Chapter 2 Chapter Two

Boys from the Dominions of the Inner Isles of Earthsea who showed a potential for witchcraft at an early age were sent to Roke College to further study the high art of magic.In the academy, they learn names, runes, skills, spells; they also learn to distinguish what should be done and what should not be done and why.Such increasing proficiency in all kinds of witchcraft, after long-term practice, until the body and mind are in harmony, you may be awarded the name of "wizard" and receive the "witch staff" that represents power.Only Roke College can produce true wizards. Since warlocks and witches are found throughout the islands of the kingdom, and the application of magic is as necessary as bread and as pleasant as music to its inhabitants, it is only natural that this wizarding college is a place of great reverence in the kingdom.The nine mages who serve as masters at the academy are recognized as equivalent to the princes and grand dukes of the various dominions of the archipelago.And the common master of the nine mages, that is, the guardian of Roke College, known as the "Great Mage", is of course respected as above ten thousand and below one, second only to "King of the Islands".But this situation of being inferior to one person is only an act of allegiance, a kind of intention.After all, if a mage as transcendent as the archmage disagrees, even if he is the king of the islands, he cannot be forced to enforce the laws that everyone abides by.However, although the Archipelago has been without a king for hundreds of years, the archmage of Roke College still maintains his loyalty and executes the law on his behalf.On the Isle of Roke all went as it had done during the centuries before, and it seemed a safe place free from trouble and trouble.The boy's laughter often echoed in the courtyard and spread to the wide and cool corridors of the Hongxuan Pavilion.

The guide who had shown Arren around the Academy was a stocky boy with a silver ring pinned to the collar of his cloak to signify that he had passed the novice stage and was a good sorcerer, working on his studies for the wand.His name is A Gai. "Because," he said, "my parents had six daughters in a row, and my father said it was a gamble against fate when the seventh was born." He is quick and eloquent.At any other time Arren would have liked the guide's sense of humor, but today his mind was too full to pay much attention to what Gabe had to say.As for Agai, because he naturally hoped to be appreciated, he took advantage of the guest's absent-mindedness: first he told him all kinds of incredible facts about the college, and then he bragged about all kinds of deceptive rumors about the college.Arren listened, and responded with "Yes" or "I understand". At last, Ah Jian decided that the guest was a royal idiot.

"Of course they don't cook here," said the guide as he passed the large stone kitchen, letting guests see the shiny copper cauldrons, hear the crackling of chopping knives, and smell the onions that irritated the eyes. The kitchen is purely for viewing. When we eat, we gather in the dining room and we can change what we want to eat, and the work of cleaning the dishes is saved.” "Oh, I see." Arren responded politely. "Of course, apprentices who haven't learned their spells often lose a lot of weight in the first month, but they learn sooner or later. There was a boy from the Great Isle of Havnor who always wanted to conjure a roast chicken, and always ended up with chestnut porridge, He still seems to be unable to make the spell go beyond the chestnut porridge level. Fortunately, in addition to the chestnut porridge yesterday, he also conjured haddock meat." A gambling always wanted to impress the guests with "unbelievable" amazement, and his voice was hoarse , and finally fell silent.

"Well—Where—the Archmage—is he—from?" asked the visitor, without looking at the magnificent cloister through which they were passing, whose walls and vaulted roof were carved with chiba trees. "From Gongte Island." Aga replied, "He used to be a shepherd boy in a mountain village." At this moment, upon hearing this straightforward and well-known fact, the young man from Yinglad Island immediately turned his head and looked at Aga in astonishment and disbelief: "Shepherd boy?" "Most Gont Islanders are shepherds, unless they're pirates or warlocks. But I didn't say he's a shepherd boy now, you know!"

