Chapter 156:

Ivano watched over Brenningr with a keen eye from the relative safety of the Chieftains Hall. After killing Mord Ivano expected Arlid’s warning to come true; the people rising up with a sea of axes, spears and torches. However, things carried on relatively normally. Though the people he had thrown into the cold grumbled the rest of the people, while initially warry, had turned around. It helped when Ivano’s first action was to liberate the contents of the Fire Blades treasury to feed the people. Though there were some minor issues with inflation, something Ivano wasn’t aware was an issue, people were now doing far better. They were starting to put some meat on their bones and didn’t trudge through the snow, their backs straighter and strides faster.

“Ivano.” A voice came from behind. “Do you have a moment?”

Gavriel sat before the central fire, wrapped in several layers of fur. Despite living his whole life in Thessos, constantly beset by cold winds flowing down from the mountains, he wasn’t good dealing with the cold. Either that or he didn’t want to leave. Not surprising, given his position as a captive.

“What’s wrong?” Ivano took Mord’s old chair, now covered in layers of furs. “Is it another one of your economy things?”

Gavriel frowned deeply. “Inflation is a serious issue. You should have warned me that you were about to give everyone so much gold. It’s not good for keeping this place together.”

“How’s that?” Arlid asked. He and his brother sat opposite Gavriel, holding strips of cured meat over the flame. “Everyone’s got money. Lots of it. How’s that bad?”

“Even I have gold.” Arvid smiled, twirling a coin between his fingers.

“Because.” Gavriel shuffled closer to the flame. “Gold’s not worth as much. Which means you buy less food with the same coin.”

“I…” Arlid frowned and tilted his head. “I don’t understand.”

“Would you accept a gold coin for a whole deer you’d just spent the day tracking?”

“No.” Arlid shared a confused look with his brother.

“But what about if you didn’t have the gold? And no one else had Ivano’s gold?”

“I…Yes. I suppose.” Arlid shrugged. “I’m still not giving it up.”

“There’s more to it than that.” Gavriel looked into the flame. “But I managed to keep it from imploding. I just bought a lot of food from the nearby villages. Spread it out a little bit.”

“That’s the other thing.” Arvid shuffled around the fire and patted Gavriel. “Everyone has loads of food.”

“Kept people from rioting.” Ivano smiled.

Ivano had asked the merchants, Clansmen merchants and traders wasn’t a desired or prestigious occupation, coming along a certain pathway, passing by a deep lake, if they had found any bodies or blood. They had not. The men Ivano had sent to deal with Dyri and his mother had succeeded, he hoped. They accepted their gold happily, Ivano threw in some more gold for good measure. Ivano didn’t care about how much he gave the man. He didn’t really want control over an entire clan. If anything he’d prefer a simple life with his family.

A family that was stuck in the grip of his Chieftain.

Gavriel sighed and stared into the flame again. “At least someone tries to understand economics. At least in Bebbezzar people would listen to this…I miss my wife and children.”

“You’ll be returning in the spring.” Ivano rubbed his back into the chair. “And you’ll be going back so much stronger. Already you’ve put on some muscle.”

Gavriel rubbed his arms. He had been complaining about sore muscles each day, with all the meat he was eating there was no way he wouldn’t get stronger. His wife would certainly be impressed.

“Speaking of that.” Gavriel produced a small book. “I’ve been going over the lists of things that can be traded with Bebbezzar. What do you think of these prices?”

Ivano chuckled. “Sorry, but you’re going to have to talk to someone else about that. I barely understood some of the things that you were talking about.”

“You were doing alright.” Gavriel smiled.

“I’m going for a walk.” Ivano ran a hand through his hair. “Any idea where Erik is?”

Arvid smiled. “He’s off with that slave girl. I think they’ve hit it off. They said something about heading to the south…Do you want us to come too?”

“I’ll be fine. Keep Gavriel safe, just in case one of the other captives wants to try something.” Ivano pulled himself from the chair. “Oh, and to keep our shaman safe.”

Kollskegg slept on his high chair, deeply asleep while wrapped in easily a dozen layers of furs. His assistant stood by his side, silent and waiting for his master’s instructions. Arlid offered him another piece of meat which he refused.

“I’ll be back soon.” Ivano was tempted to take Mord’s flaming axe, but it was simply too large and heavy. Not to mention it would sell for a great amount of gold. Something to keep in mind.

