Creation by fans of the game.

Treasures,
Or a story that never happened in good old England


Part One. Pirate Gold.

Chapter One

A heavy rain was falling. Along a mud-slicked path, a man hurried with a brisk pace, wearing a black cloak glistening with water, from beneath which protruded a well-made pistol and an elegant Norman sword. The hood of the cloak had fallen back, and wet streams fell upon his matted, pitch-black hair. Slipping on the wet road, he cursed constantly, own same this godforsaken island where the remnants of Norman pirates had the misfortune to make their refuge, and where a foul, annoying rain fell almost incessantly.
This was the Breton Knight Balthazar de Balza, a secret accomplice of the Norman pirates, who had extensive connections on the mainland and was well-informed regarding many trade and political currents in Europe.
Coming level with one of the wretched huts—of which there were only a few here, and this one was even more wretched than the others—he sighed with relief and headed for the door. Entering the hut, he looked around for several seconds, trying to find among the swarming rabble the man he had actually come to see.
In the tavern, bagpipes bleated softly, evoking a longing for a peaceful life, while the well-inebriated inhabitants played Chinese cards captured from merchants, dice, or tossed pebbles. Triumphant cries of winners and disappointed groans of the defeated could be heard. Gold coins jingled as someone's sweet win or someone's bitter loss.
Finally, the Knight spotted a man sitting alone in the far corner with a deep scar on his face, remnants of gray hair sticking out helplessly in all directions, drinking something from an expensive silver goblet. The scarred man was called Captain Oswald Derink. This captain was well known to traders from the North to the Mediterranean Seas, as he served as a reminder of the once-dominant rule of the Normans in these waters. And although the Norman pirates had long since lost their positions, Derink, one of the few, reminded others of the former greatness of Norman piracy with his raids.
Without further hesitation, Knight de Balza headed toward Derink, coughing softly as if preparing for a solemn speech.
- I greet you, Oswald, - he said quietly in Norman, approaching the small table where the captain sat.
- Balthazar! - the other greeted him quite loosely, - Glad to see you alive and well, - he added imperturbably, as if he hadn't seen the newcomer just an hour, or even less, ago. - What news have you brought? Sit, drink with me, - he immediately offered, pointing to a free chair that looked very dangerous to sit on. The chair was completely crooked, and its leg, wrapped in some dirty cloth, protruded helplessly to the side. The Knight looked at the chair distrustfully, with a crooked smile.
- Don't worry, Balthazar, sit. You have safely completed a rather risky journey by sea for this time of year. Do you really think you are threatened by some lame chair? – Oswald spoke roughly, but with a touch of refinement, in quite good Frankish dialect.
The Knight smiled again and, lifting his cloak, carefully sat on the edge of the strange chair.
- You know, Oswald, that I fear nothing in this world except gout, - he replied carelessly, leaning his sword against the floor next to the bound leg.
- Oh, rest assured: gout does not threaten you here in any way, - the captain countered ironically, pouring wine for the Knight into a wooden goblet, - Better drink and relax. You've had an exhausting journey...
- I have no time to linger, Derink, - the Knight interrupted the pirate in a businesslike tone, - My nef is waiting under sail. Therefore, let us get straight to business.
- Well then, business it is.
Derink, without ceremony, poured the wine from the wooden goblet into his silver one and drank.
Then, with a glint in his greenish eyes, he prepared to listen attentively to the "business."
- I know, Oswald, that you will certainly be interested in news regarding King Richard the Lionheart... - the Knight began, leaning heavily enough on his sword so as not to fall off the chair, - who, as you know, was for a long time in the captivity of Henry VI, the German Emperor.
- "Was!" - Derink mocked, coughing hoarsely, - I swear by all the devils of the Roman legion! Henry the German will never release Richard. He has a strong grudge against the King.
- That may be so, however, dear Derink, the situation has changed. Richard has been released... - the Knight said, carefully watching the captain's reaction to this news.
- It cannot be?! – The captain's green eyes suddenly reddened.
- It can, Derink, it can, - Balthazar replied, very pleased with the effect produced.
