《Echoes of Valhalla》Chapter 36; Lady Phoenix
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While they were off filling their flagon with the sweet, frothy beverage of mead, Saga spotted Yrsas two sons; Orm and Arlan. The little rascals were sneaking away from their mother towards the kitchen, using the their mother being distracted with talking to some guests to make their escape. Deciding it would be poor form not to chaperone the two menaces as they no doubt were up to no good, Saga let their legs carry them in such a direction that they cut in front of the two just as they reached a door.
“Hello” They said to the two as kids froze mid step, eyes wide. They stared up at Saga who gave them both a confident smile. Realization dawned on the kids as they their brains struggled with recollecting the face they seen not to long ago.
“You are the berserker” Orm said a hint of reverence in his words. Saga would lie if they said they didn't appreaciate the sudden amazement in the boys manners. They never been one to impress anyone before. Not even little kids. And kids were regularly amazed by things to begin with.
“My name is Saga. We met just half an hour ago. So, whats behind that door hm?” They inquired and the tone and the bodylanguage of the two immidetly shifted to go on the defensive, the way only a kid with their hand in the cookie jar could.
“Oh. Uh. Nuffin’” Arlan said, picking up where his brother had failed.
“Nothing huh. So you won’t mind me just leaning against this door, barring your way.” Saga said with a knowing grin. Both of the kids stared at them, trying to figure out how to get this sudden obstacle out of the way of their plans. Saga just grinned and pointed to the boys mother, who had now realized the two had slipped out of her grasp. She was approaching with those fast heavy steps every mother perfected over the years. The kids froze before throwing Saga an evil, turning to face Yrsa. But before the two could get a earful from her, she was picked up by the waist by a man with light brown skin and short black hair. His clothes marked him as a merchant rather then a warrior or similair and Yras mood shifted from exasperated to delighted. The man put her down before the two shared a brief kiss. Then he turned to the two boys and pointed to a smaller table. “Go. Eat. I can only save you once a day. My fatherly powers are not infinite” He said with a chuckle as they scampered towards the table. His eyes then turned to Saga.
“The Berserker I heard about.” He soke with a voice that sounded different then most Northerners. Most had a a bit of a clip to them, with a emphasis on keeping each word as short as possible. This mans voice draw out each word with a slight flourish.
“Saga.” They offered a hand and he shook it.
“Arman. Lucky husband of Yrsas and captain of the Reavers Gift.” His voice had a almost musical lil to it and his eyes were a startling deep gold. It took them a second to realize they had the same spark as Olgas.
“Fey-Touched, right?” Saga asked as they noticed the similairities.
“Aye. Albeit not from the same place or linage as your companion. I come from the Sun Coast, we are quite a bit more common then the Shaded rocks.” He said in that saw, lilting voice. It was quite pleasant on the ears, Saga had to admit. They idly wondered if he knew how to sing. There was aword or a name that stood out to them however.
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“Shaded rocks?”
“That would be the small chain of islands of the North Eastern cost, where my family hail from” Sashas voice carried over the now increasingly loud din of guests. She had soundlessly strolled up to Sagas side with them even realizing. “Hello Arman. Been a while.”
“Always a pleasure Sasha” Arman bowed his head. “How's the Auntie. Still a hardass”
“She got worse over the years.” Sasha laughed softly and Arman winched with sympathy
“Well. Your family is always welcome around me and mine, and that foes for you new…. Friend.” He said while giving Saga knowing smile. Saga felt a flush creep up her neck as Sasha squeezed them in a hug.
“I know Arman. As always, I am thankful for all the help you have provided me.” Sasha said, voice soft and grateful as she leaned her head against Saga. “I am hungry. Shall we eat? Or are you planning on talking to everyone here. I never took you for the super social kind, Sweet Tooth.”
“I am really not.” Saga insisted and was quite amazed with the fact that had yet to freak out to badly from all the attention. The two slipped away with an apologetic nod before finding a spot at the end of the table, near to where Attrid was now seated. Oglaf and Ignrid raised their flagons in greeting as they arrived, and they saw Lenara half leaning on some handsome warrior a few seats away, apparently deep in her cups. Attrid was out of his armor, but he was no less massive for it. He sat on what looked more of a throne then a regular chair and looked out over the feast hall with a cup of wine in his hand. He had a look of restrained pride to him, as he surveyed his friends, family and various trusted allies. As Saga sat down, his attention fell on them and Saga looked up to meet his gaze.
“Berserker”: He said, with a voice that cut trough the din like a hot knife. People stopped talking, eyes turning to Saga and Attrid.
“Uh... Yes?” Saga hesitated, the attention a sudden blanket over them. Attrid cracked a small smile.
“You realize you are the subject of celebration at this feast, yes?” The massive old warrior inquired
“me? I mean, I heard you were holding a feast at the safe return of your Son.” Saga answered a touch more nervously then beofre. This was getting to the point where she needed to be several drinks deeper to manage the discomfort. There was to much attention aimed at them with the master of the household talking directly to them. And praising them on top of that.
