Chapter 17 Chapter Sixteen

"I will give them the Dark Sword," repeated Alisa. "You can't stop me. I shouldn't have taken the Darksword at all. It doesn't matter what they do with it—" "It does," said Mosiah. "They'll use it to enslave the world." "My father's life is the most important thing." Alisa insisted stubbornly. She swayed a little.She was exhausted, her strength almost exhausted.There was nowhere to sit, and all the furniture was smashed to pieces. Sheila put her arms around Alisa, giving her something to lean on. "I know it's not looking good, Alisa, but it's not as bad as it looks. We'll feel better with a cup of tea. Find us a place to sit, Reuven. !"

Sheila didn't say the last sentence, but told me in sign language!She smiled and raised the eyebrow on the pierced side, as if to say, look, I do understand you! Of course, this should all be in my "file".Surprised never before, I left the room to find a chair.Having something to do makes me feel better.I had to go a little farther to find furniture that was still intact in parts of the building that hadn't been used for a long time.Di Candale certainly didn't think they'd find the Dark Sword in a straight-backed wooden chair, but it looked like they did.The house was completely destroyed.I don't think they really hope to find what they want through this kind of destruction, it's more like wanton anger after failure.

If they would do this to objects, what would they do to living people?I asked myself, and the answer made me shudder. I found no chairs, but I found some small wooden stools from a ground-floor room.This is supposed to be where the kids sit in class.I don't know how the Technician missed this room.But it was in a remote corner of the corridor, and at night it must have been quite dark. Tired as I was, when I picked up a small stool, I noticed how it had been crafted from a single block of wood.Magical carving without any nails and glue.This lovely shaped wooden stool is sure to be perfect for the purpose its makers intended it to serve.

I stroke the rounded surface of the wooden bench with my palm.Suddenly, tears welled up in my eyes for no reason, and I was weeping for the good that was lost - for the loss of my master, the loss of Joram and Gwendoline, the loss of their daughter's peaceful life, Simharon The loss of this beautiful, simple stool, the loss of my other life—the one that was so vividly before me. I froze for a moment.I'm not one to cry and sob, and I don't believe I've cried since I was a kid.When I finally forced myself to calm down, I felt a little ashamed of my behavior.But this emotional release is good for me, I feel calmer, even like I have taken a break.Now I am more equipped to deal with the situation that is coming.

I picked up the four stools, hung the rungs of the legs on my arms, and turned back toward Joram's living room. Back in the living room, I realized I wasn't the only one working.The furniture that had been smoldering just now had been put outside the door. It might be Mosiah, or it might be his magic.The smoke and dust in the room were also blown away by the fresh morning breeze.A fire was burning in the fireplace, and a kettle that had survived the devastation, albeit dented, was placed on the fire, boiling water.Alisa searched among the broken vessels, trying to find a usable cup.When I walked in the door, she looked up at me and gave me a weak smile.It must have made her feel better to be able to do something.

She lifted half of a large tray and found Teddy lying on it. The cub is in dire condition, with one arm completely ripped off, a button eye missing, and the right leg remaining attached to the body by a thread, with the cotton padding poking out of a tear in the seam. The orange silk scarf was also dirty and burnt. "Poor Teddy!" Alisa sobbed, holding the battered bear in her arms. She had been brave up until this moment, but she also needed to let go of her grief. Mosiah smiled coldly, as if about to say something, but Sheila glanced at him and shook her head.But Mosiah obviously didn't intend to follow Sheila's instructions.Fortunately, he also saw that now was not the time to talk too much.

I longed to comfort Alisa, but all I felt was my clumsiness.I had only known her for a day and a night—a day and a night of suffering together—and it was not enough for me to find a suitable way to comfort her.Her grief is hers alone, and nothing I say or do can share it with her. I put down a stool by the fireplace.Mosiah walked over and looked out the window, his black robes trailing in a snaking trail on the ash-strewn floor.Sheila poured boiling water into the tea pot.By this time, Alisa had wiped away her tears. "I'll sew it up," she said, wiping her eyes with her shirt sleeve.

