Макс Хоффер - The Legend

The old man was held by two, one more began to run around the rooms and examine them. Tan knew he needed help, but he was useless now. Due to injury, his defense would simply not be effective.

– I'm losing my patience, old man! The sound of steel stripping was heard. Then Bert said, “I'm sorry gentlemen, really sorry.

And then there was a crash from the fall of the body to the floor, fuss, fuss, screams and moans from incredible pain began. Blows, falls, more bumps.

It was unbearable for Athanasius to sit and watch the murder of the man who had just saved his life. Realizing that this was most likely the end, he abruptly got up, climbed the steps and tried to open the cellar!

– What are you doing? Una asked in a whisper.

The lid was latched on the back. The fight from above continued, and this indicated that Bert was still alive. With a growl, the Tan began to beat the wooden hatch with his elbow. The boards cracked, but didn't give in. Once again, he tried to strike, but stumbled and fell, rolling down the stairs to the ground. Suddenly he realized that the fussing above had stopped. – I didn't have time, it was spinning in his head. They heard the rug pull back. Then Tan realized that he had given away their location while trying to get out. The lock opened and light burst into the dark closet. To his great surprise, Bert's face was looking at him. He was bleeding from his nose and mouth.

– Come up. He said in a tired voice.

Tan and Una exchanged glances. Then she stood up abruptly and helped Athanasius to his feet. All four soldiers were lying on the floor, some of them no longer breathing. Bert, like the room, was covered in their blood. Athanasius looked around, then his gaze fell on the old man.

– Who are you?

– My name is Grubert Ebiner.

Tan's mouth fell open in surprise. Wait a minute, that same Grubert Ebiner? War hero?

– He's the one, the old man croaked. But after reconciliation, they tried to forget everything that reminded of the war, including me. But damn it, it's nice to flex your fists sometimes. He smiled and immediately his legs buckled. Athanasius managed to catch him and slowly put him on the floor.

Tan's hand holding his back was covered in blood. Grubert's clothes were pulled up and on the back, under the clothes there was a puncture wound, from which blood flowed along with air bubbles.

“A lung pierced,” Athanasius told him in despair. Una began to say that he urgently needed to be taken to the hospital, but Grubert said: “It's all over for me, but I don't regret anything. In my heart I felt that I had to help you. In the back room there is an old tapestry on the wall, remove it, behind it there will be a door to a secret room. – Here, this is for you! Byrd ripped the chain with a small key from his neck and handed it to Athanasius. There you will find everything you need, good luck to both of you. After that, he peacefully closed his eyes that will never open again. Silence fell …

He swallowed hard, and then put his right hand to his chest, paying the last tribute to the great man. Then he got up and walked with a determined gait to the back room, where Grubert pointed. On the opposite wall from the entrance hung an antique tapestry depicting a battle scene. Tearing off the canvas, a small but thick metal door appeared before his eyes. He slipped the key into his mask and turned it surprisingly gently. Outside the door, sheer darkness reigned. Tan took the oil lamp and went inside. Una followed him carefully. When the light lit up the contents of the room, she said with undisguised surprise: – Yes, this can arm a whole squad.

The weapons room appeared before their eyes. On the walls and on the floor were placed: weapons, armor and shields, skillfully made, but wrapped in a large layer of dust. In the center of this room was a stone plinth. On it were: a brigantine, bracers and a scabbard with a sword. They were all done in the same style with lions. The way these items were made, it could be concluded that a lot of money was spent on their creation. “With gratitude from the king!” Read the inscription on the bronze tablet. They vegetated for a long time in this pitch darkness.

But their dream was over!

***

Putting on the armor of Grubert, he asked Unu to tighten the brigantine from the sides.

– You said that they want to talk to me?

– Right.

– Who?

– Master of the Order of the Children of the Midnight Star and one of the initiates.

– Initiates? Into what?

– Let's just say, after talking with him, your world will not be the same.

– Hmm, we'll see.

They both donned gray hooded capes and left the house.

Of all the abundance of weapons, Una took only a dagger with her.

Common people have already started pouring out into the streets. There were no soldiers in the vicinity, which could neither please.

– Where is your master waiting for us?

– In a place called Arna. North of Anamut.

– Long away?

– Two days' journey.

Tan said indignantly in two. – Out of the question.

– Why?

“I must avenge General Swann and Grubert.

– You still have such an opportunity. But first, you must speak to the master.

– What for?

– Because he will open your eyes! It is important!

***

When they entered, Tan could not even imagine that the old, shabby barn, from the inside, would look pretty passable.

– This is the place, in case of emergency, if there is an urgent need to get out of the city, said Una. She pushed the old chair away from the corner of the shed and began to tear the planks off the floor. When she finished, she reached into the niche that had formed and took out a bag of coins.

– And you are very organized!

