As soon as Rainer left the druid Agape's cave, he immediately found himself in a ravine surrounded by gray mountain solid rock. Among the wooden buildings and hearths in the fresh, cool air, many people waited for Rainer. They curiously watched the man who, in accordance with his promise, was to consult the sage. We all know how the meeting with Agape went. Rainer knew that he could not tell his companions the words that the gods had supposedly spoken to the druid. Nor was the wolf sure that Agape could have actually made up the whole story about the juicy and rotten apples and the sun towering over the treetops. Her interpretation could also have been false, which Rainer wanted to believe.
- What news Rainer? - One of the onlookers asked. - What did the gods say? What should be done with Magnar' s son?
- The gods speak in riddles. - The man answered without hesitation, bearing in mind that many people were listening to him. - I am now going to question Colin.
"Question Colin. It really sounds and with the rest is unpleasant" - Rainer thought.
It was immediately apparent that the man's answer did not satisfy his friends. They gazed expectantly at the wolf, expecting him to make a decision now. Rainer wanted to stall and delay Colin's question as much as possible. It was clear that the angry people would want to take revenge on Jarl Magnar right now by murdering Colin. Rainer had to be careful if he wanted the boy's life.
- I will question the boy in person and tonight we will meet in the great den and consider all options. - He said aloud.
The man then immediately moved ahead, avoiding the standing people around him. He had nothing more to say to them. Even though he knew each person in this group by name, respected and loved them, he couldn't give them what they expected of him. Rainer knew he wouldn't be able to take Colin's life. That was more than certain to him.
- Rainer! - He heard Thorstein's voice as he began to make his way towards the man through the crowd of people.
- Thorstein. - The man greeted him. - I thought you were planning to take some woman to the hot springs with you when you returned. - Smiled the wolf under his breath.
- That's how it's going to be. - The man smiled with satisfaction. - I will take you to your... - The man literally flinched when he said the word "your". But he quickly got himself under control and finished his sentence. - ...I mean, I will escort you to our prisoner.
- That's all right. I know the way.
- And so I bring you the news. - Rys answered, walking beside his friend. - There have come messengers from Jarl Thea about Jarl Olaf. Apparently they were already here two days ago.
- After all, it is the beginning of winter. - Rainer was surprised when he and his companion entered one of the tunnels plunged into twilight. - What do our allies want from us?
- I was surprised too. - Thorstein the lynx replied. - Either news of our prisoner is spreading fast, or they want to coordinate with us for the winter. Maybe for the spring.
"Great. I still missed Thea and Olaf here." - Rainer furrowed his brow and forehead.
Jarl Olaf and Jarl Thea were the first to annex their settlements and lands along with the people living there in a fight against the old, unjust order. They were strong rulers with numerous warriors at their disposal. Rainer trusted them and knew that both jarl Olaf and jarl Thea had as much reason to defeat their common enemy as the wolf himself. Their motivations, though different from Rainer's, were by no means weaker.
- Good. - Said the wolf loudly. - The messengers need to be hosted, given food and beer. The arrival of Thea and Olaf must also be prepared. Will you take care of that Thorstein?
- If I must. - The lynx grinned theatrically and then bared his teeth in a strange smile. - I will take care of the messengers myself. Two of them from Jarl Thea are truly beautiful women. They have already accepted my invitation to accompany me to bathe in the hot springs. I borrowed a barrel of wine from you to pass the time. You don't mind, do you?
Rainer snorted loudly, and the amused tone of his thick and heavy voice echoed through the tunnel walls. He wasn't surprised that Thea had sent women as messengers. This warrior put the strength of women above the strength of men. The women under her arms were famous throughout Scandinavia for two reasons - their prowess and their beauty. It is said that one female warrior under Thea's arms is worth two other men in battle.
- Excellent. - Rainer replied with satisfaction. However, he immediately became more serious when he saw how far he and his friend had come inside the cave. - Anything else?
Asked the wolf, knowing that he was already really close to the mountain cave where Colin was being held.
The thought of meeting the boy, of being able to talk to him alone made Rainer's heart beat faster. Although the wolf was a very adventurous man by nature, talking to Colin filled him with many conflicting thoughts. Rainer couldn't deny the stress that accompanied it.
- Yes. - Answered Thorstein, who by then had become serious.
- Go on.
- What did the gods tell you when you were with Agape?
- Did you mean, what tale did the witch tell me? - Rainer corrected the man's words and stopped a short distance away next to the sentry whose job it was to guard the captured prisoner.
