Chapter 4: A Fateful Night

  “Beware of the old man, in a profession where men die young. Don’t let his age deceive you; he is old for a good reason,”

  -Clan proverb.

  Nina raced the few hundred yards to the village, just barely beating the King Star before it set completely behind the mountains. Verkan arrived soon after with just a few seconds to spare before the darkness of the night engulfed them. A thick layer of clouds obscured the night sky, making it impossible for both moonlight and starlight to reach them.

  -“I’m so glad you could make it before the night!” an aging, large man welcomed them.

  -“We made it just in time,” Verkan said, serenely. -“Worry not, old friend. Our calculations were spot on,”

  -“I feared darkness would fall on you while on the road,”

  -“We’ve been doing this for years,” Verkan said. -“Your concern is touching, nevertheless,”

  -“I just can’t help it, Verkan,” the man said. -“Especially when you bring such lovely company,”

  -“Oh, where are my manners?!” Verkan said, chuckling, turning to Nina. -“This is my apprentice Nina Valdir from the Southern Isles. Nina, this is Utios, the village’s chief. We’ll enjoy his company for a while,”

  -“It’s a pleasure,” Utios said warmly, extending his hand which Nina promptly shook. -“You must be tired. Please, follow me; I will take you to your rooms,”

  He walked them to an austere but roomy hut already arranged for their use. Nina quickly inspected their accommodations; nothing fancy for sure, just a pair of rooms at each side of the building connected to a central hallway that led to a privy on one end, and outside to a small porch at the other.

  Finally some privacy! She thought, racing inside to both Verkan’s and Utios’ amusement. -“Dinner should be ready soon,” Chief Utios said. -“We would be honored if you make us company,”

  Verkan turned to Nina who had already jumped onto her bed. She looked back at him, shaking her head decidedly. He chuckled. -“Well, it wouldn’t be polite to decline,” he said to her chagrin.

  -“Excellent!” Utios said, eagerly. -“Make yourselves at home in the meantime. I will summon you when the table is ready,”

  Verkan turned to her again, smiling. -“You’ve heard him,”

  -“Thank you, Verkan,” she said dejectedly. -“I was looking forward to just lying in bed you know,”

  -“Is not nice to decline such an offer,” Verkan replied. -“Besides, I’m starving,”

  -“But you ate through the entire trip!”

  -“And now we’ll eat more,” he said calmly. -“A smile looks prettier on you, you know,”

  Hmph! She looked away. Verkan just grinned, finding her pouting adorable instead. -“Come, it’ll be better if we show up before they summon us,”

  -“Fine!”

  Verkan walked away with a smile on his face while Nina dragged her feet after him. They walked across the courtyard to a large stone building that used to serve as barracks, finding the clansmen setting up the table. -“We did not expect you so early, sir, m’lady,” said one of the clansmen. -“Please, take a seat while we finish,”

  -“No need to hurry,” Verkan said. He turned to her. -“Nina, this fine gentleman is Garen, the head shepherd. Garen, this is my aide Nina. She’ll be hanging with us for a while,”

  -“It is a pleasure, m’lady,” the man said, bowing to her.

  -“Likewise,” Nina said.

  -“You already met Chief Utios,” Verkan said, pointing to him. -“The one in the kitchen is Garen’s younger brother, Garf,”

  -“Hi, Garf!” Nina said, raising her voice just slightly.

  -“Hello, m’lady!” Garf’s response echoed from the kitchen.

  -“Glad you’re getting acquainted,” Verkan said. He glanced around just briefly. -“Where’s everybody? There were at least a dozen the last time if I recall,”

  -“Gone. Lord Nero himself summoned them,” Chief Utios said half-heartedly. -“It seems there is a shortage of skilled bullers,”

  -“And why is that?” Verkan asked.

  -“Honestly? I do not know,” Chief Utios said. -“But my best guess would be he is preparing for war,”

  -“Do you really think so, Utios?” Verkan asked again, intrigued.

  -“Why else would he need so many bulls on such short notice?”

  -“Hopefully just for a show of force,”

  -“Dinner is ready!” Garf barged in, bringing a large iron pot with him. -“Please, help yourselves,”

  -“It took you long enough!” Garen quipped. -“I was starving!”

