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class solo

“Rhag’na,” Odinag called out as he walked into the small open meadow where Rhag’na was currently hacking away at a tree. Upon hearing his father’s voice, Rhag’na stopped and turned to face him planting the sword into the snow in front of him and putting both hands on the pommel. Sweat dripped down his face and back and he used his shoulder to wipe the droplets falling from his face. The rest of him would get a good hot bath once he had completed his training. Until then the sweat helped cool his body down from all the exertion and strain.

“Yes father,” Rhag’na replied.

“You are coming of age my son; I think it is time for you to choose the path you wish to follow.” Odinag walked over to a stump and cleared the snow before taking a seat facing his son.

“I think my choice is obvious, I will be a sentinel just like you father.” It was obvious to him at least what his choice out to be, he did not see himself doing anything else than following in his father’s footsteps. He had other options of course but he was not interested in them at all.

“I think that choice is not as easy as you believe it is Rhag’na. There is something I must tell you before you step into those shoes.”

Rhag’na twirled a shoulder; he didn’t know what his father could possibly be speaking about. He was not interested in anything else. He had never been able with the bow, he was not a familiar person, nor was he good at throwing anything or with his fists. He was a swordsman simple as that. Unless his father meant a whip or even some sort of lance? No, those were also out of the question for Rhag’na.

“We never speak much of your mother…” Odinag began as he watched his son with one eye.

“Mother died a long time ago; I don’t think it is worth mentioning really.” He didn’t hate his mother, but she was not a present figure in his life and he held no emotions or feelings for her. She was simply someone who had brought him into the world and it ended there. He did not think of her as his mother. There was nothing more to it than that. He’d never met her and so could not love her even if his father did.

“Rhag’na, your mother was a very high class Fortress in her time. She was very skilled with the shield; I think you need to think about that. I have her shield if you wish to have it… I think you need to know a bit more about her family.”

So his mother was a shield bearer, nope he still felt nothing for her. He didn’t know what to feel about the whole thing really. Part of him didn’t care, he wanted to be done with this subject and never speak of it again. A part of him was curious though, he’d never met anyone related to his mother and his father usually didn’t like speaking about the whole thing. It made Rhag’na wonder why his father was bringing it up now. Did he want Rhag’na to go and see them? He’d never left their group before and had no plan to do so either…

“I really don’t believe this is necessary.” Rhag’na commented, looking away for a brief second.

“Rhag’na,” Odinag stood up walking over to his son and putting a heavy hand on his shoulder. “I believe it is necessary for you to know. I am not asking you today to make this decision, but the ceremony is coming up and you will need to make a decision at your coming of age. I just wish for you to make the right decision.”

“Are you trying to push me away father?” Rhag’na didn’t know why else his father would utter those words.

“No,” Odinag said in a lowered voice. Rhag’na felt this was all very suspicious. “Rhag’na don’t look into it much. I just wish for you to know your family as a whole.”

“Why the sudden interest father? Usually you are pretty tight lipped about these kinds of things.” Rhag’na wanted to know why his father was so pushy about the whole thing.

“Never mind Rhag’na. Do not worry yourself.” Odinag gave Rhag’na a small smile with a few pats on the shoulder before moving out of the small clearing. It left Rhag’na wondering what in the world was happening. First Tryston and now his father was acting weird? Something was happening, something big but he didn’t know what. He’d spoken to Tryston’s father… Perhaps someone had seen him and now his father knew something he did not? He would not allow harm be done to his father.

-----------------------------------------

Rhag’na stared at the ground as he listened to the chants of the Brothers around him and the drums. He was covered in a thick fur coat head down so no one could see who he was. There were two other sons also with him, one in front and one in back who were also doing their coming of age ceremony. They all marched to the pace of the thundering drums, a slow beat that weighed heavily on them. Each of them also carried their weapon of choice hidden within the coat as well.

