dtalkaboutfloraldecorationsfortheweddingba.”Dornahehoughtofsomethingandasked,

“JustnowyoutoldMaureennottobarkorelseshewouldwaketheothers.What’sthatalbout?It’salmostnoonnow.Arethebeautiesstillsleeping?”

“That’salongstory”sighedNatalie.“Itjusthappenedearlythism,soofcourseyoucouldn’thaveknown…Whydon’tyouandIwalkovertotheflardens?Lotus,AngelidIwillupdateyouorethappenings.”

Atfouro’clothem,theskieswerestilldark.Darknessspreadouttinuously,ctheskiesintodeepsomberhuesofdarkblue,oredonlybyafewscatteredstars.Dimflickeringpathlightsshohenarrowpathsleadingihoftherge,darkgarden.Lotus,thebeautygehefullmoon,wasdressedpinlylikeapeasantgirlincottonshirtandskirtandrubberboots.Withanumbrelinonehandandafshlightiher,shewasslowlywalkingonthenarrowpath,iingtheflowerbeds.Sometimes,shewouldwalkintothebeds,turnonherfshlightandscrutihegrowthofapntorflower,snatgawaytheoccasionalslugorsnailthatdaredtoveundercoverofdarknessaonherpreciouspnts.Shekiheflowerbudsreadytoburstintobloomwereandwhichflowerswerefaded,droopingandabouttofallontothesoil.Thoughshecouldnoteetheexaumberofflowersinthegarden,shekhatthenumberofbuddingandbloomingflowersfarexceededthefadingandwitherihewholegardenexudedanauraofthrivingandflourishinggrowth,whichgreatlyfortedher.Gentlebreezeruffledherlong,soft,bckhairasiftellingofherhappinessandsatisfa.Thusshewalkedalohsbeforethebreakofdawn,usingthefshlighttoiherbelovedflowerbedsandsoonfoundthatshehadmademorethanhalfaroundofthergegarden.Justtheomaticsprinklercameoedbythetimer,anumberofwaternozzles,sometallerthahers,raisedtheirheadsfromthesoil.Theyhadbeenstrategicallypddesigocovereveryinchofthegardenaimedtogushoutspraysofwaterasscheduled.Inthedimlight,thincrisscrossingstreamsofwatersoohegardenwithacloudofmistyarticlesthatdrenchedandinuhearea,presentinganalmostmystidfairyndworld.Lotusopenedherumbrelandturnedonherfshlighttofinishheriionoftherestofthegardenbeforetakierinastrawhutbytheedgeofthegarden.Thehumblestrawhutattheedgeofthemeticulouslymanicuredgardearustictouch,quitesimirtoLotus’homend,sosheofteoeheretorestandwhileawaythetime.Suddenlyshewasstartledtoseeafigurerunningtowardstheshedfromthemistyandwaterygarden,butseeingthatitwassomeoneslimandagile,shefigureditmustbeohebeauties,soshecalledout,

“Who’sthere?eoverhereaoftherain”aurnedonherfshlighttoillumiheway.HearingLotus’voidseeingthelight,thefigurerushedoveranddashedintothehut.ItwasthefamousballerinaNatalie.LotuswhowasquietandserehefullmoonsmiledandhandedherhandkerchiefovertoNataliesaying,“Wipeawaythewaterfromyourface,hairandarmsoryouwouldcatchacold.”Nataliegratefullytookthehandkerchiefofferedtoheranddidasshewastold,saying,

“ItwasafiarrynightwhenIstartedoutofthehouse.Howeitbegantorainallofasudden?”Lotuspoiowardsthegardenandsaidsmilingly,

17

“Lookclosely.Isthatrain?”Natalielookedatthemistynightoutsideandcouldn’thelpughing.Shestoppedwipingherfadholdihandkerchiefinherhandshelookedcarefullyattheseoutsidethestrawhut,saying,“Idon’tnormallyeouttothegardenthisearlyinthem,soIdidn’tknowthesprinklersystemesonatthistime.”

“Sopyeventmadeyoudashoutthisearlyintothegardenthen?”askedLotus.

“Itwasnothingspecial,really…”repliedNatalie,smilingshyly.“Ihadproblemssleepingstnight.InfactIdidn’tsleepallnightandsuddenlythoughtofWhiteFairyaherealfiguredangamidsttheflotupimpulsivelyandthoughtaboutgoingintothegardenanddanceamongtheflowerslikeshedid.Ijustdancedforalittlewhilewhenitstartedtorain.No,no…wheomaticsprinklersystemcameon…Whyareyouupsoearlyandwalkingaboutthegarden?”Lotussighedandsaid,

“Icametoseehowtheflowersweredoing.Iwantohavethebestflementspossibleforherweddingba,butiodosoIneedalotoffreshflowers.Thegardenhereproducesalotofthembutitwouldstillbefarfromenough.AngelicasaidIcouldpickwhateverIwantedfrardeovertoseewhatwasthereandfoundthatevenifItookallofhers,itstillwasn’tenough.SoIwasworriedaboutthisandcouldn’tsleepeither…”

“Couldn’tyoubuygoodqualityonesfromthenurseriesandflowermarkets?”askedNatalie.

“OfcourseIcould”repliedLotus.“That’sdoable,too.ButIthoughtthatifalltheflowerswereproducedbythegardensofthebride,itwouldbeextraspedmeaningful…”

“Howmanyflowersdoyouhenumbersshouldbestaggeringifthetotalismorethanwhattwogardenscouldproduce.”

“Idon’tklyhowmanyIwouldneed.hefirstamongustomarry,soIwaomakeitextraspecial.SomanyVIPguestshavebeenihatthebaeishuge.Iwaobedecoratedwithmassesandmassesoffreshflowersasifitwereanindardenoryoucouldsayasifitwerelocatedinaseaofflowers.Thentheguestswouldhavetheextraordinaryfeelingthattheyweresurroundedbyflowers.Justthinkofadlelittableamidstmyriadsrantblossoms.Won’tthatbeasetorememberandmakethemfeesiftheywereinheaveninsteadofinthismundaneworldofours?Ontopofitall,bubblychampagallcrystalwinegsses,shinyexpensivesilverutensilsuniformlyidout,ptesfullofthetastiestfood,wonderfulmusicfloatingintheairandcouplesdangonthedangfloor…Wouldn’tthatcreateo-be-fottenimpressionsandmemoriesinthemindoftheguests?”

“Wow!”excimedNatalie.“Yourpnblowsmymindaway!Buttorealizeitwouldnotbeeasy,ifnotimpossible….Ithink…IthinkIknowofsomeonewhocouldhelpyourealizeitthough…”

“Really?Whowouldthatbe?”askedLotus.

17

“WhiteFairy!”repliedNatalie

“Oh!Whydidyouthinkofherallofasudden?”

“Haveyottenthatballet“TheBearandtheFlower”thatKingDimitriwrote,directedandchraphed?”askedNatalie.“Inthesedse,itwaswrittenthat“Whenthefirstraysofdawnfshedacrosstheskies,itwasthetimewhentheFlowerFairywasborn.Aseaofexuberantflowersraisedtheirvoicestotheskiestohailthebirthoftheirnew-bornfairy.”ThatFlowerFairywastheinationofWhiteFairy.Iamsureshewouldbeabletohelpyou.Isn’ttheseaofflowersmentioheballetsimirtothedecorationsyouenvisionedfortheweddingbahat’swhyIthoughtofher.AlsoIwasoutthereinthegardenjustntoemutetheFlowerFairy’swonderfullygradelegantdang…”

“ButWhiteFairyisfarawayintheKingdomofDreams”saidLotus.“Howsheetothemundaneworldiohelpme?”

“Don’tfetwhatKingDimitrioftentoldus.Hesaidthatdreamsareapartofreality.Infactitisaensionoftherealworld.Yousaythereisnoboundarybetweendreamsay,sotheKingdomofDreamsexistsiherealworld.Solongastherearedreamsinyourheart,thosedreamsberealized.I’msureyoustillrememberKingDimitri’swords…”

Miraclesdohappen.Awispoflightsmokesuddenlyflewoutofthemystic,fairyndworldcoveredbyacloudofmistyarticles,asifitwasasmallpartofthatmiraculousworldwhichhaddecidedtoseparateitselffromthewholeandflewswiftlytowardsthestrawhutbytheedgeofthegarden.LotusandNatalieweresotakenabackbythissuddentursthattheirmouthsopenedinastonishmentandtheypletelylostthepowerofspeech.ThewispoflightsmokeflewrightintothestrawhutandgedintohumanforusandNatalieshriekedinjoyandsurpriseahreeofthemcametogetherinatightembrace.Theyhadbeenpanionscloserthansistersaedtobereunitedagainafteralongseparation.Lotuswasmovedtohappytearsanditwasawhilebeforetheycalmeddownandseparated.

“OhWhiteFairy,wehaven’tseenyouforsuchalongtime.You’timaginehowwehavemissedyou!”saidNatalie.“Howeyouareheretoday?”WhiteFairybedhertussledlonghairwithherfiookadeepbreathandreplied,

“IfirstwenttothebackyardofDream-maker’sBakery.ThenItriedthewomen’sdormdoor,butfouhemptyandabandoned.Iflewaroundtheareatryingtofindsomeclueastoyourwhereabouts,butcouldnotfindany.JustamomentagoIflewoverthisgardenandwasattractedbythestrawhut.ThenIlookedcloserandsawtwofiguresuhatlookedfamiliarsoIdecidedtoflydowna’sgoingon…YoujustaskedwhyIamheretoday,right?MedusaseofindKingDimitritoreportsomegoodohim.ButIlookedeverywhereandcouldfindnotraanywhere.DoyouhaveanyinformationIcoulduse?ButIamsureyouareintactwithQueenAisha.IthinkitwouldbethesameifIreportedthegoodoher.”EventhenormallysilentLotuswasmovedtowordsandsaid,

“Lookatyou!Youareperspiringallover!What’sthegoodhatyouareinsuchahurrytoreport?Tellusausbehappytoo.”

“Yes,”promptedNatalieexcitedly.“Tellus!Tellus!Don’tkeepusinsuspense!”

17

“It’sgreatnews!”saidtheWhiteFairy.“KingZeusactuallygrantedourrequestteupthemagnifitgoldpathebottomofthekeaitsoldsiteonGiantMountain.Thegoldpaagaihelightofdayandsparklebrightandshinyuhesun.Isn’tthatgreatnews?”

