triedtoexpihatMaureenwasthecleverestaestofdogsthatwouldneverhurtasoul,butshewouldn’tlistenandinsistedonwritiicket.Wasn’tthatabsurd?Iamsoangry.Ithinkthepolicehaveimpededonmypersonalfreedom!”

“Oh?”saidDimitri.“PerhapsIamsousedtomynomadlife,leisurelyandcarefree,secludedfromtheworldthatIhavefottenthereissuchathingaswandorder.heless,Iwouldriflewiththew.”

“Don’tyouthinkthepolianoverdiditandimpededmypersonalfreedom?”arguedCharina.“Iagreethatsocietyneedswstoprotectpublicorder,butpublicservantswhilecarryingouttheirduties,akeintoaitigatingcircumstaakeacleverlittledoglikeMaureenforexample.Everyonelovesit!Howcouldsuchalovablelittledogbiteandhurtpeople?Don’tyouthinkthepolianwastidindealingwiththis?Sheshouldhavebeenmoreflexible.Shepokedherowhat’snoneofherbusinessandimpededonmypersonalfreedom”

“Ohno,no”disagreedDimitri.“Lawisopreservesocialorder,ortherewouldbechaos.Onceawisestablisheditshouldbeupheldwithnoexceptions.Theregutionthatdogsmustbeonaleashoreetsunderhumansupervisionisreasonableandlogical.Siisthew,wemustupholdit.Otherwisehumansocietywilldeterioratebacktothetimeofjuhousandsofyearsago,whereonlythestrosurvivedandtheweakwerethepreyofthestrong.Wewouldbebacktouncivilizedprimitivesociety.Wouldyouliketogobacktosuchtimesandlivealwaysinfearanday?”

“ButIstillthinkthepolittoofarandimpededmypersonalfreedom”insistedthepoutingCharina.“Ifeelthatanarchismismoremycupoftea.”Dimitrismiledaonpatiently,

“Whatisfreedom?Whatisthetruemeaningoffreedom?Tomymind,freedomisnotwithoutlimitaraint.Freedomwithoutrestraintandlimitbeesunbridledindulgendgratificationandlosesitstruemeaning.”Hestoppedforamomentasiftocollecthisthoughtsandtheon,“Takemeforexample.Iamblind.Myfleshbodyseemstobeincarceratedforlifeinadarkprisonwithnoceofparole.Butjustbecauseofthis,myimaginationaivitybecamealiveandresurrectedfrommyfleshbody.TheybecamecarefreeandspontaneousaedmyKingdomofDreams.SoIcametotheclusionthatabsoluterestricreatesabsolutefreedom.Whatdoyouthink?”Dimitriseemedtowanttocrifyhismeaningmoreandadded,“Idoosaythatoloseone’ssightione’simaginationaivityintofullpy.Actuallysomesightedpeoplearealsoodatutilizingtheseiuralresources.IusedmyselfasanexamplebecauseyouhavebeentomyKingdomofDreams,andthuswouldbeabletouandwhatImeaer.”Spell-boundandfasated,CharinawassilenttryingtoabsorbthemeaningofhiswordswhenDimitrisuddenlyinterruptedherthoughtssaying,“Ohbytheway,wemustturnrighthereorwewouldovershootourdestination.”Dimitriwaspletelyblind,buthewasveryfamiliarwiththispartoftownandknewhiswayaroundthearea.

Turningtheertheycametoaquietandparativelynarrowstreet.Theshopsonbothsideshadlongclosedtheirdoors.Theroomsabovetheshopswereeitheroffiesbutnolightsshowedatalliworowsofthree-storeybuildings.Itwasasifnoonelivedthereatall.Theyseemedtohavewalkedintoaycity.Astheywentfurtheron,Charina’seyesopenedwideinshock.Thergestorewindowswereriddledwithbulletholesandspiderweblikecracksextewardsfromtheseholes.Thedoorsiercedwithbullets.Thoughalltheshopshadpulleduptheirironsecuritygrillgate,thesealsoboreevidenceofhavibyguherewererowsofmaegunbulletholesoreetsignprovingthatafierfighthadtakenpcehere.Remnantsofbrown-coloredbloodstainsandbrokengssnotquiteedupremaiheground.Thiswasthesiteofafiergbattlewheretworivalgangscshedoverterritorialrights,whidedwithbothsidesleavingbehindcasualtiesbeforethepolicearrived.CharinagaveaanddescribedtoDimitrithesebeforethem.

“Don’tbeafraid.Don’tbenervous,butlet’smoveonquicklyahistroubledspot.Thesesesareoninthelifeofavagabond;Ihaveseehahem,sodon’tbenervousandafraid.”Charinanoddedandsilentlyhurriedtowardsthereeter.Perhapsbecauseshewastooscaredandnervous,shefailedtonoticethatontheoppositesideofthestreetapairofeyeswasstaringattheminenvyandjealousy.WhileCharinaandDimitriwaitedattheerforageoflight,Dimitrisaidtoher,

“Youefromtheupperechelonofsocietyandhavealwaysledaveryfortablelife.Yhlyeducatedandhavemadeasuccessofyourcareer.Youdonotknowthatthereisanothercssofpeoplelivingatthebottomofsociety,fullofpoverty,crimeandviolenowthatyouhaveseewoextremesofsocietyitwouldcertainlybeagreathelptoyourwriting.”Thegreenlightcameonawohurriedacrossthestreettowardstherosegardenbytheke,closelysurveyedbythepairofcoldeyes.

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Thesad,weather-beatenfacedeeplyetchedwithwrinklesofDimitri’soldfriendDavid,whowasalreadygettingoninage,hadseldombeenhappy.Hepulledapsticbagoutofabrokenpaperboxandtookoutatatteredanddirtybwhichhespreadonthegrouhehebrokenpaperboxatooshelterhisheadsomewhatfromtheightwind.Therehadbeenafierbattleherenotsolongago,wheregangmembersonbothsidesgaveuptheirlives,somostpeoplechoseotherroutesandgavethepceawideberth.ButDavidcravedsolitudeandchosetospendthenighthere.Hestoopedbytheroadsideslowlysmokinghiscigarettebutt,itsdimlightbrighteninganddimming,heaskedhimself,

“AmIreallyold?Mylegsarenolongerasnimbleandagileastheyusedtobeandmybackbothersmeallthetime.ThenightisstillyoungbutIamalreadyverytired.Thedecadesrolledbysofast.Mylifeseemedscarcelytohavebegun,buthereitisalreadyending…”Hethrewawayhiscigarettebuttandwasabouttoliedow,whewohomelesspersonslikehimingtowardshimontheoppositesideofthestreet.Ohemushingabrandnewshoppingcartwhiletheotherworedarkgssesandhadawhiteeinhishand.DavidreizedhimashisoldfriendDimitriandalsoguessedattheidentityofhispanion.

ThateveningafterleavingDimitriatthenoisystreeter,Davidwalkedon,eyespeeledfarettebuttsleftoreets.Herummagedineverygarbagefordiscardedleft-overfood,butunfortunatelycameupwithonlyafewemptybeers.HewasgreatlydisappointedandwalkedtowardsDream-Maker’sBakery,knowingthattheyalwaysleftday-oldbreadandpastriesthatwouldnotkeepinawickerbasketinfrontofthestoreforaake.Itwasjustafter5p.heironsecuritygrillgatewasdownandlockedbyargepadlock.AfterDimitrileftthebakery,businessdeterioratedandwasnolohebusyandpopurpcewherepeoplestoodiobuytheirbreadandpastry.Thebeautieswholivedinthewomen’sdormdoorhadalsodispersed,eachlookingforherowiny.Thewickerbasketwastherebutas,itty.Davidkhatthenewhoboswhohadbeenlaroundthearearetlymusthavegottentoitbeforehim.Hesighed,resigoahungrynightwithoutfoodandwasabouttoleavewhenheheardamusicalvoiearbysaying,

“Excusemesir.MayIbotheryouforaminuteofyourtimeandaskyouaquestion?”Davidturowardsthespeakerandwassurprisedtoseeahomelesspersonwearinganoldolive-coloredsafarihat,araggedybrownjacketanddirtybckbaggypants.Onhisfeetairofover-sizedblock-headedbckshoes.ThedresscodelicaofhisoldfriendDimitri!Theperson’sfacewassmearedwithdustandmudastobealmostunreizable,butitcouldnotdisguiseapaire,beautiful,soulfuleyes.

“Wereyoutalkingtome?”askedDavid

“Yes.Yes.IjustwaoaskifyouhadseenahomelesspersoncalledDimitriaroundhereretly?”

“Oh,youmeantheolddogDimitri.Heisblind,right?”

“Right.Heisablindman.Hashebeenaroundhereretly?Iwanttofindhim.”Davidlookedatthespeakerandthebrandnew,fullypackedshoppingcartheushing.Pstitainers,probablyfulloffood,lyingatthetop,caughthiseyeandhadhimdrooling.

“Er….ohyes,yes.Ijusttalkedtohimawhileagoforquitealongtime…Heissomewherearound….”saidDavid,hiseyeslockedonthefoodintheshoppingcart.Thespeakerseemedtouandhisunspokenrequest.Hepickedupapstitainer,abottleofwaterandhahemtoDavidsaying,

“Hopeyouhaveaniceevening.”Thecockerspanielwhichhadbeenlyinginthebabyseatoftheshoppingcartsuddenlystoodupandbarkedseveraltimes,evidentlyhavingcaughtthestofhisoldfriend.

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“Dimitrishouldbesomewhereseveralblocksfromhere.Iwasjusttalkingtohimawhileback.Goandfindhim.”Davidthankedhisgenerousbeorprofuselyandstoodlookingattheretreatingbackasthatpersonhurriedquicklyaway..Thoughhewaswearingloose,ill-fittingclothing,itcouldnotcealhistall,sveltefigure.Whenhehandedoverthetainerandbottleofbottle,Davidnoticedthatthehandswereslimandwhite.Theywereawoman’shandsthathadneverbeencoarsenedbyphysicalbor.Healsoobservedthatashewalkedawayhisbareanklesweretrimandwhiteasabaster.Suddenlyasefromthepastfshedintohismind.HerememberedseeingDimitritalkingtoagenteendrefinedyoungwomanonedaybythekeside.Shewaswearingaskybluedress,white,broad-brimmedsunhatandwhitewalkingshoes.Shewascssya.Thismustbeher!Herememberedthatonthatdaythewomanhadalovelycockerspahher.Thatjustchedit.Itmustbethesamewoman.Davidsmackedhisforeheadandsaidtohimself,“Whatcharmandfasationcouldthatblindolddoghavethatattractssuchabeautifulwomantoaskalroundforhiswhereabouts?WhyisitthatIdonothavesuchgoodluck?Sucheroticamorousluckcouldneverdropintomyp!”

Intheshadowswheremoonlightcouldrate,Davidhalfstooped,halfsatontheground,hiseyesfullofenvyandjealousyashewatchedthetwofigureswalkfartherandfartheraway.Thoughtsemergedoeranotherinhisbraindrivingsleepinessaway.Hethought,

“AmanlikeDimitriislikeabrokenballbytheroadside,whiyonecouldkick.Heissomellow,mildandgoodtemperedthatheisneverangry.Hisisalsoamysteriouscharacterwhowoulddisappearformonthsonendasifhehadevaporatedfromthisearth.Nooneknowswherehewent.ThenhewouldsuddenlyreappearamongstushomelesspersonsandjabberabouthisKingdomofDreamsandthingsthathappehere.HesayseveryonehashisownKingdomofDreams…Weallthinkheisacrazyfoondnonepayanyattentiontohisgibberishandhedoesn’tcare.Heisabletomaintainahappydispositionthatexternalcircumstancespen,whichistrulyadmirable!OfthisIamreallyenvious!Takeallofuspoorhobosforexample,ooraschurchmidhavenothingtocallourown,soitstandstoreasonwehavenothingtoworryabout,butwestillhavetobeedaboutwhereourmealisingfrom.ButDimitriseemstobeabletobeabovesudaneaiesandalwaysmaintainsahappymood,whichdissolvesalltroubleuntiltheymeltawayandbeeent.Hissoulseemstobeabletoexistindepelyoutsideofhisbody.ThisissomethingIadmireandenvymost.

