Chapter 22 Chapter 21

Alisa listened to Mosiah's argument with a serious face.Then she asked Father Saryon if there was a way to avoid the dragon and draw the Dark Sword.Father Saryon gave a negative answer.She said she would follow Father Saryon, but she would not ask us to go with them.In fact, she was telling us to stay with her eyes. Of course, she couldn't make any of us obey this order.After some more discussion, we headed for the cave—all five of us. "At least," said Mosiah, stepping heavily behind me, "now we don't have to worry about dying at the hands of Conifer." "Father Saryon just told me," I told him in sign language, "that the dragon was charmed. I remember that if a person could touch the charm point embedded in the dragon's brain by the warlock, he could control the dragon. "

"Thank you, Mr. Encyclopedia." Mosiah replied sarcastically.We have left the sun zone and returned to the shadows.Willows and poplars by the river shaded the sky above us. "Only a very strong and powerful personality can charm a dragon. I have great respect for Father Saryon, but 'mighty' and 'strength' are not words to describe him." "I think you underestimated him," I defended Father Saryon. "His personality is strong. When they were going to turn Joram into stone, he sacrificed himself. It was this strong personality that he relied on to help Joram fight the black lock."

But Mosiah was not convinced by me, "It has been twenty years since he threw the Dark Sword to that dragon! Even if Father Saryon really charmed that beast, the charm can't last so long!" I can only admit with dismay that Mosiah was right.Night dragons were designed by their creators as a kind of slaughter machine, as long as they are ordered, they may kill at any time.During the Iron Wars, some dragons escaped from their creators, only to wreak havoc on the armies of their side.After that war, Dikonduke, who created and controlled these dragons, almost died, and the surviving Dikonduke was also destroyed by the war, exhausted his strength, and could no longer deal with the environment changed by the war.The night dragons escaped, and went underground, hiding from the light of day, which they loathed and feared, in tunnels of eternal darkness.

They don't have any good feelings for humans, because they always remember that humans have made them fall into this dark life.They hate it deeply. We found the hole, stopped on the river bank, and looked at the hole with some despair.The black opening in the gray rock was like a great arch.We could have easily walked in, but now it's mostly submerged!Part of the river branched off and poured into the cave. "You're out of luck, Father," said Mosiah. "The river is diverted. Unless you can figure out how to swim us through these rapids, we can't get in." The crow perched on a branch and uttered a cry. Hoarse chirping.

I am ashamed to admit that my first reaction was one of relief until I saw Alisa. Until now, Alisa has endured all dangers and setbacks calmly and bravely.And this disappointment finally became unbearable for her.She clenched her fists. "We must go in!" she shouted.Her lips also lost their color.Then she raised her voice even more, "Even if you want to swim." The water that entered the cave was swift, with many turbulent currents and dangerous eddies, and drove clouds of white foam against the sharp rocks.Swimming is definitely not going to work. "We could make a raft," Sheila said, "and tie the logs together. Maybe the Enforcer can use his spell—"

"I'm not a spinner, and I'm not a boalban-artisan." Mosiah said coldly, "I haven't learned shipbuilding. I don't think you guys want to wait for me to learn this skill." "I didn't ask you to build a sailing ship," Sheila's eyes flashed with anger, "but I thought you might be able to burn a log with your fire magic so we could make a canoe." "Canoe!" Mosiah snorted. "Maybe we should use your head, Your Excellency. That thing must be empty! Have you ever thought that I need to keep all my life force, so that I can get rid of the dragon's blood?" Get us out of the claws. I have a feeling the dragon doesn't look charmed when he sees us."

During this time, Father Saryon has been wanting to say something.Finally, he finally got his chance. "Is that why you don't trust me? Think I'm going to take you into a flooded cave?" He kept smiling as he spoke, but we felt his reproach, especially to me and Alisa. "Forgive me, Father," said Alisa with regret, "you are right. I should trust you." "If you don't trust me, you should at least trust Emin." Saryon glanced at Mosiah.The elderly priest overheard at least part of my earlier conversation with Mosiah. Mosiah didn't say anything, and he didn't apologize.He just stood silently, hiding his hands in his black sleeves, without saying a word.

