Chapter 11 Chapter Eleven

That night, the team set up tents and camped halfway. Jura quietly left the bivouac and came to a place where she could sit and see Bretta's tent.She saw Ron go in and never come out. She warned herself, trying to control her inner feelings.She didn't expect Ron to keep his promise.But when she got up in the morning, her eyes were red and her heart became heavy like a stone. She mounted her horse and went away.Twice she felt Ron's eyes on her.But she didn't look at him. At noon, attend a dance held by Bretta.Ron saw her and she turned and walked away immediately. At night, when camping again, Zhu La tried to make herself feel comfortable, thinking about nothing, and got into her quilt to sleep silently.In the middle of the night, one hand suddenly covered her mouth, and the other tightly held her right hand.She woke up.Pick up the knife beside you with your left hand.

"It's me," Ron said into her ear. Jura struggled, and when she heard Ron moan in pain, she was delighted.But Ron beat her with his fist, and after a while she seemed to lose consciousness. When she came to, she found herself lying by the river with Ron putting ice cubes on her face.She tries to get up, but he pushes her down. "Jura, be quiet. Is your head hurt?" "Is it just your little punches?" she asked, lying on the ground, the veins on the side of her forehead were thumping. "What are you going to do now? Or get rid of I love Bretta, have you made up your mind?"

"Yes, Bretta has made up her mind," said Ron solemnly. "Yesterday she saw us together, and she sent her guards to murder you. I threw my sword behind his back as he aimed an arrow at you." Jura listened, squinting at him in the dark. "I didn't come to your place last night," he went on, "because she watched me." "So you stay in her tent, feed her, kiss her..." Ron kissed her on the mouth, silencing her. "I have a plan," he whispered. "I'm going to introduce Bretta to Brokane, and I think they'll like each other."

"Bretta's army fought an ambush with Brockane's army, and Bretta won." Jura said, but she didn't think much about her words. "Don't do this to me," she whispered. "Jura," he lowered his voice too, "you don't know that I love you?" He knew that he was in danger of losing her at any time.Bretta woke up, and as soon as she found that the bunk was empty, she would send his guards to look for him. She pushed him hard, tears welling in her eyes. "Get out of here!" she yelled, pushing his shoulder harder. "Jura," he said, "do you feel all right?"

"Yes," she snapped, her voice a little strained, "if I had known this, I should have sent you to the point of Bretta's sword." "Bastard!" he cursed, and stood up, "I risked my life to come to you tonight, don't you know that I love you?" He bent over to caress her cheek again, "Jura, I swear I love you You, I'll make you love me too, if I'm chained to you, will you love me?" "Never," she said, looking at him with exasperated eyes. They said nothing more.Jura tidied up her clothes and returned to the campsite.Ron followed her, not too far away.

After that night, she no longer cared about Ron and Bretta's actions. That night they reached a river which was the border of Ariel.Ron said to Jura, "Let's cross the river first, the Vattles are waiting here," and he was not at all tender. Jura answered him with an equally nonchalant nod.They rode across the river without speaking a word.Arriving on the south bank, they encountered a group of Ariel wearing the clothes of Vatels.When the other party recognized Ron, they immediately raised their arrows, saluted him, and rode with them to the village of Ariel. They came to the village where they were originally stationed.Exhausted, Jura slid out of the saddle.

"Come with me," he said, holding her up. "I'm hungry." "Eat later, now I have to meet my people." "Your English? Probably all asleep by now." "I want to see my Lanconians," Ron said emphatically. Dale emerged from a stone house, his broad chest bare.If Ron hadn't held on tightly to Jura, she would have run to his side. "Come with me," Ron ordered Daller, and they walked on.When he saw Cirian, he ordered her to follow him too.Ron led the three of them into Jura's aunt's house. Now the village is starting to wake up.Ron put Aunt Jura's family to sleep, and he took the three of them to the furthest stone house, lit candles, and said to Jura, Southwest Ann, and Dalle:

"Bretta and her 150 Watters are waiting to cross the river," said Ron. "I brought them here to marry the Ariel, but Bretta made one condition, she must Marry the king here." Celian's eyes were wide open, looking at Jura and her hands on her lap. Dale stood up immediately. "In that case, I would like to have Jura. I rule over Vaters, and she is my queen." Jura gave him a grateful smile. Ron glared at Dale. "I will not marry Bretta. Jura is my wife and I will never abandon her," he frowned. "Jura is no longer a virgin. I repeat, I will never abandon her !"

