"So, the scout successfully escaped, is that right?"
Inside a grotto in Veles Valley, Lev, dressed in typical shamanic priestly attire, was listening to his subordinates' report, which concerned the slave escape.
Lev's face was shrouded by his hood, and he wore a withered floral crown on his head, making him appear eerie and greatly enhancing his mystique.
Behind him stood two burly men in coarse grey robes. These two men, strong enough to be a Prince's personal guards, stood humbly behind Lev, like servants.
Further behind was a banner with a giant snake, the symbol of veles, the incarnation of this deity.
The grotto they were in was Lev's personal meditation spot, so it contained various ritualistic items, with bones and herbs neatly arranged on a table.
It was also where Lev met with his subordinates, as he set aside time each day to see his people and hear their reports.
Facing such a significant event, these pagans dared not conceal anything. News of the rebellion and its suppression had to be reported, no matter what.
In the report, Lev noticed a crucial detail: what happened to the captured Moscow scout?
In response, the person reporting quickly said, "Lord Lev, that scout did not escape! Our cavalry killed everyone."
The man's panic was normal; after all, such a problem would be a grave offense, and no one wanted to bear such a charge.
"Then did you find his body?"
Lev's next question silenced the man. They had collected all the bodies, even those in the river, but they couldn't find that guy's. Furthermore, they discovered a nomadic cavalryman had been killed and his horse stolen—this, he didn't dare report, using his small authority to conceal it.
"So you let that guy get away."
Lev's words were calm, as if he were merely stating a fact, but their calmness made the escort leader of the transport team tremble.
He bore significant responsibility for this matter because he was the one who suggested selling the guy. At the time, seeing his robust physique, he kept him alive because he would fetch a good price as a slave—more importantly, he could get a cut.
He didn't try to explain it away by saying he might have been washed away by the river because he knew it would be meaningless; everyone here would just think he was shirking responsibility.
Now that he had let the guy escape again, the responsibility, no matter what, fell on him, and it was immense. Moreover, with the investigation, his small dealings would surely be exposed, which would lead to even greater ruin.
Furthermore, he had a supernatural fear of Lev. This old man, who enjoyed immense prestige in Northeast Rus, had many terrifying stories circulating about him.
Yes, he had saved many people in Northeast Rus, but people also knew the saying that those who save others are often the most skilled killers.
Lev had always been surrounded by terrifying stories, some true, some not, and it was because of these stories that no one dared to scheme against him. Some even believed that Lev was blessed by veles.
But shamans were all like that, surrounded by various terrifying stories, and it was for this reason that no one provoked shamans.
Now, this captain feared that Lev would use some cruel method against him, which made him immediately fall to his knees.
For example, making him a sacrifice to veles. He had witnessed Lev's sacrifices, and their cruelty chilled every observer, making them seem more like perun's rituals than veles's.
While he was in extreme panic, Lev was deep in thought. The old man had already ignored the kneeling captain, merely contemplating.
For the captain on the ground, this moment was agonizing, as he didn't know where his fate would lead. This feeling of uncertainty was truly unsettling.
"Captain, you may leave. Go receive twenty lashes later."
Finally, Lev spoke, and his words were like heavenly music to the captain. He profusely thanked him, bowing his head forcefully to the ground, so hard that his head was covered in blood, but he continued to bow.
It wasn't until Lev waved his hand, signaling his subordinates to forcibly drag the man away, that the words of gratitude finally ceased, and the expression of disgust that Lev had developed due to those words finally vanished.
"We've alerted the enemy. We must accelerate our plans and move things forward."
Finally, other emotions appeared in Lev's usually calm and unperturbed tone: dissatisfaction, anger, but also a hint of relief.
Although things had to be moved up, truthfully, it wasn't a bad thing. What needed to be prepared was ready, and the necessary people were in place. Initiating these events now would have no adverse effects.
The subordinates around him immediately agreed, then began their intense preparations. They left the grotto in an orderly fashion, many with undisguised excitement on their faces. Finally, this day had arrived.
Once everyone had left, Lev walked to the totem of veles. Gazing at the symbol of the deity he had worshipped his entire life, Lev knelt, then prostrated his entire body before the totem.
Lev prayed, praying that the plans would proceed as they had arranged, praying that they would encounter no obstacles, and praying that they could smoothly accomplish everything.
Lev had prepared for this for seven years. For these seven years, he had put in countless efforts for this cause. Countless manpower and resources had been deployed. Now, all that remained was to initiate the uprising.
"Regardless of victory or defeat, this is the last thing I can do. Even if it means mutual destruction, I can accept it. O veles, please let me accomplish this one thing. Please let me eradicate the sins of those exploiters all at once."
Lev offered another prayer, his body prostrating before the totem once more.
Outside the grotto, the entire Veles Valley was mobilized. Under the gaze of the veles statue, people busied themselves. Some carried weapons, some transported supplies, some incited the crowd, and others organized the troops.
Even more astonishing than this scene was the multitude of envoys who were leaving the valley at a gallop, heading towards their predetermined targets according to plans rehearsed countless times.
At this moment, it was as if a brain had come to life, issuing continuous commands to a body, and under these commands, this body, long prepared for this day, finally began to move.
----------