In the spacious room of the castle, the window of which overlooked the lowered suspension bridge, a man was sitting. He was busy with a business that is rarely able to captivate a lonely person. After all, not everyone can play chess with himself. But the man had a significant head start in such a case, because he still played not with himself, but with a voice in his head. For the Archon, it was the only entertainment while he was awaiting trial. Well, there were also conversations with his opponent in the game – Nisht. In general, the baron's son already regretted his short-sighted act. He could only explain such stupidity by the confusion of his mind that had been tormenting him lately. What an idiocy to kill a person, even if not pleasant, while violating the dueling code. It should not have been done in his own country, and he was in another one. In a country about the laws of which the nobleman had rather vague ideas and where he had no friends at all. He will also be judged not by a qualified state judge, but by a local count. What if he suddenly turns out to be a friend of the murdered man? All this caused a significant decline in the spirit of the young man.
Also, Nisht, who seemed initially mysterious and knowledgeable, something hidden from ordinary people, after a more thorough acquaintance with him, lost all his mysterious appearance. How can there be a significant entity that plays chess so badly? No, of course, Archon, unlike many other people, believed that the high ability to play them, in general, does not affect anything. But Nisht's abilities were at the level of an eight-year-old child. Their score was twenty-six-three in favor of the nobleman. At the same time, the man himself has never considered himself a good player. Before that, he had about ten games played and as many more viewed. By the way, this is probably for the best, since the voice in his head obviously had access to his own thoughts. Accordingly, the fact that the Archon did not have any strategy and did not think through his moves in advance played exclusively to his advantage.
- Mate. You know, Nisht, I've played enough. I'd better think about what I should say to the count so that I don't end up on the chopping block.
- So, what's there to think about? Tell him about your mental illness. And since you're sick, they won't judge you.
- Yeah, whatever you say.
In the first hours of his imprisonment, such thoughts did not occur to the Archon at all. Although the man was educated and knew about the existence of mental disorders with similar symptoms, but something did not allow him to think of himself as a patient. However, as time went on, his mind became more and more rational, and an extraneous voice in his head became more and more ridiculous. The first step towards regaining self-control was the memory of people like him–hearing voices in their heads. According to the statements of magicians, this has happened at all times. When humanity was at the dawn of civilization, the fate of such people depended on the country of residence and was usually unenviable. Sometimes they were killed if they believed that the voices came from demons or dark gods, but this was rare. Even less often they were mistaken for messengers of the light gods or other good forces. Usually patients were given to mental magicians or isolated from society. In any case, most of them went crazy at the end of their lives. A sad fate, capable of terrifying anyone. Then, as in most other cases, the problem was solved by magicians. Hundreds of years of studying patients have allowed them to create a set of spells that cure the most common mental disorders. Since that time, all those who became ill after a visit to the mind magician were released from observation. Definitely good news for the Archon, since now he could be released from prison, without much effort to restore his honor, while also getting rid of long-tormented headaches and other things.
But despite this, the nobleman still considered himself guilty of what had happened. Although in his life he managed to kill more than a few dozen people, but this time everything was different. There is nothing wrong with taking the life of someone who wants to do this to you. The fact that someone treats you badly should not be the reason for the murder! And even in such a dishonest way as violating the terms of the duel. From the outside, the whole situation looked as if the Archon had deliberately requested a duel to the first blood without armor, so that he could then kill the offender with one blow, taking advantage of surprise. Well, that's what he should have restrained himself? Not to be impulsive and trusting, but to remain calm and resistant to temptation. And after the man decided that Nisht was just a disease and nothing more, then he couldn't blame the voice. Although on the other hand, it can be said that all these thoughts tormented the young man only because of a nervous state and forced idleness. Who doesn't have unpleasant accidents? There are so many deaths around that there is no point worrying about another one. And the magician will restore his tarnished honor to him. So you need to be glad that you didn't lose anything in a scrape and go on without looking back.
