Chapter 6 first quarter

When Alder arrived at the pier, "Yuanxiang" was still stopping at the port to load timber, but he knew that he had already been blacklisted by that ship.He walked towards the dilapidated coastal trading ship "Beautiful Rose" which was moored aside. Sparrowhawk gave Alder a passage, signed by the king, sealed with the peace rune. "Lebannin sent it to make me change my mind." The old man said, and snorted, "it will be useful to you." The captain asked the steward to read the letter, and after listening to it, his attitude became respectful, for the narrow cabin and the long voyage sorry. "Beautiful Rose" is indeed going to Havnor, but because of its coastal trade, calling at various ports to trade goods, it may take a month to bypass the southeast coast of the big island and arrive at the Royal City.

Alder didn't care—the voyage was daunting, but he was more afraid of the end. From new moon to half moon, sea travel is a quiet time.The little gray cat was a hardy passenger, busy every day catching mice on the ship, but at night he would faithfully nest under Alder's chin or within his reach.He was constantly amazed that this little mass of warm life could keep him away from the calling of stone walls and partitions.Not completely cut off, not completely forgotten, the ghost is still beyond, separated only by the veil of sleep at night, or the light of day.On warm nights, when sleeping on the deck, Alder often opened his eyes, watching the stars swaying and swaying with the moored ships, and his eyes then crossed the sky and fell on the western journey.He was still haunted by the ghost, but he had been able to turn his back on the ghost since this summer half month when he sailed along the coasts of Camber, Banisque, and the Big Island.

For several days, the kitten was hunting a mouse almost as big as itself.Watching the kitten proudly and laboriously dragging the dead body across the deck, a sailor named the kitten "Little Tug."Alder accepted the name. Sailing across the Strait of Ivanor, passing through the gate of Havnor Bay, and crossing the golden sea, the White Tower of the central city of the world emerges bit by bit from the distant confusion.As the ship sailed into the port, Alder stood at the prow and saw a silver light on the top of the tallest tower—the sword of Eriyabai. Now Alder wished that he could stay on the ship and continue sailing without going ashore, entering the big city, shuttling among the big men, and carrying the letters to the king.Chi Yang knew that he was not a proper messenger, so why put such a heavy burden on him?How could a village warlock like him who knew nothing about great things and profound magic arts be selected and sailed from one continent after another, from meeting mages to meeting kings, from the living world to the underworld?

Earlier, Chi Yang expressed similar feelings to Sparrowhawk: "All this is beyond my comprehension." The old man looked at Chi Yang for a while, and said by his real name: "Ha Rui, the world is vast and full of wonders, but it can never exceed the mind's limit. Vast and strange. Think about that phrase sometimes." Behind the city, the sky turned dark and purple due to a torrential rain in the inland, and the tall tower was dazzlingly white, and the seagulls soared above it like flying sparks. "Beautiful Rose" dropped anchor and got on the bridge deck.Alder disembarked with a bundle on his back, and the sailor wished him good luck.Picking up the covered basket originally used to hold the hens, Xiaotuo squatted patiently in the basket, and Alder came ashore.

The streets are complicated and crowded, but the road leading to the palace is very eye-catching.Chi Yang was at a loss, so he could only go to the palace, saying that he was carrying a letter from the Archmage Sparrowhawk to the king. Said it over and over again. One guard after another, one official after another, from the wide staircase outside the palace, to the tall side hall, to the gilded escalator, to the inner hall office with walls covered with brocade; walked through the tile floor, marble floor, On the oak floor, after lattice inlays, interlaced beams, cornices and bucket arches, and colorfully painted ceilings, Alder kept repeating the magic weapon, unwilling to hand over the letter: "I was ordered by the former archmage Sparrowhawk to bring the letter to the king. "Suspicious, slightly rude, false goodwill, hypocrisy, and intent to obstruct guards, ushers, courtiers and officials gathered around him in groups, following and blocking his slow journey into the palace.

