The Nights of Hunger - Part 1

The Nights of Hunger - Part 1

His camp was deep into wolf country, and he hunted these animals as much as they did him. Every night, just before he shut his eyes, he wondered if he'd inevitably slip up. If one night, he'd fail to wake up to the wolves' laughter, and they'd tear open his tent and rip him apart.

He'd gone into town again to sell the wolf skins he'd collected. His black hair had grown longer since last anyone had seen him, now down to his shoulders. Before he set up shop, he made his way to the blacksmith's home early that morning before dawn, knowing he'd like to catch up.

"Your hair's gotten longer," Gylve, the blond haired blacksmith pointed out, "You ought to at least tie it back." 

"Maybe," he scoffed as they sat down in front of the fireplace, the dim fire warming his hands. 

"A lot has happened since you left, Ørjan."

"Like what?"

"Well, for one, there's a murderer in town. You wouldn't have heard about it out there. Started a few months ago."

"Does anyone know who it is?"

"People have their suspicions, I can't pass judgement myself. There doesn't seem to be a particular kind of target or wrong place to be." 

"How many have died?"

"Four now. No relation to one another. Two were found dead in their homes, two out on the street. They all occurred two weeks apart. Another's to happen in three days if this pattern keeps up. I've personally taken to forming a night watch."

"How's that going?"

"We don't have enough people to have a proper patrol. If you were to join, Ørjan, I'd gladly compensate you."

"I'd be interested, but I was planning on leaving tonight, Gylve. I have to make due selling to the next town over, too," he leaned back, pulling his hair behind his ears. 

"What would it take for you to stay?" Gylve asked, "I want to crush this problem before my son returns. We're trying to recruit everyone possible, even the whole of the Brotherhood."

Ørjan smirked, "In that case, I'd like a meeting with the Brute."

"What for?" Gylve asked before seeing Ørjan start to grin. He stared at him for a moment, his eyes tremored for a second before he replied, "You've got it, Ørjan."

Gylve called in a favor with the connection he had to the Brotherhood, and there was an agreed lunch that very afternoon. It was somewhat unprecedented, and Ørjan and Gylve had to spend the morning at the market hearing bewildered comments from all that knew Gylve. It did bring the benefit of more attention to Ørjan's table, and for once, he ran out of wolf skins and made a good profit for risking his neck. 

The Brute was a high-ranking member who had a great friendship with the leader of the Brotherhood. Gylve knew multiple members who knew the Brute, and that's where Ørjan was lucky to have an audience with this band of men. They invited Ørjan and Gylve to a large home where Gylve's friend, Anders, had gathered the Brute and a few other men. 

Anders let them in where the Brute was sat at a table with three others, awaiting their guests before they ate. Anders, Ørjan, and Gylve all sat down on the other end of the table, Ørjan face to face with the Brute. He had a mess of curly black hair and a strong jaw. The whites of his brown eyes had a captivating glow to them, his youthful face brimming with confidence even as he sat there bored. 

"So, I take it you're a wolf trapper?" the Brute softly asked. His smile was warm as he poured himself a glass of wine, "What's a wolf trapper want to do with me?"

His arms looked like they were carved from marble, his hands littered with scars just like Ørjan's. 

"I want to ask two favors," Ørjan began, "I'm here to help Gylve find this murderer. He wants all hands on deck to catch him. But I also want to find a murderer, one who escaped me years ago that I believe is hiding in the Glass Woods."

"You want my men for both?" the Brute asked.

Ørjan nodded, "Yes."

The Brute took a sip from his cup. 

"And this other murderer is in the Glass Woods," he nodded, thinking, "What did he do to you?"

"He butchered my wife and parents," Ørjan replied flatly. 

The Brute continued nodding, scratching at his shaven face.

"I'll lend you men, but while you're in the Glass Woods you must do something for me. This detail is never to leave this room. All of you understand?" he asked. 

Everyone nodded.

"I really don't want to rescue my brother from his captors. If it were up to me, he'd rot in his prison forever. I need you to save him from the Ashen. When you approach their castle, I want you to go in alone and not waste any of my men. Bring him back alive, and you'll not be charged anything. Do we have a deal?"

"I'll do it!" Ørjan smiled. They shook hands and Gylve looked at them in amazement.