“Really?”excimedNatalie.“ThatKingZeuswassojealousofourpuregoldpacethatsparkledandshhteruhesunthanhisbronzeoheSeventhHeaven,thatheorderedKingDimitritodestroythepace.KingDimitrifirstmobilizedhiswholeKingdomtocoatthepairontocoveritsbrilliahenhadtoresorttoahurrieandtsunamitotopplethegoldpacetothebottomofourSunMoonLake.IheardthatKingDimitrialmostlosthislifeinthatendeavor.WhyhasKingZeusgedhismindandisallowingthegoldpacetedupahelightofdayagain?”

“Right,“saidLotus.“Isn’tthattreatingallthisasajoke?Likechildrenpyinghouse?Whatreallyhappened?”

“Yes,itis”sighedWhiteFairy.“TomakethislongstoryshortI’lltrytosummarizeitinafewwords.Retly,KingZeusbecameaddictedtothewineImakeoutofahundredflowers,soheoftensummoheSeventhHeaventomakeitforhim.Igottiredofmakingthoselongtrips,soIsuggestedteaghistwindaughtersCharmaineaiobrewthewinesohecouldenjoyitwheneverhewao.Heytoagreeandthatofcourseletmeoffthehookforever,asowoofthemknewhowtobrewthewineIwouldneverhavetogobackthereagaiernoonwhilethethreeofuswererestiweentheworkofwine-making,wesomehowgottotalkingaboutthegoldpace.Isaidthatthegoldpacewassomagnifitandwastheculminationofthousandsofyearsofhumancivilizationandteologyandalsomehatitwassuchawastetoletitsinktothebottomoftheke.CharmaineagreedandsaidthatitwasshewhofalsifiedFatherZeus’andandorderedcelestiartistsandwodowhandfinishbuildingthegoldpacewithinonenight.Shealsothoughtitawastetoletthegoldpaceremainierforever.ThetwosistersdecidedtheywouldtalktheirheavenlyfatherZeusintoresdinghisandahegoldpaceresurfaceagain.AtfirsttheydidnotsucceedfZeusstubbornlyrefusedtoresider.Butthetwoofthemdidnotdespairandbroachedthesubjectagainandagaiingtoweardowntheirfather’sresistanceovertimebynevergivingup.Finallyseeingthattheirstrategywasn,theydecidedtogetohard-liidusethreataswelscajoling.TheytoldtheirfatherthatifhedidnotagreetotheirrequesttheyandWhiteFairywouldstopmakingthewineforhimandhecouldneverhavehisfavoritedrinkagain.YouknowKingZeusisaglutton,aloodfoodandwineandCharmaineaiheapplesofhiseye,whomhecouldnotlivewithout,sointheendherelentedandallowedthegoldpacethtupfromthebottomoftheke.Itwasjustthatsimple!”

“Thisisreallyridiculous”sighedLotusshakingherhead.“Idon’tknowwhethertoughorcry.”

“Yes,it’sreallylikeafarce…”Thethreeofthemlookedateachotherandburstoutughing.WhiteFairystooduptogoandsaid,

“Well,Ihavetoldyouthegoodnews.Dayisbreakingandthesunwillbeupsoon,soIhadbetterleavenowandgoaboutmybusiness.”

“Hey,waitased”saidNataliepullingatWhiteFairy’shand.Lotushasafavortoaskofyou.”

“Afavorfromme?”TurningherquestiooLotus,sheasked,“WhatIdoforyou?”SoLotustoldherthewholestoryiaindrevealedhergrandpnfortheweddingba,adding

“Weneedfreshflowerstodecoratetheweddingba,buthavenowayofgettingsuchahugeamountofgoodqualityones.Iwasjustwaboutwhattodo.”

17

“IseeImustgratuteyouall”saidWhiteFairyherfacelightingupinhappinessaement.“FinallyallofyettingyourwishtoformallymarryKingDimitriinagroupwedding…ImustgobacktotheKingdomofDreamsassoonaspossibleaalltheloyalsubjeowthesehappytidings…”Butthenherexpressiongedandsheseemedsomehowashamedandsaddened.NatalieandLotusbothknewalboutherintimateretionshipwithMedusa,sotheydidnotsayanything.

“IthinkthatMedusaandIwouldnotbeabletoetoyourwedding”saidWhiteFairy…butwewouldliketogiveyouaweddi…Iwouldliketopresentyouwith100,000freshflowersasourweddinggifttoallofyou.Wouldthatbeenough?”Exgwithgreatemotion,LotusandNataliejumpedupandeachheldoneofWhiteFairy’shandwhichtheyshookwithexcitementandjoy.

“That’sjustgreat”excimedLotus.“Ikhatyouweretheooask.YouaretheFlowerFairyinchargeofalltheflowersatheybloomedattherightseason.Justimagine100,000flowers!That’smorethanenough!”WhiteFairylookedatthemistygardenoutsidethestrawhutandsaid,

“I’mafraidthatthebrahetreesandbushesoutthereotwithstandtheweightof100,000flowers.Let’sdoitthisway.Startingfromtodaywhenthefirstflushofdawnbreaksintheskies,Iwillorderohirdofthe100,000flowerstobloominthisgarden.Thiswillgoonforthreedaysandyouwillhaveall100,000flowers.Youmustanizegardeocutthemattheirprimeearlyinthemandstorethemproperly.Iguaratheywillremainfreshfortendays…That’sitthen.IhavetoleavenowandbriidingstoallthepeopleintheKingdomofDreams.”Sayingso,sheturnedbacktoawispofsmokeaothenightskies.LotusandNataliewatchedasthewispofsmokeflewfartherandfartherawayuntilitwasoutofsightaltogether.Atthesametimetheynoticedthatdaywasbreaking

andthefirstflushofdawnlitupthemskies.TheyseemedtohearjoyoussoundsofflowersnearandfarhailingtheirFlowerFairyandcelebratingtheirbirthintothisgarden.LotusandNatalieturheireyesbacktothegardenaroundthemandsawtotheiramazementthatmyriadsofmulti-coloredflowersofallsizesandshapeswerebloomingonallthetreesandbranches.Eadeveryflowerrepresentedabrandnewidea.

Standingbytheporch,Dornalookedtowardsthergegardenandsawthatiaherewerelotsofgardenersbusilycuttingdowntheflowers.Thentherewereotherswhocarefullysortedthemoutbyspecies,bouobunchesathemintocartswhichtookthemtothecoolundergroundparkinglot.Therewaswatersupplythereandhumidifiers,whichcouldkeeptheblossomsmoistandcool.

“Everythingisgoingacctoschedule”saidDorna.“Allseemsfine,sowhyareyousighingandlookingsomiserable?”Nataliearmsseemedtobeag,sosheputlittleMaureendowntothegroundandexcimed

“Hey,youarenolightweight,Maureen!Youwalkbyyourself,butdon’twanderfar,keepwithinht.”TurningtoDorna,sheadded,“JustnowIjusttoldyouhalfofwhatening.There’sstilltheotherhalf.Don’tbeimpatient,I’lltellyoutherest.”Sayingso,theytialkingandwalkingtowardstheflarden.

Thewispoflightsmoke,personificationoftheWhiteFairy,flewfartherandfartherawayuntilitblendedpletelyintothefirstlightofdawn.Nataliefeltanindescribablemencholyriseinherheart.ShewasrememberiimewhenKingDimitridirectedandchraphedtheballet“TheBearandtheFlower.”Iheses,theFlowerFairy,inationofWhiteFairy,wasborn.ItcouldbesaidthatitwasKingDimitriwhocreatedWhiteFairyandgaveherlife.Butnowshehaddecidedtogoherownseparatewayandliveherlifeacctoherownfreewill,choosingherowinationandhappiness…Lotus,oherhand,ilydashinginandoutoftheflowerbeds,carefullyexaminingthecolorsandshapesofthenewlybornblossoms,silentlydesigninginherheadtheflementsshewouldbecreatinginthebahall.Suddenlytheharshandpieroiseofgssshattering,theloudcrashofheavyobjectsfallingtotheground,mixedwithdistressedcriesandshoutsrentthecalm,serenesilehedawn.

“Ohmygosh!”criedNatalieindistress.“ItmustbeAmaliaagupagain!I’venoticedthatifewdaysherashavebeoreandmoreabnormandweird.Lastnightereallinbed,shesuddenlyturnedonallthelightssothewholehousebecamebrightlylitfromtoptobottom.Thensheknockedoneverybedroomdoorsshoutingloudly,“Hey!It’sdaytime,girls.Lazybo’stimetogetup!Whyareyoustillinbed?Yousleepfrtillnight.Isn’tthatenough,yousluggards?Up!Up!Getupatowaslikethatseveraltimesstnight,sononeofuswasabletogeta…AsIcouldn’tsleepanywaywithAmaliaagup,Idecidedtogetup,gotothegarden,andtryoutsomeofWhiteFairy’sdaepsaswelssomeofmyownwhichhadgottenrustywithckofpractice.Thewayit’sgoing,I’mafraidAmalia’sditionisgoingfrombadtoworse…SheiandYokohavereallydoneaspectacurjoboftakingalia,silentlyenduringalotofhardshipandinveniehoutpint.Idon’tseehowwearetoresolvethisinthelongrun…”

17

“Ohyes,”agreedLotus.“Thesetwohaveenduredalotandyouseetheyhavedarkcirclesbeheireyesallthetimebecauseofoverworkandckofsleep.SheitoldmethatAmaliahasbeenverydestructiveretly.Sheusedtoloveflowers,sotheykeptthevasesinherroomfilledwithfreshflowers.Nowadaysshewouldgetupstealthilyatnight,pulltheflowersoutofthevases,andsnapthestemsintwo.Thenshewouldpulloffthepetalsoftheblossomsandscatterthemalloverthefloor,creatingabigmess.Theyspendalotoftimeeverydayingupafterher,soSheiboughtsomebeautiful,realistic-lookingsilkandpsticflowerstoputinthevases,thinkingAmaliawouldnotbeabletosnapthemintwoortearoffthepetals.Butthatnight,Amaliatookthevasestothefaudfilledthemwithwater!Afterawhileshewouldpouroutallthewaterandterrefilledthem.Shespentthewholenightdoingthat,preventingothersfromgettingaall…Allthebeautiesarelovingsouls.Ithinkthatiureweshouldalltaketurnstakingalia.Therearequiteafewofus,soitshouldworkout.ItisnotfairtoburdenSheiandYokowithallthework…But,Novel’sgrandweddingisdrawingnear.Ihopeandpraythateverythingwillrunsmoothlyandnothinguntowardwouldhappentomartheevent…Well,Ithinkwehadbettergobacktothehousea’shappeningthere…”

