustbectheskies.Hethought,“Normallyatthistime,Iwouldbewalkingleisurelyaroundtheke.Nowmyphysicalbodyinincarceratedinthistinystudio,butmysealheartotbeimprisohepastyearsofwanderingwillwaystugatmymemory.”Thesoundofeidpurposefulfootstepswalkingtowardshiminterruptedhisdaydreams.Awarmhandpattedhimontheshoulderandsaid,“Hi!Mr.DimitriJa?”Thoughhecouldnotsee,Dimitri’sworldseemedtolightupasifabrilliantsunshoneonhim.Inthebrightness,heseemedtoseeabeautifulyoungwomanwithamassofblondehairtalkingtohim.

“IamMary,thesocialworkerhere.Youareourresident.Ineedyoutofilloutacardaboutwhomtotaergency.Couldyouetomyoffiorr?”

“Ofcourse,”Dimitrireplied.Marysaidgoodbyeandhecouldhearherfootstepsgoingtowardstheentrance.Dimitri’simaginationwasreallyuny,forhejureduptheexactportraitofMary,thegolden-hairedyoungwoman,whowaseventhengoingthroughthedoorsoftheseniorcitizenfacility.

Mary’sspiritsalwaysrosewhefortheday,feelingasupliftedasabirdfreedfromitscage.Buttoday,sheseemedmoody,ruminatingosthathappehatdayasshewalked.Herdarkgreywalkingshoesweredeeplycreasedandcoveredwithalightcoatofdust.Astheywereherfavoritepairwhichsheworetoworkeveryday,theleatherseemedloosewithstantwear,butwasextremelyfortable.Leavingtheseniorcitizenfacility,Maryturheleft,crossedAliceStreetandmadeforDimitri’sBakerybytheke.Thepairofgreywalkingshoessustaiheweightoftheirmistressasshewalkedonthesidewalkuhefierysu.Havingworkedalongsidetheirmistressallday,theywereastiredasshewas,butliketwosmallboatslinedonebehiher,theycarriedheronherhome-boundvoyage,lookingforwardtorestingagainintheirpier.Theyhadbeenwhardforalongtimeandwereverytired,buttheykhatthemomehome,theirownerwouldhastilydiscardthenattheirrestihestepoutsidethedoor,theirhaven.Whennightfelndthemooheywouldlietherequietlyinthedisorderlyfashiontheyweredocked,uhegentlemoonlight.Afteranight’srest,theirownerwouldputthemonagainandtakethemoowork.

Marythoughtofhowshewascalledintothemanager,Mrs.Ge’sprivateofficethatmassoonasshearrivedforwork.Twowell-dressedaableyoungmeherewaitingforher.Mrs.GeintroducedthemasagentsfromdFBIrespectively.Marydidnotquitecatchtheirnamesbecauseshewastakenabackbythissuddenenterwithagentsoftwoofthergestsecretservicesofthetry.Theirbinedappearaheseniorcitizenapartmentbuildihatsomethingunonwasafloat.Thefourofthemsataroundtheferenceableforameeting.

“Ithasbeeedtous,”saidthesharp-eyedyoungCIAagent“thatretlyrgequantitiesofgoldhavebeenboughtupfrommarketsalroundtheworld.Asaresult,thegoldreserveofmanytriesisattheirlowestlevel.Butoknowwhothebuyeris,orwhereallthisgoldhasvao.Weatonvestigatedthematter,folloossiblecluestogettothebottomofthemystery.Wefoundoutthattwomen,RichardandJamaz,weredeeplyinvolved.Thesetwowereformerlyhomelessvagabondswhosuddenlyrosemeteoricallytobeepresidentandvice-presidentofWorldBank.Mysourcestellmethesetwomenaredeeplyimplicatedinthevanishinggold.”

“Sofarasweknow”theotherrestrainedandcautious-lookingyoungFBIagenttinued“RichardandJamazfrequentlyunicatedersoncalledDimitriJa,whoresidesatyourseniorcitizenapartmentbuilding.”

“Butheisanoldblindman!”criedMary,whocouldn’tbelieveherears.“Howcouldhepossiblybeinvolvedinthemassiveout-flowingofgoldalroundtheworld?”

