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 Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2020 9:19 am
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Posted: Mon May 25, 2020 8:44 pm
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Posted: Mon May 25, 2020 8:44 pm
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Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2024 1:05 pm
Old Connections Under the ominous shadow of a towering mountain, Rhag'na swung his father’s sword with measured precision, the metallic ring reverberating in the crisp, cold air. His mother's kin, a hardy bunch, watched with a mixture of respect and curiosity as he seamlessly integrated into their training routines. Months had passed since Rhag'na had severed ties with The Brotherhood now tainted by corruption and betrayal. His mother's family, a staunch clan with a long history etched in time, had welcomed him into their fold. These were people of the shield, but they’d still allowed him to join them and learn more.
Brynhildr, their clan's most seasoned warrior and Rhag’na’s cousin approached him with a raised eyebrow. "Are you sure you’re here for the right reasons cousin?" It was the first time they were meeting, and it hadn’t gone quite smoothly.
Rhag'na paused, wiping sweat from his brow. "The Brotherhood is no more; they've betrayed their own. My mother's blood runs through me, and I will seek justice for the fallen. Thoridor offered me shelter, I have no other reason to be here."
Brynhildr's eyes narrowed, a glint of recognition passing through. "I had heard you had left the Brotherhood… Wise choice. But justice in these lands is not an easy thing.”
A wry smile played on Rhag'na's lips. "Who among you might know more?" He lowered his sword and peered at the other warriors around him. Someone had to know something.
Brynhildr crossed his arms, his gaze unwavering. "We're a clan bound by blood, Rhag'na, and secrets are not easily shared. You’re still an outsider to us, but Eldgrim, the clan elder, has a mind as sharp as a dagger. If anyone can shed light on the Brotherhood's darkness, it's him. But gaining his trust won't be easy."
Determined, Rhag'na nodded his gratitude and set out to find Eldgrim. If only his father had spoken about his mother’s clan sooner, perhaps there wouldn’t be such a large gaping chasm of trust between them. He couldn’t fault them for it however, they did risk a lot by keeping him here safe and away from The Brotherhood. They’d come around more than once to try and reason to get Rhag’na back to do who knew what to him. His mother’s clan had held firm and continued to protect him. He didn’t know yet how to repay their kindness, but he swore he’d do something someday.
In the heart of the clan's settlement within the main hall where all gathered, he found the elder, sitting by a flickering fire, surrounded by the low hum of whispered conversations.
"Eldgrim," Rhag'na greeted respectfully, "My name is Rhag’na and I—”
The elder cut him off with a wave of his hand. “I know who you are son of Odinag, it’s hard to hide when trouble follows you and waits to pounce in the darkness.” He extended a hand towards the empty spot across from him.
“Then you know why I’m here, The Brotherhood's corruption runs deep, and I need to know the truth. Who can I trust? Who can give me the information I need to take it down?"
Eldgrim's piercing gaze bore into Rhag'na. "Trust is not freely given, young one. It must be earned. The path to justice is paved with treacherous stones, and you must tread carefully. But there is one amongst us who may share your cause. Gadrun, a healer, may have the answers you seek."
“Gadrun?” Rhag’na frowned lightly, the name sounded familiar, but he couldn’t put his finger on why. “Thank you, I will seek him out.” He stood but Eldgrim grabbed his arm into a tight grip.
“Be careful Rhag’na of the threads you try to unweave. Sometimes you must go slowly otherwise you risk getting tangled deeper.”
The Iceling frowned, unsure of what the elder’s words meant but he nodded his head and headed out.
With a newfound purpose, Rhag'na sought out Gadrun. There would only be one area the healer could be and so he headed there right away. He sought the first person he met in the dim light of the healer's tent, surrounded by herbs and the lingering scent of potions.
“I’m looking for Gadrun.” The healer pointed to another man in the back of the tent. Rhag’na thanked him and headed towards the other Iceling.
"Gadrun," he began, " Eldgrim believes you’re able to help me, or at least point me in the right direction. I come from the Brotherhood."
Gadrun studied Rhag'na with intensity. "What could I possibly offer you? I am no longer with them." The air in the tent seemed to thicken as the healer assessed the man standing before him. "And… What makes you think I would aid you?" Gadrun's voice carried a mix of caution and curiosity.
Rhag'na took a moment to collect his thoughts. "I left the Brotherhood when I discovered their corruption, the blood they spilled, including their own. I am determined to uncover the truth and bring justice. The Brotherhood was noble, and corruption must be rooted out."
Gadrun's eyes softened, a hint of recognition flickering within. "Odinag's son… entangled in the Brotherhood." He shook his head. “Your mother would not be pleased to learn your father had stood by and done nothing to help you.”
“He had no choice.” Rhag’na countered.
"You seek justice, but justice requires knowledge. The Brotherhood has many layers, and to unveil its darkest secrets, you must navigate it with care." Gadrun's hands moved gracefully, mimicking the act of unravelling a complex tapestry.
"Tell me what you know, Gadrun. I need to expose the corruption and ensure that those responsible face the consequences." He would avenge those who had died as well.
The healer sighed; a heavy weight evident in his words. "The key lies in the Brotherhood's inner circle, a group shrouded in secrecy and power. One name stands out among them – Haldor. He orchestrates much of their schemes. To reach him, you must first gain the trust of those close to him."
Rhag'na's jaw clenched, and his grip on his father's sword tightened. "Trust isn’t something I can afford with any of them right now."
