Wolf Bay resided on the Northwest coast of The North. Right below the Red Curtain. Spanning seven miles long, the bay was one of the largest coastal settlements in The North, but it sat across from Wolf Island, home to the lecherous, money loving, vicious Scavengers.
They were the largest Sellsword company of the North; cruel in their tactics and desires, they were a group who gathered together for nothing more than shared interest in chaos and killing. Scars were an honor to them, they sharpened their teeth so that it is easier to bite off the ears of their victims and wear them around their neck. Typically, they don’t speak to anyone but their own, but Vior had created a special occasion.
The bay was surrounded by silence. An odd sound to hear when there were scavengers nearby. Children and wives hid in their homes. Men from ages 70 to 12 stood outside of Wolf Hall holding anything sharp or blunt they could with feigned bravery.
Cub Hall resided on the eastern side of the bay and was the seat of House Snark. It was a small hall fit for a minor house. Built of six strong wooden pillars. The place was built less than 80 years ago but it seemed ancient. Smelled of mold. Sleeted with dust. In the center was a long table with enough seats for twelve guests and the head of the table. Normally the spot was occupied by Sir Illian, head of House Snark. But currently the young knight was otherwise occupied elsewhere.
And so Vior, the handsome, lean young man with chiseled facial features and unkempt brown hair, sat with his legs crossed on the head of the table and his arms crossed behind his head. He had a somewhat permanent smirk on his face that would throw women in a trance and men in a fury. Behind him on either side were two men. To the left was Ox, the taller, more brutish looking one. Standing twice as large as Vior, his head shone without hair and a crown shaped scar wrapped around his dome. To the left was Rondo, a dwarf. Not the mythical kind, just a really short human. About as tall as Vior’s hip. Wrinkles rippled on his face, squeezing the whiskers above his lip.
The doors opened and winter rushed into the hall, blowing the candles and sweeping the dust. The scavengers entered like a group of hyenas, surrounding Vior’s squad of three. The last to enter was Zurn. Wearing nothing but black trousers and the ears around his neck; his torso was decorated with scars, his nails were carved into tiny talons. The curved knife he spun around his finger was stained with a fresh red liquid and by the mischievous, toothy smile Zurn gave him, Vior knew it wasn’t paint.
“Well, well, well…” Zurn jumped onto the table, stopping just in front of Vior. “Are ya the big lord of this dump?”
Vior scoffed. “I would feel bad for any lord that has to live in this place.”
Zane narrowed his gaze. “So you're not the big lord?” He scratched his head with his knife. “But this is definitely the biggest building in the area.” He played with his blade a bit more in thought before shrugging and turning his attention back to Vior with a malice filled expression.
“Dear,” Vior yelled. “Bring in the wine.”
The Lady of the House, Lady Jesse came from the back room with a glass of wine. She was shivering; and not from the cold but from the lecherous gazes and smirks of the hyenas. She sat the glass of wine down on the table and gave a slight bow to Zane. Zane’s ugly face flushed and his smile widened.
“Sit, Lord Zane,” Vior gestured to the seat to his right. “And then we can talk about giving you this Hall.”
Zane hesitated, but the word “Lord” struck something in him that made him good. When he sat in the seat, Lady Jesse leaned over to pour his glass, revealing a generous amount of cleavage from her blouse. She was an average looking woman, but the scavengers rarely ever looked at a woman's face. Vior gave Lady Jesse a smile as she poured his cup and she responded with a nervous glance.
It had been subtle, but Zane suddenly realized that the loud and wild atmosphere that he created with his men had been washed out by the combination of Vior's fearless, calm demeanor and Lady Jesse's flawless etiquette. His men were too focused on the promise of a woman than the threat of a man.
“Tell me, Northman,” Zane said. “Why shouldn’t I take ya ears right here, jab this knife into ya bloody eyes and take this hall anyway.”
