Home/I confined you, but I have no ill will/ch 78

78.

Only after hearing that Pabeln wouldn't interfere did Vallak face Kahn.

I can win—I must win!

He couldn't lose everything to Kahn again. If he could just kill Kahn, things would return to normal. They'd understand his alliance with Teyrin—after all, Kahn had allied with Pabeln!

His eyes reddened with rage. He attacked before the signal—his curved sword swung fast, but Kahn easily blocked.

"Nothing's easier to handle than an agitated man."

The pitying words enraged him.

"What do you know!"

He attacked wildly.

"I'm right! I'm the one who's right! I'll be the king of the North!"

"A king should care for his people!"

"Some sacrifices are necessary for the king and the North's future!"

Kahn watched his selfish outburst with somber eyes.

"No—we've reclaimed our tribe's name, and we must return to who we were."

The glorious Nordin. For that, he'd negotiated with Kite—offering the mine for fair compensation.

But Vallak wouldn't listen. Repeated clashes wore him down; he used every dirty trick, but Kahn didn't fall. Finally, Vallak knelt at Kahn's feet.

"You'll regret this too!"

He left a curse-like final word. Kahn didn't hesitate—he cut him down and declared.

"We are not barbarians!"

All eyes turned to him.

"Nor are we tools of the Empire—we are descendants of the great Nordin, and we will live on this land!"

The words weren't grand, but hearing Nordin stirred something in the warriors. Though unfamiliar, it felt like recalling a forgotten memory—and it felt good.

"Nordin."

Descendants of the sky, blood of the North.

The name spread from one murmur.

"Nordin! We are Nordin!"

Even Vallak's warriors joined the shout. Iranna clasped her hands and thanked the gods.

Ibelin and Kite stepped back, watching a new tribe be born. It was time to step aside—Kahn would organize the remnants.

"There's still work—remove the Teyrin agents, connect them with Count Redwood and Grux."

Would they understand? Kite's next words reassured her.

"Who'd dare question me?"

His confident smile was reassuring. Let them call him a mad dog—as long as he wasn't that way with her.

With the scene settled, Kite headed north. He wanted to take Ibelin, but someone needed to guard the Teyrin prisoners.

"Does it have to be you?"

Even with Kahn's help, she insisted on staying.

"I want to say a proper goodbye to Iranna."

Her first real female friend. He nodded, urging caution.

"Yes—hurry back."

She pushed his back.

Kite rode to the northern fortress.

---

Meeting Count Redwood and Grux, Kite explained everything.

"You want to ally with the northern barbarians?"

"Now they're the Nordin."

"Fine—Nordin. But can they be trusted, just because they've changed their name? Even with the mine as payment?"

"They can be trusted now."

With their name reclaimed, the northern curse would fade. The baseless hostility would ease—they were ordinary people. And Kahn had been reasonable even before the curse lifted.

Grux nodded.

"Then we can trust them."

They discussed support and mine development—which would need many hands. There were enough here.

"I'll request His Majesty's backing."

They could offer fair wages for miners. Those who'd been on edge, guarding against barbarians, could now find peaceful work.

"An age of peace dawns."

Count Redwood murmured.

"Perhaps—but Teyrin was involved in this."

"What are they thinking?"

"Maybe they want war again."

"It's been a long time—why start now?"

"The current Teyrin Emperor is greedy."

"Foolish."

A sigh escaped.

"I'll investigate further."

Kite's promise brightened their faces.

"Thank you. We'll bring the captured Teyrin agents here—I'll send troops."

"Keep it small—we don't want trouble before the alliance."

"Agreed."

Count Redwood sent Grux and Albert with the troops.

The Nordin were wary at first, but relaxed upon seeing the small numbers—and learning Albert was Count Redwood's son.

With Grux's help, Albert met Kahn. Kite's verbal promises were refined, and agreements were put in writing.

"We're grateful."

Iranna told Kite.

"You two will be leaving now?"

Ibelin nodded slowly.

"It's fine—we're friends even apart."

At that, she smiled. Wanting to give something, she offered one of her daggers.

"Isn't this precious?"

"Which is why I give it to a friend."

Iranna teared up. They clasped hands.

"Visit again—you'll see a changed Nordin."

"I look forward to it."

Watching them smile, Kite and Kahn exchanged satisfied looks. Kahn tried to thank Kite, but he shook his head.

"Save the embarrassing words."

"Then until next time."

"Yes—maybe then we'll be three."

Kahn laughed.

"I'll look forward to it."

"You too."

Thus, their northern mission ended.

Time to return. They secured a wagon at the fortress and retraced their path.

"I didn't do anything."

Alex, having rejoined, grumbled—he'd been idle at the fortress.

"At least you rested."

Kite said—Alex shook his head.

"Too much rest makes the body rust."

"Want to spar on the way?"

Alex shuddered.

"On second thought, I'm fine!"

Sparring with Kite was notorious—it ended only when you were half-dead. Alex fell silent.

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