Celestine felt the cool breeze blow through the garden where she sat. She stared up in the warm cloudy sky, trying to search for answers but found none. Ever since the day that Lady Kaguya suggested that the old man she had seen was, perhaps, a deity, her thoughts were filled with questions and worries. She was a goddess reborn, the closest thing to the heavens that anyone can reach while alive. And yet the presents of this old and hardened warrior had made her feel small and meek in her dream, like a child who was doing something she wasn't supposed to do and a city guardsman caught her in the act.

Since speaking to Kaguya about her vision, Celestine's mind has become a tad distant. She found herself forgetting activities, duties, and smaller details. Just this morning, she nearly left her bed chambers without her robes. Kaguya promised her to keep silent about what Celestine told her that day and will be looking into this matter personally. All Celestine must do at the time is pray and wait.

Still, not all was bad. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and no cloud was in sight. For a fleeting moment, the world was at peace and all was quiet. Celestine simply closed her eyes, just to make this moment last a bit longer…

"My lady." One of her guards called for her attention. Celestine let out a disappointed sigh.

So much for peace…

Celestine opened her eyes and turned to her guard who held a yellowish-white scroll that was tied.

"Forgive me, but we just received this," The guard handed Celestine the scroll "It is addressed to you."

Puzzled, Celestine took the scroll and thanked her guard. She pulled the leather cord and unrolled it. She began to look at what was written…

And her eyes widen.

Whetstone

Thread and needle

Some extra clothes

Barlog checked off everything he had packed up thus far in his head. He looked and packed whatever he thought he needed for the 'long haul' as Andy called it. He was told to pack light clothing to help him in the warmer weather that was off Jörm's Jaw. He looked over his little hut all morning for anything else he needed.

Drinking Horn

Another pair of boots

His long seax for good measure

Barlog grabbed his helmet and inspected it. It was the same helmet that he wore when he and his people ambushed the orcs. Poor thing was dented where that orc smashed a rock to the side of his head. He scowled at the thought of that night. He paid a good sum from Andy for that horn. He was lucky that the horn was undamaged, He can always repair the piece of armor on the way or at least remove the horn and get a new helmet. Ether way, he tossed it into his bag.

Chainmail shirt

Dried deer meat

And finally…

Barlog stood over his bed and look down at what was on top of the sheets.

Thought and Memory. His two battle axes.

Both came with The öxl made first landed on the shores. Made by his ancestors far before him or his father's time. Both heads were forged in the shape of heads of the two ravens known as Thought and Memory, The eyes of the All-Father and most loyal companions. Barlog's father worked day and night to restore them to their former glory due to their age, and somehow he made them better than ever.

Both handles were made of an old ock that was wrapped in leather with black leather and steel. At the bottom of each handle had a raven feather tied to a piece of leather cord. Both heads of his steel silver-colored axes were large and had a long cutting edge that comes to a dagger point at the lower end of the blades along with runes that the shaman before Yaga chiseled into it to protect their sharpness. Both axes' had a spike on their backs were curved and chiseled to resemble the beaks of the fabled birds, ready to peck anyone that dared face their wielder. Everyone that held even one of them with just one hand complained that they are a bit heavy. Though Barlog thinks that they were perfect for himself.

Barlog placed his axes into his belt and closed his travel bag. Felt satisfied that he gathered everything he needed for the long haul ahead of him. He looked around once more to make sure he did not forget anything he needed and headed for the door. He reached for the handle for the door but stopped. Barlog looked at his hand and noticed that it was shaking.

It was then he realized that his heart was beating fast as well. It finally dawned on to him what was happening

For the first time since the great raids, The öxl were about to leave the mountain.

His home.

A flood of thoughts and feelings filled his head and heart. A nervous Excitement gripped his being. The only connection he had was his books from Andy and his stories when he was younger. And now those childhood dreams were about to come true. Barlog looked around one more time, pulled the door open, walked outside, and shut the door behind him to meet the others.

But rushed back inside when he realized that he forgot his bag.

