Bloodlines of the Ancient Pantheons

"When we left Mount Torden, our first destination was another, before Hevnen. We went to Tyven. Not really in the village, but on a mountain nearby" Dag said, thinking about how to make the story he was about to tell more believable.

"Dag... this deer... it's incredibly similar to..." tried to say Gridd, before being interrupted.

"After learning the truth about Brann, I ran to Jernhest and spoke to our mother, who confirmed to me what I knew and talked to me about the sacrifice of Eirik, her beloved's brother. I took the Red Executioner and brought it along all the way, protecting it at the cost of my life. As I mentioned before, Brann got that weapon from a man a little... 'particular'. His name is Vegard, and he is a divine blacksmith, who has embedded Eirik's soul within those two red crystals that shine within the deer's eyes".

Gridd held the head between her hands, touching her hair, incredulous.

"Vegard is just a legend and the last time anyone met him was more than a hundred years ago" said Taya, who began to doubt Dag's words, believing he was using that story to achieve his purposes.

"I thought so too, Master Taya. But after hearing my mother Asa tell me about when Brann sacrificed his own brother to gain more power, I couldn't go on living without discovering the whole truth, so I decided to go to Vegard's, to retrace his steps personally" Dag continued.

The fire of wood burning in the fireplace reflected in his eyes as he recounted what happened in the Great Forge, still feeling the heat of boiling magma on his skin.

When the story ended, he turned to Gridd, to see her reaction. 

She grabbed the axe and continued to observe the details, approaching Dag, who was still in front of the fire.

She stopped in front of him and looked him straight in the eye, clutching the weapon on her chest.

For a few seconds, the brother and sister communicated with their eyes, without speaking.

Gridd's big blue eyes sought solace in Dag's, ready to reassure her, empathically letting her understand that fearing the past was not the right move.

Dag placed both hands on her shoulders, while she still clutched the axe to her chest.

"I've been living a lie, for the first years of my life. I was always told what I could and couldn't do. The truth is... no one should be subjected to all this. Before I spoke to you tonight, I knew my words would affect wounds that are still open inside you... but at the same time, I knew you'd give in to the pain, but you'd make it a weapon to start fighting again, stronger than before" he said, moving a hand under his sister's chin, which was looking down.

"If I am what I am I owe it to you, Gridd. We must bring our Clans together so as to accomplish extraordinary things. Let's do it for all the people who suffer, for those like us who live in a lie... but also for ourselves, we'll take back the reins of our lives" continued Dag, who could no longer hold back the tears, which ran down his face.

Gridd hugged him, holding the Giantbane with her other hand, while everyone else witnessed the scene.

"I need to sleep and I think it's the same for you. Tomorrow we will continue the talk. I'm a Clan Master, that's true, but the decision isn't just for me" Gridd said, referring to Taya and Jens, who was blissfully sleeping in his room.

"Of course. I agree with you" Dag replied. 

Gridd handed him his weapon, looking at it once more, with a happy but rancorous face.

"You'll be tired... Come with me, I'll show you the guest rooms" she continued, urging Dag's companions to get up from their seats and follow her upstairs.

Taya also got up and went with them, without saying a word, looking closely at Gridd, trying to understand her intentions.

Dag looked at his ex-Master who did not seem very willing to accept the proposal. 

"These two rooms are completely at your disposal. They're not very big, but at least you'll avoid spending money unnecessarily in some inn" Gridd said, pointing to two doors side by side, just after the stairs.

"We thank you infinitely for your hospitality. These rooms will be fine!" exclaimed Reidar, bowing his head.

Karl did the same, holding Agnes with one arm, to prevent her from collapsing from sleep.

"See you tomorrow, Gridd" Dag said, smiling.

"Yes, brother. See you tomorrow... good night!" she replied, who reciprocated his smile with one hand resting on her forehead, because of the conversation she had just had with him, which had upset her.

Taya remained silent and headed to her room, after making sure Dag and the others agreed to spend the night in Fort Skjonnet.

Karl and Agnes, exhausted, entered the room and locked the door.

Dag and Reidar, who had learned to share the spaces, did the same.

Their room wasn't so bad: it certainly wasn't comparable to the Red Rose, much more spacious and whose beds looked much softer and more comfortable.

"Captain..." 

"Yes, Reidar?" 

"Do you think they gonna accept your proposal?" asked Reidar, resting his stuff next to one of the two beds.

"My sister is a reasonable person. Although I've told her a lot of things that have upset her tonight, I'm sure she'll think about it carefully. We are bound by a relationship of strong trust, I doubt she will refuse. The problem is the other two. I know Taya and she's a woman of strong principles... while Gridd and I were arguing, I looked at her out of the corner of my eye and didn't seem very enthusiastic about the proposal. I don't know the other Master, so I can't imagine how he's going to react" Dag said, taking off his belt and the top of his armor.