"Don't worry," said a feeble voice, "I'm useless, it's over, it's over. My hourglass doesn't get a few grains of sand out, my goose is cooked, my The stuffing will be bitten by rats. How is it? Did we win? Is your dear father safe, boy? That's all that matters. If so, my life is worth it. Tell I, now I'm going to meet my maker—" "He's playing with you." Mosiah said, leaving the window and looking at Teddy with cold eyes. "Don't feel sorry for the fool, Alisa. Simkin is immortal, and a very bad actor." "Is he Simkin?" Sheila joined in their conversation.She folded her hands on her hips and looked down at the bear. "You know, you're my favorite character in Reuven's books."

Teddy stared at Sheila with his one remaining eye. "Excuse me, ma'am," it said stiffly, "but I don't think we've been introduced to each other." "I'm Sheila," Sheila replied, handing me a cup of tea. Maybe it's just my tired imagination, but Teddy's dark button-eyes caught a gleam of fire and stared hard at Sheila at the sound of the name. "Sew me up, will you? Here's a sweet baby," Teddy said to Alisa, but his eyes were still on Sheila. "Come to your senses, fool!" said Mosiah angrily. "Don't mess with Alisa again."

"No, I don't mind," Alisa said. In one corner she found her mother's knitted basket.When she picked up the stray needles and threads back into the basket one by one, her lips were tense for a moment, but she still controlled herself.Then she sat on the stool, put the severed bear on her knees, re-stuffed the cotton into its body, and began to sew its arms. When Alisa wasn't looking at it, Teddy had an unbearable smirk on his face and made all kinds of artificial sounds, especially when Alisa stuffed the cotton back into his body.I would be more than happy if I could tear it into a few more pieces.But every time its black button eyes saw Sheila, those stupid behaviors would stop immediately.

