The next morning there was an underlying sense of urgency in the household. Though Tor's parents did their best to hide it, he could tell they were rushed and concerned about the previous nights events.
They hurried the girls off to their respective apprentice training, both of them were to be warriors but each in a different way. Astrid, the older of the two, was training in archery and long range seidr use as well as infiltration and evasion. This suited her light and agile frame and abilities. She had unlocked a wind realm a little over a year ago and the training went hand in hand with it and her desire to become a scout.
Brenna on the other hand was thicker built and still much more muscular than her sister. The training she was undergoing was focused more on a frontal assault and heavy defense. She trained with sword, axe and shield. She possessed and earth realm which complimented her abilities and desires as well.
Tor up to this point had been the odd man out, so to speak. His desire to train was overshadowed by his age and corresponding lack of seidr. Folkvar had taught him the most basic of healing skills as promised, but without seidr, he was unable to learn advanced healing techniques.
Tor was looking forward to learning these skills as what his grandfather had already taught him was essentially first aid. He was already well versed in the initial treatment of injuries thanks to the combat life saving courses from his prior life.
Folkvar was however, able to teach him about treating the sick. Without the antibiotics of his former world he would have been lost otherwise. Through the blending of different herbs, roots and minerals the people of this world were able to achieve similar if not more effective results. The results were further improved by the use of seidr which, until now, Tor had been incapable of.
He hoped to begin his training of healing seidr this morning instead of going to see Asha. What he didn't expect was that his parents would tell him what they did.
"Torbjorn, sit down. Your father and I have something to tell you." his mother spoke in a calm but firm voice. It aroused his suspicions instantly.
"Instead of going to see your grandfather today,as I'm sure you had planned, you will be going with your father to begin warrior training." said Tarra.
Tor was taken aback, he had intended to go with Folkvar or at the least be taken to see the volva. This was completely unexpected. Erik cut him off just as he was about to voice his objections.
"Son, after last nights troubles it is more important than ever that you learn to defend yourself. We need to make sure that if you run into problems you can resolve them if we aren't around." Erik spoke in a no nonsense manner that Tor knew meant he would not be moved.
Grudgingly Tor agreed to go with his father and learn the ways of the warrior. They set out for a training field near the longhouse in the heart of the inner district.
"Don't be too distraught Torbjorn, though we will be learning the basics of armed and unarmed combat, I will also teach you how to use seidr in battle. Perhaps we can even learn what realm you have during this time." Erik spoke reassuringly to Tor. "Not only that, by manipulating seidr in any form it will assist your abilities in the other methods of its use as well. So though you may be training to fight, it will make your shaman training that much easier."
Tor was startled for a moment before his attitude changed. It hadn't occurred to him that seidr use was seidr use and improving one aspect would, in turn, improve the others.
He now looked at training with Erik as something to enjoy, he knew Erik would as he had asked him before and Tor had always declined. Now it registered that he was trying to spend time with his son in the best way he knew how. In that instant Tor decided to give his training his all.
Though it was hard for him to feel the same type of bond with his new family as his original family, he was observant enough to see that they loved him dearly. He hadn't realized it till now but he thought that maybe people were genetically programmed to feel a certain bond or love for their immediate family. Perhaps he needed to play the part of the devoted son and brother. It was only fair after all, he had been given a second life and his new parents were every bit as caring and compassionate as his first family. They also hadn't named him anything close to Francis. He laughed at the last part when he thought it.
Erik had no idea what was going through Tor's head at the time but he was glad to see his son laughing and smiling at what he assumed was the thought of training. Without wasting any more time they began.
"Tor, the first step in your training is to use your particular method to channel more seidr and guide it into your realm." Erik began, "This is a somewhat advanced technique since most people begin training after they learn to use seidr but before they open their realm. This should make your training more effective but more difficult at the same time." Erik finished explaining."Now, begin."
Erik stood back as Tor began calming his mind and using his breathing technique. In no time at all Tor was drawing a steady stream of seidr into his realm. He followed the same path as before circulating it around his body and through all of his organs and brain.
He began to feel a surge of strength and mental clarity he could barely believe. The stream of seidr filled his budding realm to the brim and brought on a feeling of invincibility.
Tor continued drawing more seidr and trying to force it into his realm. He knew that if too much was drawn it could be harmful or even fatal in extreme cases. However, something told him to continue drawing seidr into his body.
This seidr was a thin white stream unlike his first success that was just a ribbon. In this form the seidr had no element and could be used for whatever purpose the user needed. Once it was absorbed into his realm it would take on the characteristics of said realm.
He kept taking more and more in and just as he was about to stop from fear of injury, he felt an abyss open inside him. It was like a black vortex that began devouring all the seidr he was drawing in.
At the same time from Erik's point of view, Tor was drawing in way too much seidr. He had tried to stop him on several occasions but could not shake Tor from his meditation. Just when he was losing hope he saw the mark on Tor's neck grow brighter.
It begin pulsating as the brightness increased, glowing almost white. Then right before his eyes the glow changed to a blood red color getting darker and darker until it was almost black.
Tor forced himself to stop absorbing seidr and his eyes flew open. He stared at Erik wide eyed with electricity crackling around him.He then spoke in a shaky voice, "Dad, is that supposed to happen?"