Suddenly, everyone disappeared without a trace.A door opened and closed behind him. Alder stood alone in the quiet room, a wide window looking out to the northwest on the rooftops.The clouds were gone, and the broad gray peaks of Mount Erne floated above the distant mountains. Another door opens.A man walked in, dressed all in black, about the same age as Alder Yang, quick in action, handsome and resolute in features, with a smooth and flawless face like a bronze statue.The man walked straight towards Chi Yang: "Lord Chi Yang, I am Lebanon." Lebanon stretched out his right hand, touching the palm of Alder, according to the customs of Iia Island and Enlad Island.Alder reflexively responded to the familiar gesture before remembering that he should take a knee or at least bow, but it seemed too late to do so.He stood, transfixed.

"You come from my lord Sparrowhawk? How is Lord Sparrowhawk? Is everything all right?" "Yes, Your Majesty. Your Excellency wants me to present it to you..." Chi Yang hurriedly took out the letter in his jacket—he originally planned to wait until someone was introduced into the hall with the king sitting on the throne before he bent his knees and presented it—" This letter, Your Majesty." The staring eyes are alert and gentle, as incomparably sharp as a sparrowhawk, but better at hiding their thoughts.Wang accepted the letter from Chi Yang with perfect etiquette. "I sincerely thank and welcome anyone who brings any words from the Master. Please allow me to neglect for a moment."

Alder finally remembered to bow.Wang went to the window to read the letter. Lebanin read it at least twice, and then refolded the letter with the same unpredictable expression as before.He walked to the door, said a few words to the outside, and returned to Chi Yang. "Please," said the king, "please sit with me. They will bring you something to eat. I know you will be in the palace all afternoon, and if the captain of the guard at the gate is wise enough to send a message, it will save you a lot." Time, to avoid climbing and crossing these walls and ditches that piled up around me... Do you live in my lord Sparrowhawk's house? In the house on the edge of the cliff?"

"yes." "I envy you. I have never been there. We have not seen each other since we parted at Roke half a lifetime ago. Your lordship will not allow me to go to Gont to find him." Lebanin smiled, as if all he said was of little importance. "My kingdom is bestowed by the adults." Li Bainan sat down, and nodded to Alder, indicating that Alder should sit on the chair opposite the small table.Alder looked at the table, decorated with ivory and silver inlays, engraved with the flowers and leaves of the sorrel tree wrapped around the pattern of a delicate long sword.

"Did the voyage go well?" asked the king, chatting away while the servants brought out cold meats, smoked trout, lettuce, and cheese.He chewed so hard that Alder could eat freely, and poured the very pale topaz-colored liquor into his crystal glass.He raised his glass: "To my Lord and dear friend." Chi Yang murmured: "Respect him." Then he drank. The King speaks of a visit to the Isle of Dawn some years ago—Alder remembers the commotion the King caused in Meonne; the King also speaks of some of the Dawn musicians who are currently in the city, playing for the court, including the harpist and singer, Alder You may know some of them, and the name Wang mentioned is indeed quite familiar.Wang is good at making guests feel at ease, and the food and wine are naturally also credited.

After the two had finished eating, Wang poured another half a glass of wine for each of them, and said, "This letter is mainly related to you. Did you know it before?" The tone was the same as when they were gossiping about family affairs before, and Chi Yang couldn't react for a while. "I don't know." Chi Yang replied. "Maybe you know what the letter is about?" "Maybe it's my dream." Alder said in a low voice, looking down at the ground. Wang looked at Alder for a moment, his eyes were not offensive, but more straightforward than most people.He picked up the letter and handed it to Alder. "Your Majesty, I can't read much." Lebanin was not surprised—some magicians could read, some could not; but he obviously regretted making his guests feel inferior, and his golden skin turned red for a moment, and said: "I'm sorry, Alder. I can read this letter for you." Do you believe it?" "Please read, Your Majesty," Alder said.The king's embarrassment made Chi Yang feel that he was equal to the king for a moment, and for the first time answered naturally and eagerly. After reading the opening honorifics and a few lines of the letter, Lebannen recited aloud: "'It is Alder of Daun Isle who brings you this letter, called involuntarily