Dale sat on the bench, close to Celian, a little downcast. Ron said, "I want to introduce Britta to Brockane, and he'll marry her." "What, you want my mother to marry that lecherous old scarred ghost?" Dale said, ready to use force on Ron. "Brockane has a wife who was only a teenager last year. He has not given up his desire to have children. At Bretta's age, it is unlikely to have children." Silian said, she thought for a while, and then added : "Yenni has no wife, and he is the leader of the Ferens tribe." "He's got to be strong," said Ron.

"My mother is the queen," Dale said angrily, "you can't just order her to marry that dwarf from Ference." "Your mother tried to kill Jura!" said Ron, his jaw tense and agitated.He saw the anger on Daller's face, so he went on to say: "I introduced Bretta to the leader of Ferens, and united the various tribes, and I also need Yeni's help." Dale looked up at Ron.Is this the man who rode alone into Vatels' territory?He seems to have an awesome guts. "I will take Bretta away by force, and she will. In order to stop the war between the tribes, we must put Bretta in place."

"What if she joins Yeni and opposes Ariel?" Sirian asked, "Peace still cannot be achieved." "I want Ariel and Waters mixed spouses," said Ron, feeling tired, but forced himself to go on. The Guards can marry them. If Bretta wants to oppose Ariel, a husband doesn't think twice before his wife's day, and I fully understand that." He wiped his eyes with his hand, pulling himself together. "Daller, I want the three of you to come with me and take Bretta to Ference, how about it?" "You want two women with you?" Sirian asked. "Dalle and I need protection behind us," he said. Celian smiled at him. "I understand you, I'll go with you. But will Yeniken receive us? Shall we pretend?" "I'm going to send a messenger first and tell Jenny I'm sending him a bride." Dale was about to say something when the door opened suddenly and Lola walked in.She was beautiful in a pomegranate velvet nightgown, with her hair thrown back. "Ron," she cried, coming up to her brother and putting her arms around his neck, "I'm very worried about you. Montgomery says you're on a tryst. But I know you're not. You've been away for a few days. What? Are you hurt?" Ron smiled softly at her, stroked back her hair, and kissed her on the cheek. "I went into Vatels and brought Bretta and her people to marry the Ariel. You don't have to worry about that." "Huh? You went to Watters? Are you moving alone, without help?" "There's Jura," he said, hugging Lola and looking at Jura over her shoulder, "she's been a great help to me." "Uncle Ron." People in the room saw Philip in a white pajamas standing at the door, wiping his sleepy eyes. Ron let go of his sister, and on his knees reached out to pick up his nephew. Philip saw Jura sitting here, smiled at her, and went up to her.Zhu La picked him up and rocked him gently in her arms. The child smiled and soon fell asleep. "First you have to..." Lola tried to say something, but Ron stopped her. "Don't wake him up," said Ron, "I like watching little ones sleep." He took his nephew from Jura, and Philip fell into a deeper sleep. "Tonight, I'm going to sleep with him," Jura said, taking Philip again, deliberately offending Ron. Ron's eyes flashed with exasperation.He knew Jura didn't want to spend the night with him in his bed.He got up, pulled Lola, and left the room. Cirian walked up to Jura. "I don't see any change in the attitude of the two of you. I hope..." "It's no use. He's English, he never learned our ways..." Cillian said: "No, he thought he didn't need women to follow him before, but now he wants two women to protect his and Dale's backs. It seems that he has learned our living habits." Jura stood, watching Philip in her arms so that he would not wake up. "Maybe you mean it. Sirian, do you have a place for me and the baby to sleep overnight? Tomorrow, the Ariel are going to welcome Bretta, and everyone has to do their part, and I have to get a good night's sleep. " Cillian nodded.She took her girlfriend to another farmhouse for lodging. Ron shook Jura's head roughly in the morning, waking her up. "Now, I'm going to meet Bretta and Vatels. You are my wife and you should attend their wedding ceremony. You have to be ready." "Shall I see them in pain?" Jura grumbled.She picked up Philip, who was about to wake up. Lola came in, picked up the baby, and left with Ron. Jura walked out of the house after washing up.No one could be seen anywhere, and she felt that the village had a desolate atmosphere.She walked to the river. By the river, there is a strange sight.All the Arials, in clean clothes, lined up along the river bank, and no one spoke, not even a child cried, nor a dog barked, and they all waited for the men and women of Waters. The Wattles appeared, some on horseback, some in carts—four-wheeled carts or carts.For almost a