out for the glory

The days were still cold, though they held night at bay for a bit longer now. Erik knew that spring would come soon, and he'd return home to the Bamboo. Something about the mountain... it had a part of him. It would always have a part of him. Well and truly, the boy would leave a piece of himself up there. Pieces greater than the blood and flesh scraped raw in training. More than that. Not that he was much the sentimental sort. Not that he should be much the sentimental sort. No, sentiment would lead to more bitterness. He knows that.

His father made a point to treat him no differently, despite his disability. Not that ma babied him, but it was like... well, it was like the viking king was coming down on him even harder. Pushing him further. Trying to prove that Erik was just as good as the others. Prove it to who, though? These were the thoughts that swarmed his head as he made his way down the packed-snow path that marked their borders. He'd been sent on patrol. Fine. Erik would go that patrol all on his own, if dad was so intent on having him prove himself. That would show him.

The afternoon sun hung half mast in the sky, Erik's shadow growing long to his side. A chilly breeze ruffled his thick coat. At least the cold soothed the lingering, raw wounds upon his neck.

"Speech"