Endless Bonds

Her body felt as if it were on fire.

She looked as if she were in pain. Her hands clenching the fur blanket over her body. The sweat accumulated on her forehead. Kaya was gasping for breath, but she did not cry out. Clenching her teeth, she looked like an animal. Baring her fangs to lesson the pain in her body. The man at her side looked on with worry in his eyes. Watching Kaya fighting something within.

Her body twitched every so often, making one wonder if she would pull through. Randvi had come to make sure Kaya was any better, leaving a plate of food in case she woke up. Basim had ensured the woman that Kaya would not be waking up until the next day. Hytham, who should be resting still, had made it his duty to look after Kaya. If one of them was hurt one would be their caretaker. It has been that way since they were young and only had each other during their training years.

"Her fever will subside, Hytham. To worry over her is something you should not do." Basim looked to the young man, seeing how he worried over his friend. The wound upon her neck was clean and bandaged. Red seeping through the cloth that was placed around her neck. Her stubbornness did not allow her to continue to be in such a sorry state. Pushing through the hurt and pain; it was her survival instinct.

"Leave her to rest and watch her. She is not with sickness, but a fever from fatigue." Basim added.

Hytham nodded his head towards his mentor; trying to get some comfort in knowing that Kaya will be okay. Basim could see the worried look within the young man's eyes. The years he has observed the interaction between Kaya and Hytham, one could see their bond. Kaya came from tragedy and Hytham came from loneliness.

"Could it be the scratches on her neck?" Hytham asked, looking at the cloth on her neck. When Basim walked inside with Kaya leaning on his shoulder, Hytham could see blood on her neck. Staining her grey robes as it trailed down her tanned neck. He has heard that there was fighting when the first boat made port.

"I do not believe so. She might have pushed herself in the fight against the Saxons." Basim said, pushing away any doubt with Hytham's mind. The older man did not want his apprentice to dig deep into things that he did not need to know. Such complexity had to remain hidden.

Hytham was trying to read his mentor. Failing to see how a small glint in Basim's eyes fade. Hytham knew that Basim hid many secrets inside of his mind. No matter how hard Hytham tried to look into many of the hidden secrets, he would never find a true answer. He knew that Basim was hiding many things, but it did not mean that he did not trust the older man.

He has raised me since young. I should never doubt. If one doubted, then they would find themselves on the other end of the blade.

Hytham had a ghost of a smile upon his lips. "It would not surprise me if she pushed herself. Kaya was always one to push her boundaries in the training fields. She would fight even if it meant losing a limb."

Basim observed the strange behavior of Hytham. Searching for something that would not be easy to find. Basim knew his apprentice well enough to know when Hytham was searching for something. The dangers that await them in England hid in the shadows for now. There were plenty of eyes watching their movements and waiting for the first strike. Their enemies already had the advantage in this land. If they wanted to grab a strong foothold in England, they needed to scout the land.

"Rest as well, Hytham. Tomorrow brings a new day." Basim placed his hand on the young man's shoulder for reassurance. There was a silent agreement between the two. Their thoughts on separate tasks within the coming months. Hytham could only rely on Kaya to bring him the information that he needed in order to understand the enemy they will face. Training Eivor into become on with the Hidden Ones was going to become a task that would prove difficult for Kaya as she searches for her own methods of teaching.

"A new day." Hytham said. What joy could be made when there was blades waiting for their necks? This life should have been the good of humanity. Eyes could see beyond, but their hand could never reach. Hytham had to think about his future with Kaya and where he belonged within the ranks. Kaya was out of his reach right now. He would always remain beneath her, never above. But maybe one day, he would be at her side like always. "What will await us when the enemy finds that we have arrived? There are but three of us to take an army."

"Even armies fall to few." Basim said, turning around and walking towards the door. The warm nights air blowing through had cast a large shadow upon the older man. His own thoughts clouded in mystery, while Hytham could only look at his mentor. The woman beside him unaware of her surroundings. Basim had always kept his eye on the two young adults. Their closeness was unshaken, that they acted beyond what a brother and sister would act. It was going to be an unfortunate day when he would have to tell Hytham that Kaya was already promised to another.

She opened her eyes slowly to a blur of uneven shapes that looked like black spots to her. She could see the suns light casting shadows to the uneven shapes. A few times she has blinked to focus. After sometime, Kaya could see more clearly. She was in a decent sized room that was filled with she shelves that had old books still in them. Cobwebs had made its home in the small nooks and crannies. There was a table, a drawer, and other belongings of the past residence.

She took a deep breath to smell the old wood. This home has been long abandoned like every other standing structure within the village. Outside, she could hear pounding of the hammers and the yelling of the men and women who she had travelled with. Already, the beginnings of rebuilding this once abandoned village was going to be the foothold to a new life for these people.

