Buna dimineata

O dimineata racoroasa bine venita intr-o vara cu multa caldura intampina fata cand deschise ochii.
Era asa placut ca nu ii venea sa se ridice din pat, mirosea si a mic dejun, ceea ce o facea sa creada ca e un vis. Se intoarse pe cealalta parte si crezu ca intra iar in somn, dar ceva o mangaia pe umarul ei gol. Nu o gadila dar nici nu lasa in pace, enervata putin se ridica intr-un cot sa vada ce o tot deranjeaza. Doua buze ii opun rezistenta si ii inchid gura care deja forma cuvinte mai putin ortodoxe.
In acelasi timp o mana ii bloca miscarile iar cealalta ii prinse capul ca intr-un cleste alaturi de sarutul lui infocat. Cateva secunde uita sa mai respire si dintr-o data se molesi.
"Sigur visez" gandi ea, deschizand usor ochii. Perdeaua viselor se ridica usor si in fata ei isi vazu iubitul.
De pe trupul lui ud, stropi de apa reci se scurgeau si aterizau pe pielea ei incalzita. Cu fiecare strop ce ii atingea pielea ea tresarea din ce in ce mai putin, iar sarutul ei se inmuie.
Mana lui care ii constrangea miscarile o mangaia acum pe umar si cobora incet pe sanul drept. Il stranse usor si ea incepu sa geama. Drept razbunare il musca de buza inferioara iar acesta simti gustul provocarii.
Cu greu se dezlipi de buzele ei si se opri cu gura pe lobul urechii, o musca lung in timp ce cu cealalta mana o stranse usor de san.
"Buna dimineata draga mea, ai dormit bine?" o intreba el in timp ce se juca usor cu parul ei iar buzele lui alergau in sarutari pe gat, pe barbie si inapoi spre buze.
"Cred ca inca visez" ii raspunse ea mangaindu-l pe cap.
"Am pregatit ceva bun in bucatarie" ii spuse el printre sarutari.
"Ceva mai bun decat ce am acum in brate?" zambi ea uitandu-se adanc in ochii lui.
Zambi si el, se desprinse cu greu din imbratisarea ei, se intoarse cu o tava pe care era asezat un mic dejun pentru o persoana.
"Tu nu mananci sau ai mancat deja?" il intreba ea curioasa si putin suspicioasa in acelasi timp.
"Eu... in dimineata asta o sa am doar desert" ii spuse in timp ce isi strecura mana pe sub cearsaful ce inca o mai invelea si ajunse unde vrea.
"Am putea sa mancam in acelasi timp" ii raspunse ea in timp ce tinea o felie de paine prajita unsa cu putin unt iar deasupra un strat fin de miere incepea sa se prelinga. Il prinse cu degetul si il baga in gura, si incepu sa il suga in timp ce mana lui era inca ascunsa sub cearsaf.
"Mmmm, ce bine e!" gemu ea in timp ce aproape uitase de felia de paine din mana.
"Sa inteleg ca iti plaec, mai vrei?" o intreba el cu un zambet strengar.
"Oooo, da, mai vreau!" si ea se intinse usor pe spate, tinand tava pe piept, aceasta ridicandu-se generos la fiecare rasuflare.
In timp ce ea gusta cate o muscatura dulce, altcineva se infrupta din ea. Ii era din ce in ce mai greu sa se concentreze asupra mancarii si se gandea ca deja ar trebui sa sara la desert si ea.

Buna dimineata!

The night time stood still -part II-

Clik here for the first part

You see my beloved diary, things aren't strange enough yet. I learned in a short time a lot of things. I chose to be a mage, I could have returned to the normal world but something made me take this path. Call it fate, destiny, karma, intuition. All would have had the same result. I could not leave the store that night and I stood there to study, the need to understand more took control, I felt a hunger for knowledge, a thirst for new horizons. I could not sleep anymore, I learned some spells that kept me going, I became like a sponge and absorbed any information that was provided to me. Haghe fed me with books, and trinkets and provided guidance on how to evolve, how to create my own world. She showed me how the world was actually that there are creatures in this world that live among humans and neither know about the other, because you see the one who has created this world we live in, has great power, he was able to create such a big world that a mere map will not suffice. He has created an Universe, but that inspired me, that gave me an idea. What if I could surpass that, what if my world would be not just as big as his is, but more complex, instead of one world I will have multiple ones. After I will finish with this one I will create another one to run in parallel. And why not if my power would hold create even more.

"Darian, take it easy, time is no longer an issue, you don't have to rush it!" she told me after she figured out what I was thinking. She could see that my eyes were changing, they became to glitter. She could see that the power I was gaining was increasing at an alarming rate. I had to spend that power before it engulfed me since I could not control it. Others failed to subdue it and they became pure silver statues, a common ingredient for magical items, there are mages who take subjects under their wings and grow them so powerful so when the time is ripe they become the vesel for all that energy and end up statues. Some were so rare and powerful that became keron, a kind of crystal, this material could make the most powerful artifacts known. It was so rare that some mages dedicated their whole life trying to gain even the smallest amount, they became known as the perfectionists. While some managed to get their hands on such materials, others became hunted, others hated for their amazing powers. You see this isn't the perfect world, it's far from it. But even so a balance is in place, nobody can change that. Not even the Forger, yet the scales of good and evil change depending of actions that the Forger can't control. He can manipulate the surroundings, the nonliving, he can control the elements creating this world. He can do many things, but this should be sought better in the memories of other great Forgers, memories we have here kept as relics of great importance and so others can learn and refine their calling." she finished as she showed me a room filled with memory Crystals.

I found out that there were many types of Crystals in the world and some have been turned into jewels to amplify power, others to absorb power for later use, or to nullify spells. You could even store special spells into crystals so that anyone could benefit from them, even the normal people.

I have started to use the first stone and I found myself flowing into a river where memories and thoughts swam in every direction. I grabbed one and I began to hear the forger's voice as he was creating and developing new assets, abilities that he should teach the slaves.These were the slaves of the new to come ruler. This world was not that complex but as I experienced his memories I could see what he did wrong, his world soon crumbled as the the lords died and others wanted the crown and started wars, then everyone started killing everyone and soon his world ended. Another Forger thought of a futuristic world, an Utopian universe where everything would be good and the bad would not be killed but placed in jails and crime was extinct, so even if evil was present it could not do anything. His world became filled with so much pure energy and he didn't know what to do with it, he could not mold it with other energies soon he became a vessel for the energy and his body transformed into silver. Extremes are often met into this category of mages, but there are other ways of spending the magic, in our current world. Well gifted mages can create life right here, outside their own created world. By using the life force and the experience of others I could make crazy things appear and not just illusions, real things, even conscious beings. Yes, I think I could become more like a summoner

I watched and watched and I could not satisfy the hunger, yet time was passing and I finally had to head home. It felt that my toys as a toddler were taken away and that I could not find the power to leave the place.

"This door will always be here for you, you can come and leave as you please but don't fret, even if the door will look different you will recognize it. The spell that makes magic items glow is "Sharam", it brings the magical powers of the surrounding objects to resonate with your powers. It can be cast any time of day and there are variations made by other casters, use it when in the alley because the door might change appearance just as a precaution." she said with a smile, but I sensed it was a fake smile, there are things out there searching for this door. I promised I would come back as soon as time permitted and she knew I would be back swiftly. She provided some gifts for my dear ones, they were toys and trinkets and games. I tried the Sharam spell but nothing happened, they seemed ordinary objects. So I got dressed and left the store amazed wondering if everything was a dream or something else. I looked back at the store and it appeared so normal and plain now from the outside, but it was amazing from the inside.

I left the alley with a wide grin on my face, realizing that it was still night, in the horizon the suns fiery arrows cut the sky  announcing another morning. I wondered how much time passed, it seemed like days, but as I checked my watch I could see that only a few hours passed, all that in such a short amount of time. How was that even possible? Questions burst into my mind, giving me more questions instead of answers. It was way past my sleeping time but I didn't feel tired at all, I felt energetic, I could climb a mountain with ease or so I thought. My gem, my world, my power! I double checked and it was still in my possession, my little precious. The shape was rough but what about it? It was mine and it was bonded to me. I had created that, with my own blood and soul, spirit and energy. It was a part of me. A car passed by and shook me out of focus, I came back to reality and I could see people on the street going about their jobs and business. Some more intoxicated youngsters were headed home or so I hoped, they seemed so strange now, fragile by the looks, the mere creation of a powerful being, with just one purpose, to assist the chosen ones, the balance. I could have become one of them, another sand grain in the hourglass of time, others time.

It was time for me to head home and rest, I needed to come back and continue my training. I managed to reach my place fast, took a shower and ate something. The sleep was short, restless, I could find myself again in that amazing castle, with the giant and the snake. I didn't know why I was there, my subconscious was telling me something, yet I could not find the answer.
The next day I prepared the gifts for my precious friends and family. I was ready to go back to the shop. I took the shortest path there but the streets were crowded again, people rushing to their jobs, some were window shopping,  others were just passing through. I wanted to reach the alley much faster and it seemed my body listened, I gained increased movements, I was able to dodge the people on the street more easily, at this rate I would be there in no time.

On a side alley, paved with stone and with old style street lights I saw a person standing in the middle of the street, dressed in a raincoat, the black hat matched his suit and the fashioned cane, his shoes were polished and shining. He wore the glasses over his nose so he could see over them. It seemed that his gaze was fixed on me so I slowed down, almost to a walk taking involuntary caution. I approached him without any solution in mind, I wanted to see if anything happens when I`ll pass him. A cars sudden break and horn almost got me distracted but I never lost sight of him, while he stood there holding his black cane with both his gloved hands. He seemed like a guardian statue, the only thing I saw moving were his eyes, following every gesture I made, analyzing me from head to toe, I wanted to become invisible but I felt that not even that would have made a difference. I didn't know what would happen when we would reach each other but the thought frightened me. Tension built as the distance grew shorter. I was so close I could see the green in his eyes.

I was about to question him when suddenly a black bird flew in front grazing my face with its wing. Startled I jumped back and shielded my eyes, but the bird was now resting on a nearby pole, I checked the bird more intensively since the white spot on its chest reminded me of another bird I recently saw. When my eyes went back to the strange man he was gone. It took about two seconds and I could not hear him make a sound as he vanished, he just disappeared into nothingness. When my eyes went back to the bird it just stood there, watching me, croaking from time to time. I thought I could understand what the bird was trying to say, must have been my mind playing tricks. I proceeded further on towards my goal, but this time paranoia settled in, I was looking all over the place, trying to hide my presence but I could feel eyes watching every move I made.

I reached my destination and there the shop was gone, disappointed I looked all around for any trace of a hidden door, but nothing came in sight. The spell came into my mind and I said it in the same intonation I remembered it "Sharam!". Moments later the on the wall a door frame began to glow faintly at start then more intense. It had no door knob or hinges or anything to distinguish it from the rest of the wall, yet a frame was visible nonetheless. I touched it and it was as cold as stone, the brick texture was rough against my fingertips. I gave it a light shove but nothing happened, then I gave it a harder push and I could see it move slightly. With a final thrust it opened and I could see the familiar room. As I entered the door closed behind me, as I looked back there was no door, yesterday's windows were gone, the room was twice as big as I knew it.

