Chapter 4 third chapter

Saryon was very angry.He clenched his fists, anger gleaming in his eyes. "You have no power! If Joram did forge a new sword, it must be because he thought he was threatened. Was Prince Jarod behind the plot? His laws expressly forbid—" "Why would they care about the law?" Mosiah interrupted Saryon impatiently. "They don't know the law, they only know themselves." "them?" "Technologist. Don't you understand, Father?" Slowly, Saryon let go of his hands.Fear replaced his anger. "Is Joram safe? He should have sent his children to me to be educated. I haven't heard from him yet, and I'm worried—"

"Joram is alive, Father," said Mosiah with a slight smile. "He and Gwendelyn are fine. As for why Joram didn't send his son to you, it's because he and Gwendolin have no son. They have a daughter, their only child. Joram is very Cherish her and won't let her leave his side. He wouldn't send such a gem into this world. As far as I'm concerned, I can't blame him for that." Mosiah sighed. "How do you know?" Saryon asked.His voice was very sharp. "You're spying on him!" "To protect him, Father." Mosiah said softly. "Protect him. He didn't notice us, and he didn't suspect it. How could a man with no magical life force know? We were careful not to disturb him and his family. But some people are not like us.

"Just recently, a corps of Technologists known as Di Candale defied the edict prohibiting them from traveling to Simharon. They read Reuven's book..." He gave a wry smile, "They went The altar of the Necromancer's Sanctuary, wanted to restore the Dark Sword. What they found was perhaps not unexpected. You also know, Father, that the altar itself was made of the Dark Stone, and the sword and the stone fused combined into one. "Technologists used all the equipment known to man to get that sword out. From the most sophisticated laser cutting tools to old-fashioned gas torches. They wanted to slice open the altar, and they wanted to drag the entire altar back to their in the lab, but they couldn't even scratch the surface of the altar."

Saryon looked relieved. "Good," he nodded, "very good. Thanks Emin." "Don't be so quick to thank him, just now, Father." Mosiah said. "After finding nothing at the altar, the Technicians went to Joram." "They're wasting time. Joram must be very angry," said Saryon confidently. Mosiah gave another wry smile. "He was angry. The sages of Kantik had never seen such anger. His anger surprised them, and they are not easily surprised. It was Coffin Smither himself who spoke to Joram , though Smither now denies it. He thought he could persuade Joram by his charms, but, as you know, Father, our friend is not a man to be easily seduced. Smither is willing to give Joram riches , power, as long as he can know the origin of the Dark Stone and the secret of casting the Dark Sword, he can give Joram anything.

"Smither narrowly escaped with his life at last. Joram threw him out the door--lifted him up firmly, threw him out, and warned him that if he came back again he would die. Then, The Border Patrol is here. You ask what's holding them up for so long? How can the Technicians hack into their defenses? Easy. A few Technicians have won posts guarding the border, and they've shut down the alarm system and let their accomplices Crossed the border without anyone noticing. "The Border Patrol escorted Smither and his followers off the planet. We were relieved that the Technicians lost interest in the Darksaber after that. Their scientists studied The reports brought back determined that the sword could never be removed from the altar, so it was of no use to them. Without Joram's help, and without permission to lead the battalion to Simharon— —Such permission will never be obtained. The work of searching for raw dark stones has become too difficult and too expensive.

"Prince Jarod hoped this would put an end to Technologists' desire for the Dark Sword, and that's pretty much it, Father. But Joram did a very stupid thing." Saryon's expression was painful and sad, as if he was the one who should be responsible for Joram's actions. "He forged a new sword." "We don't know exactly what happened. Smither's visit aroused Joram's undue suspicion—" "Makes him feel like he's being watched," Saryon interrupted Mosiah. Mosiah paused and smiled. "I never knew you were good at taunting people, Father. Well, I believe Joram's suspicions do have some basis. But why doesn't he just go to Prince Jarod or General Polis instead, and wants to be alone Fight the whole world!"

