Section II
Chapter 33 (part 4)
[March 1, 1356]
(Turda, Transylvania)
It took the small party awhile to get through the dark passageway but they eventually exited at the other side. Lezeu and his men, upon exiting the passageway, got on their knees to check where they were at. Everyone knelt down as well as they waited for a signal from Lezeu. The party found themselves on a high ledge overlooking the main chamber of the underground cavern. Looking down from the ledge, Lezeu and his men saw Richard and his party starting to pool together the treasure they have discovered. Richard's men clearly didn't waste any time in their search for all the treasure hidden in the underground cavern. From Richard's orders, Lezeu realized that Richard wanted one of his men to get carts to ship the treasure to the cave entrance. Making a signal to his men, Lezeu and his men pulled out their crossbows. With incredible efficiency, the bolts were loaded onto the crossbows and the nine men aimed their crossbow at the party below. The crossbows fired the moment Lezeu whispered "Fire!" Five of the bolts found their mark and five men immediately fell to the ground. The remaining four men ran their separate ways down the the passageways leading deeper underground. Lezeu and his men gave chase to hunt down the remaining four men while Ferdinand's party checked up on the five men. Four of the five men were already dead from the shots and one was mortally wounded with only a few minutes to live. Cato took a careful look at the man and realized that he was the Antonio whom he met in Venice.
Cato: Antonio, why are you here? How did you get involved in all this?
Antonio: I had no choice, my friend. My family reputation was ruined and I had to change my name. When I was about to beg on the streets, I was offered this position.
Cato: Did you befriend me on purpose?
Antonio: No, it was just a coincidence. I felt we had so much in common. Of course, our friendship didn't go unnoticed by Richard.
Cato: What were his orders?
Antonio: He wanted me to kill you.
Cato: Did you try?
Antonio: No, I couldn't do it. When I had nothing, you were my only friend. I cannot betray that. Still, I cannot warn you. Instead, I kept quiet until you left Venice.
Cato: While you were a coward, I still admire your dedication to our friendship. I wish to thank you.
Antonio: I guess I paid for my crimes now. Live strong, my friend. Once this is over, the treasure can make so much come true. You have the world within your grasp.
Cato: I'm not Richard. I would rather burn all this treasure into ash than to use it for my own selfish means.
Antonio: That's where you surpassed me. You still let your honor come first. Goodbye, my friend. I fear we won't be meeting in the after world.
With that, Antonio died with his eyes open and staring at the ceiling. Cato knelt down beside his friend to close his eyes.
Cato: No, we will meet in the after world. God knows that you made mistakes but you don't deserve hell that men like Richard belong.
Cato stood up and Andra walked up to him. The two embraced for a few seconds and nobody else spoke for those brief few seconds.
-meanwhile-
Lezeu and two of his men went down the passageway Richard escaped through. They gave chase until they found themselves staring at Richard holding a torch beside a large beam. Richard watched them with a smile on his face. He shouts to his pursuers.
Richard: Ah, glad you can join me! I see that I cannot get this treasure. However, nobody else will either. Not you. Not those youngsters that I traveled with. I will now bring down this place and everyone will die with me.
Lezeu: No!!!
Richard lit his torch onto the beam which began burning immediately. Soon, the underground cavern began to shake as though an earthquake was taking place. Suddenly, a giant boulder fell from the ceiling and blocked the only exit. The two soldiers that were with Lezeu were crushed instantly leaving Lezeu and Richard alone.
Lezeu: Why? Why do you seek this treasure?
Richard: Why not? Your Templar order couldn't put it into proper use. I might as well make the best use of it.
Lezeu: How did you find out?
Richard: It was an opportunity handed to me by God. I happened to come across some manuscripts that hinted at this treasure. With Martin, I unearthed the incredible truth and I wanted it.
Lezeu: I don't believe that God would let corrupted men like you have this treasure.
Richard: Oh really? I don't see your God saving the vulnerable and creating a utopia. No, I see him rewarding only the strong. Not the weak.
Lezeu: You won't insult God. I won't let you.
Richard: Really? What can you do? What has God done for your order? Your order still collapsed and all of you claimed that you were always loyal to him. Where was he when your people were persecuted?
Lezeu: God has his reasons. You have no authority to judge him.
Richard: Well, we will see shortly, won't we? We will come before your God and we will see whether he favors you or me.
The ceiling came crashing down and both men were buried alive.