week, they faced the appalling prospect of marrying the Ariel, and many cried.But now, Jura saw that there was not a single tear on their faces, that their clothes were equally well washed, and that their hair was smooth and clean.No matter riding a horse or a car, all of them are straight and full of energy.It seems to have changed suddenly. They approached the crowd standing along the bank. "Come on the man in the third carriage," a woman beside Jura whispered to her, "if I choose, I'll choose him." "No," whispered another younger woman, "I want the one on the black horse. Look at him like a calf, strong and powerful." Jura smiled.She walked along the crowd, listening to the conversations, almost all of them talking about going to bed. It seemed to Jura that the weather was warmer than usual.In fact it is.There were thin beads of sweat on her cheeks, especially on her forehead.She couldn't help but think of the day she first met Ron. "Jura!" She woke up from her dazed state, turned around, and saw Cillian. "You've come this far," said Cillian softly, "whom are you going to pick?" Jura saw Watters' men wading across the river.Ron rode beside Bretta.A few weeks ago she had hated the fair-haired, fair-skinned man, but now she thought he was a shining star in a dark room.Not only was his skin different from that of the Lanconians, but his body was stocky and strong, and from constant exercise he was not at all fat.She remembered the strange sensation of her fingers touching his skin. Celian's smile interrupted her sweet thoughts. "He makes you unhappy in other places, but he makes you happy in bed," said Cillian, who thought she knew it all. Jura turned around. "He's an idiot," she said, smiling slightly.She felt drenched in sweat all over her body. "Is there any food for these people? They must be very hungry and tired after traveling a long distance." "Yes," said Sirian, "seems they're as hungry as ours. Ron said the two tribes spend the day together, and at sundown we start picking mates." "Us?" Jura asked. "Are you going to get married tonight too?" "If I can find someone I like, why not. But I want to go to Yeni tribe with Ron, and don't like to leave a new husband. Let's go! Let's go to work among these people. The morning torch is already lit .” Jura enjoyed these pastimes.But she didn't want Ron to suspect that she was spying on him.As he approached on horseback, she evaded him to meet the Watersmen and lead them into the house. This is a strange day.The people of Watters and Ariel have never been peaceful before, let alone be together in harmony for this reason.It is said that some generations ago there was a meeting of the chiefs of the tribes, and that Watters, Ariel, and Ferenc joined forces to fight the Hens.But when the war was over and King Ference's son killed King Vatels' brother, their joint victory turned into a bloody war between them, and the various tribes of Lanconia fell into new disputes and mutual conflicts. Abyss of hatred. Today, people from both tribes gather in the village of Ariel.At the beginning, the Vaters stood together in groups of three and five, looking at the Ariel, a little embarrassed and frightened.The women of Ariel were busy cooking, while the men just stood beside them, watching and protecting them. "They're still hesitating," Jura heard Lola's voice.She always stood close to Ron. "Ron, we have to go out and do work among people, and you'll be my interpreter, my Lanconian isn't very good yet." Ron looked over at Jura.His blue eyes darkened, and Jura thought she was getting excited too. "Jura can translate for you," said Ron. Lola made a face. "Maybe Zanti gave..." "Jura will translate for you," Ron said emphatically again. Jura doesn't like to accept the task of sister-in-law, but she knows that Lola is right and must go to the people to do her work.But she also doubted that a weak and useless woman like Lola could ease the tense atmosphere?Maybe try to do something yourself. An hour later, Jura, as the captain of the guard, organized and commanded the men and women of Vatels to help the men and women of Ariel fetch firewood and cook respectively.When she saw a handsome young Watters and a handsome Ariel girl looking into each other's eyes, she bade them both go fishing. "How do they fish without rods and fish?" Lola asked her. Jura laughed, approached Lola, and said a little mysteriously: "Look, our beautiful girl, with red borders embroidered on her clothes, must be brave in battle. She should love Watters' guards. Our guards should approach Some of their women even go to Bretta." After all, she ordered a female guard of Ariel to have sex with a young man of Watters. "There are sweet fruits on the mountain that need to be collected." The couple left.Lola looked at the back of the man and said, "This man has broad shoulders, what about his legs?" "I've noticed," Jura said, "that it takes