Not Your Fight
One day, the black wolf will devour the sun.
He will catch it with his fangs. Never letting go of the light, for inside of his own black heart, the black wolf cries for his brother. The white wolf clings to life, but death claims all. It is never fickle to take the last breath of a living thing. The three brown wolves protect the white wolf from losing life. The brown she wolf could only glare at the black wolf.
His heart was cold. The color of the night. His soul trying to consume the light of the sun.
The world would be consumed by his darkness, because the pain of what he has done could never be forgiven.
She would not forget the dark look King Styrbjorn had given to both Hytham and her. A man that has power within his grasp could become a man that was dangerous. Kaya did not like the feeling of what was being shown to them. The look in the older man's eyes held back something that she could not word or put together in her head.
If it were not an insult, the meat she was chewing on would be thrown in the king's face. Such a waste of food for a man who is blinded by things unseen.
Though she could not put it into words, she was all too familiar with the dark look that she had seen. Eyes would narrow with judgment, as if they were a plague upon the land. When the Hidden Ones could be seen, the people knew they to be bad omens. Hidden in the shadows, they would cause disorder whether their intentions were of a good nature. Kaya has seen the look many times before, but Mentor Ishmael would tell her that the people of the land would understand one day. They only know the rule of a fist and army and not the rule of light and freedom.
Kaya tensed her shoulders, ready to receive the lashing. Hytham stood his ground, but he was calmer and stoic. Randvi could see the contrast between the two hooded figures. Watching closely on Kaya, seeing how close she was to throwing a punch. A fighter. A warrior. She could see the wildfire within the young woman, but she too had to be cautious.
"Sigurd might have found friendship within your clan, but shadows should not follow to close." Kaya walked in front of Hytham, unafraid of the threat that was being said. Hytham caught the young woman by the shoulder; knowing her mouth could not hold back the bite that she was to give.
Hytham stood between the two now, knowing the danger of losing her life. Such recklessness could not be tolerated, even if Kaya was his closest friend.
"I can assure you, King Styrbjorn, that no harm shall come to your son. Our clan has always been in the shadows." Hytham, always the one to be peace maker. Kaya always liked it about him since they were children. Her wrist itched to display the hidden blade that was hidden beneath her sleeve. Hytham had placed his hand on her wrist; in order to show that it was not for intimidation, but rather affection. Kaya dropped her shoulders and swallowed the meat down.
It had left a bad taste in her mouth.
She looked to Randvi who was apprehensive about attacking Kaya in order to protect her king. The young woman felt shame for acting out of turn in the moment. What has gotten into you, Kaya? She thought, keeping herself from scratching at her nose. These people were allies now; even if there were few who did not welcome them with open arms as much as Sigurd did. His father, however, was one who has seen time and time again the betrayal of friends.
Kaya moved so she was standing behind Hytham. His hand still on her wrist, rubbing his thumb against her sleeve.
"I have trust in him. I just do not have trust in what you two represent." King Styrbjorn pointed an accused finger at them. It did not hold as much power as the glare in his eyes, but both Hytham and Kaya could see how cold and dark the world around them was becoming.
Randvi, who was at the king's side, could see how much it was affecting them. Such harsh words being spluttered out from anger. These two strangers had made sure their village was safe from harm from other scouts that have dared to hide. She has heard her fair share and did not want to cast too much judgment on both Hytham and Kaya.
These people had come willingly to follow her husband. For reasons unknown, she had to put trust in Sigurd. Their marriage may still be in a phase of beginnings, but Randvi knows enough to trust in Sigurd's judgment.
For how long? She thought to herself.
The older man walked away from them. Leaving a dark cloud over Kaya's mood. Her jaw clenched as she wanted to speak what was on her mind, but Hytham shook his head to keep those thoughts from being spoken out loud. He let go of her wrist to see that she had tensed back up again. Rubbing at her temples, Kaya was growing a headache.
"King Styrbjorn may be a battle-hardened man, but his love for his son makes him worried inside." Randvi said as she looked at both Hytham and Kaya. Both of them looked to the woman, eyes softened for a moment to not let harsh words or glares cut their skin. Kaya lightly smiled, but it was forced.
"A king who shows worry by being angered at us, is not a king I would not want to follow." Kaya said; her eyes watching King Styrbjorn's figure walking towards the longhouse. "Strangers we may be, but Prince Sigurd finds us as friends. He sees us as allies. I have seen the look before in the eyes of men who do not trust us. The look is how my mother and father met their end. By the noose of a rope."
