Shadow Oath

Chapter 8: Scara Grasslands

The wind that swept through the grasslands rustled Ram’s black hood.

Even though a helmet covered his face beneath the hood, Ram clutched it tightly with one hand.

It had become a habit in just a few days.

“Keep a sharp eye out, kid.”

General Terrdin called Ram “kid.”

He consciously avoided using Ram’s name, and rarely referred to him as “Shadow” either.

Still, Ram didn’t find it uncomfortable.

When the general addressed him, he spoke so quietly that even the adjutant standing right beside him couldn’t hear.

That was the signal.

Ram was the only one who understood it.

Thus, whenever Terrdin spoke that way, it meant he was addressing Ram alone.

Terrdin utilized Ram’s extremely sensitive hearing in this manner.

Ram also wore a helmet that only concealed his face, leaving his ears and mouth uncovered for this purpose.

Ram lightly tapped the side of his helmet near his head.

That was his reply.

The general’s hearing wasn’t as sharp, after all.

Before Terrdin had even given such orders, Ram had already been scanning the surroundings.

The wide-open Scara Grasslands showed no signs of anything suspicious.

There wasn’t much to examine in haste.

The work fell on his ears instead.

A mile to the rear, over fifty horses shuffled impatiently.

They were cavalry from the Kingdom of Triton, who had crossed over using a narrow part of the Targef River.

This grassland was the battlefield the army had been eager to fight on.

Conversely, it was a place the enemy desperately wanted to avoid.

But today, there would be no battle between the two armies here.

This was a designated spot for surrender negotiations.

The allied cavalry had been stationed here as a precaution.

Their lack of movement was essential for the success of today’s negotiations.

The Gerans likely had a similar arrangement.

Ram could hear horses northward, a mile away, making the same restless sounds.

What was visible, however, were five Gerans on horseback, positioned roughly 400 paces away.

They were the agreed number for the surrender negotiations.

On this side, there were also five individuals.

General Terrdin, Adjutant Adun, a noble lord acting as commander, a knight providing escort, and Ram.

Ram was positioned about ten paces behind them.

The well-trained warhorse beneath him stood perfectly still, even in the hands of Ram’s inexperienced horsemanship.

“Are you really going with just the two of you?”

Adun asked with concern.

“Is there a problem?”

Terrdin replied.

“We wanted to meet near the Targef River, but they insisted on the Crescent Grasslands instead. This place was chosen by them. They could have set up an ambush.”

“It’s an open area where both sides can feel secure. That’s why we agreed to it, isn’t it? And both sides have brought five people, as agreed. You’ve even met them twice yourself, haven’t you?”

Terrdin spoke in a reassuring tone.

Over the past week, Adun and several commanders had taken turns visiting the enemy camp to initiate surrender negotiations.

To be precise, the discussions revolved around who would meet, when, and where, and how many participants would be involved.

“That’s true, but…”

As Adun hesitated, a noble standing nearby grumbled.

“Are you truly planning to negotiate surrender with these barbarians here in the grasslands, General Terrdin?”

Count Badio had been disgruntled before they even arrived.

He complained about getting his clothes wet while crossing the Targef River and still wore an annoyed expression.

“Don’t call them barbarians; call them the Gerans, Count. I’ve emphasized this several times—if you’re going to address them…”

Badio cut off Terrdin’s words mid-sentence.

“The victors should trample the defeated underfoot. The soldiers should be given the chance to loot their villages. That’s how they’ll be compensated for the hardships they’ve endured. Just say the word, General. The fifty cavalry we have here are more than enough.”

“If our intent from the beginning was to burn this land and massacre every last Geran, even infants, then yes, that might work. But we’ve come here to rule them, and they will continue living here. In that case, negotiations are necessary. Be patient, Count Badio.”

“Even so, General, this is a critical meeting to conclude the entire war.”

“I am aware.”

Terrdin responded in a tone that asked what the count was expecting him to do.

“But why are you going with… that child instead of someone like Adun or a nobleman like me?”

Badio glared at Ram as he continued.

“Not a child, Count. My shadow.”