As I called her by the magical name "Haghe!" an answer came from behind me:
"I've been expecting you Darian, how was your journey here?". Oh, she knew, she knew too well and I bet she held the answers. She studied my face and continued
"We will talk about that later, but right now we have more urgent business to attend" she motioned to follow her and I did. This time she took me into a dark room, shaped like a dome with the ceiling covered in many  lights twinkling like the sky, the floor looked like a pool filled with a strange liquid, a small path paved with metal plates headed to the center where a circle of glass floated. We headed on the platform and at a word of command the metal plates retreated. We remained stranded there and I became defensive, I didn't know what was going to happen.

"Don't say a word, no matter what, bite your tongue if you have to but say nothing!" she urged me and then she became to cast a spell, it seemed complex and consuming. When she finished, the liquid seemed to boil, then it started to take strange shapes, building were raised for an instant and disappeared, the surface became a map of a city, then it moved out in the countryside, a castle formed in a corner and became larger as it came closer to the middle. Walls vanished and silhouettes took their place, a man was standing in a room. It was the man that I saw earlier that day, he was at a desk and reading or writing something on a piece of paper, he picked it up and made some symbols then the paper burned into nothingness. He stopped and looked around, searching with his mind, not his eyes. I could tell that he cast a spell and the image became dimmer, Haghe took hold of my hand and I felt some energy being drained from me but I held my ground. It started to hurt, I felt weakened but I didn't budge.

--- Updated  ---

The man seemed to mumble something yet I could not understand if he was speaking with someone or chanting. Something rose from the floor, first it seemed to be a shadow but then it took form, a grotesque figure, with horns and fiery eyes, the tail lashed left and right, sparks came from the contact with the floor. This minion bowed before the stranger and after receiving it's orders summoned a scepter with a fireball floating at the top. He then began to tap the staff on the floor, slowly at first but the speed intensified. Shock waves began shake the ground but not for them, for us. Pain started to take hold with every beat, with every wave. Haghe held me fast, strong and trembling. She broke the spell as if forced to do it and everything came back to normal. She was breathing hard, the toll was heavy on her. I brought her a chair to sit and a glass of water, she turned it down and urged me to bring her a vial from a nearby drawer. She dipped her nail just a little into the violet liquid and suddenly she was energized and refreshed. It was some sort of emergency energy reserve.

"Just in a neck of time" she said. "They almost traced us, that creature should not exist in this world therefore he has a rare contract with a Forger. See how special you are? With the proper training and just enough energy you can summon creatures from your own world, but doing this can disrupt this world. You saw that he didn't have that monster with him all the time, he got it out just when he needed. I have this weird feeling that I know that man, the energy surrounding him was familiar but also something I could not identify. I will have to speak with the council about this". She sent me to the memory Crystals and urged me to learn as much as possible about risks and duties about my calling.

Learning all the mistakes and great deeds the others have been through, made me focus on my world a bit more into detail. First I knew that my world began to expand and it was even populated. I came to split it into regions, each with it's own fauna and inhabitants, ruled by their own laws. Everything depends on the main element for that region, either is it ice, water, earth, fire, air, magic, minerals, even plants can shape a kingdom. In my world everything is possible, and not only one world, I'll create more, my final plan? You'll find out soon enough. To make a balance the realms are not just one huge realm, but split into smaller regions that can be conquered by other nations or elements. Once conquered the weather and life changes, this influences the living habits of the inhabitants. Either they adapt, they move or die. They are free to chose. Imagine a fire region taken by the ice rulers, they would have time to make a decision, not everything would happen right away, but once a region is taken it can't be attacked or challenged for two years. My world, my rules. I have given all people knowledge of magic, but the energy they can use and store differs on their own hearts, they can either use it, store it or forget it to boost other features: longevity, wisdom, technology, endurance or any skill they want. I'll never tell them about this, let them make their own decisions.

I'll place guardians, spirits created and who know who I am. I'll set them into the world to each kingdom to guide and keep records of the history. They have many forms, depending on the region they serve, but this also will be explained later in detail. For the other worlds I'll have other plans and my plan is not perfect, is hard and complex and it will give great power. I'll break the boundaries and I'll change the world I live into as well.

It seemed I was in this world for years and I have done much but as my power is not yet strong I had to stop to regain energy, everything takes it toll, creation and destruction. Equivalent trade.

Oh my diary, if only you could see it, I'll someday share my world with you, my vision, my prophecy. You remember the old man, saying not to trust anyone? Can I trust you with all my secrets and plans? Will you keep them safe and share everything only when I'll be no more? Will I become a Crystal or will everything end up hidden in an old bookshelf or worse, into nothingness.

The moment I came back to the world I lived into, I saw Haghe waiting patiently on the couch, drinking a tea of some sort. She offered me a seat and a cup of the brew. I took it and smelled it, it stung my nostrils and the taste was bitter but refreshing. She told me that the meeting confirmed her suspicions, there is a group of mages that formed an alliance, they want to control the magic in the world, they are hunting powerful people with specific skills and unique energy quality, I was targeted because I appeared on the radar suddenly and emanated great power, they advised that I should receive a rare trinket, charmed so that it can absorb my energy and release it at will. The problem is that because it stores too much energy it has to be depleted often else it would be detected as well and being stolen would pose a risk. It can be used to harvest energy from others easily and use it for their own gain or it can make them undetected posing a greater threat. The debate was tense and rather than hide me all the time they entrusted me with this "gift", but it wasn't the only one. I also received a ring letting them know of my whereabouts. If the magic in me would go over or under some limits they would come as fast as magic would permit. I was not informed who they were, how they looked, it was for my safety they said.

What was I supposed to do? I accepted them, I entrusted them with my safety and also they started to train me in the art of spells, defensive spells, the best and hardest to master was the teleportation one. Why you ask? Imagine you want to go somewhere, on a street and you materialize there, but someone put an object in the same location you would materialize, you would use the same space, the parts that would have no place to teleport to would remain back, going over without a leg or an arm, not to mention internal organs, could mean sudden death. They also taught me shielding spells, magical barriers and this gave me an idea. To teleport before me a barrier and then teleport inside the protected space myself. They never thought about that and now they saw that the alliance might want more than just my energy. I was changing the rules, the next step in evolution was there. I was proof of it. I bet I wasn't the only one but they said nothing, they kept some secrets.

Haghe also told me she could not interfere anymore, she had to pass me to a another mage, a person called Masui. He was supposed to know a great deal about spells, offensive and defensive, conjuring and destructive, absorbing and giving energy. He could be my mentor, a contract was to be signed, and when I say signed, blood was involved. I was to become his pupil and learn the ways of pure and dark arts. He was creating a special magic of his own and I was the right person, it seems, to improve his research. Was I becoming a prisoner, a lab rat or a true disciple? Only future could tell the story.

For now I was allowed to go home with my new toys and a bonus item, a gold pin that would make me change appearance. I was grateful but I knew they would not let me just walk away with them. They would send someone to keep a close eye on me, I only wished they would tell me who or how they looked like so I would not suspect them, but they less I knew the better. I bid farewell to Haghe and headed back home. The mage would contact me in the morning, so I should prepare my luggage or not. Moving objects was not a problem for them. The streets were now almost empty, the nights blanket covered the sky, the starts winked at me from behind the clouds, the moon seemed so gigantic and following me, lighting my road, keeping me safe. I thought I saw someone a couple of times but I realized they would not be that obvious. I was thinking what would happen to my world, if I had to go back to the old shop to work on. I had so many questions, yet few answers. "Everything will be alright!" I told myself and went home. After a fast dinner and a hot shower I went to bed, sleep evaded me, I started to think about my world, my creation, I closed my eyes and imagined the landscape, the races that would live there, the animals that would help them, the level of technology they should have, should I also give them access to technology far above their limits or keep the balance as much as I could? Questions came, sleep got tired of jesting around and came to hug me.

The morning was as usual in the cold winter days. The sun hid behind cloudy sky, the windows were icy to the touch yet no snow was in sight now, it melted water was everywhere, waiting to freeze and trip someone. I began to wonder who will this person to take me under his or her wing will be. I finished packing what I thought will be needed, I made some calls and let everyone know that I would be going on a trip, they asked when I was coming back. A tricky question with no real answer. I didn't go much into details, I made up an explanation that my new job required me to travel to another place, short notice and all. I hope they accepted it, why wouldn't they? Everyone knew I wanted to travel and see the world. A swift knock on the door interrupted my spacing out. I went to the door to open it but I heard it close already.

---Update---

"Hello, who is it?" I asked with a firm voice, showing that I wasn't scared or anything.
"Well, were you expecting someone else?" responded a man's voice. "She should have told me you were expecting visitors, I would have delayed my arrival" continued as a shadow sat in a chair in the living room. I could not make out the exact details of the man, the sun was behind him and it gave him a strange light aura in the back. He moved unlike any other man I saw, very graceful, and it didn't fit the stature of the silhouette, I suspected something was wrong, maybe magic was involved. I started to cast a nullifying spell on the target and he sensed it but he held fast.

"You have to do better than that, try harder!" he said amused, He shifted positions trying to analyze me. I cast a barrier around me, and focused hard on how to remove the shadow. It didn't work at all, he seemed bored and mocking me, jesting me with taunting lines, that was all I could do, he shouldn't have bothered coming after me, I showed as much promise as a circus clown. Then I tried a different approach, I ignored the shadow and think of it as an outfit, maybe it was an illusion over all and I could see changes, the illusion began to dissipate. The man straighten up and stopped jesting with me, he focused now on himself, this is when I realized I was on the right track. I needed a distraction and cast another spell. For a second the chair made a cracking sound and began to crumble. The man jumped up caught unprepared and lost focus. Then as the illusion dissipated a woman took his place. The whole thing was a test it seems. She looked me in the eyes and smiled satisfied but her eyes showed anger. I wondered why she was so furious, it was her game. Was she a sore loser? She approached me and my instinct told me to cast another protective spell on me, just to make sure that she would not try more tests. How I wish I wasn't right, in a split of a second bolts of light surged from her eyes and my first shield was shattered but my previous one was still in place.

"Oh, you foresaw that? she said more calmly seeing me getting hyped and ready to put out a real fight. "Relax, it was just a test, I wanted to see how you react. That bolt there would not have killed you... I hope". She came close and extended her hand to me, she said her name was Magda. I felt reluctant to accept it but she whispered in my mind that she knew about the items and her mission, that it was safe. I accepted her hand and in a second everything changed. The walls to my house peeled off and found myself in the courtyard of a strange castle. It was actually a mini castle, two story building with a short tower on the left side gave the impression that someone made a replica of a much larger building. There were no doors and some gaps made for what I assumed were the windows. As she touched the stone it gave way and sunk into the ground, a passage came into view, dark only for an instant as blazers flared red. The light wasn't strong but enough to see your way. She waved me to follow, as soon as we entered the wall rose back, blocking the exit. I tried to make conversation and learn about the location but she hushed me, we rode faster and faster, it seemed that we were flying and suddenly a bright light could be seen, it was the end of the tunnel. It was amazing because from the outside the building could not hold such a long tunnel, except maybe if it went underground. My eyes tried to adjust to the new location, a green garden filled with never before seen flowers. A small hedgerow surrounded the garden and in the middle of it a big house with huge windows, it appeared as if the entire house was made of glass. As I looked back I couldn't see the tunnel anymore, it was gone, I was in the middle of nowhere and a little scared. She held my hand and whispered not to be afraid, if she wanted me dead she could have done that long ago. Well, maybe you want my powers, she shook her head and said not in that way, she wanted my power to grow. As we came to the front door I could see through it and it seemed like a greenhouse, yet as we entered everything changed. The took me to a living room, past some statues of mages or sorts. None seemed familiar, the faces were just strangers but I knew they were important.