Ivano stepped out of the safety of the chieftain’s hall. The snow fell on his head, sticking to the loose hairs of his beard. Four heavily armed warriors standing guard stood straighter. Ivano gave a curt nod and continued down the stairs. He walked through the streets of Brenningr. The people were far happier, some even gave Ivano the odd wave and smile but most were content to go about their day without drawing attention. Ivano was still, technically, a usurper, even if he had taken rulership through legitimate means. The amount of gold floating around would put doubt into anyone disputing his rule.

Erik and the former slave girl stood on the most southern wall. While Erik wore his traditional garb the woman wore a mixture of civilian and warrior clothes, she could withstand a few strikes but not too many. Ivano doubted that she was actually going to fight.

“Another beautiful day.” Ivano rested his hands on the wall next to Erik. “If it weren’t for the people it would be perfectly quiet and still.”

“Nothing more than the falling snow to distract us.” Erik chuckled.

“You’re looking better.” Ivano smiled. “A little happier too.”

“Erik has done his best to keep me safe.” The former slave spoke very softly. Unina, she called herself, though she spoke little to anyone except Erik. “And has promised that I may return home during the spring.”

“I’m afraid there’s a chance your home might not exist anymore.” Ivano winced. “Clansmen…They’re not going to leave much behind when they pass through a town.”

“Actually it was the Seocurian’s that captured me.” She looked to the north. “They destroyed my village because we had settled on the wrong side of the river…But we had been living there for generations.”

“Sounds like an excuse to bolster their slave numbers.”

“Don’t they have all the Beast-kin slaves they could ever want?” Erik asked.

Ivano’s mind flashed back to the Wolf Beast-kin in Rangarvellir, beaten and downtrodden, yet not broken.

“I wonder if he’s still alive.” Ivano shook his head. “Anyway, have you seen anything out there?”

“Apart from merchants and a few deer, elk and some hungry wolves, not really.” Erik shrugged. “We haven’t seen Arnkel or anyone from the Blood Axe Clan. I’m sure they’ll have received the message by now…Do you think they’re up to something.”

Ivano folded his arms. “I don’t know. Just thinking that my family is in his hands and not my one makes me angry. If he does try anything I have an entire clan at my command. It won’t be enough to destroy him but it’ll weaken him so bad…There’s something.”

Over the horizon something moved across the snow, a winding column of darkness moving through the otherwise unbroken white. At the front Ivano saw the sign of the Blood Axe Clan raised high. Normally to hold the banner was considered a great honour, usually for someone’s son that couldn’t fight yet.

“Finally.” Ivano slammed his fist into the snow-covered wall. “Finally I can be done with this.”

“Do you think he’ll just let you go?”

“If you go what’s going to happen to us?” Unina lightly held Erik’s arm. Ivano hoped she hadn’t corrupted. Men would do some crazy things for a pretty girl.

“I don’t think I’ll be going, not like that at any rate. Hopefully, we won’t be going to war.”

“Wasn’t there another clan that wanted you dead?” Erik asked.

Ivano nodded. Ulfheid, the only female chieftain present during his sentencing, was more than likely against Arnkel, even if to just spite him for protecting Ivano. He had no real knowledge about her clan; their numbers, strength and weaknesses. If Arnkel expected him to defeat her he was in for a rude awakening.

“There was. But let’s focus on the present for now. I want to hold my wife and children again.”

---[]---

Brenningr’s warriors quickly mobilised as the column of Blood Axes drew closer. The condition of the warrior's gear had improved considerably, he wondered if leaving Gavriel to improve every facet of Clansmen life was a good thing, for both their sides. Nonetheless, it would create a good impression. At least that’s what he hoped.

Ivano spied Arnkel riding at the front of the column of about three hundred clansmen. He thought he looked almost comical on his small stocky horse, ideal for the snows of the Clansmen Territory but utterly hopeless compared to the tall majestic horses of the lowlands. No one was about to voice such thoughts, let alone him.

“I see someone behind Arnkel,” Erik said. He raised a glove to his brow. “Looks like a woman and three girls. They’re on foot but they look okay.”

Ivano couldn’t restrain his smile. “That’s them…Thank the Old Gods they’re alright. I haven’t seen them in so long.”

Arlid and Arvid had joined them on the wall. Both kept their weapons within easy reach, just in case.

