The throbbing pain in my skull dragged me out of my restless sleep. The nightmares had gotten so bad I refused to sleep sober anymore. Lately, I’d been drinking myself into a stupor every night, passing out drunk just to escape them. But even then, it was never restful.

I turned to my poor excuse of a nightstand—a rough stump of wood—and reached for the water skin I'd repurposed for my wine. After all, the best cure for a hangover was more alcohol. I tipped the skin to my lips, but only a few bitter drops touched my tongue, barely enough to wet it. I grunted in disappointment. I must've drank it all last night. Great, another batch to brew today.

Sighing, I forced myself to get dressed. After the ambush, it was deemed too dangerous for me to live outside the city walls, and I couldn’t argue with that. So, I’d moved back into my old quarters. I missed the space and comfort of my house—especially my tools. Making wine would be a pain in the side without my usual equipment. Maybe I should have a poor sap haul them over?

There was a council meeting scheduled today, one I fully intended to dodge. Talking directly with the Priest would be easier. I wandered through the halls, my mind already drifting, when I was interrupted by Lian.

"Jie Mins.” She called out, striding towards me.”I need to speak with you before the meeting." She wrinkled her nose as she got closer. "How many elixirs did you drink?"

That question threw me off. "Uh… None today."

She narrowed her eyes. "You reek of someone who's been abusing the goddess’s blessing. Don’t lie to me."

"I haven’t had any today;” I said defensively. “The smell’s probably from yesterday's session. And for the record, I haven’t had a drop from the goddess’s supply. I drink what I make myself."

"You must’ve had a lot for it to linger like this,." she replied with a disapproving look. "And it doesn’t matter if you made it yourself—whether from the city or your own hands, It is all the goddess’s elixir."

I resisted the urge to argue. How powerful could a goddess be if she couldn’t even fend off the plague plaguing her lands? I didn’t believe in gods anyway, but there was no point in voicing that now. The last thing I needed was to argue with Lian about it.

Seeing that I wasn’t going to engage, she sighed. "Just... find another obsession besides drinking, alright?" she asked gently.

I nodded, and she let the topic drop. "Anyway," she continued, her tone turning serious, "I wanted to talk to you about the meeting."

"What about it?" I asked, bracing myself.

"I’ve been speaking with the wives of the elders about what they’re planning to discuss."

"You’ve been talking to the wives of the elders?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Someone has to keep an eye on the politics behind the scenes," she replied. "Since you won’t speak to anyone but my father, I’m doing it for you."

I blinked, surprised. "Wow. You didn’t have to do that, but I truly appreciate it," I said, bowing my head slightly.

"No need. It wasn’t difficult," she said, brushing off my gratitude. "But if you could stop interrupting me so I can finish, that would be the best payment."

I chuckled and made a zipping motion across my lips, signaling I’d stay quiet. She gave me a confused look but continued. "They’ll be discussing the plague, of course, and we’ll need your expertise. So don’t even think about dodging the meeting."

I glanced away, but she pressed on. "But there’s a more important matter they’re bringing up. They’re going to decide on a new Chieftain."

I nodded, half-listening, until she added, "My father wants to nominate you."

I blinked, caught completely off guard. "Wait, what? Me? As Chieftain? I don’t have the qualities to lead."

"That’s not what the elders think," she said. "At least that’s what the elders that my father has talked to think. He has been pushing for it, pointing to the success of the crops and livestock you’ve helped cultivate."

I frowned. "That’s not a valid reason to make someone a leader. It takes more than knowledge of agriculture to lead a city. One needs to understand the people, the culture, the intricacies of politics, and we should be honest—I’m an outsider, even if I am a Sage. I barely know your people or your gods. I’m better suited as an advisor, not a leader."

To my surprise, Lian seemed almost relieved by my words. "So you’re rejecting the nomination?" she asked, her tone betraying her eagerness.

"Of course. I have no desire to be Chieftain. I’ll stick to my current role," I replied.

She let out a deep sigh, the tension visibly draining from her shoulders. "Why are you so relieved?" I asked, a bit stung. "Did you think I’d be a terrible Chieftain?"

Her face turned red, and she froze for a second, clearly embarrassed by her reaction. "I... I’m sorry, Jie Mins. I just... need to speak with someone else right now," she stammered before turning on her heel and hurrying away.

I stood there, dumbfounded. What was that all about? Did she really approach me just to make sure I wasn’t going to accept the nomination? I didn’t want to be Chieftain anyway, but it stung a bit to see her so glad about it. Maybe I should ask someone else what they think about all this?

Now that I couldn’t wiggle my way out of the meeting, I decided to make the most of my time by checking in at the medical center. I made my way over and found the man in charge. Upon seeing me, Zhou Peng bowed. “How are you feeling today, Sage Jie Mins? Are your wounds healing well?”

I nodded. “Yes, I’m feeling much better. I’ll be back to training with the guards in no time. Please pass my thanks to the healer who treated me—she was a great help.”

