Dusk sank over White Lake, ringed by its waters. Golden afterglow fell upon the Great Temple on the mountain, casting a grand and gorgeous reflection across the lake. Devout prayers gathered into a humming murmur that echoed through the entire White Stone Capital. And in the lakeside prince's estate, the lake-shadow of sunset fell as well, and a clear eagle cry rang out, melodious as distant mountains.
"Yo! Yo-yo!"
A great golden eagle came swooping down from high in the sky, then suddenly braked hard and proudly dropped a fish half a meter long. After that, it folded its wingspan of nearly three meters, lifted its head haughtily, and waited for its masters' praise. Only, after waiting quite a while, it still did not get the petting and exclamations it wanted.
"Chirp? Chirp-chirp?..."
The great golden eagle tilted its head oddly and widened its eagle eyes, sharp enough to see the finest hair, only then noticing its two overlapping masters. And that hateful male master had actually grabbed the female master's hand again and blocked her mouth too—he was simply "rotten to the core"!...
"Cheep! Cheep-cheep!"
The great golden eagle flapped its wings in displeasure, whipping up gusts of fierce wind. The rosebushes blooming by the lake were swept by its powerful wings as well, sending bright red and pale purple petals flying.
"Ah! Little Avilot! Those are my favorites, Red Roses and Blue Roses!... Ah!... Xolotl, wait first, wait a moment... mmph! You!..."
Seeing the gorgeous petals whirling through the air, Alisa widened her eyes, shoved hard at Xolotl, and tried to sit up from the broad cloth blanket. But she had only just risen when a large hand caught her and pulled her back down, and her voice cut off abruptly, leaving only muffled, indistinct nasal sounds. Only