The Legend
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***
It was a grueling ten days. Due to the fact that the meeting was to begin fourteen days after the departure from the "Marne" building, it was necessary to walk seventy miles a day. Everyone was pretty tired. But it was necessary. And now ten days passed, and the general with his retinue was already approaching the borders of Anamut. It was immediately clear that this was the capital of a prosperous state. Long before the city itself, wretched hovels and shacks had replaced houses skillfully crafted by Mister Wood, with gardens, vineyards and landscaped grounds. Increasingly, patrols and checkpoints began to come across on the way. During these 10 days, the cloudless sky with the blazing sun changed to a more welcoming one with islands of clouds, but still sunny and blue. After another couple of miles the city appeared. The first thing that a traveler saw approaching the capital was two standing towers about 100 meters high, which settled above the rooftops and divided the city into northern and southern parts. One of the towers was occupied by the scientists of Anamut, and in the other there were soldiers who guarded the city. In the center was the king's castle. Although it would be more accurate to say, it was a complex of structures, which also included the future workplace of General Swann, the Anamut conglomerate. The meetings of which were attended by various representatives of state authorities, ranging from the military and ending with the masters of coins.
There were, of course, several passages to the city, but the central and largest was the Royal Gateway.
The general and his companions were in riding clothes, therefore, when they entered the capital, no one paid much attention to them. Another military who arrived in the city.
– Athanasius, find yourself a room in any of the visiting houses. And buy yourself some new clothes. You, however, are my confidant and in four days you will go with me to Duke Erhard. Bercy and I will stay at the Royal Guest Palace, at his invitation. You have a couple of days to spare, so don't waste them. Smiling at each other, they shook hands, and Tan headed towards his horse.
Suddenly the general called out to him. Turning around, he saw Swann throw something at him. After catching it, Tan realized that it was a bag of coins. He raised his head and looked at his old friend in bewilderment.
– Why are you looking at me like that, Athanasius? asked Swann, not hiding a smile. It is the king who pays you, not me. Then he climbed on a horse and with his retinue went further, deep into the city, where he was lost in a second among the people and stalls.
There he looked at the bag, smiled, tossed it with his palm and immediately caught it. Well, since the king pays for everything …
Chapter 2 (Broken Sword)
She lay on the bed and was fast asleep, her arms clasped to her chest. The sun had already risen and with its rays was trying to break into the room through the cracks between the curtains. He tied the laces on his pants and did not take his eyes off her back, remembering the night before. From what, warmth spread through the body, and a pleasant shiver ran. To be honest, he didn't want to leave, but he always felt awkward in the morning. Her name was Gertie. A typical name for an urban peasant woman. But working as a courtesan was much more profitable. He took a coin from the bag and placed it on a nearby bedside table. It was golden. About her monthly salary, but he was not in the least sorry for him. She honestly earned it by giving affection and love to Athanasius. He put on his shirt and quietly walked out, praying not to wake her up.
When he went down the steps and went out into the street, the merchants, beggars, common people, were already pouring out into the street and doing their own thing, as it seemed to them important to them. He looked up at the sky, which was covered with islands of clouds. What a blue and incredibly beautiful, Tan thought. Then he walked slowly up the street. Thus began his second day. The first, he spent looking for a room and washing himself of the dust from the field. The room in a drive-through house called "Spattering Efa", on the ground floor of which there was a small tavern, was quite tolerable and was not cheap by the city's standards. Having paid the owner of the house, for high-quality cleaning and looking after his room, during the absence of the guest, Athanasius went to the city. After passing a couple of streets, the pleasant name "Naked Chest" caught his eye. When he entered the establishment, he was immediately greeted by the hostess, who kindly inquired about the client's name, where he was from, and his preferences. And after a short conversation, she took me to the room, where Gertie came a couple of minutes later. It seemed to him that for a girl of her profession, she entered the room too timidly. Gertie was extremely sweet and polite. And after a couple of mugs of ale, not a trace of Athanasius's embarrassment remained. It was a wonderful night, and it seemed to him that Gertie was also delighted. Although one cannot plead with the fact that, like any craft, this is also taught, and perhaps it was just a skillfully played role. But this was the matter of last night, and now Tan had a task no less difficult than a sortie into the enemy's camp. He needed to find new pants and boots. He was very demanding and attached to his things. The same was true for clothing. Athanasius knew that buying new clothes from him could take all day. But Gertie advised him a couple of decent places where he would not be deceived and he might be able to find something for himself. Approaching the first place, near the entrance, Tan noticed a boy who was playing the pity. Having earned a little, he went inside. "Gostra Golka" is the name of the tailor's establishment. But, having heard from Tan his wishes, he said that there are not many craftsmen in the city who sew good-quality clothes for soldiers. Because it should be not only beautiful, but also durable, practical, comfortable and of course should contain the elements of protection. But he knows one such master and will gladly show the way. The tailor went out into the street and called the very boy who was sitting next to the entrance. When the boy entered, the tailor introduced him as his little son named Tin. Then he turned to the boy and said that he would take him to his uncle Bert, to which he silently nodded and went out into the street. Thanking the owner of the workshop, Athanasius went out after the youth. About a quarter of an hour later, the boy took Tana into some remote house, unremarkable, without any signs about the workshop located in it. But, opening the door, he immediately realized that he had come to the right place. There was a dim light from candles and oil lamps. The windows are curtained. There were wooden mannequins everywhere, as well as stacks of production material. Tan realized that the sewing man here knew his craft well. Tan also noticed metal plates and scabbard blanks. In the depths of the corridor, a strong man appeared, but as he approached, it was evident that he was already at an advanced age. The man approached Tan and greeted him with his right hand to his chest.
