The Path Of Fate - 11

Excerpts of a Warrior - Part 2

The warm wind blew my long silver hair around, strands whipping gently across my face and momentarily obscuring my vision as I sat on the edge of the rocky outcrop. I was staring into the setting sun, a rare peace settling over me. I could faintly hear laughter and shouts, carried to my ears by the wind. The village behind me was housing my men as they enjoyed ale and played with the women who served it.

I ignored them as I contemplated things I usually never did. Four moons ago, I had found a band of travellers on the road. We were low on supplies and decided that we would take what was theirs. We came upon them feeling merciful, offering to trade them their lives for their wares.

Everything was going good, until she decided to interfere.

I don't know why, but the red-headed girl started resisting. I don't even remember where she came from. If she was part of the troop, then I missed her when I was looking them over for weapons. She wasn't important. Now, here she was, telling me I couldn't take their belongings. I laughed at her. I told her that if she continued to resist, we would slaughter everyone she was travelling with. Did she really want their deaths on her conscience?

Her fists balled up at her sides, but she fell silent. I told her to move; she was standing in front of me. She did not. She was a head shorter than me, did she really think she could best me in a fight?

Intrigued by this fiery girl, I stepped closer. There were no sounds from either my men, or the men we were threatening to slaughter. Everything hinged on my reaction to this insolent child. If I reacted violently, the bloodlust would be triggered, and impossible to stop. My men would descend on these poorly armed travellers like a pack of wolves. It would be over in seconds.

I stopped, inches from her. Glaring down at her, I reached up and grabbed her face in my hands. She did not flinch away, not in pain, nor in fear.I realized suddenly that she was a very pretty girl. She looked to be about 19 years of age.

"You've got some spirit, girl. I admire that. But I've seen courage. Right before I thrust my sword through their bellies."

She said nothing, but anger flashed in her rebellious eyes. This kind of girl had seen more than her share of trouble, I was betting. She had an attitude, and the willpower to get herself into all kinds of situations. Did she not realize how close to death she was?

Tense seconds passed slowly by as I deliberated on the fate of this girl and the men travelling with her. She held my gaze the entire time, determined not to look away. As sure as Odin's beard, I would not.

With the sun beating down on my neck, the light reflected in her stubborn brown eyes, I felt an impromptu desire that I couldn't quite understand. I fought it, and held back.

"Well? Are you just going to stare at me all day?" She asked. Her voice was naturally demure, it seemed, but now it was laced with quiet strength that only hinted at her defiance.

Slowly, I leaned down until my lips were but inches from hers. Our noses touched, but still I held her gaze.

It was the first time that sort of desire had ever struck me.

"As if I would ever kiss the likes of you." Her voice was riddled with disgust. "You take what you want through force, but you will never have me."

My face flushed red, even as I straightened. Anger coursed through me. I never asked for much, but the things I did ask for...I did not like being denied.

A swift backhand sent the girl reeling to the ground, and she could not hold back her yelp of pain.

I slowly raised my fist to my lips, and licked off the smear of blood that coated my knuckles. I turned around, and walked away.

"KIll them all." Was my only command.

...

I brushed my hair out of my face, and wondered why that day bothered me so much.

I wanted few things. I had no need for much more than the weapons on my side, and the desire to fight. It was everything to me. It's who I am.

So when I felt the desire for that strong-willed girl, I wasn't sure what to do. I had seen my men take other girls before, the act itself was nothing new to me.

The way the sun had lit up her hair, her eyes sparkling in defiance...She was beautiful. And I had never desired another like her.

In truth, I had seen a bit of myself in her. Strong-willed, defiant, unwilling to give in to anyone else but myself. Often times I had made decisions that could only result in either my death, or retaining my pride. I would let no one strip me of my pride as a warrior. It was one of the few things I had. I would rather die first.

For only the second time in my life, I fought the tears that threatened to spill down my cheeks.

After giving the command to slaughter those people, I hadn't looked back. I didn't want to see her being slashed open, her blood flowing out across the dirt. I had heard her terrified, tortured screams, but even those were hard to bear.

She was no warrior, I thought, tilting my head back to stare into the sky. Yet she had died a warrior's death. Defiant, standing up for what she wanted. She was more of a warrior than the men who stood silently by, afraid to object for fear of losing their lives.

The thought of them made me wrinkle my nose in disgust. They were but sheep. Following blindly, doing as they were told. Their deaths bore no loss.

The girl, however...I don't even know her name.

I felt my heart ache painfully at the thought. I hoped I would see her in Valhalla one day. I have many things I would like to say to her.

Standing, I cast one last glance to the dying sun before I turned back to the village. I knew what would dull the edge to the pain in my heart. Tonight, I would drink as I had never drunk before, and for a few hours, I could pretend that everything was okay.

A/N: Hope you guys are enjoying this. The storyline will pick up soon enough, I promise!