48 Silent Farewell

Blake left his house very early, the sun had not fully shown itself, the sky looked dark and the weather cold.

He walked to a house located in a corner of the tribe, around him were only the birdhouses, where Blake raised and kept Whitey and other birds.

The house had been made in the same design as the Song dynasty, of wood, stone, and concrete. But at least three times as big as Blake's or Oswin's house.

"Boy."

"Gibson, how are your knees?"

"They still hurt if it's too cold, but they've gotten better since I got a fireplace in the room to warm me up."

Blake greeted an old warrior who stood guard outside the house, his hair was completely white, and he held an old bronze-tipped spear in his hand. Once upon a time, he was in charge of guarding the tribe's prison, but the prison no longer existed, as members of the tribe who broke the rules were sent to the quarries to work chopping stones or were put to death, now his job was to keep anyone from approaching the house.

The man was possibly the oldest member of the tribe and had over a dozen children in the entire tribe.

Blake finally nodded to the elder after a brief chat, entering the house.

"Grandma Dell."

Blake greeted another old woman inside the house, she was old man Gibson's wife, and to Blake, the old woman looked like she was 70 years old at least, despite being much younger, because of the hard life she had led.

"Blake, I'm preparing breakfast for Willa and the Magnar, would you like to eat too?"

Blake shook his head, smiling slightly at the older woman.

Dell was one of the tribe's cooks, but she was too old to make food for so many people every day, so Blake put her to work making the food, cleaning the house, and performing the necessary household chores of this place.

The reason for giving such a task to two elders was clear because of the risk involved, both had been informed that Willa was a carrier of the grayscale disease, and Gibson was told that, if his or his wife's skin began to blacken, it would be his task to kill Willa, his son, burn his body and do the same to himself and his wife.

Both elders agreed, as Oswin and Blake had been very good to them and their children, and would gladly carry out this last mission for the good of the tribe.

The house had been made with every need in mind, it had a store room, a kitchen, and even a bathroom, with a septic tank. As for the reason, it was to keep Willa under observation.

Blake had set the observation period at 2 years, 2 years in which Willa, nor her future child, could leave the house, and if after that time the disease did not show up in the infant's body nor expand in Willa's body, they would be allowed to leave again.

As for Oswin, he had a room in the same house only separate from Willa, as he had insisted on staying with her, and Blake had told him he could do so, but not to touch Willa for these two years, nor bring women or anyone into the house.

Blake sat down at the dining room table and began carving a small piece of wood, he was making a new hairpin.

"Crack."

Oswin came out of his room fully dressed in his leather armor.

"There you are."

Oswin looked at his son sitting in the dining room, coming over to sit down and start eating what old Dell had cooked.

It was fried fish with cream and mushrooms, roasted vegetables, and a glass of hot milk.

"Did you say goodbye yet?"

Blake had noticed Oswin leave Willa's room, so he asked in a tone of affirmation.

"Yes, I told her I'd be back before the child was born."

Willa had kept her illness from him, but the woman had shared his bed and served him for years, plus she was now carrying his child, so Oswin had decided to finally forgive her.

Blake estimated that Willa was close to the fifth month of pregnancy, so it would be difficult for them to return before the child was born, they had to go to Thenn to exchange goods, also go with the giants, and later go to the lands of eternal winter, it would not be an easy trip.

"Preparations are ready, it's time to go."

At Blake's words, Oswin nodded getting up from the table.

"Let's go."

They both left the house, walking to the center of the tribe.

"Oswin, Blake."

Wymond stood in the center of the tribe, with 80 men and 60 wagons. There were no mounts or beasts of burden, as he could not reach Thenn with any animals.

Cam and Clay stood beside him, Cam with a grim look on his face, while Clay wore a smile of pride at being selected for this raid.

Oswin walked to the front of all the men who would be making this journey, looking at them seriously. The great red cloak billowed with his long strides.

"THEY WERE SELECTED FOR BEING THE BEST WARRIORS OF THE TRIBE, THE MOST EXPERIENCED, THE STRONGEST, AND THEY ALL HAVE SONS TO CARRY ON THEIR LINEAGE IN CASE THEY DIE. I WILL NOT LIE TO YOU, WE WILL MARCH TO THE VALLEY OF THENN, IN THE HEART OF THE FROSTFANGS, THEN WE WILL GO INTO THE LANDS OF THE GIANTS, TO FINALLY REACH FURTHER THAN ANY MAN ALIVE, THE LANDS OF ETERNAL WINTER... IF ANY OF YOU WANT TO TURN BACK, THIS IS THE LAST CHANCE, AND IF YOU DECIDE TO FOLLOW ME, ABANDON YOUR LIVES HERE AND NOW!"

The last part of Oswin's speech came out with a thunderous shout.

Blake watched as all the warriors stood firm, without a hint of doubt in their eyes, they were the oldest warriors of the tribe, who had accompanied Oswin on all his raids, who had accompanied him to war, and were now willing to march again alongside their Magnar, and die for him, if necessary.

Blake understood why these people were willing to die for their father, Oswin had developed the charisma of a Lord after leading the black axe tribe for so many years. It was a far cry from Blake himself, who practically bought loyalty in exchange for resources and comforts.

"LET'S GET GOING THEN!"

All the warriors began to leave through the North gate, and Oswin approached Cam, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Yours is the tribe, make sure you keep things under control until we get back."

"Nothing's going to happen while I'm in charge."

Cam looked into Oswin's eyes, reassuring.

"Well, let's go too then."

Oswin started walking along with Wymond.

"I'm counting on you."

"I'll take good care of Ygritte while you're gone, make sure you come back, you owe me more than one favor."

Cam and Blake exchanged words with a face of mutual understanding.

Blake turned his head to look at the hill where his home was.

Ygritte and Osha were standing at the top, watching them go.

Blake could make out his sister's face even from a distance, noticing her watery eyes.

It was a real shame, Blake didn't like to be separated from her either, but where they were going was simply too dangerous.

Blake turned, following Wymond and Oswin.

Beginning the dangerous journey.

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