Sindri made her way to the temple of ancient stones in preparation for their upcoming guests. Stepping into what they considered the most sacred place in the castle, known as Havardr's circle portal and the temple for the priest and priestess to perform their daily rituals. Gode spakr, the he-elk, was inside attending to the incense bowls, ensuring they remained lit until the next god or goddess took over. Dressed in a thick red robe with a white scarf draped over his shoulders, Gode spakr remained silent as he observed the arrival of the esteemed lady. Quickly, he gathered the holy robes and oils for her.
Lady Sindri made her way to the cleansing pool in the center of the stone floor, walking slowly. She removed her gown and entered the icy water, feeling her body stiffen. As she swam further in, the cool liquid enveloped her, and she took a deep breath before submerging herself. With her body now fully underwater, she opened her eyes to the sight of moss-covered stone walls and particles floating around like a galaxy of stars. After a few moments, she resurfaced, pushing herself up to the surface and climbing back up the stairs.
Gode spakr greeted Sindri with an oversized white cloak, which she used to quickly cover her naked body. He then led her to the stone of authority, where she sat on a rectangular boulder engraved with runes. As she settled on the smooth surface, the stones below began to glow red. The gode poured holy oils on her head for focus, confidence, and purification. He also burned cannabis incense around her to help her relax. Sindri's mind drifted as she encountered her old spirit animal guiding her through the past, present, and future.
As she stood there, a hooded figure approached her. The figure was blurry and not easily recognizable. Sindri squinted her eyes, trying to make out the shadowy form. Suddenly, the figure stopped and lowered its hood, revealing a majestic white lion that was both tall and terrifying. In her mind, Sindri's spirit animal spoke.
" He carries great authority, much stronger than your magic. Beware of his ways, he brings with him. They call him, zarda." It said.
The spirit animal disappeared into the fading forest as the clouds carried it back to its present state, perched upon a stone. The gode, Spakr, had already returned to his duties. It was time for him and the she-pronghorn, Gydje Trōa, to trade places. He changed back into his regular clothes - a thin linen top and matching pants, the typical attire for males, along with warrior gear. Females had more options, choosing between gowns, linen dresses, or leather warrior apparel. Gydje Trōa was already in her robes, finishing up her duties as elk priestess. She noticed Lady Sindri emerging from meditation and assisted her in preparing for a relaxing soak in the hot tub.
Located at the back right side of the circular temple, this natural hot spring was formed into the boulders themselves. Filled with hot water from an underwater spring source, Sindri dropped her robe and walked over naked to immerse herself in the tub. She submerged her head, cleansing the oils from her hair. Emerging from the water, she felt rejuvenated and mentally focused. Resting against the stone seats under the water, she closed her eyes and absorbed the comforting atmosphere. All her worries and concerns had dissipated.
With all the information at her disposal, she was ready to begin her process. Welcoming her guests, she kept a watchful eye on the formidable lion. The noble lady decided to craft a rune specifically for his arrival, hoping to win over the majestic beast. If that failed, she was prepared to use fear to control him. Uncertain of what to do next, she considered seeking guidance from a seer in due time. As daylight faded in the darkening woods, the shadows deepened beneath the canopy of trees.
The noblewoman exited the hot tub and returned to dress in her gown. After walking back, she found her husband Asger already in their sleeping hut, behind the high thrones. She got ready for bed, took off her gown again, and climbed into their comfortable bed. Asger turned over to cuddle Sindri, wrapping her in his strong arms. They peacefully drifted off to sleep through the night.
Zarda and his companions gathered around the crackling campfire, gazing up at the twinkling stars above. The children excitedly chased after tiny lightning bugs flitting among the ancient fir trees. Growing weary from hunger, Zarda decided it was time to turn in for the night. He assigned Dane and Vidar to take the first watch for the first four hours, followed by Randolf and Alvis for the next five hours until sunrise. Zarda and Osborn would stand guard for the remainder of the night, protecting their camp. The soothing sound of crickets evoked memories of Zarda's homeland, lulling him to sleep. The other animals nestled in their lean-tos, seeking much-needed rest.
After four hours had passed, Dane and Vidar woke up Randolf and Alvis to take over their posts. They exchanged greetings and quickly switched places. Dane and Vidar fell asleep without any delay. Randolf let out a yawn and stretched before taking a walk around the camp in the moonlight. Alvis leaned against a nearby tree, keeping his ears alert for any signs of unusual activity. When Randolf finished his rounds, he set off to find the elk. Meanwhile, Alvis gazed into the darkness, able to switch on his night vision at will. Whenever he heard a strange noise in the distance, his vision adjusted accordingly. He relaxed each time he realized the source of the sound was just harmless raccoons or other small creatures of the night.
