2.
The task seemed simple. To lead the Jew out of the inn. To convince him to go willingly or drag him out by force. He could send anyone. However, the target was very valuable and knew some magic tricks. So Kmicic took with him few moloitsy, volunteers left to him by Mazepa. They’ve seen that he defeated Bohun in sabre duel, and it was enough for them to accept his leadership.
When they arrived, the crowd gathered around the inn had just noticed the Jew leaving the building, accompanied by someone covered in long coat. Suddenly the other person tripped and their coat fall down, uncovering cuirassier in blackened armour.
– Fight with them would be difficult – thought Kmicic – maybe we could somehow convince the mob here to…
Suddenly, out from the crowd, a man with a nasty scar on his face, pointed at him with a cutlass, shouting:
– Look there! They’ve sent some foreign troops after us! On them, brothers!
A mob armed with clubs, knives, cleavers, and stones rushed at them. Explaining that there had been a mistake here was out of the question. All that was left was to flee or fight. The Lithuanian was not in the habit of fleeing.
– Fire! – he shouted a hasty order. The battle-hardened Cossacks reacted quickly, their shooting significantly slowed down the attack.
– At them! Cut down this rabble! – the reaction was immediate. Such a mad attack by group of veteran soldiers was the only way to level out the enemy’s numerical advantage. The townspeople were already scattering.
– You two, follow me! – he stopped the two closest moloitsy and moved towards the Rabbi and his mysterious companion.
***
The cuirassier fired his pistol straight into his face, missing by an inch. Many a man could have been stopped by something like that, but Kmicic was completely different breed. The shot was fired from such close range that it singed his face and blinded him for a moment. Without losing his cool, he took a few steps back, rubbing his eyes with his cap. He quickly regained his sight.
The moloitsy attacked cleverly, approaching their opponent from two sides. Cuirassier thrust his into one of them, completely ignoring the other. The advantage of the weapon’s range and the skilful hit left the Cossack no chance. The second of the Zaporozhians wasted no time. With his sabre, he struck the opponent in the chest and quickly repeated it in the head. The first attack only caused sparks on the armour, the second was probably something that the opponent felt much more, but at the same time he pierced the attacker through with his rapier. Retreating slowly, he stepped on the body of the first killed warrior and momentarily lost his balance. Kmicic threw himself at the enemy, seeing perfect moment to strike. He didn’t try to penetrate the solid armour. He tripped the cuirassier, knocking him to the ground. He stomped on his hand with force, forcing the enemy to drop his weapon. He struck at the opponents head. Barely scratched the helmet but managed to cut through leather strap. He lean towards the laying enemy, took of the helmet, preparing to deal the decisive blow and… this moment left him speechless, but with a series of galloping thoughts…
How?… how did you… Oleńka?… in armour? Under arms? My beloved, is that possible? After so many years… And still so young?
The woman stared at him with a wide open eyes. It seemed to both of them that this moment lasted for an eternity. Neither of them realized from where did the large, clay creature had appeared next to them. The golem moved towards Kmicic. He strike at it twice with his sabre, without any effect. Lithuanian started to back down, checking his surroundings. Moloitsy were taking losses, so experienced soldier realised that they cannot win this fight. It was last moment to retreat, before they all were going to be slaughtered.
Natan ben Moses approached the woman lying on the ground.
– Can you walk? – he asked.
– I think so… but… it was me that supposed to save you – she stammered, stunned by the events.
– Lead the way! – the Rabbi cried out, before he burst out laughing.
