Valkyr led me to a large gathering of people on the square, people were running around trying to put fires out. Everyone was hands on deck, even the children were helping out. The two of us pushed through the crowed to make it into the center.
"How much sheep did we loose this time?" A heard a deep voice ask.
"Around half a dozen, most of them were taken from the initial attack. A couple ran out into the open and got grabbed."
"That's better than last time. Alright people no one died today, if you got injured go see Gothi! Everyone else, let's clean up." As the people moved out of the way, a mountain of a man was revealed to us. He wore a decorated helmet that covered his head, he had a long red beard that ended on a braid. He wore a light metal body piece that could be seen poking out of the bearskin clothes that he dawned.
"Chief!" Valkyr called out to the man. "I've got someone that wants to see you."
"Not now Valkyr, I have to help clear some of the rubble." The man turned around to us. "Oh, who is this?" He took notice of me.
"I'm Mal, I've come from the south to fulfill a decree left to me by my family." I told him.
"Decree?" The chief curiously asked. Hearing his question, Valkyr took out the scroll that I had given her. To which the chief gave a prompt read. "They sent you?" He looked me up and down.
"Chief, his family is dead." Valkyr quietly whispered.
"My condolences," The chief said, "My name is Stoick, chief of this tribe. Are you aware of the contents that this scroll contains?"
"Not really, I can't read runic. All I know is that I'll have to live here for the rest of my life or something like that." I casually said, "Oh, and that I have to recite an oath."
"That's about right." Stoick nodded. "The oath is one that promises to protect Berk and its people for the rest of your life. Are you sure you want to proceed with this?"
"Well, I've finished what I wanted to do in life. The only reason I came here was that the decree was the last thing I hadn't done for my family yet, this place looks pretty nice to settle down in too." I shrugged, "Nothing much I can complain about really."
"If you're fine with the arrangement then I have no reason to tell you not to." He gave me a pat on the back, "You can recite the oath to the village tonight. How about we get you settled in first. The decree gave you some land inheritance. Valkyr, the land is just by where your clan grounds are. It's that empty spot." He directed, "Show him there would you?"
"No problem chief." Valkyr said, she turned to me, "Do you want to bring your stuff over now?"
"Sure," The two of us walked back down by the docks. Valkyr had borrowed a cart from a fellow villager, which she insisted in dragging herself. It took a bit, but I manage to take the cart from her I was embarrassed to have someone else lug my stuff around.
As we made it to the dock's ramps, two struggling fishermen could be seen trying to lift up two heavy nets from under the water.
"Bucket, Mulch, what's wrong?" Valkyr asked.
"Perfect timing Valkyr." The two said, "And Mal too."
Mulch approached us with a smile, "We didn't know what else to do when the dragons came. So we figured to just toss the fish back into the sea and bring them back up when they left. Though it's a lot heavier than expected."
"No problem," Valkyr walked over to the nets and casually lifted them up. "It'd be a waste to lose this much fish in one day."
The duo were quite happy with the two of us, so they set aside a half barrel of fish for us. Loading the barrels and my chests, as well as helping Bucket and Mulch in storing the fish we said our goodbyes. Valkyr gave me a strange look as she watched me cart the load easily.
"You're a lot stronger than you look," She acknowledged, "How could someone with a small frame be so strong?"
"Are you really asking me that?" I said as I looked at her slender frame. Her height may contribute to her slimness, but she was a lot stronger than many warriors I knew. "You lifted two full nets of fish like they were pebbles."
" That's the least I should be able to do as the head of the Berk guard." She shrugged, "The chief can lift a boulder with one hand. If I can't do a fraction of his feats how am I to protect the village?"
We chatted as we walked, finally making it to an empty lot. It was quite large, it also had rocks that served as borders to mark the land claim.
"Here it is." She said, "It's been claimed like this for 6 generations. No one knew what it was for, but I guess it was being save just for you, well your family if they were still here."
"Thank you for bringing that up." I side eyed her, "I guess I'll be camping out here for the night."
"You still have to swear the oath in front of everyone tonight." She reminded, "how well can you drink?"
"I can hold a few." I guessed.
-
I made my way to the Mead Hall, the sun was glowing a fiery orange as it called to the night. Opening the massive doors, it creaked loudly announcing my entrance. The hall was boisterous, I saw men wrestling each other on the ground. Competitions of strength, a duel with sticks, everyone was having a good time. I looked around and saw Valkyr standing with Stoick. She still had her full suit of armor on, her face still covered in a sheet of metal.
Disappointed in not being able to see her face, I walked towards them, avoiding bodies, knives, and mugs flying around. He had a few strange looks given to him by some of the men, but they did nothing about it so he didn't interact with them.
"A I assumed that's the kid you was talking about?" A man sitting beside Stoick pointed his hooked arm at me. "I'm Gobber, the good looking one."
"Nice to me you," I laughed at his sentence. "I'm Mal, I've come from the South."
"Clear as day it is." Gobber said, "Tell me lad, are you really sure about going through with this. The oath's a big deal, especially for someone young like you. Are you sure you don't wanna reconsider it?"
"I've traveled here for a year, I think I had enough time to think," I gave him a resolute look.
"If you say so." He gave up. "I'll toast to you then."
"Everyone!" Stoick called out to the crowd. "I have an announcement to make."
The villagers hearing their chief's thunderous voice paused. They looked curiously towards our direction.
"This here is Mal," He said, "By contract between his ancestors and our first chief, he will now become one of us! As per the agreement between our ancestors, he must swear an oath to the gods to protect our people."
"Hahahahaha!" The villagers burst into laughter after hearing what Stoick had to say. "That skinny kid? I doubt he'd last a day here." One of the men said.
"Quiet!" Stoick hushed them. "This is a serious matter, this contract was made in blood. Mal, if you will." He took out a ring and gave it to me. "This is an oath ring, once you swear the oath, you must keep the ring with you as a reminder of what you have sworn. Forgotten, the gods will surely give you a harsh punishment."
I held the ring on my hand, it wasn't anything special. Just a silver ring, but since it holds a lot of significance to the oath, I'll honor it. "I Mal, swear to the gods with my life. That no matter what the future holds, what grudges I possess, that I will always put the safety of Berk first before anything else. Even at the cost of my life." I recited.
Boom!
A grumble of thunder shook the halls, as if to signify the oath in effect.
"That's it?" I asked.
"That's it." Stoick nodded, "Tonight we celenbrate!!"
"Whooo!" The vikings all yelled in excitement at the announcement. After swearing the oath, they began to treat me a little better. Although they still made fun of my size, but they offered to help train me in the arts of dragon slaying.
I was also bombarded with questions about the south and what it's like there. I took some time explaining, but the questions keep coming. Thankfully Valkyr bailed me out of it after seeing that I was getting overwhelmed.
"That's enough you dolts." She said to the men surrounding me. "He won't like you much if you all crowd him like that."
"Aww, Valkie," One of the men said, "I think Berk's Warrior princess is interested in our exotic friend." The men laughed along with him. However, they were soon shut with an agonizing hook to the face.
"I don't like that name." She coldly stated. "Come on Mal, let's get move you away from these freaks before they influence you."
I met a lot of characters that night, and drank a little too much for my own comfort. Vikings were a really hardy bunch.
After a long night of partying and drinking I had reached my limits and passed out. I fell into a deep sleep, after a whole year of searching I can finally fulfill my family's promise.