This place. There was something wrong with this area. It was as if something was watching from within the trees. Waiting to make itself known to them, but it never wanted to come close. She could sense the black wolf somewhere close by. Hunting that threat that would manifest before Eivor. The one with the gift of sight that could see beyond the worlds. Such callous fault in a man that knew nothing. Only glory in death and battle, rather seeing reason in a war that has reigned long before the Hidden Ones have been in the shadows.

Eivor. Her apprentice that was unwanted. Given to her for training. She could continue to resist this chosen path, or she could choose to change her outlook. Either way, both her and Eivor are meant to walk the same path that leads to something dangerous. Kaya was meant to train Eivor, regardless of it, resisting the path would lead to ruin. Kaya did not want to see those whom she has come to know, and love have the same fate as her parents. To be alone in a cruel and unforgiving world was asking for death.

Kaya moved her body to curl her legs into a fetal position, but she felt slight movements from behind her. Alerting her to an unknown presence behind her, the sense of danger and uncertainty made Kaya react to letting her hidden blade puncture the threat behind her. Unfortunately, she did not have her blade and her robes have been removed to only a long grey undershirt that reached her knees. Damn!

"Don't move, Kaya." His voice was hoarse from having been woken up from his sleep. Hytham opened his groggy eyes to see the deathly look in Kaya that scared him awake. Her eyes looked wild like that of a wolf. She had her blade arm up and ready to strike down upon his neck. He would have to thank the heavens for keeping his life this day.

"I would have killed you if I did not have my blade. You should be cautious the next time you want to provoke my killing intent, Hytham." Kaya pushed Hytham aside, which caused her to seethe in pain from her rough push. Clenching her jaw and placing a hand on her neck, she could feel warm blood coming from her wounds. Flashes of the raven coming at her quickly caused Kaya to react as if she was ready to defend herself.

Kaya!

Hytham watched with worry as Kaya moved back, almost falling off the bed. He quickly reacted and grabbed her hand, pulling her close to him. Her head knocked into his chest, colliding with him, Hytham could not help but blush. Feeling a spark of fire ignite inside of his body that was not there before. Feeling her tremble from an imaginary threat that was within her mind, her hair a mess that tickled his skin. Kaya clenched her teeth to the pain within her body and how she was meant to be fearful of the unknown. The physical toll of the events has caused Kaya to feel even more weak. A burden that she did not want to carry.

"Why must you be stubborn, Kaya?" Hytham said. He hugged her close, but Kaya was resisting his comfort. She was never one to be close to another, regardless of sex. Kaya pushed him away from her to gather her own space. Already her thoughts were muddled and becoming an annoyance to her. The more she is placed in these predicaments, Kaya would soon fall into a web. As much as she wanted comfort, this was not the time. He relationship with Hytham was already drawing lines and those within the Hidden Ones have already whispered that they will be betrothed.

"How did I get here, Hytham?" She asked, feeling the bandage around her neck digging into her wound. The painful distraction was a relief from her thoughts. The wound felt itchy underneath, yet it also burned. She wanted to scratch at it to ease her mind, but she kept her hand away from it. Kaya was not sure of what to think about anything. Things were happening to fast. The disparity and anger of something that she could not see or even take control of was becoming a hindrance. The black wolf even kept its distance from her after sensing something it should of not.

"Mentor Basim took you from Eivor's grasp. Brought you to our new home, if one can call it so." Hytham looked at Kaya and could see the tiredness within her eyes. There was a sense of confusion and loss, but there was a hidden anger that was reaching out. He knew her to well to know that she was becoming more and more restless. The dreams are eating at her insides that would soon burst from her flesh. All Hytham could do was sit idle at the side to bring solace. Kaya had to figure things out on her own from guidance of a seeker.

He was afraid of what her fate held.

"New home." She scoffed at her new surroundings. Shaking off the lingering feeling of danger. "Nothing is home for long, Hytham. The fight with the Saxons made it so. Even we are not welcomed because of what we stand for. When was the last correspondence we have had with others within the Hidden Ones? They wait until we finish our task and send us to another land."

To hear Kaya feeling distress made Hytham frown. It was true that they have not heard from others since their departure, though Mentor Ishmael has sent word of his ventures, the only other to have contact would be Mentor Basim. Even then, the journey has become dangerous. It would not be long before a price would be placed on their heads.

"How are you feeling?" Hytham asked, trying to move away from the unpleasant thoughts that festered. Kaya was in no mood to talk, but she wanted to have a sense of normalcy. These coming days were going to be a test of her skill and wit. Eivor needed to be trained and in order to be perfected, Kaya needed to be in the right state of mind. She could not wander away from her purpose and tasks that were given to her. Mentor Ishmael would be proud to see how his adopted granddaughter had grown during his absence.

