APTnovel Chapter 113 Decoding Fate
Chapter 113 Decoding Fate
Chapter 113 Decoding Fate
Chris tied up the horse and the boy, then found a large tree across the street that he could keep an eye on both the boy and the horse, and sat down under the tree stump.
It should still be an hour or two before nightfall, but Chris felt aches and pains in his back and decided to stop his journey for the day and rest.
However, this meant that Chris would need to stay here for half a day, and how to pass the time was his biggest concern at the moment.
He looked at the boy opposite him and thought how wonderful it would be if he were a woman.
But he had already checked and it was indeed a boy, so he had to abandon the idea.
Chris looked around.
The wilderness was fraught with danger, but there was little to do to pass the time. Chris saw nothing worth using to kill time and felt utterly bored.
It's better to go to sleep early.
Chris took off his coat, intending to use it as a pillow.
At that moment, he accidentally touched a hard object.
When taken out, it turned out to be a book, "A Guide to Destiny Interpretation".
"destiny-"
Chris muttered to himself as he looked at the book title.
Chris didn't used to believe in fate, let alone that fate could be interpreted or changed.
However, his misfortune began after a successful swindle at Lakeside Castle.
His view of fate changed.
Chris then ambushed and killed a bald warrior, earning a hundred gold coins in the process, and captured a boy who was potentially worth a fortune.
Chris thus truly realized that fate might exist.
Fate is either cyclical or ascending.
If you want to rise in status, if you want to gain wealth, glory, position, and respect, you must break the cycle.
And right in front of me is a book about "destiny".
If fate can truly be deciphered, then Chris wants to understand what other cycles exist in his destiny, and then break them all.
Chris opened the book, and the first thing that caught his eye was a line of large print:
"To learn this art, one must first abandon faith."
Abandon the letter? Chris scoffed.
He saw it clearly long ago: faith and dogma are merely chains that bind believers, or even tools of exploitation.
If one is devout and ascetic but receives no divine mercy or protection, why should one kneel before those damned gods?
Chris had no faith to begin with, so there was no need for him to give it up.
So he decisively turned to the following content, carefully read and absorbed it.
According to the book, fate itself is a kind of power.
Fate is the sum of all possibilities, and possibility is the trend of change in all things.
The changing trend is a continuation of the current energy.
In other words, as long as one can interpret the energy contained in things and the direction in which that energy is released, one can interpret the views expressed in the Book of Destiny, and theoretically, one can interpret the destiny of the entire world.
However, he immediately stated that there were two flaws in his theory: fate is unpredictable in two different situations.
Interpretation itself is an act that requires energy and releases energy.
When the object to be interpreted is too large, the energy required for interpretation is also enormous, and stable yet enormous energy is difficult to obtain, so such situations are often uninterpretable.
However, when the object of interpretation is too small, the energy released by the interpretation itself may exceed the energy needed for the object's self-development.
Therefore, it is impossible to distinguish whether the result of the interpretation is the fate of the thing itself or the fate distorted by the interpretation; this is the second type of uninterpretability.
The book refers to these two phenomena as bipolar uninterpretability.
Without considering bipolarity, if the interpreter and the object of interpretation are the same entity, the interpretation error may be minimized.
Therefore, this book, "A Guide to Destiny Interpretation," mainly discusses how to interpret one's own destiny.
Chris doesn't care about other people's fates at all; if he only discusses the interpretation of his own fate, he'll be indulging his own desires.
As darkness fell, Chris skipped the theoretical part and went straight to the application and practical methods.
He didn't care how fate was interpreted; he only wanted to know what kind of fate he might have.
Following the instructions in the book, Chris placed the book on his lap and then closed his eyes.
I firmly believe in my heart that the development of this world is not interfered with by any deity.
Then, following the methods described in the book, feel the power within and without.
Once a clear perception is formed, it is necessary to draw upon internal power and focus on one's own senses.
After Chris had completed all the steps, he heard a word in his ear:
"Left eye—"
He was startled and opened his eyes.
He hurriedly looked around until his dilated pupils confirmed that there was no one around, and then a feeling of horror arose spontaneously.
Chris was sweating profusely, his hair stood on end, and his breathing became increasingly heavy.
He only intended to try out the contents of the book, thinking it was just some boring tricks.
But he could clearly hear low, guttural murmurs in his ear!