“Aye. Part of it, I am no doubt glad to see my son back home and alive. But is also for you, a new ally of our great city, and friend of my son. Someone born for battle. A true warrior. A person of strong heart and soul.” He raised his cup as he rose to his feet. IT was a shift of weight that felt suddenly titanic. The man looked even bigger, standing the slightly raised floor that held his seat. “Here is to Saga Ljunborg, Friend of the Angars, Berserker and Deathsworn. Long may the halls Echo with their name” As he spoke his voice took on a powerful, booming resonance that didn't feel entirely normal. As if subtle magic was in the air. A cheer rose immidietly as everyone present raised their own cups, flagons and glasses. Sagas eyes widened as they saw their new friends, and people they never met before. All of them stood, all of them had their drinks raised up into the air. And as one, they bellowed the words.
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“Let them Echo forever!” And Saga felt the magic, palpable and strange. They could have sworn they saw three women within the hall, all standing, watching them. All just barely visible, half in shadow. And it felt as time became a thread, woven and intricate but fragile. And sage felt something stretching that thread taught and plucked on it like it was an guitar string. And then it was gone, the moment
As they plunged back into the normal flow of things, the festivities was now in full swing. Food of every kind was being consistently brought to the table, and Saga felt they could not even remember what it was they had just experienced. Instead they joined Sasha as both both attacking the buffet with gusto.
As the evening progressed, Saga was was getting increasingly red in the face from both drink and embarrassed insecurity at all the attention they were getting. Luckily Sasha kept making sure they were always kept afloat and didn’t flounder to badly when people introduced themselves or asked them about their stay. About half an hour into the proper festivities, the doors opened and a face they hadn’t seen all day appeared to peek inside. Ordan slipped in with hands outstretched to his side and bowed while people hollered and cheered. Saga lifted a flagon toward him about to call him over when a woman stepped in behind him. She was older, with a deeper, darker skin that was marred with grey, crackling patches of clearly necrotized skin. She was being helped down the short stairs by a man that could only be Ordans brother. Attrid got up and moved over to greet them, bowing slightly as he shook the woman's arm.
“Indrada. You honor me with your presence.” He said, his voice low and respectful and his body language screamed of reverence towards this person who look so small compared to him. But the way she carried herself, she might as well be the tallest person here. Saga felt their own posture straighten just by observing the woman. The way she let her eyes sweep across the room, the way those old eyes were as sharp as daggers, Saga had no doubt of how dangerous this woman must be to cross. And how difficult it must be to even consider it. As she looked over to Saga the berserker froze and felt as if they were being pinned in place. Then those eyes returned to Attrid, full of warmth and friendship.
“Nonsense. My husband loved you as a brother, and I consider you my brother in law as as such, you and yours are family.” Indrada said and patted his massive hand assuringly. “Is this the young warrior my lad speaks of?” She said as she nodded. Saga stood, suddenly hyper aware of the attention again. The woman strode over the berserker and smiled up at them. Saga felt as if they were staring into a raging furnace. The woman had a intensity to her they had never felt before, it was like trying to hold a conversation with the sun.
“I can certainly see the fire.” She spoke, her voice held a bit of amusement and sounded almost curious.
“Pardon?” Saga blinked.
“The fire you carry within you. It’s still a modest blaze, more of a kindling really. But give it time.” She said with a wry smile. “I am Indrada Baranni Kandesses.” IT was the the smile that immediately put things in place for Saga. Ordan was more smug then wry, but when he smiled he certainly looked a lot like his mother.
“You're Ordans mother?” Saga blinked. This woman who carried herself like she could stare down and shame a dragon into giving up its gold, was the mother of Ordan who could not pass alehouse or a gambling then without vanishing inside for an hour.
“That I am. As well as Karim, his older, less bothersome brother.” She said and Ordan feigned looking hurt while Karim simply laughed softly into his hand. “I heard he had been instructing you in the basic principles behind magic use?” She continued, ignoring her two son as her attention was solely focused on
“Yes. It's slow going, there was an accident and well. Its doesn’t seem to my thing, frankly.”
“Nonsense” She said with a smile. “Ordans affinity is Fire and Air. He did what he could, but you started late in your life, and he does not have the understanding of how your particular spiritual affinities interact with one another. Death and Rebirth are twins, they are tied and link to one another in a way none of the others do." The woman held sagas hands in their own and Saga felt a slight tingle of power that felt familiar run up their arm.
“Oh? Well I know Rebirth is rare though.” They said as the feeling intensified. It reminded them of when they had gazed to deeply into the runic test stone.
“IT is. I don't meet many others that have it.” Indrada confirmed with a knowing smile and Saga found themselves suddenly undertstanding what that feeling was. Their Rebirth Affinity was linking and interacting with Indradas own. Meaning they shared that very rare affinity.
“Wait. Are you also a rebirth affinity?” Saga asked, somewhat amazed.
“Fire and Rebirth, yes.” She nodded and removed her hands, still smiling.
“That is why she is known as the fenix.” Attrid said which earned him a roll of the woman's eyes as she turned and jabbed a finger at him.
“I am known as no such thing. You and my husband tried to make it stick and it never did. Give it up.” She turned back to Saga. “Please do not pay our host any mind Saga.”
“Oh. I know the feeling.” Saga said with a chuckle “At least it isn’t sweet tooth.”
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