"Sore. Tired. This wound itches and burns my skin. What more is there to say other then I am starving." Kaya closed her eyes, but a sudden image flashed quickly in her mind. Opening them back up, she took a deep breath in. How could such things be happening to her at such a late stage? The dreams of the wolves were already a hand full and now this new burden has come about. Why shoulder her these things when she must be a mentor and learn about these ways in which she has been trained?

"Do not scratch at it or else you will cause it to fester into something worse. Come, lay back down to rest. I will get food for you. To strengthen you in order to train today." Hytham moved himself from the bed to dress himself in his robes. Kaya looked to the ground, while hearing him rustle about the small area. Her mind was racing with the images of things she has never seen before. The events of yesterday should have been a simple victory. These people had claimed this abandoned village their birthright. They will prosper here for many generations to come.

Fools! The damned fools! They see death in battle as glory. Prosper. Grow. Retain. If only she could see what Mentor Basim and Hytham could see, but she cannot. She sees only blood. She knows war is coming. The enemy knows. They will always know.

She clenched her fists, angry at herself for having fallen into such a demise. Kaya stood from the bed to find her robes and gear. She ignored Hytham's protest as she began to walk towards the door. Her hair in a mess, robes barely fitted to her body, feet without boots, and an arm without her blade. What more could she want right now other then to be free of this? Plucked by the scrouge of men who took her parents, raised by a deadly blade, and thrown into the pit to become a mentor to the black wolf. Kaya wished she could run away from it all. To start anew in a land that was her home. Become someone else without the blade.

Years of training would only make her a rouge. To die by another's blade. Hytham quickly grabbed Kaya by the shoulder, which she turned around quickly, making her grab him by the arm. Her grip was not tight, but it was enough to put pressure on him. The wildness in her eyes were void, that Hytham felt afraid for that moment.

"You need to gather your strength, Kaya. Do not fight me." Hytham said in a low voice. Pleading with Kaya to not push herself further or else she would cause her body to fail. She was a mentor- a teacher. She held importance to Eivor, for the man's training needed to be perfected if he were to one day understand his purpose within the creed.

"What you must be thinking, is not right. I know that you have these struggles, yet you continue to keep them hidden. Why must you carry such a burden and not trust me? You do not wander the roads alone. The secrets that are being kept from us is troublesome, I know. The more you keep it quiet, Kaya, the more I cannot help you." Hytham was a true friend. A man who could be trusted with one's life. Kaya has always felt this need to always keep him by her side. Even as children, she grew closer to him. A child alone, unmoving by the ways of the world, she has learned to trust someone within her own age.

"If I refuse such a generous offer?" Kaya pushed his hand from her shoulder. She understood it clearly for Hytham to be pleading. She could beat him until he bled. She could make him bend to a knee. Kaya could treat Hytham as if he were nothing in her eyes, but she could not deter her eyes to see him differently. She must look a mess in front of him. The way she is carrying on without care for her health. She could almost end up like Hytham, but he did not look down upon himself.

"Then I will have to resort to Mentor Ishmael giving you punishment. One Mentor to another." Kaya could see the unrelenting threat in Hytham. Though he was still recovering from his injuries, he knew when to pull Kaya away from trouble. She could resist the pressure all she wanted, but they were made to obey. Hytham would not want to see Kaya be blamed and questioned.

"How long must you use such a defense against me, Hytham?" Kaya said, sighing heavily.

"Long enough to calm you, Kaya. Do not fight me anymore on this." Hytham could see the inner turmoil inside of Kaya. The way her eyes narrowed then cease to softness. The bridge of her nose crinkling and her hand reaching for her nose. Hytham lightly tapped at her hand to keep her from scratching.

"I am not fighting you, Hytham." Kaya spoke, pulling him closer to embrace. Her arms wrapped around him tightly, letting Hytham know that she was sorry and forgiving for being such a stubborn bull. With the days to come, the narrow path of enemies was sure to make way.

AN: I know it's been many months since my last update. I have been busy these past few months. It truly has been crazy for me and the rest of the world. Now, will I post another chapter soon? It all depends on my schedule right now. I am currently working and going to school. To all college and online college people, this is not easy. It will be worth it in the end that I hear. Adulthood is merciless. I will keep my spirits high so I will not be such a downer.

Next chapter, Eivor returns and the beginnings of a new journey. I have a surprise in store for these two. You will also get more insight of the dreams that Kaya has been having along with many dark secrets. Stick around!

Shout Out's:

Guest: I do prefer Kaya being a sage. I have been thinking about her being Hel because of when time goes on, her relationship with Eivor will grow into a brother/sister bond. Will it be a good relationship? Only time can tell when we move on in the story.

Guest: I have yet to play the DLC. I haven't had much time to play or do much of anything, unfortunately.

Guest: Thank you.

Guest: Glad you love what you are reading!