Chapter 174

— Do you have high expectations of him?

The captain smirked into his beard. His main expectation was to finally gain a decisive advantage over the pestilent steward. The steward had become quite unruly and seemed to no longer distinguish his own purse from the duke's. A successful expedition to the pass would allow him, if not to replace the steward, then at least to significantly limit his capabilities.

— I expect a lot from our success!

They encountered the first goblins just as they were nearing the point on the road where they would turn off and begin their journey through the forest. The night was filled with screeches and cries, and darts and throwing stars flew at the people. The vampires, who knew of the enemy's approach thanks to their sense of smell, reacted calmly. The others began to panic, and at first, the chaos that reigned in the camp nearly turned into a full-blown panic.

Seasoned soldiers were somehow convinced that the goblins wouldn't dare attack such a large force. But one had to part with any delusions. Some separations were quite painful. Three ceremonial bonfires and three graves of ashes were the price people paid for their carelessness.

The first night in the forest was organized on a spacious clearing. The captain, patrolling the camp and encouraging the soldiers, stopped by a small fire where a tiny bird was being roasted.

— I've noticed you're eating so modestly.

"Everyone has noticed!"

Indeed, the small portions of food consumed by the vampires attracted undue attention. But avoiding this was nearly impossible. Two thousand men, existing next to each other and literally breathing down each other's necks at the campsites, couldn't help but notice how little food the mages and paladins of Sir Blood's squad prepared for themselves. But the vampires didn't need ordinary food, and Leonid deemed it unnecessary to take any supplies. He had regretted that decision more than once. And it was fortunate no one spoke Valerian!

— We have enough. And we won't fall from hunger in battle.

Vilor nodded approvingly.

— I don't doubt that. Yesterday's fight showed what your people are capable of.

After a small but extremely unpleasant clash with the goblins, the captain gained a great respect for Sir Blood's fighters. Even he was slightly taken aback, succumbing to the general confusion. Honestly, he hadn't expected an attack on the road. And amidst the chaos at the start of the battle, it was Blood's mages and paladins who represented a bastion of calm and order. Almost all the losses the goblins suffered the previous night were due to their efforts.

— Would you like to join us? — the knight made an inviting gesture.

The captain waved his hands.

— No, thank you, I've already had dinner.

Suddenly, those sitting by the fire tensed.

— Goblins!

— Where? — Vilor looked around, but the camp was completely calm.

Blood pointed towards the forest.

— There, about four hundred of them.

— But how did you know?

— Are you interested in how I knew, or do you want to prepare the camp for the attack?

The captain did not hesitate for a second. There would be time to talk later.

— Alarm!

The night's rest was not on the road but in a specially prepared place. There weren't enough carts to create even the appearance of solid defense. The goblins, boldly attacking the fires and soldiers as was typical of their race, charged forward. The soldiers, having been warned in advance, managed to form something resembling a battle line, and now the fight had turned into an ordinary melee, where the advantages were still with the humans. After losing about a hundred dead, the goblins realized there was nothing to gain here and retreated.

— They need to be stopped, — Leonid, who had not participated in the battle, approached Alexander.

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