"Joram has been fighting alone." Saryon's voice was full of love, sorrow, and understanding. "His blood is from the emperors, and his countless ancestors held the fate of the country in their hands. It is weak to ask for help. Think how hard it took him to ask me to help him forge the Dark Sword. he……" Saryon paused.And I'm wondering when Saryon will bring it up. "Joran himself cannot forge the Darksword," he said passionately. "There must be a Catalyst Saint to help him. I draw life from that world and infuse it into the Darksword, and the Darksword uses this One life force absorbs other life."

"He does not need you to forge the sword itself, Father. He only needs you to empower the sword." "But since there is no catalyst saint to give that ability, then, that sword is no more dangerous than any other sword. Why do technologists still want it?" "Think about the number of Catalyst Saints among our people, Father. Catalyst Saints live poor lives in resettlement camps, willing to trade their abilities for promises of wealth and power from Technologists. Corrupt though The Bishop of Vanya is dead, but his legacy lives on among some of his followers."

"Yes, Technicians can do that," said Saryon sadly. "Then how did Joram forge the sword while avoiding Duke Xisi's surveillance?" Mosiah shrugged and spread his hands, "Who knew? It wouldn't be difficult, especially if he had an amulet made of the Dark Stone. Or, he had cast it years ago before we even noticed him. In any case, it doesn't matter anymore. We tried to keep the news of the Dark Sword's reappearance a secret, but the technologists found out and their desires were rekindled." "Is Joram and his family in danger?" Saryon asked anxiously.

"Not yet, mainly because of Duke Xis. This is not a taunt, Father. Those who once wanted Joram's death are now risking their lives to protect him." "You?" Saryon asked. "You are risking your life?" "Yes." Mosiah replied calmly.He pointed toward the surrounding darkness. "That's why I'm on the alert. Tekenduk wants me very badly, because I know too many of their secrets. You understand, Father, that I'm a great danger to them. I've come to warn you, They'll use all sorts of tricks to convince you to take them to Joram—"

