It’s a sunny typical day for the Imperial citizens here in the Marketplace of Danusta. The area is bustling with activity where merchants, craftsmen, and artisans of every trade are gathered at their respective stalls or establishments to conduct business.
The normality of this everyday scenery shattered when the people witnessed something quite bizarre that is definitely outside of the norm.
“Move, move!!!”
The citizens heard a desperate scream as they all saw a man running away from the guards chasing him. And if that was not enough to incite the ire of the guards, the man was also witnessed to be pushing people away from him and wrecking some of the merchant stalls along the way as a means to distract his wrathful pursuers. As a result, the merchants whose stall was destroyed scowled in pure displeasure, and some of them eventually joined the hunt against the culprit.
At this point, the lying merchant could only thank the Creator that the majority of the people here are not blessed with the gift of magic to stop him in his escape. Most citizens are merely normal people, and they don’t have the capability to cast even the simplest of spells. Because of this, Mages or any magic-users for that matter are either revered or feared throughout the land for their numerous potentials of unnatural feats.
Anyways, the criminal’s thoughts are getting diverted, and he still has guards and other enraged merchants to escape from. If he was honest with himself, Magic is something that he definitely needed in this troublesome situation that he found himself in, and he mentally cursed the Creator for not granting him the gift during his birth.
Lucon, a nobleman born from the Augustus family, naturally was gifted with Magic on the other hand. The Augustus family has potent magical bloodline within their ranks, and thus, most of them have the arcane abilities to perform any doings of mystical nature. But alas, the current situation deemed unsuitable for him to cast a spell. With the crowd at his every proximity, using magic may endanger the innocents who are around. The culprit also knew of this predicament and specifically exploited crowded areas to take advantage of his hopeful escape, much to Lucon’s utter displeasure. In the end, the criminal was able to slip within the local crowd, and all hopes of catching him seemed to have ended here.
“Damn it!!” Lucon cursed out loud, displeased by how slippery and cunning the conniving bastard is at his retreat. But despite Lucon’s vexation about the matter, it did not shirk him one bit at his duty of apprehending the criminal. He immediately ordered the guards to send a word so the other guards at different areas can block potential escape routes, gates, and other exits of the Town. In the meantime, Lucon decided that he should return to Siegtyr. Even if it was in line with his duty to apprehend individuals disrupting the law and order of Danusta, it was still rude of him to leave Siegtyr like that in the open and to abandon his primary task of escorting the young Northman to the Augustus estate. That, and he has to admit, at this current scenario, Lucon can’t do much anything, resenting himself for his failure.
“That won’t be necessary.”
As Lucon was about to return, he heard a familiar coming from none other than Siegtyr himself no less. To make things even more surprising, Siegtyr was witnessed with the criminal at his mercy, a dagger dangerously near the latter’s throat.
“Lord Siegtyr!!” Lucon was beyond astonished at sight in front of him. “Not that I’m ungrateful for catching him at our stead, but how did you manage such feat when you were considerably way behind us earlier?”
“Oh, it was easy.” Siegtyr chuckled at the nobleman’s confusion. “If the area is filled with the unknown, then simply turn to the wide-open path, even if it means soaring to the heavens.”
Unknown to all of them but Siegtyr, A raven was perching at a nearby rooftop and witnessing the whole proceedings. Its red eyes glistened in pure mischief and amusement in service of its human friend and partner.
Scaling himself up at the very rooftop of the building, Siegytr then masterfully navigated in his every step, utilizing the art of free-run so he can maneuver from building to building. With every careful detail to attention, he flawlessly balanced himself and maintained good footing at all times. The people down below were completely baffled at seeing a strange figure that was a Northman jumping gracefully from one house to another like a gymnast in an athletic event.
Fortunately for Siegtyr, most of the establishments are close to one another, allowing easier maneuverability in his free-running style. Every flips, jumps, and climb are calculated and met with exceptional poise only matched by a very few.
Additionally, he also knew that he was on the right track thanks to a certain animal companion who assists him in the clear sky.
‘Heh, it appears that Thyra has finally found him.’ Siegtyr smiled with success at seeing the criminal with great detail among the crowd. However, it was not his eyes that were used in finding the culprit but instead, the sight of his raven friend, Thyra.
As per Siegtyr’s title of “Raven-blessed”, many of his fellow Northmen speculated that he was constantly watched by the Gods, seeing as a raven always accompany him whenever he went. After all, the All-father is mostly represented in the form of the animal raven. However, what they don’t know is that Thyra, the raven, also served as Siegtyr’s second set of eyes and ears. Meaning what Thyra saw and heard, Siegtyr does as well. Ultimately, Thyra served well as an excellent scout and lookout, allowing Siegtyr to spot potential enemies in advance. This particular situation also applied, with Thyra spotting the escaping criminal, thus allowing Siegtyr to determine his exact location at all times. This mysterious magic of theirs is a bond formed between a human and an animal when the child Siegtyr saved Thyra from a fatal leg injury and tended her for days.
Siegtyr eventually found the culprit blending in with the crowd, and no doubt have thought that the man finally escaped from the guards. When the opportunity presented itself in the form of the culprit slightly separated from the crowd, Siegtyr wasted no time and descended from above, pinning him like a Valkyrie who delivered punishment from the gates of Valhalla.
The crowd around all marveled with sheer awe and disbelief at seeing a Northman of all people appearing in such an unexpected manner. His actions are similar to a hungry eagle who swooped down its delectable prey and went in for the kill. However, the comparison ended with the killing part when Siegtyr’s intention is to merely apprehend the culprit for lying about his northern brethren’s trading goods.
‘A perfect job as always, Thyra.’ Siegtyr activated his mental link with his raven friend, allowing both of them to communicate conveniently and discreetly. Although Thyra was a raven and naturally incapable of human speech, the female raven just spoke with an appreciative caw in response.
