[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/6kJtbD3.png[/img]
[h3][color=EB5406]~Part 2~[hr][hr]
~~~ 2 Days later ~~~[/color][/h3][/center]

The snow crunched beneath Aleksi’s feet as he tracked his quarry. He hadn’t sought out Ivor after the assembly; he needed time to process his feelings, to guide his people as they adjusted to their new routines.  The latter had been far easier to manage than the turmoil of emotions wracking at his heart.

On one side he was happy to see his friend, his brother alive, hale and whole, thriving in this new community.

On the other he bore resentment for the man who abandoned them when they needed him most.

Regardless of his feelings Aleksi entirely understood the reason for both; Ivor had become a blightborn. He saw it on that night, the bear had thrown the giant against a tree, the crack of bone was as loud as thunder. The monster was quick to turn on the rest of the tribe and Aleksi was ready to die as his brother did. Yet as miraculous as it was horrifying, that was the night Aleksi bore witness to the reborn Ivor, his strength unmatched as he wrestled the monster into its grave.

What happened next was far more traumatic as his friend turned into the very monster he had slain. Another fight did not come though, the monster fled.

Ivor. Fled.

Could Aleksi blame him?

The answer was far closer than he was prepared for as he approached the Hunter’s hut at the edge of the woods. A rugged shack that he surmised from the giant foot tracks belonged to Ivor. It also took time to figure out where he was housed, for as large a man as he was, he could disappear when he wanted to. When word of the expedition mission reached Aleksi’s ears, he knew he needed to speak with Ivor before he fled from Aleksi’s sight once more. There were some things that needed to be said, things that had waited a long time to be said.

[color=EB5406][i]“Ivor!”[/i][/color] Aleksi shouted at the shack, [color=EB5406][i]“Come out and bear witness to your kin!”[/i][/color] He invoked the old tongue.

For a long moment, nothing happened. Then came the creaking of wood followed by heavy, large footfalls. As the curtain drew back, the giant blightborn emerged forth, allowing the pale moonlight to fall upon his features. Aleksi’s gaze looked the giant up and down; even in the pallid light the form was undeniably that of his friend, yet there were stark differences. The giant did not speak, he merely waited, bearing witness to the words Aleksi would speak…good at least he has not forgotten the old ways.

[color=EB5406][i]“I understand you know…why you left that night. I saw the beast you had become, the very thing you killed and choked on and swallowed whole. I saw the fear and the realization in your eyes as you fled into the forest. I made peace with the fact that you were probably dead or long gone…”[/i][/color]


Aleksi’s fists clenched, [color=EB5406][i]“Yet here I find you in this village, thriving and surviving and I cannot help but feel anger at your abandonment. You left us to suffer with the wrath of the blight, and as the night claimed more of our kin, those left of us had to scatter in the dark like rats, with terrors nipping at our heels.”[/i][/color]

His hands slackened, [color=EB5406][i]“I want to be angry with you, to blame the loss of our people on your cowardice…but you were probably the bravest of us all. You made the most difficult decision to leave knowing we would have killed you if you otherwise stayed.”[/i][/color] The wind felt bitter against his scalp, his head turning to the side, [color=EB5406][i]“We all should have left long ago…now we are few when we were once so many.”[/i][/color]

[color=EB5406][i]“I fear we are dying…my brother…”[/i][/color] He approached the giant, [color=EB5406][i]“We came here looking for sanctuary, as have you, and it seems destiny has woven our fates together once more.”[/i][/color] Aleksi reached his hand to the giant, [color=EB5406][i]“Can we work together, as we did once before?”[/i][/color]

Ivor’s eyes lingered on Aleksi’s hand for a long time, he wasn’t sure what to expect when his friend had found him, but an open hand of friendship was the last thing on his mind. He looked deep into the man’s eyes, [color=9a45dc]“Are you sure? Even as I am?”[/color]

Aleksi didn’t answer for a long moment, [color=EB5406][i]“I know who the man is before me…evidently based on who I’ve heard about you from around town, that hasn’t changed much.”[/i][/color]

Ivor looked at Aleksi’s hand again before reaching out and clasping onto his arm. The two gripped each other’s arm tightly, before releasing. [color=9a45dc]“What would you have me do?”[/color]

