Wolf-Kissed
"You must not forget your place here, Kaya. Hytham knows his. The man he has been studying for months. The danger that lurks here. The secrets that are buried within the old bureaus, left behind by our own." Basim placed his hands behind his back. The chill cold of the mountain air blew through Fornburg, lifting some of the snow from the ground. The mountains in the distance as mysterious as the raven that flew in the graying sky.
Most of the crowd had departed from the docks when the crates of riches and goods were being transported back to the long house. Basim, Hytham, and Kaya had yet to depart from the docks. Now that the curiosity and side eyes of the Norsemen were not upon them, they felt it necessary to talk. The journey to Fornburg were filled with low whispers and riddles.
"You two have learned, perfected; have made the greatest sacrifice. You should feel pride, but there is still much that has to be done." Basim continued his talk.
Hytham leaned against one of the poles, connecting to the docks. Kaya stood beside her longtime friend, listing to the older man speak. As much as she wanted to continue talking about her dreams, Kaya knew that there was little to nothing that Basim could do. She wasn't sure if she wanted to speak about the raven she saw. The creature looked much like the one that guided the black wolf. Then there was Eivor. Her thoughts could not help but grow a headache and the pain worsened when Eivor came to her thoughts.
The black wolf forever chases the sun.
A storm was brewing, bringing hell with it.
"The Hidden Ones have not placed their footing in these lands in many years. The threat that hangs over us will only become stronger and menacing. Hytham, you must be prepared to kill this man." Basim walked towards Hytham. The younger man has been waiting for months to get his chance to chase down his first target. Kaya was secretly proud of her friend, but she would never tell him that. Even when she was troubled by her dreams, Kaya still had to focus on why they were chosen. The elders could still be wrong, but how could she compromise the brotherhood?
"I will not fail, Mentor Basim. My target has brought enough terror upon this land for too long. With him eliminated, it would only bring us one step closer to the identities of the other Order of the Ancients. Sigurd proves himself worthy of an ally. I see why you have spoken quite often to him, Mentor." Hytham said. Kaya could see the hint of amusement within Basim's eyes. To show true emotion would leave them exposed to their enemy. They were the shadows that hide and followed with sharp eyes. Some were born with a gift of sight. Some were guided by a bird. Kaya was cursed with a dream.
"We will be by your side, Hytham." Kaya said as she placed her hand upon Hytham's shoulder. Reassurance was not something she was an expert at showing. "Mentor Basim knows he has given you one of the men within the order. Someone who could be a clue to the identity of the one we are after. A serpent within the grass. Forgive me for being distracted. My dreams should not bring you worry, my friend."
"Kaya, you speak true words. The travels truly made you weary by the way your eyes become dull. Your dreams worry me. It worries Mentor Basim, but Kaya, you will find meaning." Kaya nodded her head and felt a bit surprised at having Hytham speak such promising words to her. He was not teasing her as he often did. There was something in his eyes that she was all too familiar with, but that would have to be placed to the side until their mission was complete. The two have grown and trained together with their mentors at their side. Seeing promise in the two young adults, talking in whispers to one a other.
"Your words are like honey, Hytham." She nudged her elbow in Hytham's side. A small smile upon her lips when he looked at her.
"I see your mood has lightened, Kaya. The troubles you have within should not cloud your purpose. The dreams you have, I know they trouble you greatly. You are here to support Hytham and to find the lost secrets of the Hidden Ones. Your sight should not be wasted on your worries." Kaya nodded her head in agreement. As much as Basim wanted to understand her dreams, Kaya herself wanted answers.
"There is someone who can interpret and make sense of your dreams, Kaya. I know you seek answers and I tell you time again to be patient. You will seek her guidance in time. I shall speak with Sigurd and find someplace to rest our heads. This journey is but a foot stone. Remember that." Basim looked to both Hytham and Kaya. A place to stay and a bed to sleep on sounded right to Kaya's soul. Now, she would have to survive the festivities with little to no energy left inside.
Weary is the head that bears the burden, child.
The festivities as Kaya had expected them to be. There was plenty of food and mead to go around and fill the bellies of all within the long house. People were drinking heavily with reddened cheeks and wet beards. The smell of the food was delectable, that her stomach growled loudly. She placed a hand upon her stomach to ease away the hunger. Once she found a suitable spot to sit, Kaya wanted to enjoy her peace. There was song and music that made people stand from the tables to dance. Clapping their hands and moving their feet in rhythm. Their smiles growing brighter against the fire light.