He nodded vigorously. “I’ll make sure she hears your praise.”

I glanced around, taking in the sight of the bustling medical center. Spotting more beds that had been added, ready for the inevitable surge of patients. “How are the final preparations with the herbs and tools?” I asked.

“Everything is progressing well. Our knowledge of what herbs might help with the Plague is limited. Still, everything we suspected could be of use had been sealed prior to the surge of the bug infestation. We are growing some more now that the bugs have passed." He assured me, before pausing and adding more solemnly, "May the goddess bless those plants so that they can thrive, even in the midst of the Plague."

I inclined my head slightly. “Indeed. May she bless the seeds on her land.” I couldn’t help but smirk internally. Lian’s lessons had been more useful than I’d expected. If she were here, I’d give her a smug smile.

“Is there anything we’re short on that I should bring up to the elders?”

He shook his head. “No, everything we need is within our reach. There’s nothing we can’t procure ourselves.”

I nodded absently, my mind drifting to the earlier conversation with Lian. Should I bring up her reaction? After a moment of hesitation, I decided to approach it indirectly. “Zhou Peng, what do you think are the downsides of being a Chieftain?”

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He blinked, clearly taken aback. “Excuse me?”

“I mean, why might someone not want another person to be Chieftain?” I clarified, though my explanation was still vague.

Zhou Peng gave me a scrutinizing look, clearly unsatisfied with my answer. “There could be many reasons. Maybe they think the person is incompetent or unfit for leadership. Or perhaps they have their own ambitions for the position.”

I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Lian sitting at the head of every meeting, taking everything far too seriously. “That makes sense,” I said, though I could tell Zhou Peng wasn’t entirely happy with me leaving him hanging like that.

He studied me for a moment before asking, “Is there something specific that brought on this question?”

I hesitated, but then decided there was no harm in being honest. “Lian seemed pretty relieved when I said I didn’t want to be Chieftain. It made me wonder if there was a particular reason behind it, but I appreciate your insight.”

A knowing look crossed his face, one that made me feel oddly exposed. His expression softened into something that felt like pity, which only made me more uncomfortable. Not having any more questions to ask, I quickly excused myself.

I wandered through the streets, asking for directions as I went. The buildings around me seemed cold and unwelcoming, their curtains drawn tightly shut. The city, once vibrant, now felt eerily silent. I noticed weeds sprouting along the dirt paths that were once bustling, their leaves wilting—unable to withstand the relentless grip of the Plague.

Eventually, I was directed to a tent—an odd sight in the middle of the city, but I didn’t question it. As I approached, I heard two distinct voices: Wei’s and another I didn’t recognize.

“Head Guard Li Wei, we need to do something about the refugees,” the unfamiliar voice demanded. “The news of the Plague has caused unrest. The workers distributing food and supplies are feeling unsafe, even with increased guards.”

Wei’s voice came back, wearier than usual. “I understand your concern, Cai Jun, but the Sage doesn’t want to oppress the weak without just cause.”

“Isn’t theft and murder cause enough?” Cai Jun retorted.

“It is, and those caught in the act are jailed. But the Sage has made it clear that we shouldn’t punish those who aren’t involved in these crimes alongside the guilty,” Wei replied, his tone carrying the weight of someone who’s had this argument far too many times.

Cai Jun’s voice grew more heated. “Speaking of the prison, how much longer are we supposed to feed criminals? With the Plague upon us, we need to conserve as much food as possible. The fields will struggle to yield anything soon.”

Sensing the conversation was about to take a darker turn, I decided to intervene. I stepped inside the tent, and both men turned to face me—Wei, and a young man I assumed to be Cai Jun. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I need to speak with Li Wei.”

Cai Jun bowed and quickly exited the tent. I turned to Wei. “I want to add something to our arsenal—specifically, shields.”

“Shields?” Wei repeated, unfamiliar with the term.

“Yes, shields. They’re wooden discs, usually circular, that can block spear attacks.”

Wei mulled it over, tapping his fingers on his knee. “Wouldn’t having both hands free for the spear be better?”

“In some cases, yes,” I admitted. “But with a shield, you can more than make up for any loss in mobility with added defense. Plus, with the right formation, everyone can block and attack in unison, making the group a single unit.”

Wei continued to think it over, his gaze distant. “I’d need to see this shield in person. There’s potential, but I need to test it—to see how heavy it is and whether the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.”

I nodded in agreement. “I’ll speak with the carver and see if we can get a prototype made for you to test. I want to get these shields into everyone’s hands before the Plague fully hits.”

He looked at me quizzically. “Why the rush?”

I hesitated, not wanting to admit I’d overheard the conversation. But there was no point in hiding it. “I overheard what Cai Jun said.”

Wei quickly cut in, “Please, Sage, he’s just a kid. I’ll make sure he’s punished for any disrespect.”

