Chapter 3 | The Pandects | Lianne Arends I live in a small apartment in Uptown Minneapolis. The apartment is in a large townhouse that accommodates six medium-sized apartments for couples or singles. I live with my young dog Luna. I guess I consider myself a couple. Luna means moon in Spanish. But she is as far from being a moon as I am from being a queen from a far-away paradise. Luna is not white, serene, and dreamy. She’s hazelnut, wild, and very alive when she wants to be. She is a Goldendoodle, but she looks like the product of a romance between a teddy bear and a Muppet. M y name is Naran Stalwart. Naran is an unusual name, I know. It is not specific to any nationality or culture. My grandfather, morfar, which means grandfather in Swedish, invented it. He said it was a name out of the sky reminding him of a majestic queen from a far-away paradise. Chapter 2 Chapter 4 Chapter 3 Minneapolis, Minnesota October 26th 2014 Naran I get a lot of questions about my nationality. It could be the name Naran. Or maybe, my accent sparks curiosity in people. Personally, I don’t consider my accent to be very noticeable. When I was younger, I answered the questions about my whereabouts truthfully. “I was born in Sweden and moved to the USA when I was thirteen.” This answer became monotonous. Now, I mostly opt for an outlandish location such as Tuvalu, Kyrgyzstan, Djibouti or Liechtenstein. Most people react awkwardly when they get this unexpected answer, probably because they have no idea where any of these countries are. They nod and look down, which often means the end of their curiosity. But not yesterday. I told a smart looking man in a business suit I lived in Liechtenstein. He instantly started speaking German. It turned out he was actually from there and asked if I knew his family. What are the chances? So, I was the one to stare down and embarrassedly admitted that I had lied. The man was not offended. “You see,” he said, “in Liechtenstein there’s a fair chance people know each other. The country only has 36,000 inhabitants.” I said it was amazing that the world had so few Liechtensteinians. He said they were Liechtensteiners, not Liechtensteinians. I was relieved to learn that Liechtensteiners are nice people, and I decided not to use Liechtenstein again. Currently, I work in Minneapolis as a biochemist. My last project just ended, and I have three months before I start at Razk Pharmaceuticals. I planned to have some time for myself during these months, but the plans have changed. I broke the Didelian law, and the consequences are unexpected.

Chapter 6 | The Pandects | Lianne Arends One thing I notice is that all the corners in the house are rounded and because of the curves everywhere, it looks alive. In the left corner there’s a small kitchenette. The countertop is made of mother of pearl and it drops seamlessly into the shape of a sink; no metal is used for the basin and a tap is entirely absent. Instead, a small fountain lies in the middle of the sink. I walk toward it and instantly the fountain starts spewing, ready for me to drink. Strange… I didn’t turn it on. With my nails, I tap on the counter to test the hardness of the pearl since I know this to be a delicate material. The top feels as hard as granite but is less cold. Next to the sink stands a stove with three round indentations on the top. Above the stove, several round pots hang on the wall and I slide my fingers over each one. The indentations on the stove fit the sizes of the pots like a puzzle. Inside the stove, a small fire burns but I see neither logs nor a gas line. Above the sink hangs a little wheel filled with fresh herbs, and right below dangle two clay cups. The cabinets are made of a dark polished wood and are smoothly carved into crafty shapes. A charming wooden dinner table and two chairs complete the kitchen. The Didelian campgrounds look very different by daylight, and I hardly recognize the location. The Arena stands on the edge of a humongous field and borders the Flambeau Forest. The building is breathtakingly beautiful and now I can really see what material it is made of and what the dimensions are. The structure takes up the space of a large football stadium. On Unraveling Didelis I heard it accommodates around 50,000 visitors. Everybody I know watches the television program Unraveling Didelis on the Discovery Channel. During this program, various experts from a range of disciplines try to debunk the Didelian mysteries by using the knowledge of physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Illusionists help