I already said: with Master Avinius. Eleon, my student, also saw it. I still have the key to the prison with me.
At these words, Aviniuss face changed:
Who are you listening to, gentlemen! Ilan has gone crazy and deprived his student of his will! Or maybe they also became faithful?
He tried to snatch the key coin from Ilans hands, but Sorenius was ahead of the head of the brotherhood.
We must investigate the case before we think about conclusions!
Sorenius, I order you! Give this item to me! the old man extended his bony hand.
Sorry, master, I respect you, but I cant do this! Well just see what kind of key my brother brought to the Council!
The old man rushed at the careless subordinate, but Sorenius was able to easily cope with the master. Then he brought the round object to the mirror, where the image of Avinius appeared. All those gathered gasped at once, looking from the old man in the hall to another, looking through the looking glass.
Who you are? Sorenii took the initiative, turning to the reflection.
I, dear Sorenius, master Avinius, Master of the Brotherhood of Defenders Crown, member which, as I remember, you are too,» the reflection in the mirror made some manipulations with its hands. Avinius, the one who was in hall meeting, fell to the floor. Everyone present knew that the old man mastered the Light spell perfectly, so hundreds of white wands were aimed at the impostor. Instead of the old man, a young man was already sitting there.
Tion?! You! After all, the teacher trusted you! He must be killed! Immediately! Sorenius commanded.
Please, dont kill! I can still become useful! Ill tell you everything I know! Tion was almost sobbing, crawling on his knees.
And what do you know? How betray? To your workshop betrayal we already believe. We also know that those who once betrayed will repeat this again and again,» said Sorenii.
I dont know much. But please! Just dont kill,» the actor kept crawling on his knees.
Who put me in prison? asked Avinius.
Dont know!
Is it true?! Sorenius asked indignantly.
OK! OK! This Khan! Khan ordered the thugs to imprison Avinius. He appointed me instead of him in parliament and brotherhood.
Who?!! asked the surprised Sorenii.
«Royal Advisor Khan,» the prisoner repeated again.
What is he talking about! And why do you think he needs all this? Ilan asked.
He needs a crown!
What? While alive king! Sorenius smiled incredulously.
He will kill Henry at the Autumn Festival!
You know, friend. Even Khan cant do it. Its Ilans turn to smile.
Already under strength. Day before yesterday he stole a black staff from the Vault.
Panic ran across the faces of those present.
«You dont joke with such things,» Sorenius said seriously.
Im not joking! And further. None of you will live until the morning! Now
Pseudo-Avinius did not finish speaking. He began to frantically scratch his shoulder, then pulled off his sleeve. The letter «B» was blazing there, and the impostors body turned to ashes in a few seconds.
«This is a seal of loyalty,» said Sorenius. Such magic beyond the power of any sorcerer. We are indeed dealing with a conspiracy. We must inform the king about the black staff!
A sharp knock on the door. Then another one. The next blow shatters the door, and an entire army rushes into the room. At the head of the soldiers who entered was Simon, Head of the Royal Guard. The man appears to be about fifty years old.
Hello, Simon! To what do we owe the appearance of such an important person? Sorenius asked.
«In the name of the king, all members of the brotherhood are declared outlaws,» Simon said impartially, not paying attention to Sorenius. Hand over all weapons. You are sentenced to life imprisonment.
But there are many more soldiers than members of the brotherhood!
Ilan, with an imperceptible movement, grabbed the key coin and handed it to Eleon.
You must convey to the ruler everything that you have recently seen. Avinius will be your witness. You will find a map of the Country in my house. Dont hesitate! You have a little more than two months, but time will not stand still!
He made a barely noticeable movement, and a portal appeared behind the albino. Ilan pushed Eleon, and he fell onto a plane that was supposed to move him many miles away.
***
A small house in the middle of the forest, which always smells of myrtle. Here he spent several years under the supervision of a teacher who made him a powerful magician. Eleon grabbed the card lying on the table. He collected food in a bag and mounted his horse. The road is not close, but time is running out.
Just a few days ago he again entered the hall where that fateful meeting of the Brotherhood took place. And I found here only the corpses of true friends. Now he is the last one left from the Brotherhood of Defenders of the Crown, and who, if not him, will protect the king? But among the other bodies he did not find Ilan.
Maybe hes still alive?
