Chapter 4. Bear. Vengeance

Ragged, bloody and half dead, I staggered towards the gate of the fort. Two men came running towards me, both lending an arm for support.

"In the name of all that's holy, Ivan, we thought you for dead. How in tarnation did you survive".

"Where is my son. Did you rescue Mortimer"? Neither man spoke.

I passed out from sheer exhaustion. When I awoke, Theadore was sitting by me. They had patched me up as best they could. I had a bit of meaty broth and felt a bit stronger. Again, I asked for Rolf, again silence.

"Rolf is dead Ivan. Killed by Nathan in a fit of jealous rage. He was locked up for a bit, but paid his way out. He left, heading north when he realized you had returned".

I had not regained all of my strength, but nothing makes a man stronger than the thought of revenge. That coward would not be much longer for this world.

I headed north. I tracked him for three days before finally finding him warming himself by campfire.

I stood watching him as the memories of the woman I had loved, who died giving birth to a son whom I promised to keep safe, washed over my aching body. Tears of anger, regret and vengeance flowed freely, freezing on my face as the wailing winds whipped through the trees.

The fact that I may never get to bury Rolf properly rendered my mind beyond reason.

He turned, petrified. He ran!