I bring another Chapter. I wanted to thank Arukea and Pat4Pat for reviewing

and giving me a little encouragement on my little story. It means a lot. :)


A month had passed since Skwisgaar first saw the spring flowers. Summer had finally come and the preparations had been completed. New and old long ships ready to taste the water. Young boys play fighting to prepare for their first raid and to relieve first raid jitters. Skwisgaar sat and watched with amusement often cheering on the underdog. Elis walked behind him and smacked him in the back of his head. Skwisgaar jolted forward.

"Ow! Hey!" he growled at the older man. It really did hurt. Elis laughed at him. He was lucky he was to old for him to pinch his butt for such a haughty attitude.

"Enough playing. We are to be in the main hall by sundown. Now round up the young boys. The ceremony is tonight" Elis grabbed a large skinned bag and began making preparations to head off. Skwisgaar who was still annoyed from the smack made faces at him behind his back until he turned his attention to the young boys.

"Hey, stop. You have to start walking to the main hall. The ceremony is tonight. So let's go." He stood full height trying to be authoritative. It was not successful. The boys laughed at him, nearly falling over from the sight.

"Why should we go with you? Your are as skinny as a twig. You may be taller than a tree, but you can snap in half." One of them said. Skwisgaar was not pleased by his comments all and sneered at them. How dare they make fun of his non- bulk. He may be skinny but he wasn't a twig.

"Is that so?" He leaned forward now eye level with the boy. " You will go with me, I will look past the insults and let the water go under the bridge. Not a bad idea, no?" The boy smirked. He looked Skwisgaar straight in the eye, with a look so defiant he was just begging for an ass kicking. Skwisgaar stood up straight again and let out a long drawn out sigh. There was obviously no other way and the brat was just asking for it. The kid smirked back at his friends Yeah that's what I thought. He didn't have time to process what happened until it was too late and he tied up and being dragged by his ponytail through a small clearing. Skwisgaar looked at the other boy asking if they wanted a piece of him too. They straightened themselves up and began following after Skwisgaar. When he reached Elis he threw the boy at his feet. Elis stood there with complete look of shock and confusion.

"I rounded them up just like you asked." he pointed to the other two running to catch up with the fast moving blonde. The kid may have been heavy, but nothing could deter an annoyed "Twig" . Elis untied the boy, who was yelling angry threats at Skwisgaar. Skwisgaar sneered at him and just stood anchored to his spot. He blew him off with a wave of his hand. He had fought and beat better men, this brat was just an overly confident child. Elis sat in amused silence until it got annoying where he promptly told the kid to "SHUT THE FUCK UP, BOY!" They would leave at high noon, he did not want to hear that for a couple hours. They sat and waited. The kids talking amongst them selves, Elis was whittling and Skwisgaar was noodling with his lyre. Ever since he got it he refused to let leave his side. His once smooth hands were rough and callused from training, labour and playing the lyre. High noon hit and they were on the road to the main hall.

…...

At sundown the main hall was filled with over grown Viking and young boys earning their rites of passage to manhood. The young boys grouped together, as did the grown men. They drank and laughed as they waited for their chieftain to arrive. Skwisgaar felt like an odd man out. Elis grabbed him to join the other men. They all laughed as he told the tale of Skwisgaar and the loud mouth child. "If my sister saw what he did to her son, I would be in the hothouse with Agate." The men laughed knowing the extent of Agate's temper. Skwisgaar drank trying to hide his laughter, but Elis caught on and proclaimed his love for Mother Unni out in front of the other men, who howled with laughter. Skwisgaar was not unfazed in the slightest he knew he would have her soon enough. He was about to rebuttal when Bergson strolled in.

"The summer is now upon us! We shall sail to the east and raid the lands. The boys will accompany us. They shall be men. In the name of the Allfather let us begin the ceremony!" He sat in his larger chair lined with bear fur. A token he obtain through berserkergang, He became the bear he is sitting on it battle. He became the ultimate warrior. A title that made him Chieftain. He looked down from his chair. The boys lined up and stood looking at their feet. Bergson looked at each and everyone. "You all have sworn to the Allfather that you will be the men that he envisions you to be. By his all seeing eye. YOU HAVE SWORN TO THIS!" the young boys flinched, but continued looking at their unmoving feet. "Strip." He ordered them. "Bring me the claw" A servant brought out a severed bear claw and handed it to Bergson. " By the name of the Odin, The Allfather, you body will now be housed by the bear. Let you be a true warrior and embrace him. I want you pass around his paw, kiss and pass it." The boys did as their were told as Bergson said a prayer:

"May great Thor protect you
With his strong arm and mighty hammer,
May the good Mother Holle
Hold and comfort you,
And may all blessings be upon you,

Brothers"

When all the boys had finish Bergson prepared a branding iron. " You each will be made men, each will have Odin's watchful ravens to watch you. You are protected." Each boy was carved with different runes. Teiwaz the warrior, Dagaz for transformation, Eihwaz for defence, and so on. Skwisgaar giggled when the boy he dragged was branded with Uruz for strength. When all was said an done it was time to celebrate. Mead was drunk, thrown and splashed in every direction. Dancing, singimg and of course Skwisgaar lyre playing. It was a celebration not just for the boys who had become men, it was celebration for the summer raids. Skwisgaar's first. They would leave tomorrow when the sun had risen over mountains. He was ready for the sea, to sail off the fjorn to distant lands, and have sex with distant women. They played , drank, and celebrated til everyone was asleep, but even after the last person closed their eyes, the distinct and frantic picking of Skwisgaar's lyre could be heard.

