Authors: Monica Luke
“
Why are you doing that?” Laad questioned, and grimaced.
“
We own them a bounty as well,” he answered, and took the blanket from Borek’s horse to wrap it in it.
Laad
’s charge seen by the other guards, all charged forward with swords drawn, and when he saw them coming, he yelled loudly, “Death to all!” then fell in with the other guilds riding towards Celgon guards.
As Bayl watched, when the one in
front of him tried to get away, he slashed him through, and after he fell off his horse, eager to join in the fight, he hurried away.
“
Curses!” Baric groaned, and quickly killed the guard in front of him; then rode off to help him.
Belon and Ogorec with t
heir swords still drawn and pointing at the two others, as Belon anxiously watched Baric and Bayl ride off, Ogorec nodded to him.
“
Go, I have them well at hand,” he assured Belon, who at once rode off to join the others.
Ogorec now alone watching them bot
h, one leered at him confident he couldn’t hold both of them at bay.
“
Tried we are,” he said, as he eased his hand to a hidden knife, “One of us will end you.”
“
Only one needs to send a message,” Ogorec said, as he quickly killed the overconfident one, and after he fell, he looked at the other.
“
Life or death?” the simple choice he gave him.
“
Life,” his choice, and made certain to keep his hands high in the air.
Ferociously, the guards fought, and as Loth fought next to Laad, he commented on it.
“I have no question he sent his best.” Loth groaned.
“
True.” Laad groaned back, “And I have no question you chose the best.”
Just as Laad reasoned, Loth did chose the best and among some of those who had cut their hands in front of him at Irek
’s death funeral, and with only thirty-six guilds, they killed all sixty from Celgon including those who drove the wagons, except one.
“
Two of ours are slain,” Loth said, after he rode back to Laad once he took an account of the men sprawled about, “And seven wounded.”
Laad lo
wered his head saddened at the loss of his men.
“
I pray safe passage for our have fallen,” he said when he did, followed by Loth.
Once all were joined again, they surrounded the wagons, but when they searched the first two they found nothing.
“The men spoke they saw women,” Loth mentioned puzzled.
“
They must be inside,” Laad gathered.
“
Open at once,” ordered Baric.
Puzzled he looked at Bayl and the others, when nothing happened.
“Open it or burn!” he now threatened, and slowly moved back when the latch fell open.
Cautiously, and with swords drawn, they backed their horses and waited, then when women slowly did; Belon smiled and made a humming sound and put his sword away.
After hearing the hum, then noticing the big smile on his face, Ogorec look at him and purse his lips.
“
They are not for pleasure,” he chastised Belon, who frowned.
“
Tend to our wounded,” Laad ordered the women.
When the women began walking towards the wounded, Lath counted only six.
“Two are missing,” he said to one of them, “The other two are where? And, which of you is Thogor’s sister?”
“
Still inside to both,” one answered.
“
Come out!” Laad yelled, and waited, but no one would come out.
“
Enough.” Belon impatiently grumbled, then jumped off his horse, and went inside the wagon and dragged both women out by their hair.
Both wrestling and struggling with him, one bit his arm, which made Belon angrily snatch the veil away from her face so he could look at her when he slapped her, but as raised his hand to do it, he stopped and cringed,
and so did the others.
“
I reason that lord owes us,” Baric said to Bayl, as he turned his head and chuckled, “For sparing him from a frightful looking one.”
Insulted by their laughter, she spat on whoever was the closest, which was Belon, who although, h
e didn’t slap her hard, did put enough sting behind his hand to let her know not to try his patience.
After quickly brushing the last two aside, Loth went into the wagon.
“A chest full of gold!” he yelled, as he pulled it as best he could; then had another guild help him.
“
What shall we do?” Baric questioned.
As Laad thought of Loth cutting off Borek
’s head, and what he said as he did, a way to send a more profound message came to him.
“
Cut every head off the body,” he answered, “And send them back to Celgon as a message that this is our bounty to them if they break the oath of treaties again, and send his sister back with these women as well.”
