Hidden in the heart of the forest with the same name, the Rophions’camp was a magic place where a strong nation was living. That is why that grove was unusual, of rare beauty and this was due to the color of the leaves and of the trunks. More than that, that place was different from the rest of the thickets due to the position of the trees that formed a kind of circle around the camp, like a sure fort.

Yet, why that place looked like that was a mystery, for even though the place looked natural and formed without external influences, the Rophions were sure that not nature alone built that place in such a way. Nevertheless, none of them knew for sure who influenced the forest to grow this way. Even so, the Rophions were grateful to that mysterious being for making that grove look like that. Additionally, the Rophions believed it was a sure place to live, especially the Elders of their People believed that. More than that, they believed in legends a lot, those who said that, somewhere in that forest, the nest of the evil could be also found, that evil that would attack them eventually led by Eris, the one closed for millennia in the far away Māṉsṭar Kēlaksi.

Nevertheless, even though that place was a beautiful natural fort, the Rophions did not stay calm and let everything in the power of nature. Thus, for their own safety, they joined their power and fortified the Barriers of that place with different stone arches, covered by green moss and lianas later. Then, they also planted many trees, in several key places of the camp, places considered crucial for the safety of their home. Yet, they did not plant all types of trees, but strong trees like oak or Maple tree.

In the end, seeing their home protected by external influences, the Rophions started to build the inside of the camp, which they named Āṭu or the Rophions’Grove. Nevertheless, to give that name to their camp, they put heads together for many days. Yet, it was not the only reason for their long Councils and this was because they could not harmonize the way in which to build their homes. That is why some of them said that it would be better to build them from stone, to be strong, as they saw that humans were doing. Others said that they should build their homes from clay and cover them with straw or reed, for namely such roofs keep the warmth inside during winters and cold in summers. Dike, however, said that it would be better to use wood for their homes because the wood is strong and could protect them. In the end, because the Rophions respected their king a lot, they decided to do as Dike said because they knew he was a wise Titan, who wandered the world and saw many things in his life. Yet, even though they decided which material to use for building their houses, the Rophions still doubted. It happened because they were not sure how to position the houses, because if the houses had been too close to each other, then some of the Rophions would have felt uncomfortable or spied on by the neighbors, but if the houses had been too far away from each other then they would have alienated from others.

That is why the Elders of the tribe decided to talk, for they thought a lot about how the plan of the camp should be. The first one to talk was Pāṇṭittiyam, also known by others as the Wise one. Nevertheless, before talking, he stood up first from off his log and asked others to listen to him. Then, when it was silent all around, the old man said, „What I think is that it will be better to keep the old habits of the Rophions.”

„The old habits? What do you want to say, old man?” One of the young wolves asked.

Hearing the question, the old Pāṇṭittiyam made him a sign not to rush and said, „I talk about our beliefs, and one of them is undoubtedly Karuvil."

Such words made the Rophions whisper to each other, for part of them agreed with the old man’s words, but the other part thought that they should choose something else, to be something unique and only theirs. Yet, many of them concluded that old Pāṇṭittiyam was right. That is why they carefully looked at Dike, waiting for his decision, for, as their king, they always did what he said.

Dike, however, kept silent. For a long time actually, because he had many thoughts spinning in his head. More than that… on one side, he understood very well what the old man wanted to say. Yet, he thought that it would have been better not to be influenced by external beliefs because Karuvil hadn’t been always part of their religion and beliefs, but it started to be something important for them after Upprisinn’s coming to their camp, for only she saw Karuvil from close and somehow managed to make others also believe in its power.

Even so, seeing others carefully watching him, Dike understood that it was time to say at least something. However, being aware that he should not rush, he said, „Yet, I say to listen to old Pāṇṭittiyam’s words till the end. Then, after finding out what he wants to say and what he has in his mind, we will decide what to do.”

„Yes, yes, of course!” The Rophions agreed. After that, total silence surrounded the place, giving the old man the chance to say what he wanted to say.

Thus, Pāṇṭittiyam decided not to lose that chance and say everything he had in his mind. Therefore, he stood up again and, after clearing his voice, he said, „What I mean is that we should keep our old habits, even though they aren’t totally ours. I think so because our elders have believed in them. That is why I consider it might be for something, for they have considered Karuvil to be the Womb of the Earth. That’s why I say that Karuvil should be the base of our camp and our strength at the same time.”

„Wait, wait a minute! To be clear for everybody,” said Uḻaikkum, another Elder, whose name meant Hardworking. „What you want to say is that we should lay the foundation of the camp in the form of the lotus flower as Karuvil is, right?”

„Yes, that’s right!” Said Pāṇṭittiyam confidently. „Only this way, we will be sure that we are protected all the time.”

„This is insane,” a third Elder, named Aṭikkaṭi or Often, for namely he was all the time interfering in others’talk, having always a different opinion, interrupted their talk. „If we choose this form for the foundation, then the houses will be positioned one in front of the other. Thus, as we use to sleep with the door open, we will not have privacy at all. This is something unacceptable. What about the young people? They will feel ashamed during the night.”

„Yes, yes, he is right,” the Rophions murmured, young and old at the same time.

Hearing them all against his idea, Pāṇṭittiyam tried to make them all listen to him to the end, for he didn’t mean that the houses should be positioned one in front of the other, but the front of one house should look at the back of another house. Yet, no matter what he was saying or doing, the Rophions seemed not to listen to him or notice his gestures and this was because they focused so much on talking.

They kept silent eventually when Dike stood up. Then, looking at their king, they waited to see what he would say. That is why Dike waited for a few seconds for everybody to be attentive and only after that, he said, „I understand what you mean and why you are worried. However, I also understand what old Pāṇṭittiyam means. Thus, I consider that all of you are right.”

„But, master Dike,” Aṭikkaṭi interfered again, „how is this possible that two different camps, which actually also think differently, be right at the same time?”

Dike smiled, „Of course, it’s possible because each of you thinks about something depending on his knowledge and beliefs. That is why I say that we should think about how to make everybody happy. Thus, nobody would feel that his opinion wasn't taken into account."

„Even so, master Dike,” said Uḻaikkum, „what I think is that eventually, someone will feel that he has been left behind. This is something we cannot avoid. Why? Because we cannot build our houses in the form of the lotus flower, for, if we do this, we will feel that we have no privacy as old Aṭikkaṭi has said, but if we do as Aṭikkaṭi has said, then the rest who think as old Pāṇṭittiyam will not be also happy. Thus… in the end, some of us will lose.”

