[Etude 1] To Honor Raven – Part 4
[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3]
The next hour seemed to stretch for an age. Brian spent most of it trying to see through the dark trees before him to find any sign of Huldra. Guilt gnawed within him, knowing that he was the reason she had not yet returned.
Valgar sat nearby, watching Brian carefully. Finally he began to speak.
“Brian - why did you go into the camp?” His tone was cold, emphasising the name as he spoke. Brian couldn’t look at Valgar, knowing just from his voice how disappointed his mentor was. “T-To get the totem,” he mumbled back. ”I just… wanted to help...”
“By ignoring those who gave council? Huldra told you how foolish that would be!” The norn crossed his arms, ”What were you trying to prove? Why did you ignore her advice?”
Brian buried his head in his hands, feeling overwhelmed as he hid the tears forming in his eyes. “Because I knew I could do it!” His voice cracked as he continued, ”Th-That stupid footprint - I was almost there! I could have been the one to get it back - if I had done it then no one would be complaining! Everyone would be celebrating and talking about me. How I got the totem back from an entire camp!”
Valgar sighed, shaking his head. “Legends are not forged through foolishness, Brian. To deny the wisdom of others… it is like cutting off an entire limb to make yourself lighter. It did not matter whether you could do it or not - what mattered were the consequences. A totem is not worth risking the lives of others, Jotan or Norn.”
Brian was silent, the words sinking in as he looked despondent to the ground. ‘Valgar is right - I should have listened. Why did I think I could take on an entire camp for one damn totem?’ He remembered how excited he had felt at the start, like it was a game. Now he just felt regret. “I did not mean for it to happen this way Valgar… I’m sorry...”
Moving over to sit by Brian, Valgar placed a large arm over his shoulder. "Your heart is that of Wolf. You are fierce, loyal, and you are strong. But a wolf always hunts in a pack. There is reason for this, sveinulf. Things will always work better if you together with others. Remember this wisdom from Raven:
'A lone wolf eventually staves, but a pack brings home a feast'.
Remember it, because your life may depend on it someday."
Finally Brian looked up at Valgar, nodding at his words. “I will, Valgar.”
A crack echoed close to the edge of the camp, and both Brian and Valgar stood as they looked to where the sound was. A bulk covered in black feathers emerged, limping slightly.
“Wolf’s teeth, I was beginning to worry about you Huldra!” Valgar made his way over to her as the feathers began to fall away, the transformation reversing itself. Brian quickly began to help as well, noticing how injured the shaman was.
“The spirits put up a decent fight, but I was able to flee the camp before they could see me properly,” she spoke, her voice now soft and quiet. She reached the small shelter and began to lay down on the bed Brian had prepared for her. “I did not want to lead them here, so I had to hide until they lost the trail.”
“I’m sorry Huldra,” Brian spoke, overflowing with guilt. “I was a fool - I should have listened to you!”
“What is done is done,” she responded, her demeanour tired. “I must rest now. We shall speak tomorrow.”
“Take watch Brian, while I dress Huldra’s wounds,” Valgar spoke, nodding to Brian who moved back to his seat - gazing into the forest ahead as Valgar helped the shaman.
It wasn’t too long before Valgar finished, returning to Brian once Huldra fell asleep. After a long silence Brian spoke, his voice soft so to not disturb Huldra’s rest.
“Valgar, I felt it again when I was up there. That weird itch.”
Valgar turned to look at him, frowning.“The one in your chest?”
“Yea.” Brian subconsciously touched his chest, the location where the increasingly familiar itch was occurring. “It started when the spirits appeared, and only stopped when I ran into you.”
“Is that so...” The norn fell silent, and Brian watched his face fall pensive for a moment. It had happened a few times in the past, although Brian could never pinpoint why. It would suddenly occur out of nowhere - a shift within him that felt hot and itchy, as if it was reacting to something unseen.
“I am not sure what is happening to you, sveinulf. Perhaps it would be wise for us to seek council for it on our way to the next shrine - perhaps even from a human. They may know what is triggering this within you.”
Brian frowned, not sure what to think of having consult a fellow human. He felt so disjointed from the rest of them, with their Gods and their Queen. Things he knew nothing about, nor cared to. But if the strange sensation wasn’t normal, he knew it was probably wise to have it at least looked at.
“Yea - that sounds like a good plan.”
Valgar hummed in satisfaction.
“Go and get some rest now. You will need it for the journey tomorrow.”
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By the next day, the raven shaman seemed to have almost completely recovered from the night’s wounds. As Brian was packing up his sleeping gear he eyed the Raven shrine before him, wondering if it’s invigorating properties had perhaps sped up the healing process.
Or perhaps it was Raven’s blessing directly on the shaman itself.
“Young wolf, do you understand the lesson Raven has taught you?”
Brian looked up as Huldra approached, the shame of the previous night causing him to avert his eyes back down.
“Yes - Valgar spoke to me. I didn’t listen to you, and that was why you ended up wounded…” He looked across towards her, still not looking up. ”Thank you for saving me, and... I’m sorry you were put in danger.”
She nodded, “I accept your apology. Indeed - Valgar is a good teacher - you are lucky to have him. He seeks to honor Raven with his pilgrimage. If you too wish to honor Raven then you must take on the wisdom of others. You are impatient, young wolf, but I hope you have learned raven’s lesson.”
“I have, and I will honor Raven,” Brian responded, looking up with resolve. Huldra smiled in return, turning as Valgar approached the two.
“How will you deal with the Jotan?” He asked, looking to Huldra. ”While you may have put them off the trail, I’m sure they will be suspicious of those three guards that were slain.”
“Do not worry, Valgar - I have a plan on how to deal with those Jotan.”
“Oh? Huldra, what is your plan“ Valgar asked, eyeing the shaman with amusement.
Huldra gave a sly smirk. “I intend to make them believe the totems are cursed. I shall make sure to ‘haunt’ them, disrupting them and ensuring the totems are to blame. I suspect they will soon send them back where they stole them from.”
“Ho! A cunning plan indeed - you shall cause some mischief yet!” he responded with a grin. “I look forward to hearing the stories!“
“I shall be sure to share them the next time we meet,“ she replied, a knowing smile on her face.
It wasn’t too long before the two were ready to head off, and after they had knelt at the shrine once more Valgar stood, turning to Huldra.
“Now, we must continue on to the next shrine. Farewell Huldra!”
The feather-clad norn smiled, watching as Brian rose as well.
“Farewell Valgar, and farewell Brian. May Raven guide you both in the journey ahead.”
Brian smiled, waving at the shaman as he and Valgar continued their long pilgrimage.
