- Your Lordship, with you, I have the support of a significant number of Watchers. If, as you and--
- Come on, Count! What's all this business about business? I've just become a vampire! My head is spinning. I want to do stupid things like I did when I was young.
The Count understood the Duke's words perfectly. He was like that himself. The first hours after conversion, the first hours after the first sip of blood. New sensations and perceptions, the power bubbling up inside. Inexpressible and delightful cocktail of emotions, which Yankee was not at all opposed to repeat. So he decided to let the Duke enjoy these moments. Ignoring all business, the men just chatted about life like old friends. This went on for almost two hours.
- Tell me, Count, - the duke handed his interlocutor a flute of water, which he had poured a minute before, - And your mysterious slave girl, which you hide from everyone. Is she really as beautiful as I was told?
- Yes. She's a vampire, too. Personal magic. She uses it to make herself look fetchingly young.
- And that's why you're holding on to her so tightly.
- I'm not holding on to her at all. I've had enough of her lately..." the Count interrupted as he heard numerous footsteps coming from a group of people, clearly heading towards the office.
- Don't worry, my lord. These are my servants, - the Duke quickly calmed the guest, having understood perfectly well the reason why he was wary, - I asked them to bring us blood. You haven't eaten for a long time.
- Thank you," Yankee relaxed visibly when he heard his master's explanation, "I'm still hungry, but your concern is very pleasant to me.
The sound of footsteps approached the door and it opened sharply, without knocking. The figure of the Duke of Chergor appeared in the doorway, and behind him loomed other faces familiar to Count Yankee. Watchmen of the Towers and high courtiers, all loyal to the Chancellor in body and soul.
- A silver bolt fired from a miniature crossbow pierced his chest, and the ghoul screamed in unbearable pain.
Following the first bolt, the Count's body was riddled with four more, and Duke Ilius plunged a silver paper knife into the back of his neck.
- You know, my friend," - looking at the charred remains of his guest, the host turned to the chancellor, "I always thought that your demand to burn a huge amount of incense in the study when you hide in the alcove, is such a revenge for me for that joke with flowers in my youth. Turns out it really saved us from being exposed last time.
The chancellor nodded.
- Yes, I, too, have come to appreciate the new abilities. And the incense... I'm sorry, but that was really revenge for your prank! - Duke Chergor laughed, "Alright, let's get down to business. Did you manage to find out from our dead friend what he did to attract people to his side?
- Yes. But I insist that all the Watchers who betrayed you must be replaced.
- You've always been quick to judgment, Elijah. Now that we are vampires and can turn others into our kind, the reliability or unreliability of certain ministers and courtiers is irrelevant. Count Yankee had been a behind-the-scenes puppeteer for years, pulling the strings and remaining in the shadows. Very few in the kingdom knew of his real power and strength. With his death, the camp of our enemies will fall into chaos and the smartest will come crawling to me. Then and only then will we replace all the unreliable ones. We have time. And we have a choice. And it's so nice to have those two factors on your side.
- You want to turn others into vampires?
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