Heart of a Berserker: Faith (School of Dragons)

Chapter 9

"Sometimes I can't hide
The demons that I face
Sometimes don't deny
I'm sometimes sinner, sometimes saint

Sometimes I don't wanna be better
(Everything is wrong forever)
Sometimes I can't be put back together
(Sometimes it's gone forever)
Sometimes I find it hard to believe
There's someone else who could be
Just as messed up as me" 

- "Sometimes" by Skillet

Chapter 9

Life returned to normal - or what constituted normal these days. Stormheart was back to attacking our fishing and trade boats, which I should have expected. I patrolled with my team and attempted to stop the pirates whenever they attacked. We worked better as a team now, but we were still more successful when Harald was not involved.

This was all I saw of Harald the two weeks following our special mission. He appeared perfectly content to leave our relationship in this weird gray area. I knew if I wanted something to change, I had to initiate it myself. So, I sent him a note asking him to meet me on Hobblegrunt Island because Elska missed him.

The young Triple Stryke had grown considerably in the last few months. She was now about mid-size and could comfortably support a Viking on her back if she remained on the ground. She indeed appeared excited when she saw Harald. She flew right to him and nearly tackled him to the ground.

Harald chuckled as he hugged Elska around the neck. "I missed you too. You're getting big." He looked passed her and smiled at me, though it did not quite reach his eyes. "Hello, Brennda. Bolt."

I gave him a small smile in return. "Hey, Harald. How are you doing?"

"I'm just fine. I'm simply wondering if it's the best idea for us to be meeting like this."

My smile fell. There was something off about the way he spoke, and I did not like it. "It'll be fine. No one knows we're here. And Elska really wanted to see you. She misses you... and so do I."

"But we saw each other yesterday." Despite his teasing tone, his guard was definitely up.

My stomach clenched. "That's not the same thing! I don't want to fight you."

Harald smirked. "You don't find it fun?" He ran his hand along Elska's head. "Very well. We'll do it your way today."

I wanted to ask him what was wrong, but I feared the answer. He would tell me eventually, so I decided to put it off for now. If something bad was coming, I wanted to enjoy as much time with him as possible.

I relaxed as we spent time with the three dragons. Elska was eager to show off her new moves, and Harald appeared just as happy to indulge her. For a moment, it was just like it used to be when we met secretly. Nothing else mattered except each other. It was not a permanent solution, but it was something, right?

"Thank you for allowing me to see Elska again," Harald said as the day drew to a close and the dragons napped under a tree. "You are raising her really well."

I smiled slightly. "Thank you. But, you know, she really likes you too. Maybe you could-"

"No," Harald said sharply, all amusement leaving his face. "We can't keep doing this, Brennda. This has to be the last time."

My heart braced against the inevitable attack. I knew what he was doing. Was there no way to stop him? "Doing what, Harald? It's been months since we met like this. Most of the time we see each other is during one of your pirating ventures."

"Exactly. That's what I'm supposed to be doing. I'm a pirate."

I flinched at his harsh tone. "I know, but you're more than that. Weren't you just saying how much you trust and appreciate me? You can't just throw that away. We have a bond."