We sat on short-legged stools, leaning against the fire.Alisa sews Teddy and takes a sip of tea now and then. "How long do we have to wait?" she asked.She was trying to keep her voice calm. "It won't be long," Mosiah replied. "According to General Polis' reconnaissance report, Conifer will enter the attack radius of Earth and Simharon within forty-eight hours," Sheila said. "Technologists must take the Dark Sword from here and return to Earth before then," Mosiah said. Alisa glanced at me, and there was a faint tinge of blood on her cheek. "So, are those... aliens really threatening us? Isn't it a hoax? Are they really going to kill us?" "No hesitation, no regrets, and no mercy or kindness." Sheila's expression was as gloomy as a grave. "We haven't found any way to contact them, although there are rumors that others have." "The tech guys have been in touch with them," Mosiah said. "That's what we know. We fear Smither has made some kind of deal with them." Forty-eight hours.Not for a long time.No one spoke, and everyone sank into their own thoughts silently.My thoughts were rather dark and hopeless.Just then, out of the flames and soot that seemed to come from the dark side of the mind, an image appeared on the fireplace. Coffin Smither stood before us. "Don't be afraid," said Mosiah quickly. "It's just a hologram." Mosiah's words were very timely.The image was so real that it didn't have the wave-like jitters of many other holograms, and I almost believed it was Smither himself standing in front of me.It must have been technologists who enhanced the effects of mechanical technology with magic. "I read it in a book!" Alisa gasped. "But I've never seen it. Can he... hear us?" She asked because Sheila held her finger to her lips, and she was working with Mosiah to find the source of the image.They found it quickly—a small box stuck in the chink of the fireplace.They check it while being careful not to touch it.Then they exchanged a look.For the first time, I believe, they looked directly at each other.Mosiah nodded, covering his face with his hood and clasping his hands. Alisa stood up, and the forgotten Teddy slid from her lap.It looked like it was going to protest.I lifted my leg and kicked it under my stool—with a lot of force. If Alisa hadn't captivated me before this moment, she totally does now.She was exhausted, restless, sad and anxious.She knew very well that this was the man who had kidnapped her parents and Father Saryon.But she showed the nobility and self-restraint that a queen possesses, knowing that any outburst of anger would only belittle herself, but could do no harm to her enemies. When I go back to that moment in my memory, I see her glowing with golden light, the hologram of the Technician looking humble and dim in her light.She didn't beg or plead, knowing it would be futile.She questioned Smither as if she were a lowly intruder. "What do you want, sir?" Instead of the politician's suit, Smither wore a white robe.I later learned that this was the ceremonial robe of the Kantic sages.The neckline, cuffs and hem of this white robe are all embroidered with a grid pattern with metallic filaments, which shimmers in the light.At the time I thought they were just a decoration. Coffin Smither smiled ingratiatingly. "Since you're getting to the point so quickly, ma'am, I'll be brief. Your father was with us, he was our guest, and he came to us of his own accord because he knew our needs were great. He was in a hurry. He left home in the middle of the night, and unfortunately, he forgot to bring one of his very favorite items, the Dark Sword. He was very disturbed by the absence of the Dark Sword. He was afraid that it would fall into the wrong hands , causing immeasurable harm. He would love to get that sword back safely. If you tell us where to find it, Lady Alisa, we will keep it safe and give it to your father." I even have some confidence in Smither's words.I know the facts.I saw the devastation here, I saw the blood on the floor, but his words were so convincing.I even saw in my mind the scenes he wanted me to see--Joram volunteered to go with them.I am sure Alisa must have believed him.Mosiah apparently thought so too.He walked forward, ready to confront this technologist.Sheila didn't move, but she kept looking at Alisa. "I want to see my parents," Alisa said. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but that's impossible," Smither said. "Your father has come a long way, and he's tired now, and his exhaustion is compounded by the extreme worry about the Dark Sword. Fearing for your safety, dear. The sword is very sharp and difficult to use, and you may injure yourself. Tell us where to find it, and maybe then your father will recover and speak to you." His rich voice and benevolent demeanor flowed like silk. "Sir," Alisa said calmly, "you are lying. Your men forcibly took my parents and Father Saryon, and destroyed my home, just to find the item that my father would not give you when he died. His daughter will be like him. If that's what you're here for, you're going to be disappointed." Coffin Smither's expression softened.He looked really sad. "I'm in no position to punish you, ma'am, but your father won't be happy to hear you say no. He'll be mad at you, and he'll punish you for your disobedience. He's warned me that sometimes you're just a whim Stubborn child. He has commanded us to take that sword from your hand by force, if necessary." Alisa's eyelashes were wet with tears, but she still controlled her emotions. "If you think he'll say that, you don't know my father well. If you think I'm going to believe you, then you don't know me. Get out!" Coffin Smither shook his head helplessly, then turned to look