“IreallyrespectSheiandYokoalot”saidNatalie.“Thetwoofthemaresokied,devoted,faithfundloyal.YokowasababirthandtakeninbyAmalia,wholiterallybroughtherup,soYokotreatsAmalialikeamrandmother.AsforShei,weallkragichistory.WhenshewasrescuedfromtheclutchesofthebarbariantribesbyAmaliaandbroughtbacktotheKingdomofDreams,weallsawthatsheplewithonelegshorterthaherandlimpedverybadly.Amaliahadmagicpowerswhichcouldbeusedondonly.Sheinallymeanttousethatonalifetimemagicpowertocureheronlysonofhisblindness,butshehadlosttrasincehewasaboy;whilehererightbeforehereyesirlthatneededherhelp.Outofthegoodnessofherheart,AmaliausedhermagicpowerstocureShei.Shefirstshrankthegirl’sbodytothesizeofafingerandswallowedherwhole,feelingherpassthroughherabdomenandreachherwomb.Thereshewasmadewholeandrebornintotheworldwithanewbody.Sheiwasuniqueiheonlypersoninthewholeworldtogobacktothewombandberebain.Shehadbeenreborn,normandpleteineveryrespecludinghervirginity,whichhadbeensosavagelytakenawaybygangsters.Herlegswerelong,straightaohelpherfaallifeseeBook1TheDreamMaker.Becauseofallthis,YokoandSheihavetakeheolddyselflesslyandwithoutpintthroughthidthinalltheseyears,.Theywerealwaysbyherside,takinggoodcareofher,reciprogherkindnessandfavorbyselflessdevotion.Theirloyaltyandselflessnesshasmademerespedlovethemmorethanever…”

“Yes”saidLotusafterapregnantpause.“Ifeelthesameasyoudo.Ioftenponderoverthereasonwhywehumansmustfaceoldage,siessandfinallydeath.Theprocessweghfrombirthtodeathisanungeablew.TakeAmaliaforinstance.Shehastheabilitytobreakthoughthetimeandspacebarrierbutstillotescapethisungeablew.DoyourememberthatmoonlitnightwhenAmaliaappearedovertheskiesoftheKingdomofDreamsforthefirsttime?Sheflewintipsilyicflyingbroom,sounsteadyonherseatthatshewasswayingdangerouslyfromleftthtuntilshefellheadlongintothecoldwatersofSun-MoowasfortuDeanna,whohadtheabilitytoremainierforthreedaysandthreenights,wasthere.ItwasshewhodivedtothebottomofthekeanddraggedAmaliatoshore.Amalia’saayseemstrange,oddandbizarreattimes,butsheisextremelygoodheartedandkindtoallthebeauties,aglikeakindandbenignelder…Butshetooisnoexceptiontothisuniversandungeablew.Shehasgrownold…WhatIsay?Doyourememberthewinternightswhenthewindswerehowlingoutsideandthesnowwasfalling?WewouldsitaroundthewarmcragfireandlistentoAmaliatellingusstoriesofpeuriesago?Istillrememberthosewonderfulstorieswithdelightandnostalgia.Thentherewerealsoeveningswhebythesideofthekeuheluminousmoonlightwiththespringbreezerufflingourhair,listeningtoAmaliaretstrangeandoutndishtalesahathappehousandsofmilesaway…Ah!Thosehappydaysaregoneforever,oreturn…IfKingDimitriknewhowsickAmaliahasbee,Iamsurehewouldbeextremelydistressedandworried…”NatalieandLotuswalkedonastheytalked.Theirfootstepsquickastheywentbaansion.

“Yourwordsremindmeofsomethingthathasalwaysbeenratherpuzzlingtome”saidNatalie.“WhatistherealretionshipbetweenAmaliaandKingDimitri?Orhassomethinghappeostraintheirretionship?It’slikeanenigmaticpuzzle,impossibletosolve.KingDimitriisveryrespectfultoAmalia,muchlikehowasosamother.Amaliareallytreatshimlikeasoimes,butthenatothertimes,shetreatshimlikeanenemy,likeathorninone’sfleshthatmustbepluckedout…“

“Idon’tkher”repliedLotus.“Thispuzzleislikeahotpotato.Idon’tthinkevenKingDimitriandAmaliaknowthereasonfortheirbehavior,sohowcouldweknow?Wetreatthemonlyasapairofmotherandsonwhohastheiroweretionshiptosolve…”

Thehurriecamequicklyandwasoverjustasfast!WhenNatalieandLotusgottothemansion,SheiandYokowerekneelingonthegroundbeforeAmalia,grabbingholdsandfher.Amaliawastiring.Havingthrowfit,shewasbeginningtocalmdown.ShepulledupSheiandYokoahreeofthemhuggedtogetherandcried.Elinawalkedovertothetriosmiling.Beinganophthalmologist,shehadmoremediowledgethahersahatnowwasthebesttimetocalmdownanunstablepatient.KnowingthatAmalialovedsweetsanddywasherpacifier,shehandedherapieceofchocote,saying,

“Thisismyfavoritebrandofchocote.Tryandseeifyoulikeit.”Amaliatookthechocoteandputitinhermouth.“Howwasit?Doyoulikeit?”Amalianodded.“Good.Ifyoulikeit,Iwillgiveyouawholeboxtomorrow.”Amalianoddedagain.Elinapouredsomewaterintoadgaveittohersaying,“Haveadrinkofwaterandtakethisvitaminpill.Youhaven’tsleptallnight;thepillwillreplenishyourenergy.”Amaliaobedientlyswallowedthepill.ActuallythemedicationElinagaveherwasnotavitaminpillbutasedative,becausesheknewwhatAmalianeededmostwassuffitsleep.SoonAmaliawasnoddingoff,soSheiandYokohelpedherstairstoherbedroomandtuckedheriheolddyhadleft,butaheavycloudstillhuhergelivingroom.EveryonewasworriedabouttheswiftdeeofAmalia’shealth.

“WeshouldtakeAmaliatoseeherpersonalphysitomorrow”saidElina.“Herditionisworseningsohermediayneedadjusting.It’suselessforustoworryinvainaboutit,becausehertreatmentisjobofmedicalprofessionals.”ThoughElina’sonsensewordsweretrue,itcouldnotlessentheheavysuffogatmosphereoftheroom.

“DoyouknowwhoLotusahegardenatdawnthism?”saidNatalie,wantingtolightenupeveryone’smood.“You’llneverguess…Itwasreallyagreatsurprise…”SheproceededtodescribeidetailthemeetingwithWhiteFairyintheflardeorysucceededindistrageveryotention.Theeyesofthebeautiesopenedwideinsurprise.Theireyeslightedupandallbegantalkingatonce,

“WhereistheWhiteFairy?”

17

“Wehaven’tseenherforalongtime…”

“Ireallymissher…”

“ShewasinahurrytoreportourhappynewsbacktothepeopleintheKingdom”repliedNatalie,“sosheleftratherhastily…”

“Youshouldnothavelethergo.IhavealotofquestionsabouttheKingdomofDreamsIwaoaskher…”

“Ohyes”addedNatalie,“ShetoldusthatKingZeusactuallygrantedourrequestteupthemagnifitgoldpathebottomofthekeaitsinalsiteonGiantMountain.Thegoldpaagaihelightofdayandsparklebrightandshinyuhesun.Isn’tthatgreatnews?Medusaisalreadyrollinguphersleevespreparingfora…”

“That’sgreat.”

“Yes,thatwonderfulnews!”

“domofDreamswillregainitspastglory…”Everyonewasexcitedlydiscussingthistesthappenihendlieleph.Novelanswered,

“Hello,thisisNovel…Isthatso...Really?Good.Ialreadyknowaboutit…Fromnowon,telleveryooptheirnormalworkroutineandtrateongatheringupalltheflowersthatarebloominginthegarden…Butcautioobecarefundnotcrushorharmanyofthebeautifulflowers…Telleveryothisworkwillgoonfortwomoredays.Itwillbethesametomorrowandthedayafter…Ifyouthinkweareshortofstaff,justhiremardeohelp.Hireasmanyashankyou…Iknow…Thankyou.”AlleyesturoNovelasshehungupthephone,sosheexpinedsaying,“ThatwasYonda.Shewasondutystnightatthelodge.Shesaidthatwhetomaketheroundsofthegroundsearlythism;thetreesandbusheswereheavywithflowersofallcolors,shapesandsizes.Shesaidthatneverinherlifehadsheseensomanyflowersallbloomatthesametimeandthatthesewasreallymajestidawesome.Shegratutedmesayingthatthiswasagoodomenformyupingwedding!”

“Ofcourseit’sagoodomen.Lookatthehundredsandthousandsofflowersrushingtobloom,allvyingtotakepartinyourweddingba.Howcouldthatnotbeagoodomen?”

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“Theweddingisnotonlyaboutme.It’sallofyoursaswell!”saidhegroupweddingofsomanyfabulousbeautiesmarryingKingDimitriwillsurelybeethetalkoftheworld!Thesehundredsandthousandsofflowersthatrushtobloomareallvyingtoattendyroupwedding!”Everyoalkingandughinghappilyaedly,whenElenamadeasignforquietandsaid,

“Sh-sh-sh.Tonedownyourvoices,dies,orelseyouwillAmalia,whomwehadjustputtosleep!Isuggestthateveryonegobacktobedandmakeupforthesleepyouallmissedstnight.Therearelotsofthingstodoafteryou.”Thebeautiestookheradvidalltroopedupstairstotheirroomstocatchalittlemoresleep;butLotusandNataliestayedinthelivingroomtalkingquietly,toowiredupbythem’seventstobeabletosleep.Theskiesbrightenedandthemsunpeekedouti.SoonAngelicaarrivedandjoihem.Lotustookherouttothegardentooverseeanddirecttheworkofcuttingandsttheflowers.

