A Son of Ice and Fire
A/N: This is a bit of a longer chapter and it's in a bit of a different style. I hope you enjoy it and any thoughts you have would be much appreciated :)
Chapter 13: On savage seas
Snotlout
The seas were choppy, but father's boat glided over the waves. The sun was large in the sky, yet the air was cold. I was standing right at the front of the ship, arms resting on the timber rails as the wooden rails joined to a point in front of me. Looking back there was nothing but ocean. The same on all sides except for a dot in a distance. Could be a boat. Could be a bird, doesn't really matter. The world was so large, so vast, and I had been locked away for too long. This was my chance. My chance to prove myself. Maybe then he'll believe me to capable and set me loose on the world. Give me my own ship, and men to sail it. I could sail for Lorath, or Qarth, or even Valyria. First, I need him to trust me on the water.
"Never a bad day on the seas for your father," Viggo sneered. He strolled over towards me, strutting like it was his ship we were on. I turned back to face the front when I felt his arm on my shoulder, "The perfect day for a family vacation." Viggo's two years younger than me, yet the ways he acts and talks is more like that of a man twice his age.
"Vacation huh, surprised you haven't thrown up yet, the seas have been rough the last few days." I snarled back.
"Snotlout. Snotlout. You know me. Do I look like someone who would be hunched over a bucket at the first sign of choppy seas?"
"Well I've never seen you off of land so I…" I was turning to face him, but jumped back at the sight of him. Viggo was dressed in his long black tunic and thick trousers protruding over his boots. The image of a red skull imprinted into his steel breastplate. He was a few inches shorter than me, but his helmet near leveled us. The helmet was curved in nature, split half and half vertically at the middle. Looking at it, the left was black steel matching his clothing, the right was painted in a deep red to match the sigil on his armour. A truly terrifying sight. Looked like a demon. Very fitting for someone like Viggo.
"Don't need to act so shocked, brother, I wouldn't even dream of hurting you." I couldn't see anything through the helmet except his dark eyes piercing through. But I didn't need to, to know that behind the helmet was Viggo's smug grin, relishing in another one of his triumphs.
"What in the seven kingdoms is that? Never seen anything like it."
"A personal design, I have expended a lot of resources and time to have had it made, and I would say the result is quite impressive." Viggo's grin emerged as he removed the helmet, holding it at his side as his thumb slowly caressed over the metal. In the full light, the extent of his scars was clear to see. The left-hand side of his face had severe burn damage, trickling down to his neck. His short black hair met at a point and a single scar was painted across his right cheek.
"I'd rather have a fancy weapon than a mask." I blurted out. It was obvious I was just a bit jealous, but I would still rather have an impressive weapon than an accessory. A weapon like my father's axe, that is a weapon to marvel in awe at.
"A weapon like this?" Viggo chuckled, unsheathing a beautifully fresh forged sword. Its hilt encrusted with jewels and the blade smooth and razor sharp. "It was a gift for my first voyage on Stormrider. Your dad said he'd have one made for you when we get back."
Viggo turned and walked away. The same confident, arrogant stride in his step. I clenched my fist in anger. How could dad do this to me? Give it to him instead of his own son. I will not have this.
"Oh, and one more thing," Viggo called back, "Your dad told me to get you. He needs a word with you."
Oh great, this can't be good. I looked out to sea once more, but now what was a dot in the distance is now someone heading straight for us. I clambered down to the main deck, as the wooden boards creaked under foot. Shuffling past the twenty or so men on the top deck, I made my way across the boat and under the large black sail. Father was at the back of the ship, laughing with his men. As I headed into view, he broke off and headed straight towards me. He grabbed me by the shoulders, spinning around to face the front of the ship, pointing to the ship in front.
"Now boyo, listen here and listen good. We are Ironborn, we are Jorgenson's. We pay the iron price and take what we want. That ship, you see it? That is now ours. It is our right to take it. We will take that ship. We will kill the men and take the women. We will take the gold, take the goods. It is ours and we will take it. I need you to know that. Don't let me down son. Don't let me down."
Ruffnut
"Wipe him off your list! Are you mad? There's only me and you, Tuff can't fight in his… condition. Maybe Yohann's men can fight, probably not. We can't kill thirty Ironborn, forty Ironborn on our own. You know that. You just saw what I did out of anger, don't let this happen to you. If you die, I will die. Tuff will die. What use is that risk just for a chance at vengeance."
"That chance may be the last one I get. I'm sure the seven or eight of us can beat back the Ironborn."
"Are you not listening to anything I have to…" The argument was abruptly stopped by the loud crashing sounds coming from below deck. We turned to find Yohann's crew, suited in a range of uniforms, most armoured, carrying weapons, from spears to dual swords, to crossbows. What the fuck is going on here? This is madness.
Yohann emerged last, shaking, and whispering nervously to himself. I walked up and grabbed his arm.
"Yohann what is going on here. What are these people doing?" I looked around to see the previously nonthreatening crew members seemingly setting up for battle and readying for the fight.
