They walked through the city, and at first Ami tried to remember the way.
But after the third or fourth turn, she realised… though all the Omill kotties are different, all the alleys are equally beautiful, and it will not work to remember anything, and all that remains is to relax and enjoy the evening walk.
A blue landmark mushroom here could save her from wandering around the whole city. Well, that's more than nothing.
The evening was simply breathtaking.
Every evening in Omill was good for Ami almost by default, but the weather was trying to be kind to her this light. It was warm and still, and the stars were beginning to appear like small, distant lamps in the cloudless purple sky. The softly darkened city was lovely illuminated.
Closer sources of light were the gradually activating glowing mushrooms in jars, tamed by the locals, that lit the streets and paths near the houses.
The Kantinian, gazing at all these witchy, wonderful colours and all gorgeous things, almost bumped into Lucy, who had stopped at the planned destination.
— I'll just pop in for a bite and a drink and then head home, – Lucille reported briefly.
— Right then. I think I'll stay here a bit. Not sure what I fancy doing, but I'll just sit here for a while and rest. I'm absolutely knackered, all that post-adrenaline staff, you know.
— Oh, poor Ami. Don't you worry. You'll be home soon enough.
Lucy went into the round earthen building of the café.
The Kantinian found a comfortable seat, exhaled and looked around with renewed interest. Everything here pleased her soul with its novelty and difference from what had irritated her eyes in her hometown.
Everything here was fantastic. And weirdly strange.
There could be several in a single spot, in the shadow of this majestic landmark mushroom, shimmering charmingly at sunset. How did they manage to survive the competition? Another urban mystery.
In Kantine, the tavern owners divided up the districts.
City dwellers who had worked hard all lights were usually reluctant to walk down the next street and face potentially unpleasant surprises, preferring the nearest tavern with its familiar faces and dishes.
The lucky ones, whose family had someone who enjoys making meals in their kotti, had the opportunity to come home, eat and rest. It was a kind of luxury. Home-made food was prized above all else. And these people had a great choice, whether they wanted to have a snack and socialise in the evening, or if they were too tired and just wanted to go home, eat and go to bed.
Lucy happily left the café with her treats and returned to a pensive Ami.
— I think I have to… – she started.
— Oh, I say! – The Kantinian interrupted enthusiastically. – Sorry! I simply must ask. What is that delicious-smelling thing you have there?! I've never tasted anything like it!
— Then you definitely should, take it from a local, – Lucy smiled. – It's the unique flavour of the spiced coffee from this place. That's why we're here. It's addictive in a way that makes it impossible to pass it by. Anfey's family recipe.
— I really want some! – The alien nodded approvingly. – It's the only thing that can make me forget my tiredness and uncertainty.
The Omillian gestured to the entrance of the small café.
— Ask for a "Lights of the North".
— Righto. So. You were going to tell me where my kotti was?
Lucy pointed in a direction.
— Right. It's there. Count five kotties forward, three left, then turn right and it will be at the end of the alley.
— Thank you for everything! – the Kantinian service woman saluted gratefully. – I owe you one.
The Omillian chuckled approvingly, stamping her feet in uncertainty, looking appraisingly at her acquisitions and turning her thoughtful gaze into the distance to the darkening hills on the outskirts of the city, behind which the daylight had recently set.
— On second thought… You know, I wanted to go home, but the evening is so lovely this light. I'll just wait for you there with your bags.
— Brilliant. That's so kind of you! I'll be back in a jiffy.
— Take your time. I'm in no hurry. The weather is splendid.
— Neat!
…curiously, Kantinian entered the cosy café and placed her order, adding a few delicious floral sweets to the original plan.
It was ominously cosy inside, the walls decorated with traditional murals, the main theme of which was… woods and coffee, of course. Leaves, branches, beans… Everything was either ornamental or gracefully interwoven. Lovely.
The shapes of the windows in this city are remarkable, but these were really unusual, even by local standards. Not round or oval, but two wide bands running the whole length of the walls… a semi-transparent wall. How… do they do that?
Ami had some basic information, but she had never come across any books on Omill's architecture. She will have to ask someone.
The Kantinian took out a bag of seeds and dried Loopie berries, which don't grow in these parts of the Mainland, and looked at the hostess questioningly.
Will this do as payment?
Anfey nodded in the affirmative, accepted the payment and, after a curious glance at a Kantinian nutshell cup she had received. She put the required treats into a quaint embroidered cloth shopping bag that Ami had bought on her last visit to the city.
Another beautiful and practical feature of Omillian dessert-eating culture.
The satisfied client looked into the wonderful bag and impatiently pulled out a deliciously smelling sweet and began to chew.
Totally breathtaking.
How do they make them so crispy and airy? Ami wasn't the best botanist, but she knew they were grains, and she also knew that grains couldn't have a texture like that!
The hostess handed her the coffee cocktail with a nice smile.
Ami added a few more long, shiny seeds to the ones she had already given. She was impressed. Lucy was right about this place. It's great that it's so close to Ami's proposed quartering place.
Anfey stared curiously at the seeds. It was obvious that she was seeing them for the first time. These were some of Ami's favourites.