Oothegarden,NatalietoldDornathesedpartoftheeventssofarsoDornawasatstabletogettheeure.

“Asyoujustsaid,”tialie“everythinghadgoneverywelndeveryoneshouldbehappy.ButthefactthatAmalia’sAlzheimer’sdiseasehasworsenedandsheseemstobegoingswiftlydownhill,haveputadamperoneveryone’sspirits.It’shardtoimagithefuturewillhold…”

“Don’tworryaboutAmalia’sdition.Iamabletodealwithit”saidDornafullofself-fidence.“Leaveittome.Ifyoudon’tbelieveme,justwaitandsee…”

“Alzheimer’sdiseaseisnojokingmatter”saidNatalie,givingDornaawhiteeye.“Evedoctorsamodernsdteologyhavebeenstumpedandfindnocure.Whatyoudo?Onlyprofessionaldoctorsandpharmaciststhinkofwaystoslowtheprogressofthisdiseasethatuptonowhasnocure.Amalia’sditionisaveryimportantissuetousandisowetreatseriouslyandwithgreatcaution.Sodon’tyougoandtryyourhalf-bakedideasoheynotonlywon’tcureher,theymayevencausegreatdamage…Thenwhat?”JustthentheysawAngelidLotuswalkingtowardsthemfromtheotherendofthemansion.LotuswavedtothemandpoiowardsDorna’sbaotknowingwhatLotusmeant,DornalookedtoseewhatwasgoingonandsawMaureenrunningbacktowardsthemansion.Sosheshouted,

“HeyMaureen,whatareyoudoing?ebackhere.Don’tyougorunningalroundthepce…”andmadeasiftogoafterthelittledog.Natalieheldontoherarmandsaid,

“Letitgo,Dorna.It’sacleverlittleanimandmusthavefoundsomethingofi…”JustthenLotusandAngelicareachedthemandLotussaid,

“HiDorna,haven’tseenyouforawhile.IsthatlittlecockerspahatisrunningbacktowardsthemansioncalledMaureen…?”

“IgotacallfromSamanthaacoupleofminutesago”Angelicaadded,“sayingshewasonlyabouttwoblocksawayandwillbearrivingmomentarily.ShealsosaidshewasbringingCharina,the25thbeautyandthememberoftheKingdom,sowecouldgettoknoweachother…”

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“Sothat’swhyMaureenwasrunningbacktowardsthehouse”saidLotus.“Itmustknowsomehowthatitsmistressising…”JustthentheloudsoundenginesreachedthemandSamantha’sbrightred,streamlinedsportscarflewarouerfountainandcametoanabrupthaltatthefrontdoor.

SamanthabroughtthehappyaedCharinatothefrontdooroftheluxuriousmansion,intendingtointroducethe25thbeautytotheothermembersoftheKingdom.Butthemomeeppedintothehallway,theybecameawarethatallwasheatmospherewasverytense.Amaliawassittingonthesofainthemiddleoftheroom.Shehadwokenuparoundnoonandaswasher,hadimmediatelywokenupeveryohebeauties,whohadtogetoutofbed,getdressed,quicklydotheirmablutionsandthenhastendownstairstowaitonAmalia.SheiandYokohadmadefreshcoffeeforthosewhowantedany.Amaliadidnotdrinkcoffee,sotheymadeteaespeciallyforher.Samanthawalkedintotheroomandsawthatthebeautieswereallthrowingwarninggher.TheicedthatAmalia’seyeswerestaringbnklystraightaheadandrealizedthattheolddy’sillnessmusthaveactedupagain.ButsihsheandCharinahadalreadywalkedintotheroomandwerebothseenbyAmalia,therewasnoalternativebuttogoaheadaher…

“HiAmalia!”saidSamantha.“Howareyou?IamSamantha…LetmeintroduceyoutothememberdomofDreams.ThisisCharina…”TheolddyeruptedintoafurioustiradebeforeSamanthaevenfinishedspeaking,shoutingangrilyiirritation,

“Goaway!Idon’tknowyou…Scram!...GogetmeDimitri…Whyhasn’thebeentoseemeforsolong?Ishesoafraidofseeingme…?Gogethim…”Charinawasshockedbythisrudereception.Herfaceflushedwithembarrassmentandshewishedshecouldjustsinktotheground.Uandingherfeelingsofawkwardnessandshame,Samanthasqueezedherhandtightlyasiftelliocalmdownandnotbearmed,thatAmaliawasaverysickoldwoman.ThebeautiesweresoappalledbyAmalia’srudeandunfriendlygreetingthattheywerestruckdumbanddidnotknowhowtoreact.LuckilyDornaahreeotbackjustintime.SeeingthehelplessexpressionsofthebeautiesandCharinastandingtherewithherheadhunglowandherfaceredwithhumiliation,thesharpaiveDornaimmediatelyrealizedwhathadhappened.Nataliegherasifsaying,“Amomentagoyousaidwecouldleaveeverythingtoyou.Well,nowisthetimetoshowyourstuff!Dosomething.”DornastrodeovercasuallyandfidentlytowardsAmalia,bowedrespectfullytoherandthensaid,

“HiAmalia.IamDorna…Doyourememberme?...Iusedtopyhide-and-seekwithyou.Haveyotten?...”Amalia’sfaceremainedwoodenandexpressionless.Itwashardtotellwhatshewasreallythinkingandfeeling.Dornadrewanartheairbeforeherandasked,

“Doyourememberyouusedtohaveamagicflyingbroom?Ihavelearouseittoo.Wouldyoulikemetotakeyououtandpy?”Sayingso,shemadeamovementofgettingonabroomandabouttoflyoff.Sheingtodistracttheoldwomaoodsideanddiffusethesituation.Butfarfrombeingpacified,Amaliagotangryandshouted,

“Scram!Idon’tknowyou.Stopbme…GoameDimitri.Whyhasn’thebeentoseeme?...Thatdevil!”However,Dornawasnotdauherebuff.ShewalkedovertoAngelica,whisperedsomethinginherearwhichmadeAngelicaturnaheroom.Dornawalkedbaalia,stoopeddown,cppedherhandsandsaid,

“ehereMaureen!eoverandsayhitoAmalia.”TheintelligentlittledogwalkedovertoAmaliaandsatdown.Thatcute,pudgylittlecockspanielwasreallyquiteadorableandfewwhosawitcouldresistitscharm.Amaliahadbeensobusyrantingandravingthatshedidnotnoticedtherewasalittledogsittingatthefootofitsmistress.Whenshesaearbeforeher,hereyeslightedupandasmileappearedonherfaceasshemumbled,

“Littledog…Cutelittledog…Itsfurislongandshiny….Lookatit,sofatandcuddly.ItlooksjustlikeDimitriwhenhewassmall…Ahyes!Thismustbemyson,Dimitri!!!”AmaliastoopedforwardtopatMaureen’sheadandstrokeitssmooth,shinycoatoffur.ThebeautieswereamusedbyAmalia’sstrange,ramblingwords,butdidnhoutloudthoughitwasreallyhardforthemtosuppresstheirmirth!ButthehoughtitwasreallysadtoseetowhatditionAlzheimer’sdiseasecouldreducethehumanmind.Itwasalsoveryworrisometorealizethatthisdiseasewassomethingthatmodernscehasnocureforandtheyhadyettolearnhowtopreventit.Justthenlivelyandjoyfulmusicofthecha-chadanceflewintotheroom.ThatwaswhatDornaaskedAngelicatodo.DornapattedMaureen’srumpandsaid,

“Goodboy.Goodboy.Now’syourcetoshowoffyourwonderfulcha-chadaoAmalia!Goon!Doyourstuff!IfyoumakeAmaliasmile,Iwillgiveyouagreatrewardter.”Maureenbarked,“Bo!”asifsaying,“Noproblem.It’salloproceededtogetupanddahecha-cha,twistingitspudgybodyandswingingitsheadacctothemusic.Amaliawassoentedwiththedangdogthatsheugheduntilshewasbendedover.Thebeautieshadneverbeforeseenalittledogdancesorhythmicallytomusiceither;thereforetheytoowereenthralledbytheperformance,cppedloudlyandughed.Merry,tinklingughtermoremusicalthananymelodyfilledthergelivingroom,dispersiense,belligerent,andawkwardmoodthathadcovereditearlier.DentlypulledAmaliaupfromthesofaandbegandangwithherandAmaliadan,herslowandsluggishmovementskeepingtimetothemusic.DornalookedtriumphantlyatNatalieasifsaying,“SeehowI’mdoing?Youdidn’tbelieveIcoulddoiteh?Doyoubelievemenow?”Inthishappy,peadjoyfutmosphere,SamanthaonceagainintroducedCharinatothebeautiessoeveryonecouldgetacquaihebeautiesweledherwithopenarmsandftteringwordsofwelesaying,

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“Lookhowbeautifulyouare!Andwhatwonderfulfigure!”

“Ah,butyourstyleandnobledispositionareevenmoresuperior,fittingforafamousauthoress!”

“Oh!Howdoyoukeepyourskinasasmoothassilkandasvelvety?”

“Enough!Stopplimentingher”shoutedDornaasshedancedbywithAmalia.“Toomanyplimentswillsoundhypocritical.Everyonehereisbeautiful.Iamalsobeautiful.Wewillsoonallbebeautifulbrides.Everyoneherewillsoonbeeabride.TherearesomanybridesherethatweestablishaNewBridesClub,whatdoyouthink?Weallhaveadualidentity.WearemembersofKingDimitri’sKingdomofDreamsaswelsmembersoftheNewBridesClub.Whatdoyouthinkofmysuggestion?It’slikekillingtwobirdswithoone.”Everyoneburstintoughteratherwords.LotusweoSheiandYokosaying,

“Amaliaisinagoodmoodnow.CouldyoutwotrytocoaxherintontheeseManadebyhandespeciallyforher?Everyonewillbeinwhite,butherdressisred.Thatwillstandoutinaseaofwhite.Don’youthinkso?”Novelagreedandsuggested,

“Ithinkweshouldalltryonourweddinggownsforthefinaltimeteron,tomakesurethateverythingfitsperfectly.Thereisstilltimeforst-mierationsnow.Aftertodayitmaybetoote.”Allthebeautiesthoughtitwasagoodsuggestionandagreedtodoafinaltry-on.NovelsuddenlythoughtofsomethingandaskedCharina,

“Yourweddinggownisperhapsnotfi.Didyouknowthateachofushasaspecialflowerthatrepresentsus?Ithasbeenembroideredontotheveindtothehemofourweddinggown.Whenyouseethefloweryouwilutomaticallyknowwhomthegownbelongstoandtherewillbenofusion.Takemeforinstance,myfloweristhecliviaandithasbeenembroideredontothehemofmyweddinggownandveil.Whatisyours?”

