Kulikovia
05-10-2008, 15:27
Some Winters Ago...
The Winter winds whipped up and snapped at the back of a young boy who darted from house to house. The moon illuminated the ground. Sillouhettes of people were here and there but the young boy easily ducked to and from cover. After making his way up the hill, past other houses, he came upon the Mead Hall. A great stone building with a thatched roof. It was a long building. A prestigious place to enter. Only a lucky few were permitted to enter its' hallowed halls. This was a place of warriors, men of great courage and bravery.
He edged around the Hall and came upon an open window. THe soft glow from the inside radiated outwards. The warmth felt good against his face as he stepped onto an old crate and strained to peek through the window. Inside was a spectacle that ignited his imagination. Chalices of mead clanked together, men laughed heartily, and hounds howled for scraps. A War Wolf lay curled up at the end of the table, next to him sat the Clan Chieftain, a great man.
He slammed his fist against the table and barked for silence. Soon, the great crowded hall fell into such an awaiting silence that young boy found himself captivated by it.
A bard stepped forward from the back. He uneasily eyed the War Wolf who by now had risen its' great head that followed the bard, closily guardeing his master. He lept onto the table and grinned from ear to ear, clearing his throat. The tales he told...Songs of epic deeds, brave warriors and glory! The boy's eyes grew wide and glossy.
Suddenly, a strong yank at his back sent him reeling backwards and hitting hard against the frozen ground. The boy looked up to see a large looming figure, drapped in a fur cloak.
"Atticus!" He barked, "You are far too young to be a part of this. You are not yet a man" His father, Enthir, was the clan's champion. A tough man with rough hands and and equal demeanour.
"But father, I want to be a great warrior!" Atticus said as he came to his feet. His father stood far taller than him.
"Not yet" Enthir replied, "Go back home or I'll beat you like a warrior!" He raised his hand and this was enough to send the young Atticus running back down the hill.
The Hall of High King Erik I
A fully grown and battle tested Atticus stood proud and erect. He clasped the hilt of his sword and braced his shield. As custom, when two clans came into dispute. They bring their case before the King and his Court. If an agreement cannot be met. Then the two disputing clans send their champions into single combat.
Atticus had grown up to be a mighty warrior, fullfilling his dreams. Though he came to realize that a warrior's life is not always glory. He hailed from The Skara Clan. The Falkenvar Clan lay claim to a precious piece of grazing land that resides within Skara's land.
Neither side could come to an arrangement and Atticus stepped forward for this age old tradition and custom of Norgardia. It took a measure of pride. He cared not for such trivial disputes, battle is all that mattered. The bitting realization that you are being tested. The Gods watch every battle and they send their messangers, The Valkyries to claim the bodies of thoise who died with the upmost honor.
The opposing champion was a beast of a man. Tall, broad with a large bushy black beard, weilding a feared battle axe. His arms were like tree trunks. Atticus was no small man but appeared as a dog to this man.
"I Fydr, Champion of Falkenvar do engage in singl combat to perserve the honor of my Clan" The other champion bellowed with a deep gutteral tone.
"I Atticus, Champion of Skara do engage in single combat to perserve the honor of my Clan" Atticus said.
The Observer glanced back to the King who sat at his throne. Erik I was a strong leader, his red beard began to mix with gray but his eyes were steel. He nodded and the Observer turned back to the champions.
"By Permission of the King. You may engage in single combat. Until one or the other is either unable to continue or is killed with honor. To lay down your arms is to bring shame upon yourself and your Clan. To die is to die with honor and dignity. Yoiu may begin!" The observer said and stepped back.
The Winter winds whipped up and snapped at the back of a young boy who darted from house to house. The moon illuminated the ground. Sillouhettes of people were here and there but the young boy easily ducked to and from cover. After making his way up the hill, past other houses, he came upon the Mead Hall. A great stone building with a thatched roof. It was a long building. A prestigious place to enter. Only a lucky few were permitted to enter its' hallowed halls. This was a place of warriors, men of great courage and bravery.
He edged around the Hall and came upon an open window. THe soft glow from the inside radiated outwards. The warmth felt good against his face as he stepped onto an old crate and strained to peek through the window. Inside was a spectacle that ignited his imagination. Chalices of mead clanked together, men laughed heartily, and hounds howled for scraps. A War Wolf lay curled up at the end of the table, next to him sat the Clan Chieftain, a great man.
He slammed his fist against the table and barked for silence. Soon, the great crowded hall fell into such an awaiting silence that young boy found himself captivated by it.
A bard stepped forward from the back. He uneasily eyed the War Wolf who by now had risen its' great head that followed the bard, closily guardeing his master. He lept onto the table and grinned from ear to ear, clearing his throat. The tales he told...Songs of epic deeds, brave warriors and glory! The boy's eyes grew wide and glossy.
Suddenly, a strong yank at his back sent him reeling backwards and hitting hard against the frozen ground. The boy looked up to see a large looming figure, drapped in a fur cloak.
"Atticus!" He barked, "You are far too young to be a part of this. You are not yet a man" His father, Enthir, was the clan's champion. A tough man with rough hands and and equal demeanour.
"But father, I want to be a great warrior!" Atticus said as he came to his feet. His father stood far taller than him.
"Not yet" Enthir replied, "Go back home or I'll beat you like a warrior!" He raised his hand and this was enough to send the young Atticus running back down the hill.
The Hall of High King Erik I
A fully grown and battle tested Atticus stood proud and erect. He clasped the hilt of his sword and braced his shield. As custom, when two clans came into dispute. They bring their case before the King and his Court. If an agreement cannot be met. Then the two disputing clans send their champions into single combat.
Atticus had grown up to be a mighty warrior, fullfilling his dreams. Though he came to realize that a warrior's life is not always glory. He hailed from The Skara Clan. The Falkenvar Clan lay claim to a precious piece of grazing land that resides within Skara's land.
Neither side could come to an arrangement and Atticus stepped forward for this age old tradition and custom of Norgardia. It took a measure of pride. He cared not for such trivial disputes, battle is all that mattered. The bitting realization that you are being tested. The Gods watch every battle and they send their messangers, The Valkyries to claim the bodies of thoise who died with the upmost honor.
The opposing champion was a beast of a man. Tall, broad with a large bushy black beard, weilding a feared battle axe. His arms were like tree trunks. Atticus was no small man but appeared as a dog to this man.
"I Fydr, Champion of Falkenvar do engage in singl combat to perserve the honor of my Clan" The other champion bellowed with a deep gutteral tone.
"I Atticus, Champion of Skara do engage in single combat to perserve the honor of my Clan" Atticus said.
The Observer glanced back to the King who sat at his throne. Erik I was a strong leader, his red beard began to mix with gray but his eyes were steel. He nodded and the Observer turned back to the champions.
"By Permission of the King. You may engage in single combat. Until one or the other is either unable to continue or is killed with honor. To lay down your arms is to bring shame upon yourself and your Clan. To die is to die with honor and dignity. Yoiu may begin!" The observer said and stepped back.