„What if we do so that the goat will be happy and the cabbage won’t be eaten?” Everyone heard the old Mūkkutti’s voice (the nosy one), who was behind the other Elders. Then, when he saw that everybody was looking for him, Mūkkutti took a few steps in front to be seen by everyone, and continued his thought, „What I wanted to say is to build Karuvil right in the center of the camp, and to build our houses around it later.”

„Isn’t this the same thing we’ve already discussed?” Said Aṭikkaṭi, angry. „If we build the camp around Karuvil, we’ll lose; those who want privacy I mean.”

„Of course not,” Dike interfered in their talk. „Old Mūkkutti is right, for Karuvil, positioned in the center of the camp, will be our power, and we can build our houses as old Pāṇṭittiyam suggests: the front of one house be behind another one. Thus, we have privacy and safety at the same time. More than that: if we let a narrow street between the houses, we will have even more safety and privacy. At the same time… we cannot build the camp in a circle, but somehow around the lotus flower. Thus, having an unusual form, we also keep our authenticity as I want. What do you think?”

After Dike’s words, the Rophions took a few moments to think because they understood what Dike wanted to say, but they were still confused. Eventually, not having other better ideas, they accepted and, on the second day, they started the work.

To be easier for everyone, the Rophions decided to build Karuvil first and they decided to make it from hard white stone, taken from the river that was crossing right in the middle of the forest. However, even though they thought that they could build Karuvil in a few days, they soon understood that it was difficult to work on it. Even so, they finished building Karuvil in about three months.

Nevertheless, they had been happy because Karuvil, built by their hands, was impressive, having a fountain with a white coil right in the center of the lotus flower. Thus, on the days, the stream’s water, from the fountain, was stronger, it was filling the fountain to the brim and was flowing over the edge of the coil, too, filling the petals of the lotus flower built from gray stone. This way they had water not only for washing the laundry or for cooking, but they could also enjoy its coldness on the hot summer days.

Yet, Karuvil was not finished, for, all around it, surrounding the entire camp, they decided to build seven arches, made from white stone, but smaller in size than the four bigger arches that were the base of the Barrier of protection of the camp. Those arches, however, were not completely white because the Rophions allowed the lianas and the green moss to cover them later. Even so, there were still clearly seen the inscriptions and the carvings on them: fragments taken from the Rophions’past; images taken from nature as deer, doe, and other animals; also, there were seen images from the Underworld, as the Rophions thought that that world looked like. At the same time, each of those arches had the name of a Titanide: Sophia (Wisdom) - the one in front of which the Elders and the men of the tribe were worshiping. Gaea (Fertility) - the protector of the young women after marriage, who wanted kids. Hestia (home) - she was the Titanide in front of which every Rophion was worshiping because each of them considered that the safety of their home was the most important. Hyora (Dreams and sleep) - the protector of children. Nīrnāy (Virginity) - the protector of girls and Virgins. Bodhi (Pacification) - even though she was not a Titanide, Bodhi had an important role in the religion of the Rophions because they considered that she was leading them toward Purgatorium. The seventh arch was for the ancient Titanide of Death, whom only the Rophions were afraid of - Mōrgaṉā (the Water of the Dead Ones.) Namely, under this arch, there was a bed made from white stone, which the Rophions named Cēmikka or Salvation.

Nevertheless, something was strange at the Rophions’Karuvil - it was the fountain from the middle, which had the name of Ēṟpāṭu (Fate), but which did not have Chaos’s eyes engraved on it, as it should have been. The Rophions took this decision unanimously, for they considered Father Chaos as a Holy being and they wanted to worship in front of him while looking at the sky and not at a sculpture. Even so, in the beginning, they were afraid that Chaos would get angry finding out about this. Yet, this did not happen and they calmed down, more after Dike had a dream where Chaos talked to him, „Your home is so beautiful, Dike. As the Grove is, the one you named Āṭu (cradle). You do not even know how happy I am that you have chosen this name, the one the first camp of Rophions has had, those who have always worshiped in front of me. That’s why I tell you that I am proud of your decision, for it doesn’t matter if you have a carved face or not, but to be respected by others for what you are.”

Then, after Dike had that dream, the Rophions started to build their houses. Eventually, they decided not to build them big: only to have enough space to allow two adults and two children to live in it, for a Rophion family generally had four members. Of course, there were exceptions when a family had three or four children. However, those families had a special area reserved for them to build big houses, on the outskirts of the camp. Even so, that place was not making a difference between the Rophions, but it gave those families more space.

Another exception was that they did not build the houses around the lotus flower as they had decided at the council. They decided to build the village around the flower, but the streets and the alignment of the houses had the form of a „worm,” and this was due to their belief that they would keep the authenticity this way, they would be together all the time and protected by evil.

Then, finishing building their houses, they understood that something was missing. That is why they decided to make something different on those four arches positioned at four strategic points of the camp: North, South, East, and West. Thus, believing that those points are crucial for their safety and, more, considering those four points as having the power of earth, they decided to engrave symbols taken from magic on them: like the fire (pyre), the water (mirror), the air (horn), and the earth (sphere). Yet, these elements had different forms and sizes as they had seen that magic could take a shape according to someone’s power.

Later, right in front of those arches, the Rophions built four stones Vāyil. The stones Vāyil had the form of a cube. Yet, even though the Rophions considered each Vāyil as a Gate of Salvation, which should have had symbols such as Fire or Water, which also meant purification, engraved on it, the four Vāyil had a Balance engraved on it in fact. Iṟappu (Death) - was to the West, Vāḻkkai (Life) - to the Est, Nalla (Good) - to the South, and Mōcamāṉa (Evil) - to the North. Then, those Balances, on the Gates of Salvation, were the representation of their weak belief that the World was the Place where Good and Evil were fighting, and where, after each battle, the humans and the other creatures were choosing which side to take: Life’s or Death’s side.

Nevertheless, the Gates of Salvation were not finished, as the Rophions thought that those carvings were too simple. That is why, on each side of a stone Vāyil, the Rophions built an altar named Viṇmīṉ (Galaxy). Those Viṇmīṉ were only seven and not eight, and this was because the Rophions considered that Iṟappu should have only one altar, built to the left of the stone. Later, considering those altars as being the Perfection, the Rophions built them from seven stones, from the bigger one to the smaller one.

