Chapter 18 Chapter Seventeen
By the time Alisa and I had packed our blankets and food, Sheila had driven around in front of the house.We put the found items in the trunk of the car.After doing this, I stood where I was, looking at the speeding car in a daze.There are only four seats in the car, two in the front and two in the back.The Dark Sword wrapped in a blanket lay across the back seat.
"Should have put it in the back luggage compartment," said Mosiah.
"No," Alisa said hastily, "I want it to stay where I can see it."
"Put it on the floor in the backseat!" Sheila suggested.
Alisa grabbed the sword, tightened the blanket around it, and laid it across the floor of the rear seat.Mosiah sat down next to Sheila.If Alisha must look at the Dark Sword, then I think Mosiah must look at Sheila.Anyway, it's just what I like, because it's just me and Alisa in the backseat.I got into the car, and Alisha was about to follow.
"Emin!" Alisha called out suddenly, then stood up straight again, and looked down the mountain. "Those sheep! I can't keep them in the pen. I'm going to give them some water and put them out to pasture. It won't take long, and I'll be back soon."
She finished and ran down the hill.
"We have to stop her!" Sheila said, about to jump out of the car.
"No," Mosiah said, his voice harsh. "Let her see for herself. Then she'll understand."
What are you going to see?I quickly jumped out of the car and ran towards Alisha, and soon I caught up with her.My legs felt stiff, muscles just clenched together after a night of hard work.I gritted my teeth, resisting the unbearable soreness, and ran towards the sheepfold down the mountain with her.
Even at this distance, I could see what was going on in the sheepfold.I tried to stop Alisa who was running forward desperately, but she just shook off my hand angrily and continued to run forward.I slowed down to give my burning legs a rest.There is no need to rush over, we can't do anything.There's nothing anyone can do anymore.
When I reached the sheepfold, Alisa leaned heavily against the stone fence.Her eyes were wide open, lids trembling with fear and disbelief.
The sheep are all dead.Not a single one remained, they were all killed.Every sheep was bleeding from its mouth, nose and ears, forming pools of blood on the ground.They all opened their eyes, and their eyeballs were covered with a layer of shadow.There was no trace of struggle, and it could be seen that every sheep fell to the ground and died at once.I think of the explosion last night.Even from that distance, we can feel its impact.Technicians must have consumed a lot of energy, so they used the death of these sheep as their energy source.
Alisa put her head in her hands.But she didn't cry.She was still standing there with her head bowed, but she looked so silent and stiff that it even scared me.I, the poor mute, tried my best to comfort her, to feel my touch, to know that another person's warmth and compassion was enveloping her.
The speeding car slid silently down the hill and stopped in front of us.Sheila jumped out of the car.Mosiah remained in the car, watching the massacre calmly.
"Come on, Your Majesty." Sheila said, "There's nothing we can do here."
"Why?" Alisa didn't raise her head, but asked in a suppressed voice, "Why did they do this?"
"They get their energy from death." Mosiah's voice came from the flying car. "You are about to hand over the Dark Sword to these demons, Alisa. Think carefully."
At this moment, I hate Mosiah, he shouldn't have said such things to Alisa.She knew very well that her home had been completely destroyed.But I was wrong.It turned out that Mosiah was right. He understood Alisa's strength and temperament better than I did.
Alisa looked up.She was calm, almost at peace. "I will go alone, and bring the sword to them alone. You shouldn't follow me, it's too dangerous."
Sheila immediately showed Alisa in very practical terms that this was impossible.She didn't mention Alisa herself, just stated our respective needs.Who will drive the flying car?So we need Sheila.And Reuven couldn't let Father Saryon fall into the hands of the Technicians.Mosiah would never allow the Dark Sword to escape his sight.Each of us has a reason to take action.
Alisa accepted Sheila's logic quietly, without arguing.She quickly got into the flying car, glanced at the dead sheep again, clenched her hands, and tightened her lips.Then she looked elsewhere.I sat down beside her.Sheila got back in the driver's seat.
The car glides across the ground, and it's much smoother than the car I've been driving.I'm starting to recall a question that strikes me as odd.Not a bad thing, actually, it makes me happy, although it feels weird too.I tried to remember it.
Your Majesty, Sheila has called Alisha that twice.His Majesty.
How strange, but how appropriate.
Our journey started off uneventfully.Sheila produced a map of Simharon—from some archives, and she was always vague about such matters.Mosiah was very interested in this map, but also very suspicious.This map was obviously drawn recently, and the strong earthquakes caused by the magic release and the terrain changes caused by the storm are all presented on this map.
The two of them discussed the map for a few minutes.Mosiah said it was drawn by General Polis' men, which meant that General Polis violated the treaty.Sheila retorted, saying that Dukes had broken the treaty himself, and that Mosiah had better look at his own crimes before accusing others.
