|
Spirit of the Wind
|
Infinite
|
Offline
Administrator
|
Post by North on Mar 24, 2021 13:29:55 GMT -5
"These don't look like 'standing stones,'" the young warrior scoffed to his companions. "It's a storming pile of rubble."
"Mind your tongue around the spirits, young one," rumbled a tall, seasoned woman behind him.
The young man's skin stood on end at the sound of the woman's voice. Clearly he knew her. They all did. "Elder Stasia," he greeted with a start and a look of embarrassment, his sentiment echoed by his friends.
"These ruins are of the Ancients. Before the Cardinals themselves walked the land," she explained, hardly seeming to notice the reverence. She was a hunter now, a fighter once, and more invested in their futures than they were. They neared the small rise, upon which were strewn the crumbling yet solid dark stone walls and gaping arched doorways. Wooden planks had been set into the ground to mark the path and make the journey up the incline easier, but they were hardly original features. And wood had decayed away long ago, as had any detail in the once majestic stone work.
Stasia paused in the archway and pressed a palm to the worn dark surface. A faint smile lit up her eyes. Still warm. Whatever magic had built this wonder, it had imbued the stones with an unnatural warmth. As eerily quiet and still and empty as the ruins were, the warmth was comforting in a way it had no business being. As if it was welcoming them home after a long journey. She made no such comment about this to the young warriors behind her, continuing on into the central space.
There, indeed, was a single white standing stone, completely at odds with the dark stone of the surrounding structure. In all likelihood, it had been a statue or monument in ages past, not worn to a irregular pillar. It was a bit shorter than she recalled, but still easily twelve feet tall. It contained none of the warm magic that the building did, which in itself was magical in a way. She continued to the back of the space and some of the other Elders and Jarls gathered there.
Behind her, the warriors were mimicking her touch to the stone doorway to various noises of shock and awe, entirely distracted from the fact that there was, indeed, a 'standing stone.'
---
It's been a long time since the last feast at the end of summer and that took place in camp. Many young warriors and those without children of their own have never been to the Sunset Stones. It is both an exciting event to honor a new Elder, and a sacred moment reminding the people of their gods and their way of life. Not just through solemn reverence, but through celebration! Lutrians rarely do anything quietly and this is very much a festival with a ritual attached.
The ceremony begins here, with a crowd and gifts and some more or less formal words, and then proceeds back toward the camp. Since there is no meeting hall (it's a work in progress, the skeleton of which sits in the center of camp), the partying will take place on the outskirts of camp, where only those considered "adults" (those who have earned their first kill on a hunt/been on their first raid/or slaves of age) are allowed. Drinking probably begins on the journey back, so be careful if you plan to drink and ride.
|
|
|
North
is Offline
|
46 posts
|
Lutrian
|
Post by Espen Varangr on Mar 24, 2021 13:52:24 GMT -5
Espen was nervous. Not about the ceremony or even about his mother, and he had all faith in Roan that things would be handled more than "fine." He was nervous about everything after that. With Eira. With the community. He'd be expected to do more and be more and he still wasn't sure what that might look like. Would people seek out his advise? What about if there was more talk of war beyond just the whispers?
He'd made the trip to the stones early, with his brother. More because he wanted to support Roan and use that to keep his mind off of other things, but also because he supposed it was good form to get to the place before it was too crowded, if just to prove he was responsible. If that was the only responsible thing he did all night, it would be a win. Espen had visited this sacred site once before. With Roan. He hadn't actually set foot inside because he had mostly been there for moral support and his charming company. Seeing the place for the first time, touching the stone walls... It was almost as if he could see what it once was.
"How many times have you been here now?" he asked Roan Varangr beside him, a poor excuse for small talk.
