Chapter 14 Chapter Thirteen

Alisa got a broom and swept the debris off the floor. "Let Reuven and I do the dishes, Mom," whispered Alissa, "you go with Dad." Gwendelyn didn't answer, but she nodded and walked towards Joram.She hugged Joram and rested her head on his chest.Joram also hugged her tightly, bowed his head, black hair and blond hair blended together.He kissed her tenderly. I clear the table and put the dishes in the sink.Alisa threw the broken dishes into the dustbin, then took a jug of hot water from the fireplace and poured it into the sink.She didn't look at me all the time, her eyes were only on the work in her hands.

I guess she must be feeling guilty and remorse now.Prospero's daughter wants to see Brave New World, and she sincerely thinks that's what we're here for—to take her back with her.She wanted to go away and see the amazing things she had read about in books.But she realized, perhaps for the first time, how sad her departure would be to her parents.She should never have left them. She doesn't have to, they'll go with her--that makes me happy. Joram made Saryon sit comfortably by the fire before he sat down (which must be where he was used to).Gwendelyn sat within arm's reach of Joram.

Beside each chair was a small table with some books on it.Next to Gwen's chair was a basket with balls of wool and knitting tools, and another basket with mending tools.As soon as Ge Wen sat down, she habitually picked up a basket and put it on her lap.Then she saw Saryon, sighed, put down the basket, and clasped her hands tightly. No one said a word, we became a bunch of dumb.It's just that in this silence, different thoughts are still flowing back and forth through the changes in facial expressions and eyes.Everyone in the room seemed to be standing behind walls—walls made of distances of time and space, of fear and suspicion, and of my master's deep sorrow.

After washing the dishes with Alisa, we also went to the fireplace.Alisa lit a candle, and I added a log to the fire.Alisa sat down in her chair.She has the most books piled up next to her chair, and she also has a handmade basket.There were no other chairs by the fire, so I took one from the kitchen and sat down beside my master. Joram looked at Saryon grimly, his black eyebrows drawn into a heavy line.He was like an impenetrable stone wall, and it was impossible for Saryon to shake him. Saryon knew it wouldn't be easy, but I'm sure he didn't expect it to be this difficult either.He took a deep breath, but before he could speak, Joram spoke.

"I would like you to bring a letter to Prince Jarod, Father." Joram said abruptly, "Tell him that his orders have been disobeyed and the law broken. My family and I should live alone in peace in this world. And now our peace has been disturbed by a man named Smither who has come here looking for the Dark Sword and threatening my family. I have thrown him out and warned him never to come back. If He does come back, and I will not take responsibility for anything that may happen. The same goes for anyone else who comes looking for the Dark Sword." This statement obviously includes us as well.Saryon's job seemed more difficult.

"I don't understand why they came," Joram went on. "The Dark Sword was destroyed when the world fell apart. They were wasting their time looking for something that didn't exist." Joram wasn't lying, at least not outright.Indeed, it turned out that the Dark Sword had been destroyed.But what about his newly forged one?Does that sword really exist?Perhaps Dukes was wrong.Saryon dared not ask the question, for it would be tantamount to acknowledging that Joram was being watched, which would surely make Joram furious. My master was like a man who goes swimming in a frozen lake and knows that going slowly into the water only prolongs the pain, so he cuts straight to the point.

"Joran, Gwendelin," Saryon looked at the two of them with sympathetic eyes, "I didn't come here for the Dark Sword. I came here to take your family to Earth and let you live there in safety." "We are safe here." Joram's gaze became more severe. "If Garald can keep his promise and keep his laws, we are safe! Does he want the Dark Sword too? That's it. Do you?" He jumped up from his chair, threatening. "That's why you're here, Father!" Now I can be sure that Duke Xisi's report is true, and Joram has forged another Dark Sword.Now his performance has acknowledged it.

Saryon rose too, and looked into Joram's eyes.Blood welled up in his cheeks, and his voice trembled—not from weakness, but from anger. "I did not come here for the sword, Joram. I have made it very clear. You know—at least you should know—I will not lie to you." Gwendelyn stood up too, her hand on Joram's arm. "Joran, please!" she said softly, "You don't know what you're talking about. Standing in front of you is Father Saryon!" Joram's anger subsided.He showed a shameful expression, and apologized to Saryon, but the apology was short and cold.He sat back in the chair, but Ge Wen didn't sit down, but stood behind Qiao Lang.She is supporting and protecting Qiao Lang with the greatest strength.But Joram was indeed wrong.

