The Betrayed

Chapter 4: To Walk Another Path

Remember everything that isn't the plot or some characters and OCs of this story doesn't belong to me but to their respective owner/artist/composer.

Written during a dialogue like this: Normal talking

Written during a dialogue like this: Thoughts

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Eirik: I'm just getting two or three things and we can get going, don't move okay?

Verraten: Not like I can really run away in this state.

Eirik: Man, you really need to be more relaxed. This was supposed to be a joke. Do you know what jokes are?

Verraten: Didn't you have things to take?

Eirik: Okay, mister 'I'm always so serious'. For Nurgle's sake...

While Eirik and Verraten were getting ready to leave the house and go to see the healers, the sun outside was almost set and the moon started to appear with its light illuminating the ground below. 

All around the town, people were finishing what they were doing, such as working, crafting, keeping, or even making sure that something important was ready in the Great Hall, where the chieftain lived.

While a couple was passing by Eirik's house, the latter went outside while Verraten was behind, holding the wooden crutch in a firm hand while trying not to make a wrong move that could destabilize him.

The two of them were in clothes with fur to help them resist the harsh cold of Norsca, even though Eirik wasn't really bothered by this since he grew up here. For Verraten though it was another thing, it was still quite cold but since he fought for his life in this land for weeks it made him grow some sort of resistance to the cold wind that danced on his skin.

Eirik: Well, follow me. We're going to the healers.

Verraten: How far are they?

Eirik: Don't worry, they are quite close actually. Think you can handle yourself?

Verraten: I will be a little slow but I can walk on my own.

Eirik nodded before gesturing the Imperial to follow him. As they walked through the different places that composed the town, the man who was once a general also took the time to look around and observe the tribesmen and women.

Some were playing with kids while others were laughing and drinking. When they passed before them though, everyone looked at Verraten with suspicion and hidden hatred. Word propagated in the tribe saying that the one they rescued was part of the Imperial expedition that killed and destroyed the lives of many.

The Bjarns clan, who led this tribe, had to make sacrifices. With Verraten's expedition destroying other clans, a lot of refugees came to find shelter here but with them, they brought diseases, famine, and death. The last part was due to the fact that Verraten sent multiple squads of cavalry as scouts back then. Some followed the refugees and tried to kill two birds with one stone, and so, attacked the tribe. Grenades, bullets, cavalry charges... everything was used against the Northmen.

This resulted in the death of many and the destruction of a part of the town. To say that the inhabitants hated the Empire was an understatement, if they could, they would destroy it right now. So it wasn't really surprising to see a lot of them looking at Verraten with hate even though the latter didn't really know the reason but he had his guess.

After walking for quite some time, and with Eirik making sure no one tried to do something to Verraten, the two young men finally arrived at the healers' hut. Eirik told Verraten to wait outside before entering, and the Imperial took the opportunity to sit against the wall. The pain caused by his injury made it difficult to stay on his injured leg for too long but thank any God that was watching over him that day to still have his two legs today.