Chapter 10 - Sidestory: Origins of the 'Blood-Oath'

Ten year old Crence

“Crence, did you listen to me?” (Shishou)

“Of course I did, my Master.” (Crence)

Master was one hot dwarven babe, a little bit higher than me, but that would change in the years to come. Strong but tender muscles, beautifully braided red hair, and the voice of a goddess. I've completely fallen for her.

She was hired to be my tutor and taught me how to fight, and - what was most important to my parents - some common sense, which I apparently lacked.

[Father, Mother...thank you for this wonderful present. I found the woman I'll lose my virginity to. There is the matter of the difference in age but it isn't that important.]

“Then please recite what I just told you.” (Shishou)

I did as asked. The topic was the national epic of the war that gave birth to our country nearly three millennia ago.

The Continent of Verol is home to a multitude of different races. Originally it was the domain of the demi-humans; elves, dwarves, beast-races and some other, more unintelligible escapades of nature. Fighting for supremacy over the lands, the Dwarven Alliance had a tough time fending themselves off against the Elven Kingdom and the Beast-Warrior-Tribes who formed a pact against them. Their natural disposition as denizens of the forests created a mutual understanding between them regarding the matter of who the enemy was: The damn bastards who'd burn down their habitats just for the sake of mining ores.

In this desperate struggle one dwarven lord made a decision with serious consequences after the other lords came to the conclusion that his province was not defendable and had to be abandoned. He sought out aid from overseas.

It was a scandal. Up until now the Continet of Verol was considered a closed space and, even though they fought between each other, they'd band together against foes from the outside.

In his search for help he could only turn towards a race, so ugly that you'd want to puke. The same height as the elves, yet with a somewhat more sturdy build. Although they resembled the vile tree-worshippers they had the heart at the right place, for they understood the true meaning of life: Silver, gold, and the best of all: Mithril. The three metals embodying the three great virtues of camaraderie, passion, and strength.

When the lord was first searching for help, all human kingdoms turned him down. Not oblivious to the political situation, they had no desire to sacrifice their troops on verolean soil. Each time an envoy came back, the only thing in his package would be an official letter of sincerest apologies and the utmost respect for their people as well as a question of whether a trade agreement would be possible after the war.

However, just when the lord in question was ready to give up, a certain human delegation came back with the promise to help if they'd get a place to settle in. It was a tribe of nomads, warriors who'd use two-handed swords and axes in battle. Initially, the lord didn't want to accept that offer, since he only wanted soldiers and no settlers. The emergency of the situation didn't leave him much of a choice though, and he was pressed to welcome them in the end. Nearly 2800 people came to his aid. Not that much of a number but it was still enough to unsettle the other demi-humans on Verol.

Using human mercenaries in their bloody wars was not uncommon up to this date. But inviting troops from a foreign power was a novelty that shocked the entire continent. The dwarven lord in question was shunned for his decision by his allies and enemies alike. A temporary truce was signed until the humans, who dared to set foot on Verol, and the traitor who brought them in, were punished.

Their armies were closing in, convinced of a swift victory and filled with the belief that this would only be an intermezzo until they could slash at each other again.

The people of the dwarven lord were already cursing the name of their liege and had lost all hope. But they were dwarves and would meet their end with pride and not on the run like cowards.

The lord himself was in anguish over the tragedy that has befallen his life. His wife committed suicide out of shame for him and his sons were already slain in battle or by the hands of assassins; the end was nigh.

They didn't know who they had invited...the first wave of humans sent out word to the rest of their people: “This land has been given to us by our new brethren. Let us honour them. Come and help.”

And they came. The shores were full of their ships and masses of humans landed on Verol. More than one hundred thousand souls heeded the call, the nomads were here.

During the siege of the last citadel they finally arrived, on their white banners nothing else than the lettering 'Redness from the West', stating their origin. Swinging their mighty swords they rushed into battle and freed the encircled stronghold.

With their help the coalition troops were repelled in one massive battle and had to withdraw.

After this, the dwarven lord officially cut ties to the other dwarven brother-nations and welcomed the nomads as well as giving the hand of his last remaining daughter into the hands of the most powerful nomad.

“With this our human-dwarven Kingdom of Brenai was born.” said Crence while taking a edifying pose.

“So...did I do good, Master?”

“I'd say you get about 60 points. Up until now you have more or less only recited the 'Brenai-Epoch'. What I want to know is whether you have internalized the true historical circumstances besides the romanticism displayed in the epoch?”

“Oh yes, I did. I even remembered the exact words you used.”

“Then please go on.”

“That's what they tell their children...” began Crence once again and went on with the task.