I'm not sure how long this quarrel lasted.Alisa had been sitting in her seat, pale and silent.Suddenly, she said calmly, "Is this map useful?"
Sheila looked at Mosiah.The latter muttered that he believed maps were useful.
"Then I suggest we use it." After finishing speaking, Alisa curled up in the corner of the back seat and closed her eyes.
After that, Sheila and Mosiah only spoke to each other when they needed to discuss directions.The speeding car flew down the mountain and drove towards the interior of Simharun.
After I made sure Alisa was lying down, I covered her with my jacket.Alisa gave me a weak smile, but she didn't open her eyes.She held Teddy in her arms, against her chest, like a child.I believe Teddy has placed himself in such an enviable position.But I dared not take Teddy away for fear of disturbing her rest.
I sat back in the corner, feeling that the space here is a bit cramped, and it seems that this car is not designed to transport things with legs.I knew I should get some sleep and rest myself for what I was going to encounter at the end of the trip.
I close my eyes, but sleep does not come.My body was in such an overworked state that I could even feel the nervous twitches as my consciousness continued to filter endlessly through the events I had just experienced.
I felt terribly guilty about leaving Father Saryon behind, though I don't know what I could have done if I had been there.At least I warned Alisa to avoid the Technicians.But maybe Joram, Gwendelyn and Father Saryon wouldn't have been kidnapped if they had gotten the Dark Sword then.
What happened has happened, I said to myself, you made the best choice.
I spent some more time worrying about what to do when we got to Jessair.Although I know this kind of worry is meaningless, Mosiah will definitely not allow Alisa to hand over the Dark Sword.Will he try to stop Alisa?Will he take the Dark Sword?Has he really run out of vitality?Or is he just trying to throw us off guard with lies like this?Sheila has sworn allegiance to Alisa.Would she fight Mosiah if she was doing something wrong?Who the hell is Sheila?
Is Father Saryon all right?If we don't hand over the Darksword, will the Technicians kill him, as they say?Is it wise to give the Dark Sword to those evil?If Conifer wants to exterminate us, will all our current efforts be in vain?
At last, the preoccupation with these problems (over which, it must be admitted, I was utterly powerless) ceased to haunt my brain, gave way to weariness, and I fell asleep.
When I woke up, it was dark and the car was driving into a storm.I now have the urge to urinate. There are certainly no toilets in Simharon, a bush would suffice for me.The torrential rain beating on the roof of the car also dampened my enthusiasm to get out of the car, but the urgent need of my body left me with no choice. Alisa was still sleeping in the corner, and the sound of the rainstorm did not wake her up.Her face was peaceful and her breathing was even.It seemed that she was in a deep sleep, not dreaming.Afraid of waking her up, I leaned forward as gently as I could and patted Sheila on the shoulder. Sheila glanced at me quickly, her hands still on the steering wheel.It must have been hard driving a speeding car in a storm, she had to contend with strong winds, and it was impossible for the wipers on the windows to keep the windows visible in such a sudden downpour.If it weren't for the radar equipped on the car to provide a virtual image of the environment, we would not be able to move forward at all.Even so, we're still only moving at a crawl.Sheila stared at the radar screen.Mosiah looked out the window at the rain. After I expressed my need, a sudden burst of blinding light almost made me unable to see anything, a huge thunder exploded overhead, and the speeding car shook accordingly. "Can't you bear it?" Sheila asked. I shake my head.She checked the radar screen, found an open space, and lowered the speeder there. "I will go with him," said Mosiah, "this land is dangerous for those who do not know her." I gestured to thank him for his company, but he didn't have to get wet for me.He shrugged, smiled and opened the car door. I opened the door on my side of the car and started stretching my legs out of the car. "What's the matter? What happened?" Alisa blinked and said sleepily. "A break," Sheila said. "What?" Alicia asked. Embarrassed, I didn't want to listen to what they said next. The wind nearly blew the car door out of my hands, forcing me to lean halfway out.I struggled to keep my balance and got out of the car.The rain drenched my skin instantly.I pushed the door hard and finally it closed.The force of the wind made me take a few steps towards the front of the car.It took Mosiah's strength to get around from the other side of the car.His black robe was soaked and wrapped tightly around him.He took off his hood, which was of no use in this weather.It wasn't until this moment that I was convinced that he had really exhausted his vitality.Even if the magician had only a little strength left, he