The man in luxurious clothing stood at the top of the tower, looking down at the city below.
— Advisor, — the approaching man bowed deeply, — The rebels have invaded the Dahor province, as well as the kingdoms of Tossal and Orod, capturing several border fortresses. All the troops sent to suppress the rebellion have been destroyed. The Council's army, led by Advisor Georg, will not reach them for at least another ten days.
— By then, they will have taken the entire province!
— The harvest festival worked against us, and we were not able to gather enough forces in time, — the man explained.
— Damn it. We've lost an entire province, more than ten squads of mages have been destroyed, and you say it's because of the festival? Who is behind the rebellion? When will you find out, Master?!
— Unfortunately, my scouts are disappearing. I cannot explain it, sir.
— What about the reports from the very beginning of the rebellion from Master Joseph, about it not being people? — Advisor Bor looked intently at the reporter.
— I tend to consider it nonsense, Advisor. Divination and clairvoyance spells show the most ordinary people, herbivores wearing armor, nothing more. The only oddity is that they move at night and the spells are ineffective, but they are people.
— Divination and clairvoyance, — the man snorted, — That's pure charlatanism, not magic! How can you rely on results using such methods? The only working spell is "Celestial Eye," but it needs to be tied to birds and artifacts... although, what am I teaching you! Keep me informed of any news. You're dismissed, Master.
The Master bowed and hurried to leave the tower. The Advisor continued to watch the city below. The civil war had just ended, costing the state dearly both financially and in terms of people, particularly mages. And now this strange rebellion that, for some reason, could not be immediately quelled. And there were no demands from the rebels; they weren't even operating within the state borders. Strange. And untimely.
All hope is that Georg will quickly put them in their place, and let the Tossal and Orod people deal with it themselves. In fact, a rebellion in neighboring countries could even be beneficial; perhaps instead of destroying the herbivores, they should be pushed abroad? That's something to think about.
***
Sergey walked down the street and, making sure he was not being watched, confidently scaled the wall, ending up in a small garden. The back door was opened with a key of his own, and now he was at the top. The homeowners, a once wealthy merchant and his wife, had no idea that for the past two weeks, the attic of their house had become a refuge for vampires and their observation post.
The failure to infiltrate the bishop had increased the resources dedicated to the mage. But here, too, the only success was the attic, from where they could quietly observe the young woman's house without arousing suspicion. After all, she rented a place in the best city district, and simply walking the streets was impossible — the guards were on high alert, and any suspicious passerby was immediately stopped.
— That Martha is just a paranoid! She's updated her protective and watchful spells again! — reported the vampire whom Sergey had come to replace, — And where's Tolyan (Anatoliy)?
— He's scouting the church's sewer outlet today, — replied the head of intelligence.
— So he messed up, — concluded the vampire, and stretching, continued his report, — The homeowners will return in an hour, the servants have been sent away until tomorrow, the mage has been at home since midday, updating the spells, the servants left her house about two hours ago, it looks like she also let them go. You're lucky, boss, it will be a quiet night.
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