at me. "Reuven, it's nice to see you again. But I'm sorry to say it was a sad meeting. It appears that Father Saryon is suffering from a terrible disease, and unless he is sent back to Earth in time to be healed, he will He will most likely die from it. Our physicians have confirmed that he has thirty-six hours to live. You know your good father, Reuven, he will not leave Joram behind, and Joram will not leave Dark The Black Sword. If I were you, I would do everything in my power to find it, wherever it may be hidden." His gaze returned to Alisa. "Bring the Dark Sword to the city of Jessair. Go to the main gate, and someone will be waiting for you there." The image disappears.Mosiah removed a loose stone from the fireplace, pulled out the holographic projector hidden behind it, and dropped it on the ground. "You knew it was there," Sheila said. "Yes, they must have some means of communicating with us. I found it before you came." Sheila crushed it with her heavy boot. "Is there a bugging device here?" "I removed them all. I decided to keep this one. We need to hear what they have to say. Jessair," he murmured. "They took Joram to Jessair." "Yes." Sheila clapped her hands on her thighs. "Now we can make plans." "We!" Mosiah looked at her fiercely, "What do you have to do with this matter? What are you involved in?" "Here I am," Sheila smiled slyly. "And the Dark Sword is in my flying car. As I said, I have a lot to do with it." "I'm right, it was indeed General Polis who sent you here," Mosiah said in a stern voice, "You are his man. Damn it, he promised to leave this matter to us!" "So that's how you guys do your job so beautifully?" Sheila said sarcastically. Mosiah blushed and snorted. "I didn't see you when Di Candale attacked." "Shut up!" Alisa snapped. "You both want the Dark Sword, that's what you care about. But you can't get it. I'm going to do what he says, and I'll take the Dark Sword." Sword to Jessair." Alisa's provocations seem silly and childish, but her grief and self-sacrifice give her the power she now lacks.Her air is dignified and full of determination.The two men, who were older, stronger, and possessed more power than she, looked at her with respect. "You know, you can't trust Smither," said Mosiah. "He wants to get the Dark Sword and make us all his captives, or worse." "I know I can't really trust anyone," Alisa's voice trembled.She took one look at me, gave me a sweet, sad smile, and said softly, "Except for Reuven." The pain in my heart was accompanied by happiness, but this kind of emotion was beyond the limit I could bear, and it flooded into my eyes all at once.I turned around, ashamed of myself for losing control.Alisa is so strong. "I don't see any other options," continued Alisa.Her tone has become very calm. "I will go to Smither with the Dark Sword. Hopefully he will keep his word and release my father and Father Saryon. I will be alone—" I gesture vigorously.Alisa saw it, and she corrected what she had said. "Reuven will come with me. You two stay here." "I have told you the truth, Alisa," said Sheila, "I do not want the Dark Sword. Only one can wield it, and that is the one who forged it." Suddenly, Sheila fell on one knee in front of Alisa.She clasped her hands and raised them up as if in prayer. "I promise you, Alisa, I swear in the name of Emin, I will do my best to rescue Joram and let him regain the Dark Sword." Seeing Sheila kneeling on the ground in military uniform and with cropped hair felt comical at first.But a painting of Joan of Arc came to my mind.Joan was swearing her oath to her king - the feeling was very strong.Sheila exuded the same fiery aura, so bright and clear.I saw her uniform gone, her body covered in shining armor, and she was swearing allegiance to her queen. This scene only lasted for a short moment, but it remained vividly in my mind.I saw the Throne Hall, the crystal hall of the kingdom of Merilon, the throne, the dais, the seats, the columns—all clear crystal.The only thing that is real is the queen in a golden dress standing on a transparent high platform, looking down on everything.Kneeling before her was her knight, looking up at her, his armor gleaming with silver. I was not the only one who saw this. I believe Mosiah saw it too.He must have seen something.Now he's staring at Sheila in awe, and I hear him mutter under his breath, "What's the trick?" Alisa stretched out her hands to hold Sheila's hand, "I accept your oath. You can go with us." Sheila lowered her head, "My life is yours, Your Majesty." This title should be correct, but we didn't notice it.Until Alisha blinked and asked, "What did you call me?" Sheila stands up, and the image disappears.She's back in battle suit and boots, with a string of tiny earrings in her ears. "It's just my little joke." Sheila smiled and filled the tea pot with water.She glanced back at Mosiah. "You look much handsomer than in your picture. Say, why don't you swear the same? Swear you'll rescue Joram and bring back the Dark Sword to him. You know, you must swear , otherwise we wouldn't have taken you to Jessair." Mosiah was very angry. "You're a bunch of fools if you think Smither will free any of the hostages when he has the Dark Sword! Technicians need Joram to tell them how to forge more Dark Swords." He turned to Alisa. "Come back to Earth with me! Give the Dark Sword to Prince Jarod, and he will keep it safe. We can bring an army back and rescue your parents." "The army has been mobilized to fight Conifer for the final battle," Sheila retorted. "You won't get any help from them. And I doubt they are capable of fighting the Tech Techs. The Tech Techs spend a lot of time in the Jessair builds strength, and now the city is