Perched at the top of the tree above him was a Barred Owl, also known as the Hoot Owl. It sat silently, watching the forest floor below. Every now and then, it let out a haunting hoot that gave Alvis goosebumps. Randolf quietly moved to his right, standing watch with the bull elk for the rest of the time.
Four hours had passed, and the two vigilant guards were beginning to grow weary once more.
They were just one hour away from the shift change, and when it finally came, they were relieved to swap out. The early morning hours before sunrise found Zarda and Osborn taking over for Randolf and Alvis, who headed back to their makeshift beds of pine needles for some much-needed rest. The chilly breeze would soon give way to warmth as the sun rose, prompting the animals to emerge from their lean-tos where they had sought refuge from the dropping nighttime temperatures. Zarda and Osborn were soon joined by others around a crackling fire, but the sound of Osborn's growling stomach signaled the onset of hunger pains. It had been at least two days since their last meal.
"Oy, mate, I wish we had some more of those delicious steaks. I say we go for a quick hunt." Osborn suggested.
Zarda shook his head no. "We need to keep to the plan, as gibbs said. We're bound to reach Havardr soon. Let us find it today, if we don't, then tomorrow we set up a hunt, and stay grounded another night." Zarda replied.
Osborn's stomach was not entirely in favor of the idea, but he placed his trust in Zarda's decision. They had all developed a strange level of trust in the lion. Each member showed great respect towards Zarda, similar to the way Havardr's people viewed their high lady and lord. The group waited for the night guards to wake up, and soon they were all stirring and preparing to leave camp. Zarda made sure the fire was extinguished, and everyone dismounted their lean-tos. They packed up their belongings and began their journey towards the secret sanctuary.
This time, the creator guided Zarda to Havardr without any hesitation. His power was evident as he rested on the lion. The group of animals successfully made their way through a small clearing in the woods, where they saw smoke billowing out of chimney stacks and the scent of cooking meat wafting through the air. Everyone, including Zarda, caught a whiff of the delicious aroma. As they looked past the trees, they observed various animals going about their business inside. They remained unnoticed until a large raven above let out a loud caw.
His cry alerted the bison and moose guards, who quickly responded to the call. Unnoticed by the company, their attention had been focused on assisting the locals with various matters. Two imposing figures, a moose and a burly bison, were now standing in front of them clad in Nordic attire and armed with large wooden weapons. Zarda chuckled to himself as he reminisced about the early days of his transformation, when other kingdoms and clans had followed a similar pattern of evolution in their appearance and weaponry. Now, he found himself wearing ordinary street clothes, a stark contrast to the traditional garb of his past. Time had certainly brought about significant changes.
Havardr appeared to still hold onto ancient customs, possibly their tradition. It could also be that this was a prophecy foretold by their master that Zarda would instruct them in. Before long, High Lady Sindri joined her courageous guards and stood by the bison. Lord Asger followed close behind.
Zarda kept his hood up the whole time while observing the creatures. His face remained concealed in the darkness of his jacket. When Sindri appeared wearing a red halter top and slit skirt, his heart raced. However, not out of excitement, but out of concern. He knew she was a witch queen, her crown bearing the same eerie design as always. The only thing different was Sindri's attire, altered to appeal to Zarda. She hoped it would spark his desires and bend his will to hers.
Regrettably, the power he wielded was not his own, but bestowed upon him by the creator. No matter what she said or did, Zarda could not be harmed or swayed unless he decided to yield. Pulling back his hoodie, Zarda revealed his bright green eyes and white mane, causing Sindri to gasp and take a few steps back. The overwhelming power emanating from Zarda was so formidable that even a powerful queen like herself found it intimidating. Asger and the two guards shielded their eyes from the dazzling brightness radiating from Zarda's face.
"Welcome, zarda and company, to Havardr. I have eagerly awaited your arrival for days. Please come and feast with us, as we have prepared a meal for all of you. Surely, you must be famished after your lengthy journey. You are the most honored guests in our castle," Sindri declared.
Zarda remained vigilant, placing his trust in his master's guidance instead. As he glanced back at the hungry faces below him, he offered a reassuring smile, conveying that everything would be alright.
"Thank you. I apologize, but I don't know your name, as you know mine," responded Zarda.
Lady Sindri walked up to Zarda with a mischievous grin on her face, holding out her hand. Zarda took her hand and kissed the top of it.
"The residence of Havardr, refer to me as Lady Sindri, and standing behind me is Asger the Mighty, my lord. We extend our warm welcome to all who enter. Everyone here seems to be a familiar face, except for you. You stand out like a fish out of water, a white sheep among black sheep. I am intrigued by your story and would love to learn more over lunch. Please, join us for a meal and drinks," Sindri said with a smile in her eyes.