Chapter 22

Togba POV:

Night began to fall, casting long shadows over the decimated Tamul lands and enveloping the rising smoke in the expanding darkness.

Small fires dotted the clearing not too far from the fresh ruins.

The remnants of tribes folk and servants sat closely to the fire, all but clinging onto one another in an attempt to seek not only comfort but also warmth from the unforgiving cold that encompassed them.

The brutal winter wind would occasionally bring the anxiety filled questions of servants, women and tribesmen alike.

“What will become of us?”

“Is this it for the Tamul?”

“Mama… where is daddy?”

“The children are getting cold, if we don’t seek shelter soon…”

I could only sigh in contemplation as I weaved silently through the mass of people.

These are my tribesmen, my family, but if my travels have taught me anything, it’s that this world is a brutal place.

The Tamul have subjugated other tribes before, when we were the victors… how much did we care for the oppressed?

I scanned the people around the fire place again, slowly counting the numbers once, then once more.

“Nine and one.” I muttered, tying a double knot into the long strip of hide I held in my hand.

This is the method I was taught for keeping count of larger numbers while in the Golden Plains.

My quiet utterances and strange movements attracted the attention of the people around the fire.

A sturdy man, Kehma, stood to greet me.

“Togba!” he called out kindly, although with a slightly anxious expression.

“How quickly the times have changed!” He continued.

“It feels like not too long ago I offered you some of my clan’s personal prey to ensure you survived last season, and now…” He let his words die out, the hidden meaning clear.

‘I have helped you on multiple occasions, now it’s your turn to return the favour… or something like that?’ I mused internally.

Although what he said is true, the goods he provided were far from charity! I couldn’t help but want to sneer, in exchange for the scraps he gave me, I worked like a dog! Watching his children, cleaning his yurts, sharpening his spears… at times it was hard to distinguish rather I was a tribesman or a mere servant!

That, however, was my life. I’m no hunter, I’m a scholar!

“Knowledge is my tribe, the world is my hunting grounds, understanding is my prey.”

I recited those words season after season during my times of toil.

Scholars are meant to roam and enlighten, but when I returned to the tribe after many akigi, I was met with disdain. As if my existence were a nuisance, a waste of food and space.

No one, not even the almighty Elders cared for my knowledge, my experiences.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Now however, I can finally rejoice! There is someone intelligent enough to understand my value.

Due to this, I’ve escaped what’ll likely be a massacre!

Truly, knowledge is power!

Looking Kehma in the eye, I responded,

“I can’t assure you anything unfortunately…” A false sorrow in my voice.

“Although the Honourable Il’ values me, there is only so much I can do!” I continued in a righteous manner.

I proceeded as if wistfully pondering, “Your clan has yourself, three chosen, four sparklings and two servants!”

“A clan of nine and one… it’d be hard to ask him to spare all of you.” I determined, shaking my head, I began to walk away.

“Wait!” Kehma yelled.

“P- please… wait.” He continued quietly, glancing around to make sure he hadn’t drawn undue attention.

“There has to be something, anything we can do. Just please… save us.” He pleaded.

I looked at Khema silently, barely avoiding a wide smile as I noticed the slight tremor in his hands.

‘This feels good.’ I thought.

“Well…” I began.

“If you had a few less clansmen, maybe I could ask for leniency.” I said while staring behind him.

He turned in confusion, not understanding what I meant.

“Your daughter has experienced her first blood no? If you were to find her a chosen, then…” I let my words die out, allowing him the chance to connect the dots himself.

When a glimmer of realisation finally shone in his eyes, I continued.

“Also, it would be difficult for only myself and new chosen to manage all the benefits that the Honourable Il’ will bestow to us. A servant would go a long way in helping our budding household.” I said, nodding at my own words.

This wasn’t merely petty revenge, I’m offering him the safety of his family in exchange for one of his daughters and a servant. Compared to the alternative where he’d simply be slain, his wives and daughters raped and forced into marriage, and his servants given away as gifts… my offer was reasonable!

To seal the deal, I leaned in and whispered, “Many things are changing, soon I will rise to the top… would you like to rise with me or be a step on my path upwards?”

Khema gulped before asking, “Wha- what’s a step?”

Trying not to lose my cool I asked a simpler question, “Do you prefer to live or die?”

Tana-Il POV:

“You’re as weak as a newborn dambi!” I spit venomously at Kaito.

“Father,” he gasped, attempting to catch his breath.

“I’ve been going at this alone for a while with no rest! The fact that I’ve already done this much is already a feat!” He continued through laboured breaths.

Behind Kaito’s hunched and tired body stood a large tent. It was held up by wood and covered by a patchwork of furs and hides.

This, and another tent that was less than halfway finished, were to be the accommodations for the Tamul.

As punishment, and a lesson, for Kaito’s cowardice, I had him construct the housing by himself.

I expected him to either fall from exhaustion, or ask for help due to his lack of knowledge. I then planned to reprimand him before providing assistance. I would use that opportunity to not only teach him that when you fail to handle a job properly, it only means more work in the future. It would’ve also been a good bonding moment, and would have deepened our familial bond.

That, annoyingly, wasn’t the case. He stubbornly kept at his assignment until he figured out how to properly build such a large tent. Then after that, he took on the laborious task of hoisting it up and assuring its integrity.

By the time he’d managed to erect the first tent, the last rays of akigi were yielding to the darkness, causing not only unrest amongst the Tamul, but also my own personal annoyance at this stubborn sparkling!

“More and more of the Tamul who initially fled are returning due to cold and hunger. We only have five men to hold off more people than even the best scholars could count!” I spit, while also flexing my new knowledge.

“Will you be responsible if they rise against us because their sparks are freezing and dying in this cold?” I asked.

Kaito, gritting his teeth, replied, “No… father.”

“Good!” I exclaimed, “Then hurry up.”

“And you two… help him” I said to two of the five idling clansmen.

“Yes Honourable Il’!” They affirmed before rushing to the task.

‘These tents are essential to my plan for safely returning with all the spoils, they have to be erected before the darkness falls completely.’ I thought.

As I pondered the future, my eyes followed my newest subordinate, Togba.

He is well travelled and knowledgeable about things that I’ve never thought of.

I can appreciate a man like that, and for the foreseeable future, he will be necessary.

…but

‘I will have to be wary of him, he isn’t ignorant to the world of power and control.’ I determined, as I watched him pull along a young girl,whilst a servant trailed silently behind him.