Is, his familiar, padded quietly alongside him, which was a bit odd considering she normally wanted very little to do with people. He supposed should could tell he was nervous. And he could tell she was, though whether it was because of the people or this place he wasn't sure. The bond didn't work very well in specifics. Either way, the frost fox was a welcome balm to his nerves while he waited for everyone to arrive and the sun to set. |
|
|
soul devoted to the four winds
|
28
|
Lutrian
|
Post by Roan Varangr on Mar 24, 2021 18:45:33 GMT -5
Roan had carried with him a carved wooden totem. It was piece of ornate wood working, the bust of a dragon, long elegant neck with it's wings at rest, it's jaw closed and a serene wise look about it's face. It's reserved and dignified appearance was far removed from it's much more common relative the fruit dragon. All of the totems were idealized and had a mystical quality about them....though roan was no stranger to debates about if anyone had ever actually seen a dragon like the one they used to represent the western wind. It was about 3 feet and not nearly as heavy as it looked. He had refused to let Espen Varangr carry it on the way to the ceremony site. It had been carved by their grandfather...or his grandfather, when the people of Lutra started to lose their lands. Despite it's age the totem was well perseverd and showed few signs of weathering, there was however a splotchy spot darker than the surrounding wood on the base under the carving. "I'm....not sure anymore...at least more than a dozen. It'll be the first time without father." The power of just how old the ceremony site was had never quite worn off though. Even now it felt like the walls themselves were quietly listening to him, waiting on him to invoke the gods. He would actually feel a bit better when people showed up because at least that would be the more usual kind of nervousness. "It shouldn't take long. There are quite a few among the Elders who would rather skip the whole thing and get right to the feasting if they could." He had noticed the little fox at Espen's side and in a way he felt it was all more fortuitous that it should be there. As long as the bond remained Espen's promises might as well be the familiar's promises too. He carefully set the totem before the standing stone and cast his eyes about to see who had arrived. |
|
|
|
Post by Eira Olsen on Mar 24, 2021 19:02:02 GMT -5
Eira wasn't long behind the two men. Showing up with a small group of others, mostly other slaves. Though they'd been joined by their masters while she'd made the trip alone. Her hair sat in a braid down her back with her hands clasped in front of her, hidden by the flowy sleeves of her dress. There were people in the group all whispering around her most of them having never been to the site. There was a memory pushing against a wall in her mind that made he believe she'd been here once before when she was young but she couldn't for the life of her remember when or why she'd come. Unlike the frost fox Eira hadn't allowed her familiar to join her on the trip. Mostly due to not wanting to risk the little thief from taking things from anyone.
Though her stomach turned with nerves her expression remained unchanged. Though as her dark eyes landed on two familiar men the corners of her lips did threaten to turn up into a soft smile. Eira let her eyes wander around her taking in the sight. The magic in the air almost felt like it held a weight to it. There was more people coming behind her small group. Many people not quite as excited about the ritual as they were about the feast after.
Before the other Elders arrived and everything started Eira wanted to speak with Espen and Roan. "Roan, it's always a pleasure to see you," her voice was light and polite even if her face remained seemingly uncaring. Eira was in fact glad that Roan was with Espen. She knew how close the men were and wanted him to have all the support he could get. Though she suspected Roan might also be nervous about the ritual.
|
|
|
North
is Offline
|
46 posts
|
Lutrian
|
Post by Espen Varangr on Mar 25, 2021 0:17:01 GMT -5
He'd seen the totem before and while he had of course offered to help, Espen had a healthy respect for the spirits and his shaman (brother aside) and he wasn't about to intentional disrespect them. He wasn't all that certain about the pieces that went into play tonight. He'd performed his part of the sacrifice with the hunt. Waiting for meat to cure and hides to tan was out of his hands, he had just provided the material.
"More than a dozen?" He found that amazing, but he supposed there were plenty of witnessed ceremonies that Espen was not involved in. Naming ceremonies weren't really his thing. Neither were wedding. His first time without father made Espen reach out and put a hand on Roan's shoulder for a moment.
It was clear from the talkative hum of the crowd that everyone was here for the party. Roan's suggestion that many of the Elder's were too...probably shouldn't have surprised Espen as much as it did. It was reassuring in a way, to know that everyone was here to celebrate more than anything. They were a sort of large and sprawling family after all. Formal affairs weren't their strong suit.
The white fox sat next to him. Not close enough to touch, because that would be incriminating, but enough that if the wind shifted the right way, her fur brushed against his pants. Her three fluffy tails seemed to float and while she was otherwise still, her black tipped ears twitched at every little noise. She caught sight of Eira before Espen did, flicking her ears and her small excited emotion drew his attention down and then to where Is was looking, just in time to watch Eira break from the group of slaves. He smiled and nodded a greeting to her.
