Jean, the Darkness

第3話 First travelling (2)

"Jean is used to camping in the wild."

Jahir spoke, and Jean tilted his head in response.

That night, they camped out for the second time. The glow of the fire cast flickering shadows on the surrounding dunes, and the cool night air was filled with the soft rustling of wind brushing against the sparse desert grass. The scent of spices from Jahir's cooking hung in the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of the cooling sand. The previous day, Jean and Sabadda fell asleep early after dinner; their conversation was minimal, with only the crackling of burning wood to fill the silence. But Jahir, feeling a rising curiosity about Jean's past and motivations, asked questions while he prepared their meal.

"Err, I don't get it."

Jean answered with a confused look.

"Sleeping outside like this."

"Hmm..."

Jean tilted his head again as Jahir arranged the dishes.

"My grandfather, one of his servants, and I, the three of us, went to the nearby mountains and other places. At that time, we slept outside like this.''

"How old were you at that time?"

"About two years old, I guess. Sorry, I don't remember when exactly."

Jean said, and Jahir just nodded. He made a dish of rice stewed with dried meat and sweet dried dates.

"Let's eat."

"Yes, Sir."

When Jahir said this, Amir and the others all responded. They ate in silence and drank warm tea that Saman had brewed in the same bowl. That way, they don't have to wash the bowl.

"Then go to sleep. It's already late. We'll be in town tomorrow in the morning."

"Yes, Sir."

Amir and his friends wrapped themselves in thick cloth, huddled close to the camel, and closed their eyes. Jahir sat in front of the fire and thought.

Jahir wondered what Jean's grandfather hoped to achieve by raising his grandson this way. He had heard stories about the old man from their chief, Jenal, who said they were distantly related. The old man had come to them long ago, then left for a distant country, married, and had children and grandchildren. Most of his children worked in the trading business, and their company was well-known at the port, mainly selling rice. Sometimes, they also brought chintz and silk. Jahir remembered the old man would sometimes return to this country on the company’s ship.

The old man's grandson is Jean, who is sleeping soundly. He was a small, apparently normal child, Jahir thought.

I'm sure he's good with words, as the old man once said, "He's smart.'' That's for sure, Jahir thought. However, after hearing Saman's story and actually having a conversation with Jean, Jahir became convinced.

He's not an ordinary one.

And he was trained from an early age.

Jahir thought he could tell what the training was for by looking at this flow.

That is because of the war that happened there. To that end, the old man's eldest grandson studies technology, his second grandson studies law, and his third grandson studies economics. Technology is necessary to win the war. And they need someone who can ostensibly do the law. Furthermore, for that foundation, they need people who are knowledgeable about economics.

And his fourth grandson, Jean, was trained to be an assassin. Hiding behind the glamorous front stage, the work behind the scenes is left to Jean.

Jahir was confused when he saw the child.

War threatened to take everything from this child. But as an ordinary nomad, Jahir couldn't change the war in Archia. All he could do in the desert was teach young people. He cared for the sheep and taught them how to survive and to defend against bandits.

"...That's difficult."

Jahir brewed some tea and drank it slowly.

Before the sun rose, Jahir woke Amir and the others, and they all finished eating. The group slowly headed towards town. The children's eyes lit up when they saw a big oasis in the desert. Jahir just laughed and headed towards the merchant.

After selling furs, threads, textiles, and embroidery to the merchant's shops, Jahir heads to the market to find orders for Jenal and the others. Jahir also bought a beautiful hair ornament for his lover. He also bought clothes and hats for Amir and his friends. He bought the same thing for Jean. However, they weren't able to find the right size, so they ended up going to the market for a week.

"We had a hat and clothes, but couldn't find any pants for Jean."

"It's okay, Sir."

When Jahir said this, Jean answered while looking at Jahir.

"Teacher, Jean still doesn't have a sword."

Abu said, and then Jahir nodded.

"Let's eat first, then find a good one."

"Yes, Sir!"

For some reason, the children became very energetic when they heard the food words. Jahir laughed and led them to the skewer shop. They bought a platter of raisin and vegetable pilaf with large chunks of meat on top and sat around the table. When the meal began, Amir and his friends ate with gusto. Jean also enjoyed the dishes with his mouth full.

After finishing their meal, they headed to the weapon shop. Jahir checked a small sword, but it was of poor quality. In the end, Jahir only made purchases for himself.

That night, they stayed at an inn. When Jahir says that everyone is in the same room, no one complains. Jahir said there were only three beds, so he decided two people per bed: Amir with Saman, Abu with Sabadda, and Jahir with Jean.