"But, how did the shepherd boy become an archmage?" "It's the same as a prince becoming an archmage. It is to come to Roke Academy, surpass all the masters, go to Atuan Island to steal the "Ring of Peace", sail to the Longju Islets, and become the greatest wizard since Eriaby Well, wait—what else can I do?" They stepped out of the corridor through the north gate.In the late evening, the warm and bright sun shone on the furrows of the hills, the town of Syl and the bay outside the town, and the two stood in the sun talking.Ah Po said: "Of course, now it looks like that was a long time ago. He hasn't done much since he was revered as the Archmage. Mages don't have to do a lot. In my opinion, they just need to sit in the soft It’s good that the Ke Academy guards “One Body to Balance”. Besides, he is quite old now.”

"Old? How old?" "Oh, forty or fifty." "Have you seen him?" "Of course I have." A bet replied sharply.The royal idiot seems like a royal snob anyway. "Can I see him often?" "Not often. He spends a lot of time alone. I saw him at the Spring Court when I first arrived at Roke College." "I spoke to him there today, too," said Arren. Hearing this tone, Ah Bet couldn't help but look at him, and then he answered Arren's question completely: "That was three years ago. I was very scared at the time, and I never really looked at him. Of course, I was young at that time. But , in the fountain garden, it is difficult to see things clearly. I probably only remember his voice and the sound of the fountain." After a while, he added: "He does have a mouthful of bow."

"If I could talk to dragons in Dragontongue," said Arren, "I don't mind an accent." Hearing what Arren said, Agai looked at him with admiration and said, "Prince, did you come to the academy to learn art?" "No. I am bringing a message to the Archmage on behalf of my father." "The Isle of Enlad is one of the dominions of the Crown, isn't it?" "Englad Island, Irian Island, Way Island, Havnor Island, Oia Island, etc. were all royal territories, but until today, the royal inheritance of these islands has disappeared. The Irian family originated from Sengma' and Maharian, Maharian was the king of the islands. The Wei family lineage originated from the Akenba and Shiris family. The oldest Yinglad lineage originated from Mered and his sons Seliel and the Enlad family."

Arren recited these genealogies with a dreamlike air, like a trained scholar who was not thinking of them. "Do you think we'll ever see a king ascend the throne in Havnor in our lifetime?" "I haven't given that much thought." "The islanders of my home island of Ark wonder about that. You know we have been part of Way's dominion since the peace was made. How long has it been since the Ring of Eriabah returned to the King's Tower in Havnor? Seventeen or eighteen years. At the beginning of the restoration, the world situation was better for a period of time, but now it is not as good as before. The throne of the king of Earthsea should have a new king in order to exercise the talisman of peace. The people are tired of wars and merchants. Price gouging, tired of heavy taxes imposed by the prince, and all kinds of lawless power chaos. Although Roke Island is in a leading position, it cannot rule. In the hands of kings."

Gabe spoke with such high spirits that other foolish words and jokes were put aside, but Arren's attention was attracted instead. "The island of Yinglad is full of things and the people are prosperous." He said slowly: "We only heard that other islands were plagued by disasters, but we never fell into the chaos you mentioned. However, since Maharian After his death, the throne of Havnor has been empty until now, and it has been 800 years. Will the islands of the kingdom really accept the new king as the throne?" "If the new king is peace-loving and wise, and can be recognized by Roke and Havnor, how can he not accept it?"

"What's more, there is a prophecy waiting to be fulfilled, isn't it? Maharian said that the next generation of kings must be the master of the mage." "The chanting master is from Havnor Island, and he is particularly interested in this prophecy. Up to now, he has repeatedly told us with related lyrics for three consecutive years. It is said that Maharian once said: "I will inherit The one who sits on the throne is the one who has survived across the dark land, and sailed to the far shores of the world.』” "So, you have to rely on the mage." "Yes, because only wizards or mages have the ability to be in the dark realm of the dead and return safely. Although they may not cross the realm of the dead, they at least often talk and say something—there is only one limit in the realm of the dead, Once that limit is crossed, there is no end. So what do you mean by "the far shores of this age"? Anyway, that's what the prophecy of the last king did say, so a man will come in the future The prophecy will be fulfilled. And Roke College will recognize the man, and then the army of ships and all races will gather to him, and at that time, there will be another king in the king's tower of Havnor in the center of the world. If there is such a When the king appears, I will go to serve him and do my best to serve the king.” After Abe finished speaking, he shrugged his shoulders and laughed, lest Arren think his words were too sentimental.Unexpectedly, Arren looked at him kindly, thinking, "He feels for the king as I feel for the archmage." But what he said was, "The king needs you someday. This kind of talent."

