Shadow Oath

Chapter 21: The Prince and the Chieftain

Ram went to stand guard in front of Jedric’s tent as scheduled.

Two soldiers who had been on duty there looked anxious, but upon seeing Ram, they asked him.

“Is it true that His Majesty ordered meat to be distributed?”

“Is it really true we’re getting meat for lunch?”

They spoke almost in unison, making it hard to distinguish who said what.

“Yes. Each person is to receive one portion. Also, everyone gets one cup of wine, but you need to bring your own cup. You should hurry. I’ll take over from here.”

“Thanks!”

The two soldiers rushed off as if there was a battle to fight. One of them paused midway and turned back.

“Have you eaten yet?”

Ram didn’t want to say that he didn’t care for the meat.

For starving soldiers, such an attitude was unthinkable.

Not wanting to appear unusual, Ram answered evasively.

“You should hurry. The distribution has already begun, and judging by the amount being prepared, it might not be enough for everyone.”

“Ah, got it.”

After the soldiers left, Ram took their place.

He had always preferred solitude over noisy gatherings.

A table laden with meat, fruit, and wine might tempt most slaves, but to Ram, it was merely something to move and clean up afterward.

“Stuga, come inside for a moment.”

Jedric’s voice came from within the tent.

When Ram entered, Jedric threw three books he had been reading toward his feet.

“I need books, Stuga. I must learn more of your language.”

Ram picked up the three books and examined them.

“I’ll look into it, but as far as I know, this is all we have.”

Just then, Ram heard the sound of three people approaching the tent.

Everyone else was heading to the meat distribution, but these steps were coming in the opposite direction.

“I heard books are common among the southerners?”

Jedric asked.

“Not really. Even among southerners, many cannot read, and most nobles rarely own more than ten books. Moreover, on a battlefield, books are not something that’s brought along as supplies.”

As Ram explained, the footsteps grew closer, and soon, the tent flap opened.

“I have books.”

It was Prince Demion.

Since Ram was inside and the two guards had gone to eat, there was no one to stop him from entering.

Instead, one of Demion’s guards stood by the entrance as if to take over the watch.

Ram couldn’t tell the prince he needed General Terrdin’s permission to enter.

The prince was already inside.

“Who are you?”

Jedric’s tone was wary.

In contrast, Demion’s voice was lively.

“I am Demion, the second prince of the Kingdom of Triton. You must be the chieftain of the barbarians—no, of the Gerans. What was it again? Elhorn?”

“Indeed.”

“I heard you could speak our language. You’re better at it than I expected.”

“Am I?”

Jedric responded indifferently.

Demion’s blue eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“Fascinating. How did you become the chieftain? I expected someone older. You’re about my age, aren’t you? I’m eighteen.”

“Close enough.”

“I knew it!”

Demion looked around and shrugged.

“There isn’t even a chair to sit on here, is there?”

One of the two guards outside poked his head into the tent.

“I’ll bring one.”

“No, I’ll sit just like the chieftain.”

Demion plopped down in front of Jedric.

The guard, still poking his head in, pointed at Jedric and asked, “Wouldn’t it be better if we stayed inside as well? It’s dangerous to leave you alone with him.”

“It’s fine. There’s a shadow here.”

“A shadow?”

The guard looked confused, so Demion pointed at Ram.

“General Terrdin said this man is the chieftain’s shadow. They call him Stuga, isn’t that right?”

Ram wasn’t sure how to respond and kept his answer brief.

“Yes.”

“And General Terrdin assured me there would be no problem with him here. You just guard the door to keep others from coming in.”

Though the prince’s tone was cheerful and light, it carried an odd authority.

The guard gave Jedric and Ram one last scrutinizing look, his gaze filled with warning, then left the tent.

As soon as the guard stepped outside, Demion asked, “Now, explain how you became chieftain. It seems it would help me with ‘my future tasks.’”

Jedric glanced at Ram as if seeking help.

But Ram had nothing to offer and remained silent.

Jedric shook his head and replied, “How perplexing. I thought only General Terrdin or the king would ask such a question, but his son?”

“I am to be your king from now on.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Why don’t you figure it out?”

Jedric blinked several times, then said, “It means my assumptions were wrong. General Terrdin will simply wage war and return home, but the one to rule this land will be the prince of the Kingdom of Triton. You’ll make this place your fiefdom and send its revenue as taxes to your father, the king. Is that it?”

“Quite accurate. You’ll have much to tell me in the future.”

“I have nothing to tell you.”

“Then at least explain how you became the chieftain. Surely that isn’t a secret?”

Jedric let out a sigh.

“It’s no secret. We lived divided into several tribes. Some farmed, some raised cattle and horses, wandering from land to land, while others raided. Because of the raiding tribes, you probably see all of us as raiders.”

“I’ve heard that each tribe has its own way of life, and yes, I do see you all as raiders,” Demion admitted openly.

“In this war, the ten largest tribes formed an alliance. The tribal leaders agreed to appoint a single chieftain.”

“The tribal leader is Ehodin, and the chieftain is Elhorn, right?”

Demion asked, and Jedric replied quickly.

“You know well.”

“Your father, Adian Mantum, was Elhorn, wasn’t he?”