A voice, loud enough to drown away the songs and music, Sigurd stood before a large crowd. His enthusiasm in speaking of his journey to new worlds; lands filled with riches and history. Sigurd was eager to tell his story, as no one could ever see or hear of the things he had encountered in these lands. The secrets he had learned along the way, made great promise for Basim. Kaya was the furthest away from the larger crowds. Wanting to be alone with her thoughts. To cast away all the shadows that seemed to be growing within.
The rush of cool air carried itself inside before the warmth of the fires cast it back out. Her attention drawn to Eivor walking inside of the long house, taking his seat at one of the long tables. His attention on Sigurd continuing his story, but he also looked around the long house. Seeing King Styrbjorn sitting upon his throne. A heavy cloud seemed to be casting its shadow upon the aging king. Kaya has not had the pleasure of meeting the man, nor would she want to. Basim was the more diplomatic of the three and spoken to the king before the festivities began.
Kaya observed Eivor from a distance. Unsure of what to make of the man that seemed intriguing and scary to her. A sense of doubt changed within the air around him. Cautious as he was to strangers, yet he wanted to learn about them. Who were they? Where do they come from? Why were they in Fornburg? Kaya was curious as well, but she kept her distance. Basim would disapprove of her staring. Her mind just found something familiar about him.
His eyes remind me of the black wolf. She thought to herself. The more she observed Eivor, the more her mind kept flashing to the image of the large black wolf staring at her. She closed her eyes for a moment to focus on her surroundings. A ringing in her ears grew louder, that it drowned out all the other noise in the long house. Kaya began to feel unbalanced at the thought of her dreams.
The mountain.
The two wolves circling each other.
The raven calling out to the black wolf to follow his brother to the top.
Blood.
The white wolf losing his arm.
A storm.
She felt a sense of relief from being away from the suffocating air that seemed to surround her. The heaviness that was placed on her lungs was lifted when she heard her name being called out by Hytham. Her mind no longer muddled from the racing images of her dreams. She needed to breathe. She needed to calm herself.
Hytham noticed Kaya standing alone in the furthest part of the long house. Her food going untouched. Sitting on a table with a candlelight shining upon the untouched meal. She was never one to enjoy herself when time presented itself. Kaya was always busy in her studies. She was always training. Her mentor would force her to attend joyous events. To see his friend in such a state was not the girl he had grown up with.
Eivor and Sigurd bonded over mead, not too far away from Hytham and Kaya. Drinking together as brothers would. Enjoying each others company after two years apart. Kaya looked to Hytham and lightly smiled. Though her eyes were hollow, she could not help but sighed in relief. The heavy burden of warring with her dreams was overwhelming.
"It becomes a burden." Hytham said.
"A burden? Yes. I could only hope that this woman I am too see can make sense of it all." Kaya crossed her arms.
"And if this woman does not find meaning? Should you go mad or should I go with you to find these answers? Trouble follows not to close behind." Hytham said, trying to reassure Kaya. The young woman chuckled lowly. Her mood was like how it was earlier in the day.
"Trouble follows you, Hytham. I am just by your side to get you out of it." Kaya smiled. Looking to her friend for comfort. These past few days have been hard on her. These past few days have been hard on them all. Kaya wanted Hytham to focus on his task. This was important to not only him, but to the creed. Kaya's worries were her own.
Basim approached the two young adults. Silent in the comfortable warmth of the long house. The silence being filled with music and song. Kaya felt a pair of eyes upon them, though she would not turn her attention towards them. The peace was short lived when Sigurd had called. Basim placed his hand upon Kaya's shoulder; the burden weighs heavy.
The festivities were dying down and many of the patrons were heavily drunk or snoring underneath tables. The food was even getting cold. Drunken songs were being sung loudly and out of tune. How torturous.
"This brings us to your gift." Sigurd said.
Gift?
"These excellent men and woman were my shepherds through much of their homeland, the Abbasid Caliphate. They are a clan not joined by blood, but by a common idea. A brotherhood of shadows, executing their own form of justice." Sigurd spoke with truth within his voice. Kaya looked to Basim for a moment, unsure of what to make of this. What were they planning? How could Sigurd speak so openly, while they had to speak in secret?
The black and white wolf share a bond. Much like that of the brown wolves who share a common ideal.