She stopped the middle of a large room, there she cast another spell, the furniture shifted, the walls changed. It became filled with two couches facing each other with a glass table between them, a wooden bar with stools grew out of the floor, a staircase emerged from the wall. At first floor doors formed and more noises came from behind, rooms were being shaped behind them.

"This will be our home for a while" she said in a normal voice, "we can't stay here for long but while we do we'll make it worth". Snapping her fingers, the a trapdoor opened in the bar and plates with food flew over to the table, I guess it was time for lunch. She advised that before we start the training we should eat and rest a little. No time for accommodation needed. "Your room is that one." pointing to the far most door on the first floor, "Next to it  you will find the bathroom, you will find anything you need inside, my room is  that one" pointing to the door closest to the stairs. She took out of the sleeve a book and laid on the edge of the table. It had symbols all over, a magic book of some kind, her own no doubt.

"To learn the spells and chants you need both spiritual energy and physical, therefore I must insist that you take a nap" she said as she went to the lower bathroom that was just under the other one.

I didn't feel tired but I knew better than to undermine her knowledge, we took turns with the bathroom and indeed it was equipped with everything you could need, towels, robes, a big bathtub, there were no faucets or anything so this gave me something to think about.

We ate till we were full, and sleep came over me like the night overtakes the dusk. Each of us went to our rooms, where I for one found changes, a big bed, the velvet sheets were nice to the touch, they were almost whispering to go and sleep faster. I swear I wanted to lay for a second but I fell asleep in a second, dreams came over me one after another, they were shattered by a knock in the door.

"It's time, get ready and follow me outside, we are starting soon" her voice came as from the room but I was alone. I went for a quick shower to shake the sleep away and got ready. In fifteen minutes I was downstairs and saw a door leading to the backyard open. As I stepped outside the garden was no more, there was a big yard with a high fence. She was standing with her back to me about fifteen meters away, as I took a few steps she turned with impatience written all over her face.

"You took your time, didn't you" she said sarcastically.

"I like to be fresh when I train, to focus better" I tried to explain myself.

"Whatever" she cut me off, "today we will learn about protection, how to defend against psychic attacks" she stood there, "I will try to read your mind and movements, you have to try to resist my abilities. There are other types of psychic attacks but you will learn about them later, now just try to attack me so that I won't know what you'll do" a confident smirk was on her clear face. "Bring it on!" she taunted.

I began to think of different scenarios on how to approach this, took me a minute or so when she said "are you going to wait all day to make a move?" and she sent a bolt of lightning from her hand towards me.

I barely dodged it when another came to me, I could see it clearly how it cut the air and headed towards me, as I jumped again. It only bit the fabric of my vest but the tingling sensation touched me. I had to be more aware and prepared, to attack. I used the few spells I got and she deflected each one with simple movements from her hand.  

The night time stood still -part I-

[UPDATED ALMOST DAILY]

Dear diary,

Today something amazing happened, it was ... a terrifying feeling, yet pleasant in its own way.

What was it you wonder? It is not that important yet, but the process that led to it is.

As you know it was a night the last December, I was roaming aimlessly around the city in search for gifts, without a specific store in my head, hoping to find something nice for my family and friends.

I crossed the path with an old man, bent from the back, covered in rags, with deep blue eyes, his white hair was a dirty silver now, his thick beard covered his long skinny face.

His movements spoke words of shyness, his gaze was filled with wisdom. I remained frozen like never before, but I was not filling disgust, nor fear, nor repulsion. I felt pity and sorrow, I wondered why this happens to this kind of people. As you know I don't do this kind of stuff but pushed by compassion, I pulled out some coins and handed  them to him, he took my hand in his and thanked a couple of times. I don't like it when people think your act of kindness is the work of God, and mostly I hate when they wish me that God should bring me happiness.

To my surprise this old man didn't follow the same script I was accustomed to, he looked deep into my eyes, stopped breathing, his palms were hotter than mine, a warm feeling was filling me and the old man spoke "Play the game but beware of the fox!" then like someone turned the lights out the warm feeling faded. As if a spell was broken the old man became the same shy person and moved along with slow sloppy steps heading into an alley.

I wondered if it really happened and started going after the elder, when I reached the dark gloomy alley I couldn't find any trace of him. A bit scared I started to enter it and looked into the shadows for any sign of his were about , he could have fallen, well he looked weak enough. Slowly I called after him "Hey, old man! Are you alright?" but no answer came except a small rustle behind a garbage bin. With precaution I closed in and listened for other noises. Dead silence, nothing more, not even the wind made a sound. Suddenly a crow like bird startled me when it flew from behind the bin, as it rose I thought I caught a glimpse of a white star on the birds chest but it could have been some food in its beak.

Not finding him there I rushed back to the alley, this was spooking me a bit. I went back to my business, a little troubled but didn't pay much attention to the event, I had a lot to search for and little time to do it. It became more crowded as I reached a street well known for the stores and special deals for this time of year. People were entering and leaving stores with bags full of presents, the joy could be seen on their faces, Christmas was coming and the gifts frenzy was all around.

I needed to buy something for my family and my close friends but I didn't know what to be this year, everyone was doing it and I was thinking of something special, not the usual stuff, gloves, scarfs, socks and other clothes were out of the picture. Checking the windows for something to catch my eye I reached the end of the street twice and I could not think of anything, not even a little. Stress started to set in when I heard some girls chatting in an excited tone "Can you imagine we found such gifts in such a secluded place?" said one girl while the other replied "I didn't even know it existed and I have traveled that alley many times, it must be new and want to make a name for itself, I am so happy, my boyfriend is going to love it, it's just what he wanted". I turned to look for them and caught with them to ask for directions, they pointed to a nearby alley that I admit i haven't traveled before or I just could not remember.

Eagerness rushed me to that place and found it as the girls described it, the whole store frame was made of dark brown wood, the windows had a crisscross pattern, with snow like decorations in the corners, they were so well made that they seemed a little bit frozen. A board was hung above the windows " Magical shop! What you need is what we got!". As I turned the golden door knob and entered the door, a bell chimed above, a soft sound that took me by surprise. The warmth was taking over and the smell of perfumes was filling my nostrils, I could see candles lit here and there. This looked more like a library or an antique shop but the items displayed were from a vast range and there weren't two alike. "Feel free to leave your coat here, it will be safe" sign stood above a hanger. Since it was so cozy I did as the sign instructed and left it hanging there, It felt better indeed, my body became more relaxed now and I could feel myself calmer. I wondered if it was safe to leave the store unattended since there was no sign of life anywhere nearby. Maybe they have cameras and the door can only be opened from the outside unless someone lets you, therefore I tried the handle and the door opened as easily as the first time. They must be confident that nobody steals their stuff or they are insured.

"Hello, anyone here?" I asked in a low voice but nobody replied, I started to look into the shelves, touching random items, from statues representing different gods, animals, plants that looked so vivid. If I weren't there so close I could have sworn they were animated or slightly moving. Maps hanging on the walls encased in glass seemed three dimensional, the waves danced as the clouds above them sang, some aquatic beasts disappeared in hypnotic whirlpools only to reappeared in different part of the map, volcanoes fumed and filled the surroundings with red lava. It must have been some high tech thing just to impress, something like a hologram. I searched for details about the program used but I found only the text "The World of Krynn: Before the Cataclysm".

Another thing that caught my attention was a lamp sitting on a shelf, it's just as I imagined the lamp from Aladdin. I harassed the it`s neck with the top of my finger but I was reluctant to do a real rub. On other shelves were books about planets and islands that I never knew ever existed. Trinkets that seemed from native tribes to some forgotten corner of the world, they appeared to emanate some kind of energy. Weapons of all forms, shapes and materials were displayed safely behind glass prisons, wands, cloaks and masks were stored behind a counter. High on the walls were trophies of animals and beasts that I could not recognize. This store had everything, all that was missing were items from the future just that I could not recognize them or they were stored in another place. I could swear the store had more rooms available, and I realized it was bigger on the inside than it looked from outside. Toy replicas of cars and planes were ordered on a special wall that allowed the view from an unusual angle.

"Aaah, a customer! Hello there sir.." came a voice from behind me that gave me a good scare. "forgive me, I didn't mean to scare you!"

"Hello!" I replied, "I'm sorry I just could not hear you come behind me, it's just that it was unexpected" I replied with my heart pounding crazy in my chest, striving to burst out.

"Yes yes, it must be because of these magic slippers I have, you see... he he" laughed the old woman, with a soft voice. She seemed older than the ancient maps on the walls themselves, her face filled with wrinkles, her hair once a pure gold it was now alloyed with silver and platinum. Her eyes were so young and full of life, they almost shone with a mystic green as jade itself. Despite her age she stood straight and proud like a valkery. As she rubbed her hands together sparks seemed to form around her fingers. "Is there something I could do for you, young man? Maybe a gift or a trinket that could help you guide your future?"

"I'm not sure what I want, it's just that I was looking for some unique gifts for my friends and family and I see that you have quite a collection, but what I found intriguing is the fact there are no duplicates!" I searched again with my sight and could not find two identical items.

"That's because every item here serves it special purpose to a specific individual. Let's take a simple mug," she moved near a shelf and picked up a metal one "some use it to brew tea in it therefore it needs to be of metal, others need it to drink alcohol therefore it must be sturdy, others want it for display therefore it must look beautiful. Each person is different and so are their needs." as she grasped the objects they began to slightly glow, to radiate a warm feeling, as if it was resonating to the touch.

"I ... I would like to know if you have something special fo..." as I was speaking she cut me over "..For you! Yes yes, you all ask the same question... Maybe, maybe not, the problem is not that we have don't have something for you, we have something for everyone. The correct question is if we have the right thing for you, do you really need it?"

"Well I would like to get some gifts for my friends and mostly for my family but I was curious if you had something even for me, but I don't know what I want, I mean I kind of know what I want but it's hardly possible" I told her.

She patted me on my arm and whispered looking sideways as not be seen or heard by anyone else "Nothing is impossible, it's just that people tend to put limits on their abilities and goals, they are scared that they will fail, or that they will change" she held me fast and asked "Are you afraid? How far would you go to obtain your dreams, what would you be willing to sacrifice?"

"Wait ... how would you know what I wish for?" something about this discussion scared me and I became determined to search for my gifts in another place. "If you will excuse me I will take my leave, thank you for the hospitality!" I turned around and headed for my coat when she started to speak.