Normally, Espen would have admonished her for not referring to the Shaman by his title while they were in public but he was more than a little distracted. "I'm glad your here, Eira," he said instead, genuinely glad. He wasn't sure what else to say however and looking to his brother again. It was almost time, after all. "Best we get on with it, little brother, 'for this restless horde turns into a hungry mob," he teased with an encouraging smile. |
|
|
soul devoted to the four winds
|
28
|
Lutrian
|
Post by Roan Varangr on Mar 25, 2021 1:14:06 GMT -5
Roan was already distracted by the elders loosely moving to stand on either side of the standing stone. He looked up to Eira's greeting with a similarly distracted smile. "and you as well, Eira." He himself was much looser with matters of station. He owned no servants by choice but he also was not against the hierarchy of power. If he had felt that the elders or villagers were listening he likewise would have scolded her but Espen was right it was much more pressing that they begin the ritual.
He turned to face the general gathering and nervously cleared his throat.
"We are gathered here today under the protection of the west wind." He announced in a voice with more surety and power than he usually held. "Today we witness the sun set and Espen rise as an Elder of our community." The sky was indeed lit with the red tinge of the day fading. Likely the only light left at the end of the ceremony would be that of the candles and torches. "Espen will now present his sacrifice in the name of the West Wind." Roan's eyes turned to Espen but did also flick to the table where his hunt, having been prepared during the night before and this morning was laid out. It was a good kill and Roan could tell from the sized of it that Espen would have plenty enough to make an offering to each member let alone the hide. Being that their mother was still an Elder it was the obvious choice for the hide.
Roan watched expectantly waiting for Espen to pass out the gifts.
|
|
|
|
Post by Eira Olsen on Mar 25, 2021 1:42:18 GMT -5
Had there been more people to hear her Eira wouldn't have been so casual with how she addressed the Shaman. As it were everyone else was far too distracted by the excitment and prospect of food and drink to bother eavesdropping on their conversation. "I wish you luck. Both of you," she meant it. This was going to be an experience for both of them. As the Elders and the rest of the people began arriving Eira gave Espen a soft, reassuring smile before moving back to stand with the others.
It wasn't a long talk but it was enough to let Espen know she was in fact there. Despite the odd "invitation" he'd given her at the hut. Eira stood off to the side close enough to the front to get a good look. Eira glanced over at the other Elders, seeing the mens mother with them. Watching her eye her sons. The light cast over head looked like someone had set fire to the sky.
Though quiet there was a buzz of excitement in the air. Though Eira wasn't sure if it was more excitment for Espen becoming the new and youngest Elder or for the feast after. She took a deep breath and toyed with one of the sleeves on her dress. If just to give her hands something to do.
|
|
|
North
is Offline
|
46 posts
|
Lutrian
|
Post by Espen Varangr on Mar 25, 2021 2:26:25 GMT -5
He took a deep breath as his brother cleared his throat and began. He tried his best to listen but he was really only half paying attention. Less from nerves and more just trying to calm them. He focused his attention on specific people. Roan. Eira. Groups of his raiders and neighbors and cousins. He recognized Jesper's adopted father even, which was actually a pleasant surprise.
He glanced back at Roan, his words settling in around him and he smiled. Rise as an Elder. It sounded good. Epic. Still daunting but...also kind of reassuring. Enough to make him a bit more giddy than nervous. He nodded to himself as Roan mentioned gifts. Right. He moved between the table and each Elder, passing near the pillar each time. Some he should hands with and they exchanged simple words, others whom he knew better they clapped each other on the back or half hugged and traded jokes. His mother was last.
He paused at the table, hefting the hide. He looked up and caught sight of Eira again and whether she was looking at him or not, it helped. He moved to his mother and grinned but before he could say anything she cut him off.
"You make an age joke and I'll kill you where you stand."
Espen wasn't sure whether to smile wider or sink into the floor. Witch. "Your support means a lot to me, Elder Aex," he said, relinquishing his gift.
She inspected the hide. "Very lovely, Espen. May the West Wind smile on you."
He rolled his eyes and stepped backwards. His mother nodded and a few of the other Elders did as well, looking back to the shaman to indicate they were pleased with their gifts of the spirit. |
|
|
soul devoted to the four winds
|
28
|
Lutrian
|
Post by Roan Varangr on Mar 25, 2021 2:49:07 GMT -5
Roan avoided looking at anyone in particular for too long lest his nerves catch up with him. He had learned by now to let the momentum of tradition carry him through these sorts of public events. It was nice to see how openly each member received the gift. Of course if there had been any doubt about Espen's ability to hunt or objections then they would have been raised long before the ritual. He smiled a little at mother's stern jab.
Seeing all of the elders faces turned his way he nodded and gestured for Espen to stand before the standing stone.
