Howls the Black Wolf
"Use caution, Kaya. Your movements must be silent." He said to her.
Kaya's black eyes focused on the straw dummy. Her knees bent- camouflaged to blend in with the tall grass. Her mentor to the right of her, watching closely at his student. The young girl took a gulp, nervous at having to strike at an object made to look like a person. Something not living or breathing. Its body still, yet, Kaya knew that eventually, she would have to stalk her target. She would have to push aside the morals of taking a human life.
"You hesitate. The enemy will not think twice about killing you, man or woman." Kaya moved slowly towards the dummy. Her left arm extended out to the side of her. Wrist ready to release the blade that was underneath her sleeve. "When you cannot use sight, use your ears. Listen to the footsteps. Listen to voices.
She was now close enough to the dummy to attack. She still kept low; the blade extended out from the flick of her wrist. Kaya took in a deep breath before she jumped out. Tackling the dummy to the ground with the blade deep inside of her targets neck. If it were a real person, the blade would had severed the spine. Her target would be paralyzed. Then, her target would be dead.
"You still hesitate Kaya. The enemy would have seen you. He would have alerted the others. What would have happened if you were surrounded by ten armed men?" He stood tall against the grass. His graying beard reached down to his chest. Eyes the color of obsidian watched his student stand up straight. Her shoulders slumped and body shaking. He walked towards the young girl, finding words in his head to comfort her.
"I would be dead. Escaping ten armed men is suicide. I… I will do better, mentor." Kaya said. Her eyes looking to the dummy. Stinging tears in her eyes threatening to fall.
"This is why we train. Mistakes are learned. They are perfected. Someday, you will be in my place. Mentoring a novice to become ideal." He placed his large hand on her tiny shoulder. The many years of training Kaya, he had seen every emotion. He knows her every tick, even the scratching at her nose has become a bad habit. In time, her nose would be scarred with light lines. Such a habit had to be broken, but he could not break Kaya of it.
The young girl wiped away her tears. Flustered for crying and not fixing her mistakes. If Hytham were to see her cry, he would never let her live it down. She has made many mistakes in her training, but the one task she seems to be hesitant on is killing. Kaya knew she was ready to received her first mission. She was an eager student who wanted to please her mentor. He was a tough teacher, but he cared for the young girl.
"Why do you still cry, Kaya? We can start over, but your mind would be distracted. Come, let us meditate to clear your thoughts child." He ushered her away from the straw dummy. The figure laying in the dirt- a hole in its neck. Kaya nodded her head, keeping her eyes towards the ground. She was upset to speak. This is not how she wanted things to turn out. She has studied hard. She has trained until her muscles gave out. There would be days were she and her mentor would be away for weeks. Studying under him, the targets he was hunting.
The older man may have had the appearance of an elderly man, but he was strong and fit underneath his robes. The fine lines that defined his face, showed hardship; to Kaya, some days he showed kindness.
"We train, to perfect. Always remember that, my dear Kaya." He placed his hand on top of her head. Causing the young girl to smile. The tears fell from her cheeks. As long as her mentor saw promise in her, Kaya would not fail.
She had her arms crossed over her chest. Watching Eivor trying to perfect his technique with the hidden blade. Basim walked by Eivor's side. Trying to drill perfection and teaching into someone who was used to savage brutality; the poise of silence. Hytham's displeasure of Eivor would fade in time. Kaya could accept this easily if she wanted to, but she could not.
Not yet, at least.
It would take her a little longer to accept Eivor. Seeing him get a little experience with straw dummies was different then hunting the prey they have been assigned. They must learn their movements. They must learn their habits. Months of studying could one day lead them on the mission to take the life of their target. Kaya was not sure why, but seeing him move reminded her of the black wolf.
Moving low to the ground, where his prey would be unaware of his presence. Large black paws could feel the earth beneath. His large ears hearing his prey breathe.
Blue eyes.
"You are displeased." Sigurd said.
Kaya turned her attention to the man beside her. Displeased, he had said. Kaya was not sure what to feel right now. Should she still continue to be angry at the circumstances that presented itself? If she was to be blinded over something so little, she would be no better than those she is trying to hunt. The blade is scared, yes, but Kaya could not accept it yet. What is Basim trying to prove by teaching Eivor the proper ways of using the blade? Is he hoping that Eivor would join the creed?
"I do not know what to feel, Prince Sigurd. My judgement has been cloudy as of late, for the sun does not clear the skies. Hytham's displeasure would pass quickly, but my own… it would take getting used to an idea that I pray mentor Basim is not forming." Kaya said. The same ideals must be bonded first before acceptance. The Hidden Ones takes those who believe in their cause- giving them food, shelter, clothing- a brotherhood of a bond. Kaya has grown up in such a place, where she has made many bonds with those who were taught by the creed.
Turning her attention back to Eivor, her mind was a blurry mess. She could see the large black wolf within him. Taking form in a man, then changing back to his four-legged beast. Kaya shook her head, trying to rid herself of the image. What was Eivor to the black wolf?
Blue eyes.