The Archon was so carried away by his experiences that he did not notice the appearance of the first horsemen from the count's retinue. Judging by the number of people, the count was accompanied not only by his personal detachment, but also by his barons. All the nearest aristocrats gathered for the hunt organized by the count. The Archon envied the order that prevailed in this country. In his homeland, the nobles had long lost most of their privileges - this was required by the ongoing war with the barbarians. They have no personal armies left, no primacy in their fief, no power in the state. In Innsbruck, the aristocrats had all this and even more. Only there was no royal peace here. Any aristocrat could declare war on anyone else, defeat him and take possession. The ever-present threat of military clashes has made local warriors, if not the best, then the most experienced in the world for sure.
Accordingly, the nobles of Innsbruck were much richer than their neighbors from other countries because of the opportunity to mercilessly exploit their subjects. Naturally, a huge part of these funds was spent on the war. As a result, the heavy cavalry of Innsbruck was the best in the world. And its number allowed to declare that this is generally the strongest non-magical army. Although, in addition to unprecedented funding, special mounts also helped here. It is obvious to anyone that the cost of a knight's horse is tens and hundreds of times higher than the cost of an ordinary one. Hesht, that is, "children of the mountains", in turn, cost an order of magnitude more expensive than the best knight's horses. There were only no more than ten thousand of them, of which six or seven thousand were intended directly for combat. The rest are too small, old, or used purely for reproduction. They got their name because of their slight similarity to mountain goats. The Heshts looked like huge horses, one and a half times larger than the tallest stallions, with small horns, increased hairiness all over their bodies and goat pupils. In captivity, their wool was naturally trimmed for ease of use. Animals are incredibly whimsical and demanding. It was believed that two of these animals were bestowed by one of the dark goddesses to her son demigod - the first king of Innsbruck. And after thousands of years of reproduction, two individuals turned into ten thousand. It is not difficult to guess that their fertility is low to the point of outrage.
The count and his four barons rode on Heshts. For a count, this is quite ordinary, but for barons it is a huge luxury. They were followed by about forty riders on ordinary horses. As soon as Okret dismounted, the castellan ran up to him. From such a distance, it is impossible to see facial expressions, and even more so it will not be possible to eavesdrop on anything. But it's not hard to guess what the conversation was about. "I wonder if he started right away with a hot topic or first discussed the affairs of the estate." The Archon thought.
- Judging by the fact that the manager is not waving his hands in the direction of your window, obviously they are talking about you.
Nisht's remark was quite accurate. The Count himself now seemed to be looking unkindly at the window of the prisoner's room. Or did it just seem so from nerves? The Archon decided not to react to the comments of the voice in his head. It is somehow unworthy for an adequate person to engage in this useless activity. Meanwhile, Okret, accompanied by several warriors, headed for the entrance inside. The Archon had no doubt that his future fate would be decided now. Three minutes later the count was standing in his room.
- So this is how you Northerners respond to hospitable hosts? I invite you to my castle, to hunt, and you kill my neighbor's closest friend! We already have hostile relations, and because of this murder, a war could start. But it can wait. Court first. Do you have something to say before it starts?
- Yes, Your Grace. I apologize to you for what happened. But I am innocent because I was insane at the time of the murder and I am ready to be tested by a mind magician.
- Hmm, insane. If this turns out to be true, then things may not be so bad. Dominic, take two dozen men and go to Oppland. If the mental magician justifies him, then immediately release him. If not, then go with him to Count Romsdall. Let him decide for himself the fate of his friend's killer. Maybe this kind of gift will calm the count.
"Yes, Your Grace." - The Count left the room and the Archon was left alone with his future escorts.
- My Lord, is fifteen minutes enough for you to get ready? If we leave right now, we will be in the city before the gates close and we will have time to visit the magician today.
- There is no need to wait, I have few things. I just need to get my armor and weapons from the arsenal.
- Then let's go to the courtyard, your things will be brought by the servants.
