20. Volatility

It's slightly before dawn when you feel yourself being roughly shaken awake. Blinking, your eyes slowly adjust to the dark, and make out Ulf's large form. He pulls you to your feet before leading you outside and you see his men are up as well. They've already taken down the other tents and one moves to start working on the one you exited. It seems as if the snow had continued falling late into the night since it's now up past your knees. In the dark you hadn't noticed some horses tied up a few yards away and Ulf pushes you in their direction. Your back and neck are stiff from your uncomfortable night on the floor and you wish he would unite your hands. Instead, when you reach the horses, he picks you up and throws you over the top of the horse. Your face is a few inches away from the animal’s side and you feel Ulf climb up behind you. His knees bump into your shoulder and leg as the horse starts moving forward. After riding for a while the sun begins rising and you can tell you're headed away from Sten's village.

The ride is rough and uncomfortable as you jostle around on your stomach with each step. Ulf keeps a hand on your lower back in a superficial attempt to keep you steady. When the horse finally slows to a steady walk you're able to turn your head and look around. The large groups of ravens and crows gathered in the tree tops above you are eerily silent and you feel as if they're watching you. You sense Ulf tensing slightly as he pulls the horses reigns back and it comes to a stop. Craning your neck further you can see a few of his men load bows and point them ahead. A moment later you hear the sound of horses approaching from the direction their weapons are pointed. When you turn your head the other way your hair hangs in front of your face and blocks part of your vision. A rider is making his way up and you spot several more following behind him. "I thought we were to meet tomorrow." Ulf's deep voice is flat and cold but it's the one that replies that makes your heart jump.

"Something told me I shouldn't wait." There's a pause then you hear the thud of someone's feet hitting the ground as they dismount. A moment later you feel Ulf shift slight then slide off his own horse. Once he's off he grabs one of the arms behind your back and drags you down. Your legs buckle slightly when you land and Ulf's grip tightens to keep you from falling. When your balance is gained you turn and see King Rurik's familiar figure briskly striding towards you. He's grown the hair on the shaved sides of his head out and cut the rest to match it's length. His beard on the other hand has grown slightly longer but is still neatly trimmed. "I see I was right." You wince slightly when he runs his fingers along the side of your face that had been rubbed raw the night before. His eyes trace down to your disheveled figure and you feel them come to rest on the now bruised bite mark on your neck. Ulf still has his hand on your arm and roughly tugs you back before taking a step forward.

The men behind Rurik draw their weapons but he puts up a hand to halt them. He then reaches into his cloak and pulls out a small pouch and you hear coins clang together when it hits the ground. Tension hangs in the air like a thick fog as the two men stare at each other silently. After a moment you see Rurik's hand move slowly down to the sword strapped to his waist. It hovers over the hilt as he says, "You have your payment." Ulf's fingers tighten around your arm slightly then he suddenly laughs before replying, "A deal is a deal." He releases his grip and moves to stand behind you as he starts untying the rope around your wrist. Once he's done you feel him press something smooth, and cool, into the palm of your hand. Your fingers curl around it as he steps away and you slip your hand under your cape. The King moves forward and places a hand on your lower back. While you follow him to his horse you slip the unseen object into a pocked that's been sewn on the inside of your cape.

Rurik helps you onto his horse and you find yourself leaning back into him wearily. You're sickened at what he's done to Sten's village in his vain attempt to have you. However, you feel as if all of your strength has been sapped and resign yourself to your fate for now. Rurik's arms brush against yours as you continuing riding long into the day. You had hoped you would reach your unknown destination before nightfall but when the sun begins to set you know that's not going to happen. The King's men set up camp and after eating you reluctantly head into one of the vacant tents. Rurik joins you sometime later and you stiffen when you feel him lie down beside you. To your relief he simply wraps an arm around your sore body and his breathing deeps a few minutes later. You, on the other hand, are unable to fall asleep so easily and find your hand reaching into the pocket of your cloak.

When you pull your hand out you see that the mysterious object is just a small, glass, flask. The dark liquid filling it is locked in by a seal of melted wax. Turning it over in your hand you see that there's a strange rune you don't recognize carved into the back. The top half is in the shape diamond with a long line running through the middle that extends slightly passed the bottom of the shape. Two short lines stick out diagonally on either side of the extended point, resembling the two sides of a triangle. Back up at the top another two lines, that are connected to the one in the middle, extend out rightward. They are also short but closely run parallel to each other. As you continue studying the unknown glyph you feel Rurik shift slightly beside you and quickly tuck the vial away. The next morning you feel slightly better physically but your mind is still a disarranged mess. You want to speak with Rurik about everything but get the sense it would be best done in private. He helps you back onto the horse, after the men are done packing up, and you're on your way again.