Trafford's Trading Club

Kiev, the capital city of Ukraine.

It was built in the mountains, comprising brown, black and red soil, instead of being constructed by the mountain. However, it was big enough and could be seen from afar.

Some meanings seem to be hidden beyond the white wall and the simple and crude style also seemed to indicate its standpoint.

It was Pechersk Lavra.

Anatoly had returned to the monastery with Sullivan for three days.

However, Anatoly didnʼt see Sullivan again within these days. He seemed to go deep into the monastery---where he had never set foot in before, even if he graduated from here.

Forbidden grounds, sacred grounds…such names had been circulated among the students while he was still a student here.

He thought it was probably a conjecture among students, plus the old priest didnʼt formally explain it, so the legend had been being spread for years.

ʼOnly those who have the grace of the Lord can enter.ʼ

Anatoly was an orphan since an early age and was abandoned near the monastery. Later, he was picked up by an old priest and grew up there.

Because it was dawn, so the old priest named him Anatoly.

That meant sunrise.

Life in the monastery was as simple as returning to the primitive society. Growing up here, being baptized, and then officially becoming a priest. Finally, he gained the recognition of the Dean with the best performance among his peers within merely 20 years.

He was a genius in othersʼ view, but he knew that was just because he worked a little harder than them.

”Anatoly, are you in?”

Anatoly was praying when someone knocked the door. He always kept praying when he had time.

Praying made him empty his mind, and listen to the Gospel of the Lord.

”The Dean invites you to go to the 13th auditorium.”

That forbidden place?

…

…

Anatoly saw Mr. Sullivan, and the dean, who had blessed him personally when he graduated… as well as the old priest who picked and raised him up from the wilderness.

”Anatoly, my child, come here.” The old friar smiled as waving his hand.

Anatoly came to them, and began to look at this ʼ13th auditoriumʼ. He found it seemed more ancient here, and exuded a sacred atmosphere all the time, which could calm his heart… even more than the effect of praying.

But in fact, this 13th auditorium didnʼt look like a hall.

Correctly speaking, this was actually a stone room with candlesticks hanging on all four sides. He walked to the center of the auditorium, where was a round table actually.

Sullivan was waiting at the center for his arrival.

The dean and old friar stood at both sides of Sullivan. When Anatoly came to them, the old friar suddenly reached out his hand and whispered, ”Anatoly, my child, kneel down.”

Anatoly nodded without hesitation; then he knelt down.

The old friar added, ”Close your eyes, then pray in your heart and listen quietly.”

Anatoly slowly closed his eyes.

In the meantime, both the dean and the old priest retreated slowly to the edge of the round table, lowering heads and closed their eyes.

Because what would happen next might be blasphemy if they witnessed.

Slightly white light emitted on the round table, and Sullivan got close to Anatoly. He opened his hands, and his body slowly left the ground.

He was floating up.

Suddenly, a ray of light burst out of Sullivanʼs body; at that moment, countless white ʼfeathersʼ dropped from the ceiling of the hall.

A pair of white, soft wings slowly opened at Sullivanʼs back--- finally, Sullivan opened his eyes too.

That was a pair of slight golden pupils.

Almost at the same time, a golden beam of light emanated from a sphere in the center of the auditorium and shone upon Anatoly…as if being bathed in a golden sea.

It was warm and compassionate.

Anatoly was lost in this feeling that soaked his soul and forgot the passage of time.

Right then!

He sensed a burst of anger; this moment, the warm and compassionate feel suddenly disappeared.

As if being carrying a heavy shackle, Anatoly opened his eyes by instinct--- he knew something was wrong with his memory; and Sullivan and the dean that were revealing a serious look were just helping him with this problem.

But it didnʼt seem helpful in recalling the ʼforgotten matterʼ, even when he returned to the monastery and the 13th auditorium…

”Mr. Sullivan?” Anatoly calmly looked at the person in front of him with doubt.