Thus, the stone from below, which was the base of the altar, was white, representing Aeon: the place where each soul was born. At the same time, the white stone meant purity and innocence, things each soul wanted, for, namely these characteristics of a soul, never allowed evil to dominate it, as Rophions thought.

The second and the third stone were gray, representing the earth and its fertility and the sky during a storm, too. Thus, the gray color also meant continuity and difficulties one soul met during his life, for each of us, at least once in his life, had difficult times.

The fourth stone was black, representing evil, Black Magic, and mysticism. It was the only stone washed in the river’s water and later painted with pitch, to be durable. At the same time, because the Rophions were so afraid that Eris would come one day to Earth and would destroy their homes, they got to name the fourth stone Māṉsṭar Kēlaksi, considering it the symbol of the dungeon, which was swallowing the sins and all the evil things that could hurt the tribe. Then, the Rophions also considered this stone as being Chaos’s eyes, always watching Eris not to escape from Māṉsṭar Kēlaksi. In time instead, they called the black stone the River of Sins, and this coincided with the period when Dike and the twins left the camp, for the Rophions thought that then Evil attacked them from everywhere. That is why they started to organize different rituals and events when everybody was praying to the Holy Spirits not to allow the River of Evil to flood their homes. In addition, during the same rituals, the Rophions started to call that black stone the Stone of the Dark Dreams or the Stone of the Master, which was the symbol of Dike’s wolf shape, the only Rophion that had beast blood, but who had never transformed into one.

The fifth and the sixth stones were also gray. They symbolized power and justice, considered the Gate of Salvation, too, where one’s soul could be purified. Because of this, only children and the Virgins were always touching those stones, for the Rophions started to believe that their purity could bring power to those altars and protect them all from evil.

At last, the seventh stone was white as the first one. It was the symbol of truth and triumph. Thus, if one’s plans were successful, he was obliged to come to the Altar of Good (Nalla), worship in front of it, and touch the seventh stone. At the same time, the seven stone was the symbol of Good’s triumph over Evil, after many fights, when the Hero Nalla managed to pass through the six circles of fire of hell. Thus, triumphing, the hero Nalla was the representation of the entire world’s success and continuity.

Namely, because of this, the Rophions decided that Dike’s house be higher than any other house. „In a place of honor,” as the Elders of the tribe said. Thus, Dike built his house also at the outskirts of the village. Yet, it was right in front of Karuvil, to a greater height, on a kind of stone building that had seven levels as the altars. That is why Dike’s house was also a strategic point of surveillance, for a king should always watch his people and protect them from evil.

Yet, what the Rophions never took into account was Dike’s wish because he would have preferred to have a house among others. Nevertheless, he respected their decision and built his house in front of Karuvil. Why so? For he was a widower already because the new camp of the Rophions appeared after Samandra’s death. That is why he was not ashamed to sleep with the door open.

Another peculiarity of the Rophions was that their houses did not have only one entrance, but two. Thus, they could see the Sunrise, where the Karuvil was, and the sunset, too, where the main entrance to their houses was. At the same time, the Rophions never closed the door that was facing the sunset. The other door, however, the one that was in front of Karuvil, was always closed at sunset. Thus, the Rophions let others know that they wanted some privacy. That is why, if that door was closed, the Rophions tried to never bother the owner of the house, only if it was not necessary or an exceptional situation.

One of the exceptions was someone’s death, of course, for namely in that period the western door was closed. However, that door was not closed only in the house where someone died, but also at every single house in the Rophions’village, showing to the grieving family that they were with them and were suffering at the same time with them.

At the same time, also because the Rophions considered each member of their tribe a brother, they joined their power and created the Barrier Taṭai, which surrounded the camp. It was transparent and unseen by strangers, but, at the same time, nobody could enter or exit the camp without the permission of the wolves on guard, who could open a small gate in that Barrier for passing. Not even the Rophions could freely pass through that Barrier: neither to exit the camp nor to turn back to their homes. Thus, they were all the time seen by the wolves on guard, who were always seven, positioned in front of those seven altars Viṇmīṉ. That’s why the safety of the Rophions’camp was assured, something envied by others, and also something that made Inmar hate them, for she hadn’t been ever able to pass through that Barrier and hurt the Rophions as she always wanted.

Actually, even though she knew about the Barrier, Inmar and her foxes tried once to enter the camp secretly. This happened one day when they saw no guardian at his post. Yet, even though it seemed strange to her, Inmar allowed herself to be deceived by her own instincts, and, along with 20 foxes, she snaked toward Barrier, intending to pass through it. Nevertheless, the moment they intended to jump that alive green fence, created from lianas and bamboo, they saw themselves caught in a trap when those lianas so suddenly wrapped around them, and tightened so much that they thought that they would be broken eventually into pieces. Only then, Inmar understood the Rophions’trick: those, feeling her close, decided to teach her some manners. That is why they demanded the guards hide and deactivated the Barrier. Thus, Inmar and her foxes had been able to climb the fence, trying to enter the camp.

However, Inmar was not stupid. That is why she tried to escape and that is why she and the foxes moved all the time, trying to release themselves. Nevertheless, it was something impossible because, while they were moving, the lianas started to wrap even more around their waist, and around their body, too, stopping at the neck and ankles. Thus, wrapped in those lianas, the foxes looked like big green mummies. Even so, they did not stop moving, and, because the lianas were also tightening, the foxes were heard gasping from time to time.

Inmar’s surprise, however, and of the foxes at the same time, did not end at that fence. They saw, very soon after, how from every corner of the village and then all along the streets of the village, which was very big actually, badgers started to run and were so many as if they were rats or beetles. That is why Inmar shuddered when she saw them, for she understood then that the badgers were the „dogs” of that village in fact. More: the badgers made a strange sound, giving the signal to the wolves thus that an intruder tried to enter the camp secretly. Thus, fighting with the lianas to release herself, Inmar started to struggle. However, there was no escape from that trap for them.

Eventually, understanding that she would escape from there only dead and more when she saw that those lianas wrapped around her so much that she was barely breathing, Inmar decided to calm down. Her companions did the same. That is why, staying still and „hanging” above that fence, they looked very strange and hilarious. Even so, they did not move and calmly waited until Dike and the other wolves exited their houses and, young and old, came to that fence. Yet, what seemed strange to her was that she did not see any surprise or fear in their eyes, and this meant only one thing, „They knew,” growled Inmar, understanding this.

