*
Ayenwatha did not have to illustrate the point any further, to convey to Eirik the deeply troubling news that the Unifier was now turning His direct attention upon the villages and lands of the Five Realms. They had spoken together often enough of his fear before, as rumors of war traveled far and wide over the lands.
“A large raid of great flying beasts has struck my village, and destroyed it. We had to warn you, seek your counsel, and ask for your help in this dark time,” Ayenwatha announced to the brawny Midragardan.
“Large flying beasts?” inquired Eirik, puzzlement and concern etched into his broad face.
“Bigger than anything my eyes have ever seen in the skies. True monstrosities, perhaps even greater than dragons. These creatures can carry many upon their backs, and the Unifier has equipped them for this purpose. They carried a race of beings in this attack, beings larger than men, with fierce, dog-like faces,” Ayenwatha informed Eirik, using his hands to demonstrate the height, girth, and strange, muzzled faces of the fearsome warriors that they had contended with.
Eirik’s eyes widened, as he marveled at the descriptions given to him by Ayenwatha.
“I do not know the flying creatures, but I do know of the others that you describe… these beast-like warriors,” Eirik stated solemnly, his brow furrowing. “Their stories are common among those we trade with in Kiruva. They are without a doubt Trogens, from the lands north and west of Kiruva. That the Unifier has them serving in His ranks is dire news indeed, for they are not known to venture beyond their homelands… What is the state of your village?”
Ayenwatha closed his eyes for a moment, his heart sinking with the searing, inner agony evoked from the raw memories of his village’s devastation. As the terrible images played vividly through his mind, he could not help but think of what might even now be occurring back in his homeland.
“Many were slain, and our dwellings were laid to waste. There is no choice left to the Onan. We are leaving the villages,” Ayenwatha replied. “We have no way of defending our skies. Even were we to be scattered widely among the dense woods, we would have a better chance to survive than to remain vulnerable in the villages.”
Eirik shook his head slowly, a deeply saddened expression upon his face. He looked away from Ayenwatha, staring up towards the dimming skies in silence for several weighty moments.
“You and I both know that there is little doubt regarding the attack on your village,” Eirik said heavily, after the lengthy pause. “He meant to strike the first blow at the place where the Sacred Fire was tended. This is what the Unifier is, and what the world, and this age, has come to. People are forced to flee their own lands, just because they choose to live in the way that they wish to.”
Disgust and bitterness were thick within the stout Midragardan’s tones. His jaw was clenched with tension, as he shook his head again.
Ayenwatha nodded somberly towards his fair-skinned friend, his own voice low and leaden, as he responded, “It has indeed come to that, and I cannot deny that an invasion of our lands is about to begin. All signs tell us so. Large numbers of the enemy are gathering on our borderlands to the west. It is a great, powerful force, and there is no mistaking its purpose. The enemy has now taken control of the skies over our lands. Our own scouts on the ground are taking more risks than ever, just to keep a few eyes on the movements along our own borders.”
“And what can I do?” Eirik replied forlornly, looking into Ayenwatha’s gaze.
Ayenwatha did not miss the trace of hopelessness present deep within the Midragardan’s voice. He knew that Eirik did not have the full might of Midragard immediately at hand. His homestead was not the smallest of estates, but it was little more than a modest village in size, merely a staging ground for the traders who interacted with the tribes of the mainland.
It was obvious that Eirik was feeling overwhelmed in the aftermath of Ayenwatha’s stark tidings, not knowing exactly how he could respond in any meaningful way to the dire plight of the tribes. As it was, Eirik only had at hand a small band of his own men, a few capable bondservants, and whatever trader-warriors were currently visiting his homestead.
“Stand with us, if you would choose to do so,” Ayenwatha returned firmly, “Just one man can resist wickedness.”
Eirik fixed Ayenwatha, and the Onan warriors standing in back of him, with a resolute, encompassing expression. His eyes went from one man to the next, looking straight into each of their eyes, reflecting the strength of iron. He then looked away towards the Midragardans gathered around the beach, before turning his eyes to the timber structures beyond.
Ayenwatha wondered at the thoughts that were surely swirling within the Midragardan warrior’s mind. The Onan sachem did not offer any further arguments or pleas, as the reality of the situation could not be any more clear.
Once the conflagration had begun, there would be no end to its ravenous hunger, until its flames had turned Eirik’s own homestead to ash. Even Midragard itself would not be spared in the Unifier’s coming storm. Ayenwatha hoped that Eirik understood that stark, but undeniable, truth.
Eirik turned slowly towards Ayenwatha. If the look in his eyes held the strength of iron before, it was now honed to a razor sharp edge.
“Your lands are our concern. Were our situations exchanged, I know that a respect of our own lands lies in your heart. It may not bring you the decisive help that you require, but the Midragardans will not abandon their friends in a time of need.”
Eirik raised his right fist, clenching it tightly in emphasis, as his face took on a darkened scowl. Ayenwatha sensed the great, simmering anger welling up within the rugged warrior. When Eirik spoke, he seemed barely able to stifle the strong emotions heating up within him. His next words came out in a controlled fashion, though he was unable to mask the fiery look blazing in his eyes.
“If the Unifier thinks that He has made your defenses soft with His monsters in the air… and if He thinks that His forces will simply walk into tribal lands, with no challenge… then He will be most surprised. His forces will be met with fierce resistance, and the warriors of the Five Realms and Midragard will stand side by side. By the One Spirit of your people, by the All-Father of my people, and by the spirits of the brave warriors of all of our peoples, we will stand with you, Ayenwatha.”
Ayenwatha was taken aback at the sudden ferocity in the tone of the Midragardan leader. The man had an inferno residing within his heart towards the dark intentions of Avanor, and those fires were being given full vent as he agreed to help the tribes.
“I am deeply thankful,” Ayenwatha replied, in utmost sincerity. “My heart told me that you would stand with us.”
“That I have agreed is nothing to be lauded… no more than what our duty should always be in such times,” Eirik replied. He looked back over towards the rest of those gathered with Ayenwatha. “There is much to be discussed. Come to my hall for some food and drink. Word will be sent by sky before the night ends, to King Hakon, and to others who are much closer. I will seek out my brother Gunnar immediately. If he can be reached in time, I know that he has considerable strength under his command. A small force can immediately be raised from this homestead, and hopefully there will be several others that can be gathered. You will not be abandoned to fight by yourself, Ayenwatha… it will be a great honor to stand with you.”
He placed his large right hand down upon Ayenwatha’s left shoulder, and squeezed firmly. “For now, come with me. We will make our enemies bitterly regret the moment that they take one step underneath your trees.”
None of those present, whether Midragardans, warriors of the Five Realms or the Lnuk, or strangers from entirely different worlds, doubted the truth flowing through the words of the Midragardan warrior.
*