Chapter 7
Instantly, all the kids form a perfect half-moon shape around their Master.
"For the newcomers: listen to me carefully, I won't speak a second time"
Dag paid attention to Taya's words. Out of the corner of his eye, he looked at Freydis.
She was focused on the speech, but, feeling to be overlooked, she turned her eyes in Dag's direction. Dag looked away, embarra.s.sed.
Taya:
"On Skjold, warriors have a key role in society. Whether you are a man or a woman, a Berserkr or a Skjaldmaer, making the decision to be a warrior, you must swear eternal allegiance to Odin, the Allfather. The highest aspiration you can pursue in your warrior life is Death"
"The strongest warriors of Skjold are called the Everlastings. Each of them owns an ancient artifact, a symbol of their power. These artifacts are the Emblems. There are ten emblems on the entire planet. Einar, King of all Vikings holds the Emblem n°1."
"Can anybody be King?"
from the crowd of kids, echoed a voice. It was Freydis'.
Taya answered amused:
"Yes, little girl. But to be King you have to defeat Einar, the Lone. The legend tells that n.o.body's ever been able even to scratch him! But don't worry, Jernhest the Capital and all cities around the planet need warriors: each of you will find his place. What you only need is a constant effort"
Freydis seemed dissatisfied in Taya's answer. Dag couldn't stop staring at her.
"Today, it's time for you 3 novices, to swear in front of Odin. To do so, I called the Chieftain of the Berserkr's Order"
When Taya finished her speech, a muscled man walked from the back. He was a tall man, with a black beard collected in a thick braid and a ring on his nose.
A big, black tattoo of an open-winged eagle was painted on his face, from forehead to chin. He looked accurately at any of the guys in the crowd, including Dag.
"My name's Arne, and I'm the Berserkr's Chief" his voice was deep and raspy
"who
Timidly, Dag was the first one raising his hand, followed by Freydis and Karl.
"Step forward, children" – they obeyed. Behind the big man, a metal bucket with smoke coming from the inside.
"Your turn" Arne pointed to Karl.
The little one got closer to him, trembling. Arne put his big hand on Karl's shoulder, then he took off his s.h.i.+rt.
"Now say: I swear to Odin, the Allfather"
"I s…swear to Odin, the Allfather" repeated Karl
"that from now on, my life is his, and I will serve him without hesitation until the day I die"
Karl repeated again.
"When I will seat among Thor, Freya and all the true G.o.ds in the Valhalla"
After that Karl echoed Arne's words, the man turned back and grabbed a molten rod from the iron bucket and branded Karl's shoulder.
The boy screamed loudly.
Freydis looked down, closing her eyes. When Arne removed the rod, a bloodied mark appeared on Karl's skin. Then the boy turned to put his s.h.i.+rt back and Dag was able to see: the mark represented a big s.h.i.+eld with an axe at its center.
It should be Berserkr's Symbol. Painfully, Karl put his s.h.i.+rt on. The white s.h.i.+rt started to turn red on the back. He slowly joined back his position, next to Freydis.
"Your turn" said Arne impa.s.sive, as if this was his daily routine.
He pointed at Freydis.
She took a breath and was ready to move when Dag made a step forward:
"I'll go next. In this way, when she gets her mark everybody can turn around, without looking at her body".
Freydis look at him: these words were unexpected. n.o.body had ever spoken like that, for her. To protect her image of a young woman.
Her eyes turned misty.
Taya stepped in:
"How dare you, little…"
"It's fine" said Arne.
"Tell me a thing, kid… are you from Earth?" continued.
"Yes." replied Dag, worried but sure of what he just said.
"Only an earthling could say so. If you were a Skjold native, I would probably have banned you from the Arena. But you yet lived enough misfortunes. Do you agree girl?"
asked Arne to Freydis. She nodded her head, confirming.
"Let's continue the pledge, step forward, earthling"
Arne immersed the rod back in the iron bucket.
Dag walked towards the Berserkr, turned himself around, putting his s.h.i.+rt off.
"Now repeat with me…" began Arne.
Dag interrupted the man, saying in one breath:
"I swear to Odin, the Allfather that from now on, my life is his, and I will serve him without hesitation until the day I die. When I will seat among Thor, Freya and all the true G.o.ds in the Valhalla".
Arne was surprised. A hidden smile appeared on the man's meanest-looking face. He grabbed the rod and branded Dag.
The pain was unbearable. Dag felt as if something was digging in his body, through flames. He stayed unmoving, with his eyes closed to resist the suffering.
At the end of the process, without a word, he clothed himself and got back through his comrades. Taya was looking: she didn't seem to be proud of that action. She narrowed her eyes, trying to figure out Dag's behavior.
"It's your turn girl. Turn around, everybody, respect your comrade's gender"
The apprentices turned around incredulous. Finn looked at Dag, thinking how was it possible for a kid to have a say with a powerful warrior as Arne.
Freydis gave her speech, followed by the sound of burning skin. She mourned. After her pledge, everybody turned around, facing Arne.
"The pledge to our G.o.ds is over. From now on, these 3 fellows are officially Warriors of Skold, Berserkrs, and s.h.i.+eldmaiden. Please welcome them." said Arne.
Eacg guy in the crowd raised his sword and with one voice, all together they yelled:
"Uh! Uh! Uh!" shaking in time their weapons.
Soon, Arne stopped them with a gesture of his hand.