"Brother Espen, Please say a few words of offering." He instructed so that his brother would know it was his turn to make a short speech of some kind. Afterwards would begin the marking ceremony in which each elder carves part of the web of wyrd onto a shoulder of the new elder. These two parts were potentialy the most important part of the ceremony.
|
|
|
|
Post by Eira Olsen on Mar 25, 2021 9:40:45 GMT -5
As Espen began dividing the gifts among the other Elders she did keep a watchful eye on him. Eira was almost certain she could feel his nervousness radiating off of him. Though that may have just been her projecting her own feelings. She was certain she was the only person in the crowd who felt as anxious as the men did.
Though there wasn't a single doubt in her mind that they would accept his offerings she still worried. As Espen got to his mother she watched him pale a bit and nearly started to giggle. The anxiety turned to excitement as the Elders turned to Roan to express their approval. Eira was almost giddy. There was even a small crack in her usual mask as her lips curled into a proud smile. Her dark eyes trained on Espen as he moved to give his speech. Which she was almost certain he hadn't actually prepared anything.
Still, Eira looked on Espen with joy and pride. Knowing all that he did for their community already. Knowing this was something he deserved. Even if it meant more responsibility. She'd have to express how proud she was of Roan as well to him later. At the moment though she couldn't tear her focus away from the man of the hour.
|
|
|
North
is Offline
|
46 posts
|
Lutrian
|
Post by Espen Varangr on Mar 25, 2021 12:38:02 GMT -5
Espen was not universally liked. But generally becoming an Elder was about physical achievement rather than popularity. And if anyone on the council disliked him the most it was probably his own mother.
Right. Words. He didn't mind public speaking but honestly...he hadn't actually prepared anything. Thankfully it was less a speech that was expected and more just...a personal dedication of sorts. He looked over the Elders before turning to rest of those gathered. "It's a great honor to be welcomed among the leadership of this tribe. I promise to continue to lead by example. Though most of you probably know this already, with the blessing of the winds, I dedicate my life to the betterment of Lutra. And to all of you." He paused a moment. He was pretty sure that was all he needed to say. Probably? He glanced at Roan and then relaxed a little and added. "So instead of the long winded speech I prepared, you can all rest easy on those growling stomachs," he concluded.
He got a few smirks and a lot more eye rolls and Espen was positive he could feel his mother staring through him but there was nothing wrong [/u] with calling attention to the feast everyone was waiting for. He turned back to the council and Roan and pulled his jacket off and then tugged his tunic over his head (this one fresh without any holes in it). Thankfully it was still fall and while cold, it was a tolerable sort that they were used to. He wasn't actually sure if there was an order of if he was supposed to just stand there. He knew about the tattoo but, much like a lot of the young warriors out there, he had been too busy thinking about food and drink and woman to pay any attention to the process. |
|
|
soul devoted to the four winds
|
28
|
Lutrian
|
Post by Roan Varangr on Mar 25, 2021 17:17:45 GMT -5
It was plenty good. It didn't matter how well prepared the words were since the important thing was the truthfulness behind them. Now that Espen had said his piece roan nodded respectfully. He watched the man pull his coat off with a resigned look on his face. It was definitely his least favorite part of the ritual. He didn't particularly like seeing anyone get injured let alone his brother. Even though he knew that Espen would be pleased with the mark afterward it still made him a tinge uncomfortable.
Roan motioned for the first elder to start, it was generally the oldest serving elder and thus most practiced that drew the first line. For ovious reasons, their cut would sort of set the foundation for the rest. The first came forward and pulled out their favored knife to cut the first line of the ladder into Roan's shoulder. Even standing slightly away as he was roan could see that it was just the right amount of deep, enough to scar but not so deep as to bleed in excess.
Each elder in turn came forward and placed their mark on the web of wyrd. His mother having received the hide drew the central line to complete the mark. Roan never turned away or unfocused his attention to both make sure nothing went amiss and out of respect.
Roan then moved forward "Place your blood upon the totem and you shall be fully recognized as an elder under the winds." He motioned for Espen to take some of the seeping blood from his shoulder and place it upon the slight dark spot of the totem. Once Espen had done so he nodded with a reassuring smile to the Elder to give their various congratulations.
Espen had gotten through the ritual just fine but of course Roan had known he would.