“Chieftain.” A Fire Blade warrior approached. “Do you wish us to send some riders forward? See what they want?”

Ivano nodded. “Yes. I wish to make a good impression.”

A small group of ten riders exited the Brenningr; Ivano recognised one as the brother of the man Mord murdered, wearing very new and expensive armour, taking the lead. Their small horses quickly trudged through the snow to reach the column. After a few moments the column continued moving, one rode quickly back to the wall. It was indeed Arnkel, and he wanted to congratulate Ivano.

Ivano smiled, very forcefully, when Arnkel waved to him.

“Ivano!” Arnkel waved as he approached the closed gate, bringing the column to a halt. Ivano couldn’t see his wife or children, they must have been moved back.

“Chief Arnkel.” Ivano bowed his head. “I trust that your journey was safe?”

“Safe?” Arnkel smiled bitterly. “I left with four hundred men. We ran into the Stone Men. Managed to get away but they killed quite a few.”

“They are roaming far.” Ivano nodded once. “Please, come in. We have food and shelter for all.”

Arnkel clapped his snow-covered gloves. “Excellent. I see that you now command the Fire Blades. I take it that idiot Mord is dead?”

“Just like I said in the message, he is dead.” Ivano took a deep breath. “And his wife and child are no longer an issue.”

Arnkel nodded. “I had high hopes for you. And you exceeded them.” He whipped the reins as the door opened.

Ivano’s body tensed as the Blood Axe warriors entered Brenningr. They were as well armed as the bodyguards that Arnkel had sent with Ivano, not a question about them yet, but kept themselves well behaved. They were grossly outnumbered at the moment.

Arnkel pointed towards the Chieftain’s hall as Ivano stepped down from the wall. “I take it you’ve taken up residence in Mord’s hut.”

“We are.”

“Excellent.” Arnkel nodded to one of his closer soldiers. “I think it’s time they were reunited. He did succeed in his mission after all.”

The warriors parted and a woman pushed her way through, his woman. Sibbe. Sibbe was extremely beautiful, in a wild and ferocious way. Her short, rough brown hair was stained wet with snowflakes. Her cheeks were rosy red from the snow, something he never usually saw from her. Several scars covered her face, two very deep on her cheeks, but it did nothing to take away from the shimmering blue eyes staring at him. She ran towards him, three small girls in tow and jumped into his arms.

“Where the hell have you been?” She said loudly. “I thought you were dead.”

Ivano held her tight. “I thought I would never see you again too, Sibbe.”

Sibbe laughed and kissed him. His three daughters; Bolla, Signi and Hild, hugged his legs, pushing desperately past Sibbe. Each was a near copy of their mother, but they had his eyes. All three grabbed onto his legs with a near death-like grip.

Sibbe hugged him and brought her lips to his ear. “Don’t trust a word he says.”

Ivano didn’t nod and kissed her again. He knelt down and took his children into his arms. Though they really weren’t children anymore they scrambled into his arms. He struggled to carry Bolla and Signi, the smaller of his children, while Hild had to stay by his side, she didn’t relinquish hold of his leg though.

“Chief Arnkel!” Ivano shouted, Arnkel moved to the side and allowed the column to continue forward. “Arvid and Arlid will make sure that you and your men are taken care of. I must spend some time with my wife and children.”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“We will?” Arlid asked softly.

Arvid slapped his side.

“Of course we will, Chief Arnkel” Arlid smiled alongside his brother. “We have food and beautiful women for you…If you would be so inclined."

Arnkel laughed. “There was only one woman in our column. And she’s not to be touched.”

Ivano’s grip tightened, his children tapped his chest. Sibbe held his shoulder, her fingers dug deep into his shoulder.

“Take your time, Ivano.” Arnkel began moving again. “It doesn’t matter if we don’t speak until tomorrow.”

Only when Arnkel was out of earshot did Ivano say a word.

“Did he try anything?” Ivano whispered.

Sibbe shook her head but kept her eyes firmly planted on the Blood Axe warriors. “He didn’t. We need to speak in private.”

“Alright.”

Ivano kissed her again, his children groaned at the sight of their parents sharing an intimate moment. He ruffled their heads after letting them down. Soon they would become interested in boys, and all the troubles that brought.

“Erik? Can you go make sure that everything’s alright.” Ivano nodded to Unina. “Make sure they don’t get the wrong idea about her.”