Saryon was still talking, and there was already a little anger in his words. "There is a road here. There is a ledge hanging above the water, and that road leads to a corridor, from where we can leave the river and enter the cave." The path along the river bank winds to the left and skirts a large willow tree.Willow branches and trunks partially shade the opening.Saryon parted the swaying willow branches, and there, indeed, was a ledge leading into the cave. Mosiah wanted to go in first, and I believe he was trying to make up for his impatience and arbitrariness just now. "Don't follow until you see my signal," Mosiah warned us.

He went into the cave with the crow still on his shoulder.Soon, we lost sight of him.I wondered why he was carrying the bird - and I soon learned the answer.The crow flew back from the hole like a bat that was too big.It turned out that the crow was the messenger of Mosiah. "Go ahead!" said the bird in a hoarse voice, "one at a time." Alisa entered the hole without fear.Anyway, my fear of her was enough for the two of us.I tried to watch her as if my will would keep her on the ledge, and if she was out of my sight she would fall. The crow has been following Alisa, and I can only wait in distress until the bird returns. "She's fine. Next."

"You go first, Reuven." A smile flickered in Saryon's eyes. I can't believe I want to enter this cave so much.And now, nothing can stop me. The clammy humidity washes over me, and I have to pause to let my eyes adjust to the darkness.The sunlight coming in from outside the cave illuminated the ripples of the flowing water and also illuminated my path within a short distance.The road widens here, making it easier for me to travel. But the road quickly narrowed again until my feet could barely stand side by side.The ledge turned a corner.The sun is completely blocked.Expecting darkness, I was surprised to find myself bathed in a warm red glow.One of the stalactites above my head was emitting a warm red light, as if the stone itself would heat up.I could see the path beneath my feet—a glowing gray ribbon high above the shimmering black water.The crow flew past me and returned to Mosiah.