“Rhododendrons.Ilovethem,soIchoseittorepresentme.”

“Ah,rhododendrons…!That’sgreat!Ilovethemtoo.Theyarebeautiful,elegantandcssy-asuitablerepresentativeforafamousauthoress.”

“I’vebeenthinkingthatsomeoneismissinghere,”excimedElina.“buthavebeenwwhothatwas.NowIsuddenlyremembereditwasel.Wherecouldshehavegooallone?”

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“Ifsheisnothere,shemustbesomewhereinthegarden”answeredNovel.“Don’tworry.Shewolost.She’llturnupsometime.”SamanthawalkedoverfromtheotherendofthelivingroomandsaidtoNovel,

“ThismAishasaidthatweshouldgiveawelingpartyforCharina.Since,mostofusarealreadyherewithonlyAishaandMegginnmissing,whydon’twegivethepartytoday?”

“Why,that’sjustwhatIwasthinkingabouttoo.There’snodayliketoday.Let’sdoit…”ThenturningtoCharinashesaid,“Wewilllbegoingupstairstotryonourweddinggowns,leavingyoualoneheredownstairs.Ihopeyoudon’tmindandwon’tfindusginhospitality!”

“HowcouldI?”repliedCharina.“NowweareallmembersoftheKingdomofDreamsandascloseassisters.Don’tbeoversensitive.OfcourseIdon’tmind.”Thenlookingtowardsherhandbagonthesofa,sheadded“Ibroughtmycameraalongtodaywiththeiionofbeingyourphotographer.Iwanttotakepicturesofeadeveryoneofyou.Ifyoudon’tmind,mayIalsotakesomeofthisluxuriousandcssiclivingroom?“

“Ofcourse”repliedNovel.“Pleasedoasyouplease.”Thecha-chadanded.Amaliaantingalittle,herforeheadcoveredwithslightperspiratioiredbutstilletedandispirits.Everyoheredaroundherandapaniedhertothesedfloor,wheretheytoowenttotheirownroomstotryontheirweddinggowns.AllofasuddenCharinawastheonlyointhergelivingroom.

Thisluxuriouslivingroomwasofcssicdesignandrgeenoughtoeasilyaodateahundredguestswithoutanyonefeelingcramped.Itwasbrightlyilluminatedaedanimpressionofserenehappiness.ItwasonlythenthatChariofeelfreeofayandaleisurelycalmdesdeduponher.Sheexamihearrasanddecorationsintheroomandwanderedfromonefurnituregrouptoanother,eachdifferentinageandnationality.ThePersiancarpetunderherfeetwasthidsoft,extremelyfortabletothetouchofherfeet.Herattentionwascaughtbythemarblefishpondtowardsthesouthwesteroftheroom.Shewalkedoverandsawfoot-long,multicoloredcarpsswimmingaround.Inthemiddleofthepoolwereextremelyrealistiiaturemountainsdottedwithopehroughwhichaperturesspringwatergushedout,providingfreshwaterforthepool.Ifthosefishhadfeelings,theywouldbeextremelygratefultohavebeenchosentoliveinsuchapamperedenviroheonlyfwinanotherwiseperfectsettingwastheywerenotabletoswimfreelyintheirnaturalhabitat.Charinawalkedonandcametoabarstockedwithfamousliquorfromaroundtheworld.Thesurfaceofthebarwasextremelyandshonelikeamirrorandthebaritselfwasexquisitelymade,witheveryerroundedandpolished.Itlookeddenseandheavy,madeofsomeunknown,highqualitywood.Attheedgeofthelivingroomhegardenwasasmallroomwhosedoorwasleftslightlyajar.Therewasacrucifixhangingonthewall.Justbeloredieuafrontforprayerbooks.Charinalookedinandsawsomeonedressedinawhiteweddinggownkneelingonthepredieu,handsfolded,prayingfervently,argeBibleopenedinfrontofher.Charinawasmoved.Shehelduphercameraandtookapictureoftheprayingbride.Unsatisfiedwithonlyo,shesoftlypushedopenthedoorandtiptoedintotherooheinterioroftheroomwasratherdark,whichtriggeredthefshlightofthecamera.Thesuddenstrongfshstartledthebride,whoslowlyturnedaround,pushedasideherveiltolookattheintruder.Asmilelighteduphercalmfaceasshesaid,

“AlthoughIhaveneverseenyou,IguessyouareCharina,thememberdomandits25thbeauty.AmIright?”Charishyanduneasyasshemurmured,

“…yes…yes…IamCharina…Iamsosorrytohaveinterruptedyourprayers.Itwasreallythoughtlessofme.ButthesightofyouprayingferventlywassomovingthatIfeltagreaturgetocapturethemomentaforeverasaportrait.Iamsosorry…sosorry…Ihopeyouwillfiveme…”Fromthepurplepassionflowerembroideredonherveindhem,Charinaknewshewastheex-nunel.el’sfaceretaiscalmsmileasshesaid,

“Don’tbmeyourselftoomuch.IhaveeoutofmyreverieandhavereceivedGod’srevetion,somyprayersareatanend.Youdidnotinterruptme.”eltriedtogetupasshespoke,butbecauseshehadbeenkneelingforalongtime,herlegswerecrampedandshecouldnotdoso.Seeingelputtingherhandonthepriedieutohelpherselfup,Charinarushedtoheraidandsaid,

“Really?YouhavereceivedGod’srevetion?Wouldyoubewillingtoshareitwithme?”elstoodup,movedhercrampedlegsaroundandsaid,

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“IcameheretotakeleaveofGod,becauseKingDimitriaskedallthemembersofhisKingdomtoseekanormallife.Hiswordswere‘toseektheirownfuturehappiness’.IwasinaquandarybecauseIhadthoughtthattheKingdomofDreamswasmyfiination.AlthoughtheKingdomhasbeeroyed,Iroudandsatisfiedtohavebeehe24beauties,andwaswillingtoliveouttherestofmylifethus.ButKingDimitriaskedustoseekouroyfuture.Iwasmystified.Whatisanormallife?SoIcameheretoprayandseekrevetiod.InthesilenceofprayerIseemedtohearsomeoome,“Thereisonlyoh.ItiseitherinmyhandsorinKingDimitri’s.”Thus,theproblemhadbeensimplified.Ijusthadtochoosebetweewo.Immediatelyafterthatwordsfromthescripturescameintomymind.“ThentheLodsaid,“Itisnotgoodforthemantobealone.Iwillmakehimahelpersuitableforhim.”TheLodfashiooawomantheribhehadtakenfromthemanandbroughthertotheman…”ItseemsthatGodagreedwithKingDimitri’swayofthoughtahisinKingDimitri’shands.Anormallifeistheunionofamanandawoman.Iwillnolongerbemystifiedorbeinaquandary.IwillgoforthasKingDimitrisuggestedandseekmyoinessandfuture.”Charinanoddedsilentlyandsaid,

“…perhapsyourquandaryismyquandaryandtheansweryoucametoisalsomyanswer…”el’scalmsmilewasenhahejoyofprehensionandrealization.

“Let’sgooutside”shesuggested.“Theothersmusthavefiheirfinaltry-onbynowandwillsoonbeingdown.Yourcamerawillbeputtogoodusethen.”

elledCharinaoutoftheprivatechapendwalkedtotheterofthelivingroom,whereanexpensivelycarvedcssidpianostoodinitsfullsplendorinaclearedoutspaclutteredbyfurnitureorors.Itseemedtobethepceforpianocertsorsmallindoormusicalperformances.elsatdownooolbeforetheinstrument,opeandwasabouttopysomethiheyheardtheswishingsoundofskirtsanddressesasstiffmaterialrubbedtogetherandthemerrysoundsofughterandchatterofyounggirls.

“Don’tpush!”saidDorna.“Look!Youaresteppingonmyskirt…”

“Who’spushing?”saidavoicethatsoundedlikeAngelica’s.“You’retheonewho’sshovingandjostling.See!Youhavemademyveiloffter!”Soon,themembersofthenewlyestablishedNewBrides’Clubtroopedintotheroom.elimmediatelypyedtheheWeddingMardCharinaclickedawaywithhercamera,takingclose-upshotsofallthebeauties.

ThefirsttorushdowairswasofcoursethecleverlittledogMaureen.Assoonasitreachedlevelground,itbeganbarkingandjumpiedlytoexpressitsexhiration.ThencameAmalialeadingtheprocessiondowairsdressedinherredManchugowe-hairedolddywashelpedbytwotalndslenderyounggirls,SheiandYoko,bothdressedintheirsnowwhitebridalgownsbutwithveilsthrownbackastheywerebusyseeingtoAmalia’ssafetyandfort.Thehemsoftheirgownswereembroideredwiththeirsigflower,Shei’sbeingthecamelliaandYoko,thecherryblossom.Astheywalkedslowlydowairs,thestronglytrastingcolorsofredandwhitewereespeciallyeye-catgandstriking.Amaliawasjoyousandjubint,asifsensingthiswasnoordinaryday.Shewasbusycallingout,

