The flames at the granary hadn't even burned out yet, but outside Kalon's tribal tent bonfires were already blazing. The smell of roasting meat mixed with the richness of mare's milk wine drifted far across the steppe.
Gu Kai stood at the entrance of the tent, watching soldiers dance and sing around the fire. In his hands, the clay bowl of milk wine rippled gently, but he hadn't touched a drop — the whole "victory feast" felt too rushed, like half-baked dough hiding a cold center.
"Mr. Gu, why aren't you drinking?" Kalon came up from behind, clapping him on the shoulder. His leather jacket was still smudged with soot from the granary, the scar across his left cheek even fiercer in the firelight. "Today we owe it all to you. Ira's granary is gone — for at least half a month they won't dare attack. You should drink to that!"
Gu Kai turned slightly, dodging the hand, his sharp tongue slipping out: "Chief Kalon, this party feels flimsier than my old company's annual meeting. Ira? He's taken Rama's gold mine, cut off Doba's water source — when has he ever stomached a loss like this? You think he'll just back off?"
Kalon's smile faltered for a moment before he forced it wider, pushing his own clay bowl toward him. "Mr. Gu, you're too tense. Ira's got no food — even if he wants revenge, first he has to fill his stomach. Come, drink this bowl, and I'll share some good news."
Gu Kai didn't take it. His eyes drifted to the slope behind the tent — earlier, when he stepped out to relieve himself, he'd glimpsed a shadow slipping by and heard the faint clink of metal. It didn't sound like any of Kalon's people. He was about to speak when Aji tugged his sleeve, whispering so low it barely carried: "Kai-ge, I just went to the sheepfold for a blanket. I heard voices on the slope. Not our tribe's language."
"You heard that?" Gu Kai arched a brow at Kalon. "Chief, do your men usually hide behind slopes to chat? Or did you invite some 'guests' without telling me?"
Kalon's face darkened, ready to snap back, when suddenly boom! An explosion ripped through the west side of the campfire. Flames shot skyward, sparks scattering across soldiers' backs. Chaos erupted instantly — some shouted "Ambush!", others raised rifles and charged toward the slope. But they didn't notice more shadows slipping out from the dark, blades gleaming under the moon. Ira's stragglers. They hadn't retreated at all — they'd been waiting for this moment.
"Down!" Gu Kai yanked Kalon's arm and dove toward the sheepfold. Just as they hit the wooden fence, bullets whistled over the tent, kicking up dirt where they'd been standing.
Kalon's face was pale, eyes wide as he gasped, "H-how did you know there was an ambush?"
"Guess." Gu Kai's eyes stayed fixed on the slope, watching the stragglers storm into the camp, cutting down unprepared soldiers. "Ira may be out of grain, but he's got plenty of hate. No way he'd let you celebrate in peace. And sure as hell not let the guy who burned his food live."
He yanked a sheep from the pen, pushing it toward the fence. "Tell your men to fall back toward the sheepfold. The flock can block bullets and scatter their formation."
Kalon immediately roared, "Fall back to the sheepfold! Use the flock for cover!" Soldiers obeyed, retreating in waves. The sheep, terrified, broke into a stampede, ramming into the attackers and sending them sprawling.
Gu Kai seized the chance, snatching up a dropped rifle. He aimed at the lead attacker and squeezed the trigger — he'd never fired before, but hours of shooting games at the office paid off. The bullet slammed into the man's leg, dropping him with a scream.
"Not bad, Mr. Gu!" Kalon shouted beside him, genuine admiration in his tone now.
Gu Kai fired again without looking back, snapping, "Not as good as you at sitting around waiting for ambushes. If you'd listened to me and posted guards on the slope, we wouldn't be bleeding now."
The stragglers hadn't counted on the sheepfold becoming a wall. Their charge collapsed under the counterattack. Within minutes they were falling back, dragging the wounded.
"Don't chase!" Gu Kai barked. "Ira might've left more traps. Never pursue a cornered enemy."
Kalon nodded, ordering the men to hold the line around the sheepfold. Then he followed Gu Kai back into the tent — half-collapsed from a grenade, roasted meat and spilled milk wine scattered everywhere.
"Today we owe you, Mr. Gu." Kalon sank onto a broken tent pole, rubbing his temples. "I really was too hasty. I didn't think about Ira's revenge."
Gu Kai leaned against the frame, watching soldiers outside tend to the wounded. Then he said quietly, "Chief Kalon, the feast is over, the ambush stopped. You promised me — once it's done, I walk free. Time to make good on that."
Kalon froze, lifted his head. The warmth in his eyes had cooled. "Mr. Gu, you saw it yourself — Ira's not finished. He'll come again. Right now, only you can come up with plans like this. If you leave, what am I supposed to do? Help me one more time. Once Ira's crushed for good, I'll personally take you to the port and guarantee you sail home."
Gu Kai laughed bitterly inside — of course Kalon wouldn't let him go. He didn't call him out on it. Instead, he picked up a half-spilled bowl of wine from the dirt, took a sip, and coughed at the harsh burn. "Chief Kalon, all I want is to go home. I don't care about your warlord feuds. But I know I can't leave now." He set the bowl down, eyes drifting to the silver grass in the moonlight. "So I'll help you again. But this is the last time."
Kalon broke into a grin, about to speak, when Aji's voice cut in from outside: "Kai-ge! Uncle Mu's here — says it's urgent!"
Gu Kai's chest tightened. If Old Mu had come at this hour, it had to be serious — maybe even about a way home. He rose and walked out quickly, not noticing Kalon's gaze lingering on his back — full of reliance, but also suspicion. Like a man eyeing gold too hot to hold but too precious to drop.
The bonfire of the feast had gone out, leaving only a heap of blackened coals glowing faintly red in the moonlight.
Gu Kai knew this much: tonight's "help" was just the beginning. His struggle with Kalon had only just started. And the road back to his homeland was still blocked by countless more ambushes… and countless more "requests to stay."