The Legend
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– Your skills also certainly deserve attention.
Argos's face showed surprise. He immediately looked at the duke.
This confidant of the Swann general, Athanasius Mirra, was pronounced by Erhard, and his speech sparked with irritation.
– You choose the moment to attack very carefully, right?
The Wotan was silent, while it was evident that he frowned. His brow ridges slid down.
“The most favorable time is at night, when there are only unarmed men, women and children in the villages,” Athanasius growled loudly.
The guests who were nearby were silent, watching the scene.
General Swann immediately turned to him. – These are the deeds of days gone by, he said, and began to take his friend away, turning him towards the exit.
– Maybe we should show you our skills, mister Mirra ?! pronounced Argos.
Tan stopped. The general's attempts to move him from his place did not lead to anything. He turned around. There was rage in his eyes. Clenching his hands into fists, he began to approach Argos. But Swann, catching up with Atanasius, whispered: – Come to your senses! What are you doing? And the red veil fell from his eyes. He looked at the duke, who was furious. His nostrils drew in eagerly, his eyes turned red, his lips narrowed into a barely visible line.
– I apologize! Mirra said, then turned around and headed for the exit.
–“How about a show fight before the opening of the celebrations,” Argos called after him.
Athanasius turned to face him, but did not approach, so as not to tempt fate.
“Arkon and Wotan,” he continued. What is not an excellent start to the celebration of the beginning of the great union – Our reconciliation! And, of course, demonstrations of fighting skills. As he spoke his last words, he grinned.
The duke, hurt by this impudent behavior, supported Argos. “So be it,” he said. Tomorrow, in the grand arena, before the opening of the celebration in honor of the peace and union of the states of Wotan and Arkon. A demonstration fight will take place. As far as I understand, the representative of Arkon has already been chosen, for there is no one who could compare with the inimitable Athanasius Mirra, Erhard said with an arrogant grin. Who will speak on behalf of Wotan? the duke turned to General Argos.
There was a deathly silence.
– I am!
***
– Athanasius! What the hell are you doing? General Swann asked him with obvious nervousness in his voice. “Forgive me, I don’t know what came over me. When I saw his eyes, it was like I was back at that time. I felt the same fear that I experienced then.
– Understand that I still have no influence on the local officials. People like the duke do not forgive such disrespectful behavior. You made a scene at his house! In his presence.
Athanasius was silent, completely lost in his thoughts. He just looked at the fire in General Swann's fireplace and recalled the horror from his childhood. Time has stopped for him.
– You must understand, continued Swann, I'm not worried about what you will do, this guy, on the contrary, breathed out Swan, I'm afraid that after you, he will be carried out of the circle on a stretcher.
– So what? Tan spoke indifferently, not taking his eyes off the fire.
– And then, Svan said sadly, that he is the son of King Orm.
Tan looked up, and in his eyes was read the gravity of what had happened.
– So, you will immediately pack your things and leave the city. I will say that you have recovered with my urgent report to the leadership of the Marne Corps and …
Tan interrupted him without listening to his friend's proposal. – I'll perform tomorrow!
– What the devil !? Didn't you hear me now !?
– I heard everything perfectly. But I will stay and take this fight. All my life I have been trying to forget my past. But in truth, I always knew that I could not escape from it, it is part of me. I became what I became. You can't change me. And tomorrow this arrogant bastard will get his. And then … Come what may.
***
He was nervous, putting on the last piece of his combat suit. These were the gloves Bert had given him. The morning was frosty. The air was damp and cold. Through the window opening, he looked at the sky, which was covered with clouds. They replaced each other and became darker and darker. – Yeah, not the best weather to start the holiday, Tan thought. – It looks like the rain is inevitable. But that didn't really bother him. He fought in much worse weather conditions. And now he was ready. But something did not give rest. He probably guessed that his fate would not remain the same anymore. He sat and thought about his mother. He remembered her last words, her farewell look, and a wild longing for her burst into his soul.
His thoughts were interrupted by a man in a long robe, apparently one of the organizers of the celebration. With great respect, he turned to Tan: "Mr. Mirra, it's time to get out." After these words, Tan stood up. He went over to the scabbard lying on the table and pulled out a sword. His comrade-in-arms, as always, was magnificent, sharpened and polished. Do not enter the circle yet, not yet entering the arena of the amphitheater, he heard the rumble of the crowd through the walls. Tan did not know how many people were there, but he guessed that a huge number of people would come to such an event. When the gigantic shutters opened in front of him, he suddenly remembered how General Swann had come to him a couple of hours ago. Before leaving for his seat on the balcony of the large arena, Swann hugged him, smiling slightly. However, Tan felt his close friend was nervous. In response, he also smiled and they both silently looked into each other's eyes for a while. Out of habit, he slapped Tan on the shoulder and said: – Don't hit him too hard, okay ?! Then he laughed and withdrew into the darkness of the corridor.
There he smiled, remembering this, and moved through the invisible wall that separated him from the crowd.
He walked to the center of the circle to an approving noise, looking around, and marveled at the scale of the amphitheater. It seemed to the spectators that a whole army had gathered. He saw that all the seats, both standing and sitting, were taken. Representatives of all classes were here. Common people were shouting, having fun, everyone was in high spirits. But suddenly, on the opposite side of the circle, the shutters of the doors also began to open. At that moment, Tan stopped hearing the crowd. In the depths of the opening that had opened, there was impenetrable darkness, and he saw Argos emerge from it. Dressed in all black, he approached our hero with a confident gait. Coming closer, Tan noticed that he had never seen such strange protection in his life. She was whole from foot to neck. Tan did not notice a single seam or a single rope on it. The material did not look like metal hidden under the skin, but rather like wet clay. The torso was made in the shape of a human body. The armor had thickening on the arms and legs. In the area of the ribs, a round sign with unknown runes and lines that crossed each other was distinguished. The only thing that differed from monolithic armor was the traditional Voton schenti.
Before each of his battles, he saw excitement and fear in the eyes of the enemy. Lack of confidence in their abilities. But now everything was different, it seemed to him that Argos was even slightly grinning and the corners of his lips were raised. Suddenly, a horn sounded shrilly throughout the amphitheater, announcing the beginning of a week-long celebration. The man who spoke into the large brass megaphone happily announced that King Virgil and Duke Erhard are now present in the large arena. After a speech of eulogy addressed to His Majesty, the Duke took the floor as he walked out to the edge of the royal balcony. He also began to congratulate the people and praise the world, then introduced the two participants in the battle, saying that, before the start of the celebration, a demonstration battle would be fought between two representatives of the once warring races. In which blows to the head with a sword are prohibited.