Back in Lindisfarne

Crack!

I silently watched as Abo snapped another chicken and tied it up to drain. I turned towards the rising coast as I heard it writhe and flap. Any day now the Order would breach the horizon, I thought to myself.

"Peter, this would go faster if you helped." I turned and saw him reaching for another chicken. There was a slight sharpness in Abo's voice which was very unlike him. Since this morning he wasn't his usual self, far more reserved and solemn.

Crack!

Again, I turned away from him.

"Why do you need to kill so many chickens anyway? You'll go through our entire winter stock."

"It's not my decision."

I hadn't heard his name in a while, much less spot him outside the small encampment. I was certain he would have taken me by now after our brief encounter. Of course, it was a relief he didn't. Shifting uncomfortably, I took the nearest basket and placed it over my privates.

"...What's he up to anyway? I don't see him around anymore."

Abo muttered something long in Northlandic before answering.

"He left on a raid five days ago and returned this morning. If you want to impress him you should get dressed."

"I didn't know you could make jokes, Abo."

"It is not a joke. There will be a feast tonight and if you want to stay in Vorro's favor, you will please him."

"You make it sound like I'll be here forever."

Crack!

"And you act like your God is still here."

Abo marched over and grabbed my hand. My brows furrowed in disgust as blood congealed between our grip.

"Here take this."

Abo hands me a basket of herbs and he the bundle of headless chickens.

"Come. I will take you to him."

"Take me to who?"

"To your captive friends."