“Are you sure you’re ready?” War Shaman Hertha Korisdottir sat atop her horse next to Ethan at the gates of the wooden palisades of Skaro. “Once we leave, you are set on this path until it’s completion, for better or for worse.”

He shivered and yawned in the cold morning air. The sun was just beginning to peak over the top of the great mountain behind them, but the clouds were grey and heavy with rain. His teacher had woken him up several hours before dawn to finish preparing him. When he’d left the small shack wearing his full armor she’d sent him back to change into a simple leather jerkin and pants.

“This is a spiritual journey, physical armor won’t help you.” She’d told him when she had sent him to change.

Siv had been waiting for him in Hertha’s longhouse when he returned.

“I’m here to help you get ready.” She’d smiled deviously and brandished a razor sharp knife.

Her “help” had been to shave the sides of his head and tie his remaining hair into braids in a hairstyle similar to her own, while Hertha traced the symbols of the elements onto his bare arms and sides of his head in blue, red, green and white paint.

“You look like a true Skarobjorn.” Siv had told him, after examining her handiwork. They hadn’t stayed too late in the tavern, she’d insisted that Ethan would need his rest for the trial. But he’d enjoyed being able to relax for the first time in almost two weeks. Torag had joined them for a short time before excusing himself, wishing Ethan luck before he left.

“Yes, I’m sure.” He answered the War Shaman, momentarily distracted by the warm memory of the night before.

“Then it is time to leave.” She nodded solemnly and nudged her horse into motion.

“I missed you girl.” Ethan patted his mare gently on the neck, glad that her body warmth was keeping at least his lower half warm. His horse had been well taken care of in the stables of Skaro, but he hadn’t seen her since he first arrived in town.

The first raindrops fell from the sky as Ethan nudged his mount into motion. I know I should “thank” the Vættir of Water and Air for their “blessing” but now I’m going to be cold and wet. Ethan thought to himself as he caught up with Hertha.

“How far are we going?” He asked as his horse trotted alongside hers.

“It will take us a few hours to reach our destination.” She said, not taking her eyes off the trail.

“And where exactly is that?” He asked, hoping he wasn’t sounding impatient. Hertha had not been especially forthcoming with information about the Trial of Life, just that it would be difficult.

“The Hearg of Life.”

“What is that?”

“A hearg is a shrine, it is a sacred place.” She explained. “You visited the Hearg of the Fallen last night Siv told me, this is similar. It carries a blessing from the Spirit of Life and will enable you to reach a place where you can strengthen your connection to the Elements and with the Spirit of Life itself.”

“So more meditation.” He grimaced, still a little disappointed that his Fighter quest had involved not much actual fighting.

“I can’t say, but yes. Probably more meditation.” Hertha gave him a small half smile.

They rode in silence for several hours through the hazy forest path. The rain hadn’t started falling hard yet, but the light drizzle was more than enough. Ethan’s ceremonial leather clothes were already soaked and he was freezing. Hertha, on the other hand, had donned a thick fur lined cloak and looked to be enjoying herself.

“Are we close?” He asked, his teeth chattering.

“Not much longer now.” Hertha turned and looked at him. “Why, are you uncomfortable?”

“I’m soaking wet and freezing.” He said slightly impatiently. “I don’t have a warm cloak like you do.”

“If only there were someone you could ask that would help you warm up…” she said, trailing off at the end like it was supposed to be a hint.

Ethan sighed.

“Do you have an extra one?” He asked, feeling dumb for not having thought of asking her earlier as she was clearly implying to him.

“No. Just this one.” She said, pulling her grey fur lining closer to her neck.

“You just said to ask you.” He said, slightly annoyed.

“Did I?”

“Well you’re the only other person here.”

“Am I? Hmmm.” She looked around.

Her calm demeanor was starting to grate on his nerves. She always does this when she thinks there is something I need to learn. Why can’t she just tell me?

Realization hit him like a blow from Torag’s maul.

Spirits of Fire and Water, I am very cold and wet. May I ask for a blessing of warmth and dryness? He prayed silently.

Neither Spirit actually spoke to him, but Ethan felt a sense of amusement coming from all around him. His body felt warmer and the rain seemed to roll down his clothes instead of soaking into them. In a matter of seconds, his jerkin was dry and repelled the additional rain.