***
Eleon ordered himself another glass of beer. After a long story, everyone went deeper into their thoughts. Dorian kept remembering his beloved, and Eleon remembered his murdered comrades.
The sunset spilled colors onto the endless canvas of the sky, and suddenly it became possible to take a break from the annoying heat.
The central square was filled with people.
Lord, what does all this mean? Dorian was unable to hide his emotions.
«Watch in silence,» said Eleon.
Surrounded by a crowd of onlookers, stood five people in black cloaks with hoods.
«The law states that illegal magic must be punished with all severity and without delay!» said one of them.
He used magic illegally! said our recent acquaintance one of Halfrids sons, and pulled Teddy into the center of the circle, trying to resist.
No, please, hes lying!
There is only one way to check this! said one of the inquisitors, removing his hood and smiling ominously. Silence suddenly reigned in the square. The ancient spirit of Justice will help us judge. ILLIGULUS! he shouted, throwing his hands up. Teddy suddenly fell to the floor, writhing in pain. He tried to cover his face with his hands, but the spell knew no barriers. Not even a few seconds had passed before the poor fellow was no longer moving.
Oh my God! Isnt this a dream? Dorian closed his eyes, then opened them again. Blinked. He pinched his elbow. But the picture hasnt changed.
May the Great Spirit of Justice be glorified! the five inquisitors shouted in one voice. Lead the next one!
The young man now stood in the center of the circle. One man emerged from the crowd.
NO! He is not guilty! This is all slander!
Dont be humiliated, father, I beg you! It doesnt affect them.
The Spirit of Justice will judge! said the same one, in a black cloak. He never takes innocent people! ILLIGULUS!
The guy remained standing where he was. Nothing happened.
The Spirit spared you that means you are innocent. He only takes magicians who do not have the right to practice witchcraft. But now we need to check your sister, is he as innocent as you?!
The young black-haired girl was thrown at the feet of the executioners. She stood up proudly and spat in the face of the inquisitor who had so short-sightedly removed his hood.
«I hope you pay with your life for this,» he said, wiping his face.
Eleon already realized that the girl was guilty if an innate gift can be considered a sin. He had a personal account with the Anti-Witch League. After all, thanks to them, he ended up in this foreign place!
Dorian, Ive only known you for a short time. But tell me, will you stay with me? My path is thorny and full of dangers, so I would advise you to leave the square. But if you go, will you be with me to the end, earth?
Dorian, speechless, could only shake his head.
Great. Then go towards the forest, well meet you there. Get ready to run.
I didnt have to repeat it twice. Dorian took small steps towards the endless line of trees.
The wolf raised his hand, and the two in black hoods fell to the ground, as if from an invisible blow. The chief has already raised his hands. But he didnt have time to say the cherished spell. He grabbed his throat, as if someone was strangling him with an invisible rope. Eleon, taking advantage of the general confusion, threw the girl over his shoulder. Pushing aside the crowd, he squeezed into the forest, where it would be more difficult to find the fugitives.
Stop them! shouted the inquisitor in an imperious tone, who never took revenge for the spit on his face. But the crowd suddenly closed in, preventing the order from being carried out. Everyone in the village loved the clerk and his family.
You pathetic people! Do you even understand who you are contacting? Move away quickly!
The five inquisitors extended their hands forward, and red lightning streamed from them. The crowd parted. The executioners began to make their way through the resulting passage, but their path was blocked by the brother of the condemned woman, who was given life.
Move away! said the one without the hood.
Only over my dead body!
Youre welcome! said the judge, and lightning from his hands killed the young man. Here the exclamation of the father of the family was heard:
After all, he was innocent! You promised him life and killed him! This is how you serve your spirit of Justice! lightning from his eyes pierced the killers head, and he fell to the ground. No one in the village knew that the clerk was such a powerful magician that he could defeat the anti-mage centurion alone! But coping with five is an unprecedented thing, so the man had no choice but to run deep into the forest, following in the footsteps of his daughter and her saviors.
And his enemies literally stepped on his heels, not giving him a second of rest
Chapter 3. The secret of Advisor Khan.
One single window among the cold stone walls of the castle. Near the window there is a wooden table, a lit candle on it sends an uncertain light to the bored walls.
