Temple Sword

Chapter 85 William's New Life

1310, Hallows' Month (October)
Dubica, Slavonia

—

Umberto almost didn't recognize the new William.When he set off on a new intelligence tour early in the summer, he left a bitter man in Dubica, a man whose hopes for the world and life had been utterly disillusioned.But when he finally came home, the old knight looked a completely different man.In the past few months, William has seemed ten years younger, his hair and beard are as gray as ever, and the circumference of his face does not seem to have diminished, but his eyes dance with the deserted and deserted Antares. flame.

"Welcome back, my good singer!" Seeing Umberto coming out of the woods, William hastily greeted him, "You are back!"

Umberto looked puzzled at the dozens of carpenters, sawers, apprentices, and stonemasons behind William.Their banging and shouting had completely replaced the usual calm of the manor, and somehow William Bartow seemed to have regained his zest for life.

"Master Barto, what's the matter with you?" The singer got off the saddle, "What happened here?"

"You'll find out soon enough, but for now, let's have a drink first. You tell me everything you find out, and I'll do the same."

—

Umberto drank his third glass of wine and also described in detail the third coronation of Charles Robert Anjou. With a heavy heart, he finally dared to talk about more difficult subjects.

"The King has taken the property of Nasice from the Knights," he drank his fourth glass of wine, "on the grounds that the Knights Templar have fallen out of favor and are being judged by the Church."

"That's to be expected." William nodded, and Umberto was surprised how easily he took the news.

When Philippe de Marigny, Archbishop of Sens, sent 5 Templars to the stake outside Paris in the month of Pentecost (May), William looked as if he was among those burned .He started drinking more and eating less.But now he just nodded regretfully, said that this was to be expected, and the singer was a little uncomfortable, so he continued:

"Sandow's son Sandow took over the property, but if the Knights Templar win their case against him in the interim, he will return it to them."

"Well," William nodded, "although it's not good news, the way it's handled sounds fair."

Umberto was beginning to wonder if there was something wrong with his ears, when the old lion asked again.

"What about Antal? I want him to have an important place in the coronation!"

"Antares?" echoed the Italian, shocked.He hadn't been allowed to mention the name at Dubica's estate for more than a year, and he stammered and tried to say something, but in the end he kept silent. "I...I...um..."

"You don't have to be afraid of me being angry anymore, Umberto," said the knight with a sad smile on his scarred face, "I have changed."

"But," whispered the singer, "what has happened to you, my lord?"

William sighed and put down his glass, which still contained the small amount of wine he had poured for himself when Umberto came, and he hadn't finished a glass so far.He got up and started walking around the table.

"The day after you left, I felt tightness in my chest," he began. "I felt so uncomfortable at night that I fell off the chair. When the doctor finally recovered me, he said that I Death is not far away. This experience has brought me to my senses, Umberto. For the past few months, I have prayed and reflected every blessed day. After many years, I have started to follow the Eating according to the canon, and... drank less alcohol every day than the day before, and today I only allow myself one drink."

"I can't believe it," the singer looked at the old knight with relief, with joy from the heart in his eyes. "There is a reason why the canon specifically mentions eating, and if it wasn't important, wise men wouldn't include it in their books."

"That's not all," William said with a mysterious smile, "I've started a big project, that's why there are so many artisans here, don't worry, I'll tell you all the details, but first you have to Tell me about Antares."

"I'm sorry," the Italian shrugged, "but I can't say how well he's doing."

"Why?" The knight sat back in his seat and looked at the singer with worried eyes. "What happened to him? Is he okay?"

"His body is fine," said Umberto sadly, "but his soul is very sick. The last time I saw him, I could hardly recognize him. I also talked to Laszlo, but He said he can no longer influence Antares either."

"I need to know what happened to him," William said anxiously but firmly. "I haven't seen him in years, but I think of this hot-headed fool as my own son. Now is the time to fix what we screwed up, come on, tell me everything, don't miss a single detail!"

Umberto of Bologna obeyed his old benefactor, and if William wanted to know everything, he would tell him everything.So he took a deep breath and began to tell the story.

He started at the very beginning, ten years ago that summer, when a young squire met a beautiful girl in Buda who stole his heart forever in the blink of an eye.Umberto did not hide any details, including that the young squire had gone to the monastery in Buda alone to become a better apprentice in order to see her again the next summer, even if only for a few minutes.He once fought a duel for her but lost, so she came after him the next day to thank him.

Umberto told William that a year later, he insisted on living in the monastery on Margaret Island and endured countless pains there, the only reason was to be with the girl from time to time.In order not to let her father marry her to another man, the girl joined a Dominican convent, and if necessary, she would wait forever for the boy who had become a knight.

Finally, Umberto tells how Antal married Agnes, he loved her more than his life since he was 14, she was more important to him than all vows, vows and promises, And how they are preparing to welcome their first child together.

"But that child could never be born," he finished the story somberly, "and he died before they could even name him." Broke his leg on the way.These tragedies were too much for the fearless lily knight.Since then, he has been wearing black clothes, barely speaking, and has not been home since last winter. He is not the same Antal as before.

There was silence in the house, except for the sound of workers digging and knocking in the yard.Umberto was sure that if he had told the story at any point in the past few years, William would have roared and shattered in anguished rage, but the miraculously reborn old knight just sat there, clutching his goblet tightly, fingers Pale, a tear slowly rolled down his cheek.

"I've always been terrified of what's going to happen to him. He's never been as strong as he appears," William said softly. "He never wants people to know his vulnerability, but that orphaned little boy has been living in In his heart. But now everything is too late!" 56-year-old William Barto stood up.

"What do you want, my lord?" Umberto also stood up.

"I'm going to fix things." He patted the singer on the shoulder, and strode toward his room.

A few minutes later, he came out of the room with a packed bag, locked the door, and said to the curious Umberto: "I'm leaving now, and I may not be back until a few months later. During this time, you will be my home." master."

Before Umberto could say anything, William rushed into the courtyard, past the workmen and servants, and headed straight for the stables.The singer, who had had four drinks, could barely keep up with the old knight, and by the time he caught up with him William was already saddling the dark horse.

"This time I need to go on a journey, so I won't take the pack horse." William said, stroking the black horse's neck. "With Sharuel, I can ride all over the world..."

"But my lord..."

"Don't worry, I've thought it through!" the gray-haired knight got on his horse, "I know exactly what I'm doing."

"Please forgive me, Lord Barto," the singer finally calmed down, "but you can't just leave your manor like this, I don't even know what the project you mentioned before!"

"I've already arranged everything," William waved his hand. "Anyway, these people won't be moving out until the middle of next year. They've already received half of the money, but the other half won't be available until they're done." .If you don't understand anything, just ask Urbanos, I've put him in charge, I have to go now."

He rode out of the stables, carefully walked past the craftsmen, and then rode towards the only gate in the yard.

"Lord Barto!" Umberto followed him all the way to the low fence. "What are these people doing here?"

"Building a small castle! What else are you doing?" William shouted back, then let go of the reins of his horse and galloped into the forest.

(End of this chapter)