Birch Forest Bloodbath
It had been five days since the Pecheneg nomads started riding along the Dnieper River, following our waterway downstream. With no time to recover our strength, the cargo ship surrendered to the current, drifting onward. I never imagined I'd find such bliss in simply not having to row.
Lounging half-reclined on the deck, gazing up at the drifting clouds—it made the recent ordeal of logs and ropes feel like a distant dream. The gentle lap-lap of waves against the hull tickled my ears.
"If only we could just float like this all the way to the sea..."
The words barely slipped from my lips when the terrain ahead shifted. The broad, gentle river surface began to narrow, sheer cliffs rising on both sides like fortress walls. In the middle, jagged rocks thrust out haphazardly.
"See? I wasn't lying. You can't navigate this stretch by boat."
Rurik spoke calmly from the stern, gripping the rudder. His tone was so matter-of-factly brutal it sent chills down my spine. With expert ease, he turned the tiller, angling the ship's bow toward the riverbank.
Screeeeech. The hull screamed as it scraped over riverbed gravel, finally thudding onto the muddy shore.
I peered over the gunwale at the rapids. Torrents raced through the gorge, smashing against boulders and shattering into foam. Launch a boat in there, and it'd be splintered in seconds. Rurik hadn't exaggerated—I could see it with my own eyes.
Ivar and Bjorn, faces resigned, already drew their axes. Without orders, everyone silently headed into the woods to fell trees. How many times had we done this now?
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Each bite of the axe into the oak made my forearms ache. Trim the logs, lay them under the hull, rig ropes to haul the ship overland. Bypass the rapids on foot, then relaunch. Float downstream until the next set of rapids, disembark, repeat...
"Odin, please deliver us from these hellish days. If you let me live differently, I'll offer any sacrifice without hesitation..."
I prayed to Odin aloud, but my mind swirled with curses.
Shwoop! Thunk! A gust of wind grazed my ear, and an arrow buried itself in the grass a mere foot from my toes. The fletching still quivered.
"...?!"
An ambush? I dropped low, yanking my round shield forward from my back. Peering over the rim, I scanned the surroundings. About ten horsemen scattered across the gentle southern grasslands. They wielded short recurve bows, wore pointed felt caps, and eyed us with piercing stares while uttering strange battle cries from horseback.
"What the hell are those guys?"
"Pechenegs."
Rurik's voice was low. Bjorn grabbed his bow and quiver from the ship, fingers already tensing on the string.
"I'll knock 'em off their horses."
As Bjorn muttered and drew, Rurik grabbed his arm.
"No! Don't kill them. Just drive them off."
"What? They shot first!"
"The Pechenegs are nomadic tribes roaming these steppes. They're a real pain. Spill blood here, and they'll ambush us at every rapid. Kill even one, and the whole tribe comes for revenge."
Veins bulged on Bjorn's forehead.
"So we just take it lying down? What kind of—"
"Avoiding their grudge is our only way to survive."
Rurik's firm tone made Bjorn bite his lip. Ivar kept his sword grip loose but nodded at Rurik's judgment. In the end, Bjorn deliberately loosed a wild shot.
Shwoop! Thunk! The arrow hit the grass beside a horseman. The nomads hesitated, realizing we had no intent to attack. A tense standoff—neither side advancing or retreating. Minutes dragged under the taut strain.
Finally, deeming further delay pointless, the nomads wheeled their horses. That's when it happened.
Shoooo! An arrow streaked from the woods behind us, slamming straight into one horseman's face.
Crunch!!!
"Gahhh!!!..."
He jerked backward off his mount, crashing to the ground with a dusty thud. His comrades rushed to him. I noticed his attire—iron armor, unlike the others. That had to be the boss!
"Who shot that?!"
Rurik's face went pale. I whipped around to see Nils strolling out of the woods, two rabbits slung over his shoulder, bow in hand. His boast rang out as he preened to the group.
"You all see that? Even Ullr would be impressed! That iron armor's no match for my skill! Haha!"
What a madman.
"Why the long faces?"
Rurik glared at Nils. Wails and screams erupted from the nomads, carried on the wind.
"...We're done for. Totally screwed."
"Is this... bad?"
Rurik squeezed his eyes shut at my question.
"The iron-armored one was surely the chieftain or a high rank. Killing him will rile the entire Pecheneg horde."
Nils's face hardened as realization dawned. His swagger faded; he scratched his neck with an awkward grin.
"Haha... maybe they're too scared of my skills for revenge? Or if we hurry out of the area..."
His words trailed off under our icy stares. Ivar waved it off.
"Enough. What's done is done. Regret won't help."
He rallied the group.
"We'll push nonstop for days to clear this region fast."
No one objected. Even during our meal, silence reigned.
Chomp chomp. Bjorn, who usually griped for extra meat, just chewed quietly. On the horizon, the nomads dragged their comrade's body into the steppe.
"Nils, you idiot..."
An uneasy night passed.
..........
We set off before dawn the next day. No time for fatigue. Under Ivar and Rurik's lead, we moved at double speed. At night, no fires—we slept in darkness, per Rurik's warning that smoke would give us away.
