Being Prepared to Fight

Lagertha stared at Brant eating the deer like he has eaten nothing for an entire week. She gazed at him, enjoying himself and having a good time before they both had to fight the demons. She did not know if whatever she does as Brant follows her will make her delve deeper into darkness or if this journey will be the hunter's doom. Lagertha could not decide Brant's fate, and she would never make him succumb to the path she chose. Then, she gets herself a handful of the deer's body to eat it before it gets cold.

Lagertha was eating the animal because she had no other choice, and she could not let the food go to waste. She may have not been hungry for the moment, but she did not want to make Brant feel out of place. The night was never calm for her and Brant, yet they both had plenty of energy to do whatever they needed. It all amounts to the same deal when they swore to defend their people and fight back against the night creatures. Then Brant moved closer to Lagertha and gave some of his meat to her if she ever needed more.

"You want some more, Lagertha?" Brant asked.

"Oh, you don't want anymore? We can't let the deer be wasted and dried up," she said.

"Well, I can tell that you've been eating only a quarter of the whole animal. I didn't think you would eat as much as you usually do since you said you gave up on eating three times a day," he said.

"That's true. But I'm not someone who would let their own food get spoiled. Since we're sharing this deer, whatever you don't eat, I will eat. That way, the ground doesn't smell rotten and the crows don't feast on its corpse."

"Oh, I get it. Sure, I've already eaten half the entire deer, I guess you can have the rest of it. I'm getting stuffed."

"No, it's alright. Just eat whatever is left. Crave it down until there's nothing left."

Lagertha wanted Brant to be energetic to fight with her against the demons and wanted him to be ready for everything. Either he would eat that large animal piece by piece or she would have to do the honor of finishing it. They were both telling each other that they were full, yet none of them had another choice. Lagertha looked down at her side of the deer and understood that she had to eat every piece. It would definitely keep them fed for a while, but it would be worth it for both of them.

"Fine. Let's get this over with," Brant said. Lagertha said nothing more than Brant was getting himself yet another handful of the deer.

She continued watching him eat as much as he can, and he was convinced enough to become ready for what will come in front of him. Then, Lagertha ate the deer with him until she felt like they both needed to get back on the long road. Brant understood Lagertha was hesitant to be on her journey to go to the castle of Midland. He wanted to help her and be with her until she fulfills her goal of hunting down her father, who rules Midland. A few minutes later, Lagertha and Brant finished eating their dinner, and the sun was getting ready to set down.

Lagertha knew her time had come once again to hunt down the night creatures who will stand in her way. Unlike Brant, she knew she would face demons controlled and dominated by King Mephiles to stop her in her tracks. Mephiles was keen on seeing his daughter, yet he would have to force his hand in such circumstances. The demons wanted her dead, but her father wanted her brought to him to undo everything in the past. Lagertha gets up from the floor, and she kicks some sand into the fire to put it out.

"Brant, follow me. We're leaving," Lagertha said.

"They're coming, aren't they?" Brant asked.

"Eventually, they will be after you too. You will stay behind me and keep your sword ready. A sharp, salted blade is enough to put a common demon out of its misery, but these are no ordinary demons to be killed by humans," she said.

"Lagertha, I've killed demons before. This isn't anything new for me. This isn't my first demon hunt, and it sure might not be my last."

"You have a knight's spirit, Brant. Just like the ones who once served my father before all went astray. But even they have their limits at night. Remember when I came to you that night and slipped past the guards? I hid in the shadows, ran quietly like an assassin, and could climb up the walls without being seen by anyone. Surely it's something I might do again if I ever get the chance."

"Ah, yes. I've not forgotten. I don't suppose you know this, but I've studied every weakness that most demons have. I fought countless creatures and none of them could give me a severe scar. Most are known for their scars, and it's something they carry for the rest of their lives. I'm not like them, Lagertha."

Brant understood much about what he can do to survive the sleepless nights, but he never saw Lagertha kill anything or anyone. It would be his first time to see Lagertha's genuine power before his eyes, yet it would weaken him if he told people about her. He had lots of skills, and his strength with the sword was far greater than many others before him. Lagertha wanted him to prove himself so she can know more about him and what his intentions are with her. Then, she started walking to the road, and she turned her head to look at him before all Brant could see was the moon and the stars.

"If you're not like them, prove it to me. You've had your fill of the deer, now you'll have your fill for killing every creature who tries to kill you. But leave the bigger ones to me," Lagertha said.

"Yes, of course. You get the tougher creatures, I get the ones anyone with a brain can beat in a split second," Brant said.

"If you want to put it that way, yes. Now don't fall behind," she said. Lagertha started ahead of him on the long road, and they both went north on the path.

They were sticking together on this journey, and they trusted each other that they would not fall into the hands of their foes. Since Lagertha was very far away from the castle of Midland, she will never know what new trick Mephiles has up his sleeve. She had her sword by her side in case any dark visions of her father come her way. Brant could do anything Lagertha requests of him to do as they are on this arduous journey. They continued walking on the dark road as the moon was slowly becoming visible in the sky.

The sky would be filled with stars and clouds, but nothing will stop the full moon from being a sign for demons to be roaming around the earth. The earth had no other people to perform such a laborious task that would lead to certain death by the night creatures. Lagertha and Brant were not afraid to take such a task, and they agreed to save their people at any price. They walked together on the road to fight the demons that get in their way, but they will face more than just common monsters. The Wolf Queen knew she would face dominated beasts controlled by Mephiles; her sword will taste his flesh, but it would not be today nor tomorrow.

Lagertha looks back at Brant to make sure he is behind her on this journey, and she wants to understand that he can face such terrifying creatures. Doubtfulness and distrust kept her from understanding Brant's genuine hatred for the monsters he fights against. She kept her hand on the handle of her longsword to be certain that no creature unexpectedly came for her soul. Brant had his own reasons for killing monsters, but he found it difficult to let his voice out to his only friend. As Lagertha and Brant walked together, the full moon was getting even bigger and more frightening to look at.

"Brant, do not wander off. Stay behind me until a pack of demons appears. We wouldn't want to separate, again," Lagertha said.

"Of course. Where you go, I go. Don't worry, I'm a trustworthy person," Brant said.

"I hope you're right. Now stay focused," she said. Before any of them could take another step, the wind howled, the ground shook, and Lagertha knew demons were lurking around.