“Nothingisimpossible”repliedtheFBIagent.“Hisblindnessmayonlybeablind.Wehavearrangedforround-the-clocksurveilnce.Hisphoappedandhisroomisbuggedbyminusculeeleicequipmentalmostinvisibletothenakedeye,hiddenalroundhisroohemomentheleavesthebuilding,hewillbefollorofessioswillenterhisapartmentsurreptitiouslyseargforevideoenostonesareunturned.Everysinglepersonthatesintactwithhim,nomatterhowcasuallywillbequestionedandiigated.readoutawideoverhimsothatnotasinglemovementeludesus.”

“Yourduty”Mrs.Gesaid,“istomakeadetailedreportdailyofMr.Ja’sactivities.Youomakeachartdetailiakeshisshower,whesandwhenhegoestothebathroom.Itmustbeasmeticulousaspossible.Wewanteveryoneheesintactwithtospyforus.Youwillmakeaweeklyreporttothesetwogentlemen.”

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Maryjustcouldn’tbelieveit!Howcouldthisbe?ItwasunthinkablethatanoldblindvagabondlikeDimitriJacouldbethebrainsbehindthevanishingofmillionsoftonsofgold.“Don’tyouthinkthiswouldbeaninfrionMr.Ja’srighttoprivacy?”

“Weareonlyiedinbreakingthecase.Pershtsarenotunderoursideration.”

“Ohheavens!”thoughtMary.“Itisunthinkablethatsuchthingscouldhappeninthistrythatputssomuchstressonindividualfreedom!”

Uhefiery-redsu,MarycrossedAliceStreetandtinuedonherway,thetwotinyboatsstoicallybearingtheweightofherbody.Aftergraduatingfromcollege,Marydecidedtobeeasocialworkeraheoldandthedisabled,heartandsoul.Sheneverdreamedthatshewouldbeassigheabhorrenttaskofsnoopingonapoor,oldblindman.Feelingverydepressed,shecelledherdatewithPaundrefusedMichael’sofferofdierwork,hermindfilledwiththeimageofDimitri.Whydidtheweather-beatenwrinkledfaceoftheoldblindmanwithitsmediocrefeaturespersistincroppingupinhermind,refusingtoleave?Shedidnotknow,butdeeplysympathizedwithhisunenviableplight,likethatofaninfant,pagsstube,onexhibitiontoanyonewhocaredtolook.Thererivacytospeakof.Everywallwaslikeamirror,refleghiseverymovement,notleavingoutaail,bigorsmall.Itwaslikelivinginagsscage.Ifshewerepsuchasituation,shewouldgomadwithinthreedays.Luckily,Dimitriwassihnowifetoplicatematters;otherwise,theirintimatemomentswouldbeealivepornmovie!Marywasrelievedshewasonlyinvolvedasaralbystander.Everyoneneededprivacy.Thinkofhowatrociousitwouldbetobeaspectaexhibitionevenduringmasturbation!Feelingunfortableandtaioevenbeectedwithsuchascheme,sheranacrossFranklintowardsBroadway,wentdowairsleadingtotheBARTstationandrushedheadlongteintotheafter-workpasseryingtoloseherselfinthecrowd.SoontheSanFranciscoBARTtrainarrived.Sheboardeditandwasswiftlycarriedtowardstheuertunnel.Marywasrelievedtoleaveallhertroubleswiththeday,fhtswereherown,tranquindprivateinherownlittleroom.

Dimitrisatinthehallbythewiherresidentsweregoingbacktotheirapartments.Heroseahiswaytothelongcorridor,headingforhisownunit.Takingouthiskeys,heopehedoor.Assooeppedintohisapartment,hekhathewasbackagainsurroundedbyeleicsurveilnce.Hehadastrange,sharpintuitionthattoldhimwhatening,butbeingblindheowerlesstoresist.Hisdisabilityseverelycurtailedhissphereofactivityandhismovementswerefiohissmallstudio.Hehadtriedtoresistbuttonoavail.Closingthedoor,thepusmellofsmokeandburntfoodcametohisnostrils,remindinghimofthebreadhehadleftbakingintheoven.Hefumbledhiswaytowardsthekit,turnedofftheelectri,opesdiookoutthebckbread,whichresembledaburntlogofafire-wreckedhouse.Butfortunately,onlytheoutercrustwasburnt.Underh,thebreadwasstilledible.Dimitritookoutaknifeaoscrapeit,sciousthathiseverymovementwasbeingscrutinized.Hefeltlikeanactoroagehammingitout.Ashescraped,thebckcrumbsflewalloverthetertop,creatingabigmess,likethemassoftilesandbricksleftafterabombing.