…...

Whoever said the life for a seaman was a life for a man was a god damn liar. There are storms, uneasy currents, rowing and big hairy angry men constantly bickering at one another. Skwisgaar was annoyed, tired and slightly hungry. Because he himself was to be a man and participate in the raids fully, he HAD to row. What Skwisgaar had in agility and stamina he lacked in other areas , like say strength. Specifically arm strength. As a wondering merchant Skwisgaar didnt need much besides the ability to fend off robbers and potential rapists, so having massive arm strength to row a long ship was not required. He was faring slightly better than the new "men" that they brought with them, but after every few rows he would have to stop and massage his arms. At night he was allowed to rest his arms, but due to the ache he could not play his beloved lyre.

"Why have you not been branded?" asked a young boy at night. Skwisgaar looked over hat him and scoffed.

"I proved myself a man a long time ago. Odin's prayers protect me without the brand" He replied. He turned over but the boy would not let up.

"But the brand marks you as a man of our clan, like the dye in Bluetooth's teeth. It says you belong with us. Skwisgaar shuddered at these words. He belonged to and with no one. He was his own man. If Bergson's men didn't kidnap him, he would be far away and on his own. It would be the same, wouldn't it? He didn't feel like answering the boy so he feigned sleep. Elis slapped the boy in the back of his head.

"Yan. What did your mother say about all those questions? Skwisgaar came here as a man, you became a man here. He doesn't need one. Now that's the end of that."

"Yes, Uncle Elis" the boy turned over and drifted of to sleep. Skwisgaar continued to ponder the idea of belonging with them. Would it be so bad.. to belong to something? PFFFFFFT. He will see what the path leads him to. He was most definitely the best warrior here, if he left they wouldn't be as strong as they were now. He smirked and fell asleep filled with dream of plump older woman of distant lands.

They hit the shore of Finns. They prepared themselves for the raiding. Yelling and cheering and banging their shields with their axes , and swords for some. Skwisgaar had since upgraded to a bigger axe than the one he had started out with, he also had a tiny hammer and a bone hilted dagger on his person for extra security. (He was after all pretty).

"We shall claim the treasure for Odin and Freya so we shall have a worthy lace in Valhalla!" Bergson cried out and they stampeded through the beach to village. They were not expecting a counter attack. All of the villagers, including women and children were defending their land and riches. For Skwisgaar's first attack he was holding himself up well. Bobbing, weaving, swinging his axe and blocking with his shield. He refused to fight against the women and children focussing his attention on the men going after him, but if a little snot eater were to try to fuck him, the kid was going to see stars. He had some standards. All was going well, but as the dust was cleared and people were fanning out he saw Bergson was caught in a compromising situation. A lad not to much younger than Skwisgaar himself had Bergson pinned and was preparing to swing a very large axe on to his skull. Skwisgaar didn't think, Everything flashed and it just happened. Skwisgaar with his shield securely on his back jumped on to Bergson's face and shielded him from the blow. The axe was embedded into the shield and the kid scrambled to get up. Bergson confused out of his mind threw Skwisgaar off of him and grabbed the kid by his hair. The fight had come to a complete stop. Everyone was waiting in anticipation for his next move. While holding the boy by his hair and forcing him to look at him, Bergson grabbed a sword and beheaded the boy right where he knelled.

Skwisgaar closed his eyes, and turned. He was so young. He raided the village and continued on their way, ignoring the cries of a heart broken mother.

When they arrived back to their own home Bergson ran up and grabbed Skwisgaar hugging him until he was out of air. The other Vikings and villagers cheered and hollard for Skiwsgaar saving the life of their Chieftain. Skwisgaar looked smug. Thanking his audience with "I know, but thankyou" Bergson gabbed Skwisgaar and pulled him aside.

" You have earned your sword and your own home! Odin would be proud." He slapped Skwisgaar on the back. Skwisgaar almost doubled over and fell flat on his face. "In the town , go to the blacksmith, Murderface. William is the blacksmith but his daughter does the forging." He looked in thought for a moment "She may be blind but she is a damn good blacksmith. Anyway tell him to give you the finest steel sword. With a jewelled hilt to represent you status as a high member of the clan. When you are done come to my house and drink with me, my friend." The big man shoved Skwisgaar in the direction of the blacksmith.

