(Words: 31470) 1. thus Alexander decided to leave his people 2. and head to where he never been before 3. alone without any companions 4. weak without any weapons 5. except of his Charnagút 6. and he walked with his torn clothes 7. amid the deserts and mounts and valleys 8. and he stopped at the ruins of Taghlút 9. the capital of the khanate of Ghutan 10. where he crushed some idolaters 11. just like a grain of salt in the wind 12. and he stood upon the ruins of the tower 13. of the mighty castle he wrecked with iron and fire 14. and he meditated and remembered his golden age 15. and the tears could not be kept in his eyes long 16. and he raised his harsh hands up to heaven 17. and praised God and His mercy 18. then he knew for sure deep inside him 19. that nothing in this life remains 20. and like you take, you shall be taken 21. and like you own, you are owned 22. while this life is nothing for sure 23. but like a grain of salt or sand 24. to the wind shall fly away 25. while his supplies were going to finish 26. he decided to walk to the three sisters lake 27. the lake where he used to hunt and drink 28. away from Caqubdarius, his place 29. and on the way to there he passed by the hermits 30. some people who forgot life and its agonies 31. and he wondered could it be the Ayvars 32. he spent some time with them and they fed him 33. they gave him water and food like a guest 34. and after three days of hospitality they asked 35. about his story and his name and his destination 36. with some fear he answered hardly 37. and told them about his real identity 38. and to where he is heading 39. they stood with respect after hearing that 40. and amid the crowds came an old man 41. so old that his eyebrows fell on his eyes 42. and said with weak voice: welcome O Faithful 43. whose name is Alexander, Alexandarús, Vuqurnún 44. you are the bound between this world and the other 45. you are the promised in the book of Burhutiyyá 46. welcome amid your family 47. welcome amid your servants 48. and feel safe for no one shall hurt you 49. his heart was relieved and the smile got back 50. and then he asked the old man about his identity 51. who are they and why they asked him to come 52. the old man began his speech slowly 53. and said: I am the mortal son of immortals 53. I am the ancestor of the tribes 54. I am Náwi bir Nowayi Ayvárí 55. a son and grandson of the Ayvars 56. brought to Earth from the unknown 57. and I grew up with the nomads 58. until the Light brightened my soul and heart 59. then I married from the tribes of Earth 60. thus I am from and into the tribes 61. I am a branch of Eruvians and Huberians 62. and the Capallese and the Qalaqach 63. I am the father of Kharkhaz and Urev 64. and the grandfather of the Dulukh and Noahim 65. I am the son of Ayvars who lost his fathers 66. I lost the count of time and age 67. thus count my age as much as you like 68. and these are the chosen of my sons 69. and the chosen of their grandsons 70. and their chosen of their great grandsons 71. we are the root and the branch 72. from the seed that disappeared long time ago 73. and Alexander was shaken by the speech 74. and could not imagine the age of the man 75. what is going around him and what is the logic 76. nothing seems to bear meaning to him now 77. then he gathered the power to ask the old man 78. "and how shall I get to the lands of Ayvars?" 79. so the old man answered: you shall answer my dear! 80. and with a strange look, Alexander gazed upon his face 81. and then he said: you are the grandson, 82. you don't know how to visit your ancestors? 83. then Náwi answered with sadness apparent in his eyes 84. "my dear friend, your question revives memories, 85. of long lost tribes and nations, wisdom and faith, 86. my ancestors went away with their secrets, 87. and here I am left alone with my sons away from them, 88. and it is mentioned in ancient books that we had, 89. about a the poor and rich man, whose name is Vuqurnún 90. who has light in his face and a spot on his forehead 91. and his red hair go down on his shoulders 92. and his teeth are white with bluish color 93. carrying his sword of the three points 94. and his golden shield of the sun's image 95. he shall know the road to the ancients 96. and by his hands the secret is revealed" 97. then Alexander asked about the secret 98. and the old man explained in few words 99. "secret of the lights after the lights in the Beginning" 100. thus, Alexander felt the burden of destiny 101. crushing down his shoulders from Heaven 102. and then he said with a shaking jaw 103. "how am I supposed to know the road, 104. if I never heard of your ancestors before? 105. and how I am supposed to reveal the secret 106. if I do not know what you are talking about? 107. help me O good old man in my task 108. may God help you to succeed in the good ways" 109. Náwi established his words with the praise of God 110. and said to Alexander: O young man, did God forget you before? 111. or did He give you a false promise before? 112. No! Thus you shall walk by His grace and mercy 113. like He made you a sun and moons to guide you 114. through the deserts He will never forget you 115. stay with us for three days and be prepared 116. then go on to your journey with your destiny 117. the prophecies there were made will not lie 118. go and fear nothing O Vuqurnún 119. thus Alexander decided to stay for three days 120. while the hermits prepared him for his journey 121. and the hero stayed there for three days 122. and you can hear the mumble of hermits 123. worshipping and praising while working 124. and the Tell was producing lights from their torches 125. then in the morning of the fourth day he left 126. amid the tears of his lovers of hermits 127. and to the Three Sisters Lake he went 128. to get some water for his travel 129. and while he was taking the water up 130. he smelled something sharp and awful 131. and noticed from far away to the north 132. the smokes of Fulkan Muttere 133. while some people appeared from afar 134. bending and worshipping the volcano 135. he ran to them with amazement 136. then stood in front of them 137. trying to make them stop what they are doing 138. and they almost wanted to kill him 139. when one man of them yelled with anger 140. "are you trying to kill our sheep O fool?!" 141. then Alexander looked around him slowly 142. but no sheep he saw and did not understand a thing 143. then he throw dust upon them to stop them 144. but they tied him and made him a prisoner 145. after finishing their worshipping in a hurry 146. they turned to Alexander with reddish eyes 147. and asked him about his name and origin 148. he answered back and told them the truth 149. they laughed in the beginning so loud 150. because how come the king of might 151. the well known king of Caqobia 152. be walking with no guards or army? 153. then one man showed his dagger to Alexander 154. and threatened Alexander if he did not say the truth 155. then Alexander asked them to see his index finger 156. on his left hand where he kept the royal ring 157. so the men checked his finger and got shocked 158. he was indeed the king of kings 159. the son of Pilippánút, the king of Caqobia 160. the conqueror of Geltans and Ghutans 161. they stood with no motion trying to understand 162. then with a smile Alexander asked them to sit 163. and he told them his story and his destination 164. and how he got down from his riches to poverty 165. then he sermoned to them about God and this life 166. and why he did what he did for them 167. and then he asked them about their story 168. about their origin and their faith 169. a man got closer to Alexander and started 170. and the story of his folk he went to tell 171. "we are from far away lands there near you, 172. in greenish mounts just before Caqobia, 173. we are the Shepherds, and I am Ikilis, 174. every year at a time like this, 175. we come to this spot with sheep to pasture 176. and the volcano god Kadmún won't allow us, 177. until we pray for him and slay some sheep 178. and if we did not do that, all our fortune will be gone" 179. Alexander boiled with rage but kept silent 180. and talked slowly to Ikilis the shepherd 181. "dear Ikilis, what kind god is that, 182. who has no mercy for his followers? 183. and what kind of god is that, 184. who cannot make other people worship him? 185. or what kind of god is that, 186. who asks for fortunes of others?" 187. Ikilis thought about it for a moment 188. then asked Alexander: what do you mean O good king? 189. Alexander smiled to know that the man is able to think 190. then Alexander said: no gods on this Earth, 191. except of God who is every where 192. and that Kadmún is certainly a demon of tricks 193. the Shepherds were surprised by this talk 194. in their simple life never heard like it 195. and they thought that Alexander has the key 196. the key of their freedom from this ransom 197. thus Ikilis asked Alexander: and what to do? 198. then Alexander replied: first you have to believe, 199. and from the belief comes the faith, 200. and from the faith come the manners, 201. and from manners you get the might, 202. and with the might you can do good, 203. and by doing good you get blessed, 204. and by being blessed you are strong, 205. and when you are strong you can fight evil 206. thus Ikilis said: oh what long road is that? 207. Alexander replied: long to him who never understands 208. then Ikilis said: then teach us what to do, 209. and by the bless of your god we shall succeed 210. thus Alexander said: my god and god of everyone, 211. come along to teach you 212. thus Alexander taught them the meanings of faith 213. and the order of this universe and who created it 214. while Fulkan Muttere increased with smokes 215. and the Shepherds gets scared more than before 216. at that time when Alexander took his Charnagút out 217. Alexander asked the men to walk behind him 218. one hundred or more they were 219. they walked behind him with fear 220. they did not know what Alexander will do 221. after walking for some distance he stopped 222. and before the volcano he stood firmly 223. then with a roar that left the hearts hollow 224. he shouted the name of Kadmún 225. he asked him to get out if he is a god 226. then something reddish appeared from top 227. and walked down the slope down to Earth 228. and with a hideous smile he said 229. "Alexander, what a long time my dear!" 230. thoughts of the hero stopped 231. and he kept looking strangely to that thing 232. and then he thought what is the meaning of all that 233. then Alexander broke the silence and said, 234. "what does your words mean O devil?" 235. then the red thing with hideous smile said, 236. "you did not change a lot since you were a child, 237. always brave and just, just like your father, 238. and just when I thought I got rid of the two, 239. the son is here in front of me... 240. probably to get revenge for his dead father!" 241. this talk sparked the pains in Alexander 242. he can see the events in front him 243. like it is happening in that moment 244. just like it happened before thirty years 245. when his father, the glorious, fell in a trap 246. arranged by demons and wizards who followed them 247. because he banished them from his lands 248. because he punished them so hard 249. he can remember the image of his father 250. when he fell on the floor unconscious 251. and his skin turned red and purple 252. while his body was like a piece of wood 253. when the wizards and witches attacked 254. accompanied with demons on their sides 255. and started to eat the flesh 256. just before he attacks them with his Charnagút 257. young he was at that time but he never forgets 258. the pains accompanied him all the way 259. until he buried his father under the sea 260. so no one would reach the body or see 261. and he could remember the face of Kadmún 262. the demon who who poisoned his father by trick 263. and the demon who tried to get his father's heart 264. how shall he forget the face of such cruelty? 265. Alexander controlled his anger severely 266. he almost wanted to kill the demon 267. and the demon was laughing with no feelings 268. and not afraid of what Alexander might do 268. then the hero said to the demon slowly 269. "have you not done enough evil to the world? 270. to come here and trick the minds of people, 271. verily your end is near by my hands" 272. the demon laughed out loud and said, 273. "what people? nothing shall live on this Earth, 274. except of us, who are made of fire, 275. if your God loves those, He shall give them the mind, 276. and since no mind on them is set, I am their lord" 277. and since that moment Alexander could not stand 278. but got his sword out and attacked Kadmún 279. with a direct hit on the head 280. but the demon was fast and not a fool 281. and Kadmún then raised his fire sword 282. known in the legends of the ancient days 283. the sword of Balíkhah 284. the one made by the father of demons 285. whose name was Marjí Shadúm 286. who used it to cut the mount of Fototuus 287. and made it the Fulkan Muttere as today 288. to be his home and for his children 289. and the swords met in a fierce battle 290. someone is seeking revenge 291. while the other is seeking joy and blood 292. you could hear the roars echo 293. in every valley and over the mountains 294. it was a day of terror over the lands 295. when you could see the rocks spark with fire 296. and with every hit from the Charnagút 297. and with every hit from the Balíkhah 298. the ground would shake with every sound 299. the sounds of the swords were like fierce thunders 300. made by the mad Heavens and Earth 301. one hit by the other with no rest 302. they exchanged the force mercilessly 303. and and the hero had many injuries 304. fighting was hard for him now 305. and the shepherds were watching and surprised 306. if Kadmún was a god how come he is weak 307. if he was god why he did not kill Alexander before 308. thus they started to rage like Fulkan Muttere itself 309. and starts throwing stones on Kadmún 310. amid the rage Kadmún shouted at them 311. "verily I shall kill you all with your sheep, 312. useless creatures deserve not the air they get!" 313. as Kadmún ran to the shepherds with rage 314. Alexander put his leg and obstructed him 315. and Kadmún fell down on his face to the ground 316. while the shepherds wanted to take his soul out 317. but with a gesture from Alexander's hand they stopped 318. and then Alexander said: it is not an honorable act, 319. to kill a creature lying on the ground defenseless 320. get out of his way, unless he attacks you 321. if he made me dead, then he wins 322. if I got him dead, then I win 323. and if I was dead do not hurt him 324. if you believe in God, He shall take my revenge 325. and if you did not believe in God, it is my sorrow 326. and the hero finished his speech with the shepherds 327. while Kadmún praised his bravery in the field 328. and asked him to stand up again and fight back 329. thus, Alexander, stood up again and raised the sword 330. and the sounds of iron deafened the ears again 331. while the rains of the north started to pour 332. but the rain did not stop the might of the two 333. and the fight was between equal powers 334. until the time when Kadmún stroke the leg 335. and the hero seemed to fall on the ground 336. it was then, by a trick, the hero took the head 337. and the body of Kadmún fell on the ground rolling 338. while the fire from his body splashed like a volcano 339. and then the shepherds sang songs of praise to the hero 340. and congratulated him for his winning 341. thus, the hero then said: congratulate not me, 342. but congratulate yourselves for knowing the truth 343. then go and be free in your life with goodness, 344. there is no one owns you, except of God 345. then Ikilis said: and we thank God who send you, 346. to save us from the agony and ignorance, 347. and thus in return you shall be our guest, 348. as long as you like, with safety and health 349. and the hero could not refuse the generosity 350. because who refuses generosity is thought of as low 351. and the hero is one of the highest class 352. despite his looks after the adversities he lived 353. yet, he decided to stay with them for three days 356. and then continue his journey to the Ayvar lands 357. this he told to Ikilis the shepherd 358. and Ikilis laughed with open eyes and surprise 359. when he heard the name of the Ayvars 360. and agreed to help the hero in his quest 361. then Alexander asked Ikilis the shepherd 362. about the reasons behind his laughter 363. thus Ikilis answered with a smile on the face 364. "O great king, one of the justice and might, 365. we heard a lot about the Ayvars from ancestors, 366. but we always take them as some legends, 367. some legends, that elders tell their children about, 368. but to see a mighty man like you take the risk, 369. going here and there in search for them, 370. I cannot say but that such a thing is amazing, 371. and I never thought of before or saw before!" 372. then Alexander took a moment to think then said 373. "did you not meet the hermits on the southern Tells? 374. he claimed that he is the grandson of the Ayvars!" 378. and Ikilis answered directly: you mean Náwi? 379. he is merely but an old man hallucinating I suppose! 380. then Alexander asked Ikilis to tell him something about them 381. and then Ikilis started to tell some of the legends he heard 382. and he said: many things are told about the Ayvars, 383. so much that you need days to know it all at once, 384. but I shall tell you what I have in my mind right now 385. O dear king, they say those Ayvars live for a thousand 386. and never die until one of them get a thousand kid 387. the pious of them is better than an angel 388. and the devilish of them is worse than a devil 389. they posses the knowledge of all the languages 390. and they inhabited the Earth long before us humans 391. from their knowledge, all sciences come out 392. and from their prayers you can hear the wind's whistle 393. in every full moon and on the tenth of Ráfi 394. they know the meaning of time and how it started 395. and they know the meaning of wisdom 396. then when Ikilis finished his speech about Ayvars 397. Alexander asked him: they are not human beings? 398. and Ikilis replied back: yes they are, but were here before us, 399. O hero, you have been to many lands and battles, 400. do you believe indeed such legends of old? 401. then Alexander looked with an affirmative look 402. "you do not know what is awaiting, 403. and be sure I did not come here by my own, 404. so tell me O good man, anything you know in your legends, 405. about the way where they live, or how to find them? 406. I roamed the lands and dreams did not stop, 407. I have to find them even if it was my death, 408. there are secrets that I should know" 409. Ikilis thought for some moments and then said 410. "in the old papers that my ancestors kept, 411. there is one line I do remember clearly, 412. it was a weird line but it could be useful to you" 413. and the hero asked about the line like a hungry man 414. and Ikilis replied: "when the full moon over Daynur, 415. becomes reddish in its light and hue, 416. then watch the shake of Uhir Daynur, 417. it is then you will have the Ayvar bless" 418. Ikilis went silent and Alexander as well 419. then Alexander watched the setting sun in the horizon 420. and looked back at Ikilis and said: any ideas? 