  -“I might’ve done it sooner if only someone had helped me!” Garf countered.

  -“I’m too exhausted for that!” Garen said.

  -“Then don’t complain,” Garf said, filling the bowls with soup. -“Like if handling them bulls was any demanding,”

  -“It is when you have to handle a thousand bulls by yourself!”

  -“Same with the kitchen, naff!”

  -“Cut it, you two!” Chief Utios barged in, exasperated. -“Mind your tongue in the presence of our lady,”

  -“I don’t mind, chief,” Nina said with a smile.

  -“Please forgive these two, m’lady,”

  -“Glad to see you haven’t changed one bit,” Verkan said.

  Nina promptly found herself bored out of her mind, but it was nice to see how they looked up to Verkan. Soon Garf filled her bowl. She took a sip. It wasn’t bad, not at all. It was a reheated soup with peas, spuds, and just a bit of meat seasoned with common herbs. Probably what they had for lunch. Not bad but palling in comparison with Nana’s banquet last night.

  -“Have you heard about a dragon recently?” Verkan asked out of the blue. She hadn’t been paying attention to their conversation until Verkan brought up the dragon part.

  Every head turned to him. -“Recently?” Garen asked back. -“It’s been scaring the bulls for months!”

  -“Really?!” Nina asked, curiosity taking the better of her. -“And how is it?!”

  -“It wanders here and there that pest!” Garf said. -“Nobody has seen it, but it leaves its tracks everywhere!”

  -“I caught a glimpse of that bastard the other day!” Garen said. -“It’s not big. It has a broad tail, and its eyes glow in the dark! It always lurks in the dark that slippery thief!”

  -“And aren’t you… scared?” Nina dared to ask.

  -“Scared?!” Garf lashed out. -“If anything I’m pissed!”

  -“Sounds more like an annoyance than a threat,” Verkan pointed out.

  -“It is annoying, that’s for sure,” Utios said. -“It always steals food from the grocers,”

  -“I was saving a pair of strider eggs for welcome’s dinner but that little dobber took them,” Garf added. -“We put it traps but is smart that bastard. Always one step ahead,”

  -“We informed the Overseer of it a while ago,” Utios said. -“But we weren’t given a fix as of yet,”

  -“Huno said they also spotted it on Harvest, so its lair must be somewhere between us and them,” Garen said.

  -“Anyway, how did you hear about the dragon?” Utios asked with concern. -“Did they talk about it at the funeral?”

  -“Actually, we found its tracks this morning,” Verkan replied. -“It stole food from the banquet right under everyone’s noses,”

  -“That bastard!” Garen countered, baffled. -“Well, at least that will force Farlay to actually do something about it!”

  -“Good luck with that,” Garf said dejectedly. -“He will probably say something like ‘it’s not a threat’ since it hasn’t attacked anyone,”

  -“But what could’ve drawn it so far?” Nina asked.

  -“The smell, definitely,” Verkan said. He then stood up decidedly. -“Well, gentlemen, it’s been a pleasure sharing the table with you. Thank you very much for the meal but we are tired from the trip and could use some rest. I bet you too are as tired as we are. We can talk more about the dragon tomorrow,” he said, saving her the trouble of excusing herself.

  -“Yeah, we’re pretty tired,” Garen said, yawning soundly.

  -“Garen, help Garf with the cleaning,” Utios commanded. -“Garf, I want you on guard duty tonight,”

  -“Yes, sir!” Garf said energetically. -“Maybe I’ll catch that dragon tonight if I’m lucky,”

  They made their way back to their hut, her body craving nothing but some much-needed rest. Nina swung the wooden door open and rushed to her room, wasting no time to leap onto her bed. -“Finally some rest!” Nina yelled, hugging the comfy pillow against her body.

  -“Rest for me, you mean,” Verkan said with a smile, peeking at her room and leaning against the doorframe. -“You will heat the water for our bath… as punishment,”

  -“Punishment?” she asked, confused, unsure of what she did to earn it. She chuckled, thinking it was maybe just another of his jokes. -“For what exactly?” she asked.