three hours to climb the mountain, and he won't get tired." Afterwards, Lola and Jura began to rest.Their habits of life were completely different. Jura was always with the men, sharpening knives and spears to pass the time. She could not cook and manage the house.Lola once regretted her lack of womanly excellence.Jura felt that Lola was useless and despised her.Now they have grown close through working together, and live happily ever after. Old Sol had teased Jura for her lack of flair.Now she was a matchmaker for the Ariel and the Vattles. Lola was radiant, and said to Jura: "Look, the two people over there are close together, very intimate, right?" "She has a weaver," said Jura, looking at the women among them, "and we can send her and the man to tend her loom." "Ah, yes," Lola replied. "Your idea is very good. I never thought you would be a matchmaker, and you are very good. Tonight is a clear night, with a round moon high in the sky, and couples walking hand in hand along the river, how rich Poetic. It’s also a reminder of my own marriage.” Jura was staring absently into space, thinking how delightful it is for a man to propose to you.When Dale asked her to marry him, he had given her twelve new arrows, and she had been very excited at the time, but now she thought, she would rather have flowers. "We're supposed to have Ron playing the flute and singing and playing games tonight," said Lola. "He's got a lot of pretty songs to sing." "Singing, playing?" Jura said. "Yes, he played the qin for Bretta." Laura gave her sister-in-law a quick look. "Hasn't he played the flute for you? Hasn't he sung you a love song by moonlight?" "He said once, he said that I was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Is this what is in the lyrics?" Lola was quiet for a while, studying Jura. "He fell in love at first sight and called you the most beautiful woman, but why didn't you want to marry my brother?" "Cirian wants to be queen, and she is better than me." Lola put her hand on Jura's and said, "Well, I don't know anything about it." They were too busy talking to notice Ron's arrival. "Looks like you girls are enjoying yourselves," said Ron, with the casual attitude of a man who entertains women. Lola turned sharply to face him. "Your wife risked her life to help you win, and you never once played the flute for her," she spat at her brother. "But you've already played Bretta--the slut! She's sitting there surrounded by the most beautiful men, and you join in the fun as if you're really going to marry her. You'll have to ask Jura for forgiveness!--Jura , let's go, let's go to work!" Jura thought it amused that Lola had pulled Ron away and put Ron aside.He found that Lola was also carrying a weapon, which was not made of steel, but sharper than steel, and Ron couldn't do anything about it.She gazed at her with a new reverence. At one o'clock at noon, several tables of banquets were set up in a large courtyard.The courtyard was filled with joyous laughter, and the emotions of excitement and anticipation were overwhelming.Even the children, realizing that something big was going to happen, were running around and chasing each other, screaming and bantering with delight.Without paying attention to them, the people of Ariel and Vatels came into contact with each other, observed each other, and carefully searched and selected the one they liked. There are many touching scenes on this day: the girls bend over to the young men and "accidentally" touch their shoulders; the boys raise their hands and "accidentally" touch the girls' chests.Some people deliberately throw things down, so that they can bend down to pick them up, and slowly lift up, so that they can watch the other person's body for a long time.People talked and laughed with each other, and they all felt warm in their hearts, warmer than the sun. "Did you take part?" asked Jura, a healthy, burly young guard of Vatels, "and you will be free if our queen marries your king." He drew near to her, and breathed on her neck, Then he whispered, "I can make you forget the Englishman." Jura smiled, her lips close to his face. But at this moment, Ron grabbed her arm and pulled her away. "What are you doing? I thought you were with Lola." "But you're with Bretta. Have you arranged your wedding ceremony?" He took her arm and dragged her to her aunt's house. "We've got to talk," Ron said, kissing her once they were hidden in a room. "I've told Bretta I can't leave you alone. I hate dishonesty, so I'm willing to atone. I've found the solution, and that's your brother." "Geralt? What has he to do with it?" "Your brother is marrying Bretta. I don't know if it's her looks that intrigue him, but the delusion is that she's fascinated by his ceremonies. I guess he's going to marry her and probably murder me. You Don't protest, I'm just guessing. Do you think he's going to like Bretta?" Jura paused for a