Chương 67: Book 2; Chapter 66; Alone again

They had finally left that settlement, and people were left behind for the time being.

"So it is your special ability?" – Anniet asked again, thinking about Blake's mind reading skill.

"No, everyone can learn it, but very few have done it, as they simply don't want to."

"Why is that?"

"Because it is not some magical skill that you learn to read others," - Blake explained, - "it comes naturally when you yourself become open to others. As it works both ways, to be able to feel others, you have to be open for others to feel you. Most people cannot bear it; they would love to know what others are thinking, but would rather die than open their own thoughts for others to read.

Little do they understand that it makes no difference – you cannot hide what you feel and think from others, you can only pretend to yourself that no one can see you through and live in that fantasy world. That is precisely how most people live. Under fake pretences." Blake didn't say anything more, but from this short outburst, Anniet started to realise how difficult it must have been for him to live like that, and that's why he was keeping everyone at bay.

"Don't let him discourage you," - Rainee said, - "people are not like that at all. They simply want to be better than they are, but don't know how to do it or don't have enough courage, so they try at least to present themselves in a better manner than they truly are."

"Such a different opinion about the same thing," Anniet thought to herself. But she didn't go into details about who is right and who is not. She just felt a little bit sad for Blake, who, after being schooled a second time, didn't say anything and was looking at the road with a calm expression.

"Didn't you say that you try to put on a presentable appearance? Isn't that also a bit of pretence?" – Anniet asked"No, I am just showing them what they want and expect to see." – Blake replied.

"But you know, people do love you," - Anniet tried again.

"They don't know me, so they can neither love nor like me. They love their own story they created and their own labels they labelled me with. I don't mind or care about it and show what they have fallen in love with – the legend that they created themselves." His face didn't show much emotion, but Anniet somehow knew that he didn't like this place. If you don't like where you are, then why not leave? But she didn't say it aloud. He must have some reasons, and if he wants to share it one day, he will share.

But honestly, she didn't like this grim and sad atmosphere that he was submerged in now. Anniet stretched her hand out to the side to feel the cold raindrops falling into her open palm. On an impulse, she smiled and sprinkled Blake's face with it. He didn't flinch but looked down at her, and she could see that his eyes were laughing again, even if the face didn't change that much.

He looked at her for a few seconds, and then she felt rain falling on her – first on her face and head, then on her shoulders, then all over her body. Anniet flinched first, but then laughed out loud. She looked at Blake, who was also covered in rain and smiling at her. A strange thing was that despite being drenched by water, his appearance didn't change – his hair didn't soak, his clothes were not affected by moisture. She looked at herself and realised that she was the same wet and dry at the same time.

She could feel every drop of rain, the water would run down her face, her cheeks, her hair, but would not leave any other trace, just that feeling.

"It is truly amazing," - She was very impressed and amused by it, - "how do you do it?"

"He never says how he does it", - unhappy voice belonged to Ruffus, - "I asked him many times to teach me, but he never does." Then the rain stopped again, but this time it stopped falling from the sky.

"Sorry," - Blake said, - "I am not that good at magic, for me it is easier to cancel rain altogether than to stay dry in the water."

"It is because you do it the hard way," - Rainee said, - "you try to do all by yourself when you could simply ask…" - But she couldn't finish as the other two interrupted her in unison:"… ask for help from The One!!" Stolen novel; please report. Rainee looked a bit bewildered by this.

"But guys, if you know and remember this, why on earth do you never ask for his help but try to solve things by your own strength? Even this so-called strength of your own is given to you by him. So even when you use just that, it is still with his help…"

"You know Ren because he doesn't speak with everyone the same way he speaks to you."

"That is so not true. He speaks, but you don't listen. And it is not like you need to listen much when asking. The One is not deaf like you lot, she hears very well when you ask. So ask and…" - but she was again interrupted in the same manner by her two companions, repeating to her in unison:"… ask and you will receive!"

"Yes, exactly - ask to receive. So why on earth do you never ask?" The other two didn't say anything but laughed. Mood was lifted, atmosphere brightened. The city was close now.

"Let's have some fun?" – Rainee asked. Blake looked at her and smiled.

"Why not." – Blake replied, - "Truth to tell, I am not in the mood for all these funeral processions. Look how many of them have gathered there – it would take ages for us to pass by." For the moment, Anniet thought he was going to fly away like yesterday to avoid that crowd of people that could be seen by now in front of them.