Kaya felt the need to say this. She wanted to show that she was loyal to Randvi's husband. A fool of a king kills his men, but a good king leads them to victory. She was certain that Sigurd would make the right choices, yet, she felt something sting her heart when she thought of the prince.
White fur the color of snow. Blood dripping from his missing arm. The black wolf snarling at his brother with blood dripping from his fangs. Kaya closed her eyes to scare away the image.
"You hold such a strong will to say such things to me. My husband must have had influence upon you. But you must understand the will of a king to protect his son. His people come after." Randvi could see Kaya holding back more, but she held it behind her teeth. The look of pain was evident on her face, which Hytham had already noticed. The look he was giving Kaya was something that Sigurd had shown to Randvi when they first met.
"Kaya knows not when to keep her thoughts inside her head." Hytham spoke, lightly scolding the woman behind him. Kaya glared, but said nothing further.
"I have seen brashness in words and action before. The long ship that will sail you to Florli is ready to sail. If what you say is true, please do not bring harm upon Sigurd." Randvi stated. Her eyes did not leave Kaya's when she spoke. Something about the hooded woman reminded her of Eivor. They had this need to protect and speak out when they find something wrong with the opinion of others.
Randvi kept that in mind the next time she and Kaya were to speak; hopefully, on better terms.
They made shore with the heavy stench of iron and blood when the sun had gone down. The bitter cold biting at their heels. Kaya was growing tired of the cold and having to rely on another body for warmth. The conversation had not left her mind since setting sail to their destination where Basim was to be.
Keeping Sigurd from harm's way should be an easy feat. The young prince was capable of protecting himself and had words to get him out of trouble. Though, in the back of Kaya's mind was the lingering thought of the white wolf.
Since confessing her dream to Hytham of who the black wolf could represent, her mind tried to reason that Sigurd could somehow be the white wolf with the missing arm. The puzzle was gathering the pieces, but the picture was as blurry as ever. Kaya could feel the burning of the letter within her pocket. Her thoughts were clouded by many different things.
Unclear as murky waters. She thought to herself as a battle had been fought upon the land. Kaya could hear the waters crashing upon the rocks. The long ship was docked along the shoreline; anticipation was growing inside of her heart. A tower that was standing high and mighty, could be seen from just their view.
Hytham was leading the way towards the tower. They have been quiet since departing Fornburg.
Walking towards the lone tower, Basim welcomed the two young adults. To Kaya, Basim was not harmed in anyway. His skill in battle has been known to all the Hidden Ones. Like Mentor Ishmael, Basim was a legend within their ranks. For the moment, her troubles were put at ease.
Basim, Hytham, and Kaya could hear the sounds of the wood creaking beneath heavy feet. The wind chill blowing against their robes, making Kaya wanting to rest and eat a proper meal. She grew tired of having small bits of meat and water.
"Eivor, a word." Sigurd, an unknown man, and Eivor had walked out. A discussion between the three long ended and Basim looking to further engage into conversation. Kaya has had a bad feeling since leaving Fornburg. Manifesting into something dark that loomed over them. She had not made eye contact with Eivor as he walked towards the three.
The man himself ignoring the woman with crossed arms. Her attention on something else that seemed to be far from his sight. She seemed to be acting different from the look upon her face, he noted. Her thoughts must be heavy. Still, Kaya has an fascination with Eivor that was rather odd to him. Wanting to understand why, he would see if he could pry it out without making it obvious.
"Basim. Hytham. This feud is not yours, yet you fight it all the same. I find that strange" Evior stated, purposely leaving out Kaya's name. The young woman threw a deadly glare in his direction, which Eivor found amusing to tease her. Kaya was not at all amused by this man. He still got underneath her skin!
The black wolf is no stranger to the sun.
"You find it strange, because you are wrong." Hytham spoke. His thoughts about Eivor may have changed from their first encounter. The lengths this man would go are far beyond reach. Hytham wanted may have his target within sight, but Eivor was faster. His teeth shape and eyes reaching the sky because of the raven. Hytham had an idea forming and wanted to make right for the weapon given to him. He deserves to truly see if Kaya is right about his gift. He thought, knowing Kaya was glaring daggers at Eivor.
Eivor looked to Hytham, seeing a shadow nodding her head in agreement. Her eyes fixated on her friend- trying to ignore the questionable look in Eivor's eyes. He knew Kaya wanted to speak, but she kept her tongue between her teeth. He knew, when given the chance, Kaya would speak her mind. Eivor found her intriguing, yet, annoying.
