Spoiler ahead! Some scenes are from Assassins Creed Valhalla.

Leaving Valhalla (part 2)

She had her fill in food, but not much in drink. Sober Kaya was not a docile Kaya. Trouble followed a drunk woman; even more-so a woman who is a foreigner. The villagers stare at her with lingering questions of the hooded ones. These three shadow figures that followed behind men of power, but in truth, they followed no one other then their own.

She sighed heavily to herself with contemplation of her own future. The roads become narrow without any room. Leaving with those who choose not to bow to a king to a place where there is unrest, a perfect storm of unease. Her dreams become more and more relentless with the thick smell of blood on the mountain. How long could she hold back from trying to get answers? It would drive her mad soon, but she would have to bare with it once more.

There were to many occurrences happening within this short period of time. She rubbed at her nose to get her mind off of these disturbances. Kaya had to clear her mind and focus on the journey ahead. It is going to be dangerous when they enter into territory the Hidden Ones have not set foot in, in such a long time. Kaya's ancestor had died in that land and buried in one of the ruins of the ancient bureau's in England.

'What will I encounter when I reach those shores? They will see these burly men and women, different from their own. Strangers in a strange land. Attacks. I will have to keep my guard up at all times. They do not trust the Norsemen and they would not trust me.' She leans against a crate, arms folded over her chest. The next few days are going to be dangerous to them all. The waters can be unforgiving to those who sail her.

Kaya could only think of their gods protecting them. As for Kaya herself, what gods could protect her if she does not have a god to preference? These people seek glory, so their stories could be told. Their names never forgotten and their victories inspire the next generation. Do all men seek this kind? Do they seek glory and wish for their story to be told for years to come?

"Do you always seek comfort in the shadows where you feel most protected?" Eivor's voice broke through her revere. The cast of the sun behind the grey clouds brought about warmth in the cold air. Kaya never felt alone; always watched with curious eyes. Her apprentice was becoming bold and noisy.

"Even the deer runs away when the wolf is being noisy. Can I not be alone to think about what dangers are ahead or should I give council to speak openly about them? You should know where you stand with me, but even men have their pride and dominance." Kaya scuffed as she placed her hands down by her side. Her annoyance growing by Eivor's sudden appearance next to her.

Eivor chuckled lightly at the young woman's sudden glare towards him. Her dark eyes growing darker then the ashes of wood when it burns in the fire pit. He does not do this on purpose, but maybe to Kaya, she sees it at the opposite. Eivor only wanted to reach out in friendship and understanding, not two predators attacking each other when there is plenty of land.

"Must you try to bite my neck? Even weak animals don't stray far from the pack." Eivor crossed his arms over his chest. Kaya had noticed the scars on his throat that have healed over time. Often times when she was around the man, his hair would sometimes cover it, but he was never ashamed of something so noticeable. Warriors never cover their scars. They show it off because of the stories that would often time be fabricated to show off to others.

Sigurd spoke of what happened to Eivor when he was boy and how he escaped death. Kaya pursed her lips tightly to hold back from speaking any further, but she could see the sincerity in Eivor in trying to give her a peace branch.

It was no wonder Kaya did not get along with many people. She had a bite that broke flesh.

"Do you not consider me an ally?" Eivor asked.

"Whether I consider you an ally is not my decision to make. Why did you track me down when you should be at the docks to load the longships?" Kaya switched her weight to the other foot to ease off some uncomfortable awkwardness.

"Trouble finds a way to stop those from leaving. King Harald has already set foot his colors to the land itself. Even king Styrbjorn carries the colors of another king to his longship. Something tells me that he will try to convince Sigurd to keep by his side. But glory is just overhead." Kaya nodded her head in understanding at the situation. The colors and flags were something new and it seems king Harald is much a fool as she had already known.

Like a wolf pissing on a tree to mark his territory.

"We do not seek glory or believe that we will be rewarded in the next life. What we seek is for truth beyond what those not of us can find. The truth could be twisted and perverted from the mouth of honey suckled words. Tell me, Eivor, do you follow what king Harald has promised or do you seek for truth in England?" Kaya looked up to the roof to see the raven perched upon it. Sitting still without movement and eyes looking to them.

