Chapter 3 The next leg
It was midday and the sun was shining bright in the sky. All was in full color earthy browns in the rocks and soil to the lively greens of the trees and crops and even brilliant shimmers of blue out on the water. Out in the lush fields a herd of sheep and some oxen were steadily grazing. Birds made their calls to each other from trees and bushes. Members of the village were out in the fields and on boats, each doing their part to provide for the community. While others were indoor to take care of little ones or to shade themselves from the heat. Over all it was panning out to look like another beautiful day in this distant settlement of Vikings.
But despite how it appeared there was tension among the villagers because of the men that had disembarked the largest ship not too long ago. The crew that manned the vessel were hard and had an air of being ready to slit ones throat if the wrong thing was said. They had made port only a couple of days ago. And the one that was captain was a man that looked to have weathered a mauling by some fierce beast. Talk among the locals had been hushed and kept behind closed doors.
Ashen held in place for a moment as his mind eye saw all this. There were so many people in the village it was overwhelming. He had become accustom to solitary life in the wilderness. The only company he ever allowed was with wildlife and even that was spares. Any life light that other forms of life bore was always bright to him. But the light like that of other humans was always much brighter and far more complex. He was a ways up the hill yet from the settlement but already he wanted to block out all the energies and emotions of all those among the buildings. He sensed their mixture of uneasiness and suspicion come like waves on the beach and it was making him want to turn and hide. He shook his head. He has to do this so that he can continue. He has to.
So by the time that Ashen had come out of the woods and down the trail to the outskirts of the village the men set as watch guards they had just about had it. They grew tense as he silently walked up to them. To them he was as a walking shadow completely covered in dark cloths masked and hooded on top of everything to boot. It was unsettling to see this hooded and cloaked figure not even having a space for the eyes to see through. But more so that he didn't have a feel of a presence about him. The two men that were both physically larger than him bore their weapons to bar his way.
"D-Dont come any closer!" One on the left shakily blurted.
"Turn around and return to the rift you crawled out from else we'll shorten you by a head!"The other one more confidently ordered.
Ashen took a moment to feel between the two of them and then to the rest of the people beyond normal vision. He could sense the initial tension from the two men before him but then there was the uneasiness that they and the rest of the village felt towards the men that had come from off the ship. His attention centered on those that came from sea and understood. These sailors were of darker colors compared to the locals. And one among them was darker than the rest. This individual held a cold sense of purpose that drove the rest to bend under his command. And Ashen could tell that these people from the sea meant to leave soon to return to wherever it is they are from.
Ashen was silent as the men continued to look nervously between him and themselves. They gave each other a nod as they made ready to fend off this strange outlander. But before they could make a move they were caught off guard as Ashen stretched out his arm and pointed a gloved hand in the direction of the larger ship and then to himself and back again. He did this a few more times to be sure that they didn't miss the motion. They all held in place for one agonizing minute before the two men looked at each other once more.
"Wa-wait here. I'm going to alert the headsman. Hold here and be sure that doesn't come through!" The first guard said to the second before running to the center of the settlement. The remaining guard held together as best he can while they waited.
It wasn't long before the first man came back with who seemed to be the leader of the village. His attire though not neat wasn't as worn as the others. His eyes narrowed as he caught site of the intruder but held his calm as he walked up to Ashen and the remaining guard.
"My friend here kept prattling on about a shadow or Draugr had come from the woods to curse us. And that the strangers from sea were just an omen for your approach." The headsman looked Ashen up and down and remained silent for a moment as he considered the figure before them. "Is it correct that you've come for those…hunters?"
Ashen remained silent as he considered the question. "Hunters?" He then understood why their life lights seemed to be dimmed by bloodshed. Their consideration for the lives of others was lessened by their so called profession. And they seemed to have taken a liking to it. Whatever it is that they hunted they prided themselves in knowing how to do it. He pointed to himself and then again to the ship.
