Wiyar
She took the letter from Hytham with some hesitation in her hand. Recognizing the symbol of her mentor within the wax of the seal: a goat's head the color of purple and blue. Those colors were significant to her mentor. He had a purple and blue sash that was around his waist, but always covered by the leather belt. No one knew exactly what the colors mental to the older man, except for Kaya. It was a sad story that both had found comfort in each other because of the events. Kaya stared at the letter, unsure if she should open it as the memory of her childhood slowly faded. This must be of urgent news if she had received it from across the waters.
There had been unrest in Italy, as Muhammad II of Ifriqiya had several successful campaigns. The siege of Salerno had only happened the year before- which the Pope has taken notice, since the Arabs have been raiding Sicily. Her mentor was tasked to keep eyes upon Rome. Kaya not sure as to what secrets an ancient city had left, but if her mentor was tasked to such an unrest; she could only ask for his safety.
"How does one find their prey?" Her mentor's words echoed in her mind.
" They follow the lines left behind." She had said. She was confident that the boar was hiding in the marsh. He has taught her to keep her eyes on the obvious and search for the clues within. There was always something there; never hiding.
Hytham watched the young woman place the letter in one of her pockets. When it came to her mentor, Kaya acted different. She became more serious, as if he were next to her. Telling Kaya what to do next and where to go. Hytham respected her mentor because of his status among the Hidden Ones. A man dangerous, but gentle towards Kaya.
His granddaughter. Hytham thought as Kaya walked past him in silence. The events of earlier forgotten and replaced with the hunter: Kaya.
"We should walk towards their campsite. Though, Eivor had ransacked the area, he could have missed something that even his sight could not see. His gods wasted such a gift on a brute." She seethed with venom in her voice. The mention of Eivor had brought out an animalistic anger inside of Kaya.
Walking along the snow-covered trail, the cold chill had run up her spine; sending a shiver through her body. Kaya was trying her hardest not to be come hostile. This feeling inside of her was the fault of that damned man! So special was Eivor, his gods granted him sight. They granted him a guide. They granted him strength and valor.
But his eyes. His eyes remind you of the wolf that stands upon the mountain. Blood dripping from his fangs. The white wolf that is close to dying. The three brown wolves. The raven. She seethed in pain from her thoughts. Hytham could see the pained look upon her face. As much as Kaya wants to hide behind a cold façade, he could clearly see through her mask.
"His gods could choose who they deem worthy and we cannot interfere, except guide. Eivor has many doubts of our purpose. I have seen it within his eyes and how he talks. You, Kaya, only see your anger without trying to reason." Hytham continued to watch Kaya as they neared the camp sight. The sound of a dog barking in the distance could be heard.
"Defending him will not make the matter better, Hytham. Do you plan on letting him into our world, because Mentor Basim has given him a glimpse? Men like him were born for war, not knowledge and understanding." Kaya could defend her reasons until she turned red in the face. As much as her head was splitting in half, the more she thought of Eivor becoming one of the Hidden Ones, his image became one with the black wolf.
The large beast lunged towards the brown wolf, with his fangs digging into her fur. She yelped out in pain, feeling her skin being ripped open. He threw the wolf to the side. The brown wolf was in the way of his brother.
The white wolf struggled to stand up to defend himself. He baring his fangs towards the black wolf: his brother.
"You will compromise the brotherhood, because you do not see a warrior as an equal?" Hytham countered. To see the pained look in Kaya's face had softened his heart a little. He had always cared for the young woman, but sometimes Kaya was just too stubborn.
Her fists clenched, then released. How long would she stay jealous of things that were far beyond her control? Those with the gift could lead the Hidden Ones to further victory. She could fight her anger all day long, but the truth of the matter was that Eivor was going to be a part of their journey. The only question was, who was going to be his guide?
If Haytham was being truthful; which he always is, Eivor already had doubts.
"Mentor Ishmeal had taught me that those who want to seek truth will find it. The Hidden Ones never reveal their secrets to those who no nothing. Maybe you would not be so confident in my wrath, Hytham." She walked further away from him. Her vision was becoming blurry with each step that she was swaying just a little. In order to keep her from falling, Hytham quickened his steps to keep in pace with Kaya.
Their task of finding scouts seemed to be delayed. If there was going to be an attack, now would have given the enemy an opportunity. The while village would be up in flames. Hytham kept his senses open to any possibility of an attack. They could not be vulnerable right now.
"I am the only one to stand in front as you rain hellfire, Kaya. Have the dreams been as bad as you say, for you grow in irritation the longer you keep it within." Kaya almost stumbled upon some rocks hidden underneath the snow. The hill leading up to the camp was not too far. Her mind could not be so muddled right now. There was still danger ever present and soon, it seems, that there will be blood.
Hytham placed his hand on the small of Kaya's back. He could feel her back moving up and down from her breathing. Kaya slightly tensed up from the contact.