out with the tricks that remain unsolved by the team. No one can confirm the theories of Unraveling Didelis, but the experts sound pretty convinced themselves. This is the sixth year of the show and it is still the most popular TV program of the moment. Today, I will probably be able test some of the theories myself, which is a bizarre realization. The large stone building is an interesting combination of a Roman Arena and a Rococo Cathedral all the while maintaining a surprisingly modern, yet majestic, appearance. The dominantly used stone is light beige and looks smooth; it almost looks as if it shimmers in the sunlight. All parts of the Arena are individually decorated with special stone carvings, statues, and mosaics. Every ornament is uniquely designed, and everything together forms a uniform art piece. The window frames are made of colorful tiles combined with translucent gems. From the top ridge of the Arena, large creatures that vaguely resemble the gargoyles of the Notre Dame, look down on us. Their large examining eyes, long sharp ears and chaotic wild manes that wrap as flames around their heads, give them a playful, demonic look. Different colors of light shine from the large lancet arches that go around the Arena. Three small towers in different heights give the building a dazzling medieval touch. The towers are heavily decorated with colorful rocks and all have a polished roof made of pearl-like material. Unraveling Didelis states the towers are used by the important Didelians who watch their own spectacles from up there. “Do the Didelians watch the show from those towers?” It is my first question and I surprise myself by it. Swaying Swenron looks up. “Ah no, those towers have ceremonial purposes.” “Oh.” He’s being completely honest. I never expected the Didelians to give away information so easily. Ceremonial purposes… I discovered Unraveling Didelis’ first error. The sky behind the Arena has a dark grey shade and with the low temperatures this week I think we can expect snow, though it’s early for this time of year. Birds circle over the Arena as if to check whether there will be a hiding place for them to avoid the snow. Chapter 5 Chapter 7 Chapter 6 Flambeau River State Forest, Wisconsin October 27th 2014 Mine In the back of the cabin, a large oval bed is half hidden between two bulky green trees that grow opposite each other. These humongous living tree-trunks make an unexpected bed frame. From the closest branches a white silk curtain with bright golden stars drapes down and separates the bed area from the rest of the house. I walk toward the bed and move the curtain. The sheets have the same pearl color as the countertop and shimmer brightly. On top lies a spread of white furry animal skin. The mattress fits perfectly between the two tree trunks. It looks as if they grew around it, and perhaps they did… It’s the most remarkable thing, that being inside doesn’t seem to harm the growth of these trees in the slightest; they are blossoming and there are no dead leaves visible on the bed. It’s all magical. Looking to the left I inspect the cabins, which seem larger than I remember. They’re built with dark wood and have small windows all around. The entrances are adorned with a beautiful overhang adorned with magical wooden carvings from which the lanterns are suspended. These lanterns, all in different colors, sway back and forth in the wind of this wintery autumn day. From every lodge, a small trail of smoke escapes through a little chimney. The bungalows have wheels and drive from location to location. They are known to navigate flawlessly and yet, no drivers have been spotted, which has caused a lot of speculation in our world. They drive at about 25 miles an hour and are estimated to carry up to 60,000 pounds. The cabin-vehicles can’t possibly carry the entire weight of the stone Arena; therefore, no one knows how they move it between locations. This is just one of the unresolved Didelian enigmas for which even the Discovery Channel doesn’t have an answer. It’s strange to know all these meticulous facts about the Didelians just by watching a TV show. I hope to learn more about the Didelian mysteries that have kept the viewers speculating for decades. Perhaps I will discover what gives the Didelians their powers… A small tingle of pride runs through my spine. Here I am, the first westerner ever to be included in this group of extraordinary beings… A dresser with a large mirror braided between branches stands next to the bed. Instead of seeing myself in the mirror, it reflects the