„Of course, we knew!” Dike told her, smiling. „Or what: did you think that it was so easy to enter this camp?”

„Well, let’s say this has been my first thought when I saw this place unguarded.”

„Maybe it is as you say. Still… what did you expect to find here?” The Titan asked her, frowning while staring at her. „Don’t tell me that you are looking for our source of power here?”

„Hell, no!” Inmar defiantly replied to him, even though she was lying, for this was exactly what she came there for. Yet… she did not want to accept this in front of the Titan: that she allowed her instincts to fool her that time. „We were hungry and we said to ourselves… ah, as this is a village of humans, we can find some chickens for sure. That’s why we tried to jump over the fence.”

Her explanation, childish and at all credible, made the Rophions smile, for the Rophions were sure that the foxes knew about the location of their camp. Some of them, for the same reason, started to make dirty jokes about the foxes, such as „Is the leader of the red foxes that stupid? Does she really think that she can convince us with cheap words?”

„Of course, she’s not stupid,” Dike told them, and the Rophions stopped murmuring. „That’s why she is here: she’s looking for something. However, what exactly do you look for, Inmar? I don’t think that you are looking here for immortality.”

„Immortality? And, what will this serve me for?”

„What do I know?! Maybe you’ll have more time for evil things this way, huh?” He teased her.

Inmar laughed, hearing him talking like that. Yet, it was a burst of hysterical laughter, meant to hide her real intention to come there, for she took the risk to jump over that fence after finding Mayar in the forest. Thus, seeing that that child looked exactly like Dike’s daughter, who had already recovered her human body, Inmar wanted to see what was connecting the two girls in fact. However, to see this, she had to look straight into Samaya’s eyes, something she could not do lately because Samaya was not seen alone in those days. That is why she decided to enter the camp. Yet, she made a mistake and she eventually paid the consequences by being trapped by those lianas above the fence.

Nevertheless, Inmar intended to escape, at any cost. That is why she sweetened her voice later. Then she told Dike, „Now, as you revenged on us already, and we learned our mistake, what about releasing us, huh? Or… what will you want in exchange for our freedom?”

Dike, however, looked askance at her, for he did not really understand what Inmar was planning. Yet, he told himself to find out. That is why he asked her, „What will you offer us in exchange for your freedom?”

Understanding the Titan’s cunningness, Inmar gnashed her teeth. Even so, she told herself that she must accept that pact if they wanted to live, for if she did not offer something useful in exchange, then they would suffer more. She was especially afraid that if they had stood for longer there, Dike would have had time to read her mind and find out that she had Mayar in her power, the girl that looked exactly like his daughter. That is why she said, „What about the promise that the foxes won’t ever attack the Rophions? More than that: we promise to never come here again.”

„A tempting offer. Yet, I say to add something more to the pact,” said Dike, cunningly this time.

„Something else? What exactly?” Inmar hissed through her teeth, for she disliked the fact that the Titan tried to dicker with her about that deal.

„Nothing out of the ordinary. Just stay away from us, even though you see one of us alone in the forest. Especially, stay away from our children, Inmar. And, if you see a child wandering the forest alone, hide or take another path.”

„Don’t you think you are greedy now, Titan? Asking us to hide is already too much,” Inmar almost shouted. She was outraged in fact, for, if she accepted that pact, it also meant accepting the defeat of the foxes in front of the Rophions.

„No, I don’t think so,” said Dike confidently. „This is an acceptable pact, in my opinion, for the Rophions will do the same: none of us will ever attack your village or approach it. More than that, if a Rophion sees a little fox or one of you alone in the forest and there is more than one of us, we will allow her to pass and we will move aside. That’s why I ask you one more time, Inmar: do you accept the pact or not?”

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Yet, Dike had to wait for Inmar’s answer for a while because the fox, outraged, was not thinking normally. Nevertheless, when she heard her companions gnashing their teeth and that they were barely breathing, feeling those lianas wrapping more around their waists and, more, understanding that if she had delayed to answer him, Dike would have found out more, Inmar hissed through her teeth, „I accept.”

„I didn’t hear you, Inmar!” Replied Dike cunningly. „Louder, please, for… many of us are old already, and they haven't heard you for sure. So, be so kind and…”

„We accept it! We accept that damn pact!” Inmar shouted so suddenly. „So, let us go at once!”

„If you insist!” Said Dike, smiling. Then, he made a sign to the guards that were controlling the lianas. They, seeing their master leaving the foxes free, used their power and unwrapped the lianas, but they did it so quickly that the lianas threw the foxes over the fence eventually.

That throw hurt like hell. That is why Inmar gnashed her teeth while standing up. More than that, she hissed through her teeth, „Maybe you won this time, Titan, but be sure that it would come the time when you would beg for mercy at my feet.”

She winced, however, when she heard Dike’s voice in her head, „You have my permission to dream, Inmar, because this won’t ever happen.” Thus, understanding that even though she said what she said in a whisper, Dike heard her, Inmar cooked her nose. After that, being already on her feet, she looked at the other foxes that were still complaining about the pain, and told them, „We are leaving! Now!" Then, she turned her back to that fence of lianas and bamboo and rushed to leave away, toward the thickets, closely followed by her foxes. Yet, in her head, Inmar had many thoughts, such as „Where is the Rophions’daugher? I did not see her when they came to the fence. Neither I seen Dike’s boy. Did he hide them somewhere?” However, finding no answer to any of her questions, she decided to think about this later, being already in their village, where she also intended to think about more things at the same time.

***

„I missed my home so much,” murmured Dike while climbing the stairs of his home. Thus, slowly climbing those stone stairs, Dike carefully looked around at those lianas, which grew, as they wanted, both on the stairs and the roof and through the branches of the trees that were growing around the house. That is why the Titan smiled: the smartness of those lianas, that found a bed to sleep there comfortably, was something rarely seen in the camp of the magic wolves.

Eventually, getting in front of the house, in front of that bamboo door that was waiting for him open, Dike suddenly became serious. Then, deeply inhaling the scent of that place known as „home,” he closed his eyes and waited. Suddenly he winced, hearing Samandra’s melodious voice, „Did you come already? Great, for… it is already dusk, but you are not back. I was worried.” Yet, when he opened his eyes, Dike did not see her in front of the door, just as she used to wait for them when they were not home. More than that: it was loneliness all over in that house because only darkness was waiting for him there. That is why his eyes suddenly became wet because of tears, a hint that Dike missed his wife so much and he would have wanted to see her there.