– You are military? Tan asked, somewhat surprised.
– Once it was, the old man answered.
– How do you understand about me?
– You have a military bearing, a very strong physique, and you also have a special look.
– And which one?
– A look of sadness and valor.
Tan was about to ask him another question, but the old man unceremoniously interrupted him.
I guess you're here to pick up a pair of new pants, not to bang out, huh?
That's right, and he told him about his vision of excellent and quality clothing.
The old man listened indifferently to him, then took measurements and said that by tomorrow morning everything would be ready. Everything will be delivered to his guest house. Athanasius thanked him, paid, and went out with Tin.
– And your uncle is silent, turned to the guy Tan.
– It's right.
– Where did he fight?
“I don’t know, he never talks about it.
– Remind me of his name?
– Uncle Bert.
Clear. Well, come on, I'll show you where you need to bring your clothes tomorrow.
***
That evening, Tan did not abuse alcohol and spent time sharpening his sword. And before going to bed I organized a little workout for myself. As usual, he woke up before dawn after another nightmare. Sitting on the bed, he looked at the ammunition standing in the corner and the sharpened sword standing in the same place. Athanasius thought that he would gladly smash their head, the bastard who constantly came to him in his dreams. Rising slowly out of bed, he went to the window. Looking at the city awakening from sleep, he realized that he liked it more like that. Quiet, majestic and most importantly, without people. Maybe this is due to what happened to him in childhood, or perhaps due to his character traits, Athanasius loved loneliness. Not that he was a hermit of spiritual dreams, but long communication tired him. He loved silence and loved to be alone with himself. Many of his colleagues considered him strange, some rude, some even dangerous, but each of them knew Tan was smart. During the battles, like no one else, he made the right decisions with lightning speed, which helped to save dozens of lives. For this, in the army, Tan enjoyed indisputable authority. Every soldier dreamed of being in his squad, because this at least guaranteed a greater probability of survival.
Even yesterday, Tan noticed preparations in the city for a council of war and the celebration of the union of Arkon and Vauton. The entire elite of the armed forces will gather in the city, in addition, the allies will be present at the council, including King Orme.
There was a knock at the door. Tan had expected this, so not a muscle in his face quivered as the silence was ripped apart by blows to wood. He threw on a towel and walked to the door. Opening it, he found Tina standing near the door, in whose hands were three packages. Without saying anything, Tan walked away from the door and approached the place where his clothes were folded. Putting his hand down to the bottom, he pulled out a bag of coins.
– Put everything on the bed.
Ting did just that. Then Atanasius handed the boy a copper and, patting the guy on the head, thanked him for his work. Leaving the room, Ting was very pleased with himself. You could read it on his face.
Then Tan lit an oil lamp in order to better see what the boy brought him. Opening the first package, he found leather pants with skillfully sewn protection in the form of metal plates. Opening the second package, he found high boots in it. Having examined them better, Tan realized that these boots have several additional details that he did not discuss with the tailor. First, the toe and heel of the boot were reinforced with metal inserts. In addition, the boots had a lacing with three fasteners in the front, along the entire length of the boot and looked very solid. Tan involuntarily smiled, having received aesthetic pleasure from what he saw, and in fact it is very difficult for him to please. Then his gaze fell on the third bundle. The agreement was only about pants and boots, and he could not put his mind to what was in it. Carefully opening the package, he saw that it contained gloves, which were also reinforced with sewn metal plates for the most severe strike in hand-to-hand combat.