forest outside. It’s the only space for clothes in the house. I look from my bags to the dresser, back to the bags. I guess the Didelians do not have many belongings. Luckily, the books I brought will have a designated location. At the end of the bed, a few branches of the tree have grown into a perfect shelf. Finding a location for my favorite silk scarf my mother gifted me on my 18th birthday, has priority over everything. I take it with me everywhere I go. I now carefully hang it on the branches, so it forms a little curtain behind the pillows. It matches perfectly. The cabin makes me laugh. It’s almost modern looking but with a dominant touch of Didelian. I look in Swenron’s direction. If it is true Didelians that can read minds, I have to be careful. My thoughts might sound like those of an overwhelmed groupie. Swaying Swenron is now walking with my luggage and doesn’t seem to notice my loud mental adoration of the camp. He walks past me, winks, and carries my bags toward the bungalows with visible ease. I stop my thoughts. The truth is, I don’t know why I am here and what the intentions of the Didelians are. Luckily, Swaying Swenron has been very friendly. Will it stay this way? I have three months to find out, and three months is a long time. From behind the cottages, grey smoke rises and the entire camp smells of burning wood. Combined with the freezing air, the thick bulky clothes I wear, and the sight of wooden lodges, my winter-feel is complete. I look at Swaying Swenron and wait for instructions. He smiles and points toward a cabin on my right. “Yours,” he says. Mine? It is hard to imagine having my own cabin. Yet, there it is, in the outer ring of houses. The door stands wide open and Swenron disappears inside. He reappears without my bags. It’s definitely mine. “Rest a bit, Naran. This afternoon someone will come for you.” After delivering this message, Swenron pats me lightly on my shoulder and walks off. “Thanks,” I say softly. I wish I could act with more enthusiasm but I’m still processing the entire situation. Stupefied, I stare at the bungalow with my belongings inside. It’s so beautiful, so… Didelian. I’ve heard, read and seen so much about these homes. No non-Didelian has ever been inside. Now I have my own! I give a little jump of excitement and then guide Luna into the Didelian house that has been prepared for us. If the Didelians are trying to punish me for trespassing, they have an interesting way of doing so. Inside, the cabin is minimally furnished. I take my jacket off while Luna does a thorough study of her new home. She sniffs every corner, licks the floor here and there, bites some fabrics and makes sure she doesn’t leave a single crevasse unheeded. Traveling isn’t new to me. In the past I moved to several different locations for projects. I graduated with honors from The Biochemistry Program at the University of Minnesota and ever since, my career has taken off. I’m good with math and formulas and graduated young with exceptional grades. Since then, I have participated in several high-profile projects for large pharmaceutical companies. My references state I’m ‘inventive and have a refreshing way of reasoning’. Even though I’m not sure I deserve this, I have become a desired lab employee. After having worked on projects in big cities in Europe, Asia and throughout the USA, I decided to settle down with Luna in Minneapolis, close to my parents. Ever since, I have been doing what I like the most: being a couch potato, reading books after work and staying at home with the dog. While I unpack my bags, I become slightly nostalgic. I realize I’ve missed moving around. But today I am more nervous than I have ever been. I’m about to immerse in a completely new culture. I guess I have no clue what to do to ‘blend in’. At least when traveling for work, I was able to do research on the various cultures I moved into. Here it’s slightly different. I’ve gotten all my knowledge from magazines and television. In fact, I know very little about the people I’m going to meet. Luna seems to have no trouble accepting her new home; she is rolling on the soft pelt in front of the fireplace and rubs her belly into the fuzz. I decide to follow her example and to take Swaying Swenron’s advice to take a nap. Going to new locations with new people demands energy; I’d better have some. While sinking into my soft pearl sheets, I once more realize how blessed I am. This time I can’t thank my degree in school nor my work experience for the opportunity. Drowsy, I think about how Psyrah got our tickets.

