The Devouring Knight

The next morning, the captains gathered in the hall. The air was still heavy with the scent of blood and smoke from the battle. Lumberling sat at the head of the table, his spear resting against the wall behind him. His gaze swept across them before he finally spoke.

"What do you think of the Vikings?"

The room grew quiet. No one treated the question lightly.

"They are a menace," Gobo2 said first, his tone sharp and blunt. "They're tougher than those armored men we fought, stronger… and wilder."

Gobo1 nodded in agreement but added, "It's not just their strength. They don't move like soldiers. It's like fighting monsters, every strike feels like they're trying to tear you apart, not just defeat you."

Aren leaned forward, arms crossed. "That's what caught me off guard. They don't fight with discipline like Knights, but they're not reckless either. It's instinct. They're unpredictable. I've never seen men fight like that."

Skarn let out a grunt, folding his arms. "And they don't scare easy. Even when outnumbered, they fought like cornered beasts. It took a lot to break them."

Vakk bared his teeth in a grin. "Hah! That's what I like about them. No running until they've bled out half their guts. Makes it more fun to cut them down."

Takkar's voice was lower, more measured. "But it's dangerous. If they all fight like that, every clash will cost us blood. They may not match a Knight's training, but their will and fury make up for it. Even monsters hesitate when faced with steel. The Vikings don't."

Krivex, who had been quiet until then, finally spoke. "They're different from anything we've fought. They seem closer to the wilds than to men. I think that's why their strength feels so unnatural." He drummed his fingers on the table, thoughtful.

Lumberling listened to them all, then finally broke the silence again. His voice was firm. "I've pieced together what I could from their fallen. Their path is not like ours. They gain strength through three things, blessings from their gods, bonds with spirits or runes, and trials their clans force them to endure."

The captains stirred at that. Gobo2 tilted his head. "Blessings? You mean like… magic?"

"Not magic," Lumberling said, shaking his head. "It's something deeper. Their gods watch them. Every battle, every sacrifice, it builds their favor and strength. The stronger their deeds, the stronger their blessings."

Vakk's grin widened, sharp and eager. "Hah! To be god-marked, even by their savage spirits… I'd trade scars for that. Imagine the strength it'd bring."

"Spirits and runes…" Aren muttered under his breath, frowning. "So that's why they feel more like beasts than men."

Krivex rubbed his chin, his brow furrowed. "That is a very unusual path. Relying on gods and such… Maybe that's why they're so difficult to deal with."

The room fell silent again, the weight of his words settling over them.

"It is," Lumberling said at last, his tone steady. "I would add this path to our ranks, but all of you here and your Vice-Captains are still walking in your mage path. Adding another path while you haven't even reached the higher stages would be unwise."

The captains exchanged quick glances, listening closely.

"I'm thinking of sending some of our elite warriors on a journey," he continued.

Krivex leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "You mean…"

"Yes," Lumberling confirmed with a nod. "I'll be picking three of our best men who cannot walk the mage path. They will absorb the Vikings' essence and set out to walk the Einherjar's Path. From now on, whenever we encounter Vikings, you will also choose warriors you see fit to follow the same road."

"That's… bold," Aren muttered, rubbing his jaw. "Sending men to walk a foreign path."

"It may give us the edge," Takkar rumbled. "But it is dangerous. If they fail to endure it, they'll die."

"They'll die anyway if they stay weak," Vakk said with a toothy grin. "At least this way, they may rise stronger."

Skitz, however, frowned. "Do we really need to send them off? Can't they just learn it here under your watch?"

"No," Lumberling replied firmly, meeting his gaze. "That's not how their path works. The Einherjar cannot be forged by hiding behind walls or drilling in training yards. They have to venture out, face trials, and seek spirits in the wild. If they hole up, they'll never progress."

The room went quiet again. No one argued further.

Lumberling's tone softened slightly as he looked at them all. "For now, Skitz, and those of you who are injured, don't do anything foolish. Focus on recovering. You'll stay here and guard the city."

His gaze shifted to the others. "Krivex, Aren, and the elite squads, you're with me. We'll roam the nearby towns and cities, and see the situation of the empire with our own eyes."

He leaned back slightly, his voice turning grim. "We must be careful now. Two enemies lie before us, the Sengolio with their mages, and the Vikings."

The captains nodded, the reality settling on their faces.

Lumberling's gaze turned back to Skitz. "And one more thing. Call for Rud, Nari, and Jekka. Tell them to meet me in the prison."

Skitz raised a brow. "So… they're the first chosen ones?"

Lumberling gave a single, firm nod. "Yes. Their journey begins tonight."

...

Lumberling made his way to the prison block. The torchlight flickered against cold stone walls, casting long shadows over the chained Vikings sprawled unconscious on the floor.

Waiting by the entrance were three figures, Rud, the towering Kobold Berserker with scarred arms like tree trunks, Nari and Jekka, Hobgoblin Warriors who had fought at his side since the early days. All three stood at the Mid–Knight Page level.

As soon as Lumberling stepped in, the three snapped to attention and saluted.

"Have Skitz told you about your missions?" Lumberling asked, his voice even.

"We have, my Lord," they answered in unison, their tones carrying equal parts respect and anticipation.

Lumberling studied them for a long moment. They were not the strongest under his banner, nor the most gifted, but they were loyal and unyielding. Men and women like this built the backbone of an army.

"Good," he said finally. "This path is not an easy one. It will demand more than your strength, it will demand your will. You tried the mage path before, and it didn't answer you. This one will."