As he walked he scoffed at the idea of a blind blacksmith. He had seen the high clan members wear necklaces and rings, maybe he could get one as well. Blackened steal would elongate his fingers, but white steel would match his paler and hair. Agh choices. As he rounded a corner to the location of the blacksmith he saw a pudgy man sitting outside eating a lamb's leg. Skwisgaar studied him. He had triangle shaped frizzy hair, gapped teeth, beedy eyes, and a moustache. Skwisgaar cleared his throat.

"Are you William Murderface, the blacksmith?" He asked Skeptically. The pudgy man looked up and smiled, showing off meat chunks stuck in his teeth. Skwisgaar leaned back in disgust.

"Why yesch I am, what can I do you for?" The gap in his teeth gave him a lisp and sent a shower of spit and meat chunks in Skwisgaar's direction.

"I was sent here by the Chieftain to retrieve the best sword you can make." Murderface got and beckoned for him to follow. He did reluctantly. In side the Blacksmith little work shop he saw a young lady dilagently working at the hearth. Upon hearing extra footsteps she turned around and bowed to the guest. Skwisgaar noticed her milk white eyes, she was in fact blind. Oh boy.. He mentally sighed. Murderface sat down in a big chair and called out to his daughter.

"Netta, bring out the Ulfberht with the jewelled pommel that wasch forged under the winter scholschtice." more spit. Netta immediatley left the hearth and went for the sword. Not tripping or stumbling once. Murderface leaned back and lit a naked Valkyrie pipe. Skwisgaar went to look around. He saw a pile of rings. They were beautifully hand crafted in the purest silver and steel.

"How much would one of these rings cost?" he asked Murderface.

"You schaved the Chieftain right? I will cut you in on a little deal." He leaned in as if telling Skwisgaar a little secret, putrid breath stinging his nostrils. "I will schell you them for-"

"Free." He was cut off by the voice of his daughter. " I made them. You can have anyone you want in honour of our chieftain's life."She handed the sword to Skwisgaar. The blonde held up the sword to the little light they had coming through the windows. The sword was magnificent. The steel of the Y style sword was smooth and sharp, its hilt was as golden as his hair, with light blue gems leading all the way up to the sapphire encrusted pommel. Skwisgaar felt it described his presence perfectly, in fact it was so beautiful he was lost for words.

"Sche may be blind but, sche is a damn good blackscmith" moment ruined. He placed the blade into its leather sheath and turned towards Netta. He gently grabbed her hand and placed a light full lipped kiss upon her palm.

"It is the most beautiful sword I have ever seen. Thank you" Netta turned as red as tomato. She stammered and pointed towards the general area for the rings were supposed to be. She was so flabbergasted it was like she was blind for the first time. She had lost her sense of direction and had no idea where she stood. She tried to reach the rings but ended up tripping over an anvil.

"Gosch. For a girl named Graschious, sche isch scho clumschy" Spit spit spit. Skwisgaar helped the young girl up and placed her in a chair. He wondered over the rings and ran his hand across some. His attraction was pulled in by one with no jewels or runic carvings. In white silver was a harrier entangling itself with a hair forged in black silver. It was not super extravagant but it was interesting. So interesting he could not take his his eyes off of it. He grabbed the ring and walked over to Netta who was recovering from his flirtatious charm. He placed the ring in her hand.

"May I have this one?" He asked. Netta felt and ran her fingers around the ring. She was perplexed. The ring was a child's story. And now gems were on it.

"Why would you want something so plain and childish?" He shrugged forgetting she could not see. Netta placed the ring in his hand once again. He grabbed her hand feeling the callouses of hard work, and the soft milky skin of a young woman. Netta of course not used to this kind of attention stammered and burned with blush. Murderface upon seeing this could not resist but to make things worst.

"You know, she is of the age where a husband would be a nice addition to the family." Netta immediately hit him on the head with the striker's hammer and cursed at him for being rude and weird. Seeing this a chance to escape he bid his goodbyes and marched off to Bergson home for wine and a meal.

By the time he arrived a goblet of wine was thrusted into his hand and he forced into a seat. Other men were there of course, to celebrate their life of their chieftain and the man who saved it. Bergson demanded to see the sword Skwisgaar had earned himself. When he pulled it out the whole rom looked at in awe. Skwisgaar looked upon with a smug look and re sheathed it. The night went on with more wine laughing and telling of tales. Bergson drunkenly noticed Skwisgaar's new accessory. He laughed at its childishness. He said it was a ring of a harrier catching his lunch. Skwisgaar looked at it. He didn't feel that way. He felt it meant more than a bird catching its dinner.

Skwisgaar learned that his new home was being buit and by the middle of fall he should be ble to move out of Elis' home. He joked that it was about time, but promised to still help around when he was needed to fish or work for hard labour.

Drunkenly Skwisgaar walked back to his temporary home. Elis decided to stay back with his family, to visit his friends. Skwisgaar shrugged it off. He would have the place to himself then. No loud sex making, or children demanding his attention. He walked through the door to see Mother Unni dressed in only an elk's skin. She stood there with a lustful look in her eye. "Well hello there hero." She said with a soft deep voice. She walked up to Skwisgaar and dropped the skin. Maybe there would still be loud sex making.