Bloodlines of the Ancient Pantheons

"Thank you... only it would be better if I were alone or just with my few fellows. Even just for a few mornings, I don't think I need much time".

"Alone? Uhm... yes, it's not a problem for me. Do you have any special skills to learn?" 

"Yes. It's a level 9 skill and having never tried it before, I would risk endangering the people around me, that's why I asked!" Dag replied, justifying himself.

"Wow! Level 9? It's amazing! Of us Masters, only Kjell knows a couple of so high-ranked skills. It's actually said that he's capable of performing a level 10 skill, but none of us have ever seen it" Sander explained.

"Well, I wouldn't be surprised. Kjell is an incredibly strong warrior, he has proved it more than once! I've never met anyone who can learn such a high-level skill!" 

"It's quite rare. I'm sure you know about it, but... stronger than a level 10 skill there is only divine power. Also, in order to learn one, you must be able to establish a strong bond with your God of reference, proving to him that you are worthy of that power, putting your life at risk several times, if necessary, even just to defend his honor and his name" Sander continued, who had enjoyed talking to Dag.

"Yes, Master Egill has explained to me more or less how it works... anyway, it's too early for me. I don't even know if I can learn this one!" Dag replied, chuckling.

"Dag... these are questions that the strongest warriors usually ask themselves between the age of 35 and 40. I've never met a Berserkr of your age who can unlock a level 9 skill! Because if you're ready to learn it, it means you've already unlocked it" Sander continued, continuing to compliment his ally.

The two continued to talk, and Sander told Dag stories, telling him about past wars he had participated at the height of his strength, many years earlier.

When they arrived in Skjegg in the afternoon, they noticed that immediately after entering, the streets of the city were unusually empty.

They continued to ride to the stables when they noticed that a large group of mounted warriors was standing in front of it. 

"But that's Gridd! She made it, she found volunteers for the mission!" Dag exclaimed, passing the last rows of soldiers and riding to her sister, arguing with the groom, who was explaining to her where to tie the horses.

"Gridd!" Dag called, drawing the attention of his sister, who was happy to see him and Sander, just behind.

"Seen? I did it! Where did you go? I thought we'd meet at the crossroads outside the city... did you manage to recruit soldiers from your Clan?" she asked, as her soldiers greeted Dag and Sander, bowing their heads.

"Yes, I did too! One, two, three... twelve! We're at the same point! All that's missing is the Crows Of Odin volunteers and we got this!" he replied, after counting one at a time all the warriors who had left Hevnen with his sister.

"Here he is! It's all gone smooth as silk, my friend!" Karl exclaimed, exiting the stable after tying his horse next to Aslan and Ace.

"I'm glad to see you again, Karl" Dag smiled. 

Master Sander helped the Sons Of Freya arrange their horses in the town stable and then escorted them to the dormitories, as he had done with the Hammers Of Thor the day before.

"That way! There's room for everyone!" Gridd yelled, pointing to her subordinates the dormitory, in which they would sleep with the soldiers of two other allied Clans, like a large family.

"Luckily you have such a big dormitory! Otherwise, it would have been difficult to accommodate us all!" Dag told Sander, who had arranged everything in detail.

"Most of my soldiers live here in Skjegg with their families. Some of them, in fact, have returned to their homes, to free some places in the dormitory. With a little organization, anything is possible!" he replied, satisfied with his work.

When the evening came, all the Masters together with Freydis, Reidar, and Karl gathered at the Rocky Crown palace, ready to feast and get to know each other better.

Dag and Sander were the first to speak, explaining to all the details of the ship, which boasted the high engineering of Gurn's shipbuilders.

"As for the division of troops... each of us will make a speech to his soldiers, explaining that each Master can give orders, no matter the Clan of origin. What matters is the speed of execution: if necessary, I will not hesitate to order Sons Of Freya or Crows Of Odin to move in one direction rather than another... and I expect you to do the same, all clear?" Dag said, who was the only one who had not yet tasted the wild boar steak in front of him.

His interlocutors nodded, agreeing that this was the most effective way to command so many men simultaneously.

"Further, once you arrive at your destination, at least a dozen units must remain near the ship, which will be our only means of returning home. If enemies managed to somehow destroy it or render it unusable, we would be stuck in Krypstorm" he continued, as Egill watched him with pride, proud of his organized way of reasoning.

"Do we already have any idea where to dock?" Gridd asked, tearing a piece of flesh with her teeth, hungry after the long journey.

"I don't think any of us have ever been there... so, no. We will follow the current to the coasts of Krypstorm and try to block the boat in some inlet, hoping that those coasts have a shape similar to those of Runar, high and rocky, ideal for remaining unnoticed. 

"We must hope that the Clans beyond the Great Deep Sea do not have observation towers and that they are not waiting for our arrival. In this case, the mission may fail before we even step on land" Kjell said, without even taking his eyes off the food on the plate.