“Hey,Dimitri!Dimitri!Don’tgogallivantingaround.ebackheretomyside…”ShewasstillcalliledogMaureenbyhersonDimitri’sname.Oeousideagotcaughtiwistedmind,itwashardforhertoge.Behindher,withhandsoftlytougthebanistercamearegabride,dressedinfullregaliafrandandformalwedding.Shefloateddowairslightasacloud,herfacehalf-cealedunderamid-lengthveilmadeofsilktullewithdifferentversionsoftheboldandcolorfulflowercliviaembroideredbyhandatitserswhichwasalsoadorhmulticems.Theveilwasheldinpcebya“halo”tiaramainlyofrubiesencircledwithdiamonds.Thiswasarofthisweddingofthetury.Hermovementshadtobeslowandcarefusherweddinggownhadanine-footlongtrain,whichwasalsodottedwithcemsandceappliquéofthebeautifulclivia.Elina,hercousinandbridesmaid,dressedinherownweddinggownembroideredatthehemwithgoldandsilverjasmine,walkedbehindherholdingontothetrainofthebridesoNovelwon’ttripoairs.Alltheweddinggownsweremadeuniformlyofthesamedesignandallweremadefromivoryandwhitesatin.Thelong-sleeveddsatingownlookedbothmodernandtraditionandhadasatinbodiarrowatthewaistbutfringoutatthehipwithboxedpleatsresemblinganopeningflower.Differentflowers,representingthedifferentwearerswerehandcutfromdhandsewnontothehemoftheivorysatinweddinggownaheonlydifferehatNovel’sgownalonehadalongtrain.Thoseofalltheotherswereflthandmucheasiertomahiswasonlyatry-on,thebridesdidnotbothertoweartheirjewelry.Onthedayoftheformalceremony,wheontheirfirings,neckces,earringsandbracelets,thedazzlingdispyofpearls,diamonds,rubies,sapphiresandotherpreciousgemswouldbesuretoaddanauraofbrilliandsplendortotheevent.Thelonggaxyofthedozenorsolovelybridesalldressedintheireboratewhiteweddinggownsproceededsedatelydowairs.Someofthemdemurelycoveredtheirfaceswiththeirveils,whileothersliftedthemslightlywhilewalkingdowairs.ThemostunrulybridewasofcourseDorna.Shewasrestlessandhadalwaysbeeninthehabitofstrivingtobethefirst,sosheshovedandpushedtogetahead.Shenaturallydidnotbothertowearherveilproperlyandpusheditwaybaherfacesoitwouldn’tbotherher.Lasttowalkdownwasgeus,whodidnotliketojostleandthrustanddidn’tmindbringinguptherear.

Click,click,clitCharina’scamera.Thefshofeachtakelighteduptheroomwhilehermindtratedoncatgthemostmemorableandpreoments.As,thoughshecouldstoreuptheseinvaluablememoriesinhercamera,itossibletocapturethepassageoftime.Nothinginlifeisperfect.Solongasthosememorableseshadbeencaptured,welyletthepassageoftimebelostforever…Thatissomethingthatisirretrievableandirredeemable.Thefourteenbridesintheirbridalgownsstrolledaroundthehugeformallivingroominsmallgroupsoftwosorthrees,theirpurewhiteweddinggownsrepresentingthesacredandpurevowsihoftheirhearts.ThefourteenbridesweresomehowalluhemisguidedillusionihoftheirheartsthattheywerestilllivinginthatbeautifundfarawayKingdomintheDreams,butthattheyhadsomehowtransferredthatbeautifulKingdomtothemundaneworld.hemcouldexpinorcrifywhytheythoughtso.Intheirheartstherewasonlyavagueandintriguingfeelingoffutility.AcctoKingDimitri’stheory,dreamsartofreallifeandalsoitsextension,sotherewasnorealdiffereweewo.Tobemoreprecise,theKingdomofDreamsexistedintherealworld,sotherewasnoneedforexpnationsorcrifications.

Click!Click!Charina’scameraclickedagaintwidthefshexplodedatthesametime.IntheerofhereyeshesawNataliewalktowardsendwhisperedsomethinginherear.elnoddedandthehemofherskirtembroideredwiththepurplepassionflowermovedwiththeslightmotionofherfeetonthepedalsasmagiotesflewfromhernimblefingers.Ah,itwasthethemesonginAct2ofKingDimitri’sballet“TheBearaerfly”whereaseaofexuberantflowersflutteredandswayedinjoyhailihoftheflowerfairywhenthefirstrayofsunshineappeared.Natalietookdownherveibetweehumbandforefihenshekickedoffherdaintysilverstilettoandbegandangtothemusic.Acssicballetdanataliehadbeenstrictlytrainedoveralongperiodoftimetofreelytrolhermuscles,soalthoughshewaswearingaclose-fittingweddinggowntailoredtoherspecificmeasurements,shewasstilbletoexpandortracthermusclestogiveherselffreedomofmovementwithinherclothestoeasilyperfhlydifficultandteicalmoves.Sheseemedtobehalf-floatingintheairashernimblefeetdanced,jumpedandcircled,touglightlyohick,softPersiancarpet.Thegdiosembroideredontothehemofherskirtseemedtoopenandcloseasshewhirledby,leavingheraudiencegaspinginamazement.Herexpertisewassuchthateverytimethetipofhertoestouchedtheground,shecouldalwaysavoidbeingtrippedbyherheavylongskirt,whichshowedthatstrictdisciplirainingwereeffectiveandasolidfoundationwasnht.Thethihatsheheldbetweenherfingerswastransparentasthewingsonfly,andresembledapuffofsmasitflewupanddownwithherdangfigure.ThemesmerizedbeautieswatchedasNataliedanlightahereal,flutteringandswayingdelicately,enthrallingthemsopletelythatwhenthedandedandthemusicstopped,theywerestilltooentedtoreact.Itwasonlyafterafewsedsofsiletheyrealizedtheshowwasoverandbegangandcallingout“Bravo!Bravo!”enthusiastically.

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Dressedintheirwhitebridalgownsoftheexactsamedesign,thedozenorsobeautiescrowdedaround,watgNatalie’sexquisitedaonelonefiguredetachedherselffromthegroupandwalkedtowardsthewindows.Charmedbythisbeautywhosewalkwasaselegantandgracefusadroopingwillowdanggentlyinthewinds,Charinaclickedhercameraandwithafshoflightcapturedtheviewofherback.Whoisshe?Theredrosesonthehemofherskirtandveil,nowrevealed,nowhidden,gaveawayheridentity.ItwastheworldcssfashionmodelSamantha.Nowonderherwalkwassobewitg!Takinghercellphoofherpurse,Samanthawalkedovertothewindowtomakeacall.Toofarawaytohearwhatwasbeingsaid,Charina’seyeswentseargforotheriingsubjectstorecord…

“…HiMegginn,thisisSamantha…Whereareyouat...?Whenwillyoubeabletogethere...?We’rehavingaballhere.Fourteenofthegownshavebeentriedonaperfectly.OnlyyouandAishahaven’ttriedyourso…Charina’swon’tbereadyforothertwo,threedays,buttheypromiseditwoulddefinitelybedeliveredthedaybeforethewedding…eonginn.We’rehavingareallygreattime.AmaliahasputontheredesegownthatLotusmadeforherahinglookssobeautifundstriking.We’reallwaitingforyou…”

“Good,Ijustfinishedupmyworkhereandamonmywayover.IfthereisnotrafficIshouldbethereinabouthalfanhour…IsAishathere...?...?That’sgreat,becauseitwouldlookbadifshegottherebeforeme.Afterall,sheisourqueen…”

“Aren’tyouwithher?YouweretherewithheratherhousewhewithCharinatoorderherweddinggown…”

“MycarbrokedownthismbythewaysideandAishadrovemetotheWorldBankbecausetherewassomeunfinishedbusinessIhadtoattendto.Shewaoworkohesissoshewenthome…”

“Sothat’showitis.Well,IcalledAishaarouwoo’clockthisafternoon.IaskedhertoeforthefinalfittingatNovel’spdtoldhereveryoneisherewaitingforher.Shesaidshemaynotbeingbecauseshewaoworkohesis,butwhenItoldherweweregivingawelepartyheretodayforthememberdomsinceeveryonewasalreadyhere,shepromisedtoshowupalittleter…Somehow,Ihadafeelingthatsomethingwasweighingheavilyonhermindandshewasn’tveryhappy.Doyouknowwhy...?”

“Don’tworry.Everythingwillbefi’sjustarivatethoughts.’tyouuand?Sheisourqueen,butontheeveroupwedding,KingDimitri,thebridegroom,isstillmissingandwhereaboutsunknown.Naturallysheisnotfeelinggoodaboutit.Butdon’tworry.QueenAishahasalwaysbeeotrolherfeelings.YousawhowstoicshewasandneverevenblinkedwhehtheinvasionofthebarbariantribesaruoftheKingdom.ShecalmlytookcareofthingsthebestshecouldandwasthesttoleavetheKingdom.Whyworryabouthernow?”

“Yes,yht.Youranalysisisverylogidving...QueenAishaisourqueenandIhavefullfidenher.Sinceeverythingisalright,youjusteonoverassoonaspossible.We’reallwaitingforyou.”Withthatbothofthemhungup.

Chariohavefouarget.Lotuswasstandingbythefishpondfeedingthecarps.Charihecameratohereye,onthereadytocapturetheiingmomentthatcameup.Lotuslookedatthedozene,multi-coloredcarpscrowdingbytheedgeofthepoolwaitingtobefed.Whehrewsomefeedintothefishpond,thecarpsierfoughtandscrambledtogettheirshare,theirrgebodiesthrashingpowerfullyiercausingittofoamandspsh.Ohemactuallyleapthighupabovethewaterandmadeasomersaultintheairbeforedroppingbatothefray.Charinaclickedtheshutteratjusttherightmomentandrecordedthisiingsomersaultforprosperity!Lotushadalreadysteppedbathepoofterthrowinginthefeed,knowingaheadoftimeofthefrenzythatwastohappen,sowhenthatrgecarpfellbatothepoolsloshingandsptteringwateralround,Lotuswasalreadyaway,scoldinggood-naturedly,

“Youguysaresobad!Younaughtythingswanttogetmeallwet,eh?Wellnottoday!IamnotgoingtopybecauseIdon’twanttogetmynewweddingfinerywetanddirty!”Sayingso,shethrewtherestofthefeedsheheldinherhandintothewaterandwalkedawaytowardstherestofthebeauties.Charina’scamerahadcaughtanothersubject.DornaullingMarabythehandasshewalkedtowardsthebar.ThehemofDorna’sweddinggownwasembroideredwithsprightlycys,whileMara’swasembroideredwithbeautifulmagnoliablossoms.

