chapter 4

Chapter 4: A Bird's Advice

Silence lingered inside the command tent long after the white raven had disappeared.

No one moved.

No one spoke.

Several commanders remained staring at the battlefield map as if expecting the bird to suddenly return and explain itself.

Unfortunately, the mysterious creature had shown no interest in offering explanations.

It had arrived.

Insulted their strategy.

Then left.

The memory would have been absurd had everyone present not witnessed it with their own eyes.

"...Did that truly happen?" one commander finally muttered.

Another rubbed his forehead.

"I believe it did."

The Night Captain folded his arms.

"I still say we should have shot it."

Several men nodded in agreement.

Across the table, Crown Prince Cassian Lucien Valmont remained silent.

His gaze rested on the altered battlefield map.

The wooden markers sat where the raven had moved them.

Simple adjustments.

Yet the more he studied them, the more his expression darkened.

Because they made sense.

Far too much sense.

The enemy forces had been pressuring the western route for days.

Naturally, every commander assumed the decisive attack would come from that direction.

The raven's adjustments abandoned that assumption entirely.

Instead, it redirected their attention toward a narrow mountain passage most strategists would have ignored.

Cassian's fingers brushed against one of the markers.

His blue eyes narrowed.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

The route appeared dangerous at first glance.

But if the enemy already knew their current plans...

Then continuing to think conventionally was the worst possible option.

"Your Highness?"

Cassian looked up.

General Rowan appeared uncertain.

"Surely you do not intend to consider the bird's suggestion."

Several commanders immediately voiced their agreement.

"It could be a trap."

"It may be someone's familiar."

"A sorcerer's beast."

"Or simply a random animal."

"The Empire employs many mages."

"Your enemies could have sent it."

The arguments came one after another.

Reasonable concerns.

Under normal circumstances, Cassian would have agreed with them.

Yet his gaze returned to the map.

A random animal.

No.

He had seen countless birds throughout his life.

That creature had not behaved like one.

The memory of those strange green-gold eyes surfaced in his mind.

Calm.

Ancient.

Observant.

The raven had looked at them as though they were children arguing over a puzzle with an obvious answer.

A ridiculous thought.

And yet...

Cassian could not dismiss it.

"What if it is a trap?" one commander pressed.

The Crown Prince finally spoke.

"Then we are no worse off than before."

The tent fell silent.

No one could argue.

Because it was true.

Their current situation was already disastrous.

Food supplies were nearly exhausted.

The enemy possessed information they should not have.

Retreat was impossible.

Remaining here meant eventual defeat.

Every conventional strategy had failed.

Cassian's gaze swept across the gathered officers.

"Tell me."

His voice was calm.

"If not this route, what do you suggest instead?"

No one answered.

One commander looked away.

Another lowered his head.

Even General Rowan remained silent.

Because they had spent the entire morning arguing.

And none of them had discovered a solution.

Cassian looked back at the map.

Then he moved one final marker.

The decision was made.

"We proceed according to the new route."

Shock spread across several faces.

"Your Highness—"

"Prepare the army."

The command left no room for discussion.

Immediately, everyone straightened.

Years of service had taught them one thing.

Once Crown Prince Cassian reached a decision, changing his mind was nearly impossible.

The Night Captain released a quiet sigh.

"As you command."

One by one, the officers departed.

Orders spread throughout the camp.

Soldiers began preparing for movement.

Supplies were gathered.

Scouts were dispatched.

The army moved once more.

Soon, only two figures remained inside the tent.

Cassian.

And Rafael.

Captain of the Iron Knights.

Unlike the others, Rafael had remained silent throughout the entire discussion.

Cassian finally glanced toward him.

"You disapprove."

It wasn't a question.

Rafael considered his answer.

"I think trusting an unknown beast is dangerous."

A pause.

"However."

Cassian raised an eyebrow.

"I trust your judgment, Your Highness."

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Rafael added quietly,

"Though I admit I would like to know where that bird came from."

The corner of Cassian's mouth almost moved.

Almost.

"A rare sentiment."

Rafael blinked.

"Which one?"

"Curiosity."

The knight laughed softly.

A rare sound within the gloomy camp.

Eventually he departed as well.

Leaving Cassian alone.

The Crown Prince approached the entrance of the tent.

His gaze traveled toward the distant trees.

Empty.

No silver feathers.

No green-gold eyes.

No white raven.

It was as though the creature had never existed.

Yet the altered map behind him proved otherwise.

For reasons he couldn't explain, a strange disappointment settled within him.

The feeling vanished almost immediately.

Cassian turned away.

There were more important matters to consider.

A war to survive.

An army to save.

And a strategy suggested by a mysterious white raven.

As the Crown Prince stepped outside, he failed to notice a pair of green-gold eyes watching from the distant forest.

High above the camp.

The white raven observed the movement of soldiers below.

Then lowered his head.

The human had chosen the correct answer.

Interesting.

Very interesting indeed.

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