The sun is hanging low in the sky, casting a golden glow across the rippling waters as the longship cuts through the waves. Sea salt and sweat hangs heavy in the air, the ship rowers pushing the vessel faster to their destination. Hytham is seated at the bow of the ship beside Basim, each lost in their own thoughts as they approach the enemy's island.
The island looms on the horizon, its jagged cliffs sharp against the soft hues of the sky like teeth of a great beast. The watchtowers preceding the fortress itself are ominous silhouettes that cause Hytham to ponder what manner of man is kept within the fortress walls. What precious little he knows of his target, Kjotve has well earned the moniker 'Cruel' and is equally monstrous in stature. According to Hytham's information Kjotve stands head and shoulders above all men, his strength that of a bear, and his reflexes akin to a viper. Hytham takes the information passed to him with a grain of salt, though both Sigurd and Vili claim it to be true. Sigurd especially has cautioned him against underestimating Kjotve and has advised him to avoid open conflict with the man.
As the longship docks at the island, the crew around Hytham springs into action, securing the vessel and unloading their supplies for the impending assault. Hytham disembarks with Basim, the loose rocks of the shore grinding under his boots, and looks about for Vili. His friend has spent the majority of the voyage conversing with Eivor, evidently concerned for the shieldmaiden's safety. While Hytham has not tamed the simmering resentment towards Eivor, he is sympathetic to the unease as she does have a personal stake in the siege.
As he and Basim wander away from the bustling docks, Hytham catches sight of Vili trailing after Eivor, deep in conversation, with Vili gesturing expressively. Hytham bites his tongue and refrains from calling out to Vili. Instead, he glances at Basim, who remains silent, impassive, and seemingly deep in thought as he is wont to do. Hytham fleetingly wonders what it is that keeps his mentor's mind so enraptured.
The two of them come to a stop atop a small hill beside a watchtower and observe their surroundings from the vantage point. The evening sun casts the island in a rosy hue, hazy and warm in color, contrasting the coldness seeping into his bones. Hytham almost regrets having returned Vili his cloak and mantle, the bulkiness of the garment not conducive to skulking about in the shadows that he will need to do to reach his target.
A short distance away, the fortress stands tall, details of its design lost to the shadows created by the dwindling light. It is large in size, Hytham knows, with plenty of viable entry points aside from the main entrance that Sigurd and Eivor will no doubt take. He sighs quietly, in part because of the Viking's simple strategies and because the battle will be long. Not only does Kjotve reside within the fortress, but his son, Gorm, does as well, along with a multitude of men and women under their leadership.
Hytham's thoughts are interrupted by the arrival of Sigurd and another, much shorter man, Guthorm, if he recalled correctly. The two make their way to the watchtower, Sigurd greeting them shortly before entering the building. Presently, Eivor stalks her way up the path, though Vili is not to be seen, and pays them no heed as she enters the watchtower.
Despite that they have not been directly invited, Hytham muses why they are not at least listening in on the meeting taking place between the three. They do, after all, also have a stake in the battle that is to be. Nevertheless, Basim remains beside him quiet and patiently waiting. Before Hytham can grow too impatient with the lack of communication with his mentor, Sigurd, Guthorm, and Eivor exit the building.
"Eivor! A word!" Basim calls out to Eivor. Sigurd and Guthorm make their way down the path while Eivor steps aside to speak with him and Basim.
"Basim. Hytham," Eivor greets them, "This feud is not yours, yet you fight it all the same. I find that strange."
"You find it strange because you are wrong," Basim informs her bluntly, "Our clan, the Hidden Ones, have been fighting with Kjotve's order for centuries."
Eivor frowns as she processes this new detail. "You came from Miklagard to kill Kjotve yourself?" She asks, perplexed, and Hytham imagines it does sound quite strange to an outsider.
"We did," Basim confirms before correcting himself, indicating Hytham, "Or rather, we came so that Hytham could kill him."
"My apprentice has been studying this target for many months." Basim adds.
Hytham covers his confusion with a nod of acknowledgement. He has not been studying his target for months, in truth it has only been mere weeks since he first received a scrap of information. Thereafter has been scarce.
"Is Kjotve's reputation so great outside of Norway?" Eivor wonders, clearly unsettled by the idea.
"Not his reputation alone, but the order to which he belongs," Basim informs her, "Something of a rival clan to our own."
Eivor nods, mulling over the information before turning to Hytham.
"Hytham," She begins, and Hytham tenses slightly, "I mean no disrespect to you or the… Hidden Ones, but Kjotve is mine. My family's honor is at stake."
"I understand," Hytham replies easily, "All that matters is that Kjotve dies this day."
"On that, we are agreed." Basim cuts in.
Eivor nods, taking her leave from them to finalize preparations with her brother. As she walks away, Hytham turns to Basim, burning questions on his lips. He gets no further than pulling in a breath before his mentor cuts him off.
"Hytham," Basim begins, "You must be the one to assassinate Kjotve. We cannot rely on Eivor for this. The task is too great, too important."