  -“Let me see...” he said, staring at the ceiling and stroking his beard. -“Secret at the Palace,” he said, and Nina’s smile vanished instantly.

  -“The Gallant Adventures of the Knight of Hope. The ‘Forbidden’ Adventures of the Knight of Hope,” he carried on, counting each title with his fingers as Nina’s face dropped each time he named a book. -“Did you know that the ‘Knight of Hope’ wasn't originally a knight in the Imperial release? He was someone just pretending to be a knight so he could deceive noblewomen. He refused the money because he preferred… How do I put it? A different kind of reward,”

  -“They changed him to an actual knight in the censored version. Oh, and I almost forgot my favorite, ‘The Legend of the God Slayer’, they could excommunicate you just for that one, you know,” he pointed out. Although Verkan’s face seemed as collected as always, she kept staring at the floor. She knew she was in trouble.

  It would be difficult to describe her current mood in words. It was like a nail was hammered through her skull each time Verkan just mentioned one of her books. She knew they were forbidden; that was part of the excitement other than what they contained.

  But she also knew she would be royally screwed if she had been discovered by anyone else. Thanks the Gods Verkan wasn’t the snitching kind.

  -“C-c-can I ask something, sir?” she asked with a quivering voice. Verkan nodded in return. -“How do you know all that?”

  She kept staring at the floor on the verge of tears. Verkan smiled, taking pity on her. He walked to her, and she slowly looked up to him. -“Those were your mother's books,” he said calmly.

  -“Oh… I see,”

  -“But Switching covers for the Imperial Encyclopedia tomes?” he asked, drawing her attention. -“That was clever!” he said, pointing a finger upward, and laughing vigorously.

  -“I'll get the water ready!” she growled, jumping from the bed and racing outside, cringing all the way out for the sheer embarrassment.

  Verkan couldn’t help but laugh at her reaction, patting her on the back on her way out. -“Good girl!” he yelled from inside the hut.

  Nina went outside, taking a deep breath to calm down, wondering how in the world Verkan kept a straight face. He knew it all along! She sighed, her warm breath forming a cloud of moisture in the cold night air. If the day was already chilly, now the night had brought a freezing wind that sent shivers down her spine.

  She walked to the warehouse. She took the largest cauldron she found and went to the well at the courtyard, filling it full of water only to realize now it was impossibly heavy. Damn it! She had to pour out all the water again, thanking the Gods that no one was around to see her incompetence.

  Nina shut her eyes and took a deep breath. Come on, girl! You’re making this more difficult than it is! She carried the empty cauldron to the fireplace and hung it on a hook over the fire intended for such use. Nina returned to the well, filled a pair of buckets full, and carried them back to the fireplace, repeating the process until the cauldron was full. Yes! She clenched her fists to celebrate having completed such a simple task.

  She sat by the fire and scanned her surroundings, bidding time while the water heated up. The village was far larger than the last one and yet it had so few people in it. It was odd, to say the least, that the clansmen provided more luxuries for their animals than for themselves since most of the buildings were in fact, shelters for their bulls.

  Nina spotted the light of an oil lantern behind the buildings at the far side of the courtyard. She promptly recognized him as Garf from the dinner earlier. He waved at her and walked to her. -“Oi, m’lady,” he said. -“What are you doing here by yourself?”

  -“Oi!” Nina replied awkwardly, at a loss for how else to respond. Garf just smiled at her, and she smiled back. -“Nothing! Just heating some water,”

  -“Let me know when it’s ready and I’ll carry it for you, yeah?” he offered.

  -“Yeah!” she said energetically, feeling more comfortable after the humiliation that Verkan had put her through. She looked around again. -“You’re looking for the dragon, aren’t you?”

  -“Someone has to,” he said. -“Who knows? Maybe tonight is our lucky night and we finally catch that pest,”

  But then, the sudden bellowing of the bulls in the stables caught their attention. They turned immediately. The noise only increased in intensity, and Garf went to inspect behind the buildings. What could it be? she thought. Could it be our elusive thief?