Dimitrialsohasmademanyfriends.RichardandJamazaretwohalfhoboandhalfpart-timeborerswhoarewillingtoydowntheirlivesforhim.Mr.Kaffee,thatunderworldbigshot,isanotherofhisfriends.Thoughhehasretiredfrombothfinancial,politidgangactivities,heisstilforcetobereedwithandwieldsgreatinflueheworldsheusedtodominate.Anotherohatcold-bloodedassassinBig-OwhoobeysDimitri’severywishandorder.Ihavealwayswonderedowerandcharmthatblindolddogwieldsthatattractsbeautifulwomenaswelsformidablementohihyes,retlyawhite-beardedolddwarfjoiheirrankswhoissaidtohavemasteredamagicfeatlosttotheworldforthousandsofyearsandturnapieceofaperintoacrispygreenback.TheimeIseethedwarf,Iwillbeghimtoteachmeafewtricks.Iwilldoanythingheasksmeto,evesmetokowtowtohimthreehuimes.Iamdownonmyluddesperate.

Davidwasfullofpent-upgrievandfrustratiocametothesubjeoney,whichhesideredusefulbutalsotherootofalltrouble.Hesighedandsaidtohimself,

“Mywholelifehasbeenfritteredaway.Timerolledbywithnothingaplished.NowthatIamoldthereisalmostnohopeofaturnover.MylifehasbeenmostunfortunateandIhaveneverbeeobreakoutfromuhecloudofbadlugingoverme.Why’tIbelikeDimitriandliveonhappily?Thisbstedlifeofmineisreally,reallyjinxed.”David’slifehasreallybeenquitemiserable,alwayslivingonthebrinkofstarvation.Hedidnotknowwhohisparentswere,havinglivedallhisyounglifeinvariousfosterhomesandinandoutofjuvenilehall.Laterwhenhecameofagehewasincarceratedquiteafewtimes.Thenhedecidedtoreformandgotapart-timejob.Heactuallyhadsomesavingsandawomanwaswillingtolivewithhimandmakeahome.Lifeseemedtobegoingonasmoother,upath.Butasthegoodlifewaslikethemdew,goneinafsh.Themiserlysunshutoffitsradianhislifeandtheskyabovehimwasoncemreyanddark.Therewasamortalweaknessinhischaracter,aninnateiia.Hehadneverhadanyformalschoolingbutdidknowhowtoreadandwriteafewwords.Hehadsomeslycleverhatheusedtogoafterpettygainsandbecameproopilfering.Thatinitselfwouldnothavedooogreataharmtohislife,buthebelievedthatallhisemployerswereagainsthimanddidtheirutmosttoexploithim,sugawayhislifeblood.Therefore,heworkedckadaisicallyathisjob,neveroverlookingacetofilchwhateverhecould.Whenitcametorealworkheshiftedittootherswhenhecould.Hewouldmakeexcusesanduseatogetoutofit.Whenhecouldn’t,hewoulddraghisfeetandmuddlethroughinaperfunctoryway.Soitwasnowohatnoonewouldhirehimandwhensomeoakehimon,thejobedmorethanamonth.Astimewentby,thewomanwholivedwithhimlefthim,hissavingsentandhegrewold.Theonlyroadlefttohimwastogobacktobeingahobo,beggingoreets.Hewasneverwillingtoexamiherealcauseofhisfailureibecamemoreandmoreical.Hewasindignaheinequalityofthesocialsystemandtheinjusticeofthews.Viewingtheworldwithsucheyes,hewasneverhappy,forinthisworldthereisnosystemthatcouldequallydistributethewealthoftheworld.

Apopurpoliticaltheoryadvogtheuseofforcetoequallydistributethewealthofthisworldonceappearedanddominatedalmosthalfthepoputionaoryoftheworld.Afteratury’strial,itrovedthatthistheorywasadeadendandwasthrownintothegarbageofthehumanhistory.Thattheorywasunism.Thecurrentsystemoffreemarketinuseallovertheworldisafarsuperiorsystem,butittoohasmajorfwshardtoovere.Forinstahegapbetweentheridthepoorhasbeewiderandwider,givingrisetotheadversityandantagonismofthesetwocssesofpeople.Manyluckypeoplelivehappilyabovethepovertylimanymoreunfortunatepeoplelivinguhepovertylirugglefortheirveryexistenequalitybetweentheridthepoorwillbeeahardtosolveprobleminthedevelopmentofhumancivilization.David’ssadfacereflectedhisunprehendingquandary.Helightedupthestofhiscigarettebuttandsmokedsilently,thinkinghisownthoughts.

“Isthedistributiohinthisworldsolelyinthehandsoffate?Isthescaleheholdsinhishaoolwithwhichhedealsoutwealth?Thenwhatmeasuredoeshegoby?Itiscertainlynotacctoone’sintelligenanyintelligentmenarepooraute,ofwhichIamaprimeexample.Oherhand,manyasimpleandignorantmanenjoygreatwealth.IsthatFate’syingatrianityoristhatasarcasticpracticaljoke?”LookingatDimitri’sdisappearingback,hethought,“DimitrioftentalksabouthisKingdomofDreams.Iwonderhowwealthisdistributedthere?”

Suddenlylikelightninglightingupthedarkskies,David’smuddledandfusedbrainhadanintuitiveinspiration.Hiseyeslightedupasifhehaddiscoveredatreasuretrove.HerackedhisbrainsandrecalledDimitri’swordsabouthisKingdomofDreams.“Ifyougiveupyingaforthematerialthingsoftheexternalworldandgobacktotheinnermostpartofyourheartandmakegooduseofyinationaivityasnaturallyasthebirduseditswings,thenyouwillbeabletoflyfreelyintheblueskies“shisengyu”submerged?inyourboundlessinnerworld.ThatiswhereydomofDreamsis.Thereyourdepressedheartwillbeliberated;yourtwisted,unbanddeformedthoughtswillbesoothedandoncemainbandsteadiness.Desireswhichyouhaveneverbeetainwillbesatisfied.”

“Really?”murmuredDavid.“Myunattainabledesireswillbesatisfied?Well,IwouldliketoseeoncemorethatrareanduniquegreendiamondwhichIhadlost.WouldIbeabletodoso?”Somethinggreenandbrilliantsuddenlyappearedbeforehiseyes.Hetookacloserlookandfounditwasnotonlyoteringgreendiamond,butactuallyawholeboxofthemathisfeet.Davidwasexuberantanddughishandsintotheboxtoholdupahandfuloftheserarebrilliantgreendiamondsbuthishandscameupempty.TohisdismayhefoundthatitwasonlyatemporaryillusiobathegroundindisappoiandwonderedwhetherDimitrihadtrickedhimandwasjustpyinghim.“Ohno,no.JustnowIclearlysawwithmyowhatboxofglitteringbrilliantgems.LetmetryagainaherDimitriyingatrickwithme.”Herememberedthatoernoonhesawinthedispywindowofahighcssman’sclothingstoreanexpemadeofhighqualitywoondofexcellentcut.Atthetimehehadthoughtthatifheputonthatsuithewouldbeeabigshot.Suddenlythatsuitofclothestooappearedbeforehiseyes.Davidrememberedonceseeingsomeveryappetizingfoodinamagazihoughtwhatawonderfulexperiewouldbeifhecouldwearthatsuitofclothes,walkintothatrestaurantandorderawholetableoftheirbestdishes.Altonceawholetableofappetizingfoodmaterializedbeforehim.Heseemedtobegettingtheknackofusiwoioolsthatcamewithhisbirth,namelyimaginationaivity.Likeachildwhocouldn’tstoppyingwithaoy,Davidcouldotearhimselfawayfromhisnewlyacquiredskilndpractitilitcametohimnaturally.Butthesepictureswerelikeslideshowsprojectedontothes.Thoughrealistic,clearandsharplydefiheywerejustindividualpictures.Davidthoughtthatitwouldbewonderfuliftheycouldbebiogetherseamlesslylikeamovieandhehimselfcouldeoitandiaspartofthestory.Themomentthatthoughtfshedinhismindthesebeforehiseyesgedinabrightdazzlingbzeoflight.Helookedcloserandfoundthatbeforehimwasargegardenwheremyriadsofmulti-coloredflowersbloomedinprofusion.Inthemiddleofthegardenwasamajesticpacebuiltofsolidgold.Davidwalkedonthesolidgoldpavementtowardsthegoldfountainwheresproutsofwatercrisscrossedtoformdifferentpattereppedontothegeandlookeddown,amazedtofindthatthebottomofthefountainwascoveredwithathickyerofsparklinggoldsand.Fishofallcolorsandspeciesswamleisurelythere.Hethenproceededquicklytothespaciousgreathallofthegoldpacewherehewasfrohehugeportraite,majesticbirdwiththefaceofabeautifulsnake-hairedwomanwhosepowerfulwingedweresinflight.Thewallsofthehallwerecoveredwithmuralsandexquisite,truetolifesculpturesofKingDimitri’stwenty-fourbeautiesbuthehadnotimetospareonthesemagnifitartworks.HerushedupthestepsandploppedhimselfdownonKingDimitri’sgoldthrone.Davidsattherelookingaroundathisgloriousandresplesurroundingsisatisfaandsaidloudly,

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“WhowouldhavethoughtthatI,David,amabletosithereonaking’sthrone?FromnowonIamanalmightykingintrolofakingdom.Ha,ha,ha…”Hisughterresouherge,emptyhallseemingmorelonelyaethanever.“No”thoughthe.“Thisisnht.Thisisthefirstdayofmyrule.Theatmosphereshouldbejolly,andcheerful.Thereshouldbeargeorchestramakingloudandmerrymusidlotsofbeautifulwomensurroundingmeseeingtomyeverywant.”Atoheairwasfullofmusiereamofbeautifulwomenwalkedinfromtheentrahehalndtheroomwassoonpermeatedwiththefragraheybroughtwiththem.David’seyesfelloywholookedfamiliarasifhehadseenhersomewherebefore,Hestoodupandwalkeddownfromhisthroodahher.Shewasslenderofwaist,lightonherfeetandherfeatureswerebeautifusapaintingbutforthelifeofhimhecouldnotrememberhererthedanceDavidtookhertothebackofthepadnaturallyhadhiswaywithher.Whiletheyweremakingtorridlovetogether,Dimitri’swordscameagaintohim,“What’shappeningnowisalnillusion.Ifyoutakeallthisforrealityyouwillbethrownintoadeepabysswhichyouwillneverbeabletoclimboutof.Youshouldrealizethatthingsinthisworldarelikethis.Whatistrueisillusionaryandwhatisillusionaryistrue.Trueandfalse,illusionsay,therereallyisnorealboundarybetweenthehisismysincereadvicetoyou.Rememberitandneverfet.”