Now I understand why the lawman went first.He has set up glowing signposts for us in the dark. The road began to rise and become narrower.I had to put my back close to the rock wall and walk forward.I could no longer see Mosiah and Alisa in front of me, nor could I see Saryon and Sheila behind me.One wrong step and I'll fall into the roaring river in the dark.Sweat dripped from my brows all the way to my chest.The cold air made me shiver.I've never felt so alone in my life. I took another step forward and could finally see the end of the path.Mosiah and Alisa are waiting for me there.I was so eager to be with them that I almost threw away all caution and flew straight for that safe place. "Be careful," Mosiah warned me, "this is the hardest part." I controlled the desire to run, desperately clinging to the rock, almost grinding the flesh on my back.At the same time, I also carefully made every step of my foot firmly on the path.As I progressed, the path widened under my feet, allowing me to pick up my pace.I finally rushed into Alisa's arms.We hugged tightly, seeking comfort from each other, sharing warmth, and not thinking about the horror of falling into the cold and rushing river.I thank Saryon for putting me ahead of the curve and allowing me to have moments like this with Alyssa. Mosiah looked at us with a small, sarcastic smile on his lips.But he didn't say anything, just let the crow fly back with his message, "Next!" Father Saryon came.His movements were clumsy and awkward, and more than once we thought he was about to fall.Fortunately he always saves himself at the last moment.When his feet were about to slide down, his hands clung to the bumps of the rock; when his hands fell, his toes dug into the pavement. When he finally joined us, he dusted off his palms. "It's easier than it was when I first came over," he said in a low voice.Although the dragon is still deep in the cave, we dare not risk it hearing us. "I didn't have a magician to light me then." He thanked Mosiah with a nod. "And I was still holding the Dark Sword." "What made you do this, Father?" Mosiah asked.His eyes reflected the red light from the stalactites in the shadow of the hood.He had sent Raven back to call Sheila. "Were you being pursued then?" Saryon was silent for a moment, lost in memory, his face became pale and haggard. "If you really think about it, maybe I wasn't being chased then, but I can't know for sure, I had to be on the safe side after all. What made me walk into this cave? Maybe it was intuition - when the prey was being pursued A hunch for dark hiding places. Or perhaps it was Emin's hand that led me in here." Mosiah raised an eyebrow.He turned and looked down the path.We heard the sound of steel hitting rock.Mosiah murmured, "Just disappear like this?" The voice dropped immediately.A moment later, Sheila rounded the treacherous turn, the red light of the stalactites reflected on her silver armor like a burning flame. The walk was difficult for Sheila, whose breastplate prevented her from clinging to the rock like we did.She moved forward little by little, grasping the rock wall with both hands.At this time, she stopped, raised her head vigorously, leaned against the rock wall, and closed her eyes. "Tell her," Mosiah said to the crow, "this is not the time for a nap!" The crow flew over and circled around Sheila.We couldn't hear what Sheila said, but we could almost hear her heavy breathing. "She said she couldn't move," the crow reported back to Mosiah.It stopped on the path beside Mosiah and began to clean the beak with its claws. "She knew she was going to fall." Sheila was nailed to the rock wall by fear.I felt her pain too, and I had the same fear in my heart—only Emin knew what brought me here—maybe, it was Alisa who had been watching me. "She needs help," said Father Saryon, gathering the hem of his robe. "I'll go," said Mosiah, "I don't want you both to fall into the river!" He set foot on the steep path again.Facing the wall, he walked slowly forward until Sheila was within reach. "What happened?" Sheila could barely turn her head to look at Mosiah.She just moved her lips with difficulty. "I...I can't swim!" "Emin, protect the girl!" said Mosiah angrily. "Even if you fall into the water, you don't have to worry about swimming. You'll sink like a rock." Sheila smiled wryly, gritted her teeth and said, "You really know how to comfort people!" "I have magic," said Mosiah. "I don't want to use it unless I have to. But I won't let you fall. Watch me, watch me, Sheila." Sheila tried to turn her head and looked at Mosiah. Mosiah stretched out his hand, "Grab it." Sheila raised her arm, her nail scraping against the rock.Her hand slowly reached out to Mosiah, and Mosiah held Sheila's hand tightly.Sheila's nervous expression finally relaxed.She walked forward slowly, with Mosiah holding her hand and helping her keep her balance. They finally came to a safe place.Sheila covered her face with her hands and sobbed tremblingly.I think, if Sheila wasn't wearing armor, Mosiah would have embraced her in his arms! "I'm ashamed of myself," Sheila whispered excitedly, "and in front of my Queen!" "Why? You proved that you are a human being like us. At least I'm glad to see you. That's what I hope for." Sheila opened her eyes and looked at Mosiah, as if trying to figure out what Mosiah's words meant.Mosiah's tone was half joking, half sympathetic, and there should be no more meaning. "Thank you," Sheila said hoarsely. "You saved my life, Marshal. I owe it to you." She walked up to Alisa with her head bowed, and fell to her knees. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. Forgive me for my cowardice in the face of danger. If you decide to take away your trust in me, I am ready." "Oh, Sheila!" cried Alisa tenderly, "we all agree with Mosiah, and it's good to see that you really have a little flaw, just like us. Perfect people are hard to love of." Sheila was too excited to speak for a moment.Finally, she wiped her eyes and nose with her hands, stood up, raised her head, and looked at us proudly—although there was still a little challenge in her eyes. "How should we go now? Father." Alisa asked. We've only been concentrating on the road behind us until we turn our heads to look at the road ahead.The river turns to the right.The ledge is gone, but we can see the deep entrance of a tunnel. "Let's go down," Saryon said.