Spoiler ahead! Some scenes are from Assassins Creed Valhalla.

The Black Wolf Named Eivor

Kaya,

When this letter reaches you, I will be one step closer to finding the eagle within the nest of crows.

She placed the letter over the flickering candle on the table. The letter caught fire and soon burned into ashes. Kaya looked at the remains of the letter with a blank face. She closed her eyes for a moment of peace; something that she rarely gets the time for. But, when she closed her eyes, she saw the blue eyes of the black wolf that turned into Eivor. The look upon his face was dark and cool, like the wind blowing against the mountain top. She heard the low growl echoing in her mind.

The raven landed in front of the black wolf. It's black wings folding against its body. Blue eyes acknowledged it's friend with a bow of his head. The brown she-wolf was hesitant to walk towards her brother. The other two brown wolves growled at her to not get close to the beast. They wanted to subdue him into submission, but the white wolf could do nothing to stop his sister from choosing between brothers.

Kaya wanted to sleep. She wanted to rest her body. The dreams just prevented her from sleeping by Hytham's side on the bed. She worried for him. She worried for her health. How long before she goes mad? How long before she finally breaks her body and mind?

Mentor. You should have been by my side!

She could almost feel the cold chill blow through her bones. The look upon the wolf's eyes seemed troubled. I am not the person you believe me to be. Eivor's words echoed in her mind; like a haunting spirit reaching out to the living. Kaya had heard every word he had said. There was no mockery, but one of purpose to make her realize that her anger and hatred was directed wrongly. Such a foolish woman, she thought. How could she blinded by her own anger? How could she be blinded at all?

Rubbing her hands against her face, Kaya opened her eyes to see the patrons that were inside of the tavern drinking their fill in ale. They ignored her presence after they got an eye full of the hooded stranger that sat alone. If Kaya minded her business, they would kind their own. Such is the way the world works and how Kaya was taught when she needed to learn information. She did not even remember walking to this tavern. Her feet moved on their own after making sure Hytham was resting in his bed. Knocked cold from the sleeping herbs that were mixed in his drink.

She cared deeply for Hytham. The fool of a man had almost lost his life! If she would have lost Hytham, Kaya would follow him to the afterlife and smack him until he comes back to life. He was her brother. He was her friend. They shared a connection- a bond. He was the only man that she had come close to loving.

The light warmth of the candle on the table casting an a glow to her face. She was too deep in thought about her feelings; about the confusion of events. The look in her eyes were dark, but Kaya was revered as someone who was catching to the eyes. She was not conscience of her beauty nor did she care about the opinion of others. If it were not for the hood that covered her head and the robes looking too big for her frame, maybe someone would have her as a wife. Her skin close to the color of the sand that her people roamed; Kaya was truly a stranger in a land of giants.

Who would want a woman like her? The Hidden Ones had trained her to push aside pleasures and needs.

She took a sip of the ale in front of her. Not one to drown her sorrows in drink, Kaya felt the need to do so this night. Her mind was already in a fog that was getting thicker the more she thought. With Hytham on bed rest for his injuries, he would be rendered useless for the time being. Kaya mourned for her friend and wondered what the next move for Basim would be. She already had a clue of the outcome as mentors usually find themselves another student.

Pathetic. You are drowning because you need to find reason. Kaya, just admit it to yourself. Her thoughts were becoming to loud.

Kaya took a piece of bread and broke some pieces to eat. Her stomach wasn't filled with food, only ale. Funny, she didn't even like the taste. Mentor Ishmael would be disappointed in his student if he found her drinking. Too Kaya, it was because she wanted to drown the voices and images in her head. The black wolf was staring at her with his icy glare.

Should the black wolf be disappointed too?

The black wolf had a name. Kaya knew it's name. The black wolf named Eivor.

The white wolf turned his back on his brother. Looking at the brown she-wolf with sympathetic eyes. His sister a stranger; for she walked beside her brother the black wolf.

…

Sigurd had an uneasy feeling.

Kaya was always guarded, from what Sigurd had observed. She had little interaction with others; Sigurd, Hytham, and Basim being the exception to the rule. The young woman was alone, sitting by herself with her back against the door. Her hood covered her head. Hands picking at pieces of bread upon the plate in front of her. Sigurd looked to Basim, who noticed the slouch position of Kaya. The young woman cared not for the company of others who were not of their clan.