Okay. NOW he was ready. For real this time.

The farmland outside the village was alive with carts and horses. Families were saying their goodbyes to their husbands and wives, others were kneeling before Yaga and Juno to receive the gods' blessing for a safe journey, And Andy and Hogarth were talking while looking over a map. Barlog moved past the people and the supplies that were being loaded up into the carts to meet with Hogarth and Andy.

"And we just head up this road and there we are." Hogarth said as he studied the map.

"And there we are, indeed." Andy nodded in agreement and then noticed Barlog and wave him over.

"Ah, Barlog, my boy!" Andy greeted him "I take it you got everything, correct?"

"I think so." Barlog said and looked around the caravan.

"We got about twenty people riding with us," Hogarth spoke up without looking away from the map "Including you, Andy here, and Juno will be coming as well."

Barlog tilted his head "Juno?" he questioned

"Yep," Hogarth said and looked up from the map "Yaga can't make the trip. So Juno will be coming as our spiritual advisor when we arrive."

"Which I object to this decision, mind you," Juno said when she effortlessly snuck up behind the three. Barlog was beginning to think that her natural silents might be something that all elves shared.

"Oh, you'll be fine, darling," Yaga hobbled up to Juno.

"And I protest that I will not be fine." Juno retorted with a bit more apprehension in her tone.

Yaga sighed in response to Juno's reluctance.

"Walk with me for a second, child." She asked Juno and waved her over.

Juno sighed as well and she and Yaga left Barlog, Hogarth, and Andy.

Barlog watched her and Yaga fade into the bustling convoy and felt worried for Juno.

Hogarth chuckled, "So we got one that wants to stay home," he jabbed Barlog's side with his elbow "And one that can't wait." Hogarth commented when he remembered when he announced his planned trip.

Before anyone can say anything, Barlog yelled " I shall go!" while standing up and knocked out someone standing next to him.

The poor man that was next to him will live to tell the tale, but Barlog's eagerness was now well known to all of Hrafnvatn. Making him the center of attention.

Barlog felt his cheeks warm up in embarrassment at the mention two nights ago.

"Anyway," Hogarth spoke up "You have everything in order?" He asked.

Barlog lifted his bag and slapped the leather.

"Everything that I think I need, sir.." he answered.

"Wonderful," Andy interjected "Place your belongings in my cart and we'll be moving along shortly."

Barlog furrowed his brow "Your cart?" He questioned.

"I insisted that you ride with me, given I am your humble navigator, and you had that vision of yours." Andy answered the large öxl.

"Besides, I doubt anyone will dare lift anything in my cart knowing that you are close by." Andy finished with a chuckle of his own.

"Like anyone wants whatever junk you were peddling." Hogarth said under his breath.

"Said the man who was nearly begging me for that sword?" Andy retorted.

Both Hogarth and Andy then began to bicker among themselves for what felt like the tenth time today. Barlog moved away from the two and made his way to the traveling emporium with a small smile on his face.

Juno kept her sight straight in front, not wanting to look at her mentor. Yaga sat down on the back of a covered wagon that was filled with materials befitting a shaman.

"Now what's seem to be the problem, girl?" She asked Juno.

Juno kept silent, trying to think of the words to best reflect her emotions. Her hands moved to the scars on her mouth unconsciously.

"You can still make this trip," Juno spoke up finally "Even Hogarth knows this fact, and yet you are you making me go in your stead? Why?" She asked in her usual quiet tone, no doubt that she was trying to mask her worried mind.

Yaga looked at the dark elf with a faint smile and patted a spot next to herself. Juno let out a sigh and sat down next to the older shaman.

"Tell me, child," Yaga began by asking "Have you not been following me since you can stand up without aid?" Yaga simply asked Juno.

"Pardon?" Juno questioned.

"Have you not learned how to read the runes or speak in the words of the All-Father?" Yaga continued.

"O-of course I did-" Juno studdered out.

"Then you do not need my assistance." Yaga stated and clapped her hands.