They weren't particularly valuable by Kantine standards; Amelia didn't understand why — personally, she would only pay with them. And would gladly accept them in return.
Beautiful specimens, with pot-bellied bodies and large blue-yellow leaves. Yes, the yield of the edible part was low, but they were so delicious… Especially when dried.
— The leaves are not eaten; the stem is kept throughout the cold season, and when dried it is second to none, — The Kantinian explained without waiting for a question. — Very tasty, useful and practical.
If she ever managed to move here, these vegetables would be the first thing she would bring with her.
Anfey looked a bit intrigued. It was unclear whether it was the sight of the interesting seeds or Ami's enthusiasm for them that impressed her more, but the main thing was that it was a win-win situation. Both sides were happy with the deal
With a satisfied smile on her face and treats in her hands, the Kantinian lazily made her way out of this wonderful little city of uplifting aromas, unbelievably colourful drinks and an amazing variety of snacks.
She had found true peace and happiness, if only for a moment. These "remedies" can cure any malaise and fatigue.
It would be great to see how much of an effect all this would have on Ami in half a cycle. And can it compensate for all the worries this city has in store for her?
And when we return to Omill after a cycle, perhaps we will see our plants taking root in the Anfey's garden. They would be immediately noticeable.
That would be nice. At least her lovely favourite plants will be living in this beautiful place.
Ami returned to Lucy, who was comfortably settled under the blue landmark mushroom and had already started the mini-banquet.
Still smiling broadly at the smell of the things she had brought, the Kantinian sat down next to him with a small, admiring sigh. She began to place her incredible treasures on the rough clay surface of the table.
Once again, she delightedly breathed in the fresh city air, filled with the smells of delicious food, the nearby forest and lake, the damp clay of the table and the sprinkled paths, the slightly woody scent of the mushroom, and a host of other delightful nuances. Amelia realised that she was also looking closely at Lucy's cup, which had caught her eye back at the Station.
It seemed that Ami wasn't the only one who carried her favourite cosy mug from home to work and from work to travel. Lucy did the same. And apparently all the Ommilians did too. The beverages are tastier in tamed vessels.
So Amelia was right on trend. Her typical Kantine mug, however, stood out as much from the Omill mugs as the most outlandish and unusual local ones. Mugs were a matter of pride, and standing out with a mug was a good old local tradition.
And as the Kantinian promised her favourite cup, they sat under an Omill mushroom, ready to taste something absolutely incredible together.
Whatever came next in their lives didn't matter now, for the world faded away in an instant as she sipped at a drink with a completely mesmerising smell and colour.
— Witchyyyyy! I'll never get used to how wonderful the local drinks are! Now I understand why you have to go out for coffee even if you work at Temples Station… Not to mention the irreplaceable pleasure of sitting under those beautiful mushrooms, this drink is incredibly complex, isn't it? Especially for a non-witch.
— Yes, the coffee berries grow on bushes all over the city. Go out, pick them, infuse them… But I would never recreate this cocktail at home. Even being an average witch and a good cook. I still don't know what Anfey does with coffee, and of course she won't tell me. She'll just smile. I can recognise and smell a lot of things here. But I've never been able to replicate this flavour at home. Milo has his own recipe. But he likes mine better. I like Tokala's method. Everyone has their own recipe.
— And I do not understand how several cafés in the same place do not go bankrupt?
— Every coffee you make is different. The Omillian tradition says "you can't have the same coffee twice". It's true. Each cup, like each moment in life, is the result of many factors. The coffee maker. Her mood. The recipe. Coffee berries. Other ingredients. Seasonal differences.
Water… It's an endless list. And tasters perceive it differently at different moments in their lives. Nothing is the same. If you don't like it one light, you might like it the next. One light you want coffee with nuts, the next with flowers and herbs. With different leaf-biscuits.
— The craft of witch food-making.
— I love Kantinian cooking too, and I know that you can do amazing things without being a witch. Are you good at cooking?
Ami shook her head negatively.
— I can't cook at all. And prefer it raw, to be true. That's why I love the local food so much. Less fuss.
— Yes. If you don't want something special. And you usually want it.
— I'm not *that* fussy. For something special, I'd rather go to a cafe. As for Kantinian food… I usually nick something from the kitchen because I get home late and don't feel like eating with the family. Maybe I'll have to learn to cook here because there's nothing to pinch, but I hope my salary will be enough to keep me a lazy, happy eater.
— Our salary won't disappoint you, believe me. But there's one remark I must make. I have seen the size of the portions in the Kantine taverns. It's… well, it's huge! You humans really do eat a lot.
— It's true. But that's the way it is in our mainland food capital. We work a lot, we eat a lot.
— Quite right… Well, that's what I was going to say. If you have an average appetite, you'll be fine.
— Average by Kantinian standards, yes.
— So… this bag of flat biscuits. How long will it last? Two or three lights maybe?
— This evening.
— Evening!
— They probably won't even make it home.
— Oh, my… My advice then. You don't have a garden around your service kotti. Consider using Forest gifts and Public Gardens.