Roan had seen enough rituals to know that you would have to do something pretty wild and disrespectful for the ceremony to go awry.
|
|
|
|
Post by Eira Olsen on Mar 25, 2021 18:45:03 GMT -5
Eira was one of those who rolled her eyes. Not because he brought attention to the largest reason most of their people had decided to come but because she knew now he in fact did not have anything prepared to say. Not that it mattered. Coming up with something then, even as silly as it was, was more genunine. Felt more like Espen. When he removed his tunic she was then concerned with him getting blood on it for her to scrub out again.
Though Eira found she now really couldn't pull her eyes away from him. Both out of respect for the mark he was about to recieve and because she just wanted to look at him. Though her cheeks warmed slightly in a soft blush she ignored it and attempted to push the feeling aside. There was a surge of energy that ran through her whole body but she wasn't sure if it was just from the crowd or the magic of the area.
Watching him place his blood on the totem made things feel more real. While they'd gone through the whole ceremony it only felt solid then. Though the moment was ruined when she felt a hand on her lower back. Eira's expression soured immediately as she moved away from the sudden and unwanted touch. Her eyes darted around to find the owner of the fingers she'd be breaking but couldn't seem to pinpoint anyone. With a deep breath she shifted uncomfortably before turning her attention back to the brothers and other Elders.
Once the ritual was over and the feast was going to start Eira was quick to break away from the group and move towards the men. "You did very well, Shaman," the same proud smile she'd had before worked its way back to her lips. "And you managed not to ruin anything, Master Varangr," she teased as her eyes turned to Espen. There was an almost playful gleam to them under the mostly set sun.
"I'm really proud of both of you."
|
|
|
North
is Offline
|
46 posts
|
Lutrian
|
Post by Espen Varangr on Mar 26, 2021 0:38:23 GMT -5
If anything, it proved he knew how to read a room and improvise. Planning wasn't exactly his forte. Was he lying? A little, but even those who didn't know him well could hear the joke on his voice.
Espen wasn't all that concerned with going without a shirt. Most of the men weren't, and some even preferred to go to battle bare chested. It spoke a lot about their ferocity and confidence and also common sense. Espen might not be as clever as Roan or Astrid or some of the others, but he certainly wasn't that stupid. He supposed there was something to say for his common sense and wisdom that made him a good Elder. Not that he wasn't stupid when it came to other matters.
He'd removed the bandages from the injury the other day. It wasn't entirely healed, but it was looking to scar over nicely on his side in a way that was going to look a lot more impressive than the simple slip during combat that was the story behind it. He was much more excited about the scaring tattoo process than Roan clearly was. Espen supposed being a healer sort made it hard to condone intentional harm, but to be fair, the point was the symbolism, not the harm.
Espen flinched the first time, but after that only grit his teeth to bear the pain of the moment. It was a bit hard to see the web, obscured a bit by his own blood, but watching it come together was fascinating and...more real than any of the words that had been exchanged. He swallowed his grin until his mother finished the last line and then glanced at Roan with a goofy sort of smile. A bit more excitedly than the first half of the ceremony, he brushed his fingers through the blood on his shoulder and touched them to the stone. In the same place his mother, and some of the others had before. He wondered a bit sadly how many, if any of the current council, had touched their hands to any of the other sacred sites other than this one.
And then his contemplation was interrupted by pats on the back and congratulations and reminders of his new duty and his mother ruffling his hair and hugging him like he was a child (because he probably still was in her head and she had to assert herself somehow). Espen exchange words and laughs with a few of them and then the rest of the crowd was moving too, some to approach him with similar sentiments, some just shouting, and the rest shifting and laughing and shouting at each other as they walked back toward the camp.
Their mother made a point to approach Roan as well, hugging him. "Atrus would be proud of you," she began. "But you don't need ta be so formal," she teased. Atrus had been the formal sort too and she had always teased him about that as well. Not that any of it was a bad thing. She left with some of the Elders and most of the crowd.
"Well done, Shaman," Espen said as he pulled himself away to find Roan and hug him, theoretically as an excuse to go through his pockets for a bandage. He used his tunic to wipe most of the blood away and then bound his bicep. "Thanks, Eira," he added, flashing her a smile. He was glad as always to see her and much more relaxed now that all that was over. "You mean besides my shirt?" He laughed and then seemed to realize the implication to her words. "Hey, were you betting I was going to ruin something? Were you in on this?" He directed the last question at Roan and frowned playfully. "Lucky for you both I like you. Now, let's head back to camp, shall we?"
He wasn't sure if Roan had other things he needed to complete, but Espen wanted to eat, drink, maybe dance, and probably fight someone. That was how feasts usually went around here. |
|
