Even if it contradicts the Law, EDo offered not as a question, but rather an affirmation.
Thats why the Emperor sends you, Goro continued approvingly. You are a man of insight, quick to grasp things. It took me years to realize that. At first, I believed the burgomasters were the noblest people who cared about the well-being of the inhabitants of their cities. But no, udoğan EDo. Not all rulers are as honest and straightforward as our Emperor, let his name be praised for years and years!
Let it be so! DoAyve replied at the same time as his commander.
Even though you call me a man of insight, I still cannot understand how we can profit from the right to join the clans, EDo continued, looking into Goros face. My detachment will still remain faithful to the Law, and the weaving of intrigues is alien and disgusting to me, even if it can serve a great goal. How should we act then?
You just answered this question yourself, Goro chuckled.
How? the young udoğan frowned.
Stay faithful to the Law! The ruler of Lauhan got up from his chair and began to pace around the hall as his speech became more emotional. You shouldnt join the existing clans. Establish one of your own! Let it be ruled by someone you can fully trust. Oppose the dishonesty with your nobility, the lies with the truth. Support the burgomasters, but rely only on the Law. The Valley is not yet populated. Even the old clans with their names and traditions will have to reinforce their positions anew. Dont lose time while others will be weak, strengthen your position with the power of the Law!
EDo became thoughtful, but in his eyes, a light flashed. He nodded slightly and thanked Goro for his kind advice. DoAyve had listened to him as if bewitched, thanking fate for allowing him to be present throughout the conversation of these remarkable people, the young and fair udoğan EDo and the experienced, wise udoğan Goro.
There is one more nuance that I want to inform you of, udoğan, said EDo after a short pause, And I am sorry I did not tell you about it earlier. The emperor is in correspondence with the rulers of other nations: the Taurian konung, the Djunitian Head of The Academys Court, and the Governor of Bandabaze. The omnipotent Tosho insists the Great Cities unite under the rule of a single ruler until it becomes known why the Valley was emptied.
Goro sat down in the armchair again, hands clasped at his face.
May all of Elinor bless our Emperor for his wisdom. Living in the Valley is all I ever dreamed of. If only other people had enough sense to agree with this! You couldnt imagine, oh fearless EDo, how many problems could be solved at once, however, he added intently, if we entrust the Valley to the Taurs, they will establish the cult of their goddess in every corner. If to the Guawars, they will steamroll all the sea trade under the Bandabaze. Is it that? Goro looked up at EDo questioningly.
I do not think so, he retorted at once. At least the divine Emperor did not say anything about that. But Im sure he is more aware than any of us as to whats happening and will be able to insist on the right choice of a worthy ruler.
Indeed, agreed the ruler of Lauhan. Goodness, we got carried away by this conversation, and your detachment needs some rest! You both can stay in my reception rooms.
We shall stay at the inn! EDo refused immediately. I do not want to offend you, honored, mighty Goro, but Im not used to having more than necessary.
I was informed there are children with you.
Apprentices! Commander DoAyve corrected. The youngest is already fourteen. Very soon they will become warriors of the Empire. There is no need to worry about them.
May I ask, why did you take them with you?
I took only those who speak the Common Language perfectly.
Once again, I admire your forethought! And stiffness and straightforwardness speak through you, but it is in them that the truth lies. You look very much like your father, valiant EDo! said Goro, concluding their conversation.
In response, EDo bowed again and left silently, followed by DoAyve. He knew the difficult story of his commander and his family. Therefore, he admitted that, after such seemingly trivial words, even the unshakable EDos heart would become restless.
2
The life of the Itoshins was a constant war against the demons. The Dotsu Code said that a person was born for fearlessness, for only fearlessness could help him in a severe war. The Code did not call to strive for death; humans must live. But they must live with dignity! DoAyve was trying to live with dignity, to live by the Code, and the example of the udoğan EDo inspired him.
EDo (Son of the Sword) was born in a small village north of the Empire, near the Path of Horror. His father TsuO-nɛ (Infinite Courage) went to the Valley, being the Laws Detachment commander, when his wife was about to give birth to the firstborn. TsuO-nɛ left his wife his sword, Hanvet, and asked her to give it as a present from father to newborn child, for he did not know how long he would stay in the Valley.
And then one day, the village was attacked by demons. How many were there nobody knows, for there is no one left who could describe the heroic deeds of the local residents in the battle against the terrible creatures. No survivors remained after that attack, except one. When the soldiers of the Emperor entered the devastated village, a miracle appeared! Among the dead bodies of people and monsters lay a baby, tightly grasping the sword of Hanvet in his small hands. Next to him spread-eagled lay a dead demon, and there was no doubt that it was Hanvet which had made the deadly wound! The baby was so small the warriors realized he had been born during the battle. But was it possible that a child who had just come into the world could have picked up a sword and hit a demon? There was no answer! Two opinions existed: either the demon was killed by someone else, and the baby grabbed the sword that belonged to him by right afterwards, or the unexplored power condescended on the wonderful child and helped him perform an incredible feat!
The Emperor took the child to the court, gave him a nice name, and personally took up his education. There were even rumors he allowed his daughter, the beautiful Tsvetsho whom he was hiding from the eyes of other men, to spend time with the unusual boy.
EDo grew up very quickly. He was singled out by reasonableness, strength, intelligence, and iron character. When he passed the initiation and began to fight with the demons, the inhabitants of the Ito Empire began to talk less and less about his miraculous appearance, discussing more often the feats of the young warrior. Broad in shoulders with long dark hair and a rough, manly face, he became a welcomed guest of any settlement of the foggy north. EDo justified the Emperors trust by becoming a nightmare for demons and a role model for young soldiers of the Empire. By the age of nineteen, EDo received the title of udoğan. Modern history knew no examples of someone getting such a responsible title at such a young age. Although the life of the Itoshins was short, the soldiers usually became commanders at around the age of thirty.
Unfortunately, EDo never got to know the father who gave him that wondrous sword. In the Valley, the brave TsuO-nɛ and his detachment confronted the gang of a notorious pirate and bandit from the Guawarian people called Trouble. Whether this was a name or a nickname is still unknown. However, judging by the stories, his gang proved to be real trouble for the whole Valley. The pirates plundered caravans and killed people while constantly escaping justice. Valiant TsuO-nɛ and his troop surrounded the lair of Trouble and destroyed the dangerous gang but one Guawar managed to escape. A few days later, the corpse of TsuO-nɛ was found in the square of the city of Dalaal with a knife in its back.