would not let himself be drenched like this. "Caution!" he yelled, grabbing my arm, "Kietine!" He pointed to the distance, and with the light of the headlights, I could see the deadly vines.I've written about them in my book, vines that entangle unsuspecting creatures, driving thorns into flesh and draining the blood of their prey.They live on blood.Of course, I've never seen them in person, and I'd be happy if I didn't see them all the time.The heart-shaped leaves shone black in the cloudy rain, and the thorns were small and sharp.This Qiye vine looks very healthy, thick and thick vines coiled around each other, stacked layer after layer. Carefully avoiding those vines, I addressed my needs as quickly as possible.Mosiah stood beside me, watching in all directions.I'm glad he can accompany me.Zippering my pants, I headed for the speeder, Mosiah walking side by side with me.The storm abated, and the downpour was replaced by raindrops carried by the wind.I was about to climb into the warm car when something like a rope wrapped around my ankle. Chiye Vine!I struggled forward desperately, trying to break free of it.But it was so powerful that the vine grabbed my foot and started dragging me towards its trunk!I let out a choked cry, digging my fingers into the dirt, trying to hold myself still. Needle-like thorns pricked my legs, easily piercing my blue jeans and thick socks, causing pangs of excruciating pain. Hearing my cry, Mosiah jumped over to help me.Seeing me fall, Sheila opened the car door hastily. "What happened?" she cried. "Stay in the car!" Mosiah yelled. "Turn the car around and shine the headlights on us! Chiye vines! Everywhere!" He stepped on something with his feet.I was slowed down by the pull.My fingers scratched deep furrows in the rain-soaked earth, and the pain in my legs was still increasing—the pain of the thorns piercing the veins, and then the dizziness of blood loss. Mosiah stood beside me, peering into the darkness.He said a word and held up his finger.After a flash of lightning, there was a "hiss" in my ear, and something snapped. Chietto let go of me. I crawled forward, only to feel another vine grab me.Vines crawled here and there in the darkness, they wrapped around my wrists and my feet, one wrapped around my calf. The flying car turned around.In the light of the headlights, I saw the raindrops glisten on the heart-shaped leaves of the kiye vine, and the sharp thorns shone with a terrible light. "Damn it!" Mosiah stared at the vines in dismay.He turned around and ran to the flying car. I feel (I don't know why) that he abandoned me.Fear welled up in my heart, accompanied by a trembling excitement.I want to fight for my freedom!I made up my mind.I tried not to let the fear take hold of me, I tried to stay calm and sane.I used all the strength that belonged to me and didn't belong to me, and yanked a wrist, and I really managed to get rid of a vine. But while getting rid of this vine, at least four more vines entangled me. Alisa disregarded Mosiah's orders and jumped off the flying car. "The Dark Sword!" Mosiah shouted, "Give me the Dark Sword! That's the only way to save him!" My face was covered in mud and my hair was hanging down my eyes.I continued to wrestle with the vines, but my strength was fading away.The pain from the thorns gradually subsided, and I just felt nauseous and dizzy. "Give it to me!" Mosiah was still shouting. "Give it to me! No! Don't risk it..." I heard footsteps and the rustle of dresses. I shake the hair out of my eyes.Alisa stood in front of me, holding the Dark Sword in her hand. "Stay still, Reuven! I don't want to cut you!" I forced myself to lie still on my stomach.But I could feel the vines tightening, the thorns digging deeper into my body. The headlights illuminate Alisa from behind, adding a halo to her dark hair and body.But the light couldn't reach the Dark Sword, or maybe the Dark Sword absorbed all the light.I hear it chopping the vines, but the pain has dulled my thoughts.Alisa was fighting this black death with night itself. Suddenly, I was free again.The vines that entwine me lose their strength and lie limp on me like a hand severed from the wrist. Mosiah and Sheila also ran to help me to my feet.I wiped the dirt off my face and, with their help, limped towards the speeder.Alisa walked last, holding the Dark Sword in both hands, ready to fight.But Qiye Teng had obviously given up his attack.Looking back, I saw that it was withered and curled where it was touched by the Dark Sword. They helped me into the car.Fortunately, the heavy rain has stopped. "Is he okay?" Alisa leaned against me.Her concern healed my pain like a magic salve. "The pain subsides very quickly," Mosiah said. "The spines are not poisonous. This is my experience." "I remember you always tripping over those vines," said Teddy from the floor.It looks very angry. "I warned you to be careful with them. I've said it over and over—" "You didn't. You said they were edible," Mosiah recalled with a small smile. "Well, I know one of us is wrong," Teddy