- Did... did the druids cast a spell on Magnar's son? - The lynx asked naively.
- You know that Agape's words mean nothing to me. She spoke as if she was making up the story on the fly.
- She accurately predicted the future for me and several other guys on our team. - The man protested, looking reproachfully at his friend. - How do you explain that?
- Thorstein. - Rainer began with a wry smile on his lips. - Haven't you ever wondered why Agape only gives words from the gods to strong and valiant warriors? Or to beautiful and alluring women? I have not yet heard of druids learning the words of the gods through sex.
Thorstein looked outraged at his friend's words. However, he was not angry with him. Lynx simply did not understand how anyone could doubt the wisdom passed down from the mouths of the druids. The man pulled out a tiny piece of wood that served as a toothpick and put it between his lips.
- Apparently this is how Agape hears the gods. - The lynx replied irritably. - Never mind. - He added, then looked at the cave not far in front of them. - You should be careful. Foxes are cunning.
"It turns out that doe like Agape are even more devious." - Rainer thought.
- I can handle it. - The man replied, thus saying goodbye to Thorstein.
As the lynx moved away, Rainer turned his gaze to the plunging pit in the semi-darkness before him. There stood a sentry who, after greeting the man, had been relieved of this temporary duty of guarding the prisoner. The wolf instructed him to meet with his friends who had recently returned from an expedition against the settlement of the treacherous Jarl Otto. The warrior was pleased to hear his leader's words and, following Thorstein's lead, disappeared into the darkness of the cave's long tunnel. Then Rainer took a deep breath and scratched behind his neck with his massive, muscular paw. He stepped inside the cave and then immediately saw Colin.
The young fox sat in the back of the cave with his legs curled up and his tail wagging. He covered himself with his red and white cloak and was literally panting. Although Rainer was immune to the cold, he guessed that Colin must be really cold in that gloomy cave. The wolf, seeing the poor boy, immediately curved his lips in a grimace of displeasure. His sense of hopelessness about the situation and the conditions in which the fox now lived intensified. It was enough for the kid to lift the gaze of his emerald eyes. That was all it took to break this man. One sad look from the fox.
Rainer slowly approached the boy, who did not take his eyes off him. Colin shrank his legs even more and wrapped them around his skinny shoulders as if he was afraid Rainer was going to tear them off him. When the man was within a meter of his prisoner, he crouched down beside him. Their gazes were so close together that Wolf could literally feel his insides tighten with stress and uncertainty. He really didn't want Colin to suffer. He didn't want him to have to freeze in a gloomy and cold dungeon. Regardless of the consequences and the opinion of his companions, the man gave him his brown hand and said:
- I trust you will keep your promise and not try to do anything stupid. - He said feeling a shrill tightness in his own throat.
Rainer felt that in just a moment, panic would overtake him. Although his son was several years younger than Colin at the time of his death, he was practically the same. The only difference was his hair. Ethelwulf had a blood-orange color with strands of black. This fox had white strands of hair instead of black. Other than that, there were no other differences. It was as if his son had never died. As if Magnar had never sent his warriors to Rainer's house. All the more painful for the man was the look in the boy's eyes. A look that expressed resentment, distrust. It was as if Colin did not know Rainer. It was this trap of his own mind that Rainer had fallen into. The thought that Colin might recognize him at all.
"It's not him. For Odin, it's not my son... I have to get a grip or we're doomed." - Rainer thought apprehensively.
- I won't try to run away. - The boy replied in a tired voice, then quickly added. - As long as you keep your promise and nothing bad happens to me.
Rainer let the air out of his lungs loudly, relieved that Colin had entered into a dialogue with him at all. Even so, he continued to be uncomfortable with the situation. He knew he had to control his urge to hug the teenager to his chest and cry. If this were his real son, he could do it. They would be tears of happiness and not sadness. Except it's not him. So Rainer has to sound as confident as possible in order to get out of this whole thing.
- You won't get hurt, but you have to cooperate with me. - The man replied, trying to mask his stress. - Do you understand me, boy?
- After all, I'm not deaf. - He replied rolling his tired emerald eyes. - Ask whatever you want. I won't be much use to you anyway.
After that answer, Rainer suspended his voice for a moment. He continued to stare into the fox's emerald yellow wolf eyes. After a brief moment, he said:
- I thought that you would be happy to move to some cozier place and we will talk there. - Rainer replied, while making a silly smile on his lips, further placing his hand almost under the boy's nose.