Detouring the fourth rapid took three days. Back on the river, another appeared right on cue. Rurik beached the ship again.
"This is endless."
Blazing sun beat down on the interminable grasslands. Rurik pulled a talisman from his bosom, clasping it in both hands. His trembling lips murmured.
"Odin, bless us to pass this trial safely. On the day we arrive unharmed, I vow fitting sacrifice in thanks."
He prayed to Freya, Thor, invoking the gods one by one. When he finished, we donned armor. I cinched my leather straps tight and donned my helmet.
"Leave cargo sacks on the ship. Travel light—weapons and shields only."
Per Ivar's orders, we readied for battle. Tension crackled as we felled trees and laid logs. The ship inched along agonizingly.
Screeeeech... screeeeeeech. Sweat stung my eyes, but I couldn't stop. Pull ropes, shift logs, pull again.
Flap flap flap! Birds erupted from distant grass en masse. Dozens soaring skyward meant one thing: something approached.
Rurik dropped the rope, flattened himself, and pressed an ear to the ground.
"Massive cavalry from the south."
"How many?" Ivar asked.
"Can't tell. A huge number."
Rurik sprang up, yelling.
"Abandon ship! Ditch the cargo! Run to the western woods—now!!!"
A birch forest loomed nearby to the west. Horses couldn't pursue easily through the tight trees. The earth trembled.
Thud thud thud...! A horde of cavalry crested the southern slope. Hundreds strong, howling eerie cries as they charged. Pechenegs!
"Run!!!"
We bolted west amid the shouts. I sprinted mindlessly.
"Odin... Odin!"
Ivar and Bjorn led; Nils, Rurik, warriors, and merchants followed. Hoofbeats closed in.
Shwoop! Shwoop! Arrows whistled overhead. We dove into the forest just in time. I hid behind a tree, knees buckling as I collapsed into the grass. My chest felt ready to burst; breaths caught in my throat.
A quick scan—nobody. "...Huh?"
No Ivar, Bjorn, Nils, or warriors. Just rustling leaves. Damn it... where'd they go? They didn't ditch the slow girl, did they? Leaving fragile little me behind without a care!
"You bastards...!"
Crunching dry leaves from the forest edge. Crack crack crack. Multiple footsteps converging from all sides. Nomads dismounting, pursuing on foot.
"They're insane. Chasing us to the ends of hell."
I rose slowly, bracing my shield on my left arm, drawing my sword right. Stamina drained fast despite dodging branches—my overworked body screamed its limit.
"Huff... haah... ngh..."
Leaning against a birch, gasping. No more running. Fight here.
Rustle! A nomad burst from left bushes, crescent blade raised. Spotting me, he bared teeth in a shriek.
"Kieeeek!!!"
"?!"
Footsteps flooded from everywhere. Savage faces howling weird cries, waving swords and daggers.
"Is this the end...?"
I looked up. Crows cawed raucously overhead, circling.
Caw caw. Fine—no quiet death for me. Heat surged from my core.
"Die, woman!!"
The left nomad charged first. Clang! My shield deflected his blade. As he staggered off-balance—Ragnar's lesson! I thrust.
Squelch! Iron pierced his sheepskin coat into his chest. Hot blood splashed my hand. His eyes bulged; bloody foam bubbled with a groan.
"Guh... ack..."
I yanked free, retreating as two daggers flew from right. Shield blocked the first. Clink! Sword slashed the second.
Slice!
"Gaaahhh!!!"
Blood fountained with his scream. Another blade from behind.
"Like that...?"
Thud! Tip hit my leather backplate. No pain—tough armor. Thanks, Ivar. I spun, slashing horizontally.
"...Huh?"
Enemies slowed. No—their every move was crystal clear? To me? Arm angles raising blades. Toe timing on ground. Pre-attack shoulder twitch. All visible. Body moving on instinct...
"Mad barbarian woman! Run—everyone!!!"
They fled pell-mell from the woods. Silence fell. Sunset rays pierced leaves, gilding bloodstains on the ground.
"Huff... huff..."
I tore a leather pouch from a corpse's belt. Uncorked, cheesy stench hit. Grimaced but gulped it down.
"Ahh..."
Sour liquid quenched my parched insides. Taste sucked, but thirst eased. Wiped lips, looked up. Crows doubled, wheeling above.
Soon, rustling and a familiar voice.
"...Hey, you alive?"
Ivar. Then Bjorn, Nils, a few of Rurik's men. Ivar's eyes widened at the carnage.
Ten bodies down. Blood-soaked grass. Me, gore-splattered but standing unscathed amid the mess.
"All... these... you took them down!?"
Bjorn gaped. Ivar scanned the corpses, then met my eyes.
"The potential sleeping in you has finally awakened. Congratulations."
Congratulations my ass. You left me to fend for myself...
...Potential, huh. I tilted my head, staring at the ground.
"Dunno. Don't feel stronger or anything."
"Then what?"
"Like... their movements looked sluggish."
Ivar pondered deeply but asked no more. Instead, he snatched my pouch, took a swig.
"Urk. What is this taste."
"...Still quenches thirst."
I laughed.