Chapter 5 | The Pandects | Lianne Arends Five to six. Instead of standing patiently in front of my building waiting for my ride, I am kneeling next to a bag that doesn’t want to close because its content is three times the size it should be. Yesterday, I had scrupulously gone through my wardrobe and chosen appropriate clothes and shoes for all possible weather. My idea of traveling light and fashionably had turned into me dragging three non-matching bags and a dog bed from my apartment building. Traveling somehow never comes easy to me. I t is hard for me to fall asleep. I find myself twisting and turning until I slowly drift off into a light slumber. My thoughts weave through dream-like visions and when I wake up, I feel exhausted. Frustration rages through my veins. Why can’t I control my nerves any better? I feel like a child the night before a birthday! When I look out the window it’s still dark. I turn around and see the digital numbers on my alarm. Four o’clock. I will be picked up at 6. One more hour of sleep, at least. I turn again and make a vain attempt to doze off, but I know it’s pointless. My brain is awake, my body is restless and it’s better to get up and eat an early breakfast. Chapter 4 Chapter 6 Chapter 5 Minneapolis, Minnesota October 27th 2014 The Ride “So… this is Naran,” he says with an amused tone in his voice. The Didelians know my name. And my address. But how? I’m too shy to ask. “We are very happy to have you with us, Naran. Please take a seat in the car and let me take care of your luggage.” “Oh… thank you,” I answer and push the last things into my bulging bag. I hide my blushing cheeks by staring toward the ground. The Didelian man picks up the dog bed and three bags at once and lifts them into the large white jeep. Once we’re on our way, the man introduces himself as Swenron. I only nod. I don’t know what to say, nor do I ask him anything. Now that sadness and timidness are distinguished, Swenron seems to understand that I need some time to warm up. In silence, I stare out of the window into the streets of Minneapolis while my mind is revolving in nervous circles. We turn on to I-35W North. The Didelian performance Arena is set up in the Flambeau River State Forest in Wisconsin, which is a 3.5-hour drive. The man turns on the radio. Nobody knows where the Didelians are originally from. They have traveled the world with their spectacle for decades. It started in Florida in 1970, when a gigantic stone Arena appeared out of nowhere in a grass field during a full moon night. Curious passers-by were invited to see a spectacle so magical, that stories about it instantly spread all over the world. Ever since, the Arena and the camp stay for three successive full moon nights in the same location, after which the Didelians travel on, in a long caravan of rolling wooden houses, to a new destination. Nobody understands how the Arena can vanish so quickly and appear again the following show night. It is a mystery how the gigantic stone Arena is set up and taken down. It comes and goes, just as the Didelians. Upon leaving, Luna almost pulls me face down the concrete stairs of the apartment building and I quickly grab the banister. In the process, I let go of two bags that roll down over a highly surprised dog that now hurries down even faster. One bag opens in the staircase. Underwear and socks fly in all directions. Horrified, I look down. While I’m kneeling at the bottom of the stairs to retrieve my items, I hear a car approaching in the distance. I glare at Luna whom I hold responsible for this mess. When the car arrives at my house, it pulls over and a man steps out. “Hi,” a happy and warm voice greets me while I am still immersed in my messy exodus. “Hi…” I look up and try to smile politely. Apologetically, I glance at my clothes that are spread all over the pavement. To make things worse, Luna is running around with a bra and jumps happily up to the stranger. He has long, braided, red hair, which falls all the way to his waist. His skin is pale, and he is covered with freckles. With these features I expect him to have light blue eyes but when I look more closely, they are dark brown. His clothing is unmistakably Didelian; it is colorful, decorated with beads and made of rough leather, suede, and wool. It doesn’t look anything like the clothes I’m used to. The soft shoes he wears have fur linings. His winter jacket has a large hood with bright yellow colors that give this man a joyful and lively glow in the early morning. The man smiles broadly, pets Luna and crouches down to give me a hug. “Borrowed,” he says while looking at the car. “Nice,” I say timidly. I take Luna and push her impatiently into the backseat while I jump in the front. The man’s movements are smooth and elegant. When he sits down in the driver seat, he looks at me and I stare at my hands. His disarming smile and friendly eyes make me feel less nervous but still I can’t believe what’s happening. I get to spend three months with the most mysterious and desired group of people on this earth… Part of me questions whether I am a victim of a well-organized prank, or if they are going to lock me up for trespassing. When the man scrutinizes my face, his expression suddenly changes. “You’re disappointed,” he says with a voice that shifts into a sad minor chord. “You