Nevertheless, understanding that staying in place will not help, Dike finally entered. Inside, however, nothing changed: the same three hammocks were hanging in three different parts of the single room and nothing more, and this was because the Rophions used to spend time together and they did not need many things inside their houses. Only the hammocks to sleep because the rest of the things used for cooking, washing, or sewing, they had with them in a glade, further south of their camp. Namely, there the women used to cook or simply talk, each of them having something to do: some of them making something from twigs, some of them sewing, or simply staying with others because when they were together it was funnier.

Yet, not only women used to spend time in that glade. The children, their husbands, brothers, or parents also used to be there. This happened when they had not to go hunting or travel to other places to exchange the things they made with their own hands because the Rophions were skillful artisans, especially at plaiting things from twigs like baskets, hammocks, and other things. Thus, the men could also stay next to their wives because it was funnier for them, too, this way.

Children, however, if they were bored to hear gossip or the adults’jokes, used to run along the streets of the village, those narrow streets, but clean, for the Rophions simply hated to be dirty around. That is why they did not keep things around their home but in that glade. This was because they wanted that west porch of their house to be also free and clean to sleep on it during the summer or simply to stay on it at sunset, and this was somehow related to the fact that the magical wolves were dreamers and loved loneliness when they were melancholic.

Namely because of this, they were considered a peace-loving people. They did not like to fight with anyone for anything. More than that, they chose that place for their camp, in a sheltered spot, just to avoid problems. Yet, if they were forced to face a problem, willingly or unwillingly, they used to wisely solve that problem, just as Dike used to solve them, for he had taught the Rophions’ancestors do the same: to be peace-loving and where something can be solved with flowers and good words better do it this way and avoid using the sword.

Nevertheless, dreaming and loneliness had a limit. That is why, when they felt vivid again, they were going to that glade old and young because there was joy all the time in that place, for the Rophions loved to be happy and sing, too. There, sitting on logs, fallen trunks, soft moss, or simply on the ground when it was warm outside, they were fully living that joy, allowing nature to spoil them just as it was capable of doing. Thus, affording the luxury to be calm because the seven guards were at their post all the time, the wolves could simply dream and be happy. Yet, if something had happened, the guards would have given the alarm, and old and young would have been there, at the border of their lands, helping the guards to protect their homes because no intruder could enter their territory without permission.

***

Snoring that even the ground on which he was sleeping was trembling, Calmac suddenly turned to the right. Then, scratching his body full of blisters, he slowly sighed because Izkina found him a place for „sleeping” namely on nettle. He even mumbled, „It is still better” and then continued sleeping.

Actually, Calmac had why not to bother, for sleeping was like a balm for the soul for him, and that paw, Yamu used to hit his snout, was like a good sleeping pill and for a long while, for it was already night, but Calmac kept sleeping. Probably because of this, the guard, that was not that far from the ghoul, frowned, for he definitely could not understand how Calmac could sleep so well on nettle. Yet, when he was so focused on trying to understand what was the secret of that good sleep, he winced when Calmac, still sleeping, hissed through his teeth, „Damn you!” This happened because Calmac was the type of person that was looking for trouble even when he was asleep.

Nevertheless, the fright of the guard did not last long and this was because he heard Calmac snoring again. That is why he simply spat next to him, and then looked at the sky, thankful that he avoided a big problem with the ghoul if he had awakened. Yet, when he looked at Calmac again, better to say at his skin, which was left uncovered because when the ghoul moved in sleep his coat moved aside, the guard chortled because he saw the blisters appearing on the ghoul’s skin like the mushrooms after rain.

His chortle, however, made the guard from his right stare at him, confused. Yet, not understanding the reason why the other guard was chortling, he asked him telepathically what was going on, and that guard, still slowly laughing, also replied him telepathically, „Neṭṭils!” what in the antic language of Rophion, which almost all of them knew, meant nettle. Nevertheless, not only the guard from the right heard the answer, but all seven guards. That is why all of them started to laugh slowly.

Their happiness also made Dike attentive because it was strange to see those guards chortling. That is why the Titan approached them eventually, for he was checking the area if it was safe at that time. Then, when Dike got next to the guard from Calmac’s left, asked him telepathically what was going on. That one, barely breathing because of laughing, more when he saw a blister, as big as a nut, appearing on the ghoul’s nose, showed Dike the nettle.

This made Dike slap his forehead, for he finally understood who was guilty of that bad joke. That is why he frowned, looking at Izkina, who was not that far from him. Izkina, however, seeing Dike staring at him and understanding the reason, only shrugged - a hint that he had no idea who was to blame for that joke. After that, he simply continued to chew a piece of fried bunny meat, even though he found it not as tasty as the fresh meat.

Eventually, Dike looked to his right when he heard Arion’s voice, „Should I understand that someone made a good joke?” Thus, the Titan saw Arion sitting next to the trunk of a secular tree, supporting his back and his head against the tree while having his eyes closed and enjoying the night. Actually, Arion had reasons to enjoy the atmosphere because, to his left, except for that big fire the Rophions fired up to fry a big wild boar, the children were playing and there was a lot of joy. Then, as though accompanying the joy of the children, the voices of the women, who were preparing the dinner, were heard all around, saying jokes while the men, who were helping them, were saying other good jokes. That is why everybody was laughing with all their heart, paying not too much attention to what was happening around them. Yet, feeling Dike’s glance focused on him, Arion looked at him, smiling, „Only enjoy being home, master Dike, for it is good when everything ends well.”

„You know better than me that nothing is finished yet.”

„Yeah, but, for the moment, we are safe. This is all that matters to me.”

„Maybe you are right, Arion. Still: I can’t chase this anxiety from my chest away.”

„Anxiety?” Asked Arion, confused. After that, he stood up and approached Dike. „What kind of anxiety?”

„Just something I feel and I can’t explain, Arion. Actually, I have been feeling this since we have come to this forest. As something bad is coming.”

„And you are afraid, master Dike. Or maybe it is only the doubt that you did well turning back home when evil spies on us from everywhere.”

„No, Arion. I am sure that is not because of doubt. This is anxiety, for, when I, Lodur, and Gaea have been to check if the road is safe, we have met Melise on our way.”

