Тёмная Башня. Dark Tower. Премия им. Э.Т.А. Гофмана / E.T.A. Hoffmann award (Билингва: Rus / Eng)

However, this is just partly true, because in each Land there are several Spheres, or Levels.»

«Is the City of the Sun located in the Land of True Light?» I wondered.

«Yes, it is.»

«And where do you live?»

«Not far from the City of the Sun.»

«So you’re not a witch, are you?»

«Of course, I am not,» the girl laughed. «I’m just used to. In one of my incarnations, I was burned by the inquisition, although I didn’t practice witchcraft.»

«Excuse me… And where do witches and sorcerers live?»

«Down there.

»

«On Earth?»

«And there as well. By the way, they can also be found in the Land of Mists, although less often than in the Land of Dreams, but they can’t get into the Land of Light. They shouldn’t, at least.»

«Do you miss Earth?»

«No, but sometimes I return to the chapel… Usually, those who miss earthly things, or are somehow attached to Earth, get stuck in the Land of Mists. Those who come to the Land of Light are no longer particularly nostalgic.»

«And what do you do in the Land of Light?»

«I work in the Mental Sphere.

Inventing antidote formulas in the laboratory of one of the first alchemists.»

«It turns out that souls don’t rest, they work.»

«They serve. Just like on Earth. The only difference is that here they serve consciously. Some souls even consider life on Earth a vacation. Someone, indeed, goes down to have a rest, someone has a business trip.»

«Do souls choose themselves where and with whom to have a rest?»

«Almost always themselves, yes.

Business trips, of course, can’t be chosen, but, in any case, options are agreed with you.»

«Am I on vacation or on a business trip on Earth now?»

«Somehow, yes.»

«So are the Warriors of Light not a fairy tale?»

«Of course, they are not! And what do you do on Earth?»

«I write fairy tales. For adults.»

«Wow! Sometimes I visit the Library of the Universe for work. I’ll have to find you there and read something!»

«Am I there, too?» I was surprised.

«Of course, you are! Everything and everyone worthy of being is there.

»

«Even unwritten yet?»

«Yes. Otherwise, it won’t be written.»

«Why?»

«First everything appears here, and then on Earth.»

«Would you tell me your story while we’re walking to Customs?»

«Something earthly? Or local?»

«I don’t know, but, apparently, the one that is already in the Library of the Universe,» I supposed, smiling, and my companion smiled back.

«Okay! I’ll tell you about my Dark Tower.