The merchant was unquestionably stupefied beyond measure at how he was captured. His eyes blinked in absolute disbelief at this revelation. He definitely thought that he would get away with this crime, seeing as he somehow managed to evade the guards successfully, but it appeared that he was mistaken. And to add to his growing astonishment, the one who caught him was none other than the Northman who was on to him suspiciously earlier.
“I hope you don’t mind me dropping by,” Siegtyr smirked in a cocky manner, feeling triumphant at successfully seizing the escaping man.
“H-how?” The merchant questioned Siegtyr with a shaky voice.
“As the one who was captured, it’s not your place to ask.” Siegtyr did not even spare the merchant’s interest and pulled him from the ground that he stumbled. Siegtyr then took out a dagger from his back and immediately put it near the merchant’s throat, as a sign that he was not kidding around. The young Northman won’t hesitate to slit the merchant’s throat should he chose to mess around. The people around decided that it would be best not to interfere with the current affair and leave it to the guards to handle the situation. They don’t know the whole story yet, and with the merchant’s life at the Northman’s hands, they managed summed up the situation more or less, each with different opinions. Although at the end of the day, they would soon find out naturally about the matter's whole story.
Siegtyr, with the help of Thyra, who spotted Lucon and the other guards nearby, ordered his captive to move with him or else a sharp painful slice to the neck is all that he shall get. After a few moments of walking and judgmental eyes from the people in his proximity, Siegtyr found the people he was looking for. When he heard about Lucon’s self-antagonism of failing to capture the culprit, Siegtyr opted to intervene so the situation can finally be resolved.
“That won’t be necessary.”
After capturing the dishonest merchant, now is the appropriate time in deciding his ultimate fate.
“The city guard thank you for delivering justice today.” Lucon smiled appreciatively with a bow of his head. “Still, it would be most appreciated if you release him from your sharp grasp and hand it over to the guards so he’ll be judged fairly at court.”
“The court, huh.” Siegtyr voiced out his own view regarding the issue of their so-called justice. “You know, back at the north, if someone like him is foolish enough to perform such crime in the very open, I would slit his throat right on the spot, and not a single soul would care enough to bat an eye at his death.”
To emphasize his statement, Siegtyr tightened his grip at the merchant, causing the latter to widen his eyes in pure fear for his life. To make matters even more forbidding, Siegtyr even pricked the merchant’s throat with his dagger, resulting in a small cut being formed at the sensitive body part.
Siegtyr’s threat caused most of the crowd to garner a variety of mixed reactions from them all. One side thought that the Northman is simply a vile vigilante taking justice as he saw fit in his own hands with the act of horrendous murder. Others, though, can’t help but feel that the merchant deserved to be killed on the spot for his fabrication of lies in the marketplace regarding the silver bear pelts' authenticity that he has claimed to be sold earlier. In the end, an argument has been started between two sides, whether the merchant shall live to be judged at court or executed on the spot.
“Please, don’t!! Have mercy, sir!!” The merchant now had tears falling from his eyes from Siegtyr’s sinister statement and action, begging his life to be spared, and he would happily surrender instead to the clemency of the city guards rather than be beheaded by a Northman.
Lucon sighed at the now ongoing commotion that was born out of this troublesome predicament. Still, he has a duty to fulfill as a well-respected nobleman. The guards all shared the same sentiment and readied their respective weapons in preparation for the worst outcome. As such, he said to Siegtyr. “I see your point, Lord Siegtyr, but we have strict rules to follow. Order is of utmost necessity in these troubled times. If we simply kill people without judging them fairly, then we are no different from uneducated savages who always resort to violence and bloodlust to achieve their goal. I don’t wish to remind you again that you are in Danusta, with the good graces of the Emperor and Empress. Even her majesty herself has told you that as long as you are in our Empire, you have to abide by our laws.”
Siegtyr witnessed the complete seriousness of Lucon’s expression while the latter was making his statement to prove his point. Not that it mattered really though, he has no plans in inciting any unnecessary ire coming from the local authorities. Even Siegtyr is not dumb to get himself in trouble in the middle of a foreign territory where they held considerable jurisdiction over him, as indicated in the peace treaty.
In the end, Siegtyr just smiled and gave in to Lucon’s wishes. In truth, he has no intention of executing the merchant, no matter how tempting it is. He merely expressed his own opinion of what his people would do to enact justice when the crime is seen at plain sight for everyone to ogle at.
“Very well. I merely stated my own point of view about the whole matter and had no plans of killing him, truth to be told. Your Empire, your laws.” Siegtyr answered calmly and handed over the merchant to the guards, but not before knocking him unconscious with a chop to the man’s neck behind.
“Thank you for your leniency and understanding. I’m sure their majesties will appreciate the right and noble choice that you made today.” Lucon did not mind Siegtyr’s latest action of knocking the merchant out of daylights. He gratefully received the criminal and ordered the guards to bring the culprit to the dungeons where he will be staying before his decisive judgment.
After the guards finally left with the merchant, Lucon ordered all of the people around the vicinity to depart and continue their daily routine since the matter has finally been settled. With everything resolved, Lucon requested Siegtyr that they should continue their trek to the Augustus estate as originally intended.
“Wait.” Siegtyr realized as he almost forgot something. “That red-haired lady, I still need to retrieve my weapons from her.”
“Ah, you don’t have to worry about that,” Lucon assured him. “Lady Anna Merell is a student of the Academy, same as you. She’s also quite famous in town, known to be the daughter of the Merchant’s Guild leader so that she can be trusted. You will no doubt, meet her tomorrow during your first day at the Academy. We have wasted enough time already, and it would be rude to keep the Duke waiting.”
“Very well.” Siegtyr agreed with the nobleman, finding no reason to argue with his statement. If he was honest to himself, Siegtyr is in no hurry to recover his equipment back and also possessed other arsenals of weapons in his disposal, his trusty dagger, magic, and raven included. If the Lady did somehow managed to break or at the very least lost his weapons, then Siegtyr will simply demand payment as he saw fit.
Both of them then left the place, with Thyra paving their path onward from above and endlessly on the lookout for any signs of abnormalities that would potentially endanger her human friend.