- But how?.. – the pirate began to grow noticeably agitated, - Gokstad devil, did it actually happen?
- Calm down, Captain; money decides everything in this world, does it not? – The Knight looked questioningly at Derink, - Now then, Oswald, for example, how much would you value news from King Richard?
The pirate, understanding where his interlocutor was heading, calmed down and stared back at Balthazar, gathering his thoughts and stroking the remnants of hair on his head as if this aided the thought process. After a minute, he spoke, weighing every word
- Well, let's say... one hundred gold pieces, - the pirate stopped stroking his head and instead began to twist a diamond ring in a luxurious gold setting on his index finger, continuing to stare intently at the Knight.
- One hundred gold? Good money, - the other replied, smiling, - However, dear Derink, I believe that this amount is clearly not enough. After all, we are talking about King Richard.
- Fine! How much do you want? – The pirate's face twitched nervously, and the scar on his cheek turned crimson.
- Three hundred gold and this wonderful ring on your finger, - de Balza indicated with a glance to the ring that the captain continued to twist nervously.
- Curse it, Balza! Where will I get so much money now? – the pirate exclaimed, but immediately regained his composure, staring fiercely at the Knight.
At his shout, everyone present in the tavern stopped playing and looked toward the speakers. The piper, who had been half-sleepily humming the same melody, also stopped playing and perked up, looking toward the captain and his companion.
- Easy, Derink, easy! I would not have made this unthinkable journey, pushing through damn fjords and skerries, - especially at this time of year, when storms and gales occur more often than you drink this sour and wretched wine of yours, - if I were not sure that my information would interest you greatly and that you would pay a decent sum for it, - de Balza said imperturbably, tapping the table with his hand free from the sword.
Realizing that nothing interesting was happening in the captain's corner, everyone returned to their games. Exclamations and the same jingle of coins were heard again. The piper resumed his song, after first draining a large bowl of wine.
- Of course, Balza, this information is extremely interesting to me, - the captain replied quietly, looking at the ring, - however, I spent heavily on the repair of my dromon after the last battle in the Mediterranean Sea. Furthermore, I lost two excellent snekkers and was left with only three ships.
- Well! I'll bet my head, Derink, that those three ships were packed to the brim with gold, - de Balza said even more quietly, almost whispering, smiling slyly, - I know you, scoundrel. You never engage in a fight from which you would suffer any significant loss unless there was a fat prize in sight.
- You are right, Gokstad devil! You cannot be fooled, Balza... - the captain wheezed, pouring himself more wine. De Balza watched Oswald intently while the latter emptied the contents of his silver bowl in large gulps.
With a loud grunt and a hearty belch, Derink spoke slowly and significantly:
- Very well, Balza! I will give you what you ask. But I need guarantees that the news you possess will actually be interesting to me, - the captain added in a businesslike tone, removing the ring from his finger and placing it on his palm.
- Naturally, Derink! You know me; if I conduct business, I do it on a large scale, not wasting time on trifles.
- I know, Balza, I know. Then let's do this: I give you the ring now, which is worth a good hundred gold...
De Balza looked at the ring distrustfully.
- ... Do not doubt, Balthazar, I know what I am saying. If the news you brought me proves to be truly interesting, you will receive three hundred gold; if not – you keep the ring, deal?
De Balza thought for a moment in turn, but not for long. Extending his free hand (while continuing to lean on the sword with the other), he said decisively:
- Deal, glorious Viking!
Derink quickly shook the extended hand and gave him the ring.
- Now then, lay out what you have, - the pirate began in the tone of a card player waiting to see how many tricks the opponent will take.
- The German Emperor has agreed to release Richard the Lionheart, on condition that he pays a ransom of one hundred and fifty thousand marks...
- Wow! – the pirate raised his eyebrows, - And what then, did Richard agree?
- What else could he do? In a German dungeon, it was not pleasant for him, a free Knight; yes, moreover, he urgently needs to go to England to deal with his brother, who is doing heaven knows what. The country is torn apart by political instability, as you know.
- One hundred and fifty thousand! Where will Richard get that money?