in a dream to the place where you and I have crossed together. Pain, and change in the same place. We closed the door that Kabu opened, and now, perhaps, the wall itself is about to collapse. Alder has been to Roke, and only Azifor listens to him, and I think His Majesty will obey Guidance by wisdom and need, listen and act. Alder will give my lifelong respect and obedience to His Majesty, and my lifelong respect and thought to Tenar, with a message to my beloved daughter Tehanu. ’My lord finally signed with the Daun Island rune." Lebanon moved his gaze away from the confidence paper, looked directly at Alder Yang, and caught his gaze. "Tell me your dream." Li Bainan said. Alder then told his story again. The story is short, but not very smooth.Although Alder is also in awe of the sparrowhawk, the former archmage looks like an old villager or farmer in terms of appearance, clothing and lifestyle, and is on an equal footing with Alder, so frugal reduces Alder's shyness on the surface; but no matter Lebannen was so kind and courteous, he still looked like a king, behaved like a king, and he was the king, and Alder felt the distance that was difficult to bridge.Chi Yang finished speaking as quickly as possible, and stopped speaking with peace of mind. Lebannin asked a few questions: Lily and gannet each touched the alder once, and they never touched it again?And the touch of the gannet has a burning sensation? Alder held out his hand.Under a month-old skin tone, the marks are almost completely gone. "If I get closer, the person next to the wall may touch me." Chi Yang said. "But you're far away?" "That's what I do." "And you don't know those people in the world?" "Sometimes, I think I might know one or two of them." "But Madam Ling didn't show up again?" "Your Majesty, there are many people there. Sometimes I think my wife is there, but I can't see it." Talking about it made it close, too close.Alder felt the fear welling up again, that the walls of the house might disappear, that the night sky and the floating crown of the mountain would be drawn away like a curtain, leaving him alone where he had always stood, on the dark slope beside the stone wall. superior. "Alder." Alder raised his head, stunned and dizzy.The room seemed incredibly bright, and Wang's face was strong and distinct. "Would you like to stay in the palace?" It was an invitation, but Alder could only nod his head, accepting it like an order. "Very well. I will arrange for you to pass the message to Madam Tehanu tomorrow. Madam will wish to speak with you." Alder bowed.Lebannen turned away. "His Majesty……" Lebannin turned around. "Can I keep the cat with me?" No smiles, but no sarcasm. "of course can." "Sire, I sincerely regret to bring you distressing news." "Any word from the one who sent you is a favor to me, and so is the messenger. And I would rather hear bad news from the mouth of an honest man than from a flatterer. A lie." Li Bainan said, Chi Yang heard the true tone of his home island from these words, and became a little cheerful. As soon as Wang left the room, someone immediately poked his head into the room from the door where Chi Yang entered: "Sir, please follow me, let me take you to the room." He didn't know whether he was a nobleman or a servant, so he didn't dare to ask about Xiao Tuo.Before entering the room where he was meeting with the king, the officials, guards, and ushers were very insistent that Alder leave the basket with them.Before that, ten to fifteen officials had glanced suspiciously sideways and checked dissatisfiedly. He also explained ten or fifteen times that he would take the cat with him because there was no depository in the city.Alderman had to put the basket in the far side hall. Along the way, he did not see that room, and now it is even more impossible to find it. This is already half the palace, full of corridors, halls, passages, doors... The guide bowed to the alder, and left him alone in a small ornate room, hung with tapestry and carpeted; a chair with embroidery on the seat; a window facing the port; a table with a basket of summer fruits, There is a jug of water.There is even a chicken basket. Alder opened the basket.Xiao Tuo appeared leisurely, showing his familiarity with the palace.The cat stretched, greeted by sniffing alder fingers, and began to look around the room.Xiao Tuo found a bed in the alcove covered by the curtain, and jumped on the bed immediately.There was a discreet knock at the door, and a young man entered with a large, flat, heavy open wooden box, bowed to Alder, and whispered, "Sir, cat litter." In the corner of the alcove against the wall, he bowed again and left. "Tell you..." Chi Yang said, sitting down on the bed, not used to talking to kittens.The relationship between