They stood, although each thought of their own, but the content is similar.Not long after, I heard the sound of loud gongs from the Hongxuan Pavilion behind me. "Wow!" Abe said, "Lentil and onion soup tonight. Quick." "Remember you said they don't cook three meals?" Arren said and followed, still dreamy. "Oh, sometimes—to be mistaken." Although the dining room has plenty of food, it is completely free from magic and witchcraft.When their meal was over, they went out on foot into the fields, into the soft blue twilight.As they began to climb, Abe said, "This is 'Roke Knoll. And the dwindling spring starry nights. There is a mysterious atmosphere in this area, Agai said softly: "When the 'Taichu Language' was first published, this hill was the first to stand above the sea." "When everything dies, this hill will be the last land to sink." "So it's a place where you can stand with peace of mind." Abe said, shaking off his awe.But then he cried out in awe again: "Look! The woods!" A strong light appeared on the surface of the south of the mound, which looked like a rising moon, but at this time the thin moon had slid westward to the sky above the top of the mound; moreover, this light was mixed with flickering, much like leaves Swaying in the wind. "what is that?" "It radiated from the Xincheng Forest—the masters must be in the woods. I heard that five years ago, when the masters gathered to select the archmage, the Xincheng Forest also emitted moonlight like this. But why are they today? What about the rally? Is it because of the message you brought?" "Maybe so," said Arren. Ah Gai immediately became excited and agitated, and wanted to go back to the Hongxuan Hall to inquire if there were any rumors, so as to know what the gathering of the masters foretells.As Arren walked with him, he still looked back at the strange light, until the slopes hid it and only the crescent moon and the spring stars remained. Arren lay alone in the darkness of the stone chamber of the guest room, his eyes open.Till now he had had a bed to sleep in, and a quilt of soft fur; and even when they sailed from Enlad Isle to Roke in a twenty-oared ship, they had prepared more bedding for the young Prince than this bed of stone.It's not like here, the straw mattress laid on top of the stone floor, plus a strip of broken felt.But he paid no attention to these. "At this moment, I am in the center of the world," he thought. "The masters are conversing in secret in a sacred place. What are they going to do? Will they make up a great spell to save magic? The art of witchcraft is dying from the world, it is true Is even Roke Isle in danger? I'm not going home, I'm staying here. I'd rather clean the Archmage's chambers than go back and be Prince of Enlad. He'll let me stay as an apprentice Is it possible that there will be no more teachings of magic skills, nor the study of the true names of things. My father has a talent for witchcraft, but I do not. Maybe witchcraft is really disappearing. But anyway, even if The Archmage has lost his strength and his art, and I will stay near him. It doesn't matter if I never see his face, even if he never speaks to me again." However, the eager imagination swept him further. , so that in a flash, he saw himself standing with the archmage in the spring garden under the pear tree, but the sky was dark, the trees had no leaves, and the fountain was silent; and he said, "Master, the storm is coming, But I will stay by your side and be loyal to you." The Archmage smiled at him--though the imagination was thwarted so far--for, in fact, he had not seen a smile on the archmage's dark face for a moment. When he woke up in the morning, he felt that yesterday he was a boy and today he was an adult.No matter what, he is always ready to throw himself into it.It's just that he didn't expect that when the thing really happened, he was dumbfounded and at a loss. "Prince Arren, the Archmage wishes to speak with you," a young apprentice said to him at the door.After speaking, he waited for a while, and before Arren could recover his reply, he ran away. He descended the steps of the tower, walked through the stone corridors, and walked towards the Court of Springs, not sure where to find the Archmage. An