Origins: Trial
Original posting date: 1/31/2021
The boy traveled with the stranger for what felt like all four corners of the world.
They traveled by night and rested during the day, cloaked all the time.
He had soon learned that his savior was female, by comparing her physique to adventurers they passed on the paths they walked.
He would trail behind the warrior as they spoke of where to find berries that would not make you sick, or how to properly prepare water to drink. Whenever she spoke, he listened, absorbing everything like a wilted flower desperate for life.
When asking the stranger where their destination was, she would simply point towards the mountains in the distance.
"East." Was the common response.
His guardian did not let him go hungry. Whenever the two rested to eat, she would ensure that he had taken at least one bite before beginning to eat her meal.
When they reached the base of the mountain, she gave to him her fur pelt and ensured that he stayed warm.
It wasn't too long until the snow reached up to his hips, forcing him to shuffle close behind, for her path made it easier to traverse the harsh terrain.
As they got higher, it got much colder and the air harder to breathe.
With periodic breaks on their climb, it took days to reach their destination.
"We are here."
Peeking from behind her wearily, he saw it. A keep built within the side of the mountain.
"It has been here since our people first came to this side of the world." She began to move forward, and he followed.
As they walked to the side of the drawbridge, the head of an ancient beast could be seen high above.
"Tion'cuy!" The eyes of the large skeleton lit up with a red hue as they approached, a mighty voice calling towards them in a tongue as ancient as the fort itself.
"Ibic beskar'gam goran, allit Tracyn'draco" The woman called out, her right shoulder towards the front, the distinct head of a dragon emblazed on it.
"Olarom yaim Mando'ade" The eye sockets of the skull darkened for a moment before they once again pulsated, this time with a yellow glow. The gate soon stirred to life, the bridge lowering for them.
Turning to him, she had her hand out for him to grab. "Come."
Taking her hand once more, they stepped foot into the keep, the bridge closed right behind them.
Walking through the keep, they passed by many rooms, all of which seemed to be abandoned.
"Where is everyone?"
"This is an ancient stronghold." She began. "Only a few remember of its existence now."
"I see." A simple response from the boy.
They walked for a few minutes longer before they reached a door, twice the size of all the others, and right above it was the same skull that was outside.
This one, however, was not made of bone, rather a shiny reflective metal. When she walked up to the door, it opened as if it recognized her presence.
"Olarom Beskar'gam goran." The metal skull's eyes lit up a shade of yellow as she entered.
Following behind her, he saw a grand sight.
This room was easily the size of five of the houses within his old village, perhaps even more. The size of the forge itself was at least the height of a wagon, and two in width. Flames shot up from the forge, with an intensity like none other that he could feel as he got closer.
From here he could see a large cauldron filled with a liquid, unsure what it was.
"Sit." She beckoned to a seat a few paces in front of the forge.
As he did that, he could see her unstrapping a leather-skin wrap she had been carrying. The hammer was not only her weapon but a tool of her trade, that of which was the trade of a smith.
"Tell me, boy, have you ever heard of the people known as the Mandalorians?"
He thought for a moment before replying. "No."
"Our people have been on the decline for centuries now." She pulled out what looked like a cabinet drawer with a pole attached to it. "I will tell you the history of our people."
She placed a single type of metal into the container. From here, he could see a wavy pattern, almost that of silver, but the metal was unknown to him.
"We did not start as Mandalorians." She began to speak, placing the crucible over the flames, the sounds of hissing as the metal began to melt. "We were once a nomadic people, our only skill being that of warfare. We offered our services to the people who did not see the glory in battle as we did."
There was a pause as she moved across the room, opening a few drawers and pulled out what looked like a mold or cast of sorts.
"Thousands of years later, the First Mand'alor proved his meddle to the clans and united us, his ways leading us to victory. After the Mand'alor's passing, we follow his example by adhering his way, the Way of the Mandalore." Placing the mold in a metal cylinder, she adjusted it so it would be tightly sealed. "Those that came after created the Canons of Honor and the Six Tenets. An honorable code made by honorable warriors."
Once the molten metal began to bubble, she poured it into the cast, the sounds of the molten metal hissing echoing within the chamber once again.
"Every Mand'alor after him strived to uphold the honor of our people."
He said nothing, simply taking in her words.
"As time passed, many lost their way, strayed from the Way and the other beliefs our people held dear, and became dar'manda." After a few moments, she untightened the cylinders, and using the tongs, she pulled out a sheet of hot metal. "They became nothing more than bandits in their ancestral armors."
