Toka had originally thought he could rest for two more days.
He had just returned yesterday from leading a team for a public lecture, and according to regulations, he should have three days of rest to handle personal matters.
However, on the second day, right after lunch, a shamanic apprentice from the Political Affairs Hall came looking for him.
"Skala requests your presence," the newcomer said, handing over a wooden token, his tone calm and firm, "Immediately."
Toka, helpless, could only wash his hands with "self-supplied" hot water, let out a soft sigh, and then wipe them dry with animal hide, his movements practiced, clearly accustomed to this routine.
It wasn't his first time at the Political Affairs Hall next to the shrine, but this time, as soon as he walked in, he sensed that the atmosphere was different.
Skala sat in the innermost part, holding a few newly written animal hide scrolls, his brows slightly furrowed.
Gulen wasn't there; only Siye stood behind him, likely having just finished a conversation.
"You're here," Skala looked up at him, "Perfect, I need you to go on a long journey."
Toka was startled, standing up straight: "Where to?"
"The Resistance Alliance," Skala handed him a folded map, "I've already written a reply, and their messenger hasn't left yet, so you'll depart with him."
Toka silently looked at the map; the route was roughly northeast, heading to the Resistance Alliance headquarters, a city called "Lukarei."
"What's the purpose of this trip?" he asked.
"Nominally, it's for friendly exchanges and discussions about forming an alliance. We are a new regime, and this is only right," Skala paused, then added in a more serious tone, "But you have two other tasks."
Toka looked up.
"First," Skala continued, "inquire about the latest movements of the Resistance Alliance and Frost Howl, especially their internal mobilization and troop movements."
"Second," his voice lowered, "subtly ascertain their views on the new god. Listen to what image our Lord has in their mouths."
Toka did not answer immediately.
He understood what this meant.
Diplomacy was not a battlefield, yet its dangers should not be underestimated.
"Understood," he nodded.
Skala looked at him for a long moment before softly saying, "For this mission, you don't need to achieve merits like in battle. Just return safely and bring back the intelligence; that's enough."
Toka's lips twitched, revealing a faint smile.
"I'll try to cause less trouble."
Siye lightly patted his shoulder, smiling, "As if you're not a troublemaker."
Toka sighed: "...I've changed."
—Dividing line—
Toka left quickly, departing that very night.
Siye and Gollon saw him out of the North City Gate; there was no music, no ceremony, just a pat on the shoulder, an encouraging farewell.
Toka was now an "envoy" of Italk, his duties clear, his departure swift.
Skala did not go to see him off. War was about to break out, and he was swamped with work.
When Gulen saw him again, it was three days later.
He brought his drafted defense plan to a visibly exhausted Skala.
"You look like you just fought a dragon," Gulen placed the scroll down, stood before the desk, and frowned as he scrutinized the other man, "When was the last time you closed your eyes?"
"...Probably the night before last," Skala rubbed his brow with his fingers, his voice extremely hoarse, "No time."
Gulen said no more, simply unrolling the scroll on the table.
"Defense draft, first version," he said concisely, "Troops, supplies, a detailed map of Gray Tooth Valley—I've listed them all."
Skala nodded, his gaze sweeping over a few lines; he didn't open the entire scroll, but from the lines he saw, he clearly understood most of it.
"I don't see any problems for now; leave it here, and I'll review it," he said in a voice lower than usual, "If there are no issues, proceed directly with deployment. We don't have much time."
After discussing and revising some details, Gulen took his defense plan and the advance party and headed to Gray Tooth Valley.
At a normal marching speed, Gray Tooth Valley was about two and a half days' journey from Italk, but its terrain was significantly higher than Italk.
When Gulen and his group arrived, the morning mist was sliding down the ridges, covering the entire valley.
This was a natural canyon, with a wide southern mouth and a constricted northern end, flanked by jagged gray limestone cliffs.
The rocks, containing a large amount of wind-eroded sediment, appeared like sharp sawteeth, resembling countless beast teeth from a distance, hence the name "Gray Tooth Valley."
This terrain had both advantages and disadvantages.
The advantage was that it was easy to defend and difficult to attack; as long as the pass was held, enemy troops would struggle to advance. The disadvantage was that once breached, the rear was tundra and woodland, with no natural defenses.
The moment Gulen stepped into the valley, he ordered the clearing of surface shrubs and loose rocks to make space for setting up defense lines.
"Establish a temporary command post at the southern end of the valley entrance; set up tents first," he said, then pointed to two high slopes, "Build scout watchtowers on the rock walls on both sides, capable of overlooking at least half the valley."
"The command post must be close to the road, but pay special attention to fire prevention and take measures to prevent everything from burning down," he paused, "I remember previous reports said there were remnants from the last war nearby; have the engineering team dismantle them all and directly use whatever is salvageable."
The shamanic apprentice, acting as a scribe, immediately wrote these orders on animal hide paper.
"You continue writing; I will make the following deployments..."
—Dividing line—
Meanwhile, Toka was following the Resistance Alliance messenger through a coniferous forest.
The snow in the forest had not yet melted; every step sank half a foot deep into the snow.
"How much further?" Toka exhaled a puff of white air.
The messenger pointed to a vaguely visible ridge ahead: "Beyond that ridge is Lukarei's outer outpost."
He suddenly lowered his voice, "There's something I need to remind you—there are differing opinions within the Alliance regarding your 'Dragon God.'"
Toka narrowed his eyes: "What do you mean?"
"Ms. Zukola advocates cooperation with you, but more tribes do not recognize that one as a new loa, but rather believe you are engaged in 'heretical' worship," the messenger kicked away a broken branch blocking their path, "I don't know how they will make trouble, but you'd best not mention Him proactively."
Toka touched the divine emblem hidden inside his leather armor and remained silent.
The crisp sound of breaking ice crusts was exceptionally clear in the quiet forest.
A long horn blast echoed from afar.
The messenger's spirits lifted: "The outpost is here!"
Toka looked up, seeing a wooden and stone tower standing on the ridge, with a blue and white flag fluttering in the cold wind from its top.
The flag did not bear a tribal totem, but two parallel lines—the symbol of the Resistance Alliance.
"Remember," the messenger finally admonished, "Ms. Zukola asked me to tell you privately, no matter what they say, don't draw your blade."
Toka sneered in response: "As long as they don't make a move."
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