"Be careful young sir, those who leave the shop aren't able to find it again, "this chance only comes once in a life time".

As I was dressing up I thought "Yeah, right!". "Right it is, I'm not playing with you" she said and in that moment I froze.

"What did you just say?" I asked and turned to face her but she was nowhere to be seen. But she was there, a moment ago, where could have she run to?

"I didn't run, I wanted to be here" a voice came from my left behind some shelves and as I turned the voice came from my back "but then I changed my mind and came here". Startled I jumped a couple feet away.

"You think magic is gone, that everything is smoke and mirrors, that the world is filled with impostors" the stopped to think a little and continued "it might be in some cases, more than often but  not always"

"My young boy, you have no idea what the world has to offer, what the Universe is made of, you for example are full of potential, I can see it and i really can see it. You have the gift and you felt it before, you thought it was an ability to control your dreams, it was just luck that got you all over the obstacles in your life". Before I could tell her about the sufferings she continued hushing me with a finger "Yes yes, we all have limits, we can't do everything we want if we don't know how to do it, what we want, what we need, what has to be paid in exchange" She got me here, she made me curious, damn it, she knew exactly what buttons to press and how to catch my attention.

"You have two options. One is simple, walk out the door and never have this chance again, that I can vouch for it. The other option is to listen to what I have to say about your origins and about what you can achieve but also what it costs", again costs what is this about costing?

"All in due time, I will explain everything but you must chose because time is short, and you have no idea how short it is" she said in a grave tone then with a sigh she continued "I can't make you chose, it must be your doing, so be swift". Can she read my mind, how does she know things before I even say them?

"You may describe it like that but it's not the same, it's  more like you expel your thoughts towards me, I just pick them up and ... think of the following example. You are cooking something in your kitchen and only you know what you are making but the smell that is in the air reaches someone near you blindfolded, he doesn't know what you are making but he can figure it out from the smell, not exactly what you are doing but an idea. This is the same thing. Now let's focus, I won't rush you, you need time to think and that must be done in private, I will leave you to your thoughts alone for a short while, I need to get something done. Just remember that once a decision is taken you can't change your mind just like that. Any action has it's reaction. Either by leaving or remaining something will be changed either way irreversible" As she said the last word in a low tone she turned around and began to chant in an unknown language while tracing strange symbols in the air, they took shape and hovered as if they were written on paper. These symbols began to change shape slowly into a circle then the circle began to spin into a sphere, reaching amazing speeds.  It looked like an actual soap bubble starting to expand, more and more, touching things and making them change color and shape. It engulfed me as well but she old woman reassured me "I have just removed the spell cast on the shop, now more things will become visible. Feel free to explore it as if it was your mind." and she disappeared by fading into nothingness.

Imagine the shock I had, I could not believe my eyes, for a moment I felt like the ground was slipping from underneath. I felt a rush of air as the bubble engulfed me and my eyes burned from the light that it emanated, when I opened them just a second afterwards the room was changed, the amount of items displayed was bigger, the shelves reached higher levels, there were wide archways leading to other rooms filled like this one with strange trinkets and artifacts, some of them I can't even describe or name, I can not think of what they were or the purpose they served but they were radiating a light glow. I knew right away they had magical properties, what kind I could not identify. My blood ran faster and I got excited, oh how I wanted to to use each and every one of those artifacts, to know the secrets hidden but I was afraid.

I got scared of the possible outcome, I sensed my new found powers surging through me and a strange hunger, a hunger for magic. But how could I possibly sate that need was more upsetting than anything else.

Hidden words were now visible written with magic on each shelf, display case and tags. Somehow I could read them, but their meaning was not clear. "You have to make a choice!" the old woman's words rang in my head following my every thought. Her presence was still sensed in the room but I couldn't see her.

For the first time in my life a burden was pressing not on my mind, but on my heart. In the end I chose, even if this led to what I became I still regret nothing. Oh my diary, if only could have been there, the things I saw. It will be hard to explain so you can comprehend even a small fraction of it. Try to imagine the ink that I use to write this down, it marks you, first you feel something like pain, your structure changes a little, a mark is left there forever, but in the same time you gain value, the ink makes you great, because you are no longer empty. You take shape, a meaning, you become important, your every page becomes unique, just like my actions. I felt information stick to me as I passed books, I barely touched some sealed scrolls and I knew what was inside, some were protected by spells and I could not understand what I felt, but a sickening feeling took over me.

The objects that had a slight glow meant that they were magical or they had a spell cast upon, a spell came into my mind that allowed me to identify what kind of enchantment was cast upon them, the light began to vary from item to item, from pure white, golden or silver to red or even purple. My survival instinct kicked in when I tried to touch a purple aura item, it was alerting me by blocking my movements for a millisecond. I think this happens when our auras collide, not sure yet.

I came upon a crystal ball and touching it gave me a shock, I could feel energy surging through me. My eyes became watery, an image formed in my mind, it showed a  beautiful place, I was flying at great speed. I went over plaines and hills filled with flowers and tall grass. My voyage took me over forests so close I could almost feel their tips bruising against my hands. Mountains covered in snow went below me and I could see wild life moving, looking towards me as if they knew I was there, species I was unfamiliar with came before my eyes in a glimpse. Then I saw a region covered in clouds, dark as iron and filled with storms. Below them the earth was scorched where the lightning struck, creatures grotesque enough to make you sick carried urgent missions left and right. Too absorbed in their jobs weren't even noticing my presence. The first sight of a castle came into my view, an anomaly that looked like a castle, the walls formed a 5 pointed star with high towers where they met. In the towers and in the buildings I could see lights gleaming a strange green light radiated from the windows. On the streets light poles hosted red orbs that seemed to pulse as pedestrians passed them, sucking vital energy from them. In the middle another tower, bigger than the others shaped like a demon with a giant snake coiled around his body way up to the giant's head.

-----------

I heard a voice calling a name, it was more a sensation than actually hearing it. It wasn't my name but I knew it was calling me. I identified it from another direction, it seemed so far away yet so close so I headed towards it. The voice was grave, almost desperate, pleading. A beacon of light marked the origin of the calls. I could not yet distinguish the name nor if the person was a male or female, yet I felt the need to assist it right away, it was full of urgency. It seemed that I was not moving at all but as I watched below I could not even identify the surroundings and still it seemed like forever, like a nightmare where you can't move. Finally I reached the place and the pillar of light was immense, it covered the radius of a great city, I could not see behind this wall but I had to enter it. As I took a deep breath I passed through it. I could not see anything yet the voice was guiding me straight to the target. I lost almost all senses, where was up or down, nothing had color, I was one with the energy, I had no more hands, feet, either that or I was blind.

Slowly the light dimmed and things began to appear, shadows at first, details began to form, I was in an immense room, a ceiling filled with strange floating light globes, walls covered with tapestries, book shelves stood tall and strong carrying their burden, hundreds of items. This was familiar, yes, the store, but how did I came back? The answer dear diary came from the voice of the old woman.

"A brave but stupid thing you just did, I should have kept a better eye on you." She was holding my head in her lap, stroking my hair with a wet fabric, it was smoothing to the touch and every time it touched my skin I felt more energized. The sweet smell was filling my lungs with delight, I felt dead tired, but she urged me to stand up. "It's not yet the time to sleep, it seems you have made your choice..."

My mind cleared and I understood right away what she was implying. I asked her what that meant and she took a moment to think this through then she continued "You were supposed to chose first and then put you to the test after some instructions" She turned her head to the wall and one of the tapestries began to burn slowly in a corner "You have the gift of the creator, you can create worlds, magical worlds, to put it simple you are a Forger, with the power of your mind and magic you have created a realm. it's not that big yet as you can see, but it started".

"Where is the place located and what's it called?" I asked remembering the map in the previous room.
"I don't know, it's your world, your doing. Everything in it will have to be named by you. Of course you don't have to create everything, the inhabitants can craft their dwellings if they have the knowledge. You must know a thing right away. You see the flame on the map? That is the amount you have created, also after you have created the landscape with hills, mountains, plains lakes and rivers and so on, you must populate it with creatures, sentient beings, but it all depends on you. If you don't do anything for a period of time the flame dims and eventually it burns out, leaving the world unfinished. An unfinished world will crumble, and it will die out. And so will your magic, for you see, this has become your magical source. It's called equivalent trade."

"In other words I'm a god?" I asked scared of the thought, and she nodded. "This only applies in my world right? I can't create anything outside of it I hope" thinking of a stupid nightmare that could create some awful things. "Yes and no, I know what you fear but it doesn't work like that. It takes years of experience, study, practice and a lot of concentration to make something materialize in this world. As you might have guessed this world also has a Forger, nobody knows him yet but it is said that sometimes it appears and interacts with our kind and gives advises and guiding." She looked over her shoulder to a hourglass on stand and helped me rise "It's about time! Come, let's meet your world."

I got up still shaky and headed after her, she stopped in front of a table. There was only one item in the middle, it looked like a metal hexagonal plate with writings on each edge, in each corner there was a circle with a small needle pointing up.

"Here you have to finish the ritual, it might sound like a dark ritual but for it to be completed you have to comply." From a drawer she took out a small knife with runes on the blade. To little surprise I understood what they said "Give and you shall receive". The looked at me in surprise "You can read it already? My my, you are a gifted one. The bond has to be completed by giving some of your blood to the world you have created. For it to work you have to keep it balanced, it can't be filled with good or with evil. There are six needles and you have five fingers on your hand. You have to sting different fingers in each one. Let's do it"

My first impulse was to have all five fingers from the left hand get stung but then I thought it's better to have three from each hand. After that the small droplets of blood began to flow into the writings on the edges and the metal pulsed with energy. Another circle appeared in the middle of the plate when she told me to cut a small incision in the palm of my hand and place it on the circle. As I did that something began to suck my blood with incredible force, the pain was excruciating but she insisted that I keep my hand there no matter what. The pain began to diminish and it ended in being relaxing. She saw me being calm and removed my hand from the circle. The blood was gone, instead a liquid metal was in the circle. It began to boil, vapors formed creating a small floating cloud about twenty centimeters above the table. Electrical surges formed, the color shifted from red to yellow, green to violet, blue to orange. Slowly the cloud contracted into a small ball, the ball changed then shapes, it became liquid again, then it started to crystallize. As I concentrated on it I could see it take various shapes: creatures, objects, letters and others I could not name. It stabilized into small gem, the shape was what made me curious, it looked like a convex lens but it was rough and unpolished, the edges were irregular. I picked it up hoping that some amazing thing would happen but nothing.

I was so fatigued that I placed my hands on the table to regain my balance. She took me by my hand and we headed to some chairs, they felt so comfortable. What a day was my first thought letting out a sigh. By the time I opened my eyes again she had already prepared some tea, the flavor was so strong it slapped some sense back into me.