"That's not the point, mother!" Juno exclaimed quietly.

Yaga's eyes widen a bit, it is been some time since Juno referred to her as 'mother'.

"Well," Yaga said and crossed her arms "Why don't you explain to me then."

Juno fidgets in her seat uncomfortably while searching to find the right words. Yaga kept silent for a good amount of time.

"It is…" Juno hesitantly began loud enough that it is not a whisper. She paused, But Yaga remained patient.

"Olga campaign… left many, including here, with issues about… us… and..." Juno pushed out the words.

Yaga placed a hand on Juno's shoulder. Juno turned her head to look at Yaga's hand.

"You are not an elf." Yaga stated to a confused Juno.

"Wha-" Juno tried to speak but Yaga interrupted once more.

"You are not some dark elf, you are öxl, my dear." Yaga said while looking her in the eyes.

"This whole village did more than save you from monsters. We took you in, we mended your broken body, we did not just take you in, we embraced you." Yaga spoke softly

"It was that damned queen that made war, not you. And if others disagree then to Hel to them all." Yaga finished by pointing a boney finger at Juno.

Juno stared into Yaga's eyes. Her mentor.

Her guide.

Her second mother.

"Speaking of which," Yaga said, removing hands from Juno and reached into her robe, fishing for something "I have to protect and prepare you for the duty of Shaman when I leave,"

Yaga pulled out an object wrapped in a dark cloth. Yaga held it up to Juno to take it.

Curiously, Juno took the wrapped thing from Yaga and began to fold away the cloth to see its treasure. When finished, she stared at it puzzled.

What she held was a seax knife with a leather sheath. Its handle felt like it is made of a white tusk with simple carvings to improve the grip. Unsheathing the knife, the blade was nearly glistening in the sun. Its craftsmanship was simple, yet stunning nonetheless.

"My great, great, grandfather, Yorn The Web-Cutter, slew the vile spider demon, Ice-Bite, in our homeland," Yaga told Juno the story behind this knife "He took its fang as a trophy. His brother took the fang and fashioned it into the blade you hold now. It has been passed down from parent to child ever since. And now it is my turn."

"I can't-"

"You will." Yaga cut off Juno before she could protest. Juno looked at Yaga's family heirloom with concern before returning it to its sheath.

"It is time for you to stand on your own now. And I have faith that you will stand tall as not as our new Shaman nor dark elf, but as yourself." Yaga said.

Juno was stunned silent. Her heart feels strange, lighter, yet harder. Her eyes never left the knife that she held. They were filled with doubt and confusion. But now, slowly but surely, their doubt and confusion were replaced by her usual sharp and gentle gaze. The same one that held wisdom and mystery that was normal for her.

"Thank you...Mother," Juno said. Her voice was calm that was familiar to her. Yaga smiled once more and reached over to hug her daughter.

A horn was heard throughout the caravan. Signaling everyone that it was time to move out. Barlog was shocked out of his little nap on top of Andy's traveling emporium. He stretched his arms over his head and looked around himself. Husbands and fathers hugged and wave goodbye to their wives and children. Others cheered and howled in excitement as they made plans on what they wanted to do on the way. Barlog felt a bit lost from everything that was happening. Everything was moving so fast he thought he might lose his head for a minute. He felt something was hopping in the perch. Looking over, he saw it Andy, and still in one peace.

"Hop on down here, Barlog," Andy invited him "It will take a week to head on over to Ken and I have much to teach you."

Barlog did just that and joined his friend. The seat creaked at the added weight when Barlog sat down. Andy then started rambling something about history but ultimately fell on deaf ears for Barlog when the sounds of a lyre began to play. One of the bards decided to play a tune to send them off into, for Barlog and everyone else, a brand new world.

Guess who is back? Yep, and to say that I had a rough absence is an understatement. From bad weather to rushing to the hospital nearly dying and finding out I'm now a type one diabetic. Yeah, its been bad on my end. So here to improving my health and a better year.