-meanwhile-
Ferdinand's party ran for their lives when they felt the cavern shake violently. Unsure which path to take, the party chose the passageway that appeared to be leading upwards. As the party continued to run, the members of the party heard the passageway behind them collapsing and closing in on them. With a last burst of speed, the party made their way through a relatively narrow opening and found themselves at the outer cave cavern. Without stopping, the party made its way out the cave entrance and, the moment they all exited, the cave entrance collapsed. They looked back at the cave and realized that there was no longer any sign the cave has once existed. Suddenly, they heard horse galloping towards them. They turned around and found Arnaud and his guards riding towards them. Arnaud stopped his horse and did a quick count of the survivors. He then got off the horse and approached Andra.
Arnaud: Lezeu didn't make it?
Andra: He chased Richard deeper into the cavern. What happened?
Arnaud: I don't know how but someone in the other party must have discovered the secret of the support beam.
Andra: Support beam?
Arnaud: When the cavern was dug out, one important beam was constructed to hold the entire cavern up. While it does appear to be foolish, it was there for a reason.
Cato: To bury the treasure forever in the case of an emergency.
Arnaud: Yes, the treasure is now forever out of reach. I fear we lost many great men today.
Cato: We have. Though, they died for what they believed in.
Arnaud: True, I cannot think of a more fitting reason to give up one's life.
Andra: Let's go home, uncle. I hope we can let this place be forgotten forever. Too many lives were lost over this.
Arnaud: You're right, child. We will let this place be nothing more than a myth. The Knight Templar no longer exist and we will keep it that way. Let's go home!
Everyone made their way to Turda and no one looked back once. The last known treasure of the Knight Templar was forever gone. In Turda, Arnaud explained to Ferdinand's party about the final chapters of the Knight Templar following the persecutions. The journey ended with a sad note but everyone accepted the outcome. Once the party return to Buda, they might go their separate ways. However, they, after the exhausting adventure, chose to discuss their future another time. Everyone ate an early supper before heading to bed. The party decided to get up early and make their way back to Buda. Their journey was over and their objective appeared to be achieved.
-Nighttime-
A man pushed the rubble out of his way as he climbed out of the small hole. Once he got out, he dusted himself and stared up at the moon. He was counting his blessings after his narrow escape from death. Creeping quietly, the man checked his surroundings until he was sure no one else was around. The man made his way to Turda where he planned to return home. In his small bag, several beautifully crafted gold jewelry were tucked away. The man can finally go home and take care of some unfinished business.
I'll be finishing up Section I very soon. I'm accepting new characters for Section II (This section will be taking place in Bohemia!). Please PM me with the following:
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Brief Background:
Chapter 33 (part 4)
[March 1, 1356]
(Turda, Transylvania)
It took the small party awhile to get through the dark passageway but they eventually exited at the other side. Lezeu and his men, upon exiting the passageway, got on their knees to check where they were at. Everyone knelt down as well as they waited for a signal from Lezeu. The party found themselves on a high ledge overlooking the main chamber of the underground cavern. Looking down from the ledge, Lezeu and his men saw Richard and his party starting to pool together the treasure they have discovered. Richard's men clearly didn't waste any time in their search for all the treasure hidden in the underground cavern. From Richard's orders, Lezeu realized that Richard wanted one of his men to get carts to ship the treasure to the cave entrance. Making a signal to his men, Lezeu and his men pulled out their crossbows. With incredible efficiency, the bolts were loaded onto the crossbows and the nine men aimed their crossbow at the party below. The crossbows fired the moment Lezeu whispered "Fire!" Five of the bolts found their mark and five men immediately fell to the ground. The remaining four men ran their separate ways down the the passageways leading deeper underground. Lezeu and his men gave chase to hunt down the remaining four men while Ferdinand's party checked up on the five men. Four of the five men were already dead from the shots and one was mortally wounded with only a few minutes to live. Cato took a careful look at the man and realized that he was the Antonio whom he met in Venice.
Cato: Antonio, why are you here? How did you get involved in all this?
Antonio: I had no choice, my friend. My family reputation was ruined and I had to change my name. When I was about to beg on the streets, I was offered this position.
Cato: Did you befriend me on purpose?
Antonio: No, it was just a coincidence. I felt we had so much in common. Of course, our friendship didn't go unnoticed by Richard.
Cato: What were his orders?
Antonio: He wanted me to kill you.
Cato: Did you try?
Antonio: No, I couldn't do it. When I had nothing, you were my only friend. I cannot betray that. Still, I cannot warn you. Instead, I kept quiet until you left Venice.
Cato: While you were a coward, I still admire your dedication to our friendship. I wish to thank you.
Antonio: I guess I paid for my crimes now. Live strong, my friend. Once this is over, the treasure can make so much come true. You have the world within your grasp.
Cato: I'm not Richard. I would rather burn all this treasure into ash than to use it for my own selfish means.
Antonio: That's where you surpassed me. You still let your honor come first. Goodbye, my friend. I fear we won't be meeting in the after world.
