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.