While Roland and Barluf were talking, an elderly man suddenly opened his eyes in the Sladelta People’s camp.
"What time is it?"
He looked withered and gaunt, but the unusual tattoos covering his body lent him an air of mystery and dignity.
"Great Elder, it's almost noon."
The young warrior attending him answered at once.
"Almost noon? Why can't I hear the horn for drills outside?"
"I've been standing guard here the whole time, so I don't know."
As the warrior spoke, he handed over a staff.
The elderly man reached for it and rose with the warrior's help, then walked outside.
A few warriors were sparring here and there outside. When they saw him emerge, they all stopped to pay their respects.
The Sladelta People revered martial prowess and worshiped strength. Someone so old and thin, with his vitality failing, who needed a staff even to walk, had to possess something extraordinary to earn their respect.
For he was the tribe's wizard and Great Elder, serving as its healer, religious leader, cultural teacher, and more.
"Why isn't Barluf here?"
The Great Elder sounded puzzled.
"Great Elder, the tribal chief went over to the Lainer people."
The Sladelta People did not really understand the relationship between Atrelin and Lainer World. Since the latter's name was simpler, they called the place where Roland and his companions stayed "the Lainer people's side."
This was actually a subtle misunderstanding.
The Great Elder could not be bothered to correct them. It made little difference to him anyway.
He merely wondered, "What did Barluf go there for?"
"He apparently wanted to get some character called 'Running Script' tattooed on him..."
The warrior sounded a little uneasy.
"That Barluf! He's getting more outrageous by the day!"
The Great Elder thumped his staff against the ground, his