POV: Leif Gormsonr, the Clan Heir.
Date: Mörsugur 13th, 999. (Alt: 26th Dec, 999 AD.) Location: Götaland (Ancient Sweden.)
'The strange. . . Being that is Heath had surprised me from the machines they had described to me. Knowledge that could be blessed to many, with his automation that felt. . .
Eldritch, a word he used in his spare lectures, to describe part of the way he became what he was, it was apt, yet a word hard to pronounce with our tongue. My love was of the same mind, searching for answers that could only provide us with more questions.
In time, we will come to understand the new ideas we have come to ponder, for we know we were no match to him. He may be peaceful, but we could not trust him. My father, however, acts too warm to him, which made me suspicious of possible malicious intentions. Their stories align too well to be less than coincidence. Heath even directly apologized to us before we went to sleep about what had occurred between him and the Clan. A being so much more powerful than us, acting humble? We shall see if his motives are truly pure.
Our friends were much more anxious, and they even gave us some hints of. . . Pity, for whatever reason. They hid it well, but it was one too many situations where they were spotted. I will ask my father directly of this situation. . . It may be best to continue resting.'
Leif slowly turned from underneath the two joined capes, he moved his hand upwards to stroke Sigrid's cheek and gave a light peck to her forehead, softly enough that it did not stir her in her sleep, yet her posture become more comfortable underneath.
They were safe, and the grass below them was better than many passing village's beds they were allowed to borrow through trade or working. He turned his head, staring at the clear sky, the light clouds above the Automatic farms creating a backdrop.
It was nothing he would have seen within the lit walls of his Clan. The warm, crisp air a soothing sensation on his skin while lying. No insects anywhere to crawl or land. It was a lovely spot in a mostly picturesque scene. slightly jarred by the banging in the distance.
*CLANG, CLANG, CLANG, THUNK. . .* A noise like their blacksmith with both the main and the apprentice played, with muted light that would flash every so often. Leif simply watched the vague figure in the darkness working, with them fully concentrated on the task. Their hands never moving, yet wisps of their power visually appeared around, as if uncountable hands worked beside the golems, their synchronous movements better than their own task forces by a margin so wide it was hard to accurately pinpoint.
By the side, his 'daughter' if they could be called that, sat wide-eyed and in rapt attention. She appears more bergrisi than of flesh. Lifelike in comparison to Heath's other creations, he must be a very proud creator and 'father.' If that word applied.
His utilisation of both forces appeared masterful in craftmanship (from his point of view.) His closest comparison would be of the myths like Andvari they came to understand from fallen weapons made of god-killing iron that are heirlooms to kingdoms too far to pass by. Leif saw these weapons 'forms' appear in spectral apparitions, possibly of magic overwhelming, that took an appearance like a spear, but with a hammer's head.
(A bec de corbin, a weapon that wouldn't appear until the 14th Century.)
It appeared brutal, unforgiving. A weapon meant for a new age in battles focused on pure efficiency and versatility. Yet it was unknown if these new ones could contend with other, infamous weapons like Mjölnir or Gungnir. Leif chose to not think any more and fall to sleep.
The second time around, it was dreamless. Yet were still comfortable. Even if they were suspicious, they still felt safe enough with Heath around to rest in such a vulnerable position. Heath would continue to grow on them, as with all around. And the two bec de corbin like weapons? While not as powerful in terms of destructive power to weapons, they were of greater durability and had more redundant features to avoid getting lost or stolen. (WE ARE LOOKING AT YOU, THRYM!) Which pleased Heath greatly.
However, Valyria is hiding something, she appears skittish. And being so young, she has no idea on how to hide it. Heath would continuously keep her in occasions to help her calm or to find ways to help her. But it only got worse as the hours went by. Heath finally asked directly.
"What is wrong, kid? One of the golems is gaining a new consciousness as well? Worried about having a sibling?" Heath asked in English while giving his usual characteristic smile to calm her down, but Valyria looked away with an expression that showed it was not about that. Heath raised an eyebrow partially by its edge, noticing she was mainly looking at the weapons Heath is creating. "Is it involving something you don't wish to talk about? It's fine if you don't want to involve me in this." Heath patted her shoulder and hugged her.
It was slightly funny with his daughter being twice as tall as him. But it was wholesome either way. Valyria leaned down and hugged him back, slightly shivering. The force of which felt like a minor earthquake with how strong she was while holding Heath.