Ogorec looked at the guard he let live.
“Here is your horseman,” he said, as he kicked him with his foot making him fall to the ground.
One by one, the guilds cut the heads of the bodies; then piled them into the wagon, and after the women treated the wounded and the guilds burned their two lost guilds; they sent them back to Celgon without the gold for bounty, but
heads instead.
“
This lord,” Laad commented to Baric, as they loaded the gold to pull it, “We have sent his would be bride back from where she came, and taken his gold promised. Dare we have rise a new enemy from this?”
Baric stroked his chin, while he tho
ught about Laad’s word.
“
We shall take them what was promised as a peace offering,” Baric said, “Less the promised bride, and speak to them of a pact with us for doing such.”
“
Ride more to the east.” Bayl frowned. “I care not to. We will be gone a long time.”
“
Brother,” Baric scolded, “Do you only want to lay about with your wife day and night doing nothing else? Make good use of yourself.”
“
And of it,” Bayl’s defensive reply, “Do you not do the same?”
“
Then ride back,” Baric said annoyed; then ordered one of the guilds to ride back to WorrlgenHall with a message of their plans, “We are going east to see this king and lord, and take him his promised gold.”
Bayl huffed; then looked at the others.
“Then so be it.” He grumbled, “I will go as well.”
W
ith thirty-three guilds and chest full of gold, steadfast they made their way to people of the Vells and King Badralondar, and the journey almost seven days by itself to get there, Ogorec missing Ovfren dearly thought of him wistfully.
“
You look lost,” teased Belon, who rode beside him, “Never have I seen such a look from you. Is it for the reason you miss your puppy?”
Ogorec looked at him annoyed, but for him to tease him in such a way, meant he was slowly overcoming his hurt and anger, so he ignored it.
“Is anyone within the walls of WorrlgenHall calling to you?”
“
No one.”
“
What of the woman that serves in the men’s hall?” he mentioned, “Never have you been with anyone for so long?”
“
Such is true,” Belon agreed; then admitted, “She pleases well enough when it suites me.”
“
One day you will be smitten.” Ogorec knew, “And when you are, I fear for all of how coddling you will become with them.”
“
I was already well smitten,” Belon said, giving him a quick glance.
Ogorec glanced back, and Belon knew a quick chide would follow.
“Worry not,” he quickly added, “I have gone past it.”
Again, Ogorec looked ahead, but as the
y rode, he felt Belon’s stare.
“
Speak you mind,” he urged, suspecting he wanted to ask him something, “You are gazing at the side of my head for a reason.”
“
I feel I must speak something that haunts me,” Belon revealed, and added, “But it would ease mind the answer.”
“
I will answer.”
“
Is it his youth?” he curiously asked, as more than once he pondered what about Ovfren pulled Ogorec from him, “Is it his youth that binds you to him in such a way?”
Ogorec didn
’t answer right away, as he thought about Belon’s question.
“
It is his eyes,” he finally admitted, “His words of love, his devotion, and his want for me speak to me through his eyes, as well off his tongue, which weakens me, and dare such love come from him for me and I not give back more.”
Moved by hi
s words, Belon cleared his throat.
“
Then I shall long to know such a feeling, and have it such that I am able to speak it as devotedly,” he said; then joked to turn their words more cheerful, “But until, I will long to be between the thighs of Moura.”
“
As well as the thighs of others,” Ogorec added, as he joked back.
“
As well as,” Belon agreed; then laughed.
T
he king’s grand hut in view down the long road, they stopped to decide who would actually ride in to greet them. After a lengthy discussion, they hid the gold and decided that Baric, Laad, and Ogorec would go while the others waited, and if they didn’t hear from them after awhile suspect something bad happened and flee.
Cautiously, they trotted up the road where, as expected men on watch saw them and r
ight away blew their warning horns, then as many quickly came out of nowhere with swords and spears, they surrounded them.
