- What do you mean?
- Vampire invasion, your lordship," Alexander was overstepping his bounds when he called the ghouls vampires, but he had to, the locals thought they were vampires.
- I have heard of vampires, but they are in Valeria, why should they cause trouble for Orod?
- They're in the eastern provinces of Valeria, Your Lordship. Bordering Toshal and Orod. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before these creatures are in those kingdoms.
- Then they could come to us.
- All is the will of the Almighty.
- May his light shine on the dark creatures," the Duke whispered on automatic, "You're right, Mur take me away! If your former compatriots don't destroy the vampires quickly, there's a chance Henry won't dare attack us in the spring with such a threat at his back! You don't know anything about these vampires, do you?
- No, Your Ladyship! - Alexander lied without blinking an eye, - And why should I? I haven't been to Valeria for a long time.
- Yes, that's right.
At that the conversation ended and the duke let the knight go to his place.
And then the vampire caravan finally arrived. They looked ominous in their immense cloaks with wide hoods over their armor. Alexander, who had been watching the appearance of his companions from the sidelines, fully appreciated the impression they made. And he even liked it.
Even more satisfying was the reaction of those around him. The army, consisting of vigilantes and mercenaries, simply lost the power of speech, even the mages were quiet. Although perhaps it was caused not by the appearance of the squad, but by its composition. All of the participants glittered with the badges of mages.
And even if they were only paladins, they should have behaved more appropriately. Paladins are not to be trifled with. They'll get angry and punch you in the face. Then sit and spit out your teeth on the ground and count how many of them you have left for your old age.
Alexander happily greeted Olga, who came to his tent, and ran his eyes over the rest of the caravan, and then stared at the girl in surprise. She smiled from under her hood and jumped to the ground.
- My respects, sir," she said loudly.
Without words, Alexander took the girl into the tent and stared at her expectantly.
- Both Zhenya (Eugene) and Kostya (Konstantin) are a little angry with you, - the vampiress did not delay with the answer, realizing perfectly well that she was not expected to be at the head of the caravan, - That's why I led the caravan.
- And why not Oleg? Are you completely relaxed there? Why stand out like that?
- A woman is not a human being and she can't do anything?
- Don't talk nonsense! - Alexander got angry, - You know very well how the locals treat women in charge! Now I'll have to explain to the priests why my caravans are driven by female servants of the Mur! And then listen to a whole lecture about how women should be kept in strictness and so on!
Olga scrunched her nose in embarrassment.
- I didn't think of that when I asked to come here.
- You're creating problems in the middle of nowhere! You'll be my mistress! - Alexander made a quick decision, - Now we'll make a scene of meeting and passionate sex, and I need a new head of the caravan, a man.
The last was said a little louder, in the confidence that it would be heard by other vampires and by the moment when they finished the scene of a stormy meeting, they would be met on the way out of the tent by the one who would be called the man who brought the caravan here. And so it was.
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