muttered, then raised his voice resentfully. "Do you have to keep throwing me away?" "I'd love to throw you at the cheetah," Mosiah reached out to pick up Teddy, "but even the cheetahs have their taste." He was about to put Teddy on the seat, but stopped , staring at Teddy, "I'm curious—" "Put me down!" Teddy grumbled, "You're pinching me!" Mosiah threw the teddy bear on the seat next to me. "How do you feel?" Sheila asked. "Not good," Teddy moaned. "I'm talking to Reuven," Sheila said sharply.She rolled up my trouser legs and began examining my wounds. I nodded, indicating that I felt better.Like Mosiah said, the pain is going away.But the horror was still very strong, and I could still feel the vines tightening around my legs, shaking from the cold and the torture I had just endured. "You should get out of this wet suit," Alisa said. "Not now." Mosiah's tone was unquestionable. "This time, I agree with the wizard," Sheila said. "You all go back in the car and I'll turn on the heat. Reuven, take off what you can. Alisa, put all the blankets on him. You'll find a first aid kit in the car, for him Put ointment on the wound." Alisa put the Dark Sword back on the floor and covered it completely with a blanket.She didn't tell me how she saved me.She refused to even look at me when I tried to thank her in sign language.She was just looking for the first aid kit, then busy pulling the blankets from the back of the car. The speeding car rose from that dangerous place and drove forward rapidly.The storm is abating and it feels much better to be in the car.A watery sun looked down at us from the sky, and every now and then a cloud would block it, as if it were blinking. "It's half past the afternoon," said Mosiah, looking up at the sky. "It was so dark just now that I thought it was already dark," said Alisa. She's about to start anointing my wounds with ointment.Embarrassed, I tried to take the ointment from her, but she wouldn't let me. "Lie down, take a rest." She ordered me while helping me take off my soaked sweater. She applied ointment to the wound.Those wounds were red and swollen, with black blood oozing from them.When Alisa spread the ointment evenly on the wound, the redness disappeared and the bleeding stopped.The pain became less painful and soon disappeared.Alisa watched the changes with wide eyes. "It's amazing," she said, looking at the small bottle containing the ointment. "The Earth Army will also send us medicine, but none of them are as effective as this medicine!" "Standard government stuff," Sheila said, shrugging. Mosiah turned in his seat, looking at the nearly healed wounds on my arms and legs, and then at Sheila. "What miracles does the government invent these days?" he asked. Sheila glanced at him and smiled, "So where did you find that lightning bolt, Marshall? It just happened to be in your sleeve? I thought you said your magic was gone. She shook her head mockingly apologetically, and said, "And you still want the Dark Sword. Your mind is quick, but I'd like to know what you'll do after you get it." "Use it to free Reuven," Mosiah replied. "Of course, I'll turn into a bat and fly away with it. Or do you think I'll take it and run across this god-forsaken wilderness, and let you chase me in a speeding car?" He arched his body and took off the robe that stuck to his flesh.Then he tensed his shoulders so that no one could see that he was shaking. "I thought Alisa couldn't swing such a heavy sword," he said coldly, "now I know I was wrong." Sheila didn't answer, but I saw a slight flush of red on the back of her neck.I believe she is ashamed of herself for making such a condemnation.Mosiah has sworn to help us, and we have no reason to doubt him.If he left a bit of life force behind, it was just in case.No magician would wear himself out of his powers, if at all possible.He volunteered to go out into the storm to protect me, and if he hadn't warned me to be careful of the cheetah, I might have slammed my head against its trunk and not even the Dark Sword could save me. Alisa gave Mosiah a blanket.Mosiah shook his head and refused.Alisa didn't say anything, her face remained calm.She still doesn't trust Mosiah and hasn't apologized for it.She wrapped me in a blanket to make sure I was lying down.Then she put away the first aid kit and asked if there was anything else I could do to help.She handed me the tablet in case I could write something. I told her there was nothing more needed.I smiled at her to let her know I was better.I am indeed much better, and the fear has gradually receded in my heart.The temperature inside the flying car is rising rapidly, I no longer tremble, and I don't feel any pain at all.No doubt the ointment had done a great deal, but no potion could heal the fear of the soul.Alisa's touch is the real elixir. Some emotions don't need words.Alisa saw in my eyes the emotion I couldn't express, a faint blush floated on her cheeks, she no longer looked into my eyes, but lowered her head to stare at the digital board in her hand.The tablet provided her