If I am to die

**Big thanks to Charlie Puente-Duany**

The sound of the winter winds were all the group head as they made their way to the main village of the Red bone tribe.

The people had mixed feelings as they continued their march, on the one hand they were proud of their victories over the dozen villages they had taken down on the other hand they were terrified of the one who led their victories.

The numerous bodies they hanged at the order of their chief flashed in their minds, sure they were all warriors who had seen their fair share of brutality but even they had an unsettling feeling when they remembered the actions of this child.

Child... gods most times due to the boy looking older they forgot, but at times like this when they remembered their leader was still a child of only ten name days, they thanked the gods they were his allies. Gods only knew what this child would grow into.

"You've been silent for a while now", Arthor at Frenya's side spoke up, "so have all the others" Frenya spoke in dismissive tone. Arthor took a quick glance at his people who marched on silently Lagertha had a fierce look as always with Lothor being well... Lothor and Ronell still looking emotionless.

*Sigh* 'that is not a good look for him, we have to deal with that once all this mess was over and done with'. Arthor thought to himself before turning back to Frenya, "I know you don't like what I have been doing so far, but it is necessary"

"When you said that the first time I understood, the second time I still kept numb but after the fourth can you honestly say that it was still necessary, Chief." Frenya stopped now fully facing Arthor who parted his lips to speak but was cut off by Ronell who spoke up.

"Spakr says that they are right up ahead" Ronell fed his raven some meat as he relayed the message. The people around all perked up and gathered around Arthor as they that, Arthor decided his conversation with Frenya could wait as he turned to address his warriors.

"Warriors of Skagos this is it, after this we will topple one the enemies who dare to plot against us. With this we will stamp into all others who the true ruler of these woodlands is, so warriors I ask you one more time will you march with me to Glory?"

"Yes!"

"Then with me! Leave none alive!" The men responded with cheers as they moved to prepare themselves for the attack. Arthor called Lagertha aside as the others began to ready themselves, "Lagertha I have another job for you" "You need only ask my chief" Lagertha gave a quick reply as she looked into Arthor's eyes.

"I need some of the people we attack to make it out alive" Arthor saw a frown on Lagertha's face when she heard his words, he rose his hand to stop the question she was abut to ask him as he continue to explain the reason for his words.

"We were efficient, with Ronell and the other wargs dealing with enemy wargs we were able to deal with each village before they knew what happened as well as stop news from spreading. This was good when we were attacking but this also means the red bone chief would have no idea what happens to villages impacting our plans, so we need some to escape preferably a warg should be amongst the group. Can you handle this?"

"I will not let you down Chief" Lagertha responded before heading off to join the others. "You better hold on Benjen, everything is almost ready", Arthor muttered to himself before moving to him people to lead them.

******

Benjen let out a heavy breath and watched as it formed mist before his eyes. He and his group had been pursued for days on end without anytime to rest, his group; which already had only a few survivors after the initial ambush had been reduced to a measly six.

Benjen eyes travelled to each and everyone of the survivors and saw the hopelessness in their eyes. They had realized some time ago that their pursuers could have ended them sometime ago but didn't, rather hunting them like sport.

They didn't even see Benjen and his men as actual threats and only treated them as sport, insulting each and everyone of them. Sure they knew this mission might end up as a suicide one but they expected to go out as Skagossi warriors dying in the midst of battle not like this.

Thinking of all this Benjen stood gritting his teeth to stop himself from crying out in pain. "If I am to die today then I choose to die fighting", his words caused the others to turn to him with looks of confusion.

"When we accepted this mission; when you all marched with me let us not deceive ourselves almost all of you thought this a suicide mission. We all marched to meet the enemy knowing we may die, we did so anyway because when Skagosii men hear of enemies we do not question how many are they but rather where are they."

At this words some life seemed to be injected back into the others, "Because Skagossi men do not tremble in fear when faced with their own death, no Skagossi men scream and charge to face it like real men!"

"Yeah!"

"I might die today but if I'm to die then I chose to die fighting!"

"Fighting! Fighting!" the men began to chant as Benjen's friend moved to his side, "that was a nice speech you wouldn't happen to have a plan now would you?" Benjen turned to Locke and flashed him a smile.