Chereads / Great Tales of the Old Gods and Men / Chapter 7 - Becoming a man

Chapter 7 - Becoming a man

As Jon Berskaggr walked through the woods with the body of the wolf, he knew this meant he would bring pride to his family. A white wolf was something rarely seem, even in the North. Bringing one back, with a clean cut through its thick neck is a feat in itself.

Continuing on his path, he came to the edge of the woods. He could smell the fish on the wind and knew the town of Brokwood was not far away. As he walked the smell became more enticing as he felt a pang of hunger. Soon he could hear the bustling of the city square and not long after, he saw the gates of the town. Walking up to them, the guards asked him to stop, however he grew up here and the guards knew his face and what his business outside was. With a clap on the back both guards regarded him with honor and respect, for they remembered the trials they went through. One guard even showed him the scar he gained from his battle with a wolf.

Finally reaching his home, he dropped the stiff body of the white wolf and howled in excitement, for he was finally safe at home. As soon as his father heard the howl, he lept from his seat and sprinted out to see what his son had brought to him. Seeing the white wolf there almost the same size as his son, Raska let out a howl as well and regarded his son as his equal. The ceremony would begin tomorrow as it was an exclusive event, only a few men from the village could attend.

Going inside the house, Lagertha, his mother greeted him with a plate of steaming venison and onions, the smell was intoxicating. He took the plate and devoured the whole meal, like he himself were the white wolf in the forest. "Slow down, you might choke!" cried Lagertha as he swallowed a mouthful, without chewing. "Here wash it down with some ale, son. Do not inhale this ale as well, it will be your only cup this night." He knew his mother was only joking, and laughed with her, almost choking on the ale he was drinking too fast.

As his father entered the home, he clapped Jon on the back and boomed, "This man here slayed a great white wolf, he can have all the ale he wants! Sh*t, let's get drunk together, my son! I have never been more proud in my life!"

They proceeded to get far too intoxicated for their own good. Playing drinking games and wrestling together, his father was still leagues above him in terms of skill and strength. Clumsily grappling with one another, they had to jump over the fire to avoid becoming BBQ. With that Lagertha deemed the night over.

Laying in his bed, Jon drifted off to sleep. When he awoke, he was in a large hall that would put a Jarl to shame. In this hall were men and women who were drinking and feasting, laughing and fighting. This must be Asgard! Woden's home realm, which warriors would go to for a time after they died, until they were ready to live a new life again. Seeing this, Jon wondered if he had drank too much last night.

"Jon Berskaggr!" a loud voice like thunder cracked his way. He was familiar with the voice, he had heard the same voice in the cave of the singing stones. "Come this way my child, for you are now a man! Accept this blessing from me, it will assist you on your journey!" as he said this a quiver appeared in Woden's hand. "This quiver is from a land far away, I took from a God who proclaimed himself my rival, he died with my spear through his open mouth after speaking those words. This quiver never runs out of arrows, and will always find it's way back to you. It is very useful, do not fail me my child, and I will make you the most powerful man that ever lived."

The most powerful man.. EVER?! After hearing this, Jon stood frozen to the ground, unable to move from the spot he stands in. He could not even comprehend the words spoken to him. Woden was the most powerful mage that ever existed, and his combat skills were unrivaled. Jon could not even attempt to wrap his mind around the meaning of these words. Seeing this, Woden beckoned him to step forward, snapping him back to reality. He took a step towards the God and immediately woke in his bed, confused and in the dark.

Jon lit a candle, using the light he saw in the far corner of his room, a golden quiver, full of gilded arrows. The arrows were barbed and looked quite durable. He took one out and noticed the shaft was made of metal, not wood. These arrows were somehow even lighter and more flexible than their wooden counterparts. Jon almost fell when he realized this dream was no dream. He was just with a God who could erase him from the face of the earth with a single snap of his fingers.

Gulp!

"I had better not mess up" thought Jon as he crawled back into bed. The next thing he knew, it was bright in his room. He opened his eyes, thinking it was another Godly visit, however, it was only the sun greeting him. It was the morning already and he felt as though he did not sleep.