Alisa looked embarrassed, confused, and a little terrified.This was not what she expected to see. Saryon also sat back, looking at Joram with gentle sympathy. "My son, do you think it's easy for me? I see the life you've created for you and your family, and I see the peace and happiness here. But I'm telling you, it's over. I hope I can also tell you that it is possible for you to regain this peace here on Earth. But I cannot promise you that. No one knows if we will find peace again when we go back, or if we will all be drawn into Terrible war. "Smither mentioned Conifer to you, those alien races that are bound to destroy all human beings. They have no interest in making peace with us and have refused all contact with us. They have slaughtered all the envoys we sent. They It's approaching us. Our troops are retreating in order to hold Earth. This is the last alien outpost to evacuate.

"I can't even promise you will be safe on Earth," Saryon admitted. "I can't guarantee that any of us will be safe. But at least you will have the protection of the United Earth Army there. Here, you, Gwen, and Alisa will fall into the hands of those aliens. So far They still haven't shown any kindness." Joram's lips twisted. "And if you have the Dark Sword—" Saryon shook his head. Joram changed his words, but his lips twisted even more, and his voice was bitter and mocking. "If someone gets the Dark Sword, then those people can use it to stop the demonic xenomorphs and save the world. Do you still want to atone for your past, Father?"

Saryon looked at Joram sadly. "You don't believe me, you think I'm lying to you. I'm sorry, my son. Very, very sorry." "Qiao Lang." There was reproach in Ge Wen's gentle voice.She put her hand on her husband's shoulder. Joram sighed.He took his wife's hand and rested his cheek on it.He still held her hand tightly as he spoke. "I'm not saying you're lying, Father." Joram's voice softened. "I'm just saying, you've been lied to. You've always been easily lied to." His smile was bitter, but also caring and warm. "You are too good for the world, Father, too good. People will take advantage of you." "I didn't know I was so kind," Saryon said carefully and slowly.Gathering his strength, he spoke again: "But I've been trying to do what I believe to be right. That doesn't mean I'm weak, Joram, and I'm not stupid. Although you've always regarded kindness as For weakness. You mean those xenos don't exist. But I've seen the news reports, Joram! I've seen pictures of those xeno ships destroying our colony! I've read the list of victims, they all died of senseless massacre. "Yes, I haven't seen those alien species with my own eyes. Few people have seen them come back alive. But I saw the anxiety, concern and fear in the eyes of General Polis and Prince Garrod. They are afraid, Joram. They fear you. They fear us. What do you think it is? An elaborate deception? For what purpose? To trick you into the Dark Sword? How is this possible? You said it yourself, it It's been destroyed." Joram didn't answer. Saryon sighed again. "My son, I am true to you, and I will hide nothing from you, though what I have to tell you will make you angry. They know you have forged a new dark sword. Duke Sis Been watching you, but they're doing it to protect you, Joram! Just to protect you from Smither and his men! That's what Dukes said, and I... I believe them." Joram was really angry, and he was so angry that he couldn't utter a word.So my master can go on. "I know why you forged that sword, Joram, to protect you and your loved ones from magic, so you can't give it up. Yes, I admit they want the Dark Sword and its secrets , Joran. Bishop Radisovik—do you remember him? You know he was an honest and wise man. Bishop Radisovik got a message, and he believed it was Emin telling him how to Use the Dark Sword to save our people. Whether you will take the Dark Sword to Earth is up to you, I will not give you any advice. I only care about the safety of you and your family. My son, do you So care about the Dark Sword, even sacrifice your family for it?" Qiao Lang stood up, let go of Ge Wen's hand, and avoided Ge Wen's soothing touch.There was deep anger in his voice. "How can I trust them? What have those people done in the past, Father? Betrayal, deceit, murder—" "Honor, love, compassion," Saryon retorted. Joram's face darkened, he didn't like being contradicted by others.I don't know what he wants to say.Gwendelyn interjected at this point. "Father, tell us what Prince Garrod has planned for us," she said. Saryon told them all that there was a spaceship waiting for them to go to Earth at the outpost.There, their accommodation has been arranged.But unfortunately, so many things are going to stay here, there isn't enough room in the ship for too many personal items. "But there is enough room for the Dark Sword." Joran snorted coldly. "Fuck his dark sword!" Saryon said angrily, finally losing his