The Fenrir Saga - Part I

Chapter 35

Hild

Jack met me at the parking lot. He looked cool as a cucumber and the antithesis of how I felt. It was Saturday and early morning. Having to work overtime, I had decided to drive to the Prospect early this morning instead of the evening before. I told myself it was so that B could get a good night's sleep, but it was more about me wanting to postpone this day as long as possible.

Jack got me through an entrance, and I managed to do the blood thing, making it possible for me to mind-link anybody at the Prospect territory for the next three weeks. I didn't expect to mind-link with anyone except my pack, but it seemed impolite to refuse, so I did it. A long line started to pile up behind me for it, and as many of them were similarly dressed and looked big as... I assumed they were warriors already dressed for a fight.

As we walked towards our camp, Jack explained the rules to me—a minimum of twelve warriors against a maximum of thirty warriors. I gasped at the difference in numbers, but he raised his hand in what was supposed to be a calming motion.

"The pack we are fighting today, the Rocky Cliff pack, is one of the smaller packs. They have gauged us and will start with 20 warriors, hoping for an easy victory. But, if I may be so bold, not even three of their warriors can match any of ours."

To get the territory size we wanted, we needed to rank seven or better, so we had to advance one level and challenge the second group packs. We were in the third group, the lowest one, and needed at least two wins, ideally three, to advance. 

As we arrived at the campsite, everyone was busy tending to something. Mainly their clothing, some still eating. I found B in our small housing. She stood before the mirror, frantically trying to get the leather suit to stay put. I turned her around and zipped her up, or rather tied her up.

"Got your necklace?"

"Mhm," she smiled meekly.

"Had breakfast?"

She looked down, and then she hugged me.

"Hild.."

"Don't B, don't underestimate yourself. Everyone else out there will; you don't have to add to it by doing it yourself. I have seen you fight, remember? Just tap into that berserk thing, and it will be fine," I wasn't sure who I was trying to convince the most, her or me.

Someone shouted, "Group photo," and we stepped outside. The sight was mind-bending, to say the least. Eleven tall, muscular men in loincloths were all over the place, and I knew they would become fan favorites in a second, at least among the females. Vidar was strutting around like a peacock, perfectly aware of his pristine features. Oh, what an arrogant cock that man was. He was my sole hope, though, B being placed next to him in the formation during the fight. I trusted the rest, too, of course, but when it came to not wanting to look bad, I counted on Vidar's pride to do a lot of work for me today.

"May I?" Gammal approached us with a can of black smear. He gestured to B's face, and she nodded hesitantly.

All the guys gathered around us, and Gammal told Vile to step into the Circle next to B. He placed a big chunk of warpaint on his thumb and put it on Vile's forehead.

"We bend to no one," he said. With his finger, he created a cross of black paint on Vile's face: one lone vertical line from the forehead, between his eyes, over his nose and lips down to the chin, and one horizontal line from ear to ear, under the eyes. Gammal smiled and patted him on the back.

Then he turned to B. I could see this was an emotional moment for both him and B, and he paused before repeating the ritual with her. Finishing, I could see his eyes getting watery, and I heard others sniffle and clear their throats, too. The pride on B's face made my first tear fall and her smile my second.