He then realized that the text in this "Guide to Deciphering Forbidden Books" was not nonsense!
Chris is indeed able to sense the energy of his surroundings and mobilize the energy within his own body.
More importantly, he could exchange the contents of the books for hints about his own "fate".
Although he was still apprehensive, after all, this was the first time he had come into contact with such extraordinary power.
But he was also overjoyed. If what he had just said was truly a hint from his destiny, he would be able to prepare for any impending disasters and seize all the opportunities in the rest of his life.
But what does "left eye" mean?
What does the left eye represent? Chris frowned. My left eye? Or the boy's? Or something else entirely?
Furthermore, does this warning represent a disaster or an opportunity? In what form will it appear, and when will it occur?
Chris remained completely unaware.
The method he just used was a basic interpretation from a book, and the result was very vague.
If Chris wants to know a more precise and specific fate, he must use a higher-level method of interpretation.
Regardless, Chris was undoubtedly overjoyed at that moment.
He had only intended to kill time by reading this book, but unexpectedly, it gave him a skill that he would never have dared to imagine in the past!
Chris felt incredibly foolish and ignorant when he thought about how he had once planned to sell or even abandon the book.
At that moment, Chris remembered the girl named Anne Booker.
Who exactly is she? How did she get this book? And why would she so easily give such a precious book to Chris?
According to Anne, the book appears to have come from a library located in O'Brien Bay.
Anne told him that if there was anything he didn't understand in the book, he could ask the librarian, or if he didn't want the book anymore, he could return it to the library.
Having learned just how valuable the book was, Chris would never hand it over to anyone.
As for the administrator there...
Could it be that the person also possessed the techniques described in this book and knew how to interpret fate?
Chris felt he had to be careful of the administrator.
But compared to these seemingly endless matters, Chris was more concerned with how to interpret the "left eye." He was eager to learn the more advanced interpretation methods in the book, but by now the sky had completely darkened.
No matter how eager he is, he has to wait until tomorrow.
Of course, Chris carried a tinderbox and a lantern with him, but he would never create a light source in the dark of the wilderness unless absolutely necessary.
Robbers and thieves are always drawn to light, and ferocious beasts and evil monsters are also attracted by it.
Chris witnessed living people being devoured by a flock of demonized crows, and the fear from that time still haunts him to this day.
"Achoo!"
Chris sneezed, and the chill made him tremble uncontrollably.
Although it is already July, the nights are still bitterly cold.
He could only put away the precious book, put his coat back on, hug himself tightly, and curl up under the tree.
"fraud."
Chris heard a distant call.
He ignored him and just reached out to rub his shoulders vigorously.
"Liar," the melodious voice rang out again, "I'm cold."
"Don't I feel cold?" Chris thought irritably.
He shifted his position, turned to the side, and leaned his shoulder against the tree.
But it was no use; he could still hear the boy's voice.
"If I freeze to death, you still won't get the money."
Upon hearing this, Chris exhaled two wisps of white mist from his nostrils.
He slowly got up and walked towards the boy:
"Shut up, kid, I have no obligation to serve you."
"But I'm cold."
"Who isn't cold? You're even wearing more layers."
Chris said, "Look," and looked at the boy.
The boy wore a dark violet coat with a wool collar and an expensive velvet lining.
If Chris had clothes like that, he would even dare to spend a night in the birch forest of the frozen continent.
"But you've tied my hands behind my back, so I can't curl up. The evening breeze will slowly steal all my body heat away."
The boy had a beautiful voice, but Chris wouldn't be swayed by it.
"I can't untie you in this desolate wilderness. If you escape, it will be difficult for me to catch you again."
"Just let me put my arms in front of me," the boy said. "You can tie them tighter, or you can find me a blanket, or we can make a fire."
If there were a blanket, Chris would definitely use it to cover himself; he wouldn't even dare to light a lantern, let alone agree to start a fire.
After hesitating for a few seconds, Chris finally reached out, untied the ropes binding the boy, and tied his hands in front of him.
Just to be on the safe side, he took out another rope and tightly bound the boy's arms.
But Chris was still worried, and he dared not sleep far away again.
Instead, she took a sword hanging on the saddle, held it in her arms, and fell asleep next to the boy.
This sword belonged to the martial artist he killed. He felt it was a good sword, so he always carried it with him.
A gust of wind blew by, and the leaves rustled.
