Chapter 14 Chapter Fourteen

They were approaching the territory of Ference, and the road became steeper and narrower, and sometimes even the horses flinched.They were heading towards the east of the rising sun, where the village of Poyrons was hidden in the mountains, and to the north was the border of Ertans. No one spoke, and they were always on guard against any accident.Twice Jura saw Bretta staring hungrily at Geralt.She hated this woman and wanted Ron one day and Gerald the next. Perhaps, she was influenced by Ron, which made her suspicious of Geralt.But she saw him riding stubbornly on the horse, never peeping at Bretta.

That night they camped at a place in the bend of the river, and since they had reached the borders of Ferens, they did not light a fire, but ate only cold food.Then spread the blanket on the rocks and sleep.Geralt deserves more. Zhu La fell asleep, and at some point, she woke up suddenly.I only heard the rushing of the river, and the sky was dark.Both Bretta and Sirian were deep sleepers, snoring.But Ron was gone, he had put his blanket over someone else, and he was gone.Jura supported his upper body for a while, and looked around in the night, only to see Gerald hiding in the shadows, watching the east.Dale also woke up, pointing to her a path leading to the interior of Ferenc's territory.Jura's heart couldn't help beating faster. She wondered if Ron went deep into the enemy's hinterland alone again?For him, it's entirely possible.

Jura got up quickly, woke up Celian in a low voice, told her to pay attention to Britta, and then rode to Ron. She guessed that Ron might run directly to the city where Yeni lived. She didn't care about the saddle, and rode away on a bareback horse. At first, she walked slowly, and after leaving the camp for a certain distance, she accelerated and galloped. She didn't run very far when she spotted Ron riding out of the woods. "Damn it!" he yelled at Jura. "You're like a babysitter, always following people around. Come back!" "You go deep alone, how can you do without protection!" She said, her mount kept jumping and refused to rest. "This is enemy territory, Yeni's men will kill you, they don't care if you're a king with a noble purpose or something."

He seemed a little calmer. "I'm looking for the messenger I sent. This is the only channel between Ariel and Ferens. He should come back from here." "Ference probably won't bring your messenger back alive," Jura said. "I don't have time to argue with you. If you don't want to go back, ride with me and watch my back." Jura smiled in the dark, and she immediately followed him.He finally learned the Lanconian way of life. They rode along the rocky path for about an hour, and the cool moonlight accompanied them to a place. Ron and Jura dismounted, kept as quiet as possible, walked down the steep cliff, and tied the horse to a tree.

"I see fire ahead," said Ron softly. "Come near me and don't do anything stupid." She felt it was strange that such a burly man could move forward quietly, and followed him step by step.She felt that his eyesight was particularly sharp. After walking for a while, she saw a fire burning in a relatively flat place. When the distance was close, the two of them took advantage of the cover of the woods to observe carefully in the direction of the fire.Sitting on the ground around the fire were three men, gnawing on meat.They looked tired, and their clothes were ragged, as if they had been worn all their lives.

Jura recognized them as Ferens, because they were all half a foot shorter than the Ariel.Anyone who has fought against them knows that although the Ferencians are short in stature, they are powerful and formidable opponents.They are dark-skinned, have eyebrows that grow almost together, and are mostly bow-legged.According to legend, the child of Ference was put on the horse when he was three years old, and he was not allowed to get off, so his legs were easily deformed.They love horses more than they love themselves.If an Ariel on foot meets a Ferenc on horseback, he can only pray for a quick death, and there is no way out.

Jura turned to look at Ron, who seemed to be staring at a tree by the fire, Jura followed his line of sight, and the silhouette of a figure emerged.She looked at Ron's reaction again, and he said that this might be the messenger he sent. He was tied to a tree, like a goose on a banquet, and he didn't know whether he was still alive or dead. Ron moved to the other end of the Ferens alone, confirming his thoughts.Jura also quietly caught up. "The prisoner they took was Keon," whispered Ron. Jura didn't see Ron's face clearly, but he knew from his voice that he was in pain.Keown was Brokane's son, and Ron had kept him safe.It was folly, thought Jura, to send such a noble young prince as a messenger to Ference.But she didn't tell Ron what was on her mind.