I shook my head. “That’s not what I’m concerned about. Criticism is healthy—I’d rather have people around me who challenge my decisions than ‘yes men’ who let me lead us all to ruin. And Cai Jun has a point. Once the Plague hits, even if we offer people alternatives, fear might drive them to raid the stores. I want to minimize the casualties a riot could cause, and shields might be our best defense.”

Wei nodded slowly, understanding. “I see your reasoning, Sage. I just hope these shields are as effective as you believe.”

“So do I, Wei. So do I.”

* * *

I mulled over the results of the meeting. As Lian had warned me, the Priest had nominated me for the position of Chieftain, but I quickly shut it down before the idea could gain any traction. The council seemed momentarily lost, uncertain of what to do next, until I nominated the only other person I knew, who wasn’t the Priest: Cai Lin. With some reassurances from both me and the Priest that we would be there to guide him, Cai Lin was chosen as the new Chieftain—much to his own surprise.

My thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice. “Are you sure you want to use a spear?”

I blinked, snapping back to the present. I stood across from Wei, gripping a shield in one hand and a mock spear in the other. Wei watched me with a hint of hesitation in his eyes. “Are you sure you want to use a spear?” he repeated.

I nodded firmly. “Yes. While the staff will be what I use in emergencies, I need to be proficient with a spear when the situation demands it. Plus, this gives me the benefit of showing you the basics of how to use a shield.”

He acknowledged with a nod. We both raised our shields to the chest level. Wei mimicked my own movements, clearly unsure how this piece of weaponry should be used. One of the guards stood off to the side, acting as our impromptu referee. He held a stick and tossed it into the air. We both waited in tense silence, our eyes locked as the stick reached its apex and began its descent.

The moment the stick hit the ground with a soft thud, Wei lunged at me, his spear thrusting with a surprising amount of force. I barely had the time to raise my shield, the impact sending a shock through my arm as wood clashed against wood. Since his spear was overextended, I seized the opportunity and stuck at him, aiming for his chest. He quickly recovered and mimicked my movements by raising the shield as well, blocking my spear with another resounding clack.

We broke apart, circling each other warily, each looking for an opening. My heart pounded in my chest, every muscle tensed as we sized each other up. Wei’s movements were cautious, testing the waters with his new tool, while I fought to maintain an equal footing. Relying on my limited training and what I vaguely remember from earth.

Without warning, Wei lunged again, aiming for my chest. I hurriedly raised the shield to block, but this time, he slid his spear against the shield, slipping past my defenses. Before I could react, he rammed into me, shield first. The force of the blow knocked me off balance, sending me tumbling backwards. I landed hard, the breath knocked from my lungs.

Wei stepped back, his stance relaxed but his eyes filled with worry. “Are you alright, Sage?”

I gritted my teeth and forced myself to my feet. “Yes. I am alright. Again.”

Without bothering to dust myself off, I took my position. The referee tossed the stick back in the air. As soon as it hit the ground, I charged.This time I aimed my spear low, targeting the groin. Wei’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, but he quickly lowered his shield to protect the vulnerable area.

Seizing the moment, I tried to barrel into him, hoping to overpower him with sheer momentum. But Wei was ready for his own technique, stepping back just in time to avoid my full force. He countered with a swift strike to my arm, punishing me for my gamble. The sting from the impact forced me to hop back.

I narrowed my eyes. I understand why he is mimicking my attacks, but it still irks me to an extent. He was simply testing the shield instead of taking the fight seriously.

Frustration bubbled up, and I decided to gamble. I approached slowly, not giving away my next move. When I deemed that I was close enough, I struck at his face with all the speed I could muster, hoping to catch him off guard. The gamble paid off as Wei raised his shield to block the strike, his view of me now completely obscured. Checkmate.

With his vision blocked, I took advantage and swept his legs with a swift kick. Wei’s feet were knocked out from under him, and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of triumph.

But my victory was short-lived.

As he fell, Wei released his spear, using his hand to pivot and catch himself before his back hit the ground. In one fluid motion, he swept his legs around, hooking them around mine and yanking me down. I hit the ground hard, a cloud of dust rising around us.

By the time the dust settled, Wei was already on his feet, grinning down at me with clear amusement. “Thank you for the lesson, Sage,” he said with a serious bow. “Next time, I’ll make sure not to block my vision with the shield. But it is only fair that I return one in kind.”

He paused, finding the right words. “You have none of the finesse that is required for a duel. You make up for the shortcoming by using your size and strength”

He looked me up and down, emphasizing the size difference. I stood a head taller than him, and he was considered tall for this day and age, “but for an expert who has battled opponents for nearly a decade, reading your moves is as easy as breathing and moving out of the way or counterattacking is just as easy. But that is nothing training and experience won’t fix.”

I smiled, appreciating his positive attitude. I myself was impressed how fast he got the hang of the shield. With a few practice sessions, he would be even more unstoppable. I grunted in pain as I attempted to get up, feeling pain in my lower ribcage. Looking down, I saw that the wound I previously got had opened back up. I sighed, clearly expecting to get passively aggressively chewed out in the healer center.