XXXV. Cruel Vengeance

Eksel shivered. The cage he was shackled to shook violently as it turned and rattled through the dirt road. The horses ran and pulled it quickly. Night covered them and the warmth from the sun was nowhere to be found, so he wrapped his arms around himself and shivered again.

His body ached against the hard metal. His exposed skin did little to help, and he knew he would have bruises even before the real torture would begin. The hours melted into each other until he finally saw the glow of light in the distance. As they neared he saw that the torches surrounding the camp were burning bright and it made him highly aware of the fact that Halfdan was not afraid of being found.

The sound of his cage rattling as they rode into camp brought the attention of all the men that stood outside of their tents. They surrounded him, following him as he was pulled to the center of the camp. Men laughed at him, pointed at him, spat at him and began to jostle the cage with the strength of their hands. Eksel only watched them through his dark eyes. He watched them quietly, not wanting to give away the fact that he was shaking with fear.

The cage came to a sudden halt, jerking his body around and rattling the chains that shackled his wrists. The men around him turned louder, whooping and banging the cage as their numbers grew. They brought torches through the bars until the fire burned his skin, but he only grunted in response, flaring his nostrils.

Suddenly the noise stopped and the men stepped away. Eksel stiffened, looking around, trying to spot the reason for their sudden change in behavior. They kept stepping away, until Eksel noticed the one man approaching him. He had the same brown hair and white eyes as his father. Blue tattoos covered his arms and his neck, while blood coated his lips.

Eksel sat straighter, pulling on his shackles while looking at him intently.

Halfdan’s gaze flicked from Eksel’s head down to his toes before he tilted his head. Though he wore fur around his shoulders, Eksel could see the tone but small frame of his body.

Eksel recoiled under his gaze. The look in his eyes reminded him too much of that little boy that died in his arms and it reminded him too much of a loving father that fought for his son’s justice.

“From the way they speak about you I was expecting a monster.”

Eksel looked down to the floor.

“You’re just a man.”

Eksel frowned, feeling odd about the fact that it was a stranger that saw him for who he was. And an enemy at that.

Halfdan nodded to someone. The cage opened and Eksel was dragged out. His numb feet hit the cold hard floor and through he fought against the men that held him, but he

was too weak.

His skin scraped against the rocks until they reached the center of the camp, where a pillary waited for him.

He grunted and shoved his elbow into the man on his left. He stumbled for a second before regaining his step and slamming his fist into his face.

Eksel shut his eyes, taking in the pain, too tired to attempt anything else. They leaned him against the pillar, attaching the chain to the top and dropping his hands.

His head fell between his shoulders, his knees buckled and the cold breeze had him shivering.

Halfdan’s boots crushed the stones beneath him and Eksel felt his shadow cover him. It was only when the silence was unbearable that he lifted his head to face him.

Halfdan scowled, his eyes hardening. “He was just a boy.”

Eksel inhaled, his chest burning with guilt all over again. He looked around, noticing the men that circled them and watching them curiously.

He peered over his shoulder, noticing the man that stood behind him with a whip in his hand. The ends were small hooks and he exhaled, preparing himself for the pain.

And for a moment, looking at Halfdan’s face, he believed he deserved it.

“I know,” Eksel whispered.

“Didn’t stop you from ramming your sword into him.”

Halfdan nodded to the man behind Eksel and he only had a moment to process the movement before pain erupted on his skin. He grunted, pressing his face to the wooden pillar.

He clenched his teeth together, feeling blood trickle down his back.

“I-I didn’t see him. He attacked me from behind, I only reacted,” Eksel grunted, stretching his fingers before tightening them into fists again.

“Did you try this shit on my father?” Halfdan leaned close.

Eksel shook his head and Halfdan nodded to the man again.

Another lash had his knees buckling and nostrils flaring. He groaned deep in his throat and looked at Halfdan with narrowed eyes.

“Of course not, you just killed him too,” Halfdan began to pace in front of him, and gave his signal for yet another lash.

Eksel growled, “He took her!”

That gave Halfdan pause, “Who?”

Eksel forced his knees to support his weight and he inhaled deeply, “He held a knife to her throat. He threatened her.”

“Who?”

“She was innocent,” Eksel hardened his gaze, refusing to speak her name in front of him.

But recognition flashed in his eyes. “Your brother’s betrothed.”

The anger in Eksel’s gaze from that statement was palpable and it ignited Halfdan’s interest. He smiled slowly, nodding for yet another lash.

Eksel yelled, hugging the pillar as yet more blood dripped down his back and to his legs. The pain was terrible and it set his skin on fire, but it was bearable. More bearable than when his father beat him as a young boy.

“I was tempted to forgo the promise I had made to your brother.”

Eksel stiffened, the promise he made to keep him alive.

“But now I know that I will keep it. I will keep you alive. At least until I get my hands on her.”

Eksel growled, pulling on the chains.

“I’ll kill her in front of you so you know what it feels like.”

Eksel shook his head, “No. You can do whatever you want to me. You can kill me. You can beat me until I die, I don’t care, but do not go after her. She has no part in this.”

“And my brother did?” Halfdan yelled, ripping the whip from the man.

He gripped the handle and flogged Eksel three times before stopping to take a breath.

Eksel fell to his knees with a grunt, “I didn’t know.”

Halfdan kneeled beside him, whispering, “That’s not good enough, you took my family from me.”

“I didn’t know,” Eksel stuttered for breath.

“Do you think that is sufficient reason?”

“No,” Eksel shook his head.

Halfdan stood, grunting as he let the whip loose. It lashed Eksel’s neck, gripping onto his cheek and ripping the meat with it.

Eksel yelled and Halfdan laughed darkly. He brought his hand to the open wound and dipped his fingers in the blood. With vengeance lighting a gleam in his eyes, he painting his lips and his chin bright red.

The pain was almost too much for his body to process, but Eksel watched him with hooded eyes. Though he was the victim under attack, he understood. Or at least, he wanted to understand.

Agnar would never go as far as avenging him. It was because of Agnar that he was here in the first place. He wished that someone would care enough about him after death.

Half as much as Halfdan cared for his brother.

But he doubted it.

Elva would surely forget about him.

Agnar would be happy he was gone.

Sten, Sigrid and all of his mean would find another to follow and conquer the world with.

He was indispensable.

All he needed was to know that Elva was safe. Then he would welcome death happily.

He tasted blood on his tongue and watched it drip down his chest.

Halfdan laughed and laughed until he began to choke. He choked and he choked until his face contorted in pain and an arrow poked through his chest.

Eksel frowned, his eyes shooting to the direction from which the arrow came from.

His shoulders dropped and relief flashed in his eyes.

They had come for him.