He told Jura that he wanted to capture the three Ferens with his own hands and save Prince Zenas.Jura worried that he would be too weak to win alone. Ron made a face at her, turned into a wood and disappeared. She was appointed to stay and wait for him.Her heart began to beat rapidly, deeply concerned for Ron's safety.She prayed to Neos, the Lanconian god of war, to save her husband from being killed.In the end, she was still worried, turned into the village, and slowly followed Ron. She wanted to help him if necessary. After she passed through the woods, she found that Ron did not take the initiative to attack, but jumped into the circle of fire, holding the sword in his left hand, and announced to the three Ferencians: "I am the king of Lanconia, all of you lay down your weapon."

The three Ferens immediately jumped up and stared at Ron.Fearing that her husband would suffer, Zhu La hurried to the scene, and with her tomahawk, hit a Ferensian on the head from behind, and the man immediately fell at her feet.Just as she was about to turn around, another Ferencian hugged her waist. This man's arms were so powerful that she was almost suffocated.She kicked and beat her with elbows and feet, but she couldn't break free.To her left, there was the sound of steel clashing as Ron wrestled with the remaining Ferencian. In the tight embrace of the Ferens, all efforts had failed, Jura was exhausted, and her whole body seemed to be paralyzed. Finally, she closed her eyes and knew nothing.

When she heard Ron's call and woke up, she found herself lying on the ground. Ron lifted her upper body and called her name softly. "Jura, are you feeling better?" "Yes," she said, touching her sore ribs.Added: "I can't breathe." "Why should I allow a woman to fight for me?" he said regretfully. "Because I knocked down one, the second entangled me, and you defeated the third." She stood up with his support. "Shoot them an arrow if I can spare..." Ron shook his head.He glanced at the three Ferencians who fell unconscious on the ground and said, "They are also my people, just like the Ariel people. You shouldn't do anything, let alone shoot them to death."