“Whydopeopleinsistolingthingsbyviolence?”hemused.“Actually,everyonehasatimebombwithinhim,notknowiwouldexplode.IncreasedworryandtensioncouldtriggertheexplosionandIwouldlosealltrolofmysensesandbead.”Hescrappedawayallthebckcrumbsandwasheddowntheburntbreadwithcoldwater.Hedidnotturnonthelights,astheblindhadnoneedofartificiallighting,butthestreetlightsshroughthewindows,sheddingitsdimraysintotheroom.Hepacedroundandroundtheroom,withworryandaylikebzingfmesinghissoul.Hisheartsankdowhephientlyletloosefromtheuniversalgravitation,sinkingdown,down,downfromtheuniverseintoadeep,unfathomableabyss.Suddenly,hiseyesbegantohurtterribly.Itwasasifthesharp,jaggededgesofagssfromasmoothmirrorthathadbeensuddenlysmashedtopieces,werestabbingviciously,mercilesslyathiseyes,hurtinghim.

“I,DimitriJaonlyapoorsuffereronthisearth,”hecried.“Whydoyou,myfleshbody,persistintmeso?Iamonlyahumblesufferer.Don’tforceme!Don’ttortureme!Whatyoutortureisonlymyfleshbody.WhenIfalsleep,IwillentermyKingdomofDreams,whereyouarepowerlesstofollow.Themosthigh-techsurveilnonlyscrutihemovementsofmyfleshbody.youinfiltratemythoughts?youfollowmeintomyKingdomofDreams?Impossible!Soperhapsnowisthetimeformetoreturn.”Sayingso,heydownonhisbed.Heseemedtohaveshedsometears,butthenthatmayhavebeencausedbythepaininhiseyes.Outsidethewindows,theclop,clopofhorsehoofscouldbeheard.Itwasthemountedpolicegoingby.“Yes.Itistimetogoback.Iambutahumblesufferer,alwaysbeingpersecutedandharassed.LetmegobayKingdomofDreams!”

Deanaclimbedwearilyupfromtheslopingbankoftheke,clutgthehard-wontrophywrenchedfromtheheartoftheke.Onceherfoottouchedonsolidground,shefeltreadytodrop,sooverewithfatiguethatherwholebodyfelttoostiffandtiredtomoveaep.Thebeautiesquicklyranforwardtosupporthertform.DeanamaohandthehugeroundpearlovertoAishaandthencolpsedintothearmsofherpanions.Dornashoutedtoherpals,“Kojak!Cortez!equickly!”Almostimmediately,thetwofiercetigersthatguardedKingDimitri’sthronecameboungoutfromthebackofthehills.ThebeautieshelpedDeanaontothebroadbackofCortez,andsurrouhebeautiestheymadetheirwaytothepace.Actually,thebeautiesallhadtheirworkcutoutforthem.Thegoldpacehadbeenstructed,buttheinteriordecorating,furnishingaiculouspreparationfortheeboratebacelebratiurnofKingDimitrirequiredtheirbinediyandefforts.Thenumerousdetailsinvolvedinmakingtheirbelovedsn’sdailylifeasfortableaspossible,solongignoredduringhisprolongedabsence,hadtobeseentoagain.Itwasanactofloveoofthebeauties,sotheywentabouttheirdutiessmilingandhappy,notwillingtoleaveeventheslightestdetailtothepacestaff.Aishagavethetreasurefromthebottomofthekeintotheedusa,whoatoransformedherselfintoahugebirdafterthebeautieshadleft.ShefppedherpowerfulwingsandflewacrossthewideexpanseofclearbluewatertowardstheGiantMountain.