Saryon raised a hand to stop Mosiah from continuing.Mosiah stopped immediately.His reverence for the catalyst saint won me over immediately.But I wouldn't trust the man in the black robe of the Marshal completely.Duke Xi's never has only one purpose, not only that, they can find loopholes in any well-thought-out contract. "I won't go," said Saryon firmly. "Don't be afraid of that. I'm no use to them. I don't know what you, them, or anyone else think I can do." "Joram respects and trusts you, Father. Your influence on him—" Mosiah broke off again. He is staring at me.Both of them were staring at me.I made some noise.I realized that I must be making a strange sound, a guttural sound like that of a crow.I gestured to my master. "Reuven says there's something out there," Saryon told Mosiah. No sooner had Saryon spoken than Mosiah stood beside me.His sudden movement startled me like the ghost I saw outside the window.A moment before, he was in the darkness across the room, and in the blink of an eye he was beside me, looking out the window.His movements were quick and silent, making him one with the black shadow.Surprised, I glanced back at my master to make sure he was all right, and at the same time I saw Mosiah sitting in the chair! Only then did I realize that the law enforcement officer beside me was just an incorporeal body.It is the shadow of Mosiah. "What did you see? Tell me! Immediately!" Mosiah's voice burned like a flame in my thoughts. I gesture with both hands.Saryon translated it for me. "Reuven said he thought he saw a man covered in silver—" Mosiah (Mosiah in a chair) stands up.His shadow returned to his master. "They're here." He said, "Di Candale, the Blood Knight of Doom. They may be following me, or they may have their own purpose. I'm afraid the latter is more likely. You are not safe here , must come with me. Now!" "We haven't got any clothes on!" Saryon objected. There has to be real, definite and imminent danger for an elderly man to run into a cold winter night in nothing but pajamas and slippers. "No," said Mosiah, "your bodies don't have to go anywhere, just go to your bed. Do as I say. Father, stay where you are. Reuven, go upstairs to your room, to your bed go." The thought of leaving my master displeases me, but what I can do against Duke is clearly the question.Saryon nodded to me, letting me know that we must obey Mosiah.I reminded Mosiah to take care of my master, and went upstairs to my little room. My bedroom is directly above Saryon's bedroom.Saryon had to hear me go to bed every night before turning off the lights downstairs and going to bed peacefully.But tonight the lights in his room have been turned off.As I said, I usually still spend some time writing before going to bed, but I must now obey Mosiah's orders, give up this habit, and go to bed at once.I turned out the lights and the apartment was plunged into darkness. Lying alone in the dark, I began to feel afraid.It's easy to get scared at this time of night.I recall my childhood horror of thinking monsters were hiding in cupboards.Anyway, now my fears can no longer be driven away with a flashlight.I wondered why I felt this way, and then I realized that it was because I felt the fear of Mosiah. Whatever it was in the night outside the window, I thought it must be very scary.Even the mighty Dukexis is afraid of them. I lay in bed, my ears trying to catch every sound outside.Those sounds that should only be common in the night, now terrify me.I never paid attention to them before.The barking of a dog, the howling and neighing of cats fighting, cars passing by on the street... I was imagining the sinister scene behind these sounds when Mosiah's words suddenly rang in my head.I was so frightened that I trembled so much that the bedstead shook. "Come with me," said Mosiah, "not your body. Leave it. Let your soul rise from that body and come with me." I don't know what the guy is talking about. If I hadn't heard his dire urging, I think I'd have laughed (actually, I might have actually let out a shrill laugh, perhaps because of my nervousness).I lay in bed dazed, wondering what I should do.Mosiah (or what I should perhaps call Mosiah's "shadow") appeared out of the darkness, standing at the foot of my bed. He held out his hand to me. "It's very simple. You come with me, your body stays. My body is downstairs right now, but I'm standing in front of you. Imagine you rising out of bed and following me. You're a writer, you must I have traveled countless times following your imagination. When I read your description of Merilon, I can see it replaying in my mind, and it is so vivid and real. You are a professional dreamer, so to speak. You just need to focus a little more." Seeing that I didn't act immediately, Mosiah's tone became severe. "Saryon would not have left without you. You are putting him in danger." He knew it would get me up.Even if I lie in the grave, this will raise me up.I closed my eyes and imagined myself rising out of bed to Mosiah.In the beginning, nothing happened.I was so full of excitement and fear that I couldn't concentrate. "Relax." Mosiah said softly in a hypnotic voice, "Relax, get rid of the heavy body that weighs you down." His words no longer burned my nerves, but slowly passed through my thoughts like flowing water.I found myself relaxing and letting the water flow through me.My body literally relaxes and I feel every weight.I know I can't carry the weight.And at this moment, someone is urging me to leave! I got up and walked over to Mosiah.When I looked back, I wasn't surprised to see the heavy body still lying on