Seeing that Jura no longer complained of pain, he helped her to a nearby tree to look at his messenger, Keon. The child leaned against a big tree and appeared to be dead.But after careful inspection, it turned out that he was drunk and slept deeply, so even the sound of fighting didn't wake him up. "He drank quite a lot," Jura said disgustedly, smelling a bad smell, "he was not taken prisoner, and he was not tied." Ron bowed and shook Keown's head, calling to him. Keown finally opened his eyelids, moved his eyes, followed his thirsty lips, and then gave Ron a silly smile. "My father would be proud of me," he mumbled. "I met Yeni." The kid grinned and closed his eyes again.Ron waited patiently. "People say I'm brave," Keown added. "I told him about Bretta," the child said, picking his hands in the air, describing the woman. "Yenni said he promised to marry her." Ron listened, nodding slightly. Keon leaned against Jura, the stench of wine from his mouth forcing her to look up a little. "They'll make a funny couple, Yeni's a dwarf, Bretta's not young. Nobody's as pretty as you, Jura, and if you have a sister, I'll marry her. Then we'll be married to the king." relatives." Jura didn't understand what Keon meant. "King? You mean your father, Brockane?" Keon grinned at her with his mouth cocked. "No! King Ron, he is the king of all Lanconia." Unexpectedly, the child had such admiration and reverence for Ron, which moved Jura deeply. "Where is Xiao Mang?" Ron asked, "I sent three of them to meet you, didn't you meet?" "I didn't see it," Keon said. "My father wanted me to look like a man, like you... I have three older brothers who my father sent to fight before, but they were all killed." He turned to Jura , "I attacked King Ron, but I am still alive. I have many things to do, and I have to prove that I am capable like my father. King Ron, how did I do this time?" Ron put his hands on his shoulders and said kindly, "Well done, I'm delighted. I'm sure you'll be a real man." A smug smile appeared on Keown's lips. "You rode to Yeni alone?" Jura asked. "Why didn't Yeni abuse you or kill you?" The smug smile faded from his face, and a sad feeling rose in his heart. "Ference is poor. Their horses are often stolen, Yeni said, so they have to change places; they can't cultivate corn, they don't have enough food. They died a lot last winter. They need women," said Here, Keown showed joy again, "I think my father will be willing to give them all the unmarried women of Zenas, and the unmarried men of Zenas can marry the women of Ariel." "So, Yeniken accepts?" Ron asked with great interest. Keown's eyes closed again, and his head drooped, as if he was about to fall asleep.He probably didn't catch Ron's question, and murmured as if to himself that these three Ferencians had taken him to see Yeni, one of whom was Yeni's brother; all of them could drink.Why did Ron kill them? ... Before he finished speaking, he fell asleep. Jura knew that Keon was too tired and drunk, so he fell asleep quickly and deeply.She lowered him gently to the ground. "I never noticed before, he's so pretty," she whispered. "Colorless like me?" Ron laughed. "Now, why don't you stop mothering this child, we should go and see those three Ferencians, and I think, God knows, we didn't kill them." Jura smiled at Ron and stroked Keon's cheek lightly. "He's actually younger than me. It never occurred to me that he was a brave kid who dared to go to Yeni by himself." Saying that, Jura followed Ron to see the three Ferencians lying on the ground.She smiled to herself, she loved Ron's jealousy, and his flaws pleased her.She found the Englishman very handsome and very pleasant. A Ferencian had already started to move. Ron patted his injured head and told Jura to fetch water. When he returned, he found that all three people had sat up, stared at Ron, and listened to what he explained. Jura approached the fire, and they all looked at her carefully.One of the people who had hugged her tightly met her eyes, showing a strange expression, as if rejoicing that both of them were still alive.Jura chose a suitable place to sit down, tearing off a rabbit leg and biting it. From this angle, she could clearly see the activities of the Ferencians. If they went to get weapons, she was ready to deal with them.But the three Ferens paid close attention to what Ron said, so she covered herself with the sheepskin and went to sleep. She was half asleep, half awake, and felt that Ron had picked her up, and she was lying comfortably in his arms, her head resting on his broad chest, and fell asleep again.She didn't know where she was, but she felt safe in Ron's arms.After an unknown period of time, her consciousness seemed to wake up, and she remembered everything Ron had done: he treated Brockane friendly, united with Queen Watters, organized the intermarriage of people from the two tribes of Watters and Ariar, and now She took the trouble to promote it to the Ferencians... She used to think that what he did was stupid, but now she realized its significance... She suddenly opened her eyes and asked Ron, "Can you really talk to God?" Ron was puzzled by the question. "I'm just an ordinary mortal, and I need God's help." She closed her eyes again and fell asleep, and