old man greeted him in the hallway.The old man was smiling, with deep lines extending from his nose to his chin.This old man is the same old man I saw at the gate of Hongxuan Hall yesterday.I remember yesterday when I first arrived at the academy from the port, the old man asked him to tell his real name before letting him in. "This way," said the gatekeeper. Within the college building, the halls and corridors in this area are very quiet, completely devoid of the bustle and noise produced by the boys being active elsewhere.Here, there is only a sense of the ages the walls have experienced.The magic that housed and protected the many ancient rocks when they were built is still palpable.Rune carvings occasionally appear on the stone walls, with deep carvings and silver foil embedded in some places.Arren had learned some Hittite runes from his father, but he didn't know any of the runes on the wall before him.Although the meaning of certain runes seems to be almost known, or once known, but I don't remember it very clearly. "Here we come, child," said the porter to him, without using titles such as "master" or "prince" at all.Arren followed him into a long room with low rafters, a stone hearth burning at one side, its flames reflecting off the oak floor.On the other side, conspicuous windows bring the dignified skylight filled with dawn mist outside into the interior.There were several men standing in front of the fireplace, and when he entered, all eyes of the crowd were on him.But among the crowd, he saw only one person—the Archmage.After Arren stopped to salute, he stood silent. "Arren, these are the masters of Roke," said the archmage, "seven of the nine masters. The master of shape and meaning does not leave his heart, and the name of the master is in the tower thirty miles to the north. Inside. Everyone already knows the mission of your trip. Masters, this is the descendant of Mored." The title "Son of Morad" aroused not pride in Arren, but panic.Although he was proud of his blood, at best he considered himself the heir to the prince, a member of the Inlad line.As for Morid, the source of the lineage inheritance, he had already passed away for two thousand years.His deeds back then have become legends and do not belong to the present world.Therefore, at first glance, that kind of title sounds like the archmage calling him the "son of myth" and "heir of dreams". He didn't dare to raise his eyes to meet the eight men, so he could only stare at the iron tail cover of the archmage's staff, feeling the blood in his ears. "Come, let's have breakfast together." The archmage said, guiding everyone to sit at the table under the window.The food is milk, sour beer, bread, fresh cream, cheese.Arren ate at the table with them all. In this life, he has been caught between the powerful, landlords, and wealthy businessmen.In the city of Berila, in his father's hall, there are many people with rich family, rich business, and rich in worldly things.They eat and drink fastidiously, speak generously, argue a lot, and cater to a lot of people. Most of them pursue personal goals all their lives.So, despite his youth, Arren knew the tricks and falsehoods of human nature.But he had never been among such people.These people eat only bread, have few words, and quiet faces.If they seek it, it is not for personal ends.But they were all powerful—Aren could see that. Archmage Sparrowhawk sat at the head of the table, apparently listening to the conversation, but he was very still, and no one spoke to him.And no one spoke to Arren, so Arren had time to collect himself.On his left sat the Master Gatekeeper, and on his right a gray-haired man with a kind face, who finally spoke to him and said, "Prince Arren, we are of the same country. I was born in the west of Enlad, near the Forest of Ao." "I used to hunt in that forest," Arren answered.The two then chatted a little about the forests and towns of the "Island of Myths".Arren felt more at ease with the recall of his homeland. After the meal, everyone gathered in front of the fireplace again.Some sat, some stood, and were speechless for a while. "Yesterday," the archmage said, "we gathered and discussed for a long time, but we came to no conclusion. Now that the