Chapter 84

Apologies were accepted, especially after the stern steward, under the watchful eye of the advisor, settled the full amount, paying exactly as much for the trophies as they would cost from a middleman.

The baron's son still didn't understand what this strange man wanted from him, with his talk about his father, and didn't even suspect that he was just a step away from wearing the baron's crown on his head right now, not sometime in the future.

"What's gotten into you, brother?"

"I don't even know."

The baron truly didn't understand his own strange behavior. When a few days ago the leader of the strangers, calling himself Es'Blood, arrived at the castle and reported the results of his reconnaissance conducted by his people, he was very pleased. A troop of three hundred fighters could have been stopped.

But when the newcomer, almost in an ultimatum form, with only a slightly smoothed-out politeness, demanded that the baron take no action and leave the attack entirely to him... The baron was so stunned that he rebuked such audacious behavior and ignored him. He only gave his consent to such an adventure and reminded him of his entitlement to part of the spoils, as the landowner. Although he did not expect to see any trophies at all, let alone living settlers.

And today they showed up at the castle with news of victory and rich plunder. The baron was ready to dance with joy. And then he staged this scene at the reception. Of course, he was upset by the escape of the city baron, but not so much as to quarrel with people who, without outside help, destroyed a troop of several hundred fighters and mages.

"You know, sometimes I get overwhelmed by money..."

"I know, but this time it really couldn't have been worse timing. Take a look!"

He and his brother were inspecting the trophies that had been handed over to him for resale. His brother pointed to a chainmail, the front of which had been torn apart by a fire spell.

"And they claim they're not mages," smirked the baron.

Instead of a reply, his trusted advisor showed him several other armors and chainmails. They all had damage inflicted by powerful blows or magic.

"And there are paladins among them too. You were right, brother, they're definitely from the Valerian Order. What do you think, should we investigate which order they're from, or should we leave the hornet's nest alone?"

"If they're hiding the fact that they're mages, there's a reason for it. For now, they're of some use to us. It's not worth digging into their past. You never know what it might bring."

His brother quietly bowed his head, acknowledging his lord's wisdom.

"Who was influencing me?"

"I'll find out, but maybe we accused the baron wrongly. He welcomed us well and has always been loyal. Maybe during the day, someone else influenced him?"

"If that's the case, then we have an enemy who is also an enemy to our ally."

"Alexander, I've known you for so many years and I'm always amazed! You're a smart guy, but sometimes you say something so stupid, you might as well stand or fall."

The friends rode slowly through the forest on their way home. Torfyanoe was left behind. Sands lay ahead.

"And what nonsense did I say this time?"

"Do you really think that anyone in this godforsaken hole takes us seriously and made us their enemies?"

"Why not?"

"Because for the local authorities, we're herbivores! Dirt under their feet. The baron is just buttering us up. The others are okay, they don't spit in our face. So whoever influenced you is the baron's enemy, not ours or yours. And we're just along for the ride, supporting the baron's forces!"

Lost in thought, Alexander was forced to admit his companion was right.

In Sands, they had to stop and talk to the elder, assuring him that the carts hired to transport the trophies would soon return, and thanking him again for his help. The elder invited them all into his house for a drink, and they had to come up with excuses.

Alcohol didn't mix well with vampires' bodies; it didn't kill them, but it burned and caused unpleasant sensations in the stomach. Although the stomach tolerated alcohol much better than the rest of the body, the skin, for example, would be covered with red spots and regenerate poorly, and drinking a glass all at once caused a burning sensation

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