expected something fancy, something typically Didelian. A flying car of some sort perhaps.” I look at the man, puzzled. “You’re sad,” he adds. “Oh, no. I’m not sad, or disappointed. This is my shy face.” “Ah!” he sounds relieved. “You’re shy, not sad. Good.” I laugh. “Didelians are not often shy,” he explains. “Sad, yes.” “I see,” I nod while he starts the car. This is going to be an interesting ride. Swenron drives fast; we pass endless green meadows, lengthy forests, and numerous lakes to which Minnesota owes its name ‘Land of Ten Thousand Lakes’. I’m quite happy to leave the city behind. Even though there are beautiful parks and beaches in Minneapolis, the state capital, its downtown is always flooded with traffic, honking horns, and fumes. I look at Swenron from the corner of my eye. The Didelians are generally taller than the average person, have thicker hair and fair skin of which is said resembles silk. When paying attention to their looks, they could easily be mistaken for Nordics. Their behavior is as mystical as their looks. Didelians are thought to have ‘supernatural’ qualities. They are known to defy gravity and have even been seen flying. They also communicate differently than we do. Rumors say Didelians talk directly through the mind instead of using spoken words. It is said that they can go for days without using their voice. But their shows are what distinguishes them the most. Their shows are outright mesmerizing. Many claim their shows are an optical illusion, while others say they are magicians with special powers. Didelians never speak about their origin, nor have they ever answered any questions. Scientists haven’t been able to do DNA research to find their genetic roots. What we do know, is based upon our own assumptions. Almost two months ago, on the 10th of August, the Didelians arrived at the Flambeau River State Forest in Wisconsin, right on the state border of Minnesota, where they will stay at least until the full moon of November the 10th. The Didelians are extremely private. From the moment it is set up in a new location, the camp is closed off from visitors. But today I am joining them, and I will stay with them when they depart to their next location. I do not know where we will go. Nobody does. Never before in history have the Didelians invited someone to travel with them. It’s an unusual punishment for my trespassing. Maybe they’ll have me clean stables and carriages without any breaks. But it is better than jail, I suppose. Swenron breaks the silence when he decides to share a personal story. I’m guessing it’s an attempt to ease into conversation. “Once,” he says, “I had the hiccups for a year.” He smiles and scrutinizes my face to see how I respond. I hesitantly smile back. “I couldn’t stop, no matter how hard I tried,” he continues. “Not even Gaoul tea helped. You don’t know what Gaoul tea is, of course, but you’ll find out soon. It’s delicious. My hiccups were so bad that I couldn’t even hold my cup straight. I went to everyone I could find for advice, including Deeri, whom you’ll meet. She said it was a test; I had to learn to live with imbalance in my life. Well… it wasn’t a figure of speech. I was as imbalanced as I could be.” The strange story makes me giggle and Swenron continues. “You see, Naran, dear old Deeri finds purpose in everything.” “It must have been difficult for you,” I say softly. “It was hardest on my wife. The hiccups continued at night too. After a few months, I discovered a pattern. The time between hiccups was as following: short, short, long, very long, short, long. Once I cracked the code, I learned how to move with the hiccups so that my liquids wouldn’t spill anymore.” Swenron laughs. “I started swaying with my hiccups. People thought I was dancing. They started to call me ‘Swaying Swenron’. The hiccups passed years ago but they still call me by that name. And so can you.” I laugh. This man is quite strange. While Swaying Swenron concludes his story we take a right turn onto a dirt road and I recognize the location. In the distance I see a dark forest and behind it, a large building towers into the sky. I get goose bumps looking at it. It is the Arena.

Chapter 4 | The Pandects | Lianne Arends He inspects me from top to bottom. “Be ready on Monday,” he says. “You will pack a bag. Bring enough clothes for three months. We will pick you up at your house. Prepare for extreme cold but also for milder weather. Do not speak with a single soul about this or the consequences will be severe. And I mean nobody, not even family or best friends. Use this as an excuse: You booked a trip. You are going to a retreat center in Hawaii for three months and phones are not allowed. Practice the story; it has to sound credible." I don’t fully understand what is going on. “You… are picking me up? Why? As a punishment?” I’m very confused. “We are inviting you. You will stay with us for three months.” I fall silent. I am invited? To stay with the Didelians? Three months?