The Legend

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.

“Damn it, I told you not to bother me!

But they continued to knock on the door.

– Well, that's it, someone is going to get it right now! Hort said irritatedly as he fastened his belt. As soon as he opened the door, he received a crushing blow to the bridge of his nose, from which he threw his hands up and fell flat on his back. He died even before his body touched the floor.

Una looked up, but the picture floated before her eyes. She saw a silhouette approaching her. Suddenly she felt a wet cloth covering her bare back.

– Here are the bastards, said a familiar voice and Una breathed a sigh of relief. Hold on to my neck, Tan said. After that, exhausted, he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the exit. The bodies of dead soldiers lay everywhere, but she did not notice it. Una only looked at him.

It was raining outside the window …

Chapter 4 (Renegade)

The sun blinded her eyes. When she woke up, she caught a cool breath of wind with her nose. Una was riding a horse, leaning her elbows on something solid, and at first did not understand where she was. She jerked violently.

– Hush, Tan muttered, displeased with the disturbance of the calm rhythm of movement. – How do you feel?

She glanced at him, then at the left hand, which had been finished and bandaged. The jaw ached. Dried drops of blood tickled in my nose.

–Things are good! Where are we?

“We're going north,” he said quietly. You are hungry?

– Damn!

– That is great! I also need a little rest. It is very difficult to move in the rain at night.

They turned from a forest path to a small edge, in the center of which a centuries-old tree spread its branches.

“I think this is a great place,” he said with a slight smile. Then he jumped off his horse and helped Una down. Athanasius walked over to the second horse, which was tied behind. He took off a couple of sacks and went with them to the tree. Putting them down, he noticed that Una did not move from her place and guiltily stood there where he had just put her. He exhaled heavily, took a waterskin out of the bag, and walked over to her. – I bet you are thirsty, hold! holding it out to Unya. She took and hugged him to her chest.

– Forgive me! She said.

– For what?

“For telling them where are you?

– Listen, Tan began, if you were silent, they would continue to cut off your body parts. And in the end, you would still tell them everything. Sooner or later, everyone tells. This is the point, just some people do not have enough intelligence to understand this at the very beginning. But from the way you looked, I can conclude that you held yourself with dignity. He came closer to her. – Trust me, I told a lot. I saw huge and stern men who broke like chips. You are great and you have nothing to apologize for.

She burst into tears as she hugged him. He in turn tried to comfort her and gently ran his hand through her hair.

– And thanks for coming for me!

– Well, that's enough! We don't have much time! I suppose they have already gone after us. Although, we were lucky with the weather and they will not be able to attack the trail. They will have to send many people in different directions to find us. Therefore, we can afford a little rest. So, let's see what the server gate guard so kindly lent us.

Athanasius gathered everything in a hurry, knowing that he would hardly be able to acquire provisions along the way. In addition, he understood that in order to hide his tracks, he would have to go throughout the night. But he still managed to take something useful. From the bag he took out: a piece of bacon, blood sausage, crackers, some vegetables, and a bottle of wine.

To dry his clothes a little and keep warm, Tan decided to light a fire! He collected the fallen dry branches, took out from his bosom a small leather bag, in which lay: a chair, a little flint and dry rags. And after a very short time, they were enjoying the warmth emitted by the burning tree.

– And what is this order? What did you call him? He asked, simultaneously thrusting his dagger into the fire.

– Children of the Midnight Star. It has been calculating since ancient times and is intended for one purpose only.

– What is it?

She looked at him closely. “I have vowed never to divulge ancient knowledge. The only person who can reveal it to you is the master of the order.

– What is his name?

– His name is hidden from outsiders!

“Actually, I was hoping that during these days on the road, you would enlighten me, what the hell is going on here?

– Sorry but no!

– And if I don't want to?

– What don't you want?

“Maybe I don’t want to know anything! Maybe I don't need all this!

– Do you want the truth? Raising her voice in irritation, Una asked.

– This is what I want from you!

– Then listen to Athanasius Mirra! I have followed Prince Argos for years. He often demonstrates his superiority. I saw dozens of tournaments in which he participated. Not a single person before you could hold out against him. He destroyed anyone who dared to challenge him in seconds. And then I saw your battle and I couldn't believe my eyes. You were in no way inferior to him, despite his secret!

– What secret?

– His superhuman strength and speed. But as I said, the master will tell you about everything, if you want to.