Chapter 62

And that's when the word Triumvirate was uttered. It was a collective decision to place it at the head of the entire vampire community, and all powers of governance were entrusted to it. None of the triumvirs were above or below the other. However, for all external contacts, Alexander was chosen as the main representative, who was "crowned" as the bastard right there.

Once clarity was first brought regarding authoritative powers, preparations began for the first peaceful meeting with the locals. About a hundred and twenty vampires quickly gathered the necessary items and moved to the camp they had recently stormed. Tents and pavilions were set up.

The carts brought from the neighboring camp created the appearance of a loaded treasure. All four horses that survived the city vanguard's campaign across the pass were also returned. By morning, there was no sign left that this camp had been empty just the night before.

The baron's warriors, guarding the workers tidying up the encampment, only tensed slightly when three people appeared on the road, heading towards them. Who would think to walk along the road in September? It was only when they saw the city armor on them that they became alarmed.

The trio of scouts, who ventured out towards the fortification on a gloomy morning, were met with arrows from a bow. When the arrow was caught in mid-air, the locals were shocked. Assuming they were dealing with a paladin, they began to behave more politely, and initially just wanted to flee. Fortunately, their tactical retreat was interrupted by shouts, explaining that no one intended harm. After negotiating with the scouts, the warriors promised to report everything to Baron Savoyardi immediately.

Baron Savoyardi arrived after four hours, leading a squadron of twenty armored horsemen. In fact, he brought his entire cavalry with him. Goblins, accustomed to killing horses from ambush and then feasting on their bodies left on the road, made these places somewhat peculiar in terms of military units and troop compositions. And if in the south barons sometimes allowed themselves to have non-equestrian warriors, then here, in the north, near the mountains, no one hired mounted warriors. It was too expensive. In spring and summer, all caravans traveled north and south without horses, the carts pushed by people.

Alexander, who had emerged from his tent in advance, observed the baron. The man of middle age distinguished himself with sharp facial features, and the sharp tip of his nose made him look like a predatory bird. Only his mustache slightly softened the overall picture. Easily dismounting from his fully armored horse, the baron stood in front of the young man and stared at him expectantly.

"Your grace, I am pleased to welcome you," Alexander nodded lightly.

There were no decorations indicating the owner's status on the baron, and only his excellent armor and weapons showed that he was not a simple soldier. Therefore, the young vampire did not risk putting himself in an awkward position by addressing the visitor as "your grace." The lack of proper titles was forgiven in the absence of clearly defined insignia.

However, an excess of such formality would not only be a source of amusement but also permanently place the person below the one in relation to whom the error was made. For instance, if the king's eldest son and heir accidentally addressed his younger brother as "your majesty" in an official setting, he would no longer be able to ascend to the throne, at least not while his brother, whom he placed above himself, was alive. Customs were somewhat peculiar, but such was the world.

"My name is Alex es'Blood,"

(*the prefix "es" - unrecognized bastard (recognized by the biological father but for some reason not acknowledged by his suzerain), the prefix "ek" - recognized bastard (recognized by both the biological father and the suzerain of the father, entitled to inherit from the father), the prefix "el" - the king's bastard; if for some reason the noble father did not acknowledge the child as his own, but his paternity was obvious, the prefix "ev" was used, but it was not commonly used.)

It seemed amusing to everyone to take such a surname; going against the will of the majority in such a trivial matter seemed unworthy, and although the newly appointed triumvir was against it, he became Alex Blood.

"Baron Savoyardi, you are on my land," Alexander bowed his head again, this time lower. Now they were introduced, and there was no need to break the pretense that he didn't know who he was speaking with.

The baron surveyed the camp and glanced again at the man standing before him.

"Invite me for a visit."

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