From Blood and Wine

Chapter Two: Copper or Blood?

POV: Aksel

We traveled on horse for a few hours or so. We would make camp soon and prepare for the trials tomorrow held. I took this time to think about the future, it was rare I had time to spare to truly. Ingrid, my love normally held my thoughts. Without her presence, I could think about more pressing matters. Of course, our family was at the top of my list.

I couldn't wait to have a little babe with her but I knew her father, Halfdan would treat the child poorly because of me. Hells that bastard should I say is unreasonable like a mule. His reasoning being I wasn't born to a family of his people: being an outsider, but his hatred towards burns too bight for that reason alone. His hatred has been unwarranted, I would not forgive him if he dare towards that to a child of mine. An undeserving one at that, for that he'd never have Ingrid's forgiveness.

I couldn't help be resent myself for his actions unknown to myself why. I know in my blood I've done nothing to him but there has to be a reason why. Could that reason lie with my parents? I promised myself and her I'd treat any child of ours better than my parents did. The word parent was given too easily because that was something they weren't. They bore me and left me in the wood with nothing but a black pelt wrapped around my wee little arse. I would have died out there by God know what, yet Ingrid's mother was out there and saved me. I have a lamb waiting for the slaughter by the wolf. Was I born to die? I wanted to despise them. I did but couldn't until I knew the truth which I knew id never have, So I left those feelings to die right where they started. I tried to not think about it much but something about the possibility of facing an unseen made me uneasy. I relived my past as if it were the last thoughts I could ever have.

My life as a whole is nothing special. it never seemed much of anything to me but Ingrid told me otherwise. My perception of time felt meaningless at this moment. Watching snowflakes fall seemed to entrap me into some Fea wonderland. As the snow dropped I lost myself to the neverending winter that was my life, as it was the only season I had ever known. My whole life blurred into one moment, one season, one breathe. For the majority of my life, I've felt as if I were aflame with nowhere to light or burn. No purpose to push forward. I say Ingrid gave me something to push forward but I knew deep in my soul I had been lying to myself. Ah. My whole life filled with buts?

My self-loathing monologue had gone on long enough. I refused to spend another second thinking of such nonsense. The stomping of the horses pulled my gaze from the snowfall.

"Ivan. I think this is a good place to make camp. Let us unload the gear and prepare for the blood to be shed." "Yes sir, shall I ask Mojir to hitch the horses?" A sigh leaving my lips leaves Ivan staring at me. "Yes?" I glare at him wanting him to move long. "Once Mojir unloads the horse you would see BOY that there is a game in there for the men." I felt the shift in my tone, It was like a hiss. My tempter was slowing boling. Normally so before a fight. However, he didn't deserve my bite, not now anyway. But-

He was wasting precious time, we had already lost the loss to the brewing storm and tonight we were left with a bright moon. The Gods blessing us and Ivan wasting it. I'm not wasting a second breath longer thinking about mundane things. Now is the time for rest then tomorrow shed of blood.

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The morning came to soon. I did not know much of what the day would hold but I knew it would be a long one.

The Sun finally making it's unwanted appearance. I hoist myself from my pelts, wrapping them up and placing them on my horse Ulfi. In that exchange I give him his fill of fruit while i pull my armor off him. Trying to hurriedly get ready to leave.

By dust my men made it to the mountains back. We know our target, a small village. However, the size means nothing in power. Their Earl was a powerful man. His men trained well and showed no mercy. Some may say they were raised all by wolves, Hell who knows.

I knew not much of politics. That was Erik's specialty since he had the ear of our Earl, I however, was a hound of war for Halfdan, Ingrid's father. I knew not much of their feud but it had reached a climax. And here i was in a mud soaked village on the mountains back to rid Halfdans of his noisy neighbors.

"Men on the count of three I want us to surround the premature. Aye! I want ten men to stay back here and prepare your bows" my whispers barely audible. I wait for a nod of understanding before I finish my request" Most importantly, over power them, take them by surprise first. This man is always ready for war so be ready to shed blood." I give a final nod and start sending them off in waves. I stay back a minute helping the archers. My ears sounded at the horn going off.

Not even a damn minute before the fools let them know we're here?! My curses fowl enough to anger the Gods. I can't help but laugh though. Predictable.

My understanding is our savagery can only be predicted but what about us can't be predicted? The outcome of our savagery. Human nature was something even foul to the Gods above us.

I sound off with a beastly howl. I take my long sword and battle axe running towards the incoming men. Not even five minutes had past before the air filed of blood and ash.

My men did good by setting fire the most of the village already, I could see the women fleeing with children into the wood. Mostly would die out there but this was a good sign. They knew there wasn't hope for their home. What would she think of me if she saw me doing this to children and women?

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It may have been winter but my body bled with sweat, my skin felt hot enough to burn a men as if it were fire. The Earl was almost beat but refused to give in. We had been fighting his men to long now. My breath grew short and I knew i wasn't the only one who was getting tired. My men were getting sloppy.

I took the rest of my energy to located him. If I were to kill him the rest would fall to easily. I had to end this NOW. I growled, I forced my sore muscles to pump towards my foe, each step burning as if i was stepping into fire. I jump onto him like a wild beast with no control. My sword clashing down breaking his stance. I felt the drums of war in my blood pushing me forward.

"Ah! Little bastard turned guard dog?" Enmel spitting out at me. He was quick to get back on his feet. Not even sweat was seen on his brow.

"Shut up!" I felt my gaze burning with hatred. Every movement more reckless with emotion.

"Boy your eyes burn with scorn but you're sure there for me?" He gives a bloody smile in my direction. He is poking at me to get a rise so I'll fuck up. I can't say he wasn't successful. My attacks were sloopy and forceful. I lost more energy cutting my sword aimlessly in the air while he was being skillful in his approach.

"Be done! Your home is burned and most of everything you knew is ash! Can you not see most are dead or fled?!!" As I spoke his attacks became harsher. More aggressive, reason was off the table but I always knew it was. It helped me sleep better at night I suppose. I guess it might help, I wasn't an animal. I had to focus because this is what was going to get me killed, a conscience had no place in a battle.

We fought with little banter back and forth and we both grew tried. I need to end this and we came to the killing blow. One of us needed to die,

I saw a breakaway in Enmel's stance. I brought my axe down hard on his leg. I knew I now had him on his knees. Breaking alway my axe at his calf. I must of hit an artery, his blood spray everywhere. his blood curdling cries ring in my ears. I stared into the dead man's eyes ready to end his life with my bare hands.

I would lie but his death satisfy my need, my hunger, my bloodlust. I was ready to rip his head off and fucking eat it.

Okay so. Feels like maybe info overload? Let me know in the comments if the chapters are to long or too short. I'd love to here feed back on everything, especially grammar. Thanks for reading!