Unina tensed but quickly relaxed.

“I will. Just don’t take too long.” Erik began to move hurriedly down the stone stairs. His feet slipped, he caught himself but he decided to move far more cautiously afterwards.

“This way.”

Ivano led Sibbe and their children to a small wood storage building. It was enclosed, preventing snow from smothering the wood, and safe from prying eyes and ears. The moment Ivano closed the doors he was set upon by Sibbe again. She didn’t kiss him, only holding him tight with every fibre of her being. They said nothing, the children wanted to join in but held themselves back. Eventually, Sibbe relinquished her tight hold and stepped back.

“What happened to you?” Sibbe pulled herself in again. Ivano would never say it but she had the ideal Clanswoman body, large in all the right areas and strong, the ideal woman for birthing warriors. He would only mention that if he was planning for an early grave.

“I got caught.” Ivano smiled bitterly. “It all went to hell. We lost nearly everyone…I managed to survive. Somehow. Then they decided to blame everything on me and, well, I’ve been to Bebbezzar?”

Sibbe sighed. She gripped his chest furs hard and placed her forehead against his chest. “When they told me the…I thought you were dead. Next thing I know those Fire Blade arseholes are banging on my door and forcing me to come with them…”

Sibbe shook her head, grinding her hair into his chest. “I thought you were dead.”

Sibbe looked up, her eyes wet. “Do you think I could honestly raise these three by myself? They need a father to keep them in line.”

Ivano held her tight until she was calm, though partly it was for his sake. He was worried he would never hold nor see any of them again.

“They didn’t try anything, did they?” Ivano asked softly.

Sibbe looked into his eyes. “Arnkel? No. But some of his warriors tried to get a little close, and to the girls. But I beat them up.”

Sibbe gripped her forearm, her hands couldn’t wrap around them. “They keep underestimating women. They should know a huntress needs to be strong.”

Ivano sighed, forcing himself to remain calm. Flashes of horrendous futures flew through his mind.

“So can you come home now?” Sibbe asked, pulling the children close. “Haven’t you done enough for them?”

“Not yet.” Ivano shook his head. Sibbe’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Arnkel’s not just going to let me go, I rule an entire clan now.”

Sibbe’s eyes narrowed even more. “You’re coming home. The moment you can. Do I need to beat up Arnkel to let you go?”

“Like you did your family?” Ivano chuckled.

Sibbe softened. “No…” She sighed. “I didn’t want to raid. I wanted something nice and simple…A family.”

“I do too…” Ivano ruffled the children’s hair. “What did you want to warn me about?”

“I’m not sure.” Sibbe smiled. “I just don’t like the way Arnkel looked at me, not hungry eyes but that I was a tool. I suppose I am really.”

“We should probably get back to them.” Ivano opened the door. “I want this over with as soon as possible.”

Ivano passed Sibbe the Bebbezzarian blade. “Keep that close. You never know.”

“You think I’m not armed?” Sibbe unbound her collar. She reached around her breast to draw a small, simple iron blade. “This has saved me more than once on that trip.”

Ivano pulled them close and walked along the city streets. The bustling trade had all but disappeared, people looked worryingly from their closed wooden slat windows. Ivano smiled and continued through the abandoned streets.

The chieftain’s hut bustled with activity; the Fire Blade clan warriors stood nervously as Arnkel’s men, and by extension Ivano’s clan, the Blood Axes, roared and cavorted with reckless abandon. The interior wasn’t large enough for everyone so the Blood Axe warriors spilt outside. They didn’t seem to care, so long as they had some hot foot, ale and a pretty woman between them. Ivano didn’t want to know how Arlid and Arvid found them so quickly. He did know, he just didn’t want to say it. The women fawned over the men, lovingly stroking their chests and occasionally brushing a hand against their crotches. It was more than enough to completely distract them. Sibbe shook her head and pulled their children close.

Inside was a total mess. Blood Axe warriors sat on any flat place they could find, mainly content to sit around the small fire. Someone tossed a chair into the flame and cheered with the burst of embers. Ivano forced himself calm as he approached Mord’s old chair. Arnkel hadn’t taken it as his own, at least not yet, and stared at the chair, smiling to himself.

“Can’t believe this hulking thing decided to use this.” Arnkel patted the armrest. “What an absolute idiot. Kollskegg said you beat him quite easily.”