Amelia made another big sip, squinting with pleasure.
— Noted. I'll ask people in a station for locations and edible varieties of local herbs, nuts and berries. Great danger looms over Public Gardens
— Most people in the city just love gardening. They have enough food to live. But as for you… it will help you survive at the start. Ask the Selvas, they are the natives here, and the Forest is the main source of food for many of them. And a big part of their lives in general.
— I understand them completely.
— For others, the food they foraged was used as payment for more complex, interesting food from coffee shops. Why bother when it can be prepared by specially trained people using tried and tested family recipes? The coffee makers were usually the owners of the most delicious secret recipes. Omillians love coffee shops, life and exploring new tastes. It's a huge part of Omillian culture.
— A great part of a great culture. Most things are sensible and fine-tuned. I think I have the same goals in life. Kantinians have one tavern that serves one district. And people of the other district, seeing unusual face, always wonder why I am here. I can't explain to them that I was tired of my local tavern's menu and wanted to try something new. They just don't understand.
So I usually say I'm here because of my militia work, and I'm too hungry to go to my local tavern. They buy it. You know… I've always wondered how my life would have turned out if I'd been a part of Prime's or Omill's life… They say we are exactly where we deserve to be. I wonder what I did to deserve that.
— In that case, you have nothing to lose. Kantinians are also sick foodists.
— But they're not hedonists. There's no pleasure for them. Duty, traditions, no pleasure. I think joy comes from knowing how hard life is, but instead of being angry about it, you take advantage of it by enjoying all the pleasures that can be enjoyed. For me, this is the local fusion of Nordic and Selva culture. The local humour, refined in its simplicity, reflects this perfectly. Unlike the humour in Prime, which is hilarious but sometimes hard to understand if you're not a witch and don't know some local trends. It's so annoying sometimes to be an alien everywhere you go… But fortunately, two things are always understandable and universally good, no matter where you are. Food and nature.
— Agreed. – Lucille clapped her hands happily. – Speaking of which… While I was talking to you, I finished the ale I was going to take home with me, and I intend to get some flower pollen ale instead. I recommend it. It's totally aletastic. You should try it if you never have.
— I certainly won't miss it.
Nodding with approving enthusiasm, Lucille resolutely extended her hand.
— Give me your water pouch, then.
— It's full of water.
— I can get you another one.
— Yes, please! It will come in handy. And it'll make a nice souvenir for me. Pick the nicest one!
— I will.
— Thank you.
Amelia's eyes narrowed in gratitude, Lucille saluted cheerfully and ducked nimbly into one of the buildings, returning a short time later with a couple of charming little water bags of ale.
- How many jewels or seeds do I owe you? – the Kantinian clapped his hands in admiration.
- Take it as a gift. With your curiosity, you'll need a lot of payment things in this city. – Omillian winked.
- Great!
The service woman motioned for her interlocutor to wait and leaned over to her huge travelling bag.
Of course, it is almost impossible to find the right thing at the right moment, not only in a rucksack, but also in a small belt bag. From which the desired thing seems to evaporate or melt, spreading along the folds.
However, at the cost of an incredible effort, Amelia excavated the bag and explored the bottomless abyss to the very bottom, puffing and blowing. With the look of a winner, she took a beautifully carved box out of the naughty bag and handed it to Lucy.
— Then take this as a gift too.
— What is it?
— Open the shell. It's a mobile clothing repair kit. A valuable item in Kantene. You can pay with it or keep it for yourself.
— It looks so beautiful… and authentic! I think I'll leave it… I've never held something like this before. This carving on a shell… It's amazing.
— My sister does it.
— Thank you very much. It's much appreciated. But… You know. There is something else you can do for me in return.
— What would that be?
— Tell me something interesting about your Department.
— Oh… Well. I will. Just to unburden my soul and complain about this bunch of idiots. With pleasure. But it's a sort of sadistic pleasure. Sorry for that. So… Where to start… So that it's not negative… Hmmm.
Ami was distracted by staring at a mushroom cap against an endless starry sky.
Her Now was all here, occupying all that flowery and coffee-scented space after sunset under those majestic, beautiful clay pots beneath the glowing mushroom.
This life was dissolved in flavours and tastes.
There was no more old Ami or future Ami. Except the one who was here with this overwhelming beauty and deliciousness.
"Amelia. The question."
She managed to turn her gaze to her beautiful water bag.
…A true work of art. How do they make those patterns on the surface?
"Ami."
Ah, yes… The question.
— Everything is so great here... – she said in a blissfully apologetic tone for the delay. – I don't even want to go home in my mind. But I'll do it.
— Start with the negative, if that's the only way. – Lucy shook her head a little sympathetically. – What have you been up to?
She took a sip from the bag to sweeten the memory. And smiled involuntarily.
A meadow of flowers bloomed in her mouth. She sniffed happily, letting the scent run down her nose.
Delicious. Another beautiful note on this light full of experiences… Sometime, she would get used to the wonders of Omill, including the gastronomic ones, and they would stop surprising her…
But not now. The Department.