Meanwhile, at a particular place where the incident all begun, a certain young redhead began her departure from the said area. When the Northman still has not returned after quite some time, Anna decided that it would be best to secure the weapons entrusted to her back home. If the Northman is what she thought who he is, then they will most likely meet again sometime tomorrow at the Academy, so it’s not a problem that’s worth contemplating.
When Anna finally arrived at her family estate, the maid welcomed her as always upon stepping foot inside. When Anna asked where her father is, the maid told her that the master is now at his personal office here at home after a long day of his job in the Merchant’s guild tending to numerous issues that concerned individuals of their own trade. Anna thanked the maid and ordered to bring the equipment that she was carrying to her room for safekeeping. After that, Anna immediately proceeded to her father’s work chambers. The incident that has occurred earlier must be reported without delay since it concerned the silver bear belts coming from distant northern lands. Also, she needed to convey the result of her task that was ordered personally by him.
Anna arrived at the familiar door of her father’s office on the second floor and knocked. The man inside allowed his own daughter in with a simple response of “Enter”.
The Merchant’s Guild leader, Garios Merell, is known to be a true man of honor and greatly respected by the citizens of the Holy Bahamuth Empire, including the royal family themselves. Unlike his daughter, though, the man instead has black hair and violet eyes. He is in his forties, a standard still quite young when one assumed the mantle of leadership of one of the most illustrious guilds of the whole Empire. Since it is technically his off-duty hours, Garios was dressed in a simple black shirt, blue long pants, and brown boots. He’s currently busy inspecting some important documents at his desk. Still, upon seeing his beloved daughter, Garios set aside what he was doing in favor of indulging Anna in what business she has with him. No doubt, it was the matter about the silver bear pelts that he has requested this morning.
“Hello, father.” Anna greeted her parent with a smile. “I bring interesting news that you definitely want to hear.”
“Interesting?” Garios raised a brow with intrigue. “Let’s hear it then.”
Anna complied and begun telling her father about the events that transpired in the marketplace. Garios was certainly fascinated by the story that his daughter indulged him. He also watched Anna with a fanciful smile on her face while she narrated the story, especially at the part when the Northman ratted out the merchant’s schemes and climbed at the very top of a building with precise nimbleness when said merchant escaped from them.
“Hmm, you sure do have an entertaining day, daughter,” Garios smirked while crossing his arms from his desk. “Hopefully, the guards were able to catch the lying villain who had the audacity to fool the good folks to earn some fraudulent profits.”
“I hope so too, father.” Anna shared the same sentiment. “But maybe the Northman, Siegtyr I believed was his name from what I heard from Lord Lucon, has caught the criminal instead? Judging from his expression, This Siegtyr fellow was rather confident and also wanted to catch the merchant for himself since the bastard did involve important goods that came from his homeland.”
“Perhaps,” Garios answered with a passive tone. “It’s a bit strange though if climbing up buildings is going to be his way of capturing. We’ll find out sometime soon enough. But this Siegtyr… Ah, yes, now I remember.”
“Remember what, father?” Anna asked with great curiosity.
“The Emperor did mention that a young Thane of the same name from the North will be attending the academy as part of the peace process. So that’s today, huh. I could not attend the assembly because my duty as the Merchant Guild leader takes precedence over some grand welcoming party, haha.” Garios chuckled heartily, causing Anna to sigh at her father’s rather easygoing attitude.
As both father and daughter were about to continue their conversation, another knock on the door was heard. Anna responded to the gesture, and to her wonder, it was the maid presenting a sealed letter.
“Lord Garios, Lady Anna.” The maid addressed her masters with the utmost respect. “I bring a letter from a city guard who just came recently a while ago. He said that it is a matter that concerned you, Lord Garios, as a whole.”
“Very well. Thank you for delivering this to me, Grace. You may leave.” Garios nodded, and Anna received the letter to give it to his father.
“As you command, my lord.” Grace, the maid, bowed her head down and did what she was told.
Upon receiving the letter from his daughter’s hands, Garios unsealed the letter and begun reading the contents. While doing so, amusement took over his face, and after having finished, Garios kept the letter inside the drawer at his desk.
“Well, what is it, father?” Anna inquired about the letter. “Judging from that smirk, I assume good news, perhaps?”
“Yes.” Garios chuckled ardently in agreement. “Speaking of the criminal, I believe that we don’t have to worry anymore about him.”
“Really? That’s assuring to hear.” Anna was glad when she heard the news. “Care to indulge me in the whole story?”
“It says here that our new friend from the north was the one who performed the deed and delivered justice.” The Merchant Guild leader responded. “Official report stated the Northman was seen sprinting on the rooftops of the buildings and performing acrobatic acts that are only witnessed at the circus and Olympics. Then with great surprise, the people saw him jump as he descended from the very top of the building of the Baker’s Guild and landed straight at the criminal with utmost precision.”
“T-that’s amazing!” True to what she said, Anna was undeniably perplexed by what she heard. “The guy has definitely had a distance disadvantage when the lying bastard run away from us. If he was able to catch up, the Northman must have some excellent physical training from what I have seen personally with my own eyes.”
“If he is catching criminals for us, then the Northman is most certainly a welcome addition here in Danusta, no matter what others are going to say. We positively need people like him, in my opinion.” Garios said with utmost praise.
“I feel the same way.” Anna agreed with her father. As she was about to end the conversation, an idea suddenly struck inside her mind, something that will benefit every honest merchant of Danusta as a whole.
“Father, I have a suggestion.” Anna smiled confidently, an expression that Garios know all too well if his daughter is about to say something that will yield advantages for them all.
“Achoo!!!”
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Lucon got startled a bit upon hearing Siegtyr’s sneeze that seemingly came out of nowhere while both of them are heading their way to the Augustus estate.
“Are you feeling well, Lord Siegtyr?” Lucon asked with concern in his tone.