"Then why deceive, Eivor?" Hytham asks, attempting to follow his mentor's pattern of thought.
"I had hoped she could be persuaded to let us handle Kjotve," Basim explains with a small frown, "However, since she cannot be, it is better to use her as a distraction instead."
Hytham nods slowly, absorbing Basim's words. "What would you have me do?"
"That is for you to decide, my apprentice," Basim responds lightly before adding more seriously, "Though, I would advise you to find Vili. His presence will keep you close to Eivor. This way, you will be ready when the moment to strike presents itself."
A flicker of annoyance crosses Hytham's features at the assumption and the validity of it. He quickly masks it, but not before Basim notices.
"Hytham," Basim says reproachfully, "We have not yet had our conversation."
Hytham grimaces, drawing an amused huff from Basim. "There is no time for that now." Hytham mutters in a pitiful attempt to divert the conversation.
"There will be later," Basim points out with a faint smile, "For now, go and find Vili."
Hytham nods curtly and makes a swift departure from his mentor. He does not wish to disappoint Basim, nor does he wish to speak on the sudden onslaught of emotions instigated by the connection Vili shares with Eivor. To share them with Basim would be to admit that he is fearful of abandonment, of being seen as useless, inadequate. It would be disappointing to Basim. He would be disappointing to Basim.
Hytham shakes his head vigorously. His focus must be solely on killing Kjotve. He will not fail his mentor. With this mantra in mind, Hytham turns his attention outward and searches for Vili. Whether he cares for it or not, Basim is right in that Vili will likely remain close to Eivor throughout the battle.
He finds Vili near where the ships are docked, sharpening his scimitar. The rhythmic sound of stone against metal fills the air with a sense of foreboding and Hytham ignores the sense of dread creeping into his chest.
"Vili!" Hytham calls out as he approaches. Vili looks up, his expression softening, and sets aside the whetstone to sheath his sword as he stands.
"Hytham," Vili greets, "You seem troubled."
Hytham shakes his head dismissively. "Nevermind that. Do you intend to accompany Eivor in the assault?" He asks.
"Yes," Vili nods slowly, "Why do you ask?"
"She is to be my distraction in order for me to get close to Kjotve." Hytham explains. Movement in the corner of his eye catches his attention. As the devil is mentioned, so she appears once more; Eivor and Sigurd are walking side-by-side down the path to them.
"A distraction she will certainly make," Vili remarks, eyes tracking her, "However, Eivor has already claimed she will face Kjotve in a Holmgang."
"Holmgang?" Hytham inquires. Vili turns his gaze back to him.
"A duel we often practice to settle personal matters," Vili elaborates, "It is considered dishonorable to interfere."
"I understand," Hytham responds before continuing, "But, Kjotve must die. This cannot be left solely to Eivor, regardless of traditions."
"It is more than tradition, Hytham," Vili says sternly, "Let Eivor handle this. She is a fine warrior and this is her fight. She will have her honor and you will have your target."
Hytham remains unconvinced. Basim expects him to end Kjotve's reign and he must do so. Furthermore, Basim is right in that there is too much risk in letting Eivor handle it alone.
"Give her an opportunity to prove herself," Vili advises, "Then you will see."
Hytham hesitates, eyeing Eivor as she catches sight of them, the glint of her ornately designed hidden blade eye catching affixed to her forearm and paradoxical. He teeters on the precipice of skepticism and possibility. Vili's words have merit, yet they are in conflict with Basim's advice.
"Now is not the time," Hytham decides, "This is more than honor and is of our Creed."
"Eivor is different, Hytham," Vili counters, "If anyone outside the Hidden Ones is worthy of wielding the blade, it is her.
Hytham frowns, caught off guard, "That is not-"
"Do not lie to me and tell me that this is not," Vili cuts him off firmly, "You are vexed, Eivor has been given a hidden blade and it is clouding your judgment."
"My judgment is fine." Hytham snaps.
"Clearly." Vili responds dryly, crossing his arms.
"This is my responsibility!" Hytham argues angrily, "It is not something that should be left to some shieldmaiden!"
His mouth snaps close as he realizes how insulting his words are. Shame fills him and Hytham blanches at the anger on Vili's face. "Vili, I am-"
"Do what you will, Hytham," Vili admonishes bitterly, turning away, "But, do not ignore my words."
Hytham remains where he is, wallowing in self-pity and loathing. The weight of his decisions presses down on him and for a moment Hytham considers following after Vili. Instead, ashamed, he walks away, avoiding Eivor's curious look. Hytham's heart sinks with every step, feet heavy with the tension threatening to suffocate him. He will not fail his mentor, yet as he turns his away from Vili, Hytham feels he has already done so.
A/N: Initially, I wasn't liking this chapter, but after reading through it out loud, I think it's alright. Hopefully, if there is any ooc-ness it is excusable. Also, I completely forgot who went where in this part of the game, so chalk it up to AU shenanigans.