The Method to Defeat Nimrod, Leman Russ's Decision

Russ only woke five days after falling unconscious.

He opened his eyes and immediately met the gazes of his brothers, Freki and Geri.

From those two cool, clear stares, Russ read concern. He gently stroked his brothers' fur.

His nose twitched slightly as the scent of mead seeped into it.

Russ followed the smell and saw Jorin leaning crookedly against the wall.

He stared at the haggard Jorin and sank into silent thought.

Jorin's eyes trembled. Sensing that familiar feeling of being watched, he opened them.

His cloudy eyes met a field of ice-blue, and he snapped fully awake.

"Wolf Prime, you're awake." Jorin sprang up in delight.

Russ reached out to steady Jorin and looked him over.

"Old friend, why do you look like this?"

Jorin turned his head aside. "I was just worried about you..."

"Really?"

Russ's follow-up left Jorin unable to hide it any longer.

"I just felt that I'd grown old."

"Sanchez didn't use sorcery, and I still lost to him."

"I failed your trust."

Russ gripped Jorin by both shoulders, forcing his clouded eyes to meet his own.

"Jorin, it's all right." His strength made Jorin's shoulders ache.

"It was only a suit of armor."

"But the Allfather blessed it," Jorin said hoarsely.

"That doesn't matter either," Russ said with a smile. "Remember? I told you that you were one of a kind, so I was willing to use it to support you."

"I..." Jorin's heart grew heavier.

"I'll win it back," Russ said with a confident smile.

He felt Jorin's gaze fill with hope, mixed with a trace of doubt.

"That's right. I lost to Nimrod twice."

"But I can grasp his lifeline, remember?"

"The Allfather wove everyone's lifeline. Nimrod can be found in the Lower Realm."

"The Lower Realm." Jorin repeated the word