“I got lucky.” Ivano pushed through the Blood Axe warriors. They glared at him for a moment before shuffling away. A few hands reached for Sibbe but she put them down with but a single ferocious glare. “He was rather…angry.”

“Nothing new for that mongrel.” Arnkel patted the armrest again and stepped to one side. “But mangy dogs get put down just like they deserve.”

Ivano took the chair, Sibbe and his children stood opposite Arnkel.

“And his child?” Arnkel asked softly. “Surely they would want revenge…”

“They’ve been taken care of.” Ivano received a look from Sibbe. “They shouldn’t be a problem.”

Arnkel raised a brow. “Shouldn’t? Not won’t?”

“I wasn’t there,” Ivano said softly. “But I trust those that were. They have more than enough reason to see it through.”

Arnkel gently nodded. “Well, we’ll just have to hope that it was enough. You’ve done extremely well, Ivano. Far more than what I expected when you arrived at our feet in chains.”

“And after being beaten.” Ivano wiggled himself further back into the chair. “I was beaten for several days for my failure.”

“But that is all in the past now.” Arnkel waved to a Blood Axe warrior who brought him a chair. “Unfortunately, your work is not done yet.”

Sibbe gripped Ivano’s arm hard. “You said that once he was done with the Fire Blades he would be free. That’s what you said!”

Arnkel smiled and laughed. “She has a serious bite, doesn’t she? But I’m afraid not. There is still one Chieftain that…disagrees with me. One that wants to continue the pointless raids of the lowlands while they, and we, chip away at our strength.”

“The Bebbezarians chased us for days,” Ivano said softly. “Only a sudden downpour of snow turned them back. If it didn’t they’d have chased us the whole way. We’re no longer safe up here.”

“Indeed.” Arnkel looked to Gerin. “The Bebbezarians are quite wealthy. And have many cities near the mountains. They know how to live near the cold, even if the other lowlanders do not.”

“So this is about Ulfheid?”

Arnkel nodded. “With Mord’s death only Ulfheid could stand against us. Not that I think she will, not directly at any rate, but warriors, dissatisfied without the raids, will flock to her. If nothing else it’ll drain our forces, and continue to antagonise the lowlanders. Effectively undoing all our hard work.”

“To be honest, Chief Arnkel, I don’t want any of this.” Ivano held Sibbe’s hand. “I’d prefer to live peacefully with my wife and children.”

Arnkel nodded glumly. “I…Can appreciate that, but you have no choice. I do not know if I can trust any of my warriors not to turn the Fire Blades back into a warring bunch of raiders. It would be so tempting just to continue what we’ve been doing for generations.”

“Do you expect me to survive fighting another chieftain?” Ivano chuckled. “I got lucky with Mord. Also, it seems like I had some help from a friend of yours.”

Ivano nodded to Kollskegg, still soundly asleep underneath his layers of furs. Despite the ruckus surrounding him he continued dreaming unabated. His apprentice stood nervously to his side, fending off the more drunk Blood Axe warriors who were trying to do something.

“I thought it wise to maximise my chances,” Arnkel shouted at a nearby Blood Axe warrior, one of his personal bodyguards. The man bowed and hurried outside. He returned with a spindly young man, more a boy, who appeared dazed and confused.

“This.” Arnkel patted the boys’ shoulders. “Is my son, Borstig. I will have him as chief of the Wind Walkers.”

Borstig smiled faintly at Ivano but his attention quickly faded away, he turned to the open doors and tilted his head.

“I know that Borstig will do as I say.” Arnkel took his previous seat. “So all you need to do is get him to beat Ulfheid and take control of the clan?”

“Him?” Ivano asked flatly. Borstig wouldn’t even pass as a weak Lowlander. “I hate to say this but it seems…Impossible. Ulfheid looked quite strong.”

“I would trust no one else with this task.” Arnkel smiled. He rose up and patted Ivano’s shoulder. “Once that’s done your job here is essentially over. You could even live in Brenningr, but if Ulfheid still lives and rules our position will never be safe. If you want your children to have a future you will ensure that he is able to take it. I will do my best to arrange another Blood Duel but it might be a little more difficult this time.”

“I can’t work miracles.” Ivano turned to find Borstig gone. His panicked eyes found him exiting the building and out into the snow. “What is he doing?”