"Our rules differ from your own. Our culture, our way of life; does it seem so strange?" Kaya spoke, keeping back her harsh words. It did not make Eivor falter, rather it was humorous.
"Our clan, the Hidden Ones, have been fighting Kjotve's order for centuries." Basim said, keeping the tense air at ease. A raven landed upon one of the broken crates around the tower. Its black feathers ruffled and then smoothed out when it was comfortable with knowing that Eivor was not going to be attacked. Kaya could feel the birds eyes looking at each of them. The raven… a familiar figure.
"You came from Miklagard to kill Kjotve yourself?" Eivor stated, crossing his arms over his chest. Intrigued by the reasons, yet, confused as to why they would risk their life to fight another man's fight? It would seem that Kaya had not been wrong when she had stated about having the same enemy. To Eivor, these Hidden Ones were much of a mystery; Kaya was much of a pest. Even after being free from his shadow, the young woman appeared without giving Eivor a chance to out run her.
"We did. Or rather, we came so that Hytham could kill him. My apprentice has been studying the target for many months." Basim said, looking to Hytham. The bond between teacher and student were rather evident between the two men. Basim knowing Hytham since he was young and seeing how grown the young man beside him had become. It would be a shining moment if Kaya was not too distracted at her own warring thoughts.
Eivor was urging the young woman to finally throw a fist towards him. He wanted to settle whatever feelings she had towards him- malicious or not. Kaya was too fascinated by him and he found it strange. He needs to learn more of her before he could truly call her a thorn in his side. For the moment, she was irritating and annoying like a buzzing fly.
"Learning about one man is nothing compared to learning about a nation." Basim raised his hand to keep Kaya from furthering her statement. His eyes held back something that caused the young woman to back down like a dog with its tail between its legs.
"Kaya." Hytham seethed in a low whisper. Once more, her mouth getting the better of her. Her dreams, Eivor possibly being the black wolf of her dreams; Hytham was not sure how he was going to handle Kaya's fascination with Eivor.
"Is Kjotve's reputation so great outside of Norway?" Eivor was skeptical about it all. The way his eyes looked upon each of them; Kaya more out of annoyance. Her presence lingered something within Eivor that he could not chase. His shadow was sure to stay on him until he can find a way to lose Kaya.
"Not his reputation alone, but the order to which he belongs." Basim could hear and see how Eivor looked at them. One who was skeptical was also one who could be made a believer if given the chance. Kaya leaned against Hytham, feeling exhausted. The usual loud and obnoxious woman was rather quiet. Her thoughts lingering into something dark. Hytham understood and he will speak with Basim about what Kaya has said about her dreams.
"Hytham, I mean no disrespect to you or the… Hidden Ones, but Kjotve is mine. My family's honor is at stake." Hytham looked back to Eivor. Sincerity within his eyes about the matter of taking the life of a man who has brought chaos and terror upon Denmark. A curse that needed to be cleansed from the world. Maybe Eivor could be pushed into becoming one of them if he sees the world for what it truly is.
"I understand. All that matters is that Kjotve does this day." Hytham said. Kaya nudged his shoulder harshly. A glare never leaving her eyes as she looked from Hytham to Eivor. What nonsense was this?! Not one day ago, Hytham was angered with Eivor receiving the hidden blade and now he favors this man! Kaya was living a nightmare that seemed to never end.
"On that, we are agreed." Basim said, ending all the conflict, but not Kaya's inner turmoil.
Author's Note:
Not much to say other than a big thank you! I really appreciate those who take the time to read this story.
Guest one: Eventually, Eivor and Kaya will get along. I have plans on how they will see eye to eye, but for now, Kaya just dislikes him for obvious reasons.
Guest two: No pressure in playing the game. Hope all is well on your end with the pandemic. I am safe and sound and fully vaccinated with my card going everywhere with me. Although my state has lifted the mask wearing- among other things that have pissed me off.
Jester0fMadness: A good suggestion for my man, Ceolbert. I believe he would take a liking to Kaya when they meet. I already have some interesting dialogue between the two when they eventually meet, but that would be in a couple chapters. I will keep that in mind for the moment as a potential interest.
ModernAge: I see you are team Hytham. Well, maybe it will happen… maybe not. Wait and see.
Bumblebeeash19: I am happy to hear you are liking the story. Kaya will not be forgotten when they head to England. I want Kaya to be Eivor's shadow for a while- which will be explained later. The relationship between Kaya and Eivor will be on good terms- sibling like terms.