SoonDavidwokeupfromhismarvelousdream.Helookedaroundandfoundthatalroundovertyanddipidation.Bulletholeswereeverywhereandbrokengsscoveredtheground.Thetworowsofbuildingsweredarkandsilent;thestreetsweredesertedwithnosignofcarsarians.Itwaslikeaycitywithonlythemoonhighupintheskylookingdown.Davidsuddenlyrememberedwhothebeautyhemadefranticlovewithinhisdreamwas.Shewasastreethookerwhoworkedinthisarea.Heneverknewhername,sonaturallyhecouldnotrecallitinhisdreams.Hehadhadhiseyesonherforquiteawhilebuthadnomoopayher,sohecouldonlyexgeanoccasionalcasualwisecrackwithherwhentheyhappeomeet.Thinkingofthedream,Davidcouldnothelpsnickering.“Ihaveactuallysatonagoldthroneandbecamethekingofarealm.WhenIgooutoreetslookingforfoodandcigarettebutts,ahosewell-dressedbigshotswiththeirluxurysedans,chauffeursandbodyguardsIwillnolongerlookatthemwithenvy.IfIseethosebeautifullydressedandbejeweledsocietywomenwalkingintohighcssrestaurantsorshoppingmalls,IwillnolongerfeelinferiororunworthybecauseinKingDimitri’smagigdomofDreams,myunattainabledreamshavebeensatisfied;mydeformedthoughtshavebeenstraightened;seriouslyunbancedheartisnowbandsteady.Ifinallyuaruemeaningofthesaying,“Onlybythhlygivingupyoureallypossess”.Thealmightykingistheequaloftheonsoldier.Alowlyprostituteistheequalofthenoblesocialite.Therichestnabobandthebeggararealsoequals.Whehingesdownto0,everythingisequal,for0plus0equals0.”David’sheartandmindwasfullhtnessbecausethedeadknotwhichhadpguedhimforsomanyyearshavebeenuntiedafreeandhappy.Butedinhisownthoughtshewasnotawarethathewasbeingsurroundedbyabouthalfadozenhusky,terrifying-lookingruffians.Somethingwasgoingtohappen.

Uheluminousmoonlight,geousroseswereinfullbloohemidstofthesebeautifundmagnifitflowers,twocrystalgssesked.DimitriandCharinaweresittingonawoolehasumptuousmealspreadbeforethem,happilytoastingeachother,enjoyingthemselvesthhly.Charinahadtakenwateraowendedoffthemudanddustthatshehadputonherfaceascamoufge,revealingherbeautiful,eleganttenandrgesoulfuleyeswhichlookedaroundwithspeakinggnces.Shehaddiscardedherdipidatedsafarihat,dirtyheavycoatandshirtrevealingtheyellowsummerdresswithnarrosthatsheworeunderh.Shestillhadonthebckbaggypants,buthadgedherill-fittingblock-headedshoesforapairofprettysandals.Itwasdeepintothenightandtherewasnoonearoundatthewideexpanseofndbytheke.Wasn’tDimitriworriedaboutthewelfareandsafetyofthebeautifundstylishdybyhisside?ActuallyhewasnotatalledbecauseassooeppedintardenhesawhistwoloyalservantsImaginationaivitystandinghandinhandunderhargetree.Theybowedrespectfullytohim.Hereturheirsalutebywavinghishandatthem,therebyaowledgingtheirpresence.Charina,whowasstandingbesidehim,askedwhohewaswavingtoandifhehadseenafriend.Dimitrididn’tknowhowtoreply,sohehemmedandhawedandevadedherquestion.Heknewandtrustedtheabilitiesofhistwoloyalservants,sonaturallyhewasnotworriedaboutthesafetyofhimselfandhisbeautifulpanionandhadnopunaboutdrinkingtohisheart’stent.Hehelduphisgssandsaidhappily,

“IneverimagihatinmylonelynomadlifeIwouldgettoknowyou.herhadIeverdreamedthatonedayyouandIwouldbetogetherandpiithisbeautifulgardehebrightlusoonlight.Thisisreallyoneoflife’swonderfudventures.”Charinatookacracker,putapieokedcheeseonitandthethicklywithcaviar.Shehahesandwich-likeappetizertoDimitrisaying,

“Trythisandseeifyoulikeit.”Dimitritookabiteandfouequiteunique,aromatidtasty;soheplimentedhersaying,

“Good.Good.Thisreallytasteswonderful–ohegreatdelicaciesofthisworld!Ioteatthiswithoutapanyingitwithsomemorewhiskey.”Sayingso,hetookuphisgssanddrankuphalfofit.Charinaalsomadeoneforherselfandchewedonitreflectivelyapaniedbyasipofherwhiskey.

“Haveyouanypnsforthefuture?”sheasked.

“Pns?”inquiredDimitriquitestartledbyherquestion.“ns?Weroaminghoboshavenopnsanddonotneedany.Wearebutafallingleafdriftingwiththewind,orlikeaflowerthatbloomsandwithersbeforefallingtotheground.Wehavenopns.”Charinanoddedherheadandthensaid,

“Yousouypoeticbuttoopassiveaivebyfar.Doyouhinkofstoppingyourroaming,formafamilyandliveanormandmorestabilizedlife?”Dimitrismiledwrylyandtossedofftherestofthewhiskeyinhisgss.Charinarefilleditforhimandtinued,“Ifthereisawomanwhoiswillingtomarryyou,takecareofyourhome,cookandwashforyouandevenhavechildrenwithyousoyournoblebloodlinebetinued,wouldyousiderit?”Dimitrisighedtohimselfalythought,

“Thereisgoesagain.Asthesayihehardestthingtoendureisawoman’sdedication.It’swhateverymancravesforbutit’salsowhatheismostafraidofgetting…”Heclearedhisthroat,hesitantastohowtoreply.“Astothat…Ihavenever…eh…thoughtofitbeforeand…eh…havewithsuchasituation…”CharinacalmlycutapieahamandhaoDimitriediuce,saying,

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“Don’tworryaboutit.Havesomethiandthinkitovercarefully.Nowthatyouarefrohsuchasituation,areyouwillingtosiderit?”Dimitrimadeuseofthepretextofchewinghisfoodtostallfortime.Hisbrainwasgoingatafuriouslyfastrate,thinkingofhowtodealwiththisdilemma.Itwasnotaneasyquestiontoanswer.Ifintryingtoslurthingsoverhisanswerwastoovagueandambiguous,itwouldnotveyhistruemeaningaainlywouldnotresolvetheproblem.Oherhand,ifhisreplywasciseandtothepoint,itwouldhurtCharina’sselfrespect.Charina,afterall,wasabeautifuremelyintelligentdyfromawell-to-dofamilyandanauthoressofsomerepute.Forhertosaywhatshehadjustsaidtookalotofceanditwasaremelyhighplimenttohim,Dimitri,thatshethoughthimworthyofher.Howcouldherefuse?Butifhedidnotrefuse,therereallywasnowayhecouldacceptheroffer…Caughtupinthequandary,Dimitriwasatalossastowhattodo.FinallywithCharina’spiergeyesteredonhim,herealizedhecouldnotprocrastinateanylongerandbracedhimselftoreplyinaroundaboutwaysaying,

“…eh…Charina…don’tyoufeel…thatistosay…Ifeel…”CharismilingandlookingatDimitriasiffindinghisawkwardandembarrassedbodynguageandexpressionbothfunnyandamusing.Sheheldupherwinegssandsaid,

“itri,don’tworry.Haveadrinkaalkthisover.”Dimitrigulpeddownhiswhiskeyandtinued,

“Youknow,Charina,everyohisworldhashispdpysarole.YoupyyourroleandIpymiwomysteriouselementsdefinewhichroleoopy:theieoneisbornwithandcharacterwhichisdevelopedter.Takeyouforinstance:yourieismuchbetterthanthatofanordinaryperson.Youwerebornintoapofluxury,havealwayslivedanaffluentlifeandwasverywelleducated.Thenasyougrewupyourcharacterwasinedtowardstheartistidyoulovedtoreadandwrite.Thatnaturallyledtothelifeofaschorandyoubecameanauthorofsomeacciwasthesamewithme.Myiewasverypoor.Iwasbornwithseriouseyeproblemswhichterledtomyblindness.FromthetimeIhadmemory,Iwasalwaysoreets,begging,soitseemedtobethatIwasbornwithwanderlustandroaminghasbeywayoflife.ThatwashowIcametobeablindvagabond.Itisresultofiioweenmyieandcharacterorwayoflife.Youarelikeabird,flyingfreelyintheskies,whileIamlikeafishier.YouandIaretwoentirelydifferentspeciesofanimalsandunfortuisimpossibletobiwoandmakethemliveinthesamehabitat.Iamsuretheclusionisonly‘no’”.CharilookingatDimitriwithatranquilsmileandsaid,

“Areyoudone?Ifso,pleaseallowmetosaysomething.Ifeelthatyivingsarebasedonyravepsychologicalobstacles.Themainreasonisthatyoudon’tthinkyouareworthyofme.Isthatright?ButImusttellyounottobelittleyourselfunwarrantedly.InydomofDreams,youareabenevolentkingwhomallyoursubjectsloveandrespect.Youarea.ItwasyouralentsthatmademeloveyouatfirstsightandthereasonwhyIwanttomarryyou.”Charinastoppedforamoment,sippedalittlewhiskeyandtinued,“Alright,let’spromise.Ihaveapnthatwilldissolvethetradisandsolveourproblems.Duringthedayyoupyyourownroleandroamwhereveryouwant.Iknowyouhavealotofgoodfriendsaswelsyourownbusiotakecareof.Butatnight,pleasereturntomyhouse.Asumptuousmealwillbepreparedforyou.Afterdinner,ifyoufeelunfortablesleepingindoors,Ihaveargebackyard.Feelfreetomakeyourbedanywhereoutdoorsthattakesyourfancy.Itsetsmymioknowyouareinmyhome.”Charinaagainstoppedforamomentahesleepingbagfortwospreadoutbesidethemthatshehadjustbought.Charina’svoicedroppedsolowastobealmostinaudibleassheblushedandtinued,“Iwanttohavechildrenwithyou.Itwouldbeapitytoletyournoblelineendwithyouandnotpassyourroyalbloodalongtoyourdesdants…”Dimitri’sheartlurchedwhenheheardherwordsandwasdeeplydistressed.

“Gosh!”hethought.“Thisdoesit!Howereplytoanofferlikethisfromabeautifundcssydy?IfIrefuseshewillfeelrejected,repulsedandsohumiliatedthatI’mafraidshewouldjumprightdownasteepcliffifonewasnearby.Imagination!Whereareyou?Ineedyourhelp.Showyourselfimmediately!”

Imaginationaivitywereholdinghand,talkingandughinguheshadeofthetalltreewhensuddenlyImaginationbecamestill.ShehadreceivedthecallforhelpfromKingDimitri.HeturoCreativityandsaid,

“Ourmasterisintroubleandhascalledmeforhelp.Imustgoahimoutofwhateverpreditheisin.Youstayhere.I’llbeback.”

“redithebein?”inquiredCreativity,quitepuzzled.“Wasalkinganimatedlywithabeautifulwomahemoonlightamidstthebeautifulroses?Whathelpcouldheneedfromyou?”

“Thatbeautifulwomanisthetrouble!”repliedImagination.“Shehasofferedherselftoourmasterwhodoesn’tknowwhattodo.That’swhyheiscallingtomeforhelp.”