“Not sure.” Arnkel shrugged. “He’s always been like that.” Arnkel stared at Ivano. “The Fire Blades have been drastically weakened by their failed raid on Thessos. It wouldn’t be too difficult to take them over. Especially if my son was to freeze to death under their protection…”

Ivano forced himself to remain calm. He found Arvid and Arlid chatting merrily with some of the Clanswomen brought in for the Blood Axes.

“Could you take Sibbe and my children to my room?” Ivano stood up. “I need to go find a wayward son.”

---[]---

“Where is he?” Ivano asked aloud.

The streets of Brenningr had grown deserted after the Blood Axe warriors entered. Only out of caution, for now at any rate. So long as they stayed in the barracks everything would be fine.

“How can one kid just wander off like that?” Ivano scratched his rough hair. “He’s barely the size of a twig and yet he can move completely silently…Maybe that’s why.”

“Who are you looking for?” A voice asked from the shadows, a voice belonging to a woman.

Ivano instinctively placed a hand on the hilt of a dagger, a Bebbezzarian dagger whose hook-like edges easily tore through flesh to inflict deep and terrible wounds. There was another person behind her, he too was wearing a cloak obscuring every feature of his body. He was very large and broad, probably far stronger than Ivano.

“A young man,” Ivano said softly. “He wandered out into the snow and I need to find him. He’s not wearing much clothing and I’m worried that he might freeze to death.”

Or if something thinks he’s an easy mark, kill him. Then I might as well jump into that lake…

“Haven’t seen him.” The man said. His voice was awfully familiar. “But at least this time losing wasn’t your fault.”

Ivano gripped the handle tighter. The man removed the hood covering his head. Ivano smiled when he saw green skin, an oversized bottom jaw with large teeth sticking out.

“Snakha.” Ivano laughed. “You look alright for an Orc this far north.”

Snakha shrugged and pulled Ivano in for a hug. The Orc was just as strong as Ivano thought. “It’s not that bad this far north. No idea what it’s like back home right now.”

“You didn’t bother to go back?” Ivano looked to the woman.

“Nope.” Snakha laughed. “They’d have killed me the moment I walked through the gates. They did that to pretty much everyone else that did. I was smart…Smarter than most. And I listened to Brenna here.”

Brenna removed her hood and smiled.

“It saved my life.”

“Ivano.” Brenna hugged Ivano, significantly less violently than Snakha. “Congratulations on your new position.”

“Seems you’re doing better each time we see you.” Snakha frowned lightly then shrugged. “Though this is only the second time.”

“What about you, Brenna?” Brenna raised a brow. “Did you have to marry a grunting and huffing man who’d collapse on you after three thrusts?”

Brenna laughed. “No. Don’t get me wrong, they wanted me to. I just punched my father and mother, told them where to shove it and left. Don’t know what they’re doing now.”

“Was…Was that the right choice?” Ivano looked to Snakha. “I don’t think you can exactly go back after that.”

“Whatever.” Brenna shrugged. “It’s not like it was the first thing I did. They wouldn’t shut up about it. After being told for four days you had to marry this great sweaty fat man, who’s never raided once in his life, or could barely raise an axe and wanted you to do all the work, you’d get pretty annoyed too.”

“I suppose so. So have you two been together since?”

“Yeah.” Snakha nodded. “Turns out Brenna can’t cook, so she was having a bad time of things for a while.”

Brenna scoffed. “Charred meat isn’t what I’d call ideal.”

“It’s good to see that you two survived. If you’re staying can you help me find Borstig? If something happens to him it’s all over for me.”

“He’s Arnkel’s runt?” Snakha asked.

Ivano furiously glanced around, thankfully no one appeared to have heard.

“Keep that stuff quiet. You don’t know who’s listening.”

“But it’s the truth?”

“It…It is.” Ivano sighed. “Just come with me.”

The two followed Ivano through the mostly deserted streets. Snakha put his hood back up to avoid the stares, Orcs were not common this far north and after the disaster of the assault on Qaiviel they would not be popular.

Brenna found Borstig first. She tapped his shoulder and pointed to a small open space before the wall. Borstig stood perfectly still, silently up at the sky as the snowflakes fell onto his face. He didn’t even blink as the landed on his eyes.

“Why did you leave?” Ivano asked, his voice barely hiding his anger. “If you wanted to go outside you should have just said something.”