Chris shuddered; he knew tonight was destined to be a sleepless night.
The boy suddenly spoke up and asked, "Liar?"
He must be too cold to sleep, Chris thought, otherwise he wouldn't have struck up a conversation with me.
And Chris was the same.
"What is it?"
"Have you ever told the truth?"
Chris smiled and said, "You might not believe it, but I rarely lie."
"fraud!"
"Are you insulting me, or calling me?" Chris retorted jokingly.
The boy didn't answer. After a while, he spoke again:
Why is it so cold here?
“Because it’s in the north,” Chris said, “and it’s the northern highlands.”
There are three things that are always associated with cold: winter, the highlands, and the north.
After leaving Redburg, the boy told Chris that the secret of his bloodline was related to the ocean.
But the boy said he would only tell Chris the secret once they reached the vicinity of the ocean.
No matter how much Chris threatened the boy, he refused to say anything more.
There was no other way for Chris to exchange the boy for gold but to take him to the ocean.
Although many inlanders don't believe it, Chris has seen it with his own eyes; the land is indeed surrounded by the ocean.
Therefore, no matter which direction you go, you will definitely reach the ocean.
The east and south were too far away, so Chris only considered the north and west.
However, to the north of the monastery lies a swampy area.
Without a local to guide him, Chris felt he would most likely become food for that soft, barren land.
So Chris decided to head west.
And if you follow the main road westward, you'll reach the Lorraine Plain.
Chris has developed a psychological aversion to the Golden Wheat Plains and doesn't want to set foot in this area unless absolutely necessary.
Chris therefore chose to travel along the narrow road south of the Lorraine Plain.
Even though turning north would allow him to reach the ocean north of the Lorraine Plain very quickly, he had no intention of doing so.
After completely bypassing the plains, they chose to travel north along the boundary between the Lorraine Plain and the Griffith Steppe.
As a result, they are currently located very far north.
But it is already early summer, so it shouldn't be this cold, although the altitude of the Griffith Grassland is not low either.
It occupies both the north and the highlands, so even though it is now summer, the wind is still biting cold at night.
The boy didn't speak again, and Chris couldn't help but look at the boy who was tied up.
The man was quiet and reserved, and even though he occasionally showed deep hostility towards Chris, and Chris had repeatedly considered killing the boy to prevent future troubles due to his negligence, Chris could not deny that he was a lovable child.
However, Chris is neither the director of the orphanage nor a parent, so he would never feel pity for the boy and let him go.
Chris loves gold more than anything.
He said, "We've been walking for a long time, and I think we're not far from the sea."
"Um."
"Boy, remember my promise. Once we reach the coastal town, tell me the secret of your bloodline."
"Um."
"If you dare to cheat, I will kill you without hesitation."
"I keep my word, even if you're a liar."
Chris absolutely refused to accept that he had come away empty-handed.
He tried to avoid towns along the way, as things would get very complicated if the boy asked others for help.
After all, there will always be some meddlesome idiots who accuse Chris of kidnapping and want to get the boy back to his freedom. Although Chris is eloquent, he is afraid that the other party will not listen.
This forced him to always live a life of hardship, often sleeping outdoors.
He was already a wealthy man with a net worth of hundreds of millions, and could have easily found a place to enjoy his retirement.
Listen to the boy's promise, and then another gust of wind blows.
A cold wind slipped in through his collar, giving Chris goosebumps. He cursed:
"Damn! It's freezing! Damn this wind!"
After enduring a grueling night, the sun finally rose.
Chris wanted to learn the techniques in "The Guide to Destiny Interpretation" as soon as possible, but if he delayed his journey, he would have to stay in the wilderness longer.
Chris really didn't want to repeat the experience of last night too often.
So early in the morning, after a simple meal of dry rations, Chris led the boy on his way.
Just as he expected, he was indeed not far from the sea.
By the afternoon, he was already able to see the sea in the distance.
The sea was gloomy and bitterly cold, but the surface was relatively calm.
From a distance, Chris could not see any ripples on the sea.
However, when he looked down, the boy was lost in thought.
Chris found it strange that his bloodline was related to the ocean, but his expression was as if he had never seen the sea before.
However, although every ocean is filled with azure saltwater, they are indeed all different when you look closely.
Chris ignored it and changed course westward, following the coastal road in search of a town.
In the evening, he arrived at a fishing port town called Wool Town.
