Of Monsters and Flowers [Sihtric Kjartansson]

Act I: Chapter Eight

The rope around his wrist was tight, digging into the skin with harsh ferocity. Sihtric kept his jaw clenched and stare locked in front of him as two men dragged him rather cruelly into a secluded area of the forest that surrounded them. Grey clouds cosseted a languid leaden sky, the sun timidly hidden behind them as the ambient winds rushed past touching upon exposed skin. The ground beneath him was rough his knees felt the tiny pebbles that pricked him painfully as he was thrown to the ground. He grunted as he sat himself up using his tied hands to brush away the masses of leaves that concealed the ground.

"I believe Lord Uhtred is hoping you can tell him about Kjartan's fortress." A man by the name of Halig said.

Sihtric looked to him, "It is tall." He answered as a small smile of amusement played on his lips.

Halig chuckled from irritation, "Tell him that and you are a dead man." He informed.

As he stood up Sihtric stepped forward, "Then let me speak to him."

"He will speak to you when he is ready." Halig snapped back, "He is a good man."

As the men turned around allowing Sihtric some privacy that he had asked for he took this chance to quickly and astutely wrap the very rope that tied him around the ankles of the taller more built man causing him to trip and fall vociferously to the ground. As Halig approached Sihtric he kicked him to the ground brutishly and then turned to do the same to the other man this time punching him across his cheek, his hand ached from the intensity of it- ignoring the throbbing too consumed by his situation Sihtric grabbed the taller mans sword.

He hit the sword rapidly against Halig's fighting the man off, the sound was clangourous and it was sure to carry easily through the imposing trees that concealed them. With one last fierce hit Sihtric pushed back Halig all while having the sword ready at his side to place against the cold skin of the man.

"Drop your sword!" Sihtric demanded once he had Halig on his knees before him.

Sihtric could feel Haligs's heartbeat pattering at an inhuman pace as he kept the sword to his neck he turned to look to the other man who had risen with an angered glare, "You will fetch Lord Uhtred! Tell him I have his man." He shouted, digging the sword into Halig's neck as a way to pressure the man to hasten his run.

"Kill me and we are both dead." Halig yelled his breathing sporadic.

"Now!" Sihtric shouted with greater aggressiveness.

The man ran just as he screamed Lord Uhtred repeatedly.

Sihtrc craned his neck down to look at Halig, "With luck we shall both live."

From a distance Sihtric could see the man he had called for rush toward them his stare hardened in anger beside him a woman- Hild is her name, with beautiful blonde hair she is a fierce warrior as much as the men with her she glared at Sihtric with animosity pulling out her sword.

"I could have killed him, Lord." Sihtric shouted "Made good my escape."

"Kill him and you will die slowly." Uhtred seethed stopping before them.

"Told you." Halig snapped.

"I asked your man to fetch you, Lord I do not murder, I wish to bargain." Sihtric informed, the sword still at Halig's throat.

Uhtred scoffed turning briefly to lock his gaze with Hild before staring at Sihtric, "A life for a life is it?"

"My life for my sword." Sihtric corrected, "I wish to serve you lord."

Uhtred kneeled down grabbing Halig's sword as Sihtric continued to speak, "I could have killed both men but I wish to serve you."

Uhtred exhaled, "You are Kjartan's man."