Borstig turned silently to Ivano. It wasn’t creepy or unsettling, just strange.

“Are you alright?” Brenna asked. She held his exposed hand. “By the Old God’s you’re freezing. You should come inside.”

A flicker of something flashed over his eyes. He blinked, the snowflakes crushing and embedding themselves into his eyelashes, before moving to the wall. Ivano spotted only a few Fire Blade warriors but they were far more interested in watching for exterior threats. Borstig pointed to the snow outside. Through the unbroken white something moved.

“Look.” He pointed at one of the objects. “It’s a deer. He’s trying to court that doe.”

A white male deer, with large cream coloured antlers, danced in front of a smaller plain white doe. Ivano had no idea if she was interested or simply entertaining his attempts.

“See!” Borstig grabbed Ivano’s hand. “He’s moving his head back and forth, his front paw is now digging into the snow. She seems to be liking it.”

“Liking him digging at the snow?” Ivano asked.

Borstig shook his head. “She likes him.”

The doe approached and sniffed at his nose. They shared a quick, strange kiss and quickly ran away from Brenningr.

“See? They’ll be happy now.” Borstig’s eyes followed them running towards the forest. “So long as they don’t get eaten by wolves. But if they do…That’s the way of nature.”

“Are you alright, kid?” Snakha raised a brow.

Borstig said nothing and returned his attention to the snow.

“Do you often do this?” Ivano asked.

“My father’s wife isn’t my mother,” Borstig said softly. “I was born from a priestess…At least that’s what I was told.” Borstig looked at his hands. “I’ve always been like this.”

He can barely keep a line of thought together. Is he mad? Well, he’s definitely not right.

“Something draws me to animals.” Borstig smiled. “Something in my head. A faint voice, a whisper, that tells me to help them.”

“Do you know who that is?” Ivano asked. “There are many Gods…There’s one of animals.”

Borstig sighed. “I don’t know. My father took me to her shrine but I didn’t hear anything…Different.”

“Is there one here?” Ivano asked aloud. “I don’t think so but we should definitely talk to the shaman about it.”

Borstig said nothing and looked to the snow again. He smiled, Ivano saw some small snow rabbits frolicking through the small soft mounds of snow. They were burrowing through it for the faint pieces of grass and moss below. During the summer the snows were thin enough to allow it to grow, during the winter it was the only thing many small animals had to eat.

“It’s time to head back inside.” Ivano took the boy’s shoulder. “We have a lot of work to do before you can challenge any warrior, let alone a chieftain.”

Borstig began to panic, his breath grew harsh and his hand clutched his chest. “I can’t fight! Blood makes me sick. I want to vomit at the sight of it.”

“But the animals fight and kill each other?” Brenna asked. “How is that any different?”

“It just is!” Borstig shrugged Ivano off. He took a few paces, shook his hands and ran them through his hair.

Ivano and Brenna shared a worried glance as he tried to pull his head down.

“It’ll be fine.” Ivano stood in front of Borstig. He held his hand and righted the panicking boy. “You just need practice and a good teacher. Thankfully, you have a lot of good teachers. Some don’t even have both of their hands and they’re better than most warriors. Soon you’ll be able to take down an Orc by yourself.”

Snakha laughed. Borstig held the same concerns and reservations. Slowly he walked with Ivano back to the Chieftains Hall.

“My father…Arnkel, has talked about this before.” Borstig shook his head. “I read about the rules…And while it says I can’t have another warrior fight for me…It doesn’t say anything about having a creature with me.”

“What? Like a bear?” Ivano shook his head. “I don’t think they’d allow it.”

“But it doesn’t say anywhere that you can’t, only another warrior. And a creature isn’t a warrior.”

“So do you have an idea where this creature might be?” Ivano asked.

“I do.” Borstig smiled. “The voices in my head were much, much stronger before we arrived here. I know there’s something in the forests to the south.” His eyes turned childlike and full of excitement, he pointed to a large forest, just before the lake with several new sources of food sinking to the bottom. “Do you think we could do that? I know there’s something there. Something that can help me.”

Ivano held his shoulder. “Let’s…Let’s have a chat about making you an actual warrior first, okay?”

Borstig looked very happy. Ivano hoped he could actually manage to convince him to become a great warrior, he didn’t fancy the idea of wrestling a bear into submission.