The headsman felt unnerved by the lack of vocal communication but did his best to not show it outwardly. "So you don't speak shadow? He received no reply.
He grunted and thought hard on what to do. He was just as wary as anyone about this faceless stranger that has come to their home. And then there were those cutthroats from the north east searching for recruits by orders of their captain. He never spoke it aloud but he knew that the hardened captain received his scars from dragons. He groaned inwardly. Dragons were the reason that his ancestors left the islands and waters to the north and east. It wasn't the most Vikingly thing to do but they had grown tired of the carnage that only continued to perpetuate without end. And so they left for the west and eventually found these shores. They seldom ever receive any news from their brethren in their old homelands. But this new bunch spoke of war on the dragons to liberate all from their tyranny. And that one man was able to control the dragons and keep them at bay.
This was of little concern to his people for they haven't seen a singling fire breathing lizard fly close to their new home for half a decade. And the last time it happened, that one dragon stopped to rest on the beaches. But it gave out a most mournful cry that rang out into the distance and pierced the heart of all who could hear. At that time they all remember feeling pangs of old losses and just overwhelming sorrow. They feared to admit it at the time but the village could have gone extinct all at once if it weren't for each other. It only remained for a short time before it flew off into the vast expanse of the eastern ocean.
Perhaps if he let the two sides meet then they would all leave his home in peace. But this idea seemed dangerous to him. He didn't trust the sailors and he trusted this shrouded individual even less. Fear gnawed in his mind that this was all compounding to spell their destruction no matter which way it went.
As the headsman was pondering through all the options he noticed that the masked figure before them had not made any move to attack them or to even move past them. It didn't even seem intent on turning around. It or he was waiting for his decision and it felt like it would wait patiently till a decision was made. Though he still was unnerved by the mere sight of the cloaked person he was getting an impression that they didn't mean any harm, at least not to him and his people. He gave a sigh and finally relented.
"Alright stranger you can pass through just don't go causing any trouble." Ashen remain silent still but finally stepped forward and went passed the guards following the headsman." The ones that have sailed here are dragon hunters. They have been asking around for new recruits and any information on any recent dragon sightings. My people have not been forthcoming so far but things have been growing uneasy the past couple of days." He didn't even know why he was telling any of this to a complete stranger but it seemed to ease his own tension even by just a small amount.
Ashen inclined his head towards the headsman at the mention of dragons. "Am I on the right track?" He said nothing but the headsman noticed the motion of interest as they walked the direction of the ship. "These hunters won't find any dragons on these shores they are seldom seen and even if they do live anywhere in these lands its either too far or too well hidden for them to find anything. The last time we saw anything of the monsters was several years ago before it went flying out to sea. None of us were fool enough to get a closer look at it but it gave wail that would chill even your bones. And some say that it shined red like a bloody light from Helheim.
Again the man didn't exactly know why he was saying any of this but his musings were cut short when they all heard a commotion ahead near the beach. They sped up to find that a fight broke out between a couple of younger men of the village and two of the hunters. A third hunter with a look of wicked pleasure was restraining a screaming woman. The two young men wore fierce expressions of rage.
The older of the two cried out at them. "You villains let go of our sister else we'll tear your limbs off!" The rest of the village was quickly gathering to support the men while more hunters streamed down from the vessel.
The offending hunter looked behind him finding himself supported as well and scoffed back. "We need to bring someone back wih us. None of yus were willin to speak up so we picked one who seemed eager" He grinned maliciously at the woman still struggling against her captor as the rest of the hunters all chuckled in agreement. A couple of them gave wolf whistles." That is unless you're vonlunteerin?"
Ashen and the other men slowed their pace as they approached the gathering crowd. They could easily hear the exchange quickly escalating to a lethal climax. Ashen grew uncomfortable as they drew near the agitated emotions. The relative calm that he felt from before was long gone. His mind flashed back to the chaos those years ago. His breath caught at the memories of those lights going out around him. "No" He sensed various individuals on both sides readying to fight. "Not again" Without a word Ashen stepped into the throng reaching a hand into his coat.