“It’s fine. Must be the change of environment, perhaps. Who knows?” Siegtyr wiped his nose and waved his hand in dismissal. While on their trek, Siegtyr asked about the estate’s whereabouts for the sake of some conversation, despite already most likely knowing where it is thanks to the bird’s eye view from above that was granted to him by his trusty raven friend, Thyra. But Siegtyr still needed to be sure if it’s the correct estate that the raven has been looking for. “So, are we almost there? Or are we going to keep on walking any longer?”
“Rest assured, our trip won’t take too long anymore.” Lucon smiled at him. After around five more minutes, the truth of the young nobleman’s words came to light as the two of them finally arrived in front of the Augustus's huge estate.
“Here we are, Lord Siegtyr, the Augustus estate.” Lucon presented the place while standing in front of the huge black gate of the house.
“It’s… big.” Siegtyr could not help but be amazed by the scale of a three-story house, no matter how ridiculously unnecessary it seemed, maybe for his standards. And he thought that his family longhouse back at home was already luxurious enough, but comparing this behemoth size of a house to his own is similar to the analogy of diamond and stone. Siegtyr would be lying if he’ll be saying that he’s not even a bit interested in what’s inside and how the Empire's nobility live their everyday lives. Of course, he already saw this estate in advance thanks to Thyra’s perception, but seeing it in person and close is absolutely different from merely glimpsing from the small eyes of a raven.
“Impressive, isn’t?” Lucon chuckled at the understandable reaction of the Northman. “It’s even grander inside, but not as grand as the White palace, however. Still, it is the home to one of the richest and respected families of the Empire, so don’t act all too surprise by the glamor.”
“It’s going to be hard not to.” Siegtyr grinned in anticipation as Lucon gestured for him to follow and enter. “And I’m going to be living here? Huh, I got to commend you Imperials once more.”
Lucon simply smiled at the compliment while both of them climbed the stairs going to the house's door entrance. From this point onward, Siegtyr opted to remain quiet while observing the beautiful surroundings presented to him. The estate garden exhibited an exquisite yet natural feel and was filled with an assortment of flowers that add to the whole exteriors' beautiful ambiance. In the middle of the courtyard is a white fountain where water flowed continuously. It reminded Siegtyr of the various waterfalls that he got to visit back at Northland in the forests. When both of them eventually arrived at the door, Lucon opened it for him and went inside.
Lucon only spoke nothing but the truth as the interiors of the estate is definitely grand. Just like the White Palace, a red carpet is also presented right in front of them, leading to a stair where a certain blonde middle-aged nobleman is waiting for them above.
“Ah, welcome, welcome!!” Said nobleman begun descending downstairs and greeted the duo with extreme enthusiasm and offered a handshake. “To finally meet the son of my friend Ulf, it’s absolutely a pleasure.”
“Duke Triverius, if I’m not mistaken.” Siegtyr smiled respectfully at the older man and accepted the gesture.
“In the flesh, young lord,” Triverius smirked in the friendliest way.
“My father spoke about you, how you treated him and his men kindly despite being a prisoner in your army. As his eldest son, I am in your debt for sparing him.” Siegtyr said with supreme gratitude. He loved his father like any son would, and to lose him is very much unthinkable for Siegtyr, even if it’s in times of warfare where dying in the battlefield with a weapon on your hand is the greatest honor that any Northman would achieve. Dying like that is good and all, but Siegtyr pretty much preferred his loved ones alive and well, and not even the Gods can sway his emotions about such a sensitive matter.
“Yes, Ulf displayed splendid valor that I only saw in few. My treatment to him is very much deserving.” Triverius responded with his arms crossed. “I apologize if I was absent in the assembly. The Emperor requested that I welcome you here instead. Anyway, enough about your father for now. You must be exhausted from your long journey, and we’ll talk later sometime at dinner. Lucon, see to it that our friend here is accommodated to the highest standards.”
“Yes, your grace.” Lucon bowed his head to his uncle. He then called a maid who was on standby.
The maid, a pretty young maiden, answered the call of one of her noble masters. As someone of low social status and in compliance with her job description, she was obliged to perform as she was instructed to.
“Lord Siegtyr, this will be your personal maid starting today. Introduce yourself, lass.” Lucon ordered the maid.
“Yes, my lord.” The maid nodded and turned her full attention to Siegtyr. She then bowed down in a curtsy style with both hands at her long skirt. “Well met, Lord Siegtyr. My name is Theresa, your personal maid. I will be in charge of your well-being overall during your stay here. I am yours to command if you’ll have me.”
“Yes, well met to you too, Theresa.” Siegtyr nodded to acknowledge the maid. “I’ll leave you in my care then.”
Theresa then gestured for Siegtyr to follow her as both of them left the two noblemen of Augustus to their own devices.
While going to the bath area, Siegtyr’s curiosity was piqued about Theresa’s profession and decided to ask her. “A maid. So, you are somewhat of a slave, then?”
“In a sense,” Theresa answered with a passive look. She seemed to take no offense to the derogatory term and acted professionally. She understood Siegtyr’s lack of knowledge and decided to educate him about it. “We maids answer to the behest of our masters, but the difference is that we are being paid for our services and have more freedom compared to slaves. Servant is the more appropriate term, my lord.”
“I see.” Siegtyr rubbed his chin in understanding and interest. “It seems that I have a lot to learn if I am to stay here with you, Imperials.”
Perhaps Siegtyr should suggest to his father that they should employ maids within their ranks instead? Slaves are free labor, yes, but the tension of going against one’s will is constantly present in them, and there’s always a risk of revolt if slaves get too desperate to achieve their freedom. At least with paid servants, all parties are benefited, and the servants would be more willing to work. Of course, there is always the threat of pain or death to motivate slaves, but Siegtyr felt that freedom should be equally distributed to all, no matter how humble their origins are.
That, and there’s somewhat of a mysterious charm behind the uniform that the maid is currently wearing. Siegtyr can’t quite grasp it, but he cannot help but be slightly captivated by these so-called maid uniforms. Imagining his childhood friend from the shield maidens wearing such cute clothing brought himself a nod of deep approval.
