*Spoilers* Some scenes will be from Valhalla. Not every chapter will have scenes from the game. From now on, I am putting a spoiler warning in every chapter.
Compromise
The world around her was deathly silent.
The sky had darkened. There were no stars in the sky. The cold was bitter. She could almost hear the rining sound within her ears. Her senses were going mad. Instinct felt almost animalistic to Kaya.
She could smell rotting flesh in the air. A sickening scent that would haunt her till she is dead and buried. Kjotve's body lay still with his throat ripped open. She could see the inside of all the tendons and muscle, with blood pouring out of his veins. The sound of his gurgles with every breath soon stopped as the black wolf held something within his teeth. The body of his prey would soon be cold and blue. Kaya has never seen something so gruesome in all her life.
You cannot save him. A deep voice echoed in her mind.
Blood covered the circular object, though, it seemed familiar to Kaya. Blue eyes stared at her with bristled fur sticking up. Just moments before, Eivor stood in the place of the black wolf. An intimidating beast that has haunted Kaya for years in her dreams. Her heart could have stopped. Her breath was caught in her lungs. The black wolf looked to her with saddened blue eyes.
Forgive me, sister. His voice. Eivor? Kaya wanted to speak, but found that her words were caught on her tongue. This strange world that pulled her in was one known to her. Surrounded by the snow and a darkened sky.
Kaya could not keep her eyes off the beast. With Hytham behind her, protecting her friend from any harm should be her concern. Run!
The black wolf dropped the object within his mouth. Speaking to Kaya with a saddened voice. Why was he saying this to her? Calling her sister? Kaya was confused. His large paw was placed over it and the black wolf looked to the sky and howled.
The croak of the raven above him had echoed mighty and high. The black creature circled around him, making the snow swirl with a flap of its wings. It was beautiful, yet dangerous. Look for too long and the world would collapse. Kaya was scared of what this all meant. Eivor had been granted many gifts. With the gift comes a curse.
I had no other choice, sister.
Kaya was unnerved when the beast turned himself back into Eivor. The blade that killed Kjotve was dripping with his blood. She was close to dropping to her knees; all strength leaving her for that moment. The look in her eyes held no emotion, until she found the courage to look back to Hytham. His fingers moving slowly upon the cold dirt.
"He means much to you." She heard Eivor say. There was solace, worry even, in his tone. "Take him back to the docks. If he means something to you, he shall live. I am not the person you believe me to be."
Kaya tended from his words. Eivor wanted to make amends and find truce in Kaya. He did nothing wrong, only the circumstances that had driven the young woman to act as if he were lower than the stains on her boots.
"Then," she hesitated with a crack in her voice. "Who are you?" Kaya was not sure if those above them were confused of the small talk between them. Kjotve was dead. The duel had been in Eivor's favor. The mission was done. It was time to return home.
Then why was this too easy?
"One who you believe me not to be." Eivor clenched the object in his hand. He did not turn to look at Kaya. Her fierce gaze staring at his broad back. Could she have seen what he saw in the other realm? He wondered for a moment. The thought lingered, but there was a battle that needed to be won. Kjotve's son would not also have to die by his blade.
"Words so simple. They fall from your lips as if you are to make me believe. Maybe, we shall see a truce. Maybe." Kaya placed her hand upon Hytham's shoulder. Squeezing it lightly to tell him that she was at his side. Kaya could never leave his side.
Not after this.
Hytham tried to move his hand to reach for her, but the pain was too great. Kaya lightly scolded him to not move. He seemed to be in and out of consciousness.
Eivor's footsteps moved away from her. Going silently into the night where just ahead, a battle was to take place. Hytham needed to be somewhere safe so she can asses his injuries. Internal or not, Kaya was not going to let him die here. Damnit! She was not going to let him die. Her attachment to him was too great to just be cut away because of his foolishness.
There was fire. There was smoke. Kaya had to focus on Hytham and get him to safety. She reached down to him, grabbing his arm to gently put it over her shoulder. He was heavy, but Kaya did not care. He was breathing, a good sign that he was not dead yet. There seemed to be no blood staining his robes. Another good sign, but they were not yet out of danger.
Kaya could hear the fighting from the other side. With Kjotve now laying dead in his own grave, Kaya pushed forwards to safety. Basim was no where to be seen; probably in the midst of the battle happening behind her. She was grateful for the moment to not be seen or attacked. Kaya was sure she would defend herself and Hytham, but if reinforcements were to strike them down, they would never make it out alive.
