I see fire

**Big thanks to Luke Karls for your support**

As the sky faded to black Arthor and his soldiers sat around a large pyre whose flames rose high into the sky. Their immediate surroundings were clear of the constructions its inhabitants had set up earlier on.

In its place were hastily made Military constructions, everyone knew they would do little to hold back the forces that would besiege them once the sun took its place in the sky once more but they said nothing. Flimsy as they may be they still served as some sort of protection.

Lagertha sat with a bowl of stew that could very well be her last meal and observed the others who wore heavy expressions. 'They had gone up against great odds before and come out of it, victors every time with Arthor at their lead.' At this point Lagertha focused on Arthor who stared into the flames with a gaze full of contemplation, as though he saw more than just flames.

'This time would be different, there were no barricades no favorable terrain. They would not be taking the enemy down piece by piece no, they would be facing them head on. The full force of the woodlands had given them numbers advantage... but that was only against individual clans'.

'But here they sat mere hours away from facing the full might of gods know how many clans. *sigh* if she felt that way gods only know what was going on in the mind of the boy who was to lead them all'.

At this time in the dead silence aside the crackling of the flames a low hum begun.

The eyes of all present focused on the one responsible, his eyes still fixed on the flame. Arthor's hum grew louder until finally, he began to sing.

"Oh misty eye of the mountain below,

Keep careful watch of my brothers' souls,

And should the sky be filled with,

fire and smoke,

Keep watching over... Skagos' sons"

Arthor sang a song he had heard so many times in the life he had began to forget, he didn't know why he sang that song but when he parted his lips the lyrics flew out on their own. And as he continued the lyrics he naturally made changes where he felt appropriate.

"If this is to end in fire,

Then we shall all burn together,

Watch the flames climb high into the night,

Callin' out, father, Oh,

Stand by and we will,

Watch the flames burn auburn on,

On the mountainside high"

The soldiers knew not this tune but as they heard Arthor sing they began to hum the tune. They were attracted not by his voice which was barely above average, but rather the raw emotion they felt in the song, this was the song of a warrior: A warrior's resolve to stand with his brothers and look the enemies in the eye. Fearing only the oblivion of being forgotten. Hoping that there are those who will hear and remember.

"And if we are to die morrow,

Then we should all die together,

Raise a glass of wine,

For the last time,

Calling out, father, Oh,

Prepare as we will,

Watch the flames burn auburn on,

The mountain side,

Desolation comes upon the sky.

Now I see fire,

Inside the mountain,

And I see fire,

Burning the trees,

And I see fire,

Hollowing souls,

And I see fire,

Blood in the breeze,

And I hope that you remember me,

Oh, should my people fall,

Then surely I'll do the same,

Confined in mountain halls,

We got too close to the flame,

Calling out father oh,

Hold fast and we will,

Watch the flames burn auburn on,

The mountain side,

Desolation comes upon the sky,"

They merely hummed along as he sang the first time but sang again a few followed along and soon they all sang, their spirits as one, at that moment Lagertha could swear she saw the flames rush up to the sky with the embers dancing in the air above. And with it, she felt as though they were being watched, not by men however...

In the halls of Deepdown, the seat of power of house Crowl. Lord Joseth Crowl was seated as he listened to the reports of clansmen rushing down the mountains and flooding into his territories.

When the reports arrived he took it for what it was, a regular occurrence. Winter always found some those stubborn fools rushing to surrender, but now spring had arrived. Instead of the expected decrease the number of refugees had spiked instead.

At this point, he had become curious of what it was that drove these people here and had ordered his men to bring one of them before him. And now here before him stood one of the most recent arrivals who face was caked in mud, his breath erratic and his legs trembling ever so slightly.

One look was enough t know this man had sprinted from whence he came, all the way here without rest. "Speak, what brings you here when spring has just began?" Lord Crowl hardened his gaze seemingly staring into the man's soul and spoke.

"Spring? It is no spring... tis... tis the bloody spring" the man managed to speak out in between his fear as he mentioned the phrase 'bloody spring' all to clear to everyone who heard him.