‘Speaking of which, I wonder how Gyda is doing?’ Siegtyr thought of his said friend. ‘She must be furious when I left the very day without even telling her.’
“We are here, my lord.” Theresa interrupted Siegtyr’s thoughts when they arrived at a huge door. She then opened the door for her new master. They both found themselves at the dressing room where Theresa instructed Siegtyr to stripped of his armor and clothing and leave them at the cupboard to be washed thoroughly by the other servants.
“If there’s nothing else, I must beg my leave.” Theresa humbly said. “I’ll be at the entrance on standby to guard your privacy. After the bath, you are to wear this robe, and I’ll accompany you to your new room where I’ll personally be cutting your hair.
Siegtyr merely nodded and allowed Theresa to do so. He has been itching to take a nice relaxing bath and preferred doing so alone in the comfort of privacy. Not that he minded any company, though. If Siegtyr is completely honest to himself, it would be actually nice if Theresa would join him, but he’ll spare the maid of such demanding and perverted command. He may be a Viking warrior who naturally bedded his few shares of women due to his status of being the son of an Earl, but all of them are with consent, and most are simply onetime affairs with no special attachment. Siegtyr had a gut feeling that ordering his new maid would only spark some negative response out of her. Additionally, his father, Ulf, also told him that most Imperial women, especially from the nobility, are known for being conservative and won’t just expose their state of being unclothed with the exception of their close family members, spouses, or lovers.
With Theresa’s departure, Siegtyr proceeded to remove his armor and clothes and did what he was instructed to. Now fully naked with his athletic and lean body on the loose, Siegtyr grabbed the bath towel hanging nearby and draped it on his right shoulder. With no one around, it’s of no use in covering his decency.
Not that it mattered anyway. Siegtyr is not known for being shy, and others seeing him in his full naked glory is never an issue for him. As a matter of fact, he always bathed at the nearby river back home together with his father, mother, sister, and other shield maidens on occasion, and not a single one of them really cared when each of their private parts is exposed. Such is the liberated thinking of the people of the North. Of course, they still prefer themselves in clothing, mostly for protection, and won’t intentionally go on their way to crazily flaunt their assets.
Siegtyr’s eyes widened with awe when he stepped foot inside the bath area. The place is huge, consisting of a large rectangular pool filled with hot clean water, as evident by the sight of hot steam. The walls are also filled with different kinds of paintings that depict many powerful deities of the old. Not that Siegtyr knew of that, but the painting's quality nonetheless is superb and can be painted only by a master painter with years of experience in their craft.
The Northman wasted no time and immediately dipped himself at the water. His amazement took a step forward when he felt utter bliss at the feeling of the balmy water temperature. When Siegtyr started to rub his skin to cleanse off the dirt, another shocking revelation was revealed when the filth surprisingly was easy to come off even without any cleaning agent to assist him. The dirt that fell into the water also dissolved into nothingness, thus allowing the water to retain its overall purity.
“Interesting.” Siegtyr was fascinated by the water’s stimulating properties. Not even once did he encounter such phenomena back home. “It must be some form of Water Magic then. No normal water is capable of such a miraculous deed. The Empire sure have their compelling applications in the ways of the Arcane.”
With the bathwater being one of the most engrossing things that he had encountered since his battle with King Ubba “Dragon Breath”, Siegtyr was more than tempted not to get out of this heavenly experience. After all, he has not tasted civilizations for days. Sure, Siegtyr is more than capable of enduring the harsh elements of nature all by himself, having experienced it first hand when his own father put him in a trial of self-survival in the wilds as per his training when he was a child. Thus, Siegtyr closed his eyes and spent his time leisurely, temporarily forgetting his problems amidst the ecstasy of unadulterated tranquility.
Now leaning against the gutter of the pool, Siegtyr was interrupted in his unwinding when he expertly caught a flying dagger that was directed to him.
“Hmm, it looks like that you finally began your move, assassin.” Siegtyr displayed no emotions of distress even when his life is currently on the line. As a matter of fact, it’s as if he is already expected of this attempted killing of the other malicious party. With Thyra’s vision from the skies, it was rather easy for Siegtyr to see someone stalking him and Lucon back when they were outside. Of course, he could stop the assassin earlier, but Siegtyr wanted to have a chat with this killer regarding their intentions.
Siegtyr then eyed above him where the dagger came from and smiled at the shadow figure creeping on the ceiling with their hands and feet sticking above. The now revealed assassin was seen with a black leather hooded bodysuit composing a black corset and brown pouch belt. Beneath her hood, Siegtyr could also glimpse the brown color of her long hair.
Based on the assassin’s body figure, Siegtyr saw that it was a woman. Nevertheless, the female assassin continued her dagger onslaught, raining sharp projectiles from above despite failing her initial attempt of murdering her target.
The assassin also wondered how the Northman successfully fended off her silent attack. Not even a single target of hers was able to do such a surprising feat, and all of them are dead. Although she quickly recovered from her shock and told herself that it does not matter anyway. The Northman shall perish in the name of the Empire and her family. She failed to see what good will achieve in making peace with these uneducated and heartless savages. The Empire is clearly superior in terms of military and political power, so they should destroy the Northmen instead of offering this so-called nonsensical alliance.
With an amused expression of how futile her action is, Siegtyr conjured a dark transparent barrier to block the multiple dagger throws. He then summoned a simple ball of ice and hurled it at the assassin’s direction. The assassin quickly reacted and disappeared into shadows, going slightly to her left before eventually charging in at Siegtyr with another dagger in her hand.
The barrier did its purpose once more in protecting Siegtyr, but he could feel that every notorious slash from the assassin’s dagger degraded the barrier’s integrity. Casting a spell is out of the question since he felt something disrupting the flow of his mana. The cause of said disruption most likely was the assassin’s doing when she closed the gap between them. If Siegtyr doesn’t do something about it, then he might as well forfeit his life here and now. The assassin is clearly cunning for her to target Siegtyr in one of his most vulnerable and exposed state.