  -“RAIDERS!” Garf shouted at the top of his lungs, making her jump from the sudden thrill. She fell flat on her butt. What’s going on?! She had no clue. Nina tried to stand when she spotted Garf scuffling with an unknown man. He narrowly dodged a sword blow. He hit the man with the oil lamp in return, breaking it and setting him on fire.

  Her mind was blank and her limbs refused to respond. Nina could only gape as she spotted more men appearing behind the buildings. Although the dark impaired her vision, their swords and mail hauberks shined in the night. She watched in horror as they threw torches at the buildings, setting their thatch roofs on fire.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  -“THIGIBH THUGAM!” Garf yelled frantically, grabbing an axe from the chopping block, and charging at the raiders, swinging his weapon wildly to keep them at bay.

  The villagers promptly jumped at the call, rushing from inside their huts already armed with farm tools and promptly joining the fray. Nina watched in horror as they fought for their lives. She couldn’t move, she could hardly breathe. Everything transpired so quickly that she couldn’t do anything but watch.

  Ear-piercing shouts and taunts promptly filled the air, soon joined by desperate orders, and cries for help. The steel clashing from their weapons and the cracking of the flames combined in a terrific choir of insane chaos.

  A raider singled her out from the rest and turned to her. Suddenly, everything went from happening too fast to a disturbingly slow pace. She froze, and her heart pounded harder and harder against her chest that she feared it might beat out of her ribcage.

  She watched in horrific detail as the hulking man closed in. Long, fair hair obscured his face, icy blue eyes pierced through hers, and his youthful face bore absolute focus. If she wasn’t scared shitless she would dare to say he was rather handsome.

  He finally reached her and promptly pulled her away by the hair. Nina let out a painful yelp. She tried to free herself but it was in vain. His grip on her was simply too tight.

  But then Verkan tackled him down with a strength she didn’t know he was capable of, instantly freeing her from his grasp. Verkan quickly stood up and pulled her up on her feet. A pair of raiders charged at them. Verkan kicked the cauldron at the fireplace, knocking it over the fire, and creating a giant steam screen that shielded them.

  -“Are you ok?” Verkan asked, concerned.

  -“Yes! Thanks to you!”

  -“Good! Now follow me!” he commanded, rushing to the hallways, and pulling her behind him.

  -“Who are they, Verkan?” Nina asked.

  -“Northmen,” he said coldly.

  Nina froze in her tracks. Verkan had to pull her arm to keep her behind him. -“Listen! I won't let them take you! You hear me?!” Verkan yelled, snapping her out of her thoughts.

  -“Ok,”

  She was still processing what just happened. She had read about the Northmen and their terrifying raids but it didn’t make sense. They were days away from the nearest shores. What were they doing here this far inland?! No shore in Midland or even in the Imperial continent was safe from the barbaric Northmen.

  Their attacks were brutal. They raped and killed indiscriminately, pillaging everything in their path. It didn’t make any sense! However, for Verkan, the answer was crystal clear.

  They were after either him or her.

  She looked over her shoulder. Garf fought valiantly, holding half a dozen raiders by himself. He turned to her just briefly and their eyes locked for an instant and Nina instantly realized what he was about to do.

  He let out a mighty cry and charged at the Northmen, immediately landing a killing blow. But his victory was short-lived. His chopping axe got stuck on the Northman’s collarbone just briefly and she watched in horror as another raider charged from behind and ran him through with a sword.

  They were halfway through the hallway when they crashed into a pair of Northmen. Verkan turned immediately but another pair popped from behind, trapping them.

  Nina began giving in to despair. Nononono! The riders promptly cornered them. One took Verkan by the neck, holding him against the stone walls while another dragged Nina by her hair and held her fast.

  -“Se vem det ?r!” the Northman said, licking her face to her complete disgust. The others just laughed. She instantly realized what they had in store for her and tried to break free to no avail. No!

  -“Lat henne ga!” Verkan pleaded in the Nord language, only earning a fist to the face in response.

  -“NO!” Nina cried, only for the Northman to force her mouth shut. She kicked and stomped in vain, he held her against his body effortlessly.

  He began to grope her to her shock. She tried to turn away but the man wouldn’t let her do even that. He licked her cheeks again. No! She could only cry in despair.