There was a secret the raven itself could not reveal until the time was right. Kaya wanted Eivor to understand that the Hidden Ones have no place in history because of they sought glory, all they have fought for would be revealed. It was best to keep to the shadows and not be seen. The truth was far more glorious rather then seeking it.

Kaya knew she could not change what was beneath Eivor's bones. Embedded in his mind and trained in his body to die for glory and seek Valhalla. Their gods would welcome them to the next life. It sounds good to be somewhere the warriors would forever be remembered, but Kaya only wanted her truth to be spread far and wide.

That is where they differed.

Eivor stood silent for a moment in contemplation. He was never one to follow the drum of others and followed the ones of his own. That was his path since young when he lost his parents. Eivor was destined for something that he could not understand. His loyalty was with Sigurd and his clan. He would do anything to make sure they prospered in England.

The raven saw upon the scene of the large black wolf and the brown wolf standing side by side to an uncertain future. Brother and sister seemed to walk the same path, but the ravens sight could see far beyond to a road that split into two. Whichever path one took, there was no telling if they would see the end. The raven ruffled it's feathers and would soon take off.

It is said that a raven is the messenger of the gods.

They came upon the scene sometime later; both Eivor and Kaya lost in their own thoughts with uncertainty. Styrbjorn walked towards Sigurd with hurried footsteps. Seeing his son making such a brash decision without notice would upset any father because he was losing his only son- only blood family. Those around kept wary of what was to unfold.

"Sigurd, what is this assembly? What are you planning?" Styrbjorn said. What madness was his own son thinking? Why must he try to rebel and not give in to something that could bring peace? Did his own father not matter?

"An exit, father. As graceful as I can. For if I cannot be king in the land of my birth, I will start a new Saga. In England." Sigurd was profound in his own decision. He believes that this was the right thing to do and nothing could change it, not even his own father. Sigurd had to fight for something that was denied to him by birth. How could everything be taken from him because of one man who promised and spoke as if he already new their countries future? It sounded perverse.

Kaya had to give it to Sigurd for his strong resolve. As a prince, he wanted what was given to him by right. A king by birth! A king that had land and status! Sigurd wanted what was best for his clan. The very clan he was raised in and the people around him showed him great respect as a warrior and showered him with love. If given the chance, he would have been a good king.

But one could not be foolish to believe such things. Even kings become tyrants. To say if Sigurd would have become one, it was questionable.

"Nonsense. Your place is here, Son. At my side. There will be other victories soon, other glories." Styrbjorn was not having any of it. He did not want to believe that his own son would leave him because he was angered, hurt, and betrayed. Styrbjorn believed that he did the right thing and prevented any future wars within the clans. They needed unity and having king Harald as a single ruler was enough for him.

Sigurd was young and wanted to act out because of his title being taken. Given time, Styrbjorn believes his son would understand why he did what he did without Sigurd's knowledge. Kaya could see the inner turmoil within the much older man. The look of a father hurt by his own son. It seemed to be a betrayal that one would hear in the old myths and legends. All knew how such things turned out in the end.

Kaya looked to Eivor for a moment to see no reaction. He was the one closest to Sigurd and understood his brother better then anyone. It was a rather sad sight to see the distance father and son were at. Kaya has seen families tearing themselves apart, even killing each other, but it seemed as if the white wolf was turning his back to his pack. The look of grievance was there upon both their faces. There was nothing they could do but let it continue on.

"My choice is made, father. Do not hope otherwise." Sigurd wanted to make his stance clear. He was not a young boy anymore! What more could his father say to him to try to persuade him? There was nothing else but the conviction of settling somewhere where Sigurd could call his own. This was more then his pride being taken from him. How could his father not see that he was hurting inside and wanting to lash out? What could the old man understand when he ruled for so long by himself?

If his mother could see…

"It is easy to lose one's way on the road to glory. Do not let false victories blind you to what is true." Styrbjorn attempted on last time to reach him. The distance became even further and further. There was no reaching Sigurd this time. Styrbjorn had to accept this fate that the bond between father and son was strained. In a sense, Kaya felt sorry for the old king. Sigurd had his blood family and yet, cast aside his own fathers feelings and remorse.