The first son went first once his name was called. He stepped forward and kneeled down before words were uttered and he presented his family shield. Rhag’na couldn’t see but he knew what his brother had chosen as a weapon. Once accepted by the elder, he shuffled off to receive his tattoo welcoming him into the Brotherhood. Rhag’na mentally wished him luck and asked the gods to be in his favor, he wished for them to protect him in the future. Now it was Rhag’na’s turn.

The ice man stepped forward when his name was called and kneeled down.

“Rhag’na, son of Odinag, we are gathered here today to hear the weapon of choice and to officially welcome you into the brotherhood. So tell us brother, what weapon have you chosen?”

Rhag’na pushed his father’s sword through the cape and out into the cold.

“I have chosen the sword of my father, brother.” He replied, eyes still cast down.

“We welcome you swordsman Rhag’na,” The elder removed the hood from his face first and then completely removed the cloak to reveal his bare upper body. “Go now, receive the mark of the brotherhood.” The man laid a heavy hand on his shoulder before Rhag’na finally stood up and nodded solemnly to the elder and moved on to the other awaiting brother.

“So where ya want your tattoo son?” The man asked him as he took a seat.

“Left pectoral. I want it to be seen at all times.”

“Aright, settle in.” The man began his work and Rhag’na locked his jaw at the pain.

Odinag stepped towards his son, smile on his face as he nodded at him. “Your mother would be proud.” He said and Rhag’na felt he would have said more if the other man hadn’t been there with them.

“I’m sure she would have.” Rhag’na replied after a few moments of digesting what his father said.

“Probably furious that you had not chosen the shield as she has.” Odinag chuckled.

“Frela would have been mad indeed,” the other man said chuckling.

“You knew my mother?”

“Why yes, it’s hard not to notice a woman like that.”

Both men chuckled but Rhag’na ignored them. He didn’t know anything about his mother, had she even stayed at camp? It sounded like she had. His father was acting weird.

“Well my choice is made; even if she had been here she would not have changed my mind.”

He liked using the sword as a weapon, he felt good and secure with a blade in hand. He was also quite skilled at it considering he’d been using one for as long as he could remember. He knew that he had picked the right weapon for him and if the Gods did not think so then they could strike him down if it so pleased them. Until that day happened, he would not dwell on what his mother, who he did not know, would have thought for not following in her footsteps.

“All done.” The man tapped him on the shoulder and stood up. Rhag’na gently moved his pec while looking down. “It’ll take a few days to heal so take care.”

“Thanks.” Rhag’na stood up and grabbed his shirt to put it on.

“Have fun at the feast, get drunk and enjoy your welcome.”

“I will.” Rhag’na didn’t drink in excess, but he knew his other Brothers would and eh would watch them from far. There were far too many odd things happening tonight for him to drown out everything. Tomorrow he needed to start the day on the right foot.

Rhag’na lay awake, staring into the darkness for the better part of an hour now. He had waiting for the noise in camp to settle down and for his father to fall asleep. Now all he could hear were the soft snores which meant the older man was asleep. Swiftly but as quietly as possible, Rhag’na threw the covers off of himself and stood up. He’d gone to sleep fully dressed in preparation for this. He grabbed his bag and took his clock before quietly slipping out of their tent. Everyone looked to be asleep so far, Rhag’na moved through the shadows.

The tent of the bookkeeper was quiet and the lights were out, Rhag’na waited a good few minutes straining his earing to see if the man was possibly still awake but it didn’t seem to. Covering his head with a hood and then a bandanna for the lower half of his face, Rhag’na glanced around before gently pushing the flaps of the tent open and then stepping inside. The man was asleep to the side on his tent on a bed, his makeshift desk was full of books but Rhag’na already knew which one he needed to take for the records.

Grasping the lightest book, he made his way out again and then slipped into the night into the forest not too far from the camp. As quickly as he could manage he lit his candle and leafed through the book to find the names and missions of those still gone. There were dark streaks across some of the names, Rhag’na flipped through the pages and found Tryston name with a line across it.

