A long breath.

Lying in the middle of this valley I find myself, blood comes out of my mouth every time I cough, my legs can't take any more of the fatigue and my arms don't feel them anymore if it is because of the fatigue or the loss of blood. I no longer feel the wounds that cross my body; I only know of the cold that tenderly shelters and embraces me to slowly take me to the world of the dead and the condemned, my clan was destroyed in one night and the only thing I could do was to run and fight for my life... I abandoned my men to their fate, used those who followed me as a human shield and my sword mercilessly pierced the chest of the one who begged me for help. On this night we did not lose our strength as a clan, long before the battle began I stabbed my own men in the back abandoning them when they needed it most, now I am one of the few survivors and that in a few hours will be over, either because of the wounds or because of the cold.

So many things I did tonight, so many mistakes in such a short time and I feel, that even if I have a second chance and go back in time I will return before those vile traitors come out of hiding; I will do it all again. I am not worth half of what I thought I was worth for years, the blood of one of my best men bathes my sword and I am guilty of that, my men must be watered between our base, the roads and this valley, the enemy must be looking for the bodies of the marked men and by the rage that my captors had for trying to take me alive, I am one. It should not take long for a torch to appear followed by the voices of men who will come to end my suffering and then hand my head over to their leader as they divide up what is left of my belongings. I would like to be able to fight to the end, to be able to die standing up and save what is left of my honor? But I can't even sit down on my own, sad end to the so-called lord of the rivers.

Something illuminates the distance, a weak light that moves and slowly gets stronger, I hear voices in the distance that the wind distorts and I only know, that my moment has come. They will fall on me like hungry wolves soon and I only wish for one last chance to change my destiny and be able to do things right and redeem both my soul and sword stained both by cowardice... And with that oath agreed to in pain and blood, I take a last breath into nothingness. You are closer and closer, I only hope that you will let me cast one last curse on your people and that you will be able to engrave on me the face of the bastard who will seal my fate.

the original images belong to Teutoburg images and Esperanza Varo.