  Verkan kept his eyes shut. The Northman held him at sword point effortlessly but he didn’t even seem to resist. His face was blank, with no trace of fear or despair. How he could remain so calm in a moment like this was beyond her.

  A single tear ran down his face. He took a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes, staring down at the Northman in front of him with such intensity that he visibly recoiled. Every single head turned to him. There was no trace of fear in his eyes, not even anger. Just contempt.

  His expression then turned into one she had never seen on his face before. It took her an instant to recognize that look. She had seen it before.

  It was the look of a warrior.

  Oh, shit! The Northman realized what was just about to happen but it was too late. Verkan restrained the man’s sword arm and drew a dagger from his boot in the blink of an eye. He stabbed his neck, squirting blood splashing everywhere.

  The dying Northman tried plugging the wound with a hand before collapsing on his knees. Verkan then took his sword and immediately finished him off with his sword.

  The Northman fell to the ground, lifeless. Verkan then turned to the others, now with sword and dagger in his hands. They just stared in disbelief. What just happened?! Nina thought, shocked by Verkan’s sheer speed.

  The Northmen roared in anger. One held Nina fast, and the other two charged at him with avenging wrath. Verkan switched his grip on his weapons, dodging the charging Northmen with a swift side step.

  The young Northman threw a powerful blow, missing his neck by the skin of his teeth. Verkan responded with a swift blow, slashing his throat open. He fell to the ground immediately, his legs kicking wildly as the life spilled out of him.

  The second Northman charged. Verkan effortlessly deflected the blow with his dagger, ran him through his mail hauberk, and put him down.

  -“Flickan ?r h?r! Jag beh?ver hj?lp!” the Northman yelled at the top of his lungs trying to reach out to the others to no avail. Nina took the chance to break free but the Northman held her with an iron grip. He pointed his sword at Verkan and shielded himself with her body. -“One step closer old man and I will kill her!” he yelled.

  Verkan wiped the blood from his face, staring down at the raider for what seemed an eternity. The Northman gulped loudly, recoiling just slightly, and pressing his blade against her throat. She could feel him shaking despite being petrified herself. Watching Verkan turn into a relentless killing machine took her completely off guard.

  -“Nina,” Verkan reached out to her, his voice immediately calming her down. -“Hold still,” he commanded.

  Now it was her turn to gulp. He looked straight into her eyes, and Nina instantly realized something was about to happen. She held her breath, and shut her eyes, placing her complete trust in him.

  Verkan threw the dagger in a blink. Nina felt the blade grazing her hair, soaking her pants. The raider grunted loudly, instantly releasing her, suddenly finding breathing impossible. He had hit the Northman’s throat, piercing it. Nina promptly pulled his sword away from her neck and raced to Verkan.

  Relief washed over her. She tackled Verkan and wrapped her arms around his waist but Verkan gently pushed her aside. He then walked over the corpses to the remaining Northman who had fallen to his knees, and she immediately realized what he was about to do.

  The Northman tried to speak but only a bloody gargle came out of his mouth. Verkan pulled the dagger from his throat and then stabbed him in the eye, piercing his skull and killing him instantly.

  She was in shock. Her grimy fingers were sticking together. Nina looked down inspecting her clothes and then her hands. She could feel it on her face and taste it on her lips. They were soaked in blood.

  Verkan took her by the arm and dragged her behind him through the aisles. He kicked the barn’s door open and dragged her inside. He quickly inspected the place. It was empty. He pulled her to the lots of chaff stored inside and hid with her in a corner.

  -“Where did you learn to fight like that?” Nina asked.

  -“Listen carefully, Nina! We don’t have much time!” Verkan said in the most serious tone she had ever heard. -“There’s something important I need to tell you,”

  She gulped. She had never heard Verkan speak with such a tone before. -“Before becoming a priest, another name knew me. I used to be a Clan warrior when in my youth. They knew me back then as Rudo,”

  -“Rudo?” Nina asked before turning dead white as the realization hit her like a ton of bricks. Her body shook unexpectedly as shivers went down her spine. No way! It can’t be! If what Verkan said was true, that means he was… -“The Vanquisher!?” she dared to ask.