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“Offeredherselftohim?Isn’tthatagoodthing?Ifyeinnow,youwouldbedisruptingtheirintimatetete-a-tete.”Imaginationgavehimawhiteeyeandsaid,

“YouarereallydensesometimesCreativity.Youshouldknowhowourmaster’smindworksbywistaroundhimlikewebsthatrefusetogoawayandareimpossibletountahat’swhyheiscallingtomeforhelp.”Shewasabouttowalkoutoftheshadewheivitygrabbedholdofherarmsaying,

“Isensefive,sixpeopleingtowardstherosegarden.Theseareevilpersonsaonogood.”

“Ihavenotimetodealwiththesepeople”saidImagination.“MymastercallsandImustgotohimimmediately.Onlyawomandealwithaffairsoftheheart.Iwillgoaheseruffiansforyoutodealwith.”

“Noproblem”repliedCreativity.“Leavethesethugstome.”Imaginationthenwalkedoutoftheshadetowardsthebedsofroses.

Davidrealizedthatthereweresomepeoplemovingaroundhim.Beforeheuoodwhatening,hiscolrwastightlygraspedbyroughhandswhichpulledhimupandsppedhimsopowerfullyonthefacethatbloodsproutedfromhisnoseandmouth.

“WhotheFKsentyouheretospyonus?”growledalowmasevoice.“Whatareyoudoingonourturf?Areyousnoopioreporttoyourboss?Whoishe?”BeforeDavidhadtimetogatherhiswitstoreply,themanjerkeduphisstrong,massivekneeandhitDavid’sstomachseveraltimesslythathewasdizzywithpainandlosttrolofhisbowels.Themahrewtheoldmantothegroundindisgustandkickedhimviciously,saying,“Talk!Whosentyouhere...What?You’renottalking...Good!Ihaven’tkilledanyoneforquiteafewdaysandI’mraringtogo.Whydon’tIpractiyou?Iwillcrackyourheadopenandyournoodlesflowout!Waitandsee…”Sayingso,hetookagunoutofhispocketandpoiatDavid’sforehead.Infearanddesperation,Davidcriedout,

“Dimitri!Dimitri!Helpme…Dimitri!Dimitri!Help...”

“What,youdaretomakeachmeshootyhtnow!”Justashewasabouttopullthetrigger,ashortmanwithanarrowforeheadandpointedheadwalkedoutoftheshadows.Hiseyeswerelikethoseofamouse,dartingaroundfurtively,advertisithatthiswasamanharbeviliionsandfullofwickedideas.Hecaughttheman’sarmandsaid,

“Notsofast,boss.Listen,Ihavesomethingimportanttotellyoufirst.”

13

“WhattheFK!”gruhemanimpatiently.“Scram!’tyouseeI’mbusy?”Theshuypulledhimovertothesideandasked,

“EverheardofadudecalledDimitriJa,boss?”

“No.Whoishe?Neverheardofhim.Mustbeanobody.”

“Nowayboss.Heisamysterioustrillionaire,really,reallyloaded.Heownsalotofbusihathehirestorunforhim.Henevershowshimselfinpubliooneknowswhohereallyis.”

“What’sthatgottodowithme?HegoeshiswayandIgomine.Wehavenothingtodowitheachother.”

“Ohno,boss.Ithinkyou’llbeingintobigbucks.ThatdudeDimitrilovestodressupasahomelesspersonandfooroundwithotherdirtyandstinkyhomelesshobos.Nooneknowsanythingabouthimsoit’sveryhardtocatchhim.Butretlywordoreetishehasbeeblindsohemustwearshadesandcarryawhitee.JustnowIsawamaastuswithanotherhobo,thatmyeyestoldmewaswomanindisguise.Hey,bossthat’swhyIsaidyouareabouttoeintobigbucks.IfthathomelessmanisDimitri,wecouldeasilytakehim.IfyouhaveDimitriinyourtrol,youareintrolofhisimmeuohispanion,westripoffherclotheswheholdofher.Thechickmayeventurnouttobeagreatbeauty!Sobossyoumaygaintrolofbothafortuneay!”Themanheaddressedaschief,ughedheartilyandsppedtheshuyonhisshoulderssaying,

“Great,bro!IfIgettrolofthisgreatfortuneIwillshareitwithyou.Letmekillthespyfirstandthengoandcatchthesetwohomelesspersons.”Theshuyointedheadandmouse-likeeyessaid,

“Noboss,don’tkillhimyet.JustnowhewasshoutingforDimitri.WhatiftheguyisinDimitri’scamp?PeoplesayDimitriisagoodfriendofMr.Kaffeethatretiredunderworldbigshotwhoisstillverypowerful.What’sworse,thatkillerBig-Oisloyaltohiheymakeourliveshelndkickusoutofourturf.IfBig-Oesafterus,therewillbenotomorrow.Whydotieuptheoldfellowandthrowhimbytheroadside.Weshouldhurryafterthetwohobosintherosegarden.”

“Yht.Don’tsweatthelittlestuff.Weshouldgoaftertheimportanttargetsfirst.”

Flowersswayedandleavesrustledassomeonewalkedthroughtherosebushesandcametowardsthepiicsite.ThecleverandevervigintlittledogMaureenbarkedatthedirewherethenoisewasingfrom.Dimitriimmediatelycaughtholdofitandpatteditsheadsaying,

13

“Don’tbeafraid,mylittlefriend.It’sonlyanoldfriendofmineingtoseeus.Stsoyouwon’ttheprettyrosesthatarealsleep.”ThenlookingupatCharina,hesaid,“It’sagoodfriendofminecalledImagination.Shebeinvisibleandhideherselfintheairbutshewillbeshowingherselfprettysoon.Pleasedon’tbeafraid.”

“KingDimitri!”calledasweetvoitheair,“didyoucallme?WhatIdoforyou?MayIshowmyself?”

“Yes,showyourself”calledDimitritotheemptyair.Nosoonerhadthewordslefthismouththahemoonlightayoungwomanwithlonghairfallingtoherwaistsuddenlyappearedbeforethem.Shehadanalluringfigureaifulface,whichrevealedtwomysteriousdimpleswhenshesmiledatthem.ShestooduhemoonlightandbowedreverentlybeforeDimitri.“Nowthatyouarehere,pleasesitdownsothetwoofyoutalktogetherfortably.”Hehelduphisgssofwhiskeyfulltothebrim,fiwithaquaffandsaid,“I’mafraidIhavehadtoomuchtodrinkandamfeelingabittipsy.IthinkIhadbettergotosleep.Youtwochattogether.”Sayingso,heidhimselfontheground,immediatelyfelsleepandwassoonsn.Charina’seyeswerestillwideopeninshockatthedramatitsthatenfoldedbeforehereyes,butImaginationcurledherlegsunderherselfandsatdownquitenaturallybesideCharina,saying,

“IknowyouaretheauthoressCharina.IhaveknownyousiheveryfirstdayyougottoknowDimitri,onlyyoudidnotknowofmyexistence.IamasmallcellinKingDimitri’sbrain.IhaveapanioncalledCreativity.OurnamesweregiventousbyKingDimitri.Atthemomeivityisroamingaroundtheareaseeingtooursecurity.Youmayrestassuredthatweareallperfectlysafehereonthisloretdheke.Wewillurbedorattackedhereattherosegarden.”

“Attacked?“askedCharilymystified.“Whowouldwanttoattackus?”

“Inhumansociety”answeredImaginationwithamysterioussmileonherface,“therearekindpeopleofdidandopeeddisposition,buttherearemorewhoareviciousandmalicious.Itisthesepeoplewhocausetroubleanddisruptthepeadharmonyofoursociety.Butyoumayrestassuredthatmypanioivityisperfectlycapableofdealingwithanysituation.”

“Ofcourse…”noddedCharinahalf-doubtfully.“ButIonlytrustDimitri.Sincehehasallowedmetoewithhimonhisroaming,Iamsurehehassideredeverything,includingsafety.”Imaginatiohemysterioussmileonherfadgedthesubjectsaying,

“Oh,bytheway,doyourememberthefirsttimeyouwenttoKingDimitri’sKingdomofDreams?Youhappeoeacrossanenormousearthquakefollowedbyatsunami…”

“Ohyes”repliedCharinawithhereyeslightingup.“It’sanunfettableexperience.Wereyoutheretoo?”

“Yes,Iwasthere.Don’tfetIamacellinKingDimitri’sbrain”repliedImagination.“IrememberKingDimitriputyouintheruinsoftheburntdownpacesoyoucouldgatherwhatevermaterialyouneededforyourwriting.IwaswithKingDimitriwhenhejumpedonhismagichorseLightningandsoareduptotheskiestomeetwithKingZeus.ChalkituptofemiuitionifyouwillbutsinceourfirstmeetingIhaveknownthesecretinyourheart.PerhapsittakesawomantoknowawomanbutIhaveknownthatyouwishtomakeahomefDimitrisohecouldliveahappylife.Youarewillingtobewithhimyourwholelife.”CharinasilentlynoddedandgDimitri,whowaslyingasleepuheroses.Uhemoonlight,Imagination’seyesglitteredasshelookedstraightatCharinaandsaid,“I’mafraidCharina,thatyourwishotberealizedinthenearfuturebecauseKingDimitriisnotpsychologicallyreadyyettotakethisstep.Hehasnotbeeofreehimselfofaremelytragitofhispast.PerhapsIshouldtellyouaboutitsoyouwoulduand.”

13

“Really?”excimedCharinaurgentlyashercuriosityhadbeenaroused.“Iwouldappreciateitverymuchifyouwouldtellmeaboutthis.”ImaginationthenmadeuseofthisopportunitytoretetoherDimitri’sintricateretionshipwithIleen,CyclopsandViopleasereadBook1and2fordetails.Adeepsilensuedattheendofhertale.AfterawhileCharinaraisedherhead,herrgesoulfuleyeslookingatImagination’sandmurmured,”NowIuandwhyDimitriaskedyouheretotellmethisstory.Hehasemergedfromtheshadowofthetragedyinhislife.Ifullyuand,butmyloveforhimwillnotge.Withloveestheurgeforaclosersexualretionship,whichisperfeatural.Isitwrongformetowanttohavechildrenwithhimtotinuehisbloodline?Idon’tthinkso.herdoIknowhowtostoplovinghim.”

“Ofcourseyouaren”repliedImaginationdiplomatically.“Fromlovetosexisanaturalprogressionandispartofhumannature.Moderncivilizationhasprogressedtoofast.Inseekinginstantgratification,thepositionofloveandsexhassomewhatbeereversedandsexualretionshipbetweenthesexeshasbeeassimple,onpdstraightforwardasshakinghands.Sexhastakenthepceoflovewiththeresultthatuncurbedsexhasbeearampage,increasingthenumberofabortionsandillegitimatechildren.Societyhasbeoreplicatedandillogical.Marryinginhastewithoutmuchthoughtleadsiablytodivorce.Thenseekingthesameunattainablehappiheyremarryadivorcedagain.Thusmarriageanddivorcehasbeeanunendingcycle,asoingthreemealsadayandsoontheyfindtheirwholelifehadgoneby,fritteredawayinsuchtrivialpursuit,seekinghappinesseverunattainable.Ifeelthatthisisthewrongwaytogo.HowIhopewecouldgobackfiftyyears,eveurywhensocietywasmoreservativeanduhestraintsofmoralitypeoplehaveamorerationaluandingofloveandsex.Manandwomanwouldbewillingtoghalongerperiodofknowinganduandingeachotherandmarriagewouldnolongerbeanirrationaldecision.Thatiswhatmodernsocietyneedsrightnow.Yourideawasright.Yougofromlovetosex,butCharinadoyouknowthatthereisanothermoresuperiorandnobleformoflovethatrisesabovesex?”

