ANDRZEJ PUCHALSKI

 
 
 
 
Fairytale about Red Beard, Liberty 
…… 

Kiara 
 
 
 
 Introduction

wrote this fairytale influenced by my personal experiences. It is for the greatest

people I love at first sight, from the first meeting in the crystal ball, since the
first words. For my beloved Monika, who can read it to her gnomes: Jagoda &
Nikola, while in moments of doubt, for their good sleep, for good and full
LIFE.

Princess Liberty lives in a real world, leprechauns and elves live in a real world, and
living most is Life’s Adversity, which can be defeated, if you truly love, and you are
truly loved. Love, though so much forgotten and besmirched in our hectic times
where nobody has time to stop and think deeply for a while, is still alive. Together,
two people can move mountains when they love each other. These days have such an
accelerated pace of life, most of us have been beset with life’s adversity, leaving the
image of the human with a dead soul. Many of these people escape into a virtual
world of the internet - crystal ball; virtual kisses, virtual coffee, virtual love in the
chat rooms. They are residents of the Mountains of Loneliness, subjects of Life’s
Adversity.

When you stay alone, Dear Reader, completely alone, you will struggle to get out of
the No Hope Land; but you must be careful not to end up in the Mountains of
Loneliness. You’d be completely forgotten there. Only your friends, friendship, love
in your heart can help you return to the world of the living. Living in the No Hope
Land is life full of pain, tears, and depression. These are the things that will become
your friends and companions for a long time.

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Life is worth fighting for it, not giving up. There is someone who loves you out
there, all you have to do is find them. If you want something you really wish for, the
only person who can get in your way is You.

Author

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 XXX

long time ago, in times of knights, sorcerers, elves, gnomes and dragons,
there lived princess called Liberty. Beautiful, petite woman with pretty green
eyes, long dark hair and warm smile on her face. In her early thirties her
heart was filled with sorrow and goodness. Her life, at first nice and peace-
ful, completely fell apart when her husband, prince Gilbert, with his army of knights,
set off to search for new world and treasures. Disappearing nearly two years a go
without trace. Many days and evenings she spent stood on top big castle tower and
looked ahead for him. After one year she stopped doing this, she stopped believe to
his come back. Life was so hard in loneliest where she try to worked out all of prob-
lems he left her with.

Together with the princess, lived two leprechauns - Airhead and Nostalgia. Airhead
was a very young leprechaun; nearly a todd, with dishevelled hair but castle was all
the time full of her, full of her voice and laugh. She was like a wind, everywhere. Her
big blue eyes were looking at the just started life through rose-coloured spectacles.
Airhead took up most of Liberty’s time since she was playing pranks as much as she
could in her young age. One day she wanted to know what is in the pot full of boil-
ing water for diner. By accident she has split that hot water on her self, badly burn
out her skin on her chest and hands. Nostalgia, on the other hand, was becoming a
leprechaun who knows a little about life and the world surrounding her although she
did not understand much from what was going on and why. In her youth years she
though she can set the world in the fire.

Sometimes Mother Queen dropped in as well. She seemed to think that the whole
property will collapse if she didn’t look after her daughter.

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The lonely life of Princess Liberty went on in a big castle with a beautiful garden full
of herbs, flowers and trees, but even that garden couldn’t give her happiness, only
little leprechauns brightened up each new day. Liberty’s gift was a skill of communi-
cation and conversation through the crystal ball situated in the great hall localised in
a central of the Castle. On the main wall of great hall was a big fireplace, over it two
crossed swords and a shield between them, belongs to Prince Gilbert, rest of the wall
was covered by beautiful patchworks. Two big windows, pictured stained glass
showed the very old time of victory and glory let in golden sun raises. The ball was
in a central point of the hall giving more brightness around. Sometimes leprechauns
got their hands on the ball and became important in the world of magic and hocus-
pocus. Liberty’s world closed in tight walls of the castle with fortified towers and
palisade sometimes opened when Liberty was going out to the market. At that time
she was dressed like an ordinary woman living in the kingdom,  an ankle length léine,
over this she wear a dress, a brat, and of course hat, strolling through the market.
Although surrounded by people and material things, Liberty loved running barefoot
in the meadow most, collecting ripe, big suns soaked strawberries dripping with
sweetness. Liberty loved eating such freshly picked strawberries. She got used to this
kind of lonely life although she missed Prince Gilbert very much. Nostalgia missed
him the most, she remembered the Prince from frequent games and talks; she recalled
the time spent with him when falling asleep; hearing his voice. Liberty was aware of
the pain the leprechauns had been through.

She tried to make it up to them, that wasn’t easy for her as after putting them to bed,
she’d sit in the corner crying… Only her wisdom stopped her to showing the lepre-
chauns how she really felt and how lonely she really was. Occasionally, the Crystal
Ballhelped her forget the loneliness and she could meet people with the same skills,
not telling them who she really was. Many of them were as lonely as her and conver-
sations with them were a kind of relief. She could listen, and learnt many stories; the
people enchanted in the Crystal Ball World were naturally attracted to her. She al-
5
 
ways had a kind word for them and time, being able to forget her own pain and
longing. Lots of sorcerers and knights from the Crystal Ball fell in love with Liberty
but she, just like Penelope, was waiting for her prince’s return. Nobody knew her
real life, she didn’t parade her loneliness.

One night she sat in front of the ball, looking tenderly at the sleeping leprechauns
nearby and …

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 XXX

ar, far away, behind the mountains and seas, in his retreat lived an old knight
called Red Beard. His body, strewn with battle scars after so many war
wounds, was still bleeding after the last war. The wounds had barely healed
but being scratched again caused his pain. The old man was staring dully
through the window and got lost in thought. Loneliness was getting to him more and
more. Wars had been over. After coming back home he found void and nothing but
bare walls without memories. He closed himself in his retreat and living day by day
he’d shun people he came in contact with. He was escaping from noisy world, full of
human to the world of elves. His son, only and best friend, half elf - half man called
Kirst went with him. Twenty years old boy helped him survive each single day and
supported him by his will to live, but he has his own life which he mostly sacrificed
to the old knight. They spent their free time together. Common expeditions into the
depths of the forest or discovering new worlds made Red Beard feel useful although
he realised that Kirst will be with him not so long. Every man shall find his own life
way, find partner, other half of panoptical common life, and time to left parents com
on shortly.

Red Beard sat on a stump in front of the Retreat staring at the flames licking over
the firewood cone arrangement. He was overcome by huge loneliness. His son had
disappeared somewhere in depths of the nearby forest. The memories of his home
came back. He remembered his youngest little son, a fair-haired boy with big, blue
eyes who used to cuddle up to him. He had just started to speak when he left for
war. Kajetan, that he was called, was a three years old when Red Beard seen him last
time. After one of several battles he found out that his wife had left the household
and gone away; not telling anybody where she was going with their small precious.

- How many years I have not see him? – thought – five? six? Knight still felt touch
small hands and breath when his son was sleeping on his breast.
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Red Beard clutched his head in his hands. He sank into a state of apathy.

Suddenly he heard a worrying sound. He couldn’t tell what it was. He began listen-
ing raptly to the sound of the forest. In the distance he could hear sounds of life and
death’s struggle. All of a sudden the air was convulsed with a terrifying and familiar
deadly roar.. It was a dragon’s roar.

- A Dragon?? Here?? –How will I defeat the dragon?

Why did it fight? Some stranger is roaming around the Retreat.

Dragons were a huge, 4 legs creatures with long bat-wings of a powerful mind;
communicating with humans by thought. Its skin was covered by scale, which
changed colour in different lights, he knew of its ability to fly, those wings would
open like the sails of great ships, sailing on the sky. It was adapted to fight in the air
or on the ground. In strike folded wings help to get a speed, body twisted and
danced on front of enemies. Its huge reptile head was surrounded strong shielding
spikes on the neck which ran all of the way to the tip of its tail where it ended in a
point shaped like an arrow head.They knew their strength.

The knight quickly got himself together. Old war habits began to tell on him. He
took his sword and shield painted mysteries signs and words in runic alphabet,
quickly put out the fire and ran towards the dying sounds fight. Red Beard fought
his way through the dense brambles that grew in ever thicker clumps on the hillside
leading up to the dragons lair. Finally, soaked in perspiration and with sword blunted
from chopping away at the prickly plants. He was running quite a while, forcing his
way through the thickets and forest bushes. There was a voice penetrating his mind –
„Save her, save”.

Suddenly the knight stopped. He looked around but seeing nothing strange he
started to keep on running. He ran out to a small clearing divided by a flowing
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stream. At the edge of the clearing he saw a lying dragon, or rather a dragoness. She
was beautiful; colours of the rainbow were sparkling on her scales in the setting
sunlight, but started lost colours. The scale by scale flew down and covered the
ground with carpet of multicoloured flowers. Dragoness was so weak. Around it lie a
lot of half – burned trees and bushes. Many of them was a destroyed by falling down
dragoness. Landscape was a big battlefield. Red Beard felt a big power of magic be-
ing used to fight. He wanted to come closer but a powerful force stopped him. They
were surrounded by magic and spells.

Immediately he spoke out some defensive magic spells which he learnt during nu-
merous wars. The spells collided with each other causing a huge explosion of energy.
He knew it would not last long. He looked at the dragoness. She opened big green
eyes, raised her head and looked towards him. He felt gripping warmth.

- Save her – he heard.

- Who? - he wondered

- my baby, Kiara – answered the dragoness and gently turned to her side showing the
knight her treasure – call for elves, you can’t make it on your own.

Red Beard felt a strong pain on his temples - as if someone was squeezing his head
with pincers and heard a whistle. He raised his shield, just as something powerful hit
it. He looked around but could not see where the hit came from; he felt a scorching
pain on his forehead; his eyes poured with blood. He fell unconscious on the ground.