“ Any questions?” He asks while he squints his eyes. “Eh… I have a job. It starts in February.” “We will make sure you get back in time.” “And my dog?” “Bring her. I’m sure your dog and my Monstry will get along fine.” T he white cat meows while it stares at me. We are all standing completely still. A few newspaper headlines flash through my head: Chapter 3 Chapter 5 Chapter 4 Flambeau River State Forest, Wisconsin October 24th 2014 An Unexpected Conversation Reports like this are common. Governments worldwide are helping the Didelians to protect their privacy, and jail sentences are therefore not unusual. The Didelian mystery will not be unraveled, ever, but people keep trying. The severity of my situation slowly dawns on me and dark pessimism holds me in its grasp. My fear increases every second. I did something very irrational and very dangerous. Perhaps the next newspaper headline will be about me… The eyes of the main performer of the show are on me and he doesn’t blink. It feels as if he’s gazing straight through me. I get the feeling that he knows my fears and insecurities, and this makes me feel naked and uncomfortable. The white cat drapes itself around the man’s feet and he picks it up. Neither of them lets go of my eyes for even a second. He massages the cat and the animal purrs softly with satisfaction. I give the cat a dirty glare as if to say: Traitor! You lured me into this! In response, the animal hisses. Other than this staring contest, nothing happens. Hesitantly I look at the man. He shows no sign of interaction. There are no smiles, no frowns, no words and not even hand gestures. What is going on? We silently face each other for what feels like forever. I turn from an awkward smile to an insecure grin and end with a question mark. My mind is overshadowed with continuous internal turmoil. Perhaps I should run, I might be able to still get away with this… Slowly, I turn, but before I can move away, the man speaks again. “You shouldn’t be here,” he says. His voice is deep and his tone is neither inviting nor hostile. “I know…” I say timidly. “I have no idea why I followed your cat.” Reporter for ‘Times Magazine’ fired after approaching Didelian Texas citizen 3 months jail for walking into Didelian camp Emigrant deported from the USA after trespassing Didelian premises The man now sounds mildly entertained and I imagine seeing a faint hint of amusement in his cat’s eyes. Are they playing a game with me? “Monday morning, at six o’clock, stand in front of your house. Be ready, Didelians don’t wait.” With these words the main performer turns around and disappears between the shadows of the cabins. For a moment I stand in utter confusion. Is this really happening? Am I intoxicated? Brainwashed? Hallucinating? Then I realize I’m standing in the Didelian camp, a place where I do not want to be seen by anyone else. Quickly I turn around and sprint as fast as I can toward the line of people. When I arrive, I jump right in the middle and pretend nothing has happened. I see a few intrigued faces around me. I never stepped out of this line. I did not speak to the leading performer of the show. He definitely did not invite me. While repeating this mantra in my head, I make my way toward the car.

“Naran has arrived. I feel her company. I feel her bewilderment, her introversion, and her fear. She does not comprehend why she has landed in the land of the Didelians. She is afraid to ask.” “I feel how she partially still has the spirit of a child. I feel her infinite inquisitiveness, her restlessness, her impatience, and most of all… I feel her self-doubt. I can picture the manner in which she carries herself. She hunches her shoulders and in public places she bends her head down to deflect attention. She moves in a restless manner, as if anything and anyone can attack her at any time. She is like a scared animal. She is so similar to the rest… some hide it better than others, but they are all afraid.” “To Naran, all her surroundings are a potential threat and judgment of her being. Her world exists in the form of competition and repercussion. Because of her anxiety she doesn’t see the hands reaching out to her, she doesn’t see the others like her, wanting to connect, letting her know they are feeling equally alone. I feel how she hurts. She feels separated from everything and everybody around her. She feels powerless. I can feel her fear, insecurity and disbelief, it is like a whirlwind; I can sense her all the way on the other end of the meadow.” “It’s not Naran’s fault. She took the likeness of the world she dwells in. It’s all she knows. I had hoped her genes would have made her more resistant, like Idum. But I underestimated the influence of her culture. We will have to guide her; she has little time. I am curious how she will develop.” “Kai, my beautiful warrior of the heart, child of Sinah and Drahu, who I loved greatly. It was you who discovered Naran. This means you are the chosen Kataa, the chosen teacher. I doubted it before, but the elders have been right again. Kai is the only one who can initiate the woman in her. He will provide the space and security in which she can start to understand herself. Kai has the magic of a white wizard, the wisdom of an elder, the sight of an augur, and the strength of a lion, but he’s also hardened. While his courage runs deep, Kai’s weakness is his wounded heart. Through vulnerability, he can transform this into strength. May his journey with Naran break the walls around both their hearts.” “It will be hard for Idum. Idum, hear my voice, my dear child and beautiful woman. Idum the brave. I am proud of who you are, and so are your grandmother