Chapter 4

LYRA.

   As we head back towards our camp, we heard an estranged sound of a horse running full speed.

   

   Cleo puts a hand up for us to stop and we pull out horses into a quick stop. 

   

   We go into silence, my guards unsheeting their swords, just to be ready should in case the need to fight arises.

   The sound of horses gets heavier and closer.

   

   I listened and pick up that horse sound. I knew instantly who it was.

   

   "Put your weapons down." I tell them.

   Cleo turns a worried gaze at me, before himself lowered his sword last.

   

   Just then, the horse comes into view and as I'd expected, One of my men back at the camp, Dion is mounted on top of it, furiously riding it. He comes to a pull halt at the sight of us. 

   

   

   He jumps off his horse, like a man who had seen a ghost and bows his head towards me.

   

   "My lady," he calls, urgency in his every word "The Northeners has arrived. They will reach our camp soon."

   

   My brows furrow at this information. After two days, they finally decided to show up. They're gonna be sorry. 

   

   With a long, angry smirk on my lips, I whip my horse and dashed into the woods, my men following right behind me.

   

   I whip my horse again with rage prompting him to move faster even though he was already on high speed. From the distant thumping of horse’s feet I knew my men were finding it hard to keep up with my pace.

  We got to the camp and I jumped off my horse with deliberate assertiveness. 

“They are already here,” Dion said as he tied our horses to a nearby tree.

“I told Vincent to have them wait in the Downy tent.”

  Instinctively, I placed my hand on the sheath of my sword and moved towards the Downy tent where Dion said they were camped in.

 At the entrance of the tent, I could hear loud growls and arguments. The many voices reaching my ear made it hard to narrow down any voice in particular.

  

  Cleo’s questioning eyes met mine and I knew he was seeking approval for us to head in.

As much as I hated the northerners and their unruliness, I was going to make a placation for peace first off and try to sign a treaty between us.

   

  Only when they refuse my peaceful resolution would I resort to force.

“Never pick war in a place where dialogue could work” that was the words of the Alpha Viking.

Even though the late Alpha was knows as a ruthless man, he was also a very wise man that knew the implications of war on the weaker citizens.

  I gave Cleo a nod, the universal sign of “go ahead” and he entered the tent.

I went in after him and the rest of my men walked closely behind me.

  The crowd was rather smaller than what I’d expected but their ruggedness nonetheless exceeded their number.

  I gave them a moment to recognize their presence and as they did silence ensured in the tent.

  

  Pleased with the result of my presence, I began by addressing them.

I gave a short speech on the importance of peace and how we could come to a reasonable resolution without war.

In my speech, I also made it well known that we had no fear of war whatsoever and that the Viking clan is known not only known for their prosperity but also for their alacrity when it comes to war. 

In the end I laid down a treaty which I thought was in every way fair before them.

An eerie silence ensues in the camp.

Cleo and I exchanged looks.

Perhaps they were reconsidering their stand but Alas that was not the case as there was a loud outburst from within the crowd.

"Impossible!" came the loud voice.

"The Evergreen forest is the northern heritage and we are never sharing it with outsiders."

And just like that the loud uproar continued bringing forth the vile and unyielding nature of the northerners. 

One of them even charged towards me but a swift movement of my sword had his left arm swinging in the air.

The meeting ended with the obvious fact that we were going into war.

"I told you we shouldn't have considered dialogue with those mongers," Caleb stated blatantly as we gathered in the camp's headquarters for a tribe meeting. 

"Hush Caleb, the Alpha was just been considerate. It's not her fault if the northerners are too blind to see reason," Dion interfered.

I raised my head to look at Caleb who was fumbling inaudibly like a stubborn child.

He is a close relative of Alpha Viking and for obvious reasons doesn't like me.

One important fact I've come to accept about been a leader is that not everyone would love you. As long as they follow your orders and don't put themselves out to be an obvious threat to your rule, then it is all that is needed.

Facing my subordinates, I announced to them that we were going to battle.

We spent the remaining hours of the night mapping out our strategy and planning the attack.

The next morning, I woke up to the grumbling sounds of my kids. They were both clearly arguing over something.

I grunted and yawned with exhaustion after having only few hours of sleep. After getting decent enough, I came out from my chamber's and met them both at the courtyard.

"But Elder Oden made it quite clear yesterday that we are to meet him in the vineyard to complete the story of the Clan history," Nolan stressed stumping his little feet on the bare ground with an energy that seemed rather amusing to me.

Kieran stood unyielding. 

"I have heard enough stories. What I want to do now is learn swordsmanship with Ser Barron."

My appearance cut short their little banter with words.

"Mother" Nolan exclaimed with joy sprinting over to give me a hug.

I bent low and gave him a warm hug.

Kieran followed.

"Goodmorning mum" he greeted.

From when they were toddlers I've always known Kieran was a hard one.

Growing up he has proven to have more guts and wits than his brother. 

As much as I love the characteristic courageous part of him, I also have a residing fear that he might become too headstrong.

Nolan on the other hand has a meek heart and shows tenderness in almost everything. 

Can identical twins be ever so dissimilar? 

"Why are you both screaming at the top of your voices?" I asked as I go to seat on the wooden chair nearby.

"It's Kieran," Nolan offered.

"He is neglecting our study session for a chance to engage in swords fight with Ser Barron."

"But mum its not fair, " Kieran protested.

"Those history lessons are boring and I'm just tired of it. Ser Barron said to become the greatest swords man that ever lived, you have to practice from sundown to sunset."

I laughed at Kieran’s talk of determination. 

"Is that what you want to be? The greatest swordsman that ever liveth?"

"Yes mum," he nodded his head vigorously finally smiling.

"Well that's good" I stated with a heashake "But even the strongest men find time to rest and learning about your history is never a waste of time.

Nolan giggled while Kieran fumbled.

"You know what you're both going to do?" 

They both stared at me eagerly, each hoping I'd say something in their favor. 

"Clean up, have breakfast and go for your history lessons and by noon, I'll arrange for Ser Barron to train you both on Swords fight."

I smiled as I watched them both giggle along.

"They are delightful" I heard from behind and immediately turned to find Mirian standing beside the rear door.

She smiled and walked towards me.

"The twins...they are growing up into remarkable young men" she remarked.

"Yes, and its thanks to you too." 

Mirian is a middle-aged woman who has been my kids standby nanny whenever I'm away to war or the likes.

A noise from the main entrance got both our attention and we turned to see Cleo walk in looking apprehensed.

"The man from yesterday, he is here my lady."