  -“Forgive me for lying about it,” Verkan said.

  -“I wouldn't have believed it!” Nina said, shocked. -“The legendary Vanquisher… It was you?!”

  -“A lifetime ago, I was a young and proud Clan Harmak warrior,” he said. -“I fell in love with a beautiful princess. Her father had promised me her hand if I proved myself worthy,”

  -“I fought countless Trials to earn her hand, but one fateful night, warriors from a rival Clan attacked her village when I was away. They kidnapped her and took her to their domains,”

  -“Our Clan had been weakened by a previous war, and our Lord was hesitant to start another so instead of assembling warriors to rescue her, he only demanded a price in exchange,”

  -“Her father was enraged! I had promised him I would protect her so I went alone. I rode to Clan Malcroft’s territory, and searched through every village trying to find where she was held,”

  -“When I finally found her, her captor said he would pay the price our Lord had demanded but I was there of my own volition. I challenged him to a Trial over her but he refused. He ordered his warriors to attack me instead… so I killed them all,” Verkan said, clearly worked up.

  Nina listened to every word. Verkan talked barely over a whisper to avoid being heard, feeling the Northmen just outside the barn. They kept quiet until they could no longer hear anyone outside.

  -“I left him no choice but to face me in combat or they would brand him a coward,” Verkan carried on. -“Our fight was brief. I defeated him quickly but showed him mercy,”

  -“I was finally free to take my beloved back to her family but she had sided with him. Only then did I realize the whole kidnapping was just a farce. She had come with him willingly. She broke my heart into a million pieces, and when I was distracted, her captor attacked me from behind,”

  -“He left me with no choice but to defend myself. I killed him in a rage. She cried over his body. I let her mourn him before we went back. I knew she would never be mine but I wanted to bring her back to her father at least,”

  -“But before I could even do anything she killed herself with her captor’s sword. She cursed me with her last breath. Part of me died with her that night,”

  -“I took her dead body back to our Clan. I lied to her father; I told him she had killed herself to preserve her honor. I tried to carry on with life but the memory of that night haunted me,”

  -“So one day I left the Clan and everything behind,” Verkan said. -“I crossed the ocean to the Empire, changed my name to Verkan, and started anew with the help of the Church. I’ve been a priest since then… to atone for my sins,”

  -“I had no idea,” Nina said, shocked. -“But why are you telling me this?” she asked.

  -“Because the Gods have given me the chance to make amends,” Verkan said sternly. -“Every warrior tells his story before his last stand,”

  Last stand?! Her heart skipped a beat, feeling like someone had punched her in the stomach but Verkan carried on before she could even process his words. -“You have to make it to the forest, Nina!” he urged. -“Follow the edge of the mountains and you’ll find a stream! Follow it! It will take you to the nearest village!”

  Verkan produced his dagger from his belt. -“Take this,” he said, handing it to her. She promptly stored it on her boot.

  -“But what about you?!”

  -“I will hold them off as long as I can,”

  -“But Verkan! If you do that, you will die!”

  -“I know,” Verkan said somberly. Nina gasped and finally broke down in tears. She whimpered quietly, covering her mouth with both hands to remain quiet. -“But if I don't, we'll both die! And you will suffer an even worse fate! I can't allow that,”

  -“Please Verkan! Come with me!” she pleaded.

  -“DO AS I SAY, CHILD!” he lashed out on the verge of tears.

  Regret instantly overtook him. He put his arms around her and pulled her into a tight hug which Nina immediately returned. She kept weeping onto his chest, crying her heart out. He would be damned if their last moments together were on a sour note.

  -“You have to run, you hear me?!” he urged. -“Don't look behind! Don't stop no matter what!”

  -“I'm sorry!” Nina cried.

  -“I shall tell your mother what I've seen you become,” Verkan said tenderly, stroking her hair and caressing her face. -“I'm sure she’ll be as proud as I am. Now go!” he commanded.

  There was nothing more to say. He stood up and walked away, leaving a heartbroken Nina behind. He leisurely made his way to the aisles to the courtyard, prying a pair of swords from the dead hands of the Northmen he had previously killed.