- That's just the point, Derink. That's just the point. All the weight of this will fall again on England, which is already mired in poverty. I heard that taxes there are collected very poorly, although the church has called for help for the pious King who fought valiantly for the Holy Land...
- This Richard is an idiot! – Derink interrupted nervously, - To invest so much money in this meaningless enterprise! True, I made a good profit from it, selling him Venetian tubs in Sicily. But how impractical one must be, Gokstad devil! – Derink poured himself wine again and immediately drank it all in one gulp.
- However, Balza, - he continued, looking at the ring, - I have not heard anything interesting for myself yet.
- Do not rush, Oswald, I have only just begun, - the Knight said calmly, rubbing the acquired value.
- Well-well, I am listening carefully.
- The thing is, I met with Richard...
- What? You met with Richard?! – the pirate was amazed, showing all the green of his eyes, - When? Where?
- In Calais. A few days ago.
- Yes, indeed... - Derink drawled, - And did Richard tell you something that would interest me?
- Correct, Derink, correct.
The pirate was all ears.
- What would you say, Oswald, to receiving the title of Baron and good land with several manors somewhere on the eastern coast of England? – de Balza said quietly and mysteriously, so that only his companion could hear him.
Derink looked very intently at the Knight, as if assessing the level of credibility of what was said.
- Well, in fact, old friend, - Balthazar continued, reducing the solemnity, - Aren't you tired, no longer young, of wandering the seas, swallowing salty rotten air and eternally suffering from this damned tossing? Old age draws one toward the land, eh? – de Balza suddenly burst out laughing, slapping the captain on the shoulder.
- Speak more clearly, Balza, I swear by a leaky knarr! What did Richard personally offer me? – the pirate wheezed impatiently, clenching his fists over the table.
- Derink, Derink, - the Knight shook his head, - What does Richard need now? Money... He needs our money, and in exchange, he promises his fiefs and titles.
- Damn you, Balza! What is this habit of yours to shroud everything in stupid mystery? – Derink said irritably, leaning back against the wall and thinking.
Balthazar, meanwhile, filled the wooden bowl with wine and hastily drained it, coughing loudly.
Finally, the pirate stopped reflecting and addressed his companion:
- How much does he want?
- Richard? A lot. He understands that there is nothing to take from England – the country is effectively ruined by the last crusade against the infidels. Therefore, he agrees to attract people from outside so that, with their help, the sum paid to Henry VI can be compensated.
- And you would go along with this?
- I would.
- But why? You already have ancestral lands.
- My dear Derink, you know that besides ancestral lands, I also have the misfortune of not being the first child in the family, and therefore am forced to spend my whole life earning money, titles, power, and fame. My eldest brother is forty-five, my middle one is thirty-nine. Waiting for them to die, I will be a frail old man myself, if I survive them, of course. And then – I am not the kind of person who will sit and wait for mercy from capricious fate. I prefer to take everything myself, with my own hands. Therefore, Richard's promise is a gift from heaven.
- Yes, only the whole question is how much must be paid for this gift?
- Twenty-five thousand.
- How much?!
- Twenty-five thousand, and immediately. Without delays or bargaining.
- Twenty-five thousand! – repeated the crazed captain, beginning again to stroke the remnants of hair on his head, - Gokstad devil! This is simply inconceivable!
- Yes, and moreover, we must act as quickly as possible, since we are not the only ones who want Richard's lands. There will be hunters, believe me.
The pirate fell into thought again, leaning back against the wall. The Knight carefully put the ring in a pouch hanging from his belt and waited patiently.
- Personally, Balza, how do you envision this deal? – finally the pirate distracted himself from his thoughts, producing a pouch with jingling gold and beginning to count out three hundred gold for the Knight, - Did Richard tell you how all this will happen?
- You mean the details of executing the deal?
- Exactly. I am interested in how I can deliver the gold to the King - if I decide to, of course - so that it reaches him specifically and not, say, Prince John?
