Eric had few people in life that he trusted and the King wasn’t one of them. He had seen the man betray those who were loyal to him in the past to help his kingdom and there were many reasons to throw aside a barbarian and his tribe. As times became more peaceful civilization liked to push outwards into the wilderness. His land was not fertile ground so there had to be another reason, metal or something else that could be pulled from the earth would give a justification to the slaughtering of a people. Fear grew in him and he found his path turning towards his village.
He didn’t have any certainty that he was right but it wouldn’t hurt to check, King Emeril had been very vague about the threat to the north, had it all been a ruse to lead him away from his people. Without men to lead he would be just a lone warrior fighting a lost cause. Most of the warriors would be away from the village this time of year trying to slay mammoths for the approaching winter and they wouldn’t expect an ambush on the way back.
His body wanted to walk but it kept going faster as the possibility of an attack festered and grew in his mind. Why hadn’t the King slain or caught him in the city if treason was happening, he tried to calm his mind but it did little good. An incident in the city would have spread the news far and wide and there were many who were sympathetic to the barbarians for the assistance they had given Dar over the years, no it would be better for him to die against one of the dangers lurking out in the tribal territories or at least get back too late to find evidence of what had really happened.
The smell of fire tickled his nose and he knew that he was getting close to people but he couldn’t be sure who they were, he slowed his pace so he could listen and rest for any battle that was to come. Metal clanked and pack animals being prepared for the work of the day could be heard. It was a patrol of the King’s men and they appeared to be on their way to his village.
“What are you doing here?” Eric tried to keep the anger from his voice but the men were clearly surprised to see him and they were afraid but a warrior with an ax often inspired fear in others.
The distinctive sound of a sword exiting the sheath came from behind him, “The more important question is who are you?”
The barbarian whipped around slapping aside and smashing his fist into the face of the man dropping him to the ground, “Don’t threaten me, I came out here unarmed so we can talk but if you want to fight, I am more than happy to supply you with one.”
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