The Legend
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Tan had already taken a fighting stance, but then Erhard said: – And at the end of my speech, I am proud and with great pleasure, I present to you, our guest, King Orm. The doors to the royal box opened, and King Orme walked into the balcony, dressed in beautiful black robes with gold embroidery.
I was dumbfounded there. His mouth opened involuntarily. He just couldn't believe what he was seeing. Before his gaze, the face of the past has just appeared. Next to King Virgil, smiling, stood the one who killed the inhabitants of his village 30 years ago. Someone who is involved in the death of his parents. His face has aged slightly. Combat clothes changed to royal ones, but it was him. Orm sat down on a chair next to the king and the duke bellowed: "Let the battle begin!"…
***
I fight after the last words of Erhard, drums sounded like thunder. Their sound was picked up by the harp, and some kind of wind instruments.
Athanasius came to his senses only after an attempt by Argos to strike from above. Tan, withdrew from the line of attack, pushing the corps back, and now all his attention was riveted on Argos. Argos made a couple of preparatory actions and struck with lightning speed from the bottom up. Tan repulsed his sword with a backhand, but immediately the opponent tried to make a stab in the stomach, turning on its own axis. Although it was difficult, Tan left the line of attack, but Argos did not yield and continued to test the strength of Athanasius's defense. The fighters moved in so much music. The crowd rejoiced at the confrontation they saw. King Orm did not leave a smile, with pleasure, and King Virgil, on the contrary, was focused, because his fighter was still only defending himself.
Tan had sweat on his face, but his eye was still hard. His few counterattacks, choked with the speed of the movements of Argos. Never before had he found himself in such a difficult situation. To say that Tan was surprised is to say nothing. It seemed that all this time, in battle, in no way affected the prince. He was fresh, breathing evenly, unlike Tan, who was already greedily sucking in air through his nostrils. Argos' attacks were accompanied by a smirk on his haughty face.
But Tan was experienced and intelligent. He noticed even minor things. And once again, when Argos tried to strike with a jab in the area of his chest, Tan took the body to the side and with all his might struck in the right side of Argos, who was strengthened by the gloves presented to him. And what was his surprise that from the blow Argos did not even frown, and Tan felt as if he had smashed against the wall. – Your mother, what the hell was spinning in the head of our hero. What the hell is this armor made of? Tan managed to catch Argos several more times. He hit other parts of his body, but the effect was the same.
It seems that, and Argos did not meet a rival like Tan. It was evident that intermittent swallowing of air had replaced his calm, moderate breathing. Tan stared into his eyes, he stared back. Faint memories of the past appeared in Athanasius's head, and after the prince's rough attack with the sword and then the body, Tan fell to the ground, being on his knee. It was as if a horse had hit him. Her breath caught. Moisture and coldness settled in his lungs. Tan could not resist and had to clear his throat. Argos walked around him in circles, and no trace of his smile remained. Then, with a vicious grin, he raised his sword and slashed with superhuman speed, aiming at the head. The people gasped! No one would have been able to react. No one. But Tan, managed to give the body movement forward, and dived under the right arm of Argos, while pushing off the ground with his foot. He aimed his left fist at his jaw. Argos tried to dodge, but Athanasius was so quick that he was able to hit the prince and hit on a tangent. However, this was enough for Argos to lose his balance and fall, dropping his sword.
The rain began to drizzle. Athanasius glanced at the royal box. King Orme was darker than the night. There was such rage in his eyes that it seemed that he could kill at a distance. His gaze slowly moved from his son to his rival. The same damn look, Tan thought.
Argos noticed that Tan was completely infatuated with his father. He quickly raised his sword and struck as quickly as he could. Tan only managed to substitute his sword. The blow was so powerful that the vibration of the collision of the swords raced throughout the body. Then another blow, and another. On the final blow, Tan put his sword mechanically, without even seeing it. There was a clang, and Athanasius's sword shattered.
The music stopped. The entire amphitheater fell silent. There was silence. The rain began to pour in full force.
– Ufffff, gasped Argos, not taking his eyes off Thane. They looked at each other for a while, then Argos spoke: – Do you think this is the end? he said with hatred. – You're wrong! After these words, he threw his sword aside. “You disgraced me in front of my father. Get up motherfucker! Tan barely got up, leaning on his knee, seeing off his comrade on the last journey, the fragments of which were strewn across the circle.
Quickly closing the distance, the prince struck with his right then left hand. Tan staggered backward, covering his head with his hands. At that moment, two severe blows to the body flew to him. Tan counterattacked, but in vain. A barrage of blows rained down his face and body. Each blow felt like a hammer blow. My head was buzzing. My ears were ringing. In the eyes of an impenetrable veil. Only a few seconds separated Tana from unconsciousness. He swayed like a leaf in the wind, but still standing. Blood ran down his battered face. Everything seemed to freeze and at that moment, Tan received a blow to the head with an insane force.
He fell, no longer to the ground, but into the arms of darkness, and only the sound of erupting water from heaven connected him with reality!
Chapter 3 (New Friend)
Tan barely opened his eyes. The light was blinding to him. He grimaced in pain. And even the very contraction of the muscles on the face caused pain. He groaned slightly. How his face hurt.
Seeing that Tan woke up, the hospital's nurse immediately ran up to him and, putting her hands on her shoulders, quietly but affirmatively said: "You cannot get up, Mr. Mirra." You have a severe concussion, as well as a dislocated lower jaw, bruised ribs and kidneys. Tan made a heart-rending sound again.
– Where I am? He asked with a shiver in his swollen lips.
– You're in the hospital. You were brought here after the battle. Do you remember?
Tan was silent as if trying to remember what had happened in the past couple of days. He tried to collect all the books on the shelves in his library of the mind, which was smashed by Prince Argos. Then he sat up. His head was spinning.
“He’s stubborn,” said the sister, and forcibly pushed him back to the hospital bed. You only make it worse.
– I have to talk to General Swann, with the last of his strength Tan mumbled, after which he lost consciousness.
***
His father was sitting at a table in a huge oak armchair. On his right hand stood a servant, head bowed. And his back was guarded by two armed soldiers, the best of the best in their field. Dinner was already served with various dishes and treats. In the middle of the table there was a beautiful composition of berries and fruits, around which jugs of wine were dancing in an intricate pattern. Most of the candles were extinguished. Twilight has always been his father's companion. Flames leapt from a nearby fireplace, and the crackling of a burning tree echoed from the high walls of the castle. It was a hunting room with various trophies hanging on the wall. The muzzles of the slain beasts with glass eyes looked down on the arriving guest.