Chapter 8 The Power of a Song Orlina had just finished her classes and walked outside, squinting in the sun. She cheerfully greeted her brother and friends and froze, because behind them stood Larenon, tall and strong. “What’re you doing here? I thought, I saw you being kicked out of here first thing in the morning,” said Orlina in a strict voice. “I wanted to see someone, so needed to return,” answered Larenon in a rather calm tone. Now he surely did not look as impudent as last time in the classroom. “Whom?” asked Orlina. “Nicklis,” explained Larenon. “But I would not like to talk to him here, only outside…

Chapter 6 The Blue Bird Soon enough Oruell’ made a humble dinner that consisted of mashed potatoes and vegetables. The dinner table was fit next to the entrance to the kitchen, and it was put together before the meal, because otherwise it took too much space. It was covered with a dark-burgundy tablecloth, the candles were arranged in the middle – there was no other light on the house. Dina gazed around with admiration. No matter how small this house was, it was very cozy. The candles and the fireplace added charm to the mysterious atmosphere of the autumn evening. Oruell’ brought white plates with faded gilding on them from…

Chapter 4 Humans Do Not Believe in Things They Cannot Touch. Days passed by. Autumn was in its full power, and the town was slowly being wrapped into spotted golden-red haze of yellowed leafage. The sun rose later and later and set earlier and earlier every day, the nights became cold. By the end of September, it became obvious that summer came to an end. Autumn came to Dina’s soul as well. At nights she lit up her candles and silently sat in the mysterious twilight – she would paint or read something and listen to the howling of the cold wind and the slashing of the rain. Everyone got…

Chapter 2 The Dissensions Among Sisters The school ended at two in the afternoon. Dina and Nick together walked onto the school’s porch. Dina inhaled with relief the fresh air of autumn and ran down the steps. Nick slowly followed her. He was wearing a thin bright-green coat and a dark-green scarf with yellow strips. Dina caught the first fallen leaf with the tip of her shoe and kicked it into the air. “Where are you going to go?” she asked, turning back to her new friend. “There,” Nick nodded towards the street. “That’s my way too,” Dina smiled. “Mom will cry again,” said Nick wearily, trying to fix his…