the two was a silent, trusting touch, but Chi Yang felt that he had to speak: "I saw the king today." There were too many people waiting to speak with the king before he could go to bed, and the most important of them were the envoys of the king of Karg.They had come to Havnor fulfilled, and they were ready to leave, and the result, though satisfactory to them, was not to Lebanon's liking. Lebannin had been looking forward to the envoy Kargue's visit, because it symbolized years of patient courtship, invitation and negotiation, finally bearing fruit.His relations with the Kargs were fruitless during the first ten years of his reign, as the god-kings of Avabas refused treaty and trade offers, and sent back without waiting for the messengers to speak, claiming that the gods would never make peace with evil mortals , especially the damn warlock family.But after the god-king's consistent declaration of a holy empire, there was no threat of a large fleet full of plumed soldiers to conquer the western islands that do not worship the true god; Looting activities have also gradually disappeared.Pirates became smugglers, smuggling contraband from Karigor, and exchanging iron, steel, and copper with the people of the islands, because Karg lacked minerals and metal resources. Therefore, the rise of the Supreme King was first heard from these illegal businessmen. On the vast and impoverished island of Hurhu in the far east of the continent of Karg, Saul, the vassal king, claimed to be the descendant of the Hupang Sorig family and the great god Uro, and called himself the supreme king of Hurhu.Afterwards, Thor conquered the island of Ernini, and with a fleet and army composed of Hurhu and the people of Ernini, declared his rule over the wealthy central island of Karigu.The soldiers approached the capital, Avabas, and the people in the city rebelled against the tyranny of the god-king, massacred the high priests, expelled the officials from the temple, opened the city gates, and the banners fluttered on the streets. Throne of the Rigg family. The king of the gods fled to the tomb of Etuan with the rest of the party and the chief priest.In the desert, in a temple next to the Shrine of the Unknown Ones that collapsed due to an earthquake, an eunuch priest slits the throat of the god-king. Sol declared himself the Supreme King of the Four Isles of Karg.As soon as Lebannen heard about it, he sent envoys to pay tribute to the friendly king and express the goodwill of the archipelago kingdom. For the next five years, the diplomatic process was arduous and cumbersome.Sol has a violent temper and his throne is in jeopardy.The collapse of theocracy has made Sol's control over the country full of variables, and the integration of power has also been questioned. The vassal kings continue to rise, and they must rely on bribery or force to force the vassal kings to obey.Religious believers of various sects poured out from the temples and caves, shouting: "The strong must be defeated!" It is predicted that earthquakes, tsunamis, and plagues will fall on god-killing sinners.The territory is turbulent and the country is divided. Sol naturally cannot trust the rich and powerful archipelago people. No matter how much the King of the Islands expresses kindness and waves the ring of peace, it means nothing to Thor.Don't the Kargs also have a right to the ring?The ring appeared in the West in ancient times, but a long time ago, the king who originated from the Huponthoreg family received a gift from Eriyabai, symbolizing the friendship between Karg and the Hittites.After the ring disappeared, there was only war and no friendship left, but the Eagle Mage found the ring, stole it back, and took the first priestess of the Tomb of Atuan, and brought it back to Havnor.The credibility of the archipelago nation can be seen from this. Through the envoy, Lebannin patiently and politely pointed out that the Ring of Peace was originally a gift from Morad to Yephran, and it was a treasured token of the most beloved king and queen of the Archipelago Kingdom. It was also very sacred, because the ring was engraved with Very powerful blessing spell: Link Rune.Almost four centuries ago, Eriabah brought the ring to the continent of Karg, promising an unbreakable peace, but the priests of Avabas broke the promise and broke the ring.Forty years ago, Sparrowhawk of Roke and Tenar of Artuan healed the Ring.So what about peace? All Lebanon's messages to King Saul emphasized this point again and again. About a month ago, shortly after the Summer Long Dance, a fleet of ships sailed straight across the Flykway Strait, into the Ibbano Strait, and across Havnor Bay.The slender ship has a red sail, carrying warriors wearing feather ornaments, envoys in luxurious robes, and