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 10
 
 XXX

n a hot, sunny day Liberty was sitting on the stone bench, in a garden coated
with a carpet of white lilies and roses, in the fullness of their bloom, sweet
scents filled the air and beneath the cloudless sky butterflies fluttered from
flower to flower going about their erratic business. That was her secret place
surrounded by brick wall and hedge rowing. Sun rises warming up her face. On her
delicate, little hands laid the book. She was trying to read but she couldn’t. Cat’s paw
smooching her hairs. Her open eyes seeing nothing, looking somewhere in the past.
Liberty thought back to her childhood when she and little fairy called Kiara so often
used to meet for chats. But the Princess grew up, the world changed and her little
friend disappeared. Liberty was crying for hours but it was impossible to find the
little fairy. The world of adult life changed her heart and making the fairy invisible
to her Eyes.

Unexpectedly she heard a silent voice coming from one of bunches red roses. She
looked at that direction and noticed a tiny fairy sitting on the edge of a garden
bench. Her hat was weathering by flowers, lives and fruits. Her dress was blowing in
the wind. Fairy was looking at the Princes with the eyes full of goodness and love but
in her eyes was a something more...

- Greetings Duchess - said the fairy

- Kiara!!! – duchess screamed at the top of her voice – Hey my little friend, I missed
you so much! How long has it been since we last met? Ten ? Fifteen years ?? What
happened, where have you been? What happened to you, to me, to us??

- No Duchess, you haven’t seen me but I’ve always been with you. I’ve been watching
how you live, how your leprechauns grow.. I’ve been telling you and warning you all
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this time but you haven’t heard me. You closed your heart and eyes to the world of
dreams. I don’t have much time to tell you everything. I am here just for a moment; I
broke out because I am in great danger.

- Don’t call me Duchess, please…We’ve always been friends and friends don’t speak
like that. I feel very old and tired. I didn’t want to close my heart and I didn’t do it.
Life did it somehow itself. And dreams?? Well, I got rid of them a long time ago.

- I know, that’s why you see and hear me right now. You can see me for the last time
now. I’m leaving and I won’t be able to be with you any more unless…- the fairy
went quiet.

- What? Speak to me, please - Liberty suddenly turned around to the fairy as if she
wanted to embrace her, grab and not to let go – I don’t want to lose you again or
forget you. I have no one here apart from Airhead and Nostalgia, and now when I’ve
got you back and realized how much I need you, you tell me you’re leaving?? What
about leprechauns?? They need you as well.

- hmmm – the fairy looked at Liberty with her beautiful, warm eyes. She saw in Lib-
erty that little girl who lived her dreams of big love and who was open to the world
and people, curious about life and trustful. She saw the same thing in Airhead, she
knew leprechauns need her – everything is up to you but you must believe – Kiara
says peacefully.

- believe in what? – asked the Duchess

- In what?? In dreams, life, all those things you stopped believing. And you have to
want it very, very much because it won’t be easy. If you only want, you’ll find me.
Your life will change as well as mine and the lives of many people who love you but
don’t know it yet.

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- but where shall I look for You? I was looking for many years and didn’t find – said
desperately Liberty

- Just believe, keep on looking for me among dragons – said Kiara and vanished.

One of snow-white roses suddenly became bright red, blood-red. It’s one petal fell
off slowly fell to the ground, riding on a light gust of wind. Liberty wept, her tears
were running down her cheeks, held by such big void she’d never experienced before.
She couldn’t stop herself from looking back into her past childhood. She’d been an
empty shell for so many years, suddenly becoming transparent and she was able to
see her life, those things she didn’t want to forget. She did since her life hurt. She was
roused from memories by Airhead and Nostalgia’s laughter; they were running into
her direction. She quickly wiped her tears with a sleeve and put on the prettiest smile
she could raise at that particular moment.

- Who were you talking to? – asked Nostalgia – we heard you calling someone.

- Oh – to nobody. It just seemed to you.

Nostalgia stared into Liberty’s red eyes; she tried to read out everything Duchess
wanted to hide from the whole world, especially from them. Airhead sat on Duchess’
lap and hugged her.

- You don’t love me anymore! – she said suddenly

- What are you talking about? I love you so much, no one can love in the way I love
you – said Duchess and started to cry. Tears began to run down her face once again.
Nostalgia hugged her from the other side.

- Kiara told you goodbye? – she asked suddenly

Duchess froze, Nostalgia’s words surprised her.

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- How do you know? Do you know her, did you talk to her?

- Yes, she said goodbye to me as well,

- but how is it possible? You never mentioned you know her.

- Duchess, I told you many times, but you never listened. You didn’t have time to
listen, you were busy as a bee. I spent a lot of time with Kiara, she was a friend of
mine, my confessor, cuddly toy, my warmth but sometimes she was as cold as a a
bucket of water. Several times we’d been talking about You and Your life. I really
know a lot and even more I understand.

–That’s me who should have been Kiara for her - thought Liberty and hugged Nos-
talgia as tight as possible.

Liberty looked around, she realise the sun were set up behind horizon, red sky over
the head lost brightness. She stand up

- girls, home time, it is so late, time with Kiara always gone so quick, I don’t noticed
when day finished – se said - Mather Queen will be so angry – thought, grabbed
hands of leprechauns they started run to home with laugh.

At home everyone was waiting for them with super. Mother Queen sent Liberty bad
look but said nothing. Everyone took his own place behind the table. Mather Queen
on the top and she started pray to the God bowed head.

- My Lord I want to say thank you so much for everything what you prepare for us.
Thank you for yesterday, thank you for today and thank you for tomorrow. You in
your goodness gave to us that food, bless it. Bless us and give a power for next day.
Amen – she finished

- Amen – everyone repeat – and started eat.

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Meal time was a very important for whole family. Any of them could say how they
day was, happy or sad, good or bad. If somebody had a problem whole family try to
find solution and give a help. This time Liberty said nothing. She won’t mention
about Kiara, but all conversation was very deep in her heard. She didn’t realise she
stopped eating and draw something on the table by finger.

- Liberty – she heard queens voice like from away – are you ok? Something hap-
pened? – Queen asked

- No mother, everything is fine, why? – Liberty back from her thinks about Kiara

- you just looks unusually, you face is different, to me it is looks like your mind is
faraway from here, and I would like to know where – Said Mother Queen and
looked at the Princes with smile wait for answer.

- Nothing has happen, everything is ok mother, I am just tired, we been play all day
in the garden – Liberty replied. Queen looked at one place somewhere on the table.
Liberty put her eyes in that direction. Next to her plate was a one word - KIARA

- when you will be ready just come to me – Mother Queen said, gave a big smile to
everyone, stand up. Super finished.

Liberty took leprechauns to their bedroom. Kissed them for good night, closed door.

- It is time to bed for me too - she thought and walk to her bedroom.

Outside night was very dark, without sign what next day can bring up.

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A day started as each usual day in Liberty’s life. She got up, took care of leprechauns.
As usual Airhead was changing clothes a thousand times, looking in the mirror and
saying: I not want it. Mother Queen was not asleep since the morning, supervising
cleaning and complaining about servants. Nostalgia vanished somewhere in depths of
the castle, spending more time with other leprechauns and elves, teaching them the
first steps in a new world – the world of love, but different love than she has for
Duchess. Liberty did not interfere into her life but she always stood by her, ready to
help and give her own life for her. She thought about meeting with Kiara. She had
not seen her so many years but always knew she is with her, she felt her touch and
now suddenly it was over.

– Nostalgia - thought – she has so many secrets, I haven’t spoken to her for so long,
she’s grown up so quickly. In a while there will be her first love – or maybe it has
already been?? I guess I know little about her. Maybe I know her duties or what she
is doing but is that enough? Now she’ll need more effort than usual. Liberty remem-
bered the times when she was at the same age as Nostalgia. She remembered her first
infatuations or first shed tears. She remembered how she’d met Gilbert. Hmm, Gil-
bert, she knew he had settled permanently in the Kingdom of Green Meadows. This
Kingdom was so far away it was an unimaginable life. Together but alone. Gilbert
looked after leprechauns, loving them very much, by messengers he sent them gifts or
sometimes called on the Liberty’s Kingdom by himself but…This ‘but’ started to
separate them. Leprechauns and especially Nostalgia dreamt about Gilbert’s return.
But frankly they never spoke about it. Liberty could sacrifice her life for leprechauns
and herself. – It’s just the way it is – she told herself and taking Airhead with her
she set off for a trip around the Kingdom. A botanic garden they reached was huge.
It made impression as if it was not from this world. Plants with beautiful colourful
flowers were hanging off big terraces situated on enormous rock blocks; trees with
vast branches and big leaves were giving shelter from the sun, which beat down re-
lentlessly.
16
 
Among this flora sounded birdsong, Liberty sat on a bench and began to read a
book. Airhead was playing nearby; her laughter spread around the whole garden; she
was running all the time in all directions, she was simply everywhere calling and chas-
ing a big, colourful butterfly. However Liberty couldn’t concentrate on the book, her
tired eyes were closing more and more often, she felt as if she was drifting away.
Suddenly she saw a little dragoness with beautiful scale colours, which were sparkling
in the rays of the fireplace flames. The dragoness was sitting next to a ball, similar to
the one she used to have, staring at something. Liberty saw her reflection.

She looked around the chamber, where the dragoness was, and noticed a man lying
on bearskin and heard a voice: - Look for me! - Surprised by her vision she jumped
her to feet. But nothing changed around her. Airhead was sitting in the grass with the
butterfly in her blowing hair and was playing with a stick, drawing some signs on the
ground. Liberty looked at these signs, they were arranged in one word: KIARA.

They came back to the palace. Airhead was so tired that she was falling asleep in
Duchess’ hands. Carrying the little leprechaun on her hands she touched the ball by
accident. The ball lit up in a bright light of colour inviting her; some kind of strange
warmth she couldn’t understand. Airhead fell asleep peacefully and Liberty put her
hands on the ball.

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 18
 
 XXX

ed Beard opened his eyes, and looked around. He wanted to get up but the
enormous pain knocked him down .. His head was so heavy he couldn’t raise it,
he put his hands around it. Under his fingers he felt bandages. He tried to re-
mind himself what had happened, at first he didn’t even realize where he was
and how he got there. . After a while he recognized a chamber in his retreat. He
heard a movement, through bandages he saw Kirst bustling about the chamber. He
was thirsty. His scorched lips didn’t let him utter a sound; he moved. Kirst ap-
proached the old knight and wet his lips with a damp flannel.