with an excuse to change the subject. "I don't want to bother you, Reuven. If you're tired—" I shake my head.She never bothers me, and I'm never too tired to do what she asks of me. "I want to learn sign language." She said almost shyly, "Will you teach me?" Do I want to!I know she did it because of her kindness, she wanted me to forget what happened to me just now.Of course I agree, and I hope that doing so will make her forget her worries.She leans against me.I started with the alphabet, spelling out her name first, and she got it right away.She was a very bright student, and in a short time she had mastered all the letters of the alphabet and expressed them one by one with dexterous fingers. The speeding car drifted across the grassland glistening with rain, and climbed over the treetops.We're going pretty fast now, but I'm still a little worried about being too late in the storm.Mosiah maintained his cold, slightly silent hostility. The sun's light began to become dazzling, but it was still covered by clouds from time to time.Sheila lowered the temperature inside the flying car.Because the wet clothes are evaporating moisture, the flying car is now a bit like a steam bath. "Those chia vines," Sheila said suddenly, "they're acting weird, don't you think?" Mosiah looked at her.Even though I was busy teaching Alisa sign language, I still saw a twinkle of interest in Mosiah's eyes. "Maybe." He replied vaguely. "What's your opinion?" "They're chasing Reuven," Sheila said. "Have you ever seen such an aggressive kiye vine? Those vines are tall and thick. Is this normal?" Mosiah shrugged. "There is no Fehanisu to cut down their numbers, and no Sihana to control the weather. Without control, the chiye vines will of course flourish." "Plants born from magic." Sheila murmured, "Since the magic power of this land has disappeared, those plants should lose their life-sustaining elements and become extinct instead of flourishing." "Born by magic?" Alisa interrupted our sign language class and turned around to ask. "What does that mean? We grow corn and carrots and wheat. They have nothing to do with magic." "But this is the cheetah," answered Mosiah, "and it came at the end of the Iron Wars. Some of the Dikonduke warlocks foresaw that this war would end in their defeat. They had used magic to twist men into giants, Or become a hybrid of man and beast - a centaur. These war mages then managed to corrupt the plant life, creating kiye vines and other deadly plants, which they used to ambush the unsuspecting. "By the end of the war the Dikondukes were exhausted, and they could no longer control their creations. So the giants, centaurs, and chietweeds scattered throughout Simharon to fend for themselves." "I've heard stories of the centaurs," said Alisa. "They caught my father and nearly killed him. He said they were cruel and took pleasure in causing pain. But it was because they themselves suffered with great anger and suffering." "I had to try very hard to feel sympathy for the centaurs." Mosiah said coldly, "but what your father said was true. Or should I say it used to be true. For when the magic is gone, the centaurs must be They're all dead." "Like cheetah," Sheila raised her pierced eyebrows. "And some bears I know." She glanced back at Teddy.Teddy smirked at her and blinked. "Or," she continued, "what if the first Dark Sword didn't destroy the Well of Life? What if the sword just closed it?" "Impossible, the magic has been unleashed into the universe," said Mosiah. "Simharon's magic was unleashed, and perhaps there was still some magic in the holy well. But the holy well was sealed. Since then, magic has accumulated beneath the surface—" "Yes, indeed!" Simkin exclaimed suddenly, "I will not stay here and be insulted." The orange silk scarf flickered, and Teddy disappeared. "What's the matter?" Alisa asked in confusion, "Where did he go?" "I don't know either," Mosiah glanced at Sheila, "I want to ask too." me too.If Sheila's theory is right, magic has been accumulating beneath Simharon all these years... what will happen?One of them may be obvious.A powerful magical power will be of great value to those who can wield it. But I told myself that if this was the case, Duke Xisi should have discovered this situation long ago. Maybe they did find out.Perhaps it was because of this that they wanted the Dark Sword so desperately.Not only because it can destroy the life force that is accumulating under the holy well, but if the new dark sword is endowed with such a strong life force, its own power will also increase. I've been thinking about this question over and over in my mind, but I still can't get a satisfactory answer.Maybe I'll never know the answer.In forty-eight hours we'd be flying to that place, probably never to return. Mosiah said nothing more.Sheila was also lost in thought.An unpleasant silence fell on both of them.I continued to teach Alisa sign language. I was relieved that Teddy was gone.But then I remembered my master's warning - better to know where Simkin was than not to know.