“There wasn’t such a thing as your ‘shadow’ until recently.”

“I deemed it necessary.”

“Necessary for what?”

“If it comes to just the two of us going and the enemy ambushes us for revenge against Mantum, would you, Count, be able to protect yourself while keeping me safe?”

Badio couldn’t answer.

His expression, however, remained disgruntled.

“Boti?”

Terrdin called out to the knight standing beside Badio, who was focused solely on the road ahead.

Boti was known as the most skilled warrior in the allied forces.

He was also Ram’s training instructor, although their sessions were infrequent.

“Boti?”

Terrdin called again.

But Boti, intent on scanning the surroundings, didn’t respond.

“Looks like Adun isn’t the only one nervous. Boti!”

This time, Terrdin raised his voice.

Finally, the knight turned his head.

“Yes? Oh, yes, General!”

“In an emergency, prioritize protecting Count Badio. If something happens to me, he’ll take command of the army.”

“Understood.”

Boti’s reply was reluctant.

Terrdin nodded toward Ram.

“Let’s go, kid.”

Terrdin started forward, and Ram followed.

Passing the three who remained behind, Ram avoided looking at Badio.

Being of noble lineage, Badio might have connections to Baron Selkon.

What if he recognized Ram and reported it to his master?

Although there was no reason for Badio to associate him with Selkon, Ram couldn’t shake the worry.

“Have you been keeping watch?”

Terrdin asked, slowing his horse intentionally.

“There’s nothing within a mile.”

“You’ve learned to use miles now?”

“I picked it up from the commanders.”

A thousand paces made up a mile, with one pace being two steps.

The army’s standard measurement, ten miles, was the distance infantry typically marched in a day.

For soldiers unfamiliar with miles, terms like “half a day’s march” were often used.

Commanders, however, calculated everything in miles.

Over the past week, Ram had become accustomed to hearing this unit in their discussions.

“You heard Adun’s concerns, right? Do you think an ambush is likely?”

“The grass here barely reaches the knees. It’s unsuitable for assassins to hide. I’ve been listening closely, but there’s no sound that raises concern.”

“The Gerans are probably just as worried about an ambush, don’t you think?”

“Yes, they’re having a similar conversation right now.”

“Can you hear them from that far away?”

“Yes.”

“What are they saying?”

Ram strained his ears, catching snippets of the Gerans’ conversation as the wind carried their voices.

“The exact midpoint between our camp and the enemy’s. It’s an open plain, making an ambush difficult, with nothing but the horizon in every direction—no trees, no cover. While an ambush is unlikely, the ‘southern men’s’ cavalry has been stationed near the Targef River. Their speed could still pose a threat, so precautions are necessary… that’s what they’re discussing.”

Terrdin glanced back at Ram.

“Are you nervous too?”

“I’m always nervous.”

“Then why do you look like you’re curious about something?”

“Yes, I am curious, but it’s nothing important.”

“Ask anyway.”

“It’s really not important.”

“Ask. If you wear that curious expression and don’t say anything, won’t I get distracted?”

“…Why does Adun call this the Crescent Plain?”

Terrdin chuckled.

Ram felt a bit embarrassed, but Terrdin explained kindly.

“The Gerans call it ‘Scara.’ It means ‘crescent moon.’ They say the land’s shape resembles one. Before the war began, we scouted the area dozens of times, but I saw no resemblance to a crescent moon. Perhaps if we included the northern islands, it might resemble one, but the islands are so scattered it’s impossible to confirm. I just accepted it as it was. Land changes over hundreds of years, and names are often tied to local myths or legends.”

As they spoke, they drew within 200 paces of the five Gerans.

“This is the midpoint,” Ram said, and Terrdin stopped immediately.

He turned his head sharply to look back. Ram thought he was checking their allies’ position, but instead, Terrdin brought up an unrelated topic.

“Do you like Adun’s teaching?”

It seemed an odd time to ask, but Ram, as always, didn’t question the timing.

He answered honestly.

“Before liking or disliking it, he doesn’t teach much.”

“What excuse does he give for not teaching you?”

“He says I’m not qualified to be taught.”