"Will you be mad with me, papa?" Valyria asked hesitantly, as if she was worried for a scolding. 'Have I ever been mean to her over the past 3 days since she's been created?' Heath wondered, not finding any situation that would be like that. "No, why would you think that? What's wrong?" Heath's expression looked troubled, eyebrows raised by the middle and eyes focused on her. "I know you don't like weapons. But. . . I want to make them, papa." Valyria's innocent, yet firm resolve caused Heath's soul to ring in alarm. "NO." Heath intoned.
"Not yet, you are only recently born. You are a smart kid. Very smart, but I will make you ready and learn either from direct teachings, or through the runic injectors once you are half a year of age. By that point. You'll have proper body control." Back and forth, ad infinitum.
Heath's postponement and continuation in his unknown language were heard by Leif in the background over the field, which stirred him in annoyance. In total, he slept for about 9 hours. 'Not bad, where usually I would sleep for 6, he supposed. Now what are they up to now?' Leif internally thought. He guessed they were haggling on this land's plans. So, he simply ignored it and turned around to fall asleep. Except that Sigrid was awake as well, staring directly towards him. Eyes hidden with barely imperceptible amusement.
"What say you, husband? We should see the constructions of that tower in the distance." Sigrid asked in Old Norse, soon looking towards the Cavern's Claw (coined by Agnarr.) They saw it still being built, but it appeared to be half done. It was hard to tell its height.
With it being multiple kilometers away, they only saw one option. They walked through the portal to reach the other side, trusting Heath's reliability enough that he would not set traps through their only mode of transportation. Even so, they are still not used to it, meaning the wave of discomforting nausea hits, and both of their eyes shut in self-comfort. After a few seconds. It begins to wane, allowing them to open their eyes to. . . A wall, they look up. Further, fuurrttheerr. . . Right until their eyes see it is blocked by the artificial clouds.
Their eyes bulge slightly, seeing its exterior made of that dark stone-like material called concrete, and its extremely intricate carvings on its outside making it appear like a mega-cathedral of the nearby religion they knew as Christianity. It was just. . . indescribable.
They see it as having windows on its exterior as well. It showed its incredibly rich structural design. With glass so clear, it appeared like there was nothing there. ' 'Yet, they are still building higher!?' ' Both scream internally at the same time. Then turn their heads to each other, both faces having a mixture of awe and dread. Lots of dread. "If Heath can make such structures in less than a week, what could he do with more time?" Leif asks Sigrid, face in consternation. "My guess is your people asked the very same." Sigrid looked down.
"And why has he not chosen to conquer our Clan with such power?" Leif's very perspective on life was starting to crumble. Could such a benevolent being even exist? His suspicion of Heath heightened to its maximum. 'What could his purpose be for any of this?'
Through such questions, they remembered much of what their father talked about of Heath's past, they tried to scrutinize anything that may be of fault, yet they found none. A being capable of traveling dimensions and fighting a dragon of such magnitude would, of course, have such power. And him being about his father's age, and once being a human in a truly foreign land. . . Could he really only be wishing our people the best possible life? 'I feel like a migraine will kick in.' Heath's word was internally said by Leif when it came to mind.
POV: Sigrid Glaumarsdottir, the Clan Warrior-bride.
Date: Mörsugur 13th, 999. (Alt: 26th Dec, 999 AD.) Location: Götaland (Ancient Sweden.)
My soon-to-be husband must be worried about how much this situation is coming to be, so much that I could never have imagined is occurring in such a small time. It feels. . . Worrying.
Sigrid soon looked up and put her shoulders straight and held Leif's hand in care. "Let us travel, we must see to the prisoners." Sigrid knew Heath had prepared them for her. Which she was truly grateful for. By the farm and locked behind a great gaol cell.
I love him, I believed it would have been purely political. I could never put words into how wrong I have truly been. I have learned what it means to explore, to feel. Being behind the Kingdom's walls for all my life, learning etiquette and weaponry had given me a closed mind to the possibilities of a life beyond. My father wishes me the best in this endeavour, and I shall follow through with this. For I cannot do anything better than understand what is in front of me. And what I understand is that I cannot fathom what the world contains.
A man from another realm undiscovered by Óðinn himself, with no gods yet full of religious and atheistic belief, and of its own laws of reality understood by its people through science? It would have been laughable, but for them, we would be nothing but a joke as well.
I must understand more of what we will come to know as our enlightenment. So, the first bet is Heath's strength. And who better than those he had attacked? They walk through the portal again onto the opposite side of the farms. Once calmed down, they reach the large bone steel cage, Dökkálfar within. They go to the solid cast door with golems on either side and see through the peephole. But they didn't expect what they saw, the very ruthless beings that threatened to kill them, huddled in the far left corner with animalistic fright.
