The bright shine of the morning sun beamed through the tent's thin cloth, hitting Cadin's eyes as he covered his eyes with a hand. On the other mats, others were still sleeping, other advisors, their armor hung from armor stands on the side with their weapons still in arm's reach just next to them.
Cadin stood up, preparing to leave the comfortable mat he slept on, feeling the combined heat of the sun and candle light hit him quickly.
Past the rows of sleeping soldiers, he exited the tent, people were already outside doing their daily tasks of the day. He spotted the leader standing just outside the tent they speak in, looking over the entire camp. He began walking towards the leader, smelling the scent of food and the smell of molten metal hitting his nose.
"Ah, Cadin, the meeting should begin once the sun rises higher. For now take a seat inside the tent."
Cadin entered the tent, grabbing a spare chair across where the leader sits.
"As battle advisor, your job is to mostly lead the troops and face battle rather than spend most of your time on the rear. You are the bulwark of the army, thus the battle advisors are mostly selected for their high skill in combat. Your job is to also observe the battle as it goes on, supporting those at the forefront behind you or in other areas of the battle." The leader explained while taking out a map from the shelf.
The map was larger than the rest, far more detailed than before with green ink on most of the map depicting the forest, empty lines depicting the roads. On the far right of the map was the river, shown in a long line of blue stretching from the top to the bottom. Multiple circles stood, similar to the maps shown before, they carried names below them.
"This map shows what we have gathered so far from our scouts, as you can see were the southernmost camp with the other 2 mains at the top." He pointed at 2 large encircled areas above their camp, both inside the forested areas.
"They should be arriving any second now with the sun's position right now. We shall await their arrival for now."
The two sat silently, looking around at the outside as people and soldiers alike began their daily routines of eating or farming.
After an hour or two of waiting, a group of fairly dressed men in suits of fur and leather entered, accompanied by escorts of their own and of the camp's.
The leader stood up from his chair, walking towards the approaching group to meet them, Cadin following behind.
Meeting with the group, the leader began shaking their hands, greeting them to the camp.
"Welcome, welcome, I'm glad that you have accepted our emissary's request. Please, let us discuss further inside." The leaders and Cadin walked inside the camp, guards outside flew down a blanket of cloth, sealing the inside from the sun and people.
They all took their seats around the table, eagerly awaiting the meeting to begin, Cadin sat next to the leader looking at the older men.
"As you may have heard, we desire an invitation to align with one another, this shall be in our best interests as we will trade and protect one another from foreign invaders."
"If we agree to share our land and cooperate hand in hand, what of our leadership?" One of the leaders asked in a gruff tone.
"You will keep your leadership, we will simply bind together our trade and security with one another, our peoples are free to move around our combined territory safely. Furthermore, with this invitation of an alliance, we may stand a greater chance to combat the barbarians surrounding us." The leaders nodded their heads in acknowledgement, understanding the leader's words.
"The proposition is rather interesting, though I have my concerns on it."
"And what shall those concerns be?"
"Will our positions be threatened with such a proposition?" The others all looked at the camp leader, waiting for his answer.
"You will keep your positions on your domains, only our territory will be combined and shared, your people though may leave or stay freely." He replied.
"We shall discuss more on this agreement when you decide on agreeing with this alliance, have as long as you desire to decide, once you have made your minds, you may send your emissaries to us. As for today, you are free to leave, again we thank you for gracing us with your presence." The meeting has concluded, the leaders stepped through the thin layer of cloth, starting to leave with their escorts.
The leader let out a deep sigh of relief, finished with the meeting.
"Hopefully they agree."
"With what you have said my lord, indeed they shall."
"If they do agree, we can begin planning attacks on more distant tribes, if they decline our offer, then that is where you shall come in. As battle advisor, and the forefront warrior of your army, you will take out their leaders." The leader continued, Cadin's eyes widened upon hearing the plan.
"Today though, we have no other plans other than resting and awaiting their response. Feel free to spend the rest of the day in the quarters, or eating, or you may stay inside here. It's warm and quiet compared to the outside."
"Thank you my lord."
"Feel free to read off the map, we found you alone and seemingly unknowing of the world around us. So it is only logical that you also learn from a map." The man moved the map to Cadin's side of the table, allowing him to skim the entire thing.
"Thank you again my lord."
"It's only logic and politeness. Supper will come later so do not miss it, especially at this time after we brought home that bountiful plunder of food."
Cadin read the map, continuing to analyze every detail of it, remembering their locations and the laid out pathways.
Minutes pass and a shout altered the two, "SUPPER FOR THE MORN IS READY, GET A BOWL WHILE IT IS STILL HOT!"