morning light is shining, I would like to hear your opinions again, and talk about your judgment of last night, whether to continue to maintain it or to change it to deny it. .” "There is no conclusion in itself, it is a judgment," said the speaker, a herbal master, with a solid build, dark skin, and calm eyes. "Xinchenglin was originally the place where Xingyi was discovered, but we only got "controversy" there." "The reason is that we can't see the shape and meaning clearly." The gray-haired mage who was born in Yinglad said, "We don't know enough. The news from Wasuo Island and the news from Yinglad Island are all Strange news should be heeded. However, there is no need to arouse great fear over such a weak foundation. Our power will not be in jeopardy just because a few magicians have forgotten their spells." "I also hold the same opinion," said the thin but piercing-eyed Windkey Master, "don't we all still have our personal power? Don't the trees in the forest of hearts grow and shake their branches as usual? Aren't the storms in the heavens all Do you obey our spell? Witchcraft is the oldest skill in the world, who could worry about such a witchcraft?" "No one," said the dark but noble Summoner with a low voice, tall and young, "no one and no power can restrain the operation of witchcraft, or try to smooth out the words that contain power. For those words are the words of creation. words, whoever can eliminate such words can also destroy the world." "Yes, the man who can do it will not be on Vasor Island or Naviden Island." The change master said: "This man must be in Roke College. If there is such a man, then the end of the world is coming soon ! But things aren’t that bad right now.” "However, the situation is indeed strange." Another master sitting by the fire spoke, and everyone looked at him.This man has a broad chest, a stature as solid as an oak barrel, and a voice as low as a bell. He is a master of singing. "Should the king of Havnor sit high, where is he now? Roke is not the center of the world, but the tower of Havnor is, and the sword of Eriabah hangs high on the tower. An and other emperors of all dynasties came from there. But the center of the world has been empty for eight hundred years! We have a crown, but no king to wear. We have found the lost runes, the runes of the king, and the runes of peace, but Now that it is restored, peace remains? Let the throne have a king, and we will have peace. At that time, even in the farthest frontier, the skills of warlocks can be safely operated. There will be order, and everything will be in time." "That's right," said the thin and agile hand master, with a gentle attitude but clear eyes and insight into everything: "Master Chanting, I agree with you. Since everything is deviated from the right way, what is so strange about the witch way? If all the animals are wandering around , how can the black sheep be left alone in the corral?" The gatekeeper laughed, but said nothing. "So," said the Archmage, "you seem to think that there is nothing quite strange. Or, if there is anything strange, it is because our islands are ungoverned or poorly governed, which leads to the neglect of advanced skills. I probably conclude that Agreed. Indeed, it is because of the loss of peaceful trade in the south that we have to rely on rumors. As for the western border, who has heard any reliable news except Naviden Island? The archipelago is so tightly knit that even the most remote areas we might know about and then act appropriately. But, masters, I think we should act! Because Prince Enlad said that when he cast the spell he was chanting Create words, but don't understand the meaning of the words; because the master of Xingyi only said that the roots contain fear, and he doesn't say more. These things may be trivial, aren't they enough to worry about? When the storm hits, it was just a small cloud on the horizon at first. That's all." "You are sensitive to dark things, Sparrowhawk," said the Gatekeeper. "You have always been. Tell me what you think is strange." "I don't know. The power is waning, the problem is urgent, the sun is dimming. Masters, I feel... I feel, we who sit here talking, are mortally wounded. As we speak, the blood flows from the