“Qualified… Well, Adun was a tutor for noble children before the war.”

“Then he might not like teaching someone like me, a slave.”

“How did you find out you’re a slave? Ah, you must’ve read that part in your records when I had them erased. You’re sharp enough to catch onto that.”

“Is that okay?”

“I don’t know. Adun is discreet but not mute.”

Though the matter seemed serious to Ram, Terrdin dismissed it casually.

“How was Boti’s swordsmanship training?”

The knight, Boti, who stood 200 paces behind guarding Terrdin, was reputed as the most skilled swordsman in the army. From Ram’s experience, his techniques were indeed refined and dazzling.

“I’m not sure.”

“What did you learn?”

“…Various things… a lot…”

“You can be honest.”

“…Honestly, I don’t think I learned anything.”

“What did Boti say to you?”

“He said I had bad habits. He even told me, ‘You can’t teach an old dog new tricks, and you’re already old.’”

“That must’ve discouraged you.”

“No, I’m used to it. In fact, back at Selkon Castle, the household disliked teaching me.”

“Why was that?”

“Because I kept… asking questions.”

“Asking?”

“When learning something, I’d keep asking if it was correct. Everyone hated that.”

“Did Boti tell you to stop asking?”

“Yes. He taught me how to hold a sword, and I asked why it had to be held that way. He’d get angry and tell me to just follow orders. I couldn’t simply follow orders, and I kept getting scolded.”

Terrdin smiled faintly.

“In most things, including swordsmanship, you first learn the rules and master them to their limits before discarding them. But you question the rules right from the start.”

“I’m sorry.”

“There’s nothing to apologize for. Do you remember what I told you when I taught you?”

Terrdin had personally instructed Ram in swordsmanship once—a moment Ram remembered as the time he’d received the most praise in his life. In less than an hour, Terrdin had told him three times, “You’re truly rewarding to teach.”

“Yes, I remember everything.”

Ram wished he could continue learning from Terrdin, but the duties of a general didn’t allow time for swordsmanship training, especially now during the surrender negotiations.

“What was the most important thing I emphasized?”

“You told me to think freely.”

“And you’re already free. There’s no reason to let that go. It may have been my mistake to try teaching you the basics. Who could possibly teach someone who cut through hundreds of guards and brought Mantum’s head? Maybe there’s not another person in this entire country.”

At that moment, the five Gerans began to move. One of them spoke loudly enough for Ram to hear clearly.

“They only brought two as promised. Saom and I will go. The rest of you wait here.”

Two of the Gerans advanced on horseback, leaving the other three behind.

Terrdin watched them approach and spoke quietly.

“Pay close attention to what happens next, kid.”

Though the Gerans were still far away, Terrdin spoke softly, as if signaling that only Ram should hear.

It was as though he anticipated someone on the other side might also have exceptional hearing.

“And learn well.”

“Yes, General.”

Ram responded, though he wasn’t entirely sure what he was supposed to learn.

“Only step forward when you deem it necessary. And though it hardly needs saying…”

As the two Gerans drew within 50 paces, Terrdin lowered his voice further, soft enough to be masked by the sound of hoofbeats.

“Do not mention Adian Mantum to them under any circumstances.”

“Yes, General.”

It was truly unnecessary advice.

Ram had no intention of speaking a word during this negotiation.

A slave inserting himself into his master’s conversation?

That would never happen under Baron Selkon. But Terrdin always added such warnings, and Ram liked that about him.

He liked being called “kid.”

He liked the measured, considerate tone Terrdin used.

“Yes, General.”

And he liked the small gestures and glances Terrdin gave when Ram responded.

With Baron Selkon, even saying “yes” required extreme caution, fearing it might be the wrong answer. But with Terrdin, Ram felt comfortable enough to ask questions.

“I have another question.”

Terrdin responded with his usual kindness.

“Go ahead.”

“Adun told me the one coming to surrender today is the Gerans’ ‘king.’ But as far as I know, their king was Mantum, and Mantum is dead. So, who is the king now?”

“Good question. I’m curious too. We’ll find out soon enough.”