The faces of the two younger men went beet red and were making to charge head on into the hunters ranks to save their sister. But before anyone could make a move, before the villages went into an outright stampede. Before any of the hunters could even draw their weapons. A black clothed figure had appeared from the crowd reaching the place between the men and the hunters. He held out a hand to halt the villagers and pulled out a rusted sword in the other hand leading the point to rest near the hunter's neck. None had time to react to the motion as all were caught by surprise. The two young men were frozen in place as was the hunter held at sword point that was beading with sweat and gulped nervously.
Ashen himself was taking shallow breaths to try and not panic and lose his mind among the torrent of feelings and emotions that everyone was giving off all at once.
"STOP THIS RIGHT NOW!" All except Ashen turned their attention to the headsman that now stepped forward with more guards each with their weapon drawn. "I demand to know what is going on here!?"
The second hunter whose life wasn't currently hanging in the balance spoke up in rage. "We're only encouragin you alls to make good on helpin us to end the scourge of dragons.."
"You shut up you puss filled maggot! You intend to kidnap and rape our sister if we don't come with you on your foolish.."
"That will do!" All went quiet again as they all turned their attention to a person standing tall by the top of the ramp leading up to the ship. Ashen went ridged as his mind zoned in on the man. To normal eyes the man was tall and thickly built like mountain. He was adorned with thick layered leather armor lined with dragon scales. His head was shaved bald revealing many old scars that crisscrossed over his scalp. Black facial hair was grown long and braided into a sing knot. His dark eyes were cold, calm and calculating. He carried himself with an air of command that is not to be challenged unless you want to die painfully.
The captain walked down the ramp with a smoothness that was surprising for one his stature. He eyed the gathered crowed carefully as he assessed the situation. His gaze fell last on the ones in the center the source of the commotion. "And what is it we have going on here?"
The second hunter next to the first still at sword point answered quickly. "We're just having a little disagreement about the terms for recruiting Sir! Nothing important for you to worry…"
"FOOL!" The hunter jolted in surprise at the outburst. "I know exactly what is going on here! You bring shame upon us with your filthy methods! Such is only done by dragons and devils! Shall I conclude that you should be dealt with as such as well?! We do not stoop to their savage ways!" It was only now that those in the crowd found he was carrying a bill hook pole arm in his right hand.
The rest of the hunters parted to let him through to those involved in the fight. He stopped short of the combatants and looked as if he was just enjoying a quiet moment in a meadow. His next moves were quick and decisive and entirely unexpected for all of the onlookers. He swiped his hook beneath the feet of the one that Ashen held at sword point. Knocked the hunter holding the woman in the face causing him to let go of her and halted the point of his hook at the throat of the hunter who spoke. The last man was wide eyed with fear. Ashen could only let his sword arm drop after this latest development.
"Do not trouble me with pitiful excuses for you to fulfill your base desire. They fall short of our grand mission!" He quickly spun his pole arm around striking the hunter square in the side of his head. Discipline dealt the captain stood to full height and turned to face Ashen and the headsman. "My deepest apologies for the disgusting treatment my men have given your people. I assure you that this will not happen again." Though his words were eloquent they felt and sounded quite empty. The look on the headsman's face said just this but he held from saying anything to keep from starting fighting again.
"I believe it will captain. Your ship and its crew have overstayed its welcome. We've offered you what we can with information and provisions but that is all we will give. Now I ask that you set sail and continue on your way to wherever it is."
The captain looked unblinkingly at the headsman as he said his peace. The calm man turned his gaze from the village leader that he didn't care for to the person in black before him. He usually could read people very well but this one he couldn't if not for obvious reasons. Regardless of the reasons this made him consider things carefully. This person was never seen or heard of in the village until only a minute ago. He was suspicious of this whole situation by now on top of not trusting the village in the first place. It was too far away from the rest of the known world. Too far out of the reach of influence from the rest of Vikingdon. He took a moment longer to consider his options before speaking.