  He briefly inspected each sword, being familiar with Nord steel. Hmm. He took a closer look. Their craftsmanship seemed adequate, but lacking for a Nord sword. Something was off.

  Verkan looked over his shoulders one last time, resolved to buy as much time as he could. The Northmen roamed unopposed, setting buildings ablaze with impunity. It was fair to assume the remaining villagers had been all killed by now.

  He took a deep breath, and let out a loud sigh, his breath forming a cloud of moisture in the freezing night air. He finally walked into the courtyard and in plain view of every Northman around. -“You’ve been looking for me?!” he yelled.

  Every single head turned to him.

  -“Where is the girl, old man?!” a Northman demanded.

  -“You’ll have to excuse me, young warrior. I'm already quite old, and I get tired much faster than before,” Verkan said calmly. -“So I'm afraid I’ll have to kill you quickly,” he boasted, grinning.

  -“Bold talk for an old man!” the Northman countered. He pointed at Verkan with his word and promptly a pair of warriors charged at him.

  Nina watched from a slit in the wooden door and quickly took the chance after Verkan got their attention. She swung the door open and made a run for it, quickly making it outside the village. She raced through the crops surrounding the village, soon reaching the woods, going completely unnoticed.

  Verkan bid his time patiently as the two Northmen quickly closed in. They never learned about how he slaughtered the others earlier, so he was confident in the element of surprise. He grinned.

  He would show them what a true Clan warrior was capable of.

  The Northman raised his sword for a downward swing but Verkan already expected it. He casually deflected the blow. He countered with an upward swing, cutting his sword hand clean off.

  The Northman just stared at his cut limb but his agony was short-lived. Verkan promptly finished him off, slashing his throat. The other Northman charged with a violent thrust but Verkan effortlessly dodged the attack, running him through his mail with ease.

  An ominous silence took over the courtyard. The Northmen just stared in shock, having witnessed a meek, aging priest cut down two grown, vital Nord warriors with frightening ease. The crowd then exploded in outrage. -“What are you waiting for?! KILL HIM!” their leader roared.

  Half a dozen Northmen charged at him at once, each craving a piece of him, eager to prove their worth as warriors. Verkan grinned. He charged to meet them. Verkan dodged every blow as if he already knew how they would strike.

  He cut through the Northmen with the grace and precision of a master artisan, dodging blows as if he were dancing through them. He threw blows through every opening he got. It is said that warriors are just another kind of craft.

  He was a warrior after all, and death was his business.

  The Northmen lunged at him with increased ferocity, immediately engulfing Verkan. He stood his ground. The Northmen stopped in their tracks just outside his reach when they noticed he didn’t even flinch.

  He took advantage of their hesitation to catch his breath, pointing his swords in opposite directions and turning around to form a circle around him. -“What’s the matter?!” he yelled, daring them to come closer with a defiant grin. -“Didn’t you want a piece of me?!”

  The Northmen charged again. Verkan took a deep breath, waiting until the perfect opening presented itself. He promptly cut them down with terrifying accuracy. He had vast experience and easily anticipated their attacks as if reading his favorite book.

  For the Northmen facing him, however, his blows came out of nowhere. Another raider jumped at him from behind but he instantly put him down. Again, he took the chance to catch his breath. -“I had almost forgotten what fine sport you barbarians could provide!” he taunted.

  But fatigue began taking its toll. As seasoned as Verkan was, he was simply far past his prime, and wouldn’t keep for much longer. He took advantage of every second the Northmen hesitated to catch his breath. -“I'm seriously disappointed!” he shouted. -“I thought you would’ve killed me by now!”

  -“We will!” a Northman countered fiercely.

  He had made peace with the Great Father long ago. His life has been long and fruitful. If only he could crown it with one last good deed and give Nina as much time as he could before parting, it would be worth it.

  Verkan only hoped she could make it. For now, he’d center his attention on giving his ancestors the best spectacle possible. It would be disrespectful not to. He thought. They were watching him, after all.

