Chapter 10 Chapter nine

"I say!" came an annoyed voice from somewhere close to the backpack. "Are you two going to stand here all day trying to see who's the more idiot? I'm bored to death here--like poor Duke Umberville. That boring old fool ended up just because Lack of interest, bored myself to death." I considered rummaging through my pack to find Simkin, but that would be a waste of precious time.I used to spend hours organizing everything in my backpack and putting it all in its proper place.The thought of having to do it all over again makes me break out in a cold sweat. I sign to Saryon and say, "If we ignore him, maybe he'll go."

"I hear you," Simkin said. "I assure you, it won't work." I was confused because I didn't speak and I didn't believe Simkin could have learned sign language in the hour we met. Saryon shrugged and smiled wryly. "The magic is still there," he whispered.There was a kind of warmth in his eyes, and the tears in his eyes quickly evaporated. "Where are we?" I asked. "I'm still confirming." Saryon looked around from the city wall. "I know," said the muffled voice from the backpack, and added sullenly, "but I won't say it."

Below us was a courtyard, where the paved flagstones had crumbled, and wild plants of all kinds had grown from cracks in the rocks, and several species of wildflowers were in bloom.Across the courtyard there was a low, long house with many windows through which sunlight streamed into the interior.Some of the windows were broken, but the openings were covered with neat boards.In some places in the courtyard, traces of cutting weeds and sweeping fallen leaves can be seen.The place is all the more beautiful because of it. "Ah, yes! It's in that house," Saryon pointed to the building on the other side of the courtyard. "Zeldara, the healer's hospital. Now I know where we are."

"Did I tell you that Zeldalar once treated my little sister for ringworm? Or was it tapeworm? I'm sure there must be a difference. The ringworm eats you from the skin on, and you Will eat tapeworms. But it's no different for poor Ron, because she's eaten by a bear. Where am I? Ah, yes, Zeldalla. He—” Simkin was still babbling.Saryon turned and began to walk along the wall toward a flight of stairs that led to the courtyard below. "This side is a garden where they grow herbs and other healing plants. A quiet, peaceful, soothing place. I have been here before. Zelda La is a very good person, he Helped me as much as he could, even though he couldn't. I couldn't help myself then, and that was the crucial first step."

"Looks like someone lives here." I gestured, pointing to the boarded-up windows. "Yes," Saryon's voice sounded excited. "Yes, this is a good place for Joram and his family. There is also access to the interior of the holy mountain." "Oh, that's good." The voice in the backpack also expressed its opinion. Around a corner, we found more traces of human habitation.Part of the courtyard, where the mighty Vanya bishops once walked during ceremonies, has apparently been converted into a laundry room.Several large washtubs were placed on the flagstone floor, and lengths of rope hung between two ornamental trees on which shirts, petticoats, sheets and underwear hung to dry.

"Here they are!" murmured Saryon.He paused for a moment before mustering up the strength to move on. Until then, he had refused to allow himself to believe that he would be able to reunite with the one he loved so many years later.All he expected was to see Joram's son again. Having regained his courage, Saryon walked quickly forward.He no longer thinks about how he wants to go, but walks forward with memory.We skirted the washtubs and slipped under the drying clothes. "Joram's banner—a pajamas. Well, it seems," Simkin said. At last we came to the door of the house.Looking through one of the windows, we can see a sunlit room furnished with comfortable loungers and chairs, and flowers in bloom on the table.Saryon hesitated for a moment.His hands were shaking.Then he knocked on the door.We wait.

No one in the room spoke. Saryon knocked a few more times, peering intently and hopefully into the window. I took this opportunity to inspect the area.I walked past the house, turned the corner, and saw a large garden.Then I hurried back to my master, tugged at his sleeve, and beckoned him to follow me. "Have you found them?" Saryon asked. I nodded and held out two fingers.I found two people. I stayed behind when Saryon went into the garden.Perhaps the two women would be frightened, and it would be best if they saw Saryon first. The two women were working in the garden, their long cream dresses tied at their waists and their large straw hats with wide brims shielding them from the sun.Their sleeves were rolled up to the elbows, and their exposed forearms were browned by the sun.They were hoeing the ground, and the hoes were lifted lightly in their hands, and they were hacked into the soil vigorously.

The sound of the wind formed a burst of pleasant resonance around them, as if playing a relaxing music for them who were working hard.The fresh smell of soil filled the air. Saryon walked forward with unsteady steps.He pushed open the gate to the garden, a movement that nearly took away his strength and courage.He put out a hand and held it against the garden wall.I think he tried a few times to call out a name, but he's now dumb like me. "Gwendolin!" he said at last.His voice is full of love and longing, no one will be frightened by such a voice. Gwendelyn wasn't afraid.Maybe she was a little surprised, after all, this voice hadn't rang in her ears for twenty years.But she is not afraid.She put down the hoe, raised her head, and turned toward the source of the sound.