421. thus Ikilis replied: maybe I have one idea but not very useful, 422. if you are able to set a journey to the east, 423. where the nomads of Beten Yamta live, 424. just between the two waters of middle Daynur, 425. an old friend of mine lived there for a long time, 426. but I cannot say he is alive still, 427. he was a wise man more than myself, 428. and he joined the nomads to study them, 429. go there and ask for Ázilis if you will 430. and the speech of Ikilis was over 431. and the hero prepared for the next journey 432. between the two waters, to Beten Yamta 433. then the hero prepared for his long journey 434. he took food and water and the blessings from the shepherds 435. and went on to the north over the deserts 436. where he encountered many ruins 437. many castles and many wells of no use 438. just left for the sands to be eaten 439. just like Qafra or even worse 440. and some days passed away until water became scarce 441. then the hero glanced from afar some signs of living 442. amid the sand storm he was trying to view clearly 443. but his power did not help him stand up against the wind 444. and with the heat of his body he had to give up 445. and he closed his eyes and fainted 446. he did not feel a thing until he opened his eyes 447. to find himself in a tent which the wind played by 448. and no one beside him except of a bowl of water 449. he almost wanted to drink that water 450. his throat was sore and felt like thorns 451. but he couldn't drink the water in the bowl 452. for it smelled strong and made him dizzy 453. and while he was gazing around trying to understand 454. when suddenly the tent ripped open 455. and a huge built man-like creature got inside 456. but the hero did not find his sword to grasp 457. the hero got ready for a hand combat 458. then he tried to view clearly the face 459. and he found out it was but a human like all 460. while the stranger approached with a smile 461. and from under his cloak he grasped something 462. then said with a harsh slow voice like a nomad 463. in a weak Caqobian tongue 464. "is this what you are looking for?" 465. and the stranger showed the Charnagút 466. then the stranger continued the speech 467. while Alexander was checking his dear Charnagút 468. "you suffered so much from the desert, 469. and fever attacked you like locusts on green leaves, 470. then you fainted near our place" 471. and Alexander praised God for His grace and said 472. "thank you O generous one, but you speak Caqobian, 473. how did you know I am a Caqobian?" 474. and the huge man laughed and said with a smile 475. "you think we do not know the Charnagút? 476. the sword of just that was once for Pilippánút, 477. the fair king of Caqobia, who protected us long ago, 478. and this tongue is spoken around by the literate 479. along side with other ayvaric tongues of other tribes" 480. then Alexander forgot his pains when he heard of the Ayvar 481. Alexander asked the huge man in a hurry 482. "Ayvar! you know them? where they are?" 483. the man smiled slowly and calmly then said 484. "O good king, we are verily said to be their children, 485. but I do not know anything about their places, 486. and I do not know if they existed even, 487. but for long time, other tribes used to call us like that, 488. children of the Ayvar, and who speaks almost like us, 489. are called the ayvaric children of the deserts, 490. I apology if my knowledge is not what you are seeking!" 491. then Alexander remembered why he came here in the beginning 492. and said to the huge man: I came here to see a man of wisdom 493. and the huge man answered: this is verily not me I suppose! 494. we are the children of the desert take care of days when they come 495. but we worry not about the upcoming future! 496. then Alexander said: the man I am seeking is named Ázilis 497. do you happen to know him O good man? 498. the huge man was surprised and said in a slow speech 499. "Yes O good king, he is our wise man and our guide, 500. but it might be hard to speak to him at the moment, 501. or you might not be able to talk to him so soon" 502. Alexander asked in a questioning tone thereafter 503. "Why is it so O good man?" 504. and the huge man replied: because he is dying 505. and the shock took over Alexander 506. and begged the man to show him Ázilis as soon as possible 507. so the man agreed to Alexander's request 508. and they moved among the tents of the tribe 509. until they reached a green tent that scented like herbs 510. and Alexander wondered about the smell 511. thus the man answered: these are the scents of herbs, 512. your man had been taking a lot of medicines, 513. yet we are not sure he will survive 514. then both of them asked for permission to go inside 515. and a weak voice from inside said something 516. then they moved inside and the old man was lying on the ground 517. almost dead with thin body and bones showing outside 518. and both of them approached closer and sat beside his body 519. and the huge man started to talk with a tongue 520. some tongue that Alexander did not understand 521. then the old man gazed upon Alexander carefully 522. and said with a weak voice with a perfect Caqobian 523. "you are the king?" the old man asked Alexander 524. and Alexander replied "yes, I was the king..." 525. but the old man said: a good king, is always a king 526. and then Alexander smiled and asked: and you are Ázilis? 527. the old man said amid the coughs: truly I am and this day is promised 528. and once again the words made a race of thoughts for Alexander 529. then Alexander asked Ázilis about his words 530. then Ázilis replied: you should know O good king, 531. there are things in this life that destiny had decided, 532. I've roamed the lands to gather the wisdom, 533. and for a look into the stars I knew days will come, 534. when a young king of faith shall come to me for guidance, 535. thus I spent sixty of my years waiting for the promise, 536. and here it is I see it come true, 537. go ahead O good king and ask your questions, 538. verily my days are numbered in this life 539. then Alexander put his palm on Ázilis' forehead 540. and said with a low voice: Ázilis, O good old man, 541. verily you have faced many a troubles for this wisdom, 542. and verily God will reward you in the afterlife, 543. and may sooner or later we become your companions there, 544. but tell me O wise one, about one saying in the old papers, 545. the papers of your ancestors when you were a shepherd, 546. one saying that might resolve my problems forever, 547. "when the full moon over Daynur, 548. becomes reddish in its light and hue, 549. then watch the shake of Uhir Daynur, 550. it is then you will have the Ayvar bless" 551. and Alexander went silent and looked into the eyes 552. while Ázilis smiled a yellowish smile of sickness 553. Ázilis then looked at the huge man beside Alexander 554. and said with a weak voice: Utéfah, leave us alone please 555. thus Utéfah without arguing left the tent 556. and Alexander felt that it is a secret of secrets 557. then Ázilis continued his talk to Alexander 556. "listen to me O good king of Caqobia, 557. you are chosen to know the secret of life, 558. and no one is supposed to know this except of you, 559. it is a promise from my father, from my grandfather, from his father, 560. those who lived the lives of shepherds and nomads, 561. who knew the ways of the stars and heavens, 562. and those who met the real Ayvars of antiquity, 563. it is but one king that owns the lands of fear and near, 564. shall know the secret of secrets and why we are here, 565. a secret that was taken by the Ayvars to depth of lands, 566. because no living on the surface was to understand, 567. watch out O dear good king for the next full moon, 568. and when its time is due you must be out of here, 569. you must be out where the shaking lands are, 570. somewhere in between the Ghutans and Fulkan Muttere, 571. and in between the Hermits and the two waters, 572. and just before the mounts to the south of the Great Lake, 573. walk and walk until the moon becomes reddish from dust, 574. and almost you will not be able to breathe, 575. just then, sit and wait and be patient, 576. and wait for the lands to shake and..." 577. but Ázilis could not complete his words 578. and suddenly he closed the eyes and put down the hands 579. and his muscles got relaxed and stretched out 580. and no sound of breath could be heard from him again 581. then Alexander, the king, kissed the forehead of the old man 582. and let loose his tears upon the face of the old man 583. then Alexander went out of the tent and called Utéfah 584. but he did not notice who was at the back of the tent 585. then Utéfah arrived and Alexander told him about Ázilis 586. and the tribe made a huge funeral for their wise man 587. because of him, the tribe gained many respect and wisdom 588. and he turned the tribe from the harsh nomadic life 589. to the literate tribe that it is now 590. and everyone wished the blessings for his soul 591. and they memorized his old days and his smile 592. and before his burial they opened his Will 593. and there they found out his last words about his burial 594. where he wanted to be not buried in the ground 595. but his body shall be enclosed into a hard wooden chest 596. and thrown to the wide ocean of the north 597. that is to the sea of Ázúf 598. and all his books and writings shall go to Utéfah 599. thus the tribe worked on the last wish of Ázilis 600. and they marched with his tomb to the sea of Ázúf 601. while the men of Beten Yamta went to Ázúf 602. Alexander remained in his place preparing for his journey 603. and the last memories of Ázilis sparked his mind 604. then he remembered how Ázilis pointed to Charnagút 605. and he was wondering for the reasons of this point 606. but Ázilis did not say anything about Charnagút 607. although he was pointing to it during his speech 608. Alexander knew there is something hidden and some secrets 609. all might be clear when he reaches the appointed lands 610. just before the next full moon of Shaieb 611. then the hero went out of the tribe place to the desert 612. and to the south he traveled away for days 613. all the way he was feeling someone is following him 614. between the dunes and the mounts and hills 615. but he never noticed anyone, and thought its only an imagination 616. for the heat of the desert can make false images to the minds 617. some days the hero spent in the desert passing through ruins 618. and wondering where the promised land could be 619. until he reached the coasts of the Great Lake 620. the largest lake in Daynur and in the middle of lands 621. and Alexander walked along its western coast going south 622. without any rest either in day or night time 623. because the night of the full moon is approaching 624. and he must be in between the two waters 625. then one night came and the moon was full 626. and with harsh winds blowing the moon became red 627. and the dust was reddish and smelled like metal 628. thus Alexander knew he was in the spot indeed 629. but what more to do if he could not know a thing 630. then he remembered the gesture of Ázilis to Charnagút 631. thus Alexander raised the sword up high and looked 632. to understand the meaning of all what is happening 633. then he noticed a ray of red light striking down on the sword 634. like how a magnet stone attracts the iron pieces 635. then he moved the sword left and right, up and down 636. but the ray goes wherever the sword goes 637. and the hero remembered the words of Ázilis 638. thus he sat down and waited with a hard breath 639. and the dust almost went into his lungs and eyes 640. then he pointed the sword to the ground 641. and he rested his hands over its pommel 642. and the sword went easily into the ground 643. like how a sharp knife cuts into the meat 644. and the land started to shake violently 645. so violent that would crush houses to the depth of Earth 646. and the Earth cracked like a piece of wood under an ax 647. while Alexander jumped to one side in a fast move 648. while the Earth kept on tearing apart from North to South 649. the groove looked infinite deep into the ground 650. while Alexander looked in all directions 651. he was looking for a land to move on around him 652. then he found some space to move backward under the moon's light 653. but at the end there was someone with a dagger in hand 654. he heard some laughters and he looked after Charnagút 655. but the Charnagút seems lost by now and maybe went into the groove 656. and Alexander looked into the stranger and tried to see 657. but his eyes tricked him and he could only see the dagger's luster 658. and the stranger went running into Alexander like a raging bull 659. but the hero with his strength held the hands firmly 660. and the hero shouted: why? who are you? 661. and a harsh sound went out from the mouth that was covered 662. "you do not know me and will not take away my treasure" 663. Alexander amid his amazement was struggling with the dagger 664. the dagger looked blue with the reddish moon light 665. thus he knew that the dagger is poisoned 666. and a single scratch will make him a dead man 667. the two rolled over the narrow land violently 668. and Alexander almost fell down to the groove 669. while dagger was getting closer and closer to his chest 670. when suddenly the stranger made a shout out loud 671. and his strength went down and Alexander knocked him off 672. while Alexander glanced an arrow planted in his back 673. Alexander looked amazed at the dead man 674. he was breathing hardly because of the dust and exhaustion 675. he raised his head and gazed around him slowly 676. and in front of him there was a shade of a man from afar 677. the stranger man had a bow in his hands and covered his face 678. and with some steps he was walking to Alexander over some cracks 679. Alexander became ready for another combat 680. but the man of the nomadic costume showed his face 681. and under the dim light of the moon Alexander gazed 682. and with a loud voice he did shout: Utéfah! 683. thus Utéfah smiled and shook the hand of the hero 684. but the hero remained silent and did not know a thing 685. Utéfah then wanted to calm the hero down from his amazement 686. and started his speech: did he hurt you with his poisoned dagger? 687. the hero replied with some stuttering: yes... no... he did not! 688. then Utéfah said in a calming voice: it is over do not worry, 689. this man was Shalmún the son of Yáhúv the son of Inaf, 690. his father was a murderer and his grandfather was a thief, 691. he inherited the manners of his ancestors and went after you, 692. for he heard what you and Ázilis, the blessed, said together, 693. and he thought you are after some treasure in the desert, 694. thus I followed him when I did not find him among the men, 695. verily he was a man of treachery, 696. verily he was a man of no manners. 697. Alexander then asked: is it a treasure that I am seeking? 698. and Utéfah answered: what you are seeking is greater than a treasure, 699. but this man's head made tricks on his soul, 700. and he imagined that you are after the gold and silver, 701. I read some papers from Ázilis, the blessed, 702. and I know what to do next and where to go, 703. but first we must find the Charnagút 704. then Alexander said: but I lost it, maybe to the groove, 705. I cannot seem to find any trace of it after the fight 706. and Utéfah replied: call upon it by the name of God, 707. and kneel down on your knees to show the respect, 708. verily the Charnagút will come back to your hand 709. thus Alexander slowly bent down on his knees 710. and shouted with his voice like a roaring lion 711. "by the name of God, I call upon you O Charnagút" 712. it was but moments and the sword raised up in the air 713. and slowly went into the palm of Alexander 714. then Alexander turned around to Utéfah with a smile 715. and this he said: verily there are lot of tricks that you have O Utéfah, 716. was all of that mentioned in the papers of the blessed Ázilis? 717. and Utéfah replied: yes O good king, he kept these papers away from others, 718. thus when I saw them separated I knew they are special, 719. so then I read them and they were written with Yabjadítah 720. just like Ázilis taught us all how to write it and read it 721. then Alexander peeked into the great groove 722. then he looked at Utéfah and this he said 723. "what else did you read in the papers of Ázilis?" 724. and Utéfah replied: what I read was a lot, 725. but for now you just need to know where to go, 726. keep the Charnagút in your hand and never let it go, 727. it is a sword assigned by your name, 728. put it on the side of the groove and step on it, 729. it will guide you to the great gate of the Ayvar lands 730. and wondered to Utéfah: you mean the gate is in this groove? 731. and Utéfah replied: this is what I cannot tell because I do not know 732. so Alexander put the Charnagút on the side of the groove 733. and stepped on it while the moon's light grew bigger 734. and slowly like a foggy dream some steps appeared 735. and down to the groove they went 736. they were shiny like blocks of light 737. but Alexander stood amazed looking at Utéfah 738. and this he did say: are you not coming with me O good man? 739. but Utéfah shook his head left and right to say No 740. and Alexander urged him to come down with him 741. and Utéfah smiled and said: you trusted God all this time, 742. thus there is no need to put a trust in me, 743. for I am nothing but a grain of dust, 744. and the task was destined for you in the Beginning 745. thus Alexander looked down and started to walk 746. while Utéfah disappeared away from his sight one by one 747. and by every step he takes a new light block appears 748. until he suddenly reached a gate hanging in the air 749. and on the top of the gate, appeared the reddish moon 750. just above the door it was as a guardian 751. and a ray glanced over the place around the gate 752. and a strange writing appeared on the top of the gate 753. shining in an arc just like a gold made of blue 754. then the gate started to open slowly with a loud noise 755. just like thousands of years passed with no one opening 756. and the breeze of air was growing slowly to a wind 757. while Alexander tried to stand still on his place 758. and the gate opened and showed what was lying behind 759. it was a vast land with mountains and hills 760. all showing behind this small gate 761. it was wonder of the wonders for Alexander 762. how come such world be hanging in the air 763. showing from just a small gate like this 764. and while Alexander stood amazed for the event 765. the walls of the groove started to shake 766. the walls were moving together to close 767. thus, Alexander had no choice but to jump inside 768. and the gate of the new world closed firmly then 769. after the gate was sealed behind Alexander on the other side 770. nothing appeared to Alexander behind him except of lands 771. like nothing was behind him or above him 772. like it was not night time just a while ago 773. Alexander stood up and gazed around him 774. but nothing he saw but mountains and hills and some green lands 775. while some rivers flew to the right and left 776. he kept on walking for no obvious destination 777. and he gazed into the sky above him for many times 778. but he did not find a sun, although it was a day 779. and he felt the gentle heat of the air breeze without a sun 780. then he saw some plants on the ground and he felt hungry 781. but he was afraid that such food is not suitable to eat 782. but then he saw a strange bird falls down from heaven 783. it was a bird he never saw like it on Earth 784. thus this bird came down and picked the fruit of the plant 785. and stayed away to eat them peacefully 786. thus Alexander knew that such plant is not poisonous 787. and he began to eat from it like he never had food before 788. and the taste of the fruit was never something he felt before 789. but suddenly he saw a large shade covering the ground 790. and he wondered how come there is no sun but a shade is here? 791. and he gazed to his back and saw a huge creature 792. something was staring at him with furious eyes 793. the thing was flaming with fire and ugly 794. its face could not be known from his back 795. and with thunder-like voice he shouted at Alexander 796. "who gave you a permission to eat my plants O low one?" 797. but Alexander was taken by the surprise and terror 798. and he started to stutter trying to answer the stranger 799. but with some trials he was able to speak to the stranger 800. "I am sorry, but I am a stranger from these lands" he said 801. and then a weird sound was out from the creature 802. like if he was wondering about what Alexander said 803. thus the thing said: a stranger in Uhir Daynur? 804. I never knew someone would get in or out of this, 805. unless by a grave into the ground in Uhir Daynur 806. then Alexander tried to identify himself to the stranger 807. thus he said: I am Alexander, the son of Pilippánút, 808. I am the king of Caqobia and Geltan, 809. and the king of Zimúrá and Bulughman 810. but the stranger was humming in a weird way 811. and this he said to Alexander: what are you talking about? 