A Broken Vow

The black and brown wolf circled one another. Sizing up each other; cautious was with every step. The mountain top blew icy cold wind against their fur. The brown wolf was cautious at every step, in front of the beast with the blue eyes. Something within him seemed broken. A soul lost without purpose or direction.

The brown wolf knew she could not turn her back to the black wolf. Never turn your back on anyone, for they will strike you down if they see your weakness. The brown wolf could see the sorrow within her brothers' eyes. White wolf has disappeared into the snow storm, with his blood staining the snow. A broken trust between two powerful wolves had shattered.

The storm grew harsh with the snow becoming ice. What was at the edge of the mountain side was war and death.

Kaya opened her eyes to the sound of movement outside. The few hours of rest had been nothing but the reoccurring dream. She had long wished for solace to dream of something else. Maybe in time, she would not dream of the wolves or the raven. She could almost feel the pain, the anger, the confusion and hurt from each wolf.

No time to think of it now. She thought to herself. She could feel the tension in her neck. Her muscles were going to be stiff with no way of relief. Kaya would just have to suffer for the moment. She needed to be ready and not distracted by what's to come. By the sound of the movement outside, things were picking up.

One man dies. She thought. Though this was not her target, she wondered how Hytham must feel knowing he was not going to have his chance at setting his blade. With the discussion of ending Kjotve's life, Eivor was convinced he would be the one. If only the fool understood the value of such a high target. The reputation the man has and what it means to the Hidden Ones.

She rubbed her face with her hands to wake herself fully. Her body felt sore and tense from tossing and turning. Just a few hours of sleep was all that was given to them. Basim told them to rest, eat, and prepare themselves for what is to come. Kaya found herself in a small room with a bed and furs. Not much else to it other then it being slightly cold.

She will never get used to it.

Looking over to the small table that was at the corner of her bed, was the letter, still sealed. Kaya has yet to open it. Why was she being so hesitant to read it? Surely Mentor Ishmael had nothing to write that would cause alarm.

"Kaya?" Hytham called her name from the other side of the door. He lightly knocked before he entered inside. Kaya was decent enough as she had no embarrassment of being seen without her robes on to cover her tattoos. Hytham has seen them before and asked her multiple times what they meant, but Kaya never said anything.

She looked over her shoulder to see her friend closing the door to get them some privacy. Shouts of orders in the common tongue of Denmark was flowing roughly through her ears. She could almost smell the blood and burning wood.

"Kjotve dies this night. One less order to bring devastation to others." He said, looking away from Kaya. The young woman stood from the bed to stretch out her body. Bones popped and muscles stretched. Her robe was placed upon a chair and blade was always by her side. The blade a gift to her by Mentor Ishmael when she had succeeded her training. The removal of her finger a testament to their fight.

"Think the killing blow will be by your blade or Eivor's?" She asked as she put her robes on. Smoothing out the wrinkles and fixing her blade underneath the sleeve. Hytham was silent for a moment; contemplating her words. There was a storm in her eyes; warring between wanting to say more or lash out at the closest hay dummy with her blade.

Kaya noticed this as she saw the warring stare in his eyes. Shit. She should of not said something careless to him. As much as Eivor was bound to kill Kjotve, the killing blow was his alone. Kaya felt pity for Hytham as this was his first kill. His chance to move up and not be seen as something lower in status.

"I did not mean…" Her words fell silent as she cursed herself. She looked away to grab the unopened letter to place in her robe. She wanted to bite off her tongue. Her words can be so reckless at times without thinking of the feelings or reactions of others around her.

"Do not apologize for what could not be controlled. Eivor has much a right to kill a man that has done him wrong. As long as the Order of Ancients knows that we still carry on." Hytham stated. Kaya was not so convinced about it. She was still angry, but the more she thought about Eivor, she could only show her distaste for the man. Kaya's trust was not something easy to gain.

There she goes again. Going to open her mouth to start a fight. Kaya, control yourself!

"You can convince yourself with such words, Hytham. When one spends months learning and thinking of ways to kill your target, only for it to be snatched away so easily; does the wolf apologizes to the elk?" She could feel a headache forming in her mind. Her finger itching to scratch at her nose. This was becoming a nuance to her.

Now was not the time to lash out. One man should not leave you with ruffled feathers. Why can't you accept the fact Eivor has been chosen? His gift of sight. His guide. His eyes that remind you of the black wolf. Kaya, reach out a hand of friendship. He could be a asset to your cause.

Her mind was trying to reason with the spirit.