"There seems to have one among you who hasn't said anything otherwise. What do you say dark one? Will you join us in ridding the world of these demons?"
Ashen was unmoving through this exchange but within he was raging again along with trying to calm from the explosion of feeling and emotion everyone was giving off. Mixed in with all the chaos he was getting flashes of blurred images coming from the hunters. Scenes of winged things fighting, being captured and then dying all flowing in rapid succession. And then the picture of the dragon that the headsman had described before. It reminded him of the dream that he has been having for as long as he can remember. He could tell that he was going the right direction.
But he didn't know how to feel about this. Just a minute ago he only acted to keep from another life light going out. He hasn't allowed himself to feel for anyone else for a long time. It had only ever caused him to fall deeper into himself. He didn't want anyone hurt because of him, no matter the side anyone was on. He knew that he needed to take this ship to cross the sea that much was clear. He didn't want to judge anyone for good or bad cause who was he to do that? He still didn't know. He's no one neither good nor bad right? All he could tell from the individuals around him is that the hunters were ready to kill and the villagers were ready to defend themselves. This was raising a part of him to the surface that he has since tried to burry deep down. I didn't matter what he felt of anything or if he felt at all. What mattered is what he felt from others. They were all growing nervous of him.
Silently and deliberately Ashen put away his weapon and turned to the captain of cold color. He pointed to himself and then to the captain and then to the ship.
Quiet for a moment the captain glared at the black figure in deep thought. "It would seem that we have ourselves a new recruit! I thank you for your contributions in Drago's cause. As promised we will weigh anchor and leave immediately. We will not trouble you any longer." With this he turned to his crew and gave orders to prepare for departure. With the tension breaking the headsman took this chance to approach Ashen from where he was.
"Are you sure that you want to do this friend? That lot have an ill feeling to them that can make even the most foolhardy wary." Ashen turned to face him and held silent for a while. The headsman still was unnerved by the lack of life that this person seemed to possess but he understood that this was the last they would meet. "Very well… Safe journeys." With that Ashen turns and walks up the ramp to the ship and stands by the rail out of the way of the hunters.
After all the preparations were made the ship started moving out to deeper waters away from shore. Clouds were rolling from farther down the coast. What was strange to Ashen was that the crew all were still tense but not like before. Something about it all made Ashen's center go still as the hunters pointed strange barrels on wheels straight at the village as the boat continued to go out to sea. An order to fire was given and then there were loud banging noises coming from each mechanism. He didn't know what they were doing until it was too late. He faced towards the distant village and then his mind eye perceived the white flashed as the projectiles burst into flames crushing all in range. Life lights started to flicker out among the burning buildings.
Ashen's heart was pounding in his head as he witnessed what was just done. And to hear the laughter and whooping of the hunters was making him sick. But it was making him want to bring up more than just bile from within him. His hand began to move seemingly of its own accord to his sword as he stood there on deck. He was feeling a familiar blackness rising from the depths of his being and muscles twitching in his face that always accompanied it. His thoughts were slowing getting ready to give himself to sweet oblivion once more. These (men) were all going to have a sudden end to their life lights too since they seem so enthusiastic about it.
But before anything could be done, there was a small sharp pain and then physical numbness spreading through from his shoulder. He turned to face the direction the attack came from. His mind was becoming unfocused as the seconds passed. He could still tell enough that the captain was holding a small tube in his hand as the man walked up to him calmly. Things were becoming fuzzy but he could barely feel that the other crew members were all looking down at him. Down? Something hard had contacted with his knees but he couldn't understand what or why. The world around him was dimming to a different kind of oblivion than he was ready to surrender to. "Take it below" That was the last thing he could understand before he fell into nothing.