„The Nymph that takes care of the Valley of Silence?”

Dike looked at him, confused. „Do you know about her?”

„Only hearsay. Moreover, I found out this while flying above the villages of humans. Yet, even though I heard about the Valley of Silence, I did not know that this place is somewhere around this camp. And it surprises me a lot. That the Nymph appeared in front of you right after you are already here.”

The Titan smiled this time. „You are right. That Valley is right next to the forest. What surprises me more is that you have not known that it is somewhere near when everybody knows about the Valley of Silence.”

„Well, not everybody. Here is a vivid example. Actually, I think that if I have never heard about that Valley, it is because it does not have an important story.”

„Here you are wrong, Arion, for not for nothing it has been named the Valley of Silence. Actually, its name has nothing to do with how it appeared in this world, but with the witch Villō, the only nymph-willow that ever existed in that oak forest.”

It has been Arion’s turn to look thunderstruck at the Titan, „What nymph-willow in an oak forest?”

„There is one,” said Dike, smiling. After that, seeing that his laugh made Calmac nervously move in his sleep, he pointed to Arion, with his head, to follow him. More than that, before going away, he told his guards, telepathically, to be careful. Then, slowly walking beside those arches and altars, far away from the joy of the camp and of Calmac, just to be sure that they would have peace to talk about something important, Dike continued his story, „The willow Villō still exists, somewhere south-east of this camp. Where the River of Crystals is. And, as the willows simply adore watching their faces in the water, Villō has also found a good place for resting.”

„Yet, what I can’t understand is the relationship between the witch Villō and that Valley of Silence.”

„It is because of the dream.”

„Because of the dream? What dream?”

„I am not sure, to be honest. I only know that there is a long story behind all this. Now, turning back to my anxiety: it has something to do with the nymph Melise. She told us about the same thing. That she often sees ghosts above the forest, smoke ghosts, and this is something damn weird. Something that ever happened before.”

„Isn’t it because she has smelled again that weird hallucinatory flower known as Apiṉ (opium)?” Asked Fenrir in a playful voice while he approached Arion and his father. Then, being next to them, he rested his arms on their shoulders. „She speaks like that only when she passes next to that flower, for… each time she does this, she has visions.” Yet, for such bold words, the young wolf received a flick on his forehead from his father. That is why he said, feisty, „What for?”

„For joking when others are so worried. And, about that flower, Apiṉ… you know that Melise hates it. The one who actually adores being around that flower is you. Or… should I tell others the story about how you found that flower being only 5 years old?”

„Not necessary,” said Fenrir, grinning. „Better tell us about your anxiety. It sounds more interesting to me,” added the wolf in a cheerful voice. „And… related to what Melise said… What form do those ghosts that fly above our forest have?”

„I didn’t ask her. But, if you have nothing to do, you can go and ask,” replied Dike, cantankerous. „Now, let’s be serious, at least a little bit: I think that those ghosts have something to do with Mannar or that devilish bird, Tarther, which is still sleeping somewhere, in the depths of this place.”

„I don’t know if that bird is still asleep or not, but… what I think is that she’s awake and since long ago,” replied Arion, angry. „Samaya has already told me that she has seen Tarther in Tenebre’s Forest.”

„That bird was Parca and not Tarther,” they heard Yellen’s voice behind them, something that made the three men wince; for they thought that they were feeling everything around. „Actually, I saw that nosy Titanide today, in the forest, not that far from the River of Sins. She was spying on Nathaniel and Samaya.”

„And why do we find out about this only now?” Fenrir asked, frowning.

„Because she doesn’t plan anything evil. For the moment. Anyway, I intended to tell you today, but I did not find the right moment. Now I told you. And… she seems to be looking for something.”

„She looks for something. What exactly?” Asked Arion.

„I don’t know, to be honest. I could not read her mind. Yet, I don’t think she’s after Mannar, for I didn’t see Samaya’s copy with her.”

„Samaya’s copy? Do you know what Mayar looks like?” Dike asked her, confused.

„Yes. Actually, I saw her when Samaya and I went to see where the Yātrīkars were when they passed in front of the Grotto of Siar. Nevertheless, what worries me… is that Mayar is not with Parca. This means only one thing.”

„Mayar, yes, looks for releasing Mannar,” Fenrir murmured.

„Maybe yes. Nevertheless, I am more tempted to think that Mayar changed the camps again,” said Yellen.

„What makes you think so?”

„Because, master Dike, I dared to follow her for a while. Thus, I heard her mumbling something like „You always appear in my way and ruin everything I plan. Damn you, Life.”

„Life?!” Said Arion, thunderstruck. „Does it mean that…?”

„It looks like so, Arion. It seems that Vāḻkkai is also here. The question is why. If what Sephir thinks is true, then Vāḻkkai hides things from us and seems to want this war and not to avoid it.”

„But, father, this is too much already.”

„Do you think so, Fenrir? I think that this is what Life looks for. That is why: no word to the others. Especially to Samaya, for she always thought that Vāḻkkai was on the Good’s side. If she finds out that Vāḻkkai seems to want this war, which means her death, as we’ve seen in those visions shown us by Gaea, then my child can lose her inner balance, and this isn’t something we really need before the big battle.”

Saying such words, Dike sighed. Then he turned his back to the others, who still kept silent, and moved toward the fire, where the Rophions and the Siars started to sing a cheerful melody: about love, dreams, charms, and other things.

***

„Tarther again!” Murmured Samaya, moving in her hammock, which moved at the same time as her.

Bestla, who was sleeping in the second hammock, next to Samaya, hearing the she-wolf mumbling, also moved in her sleep. However, even though she continued sleeping, she felt something tickling her behind her ear. That is why she scratched the skin until it colored red. Nevertheless, that tickle on her skin was not because of someone’s fingers or of a blade of grass that was used to bother her sleep. It felt as if long thin leaves, somehow sticky, moved on her skin.

That is why Bestla mumbled, „Stop it!” Then, she moved her hand next to her ear, trying to chase that ghost away. However, that tickle did not stop and this made her angry eventually. She even stood up and carefully looked around, but she saw nobody, even though she formed the famous blue gelatin, in the form of a lit torch, in her hand, illuminating the room in a blue warm light.