Instead, he just tightened his embrace, pressing her firmly to his chest, and all three horses sped up to a mad gallop, not the one like before, but at full speed, or truth to be told, much faster than horses should ever be going. Anniet couldn't watch any more as there were people in front who were approaching awfully fast, and she thought they were going to be trampled by these three dashing horses.

By then, a silver bird flew down from the sky in front of them, spreading its wings wider and wider, slowly assuming the appearance of a dragon rather than a bird. A massive black hound caught up with it, running somehow seemingly at ease but being able to keep up with this mad speed. A black dog with red glowing eyes and a dragon-like silver bird just above it, and riders dashing at the enormous speed towards the people…

That must be a really terrifying sight to see if you were standing on the front lines of the crowd. And the crowd started to scream. But it wasn't screams of horror, but rather of high excitement and anticipation. The moment the dog and the bird reached the crowd, they didn't run into it, but somehow, space was bent, creating an extra room where there was no room. Like a magical interdimensional bubble travelling through the crowd, created by bird's and dog's combined powers and disappearing after riders passed by.

The sight that people haven't seen for years. It was definitely true! Their beloved Rainbow and Dark generals, who they have been grieving for months, have really come back. Safe and sound, they were back at the Capital city in their full former glory. After dashing at this speed, the Royal Palace was reached in no time.

All four were smiling with all faces – Anniet at feeling this for the first time and the other three for remembering carefree times when they would like to pull up shows and pranks like this way more often than recently.

Full of high spirits and laughter, they entered the Royal quarters where squads of recruits and officers were waiting for them and saluted at their arrival. Before getting to the meeting office, Rainee saw the person she was looking for and was hoping to meet before reporting to King, and she made her way right to him with others following behind.

"Master, I am so glad to see you here today." She addressed him, jumping off the horse in front of the old man. It was Old John. Last she saw him at School, but was hoping that he might follow them here, and her hopes were granted – here he was.

"I am so happy that you have come. I don't know what the orders are going to be, and I didn't want to leave my friend on her own or with someone she is not familiar with."

"I am glad to be at your service as always." - Old John smiled back at her. Blake also approached them, slightly inclining his head in meeting John, but didn't show any signs of the affection that Rainee had for this old man.

"That's where we part for now," - he said. It was addressed to Anniet, and she understood that the friend Rainee was talking about must be her. She felt a bit of pain when Blake lifted her with one arm and put her on the ground. This pain wasn't from him lifting or from riding for a long time. More like a pain to be taken away from home against your own will… She tried to hide it away as she didn't want to be ungrateful, and she definitely didn't want others to think her being clingy.

Meanwhile, Rainee kept talking to the old John.

"She knows you well, and you know this place well, so you would be the best guide to show her around. Please look after her, introduce her to the customs of the Capital and the palace, and don't allow this place to swallow and digest her before she at least understands what is what. I was hoping to do it myself, but I have a feeling that I might not have time for it now, and she is too dear for us to be left careless without some sort of protection."

Then she turned to Anniet and put her hands on Anniet's shoulders while looking in her eyes.

"Thank you for coming into my life to be my friend, and for following me to this part of my life, too. Only The One can truly understand how happy it makes me to meet a friend like you. I am not saying goodbye, but here my life first belongs to the King and the kingdom, and only then to myself. I cannot promise to be at your side every time I would like to. But I am leaving you in the best company one can find in this world. Ask him whatever you want to know.

All that is related to my life, I leave for you as an open book to read, and as John has been in a living library with me, he knows every aspect of my life as if he had lived it." Anniet couldn't hold any more and embraced Rainee in a firm embrace. They stood like this for a short while. Then Rainee pulled herself away, gently brushing the tear rolling down Anniet's face, and effortlessly jumped back on her horse.

Before riding off, she addressed John again:"Teach everything she wants to learn and tell her everything she wants to know. The more she asks, the better."

"Very well," - old John said, - "from what perspective should I bring the knowledge to her?"

"From every perspective that you have available." – Rainee answered. John's eyes moved from Rainee to Blake before asking again.

"Can I use every perspective known to me?" Blake narrowed his eyes before answering.

"Keep to your own perspectives, old man, and stay away from anything you think you know about me." After saying it, he turned his horse away without a second word. Rainee and Ruffus joined him immediately, and all three were soon swallowed by the crowd of people and disappeared out of sight.