On the trek North

The camp had been devastated. Aelin attacked. Hundreds of lives lost. The smell of death still lingered, as they marched the way to North. It had been decided by the Alphas that they needed to head North, they needed to find a new place before the humans came back in force to attempt to finish them off. Brynjar had been in the discussions, some pushed for staying, fighting and keeping their home lands from human invasion. Others knew it was better to leave, regroup and seek out support from the Northerners who had been inadvertently dragged into this war.

Brynjar had been assumed to argue to fight, to refuse to retreat and fight with Aelin hard for the benefits of standing their ground. However, he agreed with the plan as he knew that they needed to work something out and gather more fighters and allies. Strengthen their fighting strength before they decided to go to war. The humans would be doing the same and Brynjar knew they could not convince the Northerners without going there. It had been a shock to many that he was agreeable with Aelin on this, some falsely rumoured it was due to his affections. It was based on his new understanding of his clan and their purpose.

His skin was pink and peeling in places as it healed. The desert had been harsh on his body and the trek had been long. He was sweating and carrying a large barrow's worth of firewood for the makeshift campsite they made on the road. It was already getting much colder but his body running hot naturally meant that he wasn't wrapping up as much as others. He was also fresh from axe training with Aelin. It was only sensible that once he gifted the axe that he taught her how to use it. It was also a nice quiet time away from responsibility and duty for the both of them. A break from the harsh realities they came back to.

Handing out firewood to all those that needed them, he also promised to do hunting later with some others and bring back food since there were many that were hungry. It was hard to hunt and keep provisions when marching but if they paused too long, it risked the chances of humans finding them and slaughtering them all. Brynjar also helped in tending the injured and sickly, these were people very likely to die on harsh marches like this but he couldn't give up. Not yet, not when there was still a chance to save them.

The final tent he visited was the one he dreaded the most. Since she had told him off for judging the group of Lupo taking his firewood, he had come to her for lessons in wisdom, leadership and in how to deal with what his parents taught him and the reality of life. However, during the attack on the camp, she faced against a number of humans and while she fought bravely, killing many, they delivered a grievous wound to her. Now being on the road and the chances of a good healer being able to dedicate time to treating her injuries was slim, death seemed ever present.

Opening the flap, the stench of decay and death wafted through. It caught Brynjar off guard a number of times in the past but he knew how to steel himself as he headed into the tent. Stoking the embers with small twigs to relight a fire to keep his friend warm. He was no healer and there was little he could do but ensure she ate and was warm, so that was all he did. Leaning in close, her eyes were glassy, body shivering and sweating profusely as he dare not look at the injuries that were likely deadly infected. No, all he did was grab the cloth he dabbed in water and wiped the sweat away.

He hummed, she was the closest he had to a true mother figure. While their friendship was barely a month old, it was something Brynjar had held dear. It was crucial in his calmer, inviting and positive mentality. He was afraid it would all fade once she passed, that she was the only one that kept him on this path. It was silly anxieties but they were ones he held to be true. Wiping her sweat away, he talked briefly of his day and how they would be moving come morning. So far, he had been carrying her at the back on a rough made carriage, it meant he was never marching with other Alphas and rarely around for meetings but he valued this more.

Once his talk finished, he heard her raspy breaths of life fall into a steady rhythm of sleep. Brynjar left the tent and paused near a campfire. He could hear the discussions of failing leadership, thay this was all Aelin's fault. That it was Gerwald's fault. That it was a number of others. That the Gods had abandoned them for they had no Anasi. It was the seeds of discontent that Brynjar knew would stir in hardship. He moved forward and coughed loudly so his presence was known.

"The only ones at fault for this are the humans. They killed us, they forced us from our homes. They continue to want us gone. United, as one, we will show them wrong." Brynjar stated, "if you wish to blame someone blame them. Aelin and other Alphas are doing the best they can for you guys. The North is the only place we will be safe now."

"Aren't you an Alpha? What are you doing here bar eavesdropping?" Growled one of the Kaiha.

"I am merely visiting a friend and I am an Alpha of one, so my voice on people's safety doesn't always hold much value." Brynjar stated honestly as he bowed his head and left them in peace. It was late anyways, and he needed to find somewhere to sleep.

Sharply waking from a nightmare, one where he failed to save those that he loved, Brynjar felt his heart racing and body had a thin layer of sweat from the horror he had dreamt of. Standing, he knew that camp would be on the move soon and he needed to sort of his friend and the carriage before they set off. Wandering to the tent, Brynjar felt that something was wrong. He could sense a change in the air, it wasn't the air of dying but dead now. He entered and felt his heart sank. She passed during the night, not the first to do so on the journey but not the last. Brynjar carried the body from the tent and started making his way to the treeline.

"Where are you going? We are leaving soon, just leave the body to one side!" A voice called out that he ignored. No one deserved to be left to one side. No matter how many needed to be buried, Brynjar always tried to bury every single person himself. Allowing the mass to continue marching on and he would simply catch up.

This was personal, he needed to bury her in the woods and mourn. Shifting the earth with a shovel, he had found a spot of decent earth, a pleasant view and somewhere he could locate if needed. Digging deep, Brynjar spent several hours creating a grave suitable for his friend. Before placing her into the grave and using his powers to shift the earth back into place and fell to one knee.

"Ek munu tryggja þinn andlát var eigi inn einskis. At þinn fórn var eigi gleymt ok at þinn kennslustundir halda áfram til lifa um mik. Ek var eigi ór þinn klan, né þú einn ór minn en ek em að eilífu þakklátur at vér a frið yfir brautir. Hvíld inn friður nú" Brynjar muttered as he removed his hand from the loose earth and shifted into a wolf once more to hunt down where the others were.


I shall ensure your death was not in vain. That your sacrifice was not forgotten and that your lessons continue to live through me. I was not of your clan, nor you one of mine but I am forever thankful that we crossed paths. Rest in peace now.