"This. This. This is. Is. My crew." I shot him a disapproving look
"Yohann get yourself together, it won't take the Ironborn long to get here. I need to know what we're getting into."
"Yes, my lady. Sorry my lady. This is not just my crew, this is my paid protection."
"Paid protection, as in sellswords?"
"Of a kind, my lady, the kind that wants to stop fighting, but have nowhere else to go. They have all suffered, lost their families, or have been forced to keep on the move to stop themselves getting killed. I offered them food, work, shelter, and in return they protect me and my wares from those who wish to steal it."
"Are they good?"
"Look around, my lady, we have a Westerosi knight, a Norvoshi priest. Even a Dothraki bloodrider. These people have been trained to fight for decades, and have put the weapons down, only to try to find some solace in the world. Believe me when I say that they are very capable. From ten or more pirate attacks, we have escaped unharmed, but the Ironborn aren't pirates. They were born for combat in the sea. I just hope we have enough. I don't. I don't want to die my lady."
"You won't. Just stay below deck. Stay with Tuff and I will be back. I promise you that."
"Farewell, Lady Thorston, may the Gods look over us." With that Johann scuttled back down into the ship.
I looked around to see the full extent of what we had to offer. I saw the man who must be the knight. Tall and shining in his body armour and helmet, wielding what must be a Valyrian steel sword. There were two female warriors, sparring with long spears. Looked like they were sisters. The other three men were preparing the crossbows. How had we lived on this boat for over a week and not even noticed. The odds weren't great, but we'd lived this long. This won't be the end. Not for me. Not for Tuff. Not the end.
A loud thud sounded as their ship rammed side on into us. Three walkways descended from the Ironborn ship and slammed down onto the deck. Immediately followed by the angry men charging across it. They must not have expected resistance as they seemingly ran care free across the planks. At least ten men must have fell to crossbow bolts before the Ironborn onslaught paused. A storm of flaming arrows rained down on us, as I hid under my shield. Yohann's golden sun sail was no aflame, as was the deck in several places. The arrows let the next wave of Ironborn manage to scamper across and onto the deck, rendering the crossbows useless. As the flood of men continued, battles raged across the deck. The Dothraki carved four men up with his curved blade. Fighting fearlessly and with no armour, but he was too agile for them. Cutting off limbs and slicing throats of the men faster than anything I've ever seen. The knight was brushing off the infantry charge with ease, throwing men overboard and back to the sea where they belong. Me and Dagur ran forward, easily dealing with the men. With only axes and weak shields, the Ironborn were not the most difficult of opposition. A loud scream was heard as the second wave of arrows fell. I looked to see one of the women had fallen, arrow in her eye. The other woman was screaming as she picked back up her spear, driving it through the eyes of each man who came at her. The wave of black washing upon us was nearly over, the Ironborn were dying fast now. Blood soaked the decks as the bodies piled up. Thank the lord this is nearly over.
Snotlout
"USELESS. ABSOLUTELY USELESS." Father yelled. "Right, you take the left, you take the right," pointing at two of his commanders, "Son, we're going to end this."
This was not how it was supposed to go. Twenty men we sent to take the ship and twenty men had died. I clambered up onto the central walkway behind father. His large frame blocking any view of the enemy. He held his axe in the air and screamed out.
"HERE COMES THE STORM!" Father yelled our house's words out in fury.
"HERE COMES THE STORM!" The men yelled back and then charged across and onto the ship.
I felt Viggo's hand on my shoulder, "Let's go brother. Let's go kill them."
My legs were shaking but I steadied myself, gripping the handle of my axe so tight I thought it would snap in two. I followed father across the plank to get a full view of the chaos ahead. Bodies were scattered around, the smell of blood and fire filled the air. The sail was burning, and the deck was scorched. Father leaped off the edge of the platform, sticking his axe deep into a man's skull. Dad landed with a thud. Looking around for the next target. I dropped down onto the deck, followed by Viggo. He just laughed, "Have fun brother, I know I will."
Screams whistled through the air, as men fell one by one. I snapped to the sound of clanging swords and I ran over to see one of father's commanders. I could only see his back, as sword on sword collided again and again. I saw the sword drop from his hand, as the other person's sword plunged through his heart. I drew my axe and charged. As his body fell, I was met with the eyes of a young woman. Probably late teens with long blonde knotted hair. She withdrew her sword and the man lay flat by her feet. She was cut in multiple places, but she didn't hesitate and charged back at me. I was good with an axe, but nowhere near as good as she was with the sword. We exchanged blow after blow. I heard from my dad that in battle you get this sort of adrenaline and you can fight forever. I didn't feel that. My arm was aching, my legs were numb, and I was losing ground with every swing. She swung once more, this time swiping the axe out of my hands and far out of my reach. I just stood there helpless. Was this it? Was this how I died?