The night was still young. People were yet drunk. The crowd wasn't heavy, nor was it silent. Sigurd had met with Basim after the battle at Kjotve's fort. Victory was still sweet upon their tongues. The blood dried upon their swords. Sigurd and his warriors felt that victory within their veins. With a heavy heart, Kaya looked as if she were mourning the dead. Hytham, from what he knew, was recovering. Basim had went to check on his student to make sure he was still of the living. Basim had said that Hytham was sleeping soundly on his bed. Kaya did her wonders on healing her friend, but Sigurd could not help but try to pry further about Hytham and Kaya's relationship.

People deserve to be happy. Basim was rather vague about it. The older man either accepts the business between the two or condemns it, Sigurd may never know.

"She is troubled." Sigurd whispered, placing his worried tone to the woman sitting with her backs to the entrance. It startled the young prince to see Kaya in such a state.

"She worries over Hytham." Basim said, beginning to walk towards Kaya. The young woman could hear their footsteps behind her. Her ears picking up the way the boots crunched the wooden floors beneath their feet. People have a tendency to walk in certain ways. If one was observant, they could see how others walked. With her back facing the entrance, Kaya was not concerned over who could sneak up behind her.

"She worries of other matters that are of her childhood and of a spiritual sense." The dreams. Sigurd has heard talk about Kaya's unusual dreams. Basim was always one to be… vague.

"Should I make another day for her to see our seer? I know she does not sleep well and there is more to her troubled nature than what she leads on." Sigurd was too intelligent for his own good, Basim mused with amusement. There was a reason why he found a liking to the young prince. The Hidden Ones were cautious of outsiders; even those who held power. Sigurd was like many youths who spoke of their dreams and eager to learn of the old ways.

It was of any wonder why he decided he wanted Eivor to hold ties to the Hidden Ones. There was even talk between Sigurd and Basim to arrange a marriage between Kaya and Eivor; that plan itself had fallen through when Kaya had learned of the ordeal. She didn't even know his name! Sigurd could remember a knife being thrown between his legs as he sat by the fire one night. The look in Kaya's eyes was deadly when she heard of the supposed arrangement. The young woman was promised to another, Basim had said. To who she was to be married to, Basim only knew.

"We shall talk of this matter another time. For the time being, I must insure Kaya does not wake up tomorrow with a headache." Basim stated. Sigurd nodded his head to the older man, agreeing with him. The mood and atmosphere in the tavern will lighten.

"I do not believe I have ever seen Kaya drink away her troubles. This is rare for me to see." Sigurd smacked her back with vigor in his step. So gloomy was the young woman right now. Her eyes looked glossed over and cheeks puffed. He could see a hint of a red hue to her skin.

"I am not troubled, prince Sigurd. I am merely enjoying my fill with your victory today. Though, I celebrate alone when Hytham is recovering from his injuries. The fool worried me so that I almost gave him more bruises." She said, sighing heavily. Even though she felt she wanted to be alone, Kaya was somewhat grateful for the company. Drinking alone wasn't something a heavy heart could handle.

"His injuries that bad?" Sigurd asked. There was a hint of concern within his voice. Hytham was a companion to Sigurd and since traveling with the three, Sigurd could see them as part of his warriors. He has seen how they fight. Seen their hidden world that has been kept in shadow since the beginning. Outsiders like him had the honor of seeing how they worked. Seeing their skills put to the test of battle. The Hidden Ones were truly remarkable in their traditions.

The work of the blade beneath their sleeve unseen to mortal eyes. Sigurd did not want to see someone he has had the pleasure of knowing go down so hard and become basically nothing. Kaya, however, saw things differently.

Kaya nodded her head slowly; her unease within not being shown. "He will recover from his wounds. To what extent he will be capable of going out on missions, it is hard to tell. I have healed him to the best of my abilities. It is up to Hytham to do the rest."

Ale was flowing freely and before long, Sigurd had himself a couple drink full. The tolerance of men like him was remarkable. Kaya had stopped drinking her fill. The need to drink alone had surpassed because of Basim keeping his eye on her. Though, the sharp eye of an eagle does not stray far from his target.