812. who is king and who are those people? 813. are you trying to deceive me O low one? 814. and Alexander went silent and did not know what to say 815. but then he thought of something and said to the stranger 816. "is there a chance to tell you my story so you will pardon me?" 817. the strange thing sat down on a rock and gazed upon Alexander 818. and this he said: I think I have the time to have some entertainment, 819. so what is your story O stranger, and make it fast 820. thus Alexander started to tell the whole story 821. since the day he left Caqobia until he came down to this 822. but the strange thing looked bored and did not like Alexander 823. thus Alexander thought of something else to say 824. so he said: if it was for your plants, maybe I can do something? 825. and the stranger replied: something like what? 826. and Alexander said: anything to do to pay you back 827. thus the strange thing thought for a moment 828. and then this he said to Alexander 829. "if you can collect the seeds of this plant, 830. and spread it to the side of the river Táhus, 831. and then call upon the Shanúgá to eat the new seeds, 832. until then I might forgive you eating my plants" 833. and Alexander stood amazed for this talk 834. for he did not know a thing about all of this 835. thus he said to the stranger: O friend, what is all of this? 836. verily I did not know a thing of what you have mentioned 837. but the stranger got furious and raised from the rock 838. and he grabbed Alexander from his neck 839. and Alexander was hardly breathing 840. and the stranger left him off the ground with one hand 841. Alexander did not imagine such power exists 842. and said to the stranger with a weak voice 843. "what is the matter? did I say something bad?" 844. and the stranger answered: you said many bad things now, 845. by what permission you called me a friend? 846. and how you do not know what I am talking about? 847. thus Alexander replied with a weak voice 848. "I said friend because I do not know your name, 849. and there is no trick in my story if you believe" 850. thus the stranger calmed down and put Alexander down 851. and this he said to Alexander: you said you are a king, 852. thus I shall give you a chance to prove it to me, 853. I never heard of kings in Uhir Daynur, 854. but to be fair I shall ask you for your proof 855. and Alexander looked around him and thought 856. he lost his crown in his journeys on the lands 857. thus he thought of the Charnagút as a proof 858. although he did not know if this will work 859. thus he showed the Charnagút to the stranger 860. and the stranger shouted with amazement 861. "Charnagút! Charnagút! stay away!" 862. but Alexander did not understand yet what is wrong 863. and he said: clam down O friend, I will not hurt you at all 864. and the breath of the stranger slowed down gradually 865. when the stranger calmed down he gazed upon Alexander 866. and Alexander smiled back at him and put down Charnagút 867. then Alexander began the speech again with the stranger 868. "tell me O friend, what is your name?" 869. and the thing said: my name is Birbuár, son of Árúc 870. then Alexander asked: you know this sword? why were you scared? 871. the strange thing then stuttered and said: of course I do, 872. it is the Charnagút, the sword of the great Ayvar king, 873. it is the torture of the sinners and the sign of kings, 874. thus now I believe you are indeed a king, 875. please forgive my impoliteness master 876. then Alexander said: I am not your master, 877. but I am happy to be your friend in this world, 878. I was a king in my world before, but not anymore, 879. tell me O Birbuár, where am I and what is this world? 880. thus Birbuár said: yes I shall answer your questions, 881. but if you do not know already, how come you are an Ayvar? 882. and Alexander replied: I am not an Ayvar, but a stranger here 883. and Birbuár had a weird look upon his face and eyes 884. and this he said to Alexander: but how you got the Charnagút? 885. and Alexander replied back: it is a gift from my father Pilippánút, 886. but I do not know how he got it or made it, 887. but this sword helped me a lot to come here, 888. and discover the truth one by one 889. Alexander looked down with a sad face 890. because the memories of his father raced in his mind 891. then he raised his head and asked Birbuár 892. "so Birbuár, I told you my story, it is your turn" 893. and Birbuár started his talk with a long sigh 894. "O king, my story is a long one with pains and agony" 895. then Alexander said: and I am here to listen, 896. for I am lost in this land and know nothing 897. thus Birbuár started to tell his story 898. "O good king, I was once a human like any other, 899. oh how wicked I was and how devilish I was, 900. no parents did I respect not a relative as well, 901. no one would feel calm in my presence, 902. I was the mighty one in all of my village, 903. until one time a wise man said to me, 904. do not walk with pride on the lands, 905. verily this body will vanish to the grave, 906. and your name shall be accompanied with shame, 907. and amid my arrogance I taught him a hard lesson, 908. until the poor man died between my hands, 909. thus when he was dead I still could hear his voice, 910. it was ringing in my ears like he did not die, 911. and this he said to me and made me quiver, 912. a Shágí you will become and forever" 913. then Alexander gazed with a strange look 914. and this he asked: a Shágí? what is that? 915. then Birbuár replied: it is a tortured soul, 916. not to rest for eternity or to die peacefully, 917. it is something between living and dying 918. it is a pain in every moment that passes 919. thus Alexander said and wondered 920. "you mean to say you are not a living?" 921. and Birbuár replied: not at all, and not dead as well, 922. I left my skin and flesh long time ago, 923. and here I am wandering in these lands, 924. because after I killed the poor man, 925. my house collapsed over my head, 926. and the people of my village did not bury me, 927. and I cannot touch it or bury it, 928. oh I just cannot imagine the pains if I tried that, 929. but it is indeed what I deserve for hurting others, 930. and this is what I deserve for my wickedness 931. after this talk from Birbuár, Alexander thought for a moment 932. and then he said to Birbuár: if I helped you to bury yourself, 933. would that help you to rest in peace forever? 934. and Birbuár made a big smile on his face 935. and this he said: and I shall be your slave 936. but Alexander laughed and said: a dead slave? 937. then Alexander continued his speech to Birbuár 938. "all what I would ask from you is to answer a question, 939. and to guide me through these lands that I do not know" 940. and then Birbuár answered with no hesitation 941. "O good king yes I will with no doubt, just let me rest!" 942. then Alexander noticed something he never noticed before 943. and he asked Birbuár: how come you speak Caqobian? 944. did you not say that you never heard of such names before? 945. then Birbuár answered and was amazed like Alexander 946. "but O king, I am asking myself how you speak Ayvar?" 947. and the two of them were amazed for what is happening 948. verily both of them spoke different tongues 949. and yet both of them understood each other perfectly 950. and Alexander said to himself: what weird world is this? 951. then he dedicated the speech to Birbuár and said 952. "come and let us see how to bury your body, 953. guide me through these lands and tell me where to go" 954. and Birbuár got up from his rock and held the hand of Alexander 955. and it was two or three steps only on the ground 956. while Alexander saw everything passing so fast 957. so fast that he could not open his eyes at all 958. and when the hero felt the ground is not moving 959. he opened his eyes slowly to see what happened 960. so he found himself standing at the gates of the village 961. Alexander held the hand of Birbuár firmly 962. and asked him to come in with him 963. but Birbuár refused to go in and stepped back 964. and this he said: they did not like me when I was alive, 965. and now who is going to respect me when I am a Shágí? 966. I will cause you more troubles if I went with you 967. but Alexander replied: I will not go inside, 968. and I will never help you with your body, 969. until you come with me into your own village 970. and tell me by the way, what is your village's name? 971. and Birbuár replied: its name is Táhús, 972. and there to the north of it lies the Táhús river, 973. it is the river I wanted you to do things with it before, 974. but if it is a must to go with you as you requested, 975. then I ask from you to protect me from the people 976. and Alexander asked: and where does your body lie? 977. is it still under the ruins of your house? 978. then Birbuár made a long sigh and said: yes 979. then the two of them took careful steps 980. and both of them got inside the village from the gate 981. they looked left and right but people were busy 982. some of them in the markets and some were craftsmen 983. they walked beside the walls of the buildings 984. when suddenly a small stone struck the head of Alexander 985. Alexander looked to his left and saw a child 986. the child stepped back then he started to shout 987. "Shágí! Shágí! Help!" 988. it was but merely few moments when all people gathered 989. some with daggers and some with sticks 990. and some of them carried stones and came up 991. and all of them surrounded poor Alexander and his friend 992. then Birbuár whispered to Alexander: oh! I told you! 993. let us get out of here now! no need for pains! 994. but Alexander sulked and his eyes went fierce 995. and he faced the people and shouted at them 996. "O people of Táhús, is this how you host a stranger?" 997. then a man showed from the crowds and was holding a hammer 998. "a stranger with a Shágí? and what Shágí? Birbuár!" 999. thus Alexander whispered to Birbuár and said 1000. "verily he knows you, do you know him as well?" 1001. and Birbuár whispered with his head down to the ground 1002. "yes, this is a smith of our village, Shdáyur, 1003. I tried to trick his daughter and cursed his mother before" 1004. and Alexander raised his eyebrows and said with a surprise 1005. "you were indeed a cursed man then my friend!, 1006. no wonder they want you out of this village then!" 1007. and people started to get closer to Alexander and his friend 1008. and the circle was getting smaller and smaller 1009. then Birbuár urged Alexander to show his Charnagút 1010. but Alexander refused and said: something in me says no 1011. thus while the crowds were getting closer to them 1012. Alexander looked up into the sky and thought 1013. then suddenly he shouted with all his power 1014. "Oh! What is this!" 1015. while the people looked up to the sky above 1016. Alexander held the hand of Birbuár and ran 1017. they crossed the crowds in a hard way 1018. and everyone started to run after them 1019. while Birbuár guided Alexander through the roads 1020. the roads of the village was winding left and right 1021. and some of them were hanging in the air 1022. while Alexander ran and looked around him amazed 1023. and inside an old house with no door they got in 1024. waiting for the crowds of people to pass by and go away 1025. then Alexander faced Birbuár and said to him with anger 1026. "you are verily a wicked man Birbuár, 1027. how much wickedness you have done to others? 1028. and you wanted me to show my Charnagút there? 1029. in the face of innocent children?" 1030. and Birbuár stuttered in his speech and said 1031. "O good king, I was indeed a wicked man, 1032. but help me to end this suffering and I shall help you!" 1033. then Alexander thought for a moment 1034. then this he said to Birbuár: and how can you help me? 1035. after I find your body and bury you your soul will not be here, 1036. and to the kingdom of Heavens you shall go 1037. and Birbuár answered: yes, indeed, but I still have things to tell you, 1038. things you might need to know before I leave this life here, 1039. my father Árúc was verily a wise man and one with knowledge, 1040. and he taught things before his death, but I was never good 1041. then Alexander said with a frowned face 1042. "this better be true, or else you shall never rest!" 1043. thus the two of them stayed in the old house 1044. until the night spread over the sky 1045. but there was no sun or one moon 1046. but several moons revolving in the heavens 1047. thus the light was enough to see the way 1048. and Alexander took the hand of Birbuár and went out 1049. then Birbuár walked slowly in the calm streets 1050. while dragging Alexander behind him by the hand 1051. until the reached a pile of stones on the ground 1052. and Birbuár stopped there and made a sigh 1053. and Birbuár said to himself: yes, I deserve it, 1054. we reached the place O good king, 1055. here lies my house, and my body just below that 1056. while a sudden move in the stones appeared 1057. Alexander kept an eye on the moving stones 1058. and looked back at Birbuár and said: what is this? 1059. Birbuár then said with a low voice: I hope this is not what I think 1060. Alexander wondered for a moment and then he stepped forward 1061. and there out of a dark corner jumped a huge thing 1062. some creature with fangs and claws 1063. while the eyes lustered with green and red 1064. then Birbuár shouted: Khákalut! Khákalut! 1065. run! run O good king! 1066. but Alexander stood firmly and showed his Charnagút 1067. while the creatures gathered around him 1068. and they numbered between four and five 1069. while Birbuár took refuge behind Alexander 1070. and this he said to Alexander: we should run king, 1071. those things were eating my flesh and bones, 1072. O Birbuár what did you come to, O sinner! 1073. but Alexander said: calm down! what are these? 1074. and Birbuár replied: these are the Khákalut, 1075. they are the dogs of the Khaznútím, 1076. he who keeps the Hell and calls the sinners, 1077. he sends his dogs by night to eat the flesh 1078. to torture more and more those who sinned, 1079. and tonight it is my turn to suffer, 1080. Oh how awful is the feeling of pain! 1081. but Alexander raised the sword of Charnagút 1082. while Birbuár shouted: no! no good King! 1083. he will get mad at you, nothing escapes his wrath! 1084. then a strange flamed appeared from no where 1085. in the middle of the field between the creatures 1086. the heat filled the place severely 1087. and the sweat of Alexander dripped like water 1088. then a voice came out of the flames 1089. "Alexander! you finally arrived!" 1090. thus Alexander replied: who is that? 1091. and the voice said from the flame as it was 1092. "I am the Khaznútím, the keepers of Hells, O Alexander" 1093. at that time, the knees of Birbuár started to shake severely 1094. and Alexander replied to the voice firmly 1095. "I never heard of your name O Khaznútím, 1096. who and what are you?" 1097. thus Khaznútím replied back with a laughter 1098. "yes verily you do not know anyone here, 1099. your name is written in the records of Heavens, 1100. the hero who comes from Caqobia and raise to Heaven, 1101. the king of the later times of Daynur, 1102. who rules over the Daynur and its tribes, 1103. who owns the Charnagút and the iron heart, 1104. the man of the bravery and faith" 1105. thus Alexander kept silent for a moment 1106. and then he said to Khaznútím: what I am doing here? 1107. and Khaznútím replied: no orders arrived to me from Above, 1108. to tell you where to go and where to settle, 1109. and no knowledge lies in me, to tell the future, 1110. but I do wonder, how come a man like you in faith, 1111. accompanies a sinner like this wicked Shágí? 1112. thus Alexander answered: but this Shágí, 1113. he is regretting his deeds and sins, 1114. is it just and fair to keep him in custody and pain? 1115. and for eternal unrest to be with no solution to his case? 1116. I am verily sure in Heavens there is a way for everyone, 1117. to be forgiven in his life or after his death 1118. the Khaznútím then became silent for a moment 1119. and then this he said: your talk is of a noble man, 1120. yes, indeed what you are saying is true, 1121. and for you, and only for you, 1122. I shall spare this mortal from my servants, 1123. if he can prove that he is good after his death 1124. and then Alexander wondered about the last sentence 1125. and this he did ask the Khaznútím: and how this is to be done? 1126. and the Khaznútím answered: his body should be buried first, 1127. and I shall tell him my tasks later on, 1128. but, no help from you O Alexander, or else! 1129. thus Alexander and Birbuár agreed to the conditions 1130. and after Khaznútím and his Khákaluts left the place 1131. he started to dig the ruins with Birbuár to get the body 1132. and searched for a decent place to be buried in 1133. then Birbuár asked Alexander not put a grave stone 1134. to avoid digging the grave again by the people of the village 1135. thus Alexander took care of the whole task 1136. because Birbuár could not touch his own body 1137. or else, the fires shall burn him deep within himself 1138. and all was done, under the light of three moons 1139. then when everything was done and the body is in rest 1140. Alexander looked back at Birbuár and this he said 1141. "shall you prove you are a wicked man again, 1142. I shall let your body out to the ground again by my hands, 1143. and now fulfill your promise and answer my questions" 1144. Birbuár smiled with a calm soul for Alexander and this he said 1145. "be sure O good king I will never be a wicked one now, 1146. tell me your questions and by God's will shall I answer" 1147. then Alexander started his questions as follows 1148. "who am I? where am I? what shall I do here? 1149. what is the secret that I am searching for?" 1150. and Birbuár raised his eyebrows and smiled 1151. and this he said: O good king, maybe I shall answer some, 1152. but verily your case is a difficult one to answer 1153. and Alexander wondered: how is it so? 1154. did you not say that you have some knowledge? 1155. and Birbuár said: yes, indeed, here is what I know, 1156. you are in Uhir Daynur, a wide land that was forgotten, 1157. our ancestors told us before, we were up, and now we are down, 1158. I cannot say what does that mean with my knowledge, 1159. but I never heard of Caqobia that you came from, 1160. nor I do know why this is called Uhir Daynur, 1161. but I know something about the Charnagút, 1162. a sword of the hero of the reddish hair 1163. and Alexander exclaimed: why the Charnagút is important? 1164. so Birbuár answered: I am not sure of this importance, 1165. but I read something about it in the old books of my father, 1166. it is said to be the key to something I cannot remember, 1167. and it is the guide through the Uhir Daynur, 1168. to reach the place of the eternal rest 1169. and Alexander said: weird phrases, 1170. that only time would explain to me, 1171. but now I remembered many things to ask, 1172. tell me O good Birbuár, 1173. where is your sun, and how you get light? 1174. and why some people have a shadow, 1175. while others do not have anything? 1176. then Birbuár smiled and said: you are indeed a stranger! 1177. then Birbuár asked: but tell me, what do you mean by "sun"? 1178. Alexander laughed with a surprise: blessed is He in Heavens! 1179. Birbuár O good friend, it is no time for a joke! 1180. but Birbuár did not laugh or smile even 1181. but he looked strangely into the eyes of Alexander 1182. thus Alexander stopped laughing and said 1183. "you are not serious in your question, are you?" 1184. then Birbuár answered: do I look like joking O king? 1185. Alexander then slapped his forehead with his palm 1186. and this he said to Birbuár: O friend, do not tell me this, 1187. you mean you never saw a sun? or heard of one? 1188. then Birbuár answered with a nod from his head: yes 1189. and Alexander went on explaining the meaning of "sun" 1190. while Birbuár hardly understood the meaning 1191. then Alexander asked: how you get heat here then? 1192. how do you get light? how do you get shadow? 1193. how do you get winter and summer? or spring and autumn? 1194. how do you plant and plow? and eat your food or sleep? 1195. how do you even get day and night? 