Sleep is the most amazing thing ever. In my past life I was always so busy I rarely slept. Now that I'm a toddler, all I do is sleep half the day away. That was until today.
The she devil, Hilda snuck into my room at the crack of dawn and opened the blinds.
"Fucking hell shut out the lights" I was so disoriented, I cursed in English.
Hilda, that wench, then walked to my bed and lifted off my sheets in one quick motion. This subjected me to the cold.
Contrary to what being inside a mountain would feel like, the mountain was very ventilated. The cold climate seeped into the mountain somehow. Even better, due to the large hole at the top of the the mountain, directly above the castle, allows for rain and snow to occasionally pelt the castle. The lava moat around the castle is in a deep crevice so the snow isn't melted that fast.
"Young Prince, please refrain from babbling in your sleep and allow me to prepare you for this morning's practice." She said while looking at me with a smile that would make a baby cry. And guess what? I'm not a baby anymore. I'm a three and a half years old which means I start my warrior training today.
I am excited, yet also scared. I'm still tiny. How am I to fight only being a little over 3 feet tall. I'm expecting child abuse, but there's no authorities to report my father to.
I slowly got up and lifted my arms to reach for her. Although I can now climb down from my bed, it would have done it with poor manners.
[You are just forcing her to do more work.]
I thought you had finally disappeared after a year of no comments.
[You think I'd miss your first day of training. I'm your friendly cheer leading Goddess :) ]
Now I'm extremely scared. If she's excited at something, it can't be good for me. This Goddess only pays attention when she wants to have fun.
Anyway, say what you want about Hilda, she's very efficient with her work. She quickly dressed me in small training clothes of boots, Leather pants, a linen shirt, and a belt. She put on knee and elbow covers to protect them from damage.
She's also likely to be my etiquette teacher when I turn five which I am not looking forward to.
As I walk away from my room, I can't help but stare at the wonder of the castle.
Lord Hammer's Castle or Valaskialf is my home, but also simultaneously the seat of Government. The Castle, like every other building in mountain Himinbjorg, is extra large. It has a fairly simple architecture. Two wings and a Central Corridor.
The West wing, where I am currently, is the royal quarters. There's the Private Rooms for the "King and Commander" along with his spouse. A Royal Library where I've been spending most if my time. Royal Smithy, Nursery, Garden, Tea room, Etcetera. Coincidentally my room and study are located here, right next to my fathers I might add.
Under the west wing are the servant area where they cook and sleep along with tending to other needs.
The East wing Is just as important. It houses Both the Chamber of Elders called Gladsheim, or Bright home, and the Senate. It also has several parlor rooms for delicate political dealings.
And finally the central corridor which includes four areas. The front Plaza, The larger than life mead hall, the throne room located directly behind the mead hall, The throne is referred to as Hlidskjalf or high seat, and the Courtyard which is only accessible by members of the royal family and the elders.
This Courtyard is where I will be starting my training. As I'm walking to the Courtyard, I can't help but admire the paintings and decorations hung around the halls. I've already used the Diagnostic tool on most of them, but even so I ask Alfred, who has a root in every corner, to tell me a story behind some of the pieces whenever I ask. It's nice having a tree friend whose been here for over thirty years. The diagnostic tool gives me details, but sometimes some stories are nice.
"Boromir's Axe, Sigrud's spear.... the Infinity Gauntlet" I said out loud while jogging through the hall.
Okay I made that last one up, but you get the point. Instead of a King's palace this place was more like a Jarl's palace. The paintings were clearly done with natural colors from the wild. The torches in every corner, along with the rusted weapons and artifacts scream Norse.
Any way, I pass through the guards at the entrance to the yard only to see my dad, with a devilish smirk on his face, standing next to a white haired, middle aged thin man.
Working up the courage, I walk up to them and say "Good morning father. Hello sir I don't know who you are."
They both looked at each other and smiled. "This one is very courageous to walk up to us with the aura we're putting off Bjorn." Said the middle age man to my father.
Nodding while looking at me he said, "boy, this is your uncle Vili. He will be in charge of your training. Respect him as you would me as he is considered an Elder in the tribe."
Well I'm fucked, I'm gonna be abused by my uncle instead of my father what kind of scenario is this. He's an Elder too so there's no escape. These old men probably have a training routine already in place to make me feel pain from every bone in my body.
"I hear you are gifted in alchemy?" Said Uncle Vili. At this point my father is already gone, leaving the black robed torturer behind.
"Yessir. I made my first poultice and basic elixirs already. I can administer first aid if necessary." I said in a disciplined voice.
He smiled, "Good you are going to need those skills soon. But first we have to start with something easy."
While pointing to a corner in the yard he said, "You see that weapon rack over there. All the weapons there have been made with your size in mind. Do not worry, they are dulled so you can't hurt yourself."
Yea I'm not that idiotic to hurt myself.
[Famous last words]
"I want you to pick one weapon there and take a few swings with it. Tell me which feels the most comfortable and I'll try to guide you from there." He continued.
Walking over I see a standard one bladed Viking axe, a broad sword, a spear, a large two handed hammer, a smaller one handed hammer. and a bow.
I turn to him and ask, "what about the weapon dad always has". I'm referring to his one handed axe hammer hybrid.
"I thought you would ask that. Your father is extremely skilled with both axes and hammers. So he commissioned a black smith to construct him that. If you want to use that weapon you must master them separately first." He smiled then curiously looked at me see my choice.
I walked over and picked the sword. I know I would likely feel more comfortable with an axe but I still went for a sword. I did this for one simple reason. When have I ever seen a guard without one? Not even my father walks around without a sword. It's a good secondary weapon.
"Wise choice young Prince. Now go to that tree and sweep horizontally as hard as you can. Don't worry, these weapons were built for maximum durability." He pointed to the nearest tree.
I walked up to the tree got in a stance I believed to be efficient and took a breath. After breathing in I lifted the blade and swung with my little arms horizontally into the tree.
I cleaved the tree in half then I used my newfound power to rule the world.
[Do I have to?]
Okay I barely scratched it, but I think I did good.
My uncle walked forward and looked at the scratch mark. "Hmm your form isn't bad but it could use some improvements. I will now demonstrate a proper sword, sweeping technique for this motion."
He then got into a stance with his legs bent into almost a half squat.
He quickly retrieved the broadsword and in one fluid motion, tucked it under his left arm parallel to the ground. Then a split second later he swung from that position horizontally into the tree and cut all the way through.
The tree had been cut.
He then began to turn to me while saying, "You are to repeat the same movement until either this tree gets cut down or I work up a sweat. I will demonstrate this same movement every 30 minutes and you are to only stop when I say so". He said smiling at me.
Ughhh excuse me...?