“Anothermoresuperiorandnobleformoflovethatrisesabovesexuallove?Whatthatbe?”askedCharina,quitemystified.

“IthinkIwilsktwonymphsfromheaventoedownandexpinittoyousoyouwouldbetteruandwhatImean.”Imaginationputherfioherlipsshesaid,“Sh-sh-sh.Bequie.”Thenraisingherheadtolookupatthemyriadofstarsintheskies,shecuppedherhandsandloweredhervoicewhispering,“Hey,Charmaine!Clementine!Whatareyoutwodoing?Areyoufree?Ifso,whydon’tyouedowhforamoment?IwantyoutomeetanewfriendofKingDimitri’swhomIthinkhewouldlikeyoutwotomeet.”

Intheskiesabovetherosegardenbythekefloatedsomeclouds.Therewerenowindssotheystayedstableandunmovingasifasleep.Uheluminousmoonlight,twosveltefigures,onefollowedbyanother,fshedby,jumpingfromonecloudtoanother,ahosefurtheron.Theyworeflimsyclothesresemblingthesemi-transparentwingsonflies,givingoffstiltinggoldensparkleuhemoonlight,nowrevealingnowcealingtheirfasatingfiguresastheyjumpedandflewfromcloudtocloud.Astheygotherosegardewoofthembecamegreatlyexcited.Atthesametimeinthedarknessonthegroundbelow,sometallhuskyfiguresemergedfromtheshadowsandwererunningtowardstherosegarden.Oneoffigures,ashortmanwithpointedheadandsmallmouse-likeeyesstoppedtheoonsandrubbedhiseyessaying,

“Heyguys!Didyouseetwobeautifulyounggirlsfshbyonthecloudsabove?Didyouseethem?”Hisboss,ahuskybrawnytoughguysnarled,

“Shutyourtrap,yougoonywimp,something’swrongwithyoureyes.Whatbeautifulyounggirls?Allyouthinkofiswome’sgetonwithitandnotwastetime.Ifourquarryescapesitwillbeallfornothing!”Justastheywereabouttosetoffagain,twofiguresintheskiesabovesuddenlyjumpedoffthecloudsandfloatedlightlydowntardewofeathers.Thatmanwiththepointedheadandmouselikeeyespoiheskiessaying,

“Nothingiswrongwithmyeyes!WasIwrong?Look!Don’tyouallseeit?Iwasn’twrongwasI?Areyouallblind?Thistimeit’snotonlyonegirl,it’sseveral!Oneisinthegardenandtwomoredroppingdownfromthesky.Heyboss,you’reinluck!”Inthefaceofreality,thehusky,brawnytoughguyhadnothingtosaythistime.Heswipedhismouthwiththebackofhishandasiftowipeoffthesalivathatwasdroolinginhismouth.

“Son-of-abitch”heexcimed.“Istherereallysuchathingasfairiesingdowhfromtheskies?Therereallyweretwofemaleswhojumpeddownfromtheclouds.Idon’tgiveadamnaboutthemysteriousdudeyoutalkedaboutbutIwantthesefemales.”

“Heyboss,you’llgetbothmoneyandfemales,Iamsureofit.Justdon’tfetuswhenyoudo.Youhavethesteakbutwe’llgettognawsomebones,right?”Theothermenalsobegantocmorandshoutnottobefotteivity,whowashidingintheair,hadlongzoomedinonthisgroupofmobsters.Hethought,

13

“Thisishumawork,lookingtotakeforoneselfwhatbelongstoothers.Letmeteachthesefellowsalessooadswhoarehankeringforatasteofaswan.”

WhenImaginationsawtwobeautifulnymphsdriftingdownfromtheskies,theirclothingflutteringinthebreeze,sheimmediatelyjumpedupexcitedlytogivethemawarmembrace.ThemotionlessformofDimitrilyingsoundasleepinthemidstoftherosescaughttheeyesofClementineandCharmaine,whosighedandsaid,

“FatherZeushasbeensendingoutscoutstoloDimitriinthefourersoftheearth,notknowingheissoundasleeprighthereintherosegarden.HoyFatherZeuswouldbetohearthis!“

“Let’sallowKingDimitritosleeponuninterrupted”suggestedImagination“ametointroducetoyoutoafriend.”ShewavedtoCharinasignalioeahetwonymphs.Charinawalkedoversmiling.ShefirstembracedClementineaasifherarmsweregemptyair.ThensheembracedCharmaineandagaiasifshewashuggingavacuousvoid.SuddenlysherememberedDimitritellingheraboutthe24beautiesinhisKingdomofDreams,howtwoofthemwerenymphswithimagebutnosubstahatistosaytheyhadnofleshbodies.ShecludedthatthenymphsbeforehermustbethetwoDimitrihadmentionedanduoodwhyImaginationwantedhertomeetthem.LittledogMaureenyatthefeetofitsmistress,lookingupatthetwonymphswhohadflowndownfromtheskies.ClementineandCharmainereacheddownandsoftlypatteditsheadandteasedhimsaying,“Ah,littledog,lovelylittledog.Ibetyouarethecleverestdoginthewholeans.”

“eon,everyo’ssitdownandtalkinsteadofstandingonceremony”saidImagination.“KingDimitrihadalittletoomuchtodrinktonight,soIthinkweshouldlethimsleepitoff.”Sayingso,thefourbeautiessatdownonthewoole.Havingnofleshbodies,ClementineandCharmaineneedednofoodordrink.Imaginatiohesisterswell,havingoftealotoftimewiththemintheKingdomofDreams,talkingandughing.Ah!Thosehappy,carefreedayswereliketheflowingwater,goneforever,oreturn.“Howhaveyoutwobeendoingthesedays?”tinuedImagination.“What’sbeenkeepingyoubusy?Ohyes,youjustmentiohatKingZeushassentscoutsoutlookingfDimitri.Doyouknowwhatyourheavenlyfatherwantswithhim?”

“Actually,there’snothingurgent”answeredClementine.“YouknowhowFatherZeusis.Helikesthingsaroundhimtobelivelyandbustlingwithactivityandhatesitwhenit’squietandstillwithnothingmuchgoingolyhewasinagoodmoodandtherewasnotmuthehorizon,sohedecidedtogiveamagnifitba,invitingallthegodsonOlympusandthekingsofvariouskingdomstojoin.OfcourseKingDimitri,beingoneofhisfavoritepeople,wasanhuests.FatherZeussentpeopleoutwiththeinvitation,andwasfrustratedwhentheycouldn’tfindhimahat’sall.Also,KingZeussuddenlyrememberedthewonderfulwinehewasonceofferedattheKingdomofDreams.Itwasmadefromthearofahundredflowersandtastedjustoutofthisworld,impossibletodescribewithwords.Justthethoughtofthiswinewouldmakehimdroolwithenvy,sohesewoofustotheKingdomofDreamstolearnhowtomakethiswine.”

“Really?”excimedImaginatiolyied.“SothetwoofyoumusthavebeentotheKingdomofDreamsretly?DidyouseetheWhiteFairy?She’stheonewhomadethewine.I’msureshemusthavegivenyoutherecipeinsteadofrefusingtorevealhersecret.”

“Ofcourseshewouldnotrefusetoshare;wehavealwaysbeenintimatebosomfriends.Butthemakingofthewineisaprettyintricateprocedureinvolvingmasstepsandit’snotsomethingwecouldlearninahurry;soWhiteFairyvoluogowithustotheSeventhHeavenandmakethewiherefZeus.MedusasaidmanyoftheflowersthatgointothewinewereavaibleonlyintheKingdomofDreamsandnowhereelse,sosheaheloyalpeopleofthekingdomtogooutinthewildsandthemountainstogatherthoseflowers,whichsheterhelpedustransporttotheSeventhheaven.WhileWhiteFairywasmakingthewine,sheatthesametimetaughtusstepbystepthesecretsofmakingthewiherZeussoloved.WewerecarefultohaveeverythingreadyintimeforFatherZeusgrandba.”

“SoyousawMedusaretly,too”excimedImagination.“Howisshe?Iseverythingalrightwithher?”

“Oh,everythingisfihher,butthedutyofprotegthesafetyoftheKingdomofDreamsisaheavyburden.CyclopsandViohavebeenveryquietretlyandmayhaveleftthearea,butMedusaneverknowswhentheywillpopupaemoremischief.hershebesureofwhatotherschemes,spiradintriguestheywillcookuptodestroytheKingdom.Medusalivesfromdaytodayoerhooks,evervigint,warya,carryingoutherjobofprotegtheKingdomwhigDimitrientrustedtoher.SheissolookingforwardtothedaywhenKingDimitriwouldgobadtakeupthereinsoftheKingdomofDreamsagain.”Afterasilence,shesaid,“MedusahopesthatyouandyourpartnerCreativitywouldbuildapace,granderandmnifitthattheoldowasburntdownallreadyforthedaywhenKingDimitrireturns.ShealsomentiohatshewouldliketomobilizethepeopleoftheKingdomtosalvagethegoldpacethatwassunktothebottomofSunMoonLakeandputitbaGiantMountain.ButthismustwaittillKingDimitrireturnsandgivetheorder.Itwasnotherdeake…“

13

“Oh,bytheway“interruptedCharmaine,“whywerethetwoofuscalledhere?Isthereanemergency?Father’smagnifitbaisstillongoingbig-timeintheSeventhHeaven.WhiteFairyiscupforuswhileweslipout.Sheissingle-haakingcareofthewihewholebaandIamsuresheishaviictimebutwesithereleisurelychattingwithyouguyswhileKingDimitrisleeps.She’llbeangryifshekhis.”

“Ohno,no”repliedImagination.“Shewillneverbeangry.Weareallgoodsisters.InfactIamsureshewillbeveryhappy.ActuallyinvitingyoubothheretomeetCharinawasnotmypersonaldecision.ItwasKingDimitri’sideatoletyouknoweachotherandhaveagoodhearttohearttalk.”

“Oh,isthatso?”musedCharmaiurningtoCharina,shesaid,“Asamatteroffact,weknewyouawhileago.MysisterandIsawyouinthebronzemirrorinourpathemoonwhenyouwerewashingKingDimitri’sthroheruinsofthepadwekhesecretwishinyourheart.Youwaogivehimahomewherehecouldsettledownandnolongerlivethenomadlifeofadrifter.Wesawitalndweuood.”Charinawasshockedandembarrassedthatthesecretintheinnermostsanctuaryofherheartwasthusexposed.Sheblushedfuriouslyandloweredherhead,notknowinghowtoanswer.Cleveraive,Charinahadguessedatthereasonfinghermeetingwiththetwonymphs.Justthen,soundsofloudshoutingandfightingwereheardatthegatetarden.

Atall,stalwart,violent-lookingmobsterrushedintardenaheadofhisbandoffive,sixferociousruffians.Hewasinsuchahurrythatinthedarknesshehithisheadhardagainstaprotrudingwallwhichwassolidasabastionofiron,fhimtototterbackafewstepsasgoldenstarsfshedbeforehiseyes.Herubbedhiseyesashelookedaroundandaskedhisfollowers,

“Youguysseeanywallinfront?”

“No,boss”theyreplied.“Wedon’tseenowallinfront,oyspace.”

“That’sstrange”hemutteredtohimself.“IknowIhitawall.Howethere’snothingthere?”Theshortmanwithanarrowforeheadandpointedheadwhowasfollowingrightbehindhimsaweverythingthathappeherereallywasnothinginfrontofhisboss,butthenhealsoclearlysawhimhitsomethingsolidandtotterbatheimpact!.

