Chapter 10. Ideas and Mistakes
Two Weeks later.
The supply wagons were being tightened down as William walked them, inspecting them as he went noticing any lose holes or rope needing fastened and worked them before he continued. Emily walked up to him in full armor, carrying her helmet in one hand and looked at William.
"remind me how this will work?" William looked to the side, seeing Kastumoto and Sayroi tying down pieces to their horses before they saddled up and looked over to him.
"I managed to gain allies in my time in the Myre, Kastumoto agreed he'll let us pass through his lands and they'll support us through the fights in the Myre to Hallowed Bastion" William tightened down a latch on of the horses as Emily placed one of her hands on Williams forearm.
"how can we trust them?" William moved his hand to hers and looked at her in the eye.
"because they trust me, do you?" Emily nodded as she squeezed his hand and looked at him in the eyes. "all I ask is for a little faith" Gregor walked up to William and Emily and looked over to Himura and some more of Kastumoto's men.
"well, we should be loaded up, and we should connect with the main force of Kastumoto's forces when we reach the Outskirts of the Myre" William nodded as he looked to Gregor and Emily and broke contact between him and Emily.
"I'll make sure they're good to go" Gregor and Emily both nodded as William began to move over to Katsumoto and Sayori when a voice broke his concentration.
"Wolf, I need you for a moment" William looked up, seeing Holt at the light tower looking at him. William nodded and sighed as he made his way up the stairs seeing Holt reading a note by the bonfire.
"Holt, Commander of the capital gates leading to the west forges. I must reach you in regard to the manner of a certain individual meaning William of Bru" William looked at him with a small hint of concern. "it is under the impression that he is currently an enemy of the state and under the rules set in place with the Black Priors and the council. You must turn him over to the order effective Immediately, we will have Cyrus Krane coming to your location to collect him, Regards Irzabeth, leader of the Black Priors" William crossed his hands and looked at Holt who looked at him. "to be honest, I'm surprised Irzabeth is still alive, it's been what sixty years since Vortiger passed and even then, she must've been at least forty at the time" William smirked as Holt tossed the note in the fire and looked at William.
"I still think she's a part of some mythical lizard race that lives for hundreds of years" Holt laughed as he shook his head.
"you know I need to report to her saying you're not gonna be here" William nodded as he walked up to him.
"are we set?" Holt nodded as he tossed the note into the fire.
"yes, I've called in most men I could and most favors for you, four full regiments of infantry and three garrisons of archers" William smiled and scoffed at the sound. "sounds like you have an army on your hands"
"I'd say so, and at four thousand men that's a good force to bring to Ivar's doorstep.
"how many men are in his horde?" William scratched the side of his face and looked down to the trees.
"at least five thousand heads, and I'm worried that number has grown, but not all of them are at the bastion"
"with the four thousand and however many your meeting up with, I'd say that's a force to trifle with" William nodded before he looked at Holt.
"in the past four weeks I've been here, I must say you've become somewhat of a good friend. Holt smiled and held out his hand as William took it and shook it for a good moment.
"do you have a plan?" William nodded as he took his hand back and looked over to the side seeing the wagons in the overhead.
"yes, I just hope it'll work" Holt placed his hand on William's shoulder.
"for all of you, I hope so" William nodded as Holt took his hand off and walked to the ledge. William walked down the steps and over to Kastumoto, seeing Sayori was gone.
"are we set?" Katsumoto nodded as he put his cloak on and readied himself on his horse. "it's a long journey to the docks, are you sure your up for it" Kastumoto smiled as William got on his own horse.
"I took the journey from Kazan; I'm prepared to go there and back again when we're done" William held out his hand as they clashed wrists before William's horse reared back. "we're ready when you are" William nodded as he looked to Emily and Gregor who took to the saddle as well as the train of wagons and carts left the stronghold with a full Garrison following them.
"we're meeting up with the main force in two days on the way to the borders of the myre, from there we head to the shore line and to the boats, how many did you say you have ready by the time we'll get there?" Katsumoto smiled as he looked forward to the forest.
"we have eighty-nine ready to sail with fifty more well on the way to finished" William smiled as they began heading into the forest.