"Pull through Hytham. If you die now, I will make sure to kill you when I meet you in the afterlife." She said in between sharp breaths. The man that was leaning upon her groaned lightly, moving his feet to get her some relief from his weight. Still conscience, another good sign. As long as he was breathing and moving his feet, Hytham would live. It was only a matter of getting out of danger that was the issue.
Kaya was not familiar with the area and only knew how to backtrack back to the docks. Moving like the shadows they were, Kaya kept her hold on Hytham. His staggered breathing was worrying to her, but her legs kept moving. She could feel her muscles burning. The ache would be with her for as long as she lived.
"I see two over there!" Someone shouted.
Fuck. She thought.
"They are not one of us! Kill them!" Two figures came running after them.
She gently placed Hytham on the ground, making sure he was safe; somewhere secure. Kaya waited for the onslaught of the two warriors. Axes and shields at the ready, but Kaya was in no mood to be stopped by such defenses. She grabbed her sword that was at her side, placing it in front of her. Eyes focused. She was ready for them.
Hytham had opened his eyes to see nothing but blurriness. His body ached and he could feel that something was broken. Breathing seemed impossible. Gasping for air like a fish trying to breathe for the first time, Hytham was angered at his failure. He was close. He had an opening. To see Kaya alone, facing two warriors, he failed trying to be at her side.
"Your sword will not save you from my axe!" The first warrior ran towards Kaya with a grin upon his scarred face.
Kaya moved her feet to the side, blocking herself from the onslaught; while the other man came at her with a fierce yell. Shield in front of him, trying to push her to the ground once he made contact where his partner failed. She was met with the force of the wooden shield, but she did not lose her footing. She could not stumble or else she would be struck. These warriors had their own tactics in war, but Kaya was agile. Opponents bigger and stronger always had a weakness. Kaya knew their weakness. Use their body. Use their arrogance. Taking in a deep breath of cold air into her lungs, she kicked at the exposed legs of the warrior. The shield was not large, but enough to block his torso. His friend took the opportunity to raise his axe when Kaya had her back to him.
Never leave yourself open. She heard Mentor Ishmael in her head.
The young woman swung her sword around to deflect the axe coming at her. Where the axe was nimble and fast, it was not so sturdy as her sword. She gritted her teeth at the force of the blow between the two different weapons. Her hand shook and almost dropped the sword from the vibration. Damn! Kaya did not have time to recover, as the same warrior raised his axe to strike down at her again. The other man recovered quickly from being kicked in his legs. The gods may have favored Kaya, she jumped to the side as the warrior struck his friend in the shoulder. The man yelled loudly with blood rushing out of his wound.
Had it not been for the arrogance, both men could have taken her down. Kaya was an open target for arrows. Skilled warriors could have seen her struggle, but Kaya did not allow for her opponents to see such things. Agile and fast, Kaya could best men in a fight. Being a few inches shorter than these men, Kaya still had her strengths.
She could feel the itch of her blade beneath her sleeve. She wanted so badly to strike them in the neck to dispose of them quickly. The blood lust was vile within. Steadying her hand, the blade would have to wait to taste blood of someone far more deserving.
Kaya took this opportunity of distraction to throw her sword at the other warriors back. Hoping to aim for a major vein so he could bleed out. The sword hit his back, and like his friend, blood was rushing out. They would die from blood loss on the cold harsh ground. Defeated so easily without much thought. Kaya did not treasure the sword and left quickly once she got Hytham back around her shoulder.
She was not one to waste time on those already dying. Their gods would welcome them to their peace. No sense in watching them struggle for breath or a gargle of their last moments. Kaya was keen on getting Hytham to safety. Her heart was pounding heavily in her chest. Muscles aching in places she had long forgot were there.
"We are almost there, Hytham." She said with encouragement. The battle behind her still warring on. The cold night was filled with the smell of blood and ash. She could feel how tense Hytham had become. His breathing had not changed much. From a glance, she weakly smiled at him. Making it out alive was all she needed. Her hand that held his arm was not tight, but she was grateful for his will to survive.
Even if he was a fool.
When she made it to the docks, she could feel her body giving out. Those that had returned or were left behind to guard the longship, Kaya was grateful for the assistance. The weight of Hytham was off her shoulders and soon, she leaned against a pole with ragged breath. The cold air burning her lungs further, but Kaya looked to Hytham being laid on his back with furs over his body.
