章節 6: Chapter 6
Night had fallen some time ago, now we meet to discuss the coming fight. In a room closed off from the non fighting force we deliberate. I sit at the head of the table, listening to the concerns of the villagers.
"This isn't going to work!"
"How could you agree with this!?"
"Do we really need to fight?"
On and on they went, questioning my sanity and intelligence. Jaren stood beside me, trying to appease the cowards. That was a curious thought. The longer I spend in this body, the more I pick up it's habits and traits. Not that I mind, I would not have been able to survive otherwise.
As they continue to question, I eye each and everyone of them. They were scared, I could see it in their eyes. Looking for any reason to get out of angering their bandit overlords. I have to put a stop to this. I need to change their view on the situation. Otherwise they'll be a liability at my back, and I can't have that.
"They come for your lives!" I yelled, startling the men and silencing the room.
"They come here to take your lives. And instead of preparing to fight and die protecting your family, here you all stand, making excuses."
I stood from my seat, towering over everyone in the room. Resting my hands on the table, I eyed each man.
"You are out of time and offerings. What do you think will happen when you are unable to provide for these men? That they'll just go home, understanding your plight. Come back next week? Laughable."
I emphasized my words with a deep laugh, it seemed to have it's desired effect as the men seemed to recoil at my words. As if they had just been struck.
"Haven't you suffered enough? Haven't you given enough? Look into your hearts, look to your families, and tell me if you've had enough. Will you stand aside as your families are brutalized?"
I spoke in a softer tone, causing the men to heed my words. I could notice the sparks of defiance building in their eyes.
"We can win, we will win. You only have to lure them in and me and mine will handle the rest. Once the fighting begins, I want you to provide aid where you can. We will keep them busy and you will guard the hall and be ready. That is all. Be strong, if not for yourselves, then for your families."
"We wouldn't be in this mess if it weren't for you!" A voice from the rear spoke up. The man shoved his way to the front of the group. I recognized the man as the one from earlier today. The one who's daughter Ivar 'defiled'.
"We had enough food for at least two more visits! Yet you dare question our commitment to our families! I say it is you that has brought this danger to our lives! You're no better than those bandits out there!"
As he spoke he became more animated. He spoke as if he was a prophet, illuminating his flock.
"We were fine before you came along. Our families were fine. But now death looms over us, what have you to lose? You say we fight, yet it is our lives and the lives of our families at stake."
He began looking to his fellows, as if trying to convince them. He turned to me and took a step. He seemed to want to take another, but seemed to think better of it and stayed put while continuing to voice his cowardice.
"We offer you shelter, and you spot in the face of that. You eat our food, drink our water and seek to defile our daughters!"
And there it is. He finally makes it clear his reasons for his outbursts. Too bad the fool couldn't see that he had all but lost the others. As he spoke they slowly began to turn against them. They weren't fools, they knew how their families suffered. And they surely knew he was speaking nonsense.
"Enough! That is enough Levir! We have a chance to end the suffering of our families and you want to throw it all away? I have had enough of this. If you want to continue giving most of what you have to those men, than you can leave. I for one will fight for my family. We didn't have a chance before, but we are not alone. Ragnar and his group are warriors, and if they think we can win, I say we believe them."
Jaren, having had enough of the cowardly man spoke up. His words seemed to cut the man, Levir, but he was determined.
"And you, are you their dog now? You are supposed to be our leader. Yet after only a few words you've rolled over, offering everything we have to them!"
The others looked angry now. But not at Jaren, not even at me, they were mad at him. Seems he had went too far. I've had enough of this fool, we need to prepare for tomorrow and this is a waste of time. I took large steps towards the man, until I stood directly before him. I looked down into his eyes and barked out my words.
"You coward! What would you do when you eventually run out of offerings! Will you offer up your wife!? No, perhaps it was your daughter you had planned to give up! You call yourself a man, a father?! You are a weak creature and I pity your family for being bound to such a sniveling whore like you!"
The room was quiet, surprised at my sudden outburst. Levir was completely stunned, almost falling back at the ferocity of my verbal assault.
"Get out" I spoke in a cold tone as my eyes turned frosty.
Levir opened and closed his mouth, unable to voice his indignation. Looking back at the others he saw, for the first time, hostility directed towards him from those he called friends. Seemingly aware of the mood and his mistake, he quickly ducked his head and left the room. Once he was gone I took a breath and eyed the others.
"He is a coward, and if you follow him you will lose everything. You are not warriors, you are far more dangerous than that. You are cornered animals. You have everything to lose. You are the last line of defense for your wives, sons and daughters. Cornered animals, a far more dangerous creature, because they have everything to lose."
My words seemed to awaken something in these men. I didn't need to voice what would happen to their wives and daughters should they fail. They knew that they had everything to lose. And while they might not look like much, like warriors. They at least now had that look, that look an animal has when backed up against a wall, of being cornered, and that look was all I needed to see to know they won't cower.
"Go, get some rest. We rise at dawn, and if the gods are willing, we will lay in our beds come nightfall."
One by one they filed out. Not before looking me in the eyes and nodding. Soon it was just Jaren and I.
"Do you really think we can win?" He asked.
"I do, even if more of them appear, my group will handle it. All you have to do is lure them in. Leave the rest to us."
After a minute, Jaren left, no doubt deep in thought for the coming battle. I turned back and sat at the head of the table, running my hands through my hair.
Bringing my hands to my face, I noticed they were shaking. This will be my first fight, my first real fight. I have the experience of my avatar, but this will be My real fight. I couldn't wait.
創作者的想法 
Bigbaby
Bigbaby Do you think the dialogue was forced or out of place? It’s by far the most difficult aspect for me. I’m just unable to write organic dialogue. Let me know what you think.
Y’all know what to do, leave a comment and or review. Peace ✌️
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