- lie still!, don’t move- he said – you were lucky we’d been around, otherwise it
would be over

- what happened? Tell me – the knight said with his weak voice.

- we were nearby when we saw a dragoness fighting with four dark figures who were
moving very fast on their winged horses. The dragoness fought very bravely but she
was hit by one of them; she collapsed over the younger dragon. When you ap-
proached, she breathed her last breath. We couldn’t do anything about it since we
didn’t see where the attack came from; they were hidden behind a magic wall. Only
your arrival made them appear, you distracted them. It was enough for us. We at-
tacked, our arrows were accurate but you were hit by a power-ball and lost your con-
sciousness. They were messengers from Life’s Adversities who wanted to get Kiara.

Her again?? – he thought. All his life he’d been fighting her but couldn’t defeat her.
Sometimes he succeeded to weaken her powers but it always came back. Recently he
hardly escaped from her power. Kiara – only now he recalled a little dragon hidden
behind the mother. Everything came back immediately.
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- what about Kiara? – he asked

- Kiara? - Kirst laughed with his gentle laughter - she is here, we had no place to take
her. We brought you here when you were unconscious. Kiara didn’t want to leave her
mother but we succeeded in convincing her when the mother went away to the Land
of Eternal Dragon Dreams.

Camomile dressed your wound, gave you a drink and said you must have a rest. You
had been through too much recently and you were really exhausted. She worried the
most about your will to live. She said it is very, very weak.

- How long was I unconscious? – asked Red Beard

- You lay 3 days lifeless. OK. Let me see your wound – said Kirst and began remov-
ing dressings.

Red Beard felt a little better, his huge headache eased off to such extent that he was
able to rise.

- Wait, wait. I’ll do it myself. I’m not dead yet to lie here watching as you are all over
me – the knight got up with difficulty, gritting his teeth.

Kirst took off dressings. The wound, thanks to curative powers and medications of
Camomile, was healing very fast.

- Everything looks well but Camomile promised she would call on you soon.

Forest lady, Camomile – Red Beard warmly thought about this beautiful Elf living
nearby. Elves were tall and slim with long silvery hair and green eyes. Camomile was
a little different in that she had big dark eyes and dark hair kept together in a pony
tail. She was always close when he needed her. Secretive, seeming unapproachable and
cold but in fact warm and caring. She always found some way to have a word or two
20
 
with him or even drink a glass of mulled wine. He liked her company. Sometimes
they spent long and lonely hours on talks about Life’s Adversities. They knew her
both and knew her enormous power.

Knight with difficulty rose from his bed and made a few steps. He wanted to see
Kiara but heard a voice

- Keep on lying, relax. – It was Kiara’s voice. Red Beard suddenly felt tired, went
back to the bearskin, lay down and fell asleep at once. He slept peacefully; in his
dream he saw a beautiful woman sitting on a bench under branching trees, next to
her a little leprechaun was chasing a colourful butterfly. Some kind of force and
peace was emanating from that woman. He felt something he hadn’t felt for years
but he couldn’t name it. He only knew this feeling is familiar to him although he’d
never felt it so strongly. The picture got blurred and only the face of the woman re-
mained , the beauty and warmth. He was looking at the most beautiful green eyese he
had ever seen, they were looking back with curiosity and all of a sudden everything
disappeared. He fell into a strong, Long needed sleep.

Red Beard opened his eyes, in the chamber the only light was coming from
the fireplace flames. He saw Kiara. She was sitting calmly in the centre of the cham-
ber and stared at the ball which he’d forgotten yet. Colours on her scales were beauti-
ful and sparkled with the rainbow painted in the sky. For the first time ever the ball
radiated with multi-coloured light. He slowly rose up from the bed without any
rapid movements. He didn’t want to scare Kiara. Dragons were very mistrustful of
people but when they love somebody they will be faithful forever. Kiara turned her
head from the ball and looked at the man. Her eyes flashed with sunrays, she stepped
backward a little but did not run away. Knight approached the dragon, gently em-
braced and hugged her. He knew it was missing her mother. He felt a soft touch of
its scales. Despite that they were as hard as steel they were also delicate like silk.
Kiara put her head on Red Beard’s laps and he began stroking her gently. Immedi-
21
 
ately there became a kind of strong thread connecting both of them forever. Between
them there was an energy of incredible force that could move the Earth. Red Beard
felt as if his strength was coming back; wounds starting to heal fast. He regained his
harp eyesight. . He touched the ball by accident. The ball came alive giving warmth
that made the knight look inside. He noticed a woman’s face in it. It seemed he’d
had seen her before, he knew the face. He was so puzzled by her that he couldn’t
resist and decided to speak to her.

- Hello, stranger, how was the day? – he asked with slight embarrassment

- Hello – she replied and began to watch him. There was something interesting in
this wrinkly face. It seemed she had seen this face before and that she knew that man
on the other side of the ball. They both felt the same at the same time. It seemed
they had known each other for ages. Her name puzzled him…Liberty

- Liberty?? A very interesting name. Do you really feel liberated? Free?

- Hmmm, lately I don’t know, I know nothing. Tell me what you mean saying Free. I
am a free man; I am not dependent on anyone or serve anybody.

- No, I meant freedom, so real, as airy as wind, as light as mist, as thought that is
limitless and unstoppable. .

- hahahaahah – Liberty burst into laughter – such liberty you mean. All this will be
my secret but actually it is hard to say.

The conversation went smoothly after breaking the ice. The magic of the ball made
them both feel safe and hidden behind their anonymity. No one could get to know
more than they wanted to reveal. Kiara, lying calmly near the knight with her head on
his laps, watched both of them with curiosity. For the first time the knight felt free;
some strange warmth ran through his heart; life became colourful and all his worries

22
 
seemed to fade away. Even an impression that Life’s Adversity is close has was be-
coming a blur on the horizon. That she didn’t forget him or Kiara. For Liberty that
face was arousing curiosity, the way of expressing ideas was very simple but so inter-
esting. When she went to bed she was thinking about this conversation. She was
intrigued by this man. Sleep came fast; as if the sandman had thrown sleeping dust
into her eyes.

She felt safe and calm.

The morning brought many changes: summer had just started; nature was waking up,
wiping its sleepy eyes and birds became silent as never before. Red Beard got up with
anxiety. Just as if his previous life suddenly started to fall apart and the new one be-
gan to emerge from the ruins. He felt a new beginning and it wouldn’t be easy. Kiara
was of through the mansion, finding something to eat.. The most suitable seemed to
be knight’s poultry. She spread her wings and trying to keep her balance with her
long tail ran around .. The view was so funny that for the first time the knight burst
into thunderous laughter, not caring that his chicken was in real danger.

At last Kiara grabbed the running meal and walked away to a more peaceful place to
finish it, watching with reproach Red Beard who couldn’t stop laughing. Red Beard
felt like newborn; herbs of Camomile helped him perfectly but the feeling of anxiety
didn’t leave him. New forces and new spirit.

He bustled around the property. In the retreat there was a mess like after war. Elves
were working when I lay lifeless – he thought and sighed. He just had no strength
for all that. He lit the fire in hearth, brought some water. Kirst wasn’t there again, he
kept vanishing somewhere. Well, youth has its own rights. It’s good; there is Kiara at
least. His thoughts were running into a completely different direction than he’d ex-
pected. He thought about talking with Liberty. There was something about her he
couldn’t decide on.
23
 
Yet the day had not even started for good, he already missed talking to her. It was
unusual for him. He was surprised at himself that someone was able to touch him by
doing nothing. He made a breakfast meal and ate it alone. Looking at Kiara he
started wondering why it was her who Life’s Adversity wanted to get, what is so spe-
cial about her that Sorceress felt endangered? It was a very strange feeling of coming
of hard and dangerous days. He couldn’t define but he already knew.

From the south black clouds were gathering although the morning didn’t indicate
that storm was coming. Knight looked up in the sky, the clouds were black, some-
thing dangerous was about to happen. Suddenly it got dark, he was gripped by chok-
ing mist; some force caused an incapacity he couldn’t overcome. He felt a coming
danger and a hot breath of Life’s Adversity. In his mind he uttered a defensive magic
spell which started working almost immediately. He breathed some fresh air into his
lungs. Red Beard looked around, there was nobody nearby, but still there was some-
thing missing.

- Kiara – he shouted. No response. He runs around house, checked everywhere, but

Kiara was nowhere. Kiara disappeared. The Knight started to cry. Again Life’s Ad-
versity took him away from something he began to love. He couldn’t protect his
happiness, attained with such difficulty and paid with blood..

He entered the chamber and put his hands on the ball. He wanted to see what had
happened to Kiara, where she is or whether she is still alive; but saw only mist, with
an emerging picture. When it got clearer he saw a sad face. Liberty’s face.

- Hello stranger – he spoke with a weak, faltering voice – will you help me? – he
asked - today I lost my happiness and I have to find it but I can’t break through the
strong spells of Life’s Adversity since she kidnapped her.

24
 
- Welcome, if only I can I’ll do my best but I’m not sure if I have enough power.
Life’s Adversity? Who she kidnapped? Who do you call your happiness? Just let me
know your story if I have to help you.

- Kiara, the little dragoness we saved with Elves yesterday; released her from her en-
voys’ hands – Red Beard quick said the story about yesterday fight - Today she came
herself and kidnapped Kiara – he finished

- Kiara?? The dragoness?? - Liberty seemed to understand it all - Kiara was also my
happiness but she left – she said

- put your hands on the ball; summon up all your powers, maybe together we can
find our happiness.