Even so, even though she saw nobody around, Bestla was sure that she did not see things and that the tickles on her skin were real. Actually, she still felt those tickles on her skin, something that made her continuously scratch her skin. Nevertheless, seeing nobody around, Bestla mumbled, „Hm, this is damn weird! Is this because I sleep in a new place or…? Ei, of course, not! We have slept almost every day in a new place lately. It is not because of this. However, I still feel that someone is trying to disturb my sleep. Why? Should I ask Samaya about this?”

That is why she illuminated Samaya’s hammock with her lit torch. Yet, seeing Samaya still sleeping or at least Bestla thought this way, she decided to give up and turned back to her hammock. However, even though she lay down again, she let the torch lit; floating in the air, and this was because Bestla was convinced to „catch” the intruder at any cost when he or she would try to bother her again. She realized, however, and so soon actually, that she did not want to sleep anymore. That is why she frowned and, cooking her nose and crossing the arms on her chest, Bestla mumbled, „Great! Now, Bestla, take care of the flies! Eh, if I catch that idiot, I swear I'll let him without skin or fur!” The last words Bestla loudly hissed through her teeth.

She winced eventually when she saw something moving on the wall. That is why she focused her glance over there and carefully looked at it. Thus, she saw a shadow dancing on the bamboo wall of the house. Yet, even though she stood up a little bit, she could not see whose shadow she was seeing. That is why she used her power and sent the blue torch to the center of the room. Even so, Bestla saw nothing clear. That shadow, however, kept outlining on the wall, something that made Bestla mumble eventually, „What the hell I’m seeing right now? Fireflies and shadows. Only the ghosts are missing,” she kept silent eventually and sat on the hammock the moment she really saw fireflies sparkling here and there through the room. „That’s madness!”

That is why she closed and rubbed her eyes. Nevertheless, when she opened her eyes again, she saw that the shadow was still there, on the wall. That time, it had a clear shape: of a tree. Yet, that tree seemed unusual to Bestla. At least this was something she had never seen before: a tree with very thin and long branches, flexible, with thin and long leaves similar to lianas, and, at a moment, Bestla even thought that she saw the glare of the water under the tree. That is why she bent a lot on that hammock to see if that was water or not. However, she touched the floor eventually when the hammock turned upside down and threw her off it.

Thus, gnashing her teeth and touching her butt, which burnt like hell, for touching that wooden floor was not something soft, Bestla mumbled „Damn hammock that bites.” After that, she stood up and, furious, approached the wall to see what was the deal with that weird image. Being so close to the wall that was in front of the one with the open door, Bestla really saw water under that tree. „It seems to be a river,” she murmured after a while. „Just like Goyan was seeing images on the cloth of his tent. Those, however, were memories of his people. These ones… are not mine or Samaya’s for sure. Or… do I have visions because that devil died because of me?”

Bestla threw herself to the floor eventually when she heard the deafening shout of a bird. Thus, being on all four and carefully watching at the door, she saw a huge black bird flying right above the village and heading straight toward Dike’s house. Seeing it and being afraid, Bestla rushed toward the door, intending to close it. Nevertheless, two steps from the door only, Bestla threw herself on the floor again when that bird flew right above her. Yet, she did not feel or heard the flap of that bird’s wings and this made Bestla turn her head and look to the left. Thus, she saw that big bird rotating above that tree. Then, after rotating several times, the bird moved toward Bestla again. The girl, however, did not move from her place at that time, for she realized that the bird could not hurt her and she was right because the bird, passing over her, flew above the village again.

However, Bestla left the bird alone eventually when she heard Samaya moaning. Then, after a few seconds, Bestla heard the moans and the whispers of the she-wolf so clearly, „Tarther! Tarther! No!” Then, when she saw that Samaya was lacking air, mumbling the name of that bird all the time, Bestla approached her and, grabbing Samaya’s arms, she started to shake her to wake her. Yet, when she saw that it did not wake Samaya, Bestla shouted:

„Samaya, Wake up! It is only a dream!” Even so, she could not wake Samaya. On the contrary, the she-wolf became even more nervous, something that made Bestla confused. Eventually, seeing the cube used for reflections in Samaya’s hands, Bestla understood what was going on, „Memories! Nevertheless, whose? I am sure that these are not her memories. Then? Whose are these memories? Or… are they only dreams?”

An answer to all her questions, Bestla did not receive. Because of this Bestla made that blue torch that kept floating in the center of the room come to her. Then, shaping that gelatin in her hands, Bestla transformed it into a sphere. Later, grabbing it with both hands, she increased its volume until it had the size of a volleyball and, only after that, did she let it freely float through the room. Thus, being free to move wherever it wanted, the sphere approached Samaya and stopped right in front of the cube, swallowing it inside.

Thus, when the cube was not in Samaya’s hands anymore, she sat on that hammock. She was still sleeping. Even so, she touched the sphere with both palms and started to reflect everything she was dreaming of on the wall. This way, Bestla saw a huge willow growing next to a brook, whose water was so powerfully shining illuminated by the sunlight as though it was from crystals. What was weird there was that the shore was not covered by green grass, but by gray feathers that were slowly rustling under Samaya’s soles while she was heading toward the willow.

At a moment, Samaya, from the dream, stopped a few meters from the willow. Then, opening her eyes, she asked, „Where I am?” However, she right away touched her neck with both palms as though something was strangling her. Even so, her words were clearly heard by Bestla while she was mumbling, „What’s here? Why am I here? Why do I feel that I lack air like then when I have seen Tarther in Tenebre’s Forest? And… Why do I feel that bird here? Why?”

Seconds later, it was silent all around, something that made Samaya shudder even more. Then, terrified, she looked at the willow when she heard a woman’s voice talking to her, „It’s because that Tarther swallows and feeds your fears at the same time.”

„My fears? But… why? And… who are you?”

„Me? They call me Villō. I have been a water nymph once. But… Fate cursed me and I was forced to live this life for an eternity.”

„As a tree? Something weird!”

„Still something you’ve seen before,” Villō calmly told her. „And… I am an unusual tree. A rare breed of willow. A magic one, which can absorb memories and images, just like you.”

„Are you also Jar?”

„Jar? Who’s that?”

„The Spirit that lives inside me. He also can absorb memories and later reflect them like images.”

„Aaa, no then. I am not that Jar. Nevertheless, I still have this gift. Just like you. And, as far as I can see, you aren’t that Jar, too.”

„That is right, for even though we’ve thought at first that I’m his human shape, we’ve found out that he has only hidden inside me and that each of us has his own role in this world.”