- Very simple, Derink! Richard should arrive in Dover shortly. You also head there when you are ready. I will go somewhere on business and then also arrive in Dover by mid-March. We agreed with Richard that his detachment of well-armed Knights would wait for me in an abandoned mill behind the northern city gates until the twentieth. The mill stands to the right of the road leading to London. You must enter it and say: "Invincible England." They should answer: "Invincible Richard."
- And why such complications, Balza? Does Richard not trust his subjects?
- Richard trusts few people, Derink. The activities of his rebellious brother have had a great influence on the political state in England. Barons across the board oppose royal power, preferring to see as their monarch not the powerful Richard, but the weak-willed John, or even no one at all, - the pirate smirked at the last words, - Only the lands around London and London itself, - de Balza continued meanwhile, - judging by what I saw, can be considered relatively safe. John does not even dare to attempt to influence them in any way. And there, as I understand it, Richard's main military forces are concentrated.
- I see you aren't wasting your time, Balza, - the pirate said slyly, counting out the necessary sum and pushing the money toward his companion.
- What can one do, Derink, - the other replied, hastily putting the gold into a richly embroidered leather purse, standing up slightly so as not to fall off the chair since he could not lean on his sword at that moment, - To make good deals, one must know a lot. This is my trade. Yes, and also, - de Balza, hiding the purse behind his belt, sat back down on the chair, leaned on the sword with one hand, and with the other took a piece of paper from his bosom, carefully rolled into a tube, and handed it to the pirate.
- What is this? – the latter asked in surprise.
- This is Richard's credential, signed by him personally, stating that the holder of this paper acts in his interests.
- And why do I need it?
- You must present it after you say the password and receive the answer. Without this paper, you will be arrested immediately.
- So that's how it is, - the pirate said, took the paper and, unfolding it, looked through it.
- Furthermore, - de Balza continued, - this paper will help you bypass royal patrols in the port and when leaving Dover. Without it, I repeat, you will be immediately captured.
- Yes, Richard's signature, - the captain confirmed and, rolling it up again, tucked it into his bosom, - Does all this masquerade with the mill mean, Balza, that Richard wants to personally escort the gold to London?
- That is quite likely. It is intended that we bring the gold when Richard lands in Dover together with his loyal detachment of Knights. They will stay in Dover until the twentieth and then move toward London. As soon as we reach London with a well-armed detachment, the King should, by agreement, hold a reception in honor of those who decided to contribute money to the noble cause—that is us—and announce the granting of titles with corresponding fiefs.
- Yes, cleverly thought out.
- Of course it's clever; after all, it was my idea, - the Knight smirked.
- Ah, Gokstad devil! So this is who set it all in motion! – the pirate laughed hoarsely, pouring himself wine, - To you, cunning fox Balza, - and he drained the goblet in one gulp, grunting with pleasure.
- This plan was born in my mind back when Richard was in captivity. But there was no possibility of putting it into action. When news reached me that Richard had been released, assuming his escort would be heading to Calais, I arrived there as well. Having waited for the King, I laid out my plan to him. Richard had to agree, as he urgently needs money now, but he himself is not thrilled, as you understand, by this scheme. Therefore, we cannot delay. Everything changes quickly with monarchs; do not forget that.
Alright, Derink, - de Balza said, standing up, - It's time for me to go. I have already stayed here longer than I intended. Remember: March twentieth is the deadline.
- I will remember, Balza.
- And think faster, Derink; it is in your interest. See you at Richard's, glorious descendant of Vikings! – and the Knight hastily walked toward the exit from the tavern.
- Fair winds to you, Balza! – the pirate said, thinking deeply.

Yes, Captain Oswald Derink thought very deeply. And for good reason. Twenty-five thousand—for some a huge fortune; for him, a pirate leading the life of a nomadic brigand, it was completely unnecessary. Since he was twenty, all he had done was fight and rob, rob and fight. All other time – he rotted on this godforsaken island, hiding from English, French, Danish, and heaven knows what other hunters for his wild head, the price of which increased every year. What Knight de Balza brought him today was worth far more to him than three hundred gold and some Mauritanian princess's ring; more even than twenty-five thousand. For the chance to lead a normal life on his own land, in his own castle, he would have given much more. And what are twenty-five thousand gold pieces to him when here, in secret and sinister caves, Oswald Derink had accumulated far more than five hundred thousand in gold and jewels! With this money one could buy all of England entire, but how can that be done when his crooked scar is known to all coastal garrisons, and the moment he appears there, he will be hanged immediately, and without any trial at that?