Jean followed his instructions, placed her dagger by his bedside, and closed his eyes. Jahir looked at everyone, then lay down and closed his eyes.

That night, they suddenly heard a loud noise. When Jahir woke up quickly, Jean was already awake, opened the window, and looked outside. When Jean says the town is on fire, Jahir quickly understands the situation.

It's a bandit, Jahir immediately gave instructions. Amir and his friends quickly packed their bags. Jean also tried to help, but Saman took Jean's hand and followed Jahir and the others outside.

When they moved to the first floor of the inn, the people who had already stayed at the inn and the men of the town raised their weapons and shouted, threatening the bandits who had come into view.

"Saman, I leave Jean in your charge!"

"Yes, Sir!"

Saman replied loudly. Jahir nodded and fought off the attacks of the bandits who tried to enter the inn. Several men also entered, and a fierce swordfight ensued. Saman and Sabadda drew their swords and gasped.

Suddenly, several men entered through the window. After slashing several people, the men snatched whatever luggage they could find. Abu and Amir desperately fought back against their attackers. But the big men were stronger than them. When the opponent's kick hit Amir in the stomach, he collapsed. Then, Sabadda desperately resisted, protecting Amir.

It was at that time.

Little Jean suddenly jumped high and stabbed the opponent in the eye with his dagger. He didn't stop and slashed at the bandits who entered the inn one after another.

Amir and the others, not yet understanding the situation, just looked at him, dumbfounded.

"Jean!"

When Jahir returned to the inn, he was surprised and cried out in a loud voice. Jahir then checked on Amir and the others and hurried to where Jean was.

Then Jahir could not believe his eyes.

A small 4-year-old child fought with grown men and slashed them. Blood is dripping from the dagger in his hand.

Did he get hurt? Or is it the enemy's blood? Jahir thought as he slashed at the enemies who had been knocked down by Jean and got back up one after another.

"Jean!"

"Teacher! Brother Amir was kicked!"

"He should be fine!"

Jahir quickly slashed at Jean's opponent. Then he took a small knife from his belt and threw it at the bandit who was trying to escape. The knife hit the bandits, and they fell to their deaths.

"Wow! The Teacher is amazing!"

"That's not the time now! Focus on the enemy!"

"Yes, Sir!"

Zash! Zash! and the swordfight started again for a while. However, Jahir, who was skilled with his sword, had no problem cutting down those bandits. After defeating the last person, Jahir quickly pulled Jean's hand and headed toward Amir and the others.

"Is everyone safe?!"

"Yes, Sir!"

Jahir asked, and they all responded in unison. Jahir checked Amir's stomach and was relieved. It's okay, he said.

"Check the luggage!"

"Yes, Sir!"

They immediately moved to check the money they had bought during the day and the fur they had sold. Abu said everything was fine, and Jahir nodded in relief.

Jahir went to the front of the inn again to check on the situation. The bandits fled, but some buildings were burning. Men in the town could also be seen rushing to extinguish the burning building.

"It's okay. The enemy has escaped!"

"Are the camels safe, Sir?"

"I don't know. It's probably okay. I'll check later."

Saman asked, and Jahir replied, shaking his head. Then he looked at Jean, who was squatting down.

The child wiped the enemy's blood from his dagger with the enemy's clothes.

This is unusual, Jahir gasped.

Don't you think about anything when you see a dead body? Don't you ever get scared? Various questions arose in Jahir. Yet those questions only scratched the surface of his deeper concerns. More than anything, Jahir worried that Jean's innocence would be lost too early. He wondered if the harsh realities of their world would steal away the child's chance at a normal life —a life where he wouldn't have to wield a dagger with deadly skill. Jahir felt a pang of worry—was he complicit, even indirectly, in this child's fate? As he watched Jean, Jahir felt a mixture of admiration for the boy's courage and a deep unease for the path laid before him.

"Jean."

"Yes, Sir."

When Jahir calls his name, Jean turns around and looks at Jahir.

Jahir looked into his eyes and gasped again.

"Put the dagger in its sheath."

"Yes, Sir."

Jean obediently put the dagger into its sheath.

"...don't half-heartedly slash the enemy like you did earlier."

Jahir said quietly. The words seemed to be stuck in his throat; he couldn't tell them properly.

"When we get back, I'll teach you how to use a dagger properly, so for now, stay there with Amir and the others. Don't wander around."

"Yes, Sir!"

Jahir said, patting Jean on the head, looking at him silently, and walking outside again.