First of all, there wasn't a landing of 100000 nomads on the shores of Verol. In reality they came over the course of three years and in the end accounted for such a huge number. This is what really set the other factions on the continent off, after they realized the enormity of what was happening. In the beginning they only demanded from the dwarven lord, whose real name has been lost with time (we just call him Brewion), to send the humans back.

Brewion didn't listen to the demands at all. From the beginning the reason to invite the human nomads wasn't to save his lands but rather to use them as a cheap labour force in his mines.

Naturally, battle ensued over this and he was swiftly brought into a tight position. Only at the very end did he propose to arm the humans as a last resort. Up until then the humans hadn't really fought. In exchange he'd grant them citizen-rights and freedom. This is why the stories would always tell about the sudden appearance of a one hundred thousand man strong army during the last siege.

Also, the battle wasn't swiftly decided either.

The reality was a bloody massacre on both sides. The nomads were desperate to find a new home because there was no future for them on the human continent, which they had fled in the first place. The war would have went on if the Eternal Black Demon Empire didn't invade Verol and thus everyone was forced to turn their eyes towards this new enemy.

It is more reasonable to say that the formation of Brenai was only possible because there was an even greater threat to fight against and their participation in the war against the demons eventually earned this new human-dwarven kingdom it's right of existence on Verol. Not to mention that the continent's integrity had already been lost through the occupation of the demonic invaders from the east.

“Crence, I am pleased to notice that you listened to me. Did you know that your parents actually warned me to be strict with you? They said you weren't much of a student...how wrong they were.”

“Master, I ingrain each and every one of your words and actions into my memory. Don't worry about me not paying attention to you. That won't ever happen.”

I put on my most boyish and sincere face to underline my words. A technique I learned by watching my father when he wanted to do it with mother.

“That is really good.” replied Shishou with a knowing smile that would tell every onlooker (in this case me) that she clearly knew about my intentions. Her right hand was tilted in a certain degree to display the classical gesture of a femme fatale willing to toy with her prey without ever touching it. [Just you wait...I'll make you acknowledge me as a real man and not only a mere toy.]

“Then listen very well to my next words.” she said in a vexing tone. “This regards the 'Blood-Oath' that everyone having his coming of age ceremony in our kingdom has to know by heart, since at the age of 15 he or she has to pledge to fight off any threat to the crown and the people, if he wants to be a Brenai.

The reason why it's a 'Blood-Oath' in particular is two-fold.

There is a historical reason. The war didn't end with the interference of the human nomads at the last siege. It continued on for quite some time after this.

What happened here was the creation of a new human-dwarven kingdom through continuous battle. The two races fought together and shed their blood on the same battlefields until their were literally wading through the blood of their fallen comrades.

That experience gave birth to the 'Ballad of the Deceased' and the more macabre song 'I mistook my hacked off hand with my right hand man's one' that are prominently portrayed in the 'Brenai-Epoch'.

Having two different races merging together into one country isn't as easy as it sounds and there was a need for a unifying legend that somewhere deep down we shared the same blood to somehow compensate for our differences and prevent future conflicts along the racial borders. That is the second reason. The Brenai as people can only exist because of this ideology.

The 'Blood-Oath' isn't just a compilation of pretty words. These are the words you say when you accept that you are part of a new race: The Brenai. Everyone not willing to say these words has no place in our kingdom and has to leave us when he turns 15. Remember that well.

Now tell me the 'Blood-Oath' as it is demanded in the coming of age ceremony. You know it, don't you? These words are essential for our existence, after all.” (Shishou)

Of course i knew those words. To do it right you also had to follow a strict ritual.

“On these battlefields, we have spilled our blood and our innards together until it mixed and started to flow through our veins again. I hereby pledge on my blood that is flowing through the veins of my brethren: Honour be upon them through my actions.

I swear loyalty towards the Crown, which defends the name of the Brenai and their peace. My name is Crence Ohnwald.” [I also swear to make you my woman.] This part she didn't hear. It was only meant for me.

I even performed the right gestures and intonations while reciting the 'Blood-Oath' and was sure that I got it right. Visibly anxious, I watched her assessment of my recital.

“Not bad. But you have to get rid of the lecherous look in your eyes. The oath will be held in a demure atmosphere. It is very ceremonial and you will also perform a ritual of blood-bonding with the people present. There is no room for such thoughts there. Keep that in mind.

By the way, next time we will talk about the elven involvement in the Black Incursion. For today we have talked enough about the topic.”

I bowed after Shishou finished the lesson. Just when she was about to leave the room I stopped her and asked:

“Master, can I get something as a reward? You said it wasn't bad.”

“Hoo~...what do you have in mind?”

“I-if possible I'd like to touch the fluff on your face.”

“...”

End of Sidestory

Sorry it took me so long. I have the next chapter already more or less written. i just need to come up with a good way to connect the separate parts with each other.