With one hand he easily threw off the heavy block that locked the gate, and then he struck it with force, causing it to swing open. The square was filled with the clatter and roar of hundreds of fleeing men and women. The soldiers guarding the gate rushed towards the traitor to stop him, but he was already in front of them and the tip of his sword danced silently, floating in the air.
The lightning bolt aimed at the attacker collided with the magic shield and melted into the air. He didn't even seem to notice the magical effect and jumped to the nearest soldier, clawed at his throat and began to drink blood. It was only this action, so often seen during the day in the city, that brought the soldiers out of the comatose state they were in.
Realizing that it was not Askold, but one of the creatures that had taken over the city, they threw themselves at him with shouts. Easily deflecting two blows, the warrior swung his weapon into the stomach of the third and left it there, replacing it with a sword that had fallen from the hands of the slain man. The fourth foe received a powerful blow to the chest and flew into the wall.
The ghouls who entered the gate found only corpses and Askold drinking blood from the mage. The smell of blood deprived them of the remnants of reason, some forgetting their purpose, pounced on the bodies of the soldiers guarding the gate. The footknight who had paved the way for them had drunk enough blood to think clearly, so he threw the mage's body aside, pulled his sword from the soldier's belly and ran on. The magician's throat had to be reached first.
All hell was breaking loose in the courtyard. The ghouls that had entered were covered in spells. Lightning bolts struck relentlessly. The attackers who didn't defend themselves were already dead, but there weren't as many as the mages might have hoped. The former half-captain immediately spotted the mage and jumped almost to her.
Several soldiers got in the way, blocking the way to the mage. While the man was dealing with them, the woman assessed the new threat and put a fireball into the ghoul's chest, two soldiers who tried to protect her were burned by it, and the attacker was thrown away by the blast wave. Not wanting to take any more chances, the mage ran. Taking shelter in the tower made more sense than continuing to try to kill the creatures. After catching up with the fugitive, Askold fractured her skull and began to drink her blood.
The soldiers remaining on the wall no longer offered any resistance or attempts to cover the mage or prevent the ghoul from feeding, casting the blood-deprived body aside, the former guard spotted his old acquaintance. Walking over to his shaking buddy, he pulled him to the ground and poured a few drops of his blood into his mouth. And with a satisfied look at the man writhing in agony, he rubbed his hands together.
A powerful stream of flames struck the courtyard from the tower and caught everyone's attention. Such a riot of magic could not be seen every day. And only Master Josef was capable of it.
- Well, magician, - whispered Askold, - Let's talk again about how to fight bandits in the city.
Before dawn Fes built his army in the main square. More than two thousand ghouls. The army had nearly tripled in size. His former master could be proud, his plans to take over the kingdom were coming to fruition. A pleasant satiety filled his body, pulling him to sleep. The man didn't really understand why this strange former guard, thanks to whom they had captured the citadel, insisted on such a formation, but it was very exciting to stand in front of the ranks of his soldiers and realize that you were in charge.
Of course, a few hundred of the newly converted ghouls had scattered, preferring not to join his army, but they would be found and killed later. For now, before going to sleep, one could just enjoy what was happening and think about where to go next night. And dream a little about Jeanne's charms....
Askold approached the one who demanded to be called the Supreme Vampire and bowed carelessly. Along with him came his old buddies whom he had personally turned the evening before.
- 'You have done well, Askold. I am pleased. I make you centurion!
- Thank you, but I think I'll settle for something else.
The sword blow took Fez's head off. Before his aides could even draw their weapons, they were slaughtered.
- Hear me, everyone! From now on, I am your Supreme Vampire! - Ascold shouted, "And we will have new rules and goals! I will teach you how to fight properly!
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