— As I said… I haven't done anything important in the last few cycles…
Ami took a larger sip and exhaled blissfully, as if she were talking about someone else's vexing life and continued somewhat aloofly.
— …Take this report to Prime. take that stuff to Omill. Go to Wanda to ask her what she didn't share with Oke… and share it. You go to that new guy… what's his name… and tell him that if he doesn't start working, he'll have to be thrown out of the city, we won't feed the Youlle freeloaders here. But he wasn't from Youlle, of course. I wish he were, by the way. Then I will feed and provide for him myself, just so he has a chance to learn something about his city. But I think the Primes would have been ahead of me here…
— Youlle freeloaders! — Lucille snorted. — That's a funny expression. When I first heard it from my aunt, I was very surprised and wanted to see them.
— You wouldn't come to see them even if they came. — Ami snorted, slightly annoyed. — Like all good things, they'd be quickly outed in our city. There's no room for anything great here. Disgustingly working dung filters…
— My great-great-great-grandmother was also driven out of Kantine.
— What a lucky woman… — Ami sighed again, sipping her ale after her cold coffee. — She seems to have been a nice lady.
— Yes, she was, they say. — Lucy smiled.
Ami pulled out of the pouch… the last biscuit. The tastiest last bite.
She should eat more consciously.
The biscuits, like all good things, wouldn't last forever. They shouldn't be taken for granted.
— Great-grandmother loved Kantine. — Lucille also sipped from the bag, chugging her coffee and puffing approvingly. — If she hadn't been banished because of her abilities… she wouldn't have gone anywhere on her own. A lot of people say that, by the way. Some even have warm feelings for their homeland, despite the way they've been treated.
— And some don't, even though they weren't treated that way… The funny thing is that the Kantinians themselves were forced to leave Youlle in ancient times. And it taught them nothing.
— They left Youlle of their own free will, as far as I know.
— That's the old lie… Personally, I don't believe it. There's something behind it. I can feel it. Or maybe I'm just paranoid. The Kantinian version says that after our exodus from Youlle, the North didn't survive at all and everyone died there. "The useless witches sat on the shoulders of the hard-working farmers as an aeon burden and couldn't cope when we were gone," they say. To hear them tell it, they're the only ones who work on the Mainland, and others just come to rest and eat at their expense. I think it's just another lie. And Primean sources have a different view as well. It was an incredibly advanced and technologically advanced society, they say. They couldn't have just disappeared.
— We'll never know. Lucy shrugged. — At least as long as Youlle is still sealed with something.
— Someone is keeping the seal alive. — Amelia pointed her finger at the rough table with dark confidence. – Someone is in there. As far as I've heard, no one has got into the city, most explorers have come back with nothing… Some never even came back, at least not through Kantine. Either they got in, and it's so good they stayed, or it's so bad they died.
— Maybe they continued on to Lim, it's a long way, of course, but it's possible.
— They could… But then Lim should have the information about Youlle… And it will be known on the Mainland. But there's nothing. Maybe, it's just my theory, some of them are among the amnesiacs. My mother was one of them, as far as I know… But… perhaps it's just more gossip. I'm not sure. We don't talk about it… And her notes are silent on the subject.
— Humans could also be near the Elven Forest. — Lucille suggested — Or in it…
— And the Elves kidnapped them.
— What?! — Lucy laughed. — Another… theory?
— Not mine, thankfully… But funny. You're laughing, huh! And our people say it in a serious tone. Especially if the travellers are male, the Kantinians warn.
— But why?!
— They believe that all Elves are female. Imagine that.
Ami made a sceptical, mocking face.
Lucy chuckled.
— Impossible! As far as I know from Selvas, Elves are neither male nor female! They're more like… mushrooms. Or something.
— Go explain it to projecting ones.
— And I really don't remember anything about Elves receiving "guests".
— The Primean Archives have very little information on elves, but they do have it. So Elves do talk, and they do have "guests" from time to time, I suppose.
I wish I could check it out for myself. I'm really interested in Elves. And I wonder what really happens to those who reach Youlle? Who holds the barrier? What is this barrier? Why is it there? Do people still live there? Without any contact with the outside world… I can understand why Youlle has cut itself off from Kantine. But why with the rest of the Mainland? All cities exchange goods and labour all the time… Information, at least. How do they survive in such isolation? And more importantly, why? What are they hiding? Do they only interact with Elves and Dwarves? The lucky ones… If that's the case. I have so many questions, you see! And I have heard terrible stories from those who have tried to find answers.
— You should also check the Temple Archives if you're really interested. Go to the Witchery first. Ask Finnian for access once you've joined the Temples. It will be an extra payment for your unwanted job. You're so curious. I wonder why you don't want to be the Archivist. As for me… even I have never thought about it. I only know what people say about it.
— You had access to the local Archives and never wondered! — The Kantinian sighed with envy. — I desperately wanted this information and had no access… How does it work like this for everyone?
— There's a time and place for everything.
— I want to believe… But I think life is simply sadistic and likes to laugh at us. And I'd rather not mess with a Finnian.
— He's a reasonable person. Rough, but reasonable. And he welcomes curiosity.