1196. or how do you even keep track of time? 1197. Birbuár then raised his eyebrows with a surprise 1198. and slowly said to Alexander with a low voice 1199. "seems this sun of yours is very important to you, 1200. but it might not be important for us here!" 1201. then Birbuár continued his talk with Alexander 1202. and this he said: O good king things here are different, 1203. I do not know what is the summer or winter, or spring or autumn! 1204. we plant here and plow all the time, 1205. and time is counted by the passing of light and darkness, 1206. while months are counted by the moons of the sky 1207. some people have shadow here, and some do not, 1208. it all depends on how much dark side they have, 1209. did you not see that I have a dark black shadow? 1210. it is all because I was once a wicked man, 1211. and it is time to clean my soul and take a rest, 1212. and I hope the Khaznútím will not be severe with me, 1213. as for your question about the light and darkness, 1214. the light is the light! when darkness is not there, it is here! 1215. then Alexander went silent for few moments to think 1216. he verily knows now that it is a different world than his 1217. where the laws of nature does not sound natural in this 1218. thus he expected to see more abnormal things 1219. all of these thoughts raced in his mind all at once 1220. then he raised his head and asked Birbuár 1221. "and now my friend, what are you going to do, 1222. and what am I going to do in this world?" 1223. Birbuár replied: as for me, I shall do whatever Khaznútím orders, 1224. as for you, I advice you to see Shdáyur by the morning 1225. Birbuár left Alexander to his fate at this moment 1226. he hugged and told him: we might meet once again, 1227. but you hero be careful with Shdáyur, the smith, 1228. he remembers your face and he has a bad temper 1229. and Alexander replied back: yes, I will, 1230. and you take care of yourself Birbuár, 1231. and always be good, for goodness never troubles anyone 1232. then after a hug and a hand shake, the companions got separated 1233. Alexander then roamed into the town between the walls 1234. watching carefully the coming and going people 1235. and from behind a wall in a narrow street 1236. he watched over the smith going out from his house 1237. so he followed him slowly until he got into his smithy 1238. then when Shdáyur got in, Alexander slipped through the door 1239. then he closed the door behind and Shdáyur was surprised 1240. Shdáyur took some time to recognize the face in the beginning 1241. for the shop was dark and not enough lighting was going in 1242. and just when Alexander thought Shdáyur was calm and smiled 1243. he found himself facing the huge hammer of the smith 1244. and while the smith was shouting and running to Alexander 1245. Alexander drew his Charnagút in his face 1246. thus the raging bull calmed down and stopped 1247. and he looked at Alexander with angry eyes 1248. thus Alexander said: calm down, I will not hurt any one 1249. in a frustrated speech Shdáyur asked Alexander 1250. "you were with the wicked Shágí, were you not? 1251. came here to complete your sins O wicked?" 1252. then Alexander frowned and his eyes showed anger 1253. and this he said to the smith: it is better to sweeten your mouth, 1254. I am a stranger to this town, is this how you host a stranger? 1255. then Shdáyur argued: we do not host strangers that come with Shágís, 1256. then do you have a better talk rather than raising your sword? 1257. and to calm the man down, Alexander put the sword back 1258. and this he said to the smith: I am not here to fight O good man, 1259. but a lost stranger I am, and for guidance I am a seeker, 1260. I helped the Shágí because he asked for my help, 1261. and I asked for his guidance in return, 1262. then he guided me to come here to ask you, 1263. about my destination and where should I go next 1264. the smith was surprised for this talk and raised his eyebrows 1265 and this he said to Alexander: Birbuár said that to you?! 1266. this is the last thing I would imagine a Shágí would do! 1267. then Alexander explained to Shdáyur what happened that night 1268. and told him how Birbuár is going to clear his soul out 1269. and to the kingdom of Heaven he might finally go and rest 1270. then Shdáyur went silent for moments and took a short walk 1271. and to his wooden chair he went and sat after his nerves are down 1272. then he looked at Alexander and said: what is your story young man? 1273. thus Alexander told Shdáyur all his story 1274. from his days as a king to his story with the Shágí 1275. then Shdáyur this he said: Birbuár told you about me? 1276. it is weird since we did not like each other! 1277. then Alexander replied: the man is trying to be good now, 1278. we should always give a way to forgive others, 1279. now O good smith, shall you help me with my quest? 1280. Shdáyur took a moment to think deeply and then said 1281. "but I cannot tell how to help you precisely, 1282. yet, I might have friends that can help" 1283. then Alexander looked down with embarrassment 1284. and the smith felt something is wrong with Alexander 1285. since he knew Alexander will not say a thing by himself 1286. he went on asking him about his bushing 1287. then Alexander this he said: O good man, 1288. it had been days since I had some food, 1289. would you prove your kindness and feed me something? 1290. then Shdáyur the bad-tempered man smiled 1291. and said to Alexander: of course O good man, 1292. what is the man if no generosity lies in his heart? 1293. here, take this cloak and cover your head with it, 1294. and walk with me to my house, and you are my guest, 1295. I am afraid that people would recognize your face still, 1296. and the day would be then longer that it should be! 1297. Alexander did exactly as Shdáyur asked him to 1298. he wandered in the street behind Shdáyur with a cloak 1299. until the two of them reached a wooden hut amid the grass 1300. both of them entered the hut and Alexander put the cloak down 1301. then the smith called upon someone and said: Yahuvím! 1302. thus from a small room in a corner, a fair lady got out 1303. covering her head with a black scarf having bluish eyes 1304. the lady seemed young, so he whispered to the smith 1305. "your daughter I presume O good man" 1306. and Shdáyur smiled and whispered back to Alexander 1307. "No, my daughter got married and left the house long ago, 1308. but this is my wife who shall cook your food for today" 1309. Alexander then got surprised and amazed, and asked again 1310. "oh you mean it is your second wife my friend?" 1311. the smith giggled and said: seems you do not believe anything here, 1312. no, I shall never get a second wife, my woman is one and only one" 1313. after the two sat down and had conversations about the life 1314. in Uhir Daynur and in the world of Alexander, that is Daynur 1315. while they were waiting for the food to arrive 1316. Alexander followed the words of Shdáyur carefully 1317. and he thought that he might be in another planet 1318. while Shdáyur got amazed for Alexander's adventures 1319. and the two of them continued the speech 1320. with the arrival of the food on the table 1321. after the food and after washing their hands 1322. the smith and his guest sat down for a serious talk 1323. and this Shdáyur did say: O good king of Caqobia, 1324. verily your story is weird and strange to me, 1325. but I never knew there are worlds other than this, 1326. neither I did know there are other tongues, 1327. and this Charnagút really looks weird and fierce, 1328. but I am not a man of literature or wisdom, 1329. but I might know someone who can help out 1330. thus Alexander asked rapidly: who? 1331. and the smith answered: there is one friend of mine, 1332. a woodsman that lives out of this village, 1333. but sometimes he comes here to sell his goods, 1334. if you are willing to seek some knowledge, 1335. he might be the good one for your task, 1336. he lived amongst lot of creatures and peoples, 1337. and he can read and write for good as well, 1338. just go out of this village to the north, 1339. and seek a man called Biryári, 1340. and tell him you are from my side 1341. Alexander then asked Shdáyur the smith 1342. "with Birbuár, we moved so fast through the lands, 1343. I did not know such thing is possible in your world, 1344. how can I do so?" 1345. The smith went silent after the mention of Birbuár 1346. and Alexander felt that he did something wrong 1347. but Shdáyur answered: only a Shágí can do that, 1348. this is because it is a soul that got rid of the body, 1349. thus it is free of the bounds of our world 1350. then Alexander said: if so, then I might need some food, 1351. I am a stranger in these lands and might get lost 1352. and the smith replied: yes, verily you will need food, 1353. for the journey to that place will take three days 1354. and Shdáyur prepared the needs of food for Alexander 1355. and supplied him with water to drink, and washed his body 1356. then he provided him with a tool to use and said to him 1357. "take this it will be beneficial for you my friend, 1358. it will direct you where is the east and west, 1359. thus, you shall know how to head north" 1360. Alexander asked: and what do you call this? 1361. Shdáyur replied: we call it "compass," 1362. oh then how did you find directions in your world? 1363. Alexander replied: we had a sun and a moon and stars, 1364. and all of that helps us in finding our way, day or night, 1365. but you have your own ways in these lands of yours! 1366. then Shdáyur picked the compass from Alexander 1367. and showed him how to work out with it 1368. and after a warm farewell, Alexander left undercover 1369. Alexander walked through the roads of the village 1370. covering his head and talking to no one on his way 1371. and using his new tool to know the way through the village 1372. until he safely went out of the village from the other gate 1373. he found himself directly between trees and bushes 1374. so huge they were like they were touching the sky 1375. thus he kept pushing his way hard into the forest 1376. through the thick layers of trees and plants 1377. and upon his first night in the forest he decided to rest 1378. thus he searched for a rock to sit beside 1379. and got some bits of his food to eat after a long walk 1380. when he heard some noises between the bushes 1381. he figured that a night in a weird place will not pass 1382. thus he made his hand ready on the Charnagút 1383. and gazed with his eyes left and right carefully 1389. while he made his ears sharper than wolf's ears 1390. and the sounds appeared to approach and become louder 1391. and Alexander's nerves were tenser than before 1392. when suddenly a ghostly shadow appeared from behind 1393. something held the neck of Alexander tightly from his back 1394. the press was so tight on the hero's neck and he could not breath 1395. while Alexander held the thing and tried to resist 1396. the shouts of Alexander filled the forest with echo 1397. while the black thing shouted in same manner 1398. and the saliva of the shadow dropped on Alexander 1399. Alexander tried hard to turn his face and look at that thing 1400. but the force on his neck was so fierce and did not move 1401. and Alexander bent his body up and stretched his legs 1402. then used his legs against the face of the shadow 1403. the shadow fell down screaming out loud 1404. and covered his eye with his own hands 1405. but Alexander could not see a thing of his shape 1406. because it was dark but only with the moons' lights 1407. the shadow got up to run away from Alexander 1408. but in a fast move the hero captured his legs 1409. and with a rope he had in his sack he tightened him 1410. and to a tree he had him tightened and unable to move 1411. thus Alexander relaxed and closed his eyes calmly 1412. and decided to check the identity of this shadow later 1413. while the shadow was moaning from the pain 1414. and had no power to move at all after this kick 1415. because it was directly into his eyes 1416. and he might not see again from now on 1417. the morning arrived with its light to the forest 1418. Alexander woke up and hurried to check the shadow 1419. he traces a line of blood on the ground slowly 1420. until he reached the body of a black thing near a tree 1421. he saw two horns on the top of his head 1422. while the thing was asleep and looking down 1423. Alexander approached slowly to see the black thing 1424. then he gasped and held his breath with surprise 1425. because he just saw his face on another body 1426. he stood without feeling anything with his senses 1427. and when he got his mind back he started to think 1428. what creature is this that takes his image in black? 1429. and while he was thinking, the creature woke up 1430. and started to groan and moan like an animal 1431. Alexander asked: who are you? what are you? 1432. but the creature kept on moaning and groaning 1433. thus Alexander realized that such thing is not a man 1434. but he could not understand how he had his face 1435. and since the creature was injured in the eyes 1436. and he was moaning from the pains 1437. Alexander's heart could not stand the situation 1438. thus, Alexander got some food out for the creature 1439. and fed the thing with his own hands 1440. while the creature was tied to a tree 1441. the creature looked at Alexander with one eye 1442. while it was eating from Alexander's hands 1443. Alexander did see its fangs clearly from his mouth 1444. and he thought what kind of beast is this? 1445. after feeding the creature, Alexander asked him a many 1446. but no answer he got from the thing but only moans 1447. then the hero tore a piece of cloth from his clothes 1448. and tied it to the eye of the beast and covered it 1449. the beast showed something that seemed like a smile 1450. Alexander then released the beast from the tree 1451. but he kept the legs and hands tied together 1452. and he held the tip of the rope and walked 1453. because he wanted to know what is thing with his face 1454. and because he did not trust that thing, he tied him like that 1455. they walked to the north in the thick forest for days 1456. until the two of them reached a small hut in the middle 1457. with some smokes coming out from its chimney 1458. thus Alexander knew someone is inside 1459. and he knew he reached his final destination in here 1460. where the woodsman Biryári lives 1461. thus he approached with his new slave 1462. so slow watching out for dangers that might come 1463. while smelling a good smell of food 1464. until they reached the fence of the yard 1465. by the fence Alexander stood and peeked 1466. he gazed through the windows and around him 1467. he could not find anything or anyone around 1468. thus he started to yell and say "anyone home?" 1469. no answered echoed back at him 1470. and he thought for a moment about what to do 1471. then he noticed a strange movement from the beast 1472. he was trying to untie the ropes on his hands 1473. thus he put his other hand on his Charnagút 1474. and when the creature saw this it calmed down 1475. and to the floor, it knelt down and looked up 1476. while a shout from his behind occurred to Alexander 1477. and the shout said: hey you! what are you doing! 1478. Alexander turned around to see an old man 1479. so old that his beard reached near his knees 1480. suddenly the man stopped and gazed upon Alexander 1481. Alexander looked at him and raised his eyebrows 1482. and the old man said: O God of Heavens! How! 1483. Alexander gazed around him and said: how what? 1484. the old man said in a stuttering voice: who are you? 1485. you did indeed catch your own beast? 1486. you did indeed captivated your own Cadid?! 1487. but Alexander did not understand a word 1488. and gazed upon his captivated beast 1489. Alexander then greeted the old man with a smile 1490. but the old man remained silent and scared 1491. Alexander asked him then: something wrong? 1492. the old man gathered his strength and this he said 1493. "who are you O young man?! Never saw your likes before, 1494. and in my whole life I never saw someone catching a Cadid! 1495. and not any Cadid, but his own Cadid!" 1496. thus Alexander replied: but O old man, I am a stranger, 1497. not from this land only, but from this world as well, 1498. would you please tell me, are you Biryári the woodsman? 1499. the old man raised his eyebrows and replied: yes, I am! 1500. I guess there is a long story behind you to tell O young man! 1501. come in into my humble home please, but keep this out! 1502. Alexander then asked in a hurry: that just reminds me! 1503. what is the Cadid you are talking about?! 1504. and how this thing has my own face on him?! 1505. and the old man smiled back at Alexander 1506. and he knew that Alexander was a complete stranger 1507. thus he calmed Alexander down and invited him 1508. to get into his home, but after tying the beast 1509. and the two agreed to tell the stories of each other 1510. after the food is served and Alexander is treated as a guest 1511. thus the two got inside the humble small house 1512. and the old man called upon his wife to cook 1513. the wife served the food and the two ate 1514. while the creature called Cadid was outside 1515. it was tightened to a tree as Biryári asked 1516. and while the meal was served the two had a chat 1517. about living in the forest and what Alexander saw in it 1518. and the old man talked about his old adventures 1519. adventures when he was a young man still 1520. and when the two of them finished the meal 1521. the old man asked Alexander about his story 1522. thus Alexander went on telling his long story 1523. and how he met Shdáyur the smith to come up here 1524. then the old man asked about the village and its people 1525. but Alexander answered: I could not live much among them, 1526. because of the story of Birbuár as I told you before, 1527. I think they are nice people indeed, but nothing I could do 1528. and Biryári answered: yes, indeed, they are nice, 1529. and Birbuár was not the best of this village, 1530. thus please pardon them for hating you like that, 1531. but the deeds of Birbuár were unbearable 1532. thus Alexander smiled and said to the old man 1533. "O good old man, be sure there is no place in my heart, 1534. for hatred to these people that I do not know at all, 1535. but help me please with this quest in this Uhir Daynur, 1536. for I did indeed miss my people and my beloved" 1537. the old man raised his eyes with thoughts in the mind 1538. while his fingers were tickling his long white beard 1539. then this he said to Alexander: listen O good king, 1540. I never knew about worlds other than our world, 1541. but I know one thing for sure, thus nothing is weird to me 1542. and Alexander said rapidly: and what is that O good man? 1543. Biryári said: people on these lands think they speak like each other, 1544. but I know that they are not the same in their tongues, 1545. I saw that written by the hands of the wise in this Uhir Daynur, 1546. because I could not imagine the whole Earth speak one tongue, 1547. but it is all because of one thing that they speak to each other, 1548. it is by the guardian angel whose name is Atheir, 1549. he who moves the words from one mouth to another, 1550. and makes the ears listen to what it should be 1551. Alexander now understood how people understood him 1552. and how his Caqobian tongue looked familiar to others 1553. then he asked Biryári: and what about the thing tied outside? 1554. and the old man said: Ah! I almost forgot O good young man, 1555. this is the black side inside yourself, 1556. this is your cruelty that goes into your blood, 1557. this is the beast that eats you slowly slowly, 1558. this is what we call the Cadid! 