"I have watched you and I can say I am impressed of your choices." sensing I didn't understand anything she continued. "You have made a balance in your world, giving blood from both hands in equal amount. There are six needles and five fingers for a reason, One hand represents the good and the other the evil, Even if you sting all fingers from a hand there is required another from the other hand so there are both values in the world. Your sense of justice or intuition made you chose and I admit you continue to amaze. Since now you are fully one of us, I have to tell you my names. There are two names for us the gifted, the one that everyone knows, the name given at birth. My birth name is Sara. My other name, is Haghe, it means..." I sensed something and I interrupted her "Mentor! It means Mentor, right?"

"Quite impressive, yes it can be Mentor but it means Guide" and she smiled again. Sipping her tea she put the cup down, holding my hands she asked "Now, what are your names?".

"My birth name is Darian, but the other one is unknown, I have to think of a name by myself or is it as received?" I could not think of the other name, nothing came into my mind.

"It has to be something that represents you, for example you could be the Forger but there are others as well, it must be something that only you have and defines you."

"Intuition, I would chose this one, you said yourself, I have a lot of it and things stick to me naturally"

"It's a good name but I would think twice about it, you don't have to rush it. Let it come to you. One other thing I have to add. Both the names that you have when you speak them to someone else that is normal will only understand Darian, but another gifted person will know your true name, your magical one. Also bear in mind, not all of us are happy to see other mages because like the balance in your world, there are two sides of the same coin in ours, some have become good, some went on the other side and few, quite a few rest on the edge. I for one I reside on the edge, I'm neutral."

Oh that was a long talk that explained rules and how everything goes, what we strive to achieve and how we uses our powers, for the benefit of the world or personal gain. She took me in a part like a museum dedicated to some of the most powerful and inspirational mages that lived or were still alive. Artifacts, tomes, relics were encased in powerful magic bubbles. Sara presented the history of our world as far as she could go back in time and it was impressive. The spells she cast to recreate events and display the power she had gained left a residue of knowledge in my mind, the basics were inscribed permanently, I had only to learn to control them.

I was now thinking what to do next, how to develop this world I have created, what should I name it, how the inhabitants live and how will the balance be affected. All I had were questions.

--------------

You see my beloved diary, things aren't strange enough yet. I learned in a short time a lot of things. I chose to be a mage, I could have returned to the normal world but something made me chose what I did. Call it fate, destiny, karma, intuition. All would have had the same result. I could not leave the store that night and I stood there to study, the need to understand more took control, I felt a hunger for knowledge, a thirst for new horizons. I could not sleep anymore, I learned some spells that kept me going, I became like a sponge and absorbed any information that was provided to me. Haghe fed me with books, and trinkets and provided guidance on how to evolve, how to create my own world. She showed me how the world was actually that there are creatures in this world that live among humans and neither know about the other, because you see the one who has created this world we live in, has great power, he was able to create such a big world that a mere map will not suffice. He has created an Universe, but that inspired me, that gave me an idea. What if I could surpass that, what if my world would be not just as big as his is, but more complex, instead of one world I will have multiple ones. After I will finish with this one I will create another one to run in parallel. And why not if my power would hold create even more.

"Darian, take it easy, time is no longer an issue, you don't have to rush it!" she told me after she figured out what I was thinking. She could see that my eyes were changing, they became to glitter. She could see that the power I was gaining was increasing at an alarming rate. I had to spend that power before it engulfed me since I could not control it. Others failed to subdue it and they became pure silver statues, one material for other magical items, there are mages who take subjects under their wings and grow them so powerful that they transform into other magical materials. Some were so rare and powerful that became keron, a kind of crystal, this material could make the most powerful artifacts known. It was so rare that some mages dedicated their whole life trying to gain even the smallest amount, they became known as the perfectionists. While some managed to get their hands on such materials, others became hunted, others hated for their amazing powers. You see this isn't the perfect world, it's far from it. But even so a balance is in place, nobody


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[UPDATED ALMOST DAILY]

Kitsu

A fost odata intr-o lume unde anotimpurile erau permanente si trecerea dintr-un anotimp in altul insemna ca treceai dintr-un regat in altul. Daca existau razboaie intre regate si acestea erau cucerite se schimba si anotimpul, astfel ca toti locuitorii erau afectati de asta si din acest motiv, din frica de schimbare, luptau inversunat pentru a-si proteja tinutul. Razboaiele nu erau dese, dar si cand aveau loc era o priveliste maiastra, tabloul ar fi fost unul magic. In regatul unde incepe povestea noastra - Glacius - domnea iarna; aici copacii, casele, florile erau din gheata, pana si castelul era faurit la fel, de la usa, paturi, farfurii, candelabre, la scari si geamuri, doar bijuteriile erau din pietre pretioase, care straluceau puternic, o energie feerica emana din ele.

Aici locuia o tanara printesa si aceasta avea tot ce si-ar fi putut dori: o familie iubitoare, prieteni loiali si dragi, slujitori devotati si animale care fermecati de frumusetea ei o ascultau ca hipnotizati. Viata ei mergea inainte si invata tot ce putea despre lumea ce o inconjura, despre taramuri in care nu ajunsese niciodata, unde casele erau construite din piatra, unde diversitatea animalelor era asa de mare ca nu existau poze si informatii suficiente pentru a le descrie pe toate, taramuri unde soarele ardea cu putere, raurile chemau pentru a se adapa vietuitoarele padurilor, pesti mai colorati decat orice ar fi putut ea sa isi inchipuie inotau nestingheriti.


Intr-o zi domnita se trezi singura in palat, o liniste sinistra stapanea acum imprejurimile, nimeni nu raspundea chemarilor ei, nici slujitori, nici animale, nici familia. La inceput speriata, apoi panicata, ii chema si plangea, dar nimeni nu o auzea. Intra in camera parintilor care acum parea rece, se imbratisa atinsa de racoare, patul era facut neatins, merse in camera slujitorilor si acolo la fel, totul era in perfecta ordine dar parasit de parca nu ar fi locuit nimeni niciodata. Cutreiera toate camerele in speranta ca cineva, oricine, orice cu viata sa ii raspunda chemarilor. Ajunse in final in sala mare unde era si intrarea principala, acum parea uriasa si sinistra. Nici vantul nu intra prin ferestrele larg deschise si draperiile din zapada transparenta nu se miscau deloc. Parca timpul ar fi ramas in loc.

Ceva pe masuta de langa intrare ii atrase atentia, ceva ce nu mai vazuse pana atunci, se apropie si descoperi un lantisor de aur alb cu un pandantiv albastru, pur ca cerul. Il lua si simti un fior din maini pana in degetele de la picioare. Il arunca cu un tipat, acesta cazu pe podeau rece, zgomotul era putin straniu, nu era natural, nu suna a metal, parea mai degraba un glas. Surprinsa se apropie de lantisor si il studie dar fara sa il atinga, dintr-odata albastrul se involbura, vartejuri de nicaieri aparura si un chip se forma din ceva ce pareau a fi nori, stele si un cer bleurmarin, ca si cum cineva ar fi privit cerul instelat in oglinda unui lac.

- Hrrrm! rosti pandantivul. E cineva acolo? Brrrr, ce frig este, alo, ma ajuta si pe mine cineva? Vai ce rece este podeaua asta. Ce mod straniu de a te trezi, unde o fi stapanul? Stapane Reti, hai raspunde nu te mai juca, ce e locul asta? Realizand ca e cu fata in jos si ca i se oglindea imaginea incepu sa isi studieze trasaturile. Era pentru prima data cand se vedea si ramase putin socat de aspectul sau. In timp ce se analiza atent cu coltul ochiului o zari pe printesa incremenita si rosti:

- Hey tu, domnita! moment in care Kitsu tresari. Ajuta-ma rogu-te si ridica-ma, vreau sa te intreb ceva. Ea cu oarecare ezitare se apropie si se apleca langa pandantiv. Il privi dar nu il atinse, ultima data cand facu asta un soc ii trecu prin tot corpul, era reticenta. Nu-ti fie frica, nu iti fac nimic rau, daca despre acel sentiment te temi sa stii ca se intampla doar prima data cand are loc primul contact, am mai facut asta de nenumarate ori, sa stii ca nici pentru mine nu este un sentiment placut.

Printesa prinse putin curaj si atinse usor lantisorul cu dosul palmei si vazu ca nu nu se intampla nimic, cu bagare de seama atinse si cristalul dar nu simti nici un alt sentiment. Il mangaie cu degetele iar acesta parca simtind atingerea ei se gudura ca un motanel pe langa mama lui. Prinse curaj si il ridica in palme, il analiza, chipul o privi acum pe domnitza si o studie, ii analiza trasaturile, parul ei argintiu cadea drept pana pe umeri, ochii ei mari si verzi straluceau ca doua juvaiere si parca isi hipnotizau tinta, genele lungi si negre ii conturau ochii si ii scoteau si mai mult in evidenta, sprancenele arcuite de o simetrie perfecta o faceau sa para mult mai matura decat era. Nasul ei mic, putin ascutit si ridicat in vant ii dadeau o alura aristocratica indiferent unde s-ar afla, ce ar purta sau ce ar spune. Pielea ei alba si fina ca matasea ii imbracau trupul firav, maini neobisnuite cu greutatile vietii si ale muncii, degelete parca facute din lapte nu tradau urma de truda, erau catifelate la atingere. Rochia pe care o purta ascundea un trup zvelt si bine definit, formele ei ar fi facut invidioasa orice alta adolescenta. Unghiile ei de un bleu deschis nu erau lacuite, asa era culoarea lor naturala, datorita zonei unde locuia, mai ca puteai jura ca avea sange albastru. Buzele ei mici si suave ascundeau dinti stralucitor de albi, ca de clestar. Un simplu zambet de-al ei ar fi dezarmat o armata intreaga. Vocea ei inca nedefinita, dar curata ca a unei privighetori faceau sa vorbele ei dulci sa fie porunci nu simpe rugaminti, indemnurile ei erau sfaturi sfante, o minunatie de fecioara avea in fata lui spiritul pietrei. Ramase fermecat si nu stia ce sa spuna, se uitau perplexi unul la celalalt. Intr-un final ea rupse tacerea:

- Numele meu este Kitsu, sunt fecioara stapanilor acestui castel, tu cine esti si de unde ai aparut? o intreba cu vocea ei dulce dar aproape poruncitoare.

- Eu ... eu sunt Reis, raspunse el cam impiedicat, fermecat de vocea ei, sunt protectorul si indrumatorul stapanului meu Reti, din tinutul magiei pamantului.

- Deci el te-a adus aici? il intreba si in acelasi timp scruta de jur imprejur. Nu l-am vazut cat timp cutreieram casa, sau te-a lasat altcineva?

- Ca veni vorba, chiar nu stiu cum am ajuns in aceasta locatie. Lui Reis ii era greu sa uite amanunte asa vitale ca o calatorie dar totusi nu isi amintea cum a ajuns acolo, nedumerit continua. Eu apartin stapanului Reti si am fost faurit de Tatal Zaman, stapanul timpului pentru a-i ajuta pe cei alesi. Am fost alaturi de toti stapanii anteriori de la nastere pana in ultimele clipe si de fiecare data Tatal Zaman a avut grija sa ajung pe mainile actualului ales. Cu stapanul Reti sunt de 20 de ani, iar acum, cand are mai multa nevoie de mine, am fost despartiti. Sper ca totul este in regula si ca este in siguranta, as fi distrus daca ar pati ceva si simt ca fizic m-as face bucatele.