They put their hands on the balls. The force that gathered in them heated the balls
up in such a way that enormous heat radiation spread around. Their bodies began to
shake and rithe in a concordant dance. They felt like one body. The mist, under the
impact of force withdrew showing a huge town built from hewn stone, located high
in rocky mountains and surrounded by a thick, tall wall with fortified towers. A road
was leading to the castle, through a big gate guarded by secret dark figures - like
ghosts. The picture changed; they saw a dragoness lying on a tile floor in a dark, cold
room. The dragon’s condition was unbearable as if someone derived energy from it.
They saw the Tree of Life. The tree was dying, losing its leaves one by one. Suddenly
some force hit their bodies separating them from the balls. Liberty fell down, weak-
ened by lack of energy; Red Beard was thrown out under the chamber wall by the
impact.

- Liberty – he shouted – Liberty, what a fool I am,, what have I done? I lost her for-
ever. Life’s Adversity - She got me.

25
 
He didn’t know anything of Liberty, who she was or where she lived, or how to find
her. She wasn’t in the Crystal Ballanymore. A tear rolled down his scarred and wrin-
kled cheek and when it fell down on the floor it changed into a diamond. The Dia-
mond of Heart Power. He recalled what Liberty had said. Kiara was also her happi-
ness but she left her. Kiara was the key, to luck life. He had to find and save her. He
left the retreat. In front of it there was Kirst with friends staring at the forest. It
looked like autumn but it was the beginning of summer. Nature was dying out.

- …. I walked outside and saw you – Red Beard finished his story. In the chamber
silence fell. Complete silence.

- We have to do something – after a while Kirst spoke - look! Everything is dying,

soon the world will plunge into darkness, forces of Life’s Adversity will be ruling and
no one will know happiness. What are you going to do? – he asked Red Beard and
looked him in the eye. The eyes said it all. They expressed pain and determination
that was enough.

- I’m going with you, anybody else? – he threw a question. All of them raised their
hands. They looked at the knight. It was up to him. Red Beard raised his head,
looked at young, rather childish faces. He ground an answer in his mouth.

He stood up and with a calm, steady voice he said

- I don’t know if you realize what we are going to fight. Life’s Adversity is ruthless.
If you stand face to face with her, look deep into her dark eyes and doubt, it’s over,
you belong to her…She’ll suck life out of you completely, the whole joy, youth, eve-
rything what is the best in you and leave the ruins of the man. This journey is very
dangerous. You put everything at stake, you risk your young life and future.

- what future?? – spoke Rafael, one of older elves in this group – look outside, every-
thing is dying, soon no living creature will have any future. We want to take it in our
26
 
own hands, fight for it. It’s ours and nobody can live our lives instead of us. We only
have to know how to fight it.

- the Burg City of Life’s Adversity is situated in the No Hope Land, high in the
Lonely Mountains. I heard it is hard to get there, many had tried but no one came
back. The mountains absorbed them for good. To get to the No Hope Land is very
easy but to get out of it it’s almost impossible. Without friends or faith nobody
made it. Do you still want to go?

Silence fell. The words of experienced warrior had impact on Elves’ young hearts.
However in their brave hearts the Hope was still living and it prompted an answer
omitting the wise Mind.

- yes, we are going with you, all of us – they yelled together – we trust you and be-
lieve in you.

- all right, so let’s get ready for the trip.

They all left the chamber. Red Beard put on the leather armour, perfectly renovated
and prepared by Kirst. Breast plate shone with a large amount of serum; sword –
chipped in previous battles, was sharpened like never before; and shield – cleaned
and soaked in new dose of spells.

He prepared food supply, saddled his black stallion and set off. Elves could easily
ran after the horse, their tireless reserves of energy and inborn speed didn’t let them
stay behind. The first stop Red Beard was heading for were swamps and marsh.
There, in impenetrable depths lived his old friend – sorceress Aga. She was about 30
and was a magic expert. Her enormous force spelled in glasses she wore let her fore-
see the future and take a look at someone’s life from the time perspective. It helped
to find a way, proper way. This knowledge was essential to get out of the No Hope
Land. Elves knew the forest very well but now it was different. It was lifeless. Usual
27
 
bird hubbub was gone, there was silence, ominous silence interrupted sometimes by
the clash of swords or whinny of the horse which behaved very uneasily. All of them
felt someone’s eyes watching them, they felt like being watched. The Messengers of
Life’s Adversity were around somewhere.

The journey to the swamps lasted five days. As they reached the edge of the Forest
they faced an incredible view. The whole area over the marsh was covered with fog.
Only in some places one could notice the stumps of dead trees. The wanderers were
overcome by the feeling of dread and depression. The Elf girl Masis that was always
extremely curious about the surrounding world above the common sense, this time
suddenly said:

- I think I don’t want to know what’s going on over there, down in the swamps. I
feel such emptiness inside as if something cleaned my soul. I feel like thousands of
eyes were staring at me but I can’t see any - said Masis looking around carefully.
Nobody replied, everyone was watching the marshes in silence.

- Here we stay for night - , Red Beard responded.

They pitched the camp. They put tents in a circle, in the centre of which they made a
fire. The Elves girls, Masis and Allerbmu started making an evening meal. Kirst,
Rafael and Divad secured the campsite from unauthorized creatures accordingly to
the knowledge and experience of the living (ones) in the woods. Red Beards aid a
spell to protect all of them from magic and witchcraft. They sat around the camp-
fire.

- And now what? - , asked Kirst and took a look at the knight.

- Now?? We’ve got to wait. The Sorceress hid tight in this swamp, we have nothing
to do but wait.

28
 
- Keep on waiting? – asked quietly Allerbmu – We can’t just wait. I feel like I was
completely burned out inside and lost the goal of my life and you keep us waiting.

- We have to wait. It’s very easy to lose the way at night and get stuck in the
swamps. The Sorceress will find us. I’m sure she knows that we’re here.

- Oh yeah? How does she? – interjected Masis. – “Who told her about us?

- Do you remember when you had that feeling of thousands eyes watching you??
These were the Sorceress eyes. Little gnomes sitting behind each stone around had
already told her about us. You have nothing to worry about. I haven’t been here for a
long time – replied the knight and was lost in thoughts.

His thoughts were set on Liberty. Suddenly he understood that his all feelings he’d
had by then were nothing in comparison to what he felt about that beautiful woman.
She disappeared so unexpectedly from the crystal ball. Is she alive? Is she in danger?

Life Adversity had already known that they acted together to find Kiara. He was
worried about both of them. Suddenly The Diamond of Heart Power brought him
back to reality when started vibrating in the sack that was hung on his neck. He
heard a noise of the wings and then the Sorceress Aga appeared.

- Welcome my dearest – said quickly Aga – I am so happy to see you all. Hello old
fellow. How are you? I’ve heard some bad news. Well, I must be off by now. I’ve got
some stuff to do. I’ll meet you tomorrow - she kept on talking and vanished as
quickly as she appeared. The Knight didn’t even have time to say a word.

The night had fallen while the silence was just interrupted occasionally by vampire
scream in the swamps and beat in their ears. Typical at that hour birds’ bustle faded
out. The camp was observed from hiding by a pair of big red eyes.

The foggy dawn woke them up with a bustle of gnomes. The wanderers looked
around and saw great changes that took place at night. Lots of trees were deprived of
29
 
leaves. It became clear that surrounding life was fading away. They did not have too
much time. This time the Sorceress came for a bit longer. They stroke camp. Aga led
them the way only she knew. The cavalcade was moving ahead passing nearby dan-
gerous places.

- Look over there! – said Rafael – There is something that keeps calling us - and de-
cided to get along the way he heard the voice.

- Hold it! Don’t go there. The vampires want to lure you - shouted Kirst and man-
aged to catch Rafael’s jacket at the last moment. Rafael had already stuck half way in
the swamp. One false move and one’s stuck in the marsh. If it hadn’t been for the
help of his friends he would’ve already stuck there forever.

They all were draggled as they reached the place the Sorceress lived. That was a large
and spacious cabin built of wooden boards. The crystal ball was placed in the middle
of the largest chamber and all kinds of herbs were put on the walls. The shelves were
full of bottles filled with various kinds of liquids, infusions and medicaments.

- Please, take your seats wherever you want to. Just be careful not to break anything.
These are very dangerous compounds. Hold on a second, I’ll just take a look what’s
going on. Bad things have been going on for a week - she moved around and left. She
was back a moment later with a small mirror and a notebook in which she put her
notes.

- I can’t find anything here - she said skipping the pages.

- Hang on a second, there is something I would like to explain -, said the knight
looking straight in her face.

Aga seemed to be paying no attention being deeply in her own thoughts. Anyway,
the Knight started telling her the story. When he finished, he took a look at Aga
waiting for her response. After a while the Sorceress replied:

30
 
- You don’t have to worry about Liberty. I’ve already talked to Kali and I know she’s
just fine. She may be just exhausted but she’s in good care. As for Kiara, that’s a
much more serious problem. Now I realize what happened. The happiness dies and
the whole world does the same. The great changes may take place if we do nothing.
These changes may also concern my swamp. First of all we’ve got to check out what
it is going on with Kiara. I’m sure she’s still alive but …… - then the Sorceress
stopped talking and put her hands on the crystal ball. It filled with miscellaneous
colours and then various images started altering. Finally the image of Kiara appeared.
Her eyes beautiful and full of sorrow simultaneously, expressed indifference. The
Sorceress shivered, her eyes started fading and she couldn’t tear off the ball. Her en-
ergy began to flow due the ball.

Red Beard had already known that The Life’s Adversity captured her deceitfully let-
ting her go to Kiara. He moved at once to the ball and restrained the stream of magic
while Allerbmu grabbed Aga and dragged her away. Aga fell down the floor ex-
hausted. Her face changed, turned grey and her smile just disappeared. Everybody
went into panic. The person they expected to get aid from was unconscious. The
Knight leaned over Aga while the sack containing The Diamond of Heart Power
shivered and warmed up. Red Beard pulled it out and lay on the Sorceress’ chest.
The Diamond changed the colour into red and its power was slowly flowing to Aga
changing the colour of her skin. After a while the Diamond stopped working. The
Knight put it away to the sack.

Aga was breathing regularly. Her face filled natural colours. She started getting over.

- We were just on time - said Red Beard with relief. -I’m so happy you’re back.