“You’re quite the stubborn girl, aren’t you? Smart of you to also possess anti-magic parameters. Not that it really matters though, I only know a few spells, so I’m not exactly a true Mage in a sense.” Siegtyr conversed with the attacking assassin despite being in the thin line between life and death. “Are you in the service of someone with a grudge on me? Or are you simply doing it with your own accord?”
The assassin merely ignored the Northman and continued her assault. However, deep inside, she was baffled as to why her target was acting all calm and carefree even if his life is about to be taken away. Nevertheless, her efforts came to fruition when the barrier finally shattered. Smirking at her own triumph, the assassin quickly dashed and stabbed Siegtyr directly at his stomach.
“You talk too much.” The assassin now revealed her soft voice, but one could discern the cold rage behind her every word. “You and your kind are all just a bunch of pathetic lowlife mongrels who know nothing but violence and atrocity. I’m simply doing the Empire a favor by getting rid of you. Your death shall mark a new beginning to bring justice that every one of my kin rightfully deserves. The dark poison from my dagger shall spread deep within your whole body, so relish this final wretched moment of yours while you still can.”
“So, what you are saying is that you are willing to start another war just to satiate your selfish satisfaction of this so-called justice of yours?” Siegtyr now started to feel unamused, his voice dripping with venom that even the assassin could not help but be terrified by it. “Color me enlightened; you are no different than the warmongering fools who I had the displeasure of meeting back home.”
“Don’t you dare compare me to your barbaric brethren!!” The assassin screamed with pure contempt and plunged the blade deeper, not wanting to hear any more of what Siegtyr has to say. “I am nothing like you!!”
“Nothing?” Siegtyr uttered with a bitter laugh while spitting more blood caused by the dagger stuck in his gut. “You use war nevertheless as a means to your end, just like many others. Innocents are being forcibly dragged in the conflict and are one of the unfortunate casualties even when they want nothing to do with the bloodshed. When the father was murdered, his son shall avenge him by doing the exact merciless act to the killer, and the killer’s son, in return, will also enact the same deed of cruelty. This is why the cycle of hatred never ends because of people like you… like us rather. It would be rather hypocritical if I exclude myself now, would I?”
“Shut up, shut up!!” The assassin now lost all semblance of sense with her teeth gritting resentfully. She also wondered how her target could talk rationally despite the fatal injury that he is currently sustaining. The poison should already take effect by now. Still, she retaliated Siegtyr’s statement with her own opinion that was incorporated with some brutish facts. “All of the people of the North shall perish, no matter what the cost!! The years of warfare and invasion has cost my loved ones’ demise. My father was slain in cold blood while my mother and sister…” She choked in her heart-wrenching pause before resuming. “…violated horrendously by a group of your vile kinsman as I saw with my own two eyes. I was lucky and saved by Imperial soldiers who were passing by, and now the Empire that I serve is telling me that we are to make peace with you?!!! Why don’t you just die already?!!!”
“I see.” Siegtyr closed his eyes in contemplation at what he is going to do to her. It did not take long for him to decide, and the assassin faltered at the sinister sight that was now presented to her.
Siegtyr opened his eyes, and the blood-curdling red color made itself known on his pupils. “The world does not revolve around you, assassin. Yes, many Imperials desire revenge for the monstrosity that my kin have performed for the sake of plunder and riches, but there are also who are willing to put their hatred aside for the peace and good of the whole land. Frankly speaking, I immensely respect people who possess the latter selfless view, and I will not allow you to tarnish the delicate peace that they have been striving for.”
The assassin faltered, and the grip on her dagger loosened out of fear. Siegtyr suddenly was engulfed in a powerful red aura that caused her to retreat a few spaces. Well, that was the plan, though, a plan that unfortunately cannot be executed. The assassin felt constricted by the water she dipped herself into when she engaged Siegtyr in melee combat. Upon looking down at her spot, her mouth turned agape at the eerie display that caused her entrapment.
“B-blood?”
Her flabbergast was confirmed when the assassin saw the said small circular red liquid stain occupying her position. As much as she would want to move away from the Northman, who is now clearly presenting himself to be a threat if the red aura is any indication, she just can’t.
“I, I can’t move!! What did you do!!??” The assassin was panicking and enraged at the same time at this seemingly evil magic that Siegtyr has cast to constrict her movement.
Then a memory hit her. Back at the academy, she was a diligent student who always listened and took notes on what her instructors are teaching to the students with the hopes of using what she has learned to take revenge on the filthy Northmen that she very much loathed. One of the lessons that were imparted to them is a monstrous type of magic that involved shaping blood into the mage’s will. Of course, the instructors did not teach the students how to actually use it because it cannot be learned by conventional means, and they lack the knowledge to do so. The last known user of such horrifying magic was none other than Kain Pethros, and he perished many years ago at the hands of the revered Empire Hero and Saint, Conrad Augustus.
As a result, the assassin could not believe what she sees right now. Horror afflicted her every being, and she was left stunned at the menacing revelation that was revealed to her.
“No, it can’t be!! Blood Magic is supposed to be extinct decades ago!!!” The assassin struggled to get out but failed tremendously. Now she also witnessed Siegtyr’s petrifying look that held no bars. At this very moment, the assassin knew that today marks the day she will die and meet the Creator.
Siegtyr paid no ounce of attention to her terrified expression and displayed no hesitation on what he is about to do. The blood below the assassin begun to move in a sinister fashion, forming a single crimson spear that suddenly pierced directly to her stomach, like what she did to Siegtyr. The result of this eerie manifestation is a gory display that is definitely not for the faint of the heart. Although this kind of sight is nothing to Siegtyr and is actually tame in comparison when he participated in raids and performed vile deeds to villagers who fought back.
“If it’s any consolation.” Siegtyr held a saddened look and eyed her with pity. “At least you’ll now get to meet your family at this heaven of yours. In there, there will be no more suffering, at least from what I heard. Hopefully, you’ll leave your vengeful hatred here on the living.”