Colin raised one of his eyebrows high and measured Rainer from top to bottom with distrust. There must have been a lot of thoughts swirling around in his head. He probably thought that this was some kind of trick. On the other hand, the fox was already trapped. Rainer did not have to play any tricks, because he had the fox like food on a plate and it was up to him what fate would befall the boy.
- What do you mean? - The fox finally spoke up, continuing without breaking eye contact.
- I will take you to my cave. - The man said. - You will be safe there, only you must not leave it. For your own good.
- Why do you want to take me to your place? - The boy continued to wonder.
- Let's just say you're a special prisoner. - The man continued to smile awkwardly at the fox. But since Rainer could see that his answer was not convincing the young boy, he quickly added. - Unless you prefer to sit in a cold and dark den. Since you will cooperate with me, I have no reason to kill you, and that means you will stay here longer.
Rainer's blood momentarily began to pulsate like crazy in his veins after the words he himself spoke.
"You'll stay here longer. That's true, but how is that even supposed to work? What am I actually doing? Have the gods bungled my mind?" - The man's thoughts were troubling him.
Rainer was operating in the dark, with no specific plan laid out. Colin's mere presence made the wolf think that he had lost his ability to think rationally. However, he tried not to show it to the boy. He was very afraid that Colin would somehow try to use Rainer's weakness against him. There were reasons for that. After all, this civil war that Rainer had started was aimed at killing the strongest and most influential Jarl in the region. The jarl who was Colin's real father.
The fox looked deeply into the wolf's yellow eyes as if trying to read his thoughts. It was apparent that despite the situation in which the young boy found himself, he kept his cool and calm. Boys at his age are usually very childish, they do not control their emotions and let themselves be carried away by them. Colin had to make a cool calculation during these few days of captivity. He knew that panicking would not help him. Rainer knew that the fox did not want to die. But it seemed to him that the boy had decided that if this was to be his fate, if he was to die at the hands of the rebels, then he wanted to accept his fate with dignity. Not to beg for mercy, not to cry. This impressed Rainar, but on the other hand it caused him even more pain. His son was the same. Exactly the same in terms of approach to danger.
Colin carefully reached out his hand and slowly took Rainer's hand. The man couldn't hold back the smile on his lips when it was clear that the boy had accepted his offer.
- Can you walk on your own? - A grown man asked briefly but thoughtfully.
- And how far away is your cave?
- Not far. - The man said. - I will help you go.
The boy only curled his lips, but did not refuse. Apparently he was still in pain because of the terrible conditions he had to travel in to his hiding place in the mountains. Nevertheless, he grabbed Rainer's arm more tightly and together they got up from the cold rock. Rainer carefully began to lead the boy to his destination, which was actually very close. Rainer didn't know if he subconsciously placed the boy so close to his part of the cave or if he did it deliberately.
"I have to question him anyway. I have no choice, because if I don't learn anything from him then everyone will consider him useless. Maybe I should slowly extract information from him about Magnar's plans? That way I will buy us... buy him more time with my companions." - Thought the concerned wolf.
He looked once more at the face of the boy, who was currently focusing all his energy and attention on not falling down or groaning from the pain of walking. Rainer could see that the boy was really tired and hungry. This was more than certain.
"Before I even start asking him about anything I need to feed him. After all, he can't be hungry and he's certainly starving right now. I will also give him some clothes to change into. He is all wet and cold. Besides, he'd better not wear red and white here. Later today everyone will know that I moved Colin from the dungeon to my part of the cave, so in case of trouble he better be dressed like us. I will also tell him to lay down on my rush if he wants to rest. I can sleep on the rock. Yes, that is what I will do." - Rainer thought.
The men continued walking in the semi-darkness passing quietly through a long tunnel. Soon they turned into one of several crevices and, trudging between uneven, dark rocks, they finally reached Rainer's cave.
This one was no different from the other caves found in the pass. It was slightly larger than the one that belonged to the druid Agape, but much smaller than the great pit where all those present in the mountains met to feast or talk together. In this cave, as in many others, there was a small gap through which cool air from outside entered the room. It was a kind of ventilation for the smoke from the fire, which was burning just below this crack in the rock. Near the fire, but at a safe distance, there was a large bed made of rushes. It was about the size of its owner, and for Colin it would surely be overwhelmingly too big. There were many blankets on the bed, just waiting for him to wrap himself in them and go to sleep. Rainer had no such luxuries as furniture in his cave. Instead, hollowed-out logs of wood or fallen tree trunks served as tables, chairs, or bookcases. Nor did Rainer have many of his personal belongings. Colin's attention, for some reason, was drawn to one of the thick yet ornate books that Rainer happened to own. The wolf from his years of Viking expeditions against England or the Frankish state had long since sold all his wealth. At first, he needed the money to feed the people who, together with him, decided to rise up against the Magnar. After some time, however, not only warriors but also bakers, farmers, shoemakers, tailors and others began to join their ranks, so that the group became self-sufficient and no longer needed money. Of all the treasures Rainer possessed, he had only this one book left, with a beautiful, thick cover and paintings inside on its pages. The wolf did not get rid of it because he did not want to. Simply, no one wanted to buy this item, which represented no value to the man at the moment.