- It was horrible. The place I was in nobody would ever wish to remain. I wanted to
get away but I couldn’t. The emptiness and silence that surrounded me, made my
ears hurt. I called for help but nobody heard my voice, even me. I’ve got to find a
way - she said and then corrected the glasses and started investigating the book. -
31
 
The Diamond of Heart Power – this one derives from a tear following from a pure
heart; the powder... - she muttered.

Red Beard stood up and approached the crystal ball however he was miles away. He
kept on thinking of Liberty. He touched the ball and in the same time he saw her
beautiful but very weary face. Her hair was pinned up into two bunches, fringe was
falling on her eyes smiling at him. His heart started beating faster. He was out of
breath.

- Hello! I’m so happy to see you. I was so scared about you. I see you’re very tired –
he said in a diffident and trembling of affection voice. Her eyes and her face were
telling him about all sufferance Life Adversity put her through.

- How are you? I’m happy too to see you - replied Liberty smiling at him. -I wanted
to hide my pain but you noticed all.

- Sweetheart, you know I can see more then others. You know that I daydream. A
thought that Life Adversity failed to get you kept me hanging on.

Liberty was staring into knight’s blue eyes and knew that they had something in
common. She had missed him before and wanted to see him, hear his voice but she
was hard to believe in what she saw. She missed Kiara, her little fairy in former times.
That was her happiness but it had been already gone. Maybe that was Kiara Red
Beard was talking about? Airhead approached Liberty and sat on her knees. A little
leprechaun with a playful smile was saying something to the knight but the one
couldn’t understand a word. However he felt he has a lot in common with that lepre-
chaun. That was as much in common as he felt about Kiara. Airhead was smiling at
him which made him believe to save Kiara. He knew that without her they both will
never be happy.

The duchess embraced Airhead tight. The conversation with Red Beard made her
strong. She wanted to help him the best she could but Life Adversity took away
32
 
more from her than she could suppose. Apart from the happiness that she had lost,
she was also deprived of Hope and Faith. Life Adversity only missed to take her
Love away. That lived and grew inside her.

- Listen up - said Aga – Are you seated? I looked thru the books and I think I found
something. We need The Diamond of Heart Power, The Arrow of Life Will, The
Mirror of Memories and The Water of Childhood to beat Life Adversity. We’ve got
almost everything. We only lack of the arrow and water. The Arrow is made of the
branch of The Tree of Life that grows over the stream of Childhood. Red Beard had
already seen it in his vision.

The road to the Tree is tough to pass, long and dangerous. Life Adversity is not able
to reach The Tree on her own but is watching hard to prevent others from getting
there. Her messengers are everywhere. This all may get change soon. Life Adversity
keeps Kiara - The Happiness - locked up and is dragging the whole power from her.
If the Happiness is gone, The Tree of Life will die. You saw what is going on with
the Nature. The World is slowly being surrounded by greyness, the colours are los-
ing their shine, birds can’t sing as beautifully as they used to and the trees are losing
leaves. The balance had been disturbed. Life Adversity is taking over the power. We
need help from someone who knows all about the crystal ball. Without his support
we may fail to reach the burg city. I’m acquainted with someone who does know. He
is a sorcerer- Magbit. To tell the truth he’s very busy with power flow control inside
the crystal ball but I’m sure he’s going to help us”.

- All right! If that is so –said Red Beard- we must split up. The elves will go to get
The Arrow of Life Will and The Water of Childhood and as for us we will set off
to find sorcerer Magbit and ask him to give us a hand. Do you have any clues for
Elves?

33
 
- Listen up everybody! I’ll give you The Wind on wings of which you’ll reach The
Tree of Life very fast. He’s the one who knows the way. You must be careful about
The Messengers of Life Adversity, they are very fast on their winged horses and they
may go to charge very quietly and unexpectedly. The Wind is not as strong to help
you out in the battle while it’s holding all of you on his back. Remember, the fate of
the world, the Kiara’s life and happiness depend on you, the young ones. Never cease
your battle and if any of you is hurt, don’t give them as prey to Life Adversity. Stick
together and take care of each other. You’re young and you have the power. You can
make it.

The elves prepared for the trip and the battle. Wearing their green tunics and cloaks,
on their backs they carried a quiver full of arrows and in their hands long ash bows.

- We are ready to go – said Kirst after a moment of silence, when rest of elves stood
next to him.

The whole five of Elves mounted The Wind and a moment after they were the
knight’s and sorceress’ out of sight.

The day duskiness was about to cover the swamps.

34
 
 XXX

agbit responded already after the first call by crystal ball. He took a look at
the Sorceress and Red Beard, and said:

- “I know what you called me for. I have noticed what was going on and I’m
working on it. I’ll give a try to make an energetic tunnel for you thru which
you will get to the burg city. I’m not sure if it works out right but better this than
nothing. Do you know the way to Kiara? When you’re already on the courtyard then
you must reach the main tower. But remember that the path is full of magic and dan-
ger. The tower door is guarded by Life Adversity’s guards and you must find a way
to overreach them on your own. I just can open the door. Just let me work on it.”

- “You realize we don’t have much time left? Kiara’s been very weak. We’ve got to
find her as soon as possible”.

- “Yes, I know that. I can feel the energy flow and I’m doing my best but my magic
and spells have been being blocked by Life Adversity by now. She’s got enormous
power and is getting stronger and stronger with Kiara’s might. My magic can barely
do anything but nothing’s possible. We can make it”.

The Sorceress looked into the ball and saw the whole parade heading for The No
Hope Land.

- Are they all in such a hurry or this world has already gone crazy? – she asked Red
Beard with no looking at his direction.

- What happened ? – asked the knight and approached the crystal ball. - What are
they all doing? They are surely heading for death – he shouted.

35
 
Suddenly they heard Magbit’s voice coming out of the ball.

- They all set out on the war against Life Adversity to set Kiara free. They are gather-
ing on The Lake of Deep Sorrow and want to fight a final battle out there.

- Fools! They all will die. That’s the foot of The Lonely Mountains where Life Ad-
versity has already assembled her whole army and is waiting for them. I’ve got to do
something. I have no idea when the elves are going back, and need some time that is
hardly left.

The fear that overcame Red Beard bound his thoughts. He couldn’t focus and finally
understood that Kiara contributed not only to his and Liberty’s happiness but to the
whole world. His heart started beating faster as he thought about Liberty. He was
wondering what she was doing at the time, how she feels and what the leprechauns
are doing. She was the one he lived for. The last time they talked to each other she
told him that she loves him. Although she never said that again he knew she really
meant it. The knight also knew he loves her. He hadn’t said that word for a long
time. He would die for being prone to love and to be loved and then his dream came
true. All he missed was the happiness. The Prince Gilbert returned and looked after
leprechauns and the Princess took care about the kingdom all days long being too
busy to meet the Knight in the crystal ball. However she dropped in there some eve-
nings.

He felt responsible for it and that made him feel depressed. He was losing hope, was
overcome by a feeling of helplessness. He acted like a baby that was missing his clos-
est person. He felt lonely.

36
 
 XXX

he world went crazy. Abruptly the balance was missing in the whole magic of
this world. The disputes, fights for power, beliefs and survivors started break-
ing out in various parts of the world. Within the human and elves’ cities or
leprechauns’ residences the arguments kept on going on. When the north wind
brought the news about Kiara about the causes of the world’s collapse, ‘bout
life coming to an end, every living creature petrified. Everybody was waiting
what was going to be next when the news about an army coming into existence. And
the army consisted of Sorcerers, Elves that were the perfect archers, Leprechauns that
were good at guerrilla warfare and many other creatures prepared to fight for life and
37
 
death for survival and for their closest beloved. They were setting off as small groups
to join others on their way and to form the powerful army. The goal of the campaign
was The No Hope Land. The only thing the Army needed was a leader. Kirst,
Rafael, Divad, Masis, and Allerbmu reached the place quickly on the wings of the
Wind. What they saw was a view full of such a sorrow and dread that their faces
froze of fright.

The troops arrived over the Tree of Live land.

The ground around the Tree was burnt out and chapped. The Stream of Childhood
almost dried out. One could find just wet spots. The part of the forest surrounding
the glade where the Tree of Life vegetated was nothing but stumps, branches and
fallen leaves. The dead silence let them hear their own heart beating. They kept on
staring at what they saw that they forgot about the whole danger. Life Adversity
never sleeps and her messengers on the winged steeds had already waited to face the
wanderers. The power of life that surrounded the glade prevented them from the bad
magic however the messengers succeeded in stopping The Wind.

The rain of missiles and arrows ran towards Elves that were on time to hide away in
the forest. They stroke back and hit the target so the attack diminished. The open
space spread ahead of them that meant the way to the Tree of Life. They had to
cover the distance. They ran as fast as a horse can but not the one with the wings.
These ones were used by Life Adversity messengers.

- We must split up - said Kirst who barely could take a breath. - Divad, Masis i Al-
lerbmu – you’re going to run towards The Tree of Life, I and Rafael will do our best
to delay the messengers and take some Water of Childhood in. I have seen a little in
some place. We all meet at the Tree.

- And how are we supposed to get this arrow? - asked Masis . - Where we can find
it?

38
 
- You will know. Red Beard used to tell me the story related to this tree. He may tell
it to you some day but first we must get there. The Tree always picks out something
in exchange and we all must be there. Don’t let them get caught as you reach the
place. The messengers are able to derive the power as Life Adversity just a little bit
more slowly and the wounds inflicted by them heal very slowly and bring much long-
lasting pain. Are you ready to go?

- We are - they responded all and set off.

They ran the fastest they could and split up in the open area. The riders followed
them. Kirst and Rafael reached the stream, or rather the place it used to be. A little
bit of water was placed in the shade and could be taken in the little decanter. Kirst
drew some water, hid the decanter over his jacket and took a look what his friends
were doing. Allerbmu that ran as the last one suddenly tripped over and fell down.
The riders set out in her direction. Divad noticed everything and started running
towards Allerbmu however he dropped the ground cut with the blade. Allerbmu de-
cided to give him a hand but unfortunately she was late and was caught by a messen-
ger. The one started to extract her life energy. The remaining Elves attacked messen-
ger quickly so he dropped dead and his winged horse stopped. Masis quickly ran to
the horse, sat Divad on its back and moved towards the tree. Kirst and Rafael had
already waited there. To their surprise suddenly the sky covered with rain of missiles,
arrows and magic sparks. Life Adversity messengers disappeared leaving the winged
horses behind. The troop of Elves and Leprechauns entered the glade.