"let's deal with this son of a bitch" Katsumoto smiled as he took off into the forest before William hurried his horse and took off after him. Gregor and Emily looked at Each other as they stayed with the carts as Sayori came up from behind on horseback and rode next to them.
Emily rode silent as she placed her helmet on her head and trod on ahead as Gregor stayed back.
"interesting" Gregor looked at Sayori, looking at the white mask on her face as she looked at him. "I'm sorry we haven't met yet, Gregor of Shire" Sayori looked at him and nodded as she noticed the man in front of her.
"Sayori Takamore" Gregor smiled as he pointed to Emily who was now a full two feet away from them.
"the warden in front of us is Emily Relauned"
"a pleasure" Gregor smiled as he looked at her and forward. "it's going to be a good few months on the road before we reach Valkenhiem, I think it would be a good opportunity to at least make some new allies" Gregor nodded as he looked back to her.
"agreed" Gregor held out his hand and waited until Sayori extended her own until they were both locked wrists for a good solid minute before they disengaged. "how well do you know William anyway; I can't imagine that you have much experience with the man" Sayori smirked under the mask and looked over to Gregor.
"I needed his help when you all escaped from the coastline" Gregor nodded as he looked over to the direction William galloped away in and looked over to Gregor. "I've grown quite fond of him"
"as an ally?" she shook her head as Emily broke her horse into a full gallop.
"as a friend" Sayori looked to the road before the whole wagon train began to take off for the trees and soon on its way to Valkenheim.
A month later.
William woke up looking at the tent roof and took a deep breath before he looked to his side and saw Emily fast asleep with her head resting on the left side of his chest. William looked at the roof of his tent and ran a hand through a longer slick of hair before he gently moved Emily's arm off his chest and carefully moved out of bed to the side where he slid on his pants and boots and stepped out to a camp still sleeping as the sun hasn't risen. William cracked his neck and looked around in the camp, the campfires bare and smoking with no one around, any guard at post fighting the sleep they wanted as he stretched and dove back into his tent for the shirt laying on the ground near the bed.
William grabbed the shirt as the bed rustled, getting him to look up seeing Emily groan and look at him for a moment.
"where are you going?" William sat onto the bed as he threw his shirt on and squeezed her hand.
"I cant sleep, taking a walk around the camp" Emily nodded as she rested her head on the pillow and let his hand go as he tucked his shirt into his trousers, before he walked out of the tent again. The night was cold for the edge of Ashfield, they had been there for a week waiting for the bulk of the forces Holt's allies promised any moment and they could arrive but all they could do is wait for them and they can move in right after that. William walked the edges of camp, hearing the Cicadas and crickets as he watched the fireflies when he stopped and smiled as he held out a hand, getting one of them to land on his hand.
"when I was young, I was told stories about how the fireflies are the spirits of the fallen, trying to either warn people of danger, or how they also give guidance or hope" he turned around as the firefly flew off and joined the others as he looked behind him seeing Sayori standing behind him in a kimono, with her hair flowing and her mask preventing him from seeing her face.
"my mother told me the same kind of stories" Sayori took a step closer to William as he smiled and took his own steps.
"I must say, despite that we haven't spoken in a few months, I'm relived to see you" Sayori nodded as William stopped a few feet away from her. Sayori took another step as William held up his hand. "you should know" Sayori chuckled as she untied her mask and tied it around her waist and looked at him
"I figured you and your friend Emily have grown close, she doesn't shy away from her feelings towards you" William nodded as the smile dropped from his face and looked at her. Sayori stepped closer as she slowly reached her hand up and took William's before she intertwined her fingers with his and placed her forehead to his. "is it wrong to say while I don't wish to upset her, i would rather that to the alternative?" William shook his head and closed his eyes as he squeezed her hand. "than it would be wrong to do this" Sayori took her hands and slid them up to his neck and face as she took ahold of his lips with hers, moaning in his mouth as he moved his arms to her waist. William felt her tongue slide into his mouth getting him to squeeze her hips before she hiked her legs up and wrapped them around his waist. William felt her bare legs as he moved over to a tree as he carefully pinned her to the tree moving his kisses down her cheek, then her jaw and to her neck as she bit down on her lip stifling the moan as William moved his hands down her legs and slid them into the kimono placing his hands slowly on her ass getting a nod in agreement before he squeezed her ass cheeks getting another moan from her before they both stopped when they heard metal footsteps approaching. William lowered her as she took the mask and slid it on, flattening her hair out in the process as William took several steps back until he was about seven feet away.
