Kari, son of Haakon, was having a good day.

  A very good day.

  The end of summer had come—for the warm season was vanishingly short in the north of Evalmera—but at last, Kari was going home. Home to see his father, to return to his old haunts…and have a little revenge along with a celebration.

  And it seemed that the world was going to celebrate with him.

  The entire journey from the Temple of Jormgund at Mount Silence had been pleasant, weather-wise. Summer wildflowers coloured the side of the road during the two-week trek, the skies had remained clear, the birds were chirping, the fish were jumping and the living was easy.

  Every night they’d camped under the stars, filling their bellies with the delicious cheeses and bread the monks of the temple had made for them.

  During their ‘penance’ Kari had gotten to know Petric quite well, and the boys were now utterly inseparable.

  He doubted even divine intervention could shatter their friendship.

  Barrowgate was close now, and Kari was laughing at one of Siegfried’s anecdotes.

  “—swear by Lady Vrai’s massive teats, Petric, Berta’s got lips that would start fires, I swear! She makes you chase her like a mountain lion, but once you catch her…” Siegfried clapped, his eyes sparking with delight. “And her sister’s not bad looking either, with no lover in sight. You should make a move, cousin.”

  Petric laughed nervously. “Well, y’know…I’ve got Hilda back home.”

  “I’ve seen Hilda.” Siegfried gave his cousin a look. “And trust me, you’ll like Berta’s sister much more. Isn’t that right Kari?”

  “You think too much with your lower half, Sieg. These mountain girls…bah, they cling to you like mud.” Kari smirked, flexing one of his powerful arms. “You can do a lot better; you’ve just got to play the long game. It’s the duty of every man-at-arms and woman-at-arms to perform blood work for the High King once they come of age, but our Wolfwood patrols won’t last forever. After two years, we’ll be free men, able to make our fortunes all over the country.”

  His grin widened.

  “We could join the southern lords, raiding alongside the elves, or buy a longship and take part in the expeditions in the Frostsea. You know what that’ll bring? Coin and real women. You ever see the girls of the Midlands?” He grinned. “I have, when father took me there once. They make them sooooo delicate down there, just like glass! You’ll never look at one of these mountain cows again!”

  Petric swallowed. “Really? Are the midland girls all that?”

  “And more. But to get one, you’ll need to lose a little something first!” Kari poked Petric in his soft belly, making his friend squeal.

  “Hey!” Siegfried’s cousin cried. “I’ll set your eyebrows on fire, you bastard!”

  Kari laughed, running away as Petric chased him up the hill. Both boys crested it and paused.

  “Look!” Kari cried, pointing down.

  The village of Barrowgate was just below, and—at the nearest gate—stood a large figure, surrounded by a group of armed men. Kari recognised the form of his father—the strongest—surrounded by his drinking buddies.

  His heart leapt at the sight.

  “Father!” Kari waved excitedly, tearing down the hill.

  “Wait for me!” Siegfried cried, scooping up his cousin and throwing him on his back for piggyback ride down the slope.

  “Sloooow down!” Petric shouted.

  The three boys tore up the distance to get home, passing farmers and herders tending their terraced gardens and goat herds.

  Kari paid no attention to the grimaces and glares of those he passed.

  Father had taught him that it didn’t matter what others thought. He did what made him happy, regardless of the feelings of common rabble. That was the proper way of things.

  “Hello, boy!” Haakon laughed, raising his hand as Kari drew up for a hug.

  Instead of an embrace, he cuffed his son on the shoulder hard enough to nearly knock the young man off his feet. A flash of pain swept through Kari, but he kept his legs beneath him.

  He was used to this by now.

  Giving his father a ferocious grin, he bowed. “I’m back!”

  “Good thing that you are, too. It was getting boring around here!” Haakon chuckled, tousling his son’s hair. He and his drinking pals welcomed the other boys when they arrived at the gate. “Come on, I’ve got a feast waiting for you back at the castle. The earl was kind enough to lend me his hall so I could celebrate your return.” He winked. “Privileges of the strongest. Remember that.”