1559. Alexander then kept silent and his thought raced 1560. about the meaning of all of these events 1561. Alexander then asked the old man of the white beard 1562. "and how this Cadid became like this? and why he attacked me?" 1563. thus Biryári answered: Cadid lives within you wherever you go, 1564. it only leaves your body in two ways known to me, 1565. either you succeeded to conquer your cruelty, 1566. and that made him mad so he attacked you, 1567. or he can be out of you with rituals, 1568. but sooner or later he shall be back to the body 1569. Alexander then asked: and what shall I do with him now? 1570. the old man said: killing him is the solution as I see it 1571. but Alexander refused and said: no, something inside me says no 1572. and Biryári then smiled and said: it is but your kind heart that said no, 1573. and after defeating your own Cadid, thus you are free of darkness, 1574. I see you tightened him like a slave already, 1575. thus I suggest you take him as a slave for your ways 1576. and Alexander thought that it is indeed a good idea 1577. then he said to the old man: but is he safe to be with? 1578. and Biryári answered: with some time, he will be tamed, 1579. just like your own twin walking with you wherever you go, 1580. but his animal side shall remain as it is I presume, 1581. but at least he can be of no harm to you later 1582. and Alexander accepted the advice of the old man 1583. and decided to make his own Cadid a slave 1584. he might be of enormous help in this world 1585. then Alexander asked Biryári: and where to go next? 1586. I do not know the lands, and I do not know my destination 1587. the old man then thought for some time and then he said 1588. "be my guest tonight, and I shall look in my old books, 1589. I might find the answers that you need for such questions" 1590. then Alexander said: and what about my Charnagút? 1591. Biryári replied: I shall search for it in the books as well, 1592. this weird looking sword certainly has a purpose in life 1593. thus the two agreed that Alexander shall rest that night 1594. and the food was prepared for the Cadid outside the hut 1595. while Alexander exchanged the ropes with chains 1596. and prepared some herbs by the help of the wife 1597. to treat the eye of the Cadid that was damaged before 1598. and the wife took care of his bed and prepared it 1599. while Alexander slept on it with the first hour of the set 1600. he felt like his backbone is going into pieces 1601. and his muscles felt the stream of blood rushing through 1602. Alexander did not have a night like this for months 1603. and never felt a bed other than the sands for months 1604. while the old man sat alone with his books 1605. flipping through the pages of the written history 1606. under the light of his little burning candle 1607. and he spent hours reading and reading 1608. until he raised up with a surprise on his eyes 1609. in the morning the wife prepared the food 1610. and the old man woke Alexander up 1611. because of the tiresome times he had, it was not easy 1612. and the two gathered around the morning table 1613. while the old man was so excited to tell Alexander 1614. but he knew it is out of manners to talk before eating 1615. thus he just said: I have news for you, now be my guest 1616. both of them ate until their stomaches were full 1617. when the old man spoke with excitement to Alexander 1618. and this he said: from the books I got tips about you 1619. thus Alexander raised an eyebrow and said: me? 1620. the old man said: yes, you and only you, 1621. you are the old to look for the secret of life, 1622. and the one that will come from above then be raised, 1623. it is all mentioned here in the old books that i gained, 1624. they all talk about the red haired hero of the Charnagút 1625. then Alexander asked: and what is the Charnagút? 1626. Biryári answered: it is the key to the wisdom, 1627. I understand it opens something, but I could not know it, 1628. something that keeps a secret, the secret of wisdom, 1629. and as the books say, from above he comes, then he shall go, 1630. and I might have an idea about your next way to go! 1631. Alexander asked with excitement: and where to now?! 1632. Biryári said: The Ring Mountains and Peace Valley 1633. Alexander asked Biryári: and what shall be done there? 1634. Biryári replied: I could not understand the texts clearly, 1635. but the words say "and the red haired hero shall be there, 1636. where the three moons stand upon the mounts, he will be there, 1637. and to the help he shall come, as he always did and does" 1638. and the only place I know where the moons are like that, 1639. is the valley of peace where the moons remain on mounts 1640. Alexander asked then: and text did not mention who to help? 1641. but the old man nodded with his head for the opposite 1642. Alexander then requested for some guidance from Biryári 1643. and Biryári wished to travel with the hero as a guide 1644. but the hero refused that and said: O good old man, 1645. if you come with me to there, who shall feed your wife? 1646. give me the way and I shall try it myself O good man 1647. and back to his reason and mind, Biryári agreed 1648. so Biryári guided Alexander to the Ring Mountains 1649. where they lie at the eastern boundaries of the forest 1650. and Alexander asked Biryári: are there lot of creatures? 1651. then Biryári said: none occurred to me while I work, 1652. but be careful of anything when night time comes, 1653. always settle down and keep a fire burning 1654. thus Alexander asked: and how to make a fire there? 1655. and Biryári smiled and said: you forgot that I am a woodsman? 1656. then Biryári helped the hero to get ready for the trip 1657. then before leaving Alexander asked Biryári 1658. "how to know that I reached the right place?" 1659. and Biryári answered: you will not be missing at all, 1660. the valley and its mountains are just after the forest, 1661. and the valley is full of trees that bear thorny fruit, 1662. and by night, you see the moons settle on the mounts 1663. thus Alexander prepared himself for this long journey 1664. and thanked Biryári for his hospitality and information 1665. then both of them hugged and shook hands firmly 1666. after that Alexander left to the yard and took his Cadid 1667. and the Cadid was willing to go with Alexander easily 1668. which made Alexander feel some comfort about it 1669. the two went on walking in the long forest road 1670. you could see Alexander pulling his Cadid behind him 1671. and in the road, beside the food that Alexander has 1672. he used to hunt for exotic birds that he saw on trees 1673. the Cadid with his blackish body and face sounded happy 1674. as if he liked his new master, who has the same face of his 1675. but his fangs and claws were absolutely different from his master 1676. ten days passed through the thick forest until green no more 1677. and Alexander saw how beautiful the land was after the forest 1678. there he tied the Cadid to a tree near him 1679. and sat down to pray down for such an amazing beauty 1680. and asking his Master to bestow more power upon him 1681. Alexander wandered for some time between the bushes 1682. and found himself on the top of a hill above a valley 1683. he walked down there while his Cadid is still up and tied 1684. then he saw the trees which Biryári talked about 1685. and he tasted these fruit and they were bitter 1686. while out of sudden the Cadid on the top of the hill 1687. started to howl like a wolf would do so high 1688. Alexander moved little bit to check the Cadid 1689. but suddenly felt the ground to shake slowly 1690. he stopped to check and thought it is only his imagination 1691. but the ground started to shake more and more 1692. and the howling of the Cadid increased and been more high 1693. and weird sounds he heard of something huge 1694. something was approaching so close to him 1695. and from one corner of the valley he noticed 1696. how some trees fall down for unknown reason 1697. he looked carefully while the ground shakes hard 1698. while the dust appeared in the air from afar 1699. and from the moving dust he noticed a huge body 1700. it was but moments then he realized it is a hoard 1701. it was a hoard made by group of similar animals 1702. three horns each one of them had and spikes on the back 1703. they were moving so fast in his direction face to face 1704. and the hero was paralyzed for few moments in his place 1705. when the hero got conscious back again 1706. he ran to the hills to avoid the running hoard 1707. but the sands were soft and his hands swept 1708. every time he tried to go up the sands put him down 1709. thus he decided to face his fate in front of the hoards 1710. then he turned back and ran toward the hoard itself 1711. and jumped high above and started to run 1712. his feet were stepping on the animals' backs 1713. he had to run so fast upon their backs 1714. no mistakes were allowed from his feet 1715. or else he shall be lifeless and dead 1716. the hero kept on running from one back to another 1717. even though they were few moments in time 1718. but time was slowing down in the eyes of Alexander 1719. by jumping from one animal to another he got injured 1720. because the backs of the animals were sharp like swords 1721. but he kept on jumping with all the blood from his feet 1722. until he fell down on the ground and the hoard passed away 1723. his sandals were torn out and the blood filled his body 1724. and he felt the pain in every part of his body 1725. thus he crawled to a near by tree to take some rest 1726. while the Cadid was trying to break his chain 1727. the Cadid wanted to rescue his master from this 1728. but the hero remained under the tree and slept 1729. the hero lost the count of time when he slept 1730. then he found himself in the darkness under the tree 1731. he realized that he fainted rather than slept 1732. and beside him was the Cadid sleeping as well 1733. Alexander checked the chain and it was broken 1734. seems the Cadid broke it by his fierce power 1735. he raised his eyes up to heaven so slow 1736. and there lied the three moons on the tops 1737. each moon of them took his own mountain top 1738. he got his bag of food and had some as he was starving 1739. and he put some food for the Cadid as well by his side 1740. he felt calm and felt restful because he is on the path 1741. he checked his feet and found out no blood was there 1742. but only scratches and injuries on his skin 1743. in a hurry then he made a fire from some woods 1744. because he was afraid of other creatures in this land 1745. while the Cadid woke up and started to eat 1746. by the light of the fire, Alexander started fixing his sandal 1747. and explored the place his eyes, left and right 1748. he started to think about his next mission 1749. what Biryári meant by coming to help? 1750. the thoughts raced through the mind of Alexander 1751. until he fell asleep back again under the tree 1752. and the Cadid stayed beside him to protect 1753. the next morning arrived with its glory 1754. and the birds awakened Alexander and his Cadid 1755. the two looked at each other and around them 1756. the fresh breeze of air made them forget the pains 1757. Alexander gave the Cadid some food again for breakfast 1758. and he decided to explore the valley and his trees 1759. to make food for himself from these plants 1760. he wandered with his Cadid to different parts 1761. until he noticed no tree had a shadow at day 1762. just like the people of this weird world or most of them 1763. except of one tree that had a moving shadow 1764. he wandered in the valley to check other trees 1765. but it was only that tree that had a shadow 1766. he approached the tree with his Cadid slowly 1767. as soon as they arrived beside the tree of shadow 1768. the branches started to catch the clothes of Alexander 1769. so rapidly, he escaped from it and ran away 1770. while the Cadid kept on barking and howling 1771. the thoughts raced in Alexander's mind about it 1772. then he said to himself: if people have no shadows, 1773. and get shadows when they do evil in their lives, 1774. how come this tree has a shadow of its own? 1775. could it be that someone transformed into a tree? 1776. but Alexander could not find a final answer 1777. in that moment a shout from afar cut off the silence 1778. "hey you! what are you doing?" someone said 1779. Alexander looked behind him and saw no one 1780. he looked back to the tree and wanted to get close 1781. but the shout again appeared again and louder even 1782. he stopped and looked around but no one he could see 1783. until he felt something that hurts his feet 1784. he jumped a bit and looked down with anger 1785. and found out a dwarf creature close to his feet 1786. Alexander got surprised for the size of that thing 1787. and down to his knees he knelt to see 1788. then Alexander asked: are you talking to me? 1789. the bad tempered dwarf replied: you see others here? 1790. Alexander replied with confidence: no, but who are you? 1791. the dwarf replied with anger: I think I should ask you this! 1792. Alexander answered calmly: my name is Alexander, 1793. a stranger from these lands and seeking my destination, 1794. now would you please tell me who are you? 1795. the dwarf replied with a high pitched voice 1796. "I am Kaliván, and the owner of this half of the lands" 1797. Alexander stepped back then and said: Ah! Sorry then! 1798. I did step here by mistake as I am a stranger, 1799. but what is wrong with this tree of shadow? 1800. then the dwarf sighed and looked down 1801. Alexander gazed upon the dwarf thing and waited 1802. finally the dwarf answered: my poor tree is sick! 1803. the damned Mikanazzar passed through it lately, 1804. and its Jawsamályá is not in its place anymore, 1805. Aramramátáníth could not fix this problem, 1806. and if this sickness is not cured fast enough, 1807. oh! how much troubles shall be facing on the lands! 1808. all the trees then will be endangered! 1809. no food, no fire, but hunger and coldness! 1810. and the Peace Valley will not be in peace! 1811. the dwarf went silent while Alexander was gazing 1812. and the angry dwarf said: what are you looking at?! 1813. then Alexander said: I did not understand a word you said! 1814. what is Mikanazzar, and the Jawsamályá? 1815. and what is the Aram... this name was hard for me! 1816. the dwarf thought that Alexander was mocking at him 1817. thus he started to poke Alexander's face with anger 1818. but Alexander put his hand and pushed the dwarf away 1819. then he said to the dwarf: is that how you receive strangers? 1820. do not make my rage raise and my hand then knows no mercy! 1821. but the dwarf replied with mockery: pah! and what you can do? 1822. my Aramramátáníth shall help me against you, O useless! 1823. and amid this fight and argument between the two 1824. a cold wind passed through the valley from the north 1825. with the passage of the cold wind in the valley 1826. the dwarf knelt down as a sign of respect 1827. but Alexander did not kneel and looked carefully 1828. then the dwarf said with low voice of anger 1829. "kneel down O useless one! It is the Aramramátáníth!" 1830. but just before Alexander trying to kneel down 1831. a voice that could be heard from everywhere occurred 1832. the voice said: Kaliván, do not hurt the man, 1833. he is the one to save this land for us! 1834. thus Kaliván replied: yes O Mistress of goodness! 1835. while Alexander stood in his place amazed 1836. he could not see anything but heard the voice 1837. then a cold breeze is felt and the weather changed 1838. and everything got back to how it was before 1839. and Kaliván looked upon Alexander and this he said 1840. "I apologize O good man, why you did not say so?" 1841. but Alexander got more amazed and said: say what? 1842. Kaliván said: why did you not say that you were sent? 1843. but Alexander asked again: sent by who O good man? 1844. the Kaliván smiled and said: by Aramramátáníth of course! 1845. then Alexander sighed and looked up 1846. and he knelt down to the dwarf and said 1847. "why do you not come O good man and tell me everything? 1848. there is so much I need to understand in your world" 1849. the two sat down beside one tree, with the Cadid 1850. and Kaliván just noticed the Cadid beside Alexander 1851. and he shouted so out loud: Cadid!!! you have a Cadid!!! 1852. Alexander answered calmly and said: yes, he is my servant 1853. but Kaliván stepped back and shouted: what kind of man are you?! 1854. Alexander replied: calm down O Kaliván, or else! 1855. under this pressure from Alexander, Kaliván got back 1856. and with a calm and humble voice he said: yes O good man, 1857. what are your questions? I hope I will answer all I can, 1858. but later, you should tell me your story as well 1859. Alexander agreed to the terms of the dwarf 1860. and then he asked: what is Jawsamályá? 1861. what is Mikanazzar and what is Aram... ? 1862. the dwarf man then answered calmly but in surprise 1863. "it is indeed a surprise that Aramramátáníth chose you! 1864. but what can I say in front of the will of the Great, 1865. and I wonder how come a man do not know these! 1866. however, I shall answer you as you requested" 1867. Alexander kept a careful eye on Kaliván 1868. and for his answer he was waiting patiently 1869. but the time was traveling so slow in that moment 1870. thus he could not keep it inside his heart 1871. and he had to yell at the little man out loud 1872. "Kaliván! hurry up! we do not have all day!" 1873. Kaliván started to talk slowly and calmly 1874. he got more frightened because of Alexander's shouts 1875. and this he did say: Mikanazzar is something, 1876. like air, but heavier, passes through like a feather, 1877. and when he passes through a place or a body, 1878. it disturbs everything in this body and makes it sick, 1879. while Jawsamályá is the first thing to be infected, 1880. Jawsamályá if you did not know yet, is the inner self, 1881. it is where all powers gather and meet in your body, 1882. you do not have to be a physician to know this! 1883. and when this Jawsamályá is out of balance and harmony, 1884. you would be out of control and senses until it is back 1885. then the dwarf went silent, and Alexander asked him again 1886. "and what is the Aram...?" Alexander said while gazing 1887. the dwarf replied: the name of the Great! learn how to say it! 1888. it is Aramramátáníth, a-ram-ramá-tá-níth! 1889. it is the one that spoke to you just a while ago! 1890. where are you from O stranger? you do not know her?! 1891. she is the mother of all nature, just like how God made her, 1892. she cures and takes care of all the trees in this valley, 1893. she gives the good winds for the sailors, the sun for us, 1894. she fights the Mikanazzar wherever it goes or comes 1895. by this Alexander understood the situation clearly 1896. it was for sure, something larger than he thought 1897. then Kaliván continued and said: but I wonder! 1898. where are you from O stranger? you do not know all this? 1899. thus Alexander smiled and rested his back on a tree 1900. and he started to tell his story to Kaliván 1901. and Kaliván surprised more and more with every event 1902. then Alexander told him how he got into this world 1903. and what happened before in the village until he arrived here 1904. thus Kaliván said: a man who catches his own Cadid is a hero! 1905. and you are a king, thus you are a doubled hero! 1906. I think I know now why Aramramátáníth chose you, 1907. with your faith, it seems you are only one to help us 1908. Alexander thought for a moment and said to Kaliván 1909. "the Jawsamályá as you said is responsible for balance, right?" 1910. and Kaliván answered: yes, it is to be so 1911. then Alexander said: but do you not think that it is more than that? 1912. this tree is weirdly acting as if it is alive, and not only sick, 1913. it is as if the core of this tree is inhabited with something 1914. then Kaliván replied: I agree, it should be a sick tree only, 1915. then what do you suggest O hero of Caqobia? 1916. Alexander thought for a moment and said: let me check, 1917. I need to get closer to the tree without being caught, 1918. any way you can think of O my little friend? 1919. Kaliván felt a bit of anger with his new title 1920. but forgot about it rapidly and started to think 1921. then Kaliván thought of an idea but was dangerous 1922. and he said to Alexander: I am a little man as you can see, 1923. I might be able to approach the tree without being noticed? 1924. Alexander then refused and said: No! This is dangerous! 