Continuation The anubises thanked for breakfast and set off studying this miraculous new world. The Sun was long up, and the meadow was clear to be seen and admired with its beauty: it appeared as 13 perfectly round circled huge, even gigantic, trees. Each tree of the circle served its own purpose: manufactures of all craft kinds, houses and common places. For instance, there was a ritual for all - to have repasted together. Inside of each tree, there were a few floors, sometimes 2 or 3; some of the houses had cellars and labs. Alberts House had a peculiar look: a white trunk of ancient tree with a huge arch-shaped door. On top of it, there was a platform for observing the stars with a telescope. At entrance, just behind the door appeared a clear and specious hall furnished with sofas of various colors. Spiral stairs to the left, leading to his bedroom. To the right - there is a nice fretted elevator downstairs, to the lab. - Can we have a short glance to the lab? - Arcy was curious about. He always liked experiments. - Of course, - answered Elton, and the stepped in the elevator. Al sighed, as soon as the elevator's door opened. The room was filled with the light. All over the place there were crystals of various shapes, colors and sizes; jars and vials with different liquids, heating and freezing devices, stardust, and magic strings of beads, dried herbs and flowers. For sure in the limelight there was a magic book, the Book of Potions. - Ssssss, - the anubises sprang back from the book, and they suddenly saw a tiny green snake. - Let me introduce Ouroboros, - said Elton, this is Alberts assistant and councilor. - Ooh, Im so afraid of snakes, - recoiled Sean. - Noo sssscaresss, Im ssso sssofft- hearted, - replied the snake and blinked blinked with flash in his eye, - nicssse to meetsh-ya. The studio of musical instruments was fraught with the smell of fresh wood. The light was coming into through stained-glass windows, creating the atmosphere of sacred. - Lets start then. The anubises had been doing their woodwork with, cutting, sawing, carving, fastening the parts and polishing their newly made musical instruments till it nearly was the evening. Each one of them had made a decision to make an instrument to his own liking. Arcy made a magic crystal flute which sounded like the mermaid howling with every single tone. Sean made a hybrid transformer of a cajon and a double bass (a savvy bear he was), so that he could drum and pluck at the same time. Augustus was true to his habits - so he made a six-string guitar decorated with patterns from sacred geometry, azure frets and iridian pins. Stan had be playing drums for all of his life but this time he decided to make a harmonica a tiny piano, so that he could blow in it. So he did. It sounded brilliant. The night was setting in, and in the meantime the friends had settled around the fire to listen to their brand new instruments. They did not even notice the Wise Owl, positioned herself nearby. She showed a great interest in the music. - Bravo - she said with respect, clapping with her wings, when they finished their musical piece. - Let me congratulate you folks! Great love, high ideals and devotion to supreme goal will lead you to where you want to be. - Regards, - answered Augustus for all. - You probably are Hille de Guarde, arent you? - Yes, I am! - Great honor for us. Albert told us about you, in his mysterious and regardful manner. - Yes, we are friends for centuries, allies. We create our own cosmos. We are here, we are natural, were capable of many things, but still we have got to do many. So thank you for reminding me. I know, you are searching for Calico, the ghost-city. I am going to show it to you. Just trust me and close your eyes. All the anubises took a breath together and then, at exhale, slowly dipped into the smooth darkness of the eyes closed. The Owl turned up as if on the screen.