Chapter 88

For more than a week, the weather had been overcast. The headman of Peski claimed that since the Radiant Demur hadn't shown his face for so long, he wouldn't now until the cold set in. That's when the sky would surely clear up, and God's grace would settle in almost until spring. The memories of the warriors generally confirmed the headman's words. Such weather was typical for these parts.

Starting from late September, clouds wouldn't leave the sky until the first frosts came. Then they would dissipate, and for almost a month, sometimes more, there wouldn't be a single cloud in the sky. Light frost and the absence of snow made it an ideal road north and back, which numerous caravans took advantage of. They were soon to open the "autumn season."

Leonid, Alexander, and Sergey stood before the Duke, who questioned them in detail about the recent battle. They were fed a pack of lies. There was time to come up with a reasonable story about how a mere fifty mercenaries managed to defeat forces almost three times their size.

In Leonid's account, the townsmen, whom he presented himself as commanding during the battle—Alexander simply didn't dare take on that role—were exhausted to the point of collapse, hungry for several days, and so on. And so, such a motley crew, barely surviving by a miracle, became their opponents. "Think about it, Your Highness, how could we lose to such weak fighters? If they had been strong, we wouldn't have approached them even with a catapult shot. Do you like the saying 'catapult shot'? Well, that's my service to you, Your Highness!"

Unfortunately, the vampires' tale only strengthened the Duke's resolve to confront the enemy at the bridge over the Accursed River. The Baron watched all this with displeasure but could do nothing about it.

— Tell me, dear, how many soldiers are you prepared to deploy for this battle? — the Duke asked the most uncomfortable question, not only for the vampires.

Free settlements were not under the protection of local rulers, and in response to this, they were not obligated to send militia at their request. The verbal agreement between the Baron and Alexander only concerned the Baron's request for assistance. The Duke had no say in the matter. And apparently, due to his youth, he hadn't considered this aspect. Now the vampires were in a situation similar to representatives of other free settlements when they were asked to send militia—they were not obliged to, but it was not wise to quarrel with those in power. Alexander stepped forward.

— We are prepared to deploy thirty crossbowmen with artifact weapons and enchanted bolts.

There was a murmur of surprise around. The forces announced were quite serious. Even disregarding that they were sent by those who were not obliged to do so, but... thirty crossbowmen with artifacts in their hands could only be afforded by not every count.

Moreover, in case of victory, each participant in the battle had the right to a share of the spoils, depending on their contribution to the army. Thirty crossbowmen with artifacts in hand were roughly equivalent to two and a half hundred ordinary soldiers. This means that some herbivores would receive a share of the spoils like five barons, if not more.

The Duke also looked stunned. Wow, his subject settled down.

— "That's a very generous offer," — he managed to say.

When the meeting ended, the Baron approached the vampires and thanked them. The Duke had almost reduced his forces with just one question, but his new settlers didn't take advantage of it, and the man sincerely thanked them.

— "Shall we go home or wander around the city, see what's going on? It seems like merchants are just starting to arrive, those who haven't heard the news of the invasion to the north yet."

— "You know, Sergey, perhaps we should stay for now."

The trio walked into the city, each lost in their own thoughts, but all driven by a thirst for new information. The appearance of the Duke and his entourage, the renowned mercenaries, baronial retinues, merchant caravans—all of this was an excellent source, especially if all you needed was a few drops of blood.

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