Actually, Derink was not thinking now about whether to agree to this deal or not. It would certainly be foolish to miss such a chance, which most likely would not come again. The captain was troubled by something else: how he could solve the problem with the crew, and specifically – with his assistant, Knut Dalton, who is unsettled by Oswald's laurels and dreams only of pirate fame. There is no doubt he is a masterful warrior and even a tactician, but he can never become a leader. For that, a special talent is needed. Dalton lacks such talent, but he is good at stirring up the crew for various reasons, proving his rights to power.
After some reflection, Derink decided to go all-in. Of course, Dalton would oppose his plan to sail to Dover, especially since the captain did not intend to explain anything to anyone - that would be extremely unwise - at least until they arrived in port. The assistant's resistance can only be broken by one thing – defeating him in personal combat. Then all the rest of the rabble will unconditionally obey the victor. This venture was quite adventurous for today. Five years ago, when Dalton had just begun to rise from the simple thugs, the outcome of this duel would have been predetermined – he, Oswald Derink, would have won. But now the years were clearly making themselves felt. Health more and more often began to fail the captain, especially after the malaria he suffered two years ago. Furthermore, during several recent boardings, he often caught himself thinking that his reaction, once flawless, had begun to betray him. All this testified that he – the terror of the seas from the North to the Mediterranean – could ignobly end his days by the sword of a reckless assistant and be fed to the fish. Well, if fate decrees it so, then there is nothing to be done. But to rot further on this island, missing a magnificent chance to change his life, Derink did not intend. Therefore, he decided to go all-in.
Some time after Knight Balthazar de Balza left, the captain gave the order to prepare for the voyage. The crew obeyed with bewilderment, reluctantly leaving their games – the only pastime between raids.
Furthermore, Derink selected about twenty sturdy fellows and led them into the caves, whose labyrinths only he could navigate, to take several huge chests of gold and jewels. Indeed, any king or emperor would envy such wealth. The farthest cave was literally piled with chests and precious things, among which one could notice European, Arabic, Asian, African gold and silver items, figurines, weapons, armor, platters, bowls, and more. Not to mention the gold and silver coins which, besides the chests, were piled in a large heap in the center of the cave.
Derink looked over his wealth with longing, as if for the last time, it glinting sadly in the dim light of several torches, and thought that it might turn out completely useless to him. He ordered five large chests filled to the brim with coins and jewels to be taken. His men, bending under the weight, slowly carried the chests toward the cave exit, and Derink, rummaging through this priceless junk, found armor forged of gold which, judging by the inscription, belonged to a general of the Roman Emperor Julian. The captain was overcome by a great temptation to wear it, but knowing his crew, he understood that this would immediately lower his authority, which had already been shaky lately. And the armor was just too heavy. When he discovered it on one of the Byzantine ships, he remembered pitying the poor soul who had to wear it. Therefore, he left the armor and was about to leave when he suddenly saw a large silver sword with two diamonds set into the hilt. Obeying some strange feeling, he took the sword, balanced it in his hand, and, nodding as if agreeing with someone, headed out of the cave.
As he expected, the news that they were setting course for Dover caused huge protest among the crew. Many were interested in why Oswald had taken chests of gold and jewels on board. The one who raged most, as the captain predicted, was his assistant – Knut Dalton. However, after Derink offered to settle the matter with a duel, waving the silver sword with diamond inlay, the indignation subsided but continued to simmer in the hold. Dalton gave orders through gritted teeth, as it seemed to Derink, constantly seeking an opportunity to strike him from behind. However, the cunning captain did not give him such an opportunity. Furthermore, he secured himself by taking on board only those who were most loyal to him. The own same thugs and those who might side with Dalton remained on the island, as well as two ships, since Derink decided to sail to Dover on one ship – his favorite beauty of a dromon.