1925. but Kaliván insisted and said: we will not know, without trying, 1926. just tell me O hero, what to do if I got closer to it? 1927. Alexander went silent for a moment with some meditation 1928. then he realized that it might be indeed the only way 1929. thus he said to Kaliván: if you can go around the tree, 1930. check if there is any abnormal things in its bark, 1931. go now if you like, and I will watch over your steps 1932. thus Kaliván walked slowly and tried to approach 1933. but the tree started to move its branches and pushed him away 1934. the little man got angry as usual and wanted to go back again 1935. but Alexander made him stop and said: no use of that 1936. then he thought and said to himself: how does it know us? 1937. and how it knows we are approaching or going away? 1938. then suddenly the idea sparked in Alexander's head 1939. and suddenly he shouted out loud: the roots! 1940. Kaliván did not know what Alexander meant by that 1941. then Alexander asked Kaliván to collect some of the fruit 1942. and Kaliván went on all over the valley collecting them 1943. until he made a large pile of them beside Alexander 1944. then Alexander started to test his idea against the tree 1945. Alexander picked one of those ball-like fruit 1946. and throw it on the ground until it reached the tree 1947. the tree banished the piece of fruit rapidly 1948. then Alexander said to Kaliván: quick, help me, 1949. let's put this pile at once beside the tree, 1950. I shall make the tree busy hitting those, 1951. while you help me cut out the branches 1952. Kaliván hesitated in the beginning 1953. because he did not want to hurt the tree 1954. but with the confidence of Alexander he went on 1955. so the two threw the pile on the tree all at once 1956. and the tree became like crazy hitting the fruit 1957. while Alexander worked with his sword on the back 1958. and Kaliván helped him to break small branches 1959. few moments passed and the tree was like naked 1960. no branches the tree had but only a top with leaves 1961. while some noises came from inside the tree like moans 1962. as if the tree was indeed shouting for the pain it had 1963. and the branches lied around and turned black 1964. then Kaliván said to Alexander: something inside it, 1965. there must be something inside this damned tree, 1966. never heard of a tree that cries out loud from pain 1967. thus Alexander said: we should cut it then 1968. but Kaliván replied: we would only kill the tree then 1969. after some moments of fast thinking 1970. Alexander decided to do something with Kaliván 1971. thus he asked Kaliván to gather the cut branches 1972. and they put them around the tree away for some distance 1973. then Alexander asked Kaliván to make fire with him 1974. so the two of them started to rub the wood altogether 1975. and so they made a spark and then into a fire 1976. then with their clothes they started to smoke the tree 1977. and the moaning started to get louder and louder 1978. when suddenly a black air came from the top 1979. with fierce shouts that none did understand 1980. Alexander felt that the danger is hovering around 1981. thus he got his hands ready on his Charnagút 1982. and as he expected the black smoke attacked 1983. but nothing he could do because it was but air 1984. thus the air passed through Alexander 1985. and Alexander could not feel his power anymore 1986. thus he knelt down and planted his Charnagút 1987. and he started to breathe heavily and looked at Kaliván 1988. but everything turned black and he fainted 1989. Alexander then opened his eyes to see Kaliván 1990. Kaliván was sitting on the chest of the hero 1991. and Alexander gazed around but he did not know the place 1992. while Kaliván said with a happy tone: we did it O hero! 1993. Alexander felt a headache and looked around him 1994. he recognized that he is in a small house made of wood 1995. then he looked at Kaliván and said: where am I? 1996. Kaliván replied: in my humble house O hero! 1997. then Alexander asked: what happened? 1998. Kaliván then went on telling the story 1999. "you made the Mikanazzar fly away from the tree, 2000. and when it got angry it attacked you with rage, 2001. thus it passed through your heart and body, 2002. and took some of your power and made you weak, 2003. and you fell down and fainted with no power to move, 2004. thus Aramramátáníth chased after Mikanazzar, 2005. and she banished him out of the valley for now, 2006. then she endowed you with some power to heal, 2007. you will need some time to rest for now, 2008. she ordered me to take you home and care for you, 2009. until you become sound again, she shall talk to you, 2010. Oh! what a great honor is that to have her talk to you! 2011. you must be someone special O good king!" 2012. with a little headache Alexander asked Kaliván 2013. "you brought me to your home? how that is possible?" 2014. and Kaliván answered him with a laughter 2015. "thank your Cadid, he is a loyal servant for you, 2016. I released his chains and he helped me" 2017. Alexander remained for three days in bed 2018. he could barely move inside the small house 2019. and he felt well after that and got out of the house 2020. then he paid a visit with Kaliván to the tree 2021. and he asked Kaliván: why this tree is so important? 2022. we could have cut her down from the beginning! 2023. and Kaliván answered: this tree bears the holy seeds, 2024. it is what keeps this valley alive as it is now, 2025. and if it dies out, then no green you shall see here 2026. then Alexander asked: but now it is without branches, 2027. how it will give the holy seeds without branches? 2028. then Kaliván answered: here comes your part O hero, 2029. Aramramátáníth said you will heal the Jawsamályá again, 2030. and it will give fruit just like before and be always green 2031. then Alexander wondered: why me? Aram... couldn't heal it? 2032. Kaliván answered with eyes to the sky: you cannot say it yet? 2033. she ordered me to tell you that, but I do not know why, 2034. although I am sure she has the power to heal the tree, 2035. but yet she told me to ask you to try your luck with it! 2036. Alexander wondered about this argument 2037. and then started to think how to balance Jawsamályá 2038. the tree looked poor and pale without any branches 2039. thus Alexander thought of restoring its branches back 2040. so he ordered Kaliván and his Cadid to collect branches 2041. the two collected branches from the forest from other trees 2042. they picked the most greenish branches from the trees 2043. Alexander asked for certain number of branches 2044. then Alexander started to make cuts into the bark 2045. and he planted a branch in each cut inside the tree 2046. then he brought the ropes he had before and tied them all 2047. Kaliván then asked: how this is going to heal the tree? 2048. and Alexander replied: think about it O Kaliván, 2049. the tree bear fruit with its branches like the hands, 2050. thus the first thing would be is to give her hands, 2051. and soon the roots of the branches will connect with it, 2052. and then be part of the mother tree who is young again now 2053. then Kaliván asked: and you think this will fix Jawsamályá? 2054. Alexander replied: I am not sure about it since I never experienced it, 2055. your world, O Kaliván, got things I never saw before, 2056. I can barely accept the idea that there is no sun here! 2057. Kaliván raised an eyebrow and said: sun? what is sun? 2058. but Alexander replied rapidly: nothing, forget it for now, 2059. we have more important matters to think of right now, 2060. how to get Jawsamályá back to its balance as before? 2061. and just when Alexander finished his sentence 2062. some weird breeze started coming out from no where 2063. and Kaliván knelt down and said: kneel Alexander! 2064. and Alexander knelt down and looked up 2065. Alexander did not know what was happening 2066. until he heard the voice that he heard before 2067. and the voice spoke to him: O hero of Caqobia, 2068. you have proved your nobility in the tasks given to you, 2069. thus I shall do what was written in destiny for you, 2070. the air I shall command to be with you, 2071. and the thunder I shall leave by your hands, 2072. the air shall make you walk like a Shágí, 2073. and the thunder shall make your wrath like Khaznútím, 2074. but all of that is yours if you grant me one thing O hero 2075. and Alexander raised his head and asked: what is it? 2076. Aramramátáníth said: they are only used for goodness, 2077. do not use them for personal attitudes or in moments of rage, 2078. I shall be very disappointed if you do so O Alexander, 2079. now Alexander, come near the tree of the valley, 2080. and repeat after me this ritual of healing, 2081. and you shall transfer portions of this brave heart, 2082. to the heart of this tree, that is its Jawsamályá, 2083. after that we can have answers to whatever you have 2084. and Alexander knelt beside the tree 2085. and started to say the ritual after Aramramátáníth 2086. then he felt his spirit being hung in the air 2087. and the tree grew greenish and very alive again 2088. while the heart beats of Alexander increased 2089. Alexander sat down on the grass and was tired 2090. and asked Aramramátáníth: am I allowed to ask? 2091. Aramramátáníth replied: go ahead O warrior of goodness 2092. and Alexander asked his first question 2093. "who are you?" 2094. and the mother of nature replied: I am Aramramátáníth, 2095. I am whom God made to guard the health of the land, 2096. I am the guardian of farms and valleys, meadows and hills 2097. then Alexander asked his second question 2098. "what are you?" 2099. and she replied: I am the Light beyond the sight, 2100. I am the voice of conscious inside everyone's heart, 2101. I am the breeze, I am the wind, I am the storm 2102. then Alexander asked his third question 2103. "what is Mikanazzar?" 2104. and she replied: my fierce enemy on Uhir Daynur, 2105. the bringer of sickness where it goes and comes, 2106. he is the damned one, who seeks not the Mercy 2107. then Alexander asked his fourth question 2108. "why you did not heal the tree yourself?" 2109. and she replied: I was not commanded to do so, 2110. and to heal it, we needed a brave heart, 2111. and to fight Mikanazzar in it, that is dangerous, 2112. thus we were ordered to wait for you, and teach Kaliván 2113. then with a smooth voice the Guardian asked 2114. "continue O hero, any more questions?" 2115. but the hero felt embarrassed and said to her 2116. "yes, one more question from me is left, 2117. where to go now? and what I am doing in this land?" 2118. Aramramátáníth said: your destiny is not in my hand, 2119. but to the Hermit, I believe, you must go from here, 2120. my wind shall carry you there easily, O hero, 2121. and under your command it shall move, 2122. the Hermit has all the answers you need, 2123. this is what I am ordered to do for now 2124. then Alexander agreed and decided to move 2125. and he greeted Kaliván and hugged each other 2126. despite the small size of the small creature 2127. but he carried him by the palm of his hand 2128. then Alexander desired to let his Cadid with Kaliván 2129. to help him with the lands of the valley and the trees 2130. but the Cadid refused to go except with his master 2131. and the wind started to gather under the feet of Alexander 2132. and slowly in the air he was raised with his Cadid 2133. then Aramramátáníth announced the beginning 2134. and the invisible wind moved Alexander and his Cadid 2135. to the west they were going now where the Hermit is 2136. where the hopes of Alexander lied for an end 2137. the wind moved carrying Alexander and his Cadid 2138. it was so fast and Alexander feared to fall down 2139. while his Cadid did not understand much of the events 2140. beautiful scenes they have seen from above 2141. the waters of the Great River, and its greenish banks 2142. while flock of birds were flying beside them all the way 2143. and the Cadid trying to catch them all the time 2144. while there in the sky, Alexander wondered about the sun 2145. and still he could not understand how this world works 2146. then he asked him self "who is this Hermit?" 2147. and he thought it is the same Hermit he saw in Daynur 2148. and while Alexander was swimming in his infinite thoughts 2149. he noticed the lands become darker, huge and close to him 2150. the looks were fierce and he did not know what land is this 2151. he could almost touch the land with his feet or hands 2152. although he was flying so high above the lands 2153. then he heard the soothing voice of Aramramátáníth 2154. "do not be afraid O hero of Caqobia, it is just a mountain, 2155. this is Ramramátallánútá, the Great Mountain, or Avvátallán, 2156. this is the father of all the mountains you have on Daynur, 2157. this is the root of all the hills you have on Daynur, 2158. here, where all the people in Uhir Daynur are buried, 2159. and where the Shanír lies within before the Judgment day" 2160. but Alexander got paralyzed for the view as if he heard nothing 2161. then after the passage over the Avvátallán under him 2162. Alexander saw something like ants on the grounds 2163. the ground was greenish like farms were down there 2164. and Alexander asked: what are those? ants? 2165. the voice of Aramramátáníth appeared with laughter 2166. and this she said to Alexander: no hero, they are beasts, 2167. these are the Jawga Majawga of this world 2168. Alexander got shaken and shocked for the name 2169. and he thought he will never see such creatures 2170. then Aramramátáníth continued: do not worry O hero, 2171. they do not eat the flesh and drink blood like you've seen, 2172. but they eat the pasture and the grass on the lands, 2173. but they are causing problems for farmers and shepherds, 2174. maybe you can stop them O hero like you did in Daynur? 2175. but Alexander disliked the idea in that moment 2176. then he remembered his history of bravery in Daynur 2177. and this he said: but how shall I do that without men? 2178. Aramramátáníth said: I shall try to gather the men for you, 2179. it is one final task for you just before you meet the Hermit, 2180. I shall appreciate your help O hero of Caqobia, 2181. I have no control over these beasts, nor I can kill them, 2182. if you happen to block their way to go in between the valleys, 2183. the soldiers of nature shall I make under your feet 2184. but Alexander kept silent to think about the matter deeply 2185. Alexander memorized all of the moments of horror 2186. how his men died out and some of them were eaten 2187. although these beasts eat the grass only as they say 2188. but their name brings the fear into the hearts of brave ones 2189. and he gazed into the ground and forgot his fears of heights 2190. then this he said: yes, I will, bring me the men and put me down 2191. it was not easy for Alexander to refuse the request 2192. it is a matter of glory and bravery, shame and dishonor 2193. then Alexander was lowered down to the ground on a hill 2194. with his Cadid in a chain which he held in his hand 2195. Aramramátáníth then said: wait here O hero, 2196. I shall gather the farmers from the farms around you, 2197. you stay here until I come back, and do not get closer to them 2198. then Alexander replied: sure I will not! you go and I'll be here, 2199. I need some time to think of a way to do this matter 2200. Aramramátáníth then moved like the breeze over the meadows 2201. and made a blowing sound like the air into a sail 2202. then her sound disappeared slowly in the horizon 2203. and far away she moved, through the valleys 2204. while Alexander sat down with his Cadid on the grass 2205. he gave his Cadid some food from his bag 2206. but he did not feel like eating, and his mind was busy 2207. and his gaze expanded to the greenish horizons 2208. until he finally thought of some idea that might work 2209. a group of people with farming tools stood before Alexander 2210. then one man said: who is that stranger? he does not look like us! 2211. another man said: wait let us see the matter with him, 2212. remember that the Mother called us to gather here 2213. and a heavy silence hovered over the crowds suddenly 2214. while Alexander gazed with his eyes over the farmers 2215. he realized that they are not like the army he had before 2216. so he wondered how useful they can be for the task 2217. then he started to ask: did Aramramá... tell you about me? 2218. one man said: yes, she said you will help us O stranger 2219. Alexander replied: yes, I will try to, with your help, 2220. does anyone here know how to mine for minerals? 2221. one man shouted: we are farmers O stranger, not miners! 2222. and the matter sounded complicated for Alexander 2223. he has to drop the plan and think of a new one 2224. then he asked the farmers: what are you good at? 2225. beside farming and seeding your lands O good people? 2226. then one man said: some of us make clay instruments, 2227. and some of us work with iron and copper 2228. then Alexander wondered: how you get iron and copper? 2229. you just said you do not mine the land for metals! 2230. and the man replied: yes we do not mine at all, 2231. we search in the waters of the rivers near and far, 2232. this is how we make our tools for plowing 2233. then an idea occurred to Alexander immediately 2234. and he thought that teaching the people is better 2235. thus he suggested to them to look for metals in waters 2236. and bring all they can find before him to see it 2237. so the farmers went on to do the task for Alexander 2238. and they brought a huge amount of metals from the rivers 2239. thus Alexander was amazed for so much iron and copper 2240. and wondered how those people drink the waters 2241. yet he remembered that it is not like his world now 2242. and everything weird can be done in this Uhir Daynur 2243. then he ordered the men who can work with metals 2244. to work with iron and copper and mix them together 2245. then he made them make a powder from the alloy 2246. then he ordered the men who work with clay 2247. to mix the powder with the clay paste 2248. then they made up bricks out of the clay 2249. thus when everything was ready to be done 2250. he ordered them to start making a wall around the valley 2251. and advised them to do it quietly during night time 2252. thus the days passed while the men work at night only 2253. until the wall of bricks surrounded the valley 2254. while all the beasts were in the center of the valley 2255. and Alexander worked with them with his own hands 2256. and his work was the double of any man of them 2257. but amid the work on the wall some beasts approached 2258. they realized with their low minds that it is not good 2259. thus they desired to attack Alexander and his men 2260. and the noise had been made all over the valley 2261. thus, other beasts were warned and came to help 2262. and Alexander had no choice but to release the Cadid 2263. thus the Cadid attacked them like a fierce dog 2264. but the beasts kept on coming to Alexander 2265. yet he found no escape from drawing his sword 2266. and started to slash it through them fiercely 2267. then, amid the battle and the blood flushing over 2268. Alexander noticed a rapid moving object beside him 2269. and then he looked upon heads of beasts flying away 2270. he did not know what was going on in the battle field 2271. he thought it was one of the farmers fighting with him 2272. but he forgot this idea since farmers are not good with it 2273. he took a look to the back and saw the men working 2274. so fast they were doing the job and so afraid of the beasts 2275. thus he forgot the idea of a farmer being a warrior 2276. with this thread of thoughts in his mind going on 2277. he kept on watching something amid the beasts 2278. a warrior was walking with him and with his Cadid 2279. it was but moments when Alexander saw the shadow 2280. and with a surprise he shouted: Birbuár?!!! 2281. yet Alexander could not believe his eyes 2282. it was really his old friend Birbuár fighting 2283. Birbuár greeted Alexander with a sign from his hand 2284. and the smile was on his face like it never had been 2285. the three kept on fighting the beasts fiercely 2286. the view of Birbuár pushed Alexander forward 2287. he felt such a comfort now to see his old friend 2288. and his courage was elevated to the extreme 2289. then the men behind him shouted at him 2290. "get out now! we are closing the wall forever!" 