When I woke up, it was dark and the car was driving into a storm.I now have the urge to urinate. There are certainly no toilets in Simharon, a bush would suffice for me.The torrential rain beating on the roof of the car also dampened my enthusiasm to get out of the car, but the urgent need of my body left me with no choice. Alisa was still sleeping in the corner, and the sound of the rainstorm did not wake her up.Her face was peaceful and her breathing was even.It seemed that she was in a deep sleep, not dreaming.Afraid of waking her up, I leaned forward as gently as I could and patted Sheila on the shoulder. Sheila glanced at me quickly, her hands still on the steering wheel.It must have been hard driving a speeding car in a storm, she had to contend with strong winds, and it was impossible for the wipers on the windows to keep the windows visible in such a sudden downpour.If it weren't for the radar equipped on the car to provide a virtual image of the environment, we would not be able to move forward at all.Even so, we're still only moving at a crawl.Sheila stared at the radar screen.Mosiah looked out the window at the rain. After I expressed my need, a sudden burst of blinding light almost made me unable to see anything, a huge thunder exploded overhead, and the speeding car shook accordingly. "Can't you bear it?" Sheila asked. I shake my head.She checked the radar screen, found an open space, and lowered the speeder there. "I will go with him," said Mosiah, "this land is dangerous for those who do not know her." I gestured to thank him for his company, but he didn't have to get wet for me.He shrugged, smiled and opened the car door. I opened the door on my side of the car and started stretching my legs out of the car. "What's the matter? What happened?" Alisa blinked and said sleepily. "A break," Sheila said. "What?" Alicia asked. Embarrassed, I didn't want to listen to what they said next. The wind nearly blew the car door out of my hands, forcing me to lean halfway out.I struggled to keep my balance and got out of the car.The rain drenched my skin instantly.I pushed the door hard and finally it closed.The force of the wind made me take a few steps towards the front of the car.It took Mosiah's strength to get around from the other side of the car.His black robe was soaked and wrapped tightly around him.He took off his hood, which was of no use in this weather.It wasn't until this moment that I was convinced that he had really exhausted his vitality.Even if the magician had only a little strength left, he would not let himself be drenched like this. "Caution!" he yelled, grabbing my arm, "Kietine!" He pointed to the distance, and with the light of the headlights, I could see the deadly vines.I've written about them in my book, vines that entangle unsuspecting creatures, driving thorns into flesh and draining the blood of their prey.They live on blood.Of course, I've never seen them in person, and I'd be happy if I didn't see them all the time.The heart-shaped leaves shone black in the cloudy rain, and the thorns were small and sharp.This Qiye vine looks very healthy, thick and thick vines coiled around each other, stacked layer after layer. Carefully avoiding those vines, I addressed my needs as quickly as possible.Mosiah stood beside me, watching in all directions.I'm glad he can accompany me.Zippering my pants, I headed for the speeder, Mosiah walking side by side with me.The storm abated, and the downpour was replaced by raindrops carried by the wind.I was about to climb into the warm car when something like a rope wrapped around my ankle. Chiye Vine!I struggled forward desperately, trying to break free of it.But it was so powerful that the vine grabbed my foot and started dragging me towards its trunk!I let out a choked cry, digging my fingers into the dirt, trying to hold myself still. Needle-like thorns pricked my legs, easily piercing my blue jeans and thick socks, causing pangs of excruciating pain. Hearing my cry, Mosiah jumped over to help me.Seeing me fall, Sheila opened the car door hastily. "What happened?" she cried. "Stay in the car!" Mosiah yelled. "Turn the car around and shine the headlights on us! Chiye vines! Everywhere!" He stepped on something with his feet.I was slowed down by the pull.My fingers scratched deep furrows in the rain-soaked earth, and the pain in my legs was still increasing—the pain of the thorns piercing the veins, and then the dizziness of blood loss. Mosiah stood beside me, peering into the darkness.He said a word and held up his finger.After a flash of lightning, there was a "hiss" in my ear, and something snapped. Chietto let go of me. I crawled forward, only to feel another vine grab me.Vines crawled here and there in the darkness, they wrapped around my wrists and my feet, one wrapped around my calf. The flying car turned around.In the light of the headlights, I saw the raindrops glisten on the heart-shaped leaves of the kiye vine, and the sharp thorns shone with a terrible light. "Damn it!" Mosiah stared at the vines in dismay.He turned around and ran to the flying car. I feel (I don't know why) that he abandoned me.Fear welled up in my heart, accompanied by a trembling excitement.I want to fight for my freedom!I made up my mind.I tried not to let the fear take hold of me, I tried to stay calm and sane.I used all the strength that belonged to me and didn't belong to me, and yanked a wrist, and I really managed to get rid of a vine. But while getting rid of this vine, at least four more vines entangled me. Alisa disregarded Mosiah's orders and jumped off the flying car. "The Dark Sword!" Mosiah shouted, "Give me the Dark Sword! That's the only way to save him!" My face was covered in mud and my hair was hanging down my eyes.I continued to wrestle with the vines, but my strength was fading away.The pain from the thorns gradually subsided, and I just felt nauseous and