moment, understanding what he meant. "Do you think my brother is a real man?" She spit out words one by one through her teeth. "It's a pleasure for you to give him a woman. But he's had many women, and none of them are satisfying." She laughed. Ron was shocked. "Jura, what? . . . " he began, and fell silent again.For a moment he said to her, "Let's not quarrel this time. I've told Bretta that I can't live with her tonight. She insists. I think I can find her a hot young man." "My dear Englishman, you have too much control." He looks at her. "Maybe I can manage a country, but I don't necessarily manage my wife well. The atmosphere tonight is tense. On many nights when couples get married, if Bretta is not allowed to have one, it will cause trouble." He stopped suddenly, and after a while said, "I have to find your brother." After he left the room, Jura sat on a bench in a dark corner, recalling with a heavy heart their meeting by the river, and how it had developed to this day. The door is pressed open. "Jura," Lola called, but Jura didn't look up. Lola was puzzled to see Jura sitting still on the bench.At first, she was not happy with the girl as Ron's wife, because she didn't like the Lanconian way of life.Later she heard the truth in the contest at Honorium, that Jura had tried to make Cilien win her, but Cilien was unable to take part because of fainting, and Jura had won. Lola finds Dale and asks about Geralt and Jura.She realized that Jura had reason to believe that Ron would not be king, but Jura didn't understand that Ron had been training hard for more than ten years just to be a good king. Lola cautiously learned the truth about Ron and Jura's departure from Celian. She was worried and irritable, thinking that Jura was a burden on Ron.But both Ron and Jura came back safely, and Ron even said that Jura had been a great help to him. After that, Lola's opinion of Jura began to change.Of course Philip's admiration for Jura was also a factor.The child was willing to follow her wherever she went, and Jura never lost his temper when he asked him questions, but always answered them patiently. Lola found that Jura seemed unenvious, in no way like the intellectual women she had known in England.She didn't care whether Ron was hanging around Bretta or flirting with the beautiful Watters and Ariel women. She and Jura gradually became intimate, almost like sisters, unwilling to part with each other.Lola thought Ron and Jura were the perfect couple.Of course, they were already married, and she secretly blessed them. The long day is coming to an end, these young men and women quickly choose their lovers and prepare to get married collectively.But at this moment, Lola saw that Ron suddenly pulled Jura out of the crowd, and his angry expression was not like a lover, but like an angry father treating a stubborn child. Lola found Zanti and told him that Ron had pitched tents five miles down the river bank, and each couple could find a quiet, secluded room.Then she hurried to Jura, trying to comfort her.Jura was sitting alone in the stone house, depressed and lonely. "Come with me," Lola said imperatively. "What?" Jura asked, blinking. "Did someone hurt you? Need my help?". "Yes, your husband needs you, and Lanconia needs a queen." Lola took her to her modest farm house.She beckons young Montgomery to stop flirting with women and helps her move some heavy suitcases. "I'll dress you after the fashion in England," said Lola, grinning. Jura stepped back toward the door. "I don't want to wear your tunic," she said. "I can't fight if we're attacked." "The only person who can attack you tonight is your husband," Lola said, hearing Montgomery's voice as she turned.He was asking Jura in a low voice: "Dalle asked you to marry him? What made him think that?" Jura smiled softly at the memory. "In an archery match, I beat him." Montgomery yawned at her. "Montgomery, do you want to sleep?" said Lola sternly. "Open the suitcase!" The big kid opened the lids of several suitcases, and Lola rummaged through them until she pulled out a loose, beautiful, dark blue velvet gown. "Jura, this is the longest robe I have ever worn, and I believe it fits your figure perfectly." Jura took a step back, the robes were like poison, but the setting sun made it glisten, and she moved closer to it.She had never seen such a precious silk fabric, which made women's skin itchy when worn. "I can't wear it..." Although she said this, she hesitated and looked at Lola intently: "Will your brother like this dress more than my excellent shot?" "Jura," Lola called to her with great emotion, "when I adorn you, my brother will come to you and beg you to forgive the mean words he has said to you." Jura took the silk robe from Lola, "Okay, let me try." Because she was a guard, she was used to baggy trousers, and occasionally wore a robe for ceremonies, but never the tight, almost floor-sweeping