2291. thus the three were running in a hurry 2292. while the beasts followed them as well 2293. until they passed the gate of the wall 2294. then the farmers closed the gate firmly 2295. and started to build on it as well to close it 2296. so the beasts will not be able to work on it 2297. while Alexander and his Cadid with Birbuár 2298. helped on sealing the gate with the bricks 2299. while Birbuár climbed up on some tower 2300. and started to throw the stones on the beasts 2301. they were roaring with anger trying to knock the gate 2302. but now it is sealed forever by the help of Alexander 2303. thus the three fighters took some time to rest 2304. while Alexander asked Birbuár about his news 2305. "Birbuár! what a surprise is that!" Alexander said 2306. Birbuár laughed out loud and this he said to Alexander 2307. "yes hero! your news are reaching the horizons! 2308. I finished the tasks of Khaznútím and came to you!" 2309. Alexander asked then: he let you go? just like that? 2310. and Birbuár answered: yes, he realized I am a good man now, 2311. and when he knew I wanted to help you out, 2312. he figured out that it is a noble reason indeed, 2313. thus he allowed me to come here and help, 2314. how shall I forget Alexander the hero of Caqobia? 2315. or how shall I forget the friend who helped me? 2316. then Alexander asked: but you are still a Shágí? 2317. Birbuár said: it is about time for this to change anyway, 2318. I think Khaznútím is considering to let me go as a soul, 2319. thus, no torture shall I have to see anymore! 2320. Alexander then wondered about the change in Birbuár 2321. "you look different Birbuár! your face is not the ugly one, 2322. and your shadow is not that blackish as before! 2323. you changed a lot" Alexander said to Birbuár 2324. Birbuár laughed again and said to Alexander 2325. "yes indeed, this is what happens when you help out, 2326. I discovered nothing is like helping people! 2327. thus, my halo changed slowly into this, 2328. and this is why Khaznútím changed his mind!" 2329. then Birbuár asked Alexander about his news 2330. and he went on telling him everything about the village 2331. until he arrived here in this place to help the farmers 2332. Birbuár then said: you are going for the Hermit? 2333. I heard he is a weird man indeed, but a wise one! 2334. I heard also that his age extends back in time, 2335. so ancient he is that you cannot tell, 2336. yet, his looks are young like time stopped 2337. and what are you going to do there O hero? 2338. Alexander replied: Aramramátáníth told me, 2339. that he might have the answers I need, 2340. he might know what I am doing here, 2341. and how to get back to my lands and the beloved 2342. then Birbuár said: I see you have conquered a Cadid! 2343. how brave are you to capture your own Cadid! 2344. then Alexander replied: believe me my friend, 2345. I did not know what is this until I met Biryári! 2346. fighting him was easy to me, and I wonder for the people! 2347. why they are so afraid of such creatures? 2348. why they cannot just defeat their Cadids by themselves? 2349. then Birbuár said in a calm voice: O good king of Caqobia, 2350. there is so much for you to learn about our world, 2351. your soul is everything for you in here, 2352. and if it is a dark one, then no hope with a Cadid 2353. the two talked for a while and forgot about time 2354. until it was just before the darkness to fall upon them 2355. Birbuár raised and said: it is getting darker O hero, 2356. it is time for me to dwell back to Khaznútím 2357. Alexander asked: where to O brave friend? 2358. Birbuár replied: I must go back before dark, 2359. I promised Khaznútím to get back to him, 2360. I must head to the Big Brother Mountain, 2361. and from there he shall take me to his place 2362. and Alexander asked: and where is his place? 2363. Birbuár answered in a low voice: Ah my friend, 2364. you do not really want to ask all these questions, 2365. I myself do not know where his place is in fact, 2366. it is like something not part of this world by any way, 2367. one time you are here, then suddenly you are in his, 2368. where everything is made of fire, but nothing hurts, 2369. unless you do a mistake or make him angry, 2370. then bear with him whatever it might have to take 2371. Alexander then had a farewell with his friend Birbuár 2372. and the two hugged each other like they will never meet 2373. then it was but a matter of eye blinks from Alexander 2374. and Birbuár was not standing in front of him anymore 2375. he flew away just like a Shágí would always do 2376. free of the physical world and free of bounds 2377. then, the farmers made a celebration for the hero 2378. the night was lighted with torches and three moons 2379. and everyone was happy and merry with laughters 2380. except of one man who was in deep thought ahead 2381. who else it could be except of the poor Alexander 2382. then a farmer whose name was Juvvál approached 2383. and he put a hand on the shoulder of Alexander calmly 2384. Alexander was startled in the beginning and looked back 2385. Juvvál said: calm down O hero! I see you are busy! 2386. the people celebrate for you and you do not join them? 2387. Thus Alexander sighed and looked up to the sky 2388. Juvvál then smiled and said: smile O hero and calm down, 2389. what life is worthy of when we spend every day with worrying? 2390. the burden of the mind do not go by thinking all the time, 2391. but the burden of the mind goes with a laughter, 2392. come O hero and join the singing men for your glory 2393. Alexander smiled back but it was a yellowish smile 2394. and this he said: O good man, it is not easy to be happy, 2395. specially when you are in a dilemma about your existence, 2396. who am I? what I am doing in here? I cannot know myself! 2397. I lost the track of time in here, no days no years, 2398. can you tell me O good man what is the purpose of life? 2399. can you tell me O good man what is my destination? 2400. and Alexander's speech was over with heavy silence 2401. Juvvál brought a stool and sat beside the hero 2402. and with a soft and slow voice he started his speech 2403. "O hero, why do you like to make things harder for you? 2404. life is life, everyone has a matter in it by every single day, 2405. see those merry men, they work by day so hardly, 2406. and by night they sleep happily for what they have done, 2407. life does not matter if you have faith in God, 2408. because you will always know that He has His ways, 2409. and from His ways, the wisdom comes to you and guide you, 2410. tell me O hero, where are you from? Your name is weird to me!" 2411. thus Alexander went on explaining the story of his life on Daynur 2412. and how he became a dweller in the lands of Uhir Daynur 2413. it is then when Juvvál said: it is a great matter indeed! 2414. it is the Hermit then you are seeking in this place, 2415. no one from the farmers dares to go to the place of the Hermit, 2416. it is dark even in midday, and beasts roam all over the place! 2417. but I presume you have no problem with that with your Cadid! 2418. then Alexander said: and how to reach that place? 2419. then Juvvál extended his arm and pointed to a tip 2420. the tip of the mount was like if it covered one moon 2421. and the bluish halo surrounded its tip like a saint 2422. thus Alexander said: is it there what I am seeking? 2423. Juvvál answered: yes, your Hermit lives there on the top, 2424. in a place so to be called, the House of the Hermit 2425. Juvvál held the hands of Alexander gently then 2426. and he grabbed Alexander with him slowly 2427. and this he said to Alexander: and now, you must smile 2428. and the group of farmers made a circle all around him 2429. and all of them made a dance in unique movements 2430. just like a flock of birds in the skies fly freely 2431. thus Alexander could not help but to smile 2432. he felt the joy inside his heart, something he lost 2433. it had been a long time since he felt such a joy 2434. and the hours of the night passed easily then 2435. and everyone fell asleep, and Alexander as well 2436. by the next morning then Alexander raised up 2437. he looked around by everyone was up before him 2438. and the farmers were digging the lands and planting 2439. then Juvvál approached Alexander and greeted him 2440. and with a smile he said: Aramramátáníth is waiting, 2441. she ordered me to tell you to go to the Well of Truth, 2442. where our judges and trials all are done over there 2443. thus Alexander got ready and prepared himself 2444. and to the Well of Truth he went in a hurry 2445. he walked behind Juvvál and wished to race him 2446. but kept in his tracks because he does not know the way 2447. until he found himself in that greenish spot 2448. where the elders were sitting and waiting for him 2449. Alexander advanced into the place and greeted 2450. then the elders greeted him with great respect 2451. they stoop up before him, and approached him 2452. and shook their hands together with him 2453. then one elder said: O hero of Caqobia, 2454. we know by now, from the Good Aramramátáníth, 2455. we know your story and how you ended up here, 2456. thus we are ordered to supply you with your needs, 2457. and it is our wishes to see you among us, 2458. just like one of us, or even a king for us, 2459. but your destiny is of great importance, 2460. but before you go on your destined way, 2461. allow us to give you one thing to remember us 2462. Alexander was embarrassed for such greetings 2463. thus he looked down and his tongue did not go 2464. then another elder approached with a crown 2465. and put the lustrous crown over the hero's head 2466. then one elder said: thus, we announce you a king, 2467. our king, our protector, our ruler, our savior 2468. then Alexander tried to talk with hardship 2469. and this he said: but O good people of the farms, 2470. I am soon to be out of here for my life, 2471. I cannot be the king over you right now, 2472. because my life is not mine anymore 2473. one elder then replied back to Alexander and said 2474. "we know O hero, we know everything about you, 2475. but this is a crown to make you remember us forever, 2476. and to make us remember you forever as well, 2477. a man who helps people, deserves to be their leader" 2478. another elder said: from this way O our king, 2479. Aramramátáníth, the Good, is waiting there 2480. thus, Alexander walked behind the old man 2481. between some trees and bushes so greenish 2482. until he stood upon a land of grass in the middle 2483. and he felt the air coming out from under his feet 2484. and slowly slowly he was raised up in the air 2485. while everyone was watching him going up in the air 2489. and everyone was waving for him before his leave 2490. and he waved back at them and a tear fell down 2491. for he missed his people in Caqobia on Daynur 2492. and the goodness of the farmers moved his heart 2493. and the thoughts raced in his mind again 2494. whether shall he see his people again or not 2495. and Aramramátáníth had spoken and said 2496. "the place of great men O Alexander, is not the ground" 2497. Alexander thought for some minutes about it 2498. and he thought about the ground that she meant 2499. until they passed over a dark land with dead trees 2500. so harsh and lonely it was that Alexander's heart jumped 2501. then he asked: is this the land of the promised Hermit? 2502. and Aramramátáníth answered: yes indeed it is, 2503. but the time to see him is not due yet at this hour, 2504. the night must fall and a moon must rise upon the mount 2505. it is then when you can see your promised man, 2506. because he spends his days in worshipping, 2507. while at night time he takes a rest for his body 2508. Alexander asked then: and why his land is so dark? 2509. it gives the scent of sadness into the soul of a human! 2510. then Aramramátáníth answered: do not blame the man, 2511. verily he is a lonely old man in this spot of Uhir Daynur, 2512. his arms are his companions and his legs are his carriers, 2513. he eats the plants of the desert and barely brings water, 2514. in this dry land only wild animals live and fight, 2515. this is the Hermit's life in Uhir Daynur, poor man 2516. then Alexander asked: but why he has to live here? 2517. I am sure there are plenty of places in this life 2518. thus Aramramátáníth answered: O dear Alexander, 2519. you should know by now that there are some people, 2520. devoted themselves for nothing but to God 2521. then Aramramátáníth lowered Alexander down 2522. somewhere near a cave at the base of a mount 2523. and this she said to him: when it is the night time, 2524. climb up this mountain to its tip above the clouds, 2525. and there your promised man shall be in his cave 2526. then Alexander wondered: all that distance? by night? 2527. I surely cannot make it in such a short time of the night! 2528. thus she replied: use your Cadid, he knows the way there, 2529. now Alexander, I have to leave, as my role is over with you 2530. thus Alexander greeted her with respect and waved in the air 2531. and the sounds of air started to tickle his ears gently 2532. then soon everything went into heavy silence 2533. Alexander then looked at his Cadid and said this 2534. "are you the one who will carry me over there?" 2535. the Cadid then moaned and groaned in such a way 2536. thus Alexander understood the answer as to be "yes" 2537. then Alexander called his Cadid to go on hunting 2538. for they needed some food to cope with this aridity 2539. but the two went on circles between the dry trees 2540. and no food they could find anywhere around them 2541. thus they started to cut down some branches and bark 2542. and tried to get some water out of them and drink 2543. then they ate what is left of those branches and barks 2544. they were so bitter for their tongues but no other way 2545. the food and water they had did not satisfy Alexander 2546. and the day seemed longer than it seems in reality 2547. while their stomaches started to groan loudly 2548. and Alexander felt his body's weakness severely 2549. but his Cadid went on trying to catch something 2550. but the land was so dry and no hopes for survival 2551. then Alexander gazed upon the clear blue sky 2552. and he prayed to God, his savior and the Giver 2553. then Alexander fainted because of the weakness 2554. and he closed his eyes and gave his soul to God's mercy 2555. some time passed which Alexander did not count 2556. and he suddenly felt a cold touch upon his cheek 2557. thus he opened his eyes and gazed into heaven 2558. and he saw the miracle of God in front of his eyes 2559. the sky was raining like it never did in centuries 2560. while the green cover was growing with every drop 2561. thus he knelt down and praised God, Almighty 2562. while his Cadid was running like if he was dancing 2563. it was raining for a short time but all the green came out 2564. and the trees riped again and carried different food 2565. thus Alexander started to gather the food and water 2566. while his Cadid was helping him with a happy face 2567. thus everything was prepared and supplies were taken 2568. and the two had some rest until the arrival of the night 2569. then the night arrived with its three moons in heaven 2570. and Alexander opened his eyes to see his Cadid awaiting 2571. the Cadid was looking fierce like he did not sleep at all 2572. Alexander raised up and cleaned himself then washed 2573. while the Cadid prepared his back for the ride 2574. then Alexander raised upon the back of the Cadid 2575. and the Cadid started to climb like if Alexander is a feather 2576. he jumped between the rocks and climbed up the mount 2577. while Alexander closed his eyes for his fear of heights 2578. but he was amazed for such power and endurance 2579. and in their way up, something black was there 2580. it was hanging from the rocks but moves slowly 2581. but it was out of sudden when Alexander heard a shout 2582. and this black thing grew big in a shape of a bat 2583. then it started to hover around Alexander's head 2584. the Cadid started to groan with anger and reddish eyes 2585. and the fight started between the two in the air 2586. while Alexander started to say his prayers ahead 2587. the Cadid was injured severely by that creature 2588. and Alexander could not try anything to protect him 2589. but with some courage in his heart he raised Charnagút 2590. and started to wave it into the air with one hand 2591. then he felt the hot blood splashing over his face 2592. and the shouts of the black creature announced his death 2593. the Cadid then climbed up the mount with a heavy body 2594. his body was injured severely by the claws of the creature 2595. but with hard moves the Cadid reached the top of the mount 2596. and he lied on the ground moaning and groaning with pain 2597. Alexander then started to try to cure his injuries 2598. he cut some pieces of his garments and tied the injuries 2599. then he got out a vessel and made the Cadid drink water 2600. it was dark and Alexander could hardly see around him 2601. except of some cave with yellowish flame out of it 2602. Alexander approached the cave trying to seek help 2603. after some steps forward he heard something at his back 2604. he looked back to see an old man with a long beard 2605. he was standing over the Cadid and covering his head 2606. his face was not obvious by the hood but only his beard 2607. he stood beside the head of the Cadid and stared at him 2608. then knelt down on his body while Alexander was watching 2609. the old men then started to pass his hands over the Cadid 2610. and the cuts into the Cadid's body started to weld completely 2611. Alexander with a slow and calm voice did say then 2612. "the Hermit?" he said 2613. the old man said: yes, O good man, and who are you? 2614. no man visited me in this deserted place for centuries 2615. Alexander replied: I am Alexander, the king of Caqobia 2616. and the man remained still staring closely at Alexander 2617. Alexander felt something weird inside his heart 2618. something was telling him that he knew this man 2619. then Alexander asked: O good man, what are you looking at? 2620. the old man then said: how wondrous is God's promise, 2621. here finally I see you beside me O promised man of Caqobia 2622. Alexander replied: then you know about my story I believe? 2623. yes I do, it is something foretold in the old books that I kept, 2624. everything in them is kept in this heart inside me, 2625. and I can tell you now, you are in your final place O dear 2626. Alexander said with a surprise: final place? what does that mean? 2627. the Hermit replied: the end of your endless journey, 2628. the answer to your questions about your existence, 2629. all, shall be revealed, here, to you O promised one 2630. Alexander with a surprise said then: promised one? 2631. why do you keep calling me with this name O good man? 2632. what promise is that and what am I doing in this land? 2633. the Hermit then said: take it easy on the old man O dear, 2634. carry your Cadid and get into my cave for now, 2635. for the clouds are up here might rain soon 2636. thus Alexander carried his Cadid on his shoulders 2637. while thousands of thoughts were going on his mind 2638. and he thinks now if this journey is over at this point 2639. what shall be next after this long tiresome journey? 2640. until the old man said to Alexander: eat O dear 2641. Alexander started to eat some herbs in front of him 2642. but their taste was more delicious than meat and fruit 2643. and Alexander filled satisfied and no more hunger he had 2644. thus he asked the Hermit: what are those herbs O good man? 2645. in my whole life I never tasted something like that! 2646. the old man then smiled gently and said to Alexander 2647. "this is the food of the humble and worshipers, 2648. the more you forget yourself and remember the One, 2649. the more He shall feed you and satisfy you dear" 2650. Alexander soon became satisfied and not hungry anymore 2651. then this he said: tell me O Hermit all what you know, 2652. why am I here and what I am supposed to know? 2653. I have been told that you have all the answers! 2654. the Hermit then smiled calmly and this he said 2655. "verily I know what others do not, O dear, 2656. but tell me first, do you know who you are?" 2657. Alexander stared in a strange way for this question 2658. and this he said: yes! of course I do know! 2659. but the old man replied: tell me your name then 2660. Alexander said: weird of you to ask me this! 2661. did you not say you know everything? 