Moving it to a ball-shaped anvil, she began to strike it, each hit filled with meaning and purpose.
"Those who stayed true to the manda fought a long crusade against the dar'manda, and eventually we were triumphant." She continued to shape the metal. "This was to be a short-lived victory."
She moved the metal to the flame again, heating it before bringing it back to the metal orb, the ringing of metal echoing throughout the chamber as her tools shaped the metal.
"The realms had grown tired of our warring, and sought to subjugate us, and destroy us." Her grip tightened on the hammer as she looked at the shape. "We did not lose, nor did we win… we survived."
A few hours went by as she worked; her silence marked by her focus on her craft, the once forceful hammering turning into light taps as the helmet became more rounded and defined. She then dunked it in a liquid, the sounds of hissing coming from the container.
"And here the cycle continues, my sponsor brought me here when I was a foundling." She reached for a series of smaller tools and began to carefully chisel something within the inside rim of the helmet. "Now I am here as your founder, to raise you as my own."
She put the tools to the side, picking up the helmet she walked over to him. Kneeling so that her head was level with his, she presented the helmet to him.
"I see the same fire in your eyes that my founder saw in me." Her visor was level with his eyes. "I can teach you the ways of our people so that you may strike back at those that have wronged you."
Taking the helmet from her, it was surprisingly light. Looking into the helmet, he could see a series of words engraved into it, however, its meaning was lost on him, for it was in a script he was not taught.
"Regardless of your choice, I cannot force you down the path of a warrior." She added, soon putting her hands on his shoulders. "And by creed, I will still watch over you until you are old enough to care for yourself. This is the Way."
Turning the helmet upside up now, his attention was now focused on the visor, its distinctive 'T' shape different from hers.
"This is the Way." He looked straight back into her visor, echoing her words.
Lifting it above his head, he slowly lowered the helmet onto his head. Then he felt the enchantment take effect and for a moment there was darkness.
…
It had been nearly five years ago.
So much had changed since then.
Opening his eyes, he could see torchlight peaking from underneath the door. Getting up from his spot, his scarlet eyes scanned around the dwelling he was assigned.
It was a relatively spartan room, a cot pushed into one corner, a desk on the opposite side, and a stand that had his full set of armor. A mirror was there to check if the armor was correctly placed.
Getting up, he walked over to the mirror, looking himself up and down. No longer was he the small boy that could not defend himself. His cabur, his guardian had seen to it.
His body was toned, and few faint scars remained on his bare body, his hand running over a few of them. These had been dealt during their fights with real blades. The scar on his side was still there, but it became fainter with every passing year.
His hand then went to his head. Earlier this year, his hair had started to turn grey, at the scalp, and now it was fully grey. When he asked her, she was unsure what might have caused it, for this is the first time she's heard of it.
First, he put on a gambeson made of leather, and soon after he looked to the set of armor.
It was made of a special alloy that his mentor had made, 'durasteel' she had called it. Apparently it was lighter than normal steel but still heavier than the beskar helmet he wore.
Putting on each piece of armor, he did a once over each piece, his hand caressing the metal before it being equipped onto his person.
Most of it looked like standard plate armor, save for the helmet and chest plate. The helmet being made of beskar had a powerful enchantment cast onto it, one of its uses served as a pitch-black barrier between his face and the outside world.
The chest plate was relatively standard in terms of armor, but it had the Beskaryc Kar'ta as it was a traditional emblem of the Mandalorian culture.
His training had been occurring every day since his arrival, his cabur planned out each day according to the Six Tenets, the Resol'nare.
Bajur. Education. Although he had been mostly taught by his older sister about the basics, the one who saved him taught him more. She taught him the history of their culture, the Six Tenets, the Canons of Honor, and The Way of the Mandalore. She taught him what he would need to know, ranging from the basics of each language to the practical knowledge to survive off the land.
Beskar'gam. The 'Iron Skin'. Before this, he knew nothing of armor. Now he knew what his was made of, how to maintain it. Even how to properly sleep in it. He was taught that the metal known as Beskar was simply the metal known as adamantine, just smelted down into its purest form by technique only the Mandalorians knew.
Ara'nov. Self Defense. A staple of the Mandalorian people was their renown in combat, whether it be alongside regulars or a lone individual, songs of ages bygone tell how a single Mandalorian had no equal, and an army of them could change the tide of any conflict. He was taught all forms of combat, whether it be unarmed or armed.