The man also noticed a loaf of bread lying on a trunk, which the baker had brought him right after he returned to his hiding place. Next to the sizable loaf of bread there was also a small container filled with lard and roasted onions. There was also a small knife used to cut the bread. Rainer hoped that the boy would not be stupid and would not try to use this blade in any way, because it could end tragically for him. After all, he did not want to punish the boy.
There were also a few candles on a piece of that felled tree and in the other corner of the cave was a barrel filled with root beer. Next to it there should be another one filled with wine, but the wolf remembered that Thorstein had taken it with the intention of drinking it in the company of two women while taking a bath in the hot springs.
Rainer seated Colin on the trunk of a smaller tree that served as a chair. He then walked over to the beer barrel, reached for two wooden mugs and began filling them with the dark and bitter beer. As soon as he turned to look at the boy he noticed how he was staring at the loaf of bread with a glare.
- Eat. - The man sat down opposite the boy and put a cup with beer in his hands. - You can eat the whole loaf if you can fit it in your stomach.
- You are not going to eat? - Colin was surprised, but he did not take his eyes off the bread.
- It will get dark in a few hours. I'll have to talk to my companions and then I'll get food. You will stay here. - The man said calmly as he looked intently at the fox. - Now eat.
There was no need to repeat more times. Colin immediately took the knife in his hands and started to cut the bread into pieces. Then he smeared the bread with lard and onions and took the first bites of this modest dish. It was clear that he did not mind the taste of the bread or the fat on it, which deeply pleased Rainer.
The boy ate and moistened his lips with more sips of dark beer. He didn't say anything. He just ate.
- I'll bring you clothes later. - Rainer began. - After we talk, you can rest on my rush bed.
- Why are you being polite to me? - The boy answered immediately while chewing pieces of bread between his teeth.
- Just keeping my part of the bargain. - The man replied evasively. - You don't do stupid things, and I don't bully you.
- I see. - Replied the boy, who then took another sip of beer. - Only that this conversation will be short.
- It is up to me whether it is short or long. - Rainer answered in a serious tone of voice.
- That's not the point. Father doesn't share his war plans with me very much. - Replied the boy busy eating.
- We can start with why Magnar sent you to the tragically dead jarl Otto. - Said Rainer in a sarcastic manner.
- If I were a Christian, I would ask the Lord to shine on the poor fool's soul. - Colin replied indifferently.
Rainer was amused by the fox's remark and did not even stop laughing. Although this remark seemed amusing to Rainer it also carried more information than one might think. The fact that Colin had any idea about the Western faith without ever having been to the Frankish or the English proves that he must be more educated than the average Viking. This interested Rainer greatly and he wanted to pursue the subject, but if he did so he would look inconsistent in Colin's eyes. He could not allow that.
- So why did you come to the settlement of Jarl Otto? - Asked Rainer calmly, who then also sipped his beer.
- Jarl Otto offered to mediate between my father and Jarl Knut. I was to make a deal with Knut. - The boy replied in an impassive tone of voice, who was more interested in his meal than in talking about things related to the civil war. - If you had decided to attack the day after, you would have had to fight with Jarl Knut's men as well.
- Jarl Knut has been neutral since the beginning of the rebellion and has not meddled in the conflict. - Rainer replied a little surprised. - He decided to join your father?
- He was considering that option. - Admitted Colin, who had finally finished eating. Then he gulped down a mug of beer, which he drank literally to the bottom. - It's a good beer. Can I have some more?
Rainer took the cup from the boy with the intention of pouring him some more. To be honest, at the moment he was not at all interested in the matters of the rebellion. He felt like getting closer to the boy in some way, gaining his trust and getting to know him. He felt that being obliged to question the boy on these matters was only wasting his time. He realized that his way of thinking was very wrong and he should change it. In the end, it turned out that Colin actually had some relevant information. Rainer was responsible for how this battle would turn out. He was responsible for the lives of his people so he had no choice. The problem was that for the first time since his family was buried in the barrow, what he wanted most was something other than to kill Magnar. Something he couldn't name himself.