"Why must you see Eivor as a burden? Does the black wolf haunt you so much that you have to fight Eivor every chance you get?" Kaya's eyes narrowed harshly. Her fingers itched, circling into a fist. Eivor just boiled her blood!

"I should have kept my thoughts to myself if I knew you were going to throw it back at me." She crossed her arms before she began a fight that could end in a broken bond. Kaya was resisting the urge to ruining many years of friendship.

"I am not attacking you, Kaya. The more you let the dream consume you and Eivor, your mission here will put your life at risk. As your friend, the dream would mean something more." Hytham and Kaya were too close to lose a bond over something that Kaya was too stubborn to let go.

"What good is a dream if I only see death? I have been having the same dream for years and none know of its purpose. I had to find out on my own the Eivor could be the black wolf. Sigurd might as well be the injured white wolf missing his arm." She closed her mouth and gritted her teeth. She had already said too much, yet she felt relieved to finally say it. Sigurd could very well be the white wolf that is trying to reason with the black wolf.

Hytham was not sure of what to make of this new information.

"The wolves are brothers by bond, not blood. I am not sure why. I am not sure what caused it. The two wolves will fight each other until one owns the mountain." She pushed past Hytham without saying much else. Her mind was troubled enough as it was, but she could not let it get to her. There were more important matters at hand, but Kaya could not help but wonder to herself if Eivor and Sigurd were the wolves, who betrayed who?

The fortress was as she had expected it to be. Many of the men and women were preparing for war. Sharpening their axes, filling their pouches with arrows, and praying to their gods; for if they die, they shall be treated in the afterlife with good fortune. Kaya had learned about their culture and way of life. The gods they believed in were far different from her own. They would happily die in battle for a chance to fight once again in the afterlife.

She heard the footsteps behind her. Hytham, Basim, Sigurd, and Eivor had found her sitting alone with a candle in front of her. Kaya had been deep in thought and praying for her safe return home once this is all over.

She stood up from the ground, ready and armed for a fight.

Kjotve's name was being echoed loudly that the mountains themselves would crumble. Kaya stood without fear in her stance as the shadow of the large man loomed closer to the opening. An intimidating foe with sharpened axes in each hand. The look of murderous intent on his aging face, but that was the look of a man who has killed and seen war. Kaya knew such looks all to well and has brought down men with his stature by the flick of her wrist.

He's disgusting. She thought with malice. A sneer could not help but spread upon her lips.

The cold of the night blew a chill in the air. Sweeping across a large open area where bits of snow and gravel mixed together and blew against the shields of both sides. Kaya, Basim, and Hytham stood by Sigurd's side. Eivor watched closely to the shadows of something large and threatening moving like a silent predator. Kaya could feel her heart racing with excitement. The anticipation grew heavy in all.

Basim was as calm as a statue. Hytham- though hiding his intentions- kept the same posture as his mentor. Kaya was not sure what he was planning behind his eyes, but she could see something.

Will he make the killing blow?

"Sigurd Whoreson! You slink around my walls like a thief in the night. Face me here. Now!" His voice was thunderous. Full of pride and arrogance that Kjotve knew he will win this fight. Men like Kjotve fall harder when they believe to be on top of the mountain.

Kaya looked to the side of her to see the men: Basim, Hytham, Sigurd, and Eivor were keeping their senses together for the moment. Let Kjotve boast his insults, but the worth of a man was through his axe. Foes that have built their reputation on blood were men who held themselves in high regard. Her wrist itched to release her blade just so she could feel Kjotve's blood running down her blade. It has been so long since she had tracked a target of her own.

Steady.

Kjotve's order will not save him this time.

"The fight is mine, Kjotve. Sigurd is only here to watch me feed your innards to my raven." Eivor spoke, walking in front of them. He was dead set on being the one to reclaim something that had been taken from him. Kaya looked to the ground for a moment, contemplating on Eivor.

"Look at this! Once again, Eivor Wolf-Kissed appears to take a swipe at me!" Kjotve said. There was mockery within his voice. A grin placed upon his lips in satisfaction at such a display. Kaya felt a little offended for having to see Eivor being mocked. As much as Kaya did not favor Eivor himself, she could not help but want to smack that slimy grin from Kjotve's face.

There was a strong need to insult Kjotve for his arrogance.

"This… This is my father's shame. Today, I take back the honor he lost. I call a homgang. Here, against the oath-breaker." Eivor was not fazed by such mockery. Sigurd stood silent with a grin upon his face.