As soon as she saw my master, she dropped her hoe and ran across the garden, not caring the plants and flowers she had trod down.Her hat was off too, and her long blond hair fell down her back. "Father Saryon!" she called, extending her arms towards Saryon. Saryon hugged her tightly, crying and laughing at the same time. This reunion is sacred, a special moment just for them.I think it's offensive to them even just to watch.So, with respect and a little curiosity, I turned my attention to Joran's daughter. Joram's daughter also stopped working and stood up, looking at us from under the brim of her straw hat.She was very much like her mother—medium-sized, graceful in every way.The muscles in her arms and legs, those tall and toned lines show that she is used to physical labor.I couldn't see her face because of the shadow of the hat brim.She didn't come closer to us, nor retreated into the distance.

I think she's scared.But who could blame her for that?She has never met any strangers since she was a child. Gwendelyn took a step back from Saryon's embrace, and they clasped their hands together and looked at each other affectionately. "Father, it's good to see you again! You look in good health!" "Not bad for an old man." Saryon smiled at her. "You're still cute, Gwen. Maybe even cuter. And you're living happily." "Yes," Gwendelyn said, casting a glance at her daughter behind her, "yes, I am happy, Father. We are all happy." She emphasized the last sentence.

A shadow passed over Gwendolin's face.She held Saryon's hand tighter, looking at Saryon with the most urgent plea in her eyes. "So you must go, Father. Go quickly. Thank you for coming to see us, Joram and I have often wondered what you have become. He is very worried about you. You have suffered a lot because of him, and he is afraid that it will damage you." Your health. Now I can put his mind at ease. I will tell him that you are in good health. Thank you for visiting us, but please leave now!" "The welcome cushion is pulled away right away, isn't it?" Simkin said. I thumped my backpack hard. "Where is Joram?" Saryon asked. "Taking care of the sheep." There was a muffled humming sound from the backpack.Hearing the voice, Gwen glanced at me, frowned, and said defiantly, "Yes, he's a shepherd now. He's happy, Father. Happy and content. For the first time in his life Get real joy! While he loves and respects you, Father Saryon, you are from the past, you are from that dark sad time. Like that terrible man who came before, you will bring those terrible days Bring it to us!" What she meant was that we reminded them of the horrors of the past.But Saryon's painful expression showed that he thought Gwendelyn's words had another meaning.Or maybe Saryon was right.We bring not memories, but facts. Saryon swallowed, his hands trembling on Gwendelyn's.His eyes were wet.After several tries, he finally made a sound. "Gwen, it is because of this that I have stayed away from Joran all these years. As much as I want to see him, as much as I want to know that he is healthy and happy. I don't want to come to you at this time, Gwen, but I don't There is no choice. I must see Joram," Saryon's gentle voice gradually became firm. "I have to talk to you guys. There's no other way. I'm sorry." Ge Wen stared at Saryon's face for a long time.She saw his pain and sorrow, understanding, and determination. "You... are you here for the Dark Sword? He won't hand over the Dark Sword. Not even you, Father." Saryon shook his head. "I did not come for the Dark Sword. I came for Joram, for you and your daughter." Gwen still held Saryon's hand tightly, as if she was relying on Saryon for support.Occasionally she let go of her hand, just to wipe her eyes. I was so absorbed in watching them talk that I forgot about Joram's daughter.Seeing her mother crying, she dropped her hoe and ran towards us with her long legs.She pushed the straw hat back to get a better view.Only then did I realize that I had made a mistake in judging her.She is not afraid of us, just now she was just looking at us, speculating about us, and considering what she should think of us. I looked at her carefully.At this moment, my life stopped.When a second later, the river of life begins to flow again, it can never be the same again.If I never see her again after this time, then from now on, I will look at her forever and ever. The thick black curly hair was gathered in tufts, like a swift waterfall pouring down from behind her.A pair of equally thick black eyebrows are straight like swords, making her face firm and powerful.But those big crystal blue eyes were shining with a charming and alluring brilliance.Her eyes and hair color came from her father, and her mother inherited her oval cheeks, sharp chin, and light and beautiful figure. I am not in love with her.We just met and it couldn't be love.Only extraordinary people can fall in love with her.No, she shouldn't belong to any human.I'm like falling in love with a beautiful painting or statue, I just have to appreciate and love with all my heart. Daughter of Prospero (a character in Shakespeare's play The Tempest, a magician. His daughter is Miranda) - I said to myself, thinking of Shakespeare, and then smiled mockingly to myself.Because I think of what Miranda said when she saw the strangers washed up on the beach by her father's magic: "How many good people there are