458 CDLVIII. Till The Edge Of The World (1/2)

He came up to her ear and whispered: ”I know you've already figured it out, but I can't go back to Okstorm. The prophecy needs me... the human race needs me...”

Freydis's eyes opened wide: although she had already imagined her man's decision, hearing him saying it explicitly destabilized her, leaving her a few seconds out of breath.

While the two lovers were close in a hug, a dozen of the men of the chromed army entered the building, to take possession of the structure, while the Hunters Of Ullr, feeling outnumbered and regretting their neutrality before meeting Dag, looked at the scene reluctantly, feeling like they were driven from their home, in the hope that Okstorm would offer them something better.

”Hey, you! You're really making me lose my temper! Don't try to make fun of us, kid! It's time to go!” the King's second guard exclaimed with malice, grabbing Dag's shoulder without warning and pulling him away from his woman.

Dag, feeling unbalanced backward, put his foot firmly on the ground and raised his knee to stop the movement.

Soon after, he grabbed the man's hand and tore it off his shoulder, turning toward him and looking at him with an incredibly menacing air.

The man, who wanted to respond with a violent gesture, was so intimidated by the young Master's purple and angry eye that he slowly retreated, turning his gaze towards his King, as if he was asking for his help in managing that irascible boy.

”Come with me, Freydis. Help me get my stuff” Dag said aloud, for everyone to hear.

Under the consenting gaze of King Einar, determined to leave a few more minutes to the young Master, Dag walked towards the entrance of the palace.

He put his hand on the side of the wooden door and turned back, looking at Egill and Gridd, who along with Reidar were watching his every move.

Then he said nothing, smiling at his companions, who barely understood his intentions.

Reidar, looking closely at the melancholy gaze of his captain, approached the Master Of Healing and whispered something in his ear.

By the time Dag and Freydis entered the palace, dozens of warriors in the King's army were already moving furniture and reorganizing the interior spaces to meet their needs, having been assigned as guardians of the Fort by the King himself.

Meanwhile, Dag and Freydis, trying to keep a low profile, went upstairs and entered their room, where only Dag's bag remained, containing some scrolls and the map he had found in the Claws Of Fenrir cave, along with other items of little value.

”What are you planning to do, Dag? Why did you ask me to come back here with you?” the red-haired Shieldmaiden asked, who despite her intuition pretended not to understand.

”You won't leave with us? I thought you were just joking! It's crazy, Dag! Are you going to leave me again?! I won't let you go! We met again after a very long time, I wouldn't stand the idea of living again without you, don't do this to me!” she exclaimed, looking over her back and making sure none of the warriors were eavesdropping on their conversation.

”And then don't do it.”