All around were waiting for the fight to begin. They wanted blood shed. Either side wanted their fighter to win and hail arrows upon their foes. Kaya was not going to die this day. Not when one of the Order was making himself an target, but he was not going to be easy to strike. Kjotve knew he had advantage in his size and power. If Eivor was intelligent enough, he would see a weakness in men as large as Kjotve, but Kaya was not going to bet money on it.

Anger would consume Eivor. Honor was all he wanted to take back. Kaya knew of the story of his mother and father. Sigurd had spoken of it on their travels. Eivor was a boy when his parents were killed by Kjotve. It wasn't about revenge in Kaya's eyes.

This is about a boy who wants solace. She thought, when the scene was eerily familiar to her.

"I will make you beg, like your gather begged, Wolf-Kissed. Squeal as your mother squealed!" Kjotve placed his axes into a pole, knowing he was not going to lose this fight. His body size, tone in voice, and his stance was not that of a dead man.

Evior stood perfectly still with his raven flying high in the sky.

Kjotve made the first move with his large fist. Throwing it towards Eivor, speaking pathetic words to his much smaller opponent. Kaya had not had the opportunity to watch Eivor fight. How he moved seemed rough, staggering between defense and trying to throw a blow into Kjotve. But, the large man was all power and hard defense. His size made things difficult for Eivor to even land a blow.

Kjotve used all his advantages, knowing that Eivor had little chance at striking him. Speed was something that Eivor could use in his favor; being much leaner and not so heavy set. A shield and his father's axe were his only weapons.

Kaya found it disheartening to watch Eivor struggle the way he did against Kjotve. The crowd cheered on to see the fight come to an end. The young woman clenched her fists tightly, whispering to herself for Eivor to make it out alive. If the fool were to get killed all for honor, then she will have to kill him in the afterlife.

Kjotve grabbed hold of Eivor, picking up pace, he threw the man past some boards and into a pit. What no one could predict was a flash of dark robes rushing through the crowd. His feet moving with grace, jumping from the platform with his left hand extended out. Looking like an eagle ready to strike at his prey. This was his chance that he has been waiting for since the fight began. This opportunity could not be wasted.

Kaya cursed herself for watching Hytham go after the target.

Kjotve smirked as he saw the dark shadow over him fly with such grace, only to be grabbed harshly and thrown roughly into a pile of crates. The force of the impact had caused the crates to break. Hytham landed on his side; unmoving.

"HYTHAM!" Both Eivor and Kaya yelled.

Her legs moved faster then her thoughts. Basim was not quick enough to stop her, even if he tried, Kaya would desperately claw at anyone to get to her friend. Kaya made it to the end of the platform, jumping down while both Kjotve and Eivor co tuned fighting. The sound of her landing in the pit caused Kjotve to turn and throwing a small axe towards her. Kaya just barely missed the weapon by a hairs length. Her heart and mind focusing on Hytham's still body just in front of her.

No! She turned around, using her body to protect Hytham. Her left arm outstretched and waiting to release her blade. Her eyes full of anger and murderous intent as Kjotve tossed Eivor to the side momentarily. His eyes looking upon the small woman with the eyes of a wild animal.

"Protecting him will not save you from your death." Kjotve said. Both axes held tightly in his grasp. Kaya was ready to defend Hytham with her life! They both had grown up together and trained under dangerous mentor's. Kaya would do anything for the man laying motionless behind her and if it meant Eivor not getting his father's honor back, so be it.

She had faced death before and by the gods, she will embrace it!

I will not lose a part of my family! She thought. She could feel the tears starting to brim and fall, with the thought of her mother and father hanging from the pillar. A young Kaya at their feet as Mentor Ishmael placed his hand upon her head. Telling her to cry now, but when the time comes, she will find the ones responsible.

Kaya was waiting for death to come. She has seen it all many times before. The enemy, charging at her with their weapon. Ready to kill. Ready to see her suffer. But, death had missed her once more. Her eyes blurred when the fog came rolling in. A large black wolf ran towards Kjotve and punched upon his back. The black wolf's fangs digging into his neck.

Kaya's eyes went wide at what she saw.

Author's Note

It's been a busy two weeks for ya girl! Sorry for missing my updating schedule, my life is going from 0 to 100 real quick and hopefully will slow down soon. I am a workaholic, which is something that should not be praised or glorified. Luckily I will be going on 16 days leave to readjust myself and relax with my daughter as we will be enjoying time together as mother and daughter. Have not had time to be in mommy mode!

If I do not update on my usually Saturday or Sunday, I will update the following week.

Guest: You stay safe and healthy my friend. I like to interact with others to answer any questions that they may have. And yes, Kjotve is part of the order. Maybe I should put a spoiler warning on my chapters for those who haven't played yet.