Red Glass

20.

Across the fogged dead grass through black twisted branches, the white of death sings her ominous tune. Blood falls from beneath the wild woollen cloak that wanders. Against the cutting breeze, Nyla's hand clutches the golden handle of the black blade. Gasping for air, her body falls flat in exhaustion. Crawling forward, north of the world, ash and blood trail.
Bruises, cuts, hunger, even sleep cannot fight destiny. The anchor of exhaustion pulls harder with each stride and eventually the black ship sinks. Looking at the stars, the purple of her eyes shine a tear. Hitting the ground, Nyla reaches against the abyss and buries beneath snow.

-

Dark chants echo through the cave, dance across the plains and gods hear from the edge of the world. From a howling day of sleep, with hunger of beast the warriors arise to feast.
Olcan's straight dagger carves through the deer carcass and meat slabs are handed amongst the pack. Growling to eat but the ship of war always rocks, Agnaar necks his ale back with eyes of a conquer at sea. While Olcan consumes his second take, Brenn's voice breaks from the spell healing the pack to energise. Fenrir leans with his left arm around his bandaged torso, eating slow, fighting the pains that rake.

"Cautious we must be."
Agnaar warns.

Fenrir's brows sharpen.

"He's preparing. We must heal."

"The gods favour us, Dolkan is no match."
Brenn votes.

Agnaar sternly holds her face with both hands and smiles.
"Never underestimate a king from nothing!"
Letting go, he rises.
"The Legion of Dawn, they fell before him when he was a just a boy, before he became a new blood,if not for him, our kinds would still be hunted. He's young, hungry and knows every move before it's made. Their is no mistake, no

new blood, before the night claimed him. Nobody knows his plans or intentions. A tomb of secrets that uses lies and fear to dominate. To underestimate a monster like him would be to forsake ourselves."

-

From beneath a white blanket of darkness and cold, the grazes of her young face glow fierce with unbreakable will. Gripping the ground in front she pulls herself forward, pushing with her feet towards a small opening in the rocks. The closer she gets the higher she stands. Crouching, she escapes the blizzard. It's not a cave, it's a mine. Lamps light through into the depths of rock dust, mould and the lost where voices disturb graves.

"So, you're saying you brought that cat down alone?"

"Ah! You don't think I could do it?"

"Wasn't your last catch a bear?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Takedown that one with your bare hands too eh?"

"Troll's blood he was a tough one!"

"Pfft"

"How do you think I've got the key to the Sabre Cage even though the boss is here! Just think about it."

"What's that supposed to prove eh? Everytime you talk out your stink hole you'll say 'just think about it' and everyone nods away like complete morons. Get back on patrol before we both get busted... Again!"

-

Braiding her black hair, Brenn notices Fenrir has barely eaten half his usual fill while even Agnaar had eaten against his concerns.

"Eat. The gods demand you heal."
Brenn tells Fenrir as she sits beside her mate.
"Do not worry my Jarl, we will be more prepared next time."
Kissing him on his scarred cheek.

She places her hands upon his wide wounded chest, raising her eyes with an expression of care.

Looking back, the white glow of his eyes looks back into hers, holding contact.
"Olcan is with the Gods."

Brenn half smiles but her husband's frown does not lift.

"We were all supposed to toast in the halls together."

-

Walking slowly towards the voices below she stumbles, landing on one knee. Dropping the sword, both hands hold her head and she wails with tears rolling down her eyes.

"Looks like the boss is at it again."

"Why? What's she doing now?"

"She's on one of her drunk rants again. Except for this time she's challenging everyone to a duel over in the hole. We've got her locked in there now, but she's still challenging anyone that looks crooked at her."

"Someone should let that cat lose. That'd shut her up real quick."

"Don't say that too loud, you don't want it getting back to her."

"What the raven spit was that?"

"How should I know? It's not like anybody is gonna wander in here inthe middle of nowhere."

"Somebody should go check it out, make sure no wolves or bears have gotten in."

"Well go on then... Tough guy."

Walking up towards the sound to see a woman with a black sword leaning against her body as she holds her head crying.
Confused, he approaches to hear the sounds of sadness become laughter.
The laughter stops...