“
I am the son of King Rone Ev Worrlgen from the lands of Worrlgen,” Baric calmly spoke out as all eyes fixed on them, “Have you heard of it.”
They looked at each other offering no response, before eyes again fixed on them, then a lone voice came out of the crowd.
“I have.”
“
We come to you in peace,” Baric added, “And with a promised offering.”
Warily, the man rode forwar
d looked at all of them; then ordered the men to lower their swords and spears before he rode off, and as he did, the men formed a line for them to ride between them, which they did.
All making certain to stay close to each other, each looked to his left
and right trying to decide which to slay first should they suddenly become hostile towards them and attack, but all seem more focused on following the one who spoke.
Watchfully, they rode to stand in front of King Badralondar their chieftain, who sat outsi
de on his courtyard throne, and when he did, the same man who spoke when they entered, and they now gathered was Lord Borlos, sat beside him.
“
You are far from your kingdom,” the king said, and all could clearly hear in his voice, his now fragile and weakened state, “For what reason?”
“
We come to bring what is yours, and from it show our good will to you,” Baric answered.
“
And what is mine?”
“
Your chest of gold from Celgon,” Baric answered, “Dare we seize what we have no claim to, yet Celgon has a long sealed treaty of peace with us, and to make a pact with another tribe, clan, or kingdom, will break the treaty and bring about war.”
“
And where is this gold?”
“
Safe.”
“
And of the bride?” he asked curiously.
Baric chose his words carefully to not offend.
“As I look at those around me,” he spoke, but lied. All of them wild haired with clothing and boots made of animal furs. He thought they looked rather primitive, “I trust well that my choice was a good one. All look brave, strong, and well bred, yet the bride sent to you was more an insult. She was not pleasing to set eyes on, and I fear the reason they sent her was more to be rid of her than a cherished gift for your son.”
At once, King Badralondar burst into laughter, and old, such was hearty laugh he doubl
ed over choking, then when he regained his composure, he stood.
“
Come,” he said, “Let us eat and speak of peace.”
Nodding, Baric sent for Bayl, Belon, and Loth, and a few of the guilds, but still did not bring the gold; then once they were with them, went
inside to sit with the king.
Unlike WorrlgenHall, whose king
’s chair sat at the head; their king’s chair sat on the side among the men, and all sat on a long wooden bench squared around the room with a long table in front of them.
In the middle of it was
a flaming hearth, and as food was prepared and finished, women passed it down the table so the men could grab from it to eat at will.
“
If it pleases,” Laad said, “I would like to send some food to the men.”
King Badralondar agreed.
After all had eaten, before any began to drink, the king rose; then practiced their ritual of peace.
“
Bring forth the seer,” he ordered.
Right away, the seer came, pulling a goat behind him; then as he stood in front of them all, he said unintelligible wo
rds and cut open its stomach, then when its entrails spilled out; he washed them and placed them on a stump.
Intently, he studied them before he looked at the king; then to Baric; then back at the entrails, and as he moved them about, none spoke.
For what seemed like a long time, all waited anxiously; then when he slowly raised his head; Laad looked over to Loth, who instinctively put his hand on the hilt of his sword.
“
The signs are good,” the seer said, and nodded.
Inwardly sighing relieved, Laad again looked over to Loth.
“Call the others forward with the gold,” Laad ordered Loth who stood; then went to get them.
“
We beg you to tarry and live among us for a time,” King Badralondar said, “To show a treaty of good will as well.”
Bayl huffed.
“Noooo,” he whispered through the side of his mouth to Baric, “Graciously say noooo,”
Baric shushed him.
“It is agreed,” his response, “And we thank you.”
Tarrying with the Vells for a good while, Baric and the others lived amon
g them obeying their same customs.
They
ate, hunted, slept, fished, and enjoyed entertainment as their guests, and since tarrying long. Certain the men couldn’t control themselves, especially Belon, Laad made all, even those with wives, vow not to touch or embrace with any virgins or women bound to another to not insult them, which all obeyed, and when it was time to leave, all parted peacefully.