The town is small, and it doesn't even have city walls.
After making an agreement with the boy, Chris untied the boy's ropes and found an inn to stay at.
He ordered warm food and a large glass of beer.
Chris wanted some fruit wine, but all they had was spirits.
But Chris came with a mission, so he couldn't get drunk.
After he and the boy had eaten and drunk their fill, Chris pulled the boy into the room.
He said to the boy, "Now, tell me your secret, won't you?"
"Yes," the boy nodded, "my blood is connected to the ocean, or more precisely, my father was connected to the ocean."
"So who is your father?" Chris asked.
"I don't know," the boy said.
Chris asked, "So, which territory was your father the lord of?"
"I don't understand."
"His title?"
"I don't know—"
"Snapped!"
Chris retaliated and slapped the boy hard across the face.
When the boy turned around, he immediately glared fiercely at Chris.
"Fuck you! You want me!"
"I don't want you!"
"You said that if I took you to the seaside, you would tell me the secret of your bloodline!"
"I didn't lie to you. I already said, my father's connection to the ocean!"
"That's useless!" Chris roared. "I need your father's specific identity!"
"I want to know too," the boy said firmly.
"Damn it!"
Chris cursed as he kicked out with his right foot, hitting the boy squarely in the stomach.
The boy was kicked a full meter away, and he vomited up everything he had just eaten.
However, Chris still felt unsatisfied.
From the boy's attitude, Chris knew that the boy was not lying and that he did not know any more information.
The boy didn't lie to Chris in a strict sense; he did tell him everything he knew.
However, Chris is a professional conman.
But he got tricked by a little kid?
This was undoubtedly a great humiliation for him.
It's understandable that he would be so angry.
The boy was useless now, and he wished he could kill him right now to vent his anger.
This way, one can both wash away one's shame and eliminate a potential threat.
However, his remaining rationality told him that he couldn't do that.
Even though Wool Town has no city walls, it must have an owner.
He killed someone on someone else's territory, and no matter how he explained it, he would probably not have a good end. Therefore, he decided to rest for the night and take the boy to a deserted road the next day to kill him.
"The boy is the cycle of my fate," Chris thought, "I must break the cycle."
Chris picked up one of the boy's hind legs, which was lying on the floor trembling in pain, and dragged it to the corner of the bed.
Then they tied the boy tightly to the corner of the bed, and to prevent him from screaming, they stuffed his mouth with wool.
Finally, Chris went to the inn lobby, ordered a strong drink, and wanted to vent his frustrations.
The liquor was a bit harsh on his throat, and after just a few sips, Chris felt intensely drunk.
Damn, this liquor is way too strong!
Chris then realized that he rarely drank alcohol.
He leaned on the table for a few seconds, and when he looked up again, he found a bald man with a big beard sitting opposite him.
Chris gave the other person a disgruntled look: "What's up?"
The man said, "It seems you're pushing yourself too hard to drink this kind of wine."
Chris gave him a warning look upon hearing this:
"What's it to you?"
"Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm not here to cause trouble," the bearded man waved his hands. "It's just that you look like an outsider."
"So what if it is?" Chris said irritably.
"The climate in Griffith Grasslands is cold, so the liquor here is very strong," the bearded man said. "But you can find liquor anywhere, and since you've come all this way, you should try the local specialties."
"Oh?" Chris's interest was piqued. "What kind of specialty drink?"
"Sheep beer," the bearded man said, "is a kind of beer fermented from sheep's milk. It tastes similar to beer, but the flavor—hehe..."
You'll have to try it yourself to know.
Although Chris believed that wasting was the most shameful thing to do, this glass of strong liquor was far beyond his tolerance.
Besides, he's a millionaire now!
Screw thrift!
Chris asked the proprietress for another glass of mutton beer.
The mutton beer was served quickly; it was the same color as mutton milk, but you could see the bubbles breaking on the surface.
Chris picked up his glass and took a big gulp.
The moment his tongue touched the wine, Chris's eyes widened.
The goat beer retained the sweetness of goat milk, but Chris also tasted a slight saltiness, perhaps due to the added salt.
What surprised Chris the most was the sour taste.
This sour taste is different from fruit acid; it's closer to the taste of yogurt.
However, this was the first time Chris had ever tasted such a sour flavor in alcoholic beverages.
With one bite, all the taste buds on his tongue blossomed, and his mouth kept secreting saliva.