Aliit. Tribe… clan. To a Mandalorian, their strength is his clan. Family was not determined solely by blood, but by the relationship with that member. His founder had proved this when she had taken him in after finding him on the exit of his town, bleeding out.
Mando'a. Their language. As secretive as that of the ancient druids, their language was a tongue that flowed like a battle, its roots having been taken from all languages that existed. A master of the forge could imbue these words with the magical properties that the roots had contained.
Mand'alor. Their Sole Ruler. The rightful leader of the Mandalorian people, the chief of all clans. Whoever they might be, when they call for aid, all true Mandalorians must rally behind their cause, for they had the strength and vision to manifest their will into reality.
The last Mand'alor had not been seen in over one hundred years.
As he finished tightening his greaves to his legs, he picked up the beskar helmet, looking at the 'T' shaped visor. It had remained mainly unchanged, despite the instance from his mentor to make the helmet more of his own.
Putting it on, the enchantment activated immediately, having been attuned to him.
Then a knock on his door caught his attention.
"Are you up?" The voice of his founder was heard.
"Yeah." He responded, walking up to the door unlocking it. Opening it, she stood in front of him. "What is it?"
"Kemir ti ni." The woman beckoned with her hand, gauntlet clinking as she moved. "Walk with me."
With a nod, he got up right beside her.
"Where are we going?" He turned his head to her. He stood only half a head taller than her.
"You are shaping up to be a fine Mando." She began as they walked along the ancient halls of this fortress. "But you are still… evaar'la… young."
"Am I?" He responded, genuinely question in his voice.
"I believe so." She responded, amusement in her voice. "I have taught you much in the past few years, skills that will last you a lifetime."
She continued to walk forward, her eyes not turning to him.
"When I was a foundling, I went with my founder on the verd'goten." Her helmet tilted towards him. "Today we will be partaking in the custom."
"Verd'goten?" He tilted his head.
"Yes, today you will lead in the hunt." She told him. "Think of it as a test of your skills. Now we will first eat, and then collect your weapons for the hunt."
"Very well." The two made their way towards the dining hall.
…
He had collected what he believed he would need for the hunt.
For weapons, he had with him a sword, his kal, a bundle of four javelins, a crossbow with ten bolts.
Along with that, he had brought a few days worth of rations in the chance that they are out for an extended period of time.
As he neared the keep, he could see his mentor standing by.
"There is a large variety of beasts and monsters to hunt atop these mountains." She began, turning towards the exit. "I will be beside you in the odds that the foe proves too much for you."
"Very well." With a nod, he took the lead.
They trudged through the snow that was slightly deeper than their ankles. Although it was a silent journey, he never let his mind rest.
He knew most of these mountains quite well, having walked up and down it often with his mentor. The lessons between hunting and foraging made it easier to know his way around.
Animals need water. His thoughts began as he walked in a line. Perhaps I will find tracks near the river.
That line of reasoning made enough sense to him, slightly changing his direction as he walked towards where the body of running water was.
It would not be too much longer until they reached the body of the river. From what he was told, this water came from a glacier that rested on the very peak of this mountain, and that the water would run down both sides of the mountains, making many of the creeks he had passed by at the base.
Walking alongside the river, his eyes were constantly looking for any disturbances. He knew often that animals such as elk and other animals came here for water, and sometimes for the salmon that found itself moving up against the currents.
Then he saw it. Approaching the tracks, he knelt to get a better look.
Four-legged… stood still while it took a drink. Head turning towards the direction it wandered off, it seemed that it was moving up the river. It could be ram, perhaps an elk?
"I'd say these tracks are roughly a few hours old." He spoke aloud, getting up as he finished his assessment of the tracks. "We will follow."
"Very well." His teacher nodded.
The crisp early morning air soon became colder as they followed, the sun not having peered through the clouds. The clouds however got darker as time passed on.
It'll most likely snow again. His helmet tipped upwards. It'll be difficult to follow this animal if its tracks get covered in the snow.
Deciding to pick up the pace, he moved in the direction of the tracks, only following a few steps to the side.
As he continued forward, the pace at which the hooves were moving seem to speed up, the second set of tracks chasing after it.
Slowing down to properly observe the prints, he could see that these were that of a predatory animal.
He squatted down to it, trying to get an idea of the animal. "Looks like a wolf hmm… maybe large one."
"No." His mentor walked up beside him, pointing to the tips of each of the paw tips. "A wolf's track would have little claw marks as well."
"I see…" He looked up now, trying to recall the tracks of the region's predatory animals. "A mountain lion?"