several masked women. "Let the descendant of Uro, the daughter of the Supreme King Sol who sits on the throne of the Soreig family, like Queen Yephran of Soria, wear the Ring of Peace on her arm. This will bring peace to the western and eastern islands forever symbol of the knot." This was the message from the Supreme King to Lebanon, written on the scroll in large Hittite runes, but before it was presented to King Lepenan, Sol's ambassador read the message aloud at the envoy's welcome.At that time, all the princes and nobles were present to show respect for the Karg messenger.The ambassador didn't actually know the Hittite runes, but instead recited them aloud and slowly from memory, perhaps giving the content the air of an ultimatum. Without saying a word, the princess stood among the ten maids or slaves who had accompanied them to Havnor, surrounded by a group of court ladies assigned to take care of and show respect in the chaos.The princess was covered in tulle (apparently the custom of the Hurhu ladies), bright red, embroidered with gold thread, and hanging from the edge of a broad-brimmed hat or headdress, it looked like a round red cylinder, completely impossible in appearance. Recognition, stillness, utter silence. "Supreme King Sol bestows great honor on us." Lebannen said clearly and quietly, and paused.Courtiers and envoys wait. "Princess, you are welcome," Lebannin said to the tulle-shrouded figure, which remained motionless. "Let the princess live in the River Palace, and follow her wish." Li Bainan said. The River Palace is located in the northern boundary of the city, embedded in the ancient city wall, with balconies extending to the thin river of the Serennen River. It is a beautiful small castle built by Queen Helu, so it is often called the "Queen's House".When Lebanon succeeded to the throne, he ordered the restoration and decoration of the River Palace and the Maharan Palace, also known as the "New Palace". Now the palace is located in the New Palace. place of thought. There was a small commotion among the courtiers. "House of the Queen"? After exchanging pleasantries with the envoy of Calgue, Lebannen left the audience hall and entered the dressing room.Here, he can enjoy the time of solitude that a noble king can have, and finally only the old servant, Old Oak, whom he has known since birth, is beside him. Lebannin slapped the resplendent and resplendent scroll on the table. "Cheese in a mousetrap," trembling all over, he drew the dagger that never left his body from its scabbard, and pierced straight through the Supreme King's message. "The roast pig on the iron sign is like a piece of goods. The ring on her arm is the hoop on my neck." Old Oak was at a loss and stared at Lebannin in panic.Prince Arren of Enlad never loses his temper.When the prince was a child, he might have wept for a moment, a bitter sob, and that was all.His training was too perfect, his self-restraint was too strong, and his anger was impossible to vent; and as the king of a country, crossing the underworld to win the land, he became serious, but the old oak thought he was always too proud and strong get angry. "The Kargs must not make use of me!" said Lebanin, stabbing the dagger again, his face darkened and blinded with rage, which made the old man recoil in real awe. Lebannin noticed the old man's presence—he was always aware of those around him. He put the short blade back into the scabbard, and said in a relatively steady voice: "Old Oak, I swear by my real name, I will never allow Thor to use me as a stepping stone to the throne. I will destroy him and his kingdom first." Lebanon Taking a deep breath and sitting down, Old Oak took off the heavy royal robe embroidered with gold thread from his shoulders. Old Oak never uttered a single word of this scene, but of course there were rumors all around about Princess Karg and how the King would make her... or had done. Lebanon did not expressly accept the proposal to marry the princess, but everyone agreed that she was offered to be his wife, and the statement about the ring of Yephruan could not hide the real proposal, transaction, or threat behind it.But Lebannin did not refuse, and his response (after various analyzes) was to welcome the princess, to let her have everything she wanted, and to let her live in the river palace, the queen's house.There must be something deep in this, right?But then again, why not let the princess live in the new palace?Why live on the other side of town? Since Lebanon's accession to the throne, the noble ladies and the ancient royal princesses of Yinglad, Oia, and Shiris have all come to visit, or stayed in the palace, receiving the best hospitality from the king, and as they married nobles or princesses one by one Rich and