“You’re going to stand up very quickly and not make any sudden moves,” came a dark voice from behind him. It was his father. He felt the heavy weight of a sword on his shoulder.

“Father it’s Rhag’na,” he lifted up his hands and removed the bandeau from his face.

“Rhag’na? Why are you out sneaking? And why do you have a record with you in the middle of the night?” Rhag’na stood then and faced his father. It was all or nothing.

“There’s a conspiracy going on father, Tryston was murdered by one of our own.”

“Don’t utter such words Rhag’na!” Odinag said in a low tone. “You are in danger.”

“But father, we cannot allow this to go on!” Why was his father ignoring what he was telling him?

“Listen to me Rhag’na,” Odinag stepped closer and grabbed his son by the shoulder. “You must find your mother’s family. I thought you would take the hint. You must go to them now; I did not think you would be this far down the hole. I thought I had more time… Look for the Hladgerd Clan.”

Then Odinag did something Rhag’na thought he would never see his father do. The man pushed him back making him stumble and then pointed his sword at him.

“I’ve found the thief,” he yelled as he stared down Rhag’na.

“Father?” Rhag’na took a step towards him but Odinag swung making him step back.

Two men came running into the woods and looked surprised to see Rhag’na.

“The thief is one of our own? That’s interesting. Didn’t take you for that type Rhag’na. Are you going to hand over the book now?”

Rhag’na glanced at his father and knew he had no choice. If he wished to see another day he had to live and warn Tryston. He threw the book at the two men before turning and running. He was he supposed to find a family he had ever met before?

The bothers did not follow him into the woods, Rhag’na did not know why but he figured his father had had something to do with it. So Rhag’na ran to the nearest village. With only his sword, he didn’t have much to go on. Still he found a tavern and asked around. They would come for him eventually, but not in the night. No that would be stupid of them. Rhag’na found little information on his mother’s family but enough to secure him a ride to a village that they supposedly lived in. By the time the sun was up, Rhag’na was exhausted but he’d made it to the village and now stood in front of their door.

Taking a deep breath, Rhag’na knocked once. And then twice before finally pounding at the door with his fists. The door swung open and the largest man Rhag’na had ever see stepped through to look down at him.

“Tis too early in the morning for anyone to be banging on doors. What do you want?” He said in a gruff voice.

“I need refuge from the brotherhood…” All he wanted to do was sleep; even now keeping his eyes open was hard.

“You are not knocking on the right door son, find elsewhere.” The man began closing the door but Rhag’na stopped him.

“I believe you are my grandfather… My father is Odinag.”

“Odinag? My daughter’s no good husband? Pfft, why don’t you seek him to help you?”

“Because I cannot.” Rhag’na said simply, he sighed loudly and closed his eyes. Sleep, all he needed was sleep. “I’ve been running all night…”

“It’s good to see you again Thoridor,” Rhag’na turned to see a few men on mounts including his father. “Don’t you worry yourself with your grandson; the brotherhood always takes care of its own. Come now Rhag’na, you cannot simply break the law.” His father said.

“What did he do?” Thoridor asked.

“He stole a very important book and must now pay the price.”

“The brotherhood is corrupt! I know what happened to Tryston!” Rhag’na yelled at them.

“Odinag, Rhag’na is here now. I believe if he wishes to stay with us and have our protection he may. What is it you wish to do?”

“I am staying,” he said with finality. “I will not return to the brotherhood. You are all corrupt!”

Some of the men grabbed their sword but Thoridor shook his head. “I’ll have none of that on my property; the men here are loyal to me. Return to your own neck of the woods and I will hear none of it. Rhag’na is welcomed to stay as long as he wishes.”

THoridor put a heavy hand on Rhag’na shoulder and guided him inside his warm house before closing the door behind him.

“You bring trouble with you boy!” He said while shaking his head. “I guess it can’t be helped now, come I’ll introduce you to your grandmother.”

Rhag’na followed after the giant man but not before glancing at the door one last time. He needed to contact Tryston.