Royal Councilor Khan, the head of Parliament, sat in the room and studied the new denunciation under the rhythmic crackling of a candle that filled the whole room with a burning smell, and his little daughter played in the next room. He is not tall, he looks like he is fifty years old, but there is not a single gray hair on his jet-black curls.
Nobody liked the Advisor, not even the ruler. He was born into a poor family, but his tenacious mind quickly gave him a path to life. Khan is cunning and uncompromising, so he quickly surpassed his comrades. And luck is always on his side. Avinius at the last moment refused the post of Royal Advisor, tormented by remorse for raising Dell, a dark magician. But in vain! When it comes to power, it is better to go all the way. There is no place for being too sentimental in politics!
The years went by, but Khan did not change, he only became more cunning and resourceful. Even the death of his wife did not become a reason to be kinder and more compliant. (Although there were persistent rumors that he himself killed the poor woman people love to talk). He always worked tirelessly, trying to find those who wanted to screw him. The paranoia probably came from the former king.
There was a guard outside the door. It was ordered not to let anyone in. Therefore, nothing could prevent the head of Parliament from working.
It was early spring, and the evenings were often still cold. But he, all in his thoughts, did not even notice how it became even colder, even for March, although the windows were closed: Khan was afraid of being struck by a spell of lightning or other death at the hands of enemies. And there was a reason: many hated the Advisor. There was a noise behind the door.
What is there again! the Advisor was indignant.
Suddenly, a black-haired young man of strong build appeared before the eyes of the head of Parliament, as if out of nowhere.
I ordered: not to let anyone in! Security! Khan turned sharply to the door.
Dont fuss like that! the uninvited guest spoke, blocking the path to the exit. I wont delay you for long. I just need to talk to you.
There is a specially designated time for conversations. Sign up for an audience. And now IM BUSY! Security!
«I would love to come another time, but Im afraid that I will disappear forever.» And the conversation will be informal.
Introduce yourself! the angry Advisor almost shouted.
Of course, my friend. «My name is Dell,» said the guest.
Dell Dell I dont remember that name.
After the War of Troubles, no one dares to name their son that. I am a ghost. Until today I was invisible, if you refuse my offer, in an hour I will disappear into oblivion. Fate is inexorable, and everything is in its hands!
Once upon a time I alone dealt with an invincible army. And now I bring the cold with my presence, and I can only cope with the flowers on the windowsill!
***
This story dates back to the reign of the last king, Leonard. Then the Order of Glory was able to awaken Darkness in its purest form, and ancient demons burst out of the depths of the universe. Their army, consisting of people and ghosts who could not be killed with an ordinary sword, surrounded the Sorcerers House.
People fought bravely for their homes, for the king, but courage is not always a strong weapon, especially against ancient magic. The walls of the city collapsed and a black cloud poured in. Fifteen ghosts from the whole army were killed, but for each enemy there were three hundred lives of Leonards warriors. The castle gates did not last long, and the king was captured by evil spirits.
And when there seemed to be no hope, one of the students of Master Avinius appeared. The young man possessed the rarest gift the spells of Darkness. Few people could see the Forces in their original form, but even fewer people had power over them. Avinius, for example, ruled over the Light. And this young man, with the power of thought, was able to disperse an entire regiment of the enemy. The ghosts disappeared into oblivion, only their armor and shields remained to decorate the nearby lands. The war has been won. Everything would be fine. But Leonard became extremely paranoid. He strengthened his security so that no one would take him prisoner again, as during this war. Then the madman ordered the young man to be arrested, too, because he was afraid of the powerful magician. They say that he even ordered the death of the queen, accusing him of conspiracy. It is impossible to say whether this is true, but she was no longer seen within the castle walls.
***
Avinius found me. He called me the Chosen One. And I saved the kingdom from certain destruction! Dell continued to tell. «And ended up in prison because of it!» Such is the kings gratitude for freedom! You know, Khan, the world is not fair. I was only remembered as the villain who tried to attack the king. And not as a savior! After the feat, I was left completely exhausted, and did not even try to resist when the guards grabbed me. But the Element, which endowed me with Strength, filled me with hatred and malice, making me stronger. I broke the prison into a thousand pieces and was freed. And along with me other powerful magicians who were outlaws. Together we went to the royal castle, in the name of revenge!
***
But Dell, of course, didnt tell everything. He forgot to mention that the spirit of Antimonik came to him in a dream and offered him Power. And Dell did not reject the offer.