#botgd flashback

[lbigreyhound13]

“The only reason I was so impatient, dear wife,” Sven said raising an eyebrow at Ingrid, “is because I received a letter from my little brother saying that he needed to talk to me about something, and I’m left wondering just what it could be. Now that he’s here, I can finally ask him.” He then looked at Einar. “So, what is it? What do you need to talk to me about?”

Einar’s smile slowly fell which only made Sven, Ingrid, and Grey furrow their eyebrows together in concern. He then took a deep breath and looked at his brother. “First, I need to ask you,” he began, “has there been any sign of High Central on this island or any word of them being nearby?”

Both Sven and Ingrid widened their eyes in shock at hearing Einar ask such a question. They looked at each other and then back at Einar.

Grey eyed her uncle and then her parents waiting with bated breath for the conversation to continue. Shadow stood next to her equally waiting for a response.

“W-Why…why would you need to know that?” Sven asked trying to ignore his pounding heart. “What’s going on?”

[moe-lazyeye]

Weird Timing for Closure (botgd flashback)

After accepting the excuse to spend some time chatting the Blunt, Stonegit had spent the remainder of the day with Haddock in the same peace and quiet they had left themselves in the conversation before. However, as the night dragged on, the boy saw that the next guard rotation, and more importantly Mera, would be able to ensure the King’s safety while he got a few hours of rest. 

So after bidding the family goodnight, Stonegit stepped out into the strangely familiar courtyard of the grounded dungeon, and took a moment to gaze up at the stars. The ground was not trembling from the crash of gods fighting upon the earth, and Stonegit knew it would probably be one of the few, peaceful nights for the next few years.

@voxarnason

[lbigreyhound13]

On the Horizon (BOTGD flashback)

December 1036

Twelve-year-old Grey hurried as she put on her boots while her Night Fury watched her intently. Once she was dressed and brushed her teeth and hair, the young Viking was ready to start the day. Her father had promised her that they would get to have another sword fighting lesson that morning, so she made sure to be up early before she would have to do her morning chores.

“Okay, ready, girl?” Grey asked her dragon.

Shadow crooned excitedly as she stood up from the floor and stretched.

“Great!” Grey said excitedly. “Come on, Dad’s probably waiting for us downstairs.”

The young girl and the Night Fury ran down the stairs of the Bergman household, and as they descended, they saw Grey’s mother Ingrid stirring something in the pot over the fire.

“Morning, Mom!” Grey said happily as she and Shadow bounded down the stairs.

Ingrid looked up and smiled as her young daughter walked down with Shadow. “Oh good morning, Grey,” she said with a raised eyebrow. “You’re up early.”

“Yeah,” Grey replied as she grabbed her coat. “Dad and I are supposed to train today before I do my chores.” She looked around only to see that her father was nowhere to be found. “Where is he?”

Ingrid furrowed her eyebrows together in concern. “Oh, I’m sorry, my little Grey,” she said. “Dad isn’t here. He’s in a meeting with Chief Hroar and the other Widerwestern chiefs now.”

Grey groaned as she slumped in disappointment. “Aw man…that’s today?” Grey asked. As the Chief’s second-in-command, it was Sven’s job to attend meetings with the Chief, and that included the annual meeting with the Wilderwestern chiefs. Usually that involved the chiefs coming to Haligan Island or Sven and Hroar having to travel, and this year the meeting was on Haligan Island.

“I’m afraid so, dear,” Ingrid said nodding.

Grey sighed. “Did he say how long it would take?” she asked.

“He didn’t,” Ingrid replied, “but perhaps, if you sit down and have some breakfast and get your chores done, you and Dad might have some time to train by the time he’s done.”

Grey smiled. “Okay,” she said. She took her coat off and walked over to the fish basket pulling out some fish for Shadow before taking her place at the table to wait for breakfast.

——————

Sven sat with Chief Hroar at the head of the table in the Great Hall. All morning the Wilderwestern chiefs had been pouring in with their elders and second-in-commands all morning, and they all congregated around the large table ready to start the meeting. Once everyone was settled in, he turned to his best friend, Chief Hroar signaling him that the meeting was to commence.

Chief Hroar stood up and silenced the crowd. “Fellow chieftains, elders, sirs,” he said, “it is with great pleasure that Sir Sven and I welcome you to Haligan Island for the annual meeting of the chiefs.”

Applause and cheers rang out in the Great Hall.

[lbigreyhound13]

Take It Slow (BOTGD flashback)

@asha-the-viking

July 1048

It had been two months since Ragnarok ended and since the Grounded Dungeon Rebellion was released from their bunker once Hel informed them that she had won the war. The rebels moved on from their spot in the Everglade and set out to start lives anew or to resume their lives from before the Rebellion. Once she and King Haddock formed plans for her to continue her position, Lady Grey Bergman took her Night Fury, Shadow and led her best friends, Greg, Warren, their young daughter Lila, Asha, and her young daughter 3-year-old Siri back home to Haligan Island.