"If it makes you happy, Hytham. Eivor may be the black wolf that haunts me and the raven is the same as the one in my dream." Her shoulders slumped just slightly. She looked over her shoulder to see her friend contemplating what to say next. Kaya was not even sure if this was true herself, but his eyes. Eivor's eyes were the same color; had the same detail of the black wolf. What little expression she has seen him make were like the black wolf.
"Since we have arrived here, I could not help but think of the dream. Each night it becomes real. It is tearing apart my skull, Hytham. I feel that this journey will kill me, because the way Eivor looked at me was the same as the black wolf." The smoke from the fire pit reaches the sky. The bodies of the dead scouts untouched by nature. Their bodies stiff and cold, soon to be buried and the camp itself would be burned.
Soon, all of Fornburg would see the flames and smoke.
In all the doubt, Kaya was not sure if what she said was true.
With the sun hiding behind the clouds, they walked to the outer edge of the village. Both Hytham and Kaya had not spoken a word about their conversation at the scout camp. Hytham seeing it best to leave Kaya to her thoughts as he tried to come to understanding of her revelation.
They had buried the bodies of the scouts. Leaving them in unmarked graves to feed the land with their flesh. The camp was set aflame by a simple torch. Kaya had watched the flames grow until it consumed what it needed. During that time, she had asked about the seer. Why she never gotten the chance to meet them?
Hytham only said that he and Mentor Basim had asked for an audience with the seer before meeting Sigurd at the docks. Mentor Basim was Basim first to wake before Hytham, though he was not sure why. Mentor Basim always kept secrets.
Kaya was bothered by this, but said nothing further. When the time comes to see the seer of Fornburg, she would have to continue waiting.
They continued their task of searching for more scouts, only to come up empty handed. Three men and nothing more, but it did not sit right with either Hytham or Kaya. Could more be hiding in plain sight or further into the unforgiving wilderness? Kjotve could not be this careless as to send three scouts to spy.
She went to one knee, touching the cold ground with her fingers. Observing the disturbed grass that was covered with snow. Kaya had eyes of a hunter, searching for her prey that could have made these footprints hours or days ago. Her mentor is an expert tracker and with his gift, had given Kaya the tools she needed to find other scouts that could have gone by unnoticed.
Hytham watched the young woman closely. He has seen her this serious, with eyes focused on the road ahead. Fornburg seemed to be much larger than she had expected. There was a long road, leading up to the mountains. She looked over her shoulder to make sure that Hytham was not too far behind her. Their eyes met for a moment, a sure glance that she wanted to go where the road was leading.
Fornburg was safe, for the moment. Not one scout had been seen, but it would seem that there was something catching Kaya's attention.
"What do you see?" Hytham asked.
Kaya wanted to walk further up the road. Something was calling to her up the mountain where the snow was deeper and colder. The peak reaching the heavens as it were covered by the clouds. She reached inside of her pocket, to feel the letter within it. The smooth material against her fingertips seemed to have brought her comfort. Her mind was in distress and after having told Hytham of what her dreams could mean, Kaya wanted the comfort of her mentor. Ishmeal would give her words to ease her heart.
Grandfather, I am lost. She thought to herself.
The eagle soars to the mountains.
The cry of an eagle overhead caused both Hytham and Kaya to look to the sky. They knew this eagle to be a messenger of Basim, for when he needed a letter to be sent as urgent, he could always rely on an eagle. Kaya thought it strange that a bird not native to the land had found its way to them.
Hytham extended his arm for the eagle to land. The bird swooped down, perched upon his leather braces arm with a small message tied to its leg. It had been many hours since Basim left with Eivor and Sigurd to burn Knottfall to the ground in retaliation of Kjotve's attempt at ambush.
"We are to set for Florli. There is a long ship for us." Hytham stated, moving his arm to set the eagle free to claim the sky.
"Seems it was a successful battle. One step closer to your target." Kaya smiled gently. The worries she had felt before, were gone when she felt the embrace of her friend. It had been so long since she had comfort. Kaya almost forgot what it felt like to have a simple gesture of embrace being given to her. Focused now, the two shadows went back to the village where a long ship awaited them to take them to Florli.
Author's Note
Ah! Do not worry my EivorRandvi lovers out there, I do not plan on having romance between Eivor and Kaya. I don't think many of you are liking the idea. I have something planned for them both that will not get me pitched forked out of fanfiction. In the beginning, I was not planning on the two to even see romance in each other anyhow. I think the romance is rather obvious for Kaya on who she would end up with, but if you have any suggestions on a character, you believe could use some exposure, I would love to hear some of your ideas.
Everyone deserves a chance at companionship.
The reason I want to hear suggestions is because I want to hear what you all have to say. I was never one to go for the male lead anyhow. Also, I suck at the romance thing.
Thank you to those who are following and favorited the story. Sorry for my long absence. I will continue to update every Saturday or Sunday. If you get lucky, I will post two chapters. Be on the lookout for them.
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To the guest who hasn't played Valhalla yet, play it. I actually find it fun to play, but that's my opinion.