Temple Sword

Chapter 83 Black Knight

1310, St. Michael's Month (September)
Buda, Hungary
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The two fighters did not move.They stood facing each other, legs apart, chests heaving under the weight of their chain mail, waiting for the perfect moment.

One of them was wearing forearm and leg armor, silvery in the early autumn sun, and a helmet with an elaborate bear head ornament was as smooth as a mirror, and a drop of sweat had just flowed from his forehead to his eyes.

The other fighter looked less graceful.He wore no armor save his long chain mail, and his hands were clad only in thin leather gloves, keeping the sun from shining on his plain charcoal-black helmet.

The knight wearing a bear helmet held his sword in both hands, and when he saw the person facing him lower his head slightly, he rushed forward.His opponent continues to stand loosely, with both hands at his sides, a one-handed sword in his right hand and a curved tomahawk in his left, facing the ground.

The knight in silver armor, Thomas Semsay, son of Frank, was confident of victory as he attacked with the Longguard stance and planned a series of moves.The person in front of him stood in a disorganized posture, without any defensive posture, waiting for him to attack, which made Thomas more confident.

Thomas Semsey soared into the air and slammed into his opponent.

The Black Knight's longsword rose with astonishing speed to parry the blow, and then in one motion dodged behind the attacker and slammed the ax handle into the back, knocking Thomas to the ground.As soon as the bear helmet knight turned over, he was stepped on the chest by William Barto's son Antal, and the sword pointed at his neck.

The audience clapped and cheered, but their liking wasn't genuine.They expected a good showdown, and yet the Black Knight in the ring took out every one of his opponents with two or three bludgeoning blows, as if he were not in a tourney but on the field of battle.

"Long live the champion!" The herald walked into the duel circle and raised Antal's arm, "Long live the lily knight!"

"He is no longer the Knight of the Lilies," whispered Ahmad Abba to his eldest three sons. "Charlie is protecting a possessed man."

"In my opinion, father," replied the lord's eldest son Janos, "if Mate Chak bared his fangs, he would need such a brutal warrior."

"Don't be stupid," Ahmad narrowed his eyes and waved his hands, "Matai Chuck won't do anything until his province is disturbed."

"That's right," added Ahmad's other son, David, the third of six. "As long as his domain is left undisturbed, he will take no action. But how long will this go? How long will our Charles endure another king in this land?"

"Presumptuous!" Ahmad scolded, "Your Majesty Charlie is your king!"

"That's not the point, father," Janos stood up and defended his younger brother, "what's important is that Mate Chuck is said to be strengthening the defenses of Visegrad, and you don't think he's doing this just because there's nothing better things to do, right?"

"He'll go there with his army," David Abar nodded, "and then we'll have to decide who to support."

"Father, Charlie has been hiding in your castle in Genz for six years," Janos said, "It's time for him to repay you, and see if he is willing to repay the kindness. Don't forget, you almost single-handedly Stand by his side, while the other nobles are behind Przemysl."

"My brothers are telling the truth," added Ahmad's second son, Nicholas, who also joined the discussion. "You were present at his first coronation, thanks to your patronage and power; we were all present at his second anointing last summer, and swore to him on the plains of Lakos; Saint Stephen On the eighth day of the festival, at the Fort of Sekshbad, he was crowned for the third time wearing the holy crown offered by Laszlo Kan, and we raised our hands together and called him king. Now is the best time to show him your position , we have to know who to support if there is a war..."

"What are you thinking?" Their father raised his hand to hit them. "We'll never be Mate Chuck's lackeys!"

"Of course we won't, father," Janos tried to save the situation, warning his brothers with his eyes to be careful when speaking in front of the old man. "Nicholas just wanted to say that King Charles is already at the peak of his power. He is even comfortable enough to let his men organize tourneys to entertain his nobles. We have nothing to wait for. Now is the time for him to repay you for what you have done for him. Everything."

Amad Abba sat flushed beside his three older sons, and watched without a word as the Black Knight took the wreath, tucked his helmet under his arm, and left the tournament pit with a sullen face.Race spectators slowly rose from the ring of stands to change and begin getting ready for the evening's feast.

"That's how it is," under the words of their son, the old lord sighed, "I will deal with this issue in the court affairs before the banquet..."

Janos, Nicholas and David of Abba's house looked at each other meaningfully.

---

"You could have played better," Laszlo commented, as Antal stripped off his sweaty clothes and hurriedly washed. "I saw the look on the King's face when you knocked Frank's son Thomas Semsay down. He wasn't happy with you spoiling his game."

"I suppose so," replied the knight curtly. "I have made it clear to him that I have no desire for any tourney, and I am not in the mood for games."

"Are you going to the dinner party tonight?" Laszlo asked, and there was another awkward silence between them that had become the norm of late.

Antal shook his head.

"He won't be happy," said his friend.

"I do not care."

"For God's sake, at least try to pretend you're a court knight and not a hired executioner!"

Antar finished washing himself, put on his clothes, tied his belt, and walked a few steps to the door.

"I'm nearby," he said, and stepped into the hallway.

"Of course," Laszlo said, shaking his head, "I'm used to it."

(End of this chapter)