“You still have much to learn Sorry.” Hertha said to him, grinning at his success. “The Vættir are all around you and are always with you. They do more than just enhance your battle skills.”

After an hour of much more comfortable riding, Hertha reined her horse to a halt in the middle of the road.

“This is where we part ways Ethan.” She said calmly.

“How do I get to the Hearg of Life from here?” He looked around, there was no break in the forest that looked like he could ride his horse through. The trees seemed to be closer together than they had before.

“There is a small circle of runes that will open the way.” She pointed to a patch of grass that was just off the road. “You must ask the Elements for passage, but I have no doubt that they will allow you to pass into the grove.”

“Ethan, this is the last chance you have to turn back. Once you enter the Hearg of Life, you will have to remain until you have either connected with the Vættr of Life or have been rejected.” Her voice was dead serious as she stared at him. “Are you sure you wish to continue?”

Ethan nodded and dismounted wordlessly, passing the reins of his horse to Hertha’s outstretched hand.

“How will I get back?” He asked as he patted the mare’s face in farewell.

Hertha reached down, cupped his face in her hand and smiled at him. When she released him, she nudged her mount into movement and rode off without saying anything, taking his horse with her.

“Well that was helpful.” He said under his breath.

He moved cautiously through the wet knee high grass looking for the runic circle Hertha had told him would be present. It didn’t take him long to find a large granite rock that had been carved flat on top with a rune of the element of Air etched into its face. A trail of bare earth arched away from its left and right, where Ethan found the runes of Fire and Water.

Ethan knelt in the middle of the circle facing the forest with the rune stone of fire in view. The ground under him was wet and soft from the rain.

“Vættir of Earth, Air, Fire and Water, please allow me entry to the Hearg of Life so that I may understand the harmony between you and come to know the Vættr of Life as I know you all.” He prayed quietly.

When he opened his eyes he saw nothing. The forest was still exactly as it was when he’d first sat down. Ethan closed his eyes to focus and tried again.

“Great Elemental Vættir. Please, grant me access to your blessed grove so I may meditate at the Hearg of Life. It is my path to understand the harmony that exists within the Vættr of Life.”

He felt the wind pick up and the rain began to fall harder, soaking again into his garments. Ethan felt hopeful that the change in weather was a sign. But when he opened his eyes, the same view greeted him. Nothing had changed.

“Balls.” He swore quietly in annoyance.

An hour later his knees were sore from kneeling in the dirt and he was cold again. The wind had gone and the rain had slowed to a light drizzle.

Spirit of Fire, if you’re not going to help me pass to the Hearg of Life, could you warm me again?

Instantly, he was so warm he felt as though he’d stepped into the desert heat of Anvasa. Ahead of him, the stone with the rune of fire carved into it began to glow with a soft red light.

“What the hell?” He shot to his feet, confused, and looked around. The three remaining stones were still unlit. Above him, the wind picked up and shook the trees.

Spirit of Air, I sense your presence. Thank you for acknowledging me. He prayed again and the stone to his right began to emit a soft white light.

Ethan leaned forward and placed his palms into the grass.

Spirit of Earth, ever present and solid. I feel you supporting me and offer my gratitude. Green light began to glow from the stone to his right as he sat up straight. Eyes still closed, he focused on the water dripping down his body from the rain.

Spirit of Water, your gift of rain is life sustaining. Thank you. I am glad of your calming influence.

Ethan opened his eyes and looked behind himself. The last rune was now glowing blue. When he turned back towards the forest he could see a very small light coming from between the trees. Slowly the light came closer, strangely it seemed to cast no shadows on the trees around it.

When the light reached the very edge of the forest, Ethan could see it seemed to be the same color as the four stones at once but also none of them.

“MOVE..move...move...move” All four elemental spirits whispered into his mind at once, he could only barely tell the difference between each one. But their direction was clear.

His legs strained from kneeling for so long as he stood up and his left foot had fallen asleep. But he only limped for a couple of steps before he found his footing. The light pulsed with welcome, urging him forward.

Ethan paused a few yards from the light, certain about his intentions but wanting to gather his thoughts.

“MOVE..move...move...move” the spirits whispered to him again, encouraging him on.

With a deep breath, Ethan stepped forward into the bright, warm light.