“That’sspooky!”thoughtheashissly,mouselikeeyesrolledaroundinptionofthesituation.“Therearelotsethingshappeninginthisworld,suymphsfromheavenfloatingdowh;sonothingisimpossible.Thereseemstobesomethingjinxedabouttonightandthingsdon’tlookgood.Bettermixedupwithit.IhadbettertakethefirstceIgettobailoutandlookforthatmysterioustrillionairebymyself.OnceIcapturehim,Iwouldbeingintobigbudwillbeintrolofunlimitedwealth.IfIamsoluckyastocapturethosetwonymphsandhavemywaywiththemtheywouldmakeidealpythings.”Theshortmanwaslostinhiswishfulthinking…

Thebigbosswasnotwillingtogiveup.Hebracedhimselfandledhisunderlingsfain.Thistimehewashitbyanironfistrightintheface.Hefellbackwardsheavilyagainsthisfollowersandwhowereknockeddhtalikedominoesandthegroundwasscatteredwithbodieslikesomanyrollinggourds.Theshortmanwiththepointedheadmadeuseofthisopportunitytoslipsilentlyaway.Thebigbossangrilypickedhimselfupfromthegroundandroaredathisfollowersinexasperation,

“WhotheFKdarestosurpriseattackme,eh?SpeakorIwillshootthewholepackofyougoodfornothinghooligans.”Thethugsslowlygettingupfromthegroundsawthatthebigbossreallygotitthistime!Hisfacewasswollen,hislefteyebdblue,hisnosebloodyandbrokenandbloodwasdrippingdownfromtheerofhislips.Toventhisangerandfrustrationhekickedandhithisfollowers,shouting,“Talk,youidiots.Whowasitthatattackedme?Ifyouwon’ttalkIwillreallykilllofyou!”

13

“Hey,boss”saidhisfollowersenduringthekidinsultsinmeeksubmission.“Wehaveallbeenwithyouformanyyearsandhavemadeourbonesandprovedourloyaltytoyouagainandagain.Nobodyheredarestoattackyou.Thatwouldbebringingdisasteronourselves!Heyboss,weswearit’snotus.Youthinkitovercarefully.”

“Theyareright”thoughtthebigboss.“Thesemenhavebeenwithmeforalongtimeandarescaredtodeathofme.Theydon’tdaremoveafingerevenwhenIamasleep.Butwhointheworldwoulddaretogivemeasurpriseattack?”Heturnedsuddenly,tookhisgunoutofhispocketandaimeditattheskyshouting,“WhotheFKissecretlyattagme?eoutorI’llfire!”Justashewasabouttopullthetrigger,thewristofhisrighthandwhichwasholdingthegunwassuddenlycspedinaviselikegripandthegunwaseasilytakenawayfromhim.

“Soyouarethebigboss!”saidavoitheair.“Youarethechiefculpritguiltyofthemostheinouscrimesandhavenardforwandorder.TodayIwillteachyoualesson.”Ironfistspunchedinquicksuccessionathisjawandstomadhisbuttocksreceivedviciouskickswhithimgrovelingontheground.Theworldseemedtospinaroundhimandgoldenstarsfshedbybeforehiseyes.Thismobbosswasusedtobullyingothersandbeingsurroundedandprotectedbymembersofhisgangatalltimesnobodycouldgetclosetohihetallstalwartmobsterfelthimselfbeingliftedupandeasilythrownthroughtheairlikearagdolluntilhehemiddleofthekewithaloudspsh,causingsproutsofwatertoriseuphighintotheair.Hisfollowerscouldhardlybelievetheireyesandstoodthereaghast,onlytobeattackedbytheinvisibleironfist.Somewerehitinthejawcausingittobeunhingedahk.Otherswerehitiomadrolledonthegroundinpain.Withinasedallfiveorsixofthemweresweptawaylikefallenleavesblownawaybytheautumnwindahrownonebyoothekeliketheirboss.Avoitheairughedheartilyandsaid,“Allofyouarebulliesacedtotyrannizinggoodguys.TodayIwantyoutoexperieitisliketobebeaten.Iwantthecoldkewatertoclearyourbrainsandbeawarethatthisiswhatyouwillgetifyouvictimizeain.”

Thefouryouiesnonpareilsataroundthewoolealkinganimatedlywithmelodiousughterringingoutlikethetinklingofbells.SuddenlyCharmainelookedupattheskiessprihmyriadsoftwinklingstarsandsaidpensively,

“IwonderhowFatherZeus’smagnifitbaisgoingon.Couldhebelookingforthetwoofus?Ifheknewwehadslippedouttoedownhere,hemayreallygetangry.HismoodismercuriandIworrythatperhapshewillbmesomeihirdpartyforourbehavior…”SuddenlyCharmainepoiheheavensandcried,“Ohlook!SomeoneismimigthewayClementineandIfly!”Ashadowstreakedinanarcacrosstheskyandfellintothemiddleoftheke.Aloudspshfollowedcausingsproutsofwatertorisehighintotheair.

“That’saverypoorimitationofourflyingskills”entedClementine.“Wedoamuchbetterjobthanthat!Heissoclumsythathefallsintotheke.Iwouldgivehimazeroforhisefforts.Whatdoyouguyssay?”Immediatelyafterthatfiveorsixshadowyfigurescouldbeseenhurtlinginanartheairtowardsthemiddleoftheke,followedbyloudsoundsofheavybodiespoppingintothewateroeranother,causingthefourbeautiestobendinside-splittingughter.“Well,”ClemeihesestupidmenmusthaveseenCharmaineandIflyingdowriedtoIimitateus.Theycertainlydidanawfuljobandallfellintotheicycoldkewaterandtookaverycoldbath.”

“Thesearenostupidmentryingtoimitateyourflyingskills”saidImaginationseriously.“WhatyoujustsaartnerCreativitypunishingtheserascals.”Theontoexpinwhathadhappeodaywehaveyouthreehereasuests-twobeautifulnymphsfromthefarawaycelestialskiesandDimitri’sgoodfriend,thefamousauthoressCharina.AsKingDimitri’sloyalservants,CreativityandIareresponsibleforyoursafety,sowetookcertaiions.IftheslightestharmcametoanyoneofyhligenasterwouldlosefadthereisnowaywecouldatforittoKingDimitri…ThecleverlittledogMaureenwhowassittingquietlybesideitsmistresssuddenlygrowleddeeplyandbarkedunceasinglyattheotherendoftheflowerbed.Thatshortmanwithanarrowforeheadandpointedheadhadsurreptitiouslylefthisbigbossandfellowhooligahegoinggottoughandsneakedawaytoanotherpartoftherosegarden.Bysheerluckhehappeowanderhepcewherethefourbeautiessattalkiuckhisheadoutoftheflowerbedsandimmediatelystilledasifturostone.Greatlyexcited,hisbodytingledandhislegsgrewnumbanduomovebecauseattheotherendoftheflowerbed,hesawfourimmacutebeautieschattingonawoole.Everyoheyoungwomenwasastonishinglyaakinglybeautiful.Theshortmanthoughttohimself,“Tocaptureallfouroftheseyoungwomenwouldbeverydifficult,butevenifIowoofthemIwouldbeabletoenjoysublimefulfillmentfortherestofmylife.IfIalsocapturethesleepingtrillionaireDimitriJa,IcouldgaintrolofhisimmeuhenIwouldhavebothbeautiesandfortune.”Justashewaslostinhiswishfulthinking,hispositionosed.TheevervigintlittleMaureenspottedhimamidtheflowersandbeganbarkingfrantically.“Opportunitiesdon’tebytwice.IhadbettergrabitwhileI.”thoughttheshortmanwithanarrowforehead.SoheranoutoftheflowerbedandmadeforClementine,whosattherequietandmotionlesswithouttheslightesthintoffear.Asthemanluggedfrabholdofhisprey,hefeltasifheiyair,losthisbandfelltotheground.HeimmediatelyjumpedupandheadedforCharmaihesamethinghappened.Heclearlyanddefinitelycaughtholdoftheyoungwoman,butsomehowheseemedtobeholdingavacuousvoidandfellheadlongtothegroundagain.Beforehecouldgetup,theresourcefulImaginationcircledbehindhim,grabbedholdoftheheavyicebucketandhithimontheheadwithallhermight.Theshortmaandfainted.Imaginationwasveryangryandshoutedintotheair,

“WhereareyouCreativity?Showyourselfatonce.Iwasjustboastingabouthowresourcefulyouwereandthatwithyouasourbodyguardnothinguntowardwouldhappen.Nowlookpened!Ourthreehuestswerealmostassaultedbythishooligathatyoumademelosefaon-sequential,butbyallowingtheseruffianstoeveherosegardenandupsetourhuestswhiletheywereallhavingananimatedversationhasmadeyourmasterKingDimitrilosefaceaswell!”

“Iamsorry,soverysorry!”saidapleasingmasevoitheair.“Iwasbusyattendingtothebigbossandhisgroupofunderlingsanddidnotnoticethatthisslipperylittleeelhadslippedoutofthe!Ididn’tknowthathehadsomehowwahispce.Letmetakefirst.”Theshortmanwhohadfaihegrouobewakingupandmadeaslightmovement.Beforehecouldreallyeto,hewashauledupintotheairandanothershadowflewinanarctowardsthemiddleoftheketojoinhisradesintheicywater.ClementineandCharmainechuckledmerrily,cppedtheirhandsandsaid,“That’swonderful!Lethimgoandtakeanicyshowertoo!Ohyes,wehaven’tseenyouforalongtime,Creativity.Whydon’tyoushowyourself?”

“Thereisanewguesthere.Idon’thaveanyclotheson,soit’sformetoshowmyself.IthinkIhadbettergoandpatroltheareaaroundtherosegarden.IpromiseyouIwillinanotherrascaltointerruptyourversation.”Withthataslightwindroseaivityseemedtohaveleftthem.

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“Ihadbettergobaydutiestoo”saidImagination.“Youthreetinueyourversation.Iwillbestandingguardihegardentosafeguardyourprivacy.”Sayingso,shetoodisappearedintothinair.ClementineandCharmainelookedateachotherforamoment.

“IthinkthatthetwoofushadbettergobacktoFatherZeus’baheSeventhheaven”saidClementine.“We’vebeeoolongandareworriedabouthowthebaisgoing.IfFatherZeusfoundthatthetwoofushadslippedawaywithouttellinghim,therewillbeabiguproar.AlsoweotingoodsceleavealltheworktoWhiteFairy.”Thetwinslookedagainateachother,thentwopairsofeloqueurnedinquiringlytoCharina.Charihatshehadtosaysomethingtoletthemknowherfeelings,sosheraisedhereyestothetwonymphsandsaid,

“WhenIsawthetwoofyoudropdownfromtheskies,Ialreadyuoodthereasonforyouringandwhatyouwaoknow.Firstofall,allowmetoshowmyrespectforthepureandunswervingloveyouhavefDimitri.Inowuandthattheexistenceofafleshbodyisnotmaterialtotrueloveandthattimeanddistanceisalsonohindraeither.Loveisanungingfeeling.TheideaofunventionallovewhichIhavelearnedfromyouwillbeofgreatusetomemywholelife.ButIhavealsoheardKingDimitrisaythatweshouldnotfailtoliveuptothebodytemperatureofourfleshbody,thatweshouldenjoyittotheutmost

whileourbodyisstillwarmandaliveinsteadofbemoaningitslosswhenourbodytemperatureisgone.Ibelievethatby“enjoyittotheutmost”Dimitrididnotmeanweshouldseektooverindulgeinaldesire.Ithinkheisinfavorofseverelytrollingourlustsoitwon’tbeewantonandunbridled.TakeDimitriandmeforexample.Ourbodytemperaturesarenormal,ourbloodrunssmoothly,ourfleshbodiesareintheirprime.ButfromthetwoofyouIuaruemeaningoflove.Iwillnotseekloveblindly,norwillItryunceasinglytoentanglemyselfwithDimitri.IwillwaitsilentlyandpatientlyforthedaywhenDimitriisreadytoacceptmeasthe25thbeautyinhisKingdomofDreams.”ClementineandCharmainelookedateachotherandsmiled,revealingtheirreliefandgratification.Theirfeetleftthegroundandtheirbodiesbegantheirasttotheskies.Theysaidtogether,

“Goodluck!Goodluck!Wewillbeegoodsisters.Onedayyourwishwilletrueandyouwillbeethe25thmemberoftheKingdomofDreams.Goodluck!Goodluck!”Sayingso,theyflewintothenightskyandbecameohtheendlessdarkness.