The Archon was glad of the quick outcome of the case. It was lucky that Guido, whom he killed, was a friend of the count's neighbor, and not Okret himself. The nobleman was not sure that in this case he would have the opportunity to justify his actions. Justice is justice, but being a judge in a trial that does not concern you and being a judge in the murder of your friend are two completely different things. And there was no one to stand up for a northerner in a foreign country. No one will support him in a conflict with the smallest knight, let alone a count. Moreover, for an outsider, the Archon was still guilty and not worthy of support. This arrangement of the judicial system, where everything was literally decided by your status, was the main disadvantage of Innsbruck. Perhaps this disadvantage outweighed all the advantages of the country. There was no transparency or justice here. Especially for a foreigner without connections.
On the way to the courtyard of the castle, they came across a lot of nobles. Judging by the looks and expressions on people's faces, the Archon has turned from a favorite into an outcast. It was not pleasant, but it was quite expected. he was not going to be sad, because he has no reason to linger here and he sees all the local inhabitants for the last time. They did not linger in the courtyard and immediately went to the city indicated by the count. The road was unremarkable. The local places were not famous for their beauty, unusual plants or animals. Of course, hypothetical robbers also did not seek to attack an armed detachment. They were generally the scourge of Innsbruck and no one was surprised by their frequent attacks, which is why the count sent a large detachment. But there were no fools to risk their lives in battles with impressive groups of armed men. A conversation would have helped to brighten up the time, but the soldiers escorting the Archon did not want to chat. Whether it was a special decree of the count or their usual behavior, the nobleman did not know, and was not interested. With a voice in his head, he firmly decided not to communicate, so it remained only to plan his future actions.
After three hours of horse racing, they saw the walls of the desired city. Seven meters high, they seemed to be a serious obstacle to any attack. Although in fact it was not so. The Archon knew that the real protection from internal threats was the Emperor's edict on the inviolability of cities, and from external threats was the branch of the guild of magicians located somewhere in the settlement. He was not used to the absence of houses outside the city walls. In his homeland, the walls encircled only the center of the city. And in general, the only reason why people have not yet settled around the walls, known to the Archon, was that the said edict was adopted only a year ago. Before that, it was forbidden to settle outside the walls for security reasons. And, of course, no one managed to build anything in a year.
The captain ordered half of the squad to stay outside and the other half to follow inside the city. After passing through the gate without a queue, they headed to the city center. It wasn't very big, so it didn't take long before they found themselves in front of a massive stone building. The Archon was not surprised by it's appearance, simple to the point of outrage. The houses of middle-class merchants looked much richer. But magicians did not need to put their wealth on display, everyone already knew who the masters of this world were. If in the field of politics people still forced magicians to reckon with themselves, then in all other spheres of public life this was not the case. Sorcerers are literally better at anything where rivalry is possible. Wherever people could not cope, they came to the rescue. Just like now. It's also a good thing that the wizards respected the old contracts and did not ask for real money for their work, otherwise only kings would use their services. Meanwhile, the Archon and the captain went inside the building.
- Let's go straight to the mind magician, I know where his office is.
After climbing two floors, and walking along one of the corridors to the very end, they found themselves in front of a heavy-looking door. The captain opened the door without knocking and pushed the surprised young man inside. He was surprised by Dominic's impudence, who did not bother to knock on this very door. Somehow it was not polite, especially in relation to the magician.
- Don't stand in the doorway, come in, tell me what you came with.
The Northerner turned his head in the direction of the magician and saw nothing. Now he couldn't see anything at all. There didn't seem to be any problems with his eyesight, but it was as if he couldn't realize what was in front of him. The brain was not able to separate one object from another, although all of them were not moving, but at the same time they flowed into each other and mixed. "What an abomination, this mental magic," the Archon thought.
- Yes, Your Excellency. Here he is - the captain pointed to the Archon - killed a man and says that he was mentally ill.
- Well, we'll check it out now.
After these words, the Archon's consciousness went out.
P.S.
As far as I remember, I haven't written here yet that the eighth chapter (the first with this character) is of very low quality and will be rewritten.