Chapter 4 – The Lord of Kingshouse
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- My answer is no. I don't let you sail away. You must stay here and become a more useful member of our community. You're really a good hunter, but you can be more than that. You should be the apprentice of our recent steward. And maybe one day you can step in his place and be the steward of Kingshouse and the right hand of my son.
The slience was painful. Beren's face became red. He was almost shaking in fury. He couldn't see even a slight chance, that one day he will cooperate with the person, whom he disdained the most. Ulfric knitted his eyebrows. He seemed furious, but suddenly his facial expression changed.
- I can't accept your answer, m'lord. So, hereby, I, Ulfric, son of Ulfwyck, challenge you, Beor of House Magnar, Lord of Kingshouse.
The people whispered quietly, but nervously. Anyone could challenge the Lord in a fight to the death by tradition. If the challenger win, he can take the place of the former Lord and his House, his descendants will rule after him. Though such thing happened the last time thousands of years ago. Noone dared to challenge the Lords of Skagos. The noblemen were trained to fight since their birth. They were the best warriors without a question. The Lords asked for loyalty from and gave some power to those, whom they feared, the best soldiers and fighters, who could've had a chance against them. The Lords knew how to handle the tradition of challenge. But this challenge came like a lightning bolt from the blue. Obviously, the challenge must be accepted, the Lord should always be the strongest and he must prove it every occasion.
- You shouldn't have asked for it. – Beor was truly sad. – You've left me no choice. I liked you. You could've become more than that. You could have had, what you've always wanted. To have an impact on your environment, to leave a footprint.
Donell came to his Lord and gave him his battleaxe, the Kingcrusher. The legends were saying, that once one of the Kings of Winter came and demanded from Lord Magnar to bend the knee. He refused to do so and they dueled. The Lord used his battleaxe and smashed the head of the King. From that day, the Kings of Winter and the Wardens of the North never came back to demand from any House of Skagos to bend the knee.
Ulfric grabbed his woodcutter axe. It beared no name.
The people gathered around them in a circle. They all encouraged their Lord. The Red Bear held the lobster-like battleaxe with two hands. Ulfric stood straight and showed his left side to his opponent.
- I know, what has happened. The old woman told me about it. Truly a fascinating story.
The Red Bear's eyes opened wide and he didn't blink. His face became red, like a lobster. His breathing was heavy and nervous. Noone has ever seen the Lord in such a state.
- You've heard it right. I know it. And all the people will know about it. Everyone on Skagos will know about it. You've tried to hide the truth. But there is no escape for you this time.
- Noooooo. – he roared, like a bear. He snarled then rushed forward and striked with his battleaxe from above. Ulfric calmly made two fast steps to the left. Beor turned and swang to the right widely, the weight of the weapon pulled him after it. Ulfric quickly rolled under the steel and cut the left calf of his opponent. Beor turned again, grimaced in pain, then moved toward Ulfric.
- All the poeple of Skagos will know about it. Hear my words. Hear the story of shame.
- Arrrrrrgh. – Beor leaped forward and attacked diagonally, but Ulfric jumped back, then jumped forth suddenly and wounded the left arm succesfully.
- Yes. Shame. Shame, it is. And they will know it.
The eyes of Beor were deep red, he was more of a frenzied beast, than a man with dignity. He delivered massive but inaccurate strikes. It seemed that he couldn't even see his traget sometimes. He was a raging storm, that can cause real harm, but with attention and discipline, the most of the damage is avoidable. Ulfric moved around a lot, his footwork was really strange to be seen for the folks of Skagos. He moved so lightly, like he was running on clouds. He waved his axe several times and danced back and forth to confuse his opponent. He rolled or jumped away from the strikes. He was about to win as much time as possible, so that the loss of blood will have make a bigger effect. And he did all this with a result. Beor was getting slower and weaker with every moment, his attacks became especially inaccurate. The people around them were troubled, they couldn't understand, what was happening. Beren couldn't recognize his father.
One last wrong move of decreasing fury was enough to end the fight. Ulfric managed to cause a serious injury on the right shoulder. He broke the bone. Beor dropped his battleaxe, and knelt down in pain. He was breathing fast and he almost fainted, his eyes were rolling here and there. Ulfric put his axe on Beor's neck and looked in his eyes.
- From now on, I'm the Lord of Kingshouse.
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The cold, salty air was refreshing. Thousand drops of water drizzled as the waves licked the side of the ship. The sail was like a proud, fat man's belly. The strong wind helped the ship to run on water. Ulfric was standing at the bow and looked straight forward. The Continent was close.
