❝𝘼 𝙈𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙎𝙠𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙖❞

Chapter 18: Preparing Hallasholm

Halt stood on a balcony facing the northeast, the direction in which Alaric had left with a band of two thirds of the entire Skandian force, leaving behind only some one thousand or so men to defend the capital. A whole day had passed since they set out, and a new sun was rising. Alyss and Lady Pauline stood on either side of Halt, silent and still as statues, staring out at the rising sun.

At last, with the sun now fully in their faces, Alyss said, "Where are they, where is the trap?"

"I would hope that it was merely my fear, that there is no trap." Halt said quietly.

"But in that case," Alyss said, "The Skandians will never trust you again. What shall we do with the Treaty? That is, essentially, what we came here for in the first place."

Halt shook his head. "That would matter little if Skandia cannot even remain standing."

As if mocking their words, a shout rang out, followed by the dim sound of a thundering of horses' hooves coming from the distance. Alarmed, all three of them turned to see a vague storm of dust approaching from the dead north.

"Hopes would never come true, I should never have stated mine." Halt muttered. "Come with me, it would not be safe to stay here on a balcony." Then he turned and ran at top speed through the room, down several flights of stairs, and into the main hall.

Erak had, out of pure battle-lust, left with his army to meet the Temujai in the eastern borders, leaving Borsa in charge back in his capital city. Borsa, who was right then standing in the middle of the hall, fixed to the floor from fear.

Upon seeing the Araluans entering, he hurried towards them and would have thrown himself down on his knees in front of them, had not Pauline and Alyss simultaneously stepped forward and stopped him. "Ranger, I was so wrong, I...please..."

"We shall clear matters after all is done," Halt said gruffly. "As for the city, I promise you I will do all that I can to defend it, but remember well that it is not for your sake. But you must now pass the order that all the Skandians within these halls are now under my command."

The poor hilfmann nodded furiously. "Hear me all jarls! From now on, and so long as the battle lasts, unless your Oberjarl returns, Halt from Araluen will lead you and command you!"

Without another glance at Borsa, Halt turned to the two women. "Gather all those who cannot fight into this very hall and stay here until I give you further commands."

Before any protest could be made, the Ranger whirled around back to face the jarls who had gathered there to wait his commands. "Have every warrior able to bear arms go up and station themselves on the city walls. Barricade the city gates and the doors of this hall. Send men out to recall all men on the ships and set a guard on them. Then let all jarls able to pass orders and be obeyed find me at the top of the city gates to await further orders."

Silently the men left to do as Halt had commanded.

Just as Halt turned to leave the hall, Pauline stepped up before him, putting her hands softly on his shoulders. "Take care of yourself, do you hear me?"

Halt nodded and gave her a small smile. "Of course. I've done this a thousand times."

"But for each time, that one time is all that matters. And this time you've got Alyss and me to think of." Pauline traced her husband's rough beard for a second, examining his face, as though looking for any weak point that would give her further chance to tell him to be more careful.

Halt did not reply in words. Instead, he reached forward suddenly with both hands to cup Pauline's face in his hands and then kiss her gently but fiercely. She smiled against his lips for a while before kissing him back with the same fervor, letting her hands slide down to caress the hard muscles on his back. And then, all too quickly, it was over. They pulled back at the same moment, both knowing how urgent the situation was, yet as they did so, their hands lingered still on each other's, and a look of longing and regret passed silently between them.