and mother, with whom I speak often. Your dear mother never ceases to send her support, but I’m not sure you can feel her. You doubt yourself, you feel abandoned. More strength will be required, my brave sister. Let your intuition guide you, and never doubt who you are, even while the entire world does. The human blood running through your veins hasn’t clouded you. It has, however, made you capricious. Now that Kai’s fate has been set, it means sorrow for you. Remember the classes, remember the razor’s edge and the gambles we all have to take. Losing balance can happen with the nimblest puff when the mind is distracted by pain. I can’t protect you, it’s beyond me now. I’ve supported you where I felt capable. I hope you will stay strong and reasonable, the way we know you. Your fate is tied to Naran’s evolvement and hers is tied to Kai’s guidance. You are all equally important.” “I sense Naran’s feelings for Kai. It is still superficial, but the fire has ignited. The process has started, the Pulse is beating stronger than ever before. I feel the wisdom Naran carries inside. Her womanhood is waiting to be discovered and honored. I can see the growth she will go through. It will happen faster than she is ready for, it will happen faster than is good for her. But we have no other choice. We only have a few months, it is difficult, but it can be done.” “The future will reveal if my years of preparation have been enough. May all our strength surface in this time and may all the souls surrounding us, visible and non-visible, step up and safeguard our path. The cards have been laid; it is time. The initiation of the Pandects has started.” Chapter 7 Chapter 9 Chapter 8 Flambeau River State Forest, Wisconsin October 27th 2014 Deeri Speaks

"Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?"Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?"Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum Chapter X Chapter X Chapter X Place, Place Month xth year Title "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?"Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?"Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?"Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum

Chapter 1 The Pandects Rakkisa’s lips curl into a fragile smile and she nods with the lightest movement. Her glare turns into a serene look and she relaxes all her muscles. “I love you,” she whispers and then sighs deeply. After her last breath leaves her lungs and passes her lips, Rakkisa’s entire body remains still. “No… no, no, NOO!!! A crying Matthias covers Rakkisa’s face with kisses and he rests his nose on the dead woman’s forehead. “Don’t leave us, Rakkisa… We can’t be without you. We love you so much. We need you!!” The woman’s eyes are open, but they no longer register any signals of this world. She has passed. Matthias cries uncontrollably and he lifts Rakkisa into a sitting position. He cradles her body, caresses her hair, kisses her face, and murmurs her name incessantly. Her body is heavy and her arms, the very same arms that used to embrace him, now dangle lifelessly next to her body. While holding Rakkisa, Matthias has no perception of time. Seconds, minutes, or hours pass. He’s numb and everything around him is a colorless blur. It feels like someone pulled his heart out of his chest. A gaping hole that will never be able to be filled, remains. All night long, Rakkisa has been vomiting blood and it’s a wonder she’s made it until the morning. Once the Red-Cough, as they started to call it, is caught, one dies within five to six hours. Yesterday at sundown, Rakkisa started coughing, and now, nine hours later, she’s still holding on to the thin lines of her life. Her love for Gailin keeps her fighting. Amongst the sadness and confusion, Matthias feels fury. He curses this horrible disease that has already killed millions of Didelians in only a matter of weeks. Matthias suspects it was created in a European or American laboratory. He deeply despises every Westerner he knows, including himself. The reality feels horribly unfair to Matthias since there’s absolutely nothing he can do. He wants to go with her. He wants to die today and enter the afterlife together. Whatever it will look like, it will be better than the hell he’s going through now. But Matthias knows that even if he wanted to die from the Red Cough, he probably can’t. Only the Didelians die. He was injected with the vaccine for tuberculosis, and he suspects that this makes him immune to the disease. Deep inside, Matthias knows his death wish is selfish. He is Gailin’s only hope. She is still in good health, and he has to get her out of the camp as fast as he can. Little Gailin… so helpless, so precious. He can’t give up, for her sake. Never did Matthias think he could love as intensely as he learned to over the past three years. Rakkisa. Their child Gailin. He would do anything for them. Now Rakkisa is being taken away. And why? Because of the selfishness and ignorance of his people! Matthias lifts his head and screams in helpless agony.
“Aaahhh!!!”
Through his tears, he sees how Rakkisa turns her head and looks at him. Her bloodshot eyes are surprisingly clear, calm, and loving. He knows she doesn’t fear death. None of the Didelians do. Matthias does. And most of all… he fears life without Rakkisa.
