...Beyond the Wall...
...The Milkwater River...
...Night's Watch camp...
Durge
The cold is tangible cutting through his armor and embraces his fur. He watched as the "crows" huddled around small fires. The Threnns all smiled with feral looks. He let his grip tighten on his sword then he raised a fist. Threnns all tensed the falling snow seemed to freeze and his fist fell. The trap fell and the crows scattered. The blood flowed off his blade like water. He wrenched his blade out of a crow rangers chest.
"Capture as many as you can slaughter the rest!" He bellowed
"For the Frozen Queen!" Came the cheers and cry's as the Threnns as danced among the crows.
The ran among and killed the rangers fought back as best they could but, the were outnumbered and taken by surprise. Durge spotted their leader a tall bearded man who deflected and the countered tenfold. He easily killed four Threnns when the crow saw Durge.
"What are you demon who commands these savages!" Shouted the crow with obvious revulsion
"I am a simple servant to the greatest of beings." Durge Stated with the utmost conviction
They clashed blades spinning each blow given with all their conviction. The crow swung high but would they fall back to a fighting stance. Durge however was relentless in his pursuit of victory. Stoke after stoke yet neither could rise above the other. The fighters around them realized that this fight would decide the battle. They formed a ring around the two leaders calling out encouragement and support. As Durge dragged the duel out he decided this had gone on enough. He dropped his guard and allowed the crows blade to sink into his lower chest. Then with one hand he grabbed the handle of the blade and pulled the crow forward. The crow struggled in the grip but was unable to escape and with a bellow of strength Durge impales the crow through his eye socket on his left horn. Silence spread all cheering stopped and the only sound was the gurgling of the crows final moments. With a ferocious twist Durge ripped the head from the crows body. The Threnns cheered and the crows began fleeing, but none could escape from the victors. The march on the return trip was quick and purposeful not one moment was given for the prisoners to rest. When they passed through the gates of the frozen fortress the thralls and remaining forces began to gather at the ritual center. Jadis was there in a dress that fell to her feet. The crows were thrown onto heir knees and Jadis looked past them to Durge.
"Did you think if you left your wound open I would heal you?" The cold stare locked with black eyes.
Jadis trailed her hand down the wound and then with a quick flourish she dove her hand into his flesh. Durge didn't make a sound as Jadis felt his insides. With a rip and flash she tore a handful of flesh out of his chest at the same time freeze it solid. The Threnns and crows watched in open fascination as Jadis proceeded to eat the flesh in her grip. Licking her fingers she turned and strode towards the cavern entrance and descended. Durge dragged the first crow onto the ritual alter. The crow screamed as Durge tore him apart. He continued this process over and over, crow after crow was torn apart and their blood seeped into the snow. The ritual spires flashed then flowed red the hum of magic was audible. After the last of the twenty crows had been executed Durge went after Jadis leaving the Threnns to devour the leftovers. Stomping down the steps Durge descended until he was outside the throne room that was directly under the ritual alter.
"Enter." Jadis voice travels through the door
Entering the room Durge watched as Jadis bathed naked as she was born in a bathtub of blood. The blood of the sacrificed crows rained down on her and she reveled in it. Durge watched and the one thought that was consistent throughout his mind was this was the greatest of all beings.