slept soundly until morning.Ron was lying beside her, also asleep, his arms around her like she was a baby in need.When she woke up, she wanted to get away so as not to disturb his sleep. "Stay out of my sight," he said, without opening his eyes, his arms still wrapped tightly around her. "I remember," she whispered. He still didn't open his eyes. "Don't go far," he said, "Today, for you, I don't want to fight anyone." She didn't refute, walked to the tree where Keown had stayed, turned around for a while and came back.Ron was still lying there. "We have to go back, otherwise, Dale and Cillian will be in a hurry." Jura deliberately did not mention Geralt. "Where are the sons of Brocaine and the Ferens? How long do you want to stay here?" "I let them go first," said Ron, grabbing her ankle. "Jura, don't you sometimes want to lie on the river bank and watch the scenery?" She smiles at him. "Maybe I still want to catch butterflies. But I can't do that today. Geralt..." "Oh, my God!" exclaimed Ron, standing up instantly. "I've forgotten your brother. He'll do anything, maybe even kill three Ferencians without giving them a chance to explain. Get on your horse and go!" Ron's fears were confirmed when they rode back to the bivouac.Jura said "Damn it" in her heart, she hated herself for not admitting that Ron was right before. The three Ferencians arrived at the bivouac with Keown.While they were asleep, Geralt secretly caught them, and insisted that they had killed his sister, and if he didn't make it clear, he would demand their lives. Ron and Jura saw from a distance that the lives of the three Ferens were being threatened. Jura didn't know what would happen next, and it might cause a war.Ron threw his knife deftly, landed on the ground in front of Geralt, warned him not to do it, and rode forward to settle the dispute. These Ferencians originally came to welcome the Ariel with Keown with sincerity. They didn't want to be attacked twice within a few hours. They couldn't bear it anymore and were about to fight Gerald. When Ron After throwing their knives, they took the opportunity to jump on their horses, take up their weapons, and fight. Young Keown awoke from his drunken slumber, saw the scene before him, and fell into a state of panic. He didn't understand why the struggle took place, or who attacked whom.When he saw Ron, he mistakenly thought that the king he respected was in danger, so he immediately drew his sword and ran to Ron to protect him. It was too late, and then soon, a Ferensian was stabbing Gerald with a sword, and the latter opened the side door, but missed the sword, but the Ferensian's sword pierced Keown's heart.If Keown hadn't stood here, there was no doubt that this sword would have stabbed Ron. Keown fell to the ground, there was a brief silence, all the people present seemed to be frozen, without a sound. Ron was the first to react. He knelt down on his knees and picked up the seriously injured child. "Please tell my father that I did not die for nothing," he whispered weakly. "I'll tell him," said Ron mournfully. Keown lowered his head slowly and painfully onto Ron's shoulders. "I didn't die aimlessly, but for my king." His lifeless body collapsed into Ron's arms. "This will mean war!" said Geralt, sheathing his sword. Jura turned to look at her brother, and she saw in his eyes something that was almost a maniacal laugh.In his heart he must have been glad the boy was dead, because then the war would be imminent, and Brockane would kill Ron.At this moment, Jura understood that Gerald didn't care about the fate of Lanconia, but only thought about himself and satisfied his desire for power. Jura looked at Ron again, he was still holding Keown, but she didn't understand his mood at this time.His face seemed to be carved out of marble, and he neither reprimanded the Ferencians nor Geralt, but was genuinely sorry for the boy's death and worried about the possible war. Finally, Ron stood up slowly, and walked towards the woods with Keown's body in his arms. Jura stared grimly at her brother. "You stay here and wait for us to come back. If you hurt anyone again, I'll kill you!" She said every word like it came out of her teeth. "But, Jura..." Geralt tried to say something. But Jura ignored him and went after Ron.Celian persuaded her that Ron should be left alone to calm down, but Jura refused to listen, she was eager to see him, Zenas's child died, he was very sad, she must talk to him, comfort him, for him Divide. Some way through the woods, she saw Ron.Getting closer, a very peculiar sight appeared in front of the ground.Ron laid Keown's body on the rock as if it were an altar, and Ron knelt beside the child. Jura didn't move any further, but stood still, and Ron didn't turn around to look at her.He put his face in his hands, shrugged his shoulders, and she knew that Ron was crying. She had only seen women cry before, but she had never seen a man cry, and she heard his mournful voice. Faced with this unexpected situation, what should she do? She hid behind the village, watching and waiting.She doesn't want to leave him.Right now, she couldn't fully comprehend his grief over the death of a Zenas child. Yes, he had personally promised Brokane, guaranteeing Keown's