The first ray of sun had barely begun to color the sky when Quixotina opened her eyes. The soft cotton bed still invited her to stay a few more minutes, but habit spoke louder. She got up and went to the bathroom, where running water gushed from the metal faucet with a soft sound. She wet her face, feeling the water's coolness awaken her senses.

  It's so good not to have to fetch water from the well every morning, she thought, drying her face with a linen towel. My life may have become monotonous, but I can't deny that these luxuries please me. Some even surpass the comforts I had in the nobility.

  She dressed quickly and went down to the bakery on the main street. The irresistible smell of fresh bread already permeated the air, mixing with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee that some neighbors carried in their mugs. A line was forming, but the service was swift. Two women recognized her and greeted her with respect.

  "Good morning, teacher!" said the older one, with a smile that showed teeth worn by time. "Last night's lesson was very good, I managed to put a few more letters together!"

  Quixotina returned the smile, feeling a hint of pride.

  "That's good, Dona Marta! Let's keep it up and you'll be reading books in no time."

  With her basket containing still-warm breads and golden cheese breads, she returned to the apartment. I never imagined I would eat wheat bread again when I came to this quilombo, she reflected, setting the table. And, although it pains me to admit, I owe this to Tassi.

  She set the table carefully, placing the breads in a wicker basket, little pots of strawberry jam, and a small pitcher of honey. Then she went to Dulcinéia's room. The girl was sleeping deeply, her dark hair spread over the straw pillow, a trickle of saliva running from the corner of her mouth.

  Quixotina sat on the edge of the bed and gently stroked her daughter's face.

  "Dulcinéia, my love, it's time to wake up," she whispered, with a sweetness she only used with the little one.

  The girl stirred, opening her eyes heavy with sleep. The first thing she saw was the gold necklace with the red gem that her mother always wore, swaying gently above her.

  "Good morning..." she murmured, her voice still thick with sleep.

  "Let's get up, my love. We have to eat and you need to go to school," said Quixotina. The girl reluctantly got out of bed as her mother began making the bed.

  Dulcinéia yawned widely, rubbing her eyes, and went to the kitchen, followed by her mother.

  While the girl sat at the table and grabbed a bread with strawberry jam, Quixotina prepared her own, sweetening it with honey. The sweet smell of the honey mixed with the aroma of fresh bread, creating a homely, cozy atmosphere.

  After breakfast, the two headed to the bathroom.

  "Mother..." Dulcinéia began, in a complaining tone. "Do I really have to brush my teeth? None of the other kids do it..."

  "Yes, you do," replied Quixotina, with gentle firmness. "Uncle Carlos explained that it helps keep teeth white and prevents them from getting full of cavities. And you don't want teeth full of holes, do you?"

  She picked up the two toothbrushes—well-sanded wooden handles with clean, organized animal hair bristles. She handed one to her daughter and picked up two small clay pots containing the toothpaste.

  "Now put the paste on. I made sure to get one with honey, to make it sweeter for you," she said, opening the pot which exuded a light scent of mint and honey.

  Dulcinéia brushed the creamy paste onto the brush before sighing, defeated.

  "Okay, Mother..."

  As they brushed their teeth, Quixotina watched her daughter in the mirror, making sure she used the correct motion. The sound of brushes against teeth echoed in the quiet bathroom.

  After changing clothes, they left for school. The school day passed without incident, and Quixotina felt a pang of happiness seeing her daughter playing with the Minister of Labor's daughter. At least she's making good friends, she thought.

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  After classes, they had lunch at a simple but clean restaurant, where the smell of cooked beans and roasted meat filled the place. In the afternoon, Dulcinéia was free to play, while Quixotina went to the town hall to deal with the paperwork for her job as Minister of Education.

  Amidst piles of documents, she heard a knock on the door.

  "Come in!" she called, without looking up from the papers.

  Carlos opened the door, with a somewhat embarrassed expression.

  "Good afternoon, Quixotina. Sorry to interrupt your work, but I need some help."

  She dropped the pen she was writing with and sighed deeply.