Gudrun's eyes glinted with a hint of a plan. "You have an advantage, Rhag'na. Your mother's blood binds you to this clan, and loyalty runs deep among our people. Use that bond to your advantage. There are those in the Brotherhood who will watch your back because of those ties. If you can somehow get back into their good graces, you’ll have a better chance. I can tell you who you can trust, they’re my old contacts. They got me out, they can get you back in. Give me a week to get a message to them and a reply back."
Rhag'na left Gadrun's tent. The challenge ahead was daunting, but the Iceling warrior was determined to see this through. As he ventured back into the bustling camp, Rhag'na pondered Gadrun's counsel. The path to justice lay through the Brotherhood's inner circle, and Haldor's name echoed in the chambers of his thoughts. The notion of regaining the trust of those he had once called brothers sent shivers down his spine, yet he knew it was a necessary evil.
In the days that followed, Rhag'na immersed himself in the daily life of the clan, he had little to do except wait it out. As he worked diligently to better himself through training, Rhag'na found solace in the familiarity of his mother's kin. With Gadrun's promise to reach out to his old contacts within the Brotherhood, Rhag'na harboured a glimmer of hope. Still, if Gadrun’s contact proved to end in nothing he would not have any other choice but a head-on approach.
As the week passed, Rhag'na's anticipation grew, and with it, a restlessness settled within him. Finally, one evening, Rhag'na received a message from Gadrun. The healer asked him to come to his tent, he had news to share. There was nothing else in the letter, nothing that might give away as to whether or not the contacts would help him.
"They've agreed to a meeting. But remember, Rhag'na, the Brotherhood's inner circle is dangerous. Trust no one fully, not even those who claim to be your allies.” Gadrun told him.
Rhag'na nodded. "I understand.” Worst comes to worst he would simply run through all of them with his sword until he’d hacked enough of the Brotherhood off to get to the inner circle.
With the arrangements made, Rhag'na set out under the cloak of night to rendezvous with Gadrun's contacts. He didn’t know how safe it was, he was going there alone, but he had no choice. Gadrun said he’d trust these men, so Rhag’na would do the same for now. He needed protection and someone to watch his back if he was going to go back into the Brotherhood. Hopefully, these were the members to do it, they were bound by their clan as well, but Rhag’na couldn’t trust how far the corruption went.Word Count: 1501
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Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2024 11:36 am
Meeting In The Dark The icy desert landscape stretched endlessly before Rhag'na as he approached the rendezvous point. The moon hung low in the sky, casting an ethereal glow over the snowy landscape. The chill in the air bit at the little uncovered exposed skin he had, but he paid it no mind, his focus fixed on the task ahead – meeting Gadrun's contacts.
He was cautious and remained vigilant as Gadrun had told him to be. If he wanted to come out of this alive, he needed to be, so he kept his instincts sharp and alert. As he approached the designated meeting spot, Rhag'na's breath hung like a ghostly mist. The moonlight danced on the icy surface, casting long shadows that seemed to reach out towards him. He observed the ground, the pristine white snow stretched out before him, undisturbed except for the occasional footprint left by wildlife. Rhag'na moved with a silent grace, his footsteps muffled by the thick blanket of snow.
Satisfied that it wasn’t a trap, he waited silently. A few minutes later, a figure emerged from the darkness, followed by two others. It was hard to tell if they were Gadrun’s friends, but he had to trust that no one else would know they were there. Their forms were obscured by heavy cloaks that billowed in the frigid breeze, but he was sure they all hid weapons under their cloaks. Rhag'na watched them closely, the cold steel of his gaze betraying none of the emotions he kept hidden. It was odd meeting brothers like this once again.
"You must be Rhag'na," one of them spoke, his voice low and gravelly.
Rhag'na nodded curtly, his expression unreadable. "I am." He watched them all, hand on his sword in case things turned sour.
The figure stepped forward, revealing a scarred face marked by years of hardship. "We have an offer for you, Rhag'na. One that could see you reinstated in the brotherhood."
Rhag'na's interest was piqued. "And what, pray tell, would that offer entail?"
The contact exchanged a glance with his companions before continuing. "We can bring you back into the fold by vote of course, but only if you prove your loyalty. For that, you must hunt down other deserters. Bring them back to us, alive or dead, and you'll be welcomed back with open arms."
Rhag'na's jaw clenched at the mention of hunting down his former brethren. Memories of the horrors committed by the brotherhood flashed through his mind – the reason he had fled in the first place. He wasn’t sure what he meant by vote, but he didn’t like the way he was to go about things.
"I need answers," Rhag'na demanded, his voice tinged with steel. "Why were our own being killed?"
The contacts exchanged a knowing look, but their expressions remained neutral. "Answers will come in time, Rhag'na. But first, you must prove your allegiance."
Rhag'na's gaze hardened, his resolve unwavering. "I'll do it. But mark my words, I'll uncover the truth behind the brotherhood's actions, no matter the cost."
The contact nodded. "We’ll contact you through Gadrun with more instructions. Wait for our word."
With a nod of acceptance, Rhag'na turned to leave, his mind already calculating his next move. He would play their game for now but refused to be a pawn in their twisted games. What could they possibly be planning? Why kill other members? A thousand more questions were swimming in his mind and he had very few answers. As he disappeared into the snowy wilderness, a tempest brewed within him – a tempest of vengeance and revelation that would shake the very foundations of the brotherhood when he reached the end.Word Count: 609
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