- Akkkhm. Arrgh. What happened?
- Slowly, m'lord, ... uhm ... I mean ...
Ulfric looked back on the lying, half-dead man.
- I'm glad you're awake. I was afraid that you will die. The master cleaned your wounds with boiled wine then covered them with silk bandage. He took care of you. He did a great job, as always. You can go, master, I wish to speak with our former lord. You asked, what happened. What is your last memory?
- The feeling of eternal pain.
- Yes, unfortunately, I broke one of your bones in your shoulder. The master said, that it's possible that it will fully recover.
- Not physical pain, it was bearable. The pain of ...
- Shame.
- Yes.
- Will you tell me? The story?
- Wha.. what?
- I've tricked you – Ulfric smiled gently at Beor. – You couldn't notice that. The rage poisoned your mind.
- Hahaha – laughed Beor sorrowly and slowly. He looked up on the sky with the most mournful face Ulfric'd ever seen. – Many years ago, I was hunting with my father. We were trying to hunt down a beautiful stag. Then, out of nowhere, a woman was crossing our path. She was a stranger, it was clear. We've never seen her before. My father commanded her to reveal herself, tell us, why is she here, why did she flee her home. She refused to answer appropriately, she said that she want to live far from everyone. My father got angry, grabbed her and raped her. He said, that I must watch it. Then he said, I must do the same. Both of us should learn a lesson. Oh, my father, he was cruel. He taught me many lessons. He tormented me for years. He said, that I get strong through pain. I've committed many crimes. I was always telling myself that I've just followed orders, that I didn't have a choice. It caused me no relief, I tell you that. I'm still living my days feeling endless shame, bearing these burdens. It feels like thousands rocks in my belly. I've tried to hide these memories deep. After the death of my father, I swore, that I will never be my father, I will be just and fair.
- How, how did you know?
- I saw it on your face, your reactions, when I mentioned the woman, betrayed you.
- Hmmm. So you wanted me to fire up, to get angry.
- I'm just a hunter. I knew that I have no chance against the best warrior of Kingshouse. I knew that I have a chance against a wild bear.
- You really want to go to Westeros.
- Yes.
- A unicorn, really? It was speaking to you?
- It called me in my dreams. I was going into the woods, it appeared, and touched my head with its horn. It said only a few words, I can't understand fully their meaning. I'll see what awaits me in Westeros.
- So this is what Lord of Kingshouse wants. All the Lords bear their house names. It seems, you've founded a new noble house. What is the name of it?
- House Unicorn.
- Good name.
- I think the same.
The Red Bear looked at Ulfric like he was his oldest son. He smiled proudly.
- I see, that you've brought the sword.
- It might come handy. But I don't know how to wield it.
- You have to train a lot. The way you fought me. What was that?
- I've read about in a book. A fighting style from the eastern continent.
- Hm. Have you read about swords?
- No, not yet.
- Be fast, strong, accurate, and watch your footwork. In short. Well, it depends on your opponent. Don't try to deflect the strike of a strong man with your sword, just get out of his way. Be aware of your surroundings, it can decide a battle. And never let others behind your back.
- Is that all? Easier, than I thought.
Both smiled.
- The Kingcrusher, do you ...
- No. It remains the possession of House Magnar. Donell guards it, as always.
- Thank you, Lord Ulfric.
- It sounds strange.
- You will get used to it.
- I don't think so.
- What did the people say? That you're the new Lord.
- They were surprised. Some didn't want to accept the result of the duel. I managed the things quickly. I didn't want to give them time to think about the happenings. We've set sail that day. You were sleeping for almost a day.
- My son?
- He was fury, but he cared more about you.
The ship reached the shore.
- Your father, Ulfwyck, was a decent man. He was a friend of mine. Has he ever told you about his family?
- Never. Do you know something about it?
- No. But he was coming from the Continent. He fled his home, that's all I know. He has never said anything else. He was a noble, you know that. That's why he could teach you to read.
- I know.
- Of course.
Ulfric stepped out of the ship. The men followed him, but he stopped them.
- Get back to the ship. From now on, I am no more the Lord of Kingshouse, I waive my title and appoint Beor Magnar as my successor. May the Gods protect the new Lord of Kingshouse.
Then he just simply walked away.
The people blinked at each other. But the Red Bear wasn't surprised.
- Ulfric of House Unicorn, may the Gods protect you, too – he mumbled quietly.