The man handed the boy a mug of beer and carelessly sat down on the log serving as his chair.
- Thank you. - Said the boy, again drawing from the wooden vessel. Before Rainer had time to ask him another question, the boy unexpectedly turned his gaze toward the ornate book. - What is in this book?
Rainer was confused by the boy's question, and a little embarrassed at the same time.
- Nothing important. - The man replied quickly, wanting to end the subject. - So you are saying that the Jarl...
- Tell me. - The fox interrupted him, continuing to look intently at the book. - I have never seen such a beautiful book.
"Is this some kind of ruse? Colin must be hiding something if he's trying to forcefully change the subject" - He thought with concern on his face.
- It contains illustrations created by some Englishman. - He replied.
- But what is the book about? - The boy continued to ask.
Rainer scratched the back of his head somewhat embarrassedly. However, since the boy clearly seemed to be interested in the subject, he decided to answer truthfully.
- I don't know.
- Didn't you read it? - The teenager was very surprised, who now fixed his emerald eyes straight at Rainer.
- It is written in the Latin. - Rainer replied, embarrassed with himself.
- Can't you read? - He asked, further dawdling Rainer with his gaze, which was already really making him very uncomfortable.
- Do you know anyone who can read Latin symbols? - He replied defensively, wrinkling his nose from a surge of nerves.
It seemed to Rainer that the boy was trying to humiliate him. The man didn't see the point, however, because few people could really read the written words using the Latin alphabet.
Colin smiled crookedly at the man then replied:
- I can.
- I don't and I also don't see anything unusual about it. - Rainer replied in a thick and low voice.
- I just thought someone of your fame and reputation could read Western letters. - The boy replied, shrugging his shoulders innocently. - But you are right. It's nothing special.
- If you want, you can keep it. - The man answered more calmly when he saw that Colin was withdrawing from his offensive words. - Since you are not going to leave this cave anyway, maybe you can occupy your time somehow.
- Really? - Once again the boy was puzzled.
- This book is of no use to me anyway. - The man remarked, and then added. - We will continue our conversation immediately. I have a few more questions, but first I will get you some dry clothes.
The man didn't even wait for Colin's answer. He simply got up from the table and headed for the exit of the cave with all his speed. Rainer couldn't believe that he cared so much about the boy's comfort. On the one hand he felt bad about himself, but on the other hand he was happy. Unfortunately, Colin was the son of his enemy, so technically, the fox should be his enemy too. In Rainer's mind, however, it looked very different. The man didn't want to see this kid as his enemy. He could not think of him that way. All because of his compelling resemblance to his lost son, Ethelwulf.
"He does whatever he wants with me and doesn't even bother to do it. Gods, just so he doesn't try to take advantage of it. Once I return with clothes for him, I must embrace a different strategy. I must not be so nice to him." - The wolf's thoughts swirled in his head.
It did not take Rainer long to find dry clothes for the boy. Of course, the seamstress from whom he took the clothes immediately gave Rainer a look that the man did not like. She had obviously guessed who the clothes were for. Rainer hoped that he would be able to keep the fact that he had taken Colin under his protection until he told his friends himself that evening. Unfortunately, since the seamstress had already guessed everything, by going into the big den she would lose the element of surprise and put her friends in the picture.
When Rainer had relatively arranged his thoughts in his head, he walked back into his den. He was gone for maybe fifteen minutes and in that time Colin had managed to take off his wet clothes, wrap himself in all the blankets he could and fall asleep on Rainer's bed. The wolf was sure that the boy was asleep, because when he talked to him he looked really exhausted.
"Well. This information will have to suffice for my friends for now." - The man thought, staring at the boy covered in numerous blankets.
Rainer put the dry clothes down next to the rush bed on which Colin lay. As he leaned over the boy, he once again felt a pressure in his heart. The wolf looked around the room as if he feared someone was watching him, but there was no one here. No one except Rainer and Colin. Then, careful not to wake the boy, he sat down next to him. He reached out his trembling hand to him and very slowly and gently touched the fox's cheek. He began to move his thumb along its short fur. It was very pleasant to the touch, soft and gentle. When Rainer nervously smiled to himself and realized what he was doing, he pulled his hand away from the sleeping fox's face. He then grabbed his head beating his own thoughts.
"What the hell am I doing? For Odin, what the hell is happening to me?" - Thought the man, horrified by his own deeds.