Chapter 12: Gamble
2008 Words
::Dom's POV::
Leo and I watched patiently as the camp fires dwindled into charred ashes. The enemy were turning in for the night.
"We should eradicate the guards first," Leo suggested.
"Unreasonable bloodshed is not on the agenda today. Besides," I pointed at some over-boozed soldiers slumped against a barrel, "They naturally took themselves out."
"You seem to know about the Vikings," Leo observed.
"It has been on the back burner of my mind, but if I had to deal with the Spartans or them, I'd prefer the Spartans," I carefully ducked, and we made our way down.
Leo had surrendered his sword for the night. I informed him that a dagger or something small would be best. The last thing we needed was a heavy sword to drop and alert everyone in the vicinity. It also hinders movement, and it would be easier to bury a dagger in the beach sands faster than a long sword.
These were small details that I learned from Tyrion.
The sea breeze was blowing in our direction. The time was right for an infiltration.
We creeped on by the snoring guards who bubbled from spilled pints next to them. The smell of alcohol-drenched breaths and sweaty clothing indicated that these were indeed the Vikings. Their braids of war hair indicated they had never lost a battle. Although some of the men were shorter than others, their hair was their pride.
We saw the ships swaying with the wind and waves. They were massive voyager ships that held prisoners of war. We had to sneak in and convince the Spartans that we were not their enemy this time and hopefully gain their trust to sail us overseas.
It sounded ridiculous, but it was worth a shot.
We made it on board with ease. I did not know the layout of such ships, but Leo offered to lead the way. We headed downstairs where the chambers of locked people were.
"How do you know the blueprints of a Viking ship?" I whispered.
"A part of studying the art of war was getting to know the architecture of the enemy's base. One of the chapters was about their transportation," he answered.
So, not only was Leo dangerous in combat, he was also a scholar.
We heard chains grinding against each other, and we peered into one of the cells.
There was a man, his helmet was on his hip with arms tied above his head. His face beaten, his breaths weak, and his body slumped in an awkward position.
"That must be one of the Spartans," Leo whispered.
"This one has been beaten too much, we might have to find another subject," I made my way out.
"But, we need to help him," Leo pressed.
"If we wake him out now he might alert the others, or worse, the enemy," I growled.
Leo was hesitant but slowly backed out with me. The spartan soldier was involuntarily unconscious, but still alive.
We went down a bit further and witnessed the dark tortures done to different soldiers. One of the cells we passed was a skeleton that was burnt through its bones. This reminded me of the nightmare I had witnessed of seeing Keneff being burnt alive. I gritted my teeth with rage. I saw an insignia determining that the person was someone of high rank in the militia.
"Those damned bastards," I clenched my jaw.
"It must be traumatic for soldiers to witness or smell their leaders dying like this," Leo sympathized.
"For some, death is better than slowly suffering. But to die suffering slowly is a different kind of inhumane sentence," I looked away.
We then came across the final cell. This particular soldier was awake and glaring at us through his helmet.
"We are not one of the Vikings," Leo whispered in a hush.
"You think I wouldn't know that by now?" he spat.
"Watch your tongue boy," I warned.
His eyes switched to me, they dilated with relief.
"Lord Dom?" he gasped in disbelief.
"In the flesh," I answered.
"W-what are you doing here?" he asked.
I could not place a face or memory with this soldier, but with his relief to see me, it was something we could take advantage of.
"I'm here to set you free," I began inspecting his chains.
"B-but I am your enemy," he whimpered.
"You only become my enemy if you strike first," I unraveled the tightened chains.
I looked at him and ordered him to make a loud cough. He nodded obediently.
I c****d my arm back and swiftly punched the locket, at the same time, he coughed so loud that the sound blended perfectly.
"Keep it down!" We heard a guard order.
We kept quiet and the soldier nodded that the coast was clear. We pulled him up to his feet and silently walked to our exit. He had to hold his stomach as he witnessed one of his generals being lynched. The fear struck his eyes, but he trudged on.
We opened the door and saw that the coast was clear. We took a few steps out and felt every creek on the floor boards. All of a sudden, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. My blood began to rapidly boil, and we heard a chuckle behind us.
"Such foolery to think I would help you," the guard mocked, "GUARDS!"
In a split second, the Viking guards came pouring in and soon surrounded us. I unsheathed my dagger and backed away from the soldier.
"I was wondering how you knew my name," I narrowed my eyes, "You're one of them!"
The guard took off the spartan helmet and revealed braided locks of red. His smirk signified his betrayal was part of the set-up.
"Lord Dom," Leo backed into my back, "We are out numbered!"
"It won't be a 'we'," I sighed.
I looked at Leo and gave a slight nod. I then turned and grabbed Leo and held the dagger against his chest.
"Do not come any closer!" I warned, "Or I will kill this man."
