Long Road Home

Aesir wondered if being bowled over by a sow bear defending her cubs would feel quite so painful as this. It felt as though he was being flayed seven different ways, but even so it was her words that hurt the most. He was a coward, he was shameful, he was a disgrace. It was a hard place he'd found himself in, and not just because the fury of the vengeful gods seemed to be taking out their wrath on his poor mortal frame. It was hard because even knowing the disgrace, the dishonor... He would do it all again. He would suffer any punishment for the sake of his only kin. The only kin he'd ever truly loved. His brothers.

Aesir hoped he'd at least be able to ask about them before Valk decided to tear out his throat. He truly was cursed, he was as sure of it now as he had been as a pup, trying to ignore the whispers cast behind his back. Never to know love, or family, or peace. Blow after blow fell and he took them all, almost glad for them, because it felt like what he deserved. Aesir wallowed in his weakness. Ergi. Nīþ. It suited him.

When the blows stalled it took his befuddled, likely concussed mind a moment to process. Was this the end of the battle or the end of him? Either way, he wheezed out, "My brothers.. My kin. I was looking for them." He took in a gasping breath, trying to gather his wind. He belatedly registered a hearty blow to his balls, lost in the mix of it but all too evident after the fact. "They vanished. Probably dead now. I had to know. Never found 'em, so I came back." The world was spinning and he didn't know what else to say. Couldn't find the words to tell her that he'd been sick, been hurt. He doubted it would mean much, in the scheme of things.

All he'd ever loved... his brothers. Taken from him now, through death or fate or a curse or whatever. There wasn't anything left for him anyhow.

He drew in another wet, wavering breath. "Wouldn't have left if," another gasping inhale. "If they had stayed. I am sorry, Valk. I didn't want to. But I couldn't abandon my brothers." They were all he had left. If this was to be the end of him, Aesir knew that somehow, somewhere far away, the rest of his blood would rejoice. His grandfather's sins atoned for at long last. He didn't want to die but if Valk decided to take his life it was her right. He had sworn himself to her and betrayed that trust. It was their way.

"Do what you must. I didn't come back to these lands to be coddled." A gasp. "I never meant to betray your trust. I am sorry. Do what you will." He closed his eyes, and waited.

"Aesir Speaks" "Aesir Listens" Aesir Thinks