safety.But he didn't kill the child. Could it be that the cloud of war has already loomed, which made him so sad? Suddenly, she heard Ron start talking, he was telling God his feelings, he seemed to believe that God was his friend and could really help him.She pricked up her ears to catch his every word. "God, I failed," said Ron. "I failed my father, I failed my country, and I failed my wife." Jura frowned slightly and listened more attentively. "I beg to remove my king. Lord, I am not worthy to bear this burden. As Mr. Filan pointed out, I am not a complete Lanconian, and I cannot unify this country." He put his head in his hands, Weeping bitterly, the voice became louder and louder. "Jura saw me through, and she knew that sooner or later I would fail. Lord, I am unfit for the great task of unifying Lanconia. Keon died for me, to save my worthless soul. I cannot stay here any longer, I want to go back to England and give the country to the true Lanconians. Forgive me, Lord, for disappointing you, forgive me! . . . " He burst into tears again. Zhu La leaned against the tree, motionless like a wooden sculpture of clay, only feeling tears in his eyes.She never knew, and he doubted himself.Why did he say he can't be king? She then asked herself, why did she always doubt him?Why was she unwilling to stand by his side from the beginning?Not only had she never cared for him affectionately, but she always quarreled and had conflicts with him every step of the way. Her tears flowed quickly, but the tears did not relieve her mental pain.Was she worried about loving him?Was she arguing with him out of her arrogance or because of the fragility of love?Maybe she really loved him from the first time they met by the river and maybe he had a power over her heart, she couldn't tell. Looking at Ron who was still in pain, Jura suddenly thought that she must take various measures to prevent him from leaving Lanconia.If Ron left, she thought that some misfortune would happen to the country. If Gerald was to be the king, not only would he not be able to unite the various tribes, but he would definitely plunge the country into the abyss of war! Jura also thought that she would not be able to live without Ron.She was used to his kindness, tenderness, and abundant strength.No matter how much she laughed at him, or quarreled with him, he always believed in his own strength.And now, he had shaken himself, and she had to help him. But what to do?An Englishwoman, no doubt, would hug him and comfort him.Jura wondered that she wanted to do the same, she wanted to wrap her arms around him and let him cry on her shoulders while she stroked his shiny hair. But can't!She sympathized with him, the easiest and most useless gesture she had to make him take courage again and believe in his own strength. Ron stood up, still staring at Keown's body, unable to bear to leave.Jura felt her eyes fill with tears again.The reason why he was so sad was not only because of the death of a child, but more importantly, he cared about the fate and future of Lanconia.Sol was right to choose him as king and she was wrong not to support him. She slipped away from the woods, and then turned back as if she had just spotted him. "Ron, what are you doing here?" she said in a reproachful voice. "We must ride to Ferrence." Ron didn't turn. She wanted to run her hands through his hair, but she held back. "What is this?" She raised her voice, "Are you mourning the child of Zenas, or are you afraid of angering Brockane? Tell me, even if there is a war, we, Ariel, will definitely win!" "Can't fight," said Ron finally, turning to her. "I'm going to hand myself over to Brockane and let him handle it. In this way, his anger and hatred may be calmed down." Jura was taken aback when she heard this!But she said, "Good! Then Geralt is king." Ron didn't say anything about it. "You're going to pick one," she said, "but tell me, before you're ready to sacrifice yourself, are we going to Ferenc? Are we going to keep Yeni waiting for Bretta?" "These things don't concern me anymore, I'm not from Lankonya." She frowned. "That's true. A Lankonian would never engage in the folly of uniting the tribes. It never happened." "Perhaps someone else would have done it like me," he said sadly. "I'm afraid not. Geralt wouldn't join anyone, and he didn't kill an innocent child." She stared into Ron's face to see if his words stirred him. Ron stood up suddenly and asked, "Can Geralt unite the tribes?" "Yes, he's going to do great things, don't you think? Bretta has seen his power, and Yeni has seen it too." "Bretta sees Geralt's strength?" "Of course. I could see in her eyes that she was afraid of my brother." "She means she wants to marry that kid and rule all of Lanconia!" he said, glancing back into Ron's sad eyes. "What does that matter to you? You're going to die anyway, and you're willing to sacrifice yourself for Keown." Ron involuntarily turned his head to look at the child's body, then turned back and said, "Yes, Geralt will be king, I believe." "He won!" Jura said. "Won?" "Yes. I'm married to the king, and Gerald usurped the throne again. I can't do it anyway. If you are really dead, I will marry Dale and fight Gerald and Bretta to control her. Watters tribe, take