  “Hells yeah!” Kari grinned as they swaggered through the village.

  “If only we could have a certain ‘rabbit’ carved up on the feasting table.” Petric grunted. “I want some revenge.”

  “Oh you’ll have it soon,” Haakon chuckled darkly.

  They were passing through the village square where the temples and shrines were found

  The sun was bright.

  “I’m sure we will.” Siegfried grinned. “Love me some rabbit.”

  “Especially after a good run,” Kari added. “I definitely want another chase, but this time—”

  He did not finish his sentence as a shadow fell over him.

  “Eh?” he paused, surprised.

  The shadow was deep, broad and terribly, terribly long; it reached across the village square to encompass all three boys, Haakon, and many of the big man’s rowdy friends.

  All laughter ceased.

  Suddenly, unease gripped Kari as he stood in the shadow.

  “What in the—” He looked up, peering at the source.

  A towering figure stood on the scaffolding by the temple of Amon Koth.

  Kari recognised him immediately.

  “I’ll be damned, the rabbit’s come to us…” Petric muttered.

  “Welcome back,” said a voice that was like rock on rock.

  Both the voice and the figure belonged to the one Kari had wanted to see most: Matthias Stonebreaker.

  Kari smiled.

  This was a very good day indeed.

  ###

  Matthias climbed down the scaffolding—careful not to give away his newfound grace—and dropped to the ground.

  “Boy?” Adgar the stonemason called from behind him. “What are you doing? It’s not time for you to go train yet—Oh. Oh no. Get back up here!”

  “There’s something I’ve got to do.” Matthias glanced behind him. “Sorry, I won’t be finishing up our job today.”

  “Wait, boy! Matthias!” Adgar called.

  “Witness this!” Matthias called to all gathered as he strode toward his three tormenters…

  …along with the big, cruel man that had raised one of them.

  He stopped, staring them down, saying nothing at first, letting all the years of their tortures pass through his mind. He wanted to remember all of it well.

  Petric glowered at him, face washing red. “I wanted to see you. You and I have some unfinished busi—”

  “I challenge you,” Matthias said.

  All fell silent.

  The village square had a few onlookers pause when the boys had come together, and they’d been whispering to each other. Now, though?

  No one uttered a single word.

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  Petric looked like he’d been slapped.

  Siegfried’s jaw hung open.

  Kari’s expression was twisted in an uncertain smile.

  Haakon’s bearded face was scrunched up in confusion.

  “Did you not hear me?” Matthias took a step forward. “I challenge you, you little wretch.”

  “I–Uh, what?” Petric’s eyebrows writhed on his forehead like dying worms as his expression twisted from emotion to emotion. “On what grounds?”

  “I don’t like your face. I don’t like your voice. The very fact that you took a step into this village that I call home offends me.” Matthias growled. “You broke my brother’s gift too and insulted my honour. I demand it back.”

  “…have you lost your mind? You know what I can do to you?” Petric looked at Siegfried. “Has he lost his mind—”

  Matthias brought his hand up.

  Then slapped the hell out of Petric.

  An uproar rose from all around.

  “What’s going on?” Sur Friya’s voice cried from down the road.

  “The hells?” Adgar was scrambling down the scaffold.

  “I said I challenge you for my honour!” Petric touched his cheek in shock as Matthias shouted. “What are you, deaf? Or are you too much of a spineless, thorn-sucking coward to accept?”

  “What’s all this?” Siegfried stepped forward. “What’s gotten into y—”

  Matthias slapped him next.

  The clap of skin on skin echoed as several of the villagers gasped.

  “Was I talking to you?” Matthias glared at Siegfried. “Fine, I was going to challenge you next but if you’re so eager to jump in line, then join in. Siegfried, you’ve been a pain in my life for as long as I can remember. Like a thorn. So, today, I’m plucking it out. I challenge you for your honour!”