". . . They are in no way to communicate." Sigrid tapped on the door gently. "ÆH-" Their screams are cut off by shutting the peephole, proving her directly. Leif then looks to the golems. "Are we allowed in?" The golems stir, and then they turn their heads side to side.
Leif pauses, thinking on what to do next. "Then there is nothing, let us walk and greet Father again." Both move themselves through the portal a third and final time, trudging through the temporary headache, lastly reaching the middle of the temporary campsite. They simply went about the rest of their day, seeing on their knowledge of Heath from the first moment. Whispers of a mountain of riches were brought in front of the Clan, with the resplendent armour that they saw their father and friends wear. Enough to be the richest of all.
How Heath tore down trees with but a flick of his wrist must surely be an aggrandizement, shouldn't it? They asked Egill and Eirikr directly, and they said it was a punch, yet that still must be exaggeration? No, even Gorm's an alibi in this situation.
"A single punch that can bring down many trees, while carrying a sum of wealth that would shame their clan as a gift, while owning a realm and structure so tall if it was made above ground, it would be beyond the clouds, all made in a few days!? How has he not yet made enemies with every god?" Leif's eyes go cold. "We could not beat such an enemy, especially when he can make thousands of soldiers like the golems in under a day by this point. If he did do something, there would be nothing we can do." They stood still for a moment.
Once he calmed, Leif sat down on the spot they were. Sigrid had a look that spoke of the conflicting emotions she is experiencing, few that could be understood by most except for her closest kin. She looked towards the direction where she could guess where Heath was.
She will do her best to relieve the stress together with those around her, though such a situation may be hard to come by when there are those who would break that calm so easily with a sway of their hands. But she will stay, determined through to any and all situations. She can only guess what may be the next big thing, it may be the flying suits they have yet to see, as was said by Hervor and talked between them and Gorm. There will be a live demonstration tonight by providing such suits to the most trusted here.
'Let us see if we can truly fly like the gods themselves tonight.' Sigrid anticipated it greatly, knowing she herself saw the strategic value of flying while using a spear or a bow to strike down enemies without them being able to climb or reach them. JuSt PuReLy TaCtIcAl.
She and Leif sat down by each other, front-facing each other in a silent, comforting gesture. They know that their lives are irreparably changed, but they will welcome it the best they can. Because otherwise, they would lose any of their remaining sanity over the next coming years. As Heath's machinations would easily lead to mental breakdowns or full soul catatonia to most from their world. To focus on something positive, they wish to try the 'memory bringers' spoken about by people. Hopefully they could gain greater insight into their studies.
Because that silent declaration between them says that they need to learn, and quickly. Because otherwise much of their way of life could not be adapted to and they would be left as stragglers in the 'unwavering march of progress.' As would be said by Heath.
'We are using more of his words and terms by the day, is that his influence?' Sigrid internally questioned, not knowing if it is him simply being memorable. 'We will just continue what we are already doing, and we will have to ask at some point why many are treating us 'unatturally' with kindness.' Both see a golem with a steel tray walking towards them, the food is large and bulky, one bun flat at the bottom and one rounded at the top, with multiple vegetables and a large meat disc in the middle. The golem places it by them.
It takes an object with a similar appearance, then shows how to hold it with two hands. Once it registers that they have understood, it walks off to collect the next tray of food for the next hungry people. Leif and Sigrid stare at it, sniffing at the air as well due to its wafting aroma.
"It smells more delicious than any meal we have had, and what are these thin slices?" Leif pick up a flat, riveted piece of crispy material that has no smell, slightly crumbling at his finger grip. He tries one of these slices, and an explosion of flavours invade his tongue. The flavour was overpowering, and he had to hold it for a few seconds before he could start chewing. Leif soon swallows. "For lunches, we usually have dried fruit with cream (milk, egg, melted fat)-drizzled goose and mead. Let us see what this will do." Leif then grabs it.
As shown, he mimics the movement and grabs it by the two buns. Then takes a large bite out of it and the sauce inside slightly drizzles on the other side, but it is mostly kept stable. His expression turns to one of great enjoyment and indulgence.
"They call this a burger with crisps." Sigrid was scanning the background while Leif was eating to hear this, then she takes her own burger and eats with gusto, eating with fervor.
(I'm sorry I haven't been posting as much as promised, recently my aunt had an alcoholic induced seizure and we are dealing with it at the hospital. Expect little to no posts for now.)