— That's good news. I hope that I will be listened to and then burned, and not the other way round. Well, I scoured the Kantine Archives with my staff access, but there was nothing but lies and propaganda… I tried Prime Public Archives. There was another… more reliable information, but there was no coherent answer to my questions… I wanted to see the maps. But even maps are not clear. I took the maps of Kantine and guess what?! Advanced Primians have no idea what modern Kantene looks like. But I learned a lot about the history of my city… So stupid. How could it be?
— Maybe they're not interested.
— Maybe not. But if they want to correct it, all they have to do is look down the Mountain. Anyway, my Kantinian sources of knowledge about the Mainland are no better… The most reliable information on any subject is my mother's vague notes. And they say almost nothing about Youlle, except that a rapid development and the emergence of technology has something to do with Northerners contacting the Elven community, but… Elves. They're not technologically advanced at all. From what I've heard, they're natural beings who rarely use any kind of dwelling, preferring to sleep in trees. There's no place for advanced technology here, as far as I can see.
— The whole of the Mainland is still puzzling over this city.
— Right. So what we have is hay-headed witches who invented a lot but couldn't survive without a bunch of idiots because they all were freeloaders… I'm the one who's puzzled here. So, you know… I'd probably go to Youlle myself. After all the cities of the Mainland. Once you've seen them all, you can disappear. Not a problem.
— One visit won't be enough. The cities reveal more secrets each time you visit.
— It's true. You can never get bored with them.
— But first I really want to see the Elves. Ever since I was ungrown.
— You don't have to go too far. You can meet Elves in a local Forest.
— I'm not rare in the Forest, you know. But I never have.
— They say if you're not ready to see them, you won't see them.
— I'm more than ready!
— Then you'll see them… Who knows. Many Omillians never see them. And never wanted to.
— But I want to!
— Perhaps your culture hasn't prepared you to see Elves. Ask Selvas for advice. Elves are not uncommon guests in their forest districts.
Ami twirled her pouch from side to side, estimating the amount of flower ale left… It wasn't that much.
— And if I meet any Elves, I'll ask them about Youlle.
Lucy scoffed.
— They're usually not interested in our human fuss.
— Maybe they have *seen* something while passing by. Why hasn't anyone asked them? Maybe someone did ask… I am eager to prove that the kantinian agenda is a lie, and that the Youlle freeloaders have not only survived, but thrived. Just as the technologically and culturally advanced Primian freeloaders have advanced. But we know it will change nothing. They will continue to say the same things because of the benefits.
— They forget that witches have their own difficulties. – the Omillian reminded in a conciliatory tone. — They compare physical and mental work. Both are exhausting in different ways. And in general, how many additional problems arise because of this damned delicate mental organisation… Sometimes I think it's better to be more practical and down to the ground.
— Yes. Because they are stupid, they get their problems out of a kind of cognitive laziness. So they are actively fixing it physically. And they're flattered as hard workers because nobody wants to be without supplies. If you're going to say that these people's heavy egos are probably designed to keep them from being blown away by the local gusty winds, you'd probably be right. But Primian winds are much stronger, and their city is not yet in the Ocean without such tricks.
— Primians have their own heavy egos. You idealise witches. Witchcraft doesn't make people or their cities perfect. I know a lot of disgustingly arrogant Primean witches who aren't known for their modesty. I'm a witch… When I'm in Kantine, I try not to show it, so as not to embarrass Aunt Frieda in front of the locals. I know they don't like it and I like them and I don't want to upset anyone. Although, of course, everyone already knows everything. But family ties are sacred to your people. They don't want to upset Auntie and me either. We respect each other, and that's the greatest thing any human being can do. Rising above differences
— Yes. But this will last until your first offence, and you will be judged more harshly. Everyone there knows everything about everyone else, you're right. Ask anybody about anybody. They'll have a bigger file than your neighbourhood order officer has. Houses keep vulgar secrets and no one is interested in the real us. The Kantinian spirits are as boring as our architecture.
— And look at Omill. It's full of witches, but our kotties are mostly monotonously round, as if there were no other shapes on a Mainland. Even the murals are pretty much the same. Believe it or not, I actually like the Kantine. Not just because of the cosiness, the craftsmanship, the stability, the tasty food, the comfortable clothes and the beautiful green kotties. Most of all, I love the beautiful buildings, all of which have gardens around the kotties and even on their roofs. Fresh food every light! Also, unlike Prime, it is not difficult to find a really useful and meaningful job. Work hard and you'll be fed and respected. You can feel each vegetable's contribution to the dish and appreciate the flavour it brings. Abundance in every way. Kantine is great.
— Abundance of stupidity. I'm glad you like it. I'm incredibly glad we swapped. And I know it's not about the city, it's about me. I don't want to change Kantine. It's really nice in its own way, really. I hate people. But if they're okay with a city and with each other… Then something is wrong with me. I… just want to find my own cosy place. You've been lucky to appear here.
Ami tried to take another sip from the liquid in her ale bag. There was nothing left.
It was good. Everything was good tonight.