Upon returning, Grey reunited with her parents, Sven and Ingrid and her uncle Einar along with the rest of the village. She introduced them all to her unofficial adoptive siblings, Greg, Warren, and Asha and her nieces Siri and Lila. The Boomerang Squad settled into life on Haligan Island after that. Greg and Warren settled into their own house with Lila. That of course left Asha and Siri. Once Grey explained her situation to her parents, Sven and Ingrid welcomed Asha and Siri to live with them with open arms.

Ever since then, Asha and Siri had been living in the Bergman household and had been sharing Grey’s room with her and Shadow.

One morning in July 1048, Grey found herself waking up early that morning and getting ready for the day before walking out of the makeshift changing space in her room. She loved having Asha and Siri as roommates. Shadow immediately jumped up to greet her rider and sister.

“Hey, girl,” Grey said as she scratched her dragon’s head.

[lbigreyhound13]

Einar’s Apprentice (Meeting Brandt), Part 3 (BOTGD Flashback)

Continued from this

@asha-the-viking

“Sorry about that,” Grey said shrugging as she gently scratched Shadow's head earning a croon from her dragon. "Shadow really likes making friends."

As soon as Grey said that, Shadow narrowed her eyes and looked at Grey clearly not appreciating the comment.

"What?" Grey asked incredulously. "It's true."

Brandt laughed watching the interaction between the Chief and her Night Fury. It was amazing to see such a strong bond between them. Grey was talking to her as if Shadow was another person. It was easy to see that Grey has had Shadow for a long time. "It's no problem," he said. "I appreciate the compliment."

Shadow crooned happily at Brandt before turning back to Grey snorting at her as if to say "See?!"

"Don't encourage her," Grey said jokingly.

[lbigreyhound13]

Callers Clash, Part 4 (BOTGD Flashback)

Continued from this

@moe-lazyeye

As soon as the lessor judge leaned back, Grey pushed herself off the ground and flipped them over so that he was on the ground. Next thing she knew, her sword moved down. 

[lbigreyhound13]

Callers Clash, Part 3 (BOTGD Flashback)

Continued from this

@moe-lazyeye

Grey yelled at the top of her lungs as she rushed the two judges with her sword ready to strike. Her sword clashed with theirs as she ducked and dodged their attacks. The Lady was getting tired, her lungs burned at the exertion, but she kept on going. She had to, there was no other choice. 

[moe-lazyeye]

Callers Clash (botgd flashback)

The call commander stood rigidly on the erected wooden balcony behind the Valhallan line. At least...what used to be the Valhallan line. The rebels had pushed hard despite the odds stacked against them, and Hel’s initial attack of unexpected reinforcements on their left wing had done nothing to help hold things in order. He gripped the railing, lifting his voice as he gave orders.

“Suya tiecha! Hasambek tirhebir!”

The soldiers on the right shifted their formation, barking back their acknowledgment of the command, and moved in to relieve a unit that had begun to tire from the fight.

Everything was in disarray just outside the range of his voice. The rebels, as Orskaf had predicted, fought with high skill, yet enough savagery to remain unpredictable. Orskaf... a bead of sweat dropped down the side of the commander’s face. He still couldn’t understand why their head Judge had left, why he had taken to the battlefield on his own, with his helmet split and blade surely damaged no less. At least that other, sharp nosed solider had gone with him though. The commander could not say that the idea of that particular guard falling in battle gave him any sense of loss. The man’s presence had been an extreme discomfort.  

“The fight has already gone wild...” A grim lessor judge spoke beside him, his towering frame seeming naturally covered by the well fitted armor. 

“As long as we hold central control here we can keep our men organized and refreshed.” The commander assured. “Let it be wild out there. This one spot of stability can help us shape the long term outcome.”

The two other lessor judges present glanced at one another. One of them, a fiery male who more than once criticized Orskaf’s dealings and pursuing of loopholes, growled in frustration. “Abandoned by our leader and left to deal with this. I wonder is he trying to play hero or is he seeking another blind-spot in Odin’s decrees like what he did in that Eastern village.”   

The lessor judge beside him, a female who moved with almost supernatural fluidity despite the restrictive look of the Valhallan platting, shoved a bow into his hand. “Our leadership capabilities is sufficient enough. That’s why Odin appointed us and Donz directed us. Now come, we may not have thrown ourselves into the fray but we still need to be useful. Start shooting.”

@lbigreyhound13