dizzy. "Give it to me!" Mosiah was still shouting. "Give it to me! No! Don't risk it..." I heard footsteps and the rustle of dresses. I shake the hair out of my eyes.Alisa stood in front of me, holding the Dark Sword in her hand. "Stay still, Reuven! I don't want to cut you!" I forced myself to lie still on my stomach.But I could feel the vines tightening, the thorns digging deeper into my body. The headlights illuminate Alisa from behind, adding a halo to her dark hair and body.But the light couldn't reach the Dark Sword, or maybe the Dark Sword absorbed all the light.I hear it chopping the vines, but the pain has dulled my thoughts.Alisa was fighting this black death with night itself. Suddenly, I was free again.The vines that entwine me lose their strength and lie limp on me like a hand severed from the wrist. Mosiah and Sheila also ran to help me to my feet.I wiped the dirt off my face and, with their help, limped towards the speeder.Alisa walked last, holding the Dark Sword in both hands, ready to fight.But Qiye Teng had obviously given up his attack.Looking back, I saw that it was withered and curled where it was touched by the Dark Sword. They helped me into the car.Fortunately, the heavy rain has stopped. "Is he okay?" Alisa leaned against me.Her concern healed my pain like a magic salve. "The pain subsides very quickly," Mosiah said. "The spines are not poisonous. This is my experience." "I remember you always tripping over those vines," said Teddy from the floor.It looks very angry. "I warned you to be careful with them. I've said it over and over—" "You didn't. You said they were edible," Mosiah recalled with a small smile. "Well, I know one of us is wrong," Teddy muttered, then raised his voice resentfully. "Do you have to keep throwing me away?" "I'd love to throw you at the cheetah," Mosiah reached out to pick up Teddy, "but even the cheetahs have their taste." He was about to put Teddy on the seat, but stopped , staring at Teddy, "I'm curious—" "Put me down!" Teddy grumbled, "You're pinching me!" Mosiah threw the teddy bear on the seat next to me. "How do you feel?" Sheila asked. "Not good," Teddy moaned. "I'm talking to Reuven," Sheila said sharply.She rolled up my trouser legs and began examining my wounds. I nodded, indicating that I felt better.Like Mosiah said, the pain is going away.But the horror was still very strong, and I could still feel the vines tightening around my legs, shaking from the cold and the torture I had just endured. "You should get out of this wet suit," Alisa said. "Not now." Mosiah's tone was unquestionable. "This time, I agree with the wizard," Sheila said. "You all go back in the car and I'll turn on the heat. Reuven, take off what you can. Alisa, put all the blankets on him. You'll find a first aid kit in the car, for him Put ointment on the wound." Alisa put the Dark Sword back on the floor and covered it completely with a blanket.She didn't tell me how she saved me.She refused to even look at me when I tried to thank her in sign language.She was just looking for the first aid kit, then busy pulling the blankets from the back of the car. The speeding car rose from that dangerous place and drove forward rapidly.The storm is abating and it feels much better to be in the car.A watery sun looked down at us from the sky, and every now and then a cloud would block it, as if it were blinking. "It's half past the afternoon," said Mosiah, looking up at the sky. "It was so dark just now that I thought it was already dark," said Alisa. She's about to start anointing my wounds with ointment.Embarrassed, I tried to take the ointment from her, but she wouldn't let me. "Lie down, take a rest." She ordered me while helping me take off my soaked sweater. She applied ointment to the wound.Those wounds were red and swollen, with black blood oozing from them.When Alisa spread the ointment evenly on the wound, the redness disappeared and the bleeding stopped.The pain became less painful and soon disappeared.Alisa watched the changes with wide eyes. "It's amazing," she said, looking at the small bottle containing the ointment. "The Earth Army will also send us medicine, but none of them are as effective as this medicine!" "Standard government stuff," Sheila said, shrugging. Mosiah turned in his seat, looking at the nearly healed wounds on my arms and legs, and then at Sheila. "What miracles does the government invent these days?" he asked. Sheila glanced at him and smiled, "So where did you find that lightning bolt, Marshall? It just happened to be in your sleeve? I thought you said your magic was gone. She shook her head mockingly apologetically, and said, "And you still want the Dark Sword. Your mind is quick, but I'd like to know what you'll do after you get it." "Use it to free Reuven," Mosiah replied. "Of course, I'll turn into a bat and fly away with it. Or do you think I'll take it and run across this god-forsaken wilderness, and let you chase me in a speeding car?" He arched his body and took off the robe that stuck to his flesh.Then he tensed his shoulders so that no one could see that he was shaking. "I thought Alisa couldn't swing such a heavy sword," he said coldly, "now I know I was wrong." Sheila didn't answer, but I saw a slight flush of red on the back of her neck.I believe she is ashamed of herself for making such a condemnation.Mosiah has sworn to help us, and we have no reason to doubt him.If he left a bit of life force behind, it was just in case.No magician would wear himself out of his powers, if at all possible.He volunteered to go out into the storm to protect me, and if he hadn't warned me to be careful of the cheetah, I might have slammed my head against its trunk and not even the Dark Sword could save me. Alisa gave Mosiah a blanket.Mosiah shook his head and refused.Alisa didn't say anything, her face remained calm.She still doesn't trust Mosiah and hasn't apologized