– Thank you, my father taught me everything. And suddenly she met his gaze. There was silence. Embarrassed, Una lowered her eyes and continued: – I will go, arrange for the horses and a safe exit from the city, buy provisions and scout out the situation, while you lie down and rest. You will need strength.

Tan didn't mind. Moreover, most likely, a paper with his physiognomy and a sum of remuneration is already hanging on every pillar and house, and the herald is competing in eloquence to make him the last bastard. But instead of a bed, he sat down on a chair, placing it opposite the entrance and placing the scabbard with the sword on his lap. Then he closed his eyes. Una opened the door to get out, but then Atanasius said: – Thank you.

She stopped and looked at him. His eyes were still closed. Smiling, Una left, closing the door behind her and hanging the padlock.

***

He woke up, chilled to the bone. The sun did not break through the cracks between the boards, which meant it was night, Tan thought. Rising from the chair, he caught himself thinking that the pain in his side had practically passed, and he could move without much discomfort. But Una's absence worried him. He wildly wanted to eat, his stomach "rumbled" with displeasure. Tan lit a candle and tried to find food, but to no avail. But I found an excellent whetstone on the shelf. Faced with defeat, he decided to pass the time by sharpening his sword. The sword was glorious, Ancalite steel, a comfortable handle, perfectly balanced, it lay in the hand like a native.

On the street I heard someone talking and laughing. A group of people was approaching the barn. Athanasius abruptly stopped his work and began to listen attentively to what was happening on the street.

– Ahahahahahaha, if she told the truth, ahahahahahaha, I will make him kiss my boots! Said a rough voice.

– No, no, if he is really there, then I will lead him through the streets absolutely naked, ahahahahaha! – said a voice belonging to a young guy.

– Enough, you fools, be more serious – said the third. I doubt that he is sitting locked in a shed, waiting to be captured. She just gave herself some time. But at least we can profit from what is inside. Considering what she had with her, I hope she hid much more here.

“So it seems to be here,” said a gruff voice.

– It seems, answered the third. – Yunas, open the door.

– Yes! the guy said enthusiastically.

Tan, stepped back and hid behind an old canopy hanging on the wall.

A few seconds later three men entered the barn. They were the guards of the city gates. They had characteristic stripes on the right sleeve in the form of two towers. The one that was in charge was without armor at all.

– Which was required to prove, he said. The girl deceived us. Oh, and the boss won't like it. We do not waste time and get to work.

– Heh, a man with a thick beard on his face and a rough voice laughed, who began to rummage on a wooden shelf nailed to the wall. “I think she’ll lose another finger for that, and then Hort will give her to us.” Here I will show her a real man, he said with a laudatory smile.

After these words, his head split in two. Blood and brains splashed in all directions. It collapsed silently, taking the wooden shelf with it. The other two did not even have time to understand what happened. Athanasius trotted across the barn, knocking out the teeth of the young guy along the way with a blow of his hand. In two jumps, he was next to the third. He tried to remove the sword from its scabbard, but the sharp steel severed his hand and dug deeply to the side, cutting the body to the spine. He let out a shrill cry and immediately fell down dead. Tan turned and walked slowly towards the guy who was on all fours. His whole face was covered in blood. The pupils were dilated, and the eyes were chaotically looking for salvation.

– Where's she? growled Tan.

The guy's jaw was broken and his teeth were knocked out. He explained with difficulty that she was being held in custody at the northern gate of the city.

– How many Soldiers are there?

He showed seven fingers. Then he received another blow to the face, from which he lost consciousness. Tan quickly put on a gray hooded cloak and walked out.

***

It was raining outside the window …

– Well, well, well, Hort said affectionately, stroking Unu's head.

Her face was smashed, her clothes were torn and stained with blood. She pressed her hands chained to her chest. On the left, part of the little finger was cut off.

“If you told the truth and my guys bring him here, I promise I won't hurt you anymore. But for cutting one of the guards, I'm afraid I will have to hand you over to the law. However, if you cheated, and he is not there, then I am afraid that this night will seem to you the longest in your life. Here, drink! and he threw a glass of water in Unya's face. “In general, you are very beautiful,” said Hort. Then he thought a little and turned to his guard, who was also in the room and was working on the cut on his leg: – Go out and see that no one comes in, and for one thing, look, why the hell are these mediocrities making so much noise there. He, in turn, obediently got up and hobbled to the door. As the door closed, Hort walked over to the decanter of wine. Without haste, he poured himself a mug, and after draining it in one gulp, he began to unfasten the belt on his pants. “You know, I’ll probably do you a favor. For what you have done, you will be put in prison, and for a long time you will not see a man who can please you. But luckily for you, I'm ready to help you with this, he slowly moved towards her, going behind her. “It’s in your best interest to be good. After these words, he tore her clothes, exposing the delicate skin on her back.

At that moment the door banged.