  Both cousins bristled.

  They looked as though they wanted to attack Matthias right there and then…but paused, looking at each other and exchanging grins.

  “Alright, fine!” Siegfried said. “If you’re so eager to die, I accept!”

  “Me too!” Petric snarled. “I’m going to burn you down like a damned tree!”

  “Oho!” Kari laughed. “Looks like big, old Matthias Stonebreaker has finally lost his mind. You forget your place, I’m afraid.” His voice was a sing-song of malice. “But I get it. You knew we’d be coming to play, so you decided to take your lumps like a man. I respect that.”

  He stepped forward, sticking out his chin.

  “Matthias!” Sur Friya burst through the gathering crowd—it felt like half the village had poured into the square, forming a circle around the confrontation—then jogged over. “What are you doing?”

  Both Matthias and Kari ignored her, while Haakon burst out laughing.

  “You’re too late!” the big man giggled. “Can’t save him now! Too many witnesses. This boy’s gonna be executed in Eklund’s pit!”

  “That’s right, you are going to be executed. But didn’t you forget the executioner?” Kari stuck out his chin again. “Go on, slap me too! If Petric and Siegfried leave enough of you after their duels, I’ll take the rest. But don’t worry, I’ll make sure to send you back to your family alive. I mean it. I respect you for taking this on the chin; it’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done, in my eyes. Less crawling like a worm and more standing up. I like that. So come on, slap away! My face is here and waiting!”

  Kari jerked his chin at the young greatfolk.

  Matthias looked down at him for a long moment.

  Then raised his hand.

  “Ooooo!” Kari cried. “Here it comes, boys!”

  Petric laughed.

  Siegfried laughed.

  Haakon laughed.

  But all laughter stopped when Matthias walked past Kari.

  His hand swept out.

  Slapping Haakon full in the face.

  “Matthias!” Sur Friya screamed. “Don’t! Haakon, you shouldn’t–”

  “I accept!” Haakon roared, holding his cheek. “You don’t even have to make any pretty little speeches for me, boy! They bore me anyway! By the Ascended, the balls and spine on you!”

  Matthias smiled for the first time. It was grim.

  His eyes caught Kari’s confused expression.

  “Fine, then. No pretty speeches.” Matthias cracked his neck. He pointed up at Eklund’s castle on the mountain. “Meet me up there in an hour. I’ll fight all three of you. Petric, first. Then Siegfried. Then Haakon. Let’s end all of this.”

  His eyes shifted to Kari. “You get to watch.”

  With that, Matthias Stonebreaker turned his back and began marching toward Eklund’s castle.

  He left an uproar in his wake.

  ###

  “Have you lost your mind?” Sur Friya screamed. “They’re going to cripple you! I know you’ve gotten better lately: maybe if you’d kept it to Petric you could have taken him before he used The Gift, but Siegfried? He’ll kill you, and Haakon won’t leave anything but a smear! I know his ‘The Strongest’ is half bluster, but he’s still a titan with the speed of a horse. You might never walk again.”

  Matthias approached the gates of Eklund’s castle, fighting down a smile. “Sur Friya, could you do me a favour?”

  “Your mother’s due back any day! Maybe even today! Why didn’t you—”

  “I really need this favour.” Matthias looked at Sur Friya. “Get Dagma and Altaizar. Please, bring my equipment from the training grounds too. I need it at Eklund’s castle in the next hour. Please.”

  Sur Friya frowned. “Why? Wait…Altaizar…” Her frown deepened. Then her eyes went wide. “Matthias, you’ve been spending a lot of time at the mage’s tower, what did you do—”

  “Please, knight.” He paused, bowing to her. “Please do this for me.”

  She looked the young man up and down. “Fine, but you have a lot of explaining to do.”

  With that, she turned, charging back down the mountain.