"That is the correct predator." She now agreed with him. "Remember, because you are not actively hunting it does not mean that you should learn what it is."
"Right… bajur for a Mandalorian never ends." He added thoughtfully.
"Exactly." She patted him on the back, beginning to walk past him. "Now lead on."
With a nod, he continued to track his prey as any hunter would.
The closer they got, it became clear that whatever the bigger animal was chasing was grazed, blood marking the snow more and more as they progressed.
Eventually, they reached a plateau where the two animals were as the snowfall got heavier. A short distance further was a cave entrance, which he could only assume was its home.
"There it is." He stated quietly, pointing towards a figure, his finger tracing the trail of blood towards it. The snow was bloodied and clearly disturbed as if its meal was dragged here.
"Indeed. Now hunt the beast just as our forefathers hunted the ancient mythosaur." Her helmet turned to him. "Jate'kara."
We are upwind. He thought as he prepared the crossbow, remembering what his sister had told him about hunting. The wind should cover my approach.
Slowly moving into the clearing, he got closer to the beast. Lifting his crossbow he took a deep breath in as he aimed.
Clearly, the creature was eating its fill, was unaware of the hunter that approached closer to it.
Deciding that this was the best spot to begin his attack, he pulled the trigger, the bolt flying where he believed to be the neck.
With a growl the creature stopped eating, turning to him. That is when he noticed that this was not just any mountain lion. Its jaws had two teeth at least the size of his forearm.
That's not a normal mountain lion. The foundling looked at his supposed prey. He tossed the crossbow to the side as he pulled a javelin from the bundle strapped to his back. No matter.
The creature growled before the javelin stabbed straight into its side.
This action did not please the creature, and after it managed to pull it out of its side, it erupted with rage in the form of a roar.
He managed to ready another javelin as it charged at him. Instead of throwing it, however, he decided to use it as an improvised spear, stabbing straight into the larger beast as it got into range.
This was partially successful, as the javelin did hit its mark, but not without emerging unscathed. With that lunge, he had attempted to move out of the way towards the left, but the beast had managed to swipe at his right arm, digging its claws into the pauldrons.
Although his upper arm was lightly injured, the pauldron was rent open.
I can't let it get another hit on me. He could see the damaged metal in his peripherals. The chance it will kill me will be high.
Drawing his sword now, he made some distance while the creature removed the second javelin embedded in its flesh.
As the two were circling each other, the snow became denser and heavier, his scarlet eyes locked onto the amber eyes of this beast despite how much the snow was now obscuring his view.
Using the snow as a cloak, he quickly reached into the pouch attached to his belt.
Water. Not handy here. Firestarter. If he had more time to prepare, he might have been able to use it. Potion and various medicine. Treatment of wounds happens after the battle. Spices. Although he did not mind the blandness of travel rations, his mentor always recommended for him to bring them along.
For a few seconds, he thought of the options he had, then he acted.
With a surge of energy, he made the first move and charged the beast. The beast mimicked his movements and ran towards him.
What the beast had not been expecting was for the pouch of spice, which promptly erupted into its face upon impact.
With a howl of pain, it began to panic as it tried to remove the foreign irritants from its senses, blindly swiping in whatever direction.
He felt the claws of the beast scrape across his chest plate, to his luck, only a glancing hit.
Now, this is my chance. He had to take this opportunity. The boy quickly jumped onto its back, using his left hand to hold where the crossbow bolt had embedded itself. It did not take long for his blade to become slick with blood as he furiously slashed into its side.
The beast did not allow for him to remain atop of it unperturbed and made multiple efforts to buck off the unwanted rider. With a mighty buck, it managed to throw the young man forward, causing him to roll before landing on his stomach.
Slightly dazed from the sudden tumble, he could see his sword a short distance in front of him, and a bit past that the beast, which was now bleeding quite badly and breathing heavier.
With a grunt, he tried to scramble for it, but just as he reached for it with his left arm, the jaws of the beast bit down on his durasteel gauntlet, his arm narrowly avoided by the larger pair of teeth.
Using his right arm, he tried to reach for a javelin, but it seemed that they had fallen out sometime during his rodeo on the back of this beast.
He did not doubt the protective capabilities of his durasteel gauntlet, but he could feel the creature's interior fangs beginning to push down harder. He knew he needed to finish this fight now.
Reaching for his belt now, he unsheathed his kal, and with all of his strength, he thrust the blade into the neck of the beast. With this action, its eyes widened with pain as it gripped harder, its teeth now slowly pushing through the metal.
