Rumlow sat on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s plane, uneasy under his teammates' gazes. Most new agents were unremarkable—except for Hydra plants and one standout: Clinton Francis Barton, Hawkeye. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s top combatant, Rumlow knew he couldn't match him, even with his gear. At range, Hawkeye's modified arrows—deadlier than small-caliber bullets—gave him the edge.
Rumlow's concern was Hawkeye's keen eyes. Planting vibranium on Harrogath required evading his scrutiny, or the whole team would be watched. This covert mission, a test for internal enemies, banned surveillance gear, leaving observation to Hawkeye. Rumlow's secret task, true to Fury's style, was to monitor him.
The plane headed for Harrogath. Rumlow feigned distraction while Hawkeye scanned the team. His overt orders: watch for outsiders. Fury's real goal wasn't mountain intel but catching Rumlow's "attacker," with Hawkeye leading.
As the plane landed, Rumlow felt relief, Harrogath's approval from a prior trial easing his mind. The snow seemed trivial. Others, including Hawkeye, adjusted thermal regulators in bulky suits to maintain mobility.
"Rumlow, only the brave climb this mountain?" Hawkeye asked, arranging his bow.
He viewed Rumlow as just a colleague. The old Rumlow resented Hawkeye's prowess, which blocked his team's deeper S.H.I.E.L.D. infiltration. Now, it didn't matter—Rumlow wanted Hawkeye to uncover S.H.I.E.L.D.'s issues, pitting Fury against Hydra.
"Only fearless warriors who face their hearts climb. Need me to wait for your courage?" Rumlow taunted, pistol at his waist, unused, and crude brass knuckles on. Arms crossed, he eyed Hawkeye.
"Everyone here's a warrior, focused. No waiting needed," Hawkeye replied. Rumlow shrugged. The team trekked toward Harrogath's peak.
Rumlow doubted they'd reach it easily, but that wasn't the point. He needed to slip their sight to "find" the vibranium.
"Ha, Talic, your little guy's back—with a purpose!" a wild-haired ancestor spirit shouted to Talic.
"Anda Kurgas, you that bored?" Talic replied, holding Proof of Shame, listening to Harrogath's whispers about Rumlow's group.
"I've got the best heir. Why seek another with no potential?" Anda Kurgas boasted. His heir was Bul-Kathos, forging a car.
As a legendary barbarian older than the Three Ancestors, Anda Kurgas spent his life collecting debts—like teaching brothers unbreakable oaths and demons eternal vows. Oathkeeper was his legend.
"Bul-Kathos isn't an heir—he's the Immortal King, in a league of his own," Talic said, waving Proof of Shame for emphasis.
"Ha, he wields Oathkeeper!" Anda Kurgas bragged.
"And Merciless!" Talic countered.
"It's his right!" Mokot interrupted, eyes on Talic. "Go handle your heir."
"Fine, but if they wreck the mountain, I'll crush their skulls," Talic said, vanishing. Anda Kurgas and Mokot dispersed silently.
"Ready, kid?" Talic appeared before Rumlow. Unfazed, Rumlow felt the others tense. Even Hawkeye hadn't seen Talic arrive.
"I'm atoning," Rumlow said cautiously, not yet a barbarian with the strength to topple S.H.I.E.L.D. or Hydra.
Talic nodded, silent. "Rumlow!?" Hawkeye demanded, sensing their familiarity.
"No worries. Last time, I met some 'locals,'" Rumlow said dismissively. Without comms, any deaths would be reported as missing. Fury wouldn't probe loudly. But Hawkeye had to survive—to report the "vibranium."
"Come with me. They can wander," Talic said, sneering at the team, including Hawkeye. Bow-users—Amazons, Rogues, demon hunters, or that rogue with Bul-Kathos—meant little to Talic, who'd never left Arreat's gate.
Rumlow signaled his team to proceed, then followed Talic, vanishing from sight. Some might be brave, but none were set on scaling Harrogath's peak.
(Chapter End)