  Matthias looked away, walking toward Eklund’s castle again. He threw a glance in the direction of Bregindoure’s tower. “If only you could watch this, Breg, but you’ll just have to settle for me retelling it.”

  ###

  “What is all this commotion?” Eklund burst onto his balcony, wiping blood from his lips. “I was enjoying a very fine cut of venison and…”

  The words trailed off.

  A crowd was gathering in his courtyard.

  It looked like half the village of Barrowgate had emptied, and were now pouring through his castle gates.

  He spied the familiar figure of Matthias Stonebreaker—the fourteen-year old’s head rising above those of most grown men—and he could see Haakon, his son and the boy’s two friends marching through the gate with many warriors hooting and wooing beside them.

  “Hello!” the earl called. “Answer me! Are we being invaded?”

  “There’s been a challenge, my lord!” One of his guards called. “A runner was coming to you!”

  “A challenge? Now?” Eklund scoffed. “We’re a few hours away from a feast! Who challenged who? I will not allow—”

  “It’s Matthias Stonebreaker!” Haakon shouted, bowing to Eklund. “Lost his mind and challenged Petric, Siegfried and me!”

  Eklund paused. “...I’ll be right down!”

  ###

  Matthias stretched beside the pit, rolling his shoulders and flexing his fingers.

  ‘Way of Stone. Way of Stone. Way of Stone,’ he focused his mind on the task ahead. ‘Way of—’

  “Matthie!” Dagma’s voice reached him.

  Matthias looked through the crowd filling Eklund’s courtyard, spotting Sur Friya, Dagma and Altaizar pushing their way through.

  He smiled, waving at them.

  “It’s happening?” Dagma cried, rushing to her brother.

  He placed a hand on her shoulder. “It is.”

  “Are you going to be okay?”

  “I will.”

  “Good.” She looked across the fighting pit, catching the eyes of Kari, Siegfried and Petric. She stuck her tongue out at them.

  They sneered.

  “I still think this is foolhardy.” Sur Friya threw down a pack, opening it to take out Matthias’ chain armour. “Do you have a plan?”

  “Winning,” Matthias responded.

  Altaizar had to hide a snort of laughter. “Well, that is not much of a plan, but it’s clear that you have a strong wish. Let’s hope you have what it takes to make that wish come true.”

  “Thanks, Master Altaizar.” He looked at the trio standing in front of him before picking up his armour. “It’s going to be alright—”

  “Make way! Make way!” Guards called, pushing their way through the crowd. Earl Eklund walked between them; Haakon was at his side.

  “Order! Order!” Eklund shouted, quieting the crowd. He gave Matthias a searching look, eyes drifting toward Altaizar. Those eyes narrowed. “Boy, I will give you one chance to withdraw from this contest. It is clear that you’ve been addled by your emotions. They are crashing out of you. It’s up to me to—”

  “No, it’s a question of honour. I want to go through with this,” Matthias insisted. He looked at Altaizar and Sur Friya. “Will you support me?”

  “I support this boy’s bid for his honour,” Altaizar said.

  After a moment’s silence, Sur Friya grimaced. “I support it too.”

  Eklund watched Matthias closely again, then looked at Haakon. “You are one of my finest warriors. Surely, there’s no reason for you to accept a mere boy’s challenge.”

  “My lord, under the high king’s law, I have the right to defend my honour.” Haakon snorted, a nasty grin spreading on his face. “He’s old enough to make a challenge, so he’s old enough to accept the consequences.”

  “I see…” Eklund’s tongue flicked over his lips. “Alright, I shall allow it then. Let the contest of honour begin!”

  Cheers and whoops rose from the crowd.

  “Can’t back out now,” Sur Friya groaned. “Your mother’s going to kill me.”

  ###

  Eklund leaned in toward Haakon, his voice a low whisper.

  “Listen to me, and listen well. That boy’s been spending a lot of time with the mage lately. They might be up to something, and I’m not losing one of my best warriors to treachery,” the earl hissed.

