*
Several days passed by idly upon the small island where Eirik’s homestead was located. The exiles appeared to be in much better spirits within the atmosphere of relative serenity, especially following the tumult and horror of the Darrok raid.
Ayenwatha was glad for the stability, knowing that several of the exiles felt guilt at the mere sight of himself and the other tribal warriors. He had been adamant with them that his choice to convey them to the island was both a free choice and one that he saw as absolutely necessary.
Nonetheless, several of the exiles had openly expressed deep regrets that concerns for their well-being had taken Ayenwatha and the other Onan warriors away from their own people during such an uncertain time. While he did not regret his choice, Ayenwatha could not deny that the exiles had touched upon one very sensitive aspect of the mission.
There was so much unknown, the cognizance of which plagued his mind relentlessly. Bringing the exiles under the protection of Eirik did not lessen for a moment the sting of Ayenwatha’s incessant worries over the fate of his people.
Ayenwatha had put on a stoic demeanor whenever he was in front of the exiles, not wishing to add further to their burdens, but there was no denying that he was deeply restless. His mind was constantly distracted, consumed with thoughts about his people, and the threats that they were facing back in the Five Realms.
He had chosen full silence on the matter, striving to keep his worries about his peoples’ upheaval and sufferings to himself. The foreigners were bewildered enough with everything that they had been unwillingly thrust into. Ayenwatha knew in his heart that they had no part in bringing the deadly ordeal from the skies upon the Five Realms.
Even so, Ayenwatha could not fully mask the pensive expression that spread across his face during a few unguarded moments. The distress was tearing at him without respite, from deep inside, but he continued to await the arrival of word that King Hakon, and other Midragardan leaders in closer locales, had been informed of the burgeoning plight facing the Five Realms.
Several of the Onan warriors who had initially helped to escort the exiles had been sent back to the mainland, leaving the morning after their arrival with the Lnuk warriors and their large, seagoing canoes. A few of the departed Onan warriors had since returned back to the island, this time flying in upon Brega sky steeds, as Ayenwatha had requested them to do.
He had then sent them as scouts, dispatched to discover whatever tidings they could gather, and to bring back any updates concerning the mass exodus of the tribal people from their villages.
After two more days, the far-ranging scouts had returned by sky steed to the Midragardan village, bearing word that there had been no major developments since Ayenwatha had reached the island. They did carry with them some troubling reports that the enemy’s army was now fully encamped on the western edges of the tribal lands, and its numbers were swelling by the day.
At the very least, no fighting had broken out as of yet, and no more death had rained down from the skies, but Ayenwatha could take no heart from the absence of violence. The enemy was like a coiling snake, tensing to lash forward with blinding speed and fearsome power, and it would strike at the moment that it chose.
Each day rattled Ayenwatha’s nerves even more, as he knew that it would not be much longer before the full force of the enemy was unleashed upon the tribal lands. Making matters even worse was the daily worry that the attack had already occurred, and that Ayenwatha would find out about it only after it was well underway.
He decided to remain upon the island for the time being, even after several reports of the massing enemy forces indicated that the invasion was worrisomely close. Gaining assistance from the Midragardans was paramount to the hopes of his people, as without it, Ayenwatha knew that they stood no chance. He also realized that he did not know the full truth regarding the exiles, but his heart told him that he had to try to keep them out of the Unifier’s clutches, as best he could.
*