In vain he reminds me of caution. Everything is hidden reliably, there is no need for additional measures. However, Belket's words should be considered. It is unlikely that the great archon would have worried in vain, but what, in his opinion, should I do-to expose an entire army from each artifact? It's ridiculous, and I do not have so many warriors at my disposal. Any additional guards, any extra fuss near the caches, where the regalia of the sage Sar-Issa are hidden, will only attract unnecessary attention to them.
Transfer the relics to the castle? Belket mentioned that Maakhir goes to our land alone. True, not in the literal sense of one, but it is unlikely that he leads a large army and is ready for an assault. This can only be decided by a madman. Although Maakhir is in some way a madman. The boldest magician of the Silver Cities, after all ... He is almost equal to us in strength, insensitivity to bodily suffering - in the taming of the flesh, they say he succeeded incredibly. This one is capable of much... Alas, even the locks of the devoted servants of Asha are not protected from betrayal, if there is a betrayal near me - and all the relics will immediately be in his hands. No, no, this is unacceptable, even if the ring, and the staff, and the cloak, and the crown remain where they are, we just need to warn the detachments guarding them about the danger, let them be ready to meet the enemy at any moment. It is necessary to send messengers immediately - that's enough.
No matter how strong you are, Maakhir, you are vulnerable, like all living things. You are cunning, but no cunning will help you find what is right in front of your eyes and at the same time is hidden from your eyes. Where will you go for the priceless heritage of Sar-Issa - to the mountains, to the terrible underground caves? Or maybe you will sink to the bottom of the sea? You are powerful, but your strength can be exhausted. Most likely, long and painful searches will not give you anything, and you will return to your capital with disgrace ... if, of course, you return. Get in my way - and I'll try to make sure that the Circle of Archmages does not wait for you. And now there is no sense to fuss. You are only a miserable mortal, and I will crush you with one hand, as I crushed many and many to the glory of Asha ...
I know your magic better than others. It is in vain whether I spent so many decades studying it! Even if we meet with you face to face, I have nothing to fear, I will be able to repel your attack. In short, there is no need to overload yourself with unnecessary doubts, which Belket has managed to sink into my soul. For what? Still checking to see if an old friend and loyal servant of high trust is worthy? However, it's worth spending a couple of hours in concentration and awareness, and empty thoughts will stop bothering me.
"Do not bother me."
"It will be done, sir."
What is good - the ability to renounce the external mortal world! In such moments, sometimes you see the future, and now I find a curious picture. Will Belket still bring the whole army of Erish to the Silver Cities? Is my voice heard?
I see a military council, see the familiar lords, but for some reason I do not see myself. Perhaps, simply because I'm watching this action from the side.
I see a battlefield: blood, black clouds, our army - and various creatures, mages' favorites, attacking him. I see many and many - and for some reason I do not see myself again.
I see Belket, dressed in dark robes, surrounded by the glory of his glory, but suddenly a light fades before my eyes: I see the unholy Maakhir, alive and unharmed, I guess he is. With regalia of Sar-Issa. Embraced by the fury of the battle, he is sending a magical staff somewhere up...
I do not know, I do not understand at this moment what is happening, but in my ears there is a ringing, painful, desperate cry of the Herald, like the scream of a banshee. I see her - she stops in the middle of the battle and, along with the rest, frozen with horror, watches how the winged silhouette melts in the dark sky, covered with a veil of smoke ... It melts and disappears.
"What are you standing, fight!" I try to scream, but no one sees me or hears me. I do not. There is no one to drag this crazy aside, and it remains for me to watch how one of the magicians lifts a thin rod like a twig ("magic wand" - as they call this thing, "wand," about Asha, what blasphemy!), something flares up, and a terrible lightning hits right into the chest of the Herald, frozen in despair. Unfortunate, in a moment ceasing to be a fierce warrior, falls backwards and remains lying, still staring into the black sky with wide open eyes ...
I see a flame of bonfires. There people are burning. Someone screams, someone prays, someone coughs out, gasping for breath; those who do not feel pain, just keep quiet, submitting to the inevitable. "By the order of Maakhir, he is now the First in the Circle," I hear. I only remember one face - the face of Sehbet, ruler of the city of Illum-Nadin. Embraced by a flame, he closes his eyes and whispers something, repeats someone's name, as if calling someone...
To be continued
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