Strictly speaking, something had to be settled with Dalton in any case – he was hindering the old pirate. And this, as it seemed to him, was the main difficulty in the plan that Derink had developed. According to this plan, he was to get rid of the zealous assistant even before arriving in Dover, then tell the crew about the deal with the King and promise everyone various privileges in his future holdings. He left the blatant adventurers on the island; thus, the crew, in the absence of a troublemaking assistant, should not resist his plans. After he receives the lands, he will equip an expedition to the island, taking with him some wandering Knights, eternally hungry and eager for adventure, promising them a good prize. Landing on the island, they will kill everyone who remained there, which should not be a difficult task, as the remnants of his crew, during their time languishing on the island, will have completely drunk themselves into oblivion and lost their former form. Thus he will be able to move all his treasures to his new holdings and, building several sturdy castles, live out the rest of his life in peace.
The plan was good, but Derink, not being naive, realized that the chances of executing it were not so great. Firstly, he might lose the battle with Dalton, be killed and thrown overboard. Secondly, Richard might deceive him. He did not doubt de Balza's honesty, as he had known him for many years and the latter had never given cause to doubt himself. Richard was another matter. Despite the fact that the pirate felt a certain sympathy for the brave King, as a fellow adventurer like himself, nevertheless, he knew well that Richard was a "Yes-No" King. That is what the Sicilian traders called him. Indeed, the instability of Richard's word was well known. Therefore, counting on Richard fulfilling his obligations could only be done with a great caveat. Furthermore, it is unknown whether those who are currently their masters will hand over the holdings to Derink. Feudals in England are quite willful and even know how to stand up for themselves. He would certainly have to cross swords with numerous well-trained Knights, and that would largely mean failure for him and his men. And finally, his head might be demanded by the kings of France, Spain, Denmark, the emperors of Byzantium and Germany, and monarchs from a dozen other states whose trade he had harmed for more than a few decades.
Reflecting in this way, sitting on the stern of his favorite dromon and gazing at the horizon, from which the outlines of the British island were just beginning to emerge, he suddenly realized that he had taken a step into the abyss, and now there is no way back. A slight shiver ran through the captain's entire body. Yes, it was a trap, a trap of fate – this is how retribution for one's deeds comes, when a person's reason temporarily fails them, and fails only to make that very step – the step into the abyss.
And the more Derink thought about this, the more clearly he understood that this was retribution, coming in the form of temptation, a sweet, alluring own same seduction.
The captain suddenly felt a poignant heart-wrenching sense of loneliness. He – the terror of the seas – was just a lonely old man, a wretched being hated by all, whom no one had ever loved, but only feared. He has no family, no children to whom he could pass on his knowledge, life experience, and finally, huge wealth.
Terrible! A terrible and foolish life lived!
Derink regained his composure and began to think about a will. He knew only one person who was not afraid of him but instead treated him with genuine human warmth. That person was Knight Balthazar de Balza.
And indeed, well-informed about the location of Derink and his thugs, de Balza for many years had thousands of opportunities to turn him in to some monarch, many of whom he knew personally, knowing what price the head of a pirate captain commanded and receiving money and even lands for it, which he had spent his whole life striving for without rest. But no – Balthazar did not do this, despite being exposed, moreover, to great danger if his connection with him, Derink, were suddenly revealed.
Yes, the only person to whom Derink wanted to leave his treasures was indeed de Balza.
And it wasn't even about the treasures, perhaps. This was all the old pirate could pay this man for his kindness, sincerity, and honesty toward an utter scoundrel, which Oswald Derink was, even in his own eyes. A cave of treasures is a insignificantly small payment for being considered a human being.
But how to make sure that the pirate's will reaches the Knight? Derink could not write it on parchment, although having received a decent education in youth at one of the monasteries of Normandy, he was well able to write in several languages. But writing an open will meant ruining the Knight. Furthermore, if Dalton kills him in a duel, then he will certainly destroy the parchment anyway. Moreover, de Balza needs a map of the caves, as he does not know the exact location of the treasures.
Derink looked at the sword he held in his right hand..