rich, the king danced with him at the wedding.It is well known that Wang liked the company and advice of women, was happy to flirt with pretty girls, and invited wise women to give him advice, to tease or comfort him, but no girl or woman had the slightest chance of falling for the rumor of marrying Wang, and never No one was placed in the river palace. Periodically, his advisors hinted that a king must have a queen. "Arren, it is time for you to get married," Lebanin said to her mother when she saw her for the last time. Will Morad's heirs have no heirs?The people asked each other. Lebanon said to everyone, in different words and in different ways: Give me time; I must rebuild the ruined kingdom.Let me build a palace worthy of the High Queen, a realm my son can rule.And because Lebanon is widely loved and trusted, still young, dignified but also charming, it is all the more convincing, able to escape all hopeful girls.until now. What hides under the solemn red tulle?What kind of people live in featureless tents?Ladies assigned as entourages of the princess were subject to questioning.Is the princess pretty?ugly?Really tall and thin?Short and strong?White as milk?Pockmarked face, one-eyed?Blonde or brunette?Forty-five, or ten?A drooling idiot, or a brilliant beauty? Gradually, the rumors became one-sided: the princess was young, but not a child, her hair was neither yellow nor black, and some ladies said she was pretty, while others said she was vulgar.The ladies all said that the princess could not speak a word of He, and was unwilling to learn, so she hid among the maids, and if she had to leave the room, she would hide under the tulle curtain.The king paid a courtesy visit once, and the princess didn't bow, speak, or make any gestures, just stood still.Old Mrs. Yiyesha said angrily: "It's like a brick chimney!" Through the envoys sent to Karga, Lebannen talked with the Karga ambassador, who spoke a good Hittite, and the princess, expressing his praise with difficulty, and asking if he had any wishes or needs.The translator talks to the waitress, whose veil is thinner and easier to see through.The maid surrounded the quiet red column, and after a while of whispering, she replied to the interpreter, who then told the king: The princess is very satisfied and has no demands. When Tenar and Tehanu arrived from Gont, the princess had been staying for a fortnight.Not long before the ship of the Calgue brought the princess, Lebannin sent a ship and a letter begging them both to come, for reasons that had nothing to do with the princess or King Sol, but he popped up as soon as he had an opportunity to be alone with Tenar: "What am I supposed to do with her? What can I do?" "Tell me all about it," Tenar said, looking slightly surprised. Although Lebannin and Tenar had exchanged several letters over the years, they had only been together for a very short time.Lebannen was not yet used to Tenar's graying hair, and seemed smaller than he remembered, but with Tenar he felt at once as he had fifteen years ago when he could say anything to her and she would understand. . "In the past five years, I have worked hard to establish bilateral trade channels, and tried to maintain a good relationship with Sol. He is a vassal king. I don't want my kingdom to be caught between the western dragon clan and the eastern vassal king like in the Maharian era; moreover For I ruled with the runes of peace, and it was no problem until now, until suddenly Saul sent this girl, saying that if you want peace, give her the Ring of Ephraen. Your Ring, Tenar! You and Ged ring!" Tenar hesitated a moment. "She is Thor's daughter after all." "What is a daughter to the barbarian king? Just a commodity, something to trade for some benefit. You know that! You were born there!" This remark was not at all like Lebannen's, and he also realized that he had slipped. He knelt down suddenly, took Tenar's hand, and covered his eyes as a sign of remorse. "Tenar, I'm sorry. This has troubled me beyond reason. I can't see what to do." "Well, as long as you don't do anything, there is some leeway... Maybe the princess has her own opinion?" "How could she have any objections? Hiding in that red cloth bag? She doesn't want to talk, she doesn't want to look outside, she is no different from a tent post." Lebanin tried to laugh, he was frightened by his uncontrollable loathing, Trying to excuse this: "I just learned that there was disturbing news from the West, and this happened. I invited you and Tehanu for something else, not to bother you with such stupid things." "It's not stupid," said Tenar, but Lebannen ignored it and began talking about dragons. Since the news from the West was indeed disturbing, most of the time Lebannen succeeded in not thinking of the princess