Beyond the Winter Sea

Chapter IV: The Heir of Fenrir

When we had reached at Lord Barrett's, it had seem we had interrupted a serious conversation. We put our right arms across our chests and a slight bow of heads to show respect to Lord Barrett and Ferguson.

"My Lord the warrior who had crumbled to our gates had given us valuable information..." I say looking at Lord Barrett and Ferguson.

"... Lord Gilmore might still be alive"

they look at us as if we're clueless children. "Alistair father's dead, if what you say is true why hasn't he come back? You should be....."

Finn feeling the tension of us being belittled "... My apologies Lord Ferguson for slashing your tongue short.... But my Lords, the enemy might not be unknown as we had previously thought." The curious Lord Barratt asks "meaning?"

Finn explains what the Dishonored had told us, about the familiarity of my father's opponent. "So this could mean we're fighting an enemy we're familiar to?" Looking at Ferguson, Lord Barrett asked with concern.

"It seems so, if these ships came by the east there are only two Islands who could be are responsible for that attack" Ferguson responding to Lord Barrett. "HemelsLand Island and...." A sudden silence that equipped Lord Barrett and Ferguson with the faces of those who died in shock, "... And Yster-Hek Island." The fear in their eyes as Ferguson mentions the Island is without word of description.

Yster-Hek Island the land of iron, it is the smallest island in Theo nation, but don't let ignorance possess you. Despite it's little size it has the second largest army, thanks to slave trade and the island's wealth.

A little over thirteen winters ago[years], my father Lord Gilmore was placed to lead in conquering Yster-Hek Island. At that time lord Gilmore was the most feared man in all of Theo, the mention of his name in battle was a bad omen for the opponent and a blessing to his comrades. In his presence death would guide his blade to seek souls of those who dared to confront him. That was until he would meet his destined rival, a warrior who'd traded his humanity for the savage instincts of beast and the brilliance a predator hunting for prey. This man or rather this beast is Balgair as he was known at the time.

As the story's told, Balgair's army evenly matched father's army even though Balgair's was outnumbered. He used used strategy rather than strength, and pushed back Coulverant armies back to the shores of where they docked their ships. Although Gilmore the bloodline of Odin was in battle, Balgair would be victorious on that war.

Despite his victory Balgair would risk it all for his warrior pride, his selfish desire for fame and to further embarrass father. He challenged father to a dual in stipulation that if father had won Yster-Hek would be under Gilmore's command and if Balgair had won his reward would be the head of Lord Gilmore, both warrior's agreed. The gods would spectate from above and the two armies spectated from the sidelines and the battle began.

The battle was great, their swords clashed like musical tunes to those spectated. It could not be foretold who would grab victory for this battle as it was evenly matched. The battle continued, nearing it's end as the rain clouds gathered with anticipation of knowing who would be the victor of the battle.

Lord Gilmore would be at the back foot of the final period of the battle, Balgair's sword had drew blood from father weakening him by every slash as Gilmore would soon be on his knees, his hands grabbing on the dirt, his sword broken as much as his pride had. Lord Gilmore, my father the bloodline of Odin had lost. The rain fell and thunder would follow, the flashes of lightning brightened defeat and death had abandoned father's blade and allying with Balgair's as he had craved father's soul.

Drip drop, the sound of the rain was all that you could hear. Balgair's man as well as Gilmore's were ghostly no one cheered as silence had been formed by a great deal of disbelief. Then one by one what starts as a silent whisper turns to a loud chant by Balgair's army "Balgair Odin's devour!!!..." Balgair opened his arms hugging the rain and roared up to the darkened thunderous sky.

Father's pride had been burnt to ash and scattered in piggery. Realizing his pride had been reduced to a pig's den, he accepted his defeat and awaited his death honorably like a true warrior. Balgair glared at him and went for his prize, a trophy he'd hang on his castle, gate the head of Gilmore. However though Gilmore had accepted his defeat his fellow combatant Asger and the rest of Gilmore's man could not accept it. As Balgair was about to rid of father, an arrow flew by stroke Balgair's chest as he fell, some of Gilmore's man covered Gilmore giving chance for Asger and a few other warriors to rescue Gilmore and retreat with him whilst the others remained behind and sacrificed themselves.

Father was furious at Asger, he had stolen Gilmore's last chance at honor but could not do anything at the time as his was battered and vanquished by Balgair. They returned to Coulvarent Island.

Gilmore was very valuable to the king instead of banishing him for retreating in battle and abandoning some of his men, he let him stay and keep his honor. But father felt as if the king sympathized for him. Gilmore had felt that in place of disgrace he was was honored and hated that everyone empathized with him and father would bury his sword and leave behind his glory days.

By the fall of one legend rose another, Balgair's legend would grow out of whisper and was heard from all over Theo for defeating Lord Gilmore, he would be ranked the number one noble warlord and Balgair would be known as "Balgair heir of Fenrir".

The meaning behind his titled takes us back to the times of Ragnarok the end of gods and the world. In our old scriptures tells the tale of Ragnarok the end of many gods including Odin, Thor and Loki, it is told that Fenrir the son of the trickster Loki had battled Odin and devoured him in their battled bringing death to Odin. Since father was known as "Gilmore bloodline of Odin" and Balgair was the only warrior to ever defeat Gilmore it was fitting for him to be titled "The Heir of Fenrir."

Though Balgair's reputation casted a shadow over father's, Gilmore's reputation would find light and could not be forgotten.

Whether we are battling stranger or familiar foe, it is clear that we need father more than ever.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~To-Be-Continued~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you all for your wonderful support!!!! 😊