**
When they arrived back at WorrlgenHall in the middle of the night, not to wake all, Baric gave the fire signal instead of having the horns blown; then after they put away their horses, each went his own way to rest for the night.
Gone for almost more than two moons, much longer than they had expected, all were eager to get back to those beloved, and wasted no
time parting ways.
Baric and Bayl hurrying to their chambers, Laad and Loth hurrying to theirs, as they walked down the hallway Ogorec questioned Belon on what he was going to do.
“Be between the thighs of Moura,” Belon answered playfully, “I plan to keep them wet long into the night.”
As Ogorec laughed, he parted from Belon by the stable; then made his way to his chamber with haste, but unlike before when hurried to him after being away, his steps heavy as he walked, this time he held his sheath to keep
his sword from clanging and softened his steps because he wanted to surprise Ovfren.
Quietly, he opened the door to keep it from squeaking; then lightly stepped towards Ovfren, who was sleeping on his side facing away from the door; then as he gently put h
is fingers in his hair, Ovfren turned and looked up.
“
Such a dream,” Ovfren said sluggishly, “I wish to never wake from it.”
Looking down at him, Ogorec missing him to almost madness pressed his lips to his tenderly.
“Your dream kisses you,” he whispered into his mouth.
At once, Ovfren turned more; then raised and smiled.
“My misery is behind me for a time,” he said, as he rose onto his knees and clung to Ogorec.
After they hugged, when Ogorec stepped back, Ovfren got out of bed to help him undress, but
when he stood, Ogorec’s look at him surprised.
“
Do my eyes deceive me?” Ogorec asked, as he now looked at Ovfren face to face, “You are now even with me.”
Ovfren grinned proudly.
“They do not,” his words, as he straightened his back to make himself even taller, “As I stand before you, I have grown more.”
“
Umm.” He hummed pleased, “Shall I make something else grow as well.”
“
As we speak,” Ovfren assured him, “It grows.”
Wildly, Ogorec unbuckled his belt and let it fall; as Ovfren kissed on him while he helped him undress.
“With haste my only want, remove all,” he begged, as he kissed on him, “Remove all.”
As urged, Ogorec quickly did so; then as they stood, when Ogorec began to move him backwards onto the bed; Ovfren moved and pulled him instead towards the wall.
“Dare I bring to light one of my dreams while away,” Ovfren whispered to him, “Of you pressing me to the wall?”
“
One of many I beg,” Ogorec said, as his body responded to Ovfren’s words, “One of many.”
Ovfren pressed close to the wall, Ogorec
’s body hard against him, both tightly held onto each other, as each made it clear to the other how much he was missed, then as Ovfren felt Ogorec’s stomach tighten and his breathing become labored, knew what was to come.
“
I am close, as well, as you.” He moaned.
Both with their fingers deep in the other
’s hair, and other hand holding the other’s back; Ogorec bit into Ovfren’s neck and exhaled hard, while he spurted into Ovfren, then after Ovfren did the same, they stood holding each other against the wall breathing heavily.
“
I cannot move,” he kidded, as he clung to him, “And the bed is far from us.”
“
Umm,” Ovfren kidded back, “In your arms I could indeed sleep standing against a wall.”
Ogorec groaned not wanting to move, but moved away from Ovfren; then expecting him to walk to the bed, he watched as Ovfren walked to the table instead.
“For you,” Ovfren said cheerfully, as he held his gift up for Ogorec to come get.
Surprised, Ogorec walked to him, and took it.
“Does it please you?” he asked worried he may have chosen the wrong gift for him.
“
Yes,” Ogorec said, as he held the axe Ovfren got for him and smiled, “I fear you spent much of your wages on it.”
“
Worry not over such,” Ovfren told him.
Ogorec felt moved with emotion. “
You should not have, I am not worthy.”
Knowing he felt humbled, Ovfren reached for Ogorec
’s chin.
“
Well worthy you are,” he said, and gave him a tender touch, “Of far more.”