surrounded by their defense system, and an army cannot capture it. These are all recorded in our files." Seeing Mosiah's suspicious eyes, she said: "Here You're not the only ones that Smither put the label on." Mosiah ignored her and continued talking to Alisa.His voice softened. "I'm Joram's friend. If I thought surrendering the Dark Sword would save Joram, I'd be the first to suggest it. But it won't save Joram. It's impossible, you see ?” "What you say makes sense, Mosiah," Alisa agreed. "But the Dark Sword is not mine, so I cannot make any decisions about it. I will return the sword to my father, and I will let Smither know about it. My father will decide what to do with it This sword." "Return the Dark Sword to its ghastly maker, and you may be surprised what happens next." A muffled voice came from under my stool. "Personally I think he should give the Dark Sword to my friend Merlin. I said I knew Merlin, didn't I? You'll find him around his musty old grave. That's a depressing place, I can't always figure out what he was doing there. Merlin has been looking for a sword for years. Some idiot threw that sword in a lake, but it shouldn't be the sword, but the old boy's brain Not so much, maybe he can't see the difference." We all forgot about Teddy. I grab it out.It was dusty and angry, but not too badly damaged. I sign, "Simkin has an opinion, not about Merlin." I hastily add, "It's about Joram. Once the Dark Sword is back in Joram's hands, it might be able to be used to defeat technology." Warlock." "Did you forget that this dark sword was not enchanted? There was no catalyst saint to give it life. And there is no chance for the dark sword to return to Joran's hands." Mosiah hated and angered Said: "Coffin Smither will get it, and then it will be over. We just did a stupid thing." "Just like it used to be." Teddy sighed in a nostalgic tone. "We won't take you there!" Mosiah said firmly. "I didn't deserve to be left behind," Teddy warned us. "Can't trust me for an iota. You'd better keep me where you can see me, like the Duchess Fannyfield stares at her collection of eyeballs. She gets one every day for that year." New eyeballs, different colors. After breakfast, she would stare at them. I still remember the day one eyeball fell to the ground and rolled across the marble floor. The family catalyst The saint accidentally stepped on it. You can't even imagine the 'creak'—" "I'll take it with me," Alisa said hastily.She snatched Teddy from my hand and stuffed it hard into the pocket of her skirt. "It can stay with me." Mosiah looked at all of us. "You decided to do it? Reuven?" I nod.I'm going to save Father Saryon, and even if Saryon isn't there, I'll follow Alisa wherever she goes and support her in everything she does. "I'll follow Alisa," Sheila said. "I'm going to Jessair," Alisa said. "If you decide, then let's go. You said you have a speeding car?" Mosiah looked at Sheila with an unfriendly expression. "Are you coming with us?" Sheila asked happily. "Of course, I won't leave Joran, Gwen and Father Saryon in the hands of technologists." "You won't leave the Dark Sword in our hands, will you?" Sheila smiled slyly. "Whatever you want!" Mosiah shot back. "I'm not going to argue with you about this kind of nonsense. Well, are you leaving now? Even with flying cars, we'll have to rely on some luck to get to Jessair before dark." "And your friends, will those Dukes come with us?" Sheila asked, raising an eyebrow that wore a little gold ring. Mosiah looked out the window very far away, seeing what only he could see. "Jessair has no life," he said softly, "only death. That's when the earthquake struck, the ground toppled, and the houses toppled. Countless of our people died there, but no one buried them. Their souls could not rest , just want to know why I died. No, Duke Xis will not go to Jessair. There, they and their magic will suffocate." "But you'll go," Sheila said. "I will go." Mosiah's face was extremely stern. "I told you that my friends were imprisoned there. Besides, it doesn't make much difference whether my magic is suppressed now. After the battle just now, my vitality is gone. Unless we I met a Catalyst Saint on the way, otherwise I can only throw stones now. Don't expect me to protect you!" Or protect himself, I thought.I remember Technicians were also trying to get him. "How can we trust you?" Alisa asked. "I can also make that oath to you," said Mosiah. "On one condition. I will do everything in my power to return the Dark Sword to Joram, who made it. But if we fail, I demand the right to hand over the Dark Sword to my king." "If we fail, you won't have a king. Technicians will confirm that," Sheila said. Confused, she suddenly threw her arms around Mosiah and gave him a hug.She was a head taller than Mosiah, and much stronger.Her embrace brought Mosiah's shoulders together. "I like you," she said. "I never thought I'd say that to a law enforcement officer. If you give me the keys, Reuven, I'll fly around in front of you. We need food and blankets. I have water." She let go of Mosiah, patted him on the back, and strode deliberately out of the room.I could hear her heavy boots echoing down the corridor. As I went to help Alisa tidy the food and blankets, I looked back and saw Mosiah still standing in the middle of the empty, dreary room.A breeze from the window ruffled his black robes.His hands were folded across his chest, and the hood hid his face.Judging by the tilt of his head, he was still staring at something far away, at things only he could see.Only now, he was clearly looking for someone or something, and hadn't been able to find it. "Damn it, who the hell are you?" The words hung in the air like a puff of smoke.