As Cordon leads us in silence, I can feel a multitude of attention on the King and I, even as we are blinded to our surroundings. Cordon must have stopped abruptly, as I run into the back of the king all of a sudden.
"We will be at the battlefield in 3 days if you would like to witness the battle. You may join if you want, but I would observe from afar if I were you. This battle will be very hard-fought, and I would hate for your journey here to have been in vain, with you ending up as a casualty.
"I commend your bravery, young king, and hope you live a full life. You as well, friend" we hear Cordon's voice for the last time, before we are told to continue walking, by a new voice.
Walking again, in silence and blind, all I can do is replay the last 24 hours again and again in my head. My mind consistently goes back to Cordon, though.
Never have I seen such a man so calm yet radiate control and power. Such a simple man, no jewelry or even a symbol to show his position, yet he oozed the confidence of a ruler. I could understand how such a man would be deemed the leader of such a legendary tribe as the Melatonin Tribe was rumored to be.
Suddenly the voice of the stranger is heard again. "You may remove your blindfolds." he tells us.
As we do so, I turn towards where I heard the voice speaking to thank him, only to find that no one is there except the king and I.
As we both assume position on our horses, I look at the young king and notice the familiar look of anger on his face.
"What's wrong, my King?" I ask out of confusion. I thought he would have been happy to have succeeded in his mission.
"Nothing Esquimo. He doesn't want me to return to his home or see me again. That is perfectly fine with me. I am more than capable of arranging that." the young king says as he spurs his steed to head home.
As I kick my horse to follow behind him, I can't fight the feeling in my heart that his ominous tone left. I should have known change can only be made when one accepts it on their own fruition.
We briefly returned to the kingdom to change and acquire a proper meal. After that, we immediately set out to the battleground, where Cordon said he would be waiting.
As we finally arrived at the battleground, to our surprise, the battle had already started.
I guess the thought of battle was too enticing for either of these fearsome tribes because the environment looked like they had been fighting for days.
There were craters and broken pieces of stone everywhere. Some warriors fought one-on-one, some fought two-on-one, and others fought 10 one-on-one.
It was a marvelous spectacle of violence that I had only witnessed when the Hardoy tribe had gone to battle for us many years ago. But the Melatonin Tribe were holding their own against these mighty warriors.
I don't know why I was surprised, but after seeing the strength of the Hardoy Tribe in the past, I was simply amazed that there was actually another tribe of warriors able to equally match their strength.
The two tribe's attire made it easy to distinguish who was on which side, and the warriors of the Melatonin Tribe were of a darker pigment. So it was easy to see who was matched up against who.
Even children were at the battle, fighting children of the rival tribe.
I scanned the battleground, searching for Cordon, as the thrill of seeing him in action was something I was very much looking forward to. My eyes landed on his son Cordayl first.
I knew he would be here today, and even in our brief meeting, I could sense the confidence of a lion. But I didn't think it was to this magnitude. I sat there and watched as this young lad defeated two men twice his size in a matter of seconds.
What kind of child was this to where even grown men were not a match for him?
"Do you see that boy Cordayl, Esquimo? What a deadly child he is! My my, this tribe is more legendary than I imagined if their children are this devastating." King Juulian states in wonder.
I couldn't agree more. Then I finally see Cordon.
Cordon casually walks through the battlefield as if he is in a field of flowers. His calm composure seems that of one who is unaware that there is even a battle going on around him.
Suddenly, a monster of a man appears behind him, fist raised and ready to knock the head off of Cordon. As the fist comes soaring down towards his cranium, Cordon barely moves his head as he nonchalantly dodges the attack.
Then, with an unseen elbow to this massive man's chest, he is sent flying back to wherever he appeared from, as Cordon resumes his travel.
"My, the Melatonin Tribe is more fearsome than I could have ever imagined. I may not have made an ally of them, but I will not make the mistake of letting them become my enemy." King Juulian marvels at the feats of the Melatonin tribesman.
Pulling out his watch, King Juulian checks the time and returns his watch to his pocket. "Come, Esquimo, the battle is already decided. I have won." King Juulian says, turning his horse around and leaving the battleground.
I have no idea what he is talking about, but I feel a terrifying presence by my side before I can catch up with him. Fearing it to be a Hardoy Tribesman, I instantly draw my weapon and bring it down upon the enemy with no hesitation.
Cordon catches my blade, and instantly, I apologize, hoping he spares my life.
"No need for apologies. In a battle, hesitation means death." He brushes off my attempted attack.