  I'm the one who needs help, Carlos. More and more people from the quilombo want to take classes. If it were just the children, it would already be difficult, but now we have adults too..." she made a dramatic pause. "And did you know there are people from other mocambos who want to come here to learn to read and write?"

  Carlos sat in front of her, settling into the wooden chair.

  "That's not a problem, it's great! In the end, we're going to need more and more people to work here at the town hall and to teach as well." He leaned forward, a gleam in his eye. "Speaking of which, I heard several adults have excelled in their studies. Here's what we'll do: we'll give all the materials to anyone who wants to study, and in a month we'll hold a test. Those who pass can come work at the town hall, with a good salary, in an easier and less stressful job... or become teachers."

  Quixotina thought for a moment, her fingers drumming on the table.

  "It could be a good idea, but I wouldn't say this job is less stressful," she retorted with an ironic smile. "Just look at the mountain of work I have, and I still have more classes to teach at night. You'd better pay me well for these extra classes, you hear? At this rate, I'll be able to pay for my apartment in no time..." Her gaze became distant. "Ah, how I miss going out into the woods, discovering what's in the region, facing monsters..."

  "That's precisely what I need your help with," Carlos interrupted, seizing the opening. "You're teaching the twins, right? Well, I gave the boy a mission to fly over the region and create a map, but..." he made a face. "The first map he made was barely legible. Since you're his teacher, I thought you could help him with that."

  "Wow, Carlos!" exclaimed Quixotina, with a laugh mixed with a groan. "How I want to hate you for giving me more work now! But..." her gaze became thoughtful. "This sounds interesting. I explored the region well and I can help with that! At least it will be an excuse to get me out of all this paperwork. I know the area well, we can even explore some places. Maybe I can get his sister to help..." her voice lowered. "The kids ended up getting scared of her, some even call her a dog... I can have all the children help with the map project." She looked at Carlos, anticipating his concern. "Oh, don't worry, I won't make them do anything dangerous. I'll just have them draw some parts, and it will motivate them to learn to write."

  Carlos smiled, relieved.

  "That's good to hear! Ah, that reminds me... I've already asked everyone in the quilombo if they know of any gem that produces lightning, but no one knows anything. Since you came from Europe, maybe you know something."

  Quixotina tilted her head, curious.

  "Lightning Gem? What do you need it for?"

  Carlos took his cell phone from his pocket, placing it on the table carefully.

  "I wanted to try to charge my cell phone's battery. With it, we could take aerial photos of the region, which would make making a map much easier."

  Quixotina looked at the device with fascination.

  "What an interesting device... You've mentioned these photos before, they're like hyper-realistic drawings, aren't they?" Her expression became perplexed. "But how could Silvestre carry this in bird form and manage to take these so-called photos?"

  At that moment, Carlos stared at the phone in silence for several seconds, his expression gradually changing from hope to realization.

  "Indeed... there's no way a pigeon or an eagle can take a photo."

  Quixotina couldn't contain herself. It started with a suppressed laugh, which quickly evolved into a frank, contagious guffaw. She laughed until tears welled in her eyes, while Carlos remained seated with a bewildered expression.

  When she finally managed to control her laughter, she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

  "Well," she said, still breathless, "I don't know anyone who uses a Lightning Gem, but my uncle met a mercenary who supposedly had one." She looked at Carlos with renewed curiosity. "But you don't need it anymore, do you?"

  Carlos thought for a moment, his gaze serious.

  "Actually, electricity can be used for many other things, so I would still need it. And now that we have money, I could pay a mercenary..." he looked at Quixotina hopefully. "Can you get in touch with your uncle?"

  She shook her head slowly.

  "I've never tried, not since I came here..." her gaze became sad. "After all, how could I send a letter? And with what money?"

  Carlos leaned forward, his voice low and conspiratorial.

  "Write the letter and I'll deliver it to the Popess. She can do us this favor."

  Quixotina's eyes welled up with tears, which now were not from laughter, but from genuine emotion.

  "To speak with my uncle after so many years..." she whispered, her voice choked. "That would be wonderful! I'll write a letter right now!"

  Immediately, she took a sheet of paper and began to write, her hands trembling slightly with excitement. The sound of the pen scratching the paper filled the office, while Carlos watched with a satisfied smile.