Requiem For A Warrior: The Book Of Levi

Chapter II- Tranquility Before Chaos

Two months later...

As I wake up in the morning, I find Belle sleeping peacefully beside me. I've thought about my conversation with Jarl Sven. I'm going to take the offer, still no sign of Xavier, when Mrs Martha went to the town that morning, she did not have him with her...except if she never came to the town. She must've taken him elsewhere, Jarl Sven's soldiers have not yet returned, nor has Mrs Martha. I went to the long hall to speak to Jarl Sven.
Levi: Good morning, Jarl.
Jarl Sven: Good morning Levi, you wish to speak with me?
Levi: Indeed, I have decided to accept your offer, I have a plan ahead for the future.
Jarl Sven: Great! Please enlighten me with your plan.
Levi: It is merely raw thoughts, not yet to be revealed, if you wish to respect it.
Jarl Sven: Of course. Very well, we start training in an hour.
Levi: Excellent.
I left the long hall and went back to Belle. She has woken up and is already fully dressed. I give her a kiss.
Levi: Good morning gorgeous, where are you off to this early in the morning?
She smiles.
Belle: Good morning, handsome. Astrid and I are going to be decorating the houses that have been built for the foster children and their caretakers, the townsfolk.
Levi: All right, have fun! I'm starting my training with Jarl Sven.
Belle: You will do great. Levi, I love you.

"Time just froze, I have never heard those words leave someone's mouth that was intended for me except for my mother when I was still a little child."

Levi: You...love me?
She starts smiling, giving me a gentle kiss.
Belle: Yes, Levi, I love you.
Before I could even reply, we could hear Astrid knocking at the door.
Astrid: Let's get going.
Belle: I'm on my way, I'm so excited!
Before the words could reach my tongue, Belle gave me another kiss and left with Astrid.

"What should I have done, I was so caught up in the moment. My words have outrun me"

I got ready and went to meet Jarl Sven in the training arena. Me and Jarl Sven and I have been training all day long. His son joined as well. It's almost nightfall already.
Jarl Sven: Levi, what even is there to train you? You have almost countered every single attack that I've striked against you. Your offensive attacks were on point. Where have you learned to fight this well?
Levi: I grew up in the forest, but also, at a time, there was a norseman that lived at the foster hall with us. He was an Old War warrior. He taught us how to fight. That was at least one good thing that came from the hall.
Jarl Sven: Old War? He must have been an old man already. My father, Ivan Bonebreaker, also fought in the Old War.
Levi: He never told us about the times of the Old War. He was very subtle about it.
Jarl Sven: Aye, you cannot blame him, it was a dark time for the North Kingdom, many good men lost their lives, the Old War was an unfortunate war between greedy kings, and the price it paid was thousands of lives, there was nothing honourable about it.
Levi: It makes sense, but who won the Old War?
Jarl Sven: No one, after all the fighting and bloodshed, there were not even enough people left to claim any lands.
Levi: That is bad...
Jarl Sven: Yes, and now Bladefall is engaging into another war...fortunately this time, it's not people, but it is much worse. If that kingdom falls, we will all be dead.
Levi: Let us make sure that does not happen. Very well Jarl, I appreci-
Before I could finish my sentence, there was a horse that ran past us, with a blood-soaked saddle, reanimated, with a body tied to it. It's one of the soldiers, he is completely mutilated ... His insides were gutted like a fish... his eyes were not even in his skull anymore, there were pieces missing of his arms and legs, judging by the scars on his back...this horse has pulled him for miles without end.
The townsfolk are in shock and awe.
Jarl Sven: This is not good...this is the work of the Skaripa. They are nearby. Levi, get some rest. This is horrible. Let me speak to my son immediately about this situation.
Later that night, I overheard Jarlsson Ivan and Jarl Sven speaking about gathering a search team to find the rest of the soldiers. I went and told Belle about what happened, I told her that perhaps I should join that search team to look for Xavier.
Belle: No, that is fucking crazy, have you seen what that soldier looks like?
Levi: I saw, but I know this forest better than any of them.
Belle: Then I come with you!
Levi: Belle, it's too dangerous, no.
Belle: But you want to risk your life and go along without me? I'm not fucking losing you.
Levi: Allright, you can come with me.
She seemed furious at first but now she seems excited.
Levi: I will speak with Jarl Sven in the morning.
We went to bed and Belle had already passed out, I only passed out past midnight wondering...how strong could that monster have been to kill all of them.
The next morning we woke up and I went straight to the long hall. Ivan is speaking to his father, they are talking about the search team.
Jarl Sven: Good morning Levi.
Levi: Good morning Jarl, I wish to ask you if I could be of any use on the search team? I would also like to search for my friend, Xavier.
Jarl Sven: Your idea seems solid, we do need a person that has knowledge of this forest, if you go with them, you will be in my gratitude.
Levi: Belle would not accept no for an answer, would it be a problem if she joins me?
Jarl Sven: I suppose it is not a problem with me...but she's not as experienced as you. I tell you this, the search team will leave in two weeks, the men including my son need training to find the Skaripa, bring yourself and Belle along as well, then you may both have my blessing to go.
Levi: I appreciate it Jarl, let me inform her immediately.
I went back and I told Belle, she is happy to train, so the next two week, all we did was train, now we have more knowledge of the Skaripa, if the Skaripa gets ahold of us with their teeth, we will turn in to one of them...making us ruthless, bloodthirsty killers, but now we know that a stab the heart or decapitation will take them down.
Jarl Sven: Tomorrow morning early, all of you will leave and most probably fight Bludripa, which is also called "feeders". They are the least dangerous form of Skaripa, but do not underestimate them, they are still deadly creatures. Very well, go back to your homes and rest.
As Jarl Sven was walking away, I ran up to him and spoke to him.
Levi: Jarl, I will make sure for your son's safety.
Jarl Sven: I appreciate it Levi... be careful, these creatures are dauntless, they will attempt to kill you with every chance they get. If you come across an Old uñ, avoid it at all costs, they are also referred to as "Ancient", they look much older, but they are faster and stronger than a Bludripa. They will certainly kill you, not even an Old War warrior would win in a fight against it, and they were the highest trained warriors.
Levi: As if old age ever killed anyone.
Jarl Sven started laughing. I went back to our home with Belle waiting for me there.