Their new acquaintance was not as simple as he wanted to show in words, so he was quite interested in Valentine. At least he'd omitted the word "magical." "Overseer of the General Magical Archive," was the title of the magician who sat down at their table. That fact alone forgave him much. After all, this city official of the highest level could tell a lot, especially through his blood.
- Let me ask you an indiscreet question. According to the Valerian classification, are you also a mage? Or... - began the conversation with their new acquaintance.
- A mage. - Valentine decided not to make a fool of himself and not to attribute the title of Master to himself. - And you, Your Grace?
- Magister. But please, no titles or anything. Let's just spend the evening like old acquaintances. I have a hole to inspect tomorrow, and I have time to hear a lot of praise for myself.
Hole in Nayru were called beggar's quarters and it became clear where in this hotel there was a resident of the central districts of the huge city.
- Will you be looking for children with magical gifts?
- Of course! The gift unfortunately does not depend on the status of parents and is not inherited. So once a year I have to put a hole in the ground that I'm responsible for. There are many beggars and many magicians among their children. What kind of family are you from?
- My father was a knight and Lida's father was a merchant.
- And I'm a simple citizen. I've never left Naira. Born here. This is where I live. And by Demur, this is where I'll die! And where are you from?
- Elur!
- Oh! You've come far from the north to our land! You must have fought a lot of battles. I've heard it's been hot up north in recent years.
- It has been hot in Valeria and Orod. We've been the same as before. The barons have been squabbling and dividing the bumps in the meadows.
- The barons have been fighting among themselves almost since the Night of Mur! - But they're not the only ones squabbling. Orod and Elur went so far as to bring archmages onto the battlefield!
- I didn't take part in those battles.
- That's a pity. We've heard rumors of some glorious and bloody battles. As a native of the capital, I find that very interesting. It's been a long time since the Imperials tried to storm us. You can lose your skills that way. Eh! - the man banged on the table, -What shall we order? They say you have a very interesting cuisine in the north.
The conversation about trifles went on for a while, and the dinner smoothly turned into drinking together. The vampire naturally took some herbal infusion, and the mage continued to sip the best wine in the cellar. The girl, when the meal was over, hurried to leave the company of men and went to her room, and actually went hunting.
- Have you heard of vampires? - Relius was determined to make the evening worthwhile, and apparently he wanted the same thing as a vampire - to find out as much information as possible.
- Yes. I haven't come across any, but there were already cordons on the way here.
- The Empire authorities take this threat very seriously. They say that in Valeria, where they came from, several provinces were wiped out with all their inhabitants.
- Vampires have appeared in Valeria? - Valentine gasped in surprise.
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