With that, Antonio died with his eyes open and staring at the ceiling. Cato knelt down beside his friend to close his eyes.
Cato: No, we will meet in the after world. God knows that you made mistakes but you don't deserve hell that men like Richard belong.
Cato stood up and Andra walked up to him. The two embraced for a few seconds and nobody else spoke for those brief few seconds.
-meanwhile-
Lezeu and two of his men went down the passageway Richard escaped through. They gave chase until they found themselves staring at Richard holding a torch beside a large beam. Richard watched them with a smile on his face. He shouts to his pursuers.
Richard: Ah, glad you can join me! I see that I cannot get this treasure. However, nobody else will either. Not you. Not those youngsters that I traveled with. I will now bring down this place and everyone will die with me.
Lezeu: No!!!
Richard lit his torch onto the beam which began burning immediately. Soon, the underground cavern began to shake as though an earthquake was taking place. Suddenly, a giant boulder fell from the ceiling and blocked the only exit. The two soldiers that were with Lezeu were crushed instantly leaving Lezeu and Richard alone.
Lezeu: Why? Why do you seek this treasure?
Richard: Why not? Your Templar order couldn't put it into proper use. I might as well make the best use of it.
Lezeu: How did you find out?
Richard: It was an opportunity handed to me by God. I happened to come across some manuscripts that hinted at this treasure. With Martin, I unearthed the incredible truth and I wanted it.
Lezeu: I don't believe that God would let corrupted men like you have this treasure.
Richard: Oh really? I don't see your God saving the vulnerable and creating a utopia. No, I see him rewarding only the strong. Not the weak.
Lezeu: You won't insult God. I won't let you.
Richard: Really? What can you do? What has God done for your order? Your order still collapsed and all of you claimed that you were always loyal to him. Where was he when your people were persecuted?
Lezeu: God has his reasons. You have no authority to judge him.
Richard: Well, we will see shortly, won't we? We will come before your God and we will see whether he favors you or me.
The ceiling came crashing down and both men were buried alive.
-meanwhile-
Ferdinand's party ran for their lives when they felt the cavern shake violently. Unsure which path to take, the party chose the passageway that appeared to be leading upwards. As the party continued to run, the members of the party heard the passageway behind them collapsing and closing in on them. With a last burst of speed, the party made their way through a relatively narrow opening and found themselves at the outer cave cavern. Without stopping, the party made its way out the cave entrance and, the moment they all exited, the cave entrance collapsed. They looked back at the cave and realized that there was no longer any sign the cave has once existed. Suddenly, they heard horse galloping towards them. They turned around and found Arnaud and his guards riding towards them. Arnaud stopped his horse and did a quick count of the survivors. He then got off the horse and approached Andra.
Arnaud: Lezeu didn't make it?
Andra: He chased Richard deeper into the cavern. What happened?
Arnaud: I don't know how but someone in the other party must have discovered the secret of the support beam.
Andra: Support beam?
Arnaud: When the cavern was dug out, one important beam was constructed to hold the entire cavern up. While it does appear to be foolish, it was there for a reason.
Cato: To bury the treasure forever in the case of an emergency.
Arnaud: Yes, the treasure is now forever out of reach. I fear we lost many great men today.
Cato: We have. Though, they died for what they believed in.
Arnaud: True, I cannot think of a more fitting reason to give up one's life.
Andra: Let's go home, uncle. I hope we can let this place be forgotten forever. Too many lives were lost over this.
Arnaud: You're right, child. We will let this place be nothing more than a myth. The Knight Templar no longer exist and we will keep it that way. Let's go home!
Everyone made their way to Turda and no one looked back once. The last known treasure of the Knight Templar was forever gone. In Turda, Arnaud explained to Ferdinand's party about the final chapters of the Knight Templar following the persecutions. The journey ended with a sad note but everyone accepted the outcome. Once the party return to Buda, they might go their separate ways. However, they, after the exhausting adventure, chose to discuss their future another time. Everyone ate an early supper before heading to bed. The party decided to get up early and make their way back to Buda. Their journey was over and their objective appeared to be achieved.
-Nighttime-
A man pushed the rubble out of his way as he climbed out of the small hole. Once he got out, he dusted himself and stared up at the moon. He was counting his blessings after his narrow escape from death. Creeping quietly, the man checked his surroundings until he was sure no one else was around. The man made his way to Turda where he planned to return home. In his small bag, several beautifully crafted gold jewelry were tucked away. The man can finally go home and take care of some unfinished business.
I'll be finishing up Section I very soon. I'm accepting new characters for Section II (This section will be taking place in Bohemia!). Please PM me with the following:
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Brief Background:
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