Chapter 7

THANE.

  I was forced to perform a small burial for Marlia as is accustomed to our tribal norms. With pain in my heart, I lit the pyre of wood that her body was laid on with a touch in the presence of some of my clan members.

  

The scent of burning wood and smoke filled the air and I felt a pang of sorrow as I watched her body burn.

  Her child has been handed to one of the nursing mother’s to care for and nurture.

It was the best I could do for my brother while awaiting his arrival.

The ravens I have sent to him on different occasions never returned and there has been no way to communicate with him.

I know nothing of his welfare or how he was doing regarding the war he went off to fight.

The god’s be good, he is still alive.

Rogan fell in step with me as we moved away from the crowd.

“There is report from the guards at the forefront. The Vikings army have arrived.”

“Ah! Some good news,” I proclaimed with delight.

“We should meet them and offer our warm welcome then.”

Rogan grunted displeasingly earning him a glance from me.

“If you have a problem with me why don’t you let it out,” I blurted out angrily.

I do understand what war means and how it’s okay to have doubts of victory but I can’t stand how half of the men from the committee are showing complete lack of faith in me.

I’m literally the only one doing something here.

“Morning Alpha,” a young woman and her daughter greeted as they passed by.

I was momentarily distracted from my conversation with Rogan that was already getting heated as I turned to reply to them.

   “I don’t have a problem with you Thane. I just don’t think it’s wise to go to war now when the outcome of the war your brother went into up south is unknown,” Rogan stated as his jaw visibly clenched.

   I scoffed unbelievably at his statement.

“You have never striked me as a man without wisdom, but what is this low level thought you’re having? We are faced with war for goodness sake! Would you rather I recoil in fear and watch my people get slaughtered in their own homeland?” I asked infuriatingly.

Rogan paused and turned to face me. His eyes narrowed as he took a step closer.

“Your people?” He repeated and my brows scrunched in confusion not knowing where he was getting at.

“But they are not your people Thane. They are your brother’s people and I see that fact getting lost in the shuffle. They now refer to you as Alpha.” He shrugged his shoulders at the last statement.

I stared at him incredulously wondering how I was supposed to react to this outright disrespect.

“I’m sorry for my outburst,” he apologized after seeing my reaction.

“I do not mean to undermine you in any way. I just feel like it’s unwise to go into war at this point. Perchance we could speak with the leader of the Border rogues, forfeit some lands and have them…”

“Hush with you!” I commanded cutting short his charade of senseless words.

“Are you out of your mind or have you gone crazy?” I barked out with hard breath that was begotten from fury.

My anger boiled over me and I took a step closer to Rogan.

Masculine bravery was the only reason he wasn’t backing away because I could see fear in his eyes.

“Have you any idea what the Border rogues are capable of doing? 

Make compromise with them today and the next day they are asking for your arms and legs. I will not seat down and watch them tear my clan apart…Yes my clan, I said it.

And if you don’t have the balls for battle, I suggest you go to your mother’s bosom and hide in shame, but let this be the last time you ever opppose me on this subject.”

We reached the forefront of the camp in silence.

I was still seething from anger and trying hard to control my temper but God help me if he brings this up again.

I was ready to strike him down and anyone that does as much as oppose my decision.

We met the last warriors and just like Lyra had said, they were ready for battle.

The troupe was led by Cleo.

I half expected to see Lyra but I thought of how selfish that could be.

She has been generous with her men, surpassing the numbers I’d requested for. I shouldn’t expect the Alpha herself to be here in person.

After seeing to it that the needs of the Vikings armies are met, I headed to our council office to make the final preparation with my council members before tomorrow.

The room was filled with sound of murmured conversation and scent of parchment and ink.

At the table, clear maps had been laid down, detailing our strategy for tomorrow’s battle.

The mapping didn’t look so bad except for one thing, it didn’t show the possible hideouts there could be for the Border rogues army to sneak up on us like last time.

An old council member named Thorne replied to me when I voiced out my worries.

“A spy that was sent into the Border rogues territory have given us information that they are still relaxed and celebrating their victory. This is the best time to nuke them,” he explained with a voice that was surprising deep for a man of his age.

“It is reported that most of them would be gathered at the old windmill on the outskirts of their territory. They are having a festival of some sort,” another warrior named Shane offered.

“That is good then,” I smiled at the news.

Just then Cleo and somebody else from the Viking army walked in.

I had initially invited him to have a stand in our meetings and be debriefed of our plan while they also offer their ideas.

After briefing him of everything we’ve put together, I decided to hear his own say on the matter.

“This is a good strategy but I fear there are some loopholes that you might be ignoring,” Cleo announced.

He paused and looked at everyone’s face for approval before he continues.

I nodded signalling for him to carry on.

“I do feel like you’re focusing your troupes on just one area. Our forces together should be divided into three battalions. The first will create a diversion at the windmill while the second and third will flank up from either side for support, that way there would be no room for surprise attacks.”

I nodded impressed by his observation and foresightedness.

“I like that.”

I turned to Stephan who was the leader of our troupe.

“Have the men aware that we’re going to be divided into three troupes tonight and enlighten them on our new plan of attack.”

“Of course,” he responded promptly.

We finalized our plan and the meeting was adjourned.

I stood up stretching my tired bones but feeling a sense of excitement.

I have a strong feeling that victory would be ours by this time tomorrow.

We are finally going to have justice and stand strong again.

It was all thanks to Lyra and her army.

Thoughts of her flooded my mind again as I imagined what she might be doing at this particular moment.

Perhaps in all her glory, seated in her Alpha’s seat and having a convoy with her councils members or on her bed sleeping beautifully.

I preferred the lather.

Outside the council room,I was met with the cool night air and the sound of chirping crickets intensifying the night.

The stars in the sky seemed rather numerous tonight as they dazzled brightly.

When I was only but a toddler I used to go up the Little hill at night gazing at the stars and pretending they were tiny little friends.

I’d even name them and have conversations with them.

I laughed at my childhood silly games.

“It’s going to be a long day tomorrow,” I hear from behind and for a moment I was startled.

It was Thorne. 

He slowly walked closer to me.

In the dim light, I could see his greying hair and how he still struggled to stand up straight.

“Thorne, I didn’t think you’d still be here,” I say getting out of my initial shock.

“Just like you I was also enjoying the beauty of the stars.”

“Ohh,” was all I could say and we fell into silence.

“You’re going to be a great leader and I see you leading this clan into many victorious battle,” Thorne said breaking the silence.

He had admiration and excitement in his face as he stared at me.

“I’m honored by your compliments Thorne but I’m not the leader of this clan, my brother is,” I pointed out.

“And where is he now?” He asked.

To say that I was shocked by what he said was an understatement. I was bewildered, almost angry even.

“You’re the Alpha our clan needs and I see you leading us soon,” he said and walked away before I could reply.

It was well past few minutes before I moved from where I was standing.

Why let an old man’s word bother me so much, I thought.

My brother would be back soon and victorious from his battles.

Until then, I have to make sure everything went well over here as was his expectations when he offered me the position.

With that I left for my chambers to retire for the night.