Ruffnut
I was aching. Seven men I had killed, and this would be eight. As I held my sword pointed at the young man, I paused. I heard screams and I looked over to see two men open the hatch and run down into the lower decks. "TUFF." I shouted, if only to wake myself up and get running. The boy stood there helpless, unarmed, looking like he would rather be anywhere else than here. With one loud thud, my shield hit him in the nose, knocking him on his back, and then I ran. I had to kill two more men on the way, but I made it. I looked back at the carnage before I descended. The other woman had fell, a sword in her neck from a man in a two-colored helmet. The knight was fighting well. The Dothraki soldier charged at the largest Ironborn soldier, his curved blade swung swiftly into the man's chest. I saw the man laugh as the blade dug into the armour and snagged. How he laughed when he the man couldn't break the blade free, and how he laughed as he swung his axe decapitating him. I shuddered for a second, but quickly scampered down. It was close, but I got to the two men before they got to Tuff. With a sword through one's heart and a dagger in the other's necks, the two men fell in sync, falling forward and landing with a loud thud. I ran through the next doorway and into the room, to see Tuff sitting up, Dagur and Yohann at his side and the bodies of three Ironborn men piled up against the wall.
"I knew they would try to get below deck. He always sends them after the second wave. I saw them come down and followed them. How's it looking up there?" Dagur asked
"There are a few of us left, but most have fallen. It won't be long before they get down here." I replied
Dagur placed his helmet on, and picked up his sword, "Final stand it is then," he chuckled.
Loud screams above us stopped and there was silence.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't hold them off any longer." The knight came bounding through the door, blood oozing out from slots in his armour. "They're coming." He removed his helmet and slouched against the wall, regaining his balance. The room was spacious, but definitely not an ideal place for a fight. The three of us left Tuff and Yohann at the bed and headed towards the door, at least we could engage them where we had the best chance. As we grew closer, the sound of footprints bellowed, and shadows swept under the doorway. The door burst open and two figures burst through the door. One was the giant of a man I had seen earlier, the other was a short man, or woman, I couldn't tell. All I could see was the intimidating red and black helmet and expensive armour he was coated with. The man just looked at us and snarled, deciding who to attack first. The masked man simply stared at the knight, before charging towards him. Dagur didn't take his eyes off of the larger man, and charged sword in hand towards him. That must be Lord Jorgenson. I was in-between the two duels, and between all of them and Tuff. I saw the knight was slipping, his loss of blood greatly affecting his ability. The masked man struck him several times, piercing through the armour on multiple occasions. The knight dropped before I could even do anything. I heard a cold, quite voice come from behind the mask,
"Oh no, you can not die yet, no no no no no. Believe me you will not die today." He was still staring at the downed man, but soon snapped his glare to me. I was exhausted, but I needed to be there for Tuff. I fought with all my heart, but he was too good. Soon I found myself unarmed and pinned against the wall. I'm sorry Tuff. I'm sorry.
Snotlout
I was alive, but now alone on the deck. I saw father run down into the ship so that's the only place I can go. My whole body is shaking. I picked my axe back up and headed to the other side of the boat and down into the body. Through every doorway I was shaking at what I might find. I could see the end of the boat and the last door. It was already open, and I could hear the sound of metal crashing against each other. I dragged myself to the doorway, but couldn't even comprehend what I could see. To the left were three dead soldiers, to the right was a man in armour collapsed against the wall, blood dripping over the polished metal. At the back were two figures, trying to block themselves off from the violence. Viggo was pinning a girl against a wall, the same girl who had spared me earlier. But the thing, the only thing I could focus on was my father was being held, a knife at his throat. Viggo had noticed as well by now and was now holding the girl in the same position.
"LET GO OF HER NOW. OR HE DIES. YOUR LORD DIES RIGHT HERE. RIGHT NOW." The crazed man holding father was shouting at Viggo. But then I looked closer. Looked past the scars and the ridiculous hair. No that can't be. No. How? No no no. What? How?
"Dag?" I practically whimpered out, a sound so quiet I'm surprised it wasn't lost in the commotion.
He turned to face me, his blade still pressed to father's neck.
"Drop the knife Dag. Please. Drop the knife." I begged
"I can't do that Snot," I could see him fight the tears back, "I can't do that."
"Just drop the knife brother, we can work it out." I could see a slight shake in his hand before he regained control. I saw father's eyes widen in shock and his arms raise up into a defensive position, as if to surrender.
"Tell your monster to let go of her. LET HER GO NOW." Dag screamed.
"Viggo, drop the knife. DROP IT." I yelled. He didn't budge. "DROP THAT FUCKING KNIFE. NOW." Viggo reluctantly removed the Dagger from her throat but kept his sword pinned in her back.
"You are dead." Spitelout grimaced, "You should be dead."
"Yes father. I should be dead. But here I am, and here you are. Look at him, father," he yelled, as he pointed father towards me. "Believe me when I say this. If your son wasn't here, I wouldn't hesitate. He's the reason your blood isn't soaking into the floorboards right now." Dag kept his blade locked to father as he shunted him towards me, "Come Snotlout, looks like our family has a lot to discuss…"