Warrior's Love

Allies

Ren's POV

All of the clans arrived today the last one being the Northerns. Currently all of the leaders, and their next were sitting in the war room with their advisors. It felt weird not having father here, but it was something I know had to adjust to. Before the meeting started everyone spoke kind words about my father to help ease his passing. But truth was we were warrior's this things happen often, it was the fact one of our own did it that stung our hearts. We should always look out for our own, not betray them. I wasn't sure what to say back so I just nodded my way through their respects. I wanted to get this meeting started. The sooner it started the sooner I would find  Calla.

As the meeting started we figured we had around 4,000 warriors ready to ride and fight. Normally we would have way more but because their was a fear of more traitors lurking a midst we decide to leave our villages more guarded than normal war times. After counting the ones we assumed went to join Olaf his army was around 2,250 give or take. Either way that put our warriors at a two -to- one odds. I liked those odds because almost all warriors can handle that. Sadly we lost almost 2,000 lives in the attacks. Some not even being warriors, but just innocent people. This war had become very personal amongst all the clans. We weren't fighting for land or trade, but to revenge those who had fallen to traitors. Being a traitor was like going against the gods themselves.

" From the information we have gathered, this new clan calls themselves Ragnar. And their leader is a man named Olaf. They are about a week's ride west. We know they don't have much defense as they mainly are counting to stay hidden. I really think our only option here is to ride out and attack." I spoke to them all, leaving out the information out about Calla because as much as I wanted her back I had to think about the clans first. The war advisors spoke with their clan leaders whispering between themselves. " And what if they are waiting for us and we ride into an ambush?" Refiner spoke. This was a valid question we couldn't afford to be caught in an ambush. Granted we out-numbered them, if they ambushed they could level the playing field very quickly. I sigh, " And for all we know they could have spies trying to convert more of our warriors to turn. They could be planning another attack as we speak. If we wait we risk an ambush. We go we risk an ambush."

Everyone nodded as I spoke the truth that most already knew deep down. I needed something to convince them to do this. Just something to reassure that the risk was going to be worth the reward. So I lied. " Calla is there in the camp now. She will signal us if there is an ambush. But let's not forget why this war has started. Good innocent people have died, good warriors including my father have died over this man's idea of power. He is selfish and wishes to destroy our clans! Our livelihood! Are we going to sit here and let that happen!?!" An eruption of claps and no's roared through the room. I smiled.  This is the fire we need to fight.  " That's what I thought. We leave at first light." I turn and leave out of the room. Once stepping outside I release a breath I hadn't realized I was holding in.

That was my first war speech. I hated the fact I lied, but I needed to give them the confidence to trust me. If I know Calla like I think I know her she would risk her life to protect us. I hated the idea of her dying for this war, but she has risked her life in every war we have fought in. 

That night everyone had went to bed early after making sure their weapons and horses were ready for the journey. I just had to pray to the Gods that nothing would happen once we left. A week was a lot of time, a lot of opportunities. 

Early next morning all of the warriors gather at the gate. We had a long ride ahead of us and we needed to be quick. I just hoped no one would be too tired to fight. And with that thought we marched off headed west.

Olaf's POV

Calla has been here for a almost two weeks now and things were going great. Minus Delax biting the shit out of leg. I was slowly recovering from it, but I still had a small limp when I walked. When she wasn't with me I was with Luca trying to plan our next phase. We had a list of all our warrior's names . We were missing some, which we assumed was dead. Most of the other warriors who knew them were  able to confirm them, expect for one. Moon. Moon was a drifter I had met up north. I had convinced her to join promising of a clan that would never reject her. She happily accepted. 

No one who was recruited from the Norse clan could confirm her death. This was bad. She knew where our camp was as well as our plans. If she is alive she would have been tortured for information. Luca wanted to send someone in to make contact with her or at least to figure out what had happened. But after the attacks all of the clans would be on high alert and I am sure weren't letting new comers in. We just had to hope that she stayed loyal and said nothing. There wasn't much around here to use for protection. We were surviving on game we had hunted and stored in salt.

" I think we should attack now. The clans have comminuted by now I am sure of it. So they already know they were all attacked in the same fashion. They are forming their allies and preparing for war. They might not expect another attack so soon." Luca says, and as true as it was something told me not to do it. " As true as that is. I am sure they have more guards and patrolling on the clans, and if they are forming allies we are greatly outnumbered still. We would walk into a death trap. So for now have patrols out past camp so they can warn us at the first sign of trouble. I want everyone on high alert and prepared to fight at anytime." I reply and Luca nods leaving to go tell the others.

Luca's POV

 I left going to tell the other commanders the plan so that word can travel fast. As I walked I bumped into a blur of grey. Next thing I know I am pinned to the ground with a a knife at my throat. Staring up those stormy grey eyes I realized how truly beautiful Calla was and I am hit with a wave of regret for betraying her. " Lets get one thing straight I will never forgive you or that crazy man you call a leader. And I swear if Ren or anyone I consider family is dead I will skin you alive! Your lucky I don't kill you now!" I couldn't help but notice how her voice was laced with hate and the fact she had pressed the knife harder against my throat drawing blood validated that. She pushed off me and walked away leaving me on the ground. I sighed watching her walk away. I fucked up..