Kitsu induiosata incepu sa il mangaie sa incerce sa il calmeze, uitand ca de fapt este un spirit inchis intr-o piatra. Aceasta ii spuse ca pana acum nu a gasit pe nimeni in castel, si ei i se pare ciudat acest lucru, cu o zi inainte castelul era plin de lume, de activitate, garzile patrulau neincetat, sfetnicii tatalui ei se certau si discutau conducerea regatului, slujbasii isi vedeau de treaba cu ordinea, randuirea lucrurilor, dar astazi, totul era pustiu, nici in curte nu mai gasea pe nimeni.

- Stiu ca pare ciudat dar am un sentiment ca o forta foarte puternica trage sforile acestei intamplari, dar nu pot sa imi dau seama cine, rosti ingandurat Reis.

- Sa fie oare acest ... Zaman? il intreba ea

- Nuuu, el nu ar face niciodata asta, ar da un semn, mi-ar da de stire. Tare imi e ca trebuie sa descoperim acest complo..

- Stai! Ce vrei sa spui cu "trebuie sa descoperim"? il intrerupse ea. Doar nu vrei sa insinuezi ca o sa plec din palat. Daca se intorc toti de unde sunt acum si eu nu mai sunt de gasit? Poate de fapt este doar un vis. Daaa, e un vis - isi spuse ea - o sa astept si o sa ma trezesc si o sa reapara toti. Si asa ea se aseza la o masa, il puse pe Reis in fata ei si il privea plictisita si cu interesul pierdut ascultand incordata un semn de la cel care il adusese .

- Draga mea Kitsu - ii rostea acum cu o voce grava si autoritara - habar nu ai cat o sa stai aici daca nu facem ceva, pe langa asta nu stiu daca domnia ta stie sa gateasca, nu cred ca ai vrea sa mori de foame.

La auzul acestor vorbe isi aduse aminte ca nu a mancat nimic si ca sa ii demonstreze ca se descurca, se ridica de la masa si disparu dupa o usa, reaparu dupa cateva minute cu un cosulet plin de merinde.

- Felicitari, ti-ai asigurat hrana pentru urmatoarele doua ore, dar maine sau poimaine, sau cand "te vei trezi"? Ce vei face? Eu sunt real, te rog sa ma crezi, dar nu am nevoie de hrana, in schimb tu da, cu toate astea nu vreau sa raman aici izolat intr-un castel de gheata pana cand ma va gasi altcineva, eu am un destin de urmat. Toti avem! Trebuie sa parasesti acest loc, intr-un fel sau altul trebuie sa ajungem acasa la stapanul meu. El ne va putea ajuta sa iti gasim si familia si prietenii si tot, asta daca nu va fi prea tarziu.

Pe chipul printesei se putea citi nervozitatea, ar fi vrut sa spuna lucruri urate la adresa lui Reis, i-ar fi placut sa il apuce de lant si sa il arunce pe geam afara cat putea ea de tare, sa nu il mai vada, sa ii piarda urma, dar cu toate acestea era constienta ca are dreptate. Se uita in toate directiile, cauta cu putere orice urma de zgomot, de un alt semn de viata, dar in zadar. Nimeni nu mai era in preajma, poate nici in regat, dar ea spera ca pe drum va intalni si alti oameni care o vor ajuta, care o vor recunoaste.

- Bine, facem ca tine, plecam spre pamanturile stapanului tau, dar incotro o luam? Nu am nici cea mai vaga idee incotro sa incepem drumul. - spuse ea cuprinsa de emotii, era un lucru nou, sa plece din castel neinsotita, fara parinti, fara garzi, fara ajutoare, fara trasura, pe jos, sa mearga atat, i se parea irealizabil.

- Nu te da batuta inainte sa faci primul pas, din propria experienta iti spunsi crede-ma domnita ca am trait sute de ani. Vrei sa stii incotro sa o luam? Se rezolva, tatal tau avea o camera cu harti? Ca sa stim incotro mergem trebuie sa stim unde suntem.

- Da, desigur ca are, in Sala amintirilor, unde sunt tinute armurile si relicvele trecutilor conducatori, sigur am vazut pe acolo harti, si unele chiar mari. Aceasta il lua de lant si fugi in graba spre camera cu pricina. Reis neavand un corp sa il tina locului se invartea in jurul lantului si pierdu directia asa ca striga panicat.

- Domnita, rogu-te stai o clipa. Nu ai vrea totusi sa ma pui la gat? In felul acesta pot sa vad si eu pe unde mergem, pot sta linistit si sa nu ma mai invart anevoios.

Aceasta il agata la gat si un alt mini curent trecu prin ea dar de data aceasta si el simti ceva, o conexiune.

- Aaa! Ce mi-ai facut? il intreba ea.

- Nimic, nu stiu ce s-a intamplat dar cred ca exista o rezonanta intre noi doi, dar este imposibil, eu rezonez doar cu alesul si este unul singur in acesta lume, nu am pomenit pana acum sa fie doi. Vreau sa incerc ceva si sa nu te sperii, am o teorie.

Aceasta ii confirma ca nu se va speria, si deodata auzi in mintea ei glasul lui, doar ca putin ciudat, nu venea din nici o directie anume, nu era un glas normal, era ca o amintire. Aceasta panicata gandindu-se la pandantiv comunica la randul ei fara a vorbi cu acesta. Intre ei se stabili o legatura telepatica, isi puteau vorbi fara sa se mai oboseasca sa rosteasca cuvintele cu voce tare. Oarecum infricosata sa nu care cumva sa ii citeasca si gandurile, acesta o asigura ca nu are aceasta putere, dar ea ramasese sceptica. De cateva ori l-a pus la incercare gandindu-se ca ar trebui sa scape de el, pentru a observa daca are vreo reactie dar nimic.

In ciuda acestei noi schimbari isi continua drumul si gasi camera unde erau atarnate tapestrii cu harti la intervale regulate, mai mult sau mai putin realiste, unele foarte vechi. Cele mai noi inglobau nu doar regatul ci si regatele invecinate, una singura incerca sa redea toata lumea dar era departe de a fi completa. Zone nexeplorate erau reprezentate prin nori razleti in jurul carora se impleticeau dragoni sau ape cu monstri diversi, unele regate viu colorate pentru a reda elementul dominant, unele aveau langa nume si niste semne distincte, care la prima vedere putea insemna ca era un regat cucerit sau inamic. La cat de vechi erau hartile unele aveau acele insemne, era un lucru nesigur acest aspect dar ce i-a atras atentia lui Reis era faptul ca recunoscu in sfarsit unde se afla si stia trecutul acestui regat.

O calatorie

Suntem in autobuz, se misca violent si oamenii se ating, imbrancesc; in haos din greseala iti iau sanul stang in palma. Te uiti suparata la mine si amenintator sa ma opresc, iar eu la urmatoarea frana ma apropii si te musc de buza. Vrei sa ma pocnesti, iar eu ... eu te tintuiesc de-o bara.

Te musc de gat, de ureche si sa iti ordon sa ma saruti puternic. Cu cealalta mana dai sa ma zgarii, dar eu ti-o intorc la spate si te musc de buza tare. Ii dau drumul si se retrage sangerie. Incerci sa ma lovesti si nu faci decat ca trupurile noaste sa fie stans lipite. Respiri puternic si privirea ta razbunatoare imi da fiori reci.

Te sarut cu pofta, iti duc ambele maini la spate si-mi eliberez o mana. Iti prind obrajii in palma si apas cat sa deschizi gura. Te probez cu limba si limba ta raspune, impinge si cade in capcana mea. O sug, o trag cu patima si tu gemi de durere. Dau drumul... respiri greu si puternic, te-ai incins. Esti ca in flacari. Parul tau blond si ciufulit pare a fi electrizat. Esti incordata si gata de atac.

Acum? Esti o pantera flamanda de razbunare, o leoaica icoltita. Ai vrea sa ma sfasii acolo cu toti cei din jur. Pentru tine nimic nu mai exista, doar coltii tai taiosi si jugulara mea. Te aţâţ. Hai, incearca! ... te intinzi dar nu musti decat aer. Esti prinsa in lanturi, lanturi multe. Placerea, fericirea, coexistenta, extazul formeaza zale puternice. Oricat ai vrea sa negi ma vrei, ma doresti, ma ravnesti zi si noapte. Cand nu sunt langa tine noaptea pare mai rece, clipele mai lungi, lumea mai trista. Iti dau drumul la maini usor, esti inca o fiara, esti inca un pericol, iar eu ... o prada usoara. Am crezut ca te pot imblanzi dar imi e imposibil... esti o fiinta puternica, o femeie adevarata.

Incet privirea ti se limpezeste, respiratia este acum regulata dar nu linistita, focul inca arde in suflet.
Imi urc mana pe umarul tau, usor pe gat, sus pana la ureche si o prind intre degete, cobor pe maxilar si iti ating buzele ... le sterg in graba.
Durerea este combustibil pentru jarul care inca te consuma.
- Relaxeaza-te draga mea, a trecut. Ti-am spus ca o sa te pedepsesc cand AM EU CHEF!

Te sarut pe frunte, ma iei in brate si capul tau se odihneste linistit pe umarul meu.
Te mangai pe par, ocrotitor si o picatura imi atinge pielea, este fierbinte ca inima unui vulcan.
Ma strangi puternic in mainile tale suave, incepi sa tremuri, un plans usor se aude de pe buzele tale dulci ca mierea.

Tragi aer in piept adanc, respiri de cateva ori si imi soptesti:
- De ce nu mi-ai spus unde duce masina asta? ma intrebi printre lacrimi si privirea pierduta.
- Ai mai fi venit cu mine daca stiai?

