Chapter One

Lightning Cracks across the sky as Rain fell from the thick Dark Storm clouds, The Training Grounds, Muddy from the rain, Lied Erik Halvor. The son of Duke Ulf. He stared at the sky, His cheek stinging having been Disarmed and Backhanded By His father. Erik had turned 20 today, And this was His Father's Tradition. A duel and If Erik won He would get a Present. Erik did not win. Ulf Stared down at his son, Ulf's Long Brown beard, Straight and defined, As Stalwart as his father was, Ulf was a Tall man, As Tall Brown Bear On its hind legs. Strong, Built like A Viking, Ulf spoke, His voice Deep and gruff "Get up, Boy. Yet another year, You didn't even make me sweat." Ulf said as Erik looked off to the right, Where his Axe had landed in the fence Post. Ulf is the Apostle of Heimdall, The Blessing of Heimdall Granted it's Wielder Foresight, A Vision of the future of up to Ten seconds, And Greatly Enhanced Senses, Ulf had been Heimdall's Apostle for nearly 30 years, Taken the mantle from his father when Ulf Was 20. Erik got up out of the mud he could feel the swelling in his cheek, Erik looked at his father, It felt like he was Looking at a wall he couldn't climb, A Living reminder of Everything he is not. Erik spoke, His Voice strained and Full, "It might be easier to Strike you if you couldn't see my Moves before I think them." Erik said to his father, Ulf frowns a bit, And Responded in Kind, "Sounds Like one Hell of An Excuse. When I was your age, My Father and I would have regular duels, I kept him on his toes even while he had the blessing of Heimdall." Ulf said walking over and his big hand grabbed the Axe out of the fence Post, and he walked back to Erik, And set it in his hands "Keep Practicing. Maybe work on your Strength a bit. You look more like A Scribe than a Warrior." Ulf said with a laugh and walked off leaving Erik Standing alone in the rain, Erik isn't the tallest, He is only as Tall As Your average Soldier, His Muscles weren't the biggest, Despite his Training. He did have long Brown hair and Decent Goatee, Fairly handsome thanks to his mother's Looks, But these attributes won him no Awards. He dusts his Tunic off and walks off to the Baths. See, Halvor Blood, He was expected to Take on The Blessing Of Heimdall, His Father has it. And before Ulf, It was His Grandfather. And Before his Grandfather it was His Great Grandfather, Halvor had always been the Apostle of Heimdall, Erik had to live up to the name. Yet he could barely Take on a Pack of Direwolves, He knows the soldiers talk about him behind his back, Even the Maids gossip, Erik had skill in the axe, Just like his father, And who was supposed to take the blessing in his stead? His Brother, Knud? Knud Is 17, And Erik's Exceptionally More talented Younger Brother, Knud Wields a Spear and was good enough to make Ulf Sweat, Knud Is Taller than Erik, Knud often went on hunts with the soldiers to hunt the Demon Bears That Plague the forests, Knud was Cordial to Erik, Yet Knud wanted to be the next Apostle. Much to Erik's Dismay, Almost everyone seemed to think that was the way it was going down. As Nobles don't bother kissing Erik's Ass.

Erik Finished Bathing and dressed in a clean white tunic and some Pants, passing by his Axe. Earlier, His Father During the duel had completely outclassed him. Erik picked the Axe up and saw his reflection in the Edge of the Axe. Reflecting on The Duel, Erik could see his flaw, He wasn't strong enough. An Axe That could Cleave a Bear's Skull. Erik didn't have a Bear's Strength, Not yet. So he wasn't strong enough to stagger his Father, He wasn't Fast enough with one Axe to keep his Father on his guard. Erik smiles a solution to came to his mind. He walks down to the Armory where the General, A Ljósálfar, Or more Commonly known as a Light elf, By the Name of Vaeloria Ever-Bloom, She is 371 years old, She had sharp Pointy Ears, long Blonde Hair, Not a Single wrinkle on Her Stunning Face, Yet sharp Yellow Irises, Like a Predator's In the knight, Especially as they fell on Erik, The general crossed her arms "Can I help you this evening, Erik?" She inquired, Not addressing him formally, As Erik may have Messed up a Year ago. By making a big scene and Confessing his love for Vaeloria, But Vaeloria Utterly Crushed his heart by rejecting him flat out, No ifs, Ands, or buts about it. Erik smiles awkwardly "I uh just need another Axe, General Ever-Bloom." He said, Vaeloria sighs "Did you break another one?" Vaeloria said walking over to the wall of weapons, And grabbing a Simple Dane Axe, Erik laughs a bit as he is handed the weapon testing it's feel in his hand "No. I just need another one." Erik said as he looked at her, She raised an eyebrow, she moved her lips to question more before simply exhaling "Whatever. It is late, Young Lord. You should Return to your chambers." She then stalked off and went back to doing inventory. Erik returned his room, Feeling the Hand of Both Dane Axes in his hands and something about it made him smile, As if it felt right.

Over The next Week, Erik had been training non-Stop, For once in a Year he felt like he was making actual Progress. His mother was watching him, From the balcony, His mother was a sweet Woman, Ulf's Wife who held the name of Dagny, isn't a fighter, Simply a Maiden who fell in love with Ulf, and Had his children. She has Long Auburn hair and Green eyes that Erik inherited unlike Knud who inherited his Father's Dark Brown Eyes. Dagny was watching her son with intent he had been working Harder than usual, And Mother's like her tend to worry about Abnormalities. Ulf looked up from his desk at Dagny who was standing in the balcony, He huffs a bit "Dear. Let the Boy Train. It's good for him, In spirit And Body." Ulf insists. Dagny nods a bit "I know, Darling." She paused for a moment before turning to Ulf "Can't you give him some guidance? I know you are busy, But he is your son." Dagny said as she strides over behind Ulf and Put her hands on his Shoulders as he sat. Ulf grumbles incoherently "Ill think about it."

Meanwhile, At the Training Grounds, Erik is Learning his new Style of Duel Wielding. He spins striking the training dummy repeatedly with his Dane Axes, When a spear flies from out of nowhere, Piercing straight through the base of the Training Dummy. Erik paused wiping sweat from his brow and looked back at the Assailant. His Brother Knud. Who stood tall and smiles "Brother. You've been training hard, Forgive my Intrusion" The Apology was worth about as much as the water He bathed in. Erik nods as Knud Picked his Spear up from the dirt "I see you've been improving. It's been a while since we had a Duel." Knud said with a chuckle, Last time Erik and Knud Faced off, It was over a Maiden, Erik had been determined to take down Knud, But Knud had Been practicing with a weapon Erik was not used too, An atgeirr. A Heavy type of Spear, And Erik was utterly Defeated in 3 moves. Knud had warned praise, The Lady's Favor, and Humiliated Erik. All Around Win For Knud. Knud was Taller Than Erik, More Muscular, Longer Silkier hair, Dark brown eyes and a Fuller beard. "So how about it?" Knud said with a sly grin at Erik, His Eyes narrowing "A Duel?" And Erik, Clenched his Dane axes "Very Well. A friendly spar It is."