Morning sunlight bathed the Vera Tribe in a warm golden glow.
Unlike the hidden camp of the Raka Bandits...
Life here was peaceful.
The aroma of fresh bread drifted through the streets.
Blacksmiths hammered glowing iron.
Merchants opened their stalls.
Children laughed as they chased one another between the wooden houses.
To an outsider...
It was simply another ordinary morning.
To Rajiv...
It was home.
The five-year-old boy ran through the estate carrying a wooden sword almost as tall as himself.
"Ha!"
He swung with all his strength.
The sword missed completely.
His opponent simply smiled.
Vicky caught the wooden blade between two fingers.
"Again."
Rajiv puffed his cheeks.
"Uncle Vicky..."
"You always cheat."
Vicky laughed.
"I used two fingers."
"You used two hands."
"Who is cheating?"
Rajiv thought for several seconds.
"...You."
The nearby guards burst into laughter.
Even Vicky couldn't help smiling.
"Our Young Master has already learned how to argue."
Rajiv proudly placed his hands on his hips.
"Father says if you can't win..."
"...you should use your brain."
Vicky blinked.
"...The Chief actually told you that?"
Rajiv nodded confidently.
"Yesterday."
Vicky rubbed his forehead.
"I think the Chief is teaching you things far too early."
Before the training could continue—
"Rajiv!"
A familiar voice echoed across the courtyard.
Rajiv's face immediately brightened.
"Sister!"
Ananya walked toward them carrying several small paper bags.
Without hesitation, Rajiv ran straight into her arms.
She laughed and ruffled his hair.
"I brought something for you."
"What is it?"
Instead of answering, she handed him one of the bags.
Rajiv eagerly opened it.
His eyes sparkled.
Sweet cakes.
His favorite.
"You remembered!"
Ananya smiled proudly.
"Of course."
"You're my little brother."
Rajiv immediately offered one to Vicky.
"Uncle."
Vicky smiled warmly.
"You eat first."
Rajiv shook his head.
"Father says good things should be shared."
Vicky froze for a brief moment.
Then quietly accepted one.
The guards exchanged glances.
No wonder everyone adored the young master.
Inside the chief's residence...
Varinder watched the scene through the open window.
A gentle smile appeared on his usually stern face.
Devika walked beside him.
"Our son is becoming more like you every day."
Varinder chuckled.
"I hope not."
She looked at him in surprise.
"You don't?"
He slowly shook his head.
"I hope..."
"...he grows into someone better."
Devika slipped her hand into his.
"He will."
"I know."
For several moments...
Neither spoke.
They simply watched their children laughing together.
It was a peaceful sight.
One both silently wished could last forever.
That afternoon...
The entire tribe became unusually busy.
Tomorrow would mark Rajiv's fifth birthday.
Servants decorated the central square.
Hunters returned carrying enormous beasts.
Women prepared food together.
Children practiced songs they intended to perform.
The celebration belonged not only to the chief's family...
But to the entire tribe.
Rajiv wandered through the streets, watching everyone work.
An elderly carpenter smiled as the boy stopped beside him.
"Young Master."
Rajiv bowed politely.
The old man laughed.
"You don't have to bow to me."
Rajiv answered seriously.
"Father says respect shouldn't depend on age or rank."
The old carpenter looked at him for a long moment.
Then smiled.
"The Chief is raising a fine young man."
Nearby...
A little girl accidentally dropped a basket of fruit.
The apples scattered across the road.
Before anyone else could move...
Rajiv was already helping her pick them up.
The little girl smiled shyly.
"Thank you..."
Rajiv grinned.
"My pleasure."
Watching from a distance...
Several elders nodded quietly.
One whispered,
"The Vera Tribe will have a good future."
As evening approached...
Rajiv climbed onto the outer wall.
It had become one of his favorite places.
From here...
He could see almost the entire tribe.
Smoke rose from hundreds of chimneys.
Children chased each other through the streets.
Warriors changed shifts atop the walls.
Merchants packed away their goods.
Everything felt...
Alive.
Footsteps approached behind him.
Varinder.
The chief rested one hand on Rajiv's shoulder.
"What are you looking at?"
Rajiv pointed toward the village.
"Our home."
Varinder smiled.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
Rajiv nodded.
After a long silence, he asked,
"Father..."
"Why did you build Vera?"
Varinder looked across the settlement.
For several moments...
He didn't answer.
Finally...
He spoke quietly.
"When I was young..."
"I believed strength was everything."
"I was wrong."
He pointed toward the people below.
"A chief doesn't exist because of power."
"He exists because people trust him."
Rajiv listened carefully.
Varinder continued.
"A tribe..."
"...isn't walls."
"...or houses."
"...or land."
He looked directly into his son's eyes.
"A tribe..."
"...is its people."
"If one day you become strong..."
"Remember that."
"Strength exists to protect."
"Never to oppress."
Rajiv nodded seriously.
"I'll remember."
Varinder smiled and gently ruffled his son's hair.
"I know you will."
Neither of them noticed...
Far beyond the western mountains...
Hundreds of riders had already begun moving beneath the cover of darkness.
Deep within the forest...
Raka rode at the front of the column.
Nearly three hundred bandits followed behind him.
No songs.
No laughter.
Only silence.
The mission had begun.
Raka looked once toward the distant lights of the Vera Tribe.
"So..."
"Let's see whether fate favors the righteous..."
"...or the prepared."
The riders disappeared deeper into the night.