The extraordinary image had long since disappeared, Sullivan just closed his eyes and stood at the original place… His face looked pale.

When the dean and the old priest heard Anatolyʼs voice, both of them opened their eyes with surprise.

Then Sullivan said a horrendous sentence, ”Anatoly, you are heresy, and you need to wash away the sins of your body.” Dean, get command of the holy power of his body; three days later, Iʼll purify the evil aura off his soul.”

Anatoly moved his lips.

Obviously, his 20-year-last calm heart had sharply fluctuated at the moment.

He didnʼt understand.

And… what about the recovery of his memory?

…

…

”Long long ago, there was a kind but ugly monster in the forest.”

On the train heading to St. Petersburg, the young mother was telling stories to the little girl, who was bickering with her.

”Later, the monster met a little girl. The little girl wasnʼt afraid of it; rather, she became its friend because of its kindness. Every day, the monster picked the sweetest fruit from the forest with clear spring water, and sent it to the little girl. But she must promise that she wouldnʼt tell others.”

The little girl in motherʼs arms was gradually attracted by this story, and her mother continued telling, ”Many days passed, the little girl was very happy being with that monster. And one day, the little girl said innocently, that sheʼd marry the monster on her 18-year-old birthday.”

”However, the little girl moved away with her families, and had no time to say goodbye to the monster. As usual, the monster still picked the sweetest fruit with the clearest spring water, but it didnʼt see the little girl again.”

Hearing this, the little girl revealed sad expression.

Mother comforted her and patted her face, continuing softly, ”It counted the day, marking one line per day on the stump with its nails. Suddenly, the monster found it was her 18-year-old birthday, but the little girl didnʼt appear.”

Hearing this, the little girl muttered, ”Mom, this monster is so pitiful. Wonʼt it see that little girl again?”

Her mother said, ”Yes, it met her later. The monster got up the courage to get out of the forest; it was mixed in the crowd, looking for her all the way. Finally, it found the little girl, who became beautiful when she was 18 years old.”

”Then, did they marry?”

Mother was about to reply the her girlʼs expectation.

Unexpectedly at this time, her father spoke suddenly, ”No, they didnʼt! The little girl fell in love with someone else, so that angry monster ate the little girl, and then became a handsome person, and married someone else later!”

As speaking, her father also opened his arms, getting close to his daughter with threatening gestures, ”Iʼll eat you too and become a handsome man! Whoa!”

”Ah!”

The little girl escaped from her motherʼs arms, hitting something, and was about to fall down.

”Be careful.”

In fact, she didnʼt fall, but was helped up steadily. The little girl looked up; she tilted her head, and found an unacquainted big brother.

It was rare for the little girl to see persons with black hair and black eyes.

”Excuse me, sir!” Her mother stood up quickly and said with apology, ”My husband was making fun of this kid, and he didnʼt expect her to be so scared. Sorry for that.”

She said as glaring at her husband with a reproving look.

”Thatʼs OK.” The young brother smiled and touched the little girlʼs head, ”Itʼs interesting to hear the ending.”

”Ah?” The little girlʼs father was stunned… he didnʼt know how to continue the conversation with the young man.

He could only smile awkwardly.

”Oh, is this story original?” The young brother suddenly curiously asked.

The little girlʼs father quickly waved his hand, ”No, Iʼve heard this story, but I changed the ending, donʼt take it seriously.”

”Really… then have a good time.”

Looking at this young big brother walked back, the little girl climbed up her fatherʼs leg, heading out to see that the big brother sat on a seat 5 or 6 lines behind them. She pouted her mouth, looking down towards her mother, ”Mom! A beautiful sister is sitting there!”

”Ok, sit properly, weʼll arrive the station! Soon we can reach your grandmaʼs home!”

Her mother said seriously; meanwhile, she wrenched her husbandʼs ear, pulling back his head that wanted to turn to look back.

The train finally stopped.

”We are arriving at St. Petersburg Station.”