[color=EB5406][i]“Nothing right now, you have a mission coming soon from my understanding.”[/i][/color] Ivor’s brows furrowed, but Aleksi picked up on the concern, [color=EB5406][i]“I won’t ask you to lead us again, that ship I think has long sailed my friend, I would only ask that you help us keep the peace in your spare time. I frankly do not trust my people to not start a fight, they are still bitter, wounded, some lost people very close to them and most blame it on the blightborn. They weren’t happy about coming here, knowing that the very nightmare they fought against is sleeping in beds nearby. Times are different however, survival requires change and sacrifice…I can only hope that they can see the necessity in that change…”[/i][/color]

Ivor went to speak, but Aleksi held up a hand and cut him off, [color=EB5406][i]“It doesn’t matter right now, I have responsibilities here and your duties lie elsewhere. I only wish…that I could aid you on this journey, fight by your side, just like old times.”[/i][/color] Aleksi unslung a cloth covered tool from his back, carefully unwrapping the linen before presenting the tool to Ivor, [color=EB5406][i]“Even if I can’t be there, at least your father and the will of the ancients will be a boon at your back.”[/i][/color]

Ivor received the item, a worn, but well cared for bearded axe. The shaft made of durable and hearty ashwood, the blade made of heavy and sharpened iron. Etched on the blade was the name of his father ‘Victor, The Unyielding’. [color=9a45dc]“Pater…”[/color] Ivor whispered to the blade, gripping the handle tightly, [color=9a45dc]“You kept this with you…and you would return this family treasure back to me?”[/color]

Aleksi nodded once, [color=EB5406][i]“The tribe and the ancients are with you my brother. When you return, we shall speak more, I still need…time to process everything that is happening here. Do not mistake me though, I am…glad you are alive.”[/i][/color] He then turned back towards the village, leaving a confused Ivor to wonder and appreciate the gift he had been given.[hr][hr]
[center][color=EB5406][h3] ~~~ Present Day ~~~ [/h3][/color][/center]
Aleksi’s thoughts were torn away from the past as the front door opened and in poured four..five…no six of his tribesmen. They were [i]already[/i] being far too loud this early in the morning, with demands of food and drink to the flustered barkeep. He sighed deeply, rubbing his temples, [color=EB5406][i]“too early for this shit…”[/i][/color]

Standing up he made his way to the bar and slammed his open palm on the counter, gathering the loud group’s attention, [color=EB5406][i]“Let’s lower our voices…people are still trying to sleep…have I made myself clear?”[/i][/color] He spoke at them, eyes flared, their voices lowered and some peace had finally returned. His gaze met with the bar maid, his words speaking the common tongue, [color=EB5406]“My apologies, they will behave more appropriately.”[/color] One final glare at his men and he turned towards a table in the far back where a rather innocuous looking old man was snoring. [color=EB5406][i]“Be sure to send a runner if any of those idiots gets themselves into trouble, I’ll be around.”[/i][/color] The old man snorted, a response, before resuming his slumberly duties.

One final scan around the tavern, not much had changed though it looks like that guard with the purple man had left. He wondered if something had happened, or if perhaps duty had called the woman away, something about the man though, he seemed almost…nervous. Regardless of the circumstances, Aleksi’s gaze probably lingered longer than it should have, disdain reflecting back at the mutated blightborn. Still he managed to rip his eyes away and ignore the man long enough to leave the building. He emerged into the open streets, just as the denizens and their immigrants now began to fill it as well. Picking a direction he started walking, his only duty right now was to make sure he could account for all of his people and that they were performing their daily duties. The last thing he wanted was for someone to go hungry all because of entirely accountable laziness.

It wasn’t long down the street where less people were that he caught a familiar sight. The guard from earlier duty it seems had called her away, and yet something felt off about her. The way she held her head, the awkwardness in her steps like a newborn foal. He hadn’t seen a drink around her, yet she seemed like she was drunk or…did that purple man? NO. Now wasn’t the time to cast speculations, but there definitely was something out of the ordinary here. Catching up with the guard, he spoke to her in the common tongue, his accent heavy, [color=EB5406]“Are you alright? Do you require aid?”[/color]
[hr][hr]
[sub]Mentions: Aldrick.  Interacts with: Ivor and Hawthorne [@SpicyMeatball][/sub]