  Haakon scoffed. “My lord, I’m the strongest. Doesn’t matter if he’s using poison or dirty tactics or whatever. No matter how much spider venom a mouse might gather, it can’t kill a brown bear. I’ll teach him a lesson he’ll never forget. That child will never walk again. Think about it: you get to show Beggahasta the ruins of her son. He’ll have to be in your care until she gets back, right? Then you can negotiate all sorts of concessions.”

  He winked at Eklund. “Bet you’ll have Beggahasta declaring the archlord as Lady Dagma’s father by law by summer’s end, and you can have the girl on her way to his castle by the harvest. Think about the rewards you’ll gain.”

  Eklund paused, considering that.

  Unease gnawed at his belly: the boy seemed too eager for this contest. What was his plan? What if he poisoned his opponents part way through the match? Or what if he’d actually Awakened to The Gift at last?

  Eklund was no freshly hatched chick; part of him screamed that this was a trap.

  But…would that matter?

  Haakon was incredibly powerful.

  And if he did cripple the boy—and Eklund took custody of him while he ‘healed’—he might finish the task assigned to him all those years ago, legally and without trouble.

  Just the way he preferred it.

  A sly smile grew on his face. “Alright, Haakon, get him. But don’t hold back. If you get into trouble, don’t be afraid to use your gauntlets.”

  “Oh, come on, it won’t come to that.” Haakon scoffed. “The gauntlets are for great beasts, not silly boys.”

  “Nonetheless, wear them. This I command.” Eklund clapped him on the back. “And don’t hold back.”

  “Oh, I won’t.” Haakon grinned.

  ###

  Kari watched Matthias climb a ladder down into the fighting pit, his smirk broadening.

  “Well, looks like I’m up!” Petric said.

  Siegfried clapped him on the back. “Leave some for the rest of us!”

  “No promises.” Petric made for the ladder.

  “This is going to be great.” Kari stepped forward.

  He didn’t want to miss a single moment of the slaughter.

  ###

  The ladders were drawn up, and the fighting pit’s stands were filled.

  People whispered and pointed. Some laughed. Some pressed coins into each other’s hands.

  Matthias watched them all evenly. His chainmail rattled on his body as he moved, and he adjusted the sword belted at his waist. He gripped his warhammer tightly.

  These were not training weapons. One was sharp, the other heavy.

  They could kill, and death was not unheard of in honour duels.

  At one time, Matthias might have been reluctant to cross that line, but these bastards had tried to burn him alive then knocked him over a cliff.

  He looked up at Petric, the one who’d tried to burn him alive. “If he dies, he dies,” he whispered.

  The greatfolk looked up at those who were there for him.

  Sur Friya had Dagma hoisted on her shoulders. His sister looked excited. The knight, worried.

  Altaizar kept his face a mask, but a slight smile had crept up the corners of his lips.

  Kari and Siegfried cheered for Petric, chanting his name.

  The crowd was quiet.

  “Prepare,” Eklund raised his hand.

  “You ready for the torture of a lifetime?” Petric sneered at Matthias from across the fighting pit. He drew his sword. “I’m going to freeze your feet to the ground with a single word then bury you in stone! Try and break out of that, Stonebreaker! Then I’m going to burn your head while it’s the only thing sticking out of the ground!”

  Matthias focused on Petric’s mouth. “Are you?”

  “Begin!” Eklund’s hand sliced down.

  “Bury—” Petric began his command.

  A shadow fell over him.

  The word died on his lips.

  Matthias was now inches away, having closed the distance in a heartbeat.

  “W-what?” the Gift Wielder stammered.

  Matthias remembered the word Petric had used to crush his brother’s censer:

  “Crumple.”

  His fist collided with Petric’s jaw.

  record scratch

  Narrator: It was not, in fact, a very good day.

  Cya tomorrow!

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