Uhemsun,thegoldpaceseemedmlitteringanddazzlingthanbefore.Theanimalsinthekingdom,thefishierandthebirdsintheskyallseemedtoknowtheirkingwasingbadaspiritofjubinceprevailed.Thebeastsinthemountainsroaredtheirsalutation,thenumerousschoolsoffishessomersaultedoutofthewateringlee,andtheflocksoflivelybirdsgailyswarmedabouttheskiesinperfectlysynizedformationsasifpractigtheirwelingparade.Allofthemwereimpatienttoseetheirkingagain.WhenMedusaflewintoGiantMountain,shewasstuheawesomesight.Thegoldpace,dazzling,majestidgrandiosewasnotlessofawohaianpyramidreatWallofa.ItevenexceededtheSevenWondersoftheWorldinthatitwasnotbuiltbyhumanpower,butbycelestialgoldsmithswithinasinglenight.Medusaflewoldpaceseveraltimestoptethebird’s-eyeviewofthismiraclestruandthenslowlydesdedontothesquarebeforethepace.ThereshesawthetalndrobustformofCyclopscollegthesurplusgoldbricks,bigandsmall,scatteredihepadaroundthesquareandpiledthemtogether.Therewasalreadyasmallpileofthemstackedthere.MedusacalledCyclopstoherandtoldhimtomeltthegoldandformalonggoldwhichwastohangdownfromthetopofthedomeofthepacehall.Attheotherendwouldbeattachedthehugepearl.Thisnaturaldelierwouldneednolightingotherthanthispricelesspearl.Cyclopsnoddeda.Medusalookedaroundthenewgoldpadthengedintoahugebird.Risinghighabovethetopofthepace,shesawanereamofboatsingfromtheoppositeshore,doubtlesslypaceemployeesingtofurnishanddecoratethegoldpapreparationforthereturnofKingDimitri.Medusawassuddenlystruckwithastrangeforeboding.Thismiracleofapace,standingtalndmajestiearth,wastoospicuous;anditsonenightstru,toosuddeural.Whateverosedtothewofnatureandnaturalphenomenoncouldnotstlongandwouldbedoomedtobedestroyed.So,amidthisseofjubilee,Medusashiveredinapprehension.

Bythattime,duskdesded.Everythingwasinreadiness.AishaorderedDimitri’sluxurious15thturygalleonbebroughtoutfromthedodthebeautiesboardedittosetsailslowlytiantMountain.Bythattime,newsoftheimmihome-ing,thatverynight,ofKingDimitrihadspreadlikewildfirethroughoutthepopuce.Boatsandoesflockedoer,filledtocapacitywithloyalsubjectstheretoweletheirkinghomeagain.Medusastoodatthebowofthevesselwithargehornmadeofseashellinherhand,soundingoutanunhurried,leisurelywarning.HearingtheflowingnotesofherhorndriftingtowardsthemandseeingKingDimitri’shugecraftemergingfromthedusk,thenativeshurriedlyturheirboatstowardsthesidetoprovideleewayfortheroyalship.Aftercrossingthebroadexpanseofwater,theyarrivedatGiantMountainandthebeautieswentashore.Thetemporarydock,thoughsturdilystructed,showedsignsofwearandtear,havingsustaiheweightofunloadingmillionsoftonsofsolidgoldbricks.Buttherewasnotimenowtofixit.Theywalkedalongthelongdotiltheycametoahugedragon’shead,soskillfullysculpturedthatitsawe-inspiringeyesandimposinghoredtheloftydignityandmajesticseverityofthedragon,thissymbolofroyalty.Itsopenmouthseemedcapableofsuginandholdialvolumeofwaterinthekeaingitoutatwill.Thetwoheavysolidgoldgatesbuiltintothedragon’smouthopeharesoundingg,andthebeautiesfiledthroughthemontothewindinggoldpathwaythathuggedandfollowedthetwistsandturnsofthemountain,whichresembledthebodyon.Asthebeautieswalkedupthestepsthatledtothetopofthemountain,theysawthatbothsidesofthepathwaywerestilluntendedbarrensoil,wherepienantgoldbrickswerescatteredalloverandytherefotten.Buttheykhatsoongianttreeswouldbepnted,whoseentwiningbranchesandflourishingfoliagewouldbringamultitudeofluxuriantemeraldshade.Myriadsoffllowingwithallhuesandcolorsofthespectrumwouldburstintoblossom,vyingtfragrandvarietytothemountainpathway,whiotimewouldbefloodedbyaseaofflowers.Attheendofthepathwasahugeool,acrosstheterofwhichwasageinewiththegoldpathway.Ninegons,strategicallypthepool,sproutedoutstreamsofwater,skillfullymeizedtoformadelicatewebofintercedwaterstreamscrisscrossingabovethebridge.Fishesswamaboutfreelyinthepool,flooredwithgoldsand.Thewaterwasleduphillfromthekeatthefootofthemountainthroughintrinsicdesignssothatthefishwerefreetoeandgoatwill.Thebeautieswalkedoverthebridgeandstoodinthesquare,whiandedafullviewofthekebelow.Themajestic,imposinggoldpacewasierofthesquare.