Before he knew it, he had drunk almost half a cup!
"Hehe!" the bearded man chuckled. "Not bad, right?"
"Um,"
Chris nodded, looking much more energetic now, and his hostility towards the man had almost completely dissipated.
The bearded man said, "I wasn't lying to you, even though I'm a local, I absolutely love mutton beer!"
Looking at the empty table in front of the other person, Chris understood the other person's purpose.
So, I ordered a drink for the other person as well.
"Oh! I can't accept this!" the bearded man said with a broad smile. "Well—thank you, sir."
Chris nodded slightly; he liked being addressed as "Master".
After the other person's drinks were served, Chris clinked glasses with him.
This time he deliberately restrained himself and only took a small sip.
"ha--."
The bearded man put down his glass, let out a satisfied yawn, and then looked at Chris.
"Sir, I saw you drinking alone here earlier, what's wrong? Is something bothering you?"
Chris nodded.
"Tell me your thoughts, and I might be able to offer some advice. Listening to your advice will make things much easier."
"You can't help me with this," Chris shook his head, "so there's no need."
"Who can say for sure?" the bearded man insisted.
"You don't understand," Chris still refused to say.
Telling a newly acquainted drinking buddy about kidnapping a little boy is an act of idiocy.
Moreover, the problem now is that we don't know who the boy's father is.
The bearded man couldn't possibly know, and even the boy himself was unaware of the matter.
Looking back now, Chris thinks he was really stupid.
Chris already knew that the boy might be illegitimate when he was in the audience hall of the Duke of Trent at Redbridge.
He should have suspected then that the secret of the boy's lineage might lie in the dirty parts of his bloodline.
Is there an ocean churning within me?
Does this mean he's the illegitimate son of some coastal lord? Or that his mother was raped on the beach?
Chris even suspected that the boy's father was actually a pirate.
But neither possibility could bring him gold.
That's incredibly stupid. They made this trip for nothing and suffered so much.
Then the bearded man said again:
"Alright, since you're so sure, I guess I probably can't help you."
"Then shut up," Chris thought to himself. "More clinking of glasses, less talking!"
However, the bearded man continued to talk incessantly:
"However, although I can't help you, I can give you a clue that will definitely help you."
Chris asked dismissively, "What clue?"
"There's a camp currently stationed southwest of Wool Town," the bearded man said. "The deputy commander there can definitely be of help to you."
"The camp? The vice-commander?" Chris looked confused. "What are you talking about?"
The bearded man smiled mysteriously: "The Unswearing Knights, have you heard of them?"
"The Unswearing Knights!"
Chris repeated it, then suddenly stood up from his chair.
Having roamed the martial world for so many years, how could he not have heard of the Unswearing Knights?
We swear an oath to the Knights, and we will not return until our mission is accomplished.
No one could find the boy's father, and the boy would never reveal who was hunting him.
This boy looks gentle and weak, but he is very determined at heart.
Therefore, Chris once thought that nothing could get the boy to talk.
Chris believes that if anyone can uncover the boy's secret, then the Knights of the Unyielding Order are the only ones capable of doing so!
Chris had given up hope of getting the ransom, but now he seemed to see hope again.
He hurriedly asked the bearded man for the exact location of the Unswearing Knights' camp.
Then he downed the rest of the beer in one gulp, finding it really unpalatable, and immediately returned to his room, taking the boy with him, and quickly left the inn.
He mounted his horse, ready to take the boy to the camp that very night.
After a while, Chris felt that he should have arrived at the location the bearded man had mentioned.
However, there were no signs of camping nearby.
Suddenly, he noticed someone rushing towards him.
That was a fully armed soldier.
No! Not just one!
Chris then realized that a large group of well-equipped soldiers had appeared around him.
He is surrounded!
Chris of the Unswearing Knights thought, "Roran lives up to his reputation!"
Chris shouted, "I'm here to see the Unswearing Knights! I have a request!"
After that, he was led to a temporary camp.
Chris was surprised, since the campsite was so close to where they had just been.
However, he was completely unaware of it.
Soon, he had the boy sent to a camp.
Upon entering, all I saw was a burly man sitting cross-legged in front of a fire pit, with a full set of armor beside him and a leg of lamb roasting on the pit.
The aroma of lamb wafted into Chris's nose, making his mouth moist.
