Knox of the Bloom

Chapter 15: Tales and Nightmares

War is a bad business. A task in which Knox wanted to no part in.

Watching the fathers and shieldmaidens kiss their loved ones goodbye pulled at his heart strings, for who knew when or if they would return. He packed his stag hide and Ratthor sling, fed Tapa and went to make porridge for himself and Eriu, who he awoke with a kiss to the shoulder.

"We march soon," he said, handing her the bowl.

Col was at the fireside, warming her hands, for the wind atop the hillside fort was dreadful, cutting through Knox's thick furs.

"Are you going to fight?" asked Col.

Knox shook his head. "No. I don't think I have it in me. But I'll go with them, hang back. I'm no fighter."

"I don't know lad," said Clay-Jug, walking over to their fire. "You dealt with the Fugrah pretty well. We'd be glad to have you beside us."

"Aye, and that's why I don't want to fight."

"A man must choose his battles carefully," agreed Jug. "If you want no part in the fight to come none will blame you for it."

"Thanks Jug."

They finished packing their things, Eriu carrying the dried meat, Knox the gourds of water and the stag hide. The camp was ready to march, four hundred warriors aligned behind Hornbeard, Oaktree, his sons and Dark Arrow. The sight brought a tear to Knox's eye, and he wasn't the sort given to sentimental feelings.

"Men and women all," shouted Hornbeard, his strong voice carrying on the wind. "Today we march to right a wrong done to our people, for one people of this land we all are, even if from separate clans. We stand together, stronger than ever. And through our strength by unity we will bring down this tyrant on the cliffside, who tries to mine at the ground beneath our feet."

Hornbeard lifted his war-axe.

"Together in strength!"

The warriors cheered the old man, Knox joining in with them, and as they set down the slope and climbed the stone wall, he couldn't deny a bubble of excitement working its way into his chest.

It was a four day march south to the outskirts of Sol's land. That first night the camp was alive with stories of old battles.

"Hornbeard's ancestors fought against the Dark Ones," Bronze-Shield was saying, sitting beside the fireside, his shield rested on his lap, holding a skin of firewater. "It was in times of strife, for no man did not know loss, each one had lost a loved one due to the skirmishes against those beasts, who would wipe out entire villages in one night, taking the young ones and doing only the Gods know what with them."

Knox cuddled into the space between Tapa and Eriu. The old girl had become quite fond of Eriu, barely ever leaving her side when they made camp. He accepted the pipe Eriu offered him, smoking down on the Blue-Moss, thankful it wasn't bacca. He wanted his wits about him in the days to come, after all.

"Well as you all know, the White Lady blessed Hornbeard's ancestors with enchanted spears and arrows, which would pierce the flesh of the Dark Ones. Those screams were said to be soul splitting, with nothing but smoke and ash showing where the beasts had fallen. Never were any of their bodies captured, for they are not creatures of this realm."

Knox yawned. "Enough talk of war, Shield. Tell us of the twin mountain lovers." He winked at Eriu. She pinched his arm.

You bloody fool, she mouthed.

"Aye lad, I guess there's some sense of speaking of happier times than war and strife. Now, where do I begin, as it's been a time sine I last told that tale. . ."