She was not certain when she blacked out or when she arrived to their destination. It was all a blur to Kaya. She followed closely behind the two Danes that were being careful in transporting Hytham. His eyes were opened, looking to the night sky. The pained look in his eyes had softened Kaya's heart for a moment.
When they placed him in one of the houses by the dock, he had a single room with a candle lighting the small space. There was little warmth, but there were furs to keep him in a comfortable state. Kaya began treating her friend. Finding that his side was bruised heavily.
"Ow! That stings, Kaya!" Well, Hytham surely was alive now just by a simple touch to his side. Kaya twitched an eye and stood suddenly. She knew now that she should not have done so, but at the time it felt right. She was angry. She was tired. Her mind was a mess. Hytham could have died and she could not show how much she cares for him.
"You were foolish! You could have been killed! What would have happened if I would have lost you, Hytham?! You are my friend. I see you as blood." Kaya yelled, making Hytham flinch in pain. Seeing her angered and close to tears was something not many have seen. As much as Kaya held anger, she had to restrain herself.
Hytham began to sit up upon the bed. His upper body exposed to her. He could see the large bruises upon his flesh. There were also scars along his side that were from the broken crates. Kaya knew how to heal and determine the injuries. Her hands may have been calloused from years of training, but they also felt gentle.
"I saw an opening. Kjotve was distracted by Eivor. I miscalculated my leap and timing." Hytham said weakly. He could feel the heat in his cheeks began to burn from having been almost naked in front of Kaya. The young woman, however, did not care for such small details. The bruises and scratches were proof enough of his injuries.
Kaya scuffed with crossed arms. It would have been a humorous manner of her pouting if the scene were not so serious. Memories of her parents hanging flashed suddenly in her mind. The tears that fell down her younger self's cheeks could be felt. The anguish and anger of not being able to do anything because she was a child. Kaya felt the same way when it came to Haytham. She cared for him.
"You miscalculated. You should have let Eivor take the blow, but no. You wanted the death to be on your blade. What were you thinking, Hytham?!" She threw her hands up in the air in an exaggerated gesture. The anguish of anger and worry had surprised Hytham. Kaya cared for him yes, but there was something within her eyes that felt soft and tender when she looked at him.
"You place blame on me and my actions, yet Kjotveis dead." Hytham wanted to reason with her emotional state. He knew Kaya's parents died, but never heard the full story. It took a lot of time and effort to get Kaya to be open about certain aspects of her life. Mentor Ishmael raised Kaya since childhood and saw what she could become.
Yes, what Hytham did could have killed him. Yes, he would blame himself for years about his miscalculation. Right now, Hytham needed to calm his friend. He needed to rest and recover. There was no telling if he would ever move with ease again because of the blow to his side. His breathing was still ragged. He was still in pain.
"At the expense of you being hurt. How long will it take for you to heal in order to move on through the ranks? I cannot sit still and watch as… Eivor takes your place." She looked at him. The anger turned into conflict within her eyes. He could have sworn he saw a shine within.
"Is that what you think, Kaya?" Hytham felt hurt at hearing her speaking about such things.
"Maybe. I am not certain. I feel something is going through Mentor Basim's mind." She sighed heavily.
"I cannot lose you. I cannot lose anyone else." She admitted. Looking at her left hand, the missing finger that will always remain as a ghost of a reminder. The blade hidden beneath her sleeve, Kaya has found her family within the Hidden Ones. The letter Mentor Ishmael sent her was now ready to be read.
Hytham felt a bit of heat rush to his cheeks as she closed the distance between them. She unashamed of how it may look like to someone who did not understand their close bond. She sat next to him on the bed and the night itself was left to the stars above.
Author's Note:
Again, I apologize for my lateness. I had a death in the family and had to take emergency leave. It has been a long week dealing with family and the stress and mourning.
Guest: Kaya would get a lot better and tolerable as we continue on. I guess her closeness to Hytham could mean something? She confines in him. So, who knows who she may end up with? Kaya needs someone who can either match her personality or calm her down.
Guest: I will enjoy my 16-day leave. Unfortunately, tragedy happened in my family with the passing of my grandfather. Next month I will have another chance to enjoy my time.
Please stay safe. Drink plenty of water wherever you may be. Summer is just about here. Kids are out of school. Families are together. Everyone enjoy their time together.