Chapter 4
Robert De Renauld and the abbot waited in silence for De Belleme to appear. An oppressive silence hung under the arches of the hall, as before a thunderstorm, a sharp gust of wind extinguished the candles on the table. De Reno could clearly hear his heart pounding. De Bellem appeared in the doorway and it seemed like an eternity to the sheriff for those few seconds as he walked towards them. The sorcerer stopped, staring intently into the eyes of De Reno, who felt like a rabbit in front of a snake. The sheriff's throat was dry, and he abruptly reached out to take the cup, but with an awkward movement knocked it over, spilling the wine on the table. The servant hurriedly rushed to put the table in order, but the sheriff stopped him with a sign of his hand. This helped De Reno regain his composure.
-We are very sorry for the impression you have left, Baron, after our last meeting, - the sheriff began, - My charges misinterpreted the order that I gave them, violated your peace of mind and invaded your property – the sheriff looked significantly at Gisborne.
Sir Guy looked slightly absent and did not immediately understand what the sheriff was talking about. It was not the first time that Gisborne had looked like a complete idiot thanks to his master, and he had already ceased to be surprised at the treachery with which Mr. Sheriff exposed him in an unsightly light. But then he just lost the power of speech and stared at the sheriff in silence. De Bellem did not attach any importance to the sheriff's words.
-I've been living in this world too long. And I have studied human weaknesses well. You don't have to waste your eloquence on justifying your actions, dear De Reno, - the sorcerer calmly replied. – Those jewels that you were hunting with me now.
The black sorcerer took a step to the side and pointed at his servant, who was following him closely. The servant held a carved casket in his hands. De Bellem opened the wrought-iron lid of the casket and precious stones, coins, and jewelry glittered in the dim candlelight.
The sheriff stared at the baron with a frozen stare. He did not understand what was happening and felt that he had fallen into a trap and that the trap was about to close. He could even say that instead of treasures, the sorcerer showed them an illusion and after the spell was broken, dead leaves and dead frogs would remain on the tray.
-I understand your disbelief, De Reno, but the treasures are real. However, I have one condition, after fulfilling which you will be able to take them for yourself, - De Bellem said with a grin.
The sheriff breathed a sigh of relief. Well, now the situation was becoming familiar and he felt solid ground under his feet again.
- You can be congratulated on a successful hunt, can't you? -De Bellem continued.
De Reno shuddered at the sudden realization and looked down. How quickly do rumors spread, or are his actions and thoughts as transparent as water for this sorcerer?
-A skilled hunter will not return from the forest empty-handed, - the sheriff replied evasively, casting a quick glance at the sorcerer.
-The good thing about hunting is that the trophies obtained by the hunter can be worth something, -the black magician added after a pause.
-But not every trophy a hunter wants to part with so easily, -the sheriff said thoughtfully.
De Bellem caught the sheriff's eye and again De Reno felt that the sorcerer was trying to suppress his will.
- Why do you need the body of a criminal? You won the battle, De Reno. Give it to me," the sorcerer said in a low voice.
The sheriff himself did not understand where his resistance came from. His calculating mind told him that De Bellem's offer was profitable and very timely, but something did not allow him to loosen his grip Two De Renos were fighting inside him, and the ending of this fight was not clear to him and give his consent.
At this time, Hugo's brother coughed slightly, thereby attracting De Reno's attention. The sheriff looked at the abbot and realized from the expression on his face that he would make a big mistake if he did not listen to the voice of the reasonable merchant living inside him.
"I haven't made a final decision yet," De Reno said slowly, thoughtfully rolling the cup in his hand.
De Bellem took a heavy bag from under his robe and threw it at the sheriff's feet. The impact on the ground loosened the bag and the clink of coins rolling on the floor filled the silence of the hall.
-This is additionally for those two criminals who were my servants–the Saracen and the giant, -the baron said firmly.
- But they are sentenced to death, -said Sir Guy.
- It doesn't matter, I'm taking them too. They belong to me, - the baron said in a cold tone, and calmly looked into the sheriff's eyes.
There was a pause. De Reno abruptly set the goblet down on the table.
-Have it your way, Baron, - the sheriff said.
With a glance, he ordered his servant to collect the scattered coins and accept the jewel chest from the baron's servant.
-Gisborne, give the appropriate orders to the prison guards, -De Renaud commanded. – Is everything clear?
-Yes, my lord, -Sir Guy replied, and turned to follow orders.
Gisborne walked up the stone steps leading to the basement. He called out loudly to the sentry and opened the iron grate with a bang. A steel bolt clicked, the harsh basement spirit of the barracks hit the nose, torches fixed in the stone ledges of narrow corridors smoked. In some places he had to duck his head to avoid hitting the low vaults of the basement. His anger at the sheriff gradually began to weaken, but he restrained himself strongly so as not to vent his anger on the guards of the dungeon.
"Harry," Sir Guy shouted, "get the two prisoners ready to leave the castle.
"Who exactly, my lord?" "What is it? " asked the chief of the Day Watch.
Gisborne slammed his mail-gloved fist down on the rough-hewn table where the guards were dining. The impact sent iron mugs and bowls with the remnants of meager provisions crashing to the floor.
The chief of the day watch did not even suspect that his simple question could provoke the commander's anger.
"The Saracen and the bully," Gisborne replied, sinking heavily onto a bench.
– Yes, and also, - Gisborne added, - wrap the corpse of their leader in a bag and load it on the cart too.
Harry reported, "It will be done, my lord!" and hurriedly left.
Booming footsteps could be heard in the silence of the dungeon. Two men in wrought-iron boots were walking. Nasir couldn't see in the dark, but his hearing never failed him.
"So what did Sir Gisborne say?" The voice of one of them rang out.
- Wrap it in a bag and put it on the cart.
- Hold his legs.
- But they say that the dead stiffen, what's wrong with him?
"I don't know," Harry grumbled, "they say he's the son of the forest spirit Herne, you can expect anything here.
- Maybe he's still alive?
"Well, then I'm the Abbot of Canterbury, they don't survive after that," Harry chuckled.
- Oh, it's not right... it's creepy
"Think less, do more," Harry encouraged him.
The footsteps of the guards began to recede, and silence reigned again. Nasir swallowed a lump in his throat and felt rage boil in his chest. The iron shackles cut into the skin of his hands, but he no longer felt pain.
De Reno went to the window and looked at what was happening in the courtyard of Nottingham Castle. De Bellem appeared, accompanied by a servant, he was in no hurry. A servant brought him a black horse, and the baron majestically mounted. Taking the reins in his hands, he looked around, the horse shifted, prancing, under the rider. The guards led the prisoners out with their hands tied behind their backs. The giant was in shackles, they were very afraid of his strength, canvas bags were put on the prisoners' heads. They were pushed into an iron cage on a cart and handcuffed to make sure. A body wrapped in burlap was placed in the same cart. The baron was accompanied by a detachment of mercenaries, the sheriff counted six horsemen. All the warriors are in expensive armor and well-armed, where does this sorcerer get the money for this? The Baron raised his hand and signaled that it was time to move. The horsemen crossed the courtyard at a slow pace and disappeared through the castle gates. The sheriff moved away from the window, opened the treasure chest and, plunging his hand into the pile of coins and jewelry, breathed a sigh of relief.