back power, maybe I'll still be Queen of Lanconia." She laughed at this point, "Really, I like the idea." The expression on Ron's face changed suddenly, from sorrow to hatred, which was directed at Jura. "War and power is everything you think! You are keen to fight, just to gain power, at the expense of the death of thousands of people in Lanconia!" "Since you care so much about the people of Lanconia, why do you intend to leave here and sacrifice yourself?" "Because I swore to Brockane that I would guarantee Keown's safety with my life. The knight's word counts." "You're English," she spat at him. "I'm glad you're dead, we don't need cowards like you! You didn't carry out your plan, and you quit. Come on, to Brockenne Go there and die!" She paused, turned around, left him like a storm, and left. But she didn't go far, stopped when Ron was out of sight, and stood there numb, pain gnawing at her heart.She knelt down on the ground, her shoulders were shaking, her hands were clenched into fists, and she was sobbing in her heart, but she had no tears anymore, just like thunder and lightning without raindrops.She gradually fell into the dust, crying more and more, her pain was too deep!If Ron really gave himself to Brokane, she would die!But she couldn't tell him, because what he needs now is not sympathy, but motivation.But he didn't understand his intentions, and he lost his temper at her, with hatred in his eyes, which she couldn't bear. After a while, she returned to the campsite.People sat quietly, looking at her expectantly, as if to ask, "Where's the king? Where is he and why isn't he coming back?" Jura realized that people missed Ron as much as she did. As Cirian came up to her, Jura turned her face away. "Why... are you crying?" Silian was a little puzzled, "What is he doing? He kept everyone waiting too long." Jura didn't want to tell anyone, not even her closest girlfriends, because a Lanconian couldn't understand a man's crying! "I am saddened by Keown's death," Jura said. "He will be back soon." Sure enough, Ron appeared in front of everyone.His hair was wet and he looked as if he had taken a bath.He ordered all to get ready to go.The three Ferencians stood up and looked at him in panic. Ron walked up to them and talked to them calmly, saying that Keon's death was a complete misunderstanding and not their responsibility, and hoped they would guide him to see Yeni . Jura watched Ron closely, and she saw in his eyes and in his movements that he had changed, that although he was still sad, there was a new look of determination in his expression.It seemed that he had regained his courage and continued to carry out his unfinished plan. She smiled at him as he passed her. But Ron didn't have her. They rode on.On the way, he still didn't look at her.He didn't understand that her words were intended to be irritating, to drive him away from the pain, to regain his strength, and to take up his responsibilities.But Jura was confident that this evening, if she wanted to talk to him alone, he would understand her intentions, kiss her intimately, and even make love to her. But Jura was wrong.After they camped, Ron avoided her, and she asked to go for a walk in the woods with him, but he refused, saying he wanted to be with the Ferens. "I can't leave them alone. You can be with your brother and call him rightful king," he said, looking at her coldly.When Zhu La wanted to explain, he had already turned around, leaving her in a daze. Seeing Jura's embarrassment, Celian walked over and said, "Get off the saddle." Jura was doing the job mechanically. "It seems that you probably hurt him," said Cillian. "No, I helped him. But he didn't know." Jura saw sparks popping nearby as Ron was sharpening his sword on a stone. "You're a fool," said Sirian, leaving her angrily. Jura felt sorry for herself, and even Cilien did not believe her words.That night, she sat quietly around the fire with everyone, and Ron did not look for her alone until dawn. No one else seemed to notice the rift between her and Ron, except Celian, who, when he divided his affairs, treated her like any other woman.But Jura was used to protecting him. She expected him to suddenly jump down from the tree and hug her.But he didn't.He squatted by the river, facing his back, scrubbing himself.She approached him quietly. He didn't move. "Jura, what's the matter with you?" he asked, his tone unusually cold, as ruthless as mountain water. She wanted to leave him, but after taking a few steps, she turned back, knelt beside him, and took a few sips of water.The sky reflected in the water was purple, and the twilight was already thick. "We haven't spoken all day, I think..." She stroked his bare shoulder with her hand.But he only looked at her hand, then moved away. "I don't know how men and women in Lanconia talk," he said, "but I believe your job is to guard my back." Jura frowned. "We're married." "But, you are only willing to sleep with me when you need me." "If you think I am like this, then be free!" she said angrily, and left quickly.She wanted to explain to him her purpose of ridiculing him. Did he really believe that she would want him dead? Tears filled my eyes again.Damn her!Why did she fall in love with a man and torture herself!