- We still have time. Let's change the threads slightly.
Leonid's suggestion was met with an affirmative nod, and the vampires began their jewelry work. The signal threads created by the spell were broken in pairs and connected again, but not with the line opposite, but with the line above or below.
The artifact did not react in any way, because the main condition for it was the integrity of the threads and their continuity, and this condition was observed by the vampires. As a result, the passage was completely free of magic, but for the artifact everything was in perfect order.
And it would be in the future, exactly until it was re-powered and all the guard threads were recreated according to the laid down pattern again. It would be a shame for the vampires if that happened this afternoon. But it was worth the risk. After leaving the city before dawn, both Leonid and Alexander were satisfied with the results of their reconnaissance.
- You'll see, we'll capture Elos! - The voivode's enthusiasm was certainly contrived, but it made me believe in the reality of the plan.
- It would be good, - Alexander whispered, saying goodbye to his companion until the evening.
Capturing a living archmage was indeed very tempting. But how real it was, was yet to be tested the next night.
The tunnel into the fortress was as easy to enter as it was to leave. Nothing had changed during the time no one had used it. The only security spell created by the artifact was not an obstacle for the vampires. Of course they were not scouts, who had already trained themselves in such things almost to the point of automatism, but no one was in a hurry and after a while all the signaling threads were disarmed.
And the lock on the door could never be an obstacle at all, especially with the knowledge of some of the personalities that were encountered on the streets of Savoyardi.
What was the surprise of the trio of soldiers when the door, locked and sealed with magic, suddenly opened. The guard post at the entrance to the tunnel had recently been set up, but had already earned the reputation of being the most peaceful, and suddenly there was such an unexpected change in routine. And when, following the open door, two people appeared from there, the stunned guards reached the limit.
The astonished Leonid, seeing the soldiers, did not waste time in retrieving his weapon, but simply jumped on the nearest enemy with his bare hands. Alexander, who was following the voivode, though he had drawn his polearm beforehand, acted more calculatingly and did not rush into the melee. Two "ice arrows" interrupted the life of the remaining pair of sentries.
- What are you doing with your jumps? - The triumvir turned to the governor, who had just finished drinking blood from his victim.
- It took a long time to get a weapon, so I decided to kill him that way, - Leonid explained his actions.
- What do you need magic for?
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