veins Slowly flow out..." "So you're going to take action." "Yes." said the Archmage. "Oh," said the gatekeeper, "the eagle is going to spread its wings and fly high. Can the owl stop it?" "But where are you going to fly?" asked the Changer, and the Chanter replied, "Find our King and bring him back to his throne." The archmage took a sharp look at the master chant, and responded, "I will go wherever there is a problem." "South, or West," said Windkey Master. "North and east, if necessary," said the gatekeeper. "But, master, we need you here." The transformation master said: "Instead of going to the strange people in the strange sea and searching blindly, isn't it wiser to stay here? There are powerful spells here, and you can use your skills , to find out what evil or riot is at work." "My skills can't help you," the archmage's serious reprimand made everyone look at him, and his eyes were anxious: "I am the guardian of Roke Academy, and I will not leave rashly. Originally, I hope that everyone's advice can be with me I have the same advice, but now it seems that this expectation is not possible, so I have to make my own decision. My decision is: I have to go out." "We obey this decision," said the Summoner. "And I will go alone. You are the council of Roke, and you must not be separated. But I will take one with me—if he will." The archmage turned his eyes to Arren. "You suggested yesterday, and I am willing to do my best to obey. Master Xingyi said last night: 'No one who landed on the coast of Roke Island came here by accident. Of course, the descendants of Morred who brought the message did not come by accident. ’ Except for these few words, he offered no further advice all evening. Therefore, Arren, I ask you: Will you go with me?” "Master, I will," Arren answered, feeling his throat dry. "As a prince, your father will definitely not let you fall into this kind of danger." The change master said with a bit of sharpness, and then said to the archmage: "This child is still young and has no training in witchcraft. " "The training I have received and the time I spent training are enough for the two of us to use." Sparrowhawk said indifferently. "Arren, what does your lord think?" "He'll let me go." "How do you know?" the Summoner asked. Arren did not know where or when the Archmage was taking him, or why he was taking him with him.He was puzzled, and these serious, sincere, but terrifying men present really made him feel uncomfortable.If he had had enough time to think, he would have had absolutely nothing to say.But now there is not enough time to think about it, and the archmage asked him again: "Would you like to go with me?" "When my father sent me, he said to me, 'I am afraid that the dark ages are coming to the world, and that it will be a time of danger. So instead of sending someone else as a messenger, I send you, because you will be able to judge when the time comes, and we will Should I seek assistance from the Isle of the Wise in this matter, or, conversely, entrust them with the assistance that Enlad Island can provide.’ So, if the situation requires me, I am at my disposal.” Arren smiled when he saw the Archmage hear this.His smile, though fleeting, was pleasant. "Have you heard?" He said to the seven mages, "No matter how old you are and how skilled you are in witchcraft, what can you add to this determination?" Arren felt that everyone was giving him appreciative glances, but there was some hesitation or surprise in addition to the admiration.Master Summoner frowned and said, "Master, I really don't understand. I can understand that you want to go out and investigate. After all, you have been here for five years. But in the past you were alone, Act individually. This time, why do you need someone to accompany you?" "I didn't need assistance in the past," Sparrowhawk replied in a voice that bordered on menacing or mocking. "And this time, I found a suitable companion." There was an air of insecurity around him, the tall summoner didn't ask any more questions, but his frown remained the same. But the Herbalist--with his cool eyes and dark as a wise, patient bull--rose from his chair, stood squarely on his feet, and said, "Go, Master, and take the lad with you. And take