- Welcome and thank you for saving our lives. They would surely have got us all if it
hadn’t been for you. How did you happen to get here? – Kirst said to small, hairy
person with big hammer in his hands. He never saw before somebody like him. On
the head of that strange person was a metal helmet cover by old, sacred letters and
signs, and Krist could see just his smiling eyes.
39
 
- Hello. The enemies of Life Adversity messengers are our friends. We’re heading for
The No Hope Land. The final battle against Life Adversity is about to be waged.
The troops are gathering by the Lake of Deep Sorrow. We hear some strange voices
then we come to check what is going on. We saw your fight, was a very good and
very brave. Let me shake your hand.

Krist gave him his hand, and was surprised at strength of such a small person.

- Who’s in charge of that big army??

- We all are waiting for Red Beard but no one knows where he really is. We are not
sure whether he turns up on time because we don’t have it too much left. We all
want to save Kiara.

- Kiara’s?? How do you know about her?

- The whole world’s already found out about Kiara, Liberty, Red Beard and Elves.
All thanks to the crystal ball. Wait a minute. Aren’t you Kirst? Red Beard’s son?
These are your friends, aren’t they? – He took a look at the remaining Elves. Aller-
bmu was sitting on the ground. Her face went grey, her eyes became so empty and
blank. The friends put the Divad down off the mount and laid him by the Tree of
Life. Allerbmu sat by him. The blood was dripping out of the Divad’s wound and
was soaking into the ground. At the same time the roots started sprouting out of the
soil and going deeply into his body. His face looked happily. A beautiful, sunny
smile that appeared on his face brightened up the dullness of the day. The Tree
slowly absorbed his body and started blooming with his life. Then a beautiful Will
of Life Arrow appeared. The Tree desired one life giving another, the fuller one.

Life for life. Divad became a part of Tree of Life. Masis brought the water from the
Stream of Childhood that had suddenly started flowing out from behind the roots
and filling the old stream riverbed. She approached Allerbmu and washed her face.
She moistened her chapped lips. Her gentle smile that turned up on her face and the
40
 
eyes that turned green again were a proof that she was coming back to life. Newly
sprouted branches of the Tree made impression of a will to embrace her, give her a
hug and comfort her.

- Listen up! We have no time to waste. We need to get on, the day is nearing to an
end and it’s tough and dangerous to travel by night. The vampires will surely tempt
us on the swamps and the gnomes will do their best to make our journey unbearable.

Allerbmu hugged the Tree and mounted a horse. Then they glided away towards the
part of swamp the Sorceress Aga and Red Beard lived in.

- We won’t be too long - said Red Beard to the Elves that had come over trying to
hide his feeling of fear. - You all realize what is going on. We’ve got to stop them as
quick as possible. They’re heading straight for the jaws of non-existence - he said
firmly. Nobody noticed a thing but Allerbmu. Her ear was sensitive to the heart in-
tentions. She started feeling the frame of mind but said nothing. She only deeply
looked into knight’s eyes.

They all set out. Some of them mounted the horses left by the Adversity messengers
and some stuck to the wings of The Wind and flew away towards The No Hope
Land and The Lake of Deep Sorrow. The closer their destination was the more
sights looked changed. One may have noticed significant modifications in the envi-
ronment, especially the lack of colours. Everything was grey and opaque. All the
vegetation was in a residual condition, dwarfish and crooked from winds but strongly
rooted. However it looked like it was withered. They were looking down at the
troops that were moving the same way. They were armed with anything the ones
could possess. They were greeted with cordiality in each place they were passing by.
The news about Red Beard coming over spread very quickly and comforted every-
body. Life Adversity had already acted upon warriors spreading suspense and despair
over their hearts. The news kept them feeling powerful again. When they soared over
the Lake of Deep Sorrow they noticed a powerful army divided into camps in vari-
41
 
ous parts of the lake. They heard a mighty shout. The army chanted his name. “Red
Beard” was what they heard around. They came to a standstill in the air so they all
could hear what he was intended to tell them.

- You all came here to fight for happiness of yours, your families, and your friends.
That’s what I do. The happiness is one but we all may take a piece of it. Anyway, we
should share with our sorrows as well. Then it’s easier to handle them. Together we
are able to beat Life Adversity and her army. It’s not so hard, one just must really
want to. We can’t let our hearts fill with despair, mistrust and misbelieve. That’s the
weapon Life Adversity is using against us. That’s the most dangerous one because it’s
creeping up on our homes in silence. Sometimes we forget what The Faith, Hope
and Love mean. We let despondency slip into our hearts. Many of you will not be
back to your homes but your power and remembrance of your brave actions will al-
ways remain with your families. That’s the way it is. Life goes for life. We live for
our nearest good and happiness, the ones we love. And this is for them we are going
to die for if necessary. Now we have that opportunity and a moment to put our lives,
our fears and the happiness and good of generations that will come along after us on
one scale. They make us strong and are our Love and our Life. For good or for ill
doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t grieve our nearest with bad news. That’s what they
are for to support us when we’re in need. That’s the same about us. We’re here to
hear them, give a piece of advice and fight for them. Unfortunately I’m not the one
who’s going to lead you in the battle against Life Adversity. I have my duties to carry
out. I’m leaving you with my friends, they will help you. The Sorceress and other
sorcerers will search thru the minds of the leaders of the Life Adversity army and will
find out what they’re up to. Then they will cover the leaders of The Allied Armies
with magic. The Knights of (bad) Sorceress are hiding out up in the mountains and
that’s the place in the highest peaks you have to climb to beat them. You’ve got a
very difficult task to do. She herself wants to take a command but you shouldn’t
worry too much about it. The Power and Might is with you.
42
 
Red Beard had never said so many words to so many soldiers. Anyway he never liked
making speeches. A minute of silence overcame after he had stopped talking and
suddenly they gall gave shouts with double force: “Red Beard, Red Beard.” After that
they soared away on wings of The Wind towards headquarter of The Allied Army.
As they reached the place they were welcomed the military way without ceremony.
Red Beard knew most of the leaders from numerous wars he took part in so they
reached an agreement very quickly. The Sorceress joined the sorcerers and The Elves
went to say hello to their friends. Only Allerbmu crouched down in the corner and
kept on waiting. She had no family or close friend. Her green eyes were making cir-
cles all over the tent paying attention to Red Beard. His fears just disappeared, he
was in his element. She liked looking at this severe man with soft heart and as hard as
a rock simultaneously.

- Listen up! First you must charge out from the wings sides and distract their troops.
Then you attack straight with all your power. Don’t ever stop. Keep on charging
ahead as long as possible. You charge as you finally reach the Burg City gate. I’ll try
to give you a hand. I’ll just have to wait for some news and disappear. I’ll be with you
with my mind and power. We must help each other. Many of you know me as an
enemy. Now we all fight for the same cause. I’m just asking you one thing: fear not!

After Red Beard had said these words he said goodbye to everyone and moved to his
tent. Allerbmu slowly followed him staying aside. Red Beard freshened up, took a
bath in herbs preventing from wounds and the healing ones. What he needed the
most was quiet and peace. The hardest thing was still to come. He had to find a way
to reach the Burg City, find and set Kiara free. He was afraid like every man but real-
ized that there was no other way out. Allerbmu entered the tent holding a meal. She
was so quiet and silent, just enjoyed looking at Red Beard and expecting nothing in
exchange. Her eyes were full of fear. She was scared to lose another close person in
43
 
her life. After a while they all gathered around. The Sorceress pulled out a mirror and
by only her known way started conversation with Magbit.

- I’ve got it - replied Magbit - I’ll make a tunnel for you so you could get to the Burg
City square. Unfortunately I failed to make a tunnel directly to Kiara. She is guarded
very diligently.

- How is Kiara feeling?

- She is very, very exhausted. She’s still alive but we have no idea how much longer
it’s going to take. You must set out as the Allied Troops are charging so you can
have more chances to get back. The tunnel leads only in one way so after you will
have left it you’ll be on your own - He always had to rely on himself. He had never
found one to help him beat his disabilities. Thinking about Liberty was the only
thing that helped him not to give up and not to run away.

The camp was full of wandering people. They all prepared to fight. The weapon
clanged, the armour clattered and the horses neighed. The troops were changing the
points of stay to occupy favourable positions. It was going to begin in a minute.

- It is time - said Magbit - Get ready to go.

- I am ready - replied Red Beard and moved on towards the light coming out of The
Sorceress mirror. He entered into it and was gone. The silence fell in the tent. Only
Allerbmu cried quietly.

44
 
 XXX

ed Beard found himself at the courtyard of The Burg City. There was noth-
ing around but turmoil and noise. Nobody noticed that he had appeared.
Aga’s and Magbit’s magic brought an effect. He moved towards the wall and
farther in the direction of open tower’s gate. There the guards were watching
the gate and were looking around suspiciously as if they sensed his presence. Some-
thing started going on around him. He had a feeling of being watched by unknown
force. He felt a chill that was slipping thru his heart and engulfed his whole body.
Fear started filling in his all body.

- I must get over it - he thought - I can take it - he thought of Liberty. Love made
him stronger. He decided to get a move on.

- Hold it! Who are you - one of the guards shouted and started looking at him care-
fully.

- Life Adversity ordered me to check if everything was fine. We were on attack and
the Lady supposes someone is going to force The Burg City. You must be very
watchful - replied Red Beard and decided to approach them when suddenly one of
the guards pulled out the sword. The Knight cut him with a quick and short move.
The guard fell down the ground. The second guard raised the alarm. The Knight
made him stay silent with magic. The guard was shouting but nobody was able to
hear him. The Knight used his sword once again and the guard dropped dead on the
ground. Red Beard dragged the guards inside, looked around and shut the gate. He
moved in darkness occasionally lit up with flames of burning torch that were giving
dancing shades on the walls of corridor. He came across the stairs. They were narrow
and led down the building’s basement. He was approaching the rooms where the
voices of guards were heard.