— Exactly. Being born in Omill is like finding a meadow with lots of berries. But follow the path you believe in. Focus on what you want. And you'll be happy. And you will succeed. And there won't be time to be jealous. And then there'll be nothing to be angry about or envious of. I'm perfectly happy here, and I like to visit Kantine. It's unchangeable, no matter what happens.
Lucy yawned blissfully and stretched.
— Home? – Ami suggested, catching her as she relaxed.
— Yes, – she smiled broadly. — I need to pack and get ready for my journey.
Ami took out a cloth and began to wipe down her drinking vessels.
— Thanks for your company! Somehow we ended up talking about work and slipping into the mysteries of the Mainland… It was nice to have someone to talk to… not about the weather and the harvest.
— It's mutual! – Lucy smiled. — I'm glad to have such an interesting colleague.
The Archivist pointed again to Ami's house, repeated the instructions, and everyone went… home??
…Ami's own Omill… home?? For half a cycle! Fantastic!
"Say what you want, but it's a success."
Yes! Thank you for pushing me to make this brave, sick decision… At least we have this happiest light of our lives. Even if it's the first and the last happy light simultaneously, it doesn't matter.
Amelia walked happily past marvellous round kotties, and their windows softly glowed with witch's lights. It looked especially great against a background of slightly shimmering and glowing mushrooms in the distance under the night luminaries, which for some reason seemed larger than usual.
Unbeknownst to her, she wasn't following the pointed direction.
…a Secretary. I can't even begin to imagine.
Doesn't matter. Here are some deadly secrets and the VST Agent. So great.
Can you relax? Just walk down these streets and feel that it has always been like this. It'll always be like this.
"So dark. It's so late. Where is the house? What if we're lost?
Lost in the sauce, as usual… Yes. We must go back to the blue mushroom and try to remember and follow the directions. That will be a good idea.
But even if we're lost… It doesn't matter. We can walk around the mushroom as long as we like.
Tomorrow there'll be no working light, and we can get lost forever in this beautiful city. Until the working light comes.
And, what's more important, never come back to Kantine.
"Never want to come down, never want to put my feet back down on the ground." – rang out in her mind, part of a great song she once heard in Prime, reflecting a current mood.
…Nevertheless, the Kantinian soon found her service Omill kotti.
Or… in a place she believed was her kotti, but she was high enough and tired enough to be careless.
Anyway, it's empty… No one will claim it until tomorrow. And tomorrow we will see with a rested head.
So she just set her bags down on the dusty floor and exhaled in relief. And sat down on the hastily wiped corner of the bed… of her own Omillan kotti! Can you believe it?!
A place that would be her home for half a cycle. A very dusty place, by the way, but why bother?
She's not hungry, and she's got a roof and walls to protect her from the night chill that was on the other side of the door cloth.
The good thing about Omill's kotti was that, unlike the windy houses of Kantine, with their massive doors and windows, the doors of Omill's warmer kotti were only covered with thick door cloths, which ensured a constant supply of fresh air. And a certain amount of dust. And a bit cold.
But there were more positives than negatives. Standing unused for so long, a Kantine house would have certain smells of its own. And the smells of those who lived there. Omill's uninhabited quarters smelled of nothing but dust, ground, and clay.
Amelia pulled back the heavy flap of the water pipe and watched the water slowly fill the bowl. Why did it never overflow? And where does it come from?
Questions, questions.
One light we will have to have a look at the local water pipes. In Kantine they got their water from artificial lakes dug all over the city and filled by rain, or from a natural lake outside far from the city if it hadn't rained for a long time. Or they collected rainwater that ran down pipes from the roof directly into a container in the house.
While she was thinking, Ami found a cleaning cloth among her belongings. The kind she took with her so she didn't have to sit on the floor when she took a break. Hopefully she won't have to go travelling or camping any time soon and will have time to clean it. And buy another one.
It was a strange adventure and a strange time. What a Secretary she is…
After wiping the bedside table, the armchair and the surrounding floor, she dumped the contents of her camping bag on half the bed.
Food. Clothes. Other things.
I've to put it all somewhere… I've to get some bags. Canvas bags and duffel bags. It'll make life easier.
Is it worth trying to settle down? Yes, she still has deep doubts, no matter what happens.
"Later."
Right… This light, she was tired from the road and the long light. And the remnants of ale in her system were already lulling her to sleep.
It was getting darker. Most of the satellites were gone, and kotti's windows didn't help either.
She found the make-up bag with the dental tape and pulled it from the pile almost by feel.
As she did so, another bag slipped out and fell to the floor with a thud, maliciously spilling some of its contents all over the floor.
It was the last thing she needed right now. An extra source of light would be nice right about now.
How do we get some light in here?
There's a lamp…
But it's a witch's lamp! It's no use, she can't light it anyway.
Non-witch difficulties in a witch town have officially begun. Congratulations.
One of the night lamps peered through the open door curtain, casting a soft, enchanting bluish-purple light into the room.
Very pretty.
But for Ami's purposes, it didn't suit me very well at the moment. Because it was outside. It's a street lamp.
"Hmmm. Can we… borrow one? For a while?"