“Yes.”

“Mantum is your family name?”

“We don’t have complicated family names, middle names, or second names like you. My name is simply Jedric, son of Adian. Mantum is a title given to the most skilled warrior among the Elhorn…….”

Jedric paused, choosing his words carefully.

“……It’s a title of sorts.”

“Only three tribes selected you as their chieftain, right?”

“The other seven tribes haven’t surrendered. Strictly speaking, they could unite again amongst themselves. The one they choose would become the new Elhorn, and the army summoned by the Elhorn of those seven tribes might attack you.”

“I suppose it’s clear why they didn’t surrender. They probably plan to continue their raids, right?”

Jedric nodded, and Demion firmly nodded in return.

“If I become the lord of this land, I’ll need to discuss with you how to deal with those seven tribes.”

“And what would you achieve by consulting me?”

“Convince the seven tribes not to reunite and fight against us.”

“They didn’t yield even when my elder brother tried to persuade them. They certainly won’t listen to me.”

“But you’re the chieftain, aren’t you?”

“Chieftain of three tribes, not seven.”

“So, if you have an elder brother, you’re the second son?”

“Yes.”

“Just like me.”

“I figured. They wouldn’t send a firstborn son to become the lord of such northern lands.”

“Correct. By our standards, this is the land of barbarians. No fertile fields, freezing temperatures, no fruit, frozen rivers, rough seas, and winds that cut through flesh. The first prince, who’s destined to inherit the throne, wouldn’t waste his time here. The second son, whose failure wouldn’t matter as much, is the one to be tested in a place like this. If I fail to achieve results here, my father will enslave all the tribes without hesitation.”

Jedric’s eyebrow twitched in displeasure.

“We would choose death over becoming slaves.”

“And if my father cannot use you as slaves, he would choose massacre instead.”

Anger flared across Jedric’s face.

Demion, however, continued to smile.

It wasn’t that his smile wasn’t genuine; it merely masked a trace of bitterness.

“I won’t let that happen. I’ll let you live as you always have. For that, you, and the three surrendered tribes, must help me. We need to prevent the seven tribes from waging war again.”

“You’re young, Prince Demion. Things won’t go as you imagine.”

“I know. It never does.”

Demion rose from his seat.

“Next time, I’ll bring some wine.”

“Is that all?”

“That’s all for today.”

“Then why did you come here?”

“To introduce myself. I’ll take my leave now.”

Demion turned toward the exit but then spun around with a bright smile.

“I like you, Jedric. I think we can have a deeper conversation next time. I feel like we could even become friends. What do you think?”

Jedric looked shocked, as though he’d heard the strangest suggestion.

“I don’t think so, Prince Demion.”

“But I do, Jedric Elhorn.”

Demion glanced at Ram, who stood near the door, and asked, “Stuga, you too.”

He patted Ram’s shoulder and walked out.

Only after he left did Ram turn his head and mutter, “Me too?”

Demion was already gone.

Ram wanted to chase after him, grab his shoulder, and ask, “What do you mean by ‘you too’?”

But he couldn’t.

Ram considered asking Jedric, but Jedric was deep in thought, wearing a shocked expression.

For the first time, emotions surfaced on Jedric’s face—a face usually so composed it was treated like a lifeless stone by the guards.

Confusion.

……And excitement.

Late at night, Ram returned to his tent carrying a bowl of food.

The bed, made of dried leaves and straw, greeted him.

The private tent still felt unfamiliar.

Though it was a space he could be alone in, he had never thought of it as his own. He hadn’t slept there much, either.

If not for the guards, who had returned with flushed faces from drinking wine and insisted he rest, Ram would have stayed guarding Jedric’s tent.

That felt more comfortable.

Ram placed his portion of meat stew, a piece of bread, and a slice of cheese on a small wooden table the size of his palm.

Though he wasn’t hungry, he knew he needed to eat.

Ram forced himself to chew.

The food was cold, but it was a proper meal, the likes of which he hadn’t had in a long time.

Fresh cheese without mold was a rarity.

The bread was soft, unlike the hard bread that usually required soaking in water to eat.

As he neared the end of his meal, Ram realized someone was in the tent with him.

There had been no sound of entry, yet they were seated with him.

For someone who could perceive the night’s sights, smells, and sounds, the magician’s silent arrival was a shock.

The magician, too, seemed surprised.

When Ram’s gaze met his, he didn’t hide his astonishment.

“I’ve never encountered someone with senses as sharp as yours. How did you notice me the moment I appeared?”

It was the younger of the two magicians Ram had met before.

Of course, younger in appearance, not in age.

“We’re not supposed to meet, are we?”

Ram asked.

“Who said that? General Terrdin?”

The magician spoke in the same quiet tone as their first meeting.

“Although no direct orders were given, I gathered it from the atmosphere that meeting recklessly wasn’t allowed.”

“That’s likely due to the general’s fears. And it’s precisely because of those fears that I’m here.”

Ram wasn’t confident in dealing with the magician’s cryptic language, so he asked directly.

“What’s the matter?”

Thankfully, the magician responded just as plainly.

“I have something to discuss regarding the mission to assassinate General Terrdin.”