“Sigurd, That’s the third man this week. If you keep this up HE will notice.”
Stripping the cloak from the still warm body Sigurd quickly rifled the former thrall for anything of value. A Spare ration, boots in decent shape, serviceable knife. Sigurd continued taking anything that would go unnoticed from the body, not hearing the man who worried by his side.
“Do you even care that he’s dead”
Standing, Sigurd motioned to a young boy barely old enough to stand to arms. “Come here Nefstien, this man chose to act like a beast rather than a man. He has no need for these any more.” Sigurd spoke, while holding a neatly rolled bundle out towards a pair of eyes watching from a nearby tent.
“The dead feel no cold, tread no ground, and cut no meat. Take these.” Forcing the bundle into the child’s hands Sigurd began to walk towards the cook fire. “Kalder has made as many orphans in this camp as our Branded has. If he wishes to act as our Branded I shall treat him as such.”
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“Beneath the Sun and the Old Gods Eyes you have been found wanting. Beaten by a thrall with nothing more than a knife.”
“You who would send others to fight battles you would not face. Coward”
“You who would Claim deeds not your own. Liar”
“You who would kill his own brother, Murderer.”
“You who would take, and never share. Thief”
“On this day I could take your life. Hear my words and Obey”
“Your presence is disgusting. Never let the Sun see your shame.”
“You are dirt. Never take your eyes from the ground.”
“You are a Leach. Never rest for the day till you’ve brought food to the camp.”
“You will know hunger. Never eat until all others have fed”
“You are a beast not a man, and beasts have no names. Leave cur, before I take your life as I have taken your name.”
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“He’ll kill you one day you know that Sigurd.” Orm muttered as the cook fire spit and timber settled. “You should have taken his life and been done with it.
Sigurd answered in a tiered monotone.“ Dead men bring nothing but more death. Until the day that beast regains enough honor to be a man, he will at least bring food to the camp and learn what it’s like to live as those he tried to rule.”
Finished eating Sigurd stood. “Now that the last of the would be rimelanders has been taken care of, we can see to what comes next. Skard, pass word among all who we trust. Just before First light at the First birds song. We take our freedom for ourselves.”
Walking away from the three orphans Sigurd spoke, almost to himself. “I have no honor, so I work through the night. I am a coward, so I strike while they sleep, I am a thief. I shall take their life’s. I would be a leader. I have but one choice.”
Pausing before the first Jarl’s tent.
“For Nef, Orm, Skard.”
Sigurd stepped inside, dagger hidden but ready.