for it.She wrapped me in a blanket to make sure I was lying down.Then she put away the first aid kit and asked if there was anything else I could do to help.She handed me the tablet in case I could write something. I told her there was nothing more needed.I smiled at her to let her know I was better.I am indeed much better, and the fear has gradually receded in my heart.The temperature inside the flying car is rising rapidly, I no longer tremble, and I don't feel any pain at all.No doubt the ointment had done a great deal, but no potion could heal the fear of the soul.Alisa's touch is the real elixir. Some emotions don't need words.Alisa saw in my eyes the emotion I couldn't express, a faint blush floated on her cheeks, she no longer looked into my eyes, but lowered her head to stare at the digital board in her hand.The tablet provided her with an excuse to change the subject. "I don't want to bother you, Reuven. If you're tired—" I shake my head.She never bothers me, and I'm never too tired to do what she asks of me. "I want to learn sign language." She said almost shyly, "Will you teach me?" Do I want to!I know she did it because of her kindness, she wanted me to forget what happened to me just now.Of course I agree, and I hope that doing so will make her forget her worries.She leans against me.I started with the alphabet, spelling out her name first, and she got it right away.She was a very bright student, and in a short time she had mastered all the letters of the alphabet and expressed them one by one with dexterous fingers. The speeding car drifted across the grassland glistening with rain, and climbed over the treetops.We're going pretty fast now, but I'm still a little worried about being too late in the storm.Mosiah maintained his cold, slightly silent hostility. The sun's light began to become dazzling, but it was still covered by clouds from time to time.Sheila lowered the temperature inside the flying car.Because the wet clothes are evaporating moisture, the flying car is now a bit like a steam bath. "Those chia vines," Sheila said suddenly, "they're acting weird, don't you think?" Mosiah looked at her.Even though I was busy teaching Alisa sign language, I still saw a twinkle of interest in Mosiah's eyes. "Maybe." He replied vaguely. "What's your opinion?" "They're chasing Reuven," Sheila said. "Have you ever seen such an aggressive kiye vine? Those vines are tall and thick. Is this normal?" Mosiah shrugged. "There is no Fehanisu to cut down their numbers, and no Sihana to control the weather. Without control, the chiye vines will of course flourish." "Plants born from magic." Sheila murmured, "Since the magic power of this land has disappeared, those plants should lose their life-sustaining elements and become extinct instead of flourishing." "Born by magic?" Alisa interrupted our sign language class and turned around to ask. "What does that mean? We grow corn and carrots and wheat. They have nothing to do with magic." "But this is the cheetah," answered Mosiah, "and it came at the end of the Iron Wars. Some of the Dikonduke warlocks foresaw that this war would end in their defeat. They had used magic to twist men into giants, Or become a hybrid of man and beast - a centaur. These war mages then managed to corrupt the plant life, creating kiye vines and other deadly plants, which they used to ambush the unsuspecting. "By the end of the war the Dikondukes were exhausted, and they could no longer control their creations. So the giants, centaurs, and chietweeds scattered throughout Simharon to fend for themselves." "I've heard stories of the centaurs," said Alisa. "They caught my father and nearly killed him. He said they were cruel and took pleasure in causing pain. But it was because they themselves suffered with great anger and suffering." "I had to try very hard to feel sympathy for the centaurs." Mosiah said coldly, "but what your father said was true. Or should I say it used to be true. For when the magic is gone, the centaurs must be They're all dead." "Like cheetah," Sheila raised her pierced eyebrows. "And some bears I know." She glanced back at Teddy.Teddy smirked at her and blinked. "Or," she continued, "what if the first Dark Sword didn't destroy the Well of Life? What if the sword just closed it?" "Impossible, the magic has been unleashed into the universe," said Mosiah. "Simharon's magic was unleashed, and perhaps there was still some magic in the holy well. But the holy well was sealed. Since then, magic has accumulated beneath the surface—" "Yes, indeed!" Simkin exclaimed suddenly, "I will not stay here and be insulted." The orange silk scarf flickered, and Teddy disappeared. "What's the matter?" Alisa asked in confusion, "Where did he go?" "I don't know either," Mosiah glanced at Sheila, "I want to ask too." me too.If Sheila's theory is right, magic has been accumulating beneath Simharon all these years... what will happen?One of them may be obvious.A powerful magical power will be of great value to those who can wield it. But I told myself that if this was the case, Duke Xisi should have discovered this situation long ago. Maybe they did find out.Perhaps it was because of this that they wanted the Dark Sword so desperately.Not only because it can destroy the life force that is accumulating under the holy well, but if the new dark sword is endowed with such a strong life force, its own power will also increase. I've been thinking about this question over and over in my mind, but I still can't get a satisfactory answer.Maybe I'll never know the answer.In forty-eight hours we'd be flying to that place, probably never to return. Mosiah said nothing more.Sheila was also lost in thought.An unpleasant silence fell on both of them.I continued to teach Alisa sign language. I was relieved that Teddy was gone.But then I remembered my master's warning - better to know where Simkin was than not to know.