2662. who is seeking the help of the other now? 2663. the Hermit smiled back and this he said to Alexander 2664. "the infinite problem of mankind, impatience" 2665. Alexander then stopped for a moment and felt guilty 2666. for he was not supposed to rush in a hurry with questions 2667. then he started to say: I am Alexander, the son of Pilippánút, 2668. the king of Caqobia and Caqobians, and the conqueror of Daynur 2669. the Hermit then asked: and what is the name of your grandfather? 2670. Alexander was shocked and said: my grandfather?! 2671. it is weird that I do not know his name at all! 2672. my father never revealed the name to me nor I asked also! 2673. the Hermit smiled and said: but I know his name, 2674. and the names of your ancestors as well 2675. Alexander was amazed for the argument and this he said 2676. "but why it is important to know their names?" 2677. the Hermit said: you are here to know the truth, 2678. the truth of everything and how all this started, 2679. and to know everything, one must know himself" 2680. Alexander then pointed to the Hermit to continue 2681. and the Hermit started on telling the fathers of Alexander 2682. and this he said: you are, Alexander, the son of Pilippánút, 2683. the son of Faklús, the son of Targhus, the son of Sinikdís, 2684. the son of Asjád, the son of Jafrí, the son of Agdalán 2685. then Alexander asked: some names do not sound Caqobian! 2686. and the old man said: yes indeed O dear, they are not, 2687. because you are from an Ayvar root living among Caqobians 2688. Alexander was shocked and felt the world is rotating then 2689. Alexander put his hand on the floor to keep his body up 2690. then the old man said with a smile: this is not everything dear 2691. and Alexander raised his heavy head up and gazed up 2692. he was waiting for more of the shocking news from the Hermit 2693. thus he did ask: and what else is there to be told O old man? 2694. the old man was so calm and with a gentle smile on his face 2695. and this he did say to Alexander: I am Agdalán 2696. the news were so tough for Alexander and he fainted 2697. time passed before he can open his eyes again 2698. he looked left and right and he saw the old man again 2699. and he could not hold his tears in his eyes anymore 2700. thus the tears gushed out and he shouted out loud 2701. he went hysterical and could not comprehend anymore 2702. then the old man approached him with a cup of a drink 2703. Alexander was looking at the old man with thoughtless eyes 2704. he did not know what is going on around him anymore 2705. thus the old man helped him to hold the cup and drink 2706. it was few minutes until he could gather his powers back 2707. then he said to the old man: what is going in this world? 2708. how come you are what you are for me? impossible! 2709. the old man then calmed Alexander down with a pat 2710. and this he said: calm down O son, and listen to me, 2711. by now, should not be surprised by the miracles in life, 2712. my story is long and ancient, as old as time itself is 2713. and Alexander awaited for the words from Agdalán 2714. thus Agdalán started his speech: listen O good king, 2715. it is the time when everything should over and finish, 2716. for my life for now, until the day of the great judgment, 2717. tell me O Alexander, do you know how everything started? 2718. Alexander replied with a weak voice: no knowledge I have 2719. and Agdalán went on saying: In the beginning was the mind, 2720. from the mind the lights were created, 2721. then God commanded the mind, 2722. go! He said, and so the mind went 2723. come! He said then, and so the mind did 2724. thus, God announced the Mind His beloved 2725. thus, He shall judge by it and command, 2726. and by it He shall reward and punish, 2727. thus by glance of the light of the Mind, 2728. He made a burning sun, and a ground, 2729. He called the sun as Sun, and the ground as Earth, 2730. thus He started the life with the bless of fourteen lights, 2731. and He made various peoples to meet each other, 2732. and among those people there was the Ayvar, 2733. a man who conquered and ruled over the world, 2734. and he called the world as Daynur as he wished, 2735. while people lived in wisdom and riches in his time, 2736. until the time had come for him to die, like everyone 2737. Agdalán stopped talking for a moment 2738. and Alexander was gazing and waiting for more 2739. for one moment he thought Agdalán is talking about him 2740. then Agdalán continued his tale for Alexander and said 2741. "Powerful the Ayvar were, and conquered all over Daynur, 2742. but sooner forgot the ways of God and His straight path, 2743. and the just vanished from their lands and their hearts, 2744. while the children of the Ayvar started to tear the lands, 2745. fierce was the fight and barely spared anyone alive, 2746. green lands turned into deserts and mountains into plains, 2747. while the faithful of the Ayvars themselves were hiding, 2748. no place they could find to spare their lives in that madness, 2749. thus, in the middle of the month of Marúc in one year, 2750. all the faithful made a line for prayer to save their souls, 2751. some say it was the in desert of Qafra, 2752. and some say it was in Kakh and Milikakh mounts, 2753. it is then when all started to change by the grace of God, 2754. when the evil was wiped out all over the lands, 2755. and the faithful of the Ayvars moved to Uhir Daynur, 2756. a place within the Earth of Daynur, but not in it, 2757. some where in between the visible and the dream, 2758. and God started the life again over Daynur, 2759. with various tribes and nations, nomads and kingdoms, 2760. and some good Ayvars, He blessed, to be among them" 2761. thus Alexander asked: why some good Ayvars were chosen? 2762. Agdalán replied: to teach the new creation about God, 2763. and some of them followed the Ayvars and some did not, 2764. but they did not involve in fierce battles like the Ayvars, 2765. thus, the descendants of the Ayvars spread again on Daynur, 2766. but this time within the tribes, south and north of Daynur, 2767. and soon they forgot all about their lives and their faith, 2768. and thus the connection was cut between this world and them 2769. Alexander asked then: and where do I come in all of this? 2770. and why my Charnagút is so important for the matter? 2771. Agdalán smiled and said: before I answer this, come with me, 2772. I will show you something you need to see for now 2773. and the two walked side by side until they reached a wall, 2774. it was the end of the large cave they were sitting in 2775. there were some holes in the wall with random sizes 2776. then Agdalán said: come O dear and put the Charnagút, 2777. thus this wall shall open for you with all its contents 2778. Alexander was surprised and he put the Charnagút in 2779. and with some movements he made with his hands 2780. the wall was wide open like a gate made of rock 2781. but the place was dark and Alexander barely saw a thing 2782. thus Agdalán brought a torch and enlightened the place 2783. and soon the fire got into some torches on the wall rapidly 2784. and the eyes of Alexander opened so wide for what he saw 2785. he saw huge collections of books and papers 2786. time forgot about such objects long ago 2787. and the dust filled the air with the smell of history 2788. Alexander with a surprise said: what are all of those? 2789. Agdalán answered: these are records of history, 2790. history that expands for thousands of years before you, 2791. everything people made and everything they invented, 2792. every move they and every battle was made, all here 2793. Alexander said with a surprised tone: should I read it all?! 2794. Agdalán giggled a bit and said: no my dear, this is to see, 2795. your Charnagút was the key to all of this history, 2796. a history that will one day be spread again on Daynur, 2797. when the people and the the tribes are ready for it, 2798. your sword is the key to this history, assigned by the fathers, 2799. the sword had been moving from hand to hand, 2800. father to son, from son to a grand son, until you come, 2801. your time was a time when Ayvars got mixed with others, 2802. and thus you became a Caqobian, but with an Ayvar blood, 2803. you are the answer for the prayers of my fathers and myself, 2804. that one man from our lineage will unite Daynur again and do good, 2805. thus, God answered the prayers and now you are here to see, 2806. your own history and why you are here my dear, 2807. and for your own goodness, these secrets are for you now, 2808. you can do whatever you like to do with them now 2809. Alexander walked around the place slowly and gazed 2810. he saw many pillars of books and papers in every corner 2811. and with the smell if history in his nose, he remembered the time 2812. thus he asked: tell me O good old man, if you know everything, 2813. how long then I have been in this world since I left Daynur? 2814. Agdalán answered: verily I know how long did it take until now, 2815. for you it was a matter of some days to go around this world, 2816. but now over the lands of Daynur, one hundred winters passed 2817. the bones of Alexander were shaken for such time passing 2818. even though his shape did not change and did not get old 2819. but he asked Agdalán: how come?! this is impossible to be! 2820. Agdalán calmed down Alexander and said: yes, it is possible, 2821. do not count the time you go by on Daynur as it is here dear, 2822. your time belongs to you and here we have our own time, 2823. life goes so slow in this world my son, not a fast as you have up there 2824. then Alexander was saddened for this fact and knelt down 2825. and with a flash of memory into his mind he remembered all 2826. he remembered the old days and the wars and the glory 2827. then Agdalán torn off the silence and said: come my son and see 2828. Alexander approached Agdalán slowly to see something 2829. and there was this mirror that stood in the darkness 2830. her luster catches the eye amid the darkness of the books 2831. and Agdalán said: you will see now how life evolves now, 2832. thus, be brave my son and do not be desperate for now 2833. Alexander stared at the mirror curiously and carefully 2834. then Agdalán touched the mirror gently with his fingers 2835. and the image on the mirror changed slowly and faded 2836. then new images started to come over the mirror slowly 2837. fierce, violence, blood, all was fast in the eyes of Alexander 2838. he raised his voice and asked Agdalán: what is that?! 2839. Agdalán remained silent and did not answer directly 2840. the images continued to show up and massacres appeared 2841. old people, children, women, all are the same under the sword 2842. Alexander then yelled: AGDALÁN! what is going on?! 2843. Agdalán answered slowly: what you see is Daynur now, 2844. this is what has been happening since you left them, 2845. one hundred years of scattering and painful memories, 2846. your generals divided the lands among themselves, 2847. then fought against each other to take up more and more, 2848. and no one to take care of these people now as you see, 2849. you can see that the human greed has no limitations 2850. Alexander then shouted: and Hoshea? what about it?! 2851. Agdalán touched the mirror again and the image changed 2852. it shows now the image of Hoshea after he left his men there 2853. destruction, massacres, and the great wall is knocked down 2854. all are done by the hands of his one hundred loyal followers 2855. thus Alexander struck his forehead so hard with his palm 2856. and this he said: woe to you, O mischievous Alexander! 2857. Alexander fell on his knees to the ground with no power 2858. the melancholy attacked him severely for the deeds of his men 2859. Agdalán passed his hand over his head like a father does 2860. and this he said to Alexander: raise up O dear, you did it 2861. Alexander looked up to Agdalán with heavy eyes and said 2862. "all what I did is mischief across the lands and wars, 2863. I wandered this world to let people know God, 2864. but then I found out that my loyals did not know Him" 2865. Agdalán smiled and said: but you did the commands already, 2866. you should be proud for you happen to do what none done, 2867. if people are to be judged for the mistakes of other people, 2868. or if the son should be judged for the sin of his father, 2869. and the daughter would be stoned for a sin from her mother, 2870. if all of that was to hold true and a law for life, 2871. then who shall be living on Daynur, or Uhir Daynur? 2872. Alexander then stood up again with hard movement 2873. he felt no power in his body to do anything he desires 2874. then Agdalán said: go and take care of your Cadid, 2875. we will talk about some of the matters later on dear 2876. thus Alexander went to check his Cadid who got better 2877. he passed his hand over the head of the horned Cadid 2878. and while doing so, he sang a song he learned from his mother 2879. then this he said: now my friend, no one is out there, 2880. but a tired man like me, and a loyal Cadid like you 2881. Agdalán then made a meal for the Cadid and Alexander 2882. and Alexander said: should I call you grandfather now? 2883. Agdalán replied with a happy smile: I like this name, 2884. but, you are better to call me with my name, Agdalán, 2885. this is how people went calling me, for long time now, 2886. but tell me O hero of Caqobia, what shall you do now? 2887. Alexander sighed and had a deep breath and then said 2888. "I am quite disappointed for all the trust I had in those, 2889. they were verily not a place to put my trust at all, 2890. and even the peaceful land of Hoshea was not spared, 2891. thus, I decided to make myself start a new life in here, 2892. far away from all the deceit and hypocrisy in Daynur 2893. Agdalán asked then: but what will you be doing here? 2894. Alexander said: I've seen various people in here, 2895. the craftsman, the farmer, the good and the bad, 2896. it might not be so hard to learn something and do, 2897. this world of Uhir Daynur still amazes me a lot, 2898. and I think I have to go on to explore it more, 2899. thus, my life shall be that of a rover on the lands 2900. Agdalán then said: it is a hard life that you chose, 2901. although you can be a farmer in some land below 2902. Alexander then sighed and said: it is a hard one indeed, 2903. but what is harder O my dear grandfather, Agdalán, 2904. living like this, or see your trust being crushed? 2905. the two had a meal with the Cadid to their side 2906. and talked about history and matters of the past 2907. after the pass of time Agdalán looked into the sky 2908. and this he said: O dear Alexander, you better rest now, 2909. the morning shall tear the sky so soon and you did not rest, 2910. have a nap, as well as your Cadid, and we shall talk later 2911. it was but a hard night for Alexander with dreams 2912. memories, the good and the bad, were chasing after him 2913. until he opened his eyes with a glimpse of light into the eyes 2914. and he stared hardly from a distance, and saw his Cadid 2915. his Cadid was helping the old man pick up some herbs 2916. he raised up and reached the old man and said 2917. "what are you doing O good Agdalán?" 2918. Agdalán replied: my daily work dear, gathering herbs, 2919. this is my food, and your food with your Cadid as well" 2920. Alexander smiled and said: you do not have to take it all, 2921. I shall be leaving this cave and go down to the plains" 2922. Agdalán said: yes, you will... but until then you are my guest 2923. Alexander went on collecting the herbs with them 2924. while Agdalán instructed him to get the good herbs 2925. just like how father would teach his own son 2926. and the two prepared the food together after a long day 2927. while the Cadid tried to catch some of the little birds 2928. then all sat together to have their daily meal of herbs 2929. it was then some moments later after the meal is over 2930. Alexander noticed that the old man was in deep thought 2931. thus he said: what is wrong O great grandfather? 2932. your mind seems quite busy as it seems, is not it? 2933. and Agdalán replied: yes, my dear, it is indeed busy, 2934. I am thinking of your ways after you leave this place, 2935. and I think the time has come to give you something 2936. and Alexander asked: and what is that O father? 2937. Agdalán raised up and went to some old wooden chest 2938. and he opened the chest with some large old key 2939. the sound of the metals in the chest were out loud 2940. testifying for the age of this old chest and its history 2941. Agdalán picked something from the chest and closed it 2942. he approached Alexander and opened his palm in his face 2943. the palm of the old man had some weird metals in it 2944. small pieces were they but shiny like the diamonds 2945. Alexander looked with surprise and said: what is it? 2946. Agdalán replied: these are what we call Kalfúd Sámith, 2947. it is the remains of an old stone that came down from Heaven, 2948. they are more precious than gold itself or silver, 2949. this is the inheritance of my fathers, it is for you now, 2950. take it and make a living by them for now for you need them, 2951. since you have no source of living in this world by now, 2952. and I do not want to see you wander as a nomad 2953. Alexander took the stones with some tears in the eyes 2954. he felt the passion of the father that he missed long ago 2955. then he said: it is verily hard for me to give up those stones, 2956. but I shall keep them with me until the day I am not here anymore, 2957. and if I was to live as a nomad, this is how my life had been now, 2958. no burdens in the heart and no worries for tomorrow 2959. then Alexander put the bluish stones in his small pouch 2960. Agdalán then let go of a deep sigh from his lungs 2961. he then moved to the chest again and took out a garment 2962. it was bright and shiny garment made of the finest threads 2963. as if it was woven by gold and the sun light and mixed with silver 2964. he gave the garment to Alexander and this he said to him 2965. "take of these old garments now and wear this one O son, 2966. you are better having a better look among the people, 2967. for you are a son of nobles, and you are my great son" 2968. Alexander then changed his garments and washed his hands 2969. and Agdalán then helped him wash his head and hair 2970. then Alexander felt strong back again and ready 2971. he felt that he can face the whole world alone by now 2972. then Agdalán said to him: go down, dear, for now, 2973. and get back to the farmers and Juvvál, my assistant, 2974. let him teach you how to plant the lands and live, 2975. and now it is the time for me to give up my life I guess 2976. Alexander did not get surprised by all of this anyhow 2977. Alexander hugged Agdalán tightly with tears in the eyes 2978. and he moved out with his Cadid back to Juvvál the farmer 2979. after careful landing from the top of the mountain to the base 2980. he saw Juvvál with his old friend, Birbuár, waiting with a smile 2981. and Alexander knew that the mercy of God was around 2982. in every step and every event, and in every battle he fought 2983. and the three went on and made up a farm land for Alexander 2984. while Agdalán covered himself with sands to the neck 2985. it was but moments when he gave up his soul to Heaven 2986. his heart was satisfied after the view of his great son, Alexander 2987. and days passed in the lands of Uhir Daynur, good and bad 2988. until it was the day when Alexander felt his end is near 2989. thus he gathered his children and grand children around him 2990. he gave his finals words to them and advised them 2991. and made a will for them, and asked them to be buried in Daynur 2992. for with the time passage he knew how to get back there 2993. but he never did, because all his beloved are now in Uhir Daynur 2994. thus, Alexander gave up his soul soon after his final words 2995. and his grand children took his body within a tomb to Daynur 2996. and there, some where, on the mounts of Dragon's Backbone 2997. far away, out of Caqubdarius, that was in ruins by that time 2998. they buried him and put pillars around his grave with no name 2999. and these are the lines and the story of Alexander, the hero of Caqobia 3000. as told and written by, Mituharnun bir Agdalán bir Alexander, the hero |