“I won’t be a part of this any more, Traian!” Bethseba shouted. “I used to believe in you but the last of that belief has been stolen by the crows that shadow us waiting for us to feed them. We were warriors once, not executioners, and this butchery that you have planned for tonight is nothing less than an act of evil. There’s no honor in slaughtering women and children, oath or no oath, and I will not help you. I’m going home.”

Traian’s heart ached as he watched Bethesba gather her spears but he did nothing to stop her. Every word she said, was true and he couldn’t blame her, nor any of the rest of them. He had been surprised that she had stayed with him as long as she had, especially after the others had deserted them. Maybe she really had loved him. Now she was the last one to go; the last one to leave him. He was alone, forsaken by gods and men. Why hadn’t the Magnuroc warned him that it would end this way?

He steeled himself against the pain of loss and waited.

It wouldn’t be long until night fell.