A journey far.
Part 1: A chap and two birds
Two birds, black like night itself, flew by, no more no less. From a journey far and perilous, their flight halted, circling and calling: ”Kraa-kra!.... Kraa-krah!”
“Sodding birds” Vilhjalmr mumbled. Drained by a tedious and arduous journey of his own. He had reached a far flowing river, in the hopes of finding a road. Alas no pathway lay anywhere the eyes could reach. Exhausted and out of breath he fell to his knees, dropping a rune-covered round shield to the earth and thrusting his blade into the soft sludge soil. ”Kraa-kra!.... Kraa-krah!” The birds continued, circling round and round again. Vilhjalmr’s gaze fell to the soaring tides bidding the two little mind. With a slight smile upon his lips he projected the recollections of the youthful days, when he was but a wee laddie ogling the barges dock, dreaming of the days he himself would seek adventures hither. The images changed shape reminiscing of home and finally there stood a man grown on the dawn of his journey. He whom shrouded by night nicked a stallion from the stables and set forth to meet the legendary giants to riddle, trick the mighty troll race, take the field alongside his famed northern cousin-kin or steal a kiss from the mythical woodland fairies. However he desired to merely see the many corners of the world most of all. So he set sail from the havens of home.
“Kraah-kra!...Kraah-krah!”The birds croaked on in their descent, landing one to either side. Their eyes, darker still, fell upon him. “Kraah-kra!...Kraah-krah!” The two roared yet again, cocking heads like they knew a mystery of great importance still shrouded by mist. Vihjalmr hurled his arms around shouting: ”Shoo! Shoo!” Alas the attempt was met with neglect. On and on he tried, in greater arcs or in aggressive tones, but the two refused to budge an inch.
“Fine, stay! Remain at my side if you desire it so.” He exclaimed after hanging his head and closing his eyes in defeat.
”Kraah-kra!.... Kraah….-krah!” The two replied in harmony and seemingly merrily. Eyes locked one to the other, ere wings spread and fluttered back and forth and back again. With a slight jump the birds took to the heavens of the night, disappearing as mysteriously as had been the arrival.
Left in the dark to his own devises, were it not for yet another interruption. A war-horn rang loudly and far by aid on wind and his body filled with strength anew. As if uplifted by a spectral force, Vilhjalmr rose to his feet and the horn rang once more! Like a sailor to a siren’s song, he was drawn to its calling.
He left the river and arms behind him, striding towards the blowing horn. First a slow stroll, through soon his pace quickened and ran before he could take notice. But mere moments it were or were it hours in the dark, he could not recall. He ran and ran till in the distance a light appeared and the air filled with the scent of oak and aspen and perhaps the faintest whiff of hazel. Edging closer with the utmost caution, to see it was mere a lamppost illuminating a pathway leading into a realm of silhouetted trees. A forest obviously, yet for some reason or another it did not appear gloomy nor eerie, not even in a dark night such as this one. Nay it was tranquil, yet filled with a woodland lively hood, for midst the luminesced path tree roots grew hither to tither. Hesitant he waited beneath within the rays of light. »At every doorway, ere one enters, one should spy round.« The old proverb sang in his mind. Instinctively he made for the hilt of his blade, but the sheath was empty. Tapping the stitched leather like a crazed madman, as if it would magically reappear, “How could I be so damned foolish.” he murmured, slamming a balled fist against his brow. To continue unarmed into the unknown would be ludicrous, though to return into the darkness to find his steel, by stroke of unrivalled luck or divine intervention would be mad.”Ahh well. May my good fortune shield me from danger.” He mumbled on, following the lit path to only Béma knows where.