Afterwatgthefiguresoftwonymphsdisappearintotheskies,Charinasilentlywentaboutpaguptheutensilsusedduringthepiic,puttheleft-oversintopaperbagsandthehemallbatothebrandnewshoppingcart.Shethoughtaboutwhathadjusthappeseemedsoreasofanciful.Didthetwonymphsreallyflydownfromtheskiestothisrosegarden?DidDimitrireallyhavetwoloyalservantsImaginationaivitywhocouldappearoutofthinairanddisappearintoitatwill?AsforCreativity,Ionlyheardhisvoicebutdidnotseehiminperson.It’sreallyanamazingandunbelievableexperience!Charina’sfootcameintotactwithsomepiecesoficescatteredontheground.ShepickedupthelidandputitbatheicebucketrememberinghowjustnowImaginationhadusedthebuckettohittheshortmanointedforeheadwithsuchforcethathefelltothegroundinafaint.Thenallthisreallyhappe’sreallyamazinghowunimagihingshappeninthisworldofours.Charinatooksomepiecesoficeoutofthebucket,putthemintoagssandpouredherselfafullgssofwhiskey.Shesatdownonthewooleandthoughtofthingsthatweighedonhermind.ThelovelylittledogMaureehatitsmistresshadthingsonhermind,soitsatdownbyherfeetquietlyaherpany.Charinadrankherwhiskeyandmadeadecision.

“IwillkeepthepromiseIjustmade.Iwillberationandcalm,waitingsilentlyandpatientlyforthedaywhenDimitriisreadytoacceptmeasthe25thbeautyinhisKingdomofDreams…Nomatterwhetherhewilldosoornot,Ihavemademydecision.Iwillwaitaherhewilleupwithanyotherexcuse.”Dimitri’swagaininherears,

“Failnottoliveuptothebodytemperatureofourfleshbody.

Enjoyittotheutmostwhileitisstillwarmandalive.

Bemoannotitslosswhenourbodytemperatureisgone;

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Foroisgohendofurn,

Itwillneverebackagain.”

Thesewordssoundedsadandpealsohadatantalizingtouchofprovokinglust.Dimitriwasnotapyboytypeoverlyiedinsex.Orary,heseemedtobemorelikeaic.Charinacouldnotmakeheadortailsoutofthetruemeaningofthosewords,sosheshruggedanddecidedtoputitasideforthemoment,thinkingthereletimetoaskhimaboutitterwhenshehadace.Shetiltedhergsstofinishoffherwhiskey.

Itwasstillsummer,butteatnightthewindwasstillrathercoldbythesideoftheke.PerhapsCharina’sclothingwastoothin;sheshiveredinthecooirandfinishedherdrinkinaquaff.PattingMaureenlightlyontheheadshesaid,“Iamgoingtosleep.Whataboutyou?”Maureenbarkedasiftelliosleepinpeaditwouldstandguardduringthenight.Charinasmiled,pattedMaureenontheheadandstoodup.Dimitrihadnotreallybeenasleep.Heonlypreteosnore,whileiyhisearswereattuheversationofthebeauties.HeheardChariingintohersleepingbagahingaroundturnedquiet.Heopenedoneeye,wiMaureencheekilyandwavedtoit.ThelittledoguoodandcurleditselfintothecrookofDimitri’sarms.ItwasonlythenthatDimitrilethimselfslipintodreamnd.

ThedreamndDimitriehistimewasquitedifferent.Hisformerdreamswereutterlyillusoryanduheirtents,unsubstantiaerous,weremostlyinunectedbitsandpiecesimpossibletopiecetogetherintoalogicalwhole.Thistimeitwasquitedifferent.Heerfectlyawarethathehadenteredareandstableworld.Everythingaroundhimreflectedagoldenbrilliancebrightasthesunbutwasnothurtfultohiseyes.herwasthesunlightthatshoneonhisbodytoohottobear.Infactitfeltwarmandweling.Hisbodywassurroundedinacircleoflight.Dimitriwaoknowwherehewasanddecidedtofindhisbearing.Helookedaroundanddiscoveredthatthesunlightdidnotcastashadowofhisbodyontheground.Ifthatwasso,wherehadhisbodygoo?Haditdiedandbeeroyed?Wasthisaernalstateofmind?Dimitriwasbothsadandhappyattheturs.Hewassadthatthisfleshbodyofhisthathadbeenwithhimforsomanyyears,thoughdisabledandsicklyandaburdenonhimattimes,wasdearertohimthanadirectretive.Hefeltlostanddissotewithoutit.Butoherhandheytofindthatthelossofhisfleshbodydidterdestruofhimasay.Hehadachieved‘eterence’,whichishistrueself.Amildfeelingofhappinessrosefromthedepthofhisheart.Itwasafeelingquitedifferentfromtheventionaloresultedfromstarktrastwiththestimutionofgreatpain.ThemildfeelingofdelightinDimitri’sheartwasanaturalfeeling,owasbarelydisablebutwhichhehappeocatch.“WhyhaveIunknowinglyoverlookedsuchafeelinginalltheyearsIhavebeenalive?”Dimitriwondered.Suchmildfeelingofhappinessisaminuteoneimpossibletoexpressinwords.Allhislife,Dimitri’sfleshbodyhadsufferedallkindsofworriesaions.Theyedthemselvessotightlyaroundhim,somelightasspider’swebandotherstenaciousasfishihathewasuountanglehimself.Butnowinthisperfectworldfullhtnessandradianceallhistroubles,vexationsaersdisappearedwithoutatrathispureworldofunendinghappihiseterenceismyrealself.Sothereissuderfulstateofmindinthisworldofours!WhyhaveIneverknownofitsexistencebefore?It’sreallystupidofme!Perhapstroubleandsufferinghadhoodwinkedmyeyes.NowIfinallyuandthatthehappinessbroughtbypilingupmoneyandmaterialgoodsisheyarefalsebecausesuchfeelingwilldisappearwhenmoneyandmaterialgoodsdisappear,whilethemildhappinessIfeelnowisnotdependantonanythingelse.Thisismyrealselfierence.

Dimitriwasenjoyinghissolitarywalk,strollingaimlesslyamidthewideexpanseofbrilliaoxicatedbythemild,naturalfeelingofhappinessanddelightemanatingfromthedepthofhisheart.Suddeumbledandfellintoadarkabyss.Hiseyescouldnotdistinguishanythingsohetriedtofeelthespacearoundhim.Itwasn,justrgeenoughtoaodatehim.ThetemperaturewaswarmandfamiliarwhichmadeDimitrietotheclusionthathehadagainfallenintotheprisonofhisfleshbody,aprisonwherehecouldhelightofday.Hesighedandwonderedhowlonghewouldbeheldcaptiveinthisdarkprisonwherehecouldnotevenseehisownfingersbeforehewouldhaveacetocatlimpseoftheoutsideworld,sothrivingandprosperous.Hethought,

“Wasn’tIjustwalkingaloneinabrightanddelightfulstateofmind?HowcoulditbethatiwinklingofaneyeIamoncemorebathisdarkdungeon?Itseemsthatbrightnessanddarknessareonlygesisofthevisionahatfarapart!PerhapsverysoonIwilgainbeabletoseethemagnifitradiance.”AllofasuddenbrightnessfloodedDimitri’seyesashisloyalservantsImaginationaivitypriedopenagapoopofhisheadwherehiseyesenedupaskylightforhim.Fromtheskylight,hesawthewonderfulvaststarlitskiesstretgendlesslybeforehim,wherethestarswerearrangediremelyorderlymahestaroDimitrishonebrilliantlydazzlinghiseyesandthengedintoabeautifulflowerofashapehehadneverseenbefore.Dimitriturnedhimselfintoabeeandmadestraightfortheflower.Actually,Dimitri’ssickly,disabledbodyhadbeengedintoastreamlinedspaceship,whichheiloting,flyingintheuniverse,visitingthevariousstars.Dimitriwaspletelylost,notknowiherhewasactuallyaworkbeebusilydangamongsttheflowersbloomingluxuriantlyinthegardengatheriaroranastronautflyingaspaceshiptransformedfromhisownfleshbodyintheendlessuniverse.“PerhapsIwilllosemywayintheuniverse.Iwillflythisspaceshipwhichwastransformedfrommyfleshbodyandvisitthefleshbodyofafemale.ButwhetherIamabeeoranastronaut,itisagrandadventureimpossibletoexpininwords.”ItsuddenlycametoDimitrithatthisstrawonderfulexperiencewasreallythereappearahebrightandradiantstateofmind.Notonlywasitreappearaerimposedonthefleshbodyofhiswhichwaslikeadarkdungeohesunlightneverpeed.Thesuperimpositionofspiritandfleshbodyisasshortandactasthemeetingofwaterandduckweed.Weedandwaterwillartintheend.Fleshbodycamefromdustandonedaywilliablyreturntodust.Spiritcamefromheavehandittoowillonedayreverttonature.Thatshortandactalmeetingofspiritandfleshbodyissomethingthatshouldbetreasured.Hethought,“Didn’tItellCharinaoweshouldliveuptoandenjoyourfleshbodytothefullestwhilewecould?ThatwaswhatImeant.AtthetimeCharinadidn’tappeartouandthemeaningofthosewords.NowthatIhaveetoaandingofallthis,IhopeIwillstillrememberitwhenIasthiswillbethebestinterpretationandexpnationofwhatImeantbythesuperimpositionofspiritandfleshbody”Thestringofunceasingbarkieredhissciousness.MaureenwastryingtowakehimbybitingandpullingatthelegsofhistrousersandhealsoheardthesoundsofCharina’schokingcoughandpainfulgroans.“Ohhought.“Mybeautifulpanionisnotusedtolifeintheopen.It’sherfirstdayexperiengthelifeofahomelessperson.Hasallthisbeentoomuchforher?”