Caldura sufletului V

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Febra il tinu cateva zile, timp in care cosmarurile nu ii dadura pace, dar stia ca cineva este alaturi de el cu toate astea era suparat pe el, ca ii ingreuna viata bietei fete, o tot intreba despre progresele tatalui ei dar ea nu spunea decat ca “o sa vezi singur cand te faci mai bine” si ii zambea. Neeve venea des sa ii aduca mancare, schimburi, avea foarte mare grija de el, il intreba despre starea lui, daca se simte mai bine si acesta mintea ca se simte exceptional, chipul sau era de alta parere. Intr-un final febra trecu si refacut nu dori sa mai stea o secunda inchis, era satul pana peste cap, era foarte curios de ce o sa vada. Inainte insa, corespunzator imbracat, ajuta la treaba de afara, ea il certa imediat “Vrei sa te intorci in pat observ.” Terminand in graba se indrepta spre laborator, acolo profesorul cum il zari ii facu semn sa se apropie.
- Vesti bune, am gasit solutia dilemei tale, am gasit cum sa izolam materialul sa nu se mai ude. Dupa ore intregi de teorie din care nu intelegea mare lucru, observa si rezultatele profesorului, si era chiar suparat ca nu a putut fi de ajutor ci doar o povara. Alta data tinere, plus ca sa nu mai zic, pentru ce ai tu in minte iti trebuie mai multe cabrile, mult mai multe. Vezi tu, procesul de impermeabilitate nu este suta la suta sigur, prin urmare o sa mai dea si rateuri, desigur procentajul este mic, dar tot exista. Cum nu am doar vesti bune, aici in zona nu prea se gasesc cabrile, dar daca nu ma insel in oras este cineva care a dat peste ele in trecut, Cohen il cheama, inainte a fost miner, acum nu stiu cu ce se ocupa, dar presupun ca mai este in oras. Asadar poti sa il cauti si sa il intrebi daca stie mine unde se gaseste Enol, este un fel de carbune, din pacate prin zona nu tin minte sa se mai gaseasca, dar minele exista, deci si posibilitatea sa gasesti ceea ce cauti. Foarte fericit de aceste informatii, ii anunta ca se va intoarce in oras si daca se poate sa vina sa mai ceara sfatul sau chiar sa lucreze alaturi de profesor. Acesta ii raspunse ca ar fi fost mai mult decat bucuros sa il aibe in preajma, chiar si Neeve parea putin dezamagita ca Adur urma sa plece, incepuse sa se ataseze de el in ciuda putinului timp petrecut impreuna.
Cu bagajul facut si echipat pentru drumul spre casa, isi lua la revedere de la profesor care era inca in laborator, Neeve in schimb se tinu dupa el, il instrui sa aibe grija sa nu se abata prin padure prea mult, sa nu se raneasca, sa mai treaca pe acolo din cand in cand “aleile nu se curata singure sa stii” si zambi, acesata rase si ii multumi pentru grija purtata. Dadu sa plece dar ea il prinse de maneca, se intoarse o auzi “Ai grija de tine Adur! Sa nu faci ceva ce o sa regreti!”, apoi se trezi cu buzele ei fierbiti pe obrazul sau, rusinata fugi in casa si inainte sa inchida usa se mai uita odata la el. El ramasese impietrit dar nu impasibil, ii facu cu mana si pleca hotarat sa ajunga in siguranta. Dar gandul sau acum era in alte locuri, deja vedea lucruri marete, schimbari majore, un oras in care lumea radea, unde nimeni nu mai simtea frigul, serele se inmultisera, orasul atragea prosperitate, lumea venea sa cumpere materialul nou, ca veni vorba ce nume sa ii dea, inca nu se hotarase Adurie, nu suna bine, Adurix, parca parca dar tot nu era frumos, Durix, Duris, variante si variante. Uite asa in zare vazu fum si isi dadu seama ca se apropie de oras, oras pe care il iubea asa de mult datorita ei, Jaraia. Nici nu avu timp sa se gandeasca prea mult, mai ales de la acel cosmar, speriat sa nu fi fost un semn grabi pasul.
Cum intra in oras observa pe chipul oamenilor mirare, nu stia ce se intamplase sau cat timp a fost plecat cu exactitate, avu impresia ca a fost plecat cel putin o luna, dar de fapt au fost cateva zile, totusi in aceste vremuri, o persoana disparuta in paduri cateva zile era pierduta pe veci. Cei care il stiau mai bine il intrebau pe unde a fost, cei care stiau ce cauta il intrebau de rezultate, el ii asigura este bine si ca a facut progrese. Intreba in stanga si in dreapta de acest Cohen dar primi doar raspunsuri derizorii. Hotara sa se duca la taverna unde se aduna lumea, in drum trecu iar pe langa locul unde locuia Jaraia, lumea il saluta si deodata isi auzi numele strigat.
- Adur, esti viu! Se uita in sus si o vazu pe Jaraia la geam, chipul ei radia de fericire, acesta o saluta si ii raspunse.
- Dupa cum vezi sunt! Rase si flutura mana spre ea. Aceasta il chema sus sa ii vorbeasca, iar el chiar daca avea lucruri importante de rezolvat nu putu sa o refuze. Intra in cladire si auzi cum usa ei se deschise, se uita in sus si o vazu cum il astepta nerabdatoare sprijinita de balustrada. Cand ajunse la etajul ei, aceasta il stranse in brate. “Ce ma bucur ca esti intreg, unde ai disparut atatea zile? Mi-am … ne-am facut griji pentru tine” spuse ea rusinandu-se putin de iesirea ei. Adur ca sa o salveze ii propuse sa intre in casa deoarece era frig pe hol. Odata inauntru, Jaraia puse niste apa la foc, si il invita sa ia loc cat pregatea ea ceaiul. O asigura ca nu este nevoie, trebuia sa ajunga la taverna sa afle mai multe despre un anume Cohen, cheia urmatorului pas. In urma intrebarilor ei acesta ii spuse prin ce trecuse, ea mirata de existenta acelui loc asa de evoluat tehnologic crezu ca glumeste, ca si-a imaginat, dar seriozitatea cu care povestea si expresia fetei nu tradau nici un fel de gluma. O usoara stare de discomfort puse stapanire pe ea cand auzi de Neeve si care a avut grija de el. In mintea ei fara sa vrea aparura diferite scenarii in care Adur si Neeve erau implicati. Acest lucru se putea citi pe chipul ei si o intreba despre ea, ea il asigura ca era bine. O instiinta ca de indata ce va sti unde sunt acele mine va pleca in cautarea lor, la auzul acestei vesti ea ingheta.
- S-a intamplat ceva? O intreba ingrijorat
- Nu… nimic – si tacu putin apoi continua – vreau sa ma iei si pe mine cand pleci, vreau sa fiu si eu implicata in ceva bun, vreau si eu sa contribui cu ce pot.
- Jaraia – se apropie de ea si o lua de maini – nu vreau sa vii cu noi pentru ca drumul nu o sa fie usor, o sa fie foarte greu chiar, uitandu-se afara la zapada depusa ca o patura, nu vreau sa patesti ceva, nu o sa ma iert niciodata daca s-ar intampla ceva cu tine.
- Nu trebuie sa iti faci grija, imi pot purta si singura de grija, pe langa asta, cineva trebuie sa aibe grija de voi, aveti nevoie de o persoana care sa gateasca sau sa coasa, daca v-as lasa de izbeliste cine stie cand va intoarceti, sau daca va mai intoarceti. Voi barbatii sunteti iresponsabili cu sanatatea voastra. Nu accept un raspuns negativ.
- Bine, mai vorbim despre asta, oricum o sa dureze ceva pana aflam locatia minelor si pentru inceput vreau sa descopar daca gasim si ce ne trebuie nu doar minele. Putem fi plecati pentru multa vreme.
- Am inteles, dar nici sa nu te gandesti sa pleci fara mine, sunt cu ochii pe tine! Si il ameninta cu degetul. Acesta zambi si dadu de inteles ca a bagat la cap. Mai discutara despre lucruri marunte putin si dupa ce termina ceaiul se ridica sa plece. In dreptul usii aceasta il stranse inca odata in brate si multumi cerului ca s-a intors sanatos. Adur in culmea fericirii o stranse la randu-i in brate si o saruta pe crestet, si el era fericit ca a apucat sa o vada inca odata. Presat de griji si de timp, isi lua la revedere si pleca direct catre taverna. Acolo lume multa, stiri referitoare la intoarcerea lui si progresele realizate erau pe buzele tuturor, devenise cunoscut mai mult din cauza lipsei de zvonuri sau subiecte de discutie. Cum intra, cineva il aborda si ii transmise ca batranul il asteapta si vrea sa ii vorbeasca. Odata ajuns la acesta, lumea din jurul lui se dadu la o parte si in jurul celor doi se forma un cerc.
- Batrane, luminata fie-ti intelepciunea, am nevoie de ajutor pentru a termina cu bine aceasta calatorie, am aflat ca un anume Cohen ma poate ajuta. A fost miner in minele de Enol. Trebuie sa il gasesc pe acest om sau daca nu se poate, macar pe cineva care stie unde se gasesc aceste mine.
- Luminata-ti fie calea tinere Adur si drumul cat mai usor, acest aspect il discutam cu ceilalti de aici. Deja stim ce te macina si oamenii s-au oferit voluntari sa te ajute in acest aspect. Un grup il cauta deja pe Cohen, daca mai este in oras, nu il cunosc personal dar alti mineri stiu cam pe unde pot sa il gaseasca. Sper ca in curand sa se intoarca cu vesti bune. Povesteste-ne te rog pe unde ai umblat. Acesta relata cele intamplate, dar de data asta cu mai putine detalii, daca cei din oras ar fi aflat despre tehnologia in posesia profesorului Clonc, ar fi starnit controversa si ar fi putut duce chiar la distrugerea caminului acestuia, regreta putin ca i-a spus Jaraiei, si isi propusese sa o atentioneze asupra acestui fapt. Trecura ore bune si toti cei care se intorceau dadeau din umeri, Cohen nu era de gasit nicaieri, se zvonea chiar ca ar fi pasarit orasul. Adur simtea cum sansele lui de izbanda se miscorau cu fiecare minut, cuprins de dezamagire ii saluta pe cei prezenti si se pregati sa plece, oboseala se facu simtita, drumul obositor il extenuase. Pleca acasa visator, odata ajuns observa ca usa inghetase, cu putin efort reusi sa intre, porni focul, din rucsac scoase ce a mai ramas din mancarea pregatita de Neeve, o incalzi si o consuma pe nerasuflate. Cum s-a incalzit putin simti cum somnul iesi din ascunzatoarea sa si il tragea de pleoape spre pat, nici nu se mai spala si se baga in pat.