“You could.” Vior took a sip of his wine. “But then you would have to deal with the real Lord Fang. And trust me, he’s gonna come with a lot more than three men.”
“I have 300 men,” Zane said, his voice thick with a challenge.
“That won’t be nearly enough.”
Zane tapped his talon nails on the wooden table before chugging his drink while peeping at the Lady Jesse. The chandeliers above squeaked.
Vior smirked.
“Another drink,” Zane ordered.
As Jesse went to fill his cup, Vior stopped her. “Why don’t you just bring enough for everyone to enjoy. They are honored guests after all, yes?” He gave her a wink and she nodded nervously.
Without the presence of a woman the atmosphere grew colder almost instantly. Vior wanted to laugh at the group of helpless sex crazed animals.
“You still haven’t explained why I should spare ya.” Zane said.
“Of course. Sorry for the late introduction, but I am Vior Ironstone. My family rules the Red Curtain. A word from me and this hall–no, all of Wolf Bay could be yours.”
A lie, of course. But scanegers aren’t known for their brains.
“Why is–” Zane’s sentence is interpreted by his own cough. His face starts to heat up.
Eyes magnetize to Lady Jesse as she enters with a tray of drinks and sets it on the table. The chilly wind from the open doors picked up pace, taking out one of the candles, leaving the hall dim.
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“Why is someone like ya in a small place like this? And why would ya help me?”
“A ship. I want one of your ships.”
“A ship?” Zane takes a moment to be stunned before he bursts into laughter, which swiftly transforms into coughing. He flips the knife into his fingers and tosses it at Vior, purposely missing just enough for the curve to slice the ends of Vior’s hair. “Do ya think I’m a bloody fool?”
Yes. Is what Vior wanted to say. Instead, “You are no fool. I have heard of the legendary Zane Wolfsbane. You are legendary, your name has made it onto the blacklist of The North. Every lord knows who you are. That’s more than I can say for me, even.”
Zane settles back into his seat and drinks his wine.
“For reasons of my own, I need to leave The North without anyone knowing. And what better way to disappear than an unmarked scavenger ship.”
“Exactly!” Zane shouted.
“So we have a deal? I will write a letter to my brother right now telling him to give you these lands.”
Zane didn’t spot any lies and trickery from his tone and posture. But he wanted something more from this. Something he’s painfully yearned for this whole time. “I want her.” He pointed to Lady Jesse.
Lady Jesse took a step back with wide, frightened eyes. She could hear the floorboard creek to her left as one of the scavengers stepped towards her. She looked to Vior for help.
But Vior was already smiling. “Of course you can have her. You're the new lord afterall. And what’s more thrilling than taking another man’s woman.”
Zane giggled like a child.
“But first!” Vior raises his cup. “We must celebrate my escape and your rise in rank.” The scavengers each grabbed a cup and raised it to Vior’s. “To Lord Zane!”
“To Lord Zane!” They cheered before chugging their cups.
Vior wrote the letter in front of Zane. He could have honestly written anything; the false lord couldn’t even read. “With this you're officially the Lord of Wolf Bay. May your reign be long.”
Zane ignored Vior and took Lady Jesse to the master bedroom. The other scavengers dispersed to find their own version of Lady Jesse, leaving Vior alone with his two men once more; A satisfied smile on his face.
“Don’t you think trading the Lady Jesse for a ship was a bit much?” Rondo, the dwarf, asked.
“Don’t worry, Lady Jesse knew she was simply a pawn in this plan.” Vior stood from his seat. “Plus, the drinks were poisoned. He’ll be dead before his little wanker can even get hard.” Vior did a big stretch and then started a giggle that turned into a roar of laughter. “HAHAHAHA! YES! Freedom At Last Fuckers!” He stuck his middle in the direction of Blight Castle. It was miles and miles away, but he hoped that somehow those bastard kin of his felt his intent.
Vior’s celebration was cut short by Ox. The Giant was eyeing Vior with the expression of a puppy before it cried.