us all trust, let’s go.” All the masters acquiesced silently, and then left in twos and threes, leaving only the master summoner. "Sparrowhawk," he said, "I have no intention of questioning your decision, but only to say: if you judge correctly, if there is really a dangerous great evil at work that throws off balance, then it is only a matter of going to Vasso Island, or It’s not far enough to go deep into the west, or even go as far as the ends of the earth. But, no matter where you have to go, it’s fair for him to take this companion with you?” The two were standing a little distance from Arren, and the Summoner spoke in a particularly low voice.But the archmage said generously, "Fair." "That must be because you didn't tell me everything you know," said the Summoner. "If I knew, I'd tell. The truth is I don't know anything. It's mostly guesswork." "Let me go with you." "The gates of the academy must be guarded." "The Gatekeeper will be in charge of—" "It's not just the gates of Roke that need to be guarded. You stay here and watch for the sunrise, to see if the sun is bright. Watch out for the stone walls too, to see who climbs over them, and where the faces of those who climb over them are facing. Thorion , there is a hole, there is a wound, that is the target I am going to investigate. If I don’t find it, you can continue in the future. But for now, it is best to stay here and wait, I order you all to wait for me here.” At this time, he switched to "Original Language", that is, "Creation Language" - that is the language used to operate all authentic spells, and it is also the language on which all transcendent magic depends; but except for the Dragon Clan, few people use it when talking .The Summoner didn't argue or object any more, and after silently nodding to the Archmage and Arren, he left. All was silent except for the crackling of the fire.Outside the house, the morning fog presses down on the windows, invisible but gloomy. The archmage watched the fire as if he had forgotten that Arren was there.The boy stood far from the hearth.I don't know if I should leave or resign.Undecided and a little lonely, he once again felt like a small figure in a dark and bewildering space. "We're going to Huot Town first," Sparrowhawk turned his back to the fire, and said, "All the news from the southern border is gathered there. Maybe we can find a clue. Your ship is still waiting in the harbor. You go to the captain Say something, let him take a message back to your father. We must set off as soon as possible, and the time is set at dawn tomorrow. Then you will meet at the steps of the boathouse." "Master, you..." Arren's voice paused. "What are you looking for?" "I don't know, Arren." "That--" "Then how shall I find it, shall I? I don't know that. Maybe it will come to me." He smiled at Arren.But in the misty light coming in from the window, his face looked ashen as iron. "Master," Arren's voice had stabilized by now, "if the oldest lineage is correct, I am indeed the descendant of Mored. But if I can serve you, I will regard that service as It is the most glorious opportunity once in a lifetime, and I would rather give up on the rest. But, I am worried that your judgment will be wrong and you will overestimate me." "Perhaps," said the Archmage. "I have no great talent or skill. I can fight with dagger and sword, I can steer a boat, I can dance court and country dance. Archery, I'm good at basketball, I can sing, I can play the harp and the lute. That's all I can do, nothing else. What use am I to you? Master Summoner is right..." "Ah, you saw us talking just now, didn't you? He was jealous. He wanted the opportunity to play and show loyalty." "At the same time show great skill, master." "So you'd rather he go with me and you stay?" "No! But I'm worried..." "worry about what?" Tears welled up in the boy's eyes. "Worry about living up to your expectations," he said. The archmage turned again to face the fire. "Sit down, Arren," he said.The boy went to the stone seat by the corner of the fireplace and sat down. "I didn't mistake you for a wizard, warrior, or anything complete. I know what you are—though I'm glad now to know you'll sail...what you'll be, no one knows. But One thing is clear