at all.He is very clear that it is not his habit to deliberately ignore dealing with political affairs.The subject, the constant person.Days after their talk, he asked Tenar to visit the princess, to try to get her to talk.After all, he said, the two spoke the same language. "Maybe," said Tenar, "but I don't know any Hurhu. They are called Barbarians in Atuan." Lebannen accepted his lesson obediently, but of course Tenar granted his request.Soon, Tenar replied that she and the princess could speak the same language—at least very similar, and the princess didn't know any other languages, and thought that everyone here, including courtiers and ladies, were vicious and crazy, as if they couldn't speak a human language. barking and taunting her like an animal.As far as Tenar knew, the princess had been brought up in the desert, in the old domain of King Hurhusor, and had only been in the house of Avabas for a very short time before being sent to Havnor. "She was frightened," said Tenar. "So, she's hiding in a tent? What does she think I am?" "How does she know what you are?" Lebannin frowned. "how old is she?" "Very young, but already a woman." "I cannot marry her," said Lebannin with sudden determination, "I will send her home." "A returned bride is an insulted woman. If you send her back, Thor will probably kill her to save the family from dishonor. He will definitely think you insulted." The look of fury appeared on Lebannin's face again. Tenar stopped him from bursting out. "Just a barbaric custom," she said stiffly. Lebannen paced up and down the room. "Very well, but I would not consider making that girl the Queen of the Kingdom of Mered. Can she be taught to speak the Hittite language? At least a few words? Is she completely unteachable? I will tell Saul, Hittite A king can't marry a woman who doesn't speak her own language. I don't care if he's happy or not, he deserves the slap and gives me more time." "Will you ask her to learn the He language?" "If she thinks it's all nonsense, how am I going to ask her anything? What's the use of me going to her? Maybe you can talk to her, I thought. Tenar . . . you can see it's a fraud." , use that girl to make Thor look equal to me; use the ring... the ring you brought us... as a trap! I can't even pretend to forgive. I'm willing to compromise, delay, to keep the peace, but that's it .Even if you cheat like this, it’s dirty. How do you tell the princess what’s best, I don’t want to have anything to do with her.” So Lebannin left with a wave of righteous anger, and then slowly cooled down to a certain kind of restlessness, which seemed extremely shameful. The envoy of Calgue informed that he was about to leave, and Lebannen prepared a carefully worded message to King Thor, thanking the princess for the honor she represented in Havnor, and that he and his subjects were very happy to introduce the kingdom's etiquette, customs and language to the princess.There is no mention of rings, marriage or not. In the evening after talking with the Daun warlock troubled by dreams, Lebannen talked with the Kargs for the last time and delivered the letter to the High King.He read it aloud first, just as the ambassador had read Saul's letter aloud to him. The ambassador listened with satisfaction: "The Supreme King will be very pleased." Lebannin was courteous to the envoy, showing the gift to Saul, and at the same time he was puzzled: the ambassador accepted the answer so easily.All thoughts lead to one conclusion: he knows I can't get rid of the princess.Lebannin's thoughts responded silently and passionately: never. Lebannin asked the ambassador if he would go to the river palace to say goodbye to the princess.The ambassador was dazed, as if asked if he wanted to say goodbye to the delivered package.Lebannin felt anger welling up in his heart again, and saw the ambassador's expression change slightly, showing a vigilant and comforting look.He smiled and wished the envoy a safe journey back to Karg, then left the audience hall and returned to his room. The daily activities of the lord of a country are mostly ceremonies, and most of his life is under the public eye, but because he sits on the throne that has been suspended for hundreds of years and takes over the court that has lost all ceremonies, he can do whatever he wants in certain things.There was no palace ceremony in the bedroom, and the night belonged to him. He said good night to the old oak who was sleeping in the lounge next door, closed the door, and sat on the bed, feeling tired, angry, and strangely lonely. Lebannin always wore a slender gold chain, bound to a small gold-thread bag, containing a small stone, a dull, black, uneven gravel.He took out the stone, held it in his palm, and sat in meditation. Lebannen