Kaya knew that Basim was keeping watch and ears open to a group of men not far from them. They too watching the three of them with sharp hazy eyes.

"I know you care for Hytham, Kaya. You two have known each other since young." Basim spoke. There was a hint of a stern voice talking to Kaya. "Keep your senses sharp before the horn of battle rings. Hytham will pull through with your healing knowledge. Do not be so troubled by his injuries. Not when you have your own problems."

"Should I sit and wait until you find another student to train, Mentor Basim?" Kaya turned her head towards Basim. Her eyes full of ridicule. Sigurd was almost at a shock to hear her speak in such a fashion to someone who is her senior. It was no wonder he has never seen the woman drink any alcohol; she becomes brave with her words. Sigurd could have laughed if we're not for the seriousness of the matter.

"Hytham would always be my student to train. He has been my apprentice since he was a child. Should Mentor Ishmael hear of your bold words, he would not be so amused." Basim was a dangerous man to anger. Kaya knew this all too well. Her mouth was itching to argue and speak her mind. Hytham should not be replaced because of his injuries, she thought.

"My words are not bold, Mentor Basim. Hytham has been training for years to move higher and be on the same level as I. Should you replace him, what would become of him? A scholar who gives tasks to those like us? I am only looking out for my friend." Kaya's feelings for Hytham have become too complicated. Basim knew that he needed to resolve this quickly before it had effect on their mission. To hear it coming from Kaya was not a shock. At least she admits to it. Basim had to server whatever complications Kaya was feeling.

She could not act out rashly because of her ties to Hytham. This was dangerous territory that she was walking into.

"He would do what I think is best. Kaya, there is much to still teach him. There is much to teach you. Your mentor has asked something of me that you may not agree with." Kaya and Sigurd could see something flash within Basim's eyes.

Kaya was going to answer Basim, when she heard heavier footsteps coming inside the tavern. A cold chill went through her spine; knowing well who was coming up behind her. There was no mistaking that it was Eivor coming inside. From the few interactions she had with the man, Kaya is able to sense his being. Her mind would always imagine Eivor as the black wolf.

What was strange that Sigurd would have the blurry image of the white wolf. Kaya lightly scratched at her nose out of habit. Basim could see her jaw tense and unclench. Every small detail that Kaya made was bringing about curiosity in Basim. Since knowing about her dreams, he wondered if Kaya might be part of something bigger.

Only time would tell. For now, her dreams were just confusing scenes of animals fighting one another.

"You have just won your hearts desire, Eivor. Yet by the look on your face, you have lost your will to live." Sigurd said, noticing Eivor coming straight to the table and sitting down at the empty seat next to him. The air around them was very tense. Eivor himself had walked into something, but the moment he walked inside, a rather tall and ugly man caught his eye.

Rage filled his gut. The raven outside sat perched upon a fence post; waiting for it's master to come back outside. Eivor walked towards the table with eyes looking at Gorm. The son of Kjotve acting as if he had not run away like a wolf with it's tail between his legs?

"Gorm is here with the last of his men. Why does that troll dare show his face?" Eivor said with disgust in his voice. Kaya get herself ease her tension from the earlier conversation. Thanking Eivor mentally for steering away unease. The young woman dare not look to Basim. Her outburst would not go unpunished. Was she straying to far from the values the Hidden Ones had taught her?

She could feel the cold running up her spine. A pair of icy blue eyes staring at her and another pair growling at his brother. She closed her eyes to scare away the images of the wolves. Fuck!

"Leave it for another day. We are here under Harald's truce. And Gorm is too weak to try anything bold." Sigurd said, drinking his fill of ale once again. The conversation and tense atmosphere was not settling within his bones. The outburst of Kaya to Basim was a surprise to the young prince, but to see Eivor having a spark in his eye was another matter all together. He wanted to end Gorm's life. Sigurd had two different scenarios to ease tension.

It was a matter of which tension was strongest.

"He is a seed-stain on his father's trousers. I should wipe him from this world." Kaya chuckled at such bold and random words. Either she was drunk or she was trying to ease her troubles by the sudden expression. Basim kept himself quiet for the moment. He would deal with Kaya later. Sigurd and Eivor saw nothing humorous of the matter.

