64

The walls of the hall, topped by a vaulted ceiling, were hung with halberds, muskets, and stuffed animals. From all sides, the heads of boars, foxes and wolves stared at Istvan with dead eyes. He shuddered and at that moment on the stairs leading to the second floor, he noticed the very maid whom he had seen through the window. The girl smiled and waved her hand towards the right wing of the house:

- Ban Tomas is waiting for you in the library.

“Thank you,” Isstvan nodded. "So my new father's name is Tomasz."

The first door led to the library, and the newly minted young man resolutely stepped inside. There were several open bookcases, a large oak dining table, and half a dozen curule chairs. In one of them sat a pale, thin man of about fifty with a gray mustache and a goatee beard.

“Ah, Pishta,” he smiled, and his face lit up with joy. - Come in, sit down.

The young man settled down next to Tomas, handed him the potion, and looked at him expectantly.

- Thank you. That's what I wanted