the bed, soundly asleep by all appearances. I forgot my fear in amazement and awe. I began to move towards the door, intending to pass through it and go downstairs, into my master's bedroom.Just like I'm used to.But Mosiah stopped me. "You are no longer bound by physical barriers, Reuven. A single thought can take you to Saryon." What he said was true.When I want to be with my master, I'm really there for him.Seeing me coming, Saryon nodded and smiled at me, his movements hesitated, as if relearning some long-forgotten behavior.His soul also left the body. Saryon's soul was filled with a soft white halo.I'm not surprised by this.But Mosiah's soul is completely opposite, just like his body, it seems to be covered with a layer of black robe. I know that my master is distressed by the state of Mosiah, and so is Mosiah. "You should remember, Father. My soul once shone like Reuven's and was crystal clear. But the darkness and fear I've seen have left their marks on my soul. We must hurry. Once they If you think you're asleep, you'll strike. Don't be afraid, I won't let them hurt you." Mosiah's spirit slid back into his body.He said a word, as if reaching out his hand to some invisible door, he pushed it in nothingness, and walked in. "Quick!" he ordered, "follow me." People often think of the weirdest things at the most inappropriate times.At this point I was reminded of a cartoon I saw on TV as a kid where a character (maybe a rabbit, I'm not sure) was being chased through the woods by a hunter with a gun.The rabbit has been cornered, but it suddenly tore a hole on the screen and crawled in. The hole also disappeared with it, leaving only the hunter in a daze. Mosiah did the same.He opened a hole in our bedroom and urged us to climb in! Saryon has lived in the wizarding world of Simharon for many years and is more used to such mysteries than I am.He went right into the hole, beckoning me to follow.As I walked across the room, it occurred to me that now I need not rely on two feet, but only think of my Master. I'm in that hole.The hole closed behind me and formed a bubble around us, keeping us suspended in mid-air in a direction near the ceiling of Saryon's bedroom. "A teleportation corridor?" Saryon asked in amazement. "On Earth?" I must mention that we did not speak, but communicated with each other with thoughts.In the spiritual realm, I am no longer dumb, I can speak and listen.Perceptions filled me with shuddering joy and horrific confusion, so that I was at once more silent than I was in the physical world. "Not what you think, Father. Not the corridors of time and space that we have at Simharon," Mosiah replied. "We have lost that craft, and have never been able to recover it. But We do have the ability to slide into one of the 'folds' of time." I have to explain what it's like to hide in the "fold" of time, as Mosiah calls it.All I can say is that it's a lot like hiding in the folds of a heavy curtain.In fact, I began to feel like I was trapped in a suffocating prison.I later learned that it was because time flowed through my body and me (soul) while I stood still. I understand that it doesn't feel so bad if one's body and mind enter the time fold at the same time; or, it doesn't feel so bad if one knows that one will be able to return to the time stream sooner or later.But even though my body was still fast asleep, I was starting to feel the panic inside, like someone fearing they'd miss the last train home.The train (that is, my body) is moving forward, and I can only run in vain after it, trying to catch up with it.I think I'm going to run away, but I won't leave Saryon. I found out that Saryon felt the same way I did, and he stayed because of me.We all laughed about it, it's just that our laughs were all hollow. "Hush, be quiet! Watch out!" Mosiah warned. Mosiah didn't want us to be quiet because he didn't want us to be noticed—not even Di Candale could find us now—he just wanted us to keep an eye on them.What we hear and see makes us shudder. While we can pass through physical barriers, our eyes cannot see through them.Trapped in a time fold, we couldn't move anywhere else in the house, nor could we see beyond Saryon's bedroom.But my hearing is very good, and my tense nerves enhance this ability.I heard a slight thump as the front door was unlocked.Then there was the creak of the door hinges (Saryon had told me to oil the hinges).The front door was gently pushed open.At the same time, I heard the deadbolt snap open on the back door, and the door panels slide across the floor mats. People outside the door have already entered the room from the front and back.But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't hear their footsteps.Before I knew it, one of them had entered the bedroom. His whole body was wrapped in a paper-thin silver tights.When he moves, his body makes a faint popping sound, and sometimes releases small blue sparks, like a cat's fur in the dark.His face was also covered with a paper-thin silver film, so I could only see the outline of his features—a nose and a mouth.Silver fibrous membranes also covered his hands and feet, like a second skin. He is standing in the bedroom.Mosiah alerted me to a strange phenomenon with a very weak consciousness.The machinery in the bedroom knew of Di Candale's arrival and responded. The mechanical response is not obvious or violent.I wouldn't have even noticed if it wasn't for Mosiah's reminder.The bedroom overhead light (off, of course) flickered. An unintelligible tune blared from the CD stereo.The bedside lamp cast a faint light. Di Candale paid no attention to