"Something you find funny, Kaya?" Eivor said.

"Kaya, your mouth is becoming troublesome. Either you ease yourself into a calm mind or I will throw you into the cold and icy water outside." Basim warned. He was a man of patience, but even a man like him had a limit. Kaya was pushing boundaries for reasons he was unsure of. She was becoming unruly. Her words and outburst are going to cause Basim to teach Kaya lessons of respect.

What has gotten into her? Basim thought. Hytham was one reason, but there was something else. Has she even slept at all?

Looking at Kaya closely, Basim could see dark circles beneath her eyes. The dream. It is because of the dreams.

Kaya grinned like a child as she looked to the man. The image of the black wolf stared at her with a snarl, but Kaya had liquid courage running through her veins. Though she wanted to cause chaos; being a bit drunk and wanting to leave the table, Kaya found it best to be submissive for the time being. She was already fueled with anger. She wanted to flick her wrist and stab at the table. She had too much pent up anger that did not go unnoticed.

His name. The black wolf had a name.

"Not tonight, Eivor. Leave it." Kaya could hear how troubled Sigurd had become. She cast a glance at the man in front of her and saw something dark. The young woman did not have to turn her body to hear footsteps leading out. It was as if Gorm wanted to be heard as he exited with other following. Kaya could almost feel her fingers itch for blood.

The white wolf feel unease. He knows his brother wants to spill blood. Kaya scratched at her nose again. Her mind buzzing with the wolves around her.

"Basim and Kaya, watch over this one and see that he warms himself with drink. I will find my father and escort him to the long house." Sigurd stood up from his seat, but before leaving, he looked at Kaya. The young woman was thinking of something that could cause her to get into trouble. Maybe it was best to warn her.

"Play nice." Kaya glared at the prince with daggers in her eyes. Sigurd smirked and took off. His face becoming serious once more once he had his back to them.

"As you wish." Basim said. The older man having thoughts of his own. An unreadable expression upon his face.

Sitting with Eivor looking at both mysterious figures, the young man could not help but ask questions that he may not ever find. The older man that sat in front of him was more a mystery than the young woman. Kaya wasn't as welcoming, but with Eivor wanting to stretch his hand for truce between the two, he would focus of Basim for better understanding.

Kaya was just a complicated character. And her actions tonight were uncharacteristic of the young woman. Eivor could sense that Kaya was drunk; or rather was a bit hazy.

"Is Hytham well?" He asked Basim. The awkwardness growing stale.

"He will heal, but never fully recover. It is fortunate that you were able to succeed were he failed." Kaya frowned at hearing the truth coming from Basim. Eivor felt a bit of sympathy of hearing such things. A warrior who was unfit for battle was as good as dead. A distraction that would cause a kingdom to fall.

"My resolve was strong." Eivor said. His voice not sounding arrogant, but rather truthful.

"It is not about resolve." Kaya said, surprisingly calm. Her anger subsided knowing she could no longer show resentment towards Eivor. Either her drunken state or her sober mind had come to terms with accepting Eivor as a kindred spirit. Someone who was like Kaya: stubborn, but lacked understanding.

"Is that so?" Eivor lightly leaned against the table. Looking at the way Kaya stared at him with a glossy glare in her eyes. Her frown did not suit her. All the fight inside of her had ceased. She looked worn. She looked tired. Eivor would not bully her.

"When you slew Kjotve, did you see a sigil on him? Silver, the size of my palm, bearing the symbol of an ash tree?" Basim spoke up. Watching the interaction between the two young adults. Kaya did not argue. Eivor did not push forwards. This was indeed an interesting night.

Author's Note:

Thank you all for your patience. It truly has been a rough month for me and my family. Slowly, life is getting better, but grandpa isn't forgotten. I would like to thank you all for the condolences, it was very appreciated. I will be back to my regular uploading schedule. Being away from writing and mourning, the break was really needed. My family was glad i was able to be there for them when they needed me to be. My mom was glad i was there for here along with my sisters. I know i may sound as if i am still in mourning. All i have to say is F*** Cancer. Its a nasty disease. everyone, please take care of your health and be there for your loved ones; blood family or not.

You are all beautiful!