Villō smiled, and bells twinkling resounded everywhere. „You are so right. But… not because of this, I summoned you here.”

„No? Then?”

„To warn you.”

„About?”

„That devilish bird. You are so afraid of it. Tarther. He’s about to wake.”

Hearing the name of Tarther, Samaya shuddered from top to toe. Then she murmured in a strangled voice, „He… he’s already awakened.”

„The bird you saw last time wasn’t Tarther. It was a bad copy of it, and this happened because Parca decided to deceive the world and took that body. And… she managed to deceive you, I see.”

„Maybe, but… what does Parca win by taking that shape? Does she try to scare me?”

„No, Samaya. Parca wasn’t after you at that time, but after that girl, Yellen, that Yātrīkar with a human body and soul.”

„With a human body and soul?” Asked Samaya, amazed.

„That’s right: Yellen wasn’t transformed into Yātrīkar when Karina hid inside her. That being was already a Yātrīkar. She is actually the reincarnation of the most powerful leader of the Yātrīkars. And… the one that had more sins on her soul.”

„But… Villō, how is this possible? As far as I know, the Yātrīkars had to wait at the Gates of Purgatorium after their death. That’s why they didn't have a chance to be born from humans.”

„Here you are wrong, my child, for not all the Yātrīkars have died that day. Six of them escaped and this happened because they abandoned their group. That is why they have stayed hidden for centuries in the Northern Forests, those named conifer forests. And, savage, they looked like beasts in the end only not to be caught and killed.”

„And… What happened to them eventually? Did they all die?”

„No. Those six survived. Then they hid among humans, giving birth to other children. Yet, even though they were still thirsty for blood, none of them killed anyone, and this happened because they intended to change the Fate of their people and this happened because their leader had a premonition the day before the attack. In that dream, she had seen that if they had not stopped killing, they would not have survived. Yet, they had not time to tell others about this, too, because of the attack. Thus, understanding that they could do nothing to save others, the six ran away. Actually, one of those six was the mother of two young Yātrīkars that died that day. Nevertheless, even though she knew what was waiting for them, the leader let her girls die and this was because she had seen only hatred and desire to kill inside them, a hint that they wouldn’t ever change.”

„But… who killed those Yātrīkars? Humans?”

„Of course, not. Humans did not have the power to kill them. Just as they do not have this power today. Yet… there is a mystery, who actually asked for their death. But, from their memories, which got to me by magic, I saw birds, similar to Tarther, attacking them that day.”

„Again, the name of that devilish bird,” murmured Samaya. „For how long should I still hear it?”

„This is already an answer I don’t know, my child. But… as far as I know, the future, that one that flows through my branches, roots, and leaves, told me that you still have to face that bird for a while. For how long… nobody knows, but… it is probably to die one day, attacked by the beak of one of them.”

***

Still feeling the pain, Samaya touched her chest while having difficulty breathing and trying not to cry. Bestla, who was next to her, slowly tapping her back to calm her down, eventually heard from Samaya, „You saw the same thing, right?”

„Mmm, I saw.”

„And?”

„I don’t know what to say, Samaya, because… even though what you’ve dreamt seems to be a vision, yet… I still have the feeling that someone is trying to make you fall into the trap.”

„Parca!”

„It can be. Yet, I think it will be a good idea to find out where that willow is. Maybe, by seeing it, we can understand what is wrong and what is right. But, as we don’t know where that witch is…”

„I know where she is,” murmured Samaya, barely heard, something that amazed Bestla a lot.

„Do you know? How?”

„Because I saw her. Once. While walking through the forest. I was with dad and Fenrir then. But… It seemed to me like any tree. Actually, I never thought that this willow could talk. Even though I’ve seen dad meditating in front of it with his eyes closed, just as he does all the time when he tries to talk to uncle Lodur when he is in the Cosmos.”

„Do you think that master Dike was talking to Villō that day?”

„I think so. Actually, shortly after that, I met Mayar in the Glade of Shadow and we came to your kingdom. Probably dad decided so after that day when he talked to Villō.”

„Why don’t you talk with master Dike about this then? I do not think he will hide something from you now. More… about what he talked to that witch that day. And… I am sure he’ll tell you everything now we are in danger.” Then, seeing that Samaya calmed down, Bestla turned back to her hammock, and lay down with her hands under her head, staring at that „blind” wall that was not telling anything to her at that moment.

„Do you think so?” Bestla heard Samaya’s question. „That’s a good idea to talk to dad about this? I don’t want to scare him, for if I ask him about Villō, I have to tell him about my dream, too.”

„Anyway, I don’t think it’s a good idea to hide something from him. Not now. That’s why, tomorrow, before seeing that old witch Villō, I think you should talk to your dad first.”

Samaya smiled, „She isn’t a witch, but a willow.”

„Whatever,” replied Bestla, without watching her. „It’s the same devil for me, for, a tree that talks, it is one of two: or there’s a Spirit living inside it, or it’s the devil’s personation or is a damn witch, cursed by Fate, who is hiding from the world this way.”

Samaya said nothing for a while. She only lay on that hammock, staring at the ceiling of their home, admiring the perfection of the roof made from bamboo and different kinds of wood. Only in the end, she asked, „Why do you hate the witches so much? Since we were children, I felt that you were ready to wring one’s neck.”

Bestla frowned, „Because is true. Moreover, there is a too-long story to tell right now. Let’s sleep better.” After that, Bestla turned her back to Samaya. Yet, she right away sat on that hammock and told Samaya, „And stop mumbling the name of that damn bird. Tarther! Tarther! As if calling your groom. Also: tell that damn willow to keep its branches away from my neck or I swear tomorrow I will burn her to the ground.” Then Bestla turned her back to Samaya again, pretending to want to „sleep.”

„As though I can control her!” Murmured Samaya, smiled. Yet, she kept silent eventually, understanding that Bestla did not want to talk at that moment. Then, she also closed her eyes, intending to sleep. Nevertheless, she sent a thought to the willow, „Without dreams this time, Villō! Let me sleep tonight, for I’m really home!”

Bestla instead, despite the fact that Samaya thought she was sleeping, was still awake. Actually, she was still with her eyes wide open, staring in front at that small Bestla that was in a snowy glade. That child had her hands and clothes stained with blood while, and, at her feet, an old witch was lying, with a dagger in her chest, the same dagger that witch used when she tried to kill the girl that day…