"You talk of false victories to me, old man? A sad old bear who destroyed his honor with one bent knee." Kaya inwardly flinched at Sigurd's words to his father. Seeing the determination in his eyes of the betrayal from his father. It was a sad sight to see father and son trying to find their resolve and talk it out.

This place, it was like a curse to him now. It felt filthy like a scorned lover finding someone in his bed. To stand witness to all of this made Kaya uncomfortable. No one was allowed to speak their own to ease the tension. This wasn't their fight. Who would want to stand between father and son when they held differences?

Even Eivor did not speak his own words.

"The further I sail from this place, the louder I will sing." Sigurd walked away from his father. Though he may not have shown it, he was hurt.

Eivor was the first to walk towards Styrbjorn with a look of sympathy.

"I will be his anchor, lord." He said. There was sincerity in his voice. He would always make sure Sigurd would not seek trouble or trouble seek him. The many winters together could never break their bond. Eivor would protect his brother.

"No. You must be his better half. May Aegir bless your voyage." Eivor nodded his head in understanding. Throughout the years since losing his parents, Eivor has thought of Styrbjorn as his own father. They had their own problems, but they saw each other as family. Styrbjorn trusted Eivor to protect his son. Right now, he was muddled headed and sought for something that seemed out of reach for him.

He could only look to the gods that Aigurd would soon realize his own mistakes. But it doesn't mean that Styrbjorn was hurting inside. He was crushed. He only wanted to see peace with his son by his side and one day soon a grandson to carry on their lineage.

"I have last request, Eivor." Styrbjorn suddenly stated.

Styrbjorn looked over to Kaya with a quick glance. Something within his eyes narrowed towards her, which the young woman ignored. She has seen those looks before from those who know of their existence. They were often seen as the messengers of death and like the shadows, disappear from where they came from.

A bad omen.

A bringer of death.

Eivor's saw this quick glance, but did not say anything. There seem to be some hesitation in Styrbjorn, "Those who hide in the shadows are not good omens. Be wary of his new hooded friends. I fear they are not ones who protect but destroy."

Kaya glanced at the two men before she walked to the docks. In the distance she could see Basim supporting Hytham. The three of them would be separated for the time being as Kaya was to continue to be a mentor to Eivor's through this long journey.

To Kaya, this was leaving Valhalla to unknown lands.

Oh my son
Keep your feet amongst the path
Oh my son
Raging Seas will come to pass
Fear shall not deceive
As the lands be filled with shade
Oh my son
You will rise as king someday

Authors note: Another chapter done! So, much has happened in this chapter. They finally left and are heading straight to England. I know most of you are anticipating the many countless adventures Kaya and Eivor will be going on. There will be battles, death, blood, a new appointed king, Ragnar's sons will appear soon, and possible romance? Oh my, oh my. Who will be the lucky lad that will have a crush on Kaya? Hope a man is strong enough to bear being around Kaya, Eivor doesn't count!

I will confirm a EivorXRandvi romance.

Guest: Glad you love this story. Hope you continue to read and love it even more.

Guest: Basim is a mysterious figure, even though Kaya and Hytham are always around him. Sometimes secrets remain secrets until they are revealed. I adore how Eivor always sticking to Sigurd because, although they may not be brothers by blood, but they are brother regardless. In future chapters, it will not always be the case between the two. Sometimes brothers have their own decisions and it can drive them apart. The shaman woman, we will see her in future chapters. She will be the woman who will decipher Kaya's dreams and maybe, give answers.

bumblebeeash19: I think Kaya looking to Randvi as a sister as well. We will have more interaction between the two because Kaya needs more women interaction. Good observation of Kaya being more like a raven. She is very observant of her surroundings and cautious of many things around her. Kaya trust so few people and does not like to be vulnerable and open. With her interactions with Eivor, she get blurred. She sees Eivor as a threat to her trying to be open and willing to accept an outsider as one of her own.