this.He walked right up to the sleeping Saryon's body, stretched out a silver hand, and shook the catalyst saint's shoulder. "Saryon!" he said aloud. I could feel Saryon's soul quiver beside me.Now I am grateful for Mosiah's timely arrival and warning.If my master suddenly woke up in the middle of the night and saw such a horrible creature in front of him, he might never recover from such a shock. Just then, I heard a female voice yell, "Reuven!" I felt a light brush over my shoulders.Then I knew that the man who came in through the back door had gone to my room and was standing next to my body. Di Candale shook Saryon even more vigorously, and lifted his sleeping body from the bed. "Saryon!" His voice became harsher. I shuddered, afraid he might hurt Saryon.Once again Mosiah assured us that there was no danger. "They won't hurt you," he said. "They dare not. They know you might be of use to them." Di Candale, who had gone to my room, also appeared in Saryon's bedroom. "Same?" she asked. "Yes," said Di Candale, standing beside his master, "their spirits have escaped. They knew we were coming." "Dukesis." "Of course. And it must be the man named Mosiah, the lawman who was a friend of the Catalyst Saint." "You're right. You said we'd find him here." "He's been here. He's probably still here, no doubt hiding in their goddamn timefold. Those two might be with him. Chances are..." The man turned his silver face toward the room look around. "They're eavesdropping on us right now." "That's easy, then. Torture their bodies, and the pain will bring their souls back. In a little while, they'll be more than happy to tell us where to find the enforcer." The female Di Candale raised her hand, and five long steel needles appeared where the nails were just now, and the electric light swam back and forth at the tips of the steel needles.Her hand reached out to Saryon's unsuspecting flesh with a terrible crackling sound. Her accomplice stopped her.The man took her wrist. "The Kantic sages will come here tomorrow and use their means to persuade him. They won't be happy if they know we've been here." "They know we're hunting this lawman. They want him as much as we do." "Yes, but they want this catalyst saint more." Di Candale's tone showed anger. "We're going to leave him to them. It's a pity we didn't get here sooner, otherwise we could have caught that Duke Xisi. But that's all, it's just delaying our encounter, Law Enforcement Officer!" he said to the air. "And you, catalyst saint." The silver face turned to the body on the bed. "I'll keep this, my... business card." He opened one hand, reached into the palm of his other, twisted it, pulled out something (I couldn't see what it was), and threw it on the bed, at the feet of Saryon's body.The two men then left the house through the back door. After they left, all the machinery in the house returned to normal.The lights dimmed and the CD stereo stopped playing. We continued to hide for some time, to be sure that the departure of the two Di Candales was not a trap to lure us out.Finally Mosiah allowed us to go back.Immediately my spirit floated back to my body, looking down on myself from above. It's nothing like looking at yourself in the mirror.What the mirror finds out is what we look like in our daily life, what we are used to seeing.Never before had I seen myself so clearly.Although I was anxious to get back to Saryon and had many questions for Mosiah, being able to observe myself as a complete spectator completely fascinated me.So I spent a little time on this. I am very aware of my features.The mirror tells us all (long blond hair. Someone used to call me "ear of corn" when I was a kid), brown eyes and eyebrows that I don't like.They were too heavy and too dark a brown, contrasted too strongly with my blonde hair, made me look too grim and serious.My face was too severe, too, with prominent cheekbones and an aquiline nose.When I am old, this nose will definitely become long and crooked. When I was young, my body was not strong, but it had good suppleness.Mental activity is far more suitable for me than running back and forth on a machine that doesn't know where it's going.But now I look at those thin hands and arms, and I am very unhappy.If Saryon is in danger, how can I protect him? But I don't have time to spare for this kind of examination.The closer my soul was to my body, the stronger the desire to return.I felt like I was falling into my body from a very high place.I awoke, shivering, feeling my bowels constrict into a ball, like someone awakened from a falling nightmare.Since then, I have been curious whether those dreams of falling from a height are themselves the process of the soul leaving the body. I sat up on the bed, shook off the feeling of sleepiness, hurriedly grabbed the robe, wrapped it around me, then turned on the light in the hallway, and ran down the stairs.Light shone from Saryon's bedroom.My master, with sleepy eyes like mine, was staring at what Di Candale had thrown on his blanket. "It won't hurt you," Mosiah was speaking to Saryon. "You can pick it up." "I'll come, sir." I gestured, leaning over to grab the thing in my hand before Saryon could. Mosiah looked at me, a smile flitting across his lips.I take that as a compliment from him.Saryon just looked at me with an expression of exasperation and kindness. After I was sure the thing was harmless, wouldn't explode, spew flames, or do something strange that I didn't know about, I opened my hand and handed it to Saryon.Saryon and I both looked at it curiously. "What is this?" Saryon asked confused. "Death," said Mosiah.