robes of England.Lola told her that it was a medieval women's dress, sewn with Italian brocade, cut and fitted to show the curves of Jura's waist and hips. Lola didn't braid Jura's hair, leaving her black hair loose like a babbling stream.A ringlet of solid gold was also placed on her forehead, and soft leather shoes were used for her boots.When everything was dressed, she looked at her sister-in-law from behind with a scrutinizing gaze, and said repeatedly: "Yes, very good." "Am I pretty?" Jura asked timidly, "better than Bretta?" Lola waited.Jura lacks the concept of beauty. For her, the greatest joy of life is her ability to ride horses, shoot well, and be able to resist men in battle.In fact, her beauty is more important than riding and shooting skills, and she can make men fall in love with her. "Bretta's bedroom is right next to your tent," Lola said laughingly. "You walk past her and go straight to your husband. Don't run, walk slowly so that people can see you and appreciate you. You Tell Ron that you'll be waiting for him in your tent after the group wedding ceremony, but don't tell him where the tent is, let him find it himself. No need to say any more, you just let him take his the flute, and leave immediately. Jura, do you understand? You can't let him treat you like a man." "Like a man?" Jura whispered. "I don't think I understand English psychology." "The female guard is very much like a man. But he prefers a real woman. I don't know when the two of you met before, but I bet he never loves you because you beat him in battle .” "No, absolutely not," Jura recalled. "This time, you let my brother look at you, Jura is not just a female guard, but a real woman. Remember how beautiful you are, no, it is better to let him and all men tell you yes How beautiful! Oh, come on," said Lola, nudging her. "The mass wedding ceremony will begin soon. Zanti will take you to Ron's tent, and my brother can find you. Let's go." Jura found the tight robes a bit awkward, and she couldn't take a step, so she had to walk slowly, making her hips swing back and forth, and it seemed that she might fall every now and then.He was unarmed, almost naked, with no knife or quiver on his arm, and no spear in his hand. "I'll send you lunch. You sit in a chair and Ron kneels at your feet and he's going to play the flute and sing for you. Take it easy, Jura, you're not fighting." "I'd rather fight four Zenas than do something like this," Jura laughed. Jura reluctantly leaves Lova's stone house.She knew that Ron must be near where Bretta lived, near the east side of the square.She moved slowly, as if walking a long way. People stopped and looked at her intently. At first, she mistakenly thought that people thought her clothes were ridiculous, but those eyes showed surprise and admiration, and she strengthened her confidence.Women, even the most handsome ones, frowned at the sight of Jura, while the men gaped. "That's Jura," she heard people whisper, as if they had never seen her before. Jura's shoulders were thrown back a little, his head was raised, a smile appeared on his face, and his posture and movements were very graceful.Walking slowly, continue walking towards the east side of the square. Ron was not far from Britta, but he wasn't leaning against her as he usually did.Sitting next to Britta was Geralt, his black eyes looking to devour her.He glanced at his sister, seeing nothing unusual in her attire, and quickly looked at Bretta again.But Bretta saw the change in Jura; a smile of admiration spread across her face, like a man in combat trying to judge the strength of an enemy, her eyes following Jura as he approached Roth. Ron was talking to Dale, oblivious to Jura's arrival and the commotion she had caused. Dale found Jura, he glanced at Ron, then turned to stare at her, his face changed accordingly.Even when she had beaten him at the archery match, he hadn't stared at her like he was now.He had been so proud of Jura, and today she was even more stunning in her new look. Ron was distracted by Dale, followed Dale's eyes, saw Jura too, and immediately focused on his wife. When Jura knew that Ron had seen her, she immediately turned and walked away.Ron stood there dumbfounded, his mouth open and unable to close. He wished he could jump over and kiss her, and when he saw her go back without looking back, he felt weak in all his limbs, as if he was going to be paralyzed. But after a while, he still caught up and walked to her side. "I'll wait for you in our tent after the wedding ceremony," she said, her voice low and husky. He nodded.She then turned and walked away. "Jura," he called to her, "where is our tent?" "Go and find it," she said, "and take your flute." After he left, she heard her heart pounding, but she was in a good mood, with a smile on her face.Behind her, she heard Bretta ask Ron why he was so focused on her.But Jura felt she had won.