The Sacred Temple's halls were dimly lit by tallow candles as its displeasing smell enveloped a red-haired man in his early 20s and a middle-aged Northwoman.
Helga noticed Erik's new left arm sleeve tattoo while walking and asked, "I don't remember you having such a beautiful wolf tattoo, Champion."
Erik roleplayed by saying, "I was generously granted the gift of Runecrafting by Odin, allowing me to channel Asgard's power to create magical art. My Rune of Skadi empowers allies and blesses them on the hunt."
The High Priestess jumped into surprise and vehemently said, "You had even met with the God-king himself. Truly amazing! Praise the Old Gods!"
After a few minutes, the pair arrived outside the Sacred Temple, where a wooden figure of Odin stood lofty and proud.
A group of 8 Northmen wearing gambesons and equipped with shoulder chain mail, and swords were waiting patiently by the statue.
Erik noticed they were strong and hardy but not as tall as he'd expected. Vikings were feared for their courage in battle and domineering presence, yet the average height of the eight men was around 5 ft 7 to 5 ft 10. Still fairly taller compared to other cultures during the Middle Ages but not close to Erik's height of 6 ft 2, which was much more common in Modern Times.
A blonde Northman in his late 30s wearing an expensive brown fur cloak walked forward before respectfully introducing himself, "My name is Jarl Gunnar of Birka. I was fortunate enough to witness the miracle you performed earlier today. I would like to offer praise and gratitude to my chosen patron goddess, Lady Freyja, for saving my beloved daughter from illness many summers ago. Our settlement suffered a plague after my men arrived from raiding the Eastern Lands. Every day and night, I prayed to the Old Gods, until Freyja answered them. May I know your name, young warrior?"
Erik sincerely replied, "My name is Erik and it's an honor to meet a devout follower of the Old Gods. Freyja is a merciful goddess representing love. She smiles upon your strong dedication to your family; it was enough reason for her to share her power. If you continue down the righteous path, it will not be the last blessing she bestows upon you. Though I suggest a tip that doesn't require her favor. Always inspect arriving longships for rodents because animals carry foreign diseases. Your warriors may not fall to sickness because of time spent in faraway lands, but your residents won't be as lucky."
Erik was unarmed, alone, and vulnerable. He decided to roleplay as Freyja's Champion to ingratiate himself with Old God believers and reduce the chances of being murdered by strangers out of fear of angering the gods.
Jarl Gunnar seemed like an honorable man, so he gave him a few friendly tips in avoiding spreading sicknesses.
Jarl Gunnar sincerely responded, "Your kind and uplifting words mean the world to me, Erik. The High Priestess told me about your long journey before arriving here. I would like to know more about Lady Freyja's Champion."
Erik amicable said, "If you also share a bit about yourself, I don't see why not. I hope the Priestess doesn't mind if we continue our conversation indoors."
Helga nodded in agreement before guiding Erik and Jarl Gunnar inside the Sacred Temple of Uppsala.
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A firepit was lit at the center of the room, providing the necessary heat and light in the surrounding area where Gunnar and Erik both sat comfortably on a tanned leather rug.
The Jarl curiously asked, "Based on what I've heard from Helga, can I assume you are not of Midgard, Erik?"
The young SEAL honestly answered, "You're correct, Jarl Gunnar. I come from a land not too different from Midgard but much wider, with many countries and nations. After my death at the hands of evil cultists that planned to condemn the souls of millions of people, my soul found itself outside the Gates of Asgard where I first met Freyja. She gave me the chance to reclaim the lost lives of my warrior brethren by sending me here to spread the glory of her name for which I'm eternally grateful. As a stranger in these lands, the Old Gods are my only connection to Northmen and I value it highly."
Gunnar faithfully accepted the young man's story and replied, "Then you should be a renowned warrior to have received Lady Freyja's attention. Yet I observe you are unarmed. What's your weapon of choice, young Erik. I'd be glad to have one be forged and fashioned to your liking as a token of friendship from myself to Freyja's Champion. Please tell me of any other way I could assist in your God-Given quest."
Erik answered, "I appreciate your concern and offer, Jarl Gunnar, but I'm embarrassed to say I have no skill in the sword, shield, nor spear. During my previous life, my military unit or what Northmen refer to as a Warband, employed a weapon called the rifle. It's very similar to crossbows but could rapidly shoot more than twenty small projectiles that could reach as far as your eyes can see and ignore most body armor because of its blinding speed. I lived in a land that evolved through countless wars and the country I fought and died for had more than one million professional soldiers at its disposal."
The Jarl was astounded and intrigued by Erik's story as he didn't even think there could be one million people living under the blue sky.
Gunnar said, "You have no need to be embarrassed for being honest, Erik. I know none of my artisans can craft the weapon you mentioned but I will equip you, nonetheless. It's the least I can do for a chosen warrior of the Old Gods. Please tell me. how are you intending to begin the epic quest?"
Erik paused for a moment to think before replying, "The quest requires I erect Sacred Temples in the name of Asgard and its gods on domains under my rule. It will require a vast amount of resources and influence to achieve my goals but with your support, I know the best place to source gold."
Gunnar excitedly interjected, "Are you referring to the lands in the west? Warbands of Northmen have already explored and raided most of its treasures and I fear you will not find much."
Erik chuckled and replied, "Not those islands but a continent far south of it. Thanks to the Old Gods' blessings, I have knowledge of Midgard that surpasses anyone living. Have you heard of the Caliphate of Cordoba, Jarl Gunnar? It's a powerful and rich Muslim country and the bitter rival of Southern Christians."
Jarl nodded and said, "The Northmen are at odds with the Christians but I've rarely heard of Muslims. Only from traders that had traveled from the Volga in the East."
Erik stated, "The Christians and Muslims regularly trade and war amongst each other, but the Muslims have established a foothold south of Christian Continents and along the sea. The Caliphate's greatest weapon is the secret source of their gold, trading valuable goods with the Ghana Empire."
Jarl Gunnar considered Erik's statement before stating, "I believe what you say, Erik. These Muslims seem to be a potential ally for the Northmen and it would be a great boon for Birka to establish ties with the enemy of our enemies but tell me more of the Ghana Empire."
Erik explained, "It's an immensely rich country led by a great war chief that trades in all sorts of goods but most notably produce gold in high quantities from local mines. The Ghana Empire is not known to many because of the tight-lipped Muslims that used traded gold to mint coins and bribe their way to win wars against the Christians."
Gunnar's interest was piqued, then he said, "If it's possible to sail to the Ghana Empire, my raiders should seek it out to trade after plundering Christian lands during the summer. I'd be glad to sponsor the journey if you would honor us by navigating the seas."
Erik was offered a great opportunity for him to begin the game but said, "I work very differently from any warrior you've met and require everyone under my command to strictly follow my orders. Will that be a problem, Jarl Gunnar?"
Gunnar honestly replied, "I cannot speak for my men, but you'll get to meet them at Birka before you decide on which companions to lead. Will that be sufficient, Erik?"
The young man said, "We shall see. How far is Birka from Uppsala?"
Gunnar answered, "About a three days walk south of the Sacred Temple. My family and domain would be honored to host Freyja's Champion no matter your decision."
Erik opened the Soul System's real-time map overlay to review the terrain and noticed the small islands that the Jarl was referring to and thought, "Gunnar is the Jarl of Stockholm?!"
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