After Tang Zhangwei lay down, he realized that his back was still very painful.

Whether or not it was against his nature, he had no choice.

Deeply immersed in thought, he didn't even realize that they had been riding on their horses for more than four hours. The forest drinks in the rain. The trees slowly emerged in the fog, and the moss on the trunks was lush. They cling to the bark of trees, on the ground, fluffy like sponges. The lichens on the rocks shimmer bright yellow and rust in the damp air.

In some places, rainwater flows onto the trails, creating a temporary creek. Zod's trailer splashed through it, cutting through rocks and tree roots, sending the old man's head bobbing around on the bumpy road. As they passed the flowing stream, his feet were only inches above the water.

Richard smelled the scent of wood fuel in the silence. Birch. He realized that the place they had come had changed somewhat. It looks the same as the place I passed a few hours ago, but it's different. Rainwater respectfully flows into the forest. There is a sacred feel to the whole place. He felt as if he was an intruder, disturbing the eternal peace. He wanted to say something to Karen, but it seemed like he was blaspheming. He understood why the people in the tavern were reluctant to come closer, their filthy presence was incompatible with the atmosphere here.

They came to a house that blended in with its surroundings and was almost invisible if not noted. A wisp of smoke curled up from the chimney and slowly faded into the mist. The walls of the logs have been hardened by the wind and rain to match the colors of the surrounding trees. The house seemed to rise from the forest floor, and the trees around it stretched out their arms to enclose the whole room. The roof is covered with ferns. A small, sloping canopy obscured the door and a corridor in front of it that was large enough for two or three people to stand. There was a square window in front of the house, and another on the other side of the house, without curtains.

At the front of the house, a fern bowed and nodded as the rain dripped down. The off-white mist turned bright green in the rain. A narrow path manifests itself in it.

In the midst of the ferns, in the middle of the path, stood a tall woman, between Richard and Karen. She wears this brown robe, which is simply woven with some red and yellow symbols and decorations around her neck. Her hair was thin and straight, with a color between black and gray, parted from it and neatly cut to the position of a strong jaw. The years did not steal beauty from her face. She leaned on a cane and had only one leg. Richard slowly stopped in front of her.

The woman's eyes are completely white.

"I'm Eddie. Who are you? Eddie's voice had a hoarse, piercing texture that made Richard's spine shiver involuntarily.

"Four friends." Richard said in a respectful tone. The rain hit the face quietly and softly. He waited.

Fine wrinkles covered her face. She took the cane from under her armpit and placed her lean palm on the tip of the cane, allowing it to support the weight of her body. Eddie's thin mouth pursed the corners of his mouth tightly, revealing a hint of a smile.

"A friend," she said in a gruff voice, "three dangerous men." I'll decide if they're friends or not. She nodded softly to herself.

Richard and Karen glanced at each other. His vigilance was raised. He felt a little embarrassed to sit on the horse, as if it was disrespectful to bow his head to her from above. He dismounted, and Karen dismounted. He took the reins in one hand and walked over to the horse, and Karen walked up to him.

"I'm Richard Seifer. This is my friend, Karen Amuel. ”

The woman studied his face with her white eyes. He didn't know if she could see or if it was possible. She turned to face Karen. She whispered a few words to Karen in a hoarse voice that Richard didn't understand.

Karen stared into the old man's eyes and bowed her head slightly to Eddie.

It must be a mutual compliment. Respectful greetings. Richard didn't hear Karen or Amuel. The tiny hairs on his neck stood on end.

She called Karen by the title.

He'd been with Karen long enough, and from the way she stood up, the way she looked up, knew she was on alert. Very vigilant. If she were a cat, her back would arch and her fur would stand straight up. The two women stood facing each other, their age tossed away at this moment. They evaluated each other, looking at qualities that Richard couldn't see. This woman can bring them harm, and he knows that the sword of truth will not be enough to protect him this time.

Eddie turned back. "Say what you need. Richard Seifer. ”

"We need your help."

Eddie nodded. "True."

"Two of our friends were injured. One of them, Dell. Blant stone, tell me he's your friend. ”

"True." Eddie spoke hoarsely again.

"There's another person, in Chauvin, who told us you might be able to help them. In order to repay you for your help, we have brought you some daily necessities. We think it's fair to offer you something. ”

Edison closes up. "Lies!" She tapped the ground with her cane. Richard and Karen involuntarily twitched backwards.

Richard didn't know what to say. Eddie waited. "It's true. The items are here. He turned slightly, raised his hand and gestured to Charles's horse. We think ... ”

"Lies!" She tapped her cane hard again.

Richard folded his arms, his anger fueling. While he was playing a game with the woman, his friend was dying. "What is a lie?"

"'We' is a lie." She tapped her crutches again. "You came up with the idea of providing items. It was you who decided to bring me groceries. It's not you and Karen. It's just you. 'We' is a lie. 'I' is the real one. ”

Richard lowered his arms and naturally hung down to his sides. 'Is there any difference?' What does it really matter to 'us' and 'I'? ”

She glared at him. "One is true and the other is a lie. What more difference could there be? ”

Richard cupped his chest again, frowning. "It must have been difficult for Charles to tell you about his expedition."

Eddie's smile returned to her face. "True." She nodded. She leaned a little closer again, and motioned with her hand, "Bring your friend into the house." ”

(End of chapter)