Temple Sword

Chapter 40
The three left the sleeping city at dawn, Antar sitting in the saddle, looking sullenly ahead.His jaw trembled from insomnia caused by the cold night, but more from a deep sense of hopelessness.His head was empty, his heart a throbbing stone, and he wouldn't feel a thing if they rode home in the hail, he didn't care anymore.

"How did you sleep, my lord?" Umberto asked, yawning, to William, who was leading the horse from the stable.

"As usual," William replied curtly, "shall we go?"

They all looked at Antar, but the boy didn't notice them, he sat quietly on Sarecher's back, waiting for the end of the world.

"Yes, I think it should." Umberto nodded and patted his filly.

They rode slowly towards the city gates, passing buildings that have held various meanings to Antares for the past five months, they passed the cathedral, the deserted market place, the grocer's street and the The only tile roof house.The half-asleep guard at the door gave them a slight nod to let them go, and the boy felt he was saying goodbye to something he could never get back.

When he returned to Dubica's estate this time, he would indeed be a different person from the one he had left, just as his uncle had expected, he laughed silently to himself.He didn't know if he would return to this place again, maybe he would never have the courage to come back.

They reached the edge of the forest outside the door, and Antal could no longer suppress his emotions. He wanted to take a last look and say goodbye to this place where he spent happy times with Agnes, and to say goodbye to her.

"Brothers," he spoke with difficulty, his weak voice passing through his throat, "you go first, I still have something to do in the forest."

"What's the matter?" William asked, looking at him curiously.

"Sorry I can't tell you guys, but it's important to me and I'll catch up with you," the boy replied.

"My lord," Umberto suggested cautiously, "the boy must have his own reasons, he is almost of age, and he will catch up with us."

"Okay," William nodded, "but remember to hurry up!"

Antar dismounted, tied Sarecher to a tree, and continued on into the forest.He knew the place well, but he didn't know what he was doing here, maybe he just wanted to see this ordinary, marked tree and engrave it in his memory forever.

He walked farther and farther, but suddenly stopped. On the fresh dewy grass, there was a curled up body, which was Agnes.

Antal squatted down and stroked her face lightly.

"Get up, dear," he said, "what are you doing here?"

Agnes opened her eyes, swollen from crying and filled with unfathomable sadness.

"I came here," she said softly in a trembling voice, "because I wanted to see you one last time before you went home, but then I got so sleepy that I fell asleep."

"I want to say goodbye to this place," Antal said, "I didn't expect you to be here, especially after what you said yesterday..."

"You shouldn't believe a word I said yesterday," she sat up and snuggled into Antar's arms, "I was wrong, I can't forget you, and I will never forget you."

"I can't stay long," the boy gently brushed her lavender-scented hair, "I need to catch up with my uncle."

"It's okay," Agnes smiled at him wearily, "I'm very satisfied to see you."

"Agnes, what will happen to us?"

"Only God knows," she replied, "He has seen us, Antal, He has seen our hearts, and He knows we have not offended Him."

The boy gritted his teeth, "What if... what if He doesn't see us?" He asked, "What if He doesn't care about our fate? What if we are just outcasts in His eyes?"

"Don't think so! I will prove to you that He loves us and I will pray for both of us every day. You have to believe that we are not cursed."

Agnes got up from the grass, took Antal's hand, and gave him an encouraging smile.

"You will be a Templar because that is your destiny," she said affirmatively. "If God sees you as His faithful servant, He will reward you. Be patient. Tomorrow I will leave my Father's inn, join the Dominican convent."

The girl's words startled Antal, "Don't do that!" He squeezed Agnes' hand, "You're not serious, are you?"

"Don't be silly!" She stroked his cheek, "I'm 20 years old, and my father will soon force me to marry someone I'll never love. You don't have to be afraid, I won't swear, Even if I am a novice forever, God will know that we are all His faithful servants."

"Okay," Antar said. "I have to go."

Agnes nodded, humming slightly.

"I don't know when I'll see you again, maybe in a few years, maybe even longer, I can't keep you waiting for me..."

"Don't you understand yet?" Agnes hid the lavender bag in Antal's palm and closed her fingers, "I will wait for you forever."

(End of this chapter)