"He is not as bad as I have made him out to be, Kaya. Give him time, he will understand. Maybe you will come around and enjoy his company." He teased with his elbow nudging her shoulder. He noticing how Kaya stared at his brother. Her eyes moving with Eivor as he took down a straw dummy. Sigurd wanted to ease a bit of tension within the young woman.
Watching Eivor hide in the tall grass. His broad shoulders and frame made him stand out if one was not observant. They had to be silent on the hunt. Their eyes had to be focused. They must observe their surroundings before they strike. One false move, the ones who hide in the shadows become the hunted.
Sigurd couldn't hold back a laugh. Kaya, on the other hand, found nothing funny about it. As much as she respected the prince, his attitude over certain situations were a bit strange. She has seen Sigurd become serious and often times, he was a talkative fellow. He commanded his warriors with a firm authoritative hand, which they followed. His men would go to war with a simple command. Sigurd could easily make allies and friends.
"What you plan within your head, prince Sigurd, best not be spoken too loud. Mentor Basim may not like your idea and I will not defend you if you dare speak of your thoughts." Kaya warned, though she was not sure if what he was thinking or suggesting was the same as what she was thinking. Even is Sigurd was only jesting, Kaya had no thoughts of enjoying the company of men. Sigurd quietly laughed at the expression upon her face. Making sense of what he was implying, but only in a humorous kind of manner.
Always the serious one. He thought, making a mental note to tease and fluster the young woman about his brother.
"I did not mean offense, Kaya. My words are only to humor you. I know that it has not been easy to accept my brother, but in time he will understand. Eivor is only cautious of the ideals. There is reason for why I have given him the gift." Kaya felt her headache grow worse. Why she bothered to follow these men outside was just her stubborn nature. Sigurd could see the pained look in her eyes. Since meeting Kaya- through Basim and another man he never got the chance to have his name- the young woman was distant at first. Full of fire when confronted, skilled with the sword, and silent with the blade. Her mentor was a quiet man with a long graying beard. He was a tall man, really brutish, yet, gentle and kind towards Kaya.
It was like watching father and daughter saying their farewell. Kaya hugging the man and he patting her back.
"Reason is all everyone ever says to me. How irritating." She said, scratching at her nose. "We have trained. We have learned. You understand our ideals. It takes years to understand, while I know you have much love and respect for your brother, I cannot stand by on the idea of him coming to understanding. He would need to be mentored. He would need… he would need truth."
She sighed heavily. Not being the need to scratch at her nose, Kaya did not want to feel angry. She did not want to feel jealous of Eivor being chosen so easily without a fight. Where she and Hytham trained young to be guided to where they are now, the man being trained would have an idea planted in his mind.
"There is someone who may help with the answers you seek. It is not so hard to see the troubles you try to hide." Kaya gave a side eyed glance to the prince. With Basim and Hytham focused on Eivor, Kaya wanted nothing to do with the man's training. Talking to Sigurd was like talking to Basim. One could easily talk to them with direct approach without fear of being ridiculed. Kaya had always found talking to Sigurd to be calming, except for this very moment.
"Should all know of what troubles me or do I wear it on my face?" She questioned, rather irritably. The night chill growing colder. Eivor just now finishing his training.
"No need to feel offended, Kaya. I know a troubled mind can cause a failure to your creed. Basim sought it best for you to get your answers. Our seer can interpret what you have seen. Trust me, as you have trusted your comrades this far." Sigurd placed a hand on the young woman's shoulder. Reassuring her, making her anger cease.
Kaya slumped her shoulders; it seems lately she has been doing the action rather frequently. Scratching at her nose and slumped shoulders would make her out to be a strange person if one did not know her tendencies. Inside, she had to agree with Sigurd. This seer he speaks of, better be all they are made put to be.
Basim and Hytham looked towards them. Eivor walking towards Sigurd; a feeling of accomplishment upon his face. Kaya closed her eyes for a moment, reflecting on all that has happened. The chill creeping up her spine. Tomorrow would be a better day, she thought. Only, the sky was filled with uncertainty.
The Next Day
Kaya tossed and turned on her mat. Her fingers twitching- clutching at the fur blanket over her body. She was breathing heavily, gasping out haggard breathes. Her lips trembled uncontrollably, mumbling incoherent words. Her brows knotting, eyes shifting left and right. Night after night, the dream comes to her.
Wolf.
Black wolf.
Blue eyes.
White wolf.
Brown wolf.
Brown wolf.
The mountain top spills blood.
She gasped loudly with open eyes. Her heart was racing hard against her chest. The fur blanket making her body hot. She pushed it aside, feeling the cool air go from the tips of her toes, up through her spine. She shivered lightly from the tension within her body. Her muscles twitched and ached.
Wearing the robes loosely, Kaya searched frantically for her armor; for her blade. Her hair was disheveled that some strands of her black curls were sticking to her face. Waking up in such a manner was a hindrance to her morning routine.
