Sacrifice

"What did he say?" Bjorn looked at Ania with a fervent gaze.

Ania turned away from the altar dedicated to Exile and cast her eyes over his believers. "It seems these people from Korden are problematic. Their Goddess is a thorn in Exile's side."

There was a chorus of grumbling amongst Exile's followers who gathered in the Temple. They discussed the meaning of these words amongst themselves while glancing at Ania from time to time. The atmosphere became solemn as they wondered what they should do.

"Lord Exile has asked us to stall them for as long as possible. He's taking care of things in the Heavens right now, but he has declared that he will descend to take care of it soon." Ania heaved a sigh as she worried about the impression that they were making on their God.

"No!" Bjorn's face turned red as he clenched the back of a chair. "How can we trouble Exile with mere mortals? Are we not capable of dealing with this ourselves?"

Some mutters of agreement followed Bjorn's statement, as many eyes fell on him. The other villagers felt he had a point. It was disgraceful if they always ran to Exile to have him deal with their issues. Should they not be spreading his name like those from Korden were doing?

"Lord Exile has already declared his intentions. If he feels this is urgent enough to descend the moment he is available, then he will kill them. The Gods are unfathomable! They have far too much to be concerned about already." Bjorn took a deep breath as he glanced at his fellow believers. "Let us prove ourselves worthy of Exile's blessings. I say we kill these guests before Exile has to intervene!"

"Yeah!" Many followers let out in unison.

"Grab your axes! Sharpen your wits! Exile has spoken and we shall not disappoint him!" Bjorn's eyes were wide as grabbed his axe from his waist and hoisted it overhead.

Yelling sounded in the Temple as the people rushed out to fetch their weapons. Bjorn let out a broad grin before he felt a hand upon his shoulder.

"What are you doing?" Ania bit her lower lip as she trembled. "Lord Exile said that he would take care of this!"

"Ania, dear girl. You're still young and ignorant of the way of the Gods." Bjorn shook his head as he met Ania's gaze. "How much of the book have you read now?"

"I've read about Allevia stealing the First Flame from the Elden and gifting fire to King Hasgard." Ania's brows dipped into a frown as she wondered where this was going.

"Right! Skardia was a much colder place back then. Many of us died in the frigid ice strewn lands. If it were not for the Goddess Allevia robbing the Elden of their treasure. Our people may not have lived on til this day." Bjorn patted Ania's shoulders as he met her gaze with a glint in his eyes. "After the Elden discovered what Allevia had done, they launched a war against all humans. Allevia did what she had to for us! I'm certain Lord Exile will do the same. So we have to be prepared to do what we must for him."

"Even if it leads to war?" Ania hung her head as she thought about the people of Eraldsfen. If they went through with this, how many of them would see the next harvest?

"Ania, there is always war. With or without the Gods watching over us. At least this way we're serving their will. Don't dwell on it too much. Besides, don't you think it will please Exile to discover he has one less thing to take care of?"

Ania was hesitant as she nodded her head to Bjorn's wisdom. 'I can't question him. He knows the Gods better than anyone else in the village. And father still has not returned from the raids.' Ania heaved a sigh of relief to have such a reliable advisor.

"For Exile…" Ania said in a low voice as she walked towards the Temple's entrance.

Bjorn had a warm smile on his face as he followed behind her. 'That's right Ania. This is the Skardian way. Of course our gods would approve of this. One day, you may have to lead armies on behalf of Exile. It's best if you learn these things sooner rather than later.'

As the pair walked down the paths of Eraldsfen towards the guest house, villagers exited their homes with weapons in hand. There was no need for so many of them. Only six men had come from Korden. But none of them would leave alive.

The crowd was silent as they approached the building, their torchlight flickered off their naked steel. Ania could see an iciness in the eyes of Exile's followers as Bjorn opened the door. There was a brief creak from the wood, which startled one man inside.

"Who's there?" The man's eyes went wide as he saw the murderous mob coming through the doorway, one by one.

Bjorn pounced towards the man while swinging his axe! There was a brief scream before Bjorn buried the weapon in the man's skull. Ania could hear clamouring from the rooms that led off from the entrance. 'This man was a guard. They don't trust us.'

Realising that the enemies had discovered their intentions, the followers of Exile roared as they brazenly spread throughout the building. Ania could hear screams and the clanging of metal for a short time before the guest house became silent.

She had remained in the entrance hall while Bjorn led the assault. The latter appeared from one doorway, covered in blood.

"Lord Exile is the God of the Hearth. Lets us burn their bodies and offer their souls to him as a sacrifice. I am confident that this will please him." Bjorn wore a solemn look, but there was a sparkle to his eyes that unnerved Ania…