here! How beautiful the men are!" I could see curiosity in the way she glanced at me, but nothing like a vision of a brave new life.I did pique her interest though.Yes, she has her parents for company, but young people certainly long to be with young people, to share dreams and hopes that are only our own. But now her first concern is her mother.She put her arms around her mother's shoulders as if to protect her, and stared at us bravely, accusingly.Her bushy eyebrows seemed even more rigid. "Who are you? What did you say that upset her so much? Why do you keep bothering us?" Ge Wen raised her head, wiped away her tears, and tried to smile. "No, Alisa, don't talk like that. This gentleman is not like the others. He is Father Saryon, and we told you what he was like. He was an old friend of ours, and he really loved your father and my people." "Father Saryon!" repeated Alisa.She raised her thick eyebrows, her blue eyes sparkled like the sun breaking through the clouds after a storm. "Of course, I know Father Saryon. You came to teach me! Father said I was going to you, but he kept delaying my departure. Now I know—it's because you're coming to us!" Saryon blushed, swallowed again, and then looked at Ge Wen in embarrassment, as if asking him what should he say? Ge Wen couldn't help him either.But she doesn't need to help Saryon either.Alisa's eyes quickly swept over the two of them several times, and then realized that she was wrong, and the brilliance in her big blue eyes dimmed. "That's not why you came. Of course not. If so, my mother wouldn't be crying. So why are you here? You and your..." She turned her beautiful eyes to me and guessed: "Your son?" "Reuven!" said Saryon.He turned around and beckoned me over. "My child, please forgive me! You are so quiet... I forgot you were here too. He is my beloved son, but not my own. His birthplace is Simharun, on the holy mountain. His mother was a catalyst saint." Alisa looked at me with calm, focused eyes.Suddenly, that strange feeling made me tremble all over again.Just like just now, I seem to see a whole new life through a window. I see myself as a Catalyst Saint standing among many Catalyst Saints.We wore our best ceremonial robes and bowed our shaved heads respectfully.She walked past us, noble and elegant, her body adorned with silk and jewels.She is our queen.I boldly looked up at her, and she turned to look at me.She kept looking for me in the crowd.When she found me, she smiled. I smiled at her and we were sharing a secret moment.At this point, fearing my superiors would notice, I lowered my gaze.When I boldly raised my head again, hoping to see her still looking at me, I only saw her back.Soon, even that figure disappeared.Behind her were many attendants, all of them on foot.walk.Why does this strike me as weird? The phantom disappeared from my eyes, but not from my consciousness.In fact, it's so clear, it's unmistakable. The word "Your Majesty" is on my lips and I would say it aloud - if I could speak.I felt bewildered, as Mosiah had us back in the body. After regaining my composure, I signed in language to express my pleasure and honor to see two men who held a special place in my master's heart. Alisa stared at my flying hands with wide eyes. "What is he doing?" she asked, with childlike candor. "Reuven is dumb," Saryon explained to her. "He talks with his two hands." Then he translated my sign language. Gwendelyn gave me a charming smile and told me they were welcome.Alisa looked at me, her blue eyes paid close attention to every detail of my body, and there was no shyness in her eyes.What she saw should be a young man of medium build, with long pale blond hair, and a friendly face like a sister, which can make any woman feel good.Honest, lovely, gentle and refined, women often use such words to describe me.They'd say, "Finally there's a man I can trust," and they'd tell me all about the man they loved. As for how I feel about Alisa - the statue becomes warm and alive and becomes a real person. Gwendoline glanced at me, as if she had suddenly had another thing to worry about.Then she glanced at Alisa again.It made me more sure of my feelings.She turned back to look at Saryon, pulled him aside, and spoke to him in a very low voice, as if begging him for something.Alisa stood by, staring at me. My situation was very awkward and uncomfortable.I have never cursed my disability like I do now.If I could be like everyone else, I could have a polite conversation with Alisa. I thought about taking out the tablet and writing on it.Write what?A few boring strike-ups?Like "What a beautiful day. Do you think we're going to get caught in the rain?" No, it's better to leave my tablet off. But I still wanted to do something to get her interested in me.She had now turned to look at her mother and Saryon.I thought of picking some flowers and giving them to her.At this time, I heard a "dong" sound from my feet. Alisa called out happily, "Teddy!" There was a teddy bear at my feet, it was worn out, most of its fur had fallen off, and it was missing an ear. Alisa leaned down, lifted the little bear, and shouted happily, "Look, Mom, Reuven found Teddy!" Gwen and Saryon turned away from the conversation.Ge Wen smiled, but her smile seemed forced. "That's great, dear." Saryon shot me a warning glance.I can only shrug helplessly. There is an orange silk scarf around Teddy's neck.