Itwasaheavilymistym,butohefogcleareditwassuretobeabrightandsunnyday.Davidhadbeenthrowndownonthegroundattheerofthestreet,hishandsboundbehindhimandhismouthstuffedwithrags.Hewasnoloerrifiedforhimself.Oraryhisheartwasfullofpeace.Hethought,“Dimitriisreallyastrangeguy.HeledmeintohisKingdomofDreamsandeoenjoytheawesomelifeofamagnifitking,experiengallthewealthandrichestheworldcouldoffer.Havingexperiencedallthat,Iwouldhavediedwithret,evenifthoseruffianswhhedmeuphadshotandkilledme.”Athestreetnearbyscreechedtoahaltandhurriedfootstepcouldbeheardingtowardshim.Afraidthatitwasthethugsbacktokillhim,Davidclosedhiseyesandwaitedfortheendtoe.Buthefeltsomeonepulltheragsoutofhismouthandloosenedhisboundhands.OpeninghiseyeshesawitwasDimitri’sgoodfriendRichardwhowascrouchedbesidehim,grinningcockilyandmakingfunofhimsaying,

“peoyou,olddog?GotintoaquarrelwithsomeonearettebuttsandgottheSh1Tbeatenoutofyou?Theyevenboundandgaggedyouandthrewyouhereattheerofthestreet!”Davidsatup,shookhisstiffandnumbarmsandmuttered,

“No,no,no…Itwasn’tlikethatatall!Idon’tuandmyselfpenight.IjustknowIalmostlostmylife.”HethentoldhisstorytoRichardhaltingly,jumblingupthefacts,butusedtohisramblingsRichardgotthepointandfortedhimsaying,

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“Inthisworldtherearealotofgoodpeople,buttherearealsobadowasyhlucktohavetahthebadelementsstnight.Whatelseistheretosay?Youwereatthewrohewrongtime.”HethencalledtoJamaz,whoseextraordinaryphysique

alwaysmuchstrohanthatofanordinaryman,hadmiraculouslyrecoveredfromhiswoundsandwasbaagain.Richardaskedhimtoverohoseoldworkpantswhichtheykeptirunkoftheirpick-uptrudgaveittoDavidsaying,“yourselfupolddog.Findsomewheretowashawayyourpeeandpoo.Thenputonthispairofpantsandgoaboutyourbusiness.Wehavethingstodosoweareleaving.Youtakecare.”Richardstooduptoleave,butstoppedtoask,

“Oh,bytheway,haveyouseenDimitri?I’mlookingforhim.”

“Dimitri?Isawhimovertherestnight”repliedDavidpointingtowardstheke.Richardsighedandhithisforeheadsaying,

“Wesearchedforhiminallhisoldhaunts,butjustmissedlookingintherosegarde’sghtaway.”

“No,no”saidDavid.“Idon’tthinkyoushouldgothere.Isawhimwithabeautifulyoungwoman.Shewasdressedasahobo,butIsawthroughherdisguiserightaway.Ifthetwoofyourushinthere,youmightbeinterruptingtheirromantictete-ateteandtheycertainlywon’tthankyouforit!”DavidsmiledslylyandilyaontodescribeiailDimitri’syoungpanion.Richardkoncewhoshewasandsaid,

“Oh,it’sher!NowondernooneansweredwhenIcalledhercellphone.Shepurposefullydidn’tcarryitwithher!Iwenttoherhouse,buteverythingwasdarkandlookedempty.Ithoughtshewasoutoftown…Sothetwoofthemgottogether!Siheyaretogetherwhynotstayihehousethen,envelopedinthesweetintimacyofaworldsistingonlyofthetwoofthem?Whataretheydoinginthatgodforsakenrosegarden?”Heshookhishead,quitemystifiedatthetursandwalkedquicklyawaytogetherwithJamaz.

Itwasstillveryearlyinthemareettyofpedestrians.Davidmadeuseofthistotakeoffhisdirtypants,whichheusedtowipehimselfasaspossibleaosRichardhadgivenhim.Onparatively,hispersonalityunderletegeandhewalkedaily,allthewhilelookingfarettebuttsbytheroadside,hopingtostockupohatifheshouldbeluoughtomeetDimitrihewouldofferthemastributetothemightykingoftheKingdomofDreams.

Dimitri’ssolitaryfiguregraduallyemergedfromthethiakinghiswaywiththehelpofhiswhitee.HedidnotstoplongatCharina’shouseaftertakingherhome.Heuzzlingoveraquestionthathadbaffledhimsincehisyouth,namelywhetherKingDimitrioftheKingdomofDreamsjusthappenedoodreamofDimitri,ordidDimitrirandomlydreamofKingDimitribyce?OrwasitthatsometimesKingDimitridreamedabouthisalternateselfwhowasahomelessmansufferinginthemundaneworld;andsometimesDimitriwentintodreamndtolookforthenobleKingDimitri?Orperhapsbothofthesesuppositiorue.PerhapsDimitriovefreelybetweendreamndandtherealworld,pyingtheroleoftwodifferentcharacters.PerhapsthesetwodifferentcharacterswerepersonifiedbyDimitri.Thequestionwasverysimple,butitpuzzledDimitrifordecadesandcouldnotberesolvedtohissatisfa.Takethepresentforexample.DimitriilotingthespaceshiptransformedfromhisfleshbodyfromtheKingdomofDreamstothemundaneworld,buthefeltasifhisfleshbodyhadneverlefttheworldforeveep.Thenhowcoulditbeflyingbackhere?Thendreamndwasakindofelusive,entsupposition;orwasitapartofandtinuationofreallife?Dimitrifellintoadeepreverie.

Atthecrackofdawn,MaureenwokeDimitriupbypullingatthelegofhispants.HegotupahiswaytowardsCharinawhowascoughingupastorwasthenthatherealizedshewassick.Charinaalsowokeupandasked,

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“pened?”

“Youarecoughingandyourforeheadishot.I’mafraidyouaresickbutdon’twetdressed.Iwilltakeyouhomewhereyourestbetter.”

“I’msosorrytobecausingyouallthistroubleonmyveryfirstdayoutasavagabond”saidshe.ItwasonlythenthatCharinarealizedshewasagalloverherbody.Herheadwasagbadlyandhernosewasallstuffedup.“Iamreallyquitehopeless”shesighed.

“Don’tsayso”saidDimitritryingtoforther.“It’snotyourfault.Youarenotusedtothisharshlife.Aflowerraisedinahothouseisacclimatedtowarmtemperatureaiculouscarevisheduponit,soitflourishesandbloomsluxuriantlyandgracestheworldwithitsbeauty,exhibitingthevalueandmeaningofitslifeinaspecialway.Onceyousuddenlymoveitoutdoorsandexposeittotheelements,itwilldroopandwilt.Soitiswithyou.That’sonlynaturandnotyourfaultatall.“

“Really?Thenwhataboutyou?”askedCharinacuriously.“Isawyoulyingfastasleeponthesoiluheshadowoftherosebushesandwasafraidyoumightcatchcetarthritisdoingso.Howeyouarenotaffected?”

“Don’tfetthatIhavebeenlivingthisnomadlifeforalong,longtime”expinedDimitriwryly,“soIamusedtotheharshenvirosandisnotthataffectedbythehotandcoldweather.Iamlikeamigratorybirdthatmoveswiththeweather.Everyyeararoundspringandsummer,Iflyherefromfaradflybackthereagainwhenfalles.”

“Whereareyougoing?”askedCharinatenselygrabbingholdofhisarm.“Willyoubegoingtosomefarace?Ifyoudo,pleasedon’tfettotakemewithyou.”

“Ohno,noI’mnotgoinganywhere”repliedDimitripattingherwhite,ivorylikehandsfly.“Iwilljustbetakingyouhome.eodresseda’sgetgoingandnotmakeyourcoldworsethanitalreadyis.”IntelligentlittledogMaureeoddlinguptoitsmistressdraggingherold,darkbrownjacketbetweenitsteeth.Charinagotoutofhersleepingbagandobedientlyputonthejacket,dround-toedshoes.Dimitrihelpedbyrollinguphersleepingbagandthewooleandpiledthemallintheshoppingcart.HedidnettopickuplittleMaureenandputitintothecartaswell.DimitripushedthecartwhileCharinawalkedinfrontleadingthewayandquicklywalkedawayfromtherosegardenintoathickfog.Dimitrisuddenlyrememberedhowheusedtomaterializebefaninatimelyfashionandhelppushherstalledold,heavyluxurysedan.NowhewashelpingCharinapushthislightshoppingcart.Whetheritwasaheavyluxurysedanhtshoppingcart,healwaysfeltitapleasureandanhonortobeabletohelpadamselindistress.Afterafewtwistsandturnsoreetsihickfog,theyarrivedatCharina’shouse.Sheimmediatelywentintothekitandmadeacupofhotcoffee,forsheknewwhatfortitwastosomeoolifeintheraw,coldweather.Forherself,sheboiledacupofhotwaterandputinseveralslionforsheheardthatitwasagreatantidotefortheoncold.Dimitritookthesleepingbagandthewooleofthecartandputthemieroom.Notknowingwhattodowiththeleftoverfoodaensils,hejustleftthemthereforCharinatodealwithteron.

Thetwoofthemsatinthequietlivingroom.Dimitriwasholdihermoshishandandexpressinghisappreciationwiththankfulnoiseswhileenjoyicoffee.Helovedsuchsimplepleasuresoflife.CharinapilemondrinkwithafeelingofdelightandgratificationatDimitri’senjoyment.Afterfinishinghisdrink,Dimitriputhisthetable,stoodupandsaidtoCharina,

“Afteryoufinishyourhotlemondrink,youshouldtakeahotbathandthenghttobedforanignap.Ifyougetyourbodytoperspire,yourcoldwillgoawaywithoutmedicatioedlittledogMaureenwhowaslyingonhislegssaying,“Stayhereandkeepyourmistresspany.Don’tbenaughtyandgogallivantingaround.”Maureenbarkedasifsaying“Iknow.”

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“Areyouleavingalready?”

“Yes,IhavesomethingImustattendto.”Chariwasjustanexcuse,forressingbusinesscouldahomelessvagabondhavethatressing?Butthistime,shewaswrong.Mr.KaffeewaslikeaahottinroofaBigO,RichardandJamaztolookeverywhereforDimitriasifsomethingurgenthadeup,onlyDimitrididnotknowaboutitthen.

“Whenwillyoubeback?”

“Idon’tknow,butIwillbeback…”

“Iwouldliketohaveadefie.”

“Iotbesure.Whydon’tyoutreatmeasamigratorybird,Charina.Iwillewheimeisright,butwhenit’stimetogonothingkeepme.Justletthetwoofusbefreeagentswithoutties.Won’tthatbebest?”Charihatshewouldnotbeabletogetanythingelseoutofhim,soshefellsilent.Dimitriopehefrontdoorandwalkedintothethickfog.Hedidnotreallyknowwhereheshouldgo,sohejustlethislegstakehimwherevertheywould.

LookingatDimitri’sdepartingfigure,Chariakeensenseofloss.Shetookhisadviceofsoakingherselfahotbathandperspiredabit.Aftershegotout,shedressedandfedherlittledogMaureenandwasabouttogotoherbedroomtotakeanap,perspiresomemorehopingthathercoldwouldhavegoneawaywhenshewokeup.Justthenhercellph.Sheanswereditsaying,

“Hello,thisisCharina.Who’scallingplease?”

“HiCharina,thisisRichard.IsDimitritherewithyou?Wehavebeenlookingforhimallofstnight.AtdawntodayanoldhobotoldusthathesawyouandDimitriattherosegarden.Werushedtherebutdidn’tseeyouguys.Iguessyouhadalreadyleft.Soyouarehomenow.IsDimitrithere?”

“Oh,it’sDimitriyouwaleft.Hassomethingimportanteup?”

14

“Yes.Mr.Kaffeeislikeaahottinroofaeveryonelookingalloverforhim.I’mnotverysureofthewhythough.Doyouknowwherehehasgoo?”

“No.Hesaidheislikeamigratorybirdthatwillewheimeisright,butwhenit’stimetogonothingkeephim.Idon’tknowwherehehasgoo.”