"William? Wolf are you around here?" Sayori looked to the right and quickly returned to camp as William silently cursed when Gregor walked out of the thicket and saw William leaning against a tree looking at the fireflies. He walked up to William and leaned on the opposite side.
"having trouble sleeping Gregor?"
"not this time, Emily got me up when she woke up…looking for you" William looked over to Gregor as he nodded and moved from the tree. "why are you awake wolf? Dawns still a few hours off" William sighed as he rubbed his eyes.
"yeah, I know, I know… I can never sleep when somethings on my mind" Gregor looked at him as William ran a hand through his hair, tying up the loose strands on the side getting them in a small pony tail save for a few strands that gently moved in the breeze.
"you want to talk about it?"
"its not important at the moment" Gregor nodded as a firefly flew close to his face before he landed on a branch close by.
"that, and Emily's looking for you" William scoffed as he crossed his arms.
"aye, that too. Let's get back before she raises the army looking for us" Gregor laughed as got off the tree and followed William back to camp. Emily sat at fire as William walked up seeing her as she gave him a sleepily smile.
"I thought you were sound sleeping?" Emily smiled as she took his hands in hers.
"I woke up and you weren't there, and I got nervous" William smirked and nodded as he looked to the left seeing Sayori walking out of her tent for a moment as she poured a cup full of hot water. William watched for a moment as he knew despite the mask, she was looking right at him. Emily squeezed his hands catching his attention as she smiled and closed the small distance between them as Sayori walked back in her tent. "lets go back to the bed, I have an idea that could get you to get to sleep" William felt her hands slide onto his ass as he looked around seeing no one around, as she took his hands and walked into the tent.
Sayori walked into her tent and took off her mask letting her hair fall over her face as tears began to well up as she walked back over to her beddings and buried herself in the sheets.
A few days later.
William sat at a fire close by to his tent sharpening his blade with a whetstone as Gregor and Katsumoto walked close by with an enormous buck tied to a branch between them.
"William, can you give us a hand with this?" William looked up and nodded as he sheathed his sword as it hung from his side, moving slightly with each step as they walked to a table. Gregor cut the ropes and sprawled the deer out as William took out a dagger and slammed it into the table closeby. Sayori walked out into the open seeing William roll up the sleeves on his grey shirt before he took the knife and plunged it into the body when a scout rode up to them and dismounted hastily.
William stopped the movement as the scout placed his hand to his chest and bowed, William mimicked the movements but looked down and noticed the blood he got on his shirt and rolled his eyes for a moment.
"sir, I have scout reports on some of the keeps along the coastline" William nodded.
"what about them?"
"three of them reported the bulk of the main forces have fled, however one of them has had no activity lately as the bridge leading into the keep was destroyed" William stood up straight as he looked to his left seeing Sayori and Emily speak for a moment before Sayori left in a hurry, he shook his head focusing on the scout again.
"no activity?"
"well there was some for a moment as a small force came by for a day and left in a hurry leaving those inside" William walked to the small bowl full of water and washed the blood off his hands before he took a rag and wiped his hands. Gregor placed his hand on the table getting Williams attention.
"if we take those back, we can cut off reinforcements, not a whole lot but it will do something to him. William nodded as he placed his hand on the scout's shoulder before he walked to his tent. "do we have a plan?" William turned around but kept walked to the tent.
"possibly, get your gear and get around fifty men to ride, I have a plan to see something for myself" William walked over to Emily who tuned her attention to him. "I need you to get on a horse and wait for the others"
"of course, is something wrong?" William shook his head and looked off to the direction Sayori walked off too.
"where is Sayori?" Emily placed her hand on his shoulder getting him to focus back on her, William took her hand from his face and looked back to the direction. "meet with Gregor by the horses"
"why do you need to know where she is?" William sighed and rubbed his eyes.
"she's coming, I need her help" Emily shook her head as she stood still. "this isn't up for debate Emily" William gave her a stern look as she was about to open her mouth but stopped herself and walked away in a huff. William walked the path he saw Sayori take looking for her.