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“Youwaolearnhowtomakecocktails,right?”saidDornaasshewalked.“Well,ealongandIwillshowyou.It’snotplicatedatall.Infact,it’sreallyeasy…”Therestlessgirlcouldnotremainstillforahoftime.Shewalkedbehindthebar,rolleduphersleevesandputonanapron.Tohercredit,sherememberednottogetherbrandnewbridalgowndirtybeforethewedding.MarawalkedintothebarafterherandcopiedallofDorna’smovements.Shealsorolleduphersleevesandputonanapron.Dornatoldherwhichbottlestogetfromtheetandputontheter,whileshegotaygssfromthecupboard,saying

“Lookcarefully!Thisisgin.Pourasuitableamountoftonicwater,justlikethis,addsomeicecubes,swirlitwithastrawandvoi,yougetgintoniowthisisrum.Addsomecoke,twirlitandyouhaverumcoke…Thisisvodka,addasuitableamountejuice,twirlitandyouget‘screwdriver’…Simpleandeasy,isn’tit?Butofcoursetheseareonlythemostbasiccocktails.Iwillteachyouthemoreplicatedoer….”

“Well”saidMara“thatwasquiteiing.Butyouhadbetternotmakethesedrinkst.QueenAishaisn’thereyet.Youdon’twaoarriveandfindusallintoxicated,wouldyou?”

“OfcourseIknowthat,silly!”saidDorna.“Don’tworry;Ihavemadethemverylight…”ShelookedaroundandsawthegoldenhairedMarystandingbythewindow,ptingthesulostinthought.Sheraisedhervoidcalledout,

“HeyMary!Wouldyoupleaseeoverhereforaminute?”Hearingsomeonecallingher,Maryquicklyturnedaround,herheavy,longgoldentressesrevolvingwithheratthemove.Charinasawherdimmediatelyclickedhershutterstorecordthesplitsedaofthegirlsmilingoverhershoulders,herlonghairswivelingassheturned.SeeingDornawavingandcallingher,Marywalkedover;thegoldenyellowdaffodilsembroideredonthehemofherskirtplementingthelonggoldentressesonherheadandlookedveryprettytogether…

“ThesecocktailsaresomesimpleartIcasuallymadetoshowMara.Wouldyouliketotakethemovertothebeautiesandaskthemtosamplethem?...Whatwouldyouliketodrinkyourself,Mary?...WouldyoulikemetomakesomeBloodyMaryforyou?”

“BloodyMary?”excimedMary“Whatafrighteningname!No,Idon’twantthat.Makemesomethingelse…”Sayingso,Marysmiled,tookthedrinksandwalkedaway.

MarytookhertrayofdrinkstowhereAmaliawassittingandofferedthemfirsttoheraohertwopanionsYokoandShei.Sheproceededtopywaitresstothebeautieswalkingtoandfrobetweenthebarandthebeautieswithhertrayofcocktails.Whebacktothebar,shesawthatDornaandMarawerestillbusymakingallkindsofcocktails.Fromtheerofhereyeshecaughtsightoftwobeautieswhomshehadserved.Onewaswearingaweddingdresswithivorywhiteplumflowersembroideredonthehemandthehemoftheotherwasembroideredwithbluish-purplewisteria.TheywereLaverneandRomi,headsclosetogethertalkinginlowvoices.

“It’sstraQueenAishaisnothere.”saidLaverne.“Couldsomethinghavehappened?Sheshouldhavebeenhereearly…”

“Yes,”repliedRomi.“Somethingimportantmusthaveeuporshewouldhavebeenherelongago…Haveyoueverthoughtthatasthingsare,QueenAishaisuremendouslotofpressure?Nooneelseotherthanherwouldbeuptodealingwithwhatsheisfag…”

18

“Thereareseventeenofus,includingCharina,thetestmemberdomlivinginthisrealworld”musedLavernefrowning.“Ifyoudon’ttAisha,therearestillsixteen.Thoughweareallcapableandindepepeople,therearealwaystroubliionsinourlivesthatmakeusfeeltheogotoherforselingandguida’sreallygraciousofhertoalwayscarefullyandcautiouslyhelpusdealwiththedetailsofourlivesthatworriedus.Aishaislikenootherwoman.Sheissointelligent,decisiveandcapablethatheradviddecisionsarealwaysorderly,methodidtothepoint.Sheisalsoagreatschorandspendswhattimeshecouldoudies.Idon’tknowanyoneelsewhocoulddowhatshedoes…”

“Yes,thatisso”agreedRomi.“ThereareseventeenmembersoftheKingdomlivinginthisrealworld,nottingStephanieandIleenassedawayshedidnotknowthatIleendidnotdiebutwaslivingalifeofrepentanValleyofGahannaandMarianna,whomwehadneverseeherearestillWhiteFairyandMedusalivingintheKingdomofDreams,CharmaineainelivingwithKingZeusintheSeventhHeavenandDeannawhohadeppedoutofthendofherbirthandhadneverseesideworld.Idon’tthinkanyofthemwouldbeingtothewedding.Eveniftheydoioe,Idon’tthinkthereisenoughtimetomakeweddinggownsforthem…”

“Idon’tthinktheywillbeing…”saidLaverillfrowning.“DeannaisinthefarawayKingdomofDreamsandCharmaineaiillfartherawayintheSeventhHeaven.Thereisnowaytoletthemknowofthisgrandandeboratewedding…Tobeperfectlyfrank,thefewertheattendants,thefewerwillbethethingsAishahastotakecareof…Ifallthreeofthemcame,Aishawouldhavethreemorepeopleonherhands.Hercupwhichisalreadyfulltothebrimwouldbeoverflowing…”JustthenMarywalkedoverwithhertrayofdrinkssaying,

“Hey,youtwomustbethirstyafterchattingallthistime.ehavesomedrinksthatDornajustmade…”andhahemeachacocktail.

“Thankyousomuch,Mary”saidRomi.“Youshouldn’thavetowaitonus.Giveusadwewouldhavewalkedetthem…”Marysmiledandsaid,

“It’sokay.Weareallsistersanddispehallthispoliteness…”Maraalsowalkedaveeachofthemasmalldishoffingerfoodfromhertray.Dornastoodbehindthebarandlookedaroundtomakesurethateveryonehadbeenserved.Shetookoffherapron,rolleddownhersleevesandsaidtoAngelica,

“Heydj,whataboutsomemusic?”

“Noproblem”repliedAngeliodding.Sheturnedaheroom,herskirtwithhibiscusembroideredatthehem,swayingasshewalked.Soonthergelivingroomwasfilledwiththedelightfulmusicofacssicalwaltz.DornawalkedovertoAmalia,bowedasrespectfullyasalemaendingonehandtowardshersaidsolemnlyinadeepvoice,

“MayIhavethehonorofthisdance,Ma’am?”SheiandYokowerevulsedwithughter.SeeingthatAmaliawasstillinagoodmood,theypulledherupfromthesofaandwalkedaroundthedancefloorwithherseveraltimesasifstrollingandexergintheparkwithMaureenfollowingbehind.Then,fearingshewouldtwistheranklehheeledshoesorfalldown,theyledhertoasofatorest.DorovertoNovelandsaid,

“You’tpossiblydahthatnine-footlongtrain,soyoulysitandbeaspectator!”ThenturningtoElena,thebridesmaid,shesaid,“Butyou,beautifulbridesmaid,don’tsitthereinadazedoingnothing.eanddahme!”ShepulledElenaupandtheywalkedtowardsthedancefloor.Whiledang,Dornacalledoutinaloudvoice,“Hey,pianist!balletdancespecialist!eandjointhedanceorelsethislovelymusicwouldbewasted!Whatareyouguyswaitingfor?eon,joinineveryone!Youtoo,greatphotographer.Youhavebeenbusytakingpicturesofeveryoneelse;it’stimeyouenjoyedyourselftoo!”SoCharinainherbluedressandwithhercamerastillhangingbyastraparoundherneck,joihethrongofwhitebridalgownedbridesonthedancefloor.Thismakeshiftdancefloorwasneandcouldnotaodateallthebrideswiththeirfringskirts,soeveryonewasjustswayingtothemusic,carefulnottostepontheirownorotherpeople’slongskirts.Suddenlythemusiged.Thewaltzstoppedandgedintoalively,fastpacedjitterbug.Therewasarustleamoe-gownedbridesastheyscatteredtothesidestoallowtwofigures,alsodressedinbridalgownshavethefloorastheyswuicallyaroundinthenewdahehemoftheskirtofohedancerswasembroideredwiththemagnifitandcolorfulpeony,whilethewhirlingskirtoftheotherwasembroideredwiththenobleandstatelyorchid!Ah!QueenAishahadarrivedandwasleadingMegginnhappilyjitterbugging.Shehadletloosetheonshenormallyworeatthebackofherhead,releasingherlongbrownhair,allowingittoswayandturnfreelywiththehemofherskirtasshedancedvivaciouslyalong.

18

Noonewasaroundthedesertedstreeteratnight.Thedimstreetlightshoneonanolddipidatedtruckparkedu.Thecarwasnotlocked.Itwasjustapileofjunkthatheremotestiinstealingasitwasatbestapileofmetalscrapsthatwasstilbletomove.Behindthenarrowsidewalkwasthedesertedrosegardehesoundsofughter,versationandjazzmusiccouldbeheard.Thisjazzcouldonlybeenjoyedasbausidcouldnotbeusedtodancebecauseitstempowasirrational,sometimesquidsometimesslowanditssoundnowloudnowsoft…afarcryfromthecssicwaltzinNovel’smansionwhichallthebeautiesweredangto.Fiveorsixhomelessmensataroundanopehedesertedgardeinganddrinking.Therewasametalgrillofsortsmadeofwirespcedabovethefireandsomeournipittoandfro,sendingoffmouth-wateringaromaofbakiintotheair.Therewasn’tanabundanceofporkandmbchops,sotheyhadtorationandshare,buttheliquorwasmorethansuffit.Itwascheap,strongwhiskey,quiteunlikecocktailswhichwereonlygoodforshowandrecreation.Therewerenowomenaroundthefire,justfiveorsixhomelessmales,amongwhomwasthemissingbridegroomDimitriwhomnooneknewwheretofind.Dimitridrailyfromthechippedgssinhishandandsaid,

“Ihavehadenoughofthemeatandwhiskyandamquitefull.Youguysgoonandenjoy…JustgivemeapieceofbreadsoakedupwithsomeofthemeatsaudI’llbeOK…”DavidwassittioDimitri.Theexpressiononhisfacethatusedtobepermalyfullofmiseryandangerwasnowdifferent.Thoughstillwrinkledaher-beaten,itwasflushedafterimbibingalotofhardliquorandsittingaroundarfire.Heughedandsaid,

