Bloodlines of the Ancient Pantheons 8 VIII. Gridd

"Now, you are ready to learn the arts of combat. When you turn 18 years old, you will be able to choose your Clan or continue as lone Warriors. Clans are spread around the planet: each one of them holds unique ancient powers that descend from the essence of God themselves"

An expression of unbelief lit up Dag's face. He never heard about Clans, even studying books on Earth. Perhaps it was something proper of the Viking's planet.

Arne turned to Taya and they whispered some incomprehensible word, then, without a goodbye, he left the Arena.

"So… the novices have been marked and are ready to train seriously now" stated Taya.

"Today, it won't be me to teach you… but one of you, that proved herself to be a valid warrior, despite her age".

The door behind the Arena opened and a girl went out. She was Gridd.

Dag completely forgot about her, even if Asa told him that she was about to become a Shieldmaiden.

He stared at her with a questioned face, while she walked towards the center of the Arena. She did return his eye.

"Good morning brothers and sister. Today's lesson in on using both axe and sword, as I usually do when I fight" said Gridd.

She was holding an axe in her right hand and a sword in her left one.

But they weren't made of wood: they were real, steel weapons.

The lesson continued until the afternoon when Taya take back the lead of the apprentices. At the end of the training session, Dag had learned how to nimbly move to fight with dual weapons and perform a good lunge with the sword.

His back was still hurting.

"Today's lesson is over. See you tomorrow"

Taya dismissed her young warriors. Dag got closer to Gridd. She was cleaning the blade of her sword that reflected her face.

"So the youngest Shieldmaiden of all Jernhest is my step sister…" said him.

"I'm not a Skjaldmaer yet. I'm working on it" answered Gridd.

"What are you fighting for?" replied Dag

"I want to be a warrior because I want to know more about my past, about my parents… what about you? What's your reason?" continued.

"This is none of your business" coldly said Gridd, then stood up, took her weapons and walked away, to the main entrance of the Arena.

Dag followed her

"Is Eirik coming to get us a ride home? I'm starving!"

Gridd didn't answer back. She kept walking on her way.

"Okay, I take that as a no"

After leaving his wooden sword in its place, he followed his step-sister. At that moment, he figured that Freydis was looking at him: he looked back at her.

Her face expressed the pain due to the mark, but also gratitude. She smiled, then he greeted her with his hand.

He turned back towards his sister and kept following.

On their way home, they were at the bottom of the hill. Gridd changed direction, diverting from the main road.

"Where are you going?" said Dag, trying to keep up with her.

" I know a shortcut, come with me".

Gridd walked to a rocky wall. She moved some bushes from the surface, uncovering a climbing path.

They climbed the steep wall and found themselves on the top of the hill, in a small wood.

Through the trees, it was possible to see the house.

From the inside, they could see a dim light probably coming from the fireplace. They get out of the wood and finally arrived at home.

"How old are you Gridd?" asked Dag

"I'll be 15 next month. Why are you asking me so?".

"I'd like to be a Warrior like you. You were great today, I liked so much your combat skills"

Gridd looked at Dag. For the first time since they met, she smiled.

"Thank you, Dag".

They continued towards the house.

"Will you choose a Clan when you will be 18 years old?" he said

"Yes, I think so, but I don't know which one. My mother…our mother was in the Sons Of Freya. Maybe I will join them in Hevnen, it's not so far from here" answered Gridd.

They finally arrived at the door and opened it. In the main room, Asa was sitting on a chair, next to the chimney. She was sewing a small leather jacket.

"Hi, mother" said Gridd

"Hi!" said Dag.

He was happy to see her again. Asa answered:

"Hi, my children! How was your day?"

"Gridd is a very talented trainer" exclaimed Dag

"she taught us many combat hints".

"Really? Did you give the kids a lesson today?" asked enthusiastic Asa

"Yes, today was my first day. Taya allowed me to take her place for a little while" Gridd answered without losing her composure.

"This is good news! Look, I sewed up a new jacket for you, Dag. If you want to be a fighter, you've to wear the right clothes" continued Asa.

"For me?"

Dag felt so happy.

Nobody ever made such a beautiful thing for him, except Hiro, that once made a swan-shaped origami as a gift for him, using a book's sheet.

"Thank you!"

Dag tried on the jacket and it suited perfectly. It was lightweight but strong.

On the chest was embroidered a little bird, with open wings and dual tail.

"It's a swallow. It's our family's symbol. When I was young, my Shieldmaidens comrades used to call me Asa, the Deadly Swallow, because of my quickness on the battlefield" said Asa with a nostalgic tone.

"It's just beautiful, I'm not used to receiving gifts" thanked Dag, touching with his fingers the relief embroidery.

"I'd like to know much about your past as a warrior, about your battles" continued.

Asa smiled, as she usually did

"We have enough time to talk about me. Now, focus on your present, focus on your good growth".

While they were talking, they heard noises of a horse from the outside. Eirik and Stein entered. Asa told them what Dag and Gridd did at the Arena, Stein seemed so proud of her daughter.

Chapter end