Siegtyr saw the tears that were falling on the assassin’s eyes before it was devoid of life. Whether it was by the pain of a sharp object right at her heart, or the fact that she was released from the world of living to be reunited with her loved ones, Siegtyr likes to think that it was the latter. He then commanded the spear of blood to release from her body, causing a gaping bloody hole that is clear for the view. Concerning his own injury, it was healed rapidly, thanks to him channeling Blood Magic to perform the deed, returning to its uninjured state.
Siegtyr caught the assassin’s body and carried it away from the water. He laid her body on the floor, and Siegtyr saw her life wavering with each passing second.
For a blessing moment here and now, the assassin was free of all weight, as if the worries of the world departed right from her living anguish.
In her final moments, the assassin gave a genuine smile. By the Creator’s mercy, she was so tired, tired of living, and assuming all the hate that weighed her down drastically for the past two years. Perhaps death is the solution, the sweet release that she has craved to acquit her of all negativity. Probably, the Creator would forgive for all her sins and accept her in heavenly paradise.
It is said that death brought true peace to a person aside from enlightenment. The assassin knew that she was dying, but stubborn as she was, the assassin held onto what little consciousness she had as much as possible. Red eyes turned blue met her gaze as she saw the Northman’s sympathetic look staring directly right at her.
“T-thank you.”
In all honesty, the assassin was unsure why she even thanked the Northman for killing her. Sounded kind of absurd if you ask her, given the nature of her death by a Northman of all people. For the first time in two years, she was sincerely happy. To be reunited with her family once more is something that she has been craving for a very long time, and today marked the event of her joyful reckoning.
In the end, the assassin passed away willingly, entering death’s door to meet her judgment.
“She is probably with this Creator now,” Siegtyr muttered while staring at the assassin’s now dead body and closed her eyes out of respect. “Hopefully, this God would show her mercy instead of sending her to the fiery pits of the Hell realm.”
To redeem the young assassin’s soul so she will be welcomed in the gates of heaven, Siegtyr also offered a small prayer as taught to him by his father, Ulf. The prayer is simply known as the Prayer for the Lost. When the Earl was imprisoned for around five months by Triverius at the Duchy of Westshire, Ulf expressed interest in Imperial culture. As such, he has learned many things, including their religions and prayers.
“Blessed Creator, shepherd of lost souls, may you guide this stray sheep into your most holy domain so she can rejoice alongside you, her ancestors, and your angels of heaven. Flesh and blood as you made her return to her spiritual form and grant her your divine mercy to cleanse her of every evil and sin. Lead her away from the Devil’s grip and forgive her transgressions. In your divine name, I pray, amen.”
After praying to the Creator, Siegtyr strangely felt at peace after doing so. Personally, he primarily adhered to the Ásatrú faith, but the difference between him and his Viking brethren is that he is not so close-minded as to dismiss the teachings of other religions.
With the assassin’s demise, Siegtyr withdrew his Blood Magic from the pool, returning the water to its intended clarity. Furthermore, he felt a fluctuation of magic from all around the bath area, as if something had been devastated.
‘Ah, so the barrier that has been blocking the entrance and exit of the place has been lifted. Now the crowd has arrived.’
True to his thoughts and shortly after, a small group of people barged right in quickly out of concern. The group consisted of Lucon, Theresa, Triverius, and a blonde young lady he has yet to meet.
“Lord Siegtyr, are you alright!?” It was Lucon who asked. “When we heard the commotion here, we rush as best as we could, but someone has conjured a powerful barrier to block any exit from here inside.”
“I’m sorry, my lord, I was on guard at the entrance constantly, and I did not know that someone actually entered here!!” Theresa nervously apologized to her new northern master. She had hoped that Siegtyr shall be lenient and won’t blame her too much for his life being endangered just a short while ago.
Before Siegtyr is about to answer their inquiries, a surprised yelp was heard coming from the new lady of the group.
Cecille Augustus could not believe her eyes when she saw a dead body just right beside Siegtyr. The surprise, however, does not end there. Cecille also recognized the woman behind the shadowy garb that was donned.
“No... it can’t be… it’s Livia.” Cecille was beyond horrified when she set her sights on her old friend and classmate from the academy, especially at the part of the body’s chest where a hole was present. She then turned her attention to the naked Northman, no doubt the murderer behind Livia’s death.
“You!!! You killed my friend!!! You’ll pay for this!!!”
Siegtyr merely remained unfazed despite being stared by the blonde lady with a look that leaked of utmost anger. As a matter of fact, he could practically feel the negativity that literally was radiating around her.
As Cecille was about to conjure her very own Blight spell out of pure rage at Siegtyr, the magic did not come into existence though as it was canceled, much to her shock. Siegtyr as well felt the same when Cecille’s magic faded easily, just like that. As far as he knew, completely canceling magic is considered a godly feat, and it required extreme mental capacity and arcane precision to pull it off.
The assassin Livia as well possessed an anti-magic measure that disrupted Siegtyr’s spellcasting when she went at melee proximity. Still, it only served to weaken a spell’s overall impact, like the magic barrier that Siegtyr conjured to defend himself. That’s how a few strikes from her broke his personal barrier. Siegtyr was still capable of casting a spell but felt it was unnecessary since he has Blood Magic at his disposal.
Blood Magic is on an entirely new level of magical complexity and appeared to be one of the few magics unaffected by Anti-Magic effects. That’s also one of the reasons why Kain Pethros was feared throughout the whole Empire, where Anti-Magic practitioners like the Knight Order of Crusaders only fell upon Kain’s terror of the blood.
Complete negation is extremely difficult to achieve, and someone did just that. Siegtyr suspected that it was none other than Triverius’ doing as he felt the magic movement came solely from the Duke.
“Now, now, let’s give the young Lord a chance to explain himself, shall we?” Triverius declared himself the diplomat of the group and wanted to hear Siegtyr’s side of his story. Triverius also knew of the dead lady’s identity, given that he was friends with her parents when they were still alive.
