Approaching the training ground, a fenced area twenty by twenty meters, they admired the action taking place within it. There was a practice battle, five versus five. And it was quite spectacular. Acrobatic leaps of the paladins, striking moves that were visually impressive, swift maneuvers... Hollywood and Indian cinema would pale in comparison.
"Will I be able to do that?" the girl, gazing mesmerized at the battle, resembled a small child experiencing a fairy-tale place for the first time.
"You will. You're already a personal mage."
Alexander picked up a twig from the ground and pointed at it.
"Set it on fire. Imagine it engulfed in flames and burning!"
The twig in his hand ignited, causing the girl to squeal in fright.
"See? It's simple. Tomorrow you'll drink the blood of a mage, and everything will make sense to you."
Leonid approached them. Greeting the new vampire, he tried to be as friendly as possible. After all, it was a new precedent in their lives. And a new member of their kind, albeit still quite rare.
"Interaction between mages and paladins is currently not going well," he reported to the triumvir.
"What's the issue?"
"The paladins keep charging ahead."
Alexander was surprised.
"That's easily solved. They shouldn't charge and should let the mages work."
"Try explaining that in the heat of battle! Everyone understands it, but as soon as the attackers retreat, they get pursued. I've tried it myself, getting carried away and charging ahead, forgetting about formation and everything I've taught the guys!"
The triumvir whistled.
"Maybe we should increase the number of mages then?"
"No. We'll train. We need it more for the future than for this campaign, where mages might spread fire to adjacent sectors of the front," the warlord was uncompromising.
"Are we sticking to our plan of not rushing into battle, or have you come up with something new?"
"Everything's as before. We stand our ground until the end and observe. Only then do we fight."
"We'll end up hungry."
"Better hungry than exposed."
Meanwhile, a new group emerged on the field of the polygon and, splitting into two teams, began their battle. Leonid glanced at them and, satisfied that everything was going well, turned back to Alexander.
"I'm reinforcing my skills for now," he explained.
They stood and watched the training. As they were about to leave, the knight remembered about blood.
"Do you happen to have any human blood? I forgot to arrange it for Stefania."
The warlord shook his head.
"Ask Sergey about it; scouts always have some."
"They have 'Semenov's brew,' do you think it's worth giving it to her for the first time?"
"Definitely not. How about the duty gendarmes?" Leonid made a final attempt to help with the issue.
"I'll go ask."
After bidding farewell, they headed towards the castle under construction, but there was no blood at the gendarmes' post either. However, Maria had some. Trying human blood for the first time, Stefania reclined on the vampire's couch.
"Whose blood is that?"
"A paladin's. How is she with thirst?" Even now, the girl was more interested in scientific questions.
"She's trying to keep herself in check," the evasive answer didn't satisfy her curiosity, but it indicated that her time would come later.
"Where are you planning to use her?"
"If she manages to keep herself in check, she'll stay with Katka (Kateryna) for maintenance. If not, I'll send her underground to Olga."
"Fair enough."
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