He swallowed hard and asked:
"You're just the vice-captain of the Unswearing Knights?"
The man had a brown beard and his hair was braided.
He gave Chris a wary look, but instead of answering Chris's question, he asked in return:
"You need our help?"
"Yes?"
The man tore a piece of meat off the fire, and before it had even cooled, he put it in his mouth, chewing as he said:
"You make your request, I will listen to it, and if it can be granted, I will fulfill my mission; if it is difficult to grant, I will not shirk my responsibility."
Listening to the man's practiced rhetoric, Chris guessed that this was their usual way of speaking to clients.
Chris nodded, then pushed the boy next to him forward:
"I'll trade him for the bounty."
"Hmph!" the man chuckled. "If the Knights of the Unswearing Order wanted to find someone, why would they need to offer a bounty?"
"It's not about exchanging him for you," Chris said. "This kid has a huge bounty on his head."
"Then you can exchange it with the other party," the man said nonchalantly.
"But I don't know who put a bounty on his head."
Chris spread his left hand and took a quick step forward.
"So I'd like to ask you to exchange this boy for the reward."
These words seemed to pique the other person's interest, and he suddenly stopped reaching for the lamb leg.
He gave Chris a wary look, then looked at the boy.
Chris noticed that the man looked the boy up and down before fixing his gaze on the boy's hair, a sly smile spreading across his face.
He must already know who the boy is! Chris thought with certainty, I haven't picked the wrong person!
Rouran, the man immediately replied to Chris:
"Okay, then, how much do you want?"
Chris has a hundred gold coins, but that's the reward he received for breaking the cycle of his own fate, and he's absolutely unwilling to spend any of it.
So he said, "I am willing to pay the Unswearing Knights' bounty of three-seven."
After listening, the man stared at Chris for a few seconds, then burst into laughter.
Chris frowned. Was the offer too low?
"A 60/40 split is fine," Chris said, "or a 50/50 split."
"Just as you said, the 3:7 ratio will work."
As the man spoke, he began tearing apart the lamb leg with his hands again.
Chris smiled three times upon hearing this, and bowed, saying:
"Thanks--"
However, before Chris could finish expressing his gratitude, the man interrupted him again.
"I get seven, you get three."
Chris's eyes widened in horror, and he cried out:
"This won't do! The boy is in my hands!"
"But you're in my camp," the man said dismissively.
"How could the Unswearing Knights treat their customers who come to them like this!" Chris almost broke his voice.
He was terrified; any one of the people here could easily take his life.
"You're right, we won't harm our customers."
The man put the meat in his mouth again and sucked on his index finger while splitting his middle finger. "But I insist on getting 70% of the bounty. You have a hostage, but you're just a burden who needs to eat. We not only need to find out his identity, but we also need to go and exchange him for gold, and then we can deliver the money to your designated location."
Chris hesitated upon hearing this.
"You won't lose out," the man said. "Leave it to us, at least you won't be in danger!"
Hearing this, Chris realized the man was right and finally agreed to his request.
After finalizing the location for the Unsworn Knights to return the remaining bounty, both parties signed a settlement agreement.
Chris then left the boy at the camp.
As Chris left the camp, he felt the boy's hostile and hateful gaze.
But what does it matter? Chris thought with a smile, we'll never break noodles again!
Chris mounted his horse and happily returned to Wooltown.
He lay in his hotel room, a wide smile plastered on his face.
Chris was unhappy that he could only get 30% of the bounty.
But compared to Sanbai making one trip, this is already considered a very good Jierou.
If the gentle boy is truly worth a fortune, then Chris will receive three hundred gold coins!
That night, Chris fell asleep with a smile on his face.
The next morning, Chris found out the location of the nearest big city, mounted his horse, and prepared to go there and enjoy himself during this time.
Riding along the coastal road, smelling the fresh scent of the sea, Chris felt very relaxed.
At that moment, he saw a long ship anchored near the sea.
He was curious why the ship was anchored in the middle of the sea when there was no port.
Suddenly, he felt a sense of weightlessness, then fell to the ground and rolled away, only stopping after a long distance.
He was in excruciating pain all over his body. Looking back, he saw that the horse and the rider had been shot in the belly with arrows, and blood was flowing freely!
"Oh no!" Chris thought in alarm. "An enemy!"
Just as he was thinking this, a tingling sensation suddenly came from the back of his head.
Then, everything went black before his eyes.