45
 
The voices were kind of excited. Suddenly he heard noises and shouting over him.
They had already noticed that those two guards were dead and were about to notify
others. Lots of people were running down the stairs. He stood back into the dark-
ness. The guards passed him but didn’t notice him and entered the rooms. The mud-
dle was all around. The guards grabbed the weapons and stayed alert. Some of them
ran out to find an intruder.

He stayed still for a while as the situation within the guards’ rooms became stable.
He started moving on towards open door. The guards were sitting by a large table on
which some plates and pieces of food were scattered around. The guards were talking
loudly about the latest incident. He counted them all and there were six of them.
There was a door on the opposite side of the chamber leading to the remaining cor-
ridors of the basement. Kiara was waiting for him somewhere out there. He had al-
ready felt her presence. He had no chance to sneak out the room. He had to lure
them out of the chamber. He recalled about a jug he had run into. He moved back
and threw the jug with the opposite direction that rolled over the ground making
noise around the corridor. Two guards ran out of the room and they dropped down
dead at once as the knight used his sword. Unfortunately the voices of struggle
brought all guards out to the corridor.

They started fighting but the narrow passage prevented them from striking with their
all power. The knight fought for his life. The herbs he took bath in protected him
from getting hurt but slowly stopped working. New wounds kept on appearing on
his body. He succeeded in beating them but was very tired. He took off his cut
breast-plate from under which the blood was dripping down. He realized that his life
was endangered and had no much time left. The Arrow of Life Will had been cut
down. He moved ahead towards The Hall. He entered inside and stood still. Life
Adversity was waiting there for him.

46
 
- I knew you’d come - she said. - I have been waiting for you quite a long time and
now I’ve got you. You belong to me. You will be at my service.

- You know it’s impossible. I haven’t given up for so many years and have no inten-
tion to do it now - replied the knight averting his voice. “You may kill me but I’ll
never be yours.” Life Adversity approached Red Beard and said looking at the
knight: “We’ll see about that.” His blood-stained sword fell out of his fainted hands.
The Knight got down on his knees. His head started dropping on his covered-with-
blood-chest. Life Adversity seized his head into her cold hands. She took a look into
his eyes and started delighting with his energy of life and will of survival. Suddenly
beautiful but full of sorrow and tired Liberty’s face appeared in front of the old sol-
dier’s eyes. He noticed the leprechauns. He raised his hand and with the rest of en-
ergy he was left, he pushed the arrowhead of The Arrow of Life Will into Life Ad-
versity. The arrow lodged softly. The scream Life Adversity uttered was deafening.
The building’s walls started falling apart and the stones started falling down the
Knight’s head. Life Adversity dispersed in the air. The Knight managed to reach the
door crawling on the floor.

The door opened with a clatter. He saw Kiara’s eyes. These were staring at him with
love. Weakened and exhausted, he pulled The Diamond of Heart Power out of his
sac and placed it on the Kiara’s forehead. The power started flowing thru and Kiara
moved gently.

- You’re with me. I was frightened that you’d be late - he heard her speaking.

- It’s just The Childhood Water that I must give her to drink - thought the Knight
and took out the carafe. But his hands were too weak. The carafe fell out of his
hands and broke mixing the water with his blood that was absorbed by Kiara. Kiara
was shaken with enormous energy.

47
 
Being a little dragoness she transformed into a huge and adult dragoness. She was
recovering very fast. The Knight dropped down on his face.

- This is the end - he thought - My life has been fulfilled.

The darkness enclosed him.

The dragoness covered his lifeless body with her body from falling rocks, grabbed
him gently and put him on her back. Then she got out of the rubble and soared
away. There was nothing left but the ruins out of the Burg City.

The news that Life Adversity had been beaten up spread out in a flash. Here and
there the fights were going on but were about to end. Many brave knights died. The
soil soaked up with their blood started sprouting with grass and blood-red poppies.
The places the soldiers died were covered with beautiful, white lilies. They sprouted
the entire valley in The No Hope Land. Earth took everything belong to it, gave life
for life. They energy spirit flew on wings of wind to Tree of Life. Tree starts bud-
ding.

The ones who survived were coming back their homes full of heart and faith in Fu-
ture. The noise of the wings spread out over The Valley. They all who were down
on the ground raised their heads up. The knights saw a flying dragoness with Red
Beard on her back. They been watching her until she disappeared somewhere in the
blue sky. The valley was filled with whisper.

48
 
 XXX

iberty was walking around the chamber anxiously, the fire was rumbling in a
fire-place giving poor light. The candles scattered all over the chamber kept
the room in twilight. She didn’t want anybody to see her face. The lepre-
chauns were about to go to beds. She had already known about the great
battle waged against Life Adversity but had no news about Red Beard. She hadn’t
had any news for days and suddenly something came up: “Red Beard is dead, he gave
his life in battle for others’ happiness”. That news was all the time in her ears sounds
like voice of death. She was overcome by a feeling of emptiness as if she was out of
breath. She started choking, her mind was going crazy. As he seemed to be gone, she
realized how much she loved him, how powerful bond was between her and Red
Beard. He was her mainstay, her serenity and the one that make her feel safe. His
gentle voice always relieved all her sadness and then he was supposed to be gone??

- No! It’s impossible - she shouted - My heart is telling me it’s not the truth. He
loves me and love cannot fade away just like that.

- Do you really love him? - some voice spread around the chamber - Yes, I do - she
replied with no wonder why she was speaking loud in a room the servants had re-
sided.

– Kiara, are you alive? Tell me this is not true. Tell me he’s alive.

- Yes, he may stay alive. He didn’t realize how much you loved him. He may stay
alive but you must love him as much as he loves you. I can’t bring him back to life
without your love. We both owe him much but I can’t do anything despite having
such a huge power. You must help me about it.”

- What am I supposed to do? Tell me and I will do everything so he could stay alive.

49
 
- You just must love him. I’m standing by him and if your love is true he will be
alive.

Liberty fell down and fainted.

50
 
 XXX

he dragoness took a body of Red Beard to the land called Avalon.

The island of apples which men call “The Fortunate Isle” (Insula Pomorum
que Fortunata uocatur) gets its name from the fact that it produces all things
of itself; the fields there have no need of the ploughs of the farmers and all cultiva-
tion is lacking except what nature provides. Of its own accord it produces grain and
grapes, and apple trees grow in its woods from the close-clipped grass. The ground
of its own accord produces everything instead of merely grass, and people live there a
hundreds years or more in kipping in old rules of NATURE

Settlement with twenty four cottages was teeming with life. Children played with
colored butterflies running around.

Young druid – bard standing in middle circle in a round hut made from a frame of
wood with walls of a mixture of mud, dung and branches; and covered with a conical
roof made from thatch, was telling the story about old world, spirits and gods. Sit-
ting around people listening in the quiet, when all at once, when into the house run
one of the kids shouting – Monster, monster on the sky. All people get out. On the
sky was growing big shadow of something much bigger then bird. The bard stopped,
raised his head and pointed to the firmament shout – look!! All of them were look-
ing at place on the blue where he pointed. There was a something big, really big sail-
ing on the sky, aglow in the sun. Old druid called Fingal, who went out as a last one
raises his hands up to cover eyes from the setting sun and silently says:

– ancestors are back – stand up and slowly walk to the big sacred stone circle on the
hill. People stand up and fallow him.

51
 
Kiara gently landed inside the circle and laid the body on the stone altar. People
stopped and watched from afar big dragon, just old druid carry on his walk. When
he has been on front the dragon, bowed and says:

- God bless you mother. Long time I have no seen you, I am so happy see you again
in a good condition.

Dragoness looks at him green eyes, and kindly smiling. - I brought to you a man who
lay down one’s life for me. He is a very brave man with a very big heart, and I would
like to bring him back to the world. Just you can do that.

- Big mother, you know, I love you so much and I love to do everything for you I can
but I can’t give to him the most important element, fifth element of the big secret.
We need the rest of them – ground, water, fire and air. Ground is our body, bloods
like water circulate in the earth, fire is a heart full of love, and air is our breath. I can
take those fourth elements together but the fifth come from the God. Just He, if he
like to, can give the life back. You know that better then I.

- Is an Imbolc time, we should pray for new life for him. The God saw his previous
existence. That knight is worth for it.

- be our guest, I am going to set up an ceremony – says druid, bowed turn back and
walk a way to the waiting people.

Dragoness watched them a moment. Druid says something to the women. They
slowly, with awe get closer to the Red Beard body, with respect pick him up and all
the time watched Kiara, walk out to the settlement. Kiara’s sizes inspire fears.

Dragoness opened her wings, few times jumped, and leaped in the air fly a way to
find some food. First time she feels starving.

In hut women prepare a bath for Knight. Hot water filled a big stone bath tube,
smelled herbs and oils. Dressed him off, his armoury gave to the man for cleaning
52
 
and fix it, gently lay his body to the bath tube. Wash the body, one of them started
singing, rest joined and the sad song fly over, filled up all big house. The sun set up
behind horizons.

For Traditional Imbolc holiday, arrive so many people from all sites of Avalon. The
stone circle was a big point flowing energy, where everyone could meet a God.
Around it start growing tents, and the darkness started littlie bright from the fires.
The Old Druid to who was given all wisdom and knowledge Old People and Old
World, prepare place and himself to the ceremony. Unlocked a big wooden hutch by
magic spell, opened it he put his hands inside with whispering words of bless in old,
unknown by others, language, retrieved all staff, pass it to priestesses.

- prepare altar like every year, but live a free space in the middle. This year will be so
different, memorable in the mind all people – he turn away from them and continue
his pray lay down on his knees. Priestesses quietly went out in the darkness. When
priestesses left rounded home, Fingal inhaled a wood smoke coming from the fire pit
surrounded by stones located in the centre of house, and over it was a pot with hot
water. He opened again his wooden hutch and picked some secret herbs. Spelling
some magic words under his breath he put it to the pot. Immediately water started
boiling. Big stem fill up whole house with smell of herbs but in this was something
more. In the stem bordered hem was a lot of voices. The man closed his eyes and a
moment listened those voices. One his word cleaned the air. His face shining bright,
white, light.