“HeyDimitri,don’tbesopolite.Eatanddrinksomemore.Everyoneoneofusisusedtohunger,whyshouldyoualoheoosuffer?Youare…AmIright?”heaskedturningtotheothers.Everyone,Mr.Kaffee,Big-O,RichardandJamaz,nodded,saying,

“Ofcourse.Yht.eon,everyone,Gan-bei!”Mr.Kaffeetooktheleadaiedhisgssataquaff.Jamazwhoneverusedgssesgrabbedthebottleontheground,threwbackhisheadandguzzledappreciatively.Thenwipinghismouthwiththebackofhishaookapieeatandsaid,

“ThatoldbastardDavidneverusedtohaveanythinggoodtosay,butthistimehiswordsaretrue.”Dimitriwasclearlyunfortablewiththeirappreciativewords.ElbowingDavid,hesaid,

“Youoldbum.Youdon’tknowhowtodoanything,butwhatagreatfttereryouare!Iknowyousowell;youhavesomedevilishideainyourhead.eon,spititout,whatisityouwantthistime…?”Davidwavedhishandsandsaid,

“No,no,no…IamnotftteringyouandIhavenodevilishideasinmyhead.Iamspeakih.Lastnight,IsnuckagainintotheKingdomofDreamsandsatonthegoldthrone.ForonenightIwasthealmightykingofarealm…Ha-ha…itwasreallyagreatexperience…areallywonderful,wonderfulexperieIthoughtIheardyousaythatthegoldpacehadbeensunktothebottomofStarMoonLake.However,thesttwotimesIwentthere,itwasrightwhereitalwayswas,bythesideofGiantMountain.Howcouldthatbe?”Onhearingthis,Dimitribegantough.Hequicklychewedandswallowedthepieceofbreadhewaseating,dranksomeliquortowashitdownandthensaid,

“Actuallyit’sverysimple.Letmeexpinittoyouthisway.TheKingdomofDreamsisinaverymagicalsphereoftimewherethepast,presentandfutureallexistatthesametime.Itispletelydifferentfromthisrealworldwelivein.Hereinourrealmoftime,thepastisgoneandnolos.Thefutureisnothereyet,soitdoeseither.Weliveonlyinthepresent.Butwhatisthepresent?Thepresentisnonstopbeiwithoutased’sdey.Thefutureisstantlyevolvingintothepresentwithoutased’sdeyeither.Sotheretionshipbetweenthepresent,pastandfutureisextremelyindistindhardtotrol.I’llgiveyouanotherexample.IntheKingdomofDreamstimeandspacearelikeabigbook.Whatyouseedependsonwhichpartofthebookyouto.Ifyouturntothebeginningofthebook,thegoldpacehadbeenbuilt.Ifyouturntothemiddleofthebook,thegoldpacehadalreadybeenbuiltbutwasoccupiedbythebarbariantribes.YouDavidarealuckydogbecauseyouhappeurntothepartofthebookwhenthegoldpacehadalreadybeenbuiltbuthadbeenoccupiedbyanyone,soyouhadbeeoeandgoatwill.Ifyouturhepartwhereitwasoccupiedbythebarbariantribes,youwouldhavebeencapturedandbeheadedbythebarbarianoccupiersandyourbloodyheadwouldhavebeenhungontheeavesofthepacegate.SoIsayyouhavereallybeenlucky.Youhavebeeogotwicetothegoldpace,sitonthesolidgoldthroneandenjoythelifeofamonarch,experiengwhatitistoberoyandalmighty…Iused‘abigthickbook’asanexampletomakeiteasierforyoutouand.Actually,amoreappropriatewaytoexpinitwouldbetosaythattimehasnobeginningandnoend.”Mr.Kaffeequaffedhiswineaosinkihought.Afterawhilehemurmured,

“Iseemtorememberhavihatmagicsphereoftime…Yes…IamsureIonceledalegionofabout200,000soldiersoftheaRomanEmpireandidsiegetdomofDreamswhichlookedlikeanimpregle.Later…ter…yourushedoutofthecastleleadingabouttenthousandwarriorstofightwithmyRomanlegionhebodiesofyourwarriorsweremadeofdtheywereweldingonsmadeofstoheyrushedfearlesslyintothemidstoftheRomansoldiers,whoevaporatedintodarkclouds.Thesedarkcloudsgatheredoverheadandtorrentsofrainpoureddown,fallingonyourwarriors,whobegabatothesoilfromwhichtheyweremade.Intheend,dustturodustandsoilturosoil,eachrevertingbacktoitsinalstate.So,thatbattleehbotharmiespletelywipedout.Nosidewonandnosidewasdefeated…SeeBook1Chapter2TheDream-maker”

“Atthetime”saidDimitri,“IwaostoptheinvasionoftheRomansoldiers,soItransformedmyselftoahuskysavagedeity,witharhinoceroshornatthetopofmyhead,onehugeeyeonmyfadanothereyeatthebayhead.Ijustwaoscarethemwithmyimage,neverrealizingthattherewasjustsuchapersonedinacaveatthebaykingdom.Later,IgavehimthenameofCyclops…”Hethenadded“Justnowyouspokeofwar,andthattouchesmedeeply.Sihebeginningoftimewhenmanfirstappearedonthisearth,innumerablewarsbigandsmallhavebeenfought.Everywariablybeesadgruesomeseofdeathandbloodshed,withcorpsespilinguponbattlefieldswherebloodhaddyedthegroundred,fullydispyingtheremnantsofdferociousanimalinstinctsstilliveinhumannature,namelykillingandpugnacity.herhavethehumanracelearntanylessonsfromtheirexperienpreviouswars.Iftheycouldbecool-headedandanalyzethingssoberlyandcalmlybeforethewarbegan,theywouldbeabletodecidewhichwarisiableandwhichcouldbeavoided.Inwarsbetweennations,wheionalsnty,i,honororsanctityareinvolved,thesituationbeesespeciallyexplosiveandcouldbesetoffwithatouch,getoutofhandandbeeanirreciblemess.Thescopeofwarfarehasalsoescated,involvingfromhundredsofthousandsofpeopletomillionsandtensofmillionsofpeopleandhasetothepoihoseinvolvedwerewillingtorisktotannihitionifnecessary.Suchirrationalmadnesswillonedayleadtothedestruoftheworld.Onthisearthwehumanbeingshavenonaturalenemyandnooutsideaggressionhasthreatenedus.Itisweourselvesushedthehumahebordersofselfdestru…Why?Ireallydonotuand…Ifwetakealong-sightedviewandlookbaourhistory,atthewarsthathadbeergerandrgerinscope,wewouldfindthatmostofthemwereunnecessaryandcouldhavebeenavoided.Butpeopledecidedtosettleproblemswithvioleusingbruteforce,themostsimple,diredbarbarouswaytosettleproblemsiscertainlynotanexpressionofclear-headednessandrationality.Iure,ifhumansarewillingtogiveupbrutefordviolenceasameansofsettlingdisputesaablishnewrulestodosobyothermeans,thenhumancivilizationwouldhavereachedabraage,muchclosertoTruth.”

18

SilencegreetedDimitri’slongmonologue.Everyoobethinkingabouthiswords.Meatwascookingonthewiregrill,itssaucesdrippinghissingandsizzlingontothecharcoalbelow.Richardsuddenlyraisedhisheadandsaid,

“HeyDimitriyouarealwaystellingusaboutthisKingdomofDreamswehaveneverseen.Whydon’tyoutakeustothismagicalpdshowusaround?Thatwouldbeaneye-openingexperiendwillbecertaintowidenourhorizon…”

“Yeah.Thatright.Agoodidea”agreedBig-OandJamaz.“Whydidyouakeusthere?”

“AlthoughIhavebeentothemagicalKingdomofDreams,”saidMr.Kaffee,“Ionlywalkedoutsideontheperimetersandneverwentinside.Iamalsoverycuriousaboutthepce.”

“Ha”hootedDavidgleefully.“Youguyshadneverbeenthere?Ihavebeewidbeyuide.IwillbeabletototheKingdomatthemostdesirablespot,letyousitonKingDimitri’ssolidgoldthroneandexperiehrillofbeinganalmightymonarch!Oh!Thatwasanindescribablygoodfeeling…”

“Sure”saidDimitrismiling.“ItistimeIwentbacktheretoo.YouguysfollowDavidbacktotheKingdowilljoinyouallter.”Thegroupofhomelesshobosquicklyputoutthefireandeachchoseaspotonthegrounduheeavestoliedownandsleep.Mr.Kaffeewasnotfortablesleepingoutdoors,sohewalkedintodipidatedhouse,halfdestroyedbyfire,choseaertoliedownmorefortablyaosleep.Beinguheinfluenceofalcohol,theywereallyawningsleepily.Soonsnoreswereheardandgotlouderandlouder.

Theluminousfullmoonshoheearth,makingitalmostasbrightasday.DarkfiguresoffivemencouldbeseenstandingtogetheronasmallhillshadowedbyGiantMountain.TheywereKingDimitri’sgoodfriendswhohadbeenledbyDavidtovisittheKingdomofDreams.TheywerestaringunbelievablystraightaheadattheSunMoonLakeinfrontofthem,whereinnumerableopenfiresbzedandstreamsofpeoplewerebusilywalkingtoandfroasifgettingreadyforsomemomentousevent.Therewasnotraceofthemagnifitgoldpalydeepgrooveswereleftonthegroundofthesitewhereitusedtostand.Davidhithisforeheadwithhishandandsaid,

“Gosh!Thisisterrible!Ourtimingwasallwrong!WemissedthebesttimeandaototheKingdomofDreamsanddidnotmakeittothetimewhenthegoldpacewasjustbuiltandtherewasnooneoccupyingit.Thislooksasifthehurrieandtsunamihadalreadyhitandthegoldpacehasfallentothebottomoftheke.Thisisreallyterrible.Wemisseditjustbyamillised,butwearewayoffthemark.Lookwherewended!”Standingolehillside,Mr.Kaffeelookedcarefullyintothedistandpointingtowardsthebankofthekesaid,

“Lookatthesepeoplestandingtherebythesideoftheke.Theyseemtobediscussingsomething.Fromtheirgestures,theyseemtobeattemptingtoraisethegoldpathebottomoftheke…Weshouldbecalmandstayput.Let’swatdseepe…”