Siegtyr nodded and begun to explain his case, going through every detail of the happenings. Although he left out the story regarding Thyra and his Blood Magic since that certain magic is not exactly considered legal. Many would definitely pop their eyes out if they knew about his unique magic, and there will no doubt be a blood hunt for him should they ever find out. If Livia’s reaction about Blood Magic is any indication, then it would be best to keep it a secret as much as he can. That, and it was also an order by his father since it would be a huge scandal of a sort if an ambassador of the North wielded magic that was detested greatly by the Holy Bahamuth Empire. Instead of saying that it was Blood Magic, Siegtyr opted to tell them about his rare magical mutation called the Berserker’s Aspect. The more he sustained injuries, the stronger he physically gets in terms of both strength and speed. Thankfully, such a condition is also an integral part of his Blood Magic, where death is essentially his lover, and flirting with her only makes him deadlier. That is also one of the factors of how he overcame his greatest adversary: King Ubba “Dragon-breath”. Overall, his Blood Magic leaned more closely on the physical side rather than the magical.
Blood Magic was also the reason why Siegtyr was able to expel the poison flowing inside him and heal his injury. He has complete control over his own body and blood, allowing extraordinary yet horrifying arcane feats that are never thought possible since the era of the first and last Blood Mage, Kain Pethros.
The group understood Siegtyr’s case regarding the mutation that he told. A magical mutation is uncommon but certainly not unheard of. People with such unique genetic traits are either welcomed or scorned, depending on the mutation, of course. In Siegtyr’s case, it was merely in a neutral stance but a welcome advantage nonetheless.
“Hmm, interesting.” Triverius sounded more intrigued rather than concerned that a dead body was witnessed right here at his very own home. Well, not that Livia’s death is irrelevant, but the fact that Siegtyr managed to defeat a Mage Assassin in her own game deserved some recognition. Of course, Triverius was still a reasonable human-being and, thus, did not emphasized his curiosity, so Cecille, his own daughter, won’t antagonize him for his lack of genuine worry for Livia.
It was not a hidden knowledge to the general public that Livia abhorred the Northmen with the greatest of passion. She was one of the few who were against the peace and made no effort in hiding her disdain. If one thought about it, Livia being the culprit behind the attempted assassination of Siegtyr came as no surprise. Furthermore, Livia was also knowledgeable in Anti-Magic and assassination techniques, so the whole situation made more sense, with each second passing by.
“Oh, Livia.” Cecille approached Livia’s body and wallowed in despair while kneeling to take a closer look. “I always knew that your hatred would be your downfall one day, but I never expected that this day would come so early.”
Cecille turned her attention once more to Siegtyr, her rage sparking with even deeper intensity. “Why, why did you kill her?! How about sparing and sentencing her at court instead at least!?”
“Out of the question.” Siegtyr made his stance known and remain unperturbed whatsoever by Cecille’s fury and sorrow. He took a deep breath to gather his thoughts to convey his next statement properly with as much truth as he could muster. “When she explained her circumstances to me, I could feel the unadulterated hatred leaking around her, vying for nothing but vengeance for the loss of her precious dear people, even if it means starting another war with my people. Also, her eyes are already filled with the darkness of the abyss and are the ones where they desire nothing but the cold embrace of death. Only in death may she find self-peace in reconciliation with her loved ones. I also took the liberty to say the Prayer for the Lost so her soul will be welcome in heaven, hopefully.”
“Prayer for the Lost?” Triverius’ interest was kindled. “Ah, so your father also taught you that as well. Ulf is indeed an open-minded man, and I’m honored to consider him as a friend.”
Cecille indeed was at a loss of words at how Siegtyr acted honorably even after killing Livia, his assassin. Sure, Livia was one of her dear friends, but the assassin also felt cold and distant every time they talk with one another. Once upon a time, Livia was a carefree and cheerful young lady, but after her parents’ and sister’s death at the hands of the wicked Northmen raiders when they were on a family vacation in a distant lovely village, Livia grew resentful, and the shadows of her despair instantly took over, leaving her tenacity shattering like a fragile glass. Together with Anna, Cecille did their utmost best to reach out to Livia, to pull her out of the darkness of depression, but their efforts are simply in vain. Overall, Cecille felt that Livia lost all will and reason to live, and the Northman Siegtyr granted Livia the means to her end.
Still, Cecille won’t forgive Siegtyr naturally just like that. Nevertheless, Livia was still her friend, and the killer responsible is literally right in front of her. As such, Cecille opted to now remain quiet and diverted her sight away from Siegtyr out of grudge. Cecille felt conflicted, and she has some serious thinking to do, preferably in the comfort of her own room. Thus, she left the area but not before giving Siegtyr a final wrathful look, which was not gone unnoticed by him.
Triverius decided to take this matter into his own hands and carried Livia’s body. He also said to Siegtyr. “And with this, the nobility line of the Cromwell has officially vanished, with young Livia being the last. Not that you are at fault here, young lord. This was Livia’s own doing that led to her faithful end. The court condones self-defense as a valid form of justice, and I’ll make sure that there won’t be any court meeting for your convenience. Unfortunately, you get to meet my dear daughter Cecille in such ill-fated circumstances. I was hoping that the two of you would get along, but alas, that won’t be happening for quite a long time, I believe.”
Siegtyr merely nodded as a form of thanks and dismissed the remarks regarding Triverius’s daughter. The situation is quite troubling for him, and at this point on, he’s now not in a talkative mood.
“Although…” Triverius paused for a bit and held a devious smirk, attracting Siegtyr’s attention and causing him to be alarmed. “I would be careful from now on if I were you, young lord. I’m sure that this incident certainly won’t be the last. Many of my kin here abhor you and your brethren to the fullest. As such, I look forward to how the son of Ulf would fare himself in the webs of intrigue and deceit. And by the way…”
Triverius turned to his back and left the bath area together with Livia’s corpse, but not before saying this to Siegtyr with a happy yet challenging tone, much to the Northman’s slight distress.
“Welcome to Danusta, Thane Siegtyr Ulfsson.”