"Oh?" the spartan scoffed, "A desperate attempt? I mean, you're doing us a favor by killing one of Jerard's royal guards anyway."
"Lord Dom," Leo whimpered.
I whispered dangerously low to him, "Trust me, get that man and get out of here."
I stealthily handed him a piece of wire and slit a nash across his chest.
Leo writhed in pain and fell to the ground. I hated it coming to this, but I knew that it was the only way to save him. The Viking guards came charging at me. I grunted and fought them off as hard as I could. I managed to slice the air pipes on some of them, but felt blades puncture through my skin.
I looked over at Leo, who was in disbelief, witnessing me getting hurt. He was then dragged away by another guard, back into the cells.
The pain surged through my torn flesh and I glared at Leo to carry on with our plan. Leo shed a tear and allowed himself to become unconscious.
I felt ropes being tied to my wrists, and then my hands being tied together. I fell to the floor, squirming with anger.
Then, a big presence silenced the raging Vikings. We heard large boots making their way above us. His beard possessed multiple braids and his eyes scanned the room.
"Well, well, well..." his impatient foot pounded on the floor, "If it isn't the Lord of the Savages."
The other soldiers backed away, revealing me seething at him.
"What do I have the company of having a rebellion leader on my ship?" he asked.
His icy blue gaze pierced into my soul, rectifying the excruciating pain of me bleeding out.
"We can take this into my quarters," he yanked my tied wrists and began dragging me up the stairs.
He turned to his men, "Great catch boys, drink up tonight."
The men roared in unison and dispersed into their quarters. Meanwhile, I was dragged behind doors and slammed onto the ground.
The man sat behind his desk, his war map in display. He moved a few of his pawns and knocked over a King's piece.
"Well, I was looking forward to invading the capital, but you did the work for me. And what luck to have you deliver yourself to me. You made this game to easy," he burped.
"I have no interest in your territory," I stared back at him.
"Then what do I have the pleasure of having you on my ship tonight? Trying to steal the credit of war from capturing my prisoners?" he clasped his calculating hands together.
I bit my tongue, that was part of the plan.
"My name is Bjorn, the Jarl of Scandinavia. But no need to introduce yourself. I know of your name. Domarius of the Southern Isles, the Lord of the Savages," he huffed through his nostrils.
"With that out of the way," I felt blood rising up my throat, "What business do you have of me?"
"Besides eliminating possible threats to my conquest," he pushed some more pawns to the east of his map, "I heard a rumor that you have enslaved a northern girl in King Jerard's contract."
I flinched. He was talking about Ryanna.
"Is the girl still within your possession?" he impatiently asked.
I remained silent.
"Or..." he once again mocked me, "Has she been defiled in Nihon?"
I jerked at that comment and glared at him with scornful eyes.
"I hit that on the mark, eh?" he sipped his pint of beer.
"What is your interest in Ryanna?" I got to the point.
"Things that are out of your comprehension," he simply inputted.
"It is my business, she is my fiance," I spat.
"Oh? Fiance? So you have not defiled her yet?" he smirked.
I did not like the tone in his voice, but he continued, "Very interesting."
"If you touch her I will kill you!" I threatened.
"How so? When you're all tied up like that," he gestured his beer towards my obvious state, "Maybe learn to know your place, boy."
My leg jerked, it oozed out more blood and I began to feel light-headed.
"You were here for a ship, weren't you?" he suggested.
Again. He nailed it right in the head.
"Interesting," he contemplated, "Well, what a change of course we shall take."
"W-what do you mean by that?" I questioned.
"Instead of invading the capital and moving deeper into the northern Isles, what better way than to kill you at the doorstep of Kenji."
Kenji.
That name seared into my mind. So even Bjorn knew of him.
"That is what I will do," he put his feet on the war table, "We sail tomorrow."
"You're going to take me there?" I asked suspiciously.
"Oh yes," he implied, "You'll get your chance to meet him, and I can't wait to witness the entertainment."
So he plans on chucking me to Kenji, to fight, and whoever wins he is going to kill them and take Ryanna for himself.
Dammit!
Dammit all!
Everyone seemed to be after her. The fact that I was the first to become involved with her without knowing the repercussions was astounding. But, I had to remember that Dravon hid her from the world he was a part of. No one would bat an eye to a secluded small village, presuming royalty stayed there. But, what am I missing? Why does everyone I know want to obtain her?
"Let's make a bet," he suggested, "If you survive, you at least get to lay with her for a night."
My eyebrows furrowed in disgust, he continued, "If you lose, then I will be the one to take your place."
My blood was at extreme temperatures. There was no way I was in fighting condition. My eyelids grew heavy, and I was falling into darkness. I could hear him laughing victoriously. All I kept thinking to myself was...
I better not lose!
- Writer
