The Valley Of Shadows - Ivar and Igor [Vikings]

Odin has something planned for us

Three more long and exhausting days went by, with little rest and it seems miles of road stretched out before them.

Igor kept Ivar company in his wagon while leading his gelding beside him, Ivar drove his horse steady across the unbeaten trail, the sun at its full height in mid afternoon, casting a warm glow upon the terrain.

The trees shrinking smaller behind them as they made their way into a clearing.

"I must get you out of Kieve. As soon as Oleg realizes his scouts did not come back, he will send more in their wake to look for you... and kill me.. You are not safe here anymore my dear child."

"Where would we go? Oleg would have sent word to his allies about us. Nowhere is safe."

"But you forget, my dear. Scandinavia holds no allies of Oleg there, I'm sure King Harold would be open minded about us coming back."

Igor averted his gaze for a moment, only to bring his eyes back to the Viking beside him. A feeling of fresh hope slowly seeped through him as he heard about Ivar's homeland.

"Y'know.. I've been thinking." Hushed the pagan, his voice softening. "When I first came upon Olegs' doorstep I was skeptical.. But then, then I got to know him better, we had a lot in common. Both had the same ambitions at the time, I started to like him, I saw him as a friend, someone I could trust and confide in."

The boy said nothing, he didn't know what to say, so he just listened.

"He told me about you, and I knew, I knew that Odin had something planned for us, I didn't even have to meet you to know I would love you. I thought taking you away was the best thing for you, Oleg had good intentions with you. Looking back now I know how wrong I had been..-"

Igor placed a gentle hand upon Ivar's arm, giving him some sort of comfort.

"I was not aware of the beatings until we could talk, and you told me, remember what you said?"

"I need to tell you something important. I trust you, my cripple. And I am afraid." Igor repeated the words spoken from many moons ago.

"I would stand at your door as Oleg beat you, I heard your cries, but I could do nothing. Each time he took his fist to you I lost trust in him..." Ivar paused, reflecting on the terrible memories.

"My heart broke the first night I saw him go into your room, I knew what that meant, I saw the look in his eyes.. That hungry and lustful look, and by Odin he must have enjoyed it, because each night he kept coming back, and then when it was over I would console you until the sun rose. I thought I was at my final straw.... Until that one fucking night... I'm so sorry..."

Igor bowed his head in response, trying to block out those memories.

"Prince Oleg was wasted drunk that night, the way he pulled you to the side like some hungry animal who finally caught its prey. I tried to stop him, I did.. but then he made you submit and he forced me to watch, he wanted me to join.. I couldn't, he knew I couldn't, I didn't want to hurt you.."

The boy held back a quiet sniffle, placing his hand on Ivar's shoulder. They hadn't talked about that night until now.

"It got worse when Hvitserk came.. My dear brother. As punishment Oleg pushed me away and brought Hvitserk closer, soon he replaced me and I could no longer see you.. That is why I left him behind, he took you away from me, he knew the love I had for you and he stood in my way.."

"We are free now. We can start a new life. Perhaps in your land?" Igor's voice kept low and gentle, trying to hide the pain from his past. "Would Hvitserk have come with us, if you've asked?"

"I do not know, I did not tell him of my plan.. Perhaps he is just happy to be a part of a plot to kill me, hm?"

***