A New Leader

[Javert 5594]

Camp Argos, established circa 52 S.A

 

As the cold snows raged on, the Skanarri huddled around their campfires scattered across their new encampment. Many were used to the cold, but this winter seemed to be harsher than usual, and now the Skanarri were living in perhaps the coldest part of Almaris. They had travelled just North of the Kingdom of Haense to settle the Ice Spikes region, hoping to use the natural defenses to ward off any foreigners from coming to disturb them. Most Skanarri were quite over with seeing people they were unfamiliar with, and beginning wars they couldn't win. Even so, on the northern coast of Almaris did the Skanarri stay. The land was rather flat in this part of the biome, and there was an ocean nearby, perfect for fishing. It didn't take long for the Skanarri to capitalize this, and often sent Skanarri in teams of two or three on small canoes to fish for whatever they could catch. While it helped their food supply significantly, it still wasn't enough to feed the entirety of the leaderless Skanarri. Fights often broke out over food, and still families went hungry for days on end. Soon, a meeting had been called by the surviving Elders of the Skanarri.

 

"This 'as to change. If we do not act soon, we will all fade into nothing!" said Koll to his fellow tribesmen as he sat with his axe in his hands.

"How? We 'ave no leader, our clergy are either slain or old, an' nobody's dared to become the new High Chieftain." said Darkar as he glanced over to Koll. "Admit it, our people're focked."

Koll glared over at Darkar as his grip on his axe tightened. "Don't tell me ye've given up hope. Don't tell me yer a coward."

Darkar stood abruptly and went to strike Koll across the face with his closed fist. "It's the truth, Koll! An' don't ye call me no fockin' coward." 

"If yer jus' goin' t'give up hope on yer own people, then yer jus' as cowardly as one o' those Southerners." said Koll as he stood up slowly and spat out blood, glaring at Darkar with his one eye. "If ye or anyone else'll not take up the mantel of leader, I will."

"C'mon then, prove yerself!" Darkar demanded, going to grab his shield and axe. "Y'think our people're savable? Fine. Let the Gods decide then!" he declared as he banged his axe against his shield. Koll's teeth gritted as he gripped his axe in both hands, and soon the two men began to pace around each other. Koll could see other tribesmen begin to gather around to watch the commotion, and he soon made a choice within his head. Upon releasing a great warcry, Koll charged Darkar and brought his axe swinging towards his foe.

 

 

 

The duel began as Koll's axe struck Darkar's, and immediately he followed up with a kick to Darkar's shin. Koll's opponent was quick to retaliate, and managed to whack Koll's jaw with the butt of his axe. Koll stumbled backwards as he went to feel his jaw. It hadn't been dislocated or broken thankfully, but Koll didn't have time to think as Darkar rushed forward and brought his axe swinging down towards Koll's head. Koll brought his axe up and managed to catch Darkar's axe in his own, and sent a kick at his foe's chest. By now, the Skanarri had formed a ring around them, all calling for blood to be spilt. Even so, Koll payed no mind to them and began to advance on Darkar.

 

"C'mon Koll, y'know ye ain't worth shite!" roared Darkar as he swung his axe towards Koll's head. It would be for naught as Koll ducked beneath Darkar's swing, then bringing the head of his axe up towards Darkar's chin. The sound of bone snapping and the gurgled grunts of man resounded as Koll's axe buried itself into Darkar's chin. Darkar attempted to take a step back, but Koll persisted and burrowed his axe deeper into Darkar's head. Koll's foe soon fell to the floor, and a minute later, the life faded from his eyes. As Koll stood over the body of his slain foe, he turned to look at all who had gathered. The Elders present nodded their head in approval and approached Koll. One of the Elders soon spoke upon approach.

 

"Koll the Shieldsplitter, ye 'ave defeated yer foe in the traditional Bardagi trial, a foe who sought to oppose yer rise to leadership." The Elder then turned to the others, one of whom carried an empty bowl. The Elder wielding the bowl approached the fallen body of Darkar, and proceeded to hold up the body whilst placing the bowl beneath it. After the bowl collected a significant amount of Darkar's blood, the Elder retrieved the bowl and lowered Darkar's corpse back to the ground which it had laid from. The Elder then approached Koll, dipped his hand into the bowl, and rose his hand up to Koll's face.

 

"In the sight of the Gods; We, the ones who carry out their will, proclaim Koll the Shieldsplitter the new High Chieftain of the Skanarri people." The Elder then placed his bloodied hand on Koll's face, leaving behind a red hand mark on his face. Koll himself remained silent, still wielding his axe that dripped with his fallen foe's blood. All around him, the Skanarri began to chant aloud as they surrounded their new leader. 

 

"Koll! Koll! Koll!"