"In my time with them, they have shared many of their most hidden secrets. For which I am grateful… and now… I gift one of these secrets to you. A weapon, for the finest warrior I know." Kaya noticed something within Sigurd's hand. The glint of a weapon she knew all too well. Her eyes widened with shock. Hytham moved quickly from behind her; shocked as well to see that the hidden blade was so easily being gifted to one not of their creed.
All her worries vanished quickly. Something new filled that void.
Basim stood still, though one could only guess he knew of this exchange before Hytham and Kaya. The young woman placed her hand on Hytham's chest before he did something drastic. Kaya's heart was beating hard against her chest as she eyed the weapon in Eivor's grasp.
This strange act did not go unnoticed by the two brothers. Sigurd stood to the side as he watched Eivor stare at the weapon with curiosity. This gift is not present often to those not of the creed. Sigurd was giving this weapon to Eivor for a reason. The many secrets and stories told to him; how could he not share this information to his most trusted kin?
It would be an insult to leave Eivor out of such matters.
"Hytham is not amused, it seems. Kaya looks as if she wants to take the weapon from my hands." He looked from Hytham to Kaya. The weapon did not fit someone of his worth. He needed to train many years under a mentor. Eivor needed to understand their creed. The hidden blade was not just some gift! Kaya was furious inside. Her blood boiled uncontrollably that she was seeing red at first. Basim looked to the two of them without any concern. He was calm and still like water in a stream.
Sigurd was almost amused. He smiled and placed his hands upon his waist. This was certainly amusing to the young prince.
"Am I not worthy of this gift?" Eivor continued, turning his attention back to Hytham. Kaya wanted to say "no". She wanted to protest, but she kept herself silent. Hytham could do most of the complaining for the both of them. Kaya had the worst temper of the two. She could almost hear her mentor shaking his head and daring for her to reach out to grab the weapon.
"It is not about worth, Eivor. It is a matter to devotion to our creed. And… and training." Hytham said. His voice almost rising, but if it were not for Kaya holding him back, there might have been a spectacle. There was no need for unwanted attention right now. Kaya's headache had come back; only, the pain had become sharp. She clenched her fingers upon Hytham's robes.
"Hytham, please. And before you say anything Kaya, do not speak further." Basim spoke, reasoning with an upset Hytham and turning a cold icy stare at Kaya. The young woman huffed and took her hand off Hytham's chest. She raised her hands in surrender. Like a child being scolded for doing something they have yet to do. Sigurd chuckled lowly, but the situation was a touchy one for those like the three of them. There were rules. There was guidance.
If Sigurd had offended them, he would find a way to make it up to them.
"Mentor, I must protest. This is deeply unorthodox. Our wrist-blade is our sacred tool—" Hytham continued, before he was silenced by Basim. Kaya stood out of the way of mentor and student. She could not speak her thoughts without starting a fight. Basim would drop her to the ground with one push from his arm. He would keep her grounded with his boot on her chest. Kaya would rather face hyenas then go toe-to-toe with a master. Her own mentor would have done the same, only he would leave Mark's and bruises upon her skin.
"Do not make a fetish out of cold metal, Hytham. Kaya, I know you want to protest. You should be reminded of what your mentor would say if he were to hear you speak. What matters is the mind of the one who wields it. Please, try it on." He motioned to Eivor. The tension was not going to disappear. Even if Basim allowed these things to happen, it would not mean Hytham and Kaya would willingly accept. What made Eivor worthy of the blade?
It took Kaya many years to earn hers. She was fifteen at the time, but she has been studying and training under her mentor since she was eight. Kaya would have laughed. To see the weapon being handed so easily. Even Sigurd was enjoying this spectacle with amused eyes. He was of no help as he made it worse.
Kaya's headache worsened. She wanted to scratch at her nose so desperately. The itch tingling in irritation for it to be scratched red and raw.
"The blade should ride on the underside of your arm. To conceal it from your target." Basim said. To prove a point, Basim raised his left arm. With the flick of his wrist, the sharp blade extended. Eivor and Sigurd were impressed by the working of the weapon.
"I have no wish to hide this. And I would not to make the same mistake as you three have." Evior looked upon Basim's hand. The missing finger that all three shared. A sacrifice that was necessary to wield the blade that was given to them. Kaya was not sure if Eivor was poking fun at their tradition or stating the obvious.
"I like it." It did not take much to impress the man. The weapon was easily used and reacted the way it should. Only, that it was used wrongly.
The black wolf forever chases the sun. The weapon he holds is an extension of his fangs.