It soon began to violently thrash around with desperation, bringing more pain to his arm. But he did not falter, he endured through the pain, his only goal to continue pushing his blade forth.
After what seemed like hours of pushing, the jaw of the beast loosened. Taking his hand off the dagger, he pried the mouth of the dead beast open with his remaining hand.
His right hand was slicked in blood, making it difficult to collect his kal from the corpse of the beast.
Reaching into his pouch, he took out the potion. Uncorking it with his mouth, he downed the contents, the pain dulling in his left arm.
"It's done!" He called out, he got up from the snowy ground, exhausted from the fight.
"And so it is." He heard the voice of his mentor, approaching with the sound of crunching snow. "A spectacular fight, I was almost tempted to intervene."
He prepared to speak again, but he was halted, her hand with a flask.
"Drink, it will give you energy." She moved back to the creature. "I'll drag this in the cave, focus on your health first."
With a nod, he took the flask and downed it as quickly as he had done with his other potion. Its bitter aftertaste was just a thought in the back of his mind as he felt the energy slowly return his body.
Moving towards the bloodied-up weapons, he attempted to wipe them down before sheathing them and headed for the cave.
…
It had been a few hours since he had entered the cave, his wounds now bandaged. The weather outside worsened quite quickly after he slew the beast, the sounds of the wind howling as clumps of snow fell from the sky.
He had remained quiet and still since his founder had told him to rest.
"What was that beast?" He asked, looking at her.
"It was a saber-tooth." She responded, as water boiled over the fire. "I had believed those creatures to be long gone."
"Huh." He thought about it as he looked at the dead beast.
"Much quicker than my verd'goten." She stated with a hint of humor. "I spent a week on this mountain before finding my mark."
"Is that so?" He asked, his helmet turning to her.
"It is." She stated, before handing him a cup of tea. "It will make a distinguished signet for your clan."
"My clan?" He took a sip from the beverage.
"Yes." She informed him. "Every Mandalorian has the right to form his or her own clan, and your signet for when you have a clan of your own."
"I see…" He thought to himself, looking away. Could he even think about starting a clan, after everything that has happened?
"Tell me, when are we permitted to take off our helmets?" His mentor broke him from his thoughts.
"Never in the presence of another living being." He stated, the belief having been in most texts he had read at his time here.
But that response got a rise from her.
"Only ancient texts talk of that form of extremism." She took a seat next to the fire. "As you have completed the verd'goten, you are ready to be on your own."
He remained silent as he looked at her.
Her cup rested in her hands as she looked down into it. "There is only one final lesson I can pass onto you, Ner ad."
Here's the second chapter!
First, let me start off with my posting schedule: it's whenever I get the chapters done usually, however with the semester starting up again, I hope to post at least once a month, but no promises!
Now let me answer some of the questions asked in reviews
Austin: Once again, thank you for the idea! I know I wouldn't have put two and two with Goblin Slayer. For the most part, this story will be 'What if Goblin Slayer was Mandalorian' where they are already an established part of their universe, so no grogu here, but I would not be opposed to making a oneshot of some comedic value where that occurs. Also, I'm personally not sure what future crossover I'll make, this alone is treading new water, so maybe when i get more comfortable and more into the writing groove ill see what the future holds!
B123: There will be changes to the Mandalorian culture, I've already got a few planned as you can see in this chapter!
Hang Tuah: Yes, I plan on adapting some of the sci-fi elements to be more fantasy to be more friendly with the world I'm working with: Anything is possible with magic after all!
Also, I took inspiration from Jake Bartok medieval art of the Mandalorian, which will be linked to my profile.
Mandalorian words and phrases
Tion'cuy! - Halt! Who goes there?"
Ibic beskar'gam goran, allit Tracyn'draco - I am the armor blacksmith, clan Fire-Dragon
Olaram yaim Mondo'ade- Welcome home, Mandalorian.
Manda- the collective soul or heave. The state of being mandalorian in mind, body, and spirit- also supreme, overarching, guardian like
Dar'manda- the state of not being mandalorian. not an ousider but one who has lost his heritage and so his identity and soul. Worst thing to be considered by traditional mandalorians
Mand'alor- Sole Ruler
Cabur- guardian
Bajur- education
Beskar'gam - Iron skin, but references armor
Ara'nov- self defense
Mando'a- Mandalorian language
Kermir ti ni- Walk with me
evaar'la- youthful
Verd'goten- Mandalorian rite of passage coming of age type of trial, "Warriors Trial"
Ner ad- My son.
Until next posting!
-Moonlight Talon of the Night
