In the entire history of the order, there were only a few attempts to terminate relations with it by adherents. But all of them ended dramatically. All, except one, who put the hope of salvation to the children elected to the orders. Tikhon became such a person. Before he left, he left a scar on the Abbot's face. Novices said that the human hand could not leave such a scar, that the imprint on Bartholomew's face was the punishment of the higher hierarchs who supervised everyone who set foot on the path of the power of knowledge. This, in turn, indicated that Tikhon had outgrown the Teacher. However, this was only talk.
***
– How did you manage to get out of the clan? Gideon reasoned to himself, remembering the pioneer in this matter – Tikhon.
The guy rented a dilapidated house on the outskirts of the city. He could afford to rent a decent apartment and even a princely mansion, but preferred a modest lifestyle. His arrival in the city was due to the fact that with new knowledge, strength and honed skill to put an end to the Order of the Black Hand. And this step was only the beginning of his outlined mission.
Gideon lay in the middle of the floor, comparing the facts of events during his stay in the order, preparing a plan to eliminate the Abbot-Bartholomew and regretted that his meeting with Tikhon never took place.
A knock on the door distracted him from his thoughts.
– Zoe? At home? Open it! I have a train in two hours, and I have a message for you…
Gideon opened the door and saw an astonished girl standing on the threshold.
"I'm sorry," she said slowly, " but who are you?"
"You must be going to see Zoya Petrovna." the guy asked.
"Yes, I'm Tanya, her niece, and you are…
"I'm shooting here, Gideon.
The guy nodded affably.
– A… So she had rented out her place after all… Where is she now? Do you know how I can find her?
– The hostess said that she needs to go somewhere for two weeks, promised to visit on arrival, to see how everything is here, and until then, the neighbors were told to keep an eye on. There they go, spies, – the guy with a share of humor nodded in the direction of the two grannies staring in their direction.
The girl turned and giggled:
– Yes, it's like a village. Every step of the way. And news travels instantly.
"Did you have something to say?"
– My mother gave me gifts for my sister, I came to the city on business, so I managed to stop by my aunt just now. But how am I now?..
"Give me your packages, if you're not afraid," Gideon said kindly.
"What's there to be afraid of?" "there are four jars of jam here." You can't eat them all, and even so, you can't take them back! And so the whole day with these banks dragged, already the shoulder falls off.
"Come in, catch your breath for an hour, I'll put the tea on, it's not far from the station, you'll be there in thirty or forty minutes, so you have an hour to spare."
The guy opened the door wider and made a welcoming gesture inviting you to enter.
The girl curtsied, and without fear, not an ounce, slipped into the hut, relieved to throw the bag off her shoulder.
"What did you say your name was?" Gideon?
"Are we on the' you ' yet?" Nothing, I don't mind. That's right, that's my name.
– Unusual name. Rare, I'd say.
The girl did not hide her sympathy, moreover, she showed her interest in the guy in every possible way. Her facial expressions and gestures suggested that she would not mind spending this hour not drinking tea, but doing something more interesting.