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Nighthaddesded,butthepaceglowedwithasoftfluorestradiaurasthemoonlight.Itwasthebrilliahehugedelier–thepricelesspearlwhigdownfromthetopofthedomeofthepace.KingDimitri’sthronecedfagtheentrahehall,withtwelvechairsoneachside,fasemi-circlelikeacrestmoon.Eachwall,eanwasanartisticallysculpturedfrescopicturingonephaseoflifeofeachofthebeauties.OnonewallwasAishabookinhand,totallyabsorbedinherreading,oblivioustoallelse.OnanotherwasthesleepiyAngelica,whoseenigmaticsmilewasentigandmesmerizingasever.OtherfrescosdepictedDeanaswimmingintheke,elleprayilyandStephanie,deepinption,whosethoughtsseemedtohaveflownhighintotheclouds.ThewallbehindKingDimitri’sthronewasdominatedbyapictureofthegalntMedusa,mightywingsoutspreadasshesoaredintotheair,herdashingformsweepinginunbridledpowerandenergyah-takingiy.Thebeautieswalkedaboutlookingfortheirownportraits,exgovertheinaldesignandeborateworkmanshipofthepce.Thentheywentoutontothesquare.Thenewmoonhadrisenandtwinklingstarswerescatteredalloverthesky.AishaprayedsilentlyforthesafereturnofKingDimitri.

Millionsofglitteringcrystalstarsspreadoutovertheeimeandspaceoftheuniverse.EachofthesesparklinggemswaslikeabeautifulflowerbloominginGod’sgardenofnight.Theph,wherewelive,isohesewondrousfloras.Billionsofyearsago,Godtookasmallburningmatterfromhisbzingfurhesun,aintotheorbitoftheuorotatenaturally;likeanoldmantakingaburningcoalfromhisfirepdputtingitintohishand-warmingportablestove.Aftertheeartharatedfromthesun,ithadtocooloffforaremelylongperiodoftimebeforethefireonitssurfacedieddown,raisiemperaturearoundittosuchextremeheightsthattheairturosteam.Astheearthcooled,thesteamdeorain,whichfallingdownontothehollowcavesonthesurfaceoftheearthbecameseasandos.Thusabeautifulpcameintobeing.Butwithoutlife,itwastoolonelyapce,soGodgatheredtogetherthenaturalelementsoftheearthwhichalreadyexistedthere,andputtheminanenvirosuitablefortheirexistendgrowth.Gradually,themostprimitiveunicelluramoebawasborn.Thisunicelluramoebaproliferatedandgraduallydevelopedaamorphosedtobeanydifferentvarietiesandspeciesanisms.AcctoGod’swill,oheseanismsdevelopedalongaspecialroute,andafteralong,longprocessbecameabeinginGod’simageandlikeheevolutionofthehumanraceproceededacctoGod’swilndproducedthisspeciallyblessedspeciescalledMan.Godmademanandmaedabrilliantcivilization,whichisprogressinginsuchleapsandboundsthatitsurpassedGod’sinassessmentandsurprisedevenitsCreator.Thiscivilizationhasdevelopedwithsuchvigora