The Lion's Wrath

Remembrance

After his final breath Gevin's men stood still as stones. Finally one spoke "Thank the Gods he's finally dead now I can go back to my family. Thank you Blue Wolf for killing that bastard." Wolve's-Claw stood and looked around asking a simple question "Tell me something how many of you were conscripted if I may ask Sirs?" Stunning every soldier who stood before him with his kindness and humility. They couldn't imagine such a powerful man would deign to call them Sir. They all could barely just raise their hands speechlessly. "As I surmised." Said Wolve's-Claw with a grimace. At this point a man walked towards Wolve's-Claw "M-M-Master Wolve's-Claw h-h-how can w-w-we ever rep-p-pay you for saving us f-f-from Gevin?" Wolve's-Claw simply smiled and chuckled "May I ask your name my good man?"  The stuttering man stood up straight and said "O-O-Oskar milord. M-M-My names Oskar." Wolve's-Claw smiled "Well Oskar I'm no ones master or lord. Just a soldier like you guys. If you need food or drink I have a campsite not far from here and plenty of rations." They all suddenly Behan to glow with the knowledge of a meal nor far away.

  After a short walk they made it to Wolve's-Claw's camp and began making a supper consisting of steak, bread, cheese, fruits and jerky. Oskar sat beside Wolve's-Claw and couldn't help but keep glancing over thinking "How can such a man exist. One who will kill his opposition yet at the same time help them if asked?"  He finally found the courage to ask "Milord if I m-m-may ask. W-W-Why show m-m-mercy to you f-f-foes?" Wolve's-Claw bit a chunk of steak and chewed it then washed it down with a sweet green drink he had made. Leaning back he said "Oskar when I was young I was but a simple peasant forced to bow to a powerful tyrant that had conscripted both my parents. I had to live with my grandfather it was fun for a time, but then the soldiers returned. I watched them all enter the city walls but I couldn't see my parents I looked for hours before returning home and I saw my grandfather with a horrifying look on his face. "Grandpa why do you look so sad?" I asked he simply looked at me tears streaming down his face and said "I don't know how to tell you this b-b-but your p-parents died in battle." I completely froze as it felt as though someone stabbed me in my chest and ripped my still beating heart out.

"I cried for days and about a week later my grandfather passed away so I was forced to live on my own. I found a man who could teach me the ways of war. " Wolve's-Claw " he said "I vow to teach you my ways if you but answer this one query. What is true strength?" Confused I simply looked at him and said "True strength is to fight for those who are important to you as well as those who need it. Anything else is but the mere bitings of a faux warrior mutt. The strong are meant to protect the weak who in turn help the strong." As I looked into the old warrior's face I was stunned to see it filled with pride. "My son as long as you carry that honor inside you then you will be a warrior without equal. In all my years I have never met someone with your youth capable of giving such a wise answer." I smiled ear to ear "So you will teach sensei Torro?" I asked and he nodded patting my head. From that moment onward in have followed my honor code even if it meant doing what would cause me pain.  Helping any and all that I could.

  I trained with Sensei Torro until I was 16 years of age and then I too was conscripted into the tyrants army. I was but a boy but my Master's training made me a warrior without equal. I fought in the bloody War of False Kings, for weeks the battles waged on and I was in the unit known as Death's Clutch under a hideously dishonorable man who cared only for himself and his position and rarely if ever stepped foot on a battlefield if enemies were still alive on it." Said Wolve's-Claw with a terrifying snarl upon his face that would make even the bravest man whimper in fear. Oskar was listening as were the others hoping to get a glimpse as to how this simple peasant managed to become so powerful.

  "One night I was woken by screams and sound's of battle coming from inside our own campsite. Somehow the enemy forces had managed to make their way into our base.  I stood up raising my blades in each hand and raced off to find our commander missing and over half our men city down. I drew my blades and released my most fearsome war cry causing a pause to the battle before demanding all our opposition come challenge me and me alone to battle. The enemy out number us 100 to one but I didn't care I swung my blades as I charged through their ranks. I slaughtered many foes that day and not one so much as laid a scratch on my armor but by the end of the day Death's Clutch was no more. Yet again I was left all alone. Or so I thought as I was ordered to return to the "King's" main camp on special commands for a medal I was to be rewarded. However it was all to be a trap.