In visul sau se facea ca locuia in alta parte, in jurul sau glasuri de copii rasunau a veselie si rasete. Nu recunostea locul dar totusi i se parea cunoscut, o voce de femeie il striga pe nume “Adur! Spune-le copiilor sa lase joaca si sa se apuce de lectii, nu am timp sa stau dupa ei si sa fac mancare!” Inmarmurit nu stia cum sa reactioneze, se ridica de pe scaun si se duse spre bucatarie, acolo Jaraia toca niste legume, ce cauta ea aici “Jaraia?” spuse el uimit. “Dar cine ai vrea sa fie dragul meu, s-a intamplat ceva?” ii raspunse aceasta oprindu-se din tocat. El zambi si dadu din cap ca nu, apoi pleca sa caute copii, intr-o camera ghidat de rasete gasi doi copii cam de sapte ani, baiat si fata care semanau izbitor unul cu celalalt. Gemeni? Am gemeni? Acestia, cum il vazura, strigara “Tatiii!” si il prinsera de picioare. “joaca-te cu noi, te rugam” tragandu-l de pantaloni. Tati, gandi el, se uita in spate spre bucatarie, deci Jaraia este sotia mea si ei sunt copii nostri, un sentiment de fericire il coplesi, “Ce copii frumosi am!” spuse iar acestia se uitara unul la celalalt mirati, apoi inapoi la tatal lor. “Tati, esti bine?”. Normal ca sunt gandi el, si ridica fata in brate intr-o mana si baiatul in cealalta, si ce frumosi sunt, seamana cu mama lor. Vru sa ii pupe dar cum se apropie de ei acestia se indepartau. Frica puse stapanire pe el, incerca iar sa ii pupe si acelasi rezultat. “Datii lui tati un pupic, puii mei!” spuse el, dar acestia miscandu-si degele “Inca nu se poate, nu este timpul!” Derutat o striga pe Jaraia dar aceasta nu raspunse, aseza copii jos si pleca spre bucatarie, nu gasi pe nimeni, ca si cum ar fi disparut, se intoarse in dormitor si nici urma de copii. Cauta disperat in toata casa, chemandu-I la el “Jaraia! Copii!” dar nici un raspuns. Deodata se trezi, plin de transpiratie, supra incalzit, buimac, dezamagit. A fost doar un vis, se sterse si se tranti pe perna. Un vis atat de aproape, dar irealizabil. Agitat incepu sa se gandeasca la Jaraia dar curand realiza ca asa nu ar mai fi putut adormi la loc asa ca se concentra la Duris, materialul ce ii va purta numele, incepu sa isi imagineze schimbari in jurul sau si incet incet se calma, iar somnul i se cuibari iar in minte. De data asta nu se mai trezi pana dimineata.
In zilele ce urmara, Adur se concentra in timpul liber sa dea de Cohen, si intr-un final fu gasit la marginea orasului, unde isi intemeiase un fel de atelier. Cand a ajuns la usa acestuia din interior se auzeau batai de ciocan, asa ca batu mai tare in usa. O voce groasa il invita sa intre, deschise usa si o caldura puternica isi facu prezenta. Intra si ceru sa vorbeasca putin despre trecutul lui Cohen, despre minele unde a lucrat, daca tine minte amanunte privind cabrilele si cum sa ajunga acolo. Adur si-a spus povestea si ce dorea sa faca, la final Cohen ii ceru sa vada despre ce era vorba. Dupa o analiza rapida ii spuse ca a mai intalnit in trecut materia. “Dupa ce sapam tuneluri apareau la cateva luni depuneri pe pereti, nu stiam despre ce e vorba, credeam ca sunt scurgeri printre pietre, dar cu timpul cresteau din ce in ce mai mult, sefii ne puneau sa le dam jos de pe pereti pentru ca atunci cand se udau se prelingeau de pe pereti si podeaua devenea alunecoasa. Stiu unde poti sa gasesti mai multe, dar nu stiu cum sa iti explic sa ajungi acolo, a fost cu multi ani in urma, ar trebui sa te ghidez pana acolo si sincer sa fiu nu imi vine sa parasesc orasul. Acum nici nu pot sa bag mana in foc pentru minele respective, dupa Impact este posibil ca galeriile sa se fi surpat, sa nu mai gasesti nimic acolo.” Adur il asigura ca isi asuma acest risc. “Tu poate ti-l asumi, dar eu de ce as face-o? Gaseste o harta si iti voi arata cum sa ajungi unde vrei, acum daca nu mai ai alta treaba cu mine ma voi intoarce la ale mele, uneltele nu se repara singure.” Si se intoarse la treaba lui, lasandu-l pe tanar pe ganduri. Acesta saluta si pleca dezamagit. Intreba prin oras de o harta si dupa ce gasi ce ii trebuia se intoarse la Cohen, acesta ii arata cu aproximatie pe unde se aflau minele. Multumit si cu atat acesta pleca, vremea foarte rece tinea lumea inchisa in case asa ca strazile erau pustii, fapt ce ii oferi ocazia sa isi faca planuri pentru plecare. Odata ajuns la adapost isi pregati ceva de-ale gurii, se spala, si se puse la birou pentru a-si face planul de drum, ce sa ia cu el, pe cine sa ia cu el. In usa se auzira ciocanituri, se ridica si deschise, in fata lui Jaraia statea tremurand de frig, nu stia ce sa zica. “Nu ma inviti inauntru? Este frig de mi-au inghetat si gandurile.” Acesta isi ceru scuze, ea era ultima persoana pe care ar fi asteptat-o pe gerul ala la usa.
- Ei, lasa nu-I nimic. Si isi trase un scaun langa soba. Uitandu-se prin camera observa ca lucrurile nu s-au schimbat asa de mult de cand a fost ultima data pe la el, doar cateva improvizatii carora nu le gasea rostul atarnau pe ici pe colo. Ia spune ce progrese ai fauct cu expeditia, ai aflat unde se gasesc calilele alea – acesta zambi dar nu o corecta - cand plecam?
- Jaraia, am mai vorbit, nu stiu inca si nu ti-am promis ca te iau, uite ce departe este – si ii arata semnele pe harta – drumul o sa fie foarte greu si nu vreau sa te ranesti sau sa te razgandesti dupa un timp…
- Adica vrei sa spui ca nu ma crezi in stare de un asa drum – il intrerupse ea, vorbind pe un ton dur – crezi ca sunt un obstacol, sau ca o sa va ingreunez calatoria? Facu ochii mici incercand sa il determine sa recunoasca.
- Nu este vorba de asta, puse harta pe birou si isi trase scaunul langa ea, stii doar ca pentru mine tu esti cea mai importanta fiinta de pe pamant si nu vreau sa patesti ceva, mai ales din vina mea. Cum as putea trai dupa aceea stiind ca eu direct sau indirect ti-am cauzat stiu eu ce. Nu vreau sa ma urasti dupa…
- Adur ai incredere in mine? Il intreba ea luandu-i palmele in ale ei, el observa cat de reci sunt si schimba rolurile, caldura lui o invalui iar aceasta se relaxa putin.
- Desigur ca am, spuse el rosind, bucuros ca lumina nu era destul de puternica ca ea sa observe. Nici nu se pune problema!
- Atunci de ce nu ma lasi si pe mine sa am un cuvant de spus. Nu am trait in puf si stiu sa ma descurc, nu o sa fiu o povara. Sunt constienta ca pericole, nu am spus sa fiu prima dar nici sa ma lasi pe afara. Vreau sa imi dovedesc si mie anumite lucruri. Trase aer in piept si ofta puternic, Adur realiza ca lucruri serioase urmau sa fie spuse asa ca tacu si asculta. Cand ai disparut zilele trecute in padure, mi-a fost tare frica pentru tine, nimeni nu stia de tine, si in ciuda insistentelor nimeni nu a plecat sa te caute, am crezut ca nu o sa te mai vad, am vrut chiar sa plec sa te caut singura. Am realizat, in ciuda negarilor mele, ca am sentimente pentru tine. Aceasta pleca capul si tacu. El nu stiu cum sa reactioneze, vru sa se ciupeasca, era un alt vis, adormise si nu realiza. Jaraia continua cu privirea in podea:
- Am realizat ca sunt egoista, am cautat o persoana ideala, care sa fie numai a mea, sa imi spuna cuvinte placute, sa faca totul si sa ma iubeasca numai pe mine – Adur deschise gura sa zica ceva dar aceasta il opri – te rog asteapta sa termin, nu stiu daca pot sa continui daca ma opresti. Sincer sa fiu nici eu nu stiu ce vreau, am crezut ca esti o persoana superficiala, care se bate cu pumnii in piept ca face si drege, ca faci toate cele doar ca sa ma impresionezi si apoi dupa ce te-ai fi plictisit de mine sa ma arunci pe un raft. nu te-am vazut niciodata asa decis sa faci ceva pentru altii, pentru mine. Am realizat ca esti altfel, ca sentimentele tale sunt reale. Risti enorm cu acest drum, fara siguranta ca te mai intorci. Nici nu vreau sa ma gandesc la acest lucru, nu, nu voi accepta sa raman in oras. Chiar daca nu ma luati cu voi o sa va urmaresc, ce-o sa faci? O sa ma trimiti acasa? O sa pierzi timp pretios, asa ca mai bine accepta ca vreau sa ma implic, vreau sa stiu ca traiesc, promit ca nu o sa va incurc, o sa tin pasul cu voi, o sa fac tot ce imi cereti, o sa car cot la cot cu voi, doar nu ma lasa aici. Nu vreau sa fiu singura. Lacrimi se formara in timp ce vorbea, lacrimi care se acumulara in ochii ei negri, si ca sa nu o vada isi sprijini fruntea de umarul lui. Adur cu o mana o mangaie pe cap, stiind prin ce trece, lacrimi se formau si in ochii lui dar se tinea puternic, se imbarbata si dupa ce isi drese vocea o ajuta si pe ea sa treaca peste situatie, ii promisese ca o s-o ia si ca nu o va abandona. Fata pentru care ar fi facut orice era langa el si il acceptase pentru cum era, nu un super erou sau cineva plin de vorbe goale.
- Totul o sa fie bine, linisteste-te, promit ca nu o sa te las in urma. O sa te protejez cu orice pret. Acum vreau sa fii puternica, avem nevoie de oameni tari pentru drum, nu vreau sa imi schimb parerea despre tine, ce zici? zambi ridicandu-i usor barbia, aceasta rase usor si isi sterse lacrimile care acum se prelingeau pe obrajii ei infierbantati. O saruta pe ochi si continua:
- Nu vreau sa mai versi lacrimi pentru nimeni, nici chiar pentru mine. Jaraia se ridica de pe scaun si se duse spre pat. Se aseza pe el, oboseala si caldura o molesisera, dori sa se intinda putin, el se duse la birou sa mai lucreze la plan, trecura ore iar Jaraia adormi. Cand se ridica de la birou sa se culce, Adur isi facu o improvizatie de pat in cea mai mare liniste sa nu o deranjeze, dar cand a vrut sa o inveleasca, aceasta se trezi putin si ii spuse “Nu ma lasa singura, nu vreau sa ma lasi aici”. Nici in somn nu mai scapa de el, acesta se aseza pe marginea patului si o tinu de mana, aceasta il trase mai aproape si se cuibari langa el, noaptea respectiva a fost una din cele mai linistite de care a avut parte tanarul. Dimineata un miros de mancare gatita il trezi, ceva neobisnuit, ii aduse aminte de casa profesorului Clonc, realiza ulterior ca este la el in pat, se ridica speriat. Jaraia, ea a fost, dar unde este, a plecat deja? Nu mai conta, fericirea se putea citi pe chipul sau cu ochiul liber. “Buna dimineata, cum ai dormit?” il intampina o voce suava din bucatarie, “sper ca nu te superi ca ti-am folosit ce aveai pe aici, am reusit sa gatesc ceva cu ce am gasit”.
- Chiar ca buna dimineata! Am dormit ca un prunc, de mult nu m-am mai simtit asa de odihnit, multumesc pentru masa dar nu trebuia sa te deranjezi. Cautand semne sa nu care cumva sa fi facut si curat, nu de alta dar in haosul respectiv stia fiecare lucru unde este.
Mancara impreuna, au facut planuri ce sa ia in functie de cati o sa plece, era chiar bucuros ca era cu ea acolo, avea cu cine sa combata ideile, mai primea o opinie. Vedea unde greseste in alegerile facute, dupa parerea lui cea mai buna dimineata de cand stia el. Doua capete sunt mai bune ca unul gandi el, Jaraia la randul ei era fericita ca era implicata in acest proiect, ca are cu cine sa vorbeasca.
Timpul trecea, planurile prindeau contur, singurul lucru care mai trebuia sa il stabileasca era data cand plecau si oamenii care sa ii insoteasca.