Again. I just need it to stop. She thought to herself. Closing her eyes, Kaya took a moment t to regain her thoughts. Her head felt as if it were splitting in two. Fighting the dream to stop its torment, yet, her mind could never dream of something else. Never dreams of pleasant lands or things that children often imagined. Kaya has always had the same dream.
She rubbed her temples, putting pressure on the throbbing veins. She clenched her teeth from the pain. Never any peace it seems. The dreams are getting worse. Vivid, but worse. Since yesterday, her headaches became more painful. Her mood has soured. Her focus on the mission was becoming a distraction from what she was meant to do. Her mentor would be disappointed if he were to see her in such a state.
Kaya decided that she needed to clear her thoughts. Dressing properly for the biting cold morning chill, she stepped outside to the sound of silence. She wanted to wake Hytham and Basim, but she knew they were awake. The mats that they were laying on were empty. All their belongings were packed neatly. She questioned why they did not wake her, but she would ask them at a later time. Her thoughts were running wild and she wanted to calm them.
The morning sky was opening up to the sun. The smell of the shore not too far away wafted up to her nose. The cold chill of the morning caused Kaya to shiver. With her mind trying to ease, Kaya noticed something. Her senses tingled with the sign of danger.
Something did not feel right.
Kaya found a pile of logs and began to scale up to the roof. Surveying the land, seeing the freshly falling snow cover the roofs of many of the houses to the ground covering footprints. All seemed quiet, even the birds did not fly. Kaya found this all too strange that she looked to the sky to see a lone black raven flying high.
A lone raven. The flashing image of the black wolf snarled loudly. Large fangs shown through a snarl from his snout. Kaya scaled back down to the ground. Her heart was racing wildly, as if her body was following the raven to the black wolf. Through the quiet village, the fresh snow crunching beneath her boots. Her lungs burning with the cold wind of the mountain.
The raven guides the black wolf. Kaya followed the raven up some slopes. Behind the longhouse, finding a dead body. Stopping for a moment to inspect the dead warrior, Kaya could see that he died quickly. The hole in his neck indicating that it was made by a blade. One she knew all too well.
Continuing on, she went further up the slopes. There were footprints indented within the snow. One pair of tracks. Two pairs of tracks. Three pairs of tracks. Heavy boots she noted, when she looked up, she saw a black figure crouching low. His left arm outstretched, walking slowly within the tall grass that seemed to lead between some large rock formations.
She followed him; close enough to not be caught. The sound of his boots crunching the snow beneath his feet did not make the same noise as her own footing. Kaya knew to keep her breathing in rhythm to the wind. To keep low to the ground, only hunching her back when moving slowly. Her eyes were focused on the man in front of her. Recognizing the person as Eivor.
He must have sensed something wrong. She thought as she saw him take down two men with ease. He was silent, only getting their attention with a whistle. A tactic that is used to get a guard's attention. His kill was swift with the blade finding its target. The guards did not have a chance to attack or defend themselves.
"I knew I was being followed." Eivor said as he turned his attention to an extra pair of footsteps behind him.
Kaya stood tall- keeping her eyes to his feet. She knew that if she looked into his eyes, she would see the black wolf standing before her. Blue eyes would stare at her with caution. He would circle her, sniffing at her to make sure she posed no threat to him. She clenched her fists to keep her mind from trying to look into his eyes.
"Three scouts on a mission. Lurking in the shadows, only to be found by the raven. Guiding you to them. Killing with the blade, as it is intended to be used." She took a deep breath and looked up. Seeing his blue eyes watching her stand in the tall grass. The wind gently blowing each blade of grass and her robes. The hood over her head had captivated Eivor with curiosity; the shape of an eagle's beak.
The bodies of the two men lay bleeding out. Their last breaths taken from them by the force of the blade in their necks. Facing each other, black eye staring into blue. Kaya was struck by the image of the black wolf. Staring at her with curiosity, changing back to that of Eivor. The campsite nothing more than one tent and a fire burning in the early morning light.
Kaya urged her mind to keep calm. What she was seeing was the lack of sleep. Her mind wanted to see Eivor as the black wolf. But those eyes…
"These men are Kjotve's scouts. They mean to observe Fornburg and send word to him. I happen to be the one to notice. It would seem you know as well, seeing you have followed me." Kaya's ears perked up at the name of Hytham's target. Kjotve was known as a cruel man. Spreading his terror all throughout the land. Claiming land and killing without a second thought. Kjotve needed to die in order to end his reign of terror, but what Eivor did not know was that Kjotve was a target among the Hidden Ones.
Author's Note
As I have said before, I will be updating g every Saturday or Sunday. It all depends on my schedule. Hopefully everyone is staying safe, washing their hands, and being healthy. To those in school, hopefully this summer will not be such a bummer. To the graduates, welcome to the world of adulting!
Guest 1: I will keep everything you have said in mind about choosing all the good choices. On my first play through, I was going in blind. I find it fun to expect the unexpected.
Guest 2: Again, I will do my best to keep the good choices. Sigurd is a favorite character of mine and I would hate to have him and Eivor duke it out.
Guest 3: Thank you for loving this story. I hope you continue to love it as we continue on this long and treacherous journey.