to me: you are the descendant of Morad and Seliel." Arren was silent, and finally said: "Master, it is true, but..." The archmage said nothing, and he had to finish: "But I am not Morad, I am only myself." "Aren't you proud of your bloodline?" "No, I'm proud of my bloodline, because it's the bloodline that made me a prince, it's a responsibility, and the responsibility needs to be fulfilled, fulfilled—" The archmage nodded vigorously. "That's what I mean. To deny the past is to deny the future. A man either accepts his destiny or rejects it, but destiny is not of his own making. A sorbet tree cannot grow a canopy if its roots are hollow." Hearing this, Arren raised his eyes in surprise, for his real name was Lebanon, which means a squirrel tree, but the Archmage did not say his name. "Your roots are deep and powerful," the archmage continued, "but you must be given space, space to grow. So what I offer you is not a safe return to Enlad Island, but a dangerous journey to the unknown end .You don't have to accept it. The choice is yours. But I offer you the opportunity to choose. Because I'm tired of these safe places, safe roofs, safe walls that surround me." Looking around with penetrating eyes.Arren could see a deep restlessness in the man, a restlessness that even frightened him.Fear, however, only sharpened the excitement, so his heart pounded as he answered, "Master, I choose to go with you." Arren left the Grand Hall with a sense of wonder in his head and heart.He told himself that he felt happy.But the word "happy" seems not appropriate enough.He told himself that the Archmage considered him powerful, a master of fate, and he should be proud to hear that praise—but he didn't, why?The most outstanding wizard in the world has already said to him: "Tomorrow we will set sail to the edge of destiny." He listened, and immediately nodded and followed. Shouldn't he be proud?But he didn't, he just felt miraculous. He crossed the steep and winding streets of Suier Town, found the captain at the pier, and said to him: "Tomorrow I will follow the archmage to go to Huot Town and South Frontier. You go back and tell my father, and when I complete the task, you will be able to return to the sea." Return to Berilla's house." The captain looked rather troubled.Knowing what he would receive if he brought such a message back to Prince Inlad, he said, "Prince, I must take a letter in your own handwriting." This request was reasonable, and Arren hurried away—he Feel like everything needs to be done right away.He found a strange little shop, bought an inkstone, a brush and a piece of soft but thick-touch paper, and hurried back to the pier, where he sat on the edge of the pier and wrote a letter to his parents.He thought of his mother reading the letter he had written while holding the same paper: he felt a pang of sadness.She was a hearty and patient woman, but Arren knew that he was the source of his mother's satisfaction, and that she expected her son to return soon.Now that he has to leave for a long time, he doesn't know how to comfort his mother.His letters were short and unadorned.Write it down, stamp it with the seal of the sword hilt as a signature, seal it with leak-proof bitumen from a nearby ship, and give it to the captain.但他突然又说：“等一下！”好像船已齐备，马上要开航了一样。他跑回圆石街道那家奇特小店——不太好找，因为绥尔镇的街道有点打迷糊，每个转弯好像都变来变去。最后，他终于走对了街道，便冲进那家用成串红色陶珠装饰门口的小店。他刚才来购买笔砚时有注意到，在一个盛装扣环与胸针的盘子里，有个做成玫瑰状的银色胸针，他母亲的名字就叫“玫瑰”。 “我要买那样。”他匆忙而豪气地说。 “这是偶岛制作的古代银制品。我看得出你对古代工艺深具慧眼，”店家主人说着，注视亚刃宝剑的剑柄——倒不是看那副精致的剑鞘。“价钱是四枚象牙。” 亚刃二话不说，爽快付了昂贵的价钱。他皮包里有很多象牙代币，内环诸岛都用这当钱币使用。送礼物给母亲的主意让他很开心，购买也让他很开心。他离开小店时，一只手搁在宝剑的柄头上，昂首阔步，颇为神气。 他离开英拉德岛的前夕，父亲将这把剑交给他。他庄重地收下并配挂，在船上时也一直配挂，仿佛那是一种责任。他很自豪于腰际多了这份重量，但宝剑悠远岁月所代表的重量覆盖他的心灵，因为这把剑是莫瑞德与叶芙阮之子瑟利耳的宝剑。当今之世，除了高悬于黑弗诺历王塔的厄瑞亚拜之剑以外，再也没有比之更古老的宝剑了。但这把剑一直没有收起来或藏起来，而一直有人配挂，虽然历经数世纪，却没有磨损或变钝，是因为当初它曾以强大魔法锻铸。这剑的历史言明，除了生死交关的情况，它不曾出鞘——也一直出不了鞘。它不会顺服于血腥、复仇、或贪念的目的，也不会顺服于为掠夺而起的战役。亚刃这个通名，就是从他们家族的这个至宝而来，小时候，大家叫他“亚刃迪”，是“小宝剑”的意思。 他自己还不曾使用这把剑，他父亲不曾使用，他祖父也不曾使用，因为英拉德岛安享太平已久。 但此刻置身巫师之岛这个奇特城镇的街道，他碰触剑柄，感觉也奇特。摸起来，只觉剑柄怪别扭的，而且冰冷。这把剑沉甸甸的重量拖负着他，妨碍他行走，也使本来的神奇感冷却了些。 他返回码头，把胸针交给船长代转母亲，并向他道别、祝航行平安。转身离开时，他拉拉斗篷盖住剑鞘，剑鞘承装的，是那把年代悠久但不轻易顺服，而今传承给他的致命武器。这时，他不再觉得神气活现，也不赶时间了。“我在做什么？”他爬上狭窄街道时对自己说。窄道通往城镇上方那座巨大城堡似的宏轩馆。“我怎么没打算回家？为什么我要与一个我不了解的人，去寻找某种我根本不知道的东西？” 他没有答案可以回答自己的问题。