- Someone is keeping the seal alive. - Amelia pointed her finger at the rough table with dark confidence. - Someone is in there. As far as I've heard, no one has got into the city, most explorers have come back with nothing... Some never even came back, at least not through Kantine. Either they got in, and it's so good they stayed, or it's so bad they died.

- Maybe they continued on to Lim, it's a long way, of course, but it's possible. 

- They could... But then Lim should have the information about Youlle... And it will be known on the Mainland. But there's nothing. Maybe, it's just my theory, some of them are among the amnesiacs. My mother was one of them, as far as I know... But... perhaps it's just more gossip. I'm not sure. We don't talk about it... And her notes are silent on the subject.

- Humans could also be near the Elven Forest. - Lucille suggested - Or in it...

- And the Elves kidnapped them. 

- What?! - Lucy laughed. - Another theory?

- Not mine, thankfully... But funny. You're laughing, huh! And our people say it in a serious tone. Especially if the travellers are male, the Kantinians warn.

- But why?!

- They believe that all Elves are female. Imagine that.

Ami made a sceptical, mocking face. 

Lucy chuckled.

- Impossible! As far as I know from Selvas, Elves are neither male nor female!

- Go explain it to projecting ones...

- And I really don’t remember anything about Elves receiving “guests”.

- The Primean archives have very little information on elves, but they do have it. So Elves do talk, and they do have “guests” from time to time, I suppose. 

I wish I could check it out for myself. I'm really interested in Elves. And I wonder what really happens to those who reach Youlle? Who holds the barrier? What is this barrier? Why is it there? Do people still live there? Without any contact with the outside world... I can understand why Youlle has cut itself off from Kantine. But why with the rest of the Mainland? All cities exchange goods and labour all the time... Information, at least. How do they survive in such isolation? And more importantly, why? What are they hiding? Do they only interact with Elves and Dwarves? The lucky ones... If that's the case. I have so many questions, you see! And I have heard terrible stories from those who have tried to find answers. 

- You should also check the Temple Archives if you're really interested. Go to the Witchery first. Ask Finnian for access once you've joined the Temples. It will be an extra payment for your unwanted job. You're so curious. I wonder why you don't want to be the Archivist. As for me... even I have never thought about it. I only know what people say about it.

- You had access to the local Archives and never wondered! - The Kantinian sighed with envy. - I desperately wanted this information and had no access... How does it work like this for everyone?

- There's a time and place for everything.

- I want to believe... But I think life is simply sadistic and likes to laugh at us. And I'd rather not mess with Finnian.

- He’s a reasonable person. Rough, but reasonable. And he welcomes curiosity.

- That's good news. I hope that I will be listened to and then burned, and not the other way round. Well, I scoured the Kantine Archives with my staff access, but there was nothing but lies and propaganda... I tried Prime Public Archives. There was other... more reliable information, but there was no coherent answer to my questions... I wanted to see the maps. But even maps are not clear. I took the maps of Kantine and guess what?! Advanced Primians have no idea what modern Kantene looks like. But I learned a lot about the history of my city... So stupid. How could it be?

- Maybe they're not interested.

- Maybe not. But if they want to correct it, all they have to do is look down the Mountain. Anyway, my Kantinian sources of knowledge about the Mainland are no better... The most reliable information on any subject is my mother's vague notes. And they say almost nothing about Youlle, except that a rapid development and the emergence of technology has something to do with Northerners contacting the Elven community, but... Elves. They're not technologically advanced at all. From what I've heard, they're natural beings who rarely use any kind of dwelling, preferring to sleep in trees. There's no place for advanced technology here, as far as I can see.

- The whole of the Mainland is still puzzling over this city.

- Right. So what we have is hay-headed witches who invented a lot but couldn’t survive without a bunch of idiots because they all were freeloaders… I’m the one who’s puzzled here. So, you know... I'd probably go to Youlle myself. After all the cities of the Mainland. Once you've seen them all, you can disappear. Not a problem. 

- One visit won't be enough. The cities reveal more secrets each time you visit.

- It's true. You can never get bored with them.

- But first I really want to see the Elves. Ever since I was ungrown.

- You shouldn't go too far. You can meet Elves in a local Forest.

- I'm not rare in the Forest, you know. But I never have.

- They say if you're not ready to see them, you won't see them.

- I'm more than ready!

- Then you'll see them... Who knows. Many Omillians never see them. And never wanted to.

- But I want to!

