6.6

Lariel was dumbfounded when he saw his beloved Queen in the city

square, surrounded by curious black-winged citizens.

"Rohen carried you?"

He hugged her to cheers and led her into the house.

"They love you, Lar!" - Kamily noted, admiring her radiant husband. - "You

are a living God for them!"

"I missed you!"

"Oh, I see how bored you are! There are a lot of women here!"

"Hmm, that's why I'm confused to see you here. To be honest, I decided

that Rohen would never let you out of his hands."

"Everything is fine! I'm not jealous of these girls who shared your bed. Everything is for Prosperity, right?"

"Where is our second son? You didn't take him!"

"Rohen doesn't allow it. He took Demiris. I didn't argue... He built himself

a castle and now lives there with his kid. Gedeon begged to be transferred to

you, but he did not allow it."

"What about Erin?"

"He's angry that everything is slipping away from under his leadership.

The Azareans found out that Rohen was stronger than him and kneeled

before him, one after another."

"Everything is going according to plan, my dear! That's how it's meant to

be..."

"Our triple alliance is now in force. That's what Rohen said."

"Finally!" - Lariel was inspired. - "You acknowledged the Lord and this will

inspire him to make big changes. We will rule the syrinxes! You will get even

with the Archons."

***

He landed near Ornalion in the morning after a long flight and headed

towards the city. There were no guards, no gates, no fences to be seen

anywhere. Come in if you want! What kind of careless Ruler manage this city,

somewhat similar to Azaren? The architect's style is the same: white big

houses surrounded by fragrant gardens.

Erin walked along one of the spacious streets, looking back at the black-

winged residents who stared at him with curiosity, especially long-haired

girls dressed in closed long gowns with subtle multi-colored patterns. Some

of them followed him and tried to catch his eye. It was obvious that they

wanted to meet him, but that was not what he came here for.

"I'm looking for Lariel," - he turned to one of them with a stern look.

"Fly with me, I'll show you. He's in the lecture hall now."

The girl flapped her wings and rose up. Erin almost looked at her

gracefulness and hurried after her. After a couple of moments, having flown

past several dozen houses, they reached the right place. On the steps of the

lecture hall, the brilliant Lariel was already waiting for him with a calm,

ironic look.

"Erin! Bro!" - his voice sounded gentle and welcoming. - "Did you come to

see how I got settled here?"

"It's fun here..."

Lariel laughed benignly.

"Why didn't you come for so long?"

"I'm here about Kamily."

"Look around and admire my blooming paradise, where there are many

loving winged women and benevolent men."

Erin realized that his brother was teasing him.

"She needs to go home."

"She's already home and won't go with you because she only needs me."

"Lar, you are testing my patience. Stop clowning around. I'll find her

myself."

People began to gather behind Erin, surrounding him in a tight ring.

Girls with sparkling eyes vied with each other to persuade him to relax and

go with them, and the men smiled friendly. He felt the vibrations

of his brother's many crystals everywhere.

Laughing at Erin's confused expression, Lariel said:

"Bro! Stop persisting in your devotion to Xantari. We can cope just fine

without these despots. Just a little and real Prosperity will come. Look: my

winged people are already happy."

He jocosely spread his arms, as if dancing in euphoria in a

transparent lilac tunic, under the shining luminary of Ruah and

exclamations:

"Radiant!"

"You couldn't dream of anything less, it's very nice to be God," - Erin noted

loudly. - "How will you cope with the formidable army that will come for you

and your women?"

"The Archons are powerless against the power of Rohen."

"Then why isn't your protector next to you? Did you have a fight?"

"It is unlikely!" - Lariel answered. - "He will never let me go, no matter what

happens. Wherever I run, he always knows where I am. You don't understand

what connects us..."

"Love?"

"Think what you want, but this mighty Phoenix incarnated here for me... Relax,

Erin, you won't change anything. Everything will be as He wants."

"How does he want it?" - Erin tensed.

"You'll see! Even sooner than you think."

"This is betrayal, Lar! Not only did you abandon your destiny, but you

also stood in opposition to the representative of the Supreme Power!"

"This is getting rid of imposed obligations, Erin. I didn't want such a

fate."

Erin called Kamily telepathically and soon she came out to him.

"I'll stay here, Erin. No threats will help, because I swore allegiance to

Rohen. I have a long-standing relationship with him beyond this manifested

world, so any persuasion is pointless.

"Has your love for me dried up? Have you chosen Lariel again?" - Erin

squeezed out bitterly. 

"He gives me freedom, and you force me to submit to the Xantarians and

their regime."

"You left our daughter so easily for freedom? I won't give her to you..."

"Her birth was entirely your idea. Better relax in our city and forget

about your problems."