thought of Alder the sorcerer and his dreams, and tried to keep his mind from all the stupid things about the girls of Karg, but the only thing that came to his mind was a pang of bitter jealousy for Alder as he set foot on the land of Gont, and talked to Ged, and Live with Ged. This is where loneliness comes from.The person whom I honor as my lord, the one I love the most, refuses to let me get close, nor does she want to get close. Did Ged think that Lebannin despised and despised him without his wizard power? Ged's power had been able to completely control the heart and will, so this idea is not impossible, but Ged's understanding of Lepinan should be more than that, or at least he should have a higher evaluation. Was it because he had been Lebannin's lord and teacher that he could not bear to be a subject?For the old man, it was indeed possible: the two people's positions were so straightforward and irreversible.But Lebannen remembered very well that before the shadow of the dragon and all his masters under the rule of Ged, he knelt down to Lebannen on Roke Knoll, then stood up, kissed Lebannin, told him to govern with all his heart, and called him : "My king, beloved partner." "My kingdom is endowed by my lord." Lebanon once said to Alder.That was the moment Ged gave.Totally, voluntarily. And that was why Ged refused to come to Havnor, and refused to let Lebannen go to ask for his favor.He had surrendered his power... completely and voluntarily, not wanting others to misunderstand his participation in politics and let the shadows obscure Lepinnin's light. "He has fulfilled his wish," said the gatekeeper. But the story of Alder moved Ged, and he sent Alder to find Lebanon, asking him to act according to the situation. Strange indeed the story was, and even more so when Ged said that the Wall itself might be about to fall.What would this mean?Why do one's dreams carry so much weight? Long ago, when traveling with the Archmage Ged, Lebanon also dreamed of the Edge of the Drylands, before reaching Keldor. And in the Isle of the West he followed Ged into the Drylands, over the Stone Walls, into the Dark City.Shadows of the dead stand at doorways, or roam streets lit only by the ever-moving starlight.He followed Ged through the underworld, and wearily reached the foot of the mountain, a dark valley of dust and stone.The mountain has only one name: misery. Lebannin spread out his palms, looked down at the small black stone he was holding tightly, and clenched it again. After completing the purpose of going to the dry land, the two climbed up the mountain from the dry valley, and there was no other way to turn back.Tread the paths forbidden to the dead, climbing and climbing rocks that cut and burned hands, until Ged could go no further.He carried Ged on his back as hard as he could, and the two of them crawled to the edge of darkness, the cliff of despair at night.He was back, into the sun with Ged, into the sound of the waves breaking on the shore of life. It had been a long time since I remembered that terrible journey so vividly, but the little black stone from the mountains hung on my heart. It dawned on him now that the memory of that land, the darkness and dust in it, although he turned his head and refused to look directly at it, was always in his heart, only slightly covered by various bright activities during the day.He turned his head, knowing that was where he would return again, but couldn't bear the fact that he was returning alone, without company, forever.Standing in the shadow of the City of Illusions with empty eyes and speechless, never to see the sun again, or drink water, or touch a living hand. He stood up suddenly, shook off his gloomy thoughts, put the stone back into the small bag, went to bed, turned off the light, and lay down.At once he saw again the dark gray land of dust and rock, with the sharp black peaks joined far ahead, but here it was a downward slope, straight down, to the right, into total darkness. "What's there?" he asked Ged as he walked on.The companion said that he didn't know, maybe there was no end. 黎白南坐起身，因心思飘荡无法遏抑而愤怒惊慌，眼光寻找窗户。窗子面北，是喜欢的景致，从黑弗诺望过层层山峦，直到高耸、灰白峰顶的欧恩山。更远，视线之外，跨越大岛与伊亚海，是英拉德岛，家乡。 躺在床上只看得见天空，夏季夜空一片澄澈，天鹅之心高挂小星辰间。他的王国。光芒、生命的王国，这里的星辰宛如雪白花朵，在东方绽放，在西方消隐。他不愿去想另一片国土，在那里星辰永不移动，在那里手无力量，也没有正确的方向，因为无处可走。 躺在床上，凝望星辰，他刻意将念头拉离记忆，拉离格得，想着恬娜：她的声音，她的碰触。朝臣都很注重仪节，对何时、如何碰触国王，小心翼翼；恬娜却非如此，而会笑着把手放在他手上，对待他比他母亲还要大胆。 玫瑰，英拉德家系的公主，两年前因高烧去世，当时黎白南正在船上，前往英拉德岛贝里拉宫与南方岛屿，探访皇族。他对母后死讯一无所知，直到回家，回到正在哀悼的城市与宅邸。 母亲如今正在黑暗国土，干旱大地上。如果他到了那儿，在街道上错身，母亲不会看他一眼，不会对他说话。 他紧握双手，重新摆放床上软垫，试着放松，让心绪离开，想着能远离那里的事物。想着母亲健在时，她的声音、深暗眼睛在深暗高挑的眉毛下、纤细双手。 或者想着恬娜。他知道请恬娜来黑弗诺，不仅为了有事请教，更因为恬娜是他仅存的母亲。他想要这份爱，给予，也获得。一份绝对的爱，没有例外，没有条件。恬娜双眼是灰色的，并不深暗，但能以洞悉的柔情直直看透他，不受他所说或所做之事欺瞒。 他知道他完好达成别人加诸他的要求，也知道自己善于扮演王，但只有在母亲和恬娜面前，对自己能不带一丝疑惑，明了身为王的真实意义。