“What?”
“Y-y-you. Drink. Wine. V. Poisoned!” Ox’s words were as spread out and lethargic as always. One could finish a meal before he finished a sentence. Ox began touching Vior’s face with his large hands, checking for any signs of sweat or sickness.
Vior swatted away the giant's petting and snapped,“Stop it! I’m not a damn dog.” He poured the liquid of his untouch drink onto the floor. “And I’m not a fucking idiot. I didn’t take a sip.”
Ox turned away, head down. “Oh, sorry.”
Vior sighed and rubbed the big man's back. “Don’t worry, I’m not mad at you, Big Guy.”
“We should leave, before the lord’s soldiers come.” Rondo, the dwarf, advised, spotting tears spawning at the corners of Ox’s eyes.
The big man didn’t like being yelled at.
“Right.” Vior had almost forgotten about his escape.
...
The ship was a dot in the Black Sea. Waves crashed against its hull, making the ship swing like a rocking chair. Vior was light headed and a lump was stuck in throat as he sat on deck with a book in his hands. The smell of the salty sea was nauseating at best and the ship's unorthodox motions had already made him hurl overboard three times. His first time at sea was definitely not as he had imagined it. The books and legends made adventures sound cool. They left out this part.
Stepping down from the helm of the ship was Selina, a short, slim woman with curly hair that fell to her chin. Her face was painted with makeup and her hips swayed with a naturally seductive allure. She stopped a foot away from Vior, who focused intensely on his book in order to distract himself from the swaying ship.
“We should arrive at the Scattered Isles by next Dawn,” she said.
“Good,” Vior exclaimed, not looking away from his book. ”Another day of this and I might just throw myself overboard.”
A long, awkward silence followed as Selina stared at Vior.
“We’ve talked about this, Selina. You're too old for me,” Vior said, still not looking from his book.
“Are you sure about this, V. Leaving, I mean.” Vior finally looks up. “When you’re brother finds out—”
“My brother is a selfish bastard who cares for nothing other than holding up the family name, whatever the cost. Even his younger brother’s honor.” Vior’s voice turned cold and sharp. “So no, I do not give donkey shit about what he thinks.”
“He’s still your brother, V.” Selina’s voice was gentle, careful.
“Half brother.”
“Still…”
Another silence fell on the two until Vior sighed and closed his books. “Where are the others?”
“Below deck.”
“You should join them, it’s cold.”
Selina sat down beside Vior, fixing her skirt to cover her shins. She rolled up her coat, revealing nine self-inflicted cuts on each forearm. “When I was first sold to the brothel, I tried to kill myself four times.”
Vior clenched the book. “If that blunt statement was your attempt to make me feel better, you failed. Horribly.”
“The first attempt was hanging. The second attempt was drowning. The third was poison. And you can see my fourth attempt. But each time my sister came to the rescue. She was nine years old taking care of her terribly ten year old older sister. And she did it with a smile on her face. Sometimes I wondered if my mom had an affair and birthed a bastard. Cause there was no way a loving girl like her came from a family like mine.”
“Selina, loving stories about how you and your sister got along isn’t going to make me forgive my brother.”
“I don’t expect it to.” The ship's hull creaked as Selina grabbed Vior’s hand. “I tell you this to show one thing. No matter what you may think of each other, how much you hurt each other. There is always one thing you can always trust to have your back. And that’s family.”
“Families are made. Not born.” Vior slipped his hand out of hers. “Why do you think I rescued you and the others?”
“You are more lost and sad than you want to admit, V.”
“I know what I want. And it was nowhere in The North.”
“And the shattered Isles? What is for you there?”
Vior reached into his shirt and untucked the most valuable thing he owns. According to his father, the necklace was made from the tendons of a kraken. And the flower pendant was his mothers favorite flower. The loud sea lapped waves around the ship as he gripped his necklace tight, closed his eyes and answered Selina’s question.
“Peace.”