Chapter Text
some time before the described events
Two respectable gentlemen in expensive clothes sat by the fireplace in the company of a barrel of tira and appetizers of smoked tongue, pate, cheese and sweet pie. A blizzard howled outside the window, but here, in a room richly furnished and decorated in an oriental manner, lit by thick wax candles, peace and tranquility reigned. Firewood crackled comfortably, a fluffy cat basked on a luxurious Persian carpet, squinting alternately, now at the fire, then at a snack, then at the owners. The patterned sides of the golden goblets on the table gleamed. And nothing interfered with the conversation of two old friends ...
— Benya, what can you tell me about your ex-neighbor Yeshua de Talmont?
— What are you interested in for? Would you like to know the status of his finances?
—Well, why finance at once? Maybe my area of interest lies a little bit in another?
—Oh I beg you! When did you have her lying somewhere else?
—Fi, how badly you think of me, maybe I'm talking about my soul, about my heart ...
— Aaron, are you sick? Then, rather, send a messenger to his brother Isaac in York, his daughter understands the treatment better than the Salerno and Magnavra schools combined.
—Don't wait. Benya, I always held you for an intelligent person and you never gave me a reason to doubt it, so stop talking nonsense and tell everything you know about Talmon and his eldest daughter. She is the same age as your Hava.
— Aaron, you are definitely sick. But with your head. Are we at our age! Did the Rachel story teach you anything? I know what you're going to say - you contacted her out of grief after Miriam...
— Benya, calm down. First, it was a long time ago and not after Miriam, but Ruth. And secondly, between these two there were also Naama, Sophia and Jaffa. But I'm not talking about that. Third, don't wait. I'm not going to die at all, and especially not in this way. In addition, at our age, this method, fortunately, is hardly possible anymore..
— What then?
— Okay, I'll tell you directly - the book. The one everyone pretends not to know about. Rather, one of.
— You mean to say that... Sefer Yetzirah?
— I've been looking for them for such a long time! But not only. The own works and experience of the Kabbalists, written down by themselves. A storehouse of great strength, true power and might, which money cannot give, no matter how much it is. And I figured out, finally, where one of these volumes.
— Yeshua de Talmont?!
— Why do you think I recently wooed his daughter? He agreed to give the book as a dowry.
— Aaron, I just can't believe it! But even assuming that... Tell me honestly, what are you really up to? You are a reasonable person and do not want to get married...
— Yes, I don't want to marry. And if this marriage can be avoided, I will be happy. But I want his book. That's why I'm asking you to tell me what you know about Yeshua de Talmont. What acquaintances, with whom he does business and how, who enters the house and so on ... In short, absolutely everything! I need a rat hole... I want to get these records in another way.
— Don't you think that besides you that this book is and where it is, someone else could guess? Besides, it can be well protected... er... by itself. You understand what I mean!
— I think and I understand A lot of people in the know want it, but I want to do it in such a way that I get it first without anyone guessing I have it. And don't worry, I have someone to deal with her defense. I ask you, Benya, to help me get it..
— You know how grateful I am to you for your shelter and help... But I don't know how to kidnap, as it should be here. And I don't understand... magic! But are you sure the one who...
— He at one time served Simon de Belem.
Benzion Stackenschneider turned pale and shrank at the mention of the baron's name. However, his interlocutor did not feel any fear, on the contrary, he was complacent. Therefore, he lay down imposingly on the pillows and drank from his goblet, said, almost in a singsong voice:
—He knows what he will be dealing with. And it's in his interest to do it.
— But is he a reliable person?
— He has a family, Benya... You know how important it is for a person to have a family... for the sake of your Hava you will do everything, right?
He nodded.
—So, this family of his owes me money. A lot of money. I made him a deal.
And in the dark eyes of the richest Jew in England, something sinister flashed, so his interlocutor decided not to find out the details, although he was usually extremely eager for such matters.
And the owner continued:
— All you have to do is think about where our dear Talmon can hide his treasure. Everything else will be taken care of by the people who know it.
— Well ... I have only one thought, - the guest answered him and, before explaining, sipped his goblet, this gave him time to find words to express this very thought in the safest way, - he keeps the book at home
—Are you sure?
— It simply would not occur to anyone that Yeshua de Talmont could own this book, because Kabbalah is the lot of the brightest minds. And this shlimazl known to the entire Nottingham community does not have enough brains to even understand why, under no circumstances, you should not contact the local sheriff, Robert de Reno.
—And did he?
— Imagine yes! Although I warned him from the very beginning. I myself would have bypassed a person with such a face and habits by the tenth road. Yes, I got around! But did it help me? Why has this misfortune befallen me? And he also has a brother! Not better! And about the assistant, I generally keep quiet! This is such...
— Stop wailing and tell everything again from the very beginning and in order. So, what kind of bird is this Sheriff of Nottingham and his brother, are there any other relatives, what is his financial situation, are there any influential patrons and connections at court ...And everything he was involved in, and you ever heard of it. And again the whole story that happened to you personally.
— Aaron, what did you think? I'm scared already.
— Don't be afraid, Benya. As I said, I need a hole for a rat, and I won’t be me if I don’t find a way to get what I want, without unnecessary burdens ...— And the hospitable host poured more wine into his guest’s goblet ...