- My Lord, just you know how I am scared about Kiara, but that is her wish. Life for
life, blood for blood – he says and took pot off the fire. Dressed off he started
plumb wash his body by water from the pot. – let me, my Lord, clean my body and
my mind to be ready for a meting with you – continually he whispering words of the
pray. When he finished, dry out, brushed his long, grey beard, and slowly dressing
up. A woven undertunic belted at the waist, a golden sickle on the belt for the ga-
53
 
thering of sacred herbs. From coop fished his jewellery up and put on. Around the
neck and upper arm a gold torc. On the head he weared beutiful diadem with Dai-
mond Of Heard Power on the centre, similar to Kiara’s. On top he put on a hooded
cloak of undyed wool, and graps magic shepard stic. He was ready to go.

Priestesses headed to the stone circle where was a stone altar situated on north –
south direction, carving by mystic’s symbols, signs, and something more, which no
one understands. With respect they looked at the dark blue sky. Millions of stars
brightened the dark. Decorate altar with a white cloth, and drape a swath of red
across it, started cover it in the spring plants and flowers such as forsythia, crocus,
daffodils, and snowdrops that symbolize the new growth.

Midnight was close. Kiara, eat her fill, went back to stone circle, sat next to altar and
watched big procession, snake of fire getting closer to the stones. In afar was sound
of drums, horns, and many musical instruments. When she heard that noise she joins
lifted head and gives the roar. Roar was a powerful, green – blue fire rising very high
to the sky. She scared the living daylights of walking people but Old Druid lead
them too the stones. Behind him four of strong man carrying bier with naked body
of Red Beard, painted on yellow, green and blue. Someone transported his armoury
shield and sword. The rest of people were carrying light of open fire.

Crowd stopped at the circle and surrounded it. Just Old Druid, young druid, priest-
esses and people carrying body of knight get into the circle and stopped next to the
altar. Body were laid on it faced to east. Transporters step back behind stones. The
druid extended his harms, faced to north bowed shout

– God of Dark Side of our life, look at the body of poor men who was giving his
life for happiness of whole world. He was fighting for all human, and he been taken
to the other world, but you are the almighty. If that is what you want you can give
his body back to our world – Druid pick up full hand of the ground and laid it on
the body. The sand at the beginning glimmer started shining beautiful green lights,
54
 
and filed up full body. The body start changing. The face were much younger, all
scares and wounds disappeared. People seeing this miracle went down on the knees.

When the process ended, Druid was facing to the west again bowed, says

- God of Dark Gate, let him back to the bright life, open your gate for him and blow
the wind in his mouth – Druid leaned over Red Beard and slowly breathed his breath
into his chest.. Between the mouths lighting yellow colour of power filled all body.
The chest full of air, rising and slowly go down,.

Druid faced to the south says

- God of Bright Life, let him being in that world, fill in his veins with new blood like
you do with the water to earth.

Druid took a long acute knife, decorated sings, magic spells, with big red ruby on the
top and get close to the dragoness. – that will hurt you – says to Kiara – I know, but
carry on, do what you have to do – Kiara answered in his mind, laid down and
showed to druid the place where was her heart. Druid gently lifted one of her scale,
put knife on and pushes strongly. Blade go so deep striate too her heart. Kiara closed
her eyes, giving quiet roar. Druid went sep back. The Ruby on top a colour to blue,
blue like sky and water, and blow up the blue lights. Light at first reached the sky
and back with big power, strike Red Beard’s body. It change a colour to the red and
slowly back to normal. Druid pulls off knife and using to magic spells for heal a
scare. Kiara feel very weak, closed her eyes, fell down.

Druid bowed now to the east

- God of Bright Gate, that new life coming here thought you, you are the beginning
and all of us has to reach that point. Our life is started with first heartbeat.

Fingal putts his hands too open fire. His face started change colours, firs green, yel-
low, blue, getting red. Everyone see a big pain punch his body, but he kept longer
55
 
his hands in the fire. When he pull out hands on it was a big ball of fire and throw it
to the Red Beard. Ball hits a body and broke with millions sparks, shakes it.

Druid expanded hands and says

- God, we did everything what we could to bring him back, but without you we can
do nothing. You are the beginning and the end, You are the bright and dark, you are
the life and death. If you want you can bring him to us.

Sun was a rising.

The sky, until now was so clear but started covering by heavy and very thick clouds.
It was moving so quick over the whole sky, form east to west, from north to south.
Wind started blowing with big power. Over the dragoness, druid and laying knight
twister made a big round hole in the clouds. Suddenly huge, white thunder struck
Red Beard’s chest. His body was shaken up and arched. He remained in that position
with hands scattered for a while and fell down the altar. One could hear silent groan-
ing and regular but poor breathing. Red Beard was back to life. The nature calm
down. Drums started play in heartbeat rhythm.

Kiara opened her eyes, and carefully looked around. The sun was a very high on the
sky, totally clean blue says it was a beautiful day. Dragoness still has lay down in the
stone circle but no one were around, even Red Beard disappeared. She slow gets up,
from afar she smell roster meet, she heard music, laugh, and dance. People were
happy celebrated first day of new life, spring.

- Fingal, where are you? - shout Druid by her mind – I have not much time, I have
to go

- at the hut mother, I prepare Red Beard to the trip. He is so weak but a life. I will
be in the minute at the circle – he reply

- hurry up, my time coming up shortly

56
 
– I feel it, we will be there as soon as possible.

All villagers and visitors arrived to say goodbye to the first and probably last dragon
in their life. Everyone stopped outside of the circle, just druids and priestesses carry-
ing knight step into.

- Greeting mother, we are ready. How are you feeling? – set Finagal

- very weak, I have no time, we have to harry up – she answered and trying to get up
but her legs was so weak.

Druid gets closer to dragoness and laid hand on her chest, closed eyes for a moment.
Stone of Heart Power on his diadem get red, more red then blood.

- lei down mother, relax. We well try to help you. Just we set up thee seat for Red
Beard and I well be with you – says druid and muzzled his face in her scales. One of
them stay in his hand.

In the stone circle people stood in a circle around an altar, dragoness and Fingal with
their arms crossed diagonally, handing hands with the person next to them. Started
swings with rhythm of drums which was playing with heartbeat. On the beginning
slow, then quicker and quicker. People standing outside automatically started singing
the old song of nature. Inside the circle the energy started circulate, at the beginning
slow from person to person, and accelerate. Stone of Hart Power on the druids dia-
dem get to red colour, strong red, and connected to Kiara’s one. All energy flew now
to the dragoness. Colour of scales was back. She was looking like new life fill up her
body.

The druids finished ceremony, and started prepare Red Beard to trip. Help him to
get a ramp which they installed on Kiara’s back.

- you are ready, mother. Care on yourself, please. Take him to his place and ....

57
 
- Fingal, do not worry, everything will be fine, thank you so much for your help, and
I can promise you, shortly I will be with you – Dragoness took a run-up, extended
her wings and flew away.

Conclusion

ermitage was full of people, elves, and gnomes, all of Red Beard’s friends.
Everyone was happy of victory but somewhere in the heart they had sad a sad
filling. Red Beard’s death. His body was taken by Kiara, and no one knows
where.

Suddenly they heard big noise of the wings. One of the elves stood outside shout –
Kiara is back - and everyone get out of the hermitage. Kiara landed and walk to Red
Beard’s home courtyard. All Red Beard’s friends came along with her. – good day to
all of you – says Kiara - I brought back the Knight, but he is very weak, now he need
the rest and relax.
58
 
- he is a life ! – That good news very quickly surrounded hermitage, courtyard and
forest. Everyone wants to help. The friends carried the knight to the hermitage and
laid him down on the bear leathers. The fire was rumbling in a fire-place again. Al-
lerbmu stood by Red Beard all night long. His breath became regular in the morning
and he opened his eyes. Allerbmu was looking at him. The tears were streaming
down her face.

- Am I alive or dead? I must have died and was back to life - he thought.

- Are you here Liberty? – he called with a weak voice. Camomile came over from
another room followed by his voice.

- You must stay in bed. You haven’t recovered yet. - She said quietly. - I brewed
herbs for you. Drink some and take a rest.

Allerbmu took a look at dragoness with her big eyes but spoke nothing again. She
did what the dragoness wanted her to. Kiara closed her eyes, then she moved aside
looking at the sky as if she was waiting for something. They all looked in the same
direction.

- it is my time – says Kiara took a run-up, extended her wings and flew away - Don’t
worry. I’ll be back - she said with a dim voice and disappeared in the skies, where you
can find her today on the north part of sky between the Ursa Major and Ursa Mi-
nor, and her head is next to constellation of Lyra and Hercules

The colourful scales fell off her body and shinning very bright on sky in the night in
winter time..

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The spring began, as beautiful as never before. The ground started living over again.
The forest that surrounded retreat was vibrant with life. The happiness that reigned
the whole world under Kiara’s wings gradually engulfed its every part. The sun was
back to its normal position. The day was coming after night and the serenity was
coming after storm.

Red Beard fully recovered under custody of Camomile, Liberty got over treated by
Kiara. Kiara derived her strength from their Love. The life was going on peacefully,
time was running. Red Beard discovered an unknown island during one of his jour-
neys. It was so colourful and beautiful that he decided to build a new house over
there. He left the retreat to an Elf girl. The years were passing by. Liberty and Red
Beard met sometimes under Kiara’s wings and enjoyed spending their time with lep-
rechauns. The leprechauns grew up, left safe castle and set up their own homes. Kirst
met a beautiful Elf girl. Now they have daughter whose name is Kiara. And what
about Liberty and Red Beard?? They spend their time living somewhere in the beau-
tiful and colourful Island of Happiness but nobody really knows the place exactly.
Maybe Avalon? Who knows.

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