patience. "Destroy it! I don't want to see it, I don't want to hear it! Throw it away! Burn it, smash it! I don't care what you do with it. You, Joram! You and your wife and daughter, That's what I care about." "Only you care about us," Joram's voice was equally fierce. "That's why they sent you! To plead with us in such a tone! To scare us away. When we leave, they can search here as they please, and take what I will not give them!" "Don't say that, father!" Alisa said for the first time.She stood up and looked at Joram. "What if they are right? What if the power of the Dark Sword could save millions of lives? You have no right to hide it, you must give it to them!" "Daughter," Gwendelin said sharply, "don't talk nonsense, you can't understand!" "I understand that my father was selfish and stubborn," Alisa said without showing weakness. "He doesn't care about us! Doesn't care about any of us. He only cares about himself!" Joram looked sullenly at Saryon. "You've done your job, Father. You've turned my child against me. It's part of your plan, no doubt. She can go to Earth with you, and I won't stop her if she wants to. You and your Companions can stay here tonight, but you have to leave tomorrow morning." He turned around to leave the room. "Papa!" Alisa begged sadly, "I don't want to leave! Papa, I don't want to..." She held out her hands to Joram, but Joram disappeared into the darkness without even glancing at her. "dad!" Joram didn't look back. Alisa ran across the room crying.I heard her footsteps gradually moving away from me.Then there was a loud slam of the door. Gwendelyn remained where she was alone, limp and pale like a flower cut from a branch. Saryon stammered an apology to her.Although Emin knew, he had no reason to apologize. Ge Wen looked up at Saryon. "They're so alike. Flint hits flint, sparks fly. But they love each other..." She touched her lips, then her eyes, and took a deep, trembling breath. "He'll think again. Tonight he'll think hard about these things, and tomorrow morning his answer will change and he'll make the right choice. You know him, Father." "Yes," Saryon said mildly, "I know him." Maybe.I thought so.It's really going to be a long night. Gwendelyn kissed Saryon on the cheek and bade me goodnight again.I bow silently.She left us. The fire had gradually turned to ashes, and the room was dark and cold.I looked at Saryon worriedly, he looked very haggard.I know how much energy he has spent today, how tired he must be now.The stress and grief of tonight had completely emptied him. "Master," I said to him in sign language, "go to bed, we can't do anything tonight." He didn't move, and he didn't seem to see my sign language. He just stared at the red coals in the stove.From what he said to himself, I knew that what he saw in his eyes was the fire that forged the sword of darkness. "I gave life to the first Darksword," he said. "An evil item. It sucked light from this world, turning light into darkness. He was right, I still want redemption." He is trembling.I looked around and saw a woolen scarf lying on a stool by the fire.I went over to pick up the scarf, but caught a glimpse of an orange glow between the fireplace and the wall.I thought it was cinders falling from the fireplace, and I reached out to smack it out. When my hand touched it, a shiver ran through my body.It feels like smooth plastic, which can't be out of this world.I thought of those green-lighting bugging devices Mosiah found in my house.Just why is this thing glowing orange... "There's no reason," said a hoarse voice close to my arm. "It's just that I just happen to like orange." Teddy sat on the stool, the orange glow of the listening device reflected in its button-like eyes. I should probably ask Simkin how he knew about this device, or if he even knew what it was.Maybe I should ask him why he waited until now for us to see it.But I didn't ask anything, I guess I was afraid of knowing the answer.Maybe I'm doing something wrong. I didn't tell Saryon that everything we said was overheard by techies.Perhaps this too was a mistake.But I fear it will only add to the distress of the owner.Moreover, if Gwen was right (she must know Joram), by morning, Joram would have made another decision.We'll leave this place together by tomorrow morning, and the Technicians won't be able to eavesdrop on anything. I took the scarf, wrapped it around Saryon's shoulders, and woke him from his sad reverie, and persuaded him to sleep.We walked into a dark hallway, guided only by twinkling stars.I wanted to prepare some tea for him, but he refused.He was so tired that he planned to go straight to bed. I no longer doubt my decisions.Now that my master needs to rest, telling him about the bug will only add unnecessary worry to him. If it was a mistake, it should be the first of many that will happen tonight.And my other mistake, perhaps the worst of all, was my neglect to keep one eye on "Teddy."