Price of the Light

2

Roland lost everything that was of value in his world along with the unfortunate world itself. In this world, Roland, together with Evan, acquired another close person - Aranella, who became an excellent work partner, helping to get closer to and get used to the realities of an unfamiliar fantastic universe for him at first, and eventually a wonderful companion, a friend with whom Roland felt himself comfortable, forgetting about the tragedy that befell him. In addition to similar roles in the life of Evan, and then Tani, Roland and Aranella shared common interests, views, while enriching each other with their thoughts, knowledge, experience acquired in different life paths. Roland loved the evenings, when they worked together in the library out of habit, looking for the necessary information, sharing ideas and considerations on diplomatic policy and the arrangement of the state in general. They read aloud to each other books, archives on the history and culture of different countries. In connection with the emergence of the new state of Evermore, a short period of development of which was marked with unprecedented number of heroic achievements, a request was received from the Goldpaw Archive for the provision of factual material for the compilation of the historical chronicle by the supreme scribes. Roland took it upon herself to carry out this assignment, and Aranella volunteered to help him and rendered an invaluable service. She not only read a lot in her entire life, but was able to find the necessary information, deftly noticed subtle details, selected, crystallized and masterfully generalized the essential to background of ocean flowing wordy material. Aranella surpassed her actual age and appearance in her intellectual and personal development. Roland had the impression that she did, in Evan's words, "know everything about everything." Sometimes in the evenings, after their daily chores, they simply lingered in the library and whiled away their free time in interesting communication.

And now, perhaps due to an incomprehensible fracture in her soul, Aranella disappeared, although in fact she was closely. Roland really lacked communication with Nella in the library, and he wanted so much to see her, to speak with her. He was not accustomed to bare his soul and had not even shared with Nella in detail his emotional experiences before (although it seemed to him that she looked at him with a piercing gaze of large green eyes, as if she already knew everything and was able to read the heart with her gaze), but now he needed her more than ever, and right now she seemed to be absent.

Roland once again sifted through the memories of their last meetings in order to convince himself that then something had not happened or had not been said that could cause Aranella's distance, but it seemed that he could not remember anything special. If only not the last moment, before their battle and mission in the Broadleaf on the tops of the Hydropolis ruins ... If this is connected with him, then... the crazy thought that Roland tried to bury, muffle in the depths of his mind... No, no, this is impossible and funny ... If it turns out to be true ...

"Hey, buddy, why are you so gloomy, as if plotting another show of betrayal in front of Evan? Hey-hey, more fun!" Lofty shook the flowers in front of Roland, raising a cloud of pollen into the air, causing him to sneeze.

Evan, Roland, Tani and Lofty returned to the castle after another expedition.

"Now there is no need to act closed from your friends," Roland replied, finding that in thought they had already approached the territory of the castle after one of their expedition.

"Look at me, Mr. President. If you make us worry about you again, I will beat you with these very hands and will not see that you are Mr. Chief Consul," Batu growled.

"Okay, whatever you say, pirate master," Roland nodded good-naturedly, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Nella is there, look!" Tani exclaimed

Wreath for Nella, neatly and carefully woven and tied, Tani carefully carried in her hands. Nella actually walked down the cobbled street with an armful of lush red roses, probably to decorate the vases in the castle.

"I will run to Nella, I can't wait to see her!" Tani rushed through the gate down the street to Nella with all her might.

Evan also wanted to run to a close and dear person, but due to his title he was forced to show restraint in emotions in front of hundreds of courtiers scurrying around nearby, so he walked with a measured step along with Roland and Batu.

Even the pirate's heart melted at the sight of a touching picture: Tani rushed in a burst of her warm and sincere soul into the arms of Aranella, and then, asking her older friend to bend down, she let go of her thick dark hair from an invariable tail, which cascaded over the girl's shoulders and back, and put on a rainbow wreath on her head. Batu turned away to brush away the avaricious pirate tear, unnoticed by everyone. He was just happy that Tani, who had grown up in a rough male circle, finally got what she really needed in order to grow into what she was destined to become - the motherly warmth witch Aranella shared.

"How unusual and beautiful Nella is with her hair down and this magic wreath!" Evan exclaimed enthusiastically and, unable to resist, also ran to Nella.

Roland already seemed to have seen a similar picture: a green-eyed girl with dark thick hair, next to her a boy with even darker hair tries to get out of the stroller to crown his mother's head with a wreath of daisies, but to no avail until his mother bends over to her four-year-old son.

"Sorry, Mom, I could not get stars to decorate your head, but let there be daisies. Daisies are earthly stars. "

Roland shuddered. Apparently because of the rushing thoughts, he looked at Aranella for too long. Aranella seemed to feel a gaze on herself, turned around and, accidentally meeting his gaze, lowered her eyes and turned back to Tani and Evan. Unbelievable! Lightning struck Roland's head.

No. It's gone. It seemed to him. These are all echoes of his strange illness, which strikes the mind and imagination, casting obsessive images. He again felt that his heart was burned for a moment by the familiar devilish cold fire, but, fortunately, he immediately calmed down. Roland took a deep breath and returned to reality. He is in Evermore, and next to him again are his dear friends – Evan, Tani, Batu, Lofry, Aranella...