Unlawful conduct by an officer of the law.
So… what? It's not permanent.
She'll put her important things in their proper places, wipe the dust off, pick up the crap that's happily fallen on the floor, wash her face, brush her teeth… and put the lamp back on. That's it. No one will get hurt.
She hopes. Besides, it's the end of the alley, and it's her fault and her problem that she'll have a dark yard.
Determined, Ami got out and, drowning out the voice of conscience as best she could, went to the pole with the nearest lamps.
There were three of them hanging from the slingshot.
"Grab one, hide it under your clothes and leave before anyone sees you."
She looked closely at the transparent clay cups on the ropes. They shimmered, giving off a bluish, grass-coloured glow… What was in them? Plants. Wow. They were all… different! Inside one lamp was a group of glowing mushrooms with round caps. What a party people.
Ami grinned.
Wait a moment. Do these mushrooms feel good inside? How do they light up? Do they need an external light, do they shine by themselves?
"There is no time to investigate the nature of these mushrooms' luminescence, and only one way to find out."
But we can kill them!
"Take them if they don't feel well – we'll bring them back immediately."
She took a transparent clay jar and peered curiously into the other.
It was filled with glowing moss… Or something that looked like moss. With little pointy shimmering leaves and small flowers.
She wondered if these plants came from the local Forest or had been specially cultivated. Why do they live in clay circles when it would be more logical to make them reflective linings?
More questions… And no time to ponder.
Sorry, mushrooms. We'll bring you back soon anyway.
Ami herself hates being trapped indoors.
The forced criminal took the chosen orb of light from the branch of a slingshot, hid it under her clothes and went back to the kotti.
"That's better."
She hung the lamp on the first hook she could find on the wall.
"Now we can see… everything!"
More dust, aha… So. What's that strange sound of something hitting the floor? What's that now? Mother's cards… Damn you, things. Chill now.
Ami picked up the dirty pieces with an exhausted sigh.
They're crumpled… But they're not afraid any more. After what happened to them, there's nothing to be afraid of.
The tattered cards and the shattered Ami. Two unwanted creations of a mother…
…Why did you start if you're too weak to finish?!
Ami lowered herself onto the uncluttered half of the still unmade bed and placed the shards nearby, carefully spreading them out.
Unwanted memories of a past life. Such jagged edges and such small fragments… Could they be joined?
The light bulb was far away and everything was barely visible.
…like being in a dark barn, where she could only look and read with the door ajar or through a slit in the window… Otherwise her mother would notice…
The dictionaries were smaller and could be taken out under her clothes so that her mother would not see them if they never left Ami's room…
But it happened more often than Ami would have liked when unwanted people visited the room.
The punishment was insufficiently severe. But the map…
The Kantinian no longer remembers what her mother's map originally looked like. The ungrown one's eyes were wide and full of tears as she saw her mother angrily destroy such a beautiful thing…
…they were caught together in a barn.
Was it… necessary? Why does she hate them so much?
…What was she like before she settled in Kantine?
The sullen creature she knew was incapable of creating something like this. To even think of going anywhere to create something like that. She'd barely left the house, trembling at the slightest shadow, draft, noise… It was only by circumstantial evidence that one could conclude that the notes belonged to her or were of value to her. These outbursts of aggression could not lie.
…She did it.
For sure. She couldn't lie here, couldn't hide it.
There was a chance that Ami had jumped to conclusions based on the fact that the names of her mother and the vagrant cartographer matched. Maybe the impostor she knew had never been Yvette the Restless, but only pretended to be her…
Yes… that would explain a lot.
Ami picked out something familiar from the fragments and placed it on top of the others. It was a pity she hadn't explored the Mainland herself, to put it mildly. But at least she saw more than just Kantine's fields.
Here it was, by the way…
She placed it in the middle of the bed.
This side would be Prime. On the Prime Mountain.
Prime's beacon to guide travellers here. How pleasantly similarly drawn… So beautiful. That's why she wanted to see it with her own eyes.
Posh Prime was Ami's favourite spot on the map. It was probably her favourite real city as well.
The Royal Palace… torn in half. Not great, huh? Not great…
…That's a lot of power and anger to tear a strong fabric like that…
And this is… the VST Academy. There, behind it, a little further away, is a wonderful restaurant, the taste of its crowning spiced vegetable soup seemingly still in Ami's mouth…
If this were her map, she would definitely add that restaurant. And many others. In general, she would make a map with restaurants and all sorts of other interesting things. For curious eaters like herself. And she'd certainly add a huge volume of menu descriptions.
And that's where you could put Omill's parts. A little further away… A few more beautiful pieces. Now we can see everything for ourselves. Very nice.
There are also some very skilfully painted orienteering mushrooms, kotties, a Forest and a Sacred Hill with a pond on it.
This town was painted in great detail… Maybe it really was Ivette's home town. Maybe not, but she spent a lot of time here.
Good choice though. Why didn't you stay here, stupid?
And again the jagged edge… The City Chiefment is somewhere around here… Or is it here? No, it's probably not from here at all… But now it's easy to find out by wandering around.