Rakkisa struggles to keep her breath going. It is heartbreaking to witness. She postpones the moment of death while knowing the end is inevitable. She fights with time over love. And now the frequency of Rakkisa’s respiration noticeably decreases. Instantly, the agony Matthias has felt transforms into panic.
“Don’t leave me, my dearest!!” But Rakkisa’s breath slows down even more. She opens her mouth and tries to speak but her words are nothing more than a whisper. Matthias lowers his head toward her face and his tears mingle with the perspiration on her forehead.“Please Matthias… protect Gailin,” Rakkisa whispers. Her voice is so thin that it might be easily mistaken for the rustling of the wind through the trees. “Make sure… Ugh… nothing happens to her or you… Ugh…” The coughing makes Rakkisa pause, and she presses a tissue, stained with blood, against her lips.“You… can ensure Gailin a good life. Take her with you to your land. Do not show her to… anybody while you travel. Please Matthias, protect her…” A tear rolls from the corner of Rakkisa’s eye.Matthias nods, though he’s not sure how he will fulfill this promise. But he doesn’t show his hesitation to the dying mother. He will find a way.“I promise...” he whispers. Trailer Chapter 2 Chapter 1 Didelis December 4th 1948 Matthias Brolin Outside, he strips off his clothes and takes a cold shower next to the house. With a big stiff bristle brush and disinfecting plant oil, he scrubs his skin, from head to toes, until it almost bleeds. The pain from the scrubbing distracts him from feeling his heart. Then he drips a few drops of the oil under his tongue. His army uniform lies folded next to the shower. He hasn’t worn it since the day he met Rakkisa. Putting on this uniform makes him feel nauseous. The uniform means bloodshed and pain. Thanks to the military he has lost Rakkisa and all the others. But he has no choice now. He needs to return to where he came from. There is no future on the island anymore. They made sure of it. They won. Matthias would rather go north with Deeri and the others, but Deeri has denied him his desire to leave with them. Matthias doesn’t stand a chance in the North Pole. They will not warm the air in the Didelian boats out of fear of thermal detectors. He doesn’t have the gifts of the Didelians. And Gailin is still much too young to tap into her gift of regulating her body temperature. Thus, Deeri gave him different instructions: “Move Gailin as far away from here as you can. Get her on a military boat. Go home, and never speak of her real heritage.” M atthias looks at Rakkisa and hardly recognizes her. Her only recently curly and shiny red hair now hangs in lifeless strings around her ashen face. Her half-closed eyes are surrounded by dark circles and the blue of her irises has transformed into a flat grey. The vibrant woman he knows as Rakkisa has disappeared entirely, and Matthias knows it won’t be much longer before her chest stops moving. While he holds her hands, he lowers his face toward her body. Warm tears roll down his cheeks and land on Rakkisa’s silk dress. He squeezes her hands and begs her to stay. He can’t imagine their young baby Gailin without her mother. Gailin hasn’t even had the chance to see how incredible her mother is. The three years Rakkisa and Matthias spent together are so minute compared to the lifetime he will have to live without his divine love. The sound of a gong ringing in the distance releases Matthias from his trance of sorrow. When he returns to his senses, he feels dried tears on his face that pull on the skin. The lack of light through the windows tells him it’s late in the evening. Outside he hears movement and realizes he needs to get Gailin immediately. She is with the uninfected on the other side of the village. The people who remain healthy will depart soon. With his body and soul in pain, Matthias closes Rakkisa’s eyes. His suffering intensifies when he realizes that the house they inhabited for the last six months, will be her eternal tomb. When Matthias arrives at the dwellings where the healthy people hide, he enters a small living structure. A few women are preparing the departure and he sees Gailin sleeping in the arms of Rakkisa’s sister. When she notices him coming, she passes his daughter into his arms. While he takes his little girl, he nods to her in silence, and the woman’s eyes fill with tears. Her sister has passed. The baby awakens and whimpers. She feels she has just lost her mother. Rakkisa’s sister wraps a clean silk shawl around Matthias and tightens the baby to his chest. Then she folds herself around the father and child and they sway back and forth until they are ready to let go. The teared-up woman packs a few nut milk bottles in a backpack and adds some valuable stones that will help Matthias buy his way back. She hands the bag over and they say goodbye without words. With a stabbing pain in his heart, Matthias walks out of the house and into the forest. He does not look back.

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