"Sayori?" the forest stood quiet as he continued to walk when he heard footsteps. "Sayori?" William turned past a tree and saw as Sayori placed her mask back on and touched her hair for a moment before she tried to appear normal.
"yes? What is it?" William sighed and walked up to her as he did she took a step back.
"I saw you speak to Emily and got worried when you ran off" Sayori nodded as he looked around and turned back to William.
"it was nothing" William took another step forward as she took another step back.
"you say that, and yet you don't want me to come closer" Sayori hesitated as she looked behind her placing her back on a tree. "what's on your mind" Sayori shook her head as William looked at her.
"nothing, is there something that you needed?" William took a deep breath as he looked down seeing she was wearing most of her gear.
"gather the rest of your gear and meet the rest of us by the horses, we have somewhere we need to go and I would prefer the company" Sayori nodded as William walked away back to camp to get his own gear on.
William Climbed onto his horse in full plate and almost slammed the face plate on his helmet down before he reared his horse to a full gallop barley letting the others time to catch up as he rode to the coast. With a full gallop it only took them a half days ride to reach the coast William felt the stench of the sea and corpses reach his nose as he was able to keep down his breakfast while some of the other riders weren't as lucky and almost the second they dropped from there horses, they emptied there stomachs. William walked up to the start of the bridge leading to the Fortress and stopped looking at the makeshift bridge made of Wood and rope. William took off his helmet and looked up to the walls before he took a deep breath.
"HIGUR!" the fortress stood silent as Emily looked to Gregor and turned back to William. "HIGUR THE VIKING!" William stood there for a moment as the walls still didn't give any sort of live or even a sound. "ANYBODY!" William looked over to Emily and Gregor. "go around the back as see if they found the escape route, then come back" Emily nodded as they walked away with a few soldiers as footsteps above them echoed through the stone and two heads popped up over the walls.
"(WHO'S SCREAMING?!)" William looked at them with a small smile on his face.
"IM LOOKING FOR HIGUR" the two men looked at each other.
"(KNIGHT, GO AWAY!)" William looked at them trying to figure out anything they said before he looked to Katsumoto and Sayori who shrugged.
"HIGUR, OF FLEA!" one of the men ducked down before he popped back up.
"(ARE YOU ASKING FOR HIGUR OF FLEA? THE HIGHLANDER?)" William perked up and slightly smiled as he heard through the foreign language the name of the man.
"YES HIGUR, I'M LOOKING FOR HIM" one of the men left as the other stayed. William looked to his side as he saw Emily and Gregor return.
"the pass is sealed they blew the ramparts above it from the looks of it" William nodded as steps echoed again above him.
"WHO THE HELL IS CALLING FOR HIGUR OF FLEA?!" William looked up as the highlander's head peaked from behind the stone curtain as it fixed on William. "WOLF, HAHA YOU LIVE!" William nodded.
"COULD SAY THE SAME ABOUT YOU"
"HOLD ON, ILL MEET YOU AT THE GATES" William nodded as they Highlander disappeared and the single Viking looked down at them. William took his blade out and slammed the tip into the ground and placed his helmet on top before he walked onto the rickety bridge.
"William what are you doing?!" Emily took a step after him before William turned and held his hand.
"No, only me, unarmed as good faith"
"they'll kill you"
"not if I don't pose a threat" Emily began speaking but was cut off as the gates opened and the highlander walked out without a claymore on his back in his arms. \
"Now then, what brings the Wolf to my new doorstep?"
As always feel free to leave any comments or questions and I'll try to answer them, actually per the requests of a few people and the questions they sent me, despite the fact For honor is on a different continent, most of the characters do have accents and when I thought of them I thought of specific regions, mostly the knights. Gregor of Shire is more of a Welshman and has the accent to boot. Emily Relaund (Rey- Lauwn) is more of a woman from France and has an accent from northern France, Holt Ginty is more of an Irishman from southern Ireland, Higur of flea is Scottish if it wasn't obvious and William Of Bru is an Irishman as well but has the accent from more Northern Ireland. I hope you enjoyed reading and ill try to get the next one out soon, till then have a good one!