of the African region. The general took a thick stack of documents held by the Guard, bound into a single set, and several sealed letters that looked like official authorisations, and then sent the officer back. ‘This is a summary of everything we have learned about Bushtabhar, both on our side and on the Shehed side. Read it as soon as possible, because you will certainly find it useful.’
‘Thank you, General.’ Darius took the documents. It was difficult to say whether he had expected this or not, but certainly not in such a situation.
‘Don't thank me, just take care of everything on the spot.’ Leigher rubbed his tired eyes and looked over his shoulder again at the office entrance and the impatient clerk. ‘Where is Secretary Daughtry when you need him?’ he asked rhetorically, and Darius barely refrained from replying that he was probably asleep at home. ‘Never mind.’ He turned to the Earl and looked him in the eye. ‘I know you'd prefer to take your own soldiers with you, but remember, Bleist, that a uniform alone can open more doors than force. You are a colonel of the Azure Guard, so use your privileges.’ Unexpectedly, the general patted his subordinate on the shoulder and headed towards the Grand Master's office. ‘I almost forgot... Rex is waiting for you downstairs,’ Leigher called out before the door closed behind him.
As soon as Darius emerged from the palace, he saw Rex standing before him in full armour. The Guard was wearing a blue field uniform – a quilted coat with spiked sleeves, armour gloves, leather half-armour covered with slightly shiny runes, and an open helmet on his head. On top of that, he had a belt weighted down with a handy satchel, a sword and two pistols, and in his hand he held a spear with a golden crystal sparkling in the heart of the spearhead. Right next to him crouched a chimera, looking slightly sleepy. The monster was slightly larger than a bess, with a lion's head, a broad, strongly built torso somewhat resembling that of a