After he releases my blade, I place it back into its sheath and turn my attention to Cordon, who is staring at the back of the retreating King.
"Where is your King going?' Cordon ask me
"He is returning home. After watching your people in action, he stated that he was sure your tribesman would win the battle and decided his attendance was no longer necessary." I explain.
"Is that so?" Cordon ponders. I can tell he does not believe me, though. I do not believe me.
"Your King is a disgraceful one, Esquimo. In time, he may change, but the universe always repays us for the sins we commit. He will not be forgiven so easily." Cordon states, letting me know he is aware he has been betrayed.
I sat silently for a moment, knowing his words were true. "If you know this, why not retreat from the battle and return home?" I ask him.
"Because there is no dishonor for us. As I walk around recording today's event with my eyes, I see a sight I rarely get to see among my people." Cordon says.
"What is that?" I ask.
"Happiness. We are a battle-bred people in a peaceful home. But out here, I can see the joy in their eyes as they fight to prove their strength." Cordon says, turning back around to view the battle. Naturally, I turn around with him as he continues speaking.
"I can feel their ecstasy as they finally are rewarded the chance to let loose and fight with nothing held back. Their hearts burst with a love that only a true warrior can experience. And I'm not just talking about my people. Even the Hardoy Tribe is loving every moment of this battle.
"What leader would I be to take this away from them? This is what they have been waiting for. What they have been dreaming of." Cordon says, eyes full of the amazement he is partaking in.
"Also, I feel it is too late. Your King fleeing is evidence of that." Cordon adds in somberly.
I feel a weight of shame that is not mine as King Juulian's actions start to sink into my heart.
"Return to your home Esquimo. The dishonor today does not fall onto you, but your actions in the future will show if you are truly sorry. I have no ill towards you or even your King, but retribution will come one day." Cordon says, vanishing from my side.
I watch the battle for a few more seconds, but guilt forces me to turn around and leave as I race to catch up to the king.
I learned later what King Juulian did to ensure his victory that day. To guarantee that the Hardoy Tribe would not threaten the kingdom and that an opponent as strong as the Melatonin Tribe would not rise against him in the future, King Juulian had the science division create a weapon of death never seen before in the world.
A couple of days after the king released this weapon, I returned to the battlefield to witness the devastation of this weapon. It was worst than I could imagine.
About a league before I even approached the battlefield, I noticed all the land and forest dead and rotting. The air took on a repugnant smell. My horse refused to travel any deeper into the territory, forcing me to walk the rest of the way to the battlefield.
I wished I had stayed with my steed.
The air was so foul that my eyes started to blur as I pushed further towards the battlefield. I had to cover my face as I could barely breathe in the foul mist that surrounded me.
Finally arriving at the battlefield, my teary eyes widen at the scene they witnessed.
The entire battleground is charred, black to a crisp. Tears fall down my face as I know that everyone here died a death unworthy of them.
So distraught, I wanted to leave, but the pain of this place drew me in deeper as if it wanted me to feel even an ounce of what these warriors had to suffer through.
As I slowly traverse the blackened field, I wonder upon what I assumed was a hill. As I look closer, I can see the outline of limbs and bodies. Realizing I had found a giant pile of bodies, I grew confused as to what inspired this formation.
Upon further investigation, I notice the dog pile of warriors is too large to be just that of either the Melatonin or Hardoy Tribe. They must have banded together at the last moment. But for what?
I dared not climb on top of the bodies, for I did not want to disrespect this people and their display of strength and unity at the end, but in my theory, they did this to save one of their own.
I walk around the grounds for a few more moments, but there isn't much to see that isn't burned in its place.
I sulk back to my horse, saddened and disgusted at the fate the King brought upon two clans who I knew were good people.
After that day, I requested my retirement from the King's guard. Although he tried heavily to persuade me differently, he accepted my resignation, and I left to return to my estate outside of the kingdom.
Even in my old age, I still had plenty of fight in me, but I just could not find the respect I had for the king prior to those days.
As I conclude my retelling in this journal, I still see so vividly the days of my past. None clearer than of that day, though. Sadness invades my heart when I think of it.
I sometimes wonder who it was that those people ended up saving that day, but something tells me I know who it was. At least, I hope.
But then, I also hope not.
Cordon's warning of retribution seemed more of a promise than a premonition. I just pray I don't fall under that wraith.
A woman sitting under a tree closes the journal. A sad sigh leaves her chest as she watches her husband teach their son swordsmanship lessons.