  He saw many more Northmen roaming just outside the village. The flames could be seen from miles away, lighting up the night. Maybe it would have attracted Lord Nero and furious Clan warriors if only a very well-planned diversion didn’t draw them elsewhere.

  The Northmen had already lost a dozen men by this point and the rest were reluctant to even step inside his reach. They had completely surrounded him. Verkan stared down at them. He could see the fear in their eyes and grinned.

  It only provoked the Northmen even more. He’d been expecting a charge that would finally overwhelm him, gripping his swords in dreadful anticipation. But nothing happened.

  BANG!

  A deafening thunder echoed through the town, instantly silencing everyone. -“That's enough!” a sharp, commanding growl followed.

  What was that?! Verkan thought as every single head turned to the source. He instantly recognized the blast. He had heard it before. He gulped. Images from the war flashed before his eyes. It can’t be!

  An unknown man walked through the flames into the field of view, wearing a long, dark leather coat, long gloves, and boots. Bandoliers crossed his chest, partially hiding a fancy white vest. A red linen mask concealed his face, and an oversized hat crowned with a giant white feather covered his head.

  The Northmen immediately retreated from the courtyard, with just a few brave souls standing on the sidelines. Verkan remained in the same spot, staring down at the man as he walked closer.

  Verkan had seen his kind before. He instantly identified him as an Imperial. He gulped, his eyes widened, and his breathing became laborious as the realization hit him like a ton of bricks. By the Gods... The man facing him wasn’t just any imperial.

  He was a mage.

  -“The God of Death has sent a wizard to claim my soul?” Verkan asked as a grin found its way to his lips. -“I'm flattered,”

  -“You fought well, old man!” the man replied calmly, tipping his hat. -“I came for the girl. Tell me where she went and I might let you live,”

  No! Nina! Verkan winded up. Righteous wrath promptly took over him. -“I know your kind, wizard!” Verkan roared. -“Even if I knew I would never tell you!”

  -“Would you rather die old man?” he countered.

  -“I’d rather die with honor than side with the likes of you!” Verkan said.

  -“As you wish,”

  Verkan sobbed powerfully, shedding a single tear. What seemed just a distant possibility had suddenly turned real. He had dreamed of this day, longing for a warrior’s death but aware that his duties as a priest would never let him.

  But now the Gods sent the most powerful foe he has ever faced. He couldn’t help but smile. He took a deep breath, and shut his eyes, knowing full well this would be his last fight.

  The Northmen were seemingly after her, and now a mage too. Who was he?! A mercenary?! An Imperial emissary?! These thoughts raced through his head. But it didn’t matter anymore. He wished Nina the best of luck and commended his soul to the Gods.

  Merciful father, creator of all. Please, open your arms and receive this soul. He recited one last prayer. Please, guide and protect Nina.

  Verkan let out a mighty battle cry. He threw a sword at the mage with dreadful accuracy. The mage dodged the sword by the skin of his teeth, already expecting the attack.

  He then gripped the other sword with both hands and charged at him with all his might. The mage calmly kept his composure, pointing an arm at him.

  Nina heard another deafening thunder coming from the town’s direction. She came to a halt immediately. She turned but couldn’t see anything through the dark, thick forest. Her thoughts instantly went to Verkan, knowing that something terrible had just happened.

  The mage unhurriedly made his way to where Verkan lay down. A powerful blast had just struck him, knocking him down. A crippling pain soon numbed his chest, suddenly finding breathing difficult. The mage’s blast went through him like a hot knife through butter.

  -“Any last words?” the mage asked calmly.

  Verkan felt blood flooding his lungs and tasted it in his mouth. He was choking on his own blood. This is it. He though, realizing these were his last moments. He looked at him in the eyes.

  -“My ancestors are… smiling at me… Imperial,” Verkan said, being interrupted by a sudden coughing spell. He let out a mouthful of blood. He then raised his head just slightly, one last time, and asked with his remaining strength. -“Can you... say the same?”

  Nina heard another powerful thunder and came to a sudden halt. She sat against a tree and buried her face in her hands, crying her heart out. She couldn’t tell how but she just knew in her heart that her mentor Verkan was no longer among the living.

  She was now all by herself.