- Perhaps your culture hasn't prepared you to see Elves. Ask Selvas for advice. Elves are not uncommon guests in their forest districts.

Ami twirled her pouch from side to side, estimating the amount of flower ale left... It wasn't that much. 

- And if I meet any Elves, I'll ask them about Youlle.

Lucy scoffed.

- They’re usually not interested in our human fuss.

- Maybe they have seen something. Why hasn't anyone asked them? Maybe someone did ask... I am eager to prove that the kantinian agenda is a lie, and that the Youlle freeloaders have not only survived, but thrived. Just as the technologically and culturally advanced Primian freeloaders have advanced. But we know it will change nothing. They will continue to say the same things because of the benefits.

- They forget that witches have their own difficulties. - the Omillian reminded in a conciliatory tone. - They compare physical and mental work. Both are exhausting in different ways. And in general, how many additional problems arise because of this damned delicate mental organisation... Sometimes I think it's better to be more practical and down to the ground.

- Yes. Because they are stupid, they get their problems out of a kind of cognitive laziness. So they are actively fixing it physically. And they're flattered as hard workers because nobody wants to be without supplies. If you're going to say that these people's heavy egos are probably designed to keep them from being blown away by the local gusty winds, you'd probably be right. But Primian winds are much stronger, and their city is not yet in the Ocean without such tricks.

- Primians have their own heavy egos. You idealise witches. Witchcraft doesn't make people or their cities perfect. I know a lot of disgustingly arrogant Primean witches who aren't known for their modesty. I'm a witch... When I'm in Kantine, I try not to show it, so as not to embarrass Aunt Frieda in front of the locals. I know they don't like it and I like them and I don't want to upset anyone. Although, of course, everyone already knows everything. But family ties are sacred to your people. They don't want to upset Auntie and me either. We respect each other, and that's the greatest thing any human being can do. Rising above differences

- Yes. But this will last until your first offence, and you will be judged more harshly. Everyone there knows everything about everyone else, you're right. Ask anybody about anybody. They'll have a bigger file than your neighbourhood order officer has. Houses keep vulgar secrets and no one is interested in the real us. The Kantinian spirits are as boring as our architecture.

- And look at Omill. It's full of witches, but our kotties are mostly monotonously round, as if there were no other shapes on a Mainland. Even the murals are pretty much the same. Believe it or not, I actually like the Kantine. Not just because of the cosiness, the craftsmanship, the stability, the tasty food, the comfortable clothes and the beautiful green kotties. Most of all, I love the beautiful buildings, all of which have gardens around the kotties and even on their roofs. Fresh food every light! Also, unlike Prime, it is not difficult to find a really useful and meaningful job. Work hard and you'll be fed and respected. You can feel each vegetable's contribution to the dish and appreciate the flavour it brings. Abundance in every way. Kantine is great. 

- Abundance of stupidity. I'm glad you like it. I'm incredibly glad we swapped. And I know it’s not about the city, it's about me. I don't want to change Kantine. It's really nice in its own way, really. I hate people. But if they're okay with a city and with each other... Then something is wrong with me. I... just want to find my own cosy place. You've been lucky to appear here.

Ami tried to take another sip from the liquid in her ale bag. There was nothing left. 

It was good. Everything was good tonight.

- Exactly. Being born in Omill is like finding a meadow with lots of berries. But follow the path you believe in. Focus on what you want. And you'll be happy. And you will succeed. And there won't be time to be jealous. And then there'll be nothing to be angry about or envious of. I'm perfectly happy here, and I like to visit Kantine. It's unchangeable, no matter what happens.

Lucy yawned blissfully and stretched.

- Home? - Ami suggested, catching her as she relaxed.

- Yes, - she smiled broadly. - I need to do a final pack and get ready for my journey.

Ami took out a cloth and began to wipe down her drinking vessels.

- Thanks for your company! Somehow we ended up talking about work and slipping into the mysteries of the Mainland... It was nice to have someone to talk to... not about the weather and the harvest.

- It's mutual! - Lucy smiled. - I'm glad to have such an interesting colleague.

The Archivist pointed again to Ami's house, repeated the instructions, and everyone went... home??

Ami's Omill... home?? For half a cycle! Fantastic! 

"Say what you want, but it's a success."

Yes. Thank you for pushing me to make this brave, sick decision... At least we have this happiest light of our lives. Even if it's the first and the last happy light simultaneously, it doesn’t matter.