…assuming she stays here long enough, of course.
"Do. Not. Even. Start. It. Again."
Alrighty… Somewhere out there are the Hollow Mountains. And the Zeth in them.
It's known for lots of holes and big mushrooms. Dwarves. Their runes deep inside the mountains. Jewels. Beautiful views from the top. And Selvas.
Looks like a great place to stay.
How far is it? What is on the way there? It could be our next town. If we find a job here… If.
And there's a city where, as far as we know these lights, there's never any work for service people. Lim.
Where to put it? Actually, Ami has no idea where Lim is.
Leave them… here…
Lovely signs on round mounds, looking a bit like kotties… and overgrown mounds. Other unknown things… Forest is near. Gardens. Lots of green there. That's all you can tell from the map.
Connecting pieces of the map is enough of a problem. Ami can't analyse parts of the city she's never seen. And almost no one has seen it.
It's a far outstanding old witch city. There's very little information about Lim on the mainland. For some reason. Perhaps it's as hospitable as Youlle.
The map shows that this settlement itself is much smaller. It's hard to even call it a city – it's a thin rim in a semicircle around a lake.
Here's another piece that looks like it might fit. Two, in fact.
It's torn in half and next to something… it's… the lake again?
Curious… How is it positioned? Like this? Or no, like this…
It's all torn and scarred too. Somewhere around here there's a rumour that there's an Ocean with mysterious Maras in it…
It is huuuuuge… Amelia saw it from Prime Mountain.
Impressive. Wish she could see it closer. And die of happiness. It must be a fantastic sight.
To see, smell and touch the Ocean. Will he ever be able to? Or will she die foolishly without ever meeting it?
She returned her wet eyes to the surviving fragments of Lim. Those signs on the houses were incredibly beautiful and so compelling to look at.
And… they wouldn't let go of her attention.
Ami admired them. A cold whisper ran down her neck.
She shook herself, averted her gaze and shifted it to the opposite side of the Mainland, beyond the Kantine.
Hills. Hills and lots of flowers.
Amelia had seen them during her time in the Kantine; she liked to walk to the edge of the cliff to look out over the Wastelands. It was said that Elves and Dwarves could be found in those places, but of course, Ami had never come across any of the marvellous people.
Beyond the Hills was an empty circle. A place of destiny. A mainlandwide mystery.
A mystery that had dragged the mother through Kantine and kept her there for some time. Long enough to capture her.
Her overconfidence and subsequent overly close relationship with the local culture and her host had been her fatal flaw. She didn't realise she was in way over her head.
Kantine was a part of Yvette's anthropological research in trying to find information about Youlle, which was notorious over the Mainland as a "people-eating city".
It's unclear whether the blank spots around her were the result of the mother's own vandalism of her kink. This part was quite shabby and suffered the most.
This was where Youlle was supposed to be. At least that was Ami's assumption.
A guess from someone who couldn't even put the pieces together in the right order. She didn't see this part of the Continent herself either. You should stop using this phrase, which you hear so many times a light. It carries too much sadness.
But… Yvette saw the city. And it was not much fun for her either.
Fascinated by the shining Youlle, she decided not to despair. She walked around it, hoping to find a secret passage or people who would share some insights with her, and then returned to Kantine, determined to gather information, to extract bits of truth from local legends and Archives, and thus learn more about the mysterious northern city.
Anyone who knows the Kantinians can understand how they helped Yvette in her quest. They shook their heads warningly and told the usual tale of "wicked witches" who had ruined so many lives that the planters had to find a new home.
They could be kind to non-witch Yvette, even if she was a foreigner. Their warnings didn't stop her.
No one knows what happened to her after that, but everyone knows she came back, silent and frightened. They told her! Being the object of their pity is the best way to fit into the community.
"This fool is more stupid than we are. It's safe to leave her here."
Flip it all. That's when it all started.
Ami sighed heavily and quickly gathered the fragments back into the bag.
Enough memories, it was time to settle down in a new place. A new life for half a cycle and new fruitless hopes.
Oh, my! Look at it!
It was invisible without the light, but it turned out that her old, shabby looking kotti was full of secrets too! There were fantastic paintings inside!
Niiiice. What a sudden pleasant little good-looking miracle.
Admiring it, she decided to draw a series of intricate elements from all the local murals. And to try as many local foods and drinks as possible.
"Think of this as the only reason you are here and the purpose of your life. Don't think about this job. This head is for eating and that's it."
The Kantinian pulled out a little bag containing her small supply of food. Both fresh and dried seeds and berries. It's not much, but it's enough for a few treats and a few household items. And that was a good start.
She looked away. Her eyes fell on a mountain of things and she picked up a puffy book. A Kantinian-Omillian dictionary with her mother's notes in the margins.
Ami set it down beside her. Now there's someone who would